Press Release: Kampuchea Krom Commemoration

The 63rd Annual Kampuchea Krom Commemoration will be held at the resident of Senator Kong Korm due to Phnom Penh City Hall denied their venue requests for public square and Buddhist pagoda for the third time. THANKS A LOT Cambodian Yuon People Party!

KKC and Khmer Krom NGOs in Cambodia to organize an Offering Buddhist Ceremony to 1949 Buddhist monks and to commemorate the 63rd Annual National Mourning, the day colonial France ceded Khmer land to colonial Vietnam on June 4, B.E.2493, A.D.1949 to continue colonizing her until today, at the residence of Senator Kong Korm.

BBG Decries Cambodian Government Cancellation of VOA, RFA Coverage During National Election

Washington, DC — The Broadcasting Board of Governors yesterday condemned the Cambodian Ministry of Information’s decision to force FM stations to stop airing election programming from Radio Free Asia and the Voice of America.

The ministry prohibited five affiliate stations in Cambodia from running Khmer-language RFA and VOA programs on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3 — the day of national commune elections.  The shows were all taken off the air without notice.

“This action runs contrary to the principles of free and fair elections,” said BBG Presiding Governor Michael Lynton. “News and information programs help shape a well-educated citizenry and should be encouraged, not denied. These attempts to silence RFA and VOA are counterproductive to the goals of building a democratic society in Cambodia.”

RFA and VOA play a critical role in informing the Cambodian electorate on fundamental election issues, and they provide a platform for the full spectrum of political opinions in the country.  Due to government-imposed restrictions on political coverage by all media to avoid undue influence on the elections’ outcome, their programs on Sunday were focused on information necessary to voting, such as when polling stations were to open and close.

Two VOA Khmer Radio programs on June 3 were broadcast as normal on an AM frequency, via short wave and online.

A Night of the Dog Barking

Som Daach Daab Con-Templates...

You are next in-line Hun Sen!

The fate of Hun Xen and all dictators will cross like Mubarak.

A Devil like you, cannot escape HELL Hun Xen! Your creepy and cranky face will start crying like a baby soon Som-daach daab Hun Sen!

Report: Egypt's ex-ruler Mubarak suffers health crisis after he gets life sentence

Praet Ma-nous Steur had something to say!

Wake Up! Praet Ma-nous Steur HELL Xen
had something to say!

I, want to congratulate and thanks to all CPP Creepy People Party officials, monks Hochimonks, women groups witch groups, youth young vampire and students groups and new praet for their wonderful campaign creepy campaign through out the country!  Especially at Boeung Kak Lake. This will lead us to HELL Victory very soon! I cannot wait!

I also want to invite new members , such as mean dogs, mad dogs, scary cats, young witch, peeping Toms, vampire associations, witch organizations and praet community groups who are ready to join CPP Creepy People Party! 

We are the people’s party! Creepy People Party! We are proud to serve our people detain the courageous Boeung Kak Lake women and the country of Cambodia and serve the blood sucker country! CPP Creepy People Party is moving for ward to HELL soon. 

We count on you, to suck more innocent Khmer Angkor blood because they are the thorns in my eyes, (although the other eye went to hell long time ago) and thanks for your support detaining BKL women in jail!

Best wishes to all ! See you in HELL soon!
Your Praet Ma-nous steur HELL Xen

More news on Hun Xen

I found it hard to believe
Could it be because of the U.S.'s Human Rights report?
Or because of his horrible nightmare?

Not sure if Hun Xen knows about the five precepts. He can learn two of them from me for now. I will teach him the other three when he’s getting better at these two.

Two of five Buddhist precepts 

1. Do not Kill One must not deliberately kill any living creatures, either by committing the act oneself, instructing others to kill, or approving of or participating in act of killing. It is a respect to others' lives.

One should not deprive others (animals not excluded) of the right to live. If one is hurt or killed, one's family, relatives, friends will suffer. It is the cause of rebirth in Three Evil Paths. The effect of killing to the performer are brevity of life, ill health, handicapped and fear. In observing the first precept, one tries to protect life whenever possible. Furthermore, one cultivates the attitude of loving kindness to all beings by wishing that they may be happy and free from harm.

