We are all right. Thank you.
- Who did you think was mastermind behind the grenade attack back in 1997? A fail attempted to assassinate you but end up killing 16 and wounded more than 100 Innocent civilians?
Hun Sen and his bodyguards.
- Many critics said Mu Sochua did not run from her jail sentences, instead she march right on and was very vocal with her statements of not fearing confinement. Why do you choose the exile route?
The stakes are different. With Mu Sochua, the problem can be solved with two thousand dollars. But money cannot buy Cambodian territory I am defending.
- In the world of support whom do you want or need most on your side?
My conscience.
- Did you think the rally in NYC on Sept 24th, in front of the UN help? Did you think President Obama and administration heard the Khmer people voice seeking human right and social justice?
We must always try to make our voice heard.
- You file a complaint and petition requesting criminal investigation and prosecution of Prime Minister Hun Sen, You submitted to the Attorney General of the U.S. the criminal division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the F.B.I.
Yes.
- Overview: On March 30, 1997, a vicious grenade attack was carried out against a peaceful political rally taking place across from the Parliament building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. According to a U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation inquiry on the attack, Prime Minister Hun Sen's Personal Bodyguard military unit may well have been responsible for planning and organizing the attack, and for obstructing the capture of the grenade throwers. A team of FBI investigators was sent by the U.S. Government to compile information and evidence concerning the attack because at least one U.S. citizen was injured by the explosion of the grenades, meaning that U.S. criminal law had been violated. The FBI investigations produced a great deal of information and evidence implicating Hun Sen and his personal military unit as likely perpetrators of these violations of U.S. criminal laws, much of which was presented in testimony and submissions made to the U.S. Congress.
Hun Sen release a resent statement saying; “US courts do not have the right to do anything to the Cambodian prime minister,” he said. “The key for opening up [Sam Rainsy’s] return to the country is Hun Sen.” and he also said; “
“ When the dog bites my leg, I don’t bite the dog’s leg – I use my leg to kick the dog,” he said. “I won’t implore you and there is no court that would dare to do anything with me.”. What are you thoughts toward his “untouchable” statements?
The truth will set you free because you are fighting for justice. But the truth will take all criminals, including Hun Sen, to jail and shame.
March 30, 1997 grenade attack event on an opposition rally for judicial system reform in Cambodia led by Mr. Sam Rainsy, President of the Khmer Nation Party in front of the National Assembly building.
- As generation passes we need fresh minds and new ideas to keep up with the world. Hun Sen, whom many say that he is not the best what Cambodia has to offer but yet he has been Prime Minister of Cambodia for about 3 decade now. What do you think about elected term limitations?
I am in favor of a one-term limit for any President or Prime Minister (The Philippines and South Korea are implementing this rule).
- Why the self-named, eponymous Sam Rainsy Party? Isn't it a bit egotistic?
It’s more related to political and administrative harassment by the CPP. Remember what happened to the Khmer Nation Party, the precursor of the SRP.
- CORRUPTION is like a plague in Cambodia. In honestly I think there is no possible way to end corruption. How would you reduce it? What are your plans?
Better education and the rule of law will reduce corruption as we can see in democratic countries with a relatively high level of education. In Cambodia, putting an end to impunity will be an essential step toward better governance.
- HUMAN TRAFFICKING. Child sex slave, prostitution is a multi-billion dollar business world. Cambodia and South East Asia seem to be the common ground for petifiles. What are your plans to tackle this global problem?
We have to fight against poverty, ignorance and government corruption. The rule of law and the end of impunity must be ensured in order to effectively tackle this issue and other crucial issues.
- CENSORSHIP. With media, TV, radio, etc,. It’s a fine line between freedom of speech, freedom of expression. Its seem that Cambodia has a gag order when it comes to speaking or expressing their opinion. What do you think should be done with this if you are to be elected as Prime Minister?
We have to ensure the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms that are universal values.
- We are behind in term of entertainment because we can not express and voice our opinion enough. As a musician my music was banned because it was to ‘Controversial’ due to subject matter. Would you allow artist the freedom to express themselves in an artistic form? Without the profanity of course, but just speaking about truth, life and social issue.
Of course.
- BOOTLEGGING. As an independent artist and an independent business owner, bootleggers has become a major threat. Basically they are stealing from honest hard workers. My first CD has sold in the thousands in Cambodia but even till this day I have yet to make a single Riel, let a alone a penny. But now I re-strategize my marketing and distribution and they way it is sold. Its not just CDs but DVD, clothes, purses, games, movies, etc, you name it the bootleggers can get it. What can or would you to do to enforce and punish those who violate this copyright infringement?
Again, we must uphold the rule of law, including copyright and intellectual property laws and regulations worldwide.
