By Sam Borin
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
In his reaction given to RFA last night, opposition leader Sam Rainsy still maintained that the yardstick that should be used to measure progress in Cambodia should be based on the comparison of the progress made in neighboring countries, as well as the progress made in other developed countries in the world.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy who just arrived from France very recently, said that he still maintained his previous stance in which he claimed that Cambodia cannot move towards real progress if it were to be compared with that of neighboring countries.
Sam Rainsy said: “I am maintaining that the progress in neighboring countries is 10 times better than ours. In Thailand for example, people have work, and their salaries are 10 times more than us. They have 10-20 times more roads, schools, hospitals than us. As for Vietnam which was also a victim of a war where the US dropped so many bombs on, and it also sustained 30-40 years of war during the French colonial regime, it was destroyed much more than us, and even though it was a communist country, their leaders were responsible and they led their people to prosperity that is 2 to 3 times better than us.”
Even though several authors wrote that Cambodia fell into Year Zero between 1975 and 1979, and that the country cannot be reconstructed as well as other countries during such short period of time, Sam Rainsy blamed on the corruption and the lack of responsibility of the current leaders still.
Sam Rainsy added: “Japan after World War II was heavily bombarded by the US, and even 2 atomic bombs were dropped and turned Japan into ashes, but in 1964 – 19 years after the end of the war in 1945 – with good and non corrupt leaders, Japan rose from the ashes and became an economic Superpower, and the Japanese had the highest living condition in Asia. But, in our country, 30 years after the Khmer Rouge – not just 19 years like in Japan – it has been 30 years already and the majority of the Cambodians are still living in poverty, some are getting even poorer because they lost their lands, their forests, their fishes, they are poor because of corruption, because of the inabilities and the lack of responsibility of our current leaders.”
During yesterday’s inauguration of a school in Santuk district, Kampong Thom province, and the presentation of a directive plan to build sufficient number of junior high schools and high schools to fulfill the Cambodian population needs by 2010 or 2011, Hun Sen alluded to a politician, whom he declined to name, who allegedly used to cheat in the past. Hun Sen said that he can measure progress by comparing the start of his (political) journey to the current location where he is now standing.
Hun Sen said: “There are some politicians who dare not talk about it. There is no need to compare to the Pol Pot regime, and the comparison must be made with developed countries instead. Oh Sir, now we must know where we came from, and how far we have walked to? But, they do not dare (talk about it?), if you are scared, make it clear that you are scared, you shouldn’t cheat while talking. Some other leaders said that there should not be any comparison to the Pol Pot era, if compared to the Pol pot era, the Pol Pot era was better and Pol Pot was right. But now you want to compare with developed countries. Now, let’s talk about Thailand, they never had wars, they just had a war in its southern region, and the minor coup d’état which took place, besides that they were always developing (their country), they never saw destruction, did they not? But for us, we destroyed all the way to the roots. Vietnam after the war ended also rebuilt its country while in Cambodia, the destruction was made all the way to the roots.”
Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy, who used to say that the Cambodian people are getting poorer and poorer, replied to a question asked by RFA last night, by calling on the current government leaders to recognize their leadership mistakes rather than blaming the Khmer Rouge.
Sam Rainsy said: “Our country is destroyed by the leaders who came after the Khmer Rouge regime, in the lat 10-20 years. Was it the Khmer Rouge who destroyed the forest (during the KR regime)? In fact, it was done by the leaders who came after the Khmer Rouge regime instead. Was it the Khmer Rouge who allowed the immigrants and the Vietnamese to catch all the fishes from the streams, lakes and rivers in our country? It was not the Khmer Rouge, it was those who came to replace them later on. Was it the Khmer Rouge who sold the state belongings, the people belongings to international thieves (Mafia), to the crooked companies which confiscated lands belonging to the people, and making them poor? The Khmer Rouge case dated from 30 years back, what I am talking about is the destruction of the nation in the past 10-20 years only. They shouldn’t blame the Khmer Rouge on everything that they did wrong. They should accept their own mistakes – mistakes which are caused by corruption, dictatorship, lack of capabilities.”
The verbal exchange between the two main Cambodian political leaders took place at a time when the upcoming general election is only about 5-month away. Prior to this, the situation was calm.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy who just arrived from France very recently, said that he still maintained his previous stance in which he claimed that Cambodia cannot move towards real progress if it were to be compared with that of neighboring countries.
Sam Rainsy said: “I am maintaining that the progress in neighboring countries is 10 times better than ours. In Thailand for example, people have work, and their salaries are 10 times more than us. They have 10-20 times more roads, schools, hospitals than us. As for Vietnam which was also a victim of a war where the US dropped so many bombs on, and it also sustained 30-40 years of war during the French colonial regime, it was destroyed much more than us, and even though it was a communist country, their leaders were responsible and they led their people to prosperity that is 2 to 3 times better than us.”
Even though several authors wrote that Cambodia fell into Year Zero between 1975 and 1979, and that the country cannot be reconstructed as well as other countries during such short period of time, Sam Rainsy blamed on the corruption and the lack of responsibility of the current leaders still.
