Sorry Uncle Ho, your slave Chea Xim does not want to join you ... yet

Chea Xim’s office denies his death

06 August 2012
By Nath Sopheap and Sun Narin
Voice of Democracy
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Yim Leang, Chea Xim’s cabinet chief, denies information published about his boss death.

According to an officially-looking announcement posted in Facebook on 05 August 2012, it was announced that Chea Xim died on 04 August after returning from Singapore for medical care.

Yim Leang said that the publication is not true and his working group is bringing this case to court for a lawsuit against those behind this publication. He said that Chea Xim’s health does not have any problem, and he can work normally, unlike what rumors indicated. Chea Xim, the Senate president, is an octogenarian and in the past, he had to be hospitalized overseas.

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KI-Media Note: H.E. Yim Leang can send court summons of his lawsuit to us through Facebook at this account: http://www.facebook.com/GoScrewYourself-CPP

Intrigue in ruling CPP detailed

Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Post Staff
The Phnom Penh Post

DIPLOMATIC cables made public by WikiLeaks yesterday reveal simmering tensions within the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and revive long-standing suspicions over alleged government involvement in some of the Kingdom’s most notorious political killings.

The cables repeatedly allude to alleged factionalism in the CPP, long denied by government officials, between camps allied with Prime Minister Hun Sen and with Interior Minister Sar Kheng and Senate president Chea Sim.

In a 1994 cable, Hun Sen reportedly says the faction rumours, which began circulating in the mid-1980s, “were not true then, nor are they true now”.

Later communiqués, however, reveal potential fissures in the party.

Investigation Opened Into NGO With Link to Senate President

Hundreds of families worked with agencies in the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee to file complaints Friday against the Drug and AIDS Rehabilitation Center.

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 06 September 2010

“After receiving the complaints, the Ministry of Interior has organized specialists to investigate the case, but we cannot immediately get results.”

The Ministry of Interior is preparing an investigation of a non-governmental organization in Preah Vihear province that is associated with the head of the Senate and stands accused of serious human rights abuses, officials said Monday.

Hundreds of families worked with agencies in the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee to file complaints Friday against the Drug and AIDS Rehabilitation Center, which operates nearly 100 kilometers from Preah Vihear town.

The center is run by a man named Pen Lim, who is known to villagers as Sar Chhuon Lim and is a powerful businessman and adviser to Chea Sim, who is the head of the Senate and president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party.

“After receiving the complaints, the Ministry of Interior has organized specialists to investigate the case, but we cannot immediately get results,” the ministry's spokesman, Khieu Sopheak, said Monday.

The Human Rights Action Committee said Monday Pen Lim had taken a land concession for 556 hectares to redistribute to impoverished villagers. Instead, the group alleges, he sold it to them and seized land from another 57 families living nearby.

Villagers say they were either threatened at gunpoint, beaten or had their land stolen by the organization.

Ny Chakrya, chief investigator for the rights group Adhoc, said the Interior Ministry had the right to punish or close the organization.

Pen Lim told VOA Khmer on Monday he was “unconcerned” about the allegations.

“We will see the result of the investigation,” he said.

Cambodia’s desired Cooperation with East Germany’s Stasi in the 1980s: the History of failed Requests

Chea Sim (l) laughing with Hun Xen (r) (Photo: Reuters)

Geschichte, Wissenschaft
5. September 2010
By Markus Karbaum

The Ministry for State Security, (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, commonly known as the Stasi (IPA: [ˈʃtaziː]) (abbreviation German: Staatssicherheit, literally State Security), was the official state security service of East Germany. The MfS was headquartered in East Berlin, with an extensive complex in Berlin-Lichtenberg and several smaller facilities throughout the city. It was widely regarded as one of the most effective and repressive intelligence and secret police agencies in the world. The MfS motto was "Schild und Schwert der Partei" (Shield and Sword of the Party), that is the ruling Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). (Source: Wikipedia.org)
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KI-Media would like to thank Dr. Karbaum for allowing us to post this article. For additional information, please visit: KambodschaBlog

In most communist countries, effective intelligence capacities have been crucial for their internal stability. Especially, the Ministry of State Security (in short MfS or Stasi) of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was famous for its ability to control its own people – even in Southeast Asia. Although the People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK) has had an elaborate network of informers since the early 1980s, the political leaders sought assistance to strengthen its security apparatus. Due to ideological similarities – both states were pro Soviet – rumours have persisted for a long time that Cambodian intelligence officials had been trained by the Stasi in the 1980s. However, after examining and evaluating the relevant dossiers in Berlin, this assumption has not been proved.