- FORCE EVICTION and LAND GRABBING. Governments and Developers are selling and taking over land of the people and forcing them out of their homes. I was there in 2005 when they were just handing out eviction notice at the Bassac. An official whom I shall keep anonymous came and warn the local that if they don’t sign over the property they might end up with nothing. His advice was to take the money and go,. Later on that week a fire break out. My colleagues and I were there with buckets of water helping them put the fire out. Now how do you justified this type of ‘smoke them out’ tactics?
Unfortunately, this type of criminal and revolting act has been repeated in other places, targeting the poor and the powerless I have always tried to defend.
- PRESERVING ART AND CULTURE. Cambodia is known for many things but what stand out the most is the beauty of our arts. I love the sound of pin peat, but what broke my heart is seeing the ensemble on the street playing it as street peddlers asking for money. How can we preserve cultural dances, classical music, with dignity and pride? There are some organization that is doing a great job but how can we help those who are a stray?
It’s a matter of priority. The physical survival of a nation depends on the strength and the quality of its soul. In order to preserve the Khmer soul, we need to implement an adequate policy with regard to education, culture, and preservation of fine arts and good traditions. Encouragement and a decent living with dignity must be provided to artists who express and defend our Khmer soul.
An artist should say, “I don’t need a donation, I need the means to defend and to promote our national culture.”
Khmer artists can help convey this message to all Khmer citizens: Let’s stop asking for alms or donations, let’s start fighting for our rights. This is the fight for a progressive democracy against a regressive patronage system.
As an artist, you can help a youth say, “I don’t need a donation, I need a job”; a factory worker say, “I don’t need a donation, I need a pay increase”; a farmer say, “I don’t need a donation, I need to keep my land and to sell my crops at a better price”; a mother with a sick child say, “I don’t need a donation, I need free heath care for my child”.
What these ordinary citizens are asking is not donations from the government. They are asking for the respect of their rights by the government: right to have a job for the youth; right to a have decent salary for the factory worker; right to own and to keep his land for the farmer; right to free or affordable health care for the mother with a sick child.
No government has the right to stay in power if it doesn’t respect the rights of its citizens as defined in a political and social contract in a modern and democratic society. There is a big difference between beggars and citizens.
- THE ELECTION. The election is a major issue. How can it be fair if the voters are threaten with their jobs, lively hood and even with their life. Ballots and votes can be bought for $1.usd and all this goes on the radar and in front of the public eye. It seem like we already know who’s going to win before the vote is even cast, even with the help from the United Nations and many other orgs. How can we secure a fair and legitimate election?
With the UNDP, we are advocating a reform of the whole election system.
- THE UNION WOKERS. Garments are very profitable for companies and can generate millions into the economy. But sometime the worker / employee are mistreated and under paid. If a line is drawn between the worker and the factory owners which side will you stand and who do you think is behind the assassination of the great Che Vichea? WHO KILLED CHEA VICHEA?
In 1996, Chea Vichea and I helped create Cambodia’s first free trade union. And we helped organized the first strikes and demonstrations leading to the first negotiated pay increases. The fight, now led by workers themselves, is going on in the same spirit.
- You went into self-exile on February 3rd 2005, citing fear of arrest after a vote in the National Assembly removed parliamentary immunity. You faced multiple criminal defamation charges after accusing the Cambodian People's Party and Funcinpec of corruption. Then on February 5th 2006, you received a Royal Pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni at Prime Minister Hun Sen request. You then returned to Cambodia on February 10th 2006. How was it like for you going into exile and what’s your thought on Hun Sen request to Pardon you?
It was the result of international pressure and internal constraints. With the CPP it’s only a matter of balance of power, visible or invisible.
Two-minute trailer for the documentary WHO KILLED CHEA VICHEA? slated for release in 2010 by Loud Mouth Films. Vichea, the president of Cambodia's garment workers union, was assassinated in 2004. Two innocent men were then framed by police and convicted.
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Here is a sneak peak of some of the questions to [ part.2 ] to M r . SAM RAINSY interview.
- Many students are graduating from schools and universities but there are little to no jobs for them to go to. We are rank as one of the poorest country in the world. What would you do to create jobs and stimulate Cambodia’s economy?
- DEPORTATION. Khmer from the United States whom are not U.S. citizen are being deported back to Cambodia. Separated from their families after they already serve their sentences. Some become drug addicts. Some form gangs some even end up committing suicide because they can’t adjust. But there are few who change their life around. What is your take on the Deportation Law? Do you think the punishment fit the crime? Can Cambodia do anything about it?
- If you were to be elected Prime Minister of Cambodia what would be your top 5 main focus on your agenda to improve Cambodia?
-What is your favorite Khmer food and why?
[ part two ] of this exclusive interview with Sam Rainsy will be publish on 11/ 11/10
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