Showing posts with label Former KR cadres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Former KR cadres. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
KRT: Hearing of evidence in Case 002 on 06 Dec 2011
Hearing of Evidence in Case 002 | December 6, 2011 - Part 1 from Cambodia Tribunal Monitor on Vimeo.
Hearing of Evidence in Case 002 | December 6, 2011 - Part 2 from Cambodia Tribunal Monitor on Vimeo.
Hearing of Evidence in Case 002 | December 6, 2011 - Part 3 from Cambodia Tribunal Monitor on Vimeo.
Hearing of Evidence in Case 002 | December 6, 2011 - Part 4 from Cambodia Tribunal Monitor on Vimeo.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Khmer Rouge Dictator Pol Pot Still Revered Among Some in Cambodia
June 28, 2011
Daniel Schearf, VOA | Anlong Veng, Cambodia
It has been more than three decades since the Khmer Rouge began a violent campaign that laid waste to Cambodia, killing up to a quarter of the population in pursuit of a communist utopia. As the four most senior surviving Khmer Rouge leaders go on trial in Phnom Penh, the man most responsible, Pol Pot will never see justice. He died in 1998 just as the extremist communist group was disintegrating. But, one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge, some Cambodians still consider Pol Pot a powerful figure to be worshipped.
Sek Navuoch kneels in front of a simple-looking grave covered by a tin roof and bordered by glass bottles that have been pushed upside down into the dirt.
The 32-year-old lights incense and presents bananas and then puts his hands together and prays.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Cambodian reconciliation efforts force Khmer Rouge veterans to confront the past
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| Im Chaem (R) standing next to Chhang Youk (Photo: AP) |
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| A child looking at Ta Mok's body (Photo: Reuters) |
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
By Dustin Roasa
The Washington Post
By Dustin Roasa
The Washington Post
ANLONG VENG, CAMBODIA - In a dimly lighted concrete classroom with smudged and peeling walls, the principal of Anlong Veng High School recalled the man who had built it, the late Khmer Rouge leader Ta Mok.
"Everyone here loves Ta Mok. He was a good leader, and he cared about his people," 42-year-old Sreng Kor Ma said. Known as "the Butcher" for his brutality during Khmer Rouge rule, the commander remains popular in this remote former Khmer Rouge stronghold in northwestern Cambodia, where he built hospitals, bridges and other infrastructure and where thousands of the organization's former soldiers still live.
But this year, 12 years after the Khmer Rouge surrendered, long-held loyalties are finally being challenged in Anlong Veng. In April, a local truth and reconciliation forum allowed victims to publicly confront people who had participated in the regime. In June, the government distributed a high school textbook here that for the first time teaches the history of the Khmer Rouge to the children of its former soldiers.
And in July, a joint U.N. and Cambodian tribunal handed down its first conviction of a former Khmer Rouge member, sentencing the onetime chief of the notorious Tuol Sleng torture center, Kaing Khek Iev, better known as Duch, to 35 years in prison. With each of those developments, anxiety has grown among Anlong Veng's Khmer Rouge veterans, complicating efforts at reconciliation and their attempts to reintegrate into Cambodian society.
"There is resentment and fear among the former Khmer Rouge, but they are powerless to do anything," said Chhang Youk, head of the independent Documentation Center of Cambodia. "For them, life under the Khmer Rouge was glorious, but the regime has become symbolic of evil. It is creating divisions within families."
Life after the Khmer Rouge
During the Khmer Rouge rule of Cambodia from 1975 until 1979, an estimated 1.7 million people were executed or died from starvation, disease or overwork. When the Vietnamese invaded and toppled the Pol Pot-led government in 1979, remnants of the regime and its military fled to Cambodia's border with Thailand. There they launched an insurgency that endured until the last of the movement surrendered in December 1998.
