Thursday, February 07, 2008

Pursuing Dialogue

February 5, 2008
A report by Navy Phim
Originally posted at Navy's Blog

Please post your comments at Navy's Blog by clicking here

Did you sign the petition to block Sok An's appearance in Long Beach New Year Parade yet? If not, please click here to sign it online

According to a press telegram article on December 26, 2007, the delegations that invited Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to participate in the Cambodian New Year parade included Cambodia Town, Sister Cities of Long Beach, the Cambodian Coordinating Council and the Cambodian New Year Parade Committee. I emailed a board member of Cambodia Town for a contact point to express concerns over the invitation and she informed me that the invitation was given by Sister Cities of Long Beach, not Cambodia Town.

I checked the website of Sister Cities, which shows Richer San as Vice-Chair and Cultural Liaison and the Chairperson representing Phnom Penh. He is also on the Advisory Council of Cambodia Town. According to the Cam-CC website, Richer San is the Vice-President and he is also the event co-chair for the Cambodian New Year Parade Committee.

It is unclear who has issued the invitation. At this point, regardless of who is responsible for the invitation, we are interested in talking to the committee that can listen to our concerns and revoke the invitation. We decided to contact the New Year Parade committee since they are responsible for putting the event together. On the Cambodian New Year Parade website, the person who was listed as a contact person is Nancy Prerk, Parade Coordinator.

On January 28th and January 29th, we sent email to Nancy, Richer San and a few other members of the community who may be interested in having a dialogue on the issue.

Below is the email that we sent:
We are writing to ask your reconsideration of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An’s appearance at this year’s annual Long Beach Cambodian New Year Parade.

For over a decade, Cambodia has been under the administration of Prime Minister Hun Sen, a government that has violated an incalculable multitude of human rights with impunity since 1997, so much so that they have simply ceased to meet with the latest United Nations rights envoy this past December. Cambodia has one of the most corrupt governments in the world today, ranked 162nd out of 180 nations according to Transparency International (180 being most corrupt). This is as far from “perfect” a government as one can get.

We are deeply shocked and appalled that the right hand man of such a government has been invited to parade himself in an event purported to celebrate diversity, community, and personal freedom. How does one celebrate these values by welcoming the very figure that is a perpetrator against them? What community and freedom are our brothers and sisters celebrating in Cambodia , where Mr. Sok An and colleagues rule the people with forced evictions and rampant land grabs, where simple freedom of expression is met with incarceration and death?

In a press release on January 9, 2008, the parade committee stated: “[We] believe in open dialogs and making changes through peaceful means as taught by Dr. Martin Luther King.” We do not believe a parade is an appropriate venue for having such dialog. While Dr. Martin Luther King met with opposition figures to create open dialog and further understanding, we cannot imagine he would have invited members of the Ku Klux Klan to participate in a parade celebrating the African-American community as a means of opening this dialog.

In addition, the invitation appears to be in direct violation of parade entry rules:

1. All entries should have a positive theme which respects diversity, is non-controversial, and does not advocate any political candidate

Sok An’s participation in the parade (in an election year—2008 Cambodian elections) is the very definition of a political and controversial entry, as evidenced by the community response, which has been covered in the press.

Many Cambodians across the nation look forward to coming to Long Beach’s parade. Now many Cambodians all across the nation are deeply disturbed and dismayed by this turn of events. We understand and appreciate your work in bringing the community together. However, we simply ask that you do not tear asunder the very community that you are trying to serve.

We implore your understanding and compassion in this matter and fervently hope you will rescind Mr. Sok An’s unfortunate invitation.
Nancy Prerk replied to the email informing us that she was only the coordinator for the event and does not make decision concerning the issue. She said she would forward our email to the committee who make the decision. In the meantime, she invited us to attend the meeting on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008.

