| Not news worthy enough for the Hun Sen regime? A young girl plays by an open stagnant sewer at one of the many growing slums in and outside of the capital Phnom Penh. The existence of and extreme social neglect endured by so many of the country's urban slum dwellers have been one of the unspoken motivations behind the on-going waves of violently forced mass evictions initiated by the Phnom Penh authorities in recent years, prominent among the targeted sites are Boeung Kak Lake which situates within full view of the Government's 'prestigious' Chinese funded and built Council of Ministers palace and Borei Keila settlement, which also locates in the heart of the capital, both of which are an eye sore and living sources of shame and embarrassment for a regime actively promoting itself - through its near monopoly of the mass media - as the party of "development"? The latest summons issued by the Phnom Penh regime to the two US funded radio stations demanding a change in focus from one of 'negative' to 'positive' on news coverage is perfectly in line and character with an orthodox, unreformed police-state mentality and Communist style governing without representation. But, at least the summons indicates that formal warning of some kind is necessary, that is, until that formality becomes redundant and the issue of assassins becomes imperative. And when that happens it is not through any fault of the reporters themselves who risk their own precious lives and limbs to keep the public audience informed of the truth - whatever that truth entails - but it will be the hitherto self-evident reluctance [and de facto complicity even] on the part of their employers to grab the bull by the horns that will stand out like the filthy odour from those untreated sewers. The regime itself is in no doubt of this dubious stance taken by the US government [her public condemnations are never backed by any concrete or hurting punitive measures despite the fact that she has the power to do so if she would have possessed the political will and moral courage to that end] and hence the audacious summons against the ultimately expendable reporters. So the US Government hasn't changed much since 1975 then? Well, not a great deal in substance in my view - School of Vice. |
7 comments:
An autocratic regime which is about to see its end reacted strangely and erratically to anything that people have said.
Krou Teay Tha Hun Sen Trov Ngorp Tai Horng in 2012 or 2013 - likely in 2013.
B.T
Since Ah Sdach Chkuot abandoned the throne and wanted to have all power for himself in the 50's, Cambodia has been having leaders who never wanted to step down until people pull them down.
1- Ah Sdach Chkuot Sihanouk: the people pulled his head down, but he refused and asked the Vietcong to invade Cambodia to regain his power back. The result of his insanity caused over 2 million Khmers dead.
2- Lon Nol: lost the power to the Vietminh and the Khmer Rouge.
3- Pol Pot: lost the power to the evil Vietnam.
4- Hun Shit: will lose his crazy power in 2013. People will " Aus Kbal Vear Choss".
6:48am
So true! you said well. a king ta escaped the real facts and still able to install his son to be the next khmers' king, how bazare that is? It looks like king ta, planned it well, in the end. But what about our 3 million innocent souls? where is justice? I really want kingta to pay for what he has done to all of us. But it seems no use at all because he is almost drop dead.
"So the US Government hasn't changed much since 1975 then? Well, not a great deal in substance in my view - School of Vice."
America only changes in the right direction in conformity with its belief of freedom, liberty and democracy if American interests are not affected; otherwise, America is no different than any other states under the sky.
Its credit and reputation of being champion and defender of freedom, liberty, justice, equal opportunity and democracy have always been too generously given.
Believe in America, but keep your weapon sharp!
Never ever make the same deadly mistake as the Khmer Republic who believed totally in America only to be so disappointed at the end!
Pissed Off
Pissed off has gone for a long time.
It is nice to see you again. I think you are best english writer in KI.
Dear Mr. Siphan,
Sir, by all accounts on whatever the issues maybe, I think you should speak Khmer since it is your natural language and perhaps, maybe you are even better with Khmer language, but once you are trying to speak english with another journalist, you are making it rather hard to comprehend, sir. In addition, no one has pressured you, sir, to speak English since there are always translators around Cambodia to help you. A person of your position ought to remain professional at all time sir. When you speak english which is not your own natural language did you more harm than good, although it is greatly appreciated when you are trying, but it did not help your listerners for one bit. Please speak Khmer since you are not a professional english speaker as in your nature to do so.
I hope you would take this advice as a word to the wise, sir.
Thank you.
XMEN
To 12:57 PM
Only, in your own personal opinion.
Post a Comment