Re: Sisowath Sirik Matak's letter to Norodom Sihanouk

Dear Fellow Compatriots,

It is with great respect and interest that I read Trong Sisowath Sirik Matak’s letter. Indeed, I came across that letter a few years ago; and despite I have read it several times since then, the emotion still runs high in me every time I re-read it.

Over the past few days, I have closely followed the debate at Khmer-Avenir forum over the content of the letter and the related events in the 1970’s. Based on what have been said or written throughout the debate, it is clear that the division among our people over the event of March 18, 1970 still runs deep as it did forty years ago. The so-called republicans and royalists still regrettably blame each other for the personal and national tragedies resulted from the March 18, 1970 event.

At this point, I am not sure if it really matters who was right and who was wrong back then. What matters the most is that we all try to learn from it and hopefully we can do something to prevent similar tragedy in the future.

A sorcerer’s life from riches to rags [-The tumultuous and resilient life of Chan Oudamsak, Dap Chhuon's wife]

Former sorceress Domsak is ailing at the age of 83 at her home in Tbeang Kert village, Siem Reap province, and is nursed by her daughter Kherng Bronorm. Photo by: OU MOM

Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Ou Mom
The Phnom Penh Post

ONCE the old woman who now lies groaning on the floor of her home was the wife of resistance hero against the French Dap Chhuon.

She was reputed to have magical powers as a sorceress – powers that she claims helped protect her while soldiers loyal to King Norodom Sihanouk tried to gun her husband down in a rice paddy.

She survived civil war as a widow after her husband was killed in 1959, managed to remarry and have more children, but lost one daughter under the reign of the Khmer Rouge.

Now Chan Oudomsak, more commonly known as Domsak, lies on a simple mat. At the age of 83, her tumultuous life is drawing painfully to a close, says her daughter Kherng Bronorm.

"18 March 1970: Sihanouk’s Evil Twist": Opinion by Kok Sap

18/3/2010
Opinion by Kok Sap
Originally posted at http://khamerlogue.wordpress.com/

Per its Constitution provision on 18 March 1970, Cambodia might have removed Sihanouk from his office but his 1969 Salvation government remained intact. The country was still a kingdom under Sihanouk‘s late Maman, Dame Nearyroth Kosamak, as the sitting monarch. It was his abandonment of office and duty that required the National Assembly to vote of no-confidence on that day. Majority of his followers voted no-confidence to remove him from leadership.

Afterward one thing led to another, Cambodia began to look hard on its old defunct monarchist state. People knew Cambodia has been under one form or other of the monarchy for as long as the country can remember its past. To say the least that Khmer Republic was born on 18 March 1970 was entirely wrong. However, the confusion remains as Sihanouk followers had famously distorted it. It wasn’t the case yet.

For sure, the event led to many unexpected chains of reaction from Sihanouk, himself, the reds and his de-facto government members. The libertarians and the progressives alike seized opportunity to sway from the old and outdated regime that did no good but harm Cambodia to the point that its neighbors lost respect for its national sovereignty.

In William Shawcross book ‘Sideshow’ indicated it was Sihanouk’s own doings to involve Cambodia with US foreign policies then. In his letter dated 4 April, 1969, to then President Nixon, gave green light for US renormalization relations with him, “the resumption of normal relations between our two countries –a resumption which will follow in the near future the decision of the United States to recognize our frontiers- will open the way, I hope, to mutual understanding and good future relations between Cambodia and the United States of America.

On July 28, 1969 Sihanouk acknowledged and invited Nixon to visit Cambodia in the future,” I was pleased to receive your letter on 28 July, 1969 and thank you warmly for it. I would wish it were possible for you, at the time of next travels in Asia, to visit Cambodia where the warmest reception will be reserved for you by the Cambodian people and the Royal government.”

It’s Sihanouk who threw Cambodia foreign policy into the hands of the minority Republicans which was scrutinized by the majority Democrats in US Congress. US public wanted war ended in Viet Nam. Sihanouk wanted Viet Cong to respect and vacate Cambodia. To achieve that goal Viet Cong and Sihanouk struck deals to defeat the imperialist US. This where thing got tough for Sihanouk to swallow when Viet Cong ignored his demand to vacate Cambodia.

