Chem Widhya, the Hun Sen regime mouthpiece at the UN. While repeating the regime communist mantra of "peace" and "stability", the Cambodian UN representative claimed that "Cambodia has a vision to re-integrate itself into the work community." The ambassador of the dictatorial regime must be having very selective memories since he forgot that a couple of weeks ago, strongman Hun Sen had savagely attacked Prof. Yash Ghai, the UN Special Envoy for human rights in Cambodia, for criticizing the regime's disdain of democracy and human rights. Indeed, Rome was not built in one day, however, unlike Phnom Penh, Rome was not led by thugs.Ambassador speaks of Cambodia's joy, pain
By ANGEL ROY
Sun Correspondent (Lowell, Massachussetts, USA)
LOWELL -- "The past was always beautiful, the present challenging, and the future uncertain." Those are the words Cambodian Ambassador Widhya Chem chose to describe his native counry.
The beautiful past he referred to was the 17 years after Cambodia attained independence in 1953 from France.
The present challenges are result of Cambodia starting from below zero to emerge from political isolation in 1993.
Now, in its uncertain future, Cambodia has a goal to reduce dependency on foreign aid and assistance.
Chem was the featured speaker yesterday as part of Middlesex Community College's One World Series and also as part MCC's celebration of Cambodian Month.
"For 17 years, Cambodia was peaceful, prosperous and advanced in Southeast Asia," said Chem.
He said Cambodia's beauty was tarnished from 1970 to 1978 when the Khmer Rouge, a communist organization led by Pol Pot, eliminated the educated and business classes and destroyed the economy. The Khmer Rouge was also responsible for the death of half of the population.
Nikki Toeur, a Cambodian caseworker and Lowell resident, was 8 years old when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. Toeur managed to escape from Cambodia in 1982 with her uncle after being orphaned.
"The Khmer Rouge separated children from their parents, my father had passed away in 1974, so they took my mother," said Toeur. "We planned to meet, but I never saw her again."
In 1993, the United Nations brought Cambodia out of isolation and organized an election to establish peace and improve the economy.
Since then, Chem said, Cambodia has focused on sustaining economic growth by reducing inflation to 5 percent in 2005 after reaching a staggering 200 percent just 8 years earlier.
Chem noted that Cambodia became a part of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1999 to make peace with neighboring countries and attain political stability to attract investors.
"Cambodia has a vision to re-integrate itself into the work community," Chem said. "They are striving to ensure growth to lift the title of 'Least Stable Country.' We hope that the United States will not view Cambodia through China. We want the United States to see our own value."
According to Chem, Cambodia has recently discovered that the oil there is commercially exportable and hopes to become part of the oil market in the next two years. Athletic giant Nike also has a factory in Cambodia.
"Rome was not built in one night, it was a long, arduous process," Chem said. "I am confident that Asian Pacific communities will prosper with the United States."
The MCC event was blessed by GolapSaw, a Cambodian dance group from Lawrence, which performed a dance of greeting and good wishes that was originally performed in Cambodian palaces. The dancers sprinkled flower petals toward to the audience to represent prosperity, peace and good health.
Earlier yesterday morning, Chem was presented with a key to the city.
"I feel very satisfied to see the Cambodian community so well established in Lowell," Chem said.
The beautiful past he referred to was the 17 years after Cambodia attained independence in 1953 from France.
The present challenges are result of Cambodia starting from below zero to emerge from political isolation in 1993.
Now, in its uncertain future, Cambodia has a goal to reduce dependency on foreign aid and assistance.
Chem was the featured speaker yesterday as part of Middlesex Community College's One World Series and also as part MCC's celebration of Cambodian Month.
"For 17 years, Cambodia was peaceful, prosperous and advanced in Southeast Asia," said Chem.
He said Cambodia's beauty was tarnished from 1970 to 1978 when the Khmer Rouge, a communist organization led by Pol Pot, eliminated the educated and business classes and destroyed the economy. The Khmer Rouge was also responsible for the death of half of the population.
Nikki Toeur, a Cambodian caseworker and Lowell resident, was 8 years old when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. Toeur managed to escape from Cambodia in 1982 with her uncle after being orphaned.
"The Khmer Rouge separated children from their parents, my father had passed away in 1974, so they took my mother," said Toeur. "We planned to meet, but I never saw her again."
In 1993, the United Nations brought Cambodia out of isolation and organized an election to establish peace and improve the economy.
Since then, Chem said, Cambodia has focused on sustaining economic growth by reducing inflation to 5 percent in 2005 after reaching a staggering 200 percent just 8 years earlier.
Chem noted that Cambodia became a part of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1999 to make peace with neighboring countries and attain political stability to attract investors.
"Cambodia has a vision to re-integrate itself into the work community," Chem said. "They are striving to ensure growth to lift the title of 'Least Stable Country.' We hope that the United States will not view Cambodia through China. We want the United States to see our own value."
According to Chem, Cambodia has recently discovered that the oil there is commercially exportable and hopes to become part of the oil market in the next two years. Athletic giant Nike also has a factory in Cambodia.
"Rome was not built in one night, it was a long, arduous process," Chem said. "I am confident that Asian Pacific communities will prosper with the United States."
The MCC event was blessed by GolapSaw, a Cambodian dance group from Lawrence, which performed a dance of greeting and good wishes that was originally performed in Cambodian palaces. The dancers sprinkled flower petals toward to the audience to represent prosperity, peace and good health.
Earlier yesterday morning, Chem was presented with a key to the city.
"I feel very satisfied to see the Cambodian community so well established in Lowell," Chem said.
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