http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqwiH2q6jis
Showing posts with label Anti-Hun Sen activisits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anti-Hun Sen activisits. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Cambodian-Americans to demonstrate during Comrade Ho 5 Hong's meeting with Hillary Clinton
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| Kuong Koy, one of Hun Xen's regime's mouthpiece |
ដោយ សុខ ខេមរា វីអូអេ | វ៉ាស៊ីនតោន
សម្គាល់៖ វីអូអេនឹងមានធ្វើសេចក្តីរាយការណ៍ពិសេសអំពីដំណើរទស្សនកិច្ចផ្លូវការ របស់លោកហោ ណាំហុង មកកាន់សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកពីថ្ងៃទី១២ដល់១៣ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ២០១២។
«យើងនឹងបន្តសកម្មភាពរបស់យើងដើម្បីទាមទាររកយុត្តិធម៌ជូនជនរងគ្រោះខ្មែរយើងនៅក្នុងប្រទេសខ្មែរ»។
ពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរអាមេរិកាំងជាច្រើនមកពីរដ្ឋនានាត្រៀមធ្វើបាតុកម្មតវ៉ានៅមុខក្រសួងការបរទេសស.រ.អ.ក្នុង រដ្ឋធានីវ៉ាស៊ីនតោនដើម្បីជំរុញស.រ.អ.ឲ្យជួយពិនិត្យមើលស្ថានការណ៍កម្ពុជាទាក់ទងនឹងបញ្ហាសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស ការរំលោភបំពានដីធ្លី និងកែទម្រង់ផ្សេងៗក្នុងពេលលោកឧបនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហោ ណាំហុង រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ការបរទេសកម្ពុជាជួបជាមួយលោកស្រី រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីការបរទេសអាមេរិក ហ៊ីលឡារី គ្លីនតុន (Hillary Clinton) នៅថ្ងៃអង្គារ។
លោក ម៉ៃឃើល ឌួង អ្នករៀបចំបាតុកម្មអហិង្សានេះបានអះអាងថាបាតុកម្មនេះគឺដើម្បីជំរុញឲ្យស.រ.អ.គិតពិចារណាអំពីបញ្ហានៅកម្ពុជាទាក់ទងនឹងការបណ្តេញចេញពលរដ្ឋពីលំនៅដ្ឋាន ការចាប់ពលរដ្ឋបឹងកក់១៥នាក់ដាក់គុកដោយសារការតវ៉ាដែលគ្មានដំណោះស្រាយ បញ្ហាបាញ់សម្លាប់សកម្មជនព្រៃឈើលោក ឈុត វុទ្ធី និងអំពើអមនុស្សធម៌ផ្សេងៗទៀតដែលធ្វើឲ្យចុះអន់ថយដំណើរការប្រជាធិបតេយ្យនិងការគោរពសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស។
«ព្រោះអីយើងយល់ឃើញថា ចំពោះយើងជាពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរអាមេរិកាំងនិងសហគមន៍ខ្មែរនៅបរទេសទាំងអស់ដែរ គឺឃើញថា ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យហើយនិងសិទ្ធិមនុស្សនៅកម្ពុជាហ្នឹង កាន់តែដើរថយក្រោយឡើង»។
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Monday, June 06, 2011
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Chhun Yasith's case allowed Hun Xen to demonstrate — with an assist from a federal court in Los Angeles — that his reach now extends all the way to Long Beach
The Lonely War
The California accountant who tried to overthrow a foreign despot
May 05, 2011
By Eric Pape
Los Angeles Time (California, USA)
The California accountant who tried to overthrow a foreign despot
May 05, 2011
By Eric Pape
Los Angeles Time (California, USA)
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| Yasith Chhun |
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| Chhun in the heady days before the attack |
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| The revolution’s HQ in Long Beach |
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| Chhun plots the coup. |
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| Chhun after the failed coup |
Ultimately, the case has also allowed Cambodia's leader to demonstrate — with an assist from a federal court in Los Angeles — that his reach now extends all the way to Long Beach.
