Theary Seng (Photo: Kay Kimsong, The Phnom Penh Post)March/April
Theary Seng often thinks of that April morning in 1975 when she watched her parents cheering on the Khmer Rouge as its soldiers marched into Phnom Penh. She was four years old. Within days, Pol Pot's foot soldiers had killed her father; three years after that, her mother died in a prison compound. Today, Theary Seng runs a nonprofit legal-advocacy group in Phnom Penh. She is eager to move on. But the rest of Cambodia, and much of the world, remains mired in the nation's sorrowful past. During its four-year reign, the Khmer Rouge killed as many as two million people. Nowadays, the venal government of Prime Minister Hun Sen may take "ten lives or even a hundred lives," she told me in August, "but what's that compared to two million? That's still the Cambodian standard, and that's the international standard."
The devastation Pol Pot wreaked on his country remains hard to comprehend, even three decades later. His goal, as he put it, was to return Cambodia to "year zero" and transform it into an agrarian utopia. To that end, he purged his nation of educated city dwellers, monks, and minorities, while imposing a draconian resettlement program that uprooted almost everyone else. These measures led to the deaths of one-quarter of the country's population.
The Khmer Rouge fell in 1979, when Vietnam invaded Cambodia and replaced the regime with a puppet government, in which Hun Sen became the foreign minister. When Vietnamese forces pulled out ten years later, they left behind several Cambodian factions battling for control. Then, in 1991, these groups' leaders signed a UN-sponsored peace accord, giving Cambodia the extraordinary opportunity to start over. Before Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and even the Balkans, Cambodia was the international community's grand nation-building project. The country's new constitution awarded Cambodians the human rights, personal freedoms, and other protections of a modern democratic state. And in 1993, the United Nations staged a national election to select a democratic government. After the horrors of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia would remake itself at last, and its people would have a chance to thrive.
But in the 16 years since that election, the government has squandered that opportunity. Hun Sen came in second in the 1993 election but muscled his way into the government nonetheless. Four years later, he staged a coup. Since then, his government has been looting Cambodia's natural resources, jailing political opponents, kicking thousands of the weakest out of their homes, and fostering an expansive system of corruption, all the while ignoring any challenges or complaints from organizations and governments around the world.
"People in America, all they know of Cambodia is the Khmer Rouge," Joseph Mussomeli, then U.S. ambassador to Cambodia, told me in August. "Cambodia is trying to make it in the twenty-first century, but Washington is still stuck in the 1970s." Its perception skewed by this outdated vision, most of the world barely seems to notice that the Hun Sen government is destroying the nation.
This is the first 500 of 3,837 words of the article. Click here to download a PDF copy of the entire article.
The devastation Pol Pot wreaked on his country remains hard to comprehend, even three decades later. His goal, as he put it, was to return Cambodia to "year zero" and transform it into an agrarian utopia. To that end, he purged his nation of educated city dwellers, monks, and minorities, while imposing a draconian resettlement program that uprooted almost everyone else. These measures led to the deaths of one-quarter of the country's population.
The Khmer Rouge fell in 1979, when Vietnam invaded Cambodia and replaced the regime with a puppet government, in which Hun Sen became the foreign minister. When Vietnamese forces pulled out ten years later, they left behind several Cambodian factions battling for control. Then, in 1991, these groups' leaders signed a UN-sponsored peace accord, giving Cambodia the extraordinary opportunity to start over. Before Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and even the Balkans, Cambodia was the international community's grand nation-building project. The country's new constitution awarded Cambodians the human rights, personal freedoms, and other protections of a modern democratic state. And in 1993, the United Nations staged a national election to select a democratic government. After the horrors of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia would remake itself at last, and its people would have a chance to thrive.
But in the 16 years since that election, the government has squandered that opportunity. Hun Sen came in second in the 1993 election but muscled his way into the government nonetheless. Four years later, he staged a coup. Since then, his government has been looting Cambodia's natural resources, jailing political opponents, kicking thousands of the weakest out of their homes, and fostering an expansive system of corruption, all the while ignoring any challenges or complaints from organizations and governments around the world.