As Pol Pot, Nuon Chea and Ieng Sary directed the guerrilla war from their bases in western Cambodia's mountains and jungles, Ta Mok cultivated a following in Anlong Veng. But in the mid-1990s, after a U.N.-sponsored peace agreement led to the country's first democratic elections in 1993, Khmer Rouge fighters began defecting to the government, culminating in the surrenders of Ieng Sary in 1996 and Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan in 1998. Pol Pot died of natural causes in 1998, and Ta Mok, who had held out, was captured in 1999 in the nearby Dangrek Mountains. He died in prison in 2006 while awaiting trial.
Most former Khmer Rouge fighters have since descended into the grinding poverty common in rural Cambodia, and many remain nostalgic for the movement. Although a few elite Khmer Rouge officials kept their local government posts in exchange for laying down their arms, the rank and file remain poor, unskilled farmers.
"These people have benefited very little following the surrender," said Sok Leang of the Center for Justice and Reconciliation, which holds public forums throughout Cambodia, including in Anlong Veng. "They are embedded with the utopian agrarian ideology of the regime. They were brought up with no concept of doing business."
Sor Lim, 55, who joined the Khmer Rouge as a teenager in 1974, settled down to life as a poor rice farmer in 1998. "Life under the Khmer Rouge was good. Ta Mok fed everyone, but now life is difficult because we have to provide for ourselves," he said.
The ongoing Khmer Rouge tribunal has also provoked worries here. Early next year, the court is expected to begin trying Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and his wife, Ieng Thirith, another former Khmer Rouge minister. The court's mandate is to prosecute senior leaders and those most responsible for crimes, but it has not said whether it will pursue cases beyond those four. This has done little to calm fears in Anlong Veng.
Recent media speculation has centered on Im Chaem, 64, who was a provincial district chief during Khmer Rouge rule in the late 1970s. In 2007, she told researchers from the Documentation Center of Cambodia that she had supervised construction of the Trapeang Thma dam, a project in which thousands of forced laborers are thought to have died.
On a sweltering recent evening, Im Chaem returned from working in the fields to her wooden stilt house outside Anlong Veng. As the sun cast long shadows across the parched grass, Im Chaem declined to discuss her past in the Khmer Rouge. If the court summoned her, she said, she would refuse to go. "Cambodia is at peace and stable," she said. "If there are more prosecutions, there will be war."
Prime Minister Hun Sen, who defected from the Khmer Rouge in 1978, has also repeatedly warned of instability if the court pursues more suspects. "Cambodia must dig a hole and bury the past," he has said.
But confronting the past is just what Cambodia must do to move forward, said Chhang Youk, of the documentation center. "Reconciliation in Khmer terms is reconnecting the broken pieces," he said. "It's our obligation to put these broken pieces together, so that we can understand."
The center produced the first government-approved textbook about the Khmer Rouge, the 75-page "A History of Democratic Kampuchea," which it distributed in Anlong Veng in June as a supplement to the Education Ministry's high school history textbook, which contains less than four pages on the Khmer Rouge.
As in much of Cambodia, Anlong Veng's young people know few details about the Khmer Rouge, despite the town's connection to the regime. Touch Valeak, 19, a student at Anlong Veng High School, said the new textbook was helping students understand a key part of their history, though his parents remain skeptical of both the book and the tribunal. "They are suspicious," he said.
This resistance has hindered reconciliation, Sok Leang said. But the public forums, the textbook and the tribunal are beginning to have an impact, he said.
Still, the Khmer Rouge retains a powerful allure here. Up in the Dangrek Mountains, an overgrown path leads to a rectangle of black soot under a rusted tin roof. Pol Pot's body was burned here on a pile of tires after his death in 1998.
Nuom Sothea, 31, a roadside cellphone vendor, said she didn't know much about the man. "But he has a strong spirit, and many local people go there to pray to him," she said.
It was Nuom Sothea's birthday, and later that day she planned to walk to Pol Pot's final resting place, where she would leave a bunch of ripe bananas in hopes of bringing good luck.