 2. Do not Steal It is a respect to other's properties and the right to own property. If something is not given, one may not take it away by stealing, by force or by fraud. Besides these, one should avoid misusing money or property belonging to the public or other persons.

Hun Sen on Election Footing

The Diplomat,  Luke Hunt, May 25, 2012

Commune elections next month are set to offer an interesting test of the Cambodian People’s Party's popularity.

Image credit: World Economic Forum

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) have been on election footing since the second half of 2011. The big test is still a year out, when national elections will mark 20 years since U.N. troops oversaw the first ballot that began this country’s transition to democracy.

However, commune elections will be held on June 3, and will provide an important test for the CPP, which has trounced virtually all opposition ranks in recent years. There are about 1,620 communes across the country. Each represents a cluster of villages and the elections, held every five years, aren’t unlike council or local district polls in the West.

The CPP will head into the poll as overwhelming favorite, but how the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), whose namesake leader lives in self-imposed exile following a conviction, fares will provide valuable insights into Hun Sen’s broader popularity.

His government has been beset by angry protests over alleged land grabs, a yawning wealth gap coupled with rising prices for everyday goods and high handedness and corruption among government officials.

This could translate into a loss of votes, particularly in Phnom Penh and provincial cities where Sam Rainsy has traditionally polled well. Further complicating the issues this year are the royalists, who have been a spent force at recent polls.

Funcinpec had for years played a political game of cat and mouse with Hun Sen until its leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh, son of the King Father and half-brother of King Norodom Sihamoni, was banished by his own members for gross corruption and Funcinpec effectively split and fell apart.

His banishment came after a court jailed him for 18 months in absentia after he quietly sold off Funcinpec party headquarters as if it was personal asset and then re-directed the fund to acquire a private property.

Now, a deal has been struck aimed at ending the animosity between the two main royalist parties. This means the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) will merge with Funcinpec to form a single party under the Funcinpec name. However, Funcinpec has a long and difficult road ahead if it’s to make any kind of return from the political oblivion. At the 2008 national poll, the NRP and Funcinpec won just two seats each in the National Assembly, while the SRP improved its standing to 26; the CPP holds 90 seats.

Any gains could come at the expense of the SRP, but in Cambodia’s remote villages, which have remained loyal to Hun Sen ever since he ended the years of bloody conflict in 1998, Funcinpec are unlikely to score much success.

As a result, Norodom Ranariddh should expect to remain where he has been for the last four years, in the political wilderness. The SRP will maintain its current standing while for the CPP it will be business as usual once the commune elections are done

Remarks in Cambodia

Remarks

Kurt M. Campbell
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

May 25, 2012

First of all, let me just say that on behalf of the United States government, we are so thrilled to be here in Cambodia for the Senior Officials Meeting. I’ve had a chance yesterday to meet with the Prime Minister and now I have had a very good discussion with the Foreign Minister. I think as you all know Secretary Clinton has invited him to the United States. He will be there early next month and we have had an opportunity to review all the important things that the United States is doing in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia.

I’d just like to underscore that in addition to all the important bilateral work that we are undertaking and our multilateral engagement in terms of the Lower Mekong Initiative and the like, we are also bringing Secretary Clinton in July the largest ever business group to Cambodia as part of our multi-faceted engagement to suggest our deep desire to have a strong and deeper ties between our business communities in the United States and ASEAN. We are thrilled at the support that we have received from the Cambodian government. Daisy Liu [of ConocoPhillips] and Steve Glick [of Chevron] have made very generous contributions in terms of hard drives and also flash drives to enable the ASEAN Secretariat to be fully prepared and capable to deal with the enormous number of people that will be coming to Cambodia to celebrate not only the ASEAN Regional Forum, but [also] the East Asia Summit. This is a critical year – it’s the tenth anniversary since the statement of conduct with regard to the South China Sea. We’re at a critical period. We’re counting on the leadership of Cambodia to ensure the future of peace and prosperity.

I have been joined here today with my wonderful colleague from ASEAN, Ambassador Carden in Jakarta, to make a very strong commitment on the part of the United States to an enduring commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and to ASEAN as a whole, and I want to personally thank Daisy and Steve for their commitment to this process and to thank you, Foreign Minister, for all that you have done to build stronger relations between the United States and Cambodia. So thank you all.