Sihanouk had allied his political adventure with Viet Cong in hope to have Hanoi respect Cambodia post 1954 borderlines. Meanwhile Viet Cong allied with Khmer rebels who named themselves Khmer Communists. Sihanouk had something to do with the rise of Khmer Communists too in case the tide turned against him. Khmer choice was limited without resorting war to deal with Viet Cong transgression. In 1975 victory, Viet Cong had other plan for Cambodia future.

Would it be wrong for Cambodia then to stay involve with US in order to get international support and military aids in its self-defense in case of war broke out with the aggressors, Viet Cong?

This was Sihanouk’s pre-emptive objective to get US to normalize relations and help bombing the eastern part of Cambodia. In his US relations endeavor, Sihanouk knew well ahead because of his personal attacks on John Kennedy, a leading Democrat, who was inherited Viet Nam war from previous administration. As long as Sihanouk remains the Head of Cambodia, the US Congress would not be Sihanouk favor.

Another frustration for him was his failures to remove the corruption from Cambodia and he’s broke. Be clear the corruption existed under Sihanouk socialistic party control which was resemble to present situation of Cambodia. But since he stepped on many old friends toes and broke many friendly confidence thus likely 18 March 1970 was unavoidable in order to save him later they must hang him now.

Sihanouk knew he’d bankrupted the nation and in no way his old and dilapidated armed forces numbered 15,000 could impact Viet Cong war plan. Based on his neutrality foreign policy and bankrupted treasury, Sihanouk entrapped himself in double jeopardy.

Other hand he did not want war led by communism, capitalism or republicanism. But in practicality, Cambodia then can’t afford not to side with either side. The US led heated contest for dominance between the East and West ideology seemed contracting Sihanouk’s neutral island into full war later.

Sihanouk neither can stand Bangkok or Saigon political maneuvers. His claimed neutrality was a smoke screen for supporting communism expansion and buying time for his next move which happened to be the cause of 18 March 1970 event. He left the country for his long excursion abroad while Cambodia was in trouble. His government officials and family were preoccupied with lucrative deals with Viet Cong paying with counterfeited notes. When his own country armed forces were not up to standards and trainings, Sihanouk were too busied spending the exhaustive national bank cash to produce his unrated films for his crony entertainment consumption.

Now many said 18 March 1970 was the root of Cambodia war. Indeed it was. But it’s not wrong to claim that Sihanouk was the one who waged war on his friends and government. The event was designed by Sihanouk, himself, before his secretive trip abroad in January 1970.

Naively Lon Nol was caught by surprise and left no choice but to follow through on issues with Viet Cong. He was not culpable of all events that sprung out of Sihanouk’s own ideas from the start. All transpired from Sihanouk state managed socialist economy and failures of his nationalization of private industries. The obvious corruption and class struggle was not the result of 18 March 1970 event. It’s started long ago by Sihanouk, himself.

At this time and day, Sihanouk shall stop pointing finger at Lon Nol, the man whom he entrusted to follow his orders in his unannounced absence and no matter what happened, as the culprit. It’s easy for Sihanouk to kill the dog which he said it’s crazy. It seems like Lon Nol loyal friendship for Sihanouk turns betrayal at last.

This is Sihanouk’s classic evil twist as we can witness its reincarnation of the Viet Cong’s divide to conquer policy in full view from Phnom Penh government houses to rural communal council all the way to Sihanouk’s Beijing quarter and dining hall.

With "great" love ... from "Great" King

Floral Basket form Cambodian Great King

Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Norodom Sihanouk, great king of Cambodia, sent a large floral basket to the DPRK embassy in Phnom Penh to congratulate General Secretary Kim Jong Il on his birthday.

Authorized by the great king, a delegation of the Ministry of the Royal Palace of the Cambodian government led by Kong Sam Ol, deputy prime minister in charge of the Royal Palace, visited the DPRK embassy on February 11 to lay the floral basket before the portraits of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il there.