Sam Rainsy added: “Japan after World War II was heavily bombarded by the US, and even 2 atomic bombs were dropped and turned Japan into ashes, but in 1964 – 19 years after the end of the war in 1945 – with good and non corrupt leaders, Japan rose from the ashes and became an economic Superpower, and the Japanese had the highest living condition in Asia. But, in our country, 30 years after the Khmer Rouge – not just 19 years like in Japan – it has been 30 years already and the majority of the Cambodians are still living in poverty, some are getting even poorer because they lost their lands, their forests, their fishes, they are poor because of corruption, because of the inabilities and the lack of responsibility of our current leaders.”
During yesterday’s inauguration of a school in Santuk district, Kampong Thom province, and the presentation of a directive plan to build sufficient number of junior high schools and high schools to fulfill the Cambodian population needs by 2010 or 2011, Hun Sen alluded to a politician, whom he declined to name, who allegedly used to cheat in the past. Hun Sen said that he can measure progress by comparing the start of his (political) journey to the current location where he is now standing.
Hun Sen said: “There are some politicians who dare not talk about it. There is no need to compare to the Pol Pot regime, and the comparison must be made with developed countries instead. Oh Sir, now we must know where we came from, and how far we have walked to? But, they do not dare (talk about it?), if you are scared, make it clear that you are scared, you shouldn’t cheat while talking. Some other leaders said that there should not be any comparison to the Pol Pot era, if compared to the Pol pot era, the Pol Pot era was better and Pol Pot was right. But now you want to compare with developed countries. Now, let’s talk about Thailand, they never had wars, they just had a war in its southern region, and the minor coup d’état which took place, besides that they were always developing (their country), they never saw destruction, did they not? But for us, we destroyed all the way to the roots. Vietnam after the war ended also rebuilt its country while in Cambodia, the destruction was made all the way to the roots.”
Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy, who used to say that the Cambodian people are getting poorer and poorer, replied to a question asked by RFA last night, by calling on the current government leaders to recognize their leadership mistakes rather than blaming the Khmer Rouge.
Sam Rainsy said: “Our country is destroyed by the leaders who came after the Khmer Rouge regime, in the lat 10-20 years. Was it the Khmer Rouge who destroyed the forest (during the KR regime)? In fact, it was done by the leaders who came after the Khmer Rouge regime instead. Was it the Khmer Rouge who allowed the immigrants and the Vietnamese to catch all the fishes from the streams, lakes and rivers in our country? It was not the Khmer Rouge, it was those who came to replace them later on. Was it the Khmer Rouge who sold the state belongings, the people belongings to international thieves (Mafia), to the crooked companies which confiscated lands belonging to the people, and making them poor? The Khmer Rouge case dated from 30 years back, what I am talking about is the destruction of the nation in the past 10-20 years only. They shouldn’t blame the Khmer Rouge on everything that they did wrong. They should accept their own mistakes – mistakes which are caused by corruption, dictatorship, lack of capabilities.”
The verbal exchange between the two main Cambodian political leaders took place at a time when the upcoming general election is only about 5-month away. Prior to this, the situation was calm.
13 comments:
Sam Rainsey is right, HUN SEN took control power over the country for +30 years, the country seems not to advance any faster. Look back, under Sihanouk time it was like less than 20 years and he mangage to get the country grows in all kind of fields. And our area with trees was like 75% now less than 30%. Where have they gone? The YOUN cut them all and benefitting them. This money should be compensate to our poor citizens. SAM RAINSY is right because in HUN SEN administration are so corrupted. Nothing seems to be growing. When investors want to invest or build companies in Cambodia, the corrupted official asking sooo much money then the investors turned to Vietnam. Look, I heard about GE wants to invest in our country, but some corrupted official chase them out. I don't know if they still have their office in Phnom Penh any more or not. I hope HUN SEN wakes up and let the prosperity happens in Cambodia. Let our people have jobs.
The debating or the campaigning should be focus on the Preah Vihear Temple from both of these two running leaders. HUN SEN and SAM RAINSY Should tell the Cambodian that they should be dealing this temple with the international. Don't deal with the uneducated Thai. HUN SEN and SAM RAINSY must promise the Cambodian that THAI have no rights to say shit about this temple. THE END!
Because Hun Sen had agreed to share our oil in our sea bed, now Thailand ask to share the ownership of Preah Vihear temple.
And in the future, what will be next? Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom?
Now you are taking Mr. Hun Sen to the task. The PM nevers going to see anything as he keeps watching from the blind side of his eye.
It is nearly 30 years Mr. Prime Minister. There is nothing change from the Sisophon to Siemreap. When are you going to fix that road? How is your conversion policy where you have allowed mass deforestation of our natural resources?
I am very impress that our 2 leaders can have this kind of debet.
The debate can focus on wide range of issues from economic, affordable housing, healthcare, education, Phrea Vihear...
