Cambodians are generally worried Cambodia may disappear from world map: Sen is Hanoi's puppet – throughout history Vietnam has usurped neighboring lands, and Ho Chi Minh's grand design of a federation of former French Indochinese states of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos under Hanoi's leadership is documented; King Father Sihanouk, Sen's adopted father who legitimized the Pol Pot regime in the past, is currently Sen's legitimizer. Additionally the world community seems more concerned with a semblance of stability under Sen than with his violations of free expression and human rights.
Cambodians' fear is real.
FOR PUBLICATION AHRC-ETC-024-2010
September 15, 2010
An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission
September 15, 2010
Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth
The East-West Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union on Dec. 25, 1991: Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned from his post, which was abolished, and the red Soviet flag over the Kremlin came down for the last time. Foreign policy expert Francis Fukuyama, a proponent of liberal democracy, called it "The triumph of the West, of the Western idea," and "The end of history."
Two months earlier, the international community and the four warring Cambodian factions adopted the Oct. 23, 1991 Final Act of the Paris Peace Accords, to "restore peace" to Cambodia, ravaged by "tragic conflict and continuing bloodshed." The Soviet-backed Vietnamese troops had withdrawn from Cambodia in 1989 after having installed a puppet Cambodian regime that replaced the Chinese-backed Pol Pot regime, defeated militarily in 1979.
International and Cambodian signatories declared to "commit themselves to promote and encourage respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cambodia..."
Today, almost 19 years after the Cold War ended, the world's nation-states -- great powers, middle powers, small powers -- continue their competition for power and influence. Robert Kagan, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote a book on this world, titled, "The Return of History and the End of Dreams."
Next month marks the 19th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords on Cambodia. The shooting war had ended; one lone Khmer Rouge cadre, Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, head of the notorious S-21 prison, among the Khmer Rouge directly and indirectly involved in the death of more than two million people in 1975-1979, has been convicted of his crimes. The rest walk free; the stipulations of the Accords have not been implemented.
French critic and novelist Alphonse Karr said, "Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose" -- The more things change, the more they are the same.
In Kagan's book, Robert Cooper of the Council on Foreign Relations of the European Union, was quoted as saying, the "struggle for power and prestige goes on . . . Power is at the service of ideas, but the key ideas are also ideas about power: democracy and autocracy."
"Undermining Democracy: 21st Century Authoritarians"
In a June 2009 posting, Foreign Policy Online's "Authoritarianism's New Wave," by Freedom House executive director Jennifer Windsor, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty president Jeffrey Gedmin, and Radio Free Asia president Libby Liu, warned that today's world system based on the rule of law, human rights, and open expression, is facing a "most serious challenge" from authoritarian regimes in "updated, sophisticated, and lavishly funded ways."
Windsor, Gedmin, and Liu's 94-page study of the strategies and methods used by China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia and Venezuela to "impede human rights and democratic development" in their countries and abroad, titled, "Undermining Democracy: 21stCentury Authoritarians," charged that Western "policymakers do not appear to appreciate the dangers these 21stcentury authoritarian models pose to democracy and rule of law around the world."
The 21stcentury authoritarians manipulate the "legal system, media control, and outright fear" to maintain their power by "rewarding loyalists and punishing opponents without regard to due process," the study says. They redefine and distort the concept of democracy, belittle what's "Western," subvert "legitimate online discourse," enlist "loyal commentators and provocateurs"; they cripple democracy, human rights and rules-based organizations, including the United Nations; they promote strong "nationalist or extremist" views of history to implant in the younger generation "hostile attitudes" toward democracy and "suspicion" of the outside world.
To advance their worldwide interests, the 21st century authoritarians are using "soft-power methods … particularly, through billions of dollars in no-strings-attached development aid," the study reveals.
China's "win-win (shuangying) foreign relationships"
The "Undermining Democracy" study posits that China, which aspires to world power status, is practicing a "doctrine of win-win (shuangying) foreign relationships," and has encouraged countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Arab world "to form mutually beneficial arrangements with China based on the principle of noninterference."
Noninterference is a core value in the Association of South-East Asian Nations' 1976 Bali Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, signed by United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in July 2009 on President Obama's executive authority. It marked America's "return" to Asia. China signed it long ago. With noninterference, China offers aid without conditions.
