Reactions on the writing of the word “Vietnam” over the picture of Angkor Wat

22 August 2007
By Kim Pov Sottan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On Wednesday, the French embassy in Cambodia expressed its deep regret following the use of a picture of Angkor Wat with the word Vietnam written above it by the French company Iradium World Diffusion.

Fabienne Manchecal, spokeswoman of the French embassy, called this an ignorant action which affects Cambodians’ emotion. She added that this issue does not involve France and that it only involves a private company.

Fabienne Manchecal said: “I really regret to observe that human ignorance knows no bound like this, such as the case of this phone calling card for example. They put a picture of Angkor Wat but write Vietnam instead, this affects Cambodian people. This is a company looking for some monetary gain only, how could they commit such an ignorant act?”

Fabienne Manchecal’s declaration came after Hor Nam Hong, the minister of Foreign Affairs, asked the Cambodian embassy in France to bring this issue with the Iradium World Diffusion company, and asks it to stop the distribution of such phone calling cards, and recall all cards bearing such unauthorized picture of Angkor Wat.

Hor Nam Hong said: “… The Ho Chi Minh (Paris?) consul is to look into this case, and issue a protest. We will find the company which commits this act, and we will protest with them because this is a national issue.”

Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), indicated that, up to now, no results can be seen yet, however, he said that his teachers’ association will not stop here and it will pursue the case further.

Rong Chhun indicated: “If this issue cannot be improved, or if there is no apologies given to our Cambodia, we will organize a protest to demand that this company issues an apology and that it removes the word “Viet Nam” written above the picture of Angkor Wat. This was done to try to shortchange Cambodian history.”

During the course of history, France gave the Kampuchea Krom territories and placed them under the Vietnamese occupation. This action caused anger among Cambodians until the present.

Recently, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom community has asked France to revisit this case which took place 54 years ago.

Hor Nam Hong reacts to phone card issue ... but not to Monk Tim Sakhorn's jailing in Vietnam?

New design of Iradium phone calling card posted on Iradium's website (Photo: Iradium.fr)

Iradium phone calling card which causes an outcry among Cambodians

Foreign Minister Denounces Vietnamese Writing on Angkor Wat Phone Card

Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
21 August 2007

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Tuesday condemned Vietnamese phone card companies profiting from the image of Angkor Wat, a revered symbol for many Cambodians.

In a meeting with a Vietnamese delegation this week, Hor Namhong called phone cards with the image of the temples overlaid with Vietnamese writing a "serious offense.

"This is a national issue," he said.

He has asked the Cambodian embassies in Vietnam and France to look into the card companies and has asked Vietnamese authorities to stop the practice, Hor Namhong said.

Cambodia Independent Teachers Association President Rong Chhun said he had seen the cards in question on a recent trip to Europe and had written the foreign minister about them.

He was pleased Hor Namhong had taken up the issue, he said.

Cambodian students rioted in 2003 after rumors circulated among them that a Thai actress had claimed Angkor Wat should be returned to Thailand. The rumor was never confirmed, but the all-night rioting that ensued left the Thai Embassy and several Thai businesses in Phnom Penh looted and torched.

Outrage over a French Co. phone calling card bearing a picture of Angkor Wat with the offending word "Viet Nam" above it

20 August 2007
By San Suwith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

To Cambodian people, Angkor Wat is a symbol of Khmer soul, of Khmerness, and whoever touches it or uses it for commercial purposes, they always face protests.

For example, on Monday, Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teacher’s Association (CITA), asked Hor Nam Hong, the deputy prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs, to order the Cambodian ambassador in France to look into the case of Iradium, a Paris-based company, which distributes phone calling cards under the name of “Meilleur Angkor” (Best Angkor). The calling cards which bear a picture of Angkor Wat, have the letters Viet Nam written above the picture of Angkor Wat, rather than a sign saying Cambodia because Angkor Wat belongs to Cambodians.

Rong Chhun indicated that he received this information from French-Cambodians living in Paris during his visit to Europe. Apparently, the Iradium company is owned by Vietnamese businessmen who sell phone calling cards.

Rong Chhun said: “Our compatriots living in France are very concerned about this company which uses the picture of Angkor Wat on their phone calling cards, and instead of having a sign saying Cambodia, the company put Viet Nam instead. This is a concern expressed by our compatriots living in France, it is also the concern of CITA and the Cambodian public as well. We are concerned about the Vietnamese arrogance which uses a picture of Angkor Wat, the soul of our nation, and pasting their country’s name above it instead.”

Rong Chhun said that French-Cambodians have sent a petition to the Cambodian embassy in France once already, but they did not see any action taken by the Cambodian ambassador to Paris yet. This is the reason why he decided to send a letter in the name of CITA to Hor Nam Hong.

Rong Chhun added: “Mr. Hor Nam Hong must order the Cambodian ambassador to Paris to review this case, and demand a clarification from this company regarding this issue, and asking this company to erase the words Vietnam out and add Cambodia instead.”

RFA could not determine whether the ministry of Foreign Affairs had reacted on this request yet or not.