From honoring those who fought the prescursor of the CPP ... to honoring the CPP itself: Bravo!?!?

Norodom Sihanouk pays an official visit to the
Sihanoukian National Army (ANS) in 1988
ANS base No. 1, Cambodia
Friday, July 1, 1988

Photo: NorodomSihanouk.info

Don't like my website, don't read it!: No violent criticism accepted by King-Father

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Communiqué from
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia

Beijing, P.R. of China, 27 December 2009

Recently, I received a letter from the US (the author of which does not bear an Anglo-Saxon name) criticizing me very violently about my Internet website (which includes daily: (a) vocabulary, (b) cooking (c) music and song, (d) the national edification of Cambodia under the Sangkum Reastr Niyum between 1955 and 1969).

I am telling all “concerned” individuals that nobody is obliged to learn about my daily Internet website. If they don’t like it, they should just stop reading it.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

Cambodia: King-Father, Queen-Mother to Return Home in March 2010

PHNOM PENH, Dec 15 (NNN-AKP) — Cambodian King-Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk will return home in late March next year.

"In the end of March 2010, several days before the Khmer New Year, I will probably return to Kampuchea to live there with our King, our nation and our respected and beloved People," said former king, who is currently in Beijing, China, for medical treatment, in his message dated Dec. 10.

He further said he will live in Phnom Penh, in Kantha Bopha residence at the Royal Palace, not in Siem Reap province as before.

Regarding his health, King-Father said he must stay in Beijing for another three months for the treatment of his cancer "Lymphoma B" before coming back to the country.

The former monarchs had left for Beijing in early September this year for a routine medical check-up after a two-month stay in the province of Siem Reap.

At no time does Cambodia owe any gratitude to Vietnam ... : Norodom Sihanouk

Click on the letter in Khmer to zoom in

Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Norodom Sihanouk
King of Cambodia

To: His Excellency Thach Setha, Senator

Dear and Beloved Excellency,

I already received the letter from your Excellency dated 08 December 2003, including a number of documents.

I am expressing my deepest thank and I am informing you that the successive kings of Cambodia and Norodom Sihanouk never gave out lands belonging to our motherland Cambodia – not even one inch – to Vietnam, Thailand or Laos. At no time does Cambodia owe any gratitude to Vietnam, Thailand and Laos, and Khmer kings, as well as Norodom Sihanouk, never once betrayed the Cambodian people and motherland.

Please accept, Your Excellency, my deepest regards and affection.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

Goodbye Siem Reap ... Hello Beijing!

Cambodian former King leaves for China for medical checkup

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Retired King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk left Siem Reap on Thursday for Chinese capital Beijing for a routine medical checkup.

King Norodom Sihamoni accompanied his parents to Beijing for his father's medical appointment and will return in two weeks, according to a member of the royal family. The King left Phnom Penh on earlier morning to meet his parents in Siem Reap.

The King was seen off at the Phnom Penh International Airport by high-ranking government officials and members of royal family, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany flew with King Norodom Sihamoni from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap to see former King and Queen off.

King-Father and Queen-Mother have stayed at their royal residence in Siem Reap province for nearly two months after they returned from Beijing on July 9.

During their stay, the former monarchs granted royal audiences to officials and gave donation to poor people.

They also attended the royal donation ceremony to the 289 poor families of Siem Reap province, which was held on Aug. 29 and organized by the Cambodian Red Cross, according to a earlier press release of the Ministry of Royal Palace.

According to the Constitution of the Kingdom, at the absence of the King, President of the Senate Chea Sim will assume the duty as acting Head of State.

Khmer rock revival seeks new audience

Chhom Nimol fronts the LA-based Khmer rock band Dengue Fever

Tuesday, 28 July 2009
By Sarah Cuddon
BBC News

Decades after Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge silenced the sound of Westernised music in Cambodia, the little-known 60s genre "Khmer rock" is finding new fans.