Long Beach accountant Yasith Chhun stood before Judge Dean D. Pregerson in a Los Angeles courtroom on June 22, 2010. The judge noted that the bespectacled Cambodian-American wasn't a "bad man," just someone who had the misfortune to be born in a place where terrible things were happening.
Still, Pregerson chose to sentence Chhun to life in prison for his pitiful attempt to overthrow the despotic government of Cambodia.
How does a judge condemn someone who isn't a bad guy to life behind bars? As Chhun's defense attorney Richard C. Callahan said, comparing Chhun's punishment with that given to criminals who committed far more serious crimes, "None of this makes any sense."
Indeed, many exiles living in the United States are being celebrated for trying to foment revolutions in their home countries of Libya, Iran, Iraq and elsewhere. But unlike those Americans, Chhun fell into one of those eddies of U.S. foreign policy that swirls with contradictions.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Demonstration in front of the Viet embassy in Paris on 08 May 2011
The LOTUS Revolution
The Khmer Liberation Movement for Democracy (KLMD) invites all our Compatriots to come and demonstrate against Dictator Hun Sen and the Vietnamese on 08 May 2011, in front of the Vietnamese Embassy at:
62 Rue Boileau
Paris 16e (75016)
Starting at: 2PM
Metro: Michel-Ange-Molitor
Contact: (1) 06 76 47 30 82; (2) 06 42 67 28 63; (3) 06 59 02 59 85
http://www.box.net/shared/74ua8x0tv6
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Anti-Hun Xen demonstration awaits Cambodia's Prime Dictator in Brussels
Anti-Hun Xen demonstration in Paris in 2005 (Photo: SRP)29 Sept 2010
KI-Media
A reliable source informed us that a demonstration against PM Hun Xen awaits the latter in Brussels on 04 October 2010 at 2PM.
Additional information will be provided later when they become available.
Additional information will be provided later when they become available.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Call for Rally against Hun Xen at the UN Headquarters on 24 September 2010
What:
Rally against Hun Sen and his government officials
When:
Friday 24 September 2010
Between 11AM and 2PM
Where:
East 47st Street & 2nd Avenue
Contact:
Mr. Michael Duong
Tel. (202) 280-7223,
Rally against Hun Sen and his government officials
When:
Friday 24 September 2010
Between 11AM and 2PM
Where:
East 47st Street & 2nd Avenue
Contact:
Mr. Michael Duong
Tel. (202) 280-7223,
email: jeyvarman@yahoo.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Rally at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York, USA against Hun Sen and his Governmental Officials on 24 September 2010 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at East 47st Street & 2nd Avenue.
Maryland - Wednesday, September 22, 2010: We are, the Cambodians, and Cambodian-Americans from Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Road islands, Massachusetts, Canada, and others are proudly hosting the Rally in front of the Headquarters, United Nations against Hun Sen, and his Government Officials for these following reasons:
Maryland - Wednesday, September 22, 2010: We are, the Cambodians, and Cambodian-Americans from Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Road islands, Massachusetts, Canada, and others are proudly hosting the Rally in front of the Headquarters, United Nations against Hun Sen, and his Government Officials for these following reasons:
- Illegal treaties (1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, and Supplemental Treaty of 2005 ) with Vietnam---Hun Sen’s Former Communist Boss during Vietnam’s armed occupied forces to colonize Cambodia from 1979 to present and recent borders encroachments and flooding of illegal Vietnamese Immigrants into Cambodia.
- Disregarded and unimplemented the Paris Peace Agreement on 23 Oct 1991 to its fullest extent.
- Land grabbing, illegal land concessions and evictions of innocence people by armed forces from their homes and their lands.
- Selling of National Assets (States’ Buildings, Forest, Land, Sands, Oil and underground Minerals.
- Using Judicial Systems to silence oppositions and innocence citizens.