Hillary, Obama Looking forward to Visiting Cambodia

CRIENGLISH.COM, Web Editor: Zhang, May 24, 2012        

The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama are looking forward to visiting Cambodia this year in order to attend ASEAN meetings, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said Thursday.

His remarks were made during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace, Eang Sophallet, spokesman for Hun Sen, told reporters after the meeting.

Kurt said Hillary will attend the ASEAN Regional Forum in July and Obama will join the East Asia Summit in November.

During the meeting, Kurt also promised the United States will try to encourage more U.S. investors to Cambodia and to the whole ASEAN region to cement ties between the United States and the ASEAN.

Hun Sen said that the upcoming visits of Hillary and Obama will bring closer ties between Cambodia and the United States and their visits will help build more confidence among U.S. investors in Cambodia's political and economic situation.

The United States is the fifth largest investor in Cambodia. According to the figures of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, from 1994 to 2011, the country has received a promised investment of 1.3 billion U.S. dollars from the United States.

Preah Vihear dispute weighs on army brass

Bangkok Post, May 24, 2012

The uncertain situation on the border with Cambodia could be why the army will enjoy the largest chunk of the defence budget in the next fiscal year.

Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapakorn, left, and Royal Thai Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff Gen Worapong Sa-nganet, second right, are the two key men handling the Preah Vihear issue. WASSANA NANUAM

The defence budget in the 2013 budget bill is set at 180 billion baht, 88.8 billion of which is earmarked for the army alone. Most of the army budget _ 87.45 billion baht _ will be used for security preparations on the front lines with all neighbours with a focus on the eastern neighbour, as both are entangled in the controversy over the Preah Vihear issue. The International Court of Justice is expected to rule on the sovereignty of disputed land around the Hindu temple early next month.

The government, led by the Pheu Thai Party and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, is on good terms with Cambodia due to amicable ties between her brother Thaksin and Cambodian leader Hun Sen, after rocky relations persisted during the previous administration.

Part of the budget will be used to bolster cooperation, including meetings, formal and informal visits, and humanitarian and military aid for Thailand's neighbours. But a source at the Defence Ministry said other objectives of future spending will be geared towards border security preparations with the priority area having been set on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered the 2nd Army Region and the Suranaree Task Force to stay alert even before the 2013 budget, now in parliament, is approved by lawmakers. The navy and air force also are ready in case border clashes resume.

Thailand's military budget is small compared to other Southeast Asian nations.

"Our defence budget cannot match that in many countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia or Myanmar," the source said. "Their defence budgets are around 5% of GDP. Ours in 2013 is only 1.44%, although we should get up to 2% of GDP."

The budget includes no allocations for new arms purchases, the source said.

Another military source on the border with Cambodia said around 2,000 troops from each side are stationed in the area near Preah Vihear with no signs of cuts. The only obvious moves are when the two countries rotate their personnel to keep soldiers fresh as they never know what will happen in the future.

Cambodia has conducted a military exercise deep inside its frontier and Thailand undertook its Command Post Exercise with the participation of all three armed forces plus the Royal Thai Armed Forces _ formerly known as the Supreme Command _ last month and two more will be held next month and in July. "We have no intention to stage a war with anyone. We only make ourselves ready in all areas because we have no idea what our neighbours, particularly Cambodia, have in mind," a source at the Royal Thai Armed Forces said.

Thailand has reason to worry as a troop withdrawal from the area claimed by the two countries has not taken place despite an injunction from the World Court until the ruling is handed down. That could make Phnom Penh unhappy, which might interpret the move as an attempt by the Thai Army to drag its feet on this issue.

The army's reluctance is making the government uncomfortable and that was reflected in the Foreign Ministry's position which called on the army to strictly follow the court's temporary order for fear that failing to do so could paint a negative image of Thailand as a "bad boy", which could possibly affect the court's decision next year. But a source at the Defence Ministry said "the army will follow the court's direction because we want to be a 'good boy'. But we have procedures to do it."

