Pol Pot (Photo: Wikipedia)27 Oct 2006
By Mayarith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
A former Khmer Rouge (KR) who asks that his position within the KR regime is not revealed yet and who took refuge in the USA, and he is also planning to become a witness during the KR trial, declared that the main responsible person for the genocide during the KR regime is not the accused Pol Pot.
Sieng Sak, a close confidant of the former KR leader, who currently lives in Lowell, Massachusetts, and who entered Phnom Penh for the first time on 17 April 1975, is accusing two personalities as the responsible persons [in the genocide]: Former Cambodian Monarch Norodom Sihanouk and Khieu Samphan.
Sieng Sak wrote an email and sent it to the former King to inform him about the accusation. On 9 Oct 2006, Sieng Sak received an email reply from former King Sihanouk acknowledging the reception of the email.
Sieng Sak explained to RFA that the reason he is bringing these charges is because he based himself on the fact that between the period of 17 April 1975 and April 1976, King Norodom Sihanouk was acting as the top leader of the former black shirts (KR) soldiers.
Sieng Sak said that the reason he is planning to act as a witness is not to defend anyone in particular, but rather to reveal the truth as he had observed and he only wants history to note about this fact.
He said that between 1975 and the beginning of April 1976, the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime was not yet formed. During that period, it was still the under GRUNC (French acronym for “Gouvernement Royal d’Union National du Cambodge,” Royal Government of the National Union of Cambodia) regime with Samdech Sihanouk as its leader.
Sieng Sak said: “One share of responsibility must go first to Samdech Sihanouk [for the period] between 17 April 1975 and 2 April 1976. Next, Khieu Samphan must bear the responsibility for the period between 3 April 1976 and 6 January 1979. On 17 April [1975], we worked and I worked with Samdech Sihanouk, and we already obtained the proof that they were the days he is responsible for.”
Meanwhile in Phnom Penh, Reach Sambath, the KR Tribunal spokesman, declared that he did not receive the accusation charge yet. He also said that he does not know about the number of witnesses and whether Sieng Sak will participate in the trial or not.
Reach Sambath said the trial is planned for this upcoming June 2007 and that the investigation files and [list of] witnesses will be provided by the prosecutors to the investigating judges before the end of 2006.
Reach Sambath said: “There is no change in the trial law for the KR leaders, this means that the plan is for before June 2007. Now the schedule is fast approaching and the prosecutors had worked very hard since 10 July 2006. Up to now, they have proofs and witnesses to help them in their work before sending the files to the co-investigating judges.”
Sieng Sak, the former KR chief, indicated that soon after the occupation of Phnom Penh by the KR, the mass killing started on 20-21-23 April following the trick announce made on 20 April 1975 asking the population to evacuate from Phnom Penh, the announce also asked that those who hold the rank of second lieutenant and up are invited to return to Phnom Penh to receive Samdech Sihanouk. They were in fact killed near Tuol Kok, they were stabbed and dumped into wells.
Sieng Sak recounted: “On 20 [April 1975] they were called to return back, and on 21-22-23 [April], those who hold a rank of second-lieutenant and lieutenant were killed, the killing did not stop until the 24th. We must ask why the killing was stopped? It was because Ieng Sary prevented it, if it were not for Ieng Sary stopping it on time, everybody in Phnom Penh will be killed, the killing would last 3 days. The majority of them were led to their killings in the evening, they were killed in Tuol Kok … they were smashed and dumped into a well, they were not shot.”
Sieng Sak also said that the responsibility of the killing rest on Samdech Sihanouk because the DK was not announced until 3 April 1976, following the return of Samdech Sihanouk from the UN and he handed the power over to the KR leaders to take over.”
Sieng Sak added: “The DK did not see the daylight on 17 April 1975, the DK received its full status right starting 03 April 1976, following the transfer of power from Samdech Sihanouk of the UN seat which he held since 1970.”
Sieng Sak said that after Samdech Sihanouk handed the power to Khieu Samphan and that the latter became the State President, Nuon Chea as the vice-President, Ieng Sary the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, etc…, Pol Pot only held a position in the party, therefore Sieng Sak does not believe that Pol Pot should bear the same major responsibility as Khieu Samphan does.