In August 1980, the first attempt was started to build up cooperation between both socialist countries. In a letter dated on August 25th, East Germany’s Foreign Minister Oskar Fischer reported a Cambodian request to Colonel General Friedrich Dickel, GDR’s Minister of Interior, and Erich Mielke, Minister of State Security: “[…] The comrades from Kampuchea are interested in studying the design and functionality of the intelligence institutions, issues of combating espionage and the activities of counterrevolutionary powers, the functions of police forces, issues of investigating crimes as well as issues of criminal proceedings and the penal system.” (Unofficial translation by the author, see dossier MfS Abt. X No. 384 in Stasi archive BStU, Berlin.) The answer was formulated on September 4th: This request required long-term consideration, as stated in the memo (probably written by a civil servant in the Stasi headquarters). In a conversation with the Minister of Interior Dickel during an official visit in East Germany on April 15th, 1981 again former PRK’s Minister of Interior Chea Sim, by now president of the Senate and the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, expressed insistently the request to get support from the Stasi in education and training of cadres as well as in building up and training of the security institutions.

However, this request was immediately and irrevocably refused (as noted, the Cambodian delegation didn’t take the point of view of their counterparts into account and seemed to be incorrigible) because it seemed that it was not compatible with Vietnam’s security interests as the occupying force in Cambodia in that time. It appears that for the GDR, the bilateral relationship with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was more important than with the PRK and should not be jeopardised. And friction was probably if East Germany and Cambodia would establish cooperation in intelligence issues just less than two years after Vietnam had invaded its neighbour.

In a personal exchange of views with the author, historian Bernd Schäfer from Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars agrees with that assumption and underlines that the GDR perceived Cambodia as a part of Vietnam. Schäfer also notes the beginning East German-Chinese rapprochement in the early 1980s. A stronger involvement through intelligence activities in Kampuchea could foil the attempt for better bilateral relations. Furthermore, the Stasi came closer to its capacity limits in international cooperation during these times: The support of the socialist government in Laos – which, in fact, was recognised as an independent player and thereby very differently from its neighbour Cambodia – required significant resources in that region already. In addition, the backing of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in Nicaragua also appeared new on the agenda of the Stasi. (Of course, the Stasi has never admitted its limitations.)

In the end of the decade, Vietnam’s withdrawal from Cambodia caused new concerns in the People’s Republic of Kampuchea. According to the dossiers, in 1988 the GDR was approached by the PRK on intelligence cooperation again. On June 23rd Ney Penha, then Cambodian Minister of Interior and member of the Politbüro of the Kampuchean People’s Revolutionary Party (KPRP) invited East Germany’s Ambassador Rolf Dach to an informal meeting in the ministry. One day later, in a classified document signed by ambassador Dach the main topics were summarized: “[…] The conversation was introduced by comrade Ney Penha. […] Comrade Ney Penha informed the GDR’s ambassador that the Politbüro has instructed him to talk personally to the ambassadors of the GDR, Czechoslovakia and the Hungarian People’s Republic in order to request approval for a visit to these three countries at the end of August/beginning September 1988 to exchange experiences regarding the work of the MoI [Ministry of Interior] and the MfS [Ministry of State Security]. In the framework of realizing the policy of national reconciliation with the Khmer opposition, the party [the KPRP] is preparing itself to defend the revolutionary achievements of Kampuchea. For that, the MoI takes on the roll of great importance. Therefore, one is interested in quickly ascertaining knowledge about usable practical experiences of the East European socialist brother countries. In relation to the complete withdrawal of all Vietnamese volunteers by 1990 and all Vietnamese civil advisors by the end of 1989, this cooperation has inherently great importance […]. According to the situation in his ministry, comrade Ney Penha briefed that it is under the supervision of the Council of Ministers, but led by the Central Committee. […] All reports are sent to the Politbüro, in parts to the Council of Ministers. […] Currently, the police section [of the MoI] is involved in the maintenance of public order, safeguarding traffic, the protection of political, cultural and sporting events, the protection of [foreign] diplomatic branches, the ministries and central institutions. The security section starts to perceive the tasks of counterintelligence, the analysis of adverse activities, the protection of air and maritime traffic. It works on the analysis of the public opinion and handles the preliminary work for the decision-making of strategic issues. The police-section has made a bigger and more obvious improvement to the security section. To strengthen the cardres and staff of both sections, they are partly integrated into combat units at the border and participate in combats. […] In stressing national reconciliation again, comrade Ney Penha mentioned that it would be better to find a way not to share power. Due to the fact that it is difficult to realize such a way, the progressive powers of Kampuchea have to prepare for a longer historical period in which tricky challenges have to be solved. This assignment of tasks should provide the basis for the visit and the exchange of experiences with socialist brother countries.” (Unofficial translation by the author, see dossier MfS Abt. X No. 743 in Stasi archive BStU, Berlin.)