The "Undermining Democracy" study says Chinese aid to foreign countries "now outstrips that of democratic donor countries" in Southeast and Central Asian states; China is "Cambodia's largest provider of aid, most of which goes to antidemocratic security forces that are used as a political weapon by Prime Minister Hun Sen"; and each year China trains at least 1,000 Central Asian judicial and police officials, "most of whom could be classified as working in antidemocratic enterprises."
"Encourage bad governance"
In its June 4, 2009 "An (iron) fistful of help," the London Economist Online commented, it's not just in the total amount of aid autocracies give to developing countries that's significant, but that "autocracies offer an alternative to western aid," which demands "good governance," while China and others do not.
"Naturally, help from harsh regimes is rarely encumbered with pesky demands for good governance," wrote the Economist. "This makes it welcome to corrupt officials and even to those merely sick of being lectured by Westerners. Alas, it can encourage bad governance."
The "Undermining Democracy" paper also says that autocracies' "unconditional assistance -- devoid of human rights riders and financial safeguards required by democratic donors, international institutions, and private lenders -- is tilting the scales toward less accountable and more corrupt governance across a wide swath of the developing world."
"Illiberal values"
The study warned that while autocracies "are vigorously advancing their own, illiberal values," the West's "isolation or disengagement from these authoritarian regimes are not viable options." Yet, the study warns, the democracies must not fall into "authoritarians' trap" -- autocracies "prefer engagement … but only on their terms."
Because democracies are rules-based, accountable and open systems, grounded in human rights and rule of law, the study advises: "It is therefore in the democracies' interest to safeguard and promote the very qualities that set them apart from the authoritarians."
Cooper called the contemporary world, "in all its complexity and its simplicity," one in which the United States is "dominant but cannot dominate" and nation-states' competition continues. In such a world, Kagan posited that only those "who have the power and the collective will," will shape the future world order: "The question is whether the world's democracies will … rise to that challenge."
Cambodian democrats and their problems
In such a world, Cambodian democrats and rights activists face the world's longest-serving autocratic ruler, Premier Sen, a former Khmer Rouge regional commander who elbowed himself into co-prime ministership, with the help of former monarch Norodom Sihanouk's two-headed government formula – this, after Sen was defeated by Sihanouk's son, Prince Ranariddh, in the first free and fair UN-organized general elections in 1993. In 1997, Sen's coup d'etat against Ranariddh resulted in the deaths of royalist military and civilian cadres. Since that coup, Sen has presided as Cambodia's absolute ruler with full executive, legislative and judicial powers.
Facing him are fractious Cambodian democrats and rights activists.
More: Cambodians are generally worried Cambodia may disappear from world map: Sen is Hanoi's puppet – throughout history Vietnam has usurped neighboring lands, and Ho Chi Minh's grand design of a federation of former French Indochinese states of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos under Hanoi's leadership is documented; King Father Sihanouk, Sen's adopted father who legitimized the Pol Pot regime in the past, is currently Sen's legitimizer. Additionally the world community seems more concerned with a semblance of stability under Sen than with his violations of free expression and human rights.
Cambodians' fear is real.
"Lien bang Viet Cam Lao"
Earlier this month, a social network blog published "Lien bang Viet Cam Lao" in Vietnamese language, with the English translation, "Federal Republic of Vietcamlao" (Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos), complete with "Articles of Confederation," a national flag, a capital at Danang, and some photos.
I poohed-poohed the blog: Hanoi's desire to Vietnamize Cambodia is nothing new. Quickly, I realized Cambodians have been stirred by it. Denunciations of this fictitious "nation-state" have followed.
A reader asked what I thought of the "Lien bang Viet Cam Lao" blog. I said, maybe we spent too much time and energy worrying about whether history will repeat itself, discussing and denouncing whom we think responsible for Cambodia's decline, rather than devoting time and energy to educating and learning, and to seeking solutions.
History must not be forgotten; it helps us understand the present, and prepare for the future. Looking forward, I use time and energy to write on what would propel a people forward: Good ideas, quality thoughts, high values and principles, backed by actions, are what keep Khmers as a nation.
A people are oppressed, their lands usurped, because tyrants and usurpers rule unchecked.
Unlearning old habits, and relearning what would help move the country forward, are what Cambodians need to do most urgently today – a challenge for Khmer democrats and rights activists!
...............
The views shared in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC, and the AHRC takes no responsibility for them. About the Author: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. He currently lives in the United States. He can be contacted at peangmeth@gmail.com.