"People in America, all they know of Cambodia is the Khmer Rouge," Joseph Mussomeli, then U.S. ambassador to Cambodia, told me in August. "Cambodia is trying to make it in the twenty-first century, but Washington is still stuck in the 1970s." Its perception skewed by this outdated vision, most of the world barely seems to notice that the Hun Sen government is destroying the nation.
This is the first 500 of 3,837 words of the article. Click here to download a PDF copy of the entire article.
39 comments:
Yep, Pouk Ah Scam Rainxy just love to parroting nonsense after each other. That is all they are good for, nothing else.
It is interesting that they see we have all of these problems from thousands of miles away, but none of SEA nation in our backyard see we have any problem with our government.
Who the fuck are they trying to kid?
8:53AM! go fuck yourself!
I wanna see how long this Theary Seng is riding the Khmer Rouge ticket. I really suspect this lady just want to exploit all this Khmer Rouge things to have financial gains. We all knew what happened and this book I am sure is just another beating to the dead horse in its overall context.
I'm so sick of these people who try to claim they want the world to know about what happened in Cambodia so they go do documentary and write books about it. Have you stopped and thought what do these people get out of this? Maybe they aren't just doing it for what they claim to be. Maybe, selling books about genocide makes big dough and maybe making a documentary cashing in on the terrible suffering of a group of Khmer make your film so dramatic that it wins awards and you'll get distribution and get rich off of it.
Have you all thought about that for those that write and write about Khmer Rouge history. I mean, it's fine to expose what they did but it gets to the point of writing nothing new but seems like writing for the money to be made from this. Total exploitation, I feel.
9:08AM,
Jealousy!!!
Why you do not write your own book and make profits from that.
Go ahaead!!!
9:08AM
your comment:
"Have you all thought about that for those that write and write about Khmer Rouge history. I mean, it's fine to expose what they did but it gets to the point of writing nothing new but seems like writing for the money to be made from this. Total exploitation, I feel."
my response:
Walk down the street of any major city and ask anyone if they know who Pol Pot is or who the Khmer Rouge were or what happened between 1975-1979. Most likely no one has a clue. A lot of people on this earth are still clueless about the Khmer Rouge and the legacy it left behind. Even later generations of Cambodian students living in Cambodia barely know much history about the Khmer Rouge. I don't think any of these authors whether they be Western, Cambodian or Japanese are exploiting Khmer Rouge history. Khmer Rouge history is and will forever be a significant aspect of Cambodian history which at this generation still affects us. To understand Cambodia's government today, its people, its economy and the social problems plaguing Cambodia at this very moment, one had to understand that all of this was a result of that dark period in Cambodian history. It's good that authors, survivors, researchers, scholars and foreign correspondence write about this period. Some aspects might not be anything new but it keeps the history, lessons and understanding alive. There are countless events that happened years, decades, and centuries ago but every now and then, you still get publications accounting and researching such events.
9.08 am, you are really nine, not ten, incomplete in khmer.
if anything, not many people know and understand enough about khmer tragic history.
Fucking French Wore (Theary Seng) is no good at anything other than to show off her body with a see-through dress.
8:53 AM chea dongkov ach Hun Sen.
Hun Sen proeu oy mork korko korkay FORUM nis.
Sa-oy nass!
And you must have loved that huh 10:45 AM, dream on...scum bag!
9:51 AM
Yea and you are the know-it-all guy guy, fucker?
9:42 AM
Blame me for I know more about Khmer history than majority of the Khmer that you describe than that I think it's beating a dead horse thing.
I'm a student filmmaker and I want to one day soon make a film about the Khmer Rouge time but not about the suffering of the people because that movie The Killing Field is a good representation. The movie's theme I'm gonna make is about division of Khmer during that era. My movie won't focus on the suffering but about Khmer Rouge, Khmer white, Khmer purple, Khmer yellow, or Khmer blue, in the end of the day, your most hated enemy is your fellow countrymen. Most people failed to realize that.