Mielke’s answer to ambassador Dach from July 7th, 1988 was short, but unambiguous: “Due to the fact that there are no preconditions for exchange of experiences at the present time, we don’t want to initialize anything. If there are any inquires, notify that there is still no answer from the headquarters. By the MfS there will be no coordination with the institutions of Czechoslovakia and the Hungarian People’s Republic.” (Unofficial translation by the author, see dossier MfS Abt. X No. 743 in Stasi archive BStU, Berlin.)

The dossiers don’t mention whether the requests in Czechoslovakia or Hungry were more successful. However, due to the end of socialism in both countries in the following years it should be assumed that – even in the case of a positive reaction – there was no sustained cooperation between the Cambodian Ministry of Interior and its counterparts in oversee. The economic and financial crisis in the eastern hemisphere also led to constraints of the countries’ intelligence capacities. The Stasi, too, had to choose focuses for its international commitment and still Cambodia did not obtain priority (in contrast, for example, to North Korea).

On can summarize that although there was an ideological conformity, the relationship between the GDR and the PRK was not close enough for far-reaching cooperation in security and intelligence issues. On the basis of the dossiers examined, however, it is not possible to prove this entirely, but after the overall evaluation, this conclusion seems to be most appropriate.

Dr. Markus Karbaum is a Political Scientist from Berlin, Germany. This is a modified excerpt from his PhD-thesis “Cambodia under Hun Sen. Informal Institutions, Political Culture and Legitimacy of Power” (English translation of the original German title) which was published in 2008.

High blood pressure: Former commy comrade catches Capitalist disease?

Chea Xim taken to Singapore for urgent medical care

06 Dec 2009
DAP-news
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Loak Hour, Chea Xim’s deputy cabinet chief, told DAP-news on 06 December 2009 that Chea Xim will travel to Singapore for emergency medical checkup.

Report from the Phnom Penh international airport indicated that Chea Xim will leave today to Singapore for medical checkup at 11AM due to high blood pressure.

Don't forget to lift the parliamentary immnity of the former KR leaders summoned by the KRT first!

Let me have a say!

13 October 2009
Op-Ed by Ly Diep
Angkor Borei – The Khmer Voice Overseas
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

- On 25 September 2009, the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT) summoned 6 former KR leaders as witnesses to the crimes against humanity that took place under the Democratic Kampuchea (DK or KR) regime between 1975 and 1979.
- The 6 former KR leaders are: Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, Keat Chhon, Hor Namhong, Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka.
- Hun Sen, the former most senior KR commander along the eastern shore of the Mekong River in 1977 – a region which saw savage killing, reacted to the tribunal summonses on 08 October 2009, by saying: “The testimonies provided by high-ranking government officials could affect the future KRT trials against 4 former DK leaders (Khieu Sampham, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith).” Hun Sen said: “They (high ranking government officials) were the ones who toppled the Pol Pot regime, and they were the ones who ratified the law putting the KR leaders on trial, and if they become witnesses, the accused will be even deader.” Hun Sen added: “So where is justice? I’m thinking: Shoot! What are they doing? This is a legal problem for the tribunal, but the major problem that I understand is that the accusers are now turned into the witnesses, so wouldn’t the accused be dead?”
- In the past, this same former most senior KR commander along the eastern shore of the Mekong threatened the KRT by saying: “If the tribunal dares to summon other KR leaders more than the five who are currently being incarcerated, Cambodia could face war and between 200,000 to 300,000 people will die.”
- The threat leveled by the former most senior KR commander along the eastern shore of the Mekong not only shook up the KRT … but it also scared almost all the Cambodians in the kingdom because [through this threat], they learned that the KR whom Hun Sen boasted that they have all disappeared – just like wax under the scorching sun – in fact, they still have their forces, in particular, they are now crowding the ranks of the current National Assembly, Senate and government (!!).
- Hun Sen’s reaction is likened to a cow with a sore on its back, and it stretched out its tail when the crow flies over it. The problem about these former KR killer chiefs (i.e. the current high-ranking Cambodian government official) is that they are either those who ratified the law, or those who will cause the death of the accused (such as Khieu Samphan, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith), isn’t this a good thing? Indeed, in order to find the truthful proofs of the crimes, witnesses who were “former KR killers” should be brought in to accuse one another. Suppose that the 4 who are accused tell the court that: These 6 people were also ‘former killer chiefs’ like they were, what will happen then? Uh! This is where justice should lie on (!!), i.e. when the former killer chiefs or the former robbery chiefs are blaming each other (!!). Let Hun Sen asks the following question to the Cambodian victims of the “Killing Fields”: Is there anybody who does not want to see the former KR leaders being subjected to the most severe sentence?? Why would Hun Sen be afraid that the accused “die” instead (??). This is just killing us!!
- Regarding the “arrest of the former KR leaders and bringing them to trial”, the tribunal did not completely fulfill its duty yet, because it cannot just arrest and put on trial Khieu Samphan, the former No. 2 DK president, while bypassing Norodom Sihanouk, the former DK first president. Furthermore, how could it detain and put on trial Ieng Thirith, the former DK minister of national Education while bypassing Keat Chhon, the former deputy prime minister, Tiounn Mom, the former minister of Science, and Chhon Hay, the former minister of Post and Telecommunication, after all, all of these 4 KR cadres occupied similar positions under the DK regime. Similarly, the tribunal cannot just detain Duch, the former S-21 jail chief, and put him on trial while bypassing Hor Namhong, the former Boeung Trabek (B-32) jail chief. More importantly, if Hun Sen himself declared that he was the former most senior KR commander along the eastern shore of the Mekong … why the tribunal does not hurry up to detain him and bring him to trial??? Uh! Is there any justice at all?? What are they trying to do??
- What Sam Rainsy said about the fact that the rank of the current government is packed with former KR leaders, he was right. The summonses issued on 25 September 2009 by the KRT for the 6 KR leaders are proof that they are truly KR leaders (!!)
- Recently also, one of Sok An’s dogs barked: They should not summon these 6 former KR leaders “because it was not necessary” (sic). We believe that this dog must bark about this … “because it is necessary.”
- If the KRT indeed summons these 6 former KR leaders, the National Assembly and the Senate should not forget to hold a session to lift “their parliamentary immunity” first (!!)