Roasa is a special correspondent.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Last Khmer Rouge to defect discuss reconciliation
Im Chaem was a Khmer Rouge district chief in the late 1970s. (Photo: VOA)Her name is Im Chaem, and she was a Khmer Rouge district chief in the late 1970s. Media reports have speculated she could be one of the five names on the list for prosecution.
Robert Carmichael, VOA
Phnom Penh Friday, 16 April 2010
On the outskirts of the former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng sits the compound of the movement's last leader, Ta Mok.
Ta Mok, who died in jail awaiting trial four years ago, was a terrifying figure in Cambodia, but he was much admired here, one of the Khmer Rouge's last strongholds.
Recently, his home saw the first reconciliation meeting of former Khmer Rouge cadres and the group's victims.
Cambodian-American lawyer Daravuth Seng runs the Center for Justice and Reconciliation, which organized the meeting. He says the gathering aims to get Khmer Rouge members and their victims to talk to each other to promote understanding.
From that understanding, he says, reconciliation can come.
"When we are talking about reconciliation, it is reconciliation of a nation, and with the Cambodian context that must include a lot of the former perpetrators as well. And in one sense we're all victims in this process."
From 1975 to 1979, the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, were responsible for the deaths of more than a million Cambodians - from disease, overwork or execution.
Around 150 former Khmer Rouge and some of their families gathered here as well as a small group of Buddhist monks. Several police attended, along with representatives from the international tribunal that is trying five Khmer Rouge leaders.
It is not long before the Khmer Rouge raise their main concern. They have heard the tribunal has a secret list of five more it wants to prosecute.
They say that violates a pledge they received when they surrendered in 1998 that there would be no losers from their defections.
An elderly woman addresses the tribunal staff.
Her name is Im Chaem, and she was a Khmer Rouge district chief in the late 1970s. Media reports have speculated she could be one of the five names on the list for prosecution.
She wants the prosecutions to end with the five people already in custody.
She says at one time the tribunal said only five were suspected, and now it says another five. This made all the elderly people who were engaged in the war feel unsafe. She says they do not know when will be their turn because they lived and served during that time. Even though Pol Pot died already, there might be another five and then five more and then 10?
Tribunal spokesman Lars Olsen says today is unusual since most Cambodians want to know why so few Khmer Rouge are being held accountable.
"Here it is 'Why do you want to prosecute more? It should be enough with the five, don't stir up everything after we have reintegrated.' So this is the major difference."
The trial of one Khmer Rouge leader ended last year and a verdict is expected in the coming months. Four others are in prison and are expected to face trial next year. Most of the group's senior leaders, however, died long before the tribunal began its work a few years ago.
By the end of the day, participants have discussed the meaning of reconciliation, justice and reintegration. There is broad agreement that the leaders currently in jail ought to be prosecuted, but no one else.
Participants are also tired of being referred to as "former Khmer Rouge". They say the term is equated with murder and oppression, which is unfair to their children. Far better, they say, that all are called Cambodian.
And they recognize their lives have improved since they defected. One attendee says families used to live in the mountains and were unable to share a meal together. Now their children have schooling, and people have access to health services and good roads.
In short, they want peace and more economic development for this impoverished part of Cambodia. It is time, they say, to look to the future.
Organizer Daravuth Seng says the day went better than he expected. Former Khmer Rouge turned up, engaged, and spoke.
They listened as a member of a victims' association told them that the Khmer Rouge - responsible for the deaths of perhaps 2 million Cambodians - killed his parents.
Daravuth Seng says one or two people even showed remorse.
A central purpose of the reconciliation effort is to grasp why they joined the Khmer Rouge.
"If we are to say never again, we really need to understand both sides, to understand the way these folks are perceiving the world."
Seng says the day's event is not an end in itself, but the beginning of steps toward reconciliation.
