Despite his claim that he will not form a political party, Mr. Kem Sokha now announced on VOA that "...he has not thought about that yet"

Kem Sokha (Photo Tith Sothea, VOA). Despite his claim in the newspapers recently that he will not form a political party on his own, in the interview with VOA, Mr. Kem Sokha stated: "... he has not thought about that yet". His statement seems to imply that he may think about forming his party in the future. Ambiguities in Mr. Kem Sokha's reply are cause of concerns among democracy-lovers in Cambodia. At a recent meeting with Cambodian-Americans in Renton, Washington State, USA, Mr. Kem Sokha proudly boasted that only his organization was able to gather 200,000 signatures demanding for his release from jail as well as that of other activists. He claimed that the opposition was not able to come up with such feat. This type of incendiary comments does not help patch up the drift between SRP and CCHR. Ultimately, the only people suffering from the CCHR/SRP row are the poor people of Cambodia who will be polarized by the wasteful and provocative behaviors of politicians and politician wannabes.

Hello VOA Call-in-Show With Mr. Kem Sokha and Mr. Pa Nguon Teang

Sarem Neou
Voice of America
Washington, D.C.
03/04/2006

Mr. Kem Sokha, director of the Cambodia Center of Human Rights (CCHR) was recently released from Prey Sar prison after being accused of being involved with a banner criticizing the government on International Human Rights Day.

He came for a more than two week-visit to the U.S. with his colleague Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, director of the CCHR's Voice of Democracy radio station.

The International Republican Institute (IRI) hosts this visit from 03-30 to 04-17. He and Mr. Pa met with the U.S. politicians, and Cambodian communities in Seattle, Washington, Minnesota, Washington, D.C., and will continue his visit to Lowell, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, San Jose, Long Beach, California.

One important thing resulted from his visit to Minnesota was the Minnesota assembly's resolution recognizing his work in the adverse of a number of totalitarian actions. In Washington, D.C., Tuesday, and for one week here, they will go meet senator John McCain, Mr. Mark Kennedy, both Republicans and Democrats, some American NGOs officials, the donor organizations such as the USAID, the NED, the State Department, Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill, Bureau of Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Mr. Kem Sokha says that after his release, his mind is clearer, and he is determined to find freedom for the Khmer people, and he will give his life for freedom for the people. About the rumor about him forming a political party, he says that he has not thought about that yet, for he still wants the people to have freedom and to have a better life. Now he can see that the people support him.

He says that the CCHR commissions look for strategies strengthening power in the grassroot levels for the people.

He is happy that the people join his forums. He expresses thanks for the U.S.' help in securing his freedom. He says not to believe the new Khmer policy.

He would like for the U.S. to focus on the freedom of expression and the justice system in Cambodia.

Mr. Pa Nguon Teang says that the Voice of Democracy pushes the human rights aspect forward and democracy in Cambodia. The radio station broadcasts 12 hours a day, 8 hours through Beehive FM 105 MG, and another four hours via FM 93 MG.

The Voice of Democracy radio station broadcasts accurate news, and has a culture of discussions about different viewpoints through a round table discussion program.

The radio's phone number is: 092-921-902. Mr. Pa says the people can call to give information and report problems in their communities.

The people inside and outside of Cambodia can also visit the CCHR website at www.vodnews.org.