Cambodian Gov't officials asked to testify at war crimes trial

October 9, 2009
ABC Radio Australia

In Cambodia, the United Nations-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal has summoned six senior government ministers and legislative officials to appear as witnesses.

The French investigating judge wants the officials to testify in the second case, which is expected to question former Khmer Rouge idealogue Nuon Chea. But the Cambodian government says any testimony will be given on a voluntary basis.

Presenter: Sen Lam
Speakers: Michelle Staggs Kelsall, Deputy Director, Asian International Justice Initiative

Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)

KELSALL: These are really current senior ministers and legislative officials from the current Cambodian People's Party and the ruling government and we have the president of the Cambodian People's Party, Chea Sim, also the president of the National Assembly, Heng Samrin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Finance and then two PPP senators, Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka.

LAM: Do we know why these ministers have been summoned? Has it anything to do with any kind of connection with the former Khmer Rouge?

KELSALL: Eh, well certainly the witnesses who've been testifying in the tribunal to date and certainly the information on public record would suggest that these ministers are being summoned to their role in the Khmer Rouge during the period of 1975 to '79. They are obviously being asked to testify to evidence that they may know with regard to what happened during that period due to their role at that time.

LAM: Has there been any government reaction to the call up of these government ministers?

KELSALL: Yes certainly. The spokesperson for the government, Khieu Kanharith has come out publicly to say that any participation of the ministers should be considered as voluntary and the government's position would be that these summonses should be seen as voluntary contribution to the tribunal's efforts. However, the courts internal rules tend to suggest that anyone issued a summons should comply with it and in actual fact it is mandatory.

LAM: And Michelle, the Khmer Rouge tribunal, of course, is a joint tribunal and the panel is made up of both international and Cambodian judges. Did the Cambodian, the local judges agree to this request?

KELSALL: The summons has been served has only been signed by the court's international co-investigation judge, Marcel Lemonde which tends to suggest that this dispute from the Cambodian side with regard to these summonses going forward. The court has come out publicly to say that they are unaware of any particular dispute, however, the lack of a signature on the summonses tends to suggest that... this is going forward from the international side alone.

LAM: And returning to the people who have been called to testify. There have been questions about Finance Minister, Hor Namhong's role during the Khmer Rouge. Is it likely that he will be questioned directly about his role during the Khmer Rouge rule between 1975 and 1979, or will the testimony largely focus on the defendant?

KELSALL: I think there will be some discussion of his own role just in relation, however, as to how this impacts on the accused person standing trial. Of course, it does have measures in place, witnesses who testify are able to avoid self-incrimination. They do have the right not to answer certain questions if they feel it will incriminate themselves. So in that respect, witnesses are protected from any possibility of this being the case. Obviously the investigating judges are ultimately concerned with the accused on trial and I would have thought the questions would focus on their role and what was occurring at the time period.

Khmer Rouge tribunal summons gov't party officials

2009-10-07
By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press

The tribunal trying former leaders of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge announced Wednesday that it has summoned six leading members of Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party to give testimony.

The action is likely to irk Hun Sen, who has repeatedly expressed his sharp dissatisfaction with any efforts by the U.N.-assisted tribunal to expand its scope and possibly include his political allies as suspects in grave human rights abuses committed when the communist Khmer Rouge held power from 1975-79.

The tribunal is seeking justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died in Cambodia from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition as a result of the communist Khmer Rouge's radical policies.

The tribunal released copies of letters summoning the six to testify to the investigating judges of the court. They are top members of Hun Sen's Cambodian People's party: Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Finance Minister Keat Chhon, National Assembly president Heng Samrin, Senate president Chea Sim and two other senators, Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka.