Two months earlier, the international community and the four warring Cambodian factions adopted the Oct. 23, 1991 Final Act of the Paris Peace Accords, to "restore peace" to Cambodia, ravaged by "tragic conflict and continuing bloodshed." The Soviet-backed Vietnamese troops had withdrawn from Cambodia in 1989 after having installed a puppet Cambodian regime that replaced the Chinese-backed Pol Pot regime, defeated militarily in 1979.
International and Cambodian signatories declared to "commit themselves to promote and encourage respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cambodia..."
Today, almost 19 years after the Cold War ended, the world's nation-states -- great powers, middle powers, small powers -- continue their competition for power and influence. Robert Kagan, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote a book on this world, titled, "The Return of History and the End of Dreams."
Next month marks the 19th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords on Cambodia. The shooting war had ended; one lone Khmer Rouge cadre, Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, head of the notorious S-21 prison, among the Khmer Rouge directly and indirectly involved in the death of more than two million people in 1975-1979, has been convicted of his crimes. The rest walk free; the stipulations of the Accords have not been implemented.
French critic and novelist Alphonse Karr said, "Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose" -- The more things change, the more they are the same.
In Kagan's book, Robert Cooper of the Council on Foreign Relations of the European Union, was quoted as saying, the "struggle for power and prestige goes on . . . Power is at the service of ideas, but the key ideas are also ideas about power: democracy and autocracy."
"Undermining Democracy: 21st Century Authoritarians"
In a June 2009 posting, Foreign Policy Online's "Authoritarianism's New Wave," by Freedom House executive director Jennifer Windsor, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty president Jeffrey Gedmin, and Radio Free Asia president Libby Liu, warned that today's world system based on the rule of law, human rights, and open expression, is facing a "most serious challenge" from authoritarian regimes in "updated, sophisticated, and lavishly funded ways."
Windsor, Gedmin, and Liu's 94-page study of the strategies and methods used by China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia and Venezuela to "impede human rights and democratic development" in their countries and abroad, titled, "Undermining Democracy: 21stCentury Authoritarians," charged that Western "policymakers do not appear to appreciate the dangers these 21stcentury authoritarian models pose to democracy and rule of law around the world."
The 21stcentury authoritarians manipulate the "legal system, media control, and outright fear" to maintain their power by "rewarding loyalists and punishing opponents without regard to due process," the study says. They redefine and distort the concept of democracy, belittle what's "Western," subvert "legitimate online discourse," enlist "loyal commentators and provocateurs"; they cripple democracy, human rights and rules-based organizations, including the United Nations; they promote strong "nationalist or extremist" views of history to implant in the younger generation "hostile attitudes" toward democracy and "suspicion" of the outside world.
To advance their worldwide interests, the 21st century authoritarians are using "soft-power methods … particularly, through billions of dollars in no-strings-attached development aid," the study reveals.
China's "win-win (shuangying) foreign relationships"
The "Undermining Democracy" study posits that China, which aspires to world power status, is practicing a "doctrine of win-win (shuangying) foreign relationships," and has encouraged countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Arab world "to form mutually beneficial arrangements with China based on the principle of noninterference."
Noninterference is a core value in the Association of South-East Asian Nations' 1976 Bali Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, signed by United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in July 2009 on President Obama's executive authority. It marked America's "return" to Asia. China signed it long ago. With noninterference, China offers aid without conditions.
The "Undermining Democracy" study says Chinese aid to foreign countries "now outstrips that of democratic donor countries" in Southeast and Central Asian states; China is "Cambodia's largest provider of aid, most of which goes to antidemocratic security forces that are used as a political weapon by Prime Minister Hun Sen"; and each year China trains at least 1,000 Central Asian judicial and police officials, "most of whom could be classified as working in antidemocratic enterprises."
"Encourage bad governance"
In its June 4, 2009 "An (iron) fistful of help," the London Economist Online commented, it's not just in the total amount of aid autocracies give to developing countries that's significant, but that "autocracies offer an alternative to western aid," which demands "good governance," while China and others do not.
"Naturally, help from harsh regimes is rarely encumbered with pesky demands for good governance," wrote the Economist. "This makes it welcome to corrupt officials and even to those merely sick of being lectured by Westerners. Alas, it can encourage bad governance."
The "Undermining Democracy" paper also says that autocracies' "unconditional assistance -- devoid of human rights riders and financial safeguards required by democratic donors, international institutions, and private lenders -- is tilting the scales toward less accountable and more corrupt governance across a wide swath of the developing world."
