Sunday, November 29, 2009

Border between Cambodia and Vietnam: The Trial

Click on the statement in Khmer to zoom in

Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
CFC/CBC 23112009F

Border between Cambodia and Vietnam: The Trial

What is the cost for uprooting wooden stakes planted in the mud of a rice field? The author of this act is currently being charged of “crimes for destruction of public properties and threat against national security.” Yes, you read it right: this is not out of a bad fiction story, this is the reality that reflects the current Hun Sen’s regime in Cambodia.

It turns out that these wooden posts represent temporary stakes for a border post between Vietnam and Cambodia, and they happen to be located in the Cambodian district of Chantrea, Svay Rieng province. The marking operation was conducted by technicians working for the joint Vietnamese-Cambodian government committee, following the official recognition of territorial treaties – which, by the way, are illegal – concluded in 1985 and 2005 by the two governments. The main author of this uprooting act is no other than Sam Rainsy, an opposition MP, and the charge was leveled by a prosecutor for the Svay Rieng provincial court. This charge was later repeated by the minister of Justice who, in light of the “dangerous” offense, immediately requested the lifting of Sam Rainsy’s parliamentary immunity so that he can be brought to face trial. The entire immunity lifting process took only 10 minutes during a closed door session of the National Assembly controlled by MPs from Hun Sen’s own CPP party.

Regarding the so-called destruction of public properties

What “public properties?” The bits of stakes involved were planted in the middle of rice fields belonging to several generations of Khmer villagers, i.e. on private properties that the government, by allowing these villagers to farm them, is de facto recognizing them as such up until now. Since the very first day of the arbitrary planting of these stakes took place, and in the ensuing days, the owners of these fields had protested and complained to the commune authorities which remained deaf to their plight. The provincial authorities also refused to look into the villagers’ complaints while claiming that it only involves the Phnom Penh government. Therefore, no agreement and no consent were made between the state authorities and the citizen-owners of the lands so that these stakes could be recognized as “public properties”. If there were to be expropriation of these lands for public interest, then no damage compensation was ever paid to the wronged owners, unlike what the Kingdom’s Constitution stipulated. Furthermore, no prior official announcement was ever made for the marking of the border, and the local population in this border commune was never shown with any official geographical map, in spite of the fact that the border delimitation agreements were concluded since 27 December 1985 and completed on 10 October 2005. Governmental authorities also claimed that the staking was only “temporary,” meaning that they could be moved in the future. In summary, on 25 October, these litigious stakes, in spite of them being planted by State agents, could not be qualified as “public properties” and the owners of these rice fields have all the rights to get rid of them if they deem it necessary.

Threat against national security

In a country with the rule of law, elements of the “national security” must be clearly defined so they can be used to evaluate the character and the amplitude of any hypothetical “threat” against such national security. Did the uprooting of these bits of temporary border stakes by Sam Rainsy led to danger for Cambodian lives? Did it risk provoking serious internal troubles, and possibly a civil war, or a war between Cambodia and Vietnam? When MP Sam Rainsy and his colleagues came to look at these marking stakes under the request of protesting villagers, they did not carry anything threatening with them (no knives, no axes and no guns). They simply denounced the “violations of Cambodia’s territorial integrity by Vietnam.” Such a denunciation was legitimate from the part of a parliamentarian – a constitutional representative of the Nation and not just a representative of a political party – who, along with citizens who are directly involved, have always been pushed aside from an in-depth examination of the territorial agreements and from the border demarcation process between their country and the neighboring country. Nowhere else in the world but in Hun Sen’s Cambodia can such government secrecy – a total rebuke to the Parliament right – exists, not even in Vietnam when the latter was involved in border delimitation with China.

