Why supporting Tibetan struggle?

October 2, 2010
By MP Son Chhay

As a matter of principle, if we can not support Vietnam or Thailand's invasion of Cambodia, then how can we turn around and support or ignore China's invasion of Tibet? The reality is that to have any international credibility, Cambodia must not put itself into any position that will be viewed as supporting crimes against humanity – whether this be in Cambodia, in Burma or, in Tibet.

SRP MP Son Chhay

My recent trip to take part in Tibet's 50th Anniversary of its Parliament in Exile has been criticised as potentially damaging to Cambodia's national interest. Some going so far as to suggest that during this period when Cambodia is facing strong undue control from Vietnam which has unfortunately led to the fear that this will eventually lead to the swallowing of our motherland as a whole I, as a Cambodian politician should look up to China for protection.

I myself used to believe in this kind of propaganda but after many years of being involved in the affairs of human rights and the active promotion of democratic principles in our , as well as within the region and, having been involved in supporting our own struggle in the 1980s, against the invasion of Cambodia by the Vietnamese armed forces, further compounded by my own personal testimony of suffering under regimes which were influenced by the policies of communist doctrine either through the practice of Mao or Uncle Ho, I, now believe differently. All countries have their own agenda and China has not proven to be a reliable ally and certainly does not advocate human rights even in its own country.

In the past, the Khmer Rouge were ideologically very close with China. They did not work to unify our people and strengthen our country's institutions but instead isolated Cambodia from the world and created damaging relationships with our neighbouring countries. The Khmer Rouge were dependent solely on China, and were keen to show their full support to their Chinese 'masters' by putting into practice, the Mao's communist ideology which resulted in the genocide of millions of our people and set Cambodia back to year zero. It was this serious of events that eventually gave the Vietnamese the 'excuse' to invade Cambodia and, to this present time China has not protected us.

In fact, China's current objective is to search for resources to feed her booming economy. It is, in fact, Cambodia's raw materials, including timber, minerals and petroleum, that are the real reason for China's feigned interest with our weak and corrupt government. Our government has provided China with many generous concessions including a hundred thousand hectares of land, contracts on projects building hydro dams, roads, bridges to the point where are economy is debt ridden for unbelievable amounts of money which our people will have to pay for many generations to come.

It is important that all countries have a right to the principles of self determination. Our government has failed to provide Cambodia with policies that will protect Cambodia's interests for all generations and instead continues to compromise our country's wealth with questionable 'deals' with other countries, including China.

As a matter of principle, if we can not support Vietnam or Thailand's invasion of Cambodia, then how can we turn around and support or ignore China's invasion of Tibet? The reality is that to have any international credibility, Cambodia must not put itself into any position that will be viewed as supporting crimes against humanity – whether this be in Cambodia, in Burma or, in Tibet. Even as a small country, we can still defend ourselves as a proud independent nation and it is foolish to think that another external country especially one with a record such as China will 'protect' own interests better! But we must first nurture and protect our own people by working hard to promote a unified nation with good institutions that will serve our people through the implementation of democratic principles and a sound foreign policy that will be the envy of our neighbours!