At this meeting, we stood up to make points based on the email that was already sent. We raised the issue of the human rights violations by the Cambodian government and their officials and the violation of the parade entry rule when the invitation was issued. The first point was sidestepped and the second was met with blatant denial. It is frustrating to say the least, when your opposition denies what is in front of them. The debate became heated and voices were raised. At first, we were too shocked to respond to the [equivocation] of what is common knowledge concerning the Cambodian government and their policy of abusing human rights. Richer San quickly adjourned the meeting and shut the door on the dialogue, but we continued to make our points as people filed out of the meeting and a few more responses were thrown at us before they exit the building in haste.

We were told that we should not use words like corruptions and violation of human rights unless we have proof of it. We included the statistic that was given by Transparency International (180 being most corrupt), which ranked Cambodia 162nd out of 180. Who is Transparency International? It is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world.

Global Witness has plenty of articles on the issue of corruptions in Cambodia: http://www.globalwitness.org/index.php

As for human right violations, refusing to meet with the human rights envoy is an act that reveals much about the administration of the Cambodian government and the lack of value placed on standards set by the international community on human rights issues.

In this article, the title “For Cambodians, fear is a way of life” speaks volume on the situation of human rights in Cambodia:
CAMBODIA: University lecturer is allegedly dismissed for writing a book that is critical of government
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1933/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1958/

CAMBODIA: Government’s alleged attack on three labor union activists
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1845/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1902/

CAMBODIA: A journalist convicted for exposing alleged corruption of the deputy prime minister
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1982/

This article discusses the unfair trial and police brutality of forced confession through torture:
http://blogs.amnesty.org/blogs/write4rights/2006/10/31/1162303620000.html
What I have listed are just a few examples of injustices that is committed under the current government where Sok An is the Deputy Prime Minister, including one where the Deputy Prime Minister himself was directly named and involved. The current administration in Cambodia has continued to violate key human rights issues that make democracy function, especially free press.

The violation of the entry rule was also met with denial by the parade committee. We were able to furnish the entry form after a bout of heated exchange.

1. All entries should have a positive theme which respects diversity, is non-controversial, and does not advocate any political candidate

We emphasize that a figure of a corrupt government that violate human rights is controversial and since this is an election year in Cambodia, there is political implication in inviting him to a parade in a Cambodian community overseas. It may look as though Cambodians overseas support the government of Cambodia and all its injustices. Our position that Sok An is a controversial figure fell on deaf ears with demand for proofs.

I am aware that members of the Cambodian government have always been included in the parade. However, there is a big difference between inviting a member of the Cambodian government from different ministries versus inviting and parading the second man in power who is directly involved with making and effecting policy. For the last three parades, when a member of the Cambodian government come by in their float, my thoughts become sober as I think of the people in Cambodia and the oppression they live under. In last year’s parade, as one of the float was passing by with a member of the CPP government on it, people around me asked each other “Isn’t that the former president of UCC who embezzled money, ruined the organization’s credibility and ran off to Cambodia to become a minister?” I cannot verify this information, but if there is truth in it, I wonder why the committee saw it fitting to include him. Are we that lacking in inspirational figures to parade in our New Year celebration that we would include someone like that?

After the brief exchange we had with the parade committee, we received an invitation by the CAM-CC board to attend a close-door meeting with a request for us to bring only four people to their meeting. We do not believe this is the right venue for discussion. A town hall meeting that is open to the public is needed because we are not the only ones who want to express our feeling on the issue.

I sent an email to the board explaining this point and asked for clarification of the ambiguity surrounding the origins of the invitation. These are the questions I posted to the board:
  1. What organization and/or person issued the invitation?
  2. If it is Sister Cities of Long Beach, who within that organization issued the invitation and what is the requirement and procedure for approval?
  3. Was there a discussion within the Board of Cam-CC and the New Year Parade committee before the invitation was issued?
I believe this type of decision should be transparent as it affects everyone in the community. I am awaiting the response from the committee(s).