Reach Sambath said that the determination of the responsibility of the suspects is up to the tribunal, he said that the list of suspects is not determined yet but he indicated that the charges could be announced at the beginning of next year.
Sieng Sak, a close confidant of the former KR leader, who currently lives in Lowell, Massachusetts, and who entered Phnom Penh for the first time on 17 April 1975, is accusing two personalities as the responsible persons [in the genocide]: Former Cambodian Monarch Norodom Sihanouk and Khieu Samphan.
Sieng Sak wrote an email and sent it to the former King to inform him about the accusation. On 9 Oct 2006, Sieng Sak received an email reply from former King Sihanouk acknowledging the reception of the email.
Sieng Sak explained to RFA that the reason he is bringing these charges is because he based himself on the fact that between the period of 17 April 1975 and April 1976, King Norodom Sihanouk was acting as the top leader of the former black shirts (KR) soldiers.
Sieng Sak said that the reason he is planning to act as a witness is not to defend anyone in particular, but rather to reveal the truth as he had observed and he only wants history to note about this fact.
He said that between 1975 and the beginning of April 1976, the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime was not yet formed. During that period, it was still the under GRUNC (French acronym for “Gouvernement Royal d’Union National du Cambodge,” Royal Government of the National Union of Cambodia) regime with Samdech Sihanouk as its leader.
Sieng Sak said: “One share of responsibility must go first to Samdech Sihanouk [for the period] between 17 April 1975 and 2 April 1976. Next, Khieu Samphan must bear the responsibility for the period between 3 April 1976 and 6 January 1979. On 17 April [1975], we worked and I worked with Samdech Sihanouk, and we already obtained the proof that they were the days he is responsible for.”
Meanwhile in Phnom Penh, Reach Sambath, the KR Tribunal spokesman, declared that he did not receive the accusation charge yet. He also said that he does not know about the number of witnesses and whether Sieng Sak will participate in the trial or not.
Reach Sambath said the trial is planned for this upcoming June 2007 and that the investigation files and [list of] witnesses will be provided by the prosecutors to the investigating judges before the end of 2006.
Reach Sambath said: “There is no change in the trial law for the KR leaders, this means that the plan is for before June 2007. Now the schedule is fast approaching and the prosecutors had worked very hard since 10 July 2006. Up to now, they have proofs and witnesses to help them in their work before sending the files to the co-investigating judges.”
Sieng Sak, the former KR chief, indicated that soon after the occupation of Phnom Penh by the KR, the mass killing started on 20-21-23 April following the trick announce made on 20 April 1975 asking the population to evacuate from Phnom Penh, the announce also asked that those who hold the rank of second lieutenant and up are invited to return to Phnom Penh to receive Samdech Sihanouk. They were in fact killed near Tuol Kok, they were stabbed and dumped into wells.
Sieng Sak recounted: “On 20 [April 1975] they were called to return back, and on 21-22-23 [April], those who hold a rank of second-lieutenant and lieutenant were killed, the killing did not stop until the 24th. We must ask why the killing was stopped? It was because Ieng Sary prevented it, if it were not for Ieng Sary stopping it on time, everybody in Phnom Penh will be killed, the killing would last 3 days. The majority of them were led to their killings in the evening, they were killed in Tuol Kok … they were smashed and dumped into a well, they were not shot.”
Sieng Sak also said that the responsibility of the killing rest on Samdech Sihanouk because the DK was not announced until 3 April 1976, following the return of Samdech Sihanouk from the UN and he handed the power over to the KR leaders to take over.”
Sieng Sak added: “The DK did not see the daylight on 17 April 1975, the DK received its full status right starting 03 April 1976, following the transfer of power from Samdech Sihanouk of the UN seat which he held since 1970.”
Sieng Sak said that after Samdech Sihanouk handed the power to Khieu Samphan and that the latter became the State President, Nuon Chea as the vice-President, Ieng Sary the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, etc…, Pol Pot only held a position in the party, therefore Sieng Sak does not believe that Pol Pot should bear the same major responsibility as Khieu Samphan does.
