Gunnar Bergstrom, right, a former Swedish leftist who sympathized with the Khmer Rouge regime, walks as he tours to the former Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison, now known as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 17, 2008. The former Swedish sympathizer of the late Cambodian dictator Pol Pot has visited the country's genocide museum during a trip to seek forgiveness for his past support of the Khmer Rouge regime. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)Repentant Khmer Rouge fan returns
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh
A Swedish man who supported the Khmer Rouge movement has returned to Cambodia for the first time in 30 years.
Gunnar Bergstrom was part of a group which toured the country and dined with the Khmer Rouge leadership in 1978.
He now says he regrets what he did - and plans to apologise to survivors of the Pol Pot era.
As many as two million Cambodians are thought to have died because of Khmer Rouge policies, and trials are underway of surviving Khmer Rouge leaders.
The last time Gunnar Bergstrom came to Phnom Penh, there was virtually nobody in the city.
The Khmer Rouge had evacuated the population to the countryside.
Many of them died there - from malnutrition, disease or summary execution.
Different light
But Mr Bergstrom's Swedish support group saw the Khmer Rouge in a different light.
They thought the ultra-Maoist organisation had liberated Cambodia from imperialist western powers.
On their carefully controlled tour in 1978, the Swedes only saw the positive side of the revolution - factories, hospitals, and smiling peasants.
Even then, Mr Bergstrom says, he felt troubled by the stories which were starting to emerge.
"There were times when the doubts crept into my mind, but I wouldn't express them to the group of the other people until later.
"But you shouldn't exaggerate it. I was crazy enough to support the Khmer Rouge when I came home, and I quieted that voice," he said.
Strong reactions
Now Mr Bergstrom is trying to make up for not speaking out at the time.
He is staging an exhibition of his photographs from the time, called "Living Hell", and he is touring the country again.
This time he will be addressing public forums for survivors of the Khmer Rouge era.
And he is prepared for strong reactions.
"I can answer questions and will have to deal with any reaction I meet," he said.
He said he would be pleased if that helped in educating young people in Cambodia about what happened.
He also wants to educate people in Sweden too, to not be uncritical, he said.
Mr Bergstrom's return to Cambodia coincides with the long-awaited Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
Five former leaders of the organisation have been charged with crimes against humanity.
Gunnar Bergstrom was part of a group which toured the country and dined with the Khmer Rouge leadership in 1978.
He now says he regrets what he did - and plans to apologise to survivors of the Pol Pot era.
As many as two million Cambodians are thought to have died because of Khmer Rouge policies, and trials are underway of surviving Khmer Rouge leaders.
The last time Gunnar Bergstrom came to Phnom Penh, there was virtually nobody in the city.
The Khmer Rouge had evacuated the population to the countryside.
Many of them died there - from malnutrition, disease or summary execution.
Different light
But Mr Bergstrom's Swedish support group saw the Khmer Rouge in a different light.
They thought the ultra-Maoist organisation had liberated Cambodia from imperialist western powers.
On their carefully controlled tour in 1978, the Swedes only saw the positive side of the revolution - factories, hospitals, and smiling peasants.
Even then, Mr Bergstrom says, he felt troubled by the stories which were starting to emerge.
"There were times when the doubts crept into my mind, but I wouldn't express them to the group of the other people until later.
"But you shouldn't exaggerate it. I was crazy enough to support the Khmer Rouge when I came home, and I quieted that voice," he said.
Strong reactions
Now Mr Bergstrom is trying to make up for not speaking out at the time.
He is staging an exhibition of his photographs from the time, called "Living Hell", and he is touring the country again.
This time he will be addressing public forums for survivors of the Khmer Rouge era.
And he is prepared for strong reactions.
"I can answer questions and will have to deal with any reaction I meet," he said.
He said he would be pleased if that helped in educating young people in Cambodia about what happened.
He also wants to educate people in Sweden too, to not be uncritical, he said.
Mr Bergstrom's return to Cambodia coincides with the long-awaited Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
Five former leaders of the organisation have been charged with crimes against humanity.
8 comments:
Hun Sen is a criminal against humanity in Cambodia. He is a public enemy of humanity.
While I do not agree with the choice of words of Hun Sen, I think the points he made is not right. I have always been of the view that Sam Rainsy is to implement the real democracy in Cambodia especially for all opposition parties but Hun Sen is a dictator, a mafia chef, and a criminal chef against humanity in Cambodia. Hun Sen serves youns by signing the supplemented treaties with youn. What a savage Hun sen!
If you listen to the campaign messages of CPP (Communist Pro youn Party) during the election, you didn't hear the youn immigration because Hun Sen is big corruptor in Cambodia, is a traitor who protected youns in Cambodia. Hun Sen, in the regards of Khmers, is a criminal against humanity. Hun Sen is the public enemy of humans. Look at how many corruptions that CPP (Communist Pro youn Party) are doing. Most of CPP (Communist Pro youn Party) members don't like the dictatorship lead by Hun Sen, youn servant.
Oh and by the way, I also have a message to Hun Sen: you should not lead Cambodia with dictatorship, you should kneel and bend the head down to the floor in front of H.E. Sam Rainsy. It's a good knowledge for you to keep you head for Cambodia. I am sure Khmer people can not find another leader like H.E. Sam Rainsy for the democracy in Cambodia.
Penh Panha
All those who had associated with and supported the Khmer Rouge, be they Khmers or foreigners, should follow Gunnar Bergstrom's example and apologise to the Cambodian people.
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
Mr Bergstrom should visit those KR leaders in detention and ask them about the time he visited the Democratic Kampuchea......see what they response, or see if they can remember him or not. Don't have to feel guilty Mr. Bergstrom I know you are a man with conscience you were just dubed by the KR. Look at China and Vietnam they knew what was going on in Cambodia but they didn't do a thing. They don't give a shit about it. They ignored it. Vietnam invaded Cambodia because ah Pot refused to be its subservient, not to save Cambodians from ah Pot.
Can anyone here tell me why would Cambodian kill Cambodian and what are they doing it for? If after they had kill all Cambodians, who will protect the land? Why so much Cambodians were kill while Vietnamese escape to Kampuchea Krom? What happen to all Cambodia properties after the Khmer take over? Why did the Khmer Rouge killing each other? Why are people these days like to interview children of the Khmer Rouge who has no ideas about politic? Why are Cambodians so brainless?
He known about khmer rouge why he didn;t tell to the world helping khmer people during pol pot took over?
2:04pm, What planet are you coming from??? Or have you just awoke from coma??
Do some more reading and you will find some answers.
Cambodian are not brainless, you are..
as far as i see it mr gunna isnt guilty? i think hes a man with strong believes and at that time was search to make the world a better place.
LIKE MANY AT THAT TIME he believed that communism was alot better than the democracy that exsisted im sure he believed it would lead to better things. pol pot was a manipulator and as history as shown a pychopath.....
mr gunna as a consence and realises he was wrong it takes guts and someone who cares to do that. you have to put things in perpective what did he really do wrong.....???? write a book and then write amendments to say that they were wrong.
what concerns me the most is the other swedes that went on that trip and refused when asked to go back to appollogise and make amends. one of the swedes still thinks pol pot was a good ruler? i think he should be made to live in cambodia untill he understands what he is saying.
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