In an attempt to restore peace between the two countries, Asean has already agreed to send Indonesian observers into the disputed area.

Supreme Commander Tanasak Patimapakorn, serious about the dispute, is paying extra attention to the Joint Working Group (JWG) which is negotiating the issue with Cambodia. He selected Worapong Sa-nganet, his close friend at the Armed Forces Academics Preparatory School's Class 12, who is the Royal Thai Armed Forces' chief of staff, to be the team leader in the group. The first meeting with Cambodia was held on April 4-5 in Bangkok with Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister Nieng Pad as the counterpart to Gen Tanasak. But the maiden talks did not touch on a troop withdrawal, and the only outcome was an agreement to clear landmines in the area.

The decision to omit the troop withdrawals may have been due to better ties between the two countries. That was reflected in Gen Tanasak's statement made at the armed forces leaders' meeting on the border issue at the air force head office last week. "Ties between Thailand and Cambodia have been improving over the past nine or 10 months. What happened before that was an accident. Now we can talk and clear up any doubts," he said.

"If the policy of the Foreign Ministry and the government is to allow Indonesian observers to observe the situation, the armed forces will do it. But the best way is to see the two countries talk it over first," he added.

The army's reluctance stems in part from military leaders wanting to avoid going down in history as the ones responsible for withdrawing troops or giving up land claimed by Thailand.

Gen Tanasak has said the Indonesian observers are not needed.

Once they are there, Thailand will have to ask for permission to enter the area and that implicitly means Thailand has lost its territory, he said.

This issue is expected to be high on the agenda when Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat meets privately with Hun Sen during the Asean Defence Minister Meeting in Phnom Penh on Monday and Tuesday, although the main issue at the talks is the signing of an agreement to foster unity and security cooperation to build trust among the bloc's 10 members.

A source said the Southeast Asian defence ministers will set up the National Centre for Peacekeeping Force, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance to showcase how serious Cambodia is in clearing landmines in the disputed area in line with the JWG's agreement last month. Gen Worapong said the second JWG meeting will be held soon in Phnom Penh after Gen Nieng Pad sets the date to turn the mine clearance deal into reality.

Ties between the two countries are smooth due to close relations between leaders in Bangkok and Phnom Penh. But the different approaches of the Thai government and the armed forces on the troops in the area near Preah Vihear could become a big issue as military leaders have vowed to protect sovereignty over the disputed land. The issue could even become controversial in the future if the People's Alliance for Democracy moves against the attempt to withdraw soldiers from the area.

Cambodia's Hun Sen says Thai vote to improve ties

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian leader Hun Sen says the opposition election win in Thailand will improve ties between the neighbors that have fought repeated border clashes in recent months.

The party linked to toppled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra swept weekend elections and a new government led by Thaksin's sister is poised to take power in Bangkok within weeks.

The two countries have battled over disputed land surrounding an ancient Hindu temple that straddles their common border.

Cambodian PM declares assets in anti-graft push [-It just so happens to be April Fool Day!]

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen holds up a document detailing his personal assets Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) office in Phnom Penh. -- PHOTO: AFP

Apr 1, 2011
AFP

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday declared his personal assets to the country's new anti-corruption unit and urged officials to follow his lead in a bid to tackle rampant graft.

'Today, I have fulfilled my obligation under the anti-corruption law,' the premier said as he personally delivered his documents to the unit's headquarters in the capital Phnom Penh.

Although the asset declaration is confidential, Hun Sen told reporters he earned a monthly salary of 4,600,000 riel (S$1,450).

He also encouraged senior government and military officials to follow his example ahead of a deadline next week. 'Don't be hesitant or afraid,' he said.

Thailand to provide Cambodian premier special security during visit

Thu, 25 Mar 2010
DPA

Bangkok - Thailand plans to provide Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen with special security when he visits next month, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said Thursday amid tense relations between the two neighbours.

Hen Sen plans to attend the first Mekong River Commission summit April 4-5 in the resort town of Hua Hun south of Bangkok. It would be his first visit to Thailand since a diplomatic spat erupted after Cambodia appointed fugitive Thai ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to be a government adviser late last year and refused to extradite him back to Thailand.