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អន្លង់វែងជាកន្លែងបង្ហាញពីការផ្សះផ្សាជាតិ
ដោយ លោក Robert Carmichael វីអួអេ ខ្មែរ
អន្លង់វែង កម្ពុជា ថ្ងៃសុក្រ, 16 ខែមេសា 2010
នៅ ឆ្នាំ១៩៩៨ ទីប្រជុំជនអន្លង់វែង នៅភាគពាយព្យប្រទេសកម្ពុជាបានក្លាយជាទីតាំងរឹងមាំចុងក្រោយរបស់ ពួកខ្មែរក្រហម ដែលបានចុះចូលជាមួយរដ្ឋាភិបាល។
កាលពីពេលថ្មីៗនេះ សហគមន៍នោះជាកន្លែងនៃការខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងថ្មីមួយដើម្បីជួយធ្វើ ឲ្យមានការផ្សះផ្សារជាតិនិងយុត្តិធ៌មក្នុងតំបន់នោះ។
នៅខាងក្រៅនៃទីតាំងដ៏រឹងមាំអន្លង់វែងរបស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហមមានផ្ទះរបស់តាម៉ុក មេដឹកនាំចុងក្រោយរបស់ចលនានោះ។
តាម៉ុក ដែលបានស្លាប់ក្នុងគុក កាលពី៤ឆ្នាំមុននៅពេលកំពុងរង់ចាំការកាត់ទោសជាមនុស្សដ៏កំណាច ម្នាក់ក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ក៏ប៉ុន្តែគាត់បានទទួលការកោតសរសើរយ៉ាងខ្លាំងនៅទីកន្លែងនេះ ដែលជាទីតាំងដ៏រឹងមាំចុងក្រោយបំផុតមួយនៃទីតាំងដ៏រឹងមាំចុង ក្រោយបំផុតនានារបស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហម។
កាល ពីពេលថ្មីៗនេះ ផ្ទះរបស់គាត់បានឃើញការប្រជុំផ្សះផ្សារជាតិលើកតំបូងរបស់ពួក កម្មាភិបាលខ្មែរក្រហម ហើយនិងក្រុមជនរងគ្រោះ។
លោក Daravuth Seng ជា មេធាវីអាមេរិកាំងដើមកំណើតខ្មែរ ដែលដឹកនាំមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលយុត្តិធម៌និងការផ្សះផ្សារជាតិដែលបានរៀបចំ ចាត់ចែងការជួបប្រជុំនេះ។ លោកនិយាយថា៖ ការជួបប្រជុំនេះ មានគោលបំណងធ្វើឲ្យពួកខ្មែរក្រហមនិងពួកជនរងគ្រោះរបស់ពួកគេ និយាយគ្នាដើម្បីឲ្យយល់គ្នា កាន់តែច្រើនឡើង ។
លោកនិយាយទៀតថា ដោយសារការយល់គ្នានេះ ទើបការផ្សះផ្សារអាចកើត (មាន) ឡើងបាន។
នៅ ពេលដែលយើងនិយាយអំពីការផ្សះផ្សារ វាជាការផ្សះផ្សាររបស់ជាតិ ហើយជាមួយបរិបទកម្ពុជា កិច្ចប្រជុំនេះត្រូវរួមបញ្ចូលអតីតពួកអ្នកប្រព្រឹត្តបទឧក្រិដ្ឋ កម្មយ៉ាងច្រើនដែរ។ ហើយក្នុងអត្ថន័យមួយ យើងទាំងអស់គ្នាជាជនរងគ្រោះនៅក្នុងដំណើរការនេះ។
