Translated from French by M. Preuk
The lost souls of the Victims of the Pol Pot Khmer RougeBy N. Sihanouk
Phnom Penh, July 15, 2006
Some “valiant” Compatriots have recently told major news media that the famous Khmer-Foreign Tribunal is necessary, essential and beneficial because when it will have judged the KR criminals, the lost souls of our compatriots who are victims of these K.R. monsters will be satisfied of the “Justice rendered” and will find, by that very fact, Peace, Calm, and Contentment.
In this regard, allow me to express the following:
1- The lost souls of the victims of the Pol Pot K.R. monsters (including innumerable Sihanoukists: Ordinary Khmer People, Members of my family and that of my Wife, Members of the FUNK and GRUNC) will find true Peace, Calm, only when the totality of their bones (skulls, skeletons) is cremated according to Buddhist rites (with benediction in the form of prayers and pouring of perfume-scented water, etc…, and finally preservation [of the ashes] in stupas.)
These Buddhist rites absolutely conform to the non-uprootable beliefs and the mandatory practices of our parents, grandparents, and ancestors, and thus since centuries ago.
That is why, in the first years of the 90s, I had solemnly requested that these rites be performed (at my cost, including the cost for the construction of the stupas) in order to allow these lost souls to escape from their unspeakable torment, and attain the “Sokkatekphoup”, Peace, and total Calm.
People have “replied” to me by sending me tons, mountains of critique letters and notes, of “No”, of absolute and definitive refusal.
2- To continue to show, to exhibit without shame for the pleasure of tourists and other “visitors” the skulls, the bones (skeletons, etc…) of the innocent victims of the Devilish Pol Pot K.R. Monsters, would constitute a proof of an extraordinary contempt and a total lack of pity towards the victims of the devilish Pol Pot K.R.
Some say that it is necessary to preserve these skulls and other bones, without which the “proofs” of the Khmer Rouge ultra-criminal atrocities would have disappeared.
However, in the 21st century, can one ignore [the fact] that the photos and films would amply serve as proofs?
And what use are the filmed and internationally acclaimed testimonies [obtained] by the illustrious Mr. Rithy Pahn?
What use are the terrific documents collected very methodically since several years – if not decades – by the famous Mr. Youk Chhang?
And what serve now and henceforth the skulls and bones of Tuol Sleng, etc…, when Mr. Nuon Chea and his “comrades” dare claim that they ignore (sic!!) the existence of Tuol Sleng, etc…?
3- At the time I am writing these lines, the shortly upcoming death of a very, very sick “Ta” Mok is being announced.
The judgment by the “Tibunal” of 4 or 3 or 2 or 1 or zero K.R. will not take place until 4 more years and it will cost the amount of more than US $56 million.
Because in 4 years, it will probably remain only one or two (at most) “condemnable” and “alive” Khmer Rouge. And the cost of the “super-tourism” and the super-luxurious life for the Judges of this famous “Tribunal” will inevitably surpass the amount of US $56 million planned.
Last but not least, the Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary will “succeed” in imitating Pol Pot who had become in the eyes of Khmer men and women a “Saint” or, at the very least, a “Neak Ta” or a beneficent or benefactor guardian “Angel.”
In fact, Pol Pot (who died in peace in his bed) became in his grave in Anlong Veng a “Saint.” At this grave, Compatriots are following each other, each day, to burn candles and incense sticks. Therefore, the worshippers of the “Saint” Pol Pot win the lottery and other gambles (in the Casino and elsewhere). True story.
Mr. Khieu Samphan has become a “God,” a live “Saint”. To a growing portion of our youth, of our People, he is the model for modesty in his “way of life,” the symbol of non-corruption, the only Man able one day to realize the Social Justice for the Khmer People.
As for Mr. Nuon Chea, he proclaims himself – most seriously in the world – to be a Man who saved the People and the Homeland.
Consequently, what will be the meaning of this famous “Tribunal”? Already, it (the Tribunal) appears to be ridiculous and inefficient.
Without waiting 4 years, Kafka already triumphs.
Signed: N. Sihanouk
------------------------------
Translation Note:
The adjective "kafkaesque" has come into common use to denote mundane yet absurd and surreal circumstances of the kind commonly found in Kafka's work. (source: Wikipedia)
In this regard, allow me to express the following:
1- The lost souls of the victims of the Pol Pot K.R. monsters (including innumerable Sihanoukists: Ordinary Khmer People, Members of my family and that of my Wife, Members of the FUNK and GRUNC) will find true Peace, Calm, only when the totality of their bones (skulls, skeletons) is cremated according to Buddhist rites (with benediction in the form of prayers and pouring of perfume-scented water, etc…, and finally preservation [of the ashes] in stupas.)
