28 March 2008
By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
In the end, it was a delegation of 80 people who went to the gate of Hun Sen’s mansion in Takhmao this morning. They represent the interest of three communities in Phnom Penh – Group 78, Dey Kraham and Reekreay – which are embroiled in land disputes opposing them to private companies.
These villagers live in the Bassac district and they must move out to make place for housing development. The representatives arrived at 3:30AM in Takhmao. They were surprised to discover that in front of Hun Sen’s mansion, a special place is clearly marked for those who want to attract Hun Sen’s attention on any subject.
On the spot, the delegation who came without any banners “so as not to be noticed by the police” met with one of Hun Sen’s representative. “This person spoke to us nicely. We were able to hand over a petition and he listened to our complaints. I am regaining hope,” Lim Likeang, a villager from Group 78, said. Nevertheless, Lim Likeang was shocked when Hun Sen’s representative told him that a recent report from the city of Phnom Penh indicated that the land dispute for Group 78 was already resolved. “I believe that this is a false report,” Lim Likeang deplored.
These villagers live in the Bassac district and they must move out to make place for housing development. The representatives arrived at 3:30AM in Takhmao. They were surprised to discover that in front of Hun Sen’s mansion, a special place is clearly marked for those who want to attract Hun Sen’s attention on any subject.
On the spot, the delegation who came without any banners “so as not to be noticed by the police” met with one of Hun Sen’s representative. “This person spoke to us nicely. We were able to hand over a petition and he listened to our complaints. I am regaining hope,” Lim Likeang, a villager from Group 78, said. Nevertheless, Lim Likeang was shocked when Hun Sen’s representative told him that a recent report from the city of Phnom Penh indicated that the land dispute for Group 78 was already resolved. “I believe that this is a false report,” Lim Likeang deplored.