At first, the Cambodian authorities did not react to Sam Rainsy’s action in Chantrea simply because there was no need for government intervention urgency to quell any public troubles or any risk of civil war existed. However, five days later, on 30 October, according to Vietnam News Service, Hanoi’s regime “sharply reacted” as it viewed that the uprooting of these stakes by a Cambodian MP as being an “arrogant and irresponsible act violating laws in both countries and the treaties and agreements concluded between the two countries … (and) the slandering statement (made by Sam Rainsy) is aimed at inciting animosity and sabotaging relationships between Vietnam and Cambodia.” VNS added: “the Vietnamese government strongly condemns Sam Rainsy’s acts and declarations and asks that the Cambodian government take due measures to deal with all acts of sabotage in order to assure fine progress in the border demarcation between the two nations”! The veiled sanction threat against Sam Rainsy came from Hanoi which forgot that Sam Rainsy is in fact a Member of Cambodia’s Parliament. It was then that the Svay Rieng provincial prosecutor and Phnom Penh’s minister of Justice initiated their judicial process in which they claim that the case is “highly dangerous for national security” and they demanded for an immediate lifting of the parliamentary immunity of the “arrogant saboteur.”

The fundamental question remains the following: is the Svay Rieng provincial court competent enough to be involved in the case? Can it render judgment on a destruction of “public properties” charge that is not even the case? Can it be competent enough to be involved in a border demarcation problem that involves international law? But, in Cambodia, there is no doubt that Mr. Hun Sen and his comrades can do anything, they are competent in everything, and everything always involves “public order” or “national security.” Let’s recall also that, under Pol Pot, to the eyes of the Kammaphibal (party cadres), any sight of protest, discontent or sadness by an individual is an attack on their Revolution, i.e., their “public order”. Such action can be sanctioned through physical elimination of the individual involved. Thus, it looks like Pol Pot’s lesson did not get lost among his disciples. Sam Rainsy’s trial will thus take place: the benign wooden stakes in Chantrea have been blown up into peace (or war) symbols between Cambodia and Vietnam. It’s an aberration, but this gives the proper perspective on the importance of Hanoi’s domination over the Hun Sen/CPP regime.

Paris, 23 November 2009

Cambodia’s Borders Committee in France and Worldwide

(Signed) Dy Kareth, Vice-President
--------
Frontière Cambodge-Vietnam : le Procès

Que vaut l’arrachage de quelques bouts de pieux de bois plantés dans la boue d’une rizière? – L’accusation contre son auteur de « crimes de destruction de biens publics et de menace contre la sécurité nationale ». Non, ce n’est pas une mauvaise fiction. C’est une réalité qui reflète l’image du régime Hun Sen du Cambodge actuel.

Car il se trouve que ces bouts de pieux représentent le marquage provisoire des bornes de frontière entre le Vietnam et le Cambodge, dans un village cambodgien de Chantrea, de la province de Svay Rieng. Le marquage était fait par des techniciens de la Commission mixte gouvernementale viêtnamo-cambodgiennne, à la suite de la reconnaissance officielle des traités territoriaux - illégaux - de 1985 et de 2005 par les deux Gouvernements. L’auteur principal de cet arrachage est Sam Rainsy, un député de l’Opposition, et l’accusation est décrétée par un procureur d’un tribunal provincial de Svay Rieng, reprise ensuite par le ministre de la Justice, lequel, au vu de la « dangerosité » de l’acte incriminé, demande immédiatement la levée de l’immunité parlementaire du député pour que ce dernier soit mis en examen et jugé. A l’Assemblée nationale, où dominent les membres du parti PPC de Hun Sen, la chose est faite, à huis clos, en dix minutes.

La destruction de biens publics

De quel « bien public » ? Les bouts de pieux en question sont plantés dans des portions de rizières appartenant à des villageois khmers depuis plusieurs générations, c’est-à-dire dans des propriétés privées - que les autorités gouvernementales, qui leur laissent l’exploitation, ont reconnu de facto jusqu’à maintenant. Dès le premier jour de la plantation autoritaire de ces pieux, et les jours suivants, les propriétaires des terrains ont protesté et porté plainte aux autorités de la commune qui font la sourde oreille. Les autorités provinciales ont également refusé d’examiner leur plainte, sous le bon prétexte qu’il s’agissait d’un acte (des autorités) du Gouvernement de Phnom-Penh. Il n’y a donc eu aucun accord ni consentement entre ces autorités étatiques et les citoyens propriétaires des terrains pour que ces bouts de pieux soient reconnus comme « biens publics ». S’il s’agissait d’une désappropriation d’intérêt public, il n’y a pas eu de dédommagement compensatoire aux propriétaires lésés, comme le prévoit la Constitution du Royaume. D’ailleurs, il n’y a eu aucune publicité officielle préalable de ce marquage de la frontière, par exemple par la publication à la connaissance des populations d’une carte géographique officielle de cette commune frontalière, alors que l’Accord de délimitation de celle-ci est conclu dès le 27 décembre 1985 et complété le 10 octobre 2005. Et, aux dires des autorités gouvernementales elles-mêmes, ce marquage n’était que « provisoire », sous-entendant qu’il pourrait être déplacé à l’avenir. En somme, au 25 octobre dernier, ces bouts de pieux litigieux, même plantés par des agents de l’Etat, ne peuvent être qualifiés de « biens publics », et les propriétaires des rizières sont bien en droit de s’en débarrasser, s’ils le jugent nécessaire.

La menace contre la sécurité nationale

Dans un pays où les lois existent, les éléments de la « sécurité nationale » doivent être clairement définis, pour que l’on puisse évaluer le caractère et l’ampleur d’une éventuelle « menace » contre elle. L’arrachage de ces bouts de pieux de marquage provisoire de la frontière par Sam Rainsy a-t-il mis en danger la vie du peuple khmer ou risque-t-il de provoquer de graves troubles intérieures, voire une guerre civile, ou une guerre entre le Cambodge et le Vietnam ? Or, le député Sam Rainsy et ses compagnons étaient venus constater ces pieux de marquage à la demande des villageois protestataires et ne portaient avec eux aucun objet menaçant (couteaux, haches ou armes à feu). Ils ont simplement dénoncé les « violations de l’intégrité territoriale du Cambodge par le Vietnam ». Une telle dénonciation était bien légitime de la part d’un membre de l’Assemblée nationale – donc, constitutionnellement, d’un Représentant de la Nation, non pas seulement un représentant d’un parti politique – qui, de même que les citoyens directement intéressés, a toujours été écarté de l’examen approfondi des accords territoriaux et des processus de la démarcation de la frontière entre son pays et le pays voisin. Ce genre de pratiques secrètes du Gouvernement, au mépris du droit du Parlement, n’existe qu’au Cambodge de Hun Sen et nulle part ailleurs, même pas au Vietnam dans ses problèmes de délimitation de sa frontière avec la Chine.

Dans un premier temps, les autorités khmères n’ont pas réagi à l’action de Sam Rainsy à Chantrea : il n’y a pas eu l’urgence d’une intervention gouvernementale pour prévenir des troubles publiques ou les risques de guerre civile. Mais, cinq jours plus tard, le 30 octobre, selon l’agence Vietnam News Service, s’annonce une « vive réaction » du Gouvernement de Hanoi qui a vu en l’arrachage de ces pieux par le député khmer comme un acte « arrogant, irresponsable, violant les lois des deux pays et les traités et accords conclus entre les deux nations... (et) la déclaration calomnieuse (de Sam Rainsy) a pour but d’inciter l’animosité et le sabotage des relations entre le Vietnam et le Cambodge ». Ainsi, lit-on encore, « le Gouvernement vietnamien condamne avec véhémence les actes et les déclarations de Sam Rainsy et demande au Gouvernement cambodgien de prendre des mesures appropriées contre tous actes de sabotage afin d’assurer la bonne marche de la démarcation de la frontières entre les deux pays » ! La menace de sanctions à peine voilée contre Sam Rainsy vient plutôt de Hanoi, qui oublie également que le même Sam Rainsy est un membre du Parlement cambodgien. Mais, c’est alors que le procureur de Svay Rieng et le ministre de la Justice de Phnom-Penh déclenchent leurs machines judiciaires, se saisissent de l’affaire «hautement dangereuse pour la sécurité nationale» et demandent la suspension immédiate de l’immunité parlementaire de l’« arrogant saboteur ».

La question de fond est encore celle-ci : le tribunal de Svay Rieng est-il compétent pour se saisir de l’affaire et juger la destruction d’un « bien public » qui n’en est pas un, et un problème de la démarcation de la frontière qui n’est pas du ressort de la province de Svay Rieng et qui touche au droit international ? Mais, au Cambodge, n’en doutons pas, M. Hun Sen et ses camarades peuvent tout, sont compétents en tout, et tout touche à « l’ordre public » ou à la « sécurité nationale ». Sous Pol Pot, rappelons-le, le moindre signe de protestation, de mécontentement ou même de tristesse d’un individu constituait aux yeux des Kamaphibal (chefs de service) une atteinte à leur Révolution, c’est-à-dire à leur « ordre public », et peut être sanctionné par le massacre de son auteur. La leçon de Pol Pot n’est pas perdue pour ses adeptes. Le procès de Sam Rainsy va donc avoir lieu : les petits pieux de bois de Chantrea sont les hauts symboles de la paix (ou de la guerre) entre le Cambodge et le Vietnam. C’est hallucinant. Mais, cela donne la bonne mesure du poids de la domination de Hanoi sur le régime Hun Sen/PPC.

Paris, le 23 novembre 2009
Le Comité des Frontières du Cambodge
en France et dans le monde.

Dy Kareth, Vice-Président

21 comments:

Hun Xen, Chea Xim, Heng Xamrin said...

We have told Sam Rainsy's people don't mess around with our master Vietnam, and Siam soldiers, they can get hurt or be killed.

Anonymous said...

This is the time for all Khmers must stand up against the agressor.
Our ancestors had shed blood to protect Khmer territory - Why kaun Khmer this generation so dumb and coward afraid to stand up with their enemy?

Anonymous said...

4:04PM Your masters will be hung by
Khmer people when they are powerless.

Anonymous said...

Cambodia was French Colonization
and now Cambodia is Vietnamization.
The Cambodia’s Borders Committee in France and Worldwide should put heavy pressure to U.N and Vietnam, but not to the Government of Cambodia itself.

Anonymous said...

5:40 PM

Everyone must learn how speak Vietnamese. The Cambodian government should pass a new law that would impose a fine or jail if Cambodian people don't speak the liberator's language (Vietnamese).

Anonymous said...

Quite right

Why UN brought back all Khmer Rouge,such as Sihanouk,Kiev SamPharn,Ieng Sary,Pol Pot,Nuon Chhea,Duch,Hun Sen,Chhea Sim,Heng Samrin,Sim Ka,Keat Chhun,Hor Nam Hong etc.......

We need Real Justice

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Anonymous said...

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SIHANOUK perfectly uses his Khmer old saying goes: If you can't make up your mind [what to do], you can't be a king. Norodom Sihanouk is the greatest-genius man on earth who wasn't afraid of being ...

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I 'm very sorry that Communism has destroyed Khmer since 1970.
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"HE WHOSE SENSES ARE MASTERED LIKE HORSES WELLE UNDER THEIR DRIVERS`CONTROL,WHO IS PURGED OF PRIDE,FREE FROM PASSIONS-SUCH A STEADFAST ONE EVEN DEVAS HOLDER."
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According to "INSCRIPTIONS MODERNES D'ANGKOR"by "Mähä Bidür KRASSEM
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Khmers believed to the reincarnation,welcome of Buddha Srey Ar métrey"

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"attahi-atta nor-nearthor ,attahi-atta nor kati,tasma-saing yamak atta naing,sasa yaing phak taraing vak vea-ni-chho"

"Oneself is one's own protector,oneself is one's own refuge.Control,therefore,your own self as a merchant,a spirited charger."



"NICHHAING TATOR, ASONTA-YI VITA-NHOR AK-NAING KAKNOR, UTCHIN-TI PHAVAK SAN THA NI, ANTI MO-YAING SAMOU-SAMO-SAYA-YOR"

"HE WHO HAS REACHED THE GOAL,IS FEARLESS,HAS BROKEN THE SHAFTS OF EXISTENCE,-OF SUCH A ONE THIS IS THE FINAL FORM"



http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2009/10/krt-six-govt-officials-summoned-who-is.html

Anonymous said...

The Cambodian government officials who allow Vietnam to use the wooden posts marking border between these two countries are, what I call( Pook
Ah Kbat Cheat). They should be punished to the maximum penalty or should be executed.

Anonymous said...

All of you guys in here working for Samrainsy and all of you never talk good to situation government! You must understand your boss will done his job.If your party don't change your party leader and then won't win the vote for nexterm,because your boss don't responsibility to he did.

Anonymous said...

5:40PM,
The United Nations can't do anything to Vietnam because ah Hun Sen signed agreements to give Yuons authority to chop Khmer land since before you were born.

As for 6:07PM, you should preach your English translation of the Buddha's words to teach some Buddhist monks who want to learn English. I am a Buddhist just as you are, but when it comes to discussing relating to our neighbors' encrochment of Cambodia land, Buddha's words won't help solve anything, dude. This is a real fight in physical strength, not in spiritual one.

Anonymous said...

correction: discussing matters

Anonymous said...

It's not hard for all kaun Khmers to stand up strong against the aggressors if there is no ah Hun Sen helping them.

Anonymous said...

Why you whine Cambodians ?
You has elected CPP
Vietanameses are CPP GOD
Then Vietnameses are your GOD

Anonymous said...

Keep your logic premisses to yourself. It can't be applied in Khmer-Yuon case. And not all Khmers voted for ah Hun Sen, and you know that too. Ah Hun Sen without Yuons' help has no chance to win anything.

Anonymous said...

Khmers are warmen.
Khmers are strong just to kill Khmers themself. 1975-1979.
Khmers are born to be forein dog.
American dogs, Vietnamese dogs..

Anonymous said...

French dogs and China dogs.

Anonymous said...

Cool analysis and writing. I love it when I read a piece of well-composed writing. I agree with everything, and Mr. Sam Rainsy is innocent.

Anonymous said...

Khmer people are so easy to manipulate and easy to brain wash. We rather like to serve the foreigners rather than serving our own people. As long as the foreigners give us power and money we will bow to them immediately. We are so passive and afraid to be killed. We dont like to stand up and defend ourselve. Therefore the foreigners are taking advantage over our country. None of our leaders will do anything about it cuz ther're in a comfort zone. They forget about the poor, farmers and the people as a whole.
The Cambodian people should be united and stand up against those who destroying our country and sell our land away for their own gain. We should revolt and make sacrafice to take our country back so our future generation can have a better life for their own and to next...I know it is hard for rural people to know what is going cuz they can't get access to proper information and news around the world. All they hear about is the CPP propaganda news which are dictates by Hanoi gov'ment.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Cpp had a synthetic border problem with its boss yuons like during Kampuchea democratic of polpot but unlike his big brother polpot Hun sen doesn’t dare to face his boss yuons fearing to be fired out by yuons like polpot so hun prefer sto sacrificehis compatriot rainsy.

A dramatic joke

John d'artisanat Cambodge said...

Enfin, sur ce point il s'agit d'un problème entre deux politiques qui s'affrontent.

Anonymous said...

The present vietnam- Cambodia border committee in Cambodia is prepared and installed by hanoi which has swa kim hong is the crooked head.