Many people failed to realize KHmer Rouge are also Khmer. They demonize the Khmer Rouge for what they did, not that they don't deserve it. But that is exactly the point that the Khmer Rouge missed out on in carrying out their plans. They forgot that the people were suspected as spies of the Vietnamese are actually their fellow Khmer.
It's when Khmer label other Khmer as the "other" that Khmer kill Khmer without any remorse and still feel righteous because in their minds, they think they are doing their country a service but in reality, they are doing it a damage.
12:21,
I didn't know Khmer came with that many variety of colors.
Nevertheless, don't want to hurt your feeling; but i suggest you make this a home video and keep it for your family and your family only.
9:08 AM You got my support! all you said is damn right. I hate those parasites who exploit khmer rouge's past to make their living.
Yep, it's so immoral to exploit the suffering of their own people, but then again, when you live in the west for too long, you moral died, and you start to see thing differently.
no wonder hun xen listend to upu idots and refused to hold the trial.
no one in your khmer rouge family died, but you idiot race killed so many others.
impunity all over he country, killers in power.
My family was kills in the Khmer Rouge too. I think that enough for this problem. We should stop thiking to hate or hurting each other, and we should move on and stand up to protect our people and Nation.
Hun Sen is no better then Khmer Rouge, don't you see his' sale our Land to VN. He should stop and reorganize to build up his own Country, stop let his body gruard currupet and criate more jobe, education for the young generation.
Only the blind do not see what wrong in Cambodia...
I suggest the gentlemen 9:08 to write books of different subjects about Cambodia; after all capitalism is a way of life... it does not matter where you are... What important is; we must accept the truth and learn from it. If you don't acknowledge the truth, it means you are not willing to correct it.
Hi there!
Who said that the majority doesn't know about the KR regime? Let me tell you one thing... In fact, I learned about Pol Pot's terror since I have been in High School.
I totally disagree on the fact that some people claimed to be more valuable victims than the others. Neither do I like to dwell on things that do not benefit the poor (THE REAL VICTIMS OF THE KR REGIME). I super hate those who are taking advantage of the situation and or of the people misery. I have nothing against Theary, but one thing I know is that she and her family claimed to be the most suffered and miserable amongst the 1 999 999 unfortunate victims.
I know someone’s father was taking away even before her very first word 'dada' or 'mama' was yet pronounced because the KR killed her father just a few months after her birth. Not only her father was amongst the very ill-fated victims, but she herself almost became one of the YOUNGEST victims during that terrible and awful period. Fortunately, there was a very kind lady who begged that unidentified evil man to not kill that little but innocent baby. Even though with her long plea, the KR evil man still said to her, ‘If you want to cut the tree, you have to destroy the roots too’. So, when that GOOD HEART LADY heard those distress words, she still begged but just to beg as long as it took in order to save that poor little child. I know that little child very well because I’m fortunate enough to be her friend. She now became one of the youngest and one of the most educated people of the new generation (under 35 years old). Maybe because of her ‘GOOD KARMA’, she still survives until today. Before I became aware of her status, she was and is and probably will be ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED PEOPLE OF OUR NEW GENERATION. Even though, she was born in the turmoil era, she is still being ONE of the greatest CHILDREN of our HM King-Father Norodom Sihanouk.
Even though with all the very sad but brief misery, she is still be very humble about her past and ESPECIALLY HUMBLE ABOUT HER STATUS. Although, some people think that all the chaos that fell into Cambodia was made, encouraged and planned by HM King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. I’m indeed one of the luckiest people to have such a GOOD FRIEND in my life.