- Make Cambodia to be the one of the corrupted nations in the world from the bottom-up.
- Interfering and manipulating of Extra Ordinary Chamber in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC)---Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT).
- Did not use International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on 15 June 1962 on Preah Vihear issue to solve the problem with Thailand and Thais’ ambition on Preah Vihear and its vicinity.
- Monopoly Media by his own family.
- Hun Sen turns Cambodia into Burmese’s Junta.
- Created Corruption-Law only to protect their corrupted inner-circle members.
- Pocketing money for themselves from foreign donors, and foreign loans from foreign
- countries.
- Wasteful spending on outdated and useless military equipment & weapons where his Government is living by foreign donors and the country unemployment is skyrocketing.
- And many others.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Calif. man in attempted Cambodian coup gets prison
Chhun YasithWednesday, June 23, 2010
AP
LOS ANGELES — A California accountant was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in Los Angeles for orchestrating a failed attempt to overthrow the Cambodian government in 2000.
Yasith Chhun, 53, of Long Beach, was found guilty in 2008 of three counts of conspiracy and one count of engaging in a military expedition against a nation with which the United States is at peace.
Chhun, a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled Cambodia as a refugee in 1982, grew frustrated with the lack of free elections under what he viewed as the oppressive regime of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, a former member of the Khmer Rouge under dictator Pol Pot, said Chhun's attorney, Richard Callahan.
"He saw Hun Sen as on an even par with Pol Pot," Callahan said.
Chhun also wanted to avenge the death of his father, who was beheaded by Khmer Rouge soldiers as Chhun looked on.
Chhun was found guilty after a two-week trial, during which prosecutors said he had planned "Operation Volcano" to Sen's government.
"We're here because a jury found that the defendant deliberately tried to kill other human beings," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Baker.
Chhun headed a group known as the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, which accused Sen of being a dictator and helping rig elections so he could stay in power.
Prosecutors said Chhun had planned the operation for two years and had traveled to the region to assemble a rebel force. He raised money by holding fundraisers at the Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in Long Beach.
Prosecutors also believe Chhun was behind a February 1999 bombing of a bar in Cambodia that injured several people.
"Operation Volcano" was launched on Thanksgiving 2000 at the direction of Chhun, who was across the border in Thailand.
About 200 rebel troops showed up to fight, and they were quickly subdued after attacking various government buildings in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
In a rambling statement before his sentencing, Chhun told the judge that he started his movement as a nonviolent protester.
"The result is, nothing happened," Chhun said, adding that his approach changed as he saw Sen's troops "kill more people."
Callahan said the prosecution of Chhun was politically motivated because the U.S., which at the time was expanding its war on terror, was seeking international cooperation from countries in Southeast Asia.
"He was a sacrificial lamb to make sure everything went well in Southeast Asia," Callahan said. "Otherwise, the story doesn't make sense."
Callahan said he planned to appeal.
Yasith Chhun, 53, of Long Beach, was found guilty in 2008 of three counts of conspiracy and one count of engaging in a military expedition against a nation with which the United States is at peace.
Chhun, a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled Cambodia as a refugee in 1982, grew frustrated with the lack of free elections under what he viewed as the oppressive regime of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, a former member of the Khmer Rouge under dictator Pol Pot, said Chhun's attorney, Richard Callahan.
"He saw Hun Sen as on an even par with Pol Pot," Callahan said.
Chhun also wanted to avenge the death of his father, who was beheaded by Khmer Rouge soldiers as Chhun looked on.
Chhun was found guilty after a two-week trial, during which prosecutors said he had planned "Operation Volcano" to Sen's government.
"We're here because a jury found that the defendant deliberately tried to kill other human beings," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Baker.
Chhun headed a group known as the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, which accused Sen of being a dictator and helping rig elections so he could stay in power.
Prosecutors said Chhun had planned the operation for two years and had traveled to the region to assemble a rebel force. He raised money by holding fundraisers at the Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in Long Beach.