I encourage anyone who has question concerning the invitation and the committee’s decision to email them directly. Their email can be found on their website under contact.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why you are too nervous of just having Sok An's present in the Parade. I don't think that just having him to be present at the parade, CPP will be able to influence Khmer Community at all.

I heard an interview organised by Radio Free Asia, I think that the person(I forgot his name), who strongly opposed this, just expressed his anger with the people who went to meet vice PM Sok An in Cambodia, he is completely just jealous. To have high Ranking official from Cambodia to be present in the parade, it means that our khmer nationals are haveing good consolidation.

Anonymous said...

5:33 PM, you are truely wrong. With the present of Sok An, the Parade has no its independent already. The Parade is in the U.S, why the guy in the U.S invited such this CORRUPTED PM to present? In Cambodia, if you're real Khmer, you know how bad this guy act over Cambodian people. Let me tell you one thing with the current govn't leading, Cambodia will not be seen in the map the soon future. You can see Yuons everywhere living in Srok Khmer. I feel pity on you for the blind act and eyes.

Anonymous said...

it's not illegal for them to invite Sok Ann. In fact, it's their job to invite dignitaries to the parade. That means they can invite anybody.

Now, as the community concern, Sok Ann is not the right person for the parade for the reasons you cited.

So, your objective is to object and reject the committee's invitation of Sok Ann.

However, I don't think it's your objective to get to the bottom of who invited (or issued the invitation to) Sok Ann or what's the motive is by inviting Sok Ann.

Anonymous said...

Oh, extremist 6h15PM, I don't think you know Cambodia better than i do. Leave US and come to face the situation in Cambodia. You said Cambodia will disappear from the map soon? no Mr.extremist, bet?, we, khmer people in the border of Cambodia, are not crazy.

Anonymous said...

I know that there are more than 328Cambodian people out there. We need to come together and sign the petition to stop this mad man who feed on the poors and step on our heads.

People Power

Anonymous said...

FUCK ALL OF YOU KHMER SHIT

CAN ALL OF YOU PEOPLE GET ALONG AFTER THE KHMER ROUGE

YOU PEOPLE ARE FUCKED AND NEVER CHANGE

GIVE THAT ANGKOR WAT TO THAILAND

Anonymous said...

Cool down your head 7:32PM. Sometimes, debates are important. First, it's better to tell yourself first to get along with people. Stop using that ugly words. However, your ugly manner may be the sign of the legacy you got from your experience in Pol Pot regime.

Anonymous said...

Sok AN will be in Long Beach during the New Year parade. Except security compromised. The plan has been set and done....

The question now what the tactical plan or plan of actions do the opponent groups have when Sok An show up during the parade?

The group have two months period to work out the plan of actions to greeting Sok An in anyway they can think.

Anonymous said...

6:59 PM, you may get benefit alot from current govn't. You want to bet with me??? Come on... I used to serve as Cambodian soldier, going around borders. I know all and what I claimed are true. Have you seen Yuon in Srok Khmer everywhere? --defrocked and killed monks, allow illegat Yuons living in Khmer freely, create own soldiers, ..... and so on.

You can see their property.... My word is to omit the plan invite this guy coming to the Parade.

Anonymous said...

Only dick head that think cambodia goverment can keep country safe from viet & thai invade , everyday thai ( siam ) & viet try to move border when our solder at border wanna fight them they knoch HUN XEN 's head and point his 1 eye to look at khmer solder and make complain Khmer soldier hate peace and wanna make war , Yeah Yeah only you fuking asshole that thing current goverment is try their best to protect khmer border if you fly your ass to visit khmer border every year you will feel every year border change and the year by year khmer country smaller and smaller .

I don't like to see khmer in US invite that fuking SOK ACH to join khmer new year there , He is fuking corruption , land grabber , Family niyom , Rude etc..

Only Khmer body with Viet head or Siam head that believe SOK ACH is should be respect , For me he is piece of shit .