All are also former members of the Khmer Rouge, or exercised some authority when the group was in power.

The documents were released late in the day, and those named could not immediately be reached for comment.

The letters did not say specifically what information was sought, but said it was in connection with the cases of Nuon Chea, the group's ideologist; Khieu Samphan, its former head of state; Ieng Sary, its foreign minister; and "others." The three, along with Ieng Sary's wife, Ieng Thirith, who was minister for social affairs, are expected to be tried next year.

The tribunal is currently trying its first defendant, Kaing Guek Eav _ also known as Duch _ who commanded S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, where up to 16,000 people were tortured and then taken away to be killed. He is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder and torture.

Testimony in the his trial concluded last month, and closing arguments will be held late next month.

Critics accuse Hun Sen of trying to limit the tribunal's scope to prevent his political allies from being indicted. Hun Sen himself once served as a Khmer Rouge officer and many of his main allies are also former members of the group.

Hun Sen has claimed that expanding the list of defendants could lead to civil war, a claim doubted by his critics. The Khmer Rouge took control after a bitter 1970-75 civil war, and after being ousted from power in 1979, fought an insurgency from the jungles until 1999, when they ceased to exist as an organized force.

Last month, a tribunal prosecutor formally recommended that five more suspects be investigated for crimes against humanity and other offenses.

Khmer Rouge court calls government witnesses (Update)

Cambodia's senate president Chea Sim (R) and National Assembly president Heng Samrin

Wednesday, October 07, 2009
AFP

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes court has summoned six top government and legislative officials as witnesses against leaders of the late 1970s regime, said documents released Wednesday.

In a move opposed by the Cambodian government, letters signed by the French investigating judge called on the officials to testify in the second case against former Khmer Rouge leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Current senate president Chea Sim, national assembly president Heng Samrin, foreign minister Hor Namhong, finance minister Keat Chhon and senators Sim Ka and Ouk Bunchhoeun were each "asked for a hearing as a witness," said the letters.

They will have to give testimony to an investigating judge of the tribunal, which was created in 2006 to try leading members of the regime.

"Except for individuals who volunteer to go, the government's position is no to this even if they are called as witnesses," government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP Wednesday.

He said that foreign officials involved in the tribunal "can pack their clothes and return home" if they are not satisfied.

However Heather Ryan, court monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative, said the move to release the court documents was an "important step" which might make members of government feel obliged to cooperate with the tribunal.

"The fact that the letters are public hopefully increases the chances they will comply with the summonses," Ryan said.

Critics of Cambodia's administration have previously alleged that it has interfered in the tribunal to protect former regime members now in government.

The court's second case is expected to try detained former Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife, minister of social affairs Ieng Thirith.

As the court has sought to investigate other suspects, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned further prosecutions could plunge Cambodia back into civil war. But critics say there is no risk of more fighting after over a decade of peace.

Final arguments in the court's first trial of prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, known by the alias Duch, are scheduled for late next month.

He has used the proceedings to accept responsibility and apologise for overseeing the execution of more than 15,000 people at the main Khmer Rouge jail, known as Tuol Sleng.

Led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge emptied Cambodia's cities in a bid to forge a communist utopia, resulting in the deaths of up to two million people from starvation, overwork and torture.

6 CPP comrades called in as witnesses

Court calls top govt witnesses

Oct 7, 2009
AFP

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN'S UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes court has summoned six top government and legislative officials as witnesses against leaders of the late 1970s regime, said documents released on Wednesday.

In a move opposed by the Cambodian government, letters signed by the French investigating judge called on the officials to testify in the second case against former Khmer Rouge leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Current senate president Chea Sim, national assembly president Heng Samrin, foreign minister Hor Namhong, finance minister Keat Chhon and senators Sim Ka and Ouk Bunchhoeun were each 'asked for a hearing as a witness,' said the letters.

They will have to give testimony to an investigating judge of the tribunal, which was created in 2006 to try leading members of the regime. 'Except for individuals who volunteer to go, the government's position is no to this even if they are called as witnesses,' government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP on Wednesday.

He said that foreign officials involved in the tribunal 'can pack their clothes and return home' if they are not satisfied.

Critics of Cambodia's administration have previously alleged that it has interfered in the tribunal to protect former regime members now in government. The court's second case is expected to try detained former Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife, minister of social affairs Ieng Thirith.

Rumours of Divisions Between Hun Sen and Chea Sim

The CPP trio: the is-no-good Heng Samrin, the quite-bad Chea Sim, and the very-ugly Hun Sen (Photo: Reuters)

5th February, 2009
Kampuchea Thmey newspaper (Pro-CPP newspaper)
Translated from Khmer to English by Khmerization

There were rumours that on the afternoon of 3rd of February, Mr. Chea Sim, Senate President and President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), has tendered his resignation from the CPP, citing ill health.