Prosecutors also believe Chhun was behind a February 1999 bombing of a bar in Cambodia that injured several people.
"Operation Volcano" was launched on Thanksgiving 2000 at the direction of Chhun, who was across the border in Thailand.
About 200 rebel troops showed up to fight, and they were quickly subdued after attacking various government buildings in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
In a rambling statement before his sentencing, Chhun told the judge that he started his movement as a nonviolent protester.
"The result is, nothing happened," Chhun said, adding that his approach changed as he saw Sen's troops "kill more people."
Callahan said the prosecution of Chhun was politically motivated because the U.S., which at the time was expanding its war on terror, was seeking international cooperation from countries in Southeast Asia.
"He was a sacrificial lamb to make sure everything went well in Southeast Asia," Callahan said. "Otherwise, the story doesn't make sense."
Callahan said he planned to appeal.
Chhun Yasith sentenced to life in prison
Chhun YasithCambodia freedom fighter sentenced in fatal attacks
June 22, 2010
My-Thuan Tran and Scott Glover
Los Angeles Times
A Long Beach man convicted of orchestrating an attempted political coup in his native Cambodia that resulted in the deaths of three people was sentenced in federal court Tuesday to life in prison.
Yasith Chhun, former president of the Cambodia Freedom Fighters, was convicted in 2008 in connection with the Nov. 24, 2000, attacks in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Three members of Chhun's group were killed, and several Cambodian police officers and civilians were wounded.
Chhun, wearing a green windbreaker under chains around his waist, addressed the court in a tearful speech in which he talked of his suffering under the Khmer Rouge genocide that took the life of his father.
"I am not lucky like Americans who are born in this country," he said. " I was, unfortunately, born in Cambodia."
He said that after coming to the U.S. as a refugee in 1982, he felt he could no longer stand by as his native country descended into political chaos. "I had to do something for that country," he said. "I've been punished because I failed, that I'm not good enough to overthrow that government."
Judge Dean D. Pregerson said he did not believe Chhun was an "evil human being," but that the prison term was the consequence of Chhun's actions.
"I do not want to be the person who does not say to all those groups that, if you conspire against the U.S., that the U.S. will tolerate or be lenient to you," Pregerson said.
Chhun, who was convicted in 2008 of the attacks in Cambodia, plotted the assaults from his Long Beach office, prosecutors said.
After the attempted coup, he returned to the United States, took credit for the attacks in the media and said he would do it again, according to prosecutors.
The U.S. attorney's office took jurisdiction of the case based on the belief that Chhun had violated several federal laws governing the commission of crimes in foreign nations.
Prosecutors said Chhun went to Cambodia in 1998 to meet with military personnel opposed to the ruling Cambodia People's Party, headed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. After the meeting, the Cambodian Freedom Fighters group was formed and Chhun was appointed president.
The military faction in Cambodia agreed that it would acquire weapons and that Chhun's group would be responsible for raising funds "for the violent overthrow of the Cambodian government," according to the U.S. attorney's office. A fund-raiser was held at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors presented documents at trial in which Chhun allegedly wrote that he would "tear Hun Sen" apart. In a presumed reference to other government officials, he allegedly wrote he planned to "cut their necks" and "send them to hell to soon,"
In fact, Chhun hid on the border of Cambodia and Thailand while about 200 members of his group carried out the assault with AK-47 rifles, grenades and rockets.
Yasith Chhun, former president of the Cambodia Freedom Fighters, was convicted in 2008 in connection with the Nov. 24, 2000, attacks in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Three members of Chhun's group were killed, and several Cambodian police officers and civilians were wounded.
Chhun, wearing a green windbreaker under chains around his waist, addressed the court in a tearful speech in which he talked of his suffering under the Khmer Rouge genocide that took the life of his father.
"I am not lucky like Americans who are born in this country," he said. " I was, unfortunately, born in Cambodia."
