Sunday, July 22, 2007

Students’ Movement for Democracy reacts to Mao Veasna issue [- A strange article by Koh Santepheap]

Friday, July 20, 2007
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Phnom Penh – The Students’ Movement for Democracy (SMD) reacted on 18 July 2007 on the resignation of Mao Veasna, the former SMD president, who left to join Kem Sokha’s HRP. SMD said that this is an individual’s decision, and it also claimed that: “This is against the SMD bylaw because (the resignation of Mao Veasna) did not go through the SMD governing board …” SMD also said that any individual who resigned with the aim of joining a political party must resign three months ahead (of joining a political party).

On 18 July, Mao Veasna gave an interview over the phone that he sent a resignation letter to the SMD governing board to go join Kem Sokha. However (Mao Veasna said that) on the issue raised by the SMD Secretary-general, the publication of Koh Santepheap was done for political gain and is not true. In publishing news, (Koh Santepheap) does not think about providing gain to anyone in particular and (Koh Santepheap) does not serve any political party either, whatever information we received, we published them as they are.

According to Mao Veasna’s resignation letter dated 18 July, which Koh Santepheap received a copy stating: “I, Mao Veasna, the current SMD president, would like to inform the board of governors: I will resign from my position as SMD president starting 18 July 2007.” Mao Veasna told Koh Santepheap also that his resignation was due to the fact that he wants to join HRP, and also based on 3 other reasons: (1) to provide the opportunity to next-generation of youth so they can experience the leadership position, (2) the possibility and the ability are still limited, and (3) (I am) too busy with fulfilling various works and I do not have enough time to fulfill my work for SMD.”

According the letter issued by the SMD board of governors which Koh Santepheap received, Mao Veasna handed his official resignation letter from his position as SMD president on 18 July 2007. From now on, SMD will be led by Ken Sara, its standing president.

Koh Santepheap will not comment on the SMD reaction on the claim it sent in its letter. However, Koh Santepheap published true information, with sufficient source, and we do not want to make any political gain. Koh Santepheap is not politically involved, and respect the profession based on our ability.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Koh Santehpheap doesn't serve any political party but I'm sure its manager serves.

What Koh Santepheap raised "whatever information we received, we published them as they are" doesn't reflet the ethic and responsibity of a genuin journalism.

Receiving information and releasing is not enough you have to confim that the information is correct and worth reading.

Khmemara
PP

Anonymous said...

Some of writers in KohSantepheap are youns. I am sure

Most of his articles defend CPP (Communist Pro youn Party) if we analyze all of their articles.

Anonymous said...

If the 3 month notice is a rule that is the stupid rule i nevr heard!

when you get divorce you get divorce and another person can sleep with any boy he or she want!