Khmer rock is the sound of the West meeting the East in the 1960s - a mixture of US surf guitar music, early rock and doo-wop mixed with Cambodian traditional instruments.

At the time, the music was virtually unknown outside Asia but its followers in the West are now burgeoning.

Music writer Nik Cohn is a new fan who stumbled across the sound by chance.

He said: "One night I was watching (the film) City of Ghosts, and there's an amazing moment when Matt Dillon jumps on a motorbike and rides through Phnom Penh and this incredible music comes on. An unbelievable voice.

"(I'd) not heard anything that good since Ronnie and Ronettes... and then I began to think about it musically."

Today, the sounds of the old Phnom Penh are being revived in the West by the Los Angeles-based band Dengue Fever, which is fronted by a Cambodian singer, Chhom Nimol, the daughter of musicians who played with the original Khmer rockers.

The band's guitarist Zac Holtzman loves the sound and stories of Phnom Penh's music scene.

"It was modern city, with lots of musicians. By day they played traditional stuff and by night they'd rock out.

"In general the Khmer culture is reserved, but this is the closest to stepping out and going crazy. We can really have fun here."

The country's former controversial ruler, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, was a big influence on the sound.

Despite presiding over an often corrupt and repressive regime, he was passionate and liberal about the arts, and encouraged the traditional court musicians to experiment with Western styles.

But influences also came directly from the US - as the American military presence in Vietnam increased, the American Forces Radio Network also became more well-known.

Flying studios operated by the US Navy spread the sound of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and country music to Cambodia.

Phnom Penh's young musicians did not necessarily know who Jimi Hendrix, the Doors or the Beach Boys actually were, but they loved the sound and they started to imitate it.

"They just took the sound and re-channelled it through instruments equivalent to guitars… a primitive drum kit, and they certainly had bass guitar," Nik Cohn said.

The Khmer rock musicians did not have elaborate studios, and most of the songs were recorded live - often in one take - with any keyboards or guitars they could find, and incorporated traditional instruments.

For a decade, this experimental Khmer rock music transformed the nightlife of the capital, Phnom Penh.

But in 1975 the fanatically anti-Western Khmer Rouge marched in, led by Pol Pot, and the vibrant rock and roll scene was silenced.

Within four years, the Khmer Rouge killed an estimated two million Cambodians in the notorious killing fields, including many of the Khmer musicians.

Him Sophy was one of those sent to a labour camp.

"Ninety percent of the famous singers were killed. I saw the prisoners they took," he said.

Jon Swain, who was the Sunday Times war correspondent in South Vietnam and Cambodia at the time, said: "Educated people, musicians, people with glasses… a lot were taken to the killing fields… so the great singers disappeared."

All the local heroes the scene had produced - like Sin Sisamouth, who became known as "the King of Khmer music" - were wiped out, killed by the Khmer Rouge.

Cambodian musician and composer Sophy Him was a young music student in Phnom Penh and remembered him well.

"Sin Sisamouth would play (royal) court music, then rock music… improvisation from traditional and rock."

Guitarist Zac Holtzman said Sin Sisamouth was a songwriter who he initially thought "was like the Elvis of Cambodia", but then he found his lyrics were more like the "Bob Dylan of Cambodia".

"When you know that every one them was wiped out by the Khmer Rouge, many in hideous ways, it deepens the experience of listening to it" - Nik Cohn, music writer

No one quite knows what happened to the famous diva of the time, Ros Sereysothea, but it is believe she also died under Pol Pot.

Like almost all the Khmer rock artists, Ros Sereysothea came from a poor farming family.

She moved to Phnom Penh, where was heard singing by Prince Sihanouk, who later honoured her as "The Golden Voice of the Royal Capital".

It was her voice that Nik Cohn first heard on the soundtrack for film City Of Ghosts, and he said there was always "something tragic about her".

The music was wild and anarchic, but the lyrics often told a different story of teenage angst, death, betrayal and sorrow.

The translation to Ros Sereysothea's funky rock song "Have You Seen My Love" is: "I drink until I get drunk, but I can't seem to get drunk. The sky is all black, love has wings to fly."

