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But the election is only the middle of the maze, and the road ahead remains obscure and perilous. A U.N. presence must be maintained to offer continued security against political terror from all sides. International aid must continue for years. A national army will have to be built, in the hope that die-hard Khmer Rouge elements can finally be defeated, and then tried.
In the long term, the success or failure of the UNTAC investment will hinge on international concern and on whether, at last, Cambodian political leaders can cooperate with goodwill to address the underlying problems of their country. Yasushi Akashi, the personable Japanese who heads UNTAC, points out that UNTAC "cannot force Cambodians to be free." The international community and UNTAC need to be steadfast if Cambodians are finally to have the chance.