Cambodia appointed Thaksin, who has a two-year jail sentence still to serve in Thailand for abuse of power, as an economic adviser to the government and to Hun Sen.

Bangkok considers the appointment of Thaksin, the de-facto opposition leader in Thailand, as interference in its internal politics.

Thaksin was prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was toppled in a bloodless coup. He fled the country and has live in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai, since August 2008.

The relationship between Cambodia and Thailand has also been tense for more than a year because of their disputing claims to land near the 11th-century Preah Vihear border temple.

Their troops have sporadically clashed near the disputed area, and Thai nationalists have used the Preah Vihear issue to stoke tensions.

General Prawit called on Thais not to protest during the summit and said he would personally oversee security in Hua Hin.

The Mekong River Commission summit brings together Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. China and Myanmar, which are dialogue partners, are also to attend.

The Mekong River is currently facing its worst drought in decades in parts of Thailand and Laos.

The IRI did it again: Results of the “infamous” IRI survey revealed by Cambodia's Strongman ... not by the IRI

Hun Xen: The IRI survey said that we are moving in the right direction - one step forward, 10 steps back!
Chea Xim: Wa! Ha! Ha!

IRI: Increasing support for Hun Xen’s government

Tuesday, January 12, 2009
By Ly Meng Huor
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

The US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) released its survey indicating that the Cambodian government led by the current ruling CPP party is moving in the right direction. Support for the popularity of the CPP government has increased up to 79%. However, the IRI survey was criticized by the SRP as being imperfect.

The IRI conducted its survey between 31 July to 26 August 2009. The results of the survey were not made available by the IRI itself, but it was publicly announced by Hun Xen in the morning of 12 January 2009 instead.

During a ceremony for the distribution of diplomas to students in Phnom Penh, Hun Xen pulled out a paper showing the results of the IRI survey to read. He indicated that the IRI’s survey question was: “Is the leadership of the Cambodian government moving in the right or wrong direction.” The results indicated 79% of the people surveyed indicated that the government is moving in the right direction.

The survey results surprised Hun Xen when the survey question was: Will you vote for the CPP in any election? Hun Xen indicated that the result indicated that 53% are certain that they will vote for the CPP. This number reflects a full 1% increase from last year’s IRI survey.

Hun Xen claimed that the IRI had already revealed its survey results to all parties that hold seats at the National Assembly, including the CPP and Funcinpec.

The current support for the government stems from the fact the government built roads, schools, healthcare centers, pagodas, bridges and the living condition has improved due to water irrigation, electricity and water, peace in the country and good business climate.

Nevertheless, the survey conducted by the IRI – which, in the past, used to be close to the SRP and human rights and democratic NGOs in Cambodia – was criticized by Yim Sovann, the SRP spokesman, of being imperfect. Yim Sovann explained that the survey was conducted under a climate of repression, of silencing the freedom of expression, of arrest made against journalists, of lifting the immunity of MPs, and the arrest and jailing citizens involved in land dispute.

PAD condemns Hun Sen

6/11/2009
Bangkok Post

A core leader of the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, on Friday afternoon condemned Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen for interference in internal affair of Thailand and an infringement of Thailand’s justice system.

Maj Gen Chamlong also called on the international community to condemn the Cambodian government to pressure it to extradite ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand.

At a press conference, also joined by another PAD key leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon and coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, Maj Gen Chamlong also condemned Thaksin for committing an act of betrayal to the country by using the neighbouring country to pressure the Thai government for Political gain.

The Cambodian government on Wednesday announced an appointment of Thaksin as its economic advisor and personal advisor to Hun Sen. Cambodian government also insisted in a statement that it would not extradite the former prime minister to Thailand as all charges against him were politically motivated.

Summons to colleagues won't help justice: Hun Sen

In this photo taken, Sept. 14, 2009, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen gestures as he takes a tour to a construction site of a Chinese-funded bridge at Prek Kdam village, some 30 kilometers north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Thursday Oct. 8, 2009
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday he doubts whether summoning six of his colleagues to testify at the country's Khmer Rouge genocide tribunal will help the cause of justice.

The UN-assisted tribunal announced Wednesday that it was calling the country's current foreign minister, finance minister, national assembly president, senate president and two other senators to testify before the tribunal's investigating judge.