Cheers

Anonymous said...

By withdrawing the invitation you would do exactly the same thing as the government in Cambodia - impede the right to free speech, expression, and assembly. If somebody felt it was ok, as the committee obviously did, to invite the deputy PM, then this is their right. People who don't like it can voice their opposition and hold a demonstration at the parade, or they can file a petition, if that can find a majority and sway the committee. Seeing the 368 votes on this forum as one example in the face of a Khmer population of some 50,000 in Riverside and Orange County, it is rather doubtful this petition will carry. That's the way it's done in a democracy. Otherwise the Cambodian government which, after all, is recognized by the U. S. government and has an embassy in Washington, and a seat in the U. N. is still the legitimate representative of Cambodia, despite its poor record in human rights and the widespread corruption.

Anonymous said...

Who's know Prohok Khmer? Richer San and Sothea San knew he is a CPP Party Supporter.

Anonymous said...

I am 5h33PM,6h59PM and 7h38PM
Dear 9h21PM, first of all, I would like to say that I'm not getting anything from current government at all. If you were a soldier(of any party) who combated in Cambodian civil war, I would like bow to you from the bottom of my heart. But, I, my own, had many relatives in military service in Cambodia too. My uncle died in war during 1970s. I'm not targeting to have dispute with you, Sir. Of course,as you said, many vietnameses are here in Cambodia. The problem is we have to have an effective immigriation law to control the situation. Yeah, current government is not showing any sign to create such law, that point should be criticised. In my last writing, I said that we, khmer within the border of Cambodia, I menat the people, not the government. Don't get me wrong. We(people) are ready to stand up everytime, if the situation like u mentioned(Vietnam takes Cambodia's land) happened. What I meant with "Leaving US and come to face the situation in Cambodia", I meant don't just saying, have to make action like national activists in the country are doing.I really appreciate Mr. Sam Rainsy for his effeort to combat for the democrcy in Cambodia and his great effort to suppress and remind the current government from doing things illegally. He is doing right things as the opposition party. As a blog reader from Cambodia, I really feel that, sometimes, comments in this blog sound that they are thinking Khmer people in Cambodia know nothing.It's my personal honest impression and I also heard the same impressions from some friends of mine.

Mr.10h15PM, any different thinkings and ideas are acceptable. But don't use ugly words, Sir. Make debates and discussions in the constructive way and try to learn from each other.

Sincerely
100% Khmer

Anonymous said...

Yes I have a dream! Sok Anh with a big Happy Buddah smile in the parade of Long Beach, in a Cadilac aircon golden car!

Hundreed of American cambodian cheer and smile back at him too! people over joy hundred and hundred of people cheer loader and crowded the car with biger smile than Sok Anh!

Sundly the car float up like magic (Wow! Sok Anh realy NEAK MEAN BON,)
it shaked for a while and disapear fron sight! and reapear again! and disapear again! the crowd cheer loader and loader!

It went only about five minuts but it felt never end. Sundly again the cheer stop and it was so quiet
like hell! people walk away with their faces down!

The care apear again FLAT on the steet!

What hapen to Sok Anh?

Whao care tha Hun Xen to worry but what happen to Sann?

Anonymous said...

To all our Khmer nation,

In terms of considering Sok An for parade this year and having mean of our khmer nationals are haveing good consolidation. This action you must think deeply and very carefully. Otherwise, it is just a fiction,a fake like movies only. It shows just only a very short term, but what is outcomes for the long term? Althoug, the committees voted for Sok An or anyone else to come, but the commettees have to listen the opinions from the supporters, from the communities. These opinoins are the main powers to direct us when there is thing cross the line or thing is not appropriate.
I do hope everyone living in USA understand the US rules,"Rule #1, Custmer is always Right, and Rule #2, Look at rule #1". Therefore, every one of us, and the committees have to listen closely from the opposition, from supporters, from the communities otherwise you do act exackly as dictatorship and the long terms outcomes will be jeopardized of meaning that our khmer nationals are haveing good consolidation.

