Phnom Penh, June 2006

To: Ms. Somsook Boonyabancha
Executive Secretary, ACHR

Subject: Appreciation
Reference: Your letter, dated June 16, 2006

Regarding the above subject and our meeting on June 12, 2006 and I had discussion with Ms. Mariko Sato, UN-Habitat Officer in charge of the Asia Pacific, Dr. Ramesh B. Munankami, Technical Advisor to PUPR, on June 14, the day of PUPR Closing Ceremony.

Myself as the Governor of Phnom Penh City, I would like to extend my thanks to you for your recommendation and suggestions that serve as the basis to settle the problems of Bassac (Sambok Chap) community in order to response to the international community. It is obvious that the Municipality of Phnom Penh is taking possibly responsibilities and care toward the problems the community facing. However we can not solve all the problems demand at once. By the way, we are trying to help the poor in Bassac community step-by-step until they could receive proper development so that they could have a secured livelihood in their relocation sites and legal rights to live in the city in the future.

In the mean time, I would request you to call for the international community to understand the real goal of the Municipality of Phnom Penh and as well as partners work is in a partner Municipality, local authorities, local and international NGOs, and companies to develop Bassac community so that those poor people could get various services in order to enhance human security, which is in accordance with the MDG strategy of the United Nations.

Once again, I would like to extend you my gratitude for your care and suggestions that serve as the good basis to develop Bassac community. The Municipality of Phnom Penh will put this basis into practice step-by-step as much as we can.

Truly yours,

Governor
Phnom Penh Municipality