ចាប់ ពីឆ្នាំ១៩៧៥ដល់ឆ្នាំ១៩៧៩ ពួកខ្មែរក្រហមប្រកាន់លទ្ធិម៉ៅនិយមជ្រុលដែលដឹកនាំដោយប៉ុល ពត ជាអ្នកទទួលខុសត្រូវចំពោះការស្លាប់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជាជាង១លាន នាក់ ដោយសារជំងឺ ការធ្វើការជាទំងន់ ឬសម្លាប់ចោល។
អតីត ខ្មែរក្រហមប្រហែល១៥០នាក់ហើយនិងគ្រួសារខ្លះរបស់ពួកគេ បានជួបជុំគ្នានៅទីនេះ ដោយមានព្រះសង្ឃ១ក្រុមតូច។ ភ្នាក់ងារប៉ូលិសមួយចំនួនបានចូលរួមជាមួយពួកតំណាងពីតុលាការ អន្តរជាតិដែលកំពុងកាត់ទោសពួកមេដឹកនាំខ្មែរក្រហម៥នាក់។
មិន យូរប៉ុន្មានក្រោយពីពួកគេបានឮថា តុលាការមានបញ្ជីឈ្មោះសម្ងាត់របស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហម៥នាក់ទៀត ដែលតុលាការចង់កាត់ទោស ទើបសមាជិកអតីតខ្មែរក្រហមទាំងនោះបានបង្ហាញការព្រួយបារម្មណ៍កាន់ តែខ្លាំងឡើង។
ពួក គេនិយាយថា នេះជាការរំលោភការសន្យាដែលពួកគេបានទទួលនៅពេលដែលពួកគេចុះចូល នៅឆ្នាំ១៩៩៨ថា នឹងមិនមានអ្នកចាញ់ពីការចុះចូលរបស់ពួកគេទេ។
ស្រ្តី ចំណាស់ម្នាក់និយាយទៅកាន់បុគ្គលិកតុលាការ។ គាត់ឈ្មោះ អ៊ឹម ចែម ជាប្រធានស្រុករបស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហមក្នុងចុងទសវត្សរ៍១៩៧០។ សេចក្តីរាយការណ៍បណ្តាញផ្សាយព័ត៌មាន បានប៉ាន់ស្មានថា គាត់អាចជាមនុស្សម្នាក់ក្នុងចំណោមមនុស្ស៥នាក់នៅក្នុងបញ្ជី សម្រាប់កាត់ទោស។
គាត់ចង់ឲ្យការកាត់ទោសបញ្ចប់ជាមួយមនុស្ស៥នាក់ដែលស្ថិតក្នុងការឃុំឃាំងរួចហើយ។
គាត់ និយាយថា បើម្តងសង្ស័យ៥នាក់ ម្តងទៀតសង្ស័យ៥នាក់ទៀត អញ្ចឹងការព្រួយបារម្មណ៍របស់យើងខ្ញុំទាំងចាស់ៗ និយាយរួមជំនាន់ចាស់ៗដែលកើតមកក្នុងសង្គ្រាមខ្មែរក្រហមនោះនេះហើយ ជាការព្រួយបារម្មណ៍ថា នឹងថ្ងៃណាជាប់មកខ្លួន ពីព្រោះខ្លួននៅសង្គមនោះដែរ នៅក្នុងជំនាន់នោះដែរពិតមែនតែមានមេប៉ុល ពត ដឹកនាំ គាត់ស្លាប់ទៅបាត់ហើយ តែក្រែងលោមានម្តង៥នាក់ហើយម្តង១០អីទៀត។
លោក Lars Olson អ្នក នាំពាក្យតុលាការ និយាយថា ថ្ងៃនេះជាថ្ងៃមិនធម្មតាទេពីព្រោះប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជាស្ទើរតែ ទាំងអស់ចង់ដឹងថា តើហេតុអ្វីបានជាមានពួកខ្មែរក្រហមតែប៉ុន្មាននាក់ប៉ុណ្ណោះ ដែលត្រូវទទួលខុសត្រូវ។