It is this strange mix that appeals to fans like Nik Cohn. "It's the sound of innocence, teenagers and innocence, symbolising everything that was lost - and when you know that every one them was wiped out by the Khmer Rouge, many in hideous ways, it deepens the experience of listening to it."

Khmer Rock is adored in Cambodia. It survived on bootlegged cassette tapes and vintage vinyl kept hidden during the Communist years at enormous risk to the owners.

"The name of Sin Sisamouth is still there… after Khmer Rouge was overthrown, his songs came back on the radio.

"I remember hearing them again and they are still going on now," Jon Swain said.

And the old songs are winning new fans through reissues and compilations, a presence on the internet, and the new recordings by Dengue Fever.

Khmer Rock and the Killing Fields presented by Robin Denselow, is to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4, Tuesday, 28 July, at 1330 BST.

Beijing-based former king on tourist visit to his kingdoom? Bravo!?!?

Former King To Return Home For Visit

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
08 July 2009

Former king Norodom Sihanouk, who said last month he beat a third round of cancer, will be allowed to visit Cambodia for two months, before returning to China, according to his Web site.

Sihanouk, 86, has been undergoing treatment in Beijing for B-cell lymphoma, a cancer that hits the blood cells of the immune system, Agence France-Presse reported in June.

His doctors will allow him to stay in Cambodia for two months, after which he will return to China, according to a letter on the former king’s Web site.

After a two-month sojourn in their Siem Reap palace, the former king and queen will travel back to China, along with King Norodom Sihamoni, who will also received a medical check-up, the letter, hand-written in French, said.

Sihanouk was a key player for decades in Cambodian politics, and is sometimes referred to as “father of the nation.” He abdicated in 2004, giving his throne to Sihamoni.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Anti-ECCCPhobia

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Thomico’s ravings: his uncle

The ravings of Prince Sisowath Thomico
By N. Sihanouk

(…) “There is an exquisite Japanese garden that was donated around 1993 to retired King Norodom Sihanouk by Yasushi Akashi, the head of Untac, Prince Thomico said.” (quote from King Norodom Sihamoni’s 56th Birthday. A special supplement to The Cambodia Daily, Page 5 (…)”)

King-Father's note in French: I protest with indignation; neither Japan, nor H.E. Yasushi Akashi, the Untac or other foreigners gave a garden or anything else to the “lands” of the Khmer Royal Palace.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing, P.R. of China, 26 May 2009

Kingdoom Odd news: Cambodian Prime Minister and his wife study “umbrella dance, small candle dance and model catwalk”?

Model catwalk and Mao Tse Tung are among the many topics that Hun Sen and his wife are studying, as confessed in the following letter:

In a letter sent to King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia wrote:

To His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk, the Hero-King, the Father of Khmer Independence, Territorial Integrity and National Unity

Your highly revered Majesty!

I already received the 4 DVDs titled:

1- Umbrella dance, Small candle dance, Model catwalk
2- Music and songs by Norodom Sihanouk, Choreography by H.M. Norodom Sihamoni Gothavary Nostalgia, Complain
Long Life President Mao Tse Tung! Long life the Chinese People! Choreography by the P.R.C.
3- November Breeze, Music by Norodom Sihanouk, Choreography by H.M. King Norodom Sihanouk
4- Phnom Penh 2009, Music by Norodom Sihanouk, a film by Norodom Buppha Devi, Cambodia, April 2009

that your Majesty sent to me and my wife to watch for entertainment and to study and understand.

In the name of my wife, I am asking your authorization to thank you with deepest joy for your donation of these extremely useful DVDs to me and my wife.

In conclusion, I am bowing my body and mind to wish Your revered Majesty and revered Samdech Mother with the four Buddhist wishes.

May the highly grateful King-Father receive my highest respect and gratitude.