We are the Cambodians/Khmer. We do need a REAL PEACE, not a fak peace.
A real good consolidation, not a fake consolidation. Please think carefully and deeply.

Sincerely,
Respecfully

Anonymous said...

we got to think in term of what is right to do. We can not allow personal opinions to influent policy. It is ok to have dialogue, but one has to be flexible and can not use personal judgment make a decision. W have rules and laws that we have to follow. You know, when someone claim that Vietnamese and Thais or whatever are going to take over Cambodia and put us off the map or whatever, is a false thinking. How is it possible, given the whole world is operating. It is ok to be mindful of what these neighboring countries have done to us in the past, but is that plausible for these neighboring countries to do it again in modern time like now? I think these personal feelings are just to incite anger and nationalistic in Khmers. The fact is, there is no doubt in my mind that all Khmers love our country and don't want to see it being taken over by some foreign gov't or foreign influences or what have you. However, we have to think in a realistic view. We all have to work together and get along together if we were to prevent history from repeating itself. I agreed with many of the viewers on this forum that perhaps, we ought to work on national reconciliation which will unite all of Khmer both in and out of Cambodia, than to try to fight among ourselves over something with no evidence. It's just an illusion in our heads. Please, I ask everyone of us to be smarter than that. Please stop this mental disease in our head; instead, it would be more beneficial for all of us to reconcile with all Khmer people. Remember, when all Khmer people are united, we will be a strong force to be reckon with. So, I strongly advocate reconciliation and look to a better future for all Khmer to enjoy.

Anonymous said...

You mother fucker 2:52am.

Your mother fucker sound great and wonderful, but your mother fucker kind is the kind that fucks Khmer and the country up. I bet you mother fucker never pause to think twice about Khmer and the country about your mother fucker pocket and your mother fucker small DICK.

You mother fucker talk about law and order, evidences and realist, and national reconciliation. But

Do you mother fucker know how much assets SOK AN has?
Do you mother fucker know who is Hun Sen best Adviser?
Do you mother fucker know the Hun Sen gov’t treat the poor?
Do your mother fucker kinds hear the cry and see the tear of the weak?
Do you mother fucker know how many illegal Youn living in Cambodia today?
Do you mother fucker know why the 1993 peace accord is not respect?

You mother fucker should take care of your mother fucker mental disease first before Khmer become Youn slave.

Anonymous said...

If Hun Xen and CPP want some kind of dialog it would do it with Mr. Yash Gaih, Global Withnes, Factory Worker Union, Khmerkrom monk, SRP,ect... already!

CPP and Hun Xen never stop to use brutal force and trick to scared and kiLled people for their own personal benefit of the CPP elites!

For how many years have CPP keep use force, corupted? Can you fucking see how poor are people and how rich are the fucking top CPP?

Mother fuckers only need is kind of curse and some day the people will unite and flush them down to Hanoi hell on earth?

Can you fucking reason any thing in the case of Monk Tim Sakhorn? Can you see the mother fucker killing our spirit as a nation, race, and religion?
The mother fucker need to be curse and people need to know there are other just hated them like the rest of us!

Their are the strong oppose group that aware of the evil act of CPP and need freedom and care about our religion and people are exist and wait for the time to joint force!

Anonymous said...

Wow, from reading the comments [18 of them], you guy the Cambodian-American are really divided.

Anonymous said...

As with the rest of the world, we are always divided with difference of opinions. Some will vote republic and some will vote democratic. There is nothing wrong with a difference of opinion.

Anonymous said...

Seemed to me, This is not about a different of opinion at all [as you mentioned] but rather a case of challenging the authority within the small Cambodian-American community [taking into consideration the number of Cambodians living abroad] in long beach.

Anonymous said...

