A Cambodian parliamentary delegation headed by Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Cambodia Heng Samrin has just returned from Belarus.
The purpose of the visit was, apparently, to strengthen business ties, visit the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Minsk Tractor Works. With, of course, some sightseeing thrown in for good measure.
Quite why the Minsk Tractor Works is worthy of a troupe of Cambodian bureaucrats we are not told. And with Belarusian exports to Cambodia just $50,300 in 2011 and only $2 million of goods coming the other way, there must be other markets both countries could and should be focusing on.
Surely the Cambodians cannot be looking for ideas on better governance and democracy, either. After all Belarus is presided over by Alexander Lukashenko, self-described as having an ‘authoritarian ruling style. Lukasheko, named as the World’s 16th Worst Dictator by Parade Magazine, governs a country barred from the Council of Europe for human right abuses against journalists, NGO’s and opposition party members.
The Cambodians wouldn’t be interested in being briefed by officials from a country like that, would they?
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