He said that after coming to the U.S. as a refugee in 1982, he felt he could no longer stand by as his native country descended into political chaos. "I had to do something for that country," he said. "I've been punished because I failed, that I'm not good enough to overthrow that government."
Judge Dean D. Pregerson said he did not believe Chhun was an "evil human being," but that the prison term was the consequence of Chhun's actions.
"I do not want to be the person who does not say to all those groups that, if you conspire against the U.S., that the U.S. will tolerate or be lenient to you," Pregerson said.
Chhun, who was convicted in 2008 of the attacks in Cambodia, plotted the assaults from his Long Beach office, prosecutors said.
After the attempted coup, he returned to the United States, took credit for the attacks in the media and said he would do it again, according to prosecutors.
The U.S. attorney's office took jurisdiction of the case based on the belief that Chhun had violated several federal laws governing the commission of crimes in foreign nations.
Prosecutors said Chhun went to Cambodia in 1998 to meet with military personnel opposed to the ruling Cambodia People's Party, headed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. After the meeting, the Cambodian Freedom Fighters group was formed and Chhun was appointed president.
The military faction in Cambodia agreed that it would acquire weapons and that Chhun's group would be responsible for raising funds "for the violent overthrow of the Cambodian government," according to the U.S. attorney's office. A fund-raiser was held at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors presented documents at trial in which Chhun allegedly wrote that he would "tear Hun Sen" apart. In a presumed reference to other government officials, he allegedly wrote he planned to "cut their necks" and "send them to hell to soon,"
In fact, Chhun hid on the border of Cambodia and Thailand while about 200 members of his group carried out the assault with AK-47 rifles, grenades and rockets.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
PAD protesters tell Cambodia's Hun Sen he's not welcome in Hua Hin
VOICING THEIR OPINION: Members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy show their opposition to Cambodian Prime Minsiter Hun Sen yesterday.4/04/2010
Chaiwat Satyaeman
Bangkok Post
PHETCHABURI : More than 100 activists arrived in Cha-am on Saturday to deliver a letter protesting against Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Thailand.
Key People's Alliance for Democracy figure Veera Somkwamkid led the group and handed the letter of protest to Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister.
Hun Sen is due to attend the Mekong River Commission summit in Hua Hin tomorrow.
Mr Veera said the Cambodian prime minister is "persona non grata" in Thailand and accused Hun Sen of having tried to interfere in Thailand's domestic affairs.
He said Hun Sen showed a disregard of the Thai judicial system when he criticised it over its handling of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's legal cases.
Mr Veera said Hun Sen offended Thais by appointing Thaksin as an economic adviser and his own personal adviser.
Mr Veera attacked Hun Sen for putting personal relationships and individual interests above relations between Thailand and Cambodia.
Mr Veera accused the Cambodian prime minister of trying to infringe on Thailand's sovereignty by sending troops to invade the 4.6-square-kilometre area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple. He also alleged Hun Sen was trying to take control of other disputed areas along the Thai-Cambodian border and the overlapping areas in the Gulf of Thailand.
Mr Veera said he and other Thais would fight to protect the country's territorial integrity.
He said Thais would not be bound by any agreements and actions by past and present governments that violate the constitution and hurt the country's interests.
Key People's Alliance for Democracy figure Veera Somkwamkid led the group and handed the letter of protest to Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister.
Hun Sen is due to attend the Mekong River Commission summit in Hua Hin tomorrow.
Mr Veera said the Cambodian prime minister is "persona non grata" in Thailand and accused Hun Sen of having tried to interfere in Thailand's domestic affairs.
He said Hun Sen showed a disregard of the Thai judicial system when he criticised it over its handling of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's legal cases.
Mr Veera said Hun Sen offended Thais by appointing Thaksin as an economic adviser and his own personal adviser.
Mr Veera attacked Hun Sen for putting personal relationships and individual interests above relations between Thailand and Cambodia.