All are top members of Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party but also exercised some authority when the communist Khmer Rouge held power in 1975-79. Hun Sen himself once served as a Khmer Rouge officer and many of his main allies are former members of the group.

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 group's radical policies.

Hun Sen has repeatedly expressed his sharp dissatisfaction with any efforts by the tribunal to expand its scope and possibly include his political allies.

The prime minister questioned the court's decision Thursday, saying his colleagues had already proven they were interested in seeing justice done.

"They (the court) know that these people helped to topple the regime of (late Khmer Rouge leader) Pol Pot from power, and moreover, adopted the law to try the Khmer Rouge leaders as well," Hun Sen said.

He appeared to question why his colleagues would be called as witnesses at the request of the defence, saying their testimony would only increase their punishment.

"Therefore how will justice be done?" he said.

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.

Also charged are Nuon Chea, the group's ideologist, Khieu Samphan, its former head of state, Ieng Sary, its foreign minister, and his wife Ieng Thirith, who was minister for social affairs.

‘No Disputed Land’ Near Border Temple: Hun Sen

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
28 September 2009

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday said there was no disputed land near Preah Vihear temple, contrary to Thai statements.

The temple is at the center of a longstanding military standoff and saw a number of Thai protesters amassed last week.

Though leaders have sought to solve the border dispute bilaterally, Hun Sen said he would raise the issue with Asean at a summit in October if Thai leaders continued to make public statements about the temple and nearby border.

On Thursday, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said roads leading to the temple from the Thai side had been made by the previous government, claiming, "even if there are roads in the border area, it does not mean that the land belongs to Cambodia."

On Sept. 20, around 5,000 Thai demonstrators gathered on the Thai side of the border, near the temple, as leaders of the protest claimed Cambodian civilians and soldiers had settled in disputed areas near the temple.

"I would like to request that Thai leaders stop using Preah Vihear temple in their internal political conflict," he said.

Claims by the Thai prime minister and others about 4.6 kilometers of land near the temple "are not acceptable," he said. Thailand was making unilateral claims using a unilateral map, he said. "Cambodia does not recognize the overlapping or disputed area."

Cambodia uses a map from French surveys in 1904 and 1909 and argues that a 1962 decision at the International Court of the Hague and other documents provide a claim to land near the temple.

"If the Thai prime minister brings a unilateral map to me, I will tear it up in front of [him]," Hun Sen said Monday. "If Thailand militarily invades Cambodia, we will complain to the United Nations Security Council."

Preah Vihear temple was put on a Unesco World Heritage protection list, under Cambodian ownership, in July 2008, sparking demonstrations in Bangkok and an immediate military build-up. Ensuing skirmishes along the border have killed at least seven soldiers.

Silence allows dictatorship to exist

Cambodia's past and current tyrants: Pol Pot (L) and Hun Sen (R)

August 12, 2009
By A. Gaffar Peang-Meth
Pacific Daily News (Guam)

After three years, eight months and 20 days of the Khmer Rouge's brutal rule, during which 1.7 million Cambodians lost their lives, the signing of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords offered Cambodia and her people a respite from suffering and the destruction, and the promise of a bright future.

The Paris Conference's Final Act, signed on Oct. 23, 1991, by representatives of 18 governments (Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam with the participation of officials from Zimbabwe and Yugoslavia representing the non-aligned movement and the United Nations Secretary-General and his representative) contains a comprehensive political settlement of the Cambodian conflict: a settlement that provides for a constitution based on democratic principles; the recognition of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia; and provisions for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country.

The accords offered a foundation for liberal democracy and for human rights and freedom of the Cambodian people.

But the accords are only words on paper. Short of implementation, they are all but meaningless.

Liberal democracy and rights and freedoms do not appear automatically. Man has to work to bring them about. The creation of a framework incorporating three branches of government with limits on the powers of each does not mean a system of checks and balances is established -- not if, in spite of their institution, one man or group of men dominates, influences, pulls strings from above.

Take the case of today's Cambodian system of government. James Madison would call it "tyranny" because one man, Hun Sen, the chief executive, and a group of men, the Cambodian People's Party, his party, control all three branches of government, making a mockery of international norms for an independent legislature and judiciary.