Reach Sambath said that the determination of the responsibility of the suspects is up to the tribunal, he said that the list of suspects is not determined yet but he indicated that the charges could be announced at the beginning of next year.
26 comments:
The Court can't put the dead on trial but it will be interesting if this testimony becomes part of the proceedings.
Oh oh,oh, It's kind of Interesting story."Ek Odoum Prohok Khmer." ha ha ha.....
sounds like Seang Sak knows alot. he was a KR leader, i said they put him on trial as a defendant.
Sihanouk is a killer right from the start. remember he's an educated man from France, he wanted power that's why he gave up the monarchy when the french left. so its no suprise that he would kill because he was pist at Lon Nol, an army man.Kill all the 2nd Lt. and up.
Weather this seang sak story is true or not. its sure add a piece to the puzzle.
Question to Seang Sak, what evidents do you have to back up your claims?
10:31 why don't you stop with your historical assumption already. It makes you to be an amature and a close minded no brainer.
Let us see the truth be reveal by the evidence of all witnesses before we interject our own personal opinion.
Mr Sieng Sak why you wait so long to reveal all of this. maybe you are one of them too.sorry to say that.
Around 2 millions Cambodians were perished, including my relatives because of the Khmer Rouge leaders, including Sihanouk, Samphorn, Sary, Salot Sar, ...and probably Sieng Sak himself. Don't be a coward and so irresponsible for your acts. Come forward and face justice for the many death. Sadly, I have not yet heard any KR leader admitting the horrific crime comitted on the the inocent. They are still finger pointing like a child, "Mom, I didn't do it. They did it." How dear you coward!
to 12.22am
my assumption comes from speaking with those who were once in the inner circle of the monarchy and lon nol regiem, close enough to know their personality.
i also said that mr. sak accusation may or may not be truthfull. and you inidciate that i said historical..
just look at sihanouk historical action, and any amature can come to a conclusion on sihanouk behavior.
what's the real reason why he pardon top members of the KR?
Maybe Mr. Sak just want to sell a book by revealing the past, we will never know or who to believe.
I don't belive this guy at all. Yes, I can believe that Sihanouk was also a killer and he has share the killing but Pol pot has also share all the killings.
I belived in this.
1-Sihanouk was so angry to all people who have supported Lon Nol regime. He wanted all of them to be killed. He wanted all cities to be emptied so that he won't see all of these again. He was so immatured in politic . He used Cambodian as very personal. His intention was very coincidence with Khiev Samphann ideas to create a peasantey society. Everyone must go to countries side( there was one tape which Sihanouk has congratulated Khmer Rouge for being able to send all people to ccountry side. And Khiev samphann thesis was also the evidence of Khiev Samphann intention.
2-Khiev Samphann must share his kilins by his top priority to send people to countries side. He worked closedlt with Sihanouk at all times. Read his letters.
3-Read all confessions from victims in Tuol Sleng, all victims have talked about plots to eliminate Pol pot and Pol Pot wanted them all to be kiled. In 1978, 300,000 people from Prey Veng and Svay Rieng have been sent to Pursat and Battambang to be slaughted. These were all from Pol Pot and Ieng sary.
4-Ieng Sary was another killers. Listen to Dr Keng Vansssak, this guy is a blood killer. He killed everyone. During the arrival of KR in Phnom Penh, read Srey Ya story, Ieng sary was Srey Ya closed friend. They have greeted each other when they first met in 1975, but Ieng sary still killed Srey Ya.
5-Nuon Chea was also a killers. Read all confession from victims in Tuol Sleng, they have begged tehir lives from Nuon Chea and Son Sen but nothing, they just ignred.
I can sum up that all killers can lived together and worked together. People are always be able to work together unlesd they have the same feeling and the strategies. Look at now,
1-All hun sen can work and lived together why? what they have in common?
2-All SRP can live together, what they in common?
3-Funcipec can live together, what they have in common?