I am curious to know the answer to these questions too. If this invitation was discussed among the boards of Cam-CC and the New Year Parade committee, I cannot imagine that it would be unanimously accepted. If the board members cannot agree, how did they think the rest of the community would react to this invitation?

Sister Cities of Long Beach appears to be a separate entity from Cam-CC. How could an invitation be issued by this organization? Would Sister Cities have a fill out a float entry form to request a float for Sok An and who would approve it? Was it Richer San of Sister Cities who filled out the float entry form, then turn it in to himself, Richer San who is co-chair of the New Year Parade committee for approval?

Anonymous said...

If they believe that the invitation was issued inappropriately, then they should challenge it. It's the beauty of a democratic world.

Anonymous said...

Based on my investigation, there was no discussion at the board meeting of any organizaation about the delegation to Cambodia and to invite somebody. No other board members were aware of the event. Everybody was surprised.

The invitation was made without any board of directors discussion.

I am 100% sure.

Anonymous said...

Anyway I never support "Pouk Ah CPP Party Chol Mar Shit".

Anonymous said...

There are some members of the board of directors just resigned after the knowledge of the "undiscussed invitation".

Some are speechless and avoid the meeting all together.

Anonymous said...

Anyway, this is Cambodia Town, the town created by ""Richer and Sithea San"". If you don't like it, they said do not come. If you like it Come. They welcome only the one who "agree with their objectives"

Anonymous said...

Legally, there is nothing wrong to invite a person and there is wrong to protest. So go f... yourself.

But morally it is wrong to associate with a tyran.

Anonymous said...

I also heard about board members who were upset that they were not informed about the invitation before hand. Instead of resigning, keeping quiet or avoiding the meeting altogether, I wish they would speak up. This kind of actions should not be tolerated. Rules and regulation exists for a reason.

Anonymous said...

Breaking their own entry's rule. That is interesting. Why?

1. All entries should have a positive theme which respects diversity, is non-controversial, and does not advocate any political candidate

Anonymous said...

Please stop fighting. The invitation was given to Mr. Sok An by mistake. Richer San, Peter Long and the delegation did not go to Cambodia to invite Mr. Sok An. They went there to invite the King, but the King was not available that day. Since they were already there, they did not want to say that they came for no reason so they gave the invitation to Mr. Sok An. Richer San and Peter Long would never do anything to hurt the Cambodian people in Long Beach. This is invitation was given by accident. Please let it be and do not protest anymore.

Anonymous said...

None of the board members were informed of the invitation because the delegation never intent to issue an invitation. The delegation went to Cambodia as an ambassador of goodwill and they were visiting the U.S. embassy when the U.S. Ambassador lamented quite loudly that he wished some Cambodian community in America would reach out to the Cambodian government and build open dialogue, especially when they are being criticized by human rights activists and global witness for institutionalized corruption and human right violations. The Cambodian government needed a friend who would overlook their criminal acts.

When the delegation from Long Beach heard this pious lamenting, they were moved to tears and decided to be the bridge for building relationship with the Cambodian government. Now you have it, ladies and gentlemen, the truth and nothing but the truth.

Screw the idiots who would be ashamed of this courageous and selfless act. If these board members want to resign, let them. Who needs blind-sighted people who cannot see the long-term benefit of this action?

Anonymous said...

Who are you Cambodians in Long Beach anyway? You are not important to Cambodia, Cambodia doesn't need you, nobody gives a shit what you have to say about Cambodia or its people. You want to do something, go back. But you are all chickenshit, kicking back and calling decent people bad names. This is not directed at the good people who voice a reasonable, thoughtful opinion, whether or not everybody agrees. But those trash Khmer give all Cambodians a bad name.

Anonymous said...

10:56pm STOP KIDDING YOU SON OF aH HUN XEN!
If we are not importan and your shit head father Ah Hun Xen do not care why you car to write to and ask about us?