Following the signing of the accords, there were lavish self-congratulations and the touting of Cambodia's transformation as a "success story." Yet, the Cambodian People's Party, brought to power by Vietnam's 1978 military invasion, and propped up, since the 1979 routing of Pol Pot by Vietnam's troops, busily built its party power structures, organization and discipline, and forcefully pushed party interests ahead of the nation's interest.

The first UN-supervised 1993 general elections gave the mandate to govern to the democratically elected victor, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, but the CPP and Sen demanded that Sen, who lost the elections, be made co-prime minister of Cambodia, and that existing governing state institutions be co-governed.

And so, the country had a two-headed government, two armies, two systems, two policies. The 1997 military coup launched by Sen killed many and sent Ranariddh and his loyalists fleeing the country. This happened before the eyes of state signatories of the accords and of the United Nations.

American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. said: "The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people." And British political philosopher Edmund Burke said: "All that is needed for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Nearly 18 years after the accords, Cambodia has not become a liberal democracy nor do her people enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms. The failure has been a collective one, with Cambodians unable to work together and signatory governments' Cambodia fatigue leading them to want a semblance of political stability, even if they must turn a blind eye to rights violations.

It's in human nature in general to deny one's culpability in an unpleasant situation and to blame others for it. Yet each day that passes is one more day too many for the Cambodian people and their country to be denied what the accords promised.

Furthermore, an issue that could result in a hot war between Cambodian and Thai troops, neighbors to the west, over the Preah Vihear temple, has been left unsolved as soldiers eyeball each other, their fingers on the trigger, separated by only a few hundred yards. The accords' signatory states agreed to the maintenance, preservation and defense of Cambodia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. What does a bubbling conflict mean to them?

For the moment, absent open warfare, the world is content to let Cambodia remain under the control of a corrupt dictator. Still, in an authoritarian atmosphere, stable commerce cannot be expected to flourish; the economy will continue to benefit the few and consign the majority to the poverty that has become their norm.

There cannot be liberal democracy where fundamental rights and freedoms are not allowed. Innovation must be encouraged. "Outside the box" thinking must flourish; people must have the hope that the power to improve their circumstances is within their grasp.

After Cambodians learn to reconcile with one another, unlearn a culture that harbors generational memories of slights and disrespect, and move forward with self confidence, they may recall Buddha's teachings and practice them. At that juncture, the world community may feel it is in its interest to renew a commitment made long ago to Cambodia and her people.

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.

Troop cuts urged to ease border tensions

2/07/2009
Bangkok Post Reporters

Troop reductions are crucial to easing tensions along the border with Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple, the 2nd Army commander says.

Lt Gen Wibulsak Neepal yesterday said the two countries should reduce the numbers of soliders deployed in the area to a level where neither country has an edge.

"I am afraid violence might occur if we do not talk," he said.

Border tensions flared again after the Thai government renewed its opposition to Unesco listing the temple as a World Heritage site on Cambodia's behalf.

The issue was addressed by Lt Gen Wibulsak in talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Lt Gen Chea Mon, at the border adjoining Surin's Kap Choeng district.

Lt Gen Wibulsak refused to comment on Thailand's opposition to the temple's listing other than to say: "We do what we are supposed to do. That is to protect our sovereignty."

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for informal talks in Phnom Penh on Saturday. Mr Suthep said Hun Sen supported attempts to ease tensions.

But the Phnom Penh Post yesterday quoted Hun Sen as warning Thailand against violating Cambodian airspace.

"I told the Thai deputy prime minister and minister of defence frankly to be careful and not fly across the border into Cambodian territory," Hun Sen told graduates at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

"I am afraid that I won't be able to control the shooting if the soldiers on the ground lose patience."

Cambodia had no intention of confronting Thailand but had the right to protect its territorial sovereignty, the Phnom Penh Post quoted him as saying.

"We are waiting to shoot because we are not invading [Thailand]. Cambodia is not showing muscle, but to defend the nation we will play it until the end," Hun Sen said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday said relations remained strong despite Hun Sen's aggressive words.