Nguyen Chien Thang evades the meeting with Son Chhay in Monk Tim Sakhorn's case

Son Chhay not allowed to meet Nguyen Chien Thang, the VN ambassador

Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On Monday, SRP MP Son chhay could not meet Nguyen Chien Thang, the Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia, to discuss with the latter the case of former Monk Tim Sakhorn (currently jailed) in Vietnam. Instead, Son Chhay issued a statement requesting the Vietnamese embassy to visit Monk Tim Sakhorn in Vietnam. Son Chhay, chairman of the National Assembly committee in charge of Foreign Affairs, told The Cambodia Daily that the Vietnamese embassy told him that Nguyen Chien Thang was too busy and could not meet him. Instead, Son Chhay submitted a written letter requesting the Vietnamese embassy to allow him to visit Monk Tim Sakhorn who was defrocked by force and is now facing charges of committing political crimes. Trinh Ba Cam, the Vietnamese mouthpiece in Phnom Penh, said that his embassy will consider the request.

Nguyen Chien Thang now says that Monk Tim Sakhorn undermine the religion between the 2 countries ... what will the charge be next time?

Freedom of expression and Justice-a-la-Hanoi style ???

Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh holds a press conference on Monk Tim Sakhorn; Khmer journalists allowed to visit Kampuchea Krom

Sunday, August 26, 2007
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Phnom Penh – Nguyen Chien Thang, the Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia, said during a press conference on 24 August that Monk Tim Sakhorn is actually jailed in Vietnam and he is charged with undermining the religion between the countries, and that his case must be resolved according to the (Vietnamese) law.

Nguyen Chien Thang added: “Vietnam respects the religions of the 54 native people (in Vietnam), including the Khmer Krom people. Vietnam allows them to observe and believe their religions, including Buddhism in the case of Khmer Krom brothers, and Vietnam allow them to follow their traditions and provide them with schooling.”

This is the very first declaration made the Vietnamese ambassador following the claim that Monk Tim Sakhorn, the former abbot of Phnom Den North pagoda, was jailed in Vietnam. Immediately after it was learnt that Monk Tim Sakhorn was defrocked, numerous Khmer Krom associations in Cambodia have protested on this issue, then after it was learnt that the monk was jailed in Vietnam, the Khmer Krom associations also demanded that Vietnam releases Monk Tim Sakhorn and send him back to Cambodia.

Nguyen Chien Thang added: “We do not deny that Khmer Krom brothers living in the south of Cambodia are currently facing obstacles …” However, he said that Khmer Krom are not the only ones who are facing obstacles, especially, people who live in isolated areas. However, Nguyen Chien Thang said that the living condition of Khmer Krom has improved because poverty has decreased.

Nguyen Chien Thang added that the Vietnamese embassy will organize a visit for (Cambodian) journalists to the region where Khmer Krom are currently living so that these journalists can see the actual conditions. He admitted that there are some problems in the exchange of information between the two countries, in particular among the journalists from the two countries. Nguyen Chien Thang claimed: “Those who take the opportunity to undermine the solidarity between the two countries, are committing an crime. Mr. Tim Sakhorn is one of these people, and I think that Mr. Tim Sakhorn('s case) will be resolved according to the law.” The Vietnamese embassy claimed that it will push for a stronger relation in the information sector, “in order to prevent the misunderstanding between the two sides.”

VN promotes in Cambodia: Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship & comprehensive & sustainable cooperation ... in the arrest of Monk Tim Sakhorn

26/08/2007
Vietnamese embassy in Cambodia meets with press on National Day

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Khieu Kanharith spoke of the significance of September 2, 1945 when Vietnam 's declaration of independence was forwarded by late President Ho Chi Minh, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, former name of the present Socialist Republic of Vietnam ... Khieu Kanharith expressed his sincere thanks to Vietnam for its assistance to Cambodia in all areas ...

The Vietnamese embassy in Cambodia held a get-together with the Cambodian press in Phnom Penh on August 24 to mark Vietnam's 62nd National Day (Sept. 2).

Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and spokesperson for the Cambodian government, and representatives of many media agencies were present.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Chien Thang spoke about the September 2, 1945 event and other historic events in Vietnam over the past 62 years, particularly the great achievements of the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam since 1986.

The Vietnamese diplomat expressed his pleasure at the development of ties between the two countries under the joint sanctioned motto of "Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive and sustainable cooperation".

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Khieu Kanharith spoke of the significance of September 2, 1945 when Vietnam 's declaration of independence was forwarded by late President Ho Chi Minh, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, former name of the present Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Khieu Kanharith expressed his sincere thanks to Vietnam for its assistance to Cambodia in all areas, including within the media and the press.

The Cambodian minister said that the two countries' media work has grown markedly of late and the two sides should promote exchanges to increase mutual understanding between the press circles of the two countries.

Source: VNA