These Buddhist rites absolutely conform to the non-uprootable beliefs and the mandatory practices of our parents, grandparents, and ancestors, and thus since centuries ago.
That is why, in the first years of the 90s, I had solemnly requested that these rites be performed (at my cost, including the cost for the construction of the stupas) in order to allow these lost souls to escape from their unspeakable torment, and attain the “Sokkatekphoup”, Peace, and total Calm.
People have “replied” to me by sending me tons, mountains of critique letters and notes, of “No”, of absolute and definitive refusal.
2- To continue to show, to exhibit without shame for the pleasure of tourists and other “visitors” the skulls, the bones (skeletons, etc…) of the innocent victims of the Devilish Pol Pot K.R. Monsters, would constitute a proof of an extraordinary contempt and a total lack of pity towards the victims of the devilish Pol Pot K.R.
Some say that it is necessary to preserve these skulls and other bones, without which the “proofs” of the Khmer Rouge ultra-criminal atrocities would have disappeared.
However, in the 21st century, can one ignore [the fact] that the photos and films would amply serve as proofs?
And what use are the filmed and internationally acclaimed testimonies [obtained] by the illustrious Mr. Rithy Pahn?
What use are the terrific documents collected very methodically since several years – if not decades – by the famous Mr. Youk Chhang?
And what serve now and henceforth the skulls and bones of Tuol Sleng, etc…, when Mr. Nuon Chea and his “comrades” dare claim that they ignore (sic!!) the existence of Tuol Sleng, etc…?
3- At the time I am writing these lines, the shortly upcoming death of a very, very sick “Ta” Mok is being announced.
The judgment by the “Tibunal” of 4 or 3 or 2 or 1 or zero K.R. will not take place until 4 more years and it will cost the amount of more than US $56 million.
Because in 4 years, it will probably remain only one or two (at most) “condemnable” and “alive” Khmer Rouge. And the cost of the “super-tourism” and the super-luxurious life for the Judges of this famous “Tribunal” will inevitably surpass the amount of US $56 million planned.
Last but not least, the Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary will “succeed” in imitating Pol Pot who had become in the eyes of Khmer men and women a “Saint” or, at the very least, a “Neak Ta” or a beneficent or benefactor guardian “Angel.”
In fact, Pol Pot (who died in peace in his bed) became in his grave in Anlong Veng a “Saint.” At this grave, Compatriots are following each other, each day, to burn candles and incense sticks. Therefore, the worshippers of the “Saint” Pol Pot win the lottery and other gambles (in the Casino and elsewhere). True story.
Mr. Khieu Samphan has become a “God,” a live “Saint”. To a growing portion of our youth, of our People, he is the model for modesty in his “way of life,” the symbol of non-corruption, the only Man able one day to realize the Social Justice for the Khmer People.
As for Mr. Nuon Chea, he proclaims himself – most seriously in the world – to be a Man who saved the People and the Homeland.
Consequently, what will be the meaning of this famous “Tribunal”? Already, it (the Tribunal) appears to be ridiculous and inefficient.
Without waiting 4 years, Kafka already triumphs.
Signed: N. Sihanouk
------------------------------
Translation Note:
The adjective "kafkaesque" has come into common use to denote mundane yet absurd and surreal circumstances of the kind commonly found in Kafka's work. (source: Wikipedia)
3 comments:
I think you have lost some of your creditability over the time King. There are too many lost souls and too big of a magnitude of a crime that you are trying to help or save the one that you think they are innocent. I would just let them saving their own rear ends at this time and we'll see what happens. Let those men be a men and go to jail, if they are guilty. They knew what they were doing when your family and ours were sent down to the dead camp.
I will pray for all the innocent.
The former stupid king needs to stop waisting ink and paper writing his speeches. Nobody cares about his opinions. He can only cheat people for so long the truth of who he is will come out. He's afraid the tribunal will show his involvement in creating khmer rouge. Therefore, his son's throne might be in jeopardy.
Let the justice talk for itself, Your Majesty. You know what happened in the 1970s quite well. You know, for sure, who is the root of the infamous killing field of the Khmer Rough. I think you are now quite mature enough to accept your past mistakes. I hope you won't be enraged by the up-coming Tribunal. Long life, my Dear King. :-(
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