"Illiberal values"
The study warned that while autocracies "are vigorously advancing their own, illiberal values," the West's "isolation or disengagement from these authoritarian regimes are not viable options." Yet, the study warns, the democracies must not fall into "authoritarians' trap" -- autocracies "prefer engagement … but only on their terms."
Because democracies are rules-based, accountable and open systems, grounded in human rights and rule of law, the study advises: "It is therefore in the democracies' interest to safeguard and promote the very qualities that set them apart from the authoritarians."
Cooper called the contemporary world, "in all its complexity and its simplicity," one in which the United States is "dominant but cannot dominate" and nation-states' competition continues. In such a world, Kagan posited that only those "who have the power and the collective will," will shape the future world order: "The question is whether the world's democracies will … rise to that challenge."
Cambodian democrats and their problems
In such a world, Cambodian democrats and rights activists face the world's longest-serving autocratic ruler, Premier Sen, a former Khmer Rouge regional commander who elbowed himself into co-prime ministership, with the help of former monarch Norodom Sihanouk's two-headed government formula – this, after Sen was defeated by Sihanouk's son, Prince Ranariddh, in the first free and fair UN-organized general elections in 1993. In 1997, Sen's coup d'etat against Ranariddh resulted in the deaths of royalist military and civilian cadres. Since that coup, Sen has presided as Cambodia's absolute ruler with full executive, legislative and judicial powers.
Facing him are fractious Cambodian democrats and rights activists.
More: Cambodians are generally worried Cambodia may disappear from world map: Sen is Hanoi's puppet – throughout history Vietnam has usurped neighboring lands, and Ho Chi Minh's grand design of a federation of former French Indochinese states of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos under Hanoi's leadership is documented; King Father Sihanouk, Sen's adopted father who legitimized the Pol Pot regime in the past, is currently Sen's legitimizer. Additionally the world community seems more concerned with a semblance of stability under Sen than with his violations of free expression and human rights.
Cambodians' fear is real.
"Lien bang Viet Cam Lao"
Earlier this month, a social network blog published "Lien bang Viet Cam Lao" in Vietnamese language, with the English translation, "Federal Republic of Vietcamlao" (Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos), complete with "Articles of Confederation," a national flag, a capital at Danang, and some photos.
I poohed-poohed the blog: Hanoi's desire to Vietnamize Cambodia is nothing new. Quickly, I realized Cambodians have been stirred by it. Denunciations of this fictitious "nation-state" have followed.
A reader asked what I thought of the "Lien bang Viet Cam Lao" blog. I said, maybe we spent too much time and energy worrying about whether history will repeat itself, discussing and denouncing whom we think responsible for Cambodia's decline, rather than devoting time and energy to educating and learning, and to seeking solutions.
History must not be forgotten; it helps us understand the present, and prepare for the future. Looking forward, I use time and energy to write on what would propel a people forward: Good ideas, quality thoughts, high values and principles, backed by actions, are what keep Khmers as a nation.
A people are oppressed, their lands usurped, because tyrants and usurpers rule unchecked.
Unlearning old habits, and relearning what would help move the country forward, are what Cambodians need to do most urgently today – a challenge for Khmer democrats and rights activists!
...............
The views shared in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC, and the AHRC takes no responsibility for them. About the Author: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. He currently lives in the United States. He can be contacted at peangmeth@gmail.com.
19 comments:
Dear Dr Peang-Meth,
On behalf of Koun Khmer new generation, and the Koun Khmer generation during the KR regime who have no chance to study to deeply thank you for your kind thought and analysis of Khmer history in contact in the current world arena.
You said it all in your last paragraph that we Khmer to unlearn(not necessary to forget the past), and relearn to adapt and servive and strive in the new world order. Most of our younger generation are busy thinking about how to put food on the table for our new family, one does not have time to think about Cambodia country survive for next generation. We can look to Khmer young generation elite, but they are not far from their parents (all they talk about - how to get more money from the poor - that event include take the roof aways from the helpless poor). One top of that, they are worry more how to keep up with the new fashion and the new technology (to show off their wealth). Most of khmer intellect in the country, just keep their silent. They just want to survive. What they said is that - they still want to see the sun rise the next day. The tactic of silencing the population see to workout throughout the country right now. Further, event some Khmer that live out side - don't want to talk much either..they afraid that they are not able to go back to visit their motherland, Afraid of their name on the govt. black list.
