The Xmer government will not discuss Khmer Krom problems with the Yuon prez

Khmer Krom protest in Washington DC

25 August 2010
By Kim Pov
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Prior to the visit of the Yuon president to Cambodia, last month, several high ranking Yuon cops asked Cambodia to take measures against Khmer Krom associations that lead activities deemed to be anti-Viet in Cambodia. The opposition accused such request by Hanoi as a serious interference in Cambodia’s sovereignty

Khieu Kanharith, the government spokesman, indicated that the Khmer Krom problems will not be included in the discussions between the Khmer king and the Yuon president during the latter’s visit to Cambodia between 26 and 28 August 2010.

Khieu Kanharith indicated that the visit was made based on an invitation from King Sihamoni and the main goal is to push forward the diplomatic ties with Cambodia only, as for the Khmer Krom problems, there is nothing to talk about anymore.

Khieu Kanharith said: “Talk about what? Pagodas? They [Khmer Krom] already have pagodas, they have Khmer Kampuchea Krom associations, they have their own villages, what else is there to talk about?”

Two days prior to the visit of, Nguyen Minh Triet, the Yuon president, to Cambodia, the Khmer Krom Community sent a letter to King Sihamoni, asking him to raise a number of issues involving the problems faced by Khmer Krom people and discuss them with the Yuon president.

Thach Setha, President of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, indicated that several Khmer Krom people were arrested for protesting to demand freedom rights in Kampuchea Krom, the land that is currently being occupied by Vietnam and renamed South Vietnam. Furthermore, the Viets prevented Khmer Krom from forming Khmer Krom associations there and they also crack down on religious rights and the practice of Khmer Krom customs and rites as well.

Thach Setha added: “Because we see that the situation [in Kampuchea Krom] is very serious, and we see also that the Yuons are exercising too much of their influence on Khmer Krom people. In Kampuchea Krom, they [Yuons] do not allow us to form associations or organizations, whereas the Yuon leaders can come to our villages as they please, they came to meetings in pagodas and they threatened any organizations or associations from doing any real activities, it’s so incredible.”

The land of Kampuchea Krom, also known as Cochinchine, extends over an area of 67,700 square-kilometers, and it fell into the Yuon control in 1949. Up to now, only the Khmer Krom people rise up to protest and demand the respect of their human rights, the respect of their religion and to demand back their lands confiscated by the Yuon regime. Currently, there are many Khmer Krom people who are jailed because of their protest against the Yuons.

Prior to the visit of the Yuon president to Cambodia, last month, several high ranking Yuon cops asked Cambodia to take measures against Khmer Krom associations that lead activities deemed anti-Viet in Cambodia. The opposition accused such request by Hanoi as a serious interference in Cambodia’s sovereignty.