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 aplenty—but 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, took a helicopter instead. U.S. Ambassador William C. Trimble fired off a cable to Washington reporting that "the deplorable condition of the highway may deal a severe blow to U.S. prestige and good faith." Last week, taking a hint from Cambodian press suggestions that U.S.-financed repairs might help to "maintain the reputation of American technicians," U.S. engineers prepared to rebuild up to 40 miles. Estimated cost: $3,000,000. More to the point, U.S. investigators on the scene were trying to decide whether the highway's foundation "failure" is the result of bungled engineering or deliberate malfeasance.