Done in Phnom Penh on 21 May 2009

(Signed) Samdach Akko Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Xen

3,000-euro-fountain-pen that is worth a royal story of bounced check

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

"I was almost judged and sentenced by a tribunal in France for a “bounced check” because I own 28,000 euros in a bank in Paris, and I sent a 3,000 euros check to this bank for the purchase of fountain pens!!!" By N. Sihanouk

One believes that it was a bizarre, crazy dream. However, it was real, a fact that was real!

“My” bank in Paris started to send me, to my address in Beijing, “serious” “papers” (not joke!!), accusing me of committing a “bounced check” crime, no more no less. This check of N. Sihanouk included the number and the letters indicating clearly: 3,000 euros (three thousand euros). And I owned 28,000 (twenty eight thousand euros) in this bank. How can this bank accuse me of “giving out” a “bounced check” (sic!!!) when this check was only drafted for an amount of 3,000 (three thousand) euros when I own 28,000 (twenty eight thousand) euros in this bank (Now, as of May 2009, I own 25,000 – twenty five thousand euros)??

Finally, the bank in Paris confesses that its “computer” made “a mistake” –(sic!) –. It (the bank) apologized to me (Norodom Sihanouk) in writing. My check was not and is not a bounced check!

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

Status of my 3rd cancer (lymphoma B) treatment: Norodom Sihanouk

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Status of my 3rd cancer (lymphoma B) treatment
By N. Sihanouk

1- First of all, here is what I am subjected to each week, in Beijing, in terms of medical exams: Tuesday and Friday, at 10 AM: exams by a (PRC) doctor, assisted by a (PRC) head-nurse at the Royal Residence.

2- This is what I must be subjected to, on top [of the above]:

• Sunday 31 May 2009:

a- At 08:30AM, giving blood sample.
b- At 10 AM, medical exam.

3- (Tuesday 02 June 2009):

Hospitalization at the Beijing State Central Hospital; Chemotherapy. Shot. Perfusion (for 7 hours long).

4- Exams by very eminent PRC doctors, during my 2 consecutive days of hospitalization (Tuesday 02 June 200, starting at 8:30 AM, and Wednesday 03 June 2009).

5- In July 2009: In depth M.R.M. and PETSCAN exams.

6- If my 3rd cancer is not completely cured, the anti-cancer treatment will continue with 2 days of hospitalization, each month.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Bejing, P.R. of China, 24 May 2009

On Behalf of the Dead

KR leaders charged by the ECCC (Photo: Reuters)

Then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk and then-Princess Monique taking pictures with KR leaders in Cambodia on 10 April 1973

May 19, 2009
Op-Ed by Justin C. Sok

No one was eager to enter a debate and/or proceed with a lawsuit for war crimes and crimes against humanity with the living on behalf of the dead, not when the living still had power and were more than willing to use it. However, after incessant negotiations and diplomatic talks with the Royal Government of Cambodia, the United Nations, although they found deficiencies, had acquiesced to follow the Royal Government of Cambodia’s penal law, they reached an agreement.

For the general public, especially, Khmer people, we need to understand the purpose of the agreement of the Law on Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

Article I

“The purpose of the present Agreement is to regulate the cooperation between the United Nation and the Royal Government of Cambodia in bringing to trial senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those who were most responsible for the crimes and serious violations of Cambodia penal law, international humanitarian law and custom, and international conventions recognized by Cambodia, that were committed during the period from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979. The Agreement provides, inter alia, the legal basis and the principles and modalities for such cooperation.”

Article I implies that there will neither be legal proceedings as to what had happened from the period before 17 April 1975, nor will there be any legal investigations about what had happened after the 6 January 1979. The ECCC, which recently began, issued judicial inquiries into the facts, as to whom among these “Suspects”: Noun Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Thirith, Ieng Sary, and Duch (Kaing Guek Eav), was the “Angkar” or the “Higher Organizations”, and had made the “order” or was being “ordered” to kill innocent Khmer people. Irrefutably, this is clearly about “Khmer Rouge Killing Khmer.”

As set forth by the Law on ECCC, Chapter XI - Penalties

Article 38

“All penalties shall be limited to imprisonment.”