Dr. Peang, on behalf of Khmer young generation - please translate this article into Khmer...because this article is very useful for Koun Khmer to learn, to understand, and for them to decide where they want Khmer land to be for their children future. Or our new khmer generation disting to be the generation absolutely erase Khmer homeland out off this world and become just a minority population who would ask either Thai or Vietname allow to live on our land?
Papa red King Sihanouk he used the his strategy like in the past:
1) before 1970:
He used Marshal Gen. Lon Nol who did all thing for him. But Lon Nol was khmer national list ==> all youn out from Khmer land.
2) after 1970:
He used Pol Pot,.. but Pol Pot was aginst his's dog theory ==>Sihanouk had no rule in politic, more 2 millons die.
3) during 1979- 93:
He used Pol Pot, Sim San fight against Viet and it puppet regime
4) after 1993:
he used Hun Sen (his adopted Son). But hun is slave Youn. Yes in front of him but do for Viet and clan's power.Equal what the destiny of the country in the future , Xen never pay attention.
Result:
1), 2), 3) and 4) is only for Sihanouk palace and his thron. That is all for Cambodia. Every Cambodians not the country will be under Youn controll for ever, but now they need only $$$$$.
I am enlightened by this article...and I am tearing to read above opinion of Khmer young generation.
Let give chance and expectation of hope to our diligent Koun Khmer and Khmer young generation.
However, we have to be free from fear and free from silence...we have cry loud...speak, speak, speak, speak, speak, speak....all Khmers!
worries are sometimes healthy, however, sometimes too, too much worries can lead to irrational thinking like radicalism, extremism, etc. so, getting educated in this case is important to analyze and have a sound vision for cambodia's future, etc...
Thanks so much for reading my blogg 10:43 pm. This is Koun Khmer generation who suffer, never know school during KR regime, now, I am raising my own family in the US. But my spirit is never far from motherland and I am crying in silence for her continue suffering. I see the problem in Cambodia, but I cannot talk, I hear the cry, but my hand cannot extend to comfort the cry. I cry and cry for the pain of my motherland suffer, and I want those who care for our motherland to feel her call to save her from a smiling monster that about to take her last breath a way from Koun Khmer.
That's more like it, Dr. Gaffar!
Now, "cut to the chase" as you have once said, take the lead to unite us all please and we will follow you.
We will prevail in the end, for sure!!!
12:09AM! you fool!! why you are looking for master but not democracy?
You are sawk1 please reborn your idear instead to democracy!
To give power to one person we create another Shihanouk!"Asolut power, absolutly corrupted"
12:52 am, I will support any absolute power person as long as they do it for the all Khmer people, but for sure not Hun sen's model of absolute power only for a few of his cicle, while the rest of Khmer are dying slowly...Hun sen have absolute power to kill Khmer silentely which is more dangerouse than the KR regime. Killing with an invisible weapon is more latel than killing with the bullet (because one can prove it - just like the KR regime). On the otherhand, Hun sen regime is a letal monster wearing sheep skin (be careful).
What I notice is that, whenever I when to Cambodia, people always worning me not to speak any bad thing about the govt., if I want to leave Cambodia in one piece. This is a mental threat...just make be more concern of what you are saying.
So this is the kind of regime that you want Koun Khmer to live on?
"Unlearning old habits, and relearning what would help move the country forward, are what Cambodians need to do most urgently today – a challenge for Khmer democrats and rights activists!"
Dr. Peang-Meth said it all in the above paragraph. Thank you very much for a beautiful message you have given.
It appears that Federation of Indochina controlled by Vietnam is a de facto fait accompli waiting to be formalized in the near future.
10:21 PM has said it quite well of the state of the young generation of Khmers in Cambodia.
It is quite painful and saddening to see the Cambodian ship sinking slowly right in front of our very eyes and you don't know what to do since the people belonging to the ship who are still on the ship and those who are on the banks on both side of the river are not in agreement with each other on how to save the ship!