To quell the rumours, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, spokesman for the government, told reporters that the rumours are untrue and that the three Samdechs (a royal titles meaning “Sir” conferred to Chea Sim, Hun Sen and Heng Samrin) are as united as ever.

Mr. Kanharith told Kampuchea Thmey that he heard the rumours as well, but said that the rumours must have been fabricated by the opposition camps. Mr. Kanharith added that he has conveyed the news to Mr.Hun Sen to ask for explanation from Mr. Hun Sen and Mr. Hun Sen responded that the rumours are laughable by adding that they are untrue.

The rumours have been spread by words of mouth that Mr. Chea Sim has tendered his resignation at 5pm on the afternoon of 3rd February due to ill health.

The rumours said that, after Mr. Chea Sim resigned, Mr. Hun Sen took over the presidency of the CPP, Mr. Sar Kheng became Vice-President and Mr. Sok An became Secretary-General of the CPP.

Mr. Hun Sen replied through Mr. Kanharith that these rumours are laughable and that they are untrue story that was probably created by local opposition groups. He added that, in fact, Mr. Chea Sim is healthier and stronger than before.

Mr. Khieu Kanharith added that, before rumours of Mr. Chea Sim’s resignation surfaced, there were rumours that the three Samdechs (Chea Sim, Hun Sen and Heng Samrin) have bitterly verbally clashed about the removals and the reshuffles of the military leaders and about the reforms in other government institutions.

Mr. Kanharith added that he doesn’t need to explain any further about the unity of the three Samdechs as the three Samdechs were seen chatting cordially among themselves when all of them bid farewell to the king when the king left for a medical check-up in Beijing on the 4th of February. Mr. Kanharith added that the cordial conversations among the three Samdechs were signs of a strong unity among them.

Mr. Kanharith said that the three Samdechs are still the top leaders of the Cambodian People’s Party.

Chea Sim returns from his kowtow visit to the Middle Kingdom

Cambodian Senate president returns home from China visit

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim arrived here on Friday after paying an official visit to China.

Chea Sim was welcomed by some Cambodian senior officials and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

At the invitation of Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chea Sim left Cambodia Monday for China to pay a five-day visit.

During his stay in China, Chea Sim respectively met with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, and Jia Qinglin on Tuesday.

Chea Sim on a kowtow-visit to Beijing

Cambodian Senate president leaves for China visit

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim left here on Monday for China on an official visit.

Chea Sim was seen off by some government officials and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

At the invitation of Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chea Sim will pay a five-day visit to China, a press release said.

During his stay in China, Chea Sim is scheduled to meet with Chinese leaders, aiming to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries, it said.

Chea Sim orders the Phnom Penh CPP chapter to win at least 6 seats at the upcoming election

Monday, June 2, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Chea Sim, the CPP president, pushed CPP activists in Phnom Penh to wrestle at least 6 of the 12 MP seats in Phnom Penh city. In a speech given on 31 May during a visit at the CPP headquarters in Chamcar Mon, Chea Sim directed the CPP in all the 7 districts in the city of Phnom Penh to leave behind the 4 seats it now has at the National Assembly and to grab 6 or more seats in the upcoming election. Chea Sim said that the CPP was successful in the past 3 mandates already, and that during the 4th legislative mandate, it will win even more because there are thousands of new SRP members who now support the CPP instead. Therefore, if efforts are equally made in the 7 city districts during the 4th legislative mandate election, then (the CPP) would be able to grab even more than the 6 seats (it plans to obtain). Phnom Penh city now has 12 seats at the National Assembly, and, during the current legislative mandate, the CPP obtained only 4. At the national level, the total number of seats at the National Assembly is 123, 73 of which are in the CPP’s hands. Chea Sim ordered the CPP to grab a total number of 81 seats in the upcoming election.

Tee Time for the Exes (ex-Khmer Rouge and ex-Thai PM)

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) talks with ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a round of golf at Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, April 6, 2008. Picture taken April 6, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (3rd L) poses for photo with ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (2rd L) during a round of golf at Angkor Golf Resort Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, April 6, 2008. Picture taken April 6, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (2nd L) is seen with ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (2nd R) during a round of golf at Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, April 6, 2008. Picture taken April 6, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (2nd L) is seen with ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (2nd R) during a round of golf at Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap province, 320 km (199 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, April 6, 2008. Picture taken April 6, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer

Cambodian King, Senate Chairman, House Speaker Receive Visiting Thai PM

Top Left: Cambodian King Sihamoni (left) welcoming Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej at Phnom Penh Royal Palace on 3 March; Bottom Left: the king's audience with the Thai prime minister; Top Right: Cambodian Senate Chairman Chea Sim (right) at the meeting with the Thai prime minister; Bottom Right: Cambodian National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin (right) at the meeting with the Thai prime minister (Television Kampuchea, 3 Mar)

03 Mar 08
Television Kampuchea (TVK)

On 3 March, Cambodian Government-run Phnom Penh Television Kampuchea in Cambodian at 1200 GMT carried three video reports, during its primetime evening newscast, on visiting Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his delegation being received in audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and separately paying courtesy calls on Cambodian Senate Chairman Chea Sim and National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin in Phnom Penh on 3 March.