Suffices to say that the U.S must be calling to testify because the U.S knew right then that there was going to be the killing fields...The U.S had been conned to look the other way thereby allowing for Khmer history to be re-written, the engineered-Killing Fields covered up and left the trial into the hands of the same MURDERERS themselves...What a shame!
10/28/06
AK4AnetKhmer
Mr. Sam Sak:
Were you asked by Bangkok based US Immigration official before you came to USA about if you were a Khmer Rouge offical or soldier?
INS should be re visiting this case. 95% of Cambodian refugees who were granted refugees status in the USA from refugee camps in Thailand had been asked this question.
Hello,
As the KR tribunal date is approaching, more evidences are becoming surface and more key witnesses are coming forward to mete out justice of the 30 years rusty injustice.
Unless the court immediately issues a gag order/gag rule, the trial will gradually be leading to implode. If the court, finally, decided to summon Mr. Sieng Sak as one of the key defendant expert witnesses in the trial, then it would be prosecutorial and procedural error. The court would not allow the statements made by Mr. Sak in this article to submit into evidence. It is too prejudicial.
We are starting to see finger pointing at one another and next would be who had “ordered”, then who had “followed order”. But do always remember Kaun Khmer, the KR tribunal had been internationally concatenated and politically agreed to focus on war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide within the window period from 1975 to 1979.
We do know who were there on our land and committed what before 1975. We do also know what really happened during the early 80’s – who gave the money and logistic support into Cambodia. None of these issues will be relevant to the trial.
It would be very interesting if the political issue of “invasion” brought for discussion during the trial (1978 - 1979).
A reasonable person would have not a single doubt that Sihanouk was the one who initiated the killing machine. Within his authority as a King and as the leader of Kampuchea, he kept the scabbard and handed the sword to the enemies to slaughter Kaun Khmer. It is not my assumption. It is just the facts!
Good day,
Somlor Ma-Chou Yuon Leay . . . .
Sihanouk will run away when Khmer Rouge tribunal start.
These people such as Ah Sihanouk, 95% of KR either the ones with higher positions or the ones with lower positions and the current leaders like Ah Hun San and all his comrades, thier hands are soaked with Khmer's blood. What these so called Khmer leaders really care is the power to oppress the Khmer people. They keep Khmer down any ways they can to stay in power.
I don't beleive any things these guys say. And who the hell is this Sieng Sak guy. He fought so hard to throw the American out of his beloved country but to end up living in Lowell, Massachusetts. What happened to his idealogy? They are all a bunnch of heartless killers. I wonder how any people this Sieng Sak guy killed.
1-Sieng Sak is not his real name only his wife and old colleagues in DRK camp knew,
2- He has been a hard core recipent of US welfare since day one in US,
3-He loves to brag about his important learning and affilaition with DRK,
4- He may suffer disillusion and schozo-prychotic since he was wounded in DRK battles,
5- He was not qualified as refugee since he was an enlisted DRK fighters ended in Khao I Dang Hospital.
Temples as his free room and baord to learn basic Khmer reading and writing,before that he was an illetrate and hypocrite kid.
How pity the frog or drum can produce the level of noise as Sieng Sak.
Check his record,as he fraudulently collect disability payment from SSI all these years.
please let me refresh my memory a little bit.
In mid April of 1975, our town was silent. We saw this black uniforms KR men marching in. We were told to leave food and water outside of our home to recieve their arriving.
Then we heard that all the Lon Nol army officers must go to recieve King Sihanouk. This included all men in the army uniforms even a medical staff. Our uncle who worked in a military compound to care for the sick was gone. His mother was weeping. For us it was a total horror, silent and shock!. Then we heard that you can not go to the market. Money will be demolished and there won't be anybody selling anything. What about if we would get sick. Nop, no one will there either and transportation? Nop. About mailing? Nop. Schooling? Nop. nothing is moving. We are stucked, traped and at a very dead end destiny.
Then there was a gun shut. Someone was immediately killed along the street. Anyone owning a gun must turning over to the Angkar. Then we were told to leave the town and going where? Just go! they said. We left with whatever we can take it with. We had a car. Angkar wanted it when we were about some 20 miles away from home. We gave it to them. We had a bike left. Angkar needed it. We gave it to them too. My dad had a watch. They saw it and wanted also, he ended up gave it to them. Finally we decided to dress ourselves in rags and put some mud on our faces and just kept going. We were heading west or for Thailand. We wanted to leave Cambodia so badly, but could not. News travel fast. Anyone who was trying to leave the country will be killed. Then we saw a bulldozer working to covering up those hundreds of dead bodies that were most recently killed along the road. What would be a reac tion going thru a little kid's head like myself? Nothing much, just strange. Very very strange and very scary. It was sure woke up my innocent world and I was saying good bey to my wonder years forever. Asked my parents and they will tell you, we are in hell! and this hell is on earth. My parents were speechless, helpless and total total disbeleif and just planly shocking like anyone else in the whole country had gone thru this period.
In 1976-1977, another darkest era set in. Angkar wanted only the best " Angkar Reng Stay ". I hated it! I hated it! and I hated it! Hundreds and hundreds died,if not thousands in each province. They were taking away to learn new lesson. Yes, new lesson alright.
TO THE WORLD AND MR. FOREIGNS IMPORTANT WHICH SOME WERE FULLY INVOLVED DURING THIS TERROR TIME:
If it happens again and you can not communicate. If our world or anybody's world was cutting off like this or like us. You should know very very well by now that there is some very creepy and dealy something going on. Please don't leave us alone and assuming that there is nothing seriously wrong going on like Mr. China did. They let us bleed to dead and they were there. Please !please! demmand to come in !and check out everything. Right then and there!. Those ignorant leaders were nothing, but a blood thirsty murderers. If it happened to us, it could happen to you and when you are less likely thought of it.
Thank you
The above story from 10:13p.m was my own experience during the period of 1975 and 1977. I was cold and sick both mentally and physicly and was not able to speech until about four or five years later. Thank you for taking your time to read this unfortunate story. The story that took millions of our people lives and still keeping veryone in the dark.
LET'S ALL PRAY THAT JUSTIFCE WILL BE SERVED AND JUSTICE WILL DISCOVER WHO THE TRUE KILLER WAS. WE WOULD LIKE TO END THIS GREAT MISERY ONE AND FOR ALL AND NEVER AGAIN LET IT HAPPENS TO ANYBODY ON THIS PLANET EARTH.
Whoever involving in direct or indirect killing of the innocent people should be brave enough to be responsible for what you did. You can hide your bad act from the public but you cannot lie yourself. Stop accusing each other to escape from justice! If you confess, you will be a real man and you will contribute alot to the strengthening of the rule of law in Cambodia.
Chineese poeple's lives are cheap. Would you think that anyone else's life is more expensive or has more meaning than them?
If the answer is no, then why would they care? and why is Michealle Lee should be in charge of the KR trial? Get lost you female Dragon!!!!111
No, Chineese's leaders think thier people's lives are cheap. This should be the correct term to address The China's issue in regard to our beloved people Cambodian.
I support Mr 12:34AM. For all those who think Cambodia suffering was directly involved by China was all wrong. THese people should should learn more about chinese history and the development of China. If these people have thought about this, Cambodian will be suffered all the time because all Cambodian disgarce leaders can put the blame to others and washed their bloody hands out. We must strictly point our fingers to Sihanouk, Khiev Samphann, Nuon Chea and Ieng Sary who are still alive to answer all the questions related to the death of 3 millions people. Sihanouk was the leader of them should born the most responsibility. He then will need to his name changed from the Great King into the great evil Sihanouk !!!
All Cambodia leader are STUPID and Crazy (from 1500-Present)F..ck your MOTHER and YOUR FATHER.
What the hell is he, Sieng Sak, doing in the US? If you so in love with your genocidal ideology why didn't you go to China, Cuba, or North Korea, comrad?
True! go to your blood thirsty friends. You freak!
i know of Seang Sak. he works as a bus driver for Cambodian Mutual Assistance Assoc in Lowell. although he's very active in the khmer community, his works, much like the works of many khmer there are mediocre.
you folks are given too much of your time to this man.
really, he's just a typical khmer person in lowell.
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