Mr. Sam Rainsy makes a very point and he scores this debate big time against AH HUN SEN! It is time to stop blaming everything on the Khmer Rouge!
I also remembered when the Vietcong invaded Cambodia in 1979 and occupied Cambodia for 10 years and they looted everything in Cambodia too and why AH HUN SEN never talk about the Vietcong thieves?
AH HUN SEN Vietcong slave puppet government is the most incapable government on Earth and it is very embarrassing to know that Cambodia is the poorest country in Southeast Asia under his leadership for 30 years!
AH HUN SEN is nothing more than a fly and he is born to die and to multiply and leave nothing behind and this is his real legacy for Cambodia!
Hun Sen has had 30 years to fix Kampuchea, which was more than enough time. The Khmer Rouge was THEN and this is NOW stop living in the past, everyone knows Hun Sen is Khmer Rouge, everyone knows his supporters are Vietnamese, everyone knows he is killing our nation and finishing off what the Khmer Rouge started. We need a new fucking leader, enough is enough, 30 years and nothing, the sons and daughters of Kampuchea are now 30 years older and still living in the same ghetto conditions. Hun Sen doesn't care about Kampuchea, Hun Sen doesn't care about the Nation, and most embarassingly Hun Sen doesn't care about the KHMER! Please somebody deport him back to Hanoi! Im so sick and disgusted, the Khmers who vote him into power should be ashamed, you have all sold your Khmers Soul to the cyclops.
New era of progressive culture in Cambodia must be raised. I do believe that Sam Rainsy is ready to open this culture.
New culture of politics in Cambodia is to focus on win-win strategy. This strategy profoundly refers to the advancement, peace, dignity, social equity, and freedom of Cambodian peoples.
Win-win strategy is not about lasting power for any leader in the government. For instance, CPP win every party in all election; or SRP wins every party in all election, is not a win-wins strategy. Win-win strategy means Cambodian peoples are the winer and they can testify their leaders in a specific termed-mandates such as two terms like in America.
New culture of progressive politics in Cambodia absolutely honors the physically open talk between those leaders in the public. Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy should appear in the public and debate extensively for the sake the nation. And they both should express friendship in front of millions of Cambodian citizens through national mass media.
New culture of progressive politics in Cambodia should limit the mandate of prime minister, not to allow them egoistically control the nation.
Win-win strategy and culture of progressive politics in Cambodia should profoundly stand on open minded, tolerant, selfless, national unity, globalizing in politics, and liberalizing in economic.
KY
thanks to this article report, i can see where mr sam rainsy came from or his point of view. i think his view of point is good because he want to get cambodia to think competitively with the immediate neighboring countries of cambodia if not the world as a whole. thus, i can see this leadership role in wanting to take cambodia at a break-neck speed, no pun intended here. i strongly respect mr. sam rainsy's philosophy or view. however, i would like to know more about what mr. hun sen and his party have to say as well. i want to know and understand their point of view as well, to see what he (mr. hun sen and his party) has to say about this view for cambodia. what's his point of view in responsible to mr. sam rainsy's idea. can KI or any credible agency post mr. hun sen's point of view here for everyone to see as well, please. thanks so much in advance for your help.
You know that KI Media is a Sam Rainsy Supporter and a CPP hater. Moron Sam Rainsy, stop comparing Cambodia to Thailand. How can you compare a country that is at 90 or more to those like thailand which is in the top ten or 20. As for vietnam, their country was somewhat destroyed...but nothing compared to cambodia...everything was destroyed from people to...anything... you name it.
Cambodia has just reborned for 6 or 7 years... 7 years of peace and stability.
To 5:27AM
Do you ever listen to yourself? Where the fuck did you received your education?
AH HUN SEN always blamed everything on the Khmer Rouge Pol Pot since 1979! AH HUN SEN never want to blame himself for prolonging the Cambodian civil war for more 10 years after 1979 by the supporting the Vietcong occupation! Since 1979 to 2008, AH HUN SEN is the King, the strong man, the dictator, the Vietcong slave, the former Khmer Rouge, the former Khmer Vietminh...who must continue to claim his attachment to the Khmer Rouge Pol Pot era because he can't escape his past as a former Khmer Rouge and one day his past will catch up with him and only then there will be no more excused for him!
Don't blame too much HUN Sen... He is a human. A human in the top position in his country. He and his clan want to keep good position and good life. So what the hell do they need to develop the country? Just do like african dictactors: no need to develop education and let people starve and die from hungerness, so that they can keep their position and good life. If too much people become educated and smart, this is the beginning of revolution and loss of power....
stop being sorry for yourself, please, cambodian people so sick and tired of you people fighting nonsense about this and that. enough already.
i like the fact that the leaders are starting to debate one another. that is good. people will judge the leader for themselves without having to take side from just reading or hearing accusation from one party to the other. please, remember, cambodian people can judge for themselves without any one party trying to convince them, please. everyone has personal flaw,personal imperfection, so stop pointing fingers and take responsibility as a good leader, please. so sick and tired already.
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