Has! has ! we represent your good grand parents shit head to curse you to hell! you fucking Viet slave and cambodian care alot about you and your family we will treat you just like Sadam Husein of Iraq some day SOON!

Anonymous said...

10:21 SHIT HEAD YOU ARE FUCKING GO UPSDE DOWN!

nOT THINK WRONG WITH PROTES AND THE FUCKING INVITATION WITH OUT CONSENSE TO ALL MEMBER IS FUCKING WRONG?

lIKE YOU BRING A WHORE TO MEET YOUR MOTHER! STUPID HEAD IS WRONG AND YOUR PARENT SHOULD LOCK YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE!

Anonymous said...

Hi scumbag 10.18pm

Your "the truth and nothing but the truth" smell stinky.

You claimed your superior talent diplomat is above the board and the people of Long Beach, because you had clear sight of ??????????

If that is the true, tell me this What are the first FIVE rules of the foreign diplomatic engagement?

I still think all of your scumbag are opportunist who are willing screw Khmer anyway you can for your own.

Prove me, I am wrong!!!

N said...

An email has been sent to the boards of CAM-Cc for clarification. Please be patient and let them get back to us:

Dear Board Members:

I want to thank the CAM-CC Board for inviting Arun
and Navy to present their case on why
Deputy Prime Minister Sok An should not be at the Long
Beach Cambodian New Year Parade celebration and their
hard work and dedication.

I have a few questions. First, regarding the number of
parties invited. Is Navy and Alex consider one party
and therefore limited to 4 guests? How many parties
have the honor and privileges to present their case to
the CAM-CC Board Members? I understand there are
about 25-30 Boarder Members at CAM-CC all of which may
not be active since the information on the page is
out-dated. I'm curious about the voting practice, does
all active Board Members get a vote or only the
members that attend the meeting? For example, If
only 5 board members attend that particular meeting,
the major of the 5 members will determine the outcome
of the vote? In short does CAM-CC have a specific
quorum to validate the Board Members vote especially
when it comes to controversial issues within the
community?

I also want to thank for clarifying that Mr. Sok An
will not be presiding over the parade. There are
certainly a lot of speculation and discussion on the
internet concerning this invitation. We are grateful
that you are practicing open dialog with us and
putting these rumors to rest. More rumors are being
posted on the internet and we would like to hear it
from you directly whether it is the truth or merely
rumor? Is it true that there was no discussion at the
board meeting about sending the delegation to Cambodia
to invite Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to be in the
parade? Have some board members recently resigned
after the knowledge of the "undiscussed invitation"?
Are there board members who are speechless by this
invitation that they are avoiding the invitation
completely? I've also heard that this Sunday Board
Meeting has no merit on whether Mr. Sok An will be in
the parade or not—it has been decided and there is no
"Ifs" about it?

I like to request for the CAM-CC ByLaw in electronic
form. If one is not available, please advise me on how
I may best get a hold of a hard copy. I encourage all
Board Members to respond to the questions that I have
and clarify the rumors or miss-information that have
been circulating on the internet. By the way, does the
cam-cc mailing list reach all Board Members? If not
can the CAM-CC coordation or members forward to other
Board Members. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

AH Na Mouy Del Oy Pouk Ah CPP Party Come to Long Beach for Cambodia New Year Haing Kue Trov.

Anonymous said...

Now let put it this way, how we are going to do when Richer San and his wife back in town. We have to face him and listen to what he say. But how we are to group together? I think at Police station on Gaviota coner of Anaheim is good place for us.

Anonymous said...

How about no one shows up for the parade? You simply cannot invite a man with such bad accusations against him here. If you google this same exact situation or just look around you. You will find the same reaction when a high level figure with accusation against him are human rights or what ever it is. Here let me give you an example: If Cuban decendents celebrate their culture and someone decided to invite Cuban president Fidel Castro, would the decendent have an outcry? So we as khmer living here in the US have the right to refuse such a figure.