Translated from Khmer by Luc SârCambodian Studies
Khmer-Rougism and Sihanoukism
By N. Sihanouk
Khmer-Rougism and Sihanoukism
By N. Sihanouk
Being “Pro-Khmer People,” some Voreakchons [Elites], Essarakchons (Intellectuals) admire the Khmer-Rougism and have only very little esteem for the Sihanoukism. For me, this is not an issue of egoism. But, I am not ready to abandon the Sihanoukism to adopt the Khieu Samphanism, the Ieng Saryism, or the Pol Potism.
Of course, Mr. Khieu Samphan led a “Spartan” life, whereas N. Sihanouk leads a life of an aristocrat.
But, let’s take ourselves to face the Khmer People, in particular, the Little People [ordinary citizens] in the countryside:
During the 50s and the 60s, the like of Khieu Samphan-Ieng Sary prefer to join the anti-Sihanouk and anti-SRN maquis [resistance], rather than becoming ministers in the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Let’s see what these Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary, Pol Pot “Moha Phlu Svang, Moha Laut Phlâh, Moha Aschar” [Very enlightened, highly leaping forward, very wonderful] offered to our Nation, our People, our Little People, our male and female workers, “in stark contrast” to the SRN Sihanoukism:
1- Prior the advent of the Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary, Khieu Thirit, Pol Pot, the people from the countryside owned their rice fields, fields, houses, cattle, poultry, carts, etc…
The Polpotism-Khieu Samphanism-Ieng Saryism-Khieu Thirithism got rid of the Sihanoukism, and they transform our free People and owners into a slave people who had to cede all their belongings to the Angkar. The latter held the life and death right on our People who became “proletarian.”
With the KRouges, religions were wiped out and even punished. The Vihara [pagoda temple] and cathedrals were changed into pigsties.
2- The Pol Potists, Khieu Samphanists, Ieng Saryists, undertook the reconquest of Kampuchea Krom.
Results: our Cambodia became a Vietnamese colony for 10 years. Without the combined efforts of N. Sihanouk and of H.E. Hun Sen, the Viets wouldn’t give back the Independence, the Sovereignty to our Cambodia (in 1989).
3- Before the Pol Potism-Ieng Saryism-Khieu Samphanism, we traveled by cars, motorcycles, bicycles. With the Pol Potism, Ieng Saryism, Khieu Samphanism, People were doing the labor reserved for cows and buffaloes, by pulling carts in our rice fields.
Long life, Mr. Khieu Samphan! Long Life, Mr. Ieng Sary! Long Life Mrs. Khieu Thirith!
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Siem Reap – Angkor
19 April 2008