Mr Veera accused the Cambodian prime minister of trying to infringe on Thailand's sovereignty by sending troops to invade the 4.6-square-kilometre area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple. He also alleged Hun Sen was trying to take control of other disputed areas along the Thai-Cambodian border and the overlapping areas in the Gulf of Thailand.
Mr Veera said he and other Thais would fight to protect the country's territorial integrity.
He said Thais would not be bound by any agreements and actions by past and present governments that violate the constitution and hurt the country's interests.
Thai activists oppose Cambodian PM presence at Mekong Summit in Thailand
PHETCHABURI, April 3 (TNA) - More than 200 Thai nationalist activists Saturday issued a statement opposing the participation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in the Mekong River Commission (MRC) summit at Hua Hin, charging that he is an "enemy of Thailand. .. "
Led by Veera Somkwamkid, the radical nationalist activists said in a statement to be given to the MRC secretariat that they opposed the planned visit by Mr Hun Sen who is scheduled to arrive at Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province Saturday evening.
Prime Minister Hun Sen will attend the first two-day MRC summit which opens Sunday.
Charging Mr Hun Sen with being an "enemy of Thailand", the activists denounced the Khmer government leader of having overly close relations with fugitive, ousted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, interfering in the Thai judicial system as well as violating Thailand's sovereignty by "trying to seize Thailand's territory along the common border as well as those in the Gulf of Thailand" by sharing benefits from oil and natural gas deposits in the Gulf with Mr Thaksin.
The statement, submitted to Chavanont Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai foreign affairs minister, further said that the activists do not welcome "the enemy of Thailand who has no honour.".
After reading the statement, Mr Veera charged that Cambodian military units had allegedly intruded into Thai territory by posting boundary markers deep inside this country and he and his colleagues would pull them out as activists would "not lose even an inch of territory to Cambodia.".
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya told journalists that the activists could express their displeasure against the Cambodian government leader as they wished, but that it would not be discussed during the MRC summit.
Mr Kasit said he would find other channel to inform the Phnom Penh government.
Led by Veera Somkwamkid, the radical nationalist activists said in a statement to be given to the MRC secretariat that they opposed the planned visit by Mr Hun Sen who is scheduled to arrive at Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province Saturday evening.
Prime Minister Hun Sen will attend the first two-day MRC summit which opens Sunday.
Charging Mr Hun Sen with being an "enemy of Thailand", the activists denounced the Khmer government leader of having overly close relations with fugitive, ousted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, interfering in the Thai judicial system as well as violating Thailand's sovereignty by "trying to seize Thailand's territory along the common border as well as those in the Gulf of Thailand" by sharing benefits from oil and natural gas deposits in the Gulf with Mr Thaksin.
The statement, submitted to Chavanont Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai foreign affairs minister, further said that the activists do not welcome "the enemy of Thailand who has no honour.".
After reading the statement, Mr Veera charged that Cambodian military units had allegedly intruded into Thai territory by posting boundary markers deep inside this country and he and his colleagues would pull them out as activists would "not lose even an inch of territory to Cambodia.".
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya told journalists that the activists could express their displeasure against the Cambodian government leader as they wished, but that it would not be discussed during the MRC summit.
Mr Kasit said he would find other channel to inform the Phnom Penh government.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
The tales of two freedom fighters
Piseth Lem (L) and Sourn Serey Ratha (R)July 1, 2009
By A. Gaffar Peang-Meth
Pacific Daily News (Guam)
"As adults, Sourn believes the power of the pen will bring forth a people power that will defeat the power of the guns, and Lem believes in the power of free press to promote democracy and human rights.
By running such men out of the country, Sen and his party only enhance the fervor of those who are committed to the struggle against dictators."
A man becomes what he is as he accumulates knowledge, encounters personal and communal experiences, embraces the values and the beliefs passed down by his elders.This process of political socialization is the foundation of one's culture and shapes one's perceptions, thoughts, and actions. A fluid process, this continual learning causes us to be different at 30 than we were at 20, and changed again and again as we age.
