Original report from Washington
22 September 2009
Cambodian Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh said he was happy to see Cambodians in America adhering to old traditions, as he visited a pagoda in Maryland on Sunday for Pchum Ben.
Tea Banh is in Washington for talks with his counterpart, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, in meetings unprecedented since the 1970s. He was scheduled to meet Gates on Monday, to strengthen to growing ties between the two militaries.
However, the visit has been darkened by concerns from US congressmen that US military aid could benefit the bodyguard unit of Prime Minister Hun Sen, which Human Rights Watch has accused of rights violations.
On Sunday, though, the general was celebrating Pchum Ben along with Cambodians at home.
“This is a first time for me to see such a big gathering of our Cambodian people in a very good pagoda like this,” the general said. “I am so proud to see our Cambodian people, who are living away from home, still organizing such a big ceremony. It is very impressive.”
Pchum Ben is an annual celebration of deceased ancestors in Cambodia, and the US pagoda visit was arranged by Cambodian Ambassador Hem Heng and other diplomats.
“I am so happy to be here with our Khmer people,” Tea Banh said. “I am so excited to be in time for the last day of Pchum Ben. The ceremony here is like in Cambodia.”
Tea Banh is in Washington for talks with his counterpart, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, in meetings unprecedented since the 1970s. He was scheduled to meet Gates on Monday, to strengthen to growing ties between the two militaries.
However, the visit has been darkened by concerns from US congressmen that US military aid could benefit the bodyguard unit of Prime Minister Hun Sen, which Human Rights Watch has accused of rights violations.
On Sunday, though, the general was celebrating Pchum Ben along with Cambodians at home.
“This is a first time for me to see such a big gathering of our Cambodian people in a very good pagoda like this,” the general said. “I am so proud to see our Cambodian people, who are living away from home, still organizing such a big ceremony. It is very impressive.”
Pchum Ben is an annual celebration of deceased ancestors in Cambodia, and the US pagoda visit was arranged by Cambodian Ambassador Hem Heng and other diplomats.
“I am so happy to be here with our Khmer people,” Tea Banh said. “I am so excited to be in time for the last day of Pchum Ben. The ceremony here is like in Cambodia.”
6 comments:
if the US give the money to aide the the Cambodian military, it's sure the money will go to Doggy hun-yuonslave body-guard whose use to shoot the khmer innocents.
but we are not sure about the role of the US in this case?????
More money more violation of Human Right.
Bodyguard will have more Power.
More money more stronger Khmer Army!
But just use money on the right target!
it is good to be aware, however, i hope unfound fear would not be in the way of a new beginning or new era of relation between cambodia and america. we all have to look into the brighter future together. that said, of course, everyone must be aware of the unforeseen outcome, but hope it's not the only thing in mind, though! cambodia and khmer people deserve better nowadays, and it is true to say that there are more to cambodia than you and i. since 30 plus years ago, people learned a lot by now. nothing is the same in cambodia, really. god bless cambodia.
The US is fool to supply Ah Hun Zen with military trucks, but internally Tea Banh just accepted it as American favor, not to upset the imperialist. Tea Banh is favor of Chinese military supplies than the US imperialist. Because the Chinese provides new equipment as US provides the old surplus ones. Tea Banh laughed behind American who gave the old supplies to Khmer military.
We, Cambodian oversea, do not understand American policy. One group called for human right abuse, but the others help to build up Hun Sen regime.
What is their point of view?
Why do they try to promote democracy with dictator, Hun Sen?
The way American policy toward Cambodia make us not believing in democracy principle. We all should turn ourself socialist or communist instead because American democracy won't work.
9:47Am make up your mind boy! American do not want to give new thing to Hun Sen force yet! But just let them tested!
For your information people prefer use Japanese car than new from China!
Did you see the Chinese truck, YET?
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