2.56AM,
sad to hear such thing like hers. we all suffered. we need to write, to talk, and listen, find out, let encourage more people to do so, because it is a healing and reconciliation process.
our culture doesn't encourage talk and writing. khmer people tend to listen than read and write. this kr period should be an easier tipic for khmer talk and learn as time passes.
2:56 what the fuck your parents teach you or you are the fucking Viet?
I one of the victime too, and I do not know much how to talk and show, So I happy to have Thery represnt 1 999 999 of us to let the word know about it. And the stupid person like you feel shit in the head!!!!! May lightning strike the killers andv the supporters!!!!!
BUy the the way we fogot talk about the present day POL POT! Is ah Kwack Hun Xen and its crony (CPP) need to face justice too!
2.56,
we need more people like Theary Seng. Your friend, she should be encouraged to write her memoire like Seng, too. I like to read her story, even yours. 13 Million Khmer, Ibet ican come up may be about 10 books only written by khmer survuvors. This literature will be very important for future generations after we all died.
Ah Hok Landy was punish by GOD!
What about A Hun Xen?
No, 4:50, we need more people like you to keep her happy so that she stop all the bullshit here.
I know that girldfriend of yours bullshited her story. you and her in fact came from Khmer Rouge killer families.
Hey 8:47 AM,
What makes you so sure about so-called "bullshited story" and about their "KR killer families?"
You don't even know them (especially the royal friend of hers)... Not to mention that you won't have a chance to stand close to them.
Unless you are the one whose parents were the real KR killers.
Now, you said so, those royal killers ? Sihanouk was the KR killer chief, No 1.
You said it all. Sihanouk only killed his own family members, so tell her to take it.
Steal jealous of thear seng ?
yep, you can suck that royal cunt. I am not even interested a bit. You are thus a sucker , too. So low a life.
10:34 AM,
Who said that HM King-Father Norodom Sihanouk killed his own family members? Me? Nooo way!!!! You? YES!!! I don't believe for a bit that King-Father Sihanouk did such horrible thing, especially to his very own children. So, stop fooling and bullying people!!!
Who said that 2:56 AM is jealous about Theary Seng? I don't think she or he is envious on Mrs. T. Seng since she∕he, herself or himself, has a tremendous career that not even you can do it! Therefore, No One is jealous about Mrs. Theary Seng because everybody else has a better life than her and you!
If you are envious about Mrs. T. Seng for her good life, just admit it because by doing so, you are releasing your frustration and resentment towards your fellow Khmers who have achieved a better life than you. Thank you!
10:01PM.
I couln't agree more with you.
Pross Pov
9:08AM is right for the most part and what this person said was based on facts about us humans in particular.
But T. Seng is right also for doing something for what she believes. And about gaining $$ we all are doing it for that.
Those million of dollars given by outsiders not Cambodian money, why should we care if she wrote a book for money and makes money through ECCC? We are just evils as them the same.
This trial is being orchestrated by the Vietnamese-US relationship for the interest of the two. One is for the US to drive China out from SEA from being economic power, and two for the Vietnamese itself to launch its record to become a new owner of Indochina.
The Vietnamese were the ones who linked to the destruction and killing in Cambodia.
If somebody argues it were Khmers who killed Khmers they saw them in their own eyes.
Yes, they did kill their own people because they were brainwashed by Communist Ho Chi Minh since in 1930's. Because his principal theorical innovations was to claim that peasants were proletarians need not to be transformed, and Ho Chi Minh's words led to those killings by jealousy and revenge and many were killed from the act of paranoid because of the depth of the infiltration by the Vietnamese.
If King Sihanouk did not seek China for intervene, the Vietnamese probably exterminated Khmers already. The test to catch Khmer Nationalist was k-5. Thousand were killed in k-5 from the Viet espionages not from King Sihanouk.
This kind of exterminations by the Vietnamese are not heard by the insiders nor outsiders, but they're happened and continue to happen.
If the Vietnamese Communist did want this trial to heppen it would have never happened. Jeu de Politiques to finish China's faction by the Vietnamese is being seen, though, many don't. Expecting King Sihanouk to die, because the Vietnamese already hold Hun Sen regime by the throat.