The announcer says Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted an audience to Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his entourage in Phnom Penh Royal Palace on the morning of 3 March.

The announcer says that after the gift exchange, the king "warmly welcomed" the Thai prime minister's "official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia to further tighten the friendship relations between the two nations." The king also conveyed "thoughtful greetings and profound regards" to the Thai prime minister and members of his delegation from the king father [Norodom Sihanouk] and queen mother of the Cambodian nation. The king said he "resolutely believed" that the Thai prime minister's visit would "further constantly strengthen and expand the friendship relations and multifarious cooperation between our two countries." Through the Thai prime minister, the king also inquired after and extended best wishes to the Thai king.

The announcer says the Thai prime minister expressed his "great excitement and pleasure and profound thanks" to the king for the audience granted to him and his delegation. He also conveyed greetings and best wishes from the Thai king to the Cambodian monarch. Moreover, he himself also extended "best wishes, with the sentiment of friendship, thoughtfulness, and high respect" to the king as well as to the king father and queen mother.

The announcer says that at the audience, the Thai prime minister also "stressed" that his visit to Cambodia this time was to "further improve the relations of friendship and neighborliness as well as the traditional cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia, especially in the tourism sector, for the sake of our two countries' interests."

The announcer says the king "profoundly thanked" the Thai royal family, government, and people for their assistance in building roads, schools, and infirmaries as well as providing medical care and various vocational training to the Cambodian people. The assistance, the king added, was of "profound significance for the relations of friendship between the two countries, contributing to the restoration and construction of Cambodia and elevation of the people's living standards."

The announcer says that on the afternoon of the same day, the Thai prime minister paid a courtesy call on and held a "working meeting" with Senate Chairman Chea Sim at the Senate Building.

The announcer says Chea Sim considered Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's official visit to Cambodia was "very important to continue tightening and improving the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries' governments, institutions, and peoples." He added the visit was "testimony showing the good relations between the leaders and peoples of the two neighboring and ASEAN member countries." Chea Sim also said he hoped that the cooperation between the two countries' Senates would be "strengthened and expanded" as well.

The announcer says Samak Sundaravej expressed thanks for the warm welcome reserved to his visit, and he praised the all-around progress made by Cambodia, under the leadership Prime Minister Hun Sen, and the cooperative efforts exerted by the leaders of the Senate and National Assembly to make Cambodia prosperous remarkably. He said with his visit, the multifarious cooperation between the countries would "further develop."

The announcer says that afterward, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej also paid a courtesy call on National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin at the National Assembly Building.

The announcer says that at the meeting, the Thai prime minister "praised the current better political situation in Cambodia," and he said he "hoped the fourth parliamentary election in July would proceed smoothly as in the past."

The announcer says for his part, Heng Samrin "warmly welcomed" the Thai prime minister. He considered that the prime minister's presence in Cambodia this time had provided the "great honor to the Cambodian National Assembly" and further possibilities for "strengthening and expanding the time-honored relations of friendship and solidarity between the two countries' peoples." Heng Samrin said the Cambodian National Assembly "fully supported the legitimate government of the Kingdom of Thailand born from the will of the people" and that Cambodia was prepared to "cooperate more closely with the Thai Government and National Assembly."

The announcer says that through the Thai prime minister, Heng Samrin invited the Thai National Assembly chairman to visit Cambodia at a future suitable time.

Thai PM arrives in Cambodia for visit

PHNOM PENH, March. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej arrived here on Monday to pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

At the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Samak Sundaravej is leading a delegation to visit Cambodia from March 3 to 4, according to a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

During his two-day visit, Samak Sundaravej will be received in royal audience by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, it said.

Besides, Samak Sundaravej will also meet with Hun Sen, Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin, it added.

Political Cartoon: The 4 best surgeons

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Cambodian People's Party Marks 7 Jan Victory, Reaffirms Hun Sen as PM Candidate

(Top to bottom) Beaming CPP Chairman Chea Sim (middle) chatting cordially with CPP Vice Chairman and Prime Minister Hun Sen on his left and CPP Honorary Chairman on his right at the ceremony; CPP members at the 7 January Victory Day celebration; Chea Sim reading speech at the event (TVK, 7 Jan)

07 Jan 08
Television Kampuchea (TVK)

On 7 January, Cambodian Government-run Phnom Penh Television Kampuchea [TVK] in Cambodian at 0537 GMT carried a 35-minute recorded video report, following its midday newscast, on the Cambodian People's Party [CPP] marking the 29th anniversary of the victory of 7 January under the presidency of CPP Chairman Chea Sim, CPP Honorary Chairman Heng Samrin, and CPP Vice Chairman Hun Sen at the party headquarters in Phnom Penh on the morning of 7 January.