Anet Khmer
Anything we could do or organize ... there are a thousand and one eyes keep watching us and distroy our action. Killing Khmer is the easiest way to maintain power and destroy any young generation that want to stuggle to help motherland. Anychange must come from within the country itself. Last time, Hun Sen was the one, use by Vietnamese, to get the King into Cambodia. Window dressing Cambodia to look like democratic country. If anybody happen to be in Cambodia now and be able to spending time to observe how civil servance, and NGO people talk - they divid their work group and call the group as "ma crom" this word was use during the KR regime - to devide and control people. When I heard the word, all the bad living experience during the KR regime all came to me again. This make me feel like 2:06 am, I can see Cambodia heading to become no country in the intl. arena. But our khmer is incaple to organize and execute any plan (which this is one cannot be blaim anybody - because the generation of patriate had been kill a way). Khmer young generation has no roll model to follow, have no other good moral Khmer heros (can NOT count on Hun Sen as Khmer Hero - he is on the opposit spectrum. He is Sadam Husan for Cambodia0. to look up to. The condition right now is leaving Khmer young to find their own device to save their motherland. Khmer young elite have the opportunity, wealth, time, and energy to do something good for the country. But, they are so blind to the competition of material wealth, they are not capable of seeing of where Cambodian country will be in 10 yrs or 100 yrs from now. They take their confort for granted. Why????
one helpless koun Khmer
It is not that Hun Sen is a bad leader. He does what he could given the circumstances and resources.
People just have to much expectation and forget that the strength of a nation is a product of collective efforts by every citizen, not just one or a few leaders. In that regard, all of us, yes that includes YOU and ME, have failed our nation because of our inherent attitude: "what the nation can do for us" rather than "what we can do for the nation".
1:06 AM,
I have a lot of friends wanted to visit Cambodia but some of them come back from Cambodia they told them "you can go every where in Cambodia, BUT please don't say bad about Govt". Your definition is correct for last two years I have also over there but my mother told me, don't speak something my son.
3:22 AM,
Your argument:
"But, they are so blind to the competition of material wealth, they are not capable of seeing of where Cambodian country will be in 10 yrs or 100 yrs from now. They take their confort for granted. Why???? "
I ACCEPT YOUR, for instance, I have one friend who get best PhD in Economy from oversea. He was the real Khmer. As I met him 2 years ago, he don't wanted to know the old friend more because now he is the best one. He has two Villa and two cars (BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz W220), after work he know only girls, Bar and more drink. I told him, please don't drink more, you must take yourself because had Hep. C one time, this can some day come again if you drink more. He told me, I know but don't worry I must enjoy my life. I told, you must go to see doctor, before to later. He reply NO.
That is Cambidia right now.
Hey asshole 12:52 AM,
Tell us what you've got besides name-calling and your idiotic 2- line comments, please? Thanks, you mule!!!
Dear 10:21 PM,
If you are not a selfish person, you will make time to help your country.
History has not been kind to Southeast Asia, and seems to have signed out the Khmer people for special mistreatment. And my pollyanish wishes must seem rather useless.
Nevertheless my deepest wish for the Khmer people is that they find and live in liberty. May it so be soon, my dear friends!
Hay 7:11 am, this is from 10:21 pm...for your information I have gone to Cambodia and volunteer to help more than 6 yrs of my life. In addition, I had gone to volunteer to help monitoring for two national elections. My question to you - what have you done for your motherland? Have you done anything to help her? Have you give any school supply to Khmer children? My family have give school supply to more than 500 children in the poor village. Have your parents bring any honor for Cambodia? My father had and have done that...I am very proud of him. Event now, my father is almost 80 yrs old - he still countinue to help young Khmer in any way he can.
So my dear 7:11am, do you care to share with me and our colleagues bloggers of what you have done for your motherland????
Hay 7:11 am, you have not respond to my question. From 11:21pm. All my life, what my family and I have done have been very awear that we are Cambodian. I remember when I was in high school, after a long working day, my father try to stay up late at night so that he can made head dressing for me to wear. He want me to show Khmer classical dance (blessing dance) to American students, so they know who we are as Khmer. We have our own beautiful culture - not just a killling field like everybody know around the world. In addition, for the first few years when my family come to the US, I event help teach young Khmer to learn the classical dance.
So 7:11am, After all these years living in America, I come to understand what it is like to be able to call a place as my country and my home. Dispite, all the bad thing going on in Cambodia, I am still proud to call Cambodia my country and my home, and proud to say that I am Koun Khmer.
Leave you with this note - I would like to extend kindness of Koun Khmer to another Koun Khmer...may we all come to realize of who we are!
Dear Dr. Peang Meth,
Vietnam's Viet Cam Lao took 2 millions lives of us to build and more. Don't you think that they should be paying someday? Everyone knows that Vietnam and China had share the same interest of controlling Cambodia. This causes death serious conflict and resulting in 2 millions lives were lost. I hope that you also know.
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