The bad wihers by the Vietnamese and by some dumb Khmers are not coming true, then the show continues.
Correction.
If the Vietnamese Communist did NOT want this trial to heppen it would have never happened.
8:20 AM,
But to point their Viet fingers on Khmer Rouge alone, as making crime against humanity.
Hanoi gave birth to Khmer Rouge, Hanoi armed KR, Hanoi brainwashed KR to kill their own people for Viet, and Hanoi invaded Cambodia in the pretext to save Cambodians from KR.
So smart Criminals Viet Hanoi.
Do you see this main point, all Khmers ????
It is not hard to impersonate someone or make sound like other person, we see many actors do that all the time on Saturday Live.
No one dares to admit about K-5 not even the foreigners. Tae Ong in the past now this century the Vietnamese impersonate the King and make sounds like the King.
The greatest Evil Vietnamese.
12:25 PM,
Can you elaborate on saying about impersonaing the King? What king are you implying? Is that HM King Sihamoni (my King) that you are refeerring to? Please explain. Thanks
11:57PM.
The call for Khmers to join the resistance called K-5 against Vietnamese during Vietnam invasion, because Khmer people believed that King Sihanouk voice on the radio called. Soon thousand of those Khmers gathered the Vietnamese bombed them and killed most of them. It was the Vietnamese strategy to caught the Khmer Nationalists. The Vietnamese and CPP members claimed that K-5 did not exist, but it did.
The Vietnamese have kept denying. Surprise no more the Vietnamese Ambassador from Vietnam to Cambodia speaks fluently KHmer with no accent. Many and many thousand of the Vietnamese are well trained as spies, they speak fluently Khmers and Laos, and they are among Khmers, none of Khmers have a clue who are those people, because Khmers thought those Vietnamese spies are Khmer brother and sisters.
They can impersonate anyone such as making sounds like the King, King Sihanouk. Because they prepared to caught the Khmer nationalists, and they knew King Sihanouk voice could lure the Nationalists out.
If American entertainers can make themselves look like President Bush and talk like Bush, it is not hard to impersonate sounds like King Sihanouk, since the Vietnamese determined to take Cambodia through every strategy.
Was Hok Lundy born in Cambodia? No.
He was one of many thousand Vietnamese spies.
Bangkok Post not long ago, posted new ordained Monks at the Preah Vihears were Vietnamese spies and yes they are.
The Vietnamese spies are not only in the country, but in each embassy through any organization such as in Global Witness.
This is not a conspiracy theory it is a fact, because some members of them told us who they are and where are their origin family memebers came from. They spoke to us where we met them in Europe.
This is a new strategy evil Vietnamese use against China when times come. As long as their spies are all over in every political stripes in Cambodian they think they can blackmail China, a good friend of King Sihanouk.
Does China know? Yes.
Dear 1:05 AM,
Thank you very much for an elaborated explanation!
If it's the case as the Viet spies were and still are among the Khmers community, how canREAL KHMERS regain the independance (if it's not already lost or did we really have our own sovereignety?)from the Viet invaders?
Please enlighten me more about that.
Thank you,
From Neak Largnoan Klav or shall I say Neak "curious".
How can he enlight you, he is just a human? You seem to be smarter than he is.
Didn't China assassinate a big Vietnamese spy Hol Lundy? I don't think anyone knows the answer, just keep praying for the best.
You know GOD is not on real Khmers side. There was a big beautiful Church, and those dumbest bombed it to the ground. Did they repent? None, then the real Khmers suffering continues.
Listen. Khmers are very stubborn and arrogant people because of its old empire they are stucking with that. They resist all new things but stay hugging the past.
Now you know why they were hated by the French, because of their stupid proud Khmer Pride.
Did these real Khmers ever admit that the old empire cost million of other prisoner lives to build it? They only blame others but not their own sins they did.
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