I have written in this space about two Cambodian men whom I have never met but whose past and present activities have compelled me to tell their stories as I know them.
One is 38-year-old Serey Ratha Sourn, who earned political asylum in the United States in 2006. The other is 40-year-old Piseth Lem who earned political asylum in Norway in 2008. Both men's personal freedom and physical well-being were threatened in their home country.
Sourn is chief of mission of the U.S.-based Cambodian Action Committee for Justice & Equity, which promotes popular participation in political action from grassroots to the national level, to build the ideals of republicanism. Sourn also is a poet and a historian.
Lem has set up a weekly Free Press Magazine Online, to be launched officially in January 2010, in cooperation, he says, with other Cambodian freedom fighters in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Thailand and Cambodia.
The FPM is dedicated to freedom of expression, free press and equality for all Cambodians. The FPM Online in English is now available. It will publish in the Khmer language in six months.
Sourn and Lem are two freedom fighters among many who say they love and miss their native land, its culture and traditions, their families and friends, and the people -- but they can't rest and freeload in their fight against dictators.
What makes them do what they do so resolutely?
Sourn, born to a poor farm family eight months after Cambodia underwent the 1970 historic regime change that brought down the once untouchable Khmer devaraja, grew up with Buddhist monks in a pagoda. He again lived with monks when he did his higher studies in Phnom Penh.
His father and two uncles joined the Kansaeng Sar (White Scarf) fighting force to face communist Vietnamese forces that, in pre-1970, occupied 3,500 square kilometers of Khmer soil, and then emerged from their sanctuaries and moved westward into Cambodia's interior. Both uncles died during the war.
The Sourns are fiercely nationalistic. Their perception of the Khmer monarchy and of Vietnam has been colored by the two countries' historical relationship: Vietnamization and the colonization of Cambodia's Prey Nokor, later named Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City.
The elder Sourns encouraged in the young Sourn a duty to continue the values and beliefs of the Kansaeng Sar, created in Cambodia by Khmers who fled Kampuchea Krom (southern Vietnam), and who believed in republican ideals.
Piseth Lem was born to a well-educated family eight months before the country's regime change. His father was a professor of Khmer literature, his mother was a teacher. According to Lem, his father's friends were Khmer progressives who, upon Prince Sihanouk's ouster from power, prodded his father to join the maquis to fight Lon Nol. His father declined, still holding to the ideals of republicanism.
Young Lem grew up living with Buddhist monks at Wat Tronum Chroeung in Kandal, and again with monks at Wat Sansam Kosal when he did his higher studies in Phnom Penh.
According to Lem, after Pol Pot took power in Cambodia in 1975, there were Cambodians in Kompong Speu, Pursat and Koh Kong who joined an underground movement. By 1976, Lem, contacted by those based in Kompong Speu, was deeply involved. In 1977, he used his son, Piseth, as a conduit to close friends to join the movement.
That year, the professor left his family behind. He and another professor friend walked from Kompong Speu to Koh Kong to meet some underground members, and moved on foot to the Khmer-Thai border where a base of the anti-Pol Pot "Khmer Sar" (White Khmer) was to be established.
Lem's mother said her husband and his friend never made it to the border. En route they were captured and killed by Pol Pot's soldiers.
In 1978, young Lem, then 9, barely escaped death by Pol Pot's youth corps, whose members lured him to come outside the house one night, jumped him, bound his hands behind his back, walked him to a ricefield and accused him of being an enemy of the regime. There was agitation to torture Lem, but a mysterious blow suddenly fell on the youth leader's head and someone whispered to Lem that he should run away and leave the village. He did.
As adults, Sourn believes the power of the pen will bring forth a people power that will defeat the power of the guns, and Lem believes in the power of free press to promote democracy and human rights.
By running such men out of the country, Sen and his party only enhance the fervor of those who are committed to the struggle against dictators.
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.
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