Two years ago Cambodia's Prince Sihanouk himself opened the 132-mile Khmer-American Friendship Highway connecting the capital, Pnompenh, with the sea. Built by U.S. engineers and costing $34 million, it was billed as a yardstick of U.S. know-how, "the most conspicuous impact project" of U.S. aid to Cambodia, which has totaled almost $300 million since 1955. Last week the highway had impact aplentybut the wrong kind.
In several places the highway is disintegrating. A few months ago Prince Sihanouk tried to drive from Pnompenh to the seaport of Sihanoukville. His car bounced over ruts, thumped into potholes. He turned back in disgust,...
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