Also present at the ceremony were members of the Senate, National Assembly, and Royal Government of Cambodia, representatives of allied parties, foreign diplomats, and large crowds of people.

At the event, CPP and Senate Chairman Chea Sim read a prepared speech expressing "loyal salutations and profoundest gratitude" to King Norodom Sihamoni, former King Norodom Sihanouk, and former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, who "have sacrificed all-out physical and moral efforts for the sake of independence, peace, national unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, prosperity, and happiness of the Cambodian motherland and people." He also wished them abundant health, physical strength, clear-sightedness, and longevity so they could "remain as the cool shade for the Cambodian people forever."

Continuing his speech, Chea Sim recalled efforts exerted by the Cambodian people and the Kampuchea United Front for National Construction and Defense, supported and assisted by the volunteer Vietnamese troops and peace-and justice-loving forces worldwide, to "attack and overthrow" the atrocious and barbaric Khmer Rouge [KR] regime on 7 January 1979.

Chea Sim further said that in Cambodia, "democracy, freedom, the respect for human rights, and the state of the law have been restored, protected, strengthened, and expanded constantly on the basis of ensuring the interests of the nation and people."

Chea Sim also recalled that the CPP had "played the role as core force in successfully solving post-election political deadlocks, the issue pertaining to the throne stability, and border problems with neighboring countries; in consolidating national unity; and in amending the Constitution, changing the two-thirds majority system to the system of absolute majority." The CPP had also, he added, "restored and elevated the nation's reputation by taking part in international affairs" with countries in the region and the world.

In his speech, Chea Sim criticized some "insane circles for taking themselves for the enemies of the 7 January victory and of the people's revival, seeking all possible means to overthrow the people's power with the aim of bringing back the genocide regime."

Chea Sim extolled the Cambodian Government for its all-around achievements with the implementation of the win-win policy, adding that in 2008, the government, under the leader the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, would "continue to implement its priority policies, especially in those in the economic, financial, and social sectors."

On the question regarding democracy and human rights, Chea Sim said the CPP would continue to "protect and uphold democracy and the respect for human rights." He added that concretely, "democracy and human rights in Cambodia have not developed thanks to remarks or reports by some circles that refuse to understand and accept the truth."

Regarding elections, Chea Sim called on all to take part in improving the poll process, allowing the Cambodian people to "express their wish fully and freely."

On the question about the prime minister candidate, Chea Sim said, "On this occasion, I wish to reaffirm solemnly that the CPP has unanimously decided to appoint CPP Vice Chairman Samdech Akkeak Senapakdei Decho Hun Sen as the candidate for the position of Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia in the next fourth legislature of the National Assembly." [applause]

With regard to cooperation with the FUNCINPEC [National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia] Party, Chea Sim said the CPP would "continue to strengthen the close cooperation with the FUNCINPEC Party and all the patriotic circles in society. This is in order to promote the implementation of the Royal Government's policies to score new achievements for the nation and to protect political atmosphere to allow the election to proceed well. This cooperation will be strengthened and expanded both before and after the election."

Commenting on the process of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, Chea Sim said, "The CPP supports the ongoing process, supported nationally and internationally, of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia [ECCC] to try the crimes committed under the Democratic Kampuchea [DK] regime. We believe the national community, which is fully aware of the sufferings and injustice experienced by the Cambodian people under the DK regime, will certainly continue to provide the ECCC with moral and material assistance. Along with this, we reject any acts that will take advantage to use these courts in an attempt to cause division in Cambodian national society."

To conclude, Chea Sim said, "The people's political decision in the forthcoming election is of most determining significance for the country's destiny. In other words, only a political party that can ensure genuine peace, stability, democracy, and development should be elected."

Ruling Party Warns Against Subversion of Tribunal

The CPP trio, from left to Right: Heng Samrin, Chea Sim and Hun Sen (Photo: REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea)

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 January 2008

The president of the Cambodian People's Party said Monday the ruling party would continue to support the Khmer Rouge tribunal "in spirit and materials," as trials for jailed former leaders approach.

Speaking on the 29th anniversary of the ouster of the Khmer Rogue by Vietnamese forces, CPP President Chea Sim warned other groups not to politicize the tribunal.

"We dismiss all actions that use the [tribunal] to create instability and division in societies in Cambodia," he said.

On Jan. 7, 1979, Vietnamese forces pushed the Khmer Rouge out of Phnom Penh, establishing an occupation government and beginning a new round of civil strife.

Five top leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime were arrested in 2007 and charged with war crimes or crimes against humanity.