«នៅត្រង់ចំណុចនេះគឺថា ហេតុអ្វីបានជាអស់លោកអ្នកចង់កាត់ទោសមនុស្សច្រើនថែមទៀត? កាត់ ទោសមនុស្ស៥នាក់គួរតែគ្រប់គ្រាន់ហើយ កុំបង្កើតបញ្ហាទៀតបន្ទាប់ពីយើងបានចូលមករស់នៅក្នុងសង្គមសាជា ថ្មី។ គឺនេះហើយដែលជាការខ្វែងគំនិតយ៉ាងខ្លាំងមួយនោះ»។
ការ កាត់ទោសមេដឹកនាំខ្មែរក្រហមម្នាក់បានបញ្ចប់កាលពីឆ្នាំទៅ ហើយសាលក្រមត្រូវគេរំពឹងនឹងចេញក្នុងរយៈពេលប៉ុន្មានខែទៀតនេះ។ មេដឹកនាំខ្មែរក្រហមបួននាក់ទៀតបានស្ថិតនៅក្នុងគុក ហើយត្រូវគេរំពឹងនឹងប្រឈមមុខការកាត់ទោសនៅឆ្នាំក្រោយ។ ទោះជាយ៉ាងណាក៏ដោយ មេដឹកនាំជាន់ខ្ពស់របស់ក្រុមនោះភាគច្រើន បានស្លាប់មុនពេលតុលាការបានចាប់ផ្តើមការងាររបស់ខ្លួនកាលពី៣-៤ឆ្នាំមុន។
នៅ ពេលបញ្ចប់ថ្ងៃនោះ ពួកអ្នកចូលរួមបានពិភាក្សាអំពីអត្ថន័យនៃការផ្សះផ្សារយុត្តិ ធម៌និងសមាហរណកម្មឡើងវិញ។ មានការព្រមព្រាងគ្នាដ៏ទូលំទូលាយថា ពួកមេដឹកនាំនៅក្នុងគុកនាពេលបច្ចុប្បន្ននេះ គួរយកទៅកាត់ទោស ក៏ប៉ុន្តែមិនមានអ្នកផ្សេងទៀតត្រូវយកមកកាត់ទោសទេ។
ពួកអ្នកចូលរួម ក៏ មាន ការធុញទ្រាន់ការនិយាយសំដៅដល់ពួកគេថា ជាអតីតខ្មែរក្រហម។ ពួកគេ និយាយថា ពាក្យនេះមានន័យដូចគ្នានឹងឃាតកម្មនិងការជិះជាន់សង្កត់សង្កិន ដែលជាការមិនត្រឹមត្រូវដល់កូនចៅរបស់ពួកគេ។ ពួកគេនិយាយទៀតថា ជាការប្រសើរ គេគួរហៅពួកគេថា ជនជាតិកម្ពុជា។
ហើយ ពួកគេទទួលស្គាល់ថា ជីវភាពរស់នៅរបស់ពួកគេបានល្អប្រសើរគ្រាន់បើចាប់តាំងពីពួកគេ ចុះចូលជាមួយរដ្ឋាភិបាល។ អ្នកចូលរួមការប្រជុំនោះម្នាក់និយាយថា ក្រុមគ្រួសារធ្លាប់រស់នៅលើភ្នំហើយពួកគេមិនអាចចែករំលែកម្ហូប អាហារឲ្យគ្នាបានទេ។ ឥឡូវនេះ កូនចៅរបស់ពួកគេ បានទៅសាលារៀន ហើយប្រជាពលរដ្ឋមានសេវាកម្មថែទាំសុខភាពហើយមានផ្លូវថ្នល់ល្អ។
និយាយ ឱ្យខ្លីពួកគេចង់បានសន្តិភាពនិងការអភិវឌ្ឍសេដ្ឋកិច្ចកាន់តែ ច្រើនឡើងថែមទៀតសម្រាប់ផ្នែកដ៏ក្រីក្រនៃប្រទេសកម្ពុជានេះ។ ពួកគេនិយាយថា គេគួរចំណាយពេលវេលាដើម្បីមើលពេលអនាគត។
លោក Daravuth Seng