Article 39

“Those who have committed any crimes as provided in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, shall be sentenced to a prison term from five years to life imprisonment.”

In general consent, if these “Suspects” were to be convicted, the punishment of either “life imprisonment” or even death, would not be sufficient for the crimes they had committed. However, what the general public understands is that these “Suspects” are so instrumental to the Khmer nation. It is true that history is history. We can’t change the past. We should acknowledge and accept our past and teach our Khmer people and the generations to come about our country’s recent violent past. We can broaden of our thinking by learning from our past mistakes and draw our own logical conclusions, and hope that we would not choose that same path again. But what is so important about this tribunal is that, we would like these “Suspects” to tell us, and the world, as to whom, and perhaps, which countries had politically orchestrated the events that led 1.7 millions of our innocent Khmer people to the mass graves. The information these “Suspects” provide may be irrelevant or inadmissible to the current trial, but as a matter of records, it is very crucial information for Cambodia and for her generations to come. Mr. Khieu Samphan, the “water is now clear,” and under strict advisement of your defense counsels, you ought to consider for this opportunity to set the record straight, start talking!

In the Law on ECCC, Chapter VIII – Individual Responsibility

Article 29

“Any Suspect who planned, instigated, ordered, aided and abetted, or committed the crimes referred to in article 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this law shall be individually responsible for the crime.”

“The position or rank of any Suspect shall not relieve such person of criminal responsibility or mitigate punishment.”

“The fact that any of the acts referred to in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the this law were committed by a subordinate does not relieve the superior of personal criminal responsibility if the superior had effective command and control or authority and control over the subordinate, and the superior knew or had reason to know that the subordinate was about to commit such acts or had done so and the superior failed to take the necessary and reasonable measures to prevent such acts or to punish the perpetrators.”

“The fact that a Suspect acted pursuant to an order of the Government of Democratic Kampuchea or of a superior shall not relieve the Suspect of individual criminal responsibility.”

As a leader, His Majesty is held in the highest regard. The Khmer people had entrusted His Majesty to undertake His duties as expected of His Majesty and to adhere to ethical and moral principles, which include honesty and integrity as a leader to lead the nation. There is substantial evidence including documents and literature, which have overwhelmingly proven that His Majesty was either directly or indirectly “cooperating” (Sahakar) with the Communist Party of Democratic Kampuchea during the period between 17 of April 1975 and 6 of January 1979.

In the Law on ECCC, Chapter XII – Amnesty and Pardons

Article 40

The Royal Government of Cambodia shall not request an amnesty or pardon for any person who may be investigated for or convicted of crimes referred to in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this law. The scope of any amnesty or pardon that may have been granted prior to the enactment of this Law is a matter to be decided by the Extraordinary Chambers.

In the report on May 4, 2009, Sok Khemara, (VOA Khmer/KI-Media), one of the defense counsels stated, “Norodom Sihanouk could provide important historical information about the regime, having entered a coalition with the guerrillas until March 1976.”

Andrew Ianuzzi, another defense counsel has also stated, “We never asked them to be investigated. We simply asked for them to be called as witnesses, because we understand those individuals, mainly Hun Sen, Chea Sim, Heng Samrin and former King Sihanouk, were in Cambodia during the period of the Khmer Rouge regime. Testimony of Norodom Sihanouk could be especially important, because the former King had frequent interaction with top leaders of the regime.”

The public has sympathized with His Majesty regarding the loss of His family members and the political implications that His Majesty had to wade through. However, whatever the reasons were, it is still a matter of national interest, which every Khmer person has a right and reason to examine the facts of His Majesty’s involvement. The public strongly believes that His Majesty was and is still the center of an intricate political web, in which His Majesty is the One who is able to pull a small thread that would unravel the mystery and disclose the naked truth about the “Killing Fields”. Therefore, in the court of public opinion, the Khmer people would want His Majesty, to appeal to them, publicly, and perhaps, to offer an explanation to shed light as to what had caused the smoldering ashes of million of innocent Khmer people and the remains of the thousands of bones at the Tuol Sleng Museum.

His Majesty can assemble an army of lawyers to represent You. His Majesty can use the nation’s constitution for Your defensive bulwark by asserting special privilege and immunity. His Majesty can look for divine intervention for moral, mental, and spiritual support and guidance. But the Khmer People would refuse to continue to live under a cloud of injustice. Their will, will always seek justice. Their healing would first begin with the truth and punishment for those responsible for their sufferings.

“Socrates’ argument that philosophers should become kings or philosophers: Only the wisest human beings should exercise political power.” If Socrates’ argument was true, the Khmer people have been very unfortunate.

http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2009/05/survivors-stories-by-justin-sok.html

Justin C. Sok
May 19, 2009

[Sihanouk] was not smart enough to know what would result from his movements

Exonerate King Sihanouk

Friday, 08 May 2009
Written by Va Makara
Letter to The Phnom Penh Post

Dear Editor,

I write regarding the letter [May 4] by Dr Naranhkiri Tith.

The King had his vision of protection, preservation and development of the nation. He led the movement because he needed his country out of wars.

However, he was not smart enough to know what would result from his movements.

Furthermore, many pressures also pressed on him. But we can understand about his real visions on leading the movement is to protect Cambodia.

Va Makara
Phnom Penh

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: King-Father's Immunity

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

"We are well obliged to kill them as well": Norodom Sihanouk

Click here to read the text in French

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Declaration from
Norodom Sihanouk
(Continued and End)

Beijing, P.R. China, 22 April 2009

4- French and other journalists now write that I was a bloodthirsty Leader (sic!) (during the SRN era between 1955 and 1969).

This is my “response” to this accusation:

(The new Petit Robert dictionary of the French Language, 2008 edition. “bloodthirsty”: one who takes pleasure in spilling blood, in killing; a tyrant, a cruel and ferocious monster.).

4a- Each year, the USA, the top liberal Democracy in the world, send a number of people who received the death sentence from their competent tribunals to the “gas chamber.” Nobody in the world calls the USA “bloodthirsty.”

As for me, they call me “bloodthirsty” when, as head of state of Cambodia, I refused to pardon US CIA agents, spies of the blue South Vietnam, local traitors who, in front of our military tribunal, gave out complete confessions about their serious crimes against Cambodia which is independent and neutral.

4b- Even before the 1970-1975 war, our Cambodia knew warring actions led against our national leader and regime which was elected by our people, by the Khmer Rouge people, and most of all by the Khmer Blue soldiers who were trained by the US CIA, by the US Green Beret, by Thai militaries, by Thieu and Ky’s “blue” South Vietnamese militaries.

I don’t find Sihanouk and the armed Sihanoukists to be “bloodthirsty” when they absolutely had to lead warring actions against adversaries, against enemies who were not only fighting against me, but also and most of all, fighting to destroy the Cambodian national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and peace.

These enemy-fighters kill their royalist-Sihanoukist enemies.

We are well obliged to kill them as well. This is the universal Law of War, including that of civil War.

x
x x

Note: If I was a bloodthirsty, cruel tyrant, the great majority of my compatriots would not pray – as they are doing currently – so that I live more than 100 years.

5- Why French, US and other journalists hate so much N. Sihanouk

5a- The French never pardon me for shaking the yoke of their colonialism, for being somewhat strong [good] in French (I heard them praise Khmer people while speaking in a “condescending French”).

5b- The French do not like I reply to their critiques.

5c- The Americans do not understand that I could be different from the Lonnolians.

5d- The other “Westerners” do not like the fact that I can have “hot discussions” with them in correct English.

5e- The West wants to impose on the Third World its ideals, and most of all, its concept of democracy, freedom, etc…

They (the West) do not like me because I am a nationalist Khmer who is unable to become “de-khmerized” such as some Khmer people from Canada, etc... who blame me for staying too long in the PRC, and they prefer to ignore the fact that I have a very serious 3rd cancer (lymphoma B), to which my eminent Chinese doctors are doing the maximum to give it a cure (in a few months).

–END–

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk