Ngem En, 47, a former chief photographer at a torture center run by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, poses in Anlong Veng some 305 kilometers (189 miles) north of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 23, 2006. Ngem En said Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007, he intends to set up a museum with pictures of the leaders of the notorious communist group, as his way of apologizing for the death and destruction they caused. Ngem En had with his camera documented for the Khmer Rouge the roster of thousands of people taken into Phnom Penh's S-21 prison for torture and eventual execution in the late 1970s. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
The former chief photographer at a torture center run by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge said Tuesday he intends to set up a museum with pictures of the leaders of the notorious communist group, as his way of apologizing for the death and destruction they caused.
Ngem En, now 47, had with his camera documented for the Khmer Rouge the roster of thousands of people taken into Phnom Penh's S-21 prison for torture and eventual execution in the late 1970s. Haunting photos of the victims are the centerpiece of a genocide museum at the prison site, also known as Tuol Sleng.
Historians and other researchers estimate that upward of 1.7 million Cambodians died of execution, starvation, overwork and inadequate medical care due to the extremist policies of the Khmer Rouge.
Ngem En's project is to set up a museum at Anlong Veng, a former Khmer Rouge stronghold in northern Cambodia where he now serves as a deputy district chief.
The project, for which he said he received government permission a month ago, would be his "opportunity to apologize to all the victims who have suffered during that era," he said.
He will exhibit pictures of all Khmer Rouge leaders who ruled Cambodia from 1975-79, including Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan and Son Sen, he told The Associated Press. "It was these leaders who caused destruction and misery to Cambodia."
The project would "let the next generation of Cambodians understand about Pol Pot's cruel regime," he said. Khmer Rouge chief Pol Pot died in 1998, but other former leaders of the group are still alive and living freely in Cambodia.
Ngem En said he has a collection of photographs he has taken or obtained over the past few decades, and that as many as 1,000 pictures could be suitable for display.
The project, if realized, could also help the local economy where he works, he said.
The museum would be an added attraction for tourists coming to visit Anlong Veng, which is where Pol Pot died and the Khmer Rouge movement finally collapsed in 1999.
The government has designated Anlong Veng, about 305 kilometers (190 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, an official historical site. Existing tourist attractions include the house of Ta Mok, the former Khmer Rouge army chief who died in July last year, and the spot where Pol Pot was cremated.
While apologizing for his work as a photographer for the Khmer Rouge, Ngem En said he had no choice if he wanted to survive.
"I deeply regret it, but nobody could help anyone," he said.
Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, an independent group researching the Khmer Rouge's crimes, said Ngem En's readiness to apologize publicly through his project provides an example to the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders and would help national reconciliation.
He said he admires Ngem En's "frankness, courage and initiative" in undertaking a project based on his own work.
"He came to us with a bunch of photographs saying that he wanted to tell the history to the public as a Khmer Rouge person," said Youk Chhang, himself a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. "He said he heard people are angry with the Khmer Rouge and he wanted to apologize."
Ngem En said he does not know yet how much the project will cost, and called for interested partners to join in the venture.
"It will be a private project, but the money to be generated from it will help develop Anlong Veng town and the local economy," he said.
The former chief photographer at a torture center run by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge said Tuesday he intends to set up a museum with pictures of the leaders of the notorious communist group, as his way of apologizing for the death and destruction they caused.
Ngem En, now 47, had with his camera documented for the Khmer Rouge the roster of thousands of people taken into Phnom Penh's S-21 prison for torture and eventual execution in the late 1970s. Haunting photos of the victims are the centerpiece of a genocide museum at the prison site, also known as Tuol Sleng.
Historians and other researchers estimate that upward of 1.7 million Cambodians died of execution, starvation, overwork and inadequate medical care due to the extremist policies of the Khmer Rouge.
Ngem En's project is to set up a museum at Anlong Veng, a former Khmer Rouge stronghold in northern Cambodia where he now serves as a deputy district chief.
The project, for which he said he received government permission a month ago, would be his "opportunity to apologize to all the victims who have suffered during that era," he said.
He will exhibit pictures of all Khmer Rouge leaders who ruled Cambodia from 1975-79, including Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan and Son Sen, he told The Associated Press. "It was these leaders who caused destruction and misery to Cambodia."
The project would "let the next generation of Cambodians understand about Pol Pot's cruel regime," he said. Khmer Rouge chief Pol Pot died in 1998, but other former leaders of the group are still alive and living freely in Cambodia.
Ngem En said he has a collection of photographs he has taken or obtained over the past few decades, and that as many as 1,000 pictures could be suitable for display.
The project, if realized, could also help the local economy where he works, he said.
The museum would be an added attraction for tourists coming to visit Anlong Veng, which is where Pol Pot died and the Khmer Rouge movement finally collapsed in 1999.
The government has designated Anlong Veng, about 305 kilometers (190 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, an official historical site. Existing tourist attractions include the house of Ta Mok, the former Khmer Rouge army chief who died in July last year, and the spot where Pol Pot was cremated.
While apologizing for his work as a photographer for the Khmer Rouge, Ngem En said he had no choice if he wanted to survive.
"I deeply regret it, but nobody could help anyone," he said.
Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, an independent group researching the Khmer Rouge's crimes, said Ngem En's readiness to apologize publicly through his project provides an example to the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders and would help national reconciliation.
He said he admires Ngem En's "frankness, courage and initiative" in undertaking a project based on his own work.
"He came to us with a bunch of photographs saying that he wanted to tell the history to the public as a Khmer Rouge person," said Youk Chhang, himself a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. "He said he heard people are angry with the Khmer Rouge and he wanted to apologize."
Ngem En said he does not know yet how much the project will cost, and called for interested partners to join in the venture.
"It will be a private project, but the money to be generated from it will help develop Anlong Veng town and the local economy," he said.
3 comments:
The birth of the Communist Khmer Rouge.
http://devaraja.free.fr/1photo-choc1/in_phchoc01.htm
Hope Mr. Ngem En also has all the Communist spear-head photos.
Yes, and it started from freedom
to assemble, to speech, to bear
arm, to topple the backstabers
and racists.
Chey Yoh Democracy!
Chey Yoh gangland, the land of evils full of corruptions.
Chey Yoh ah Hun Kvak ah Chor K'bat Cheatt, ah chor harory, ah T'mil.
Chey Yoh ah runteass banh ah Hun Kvak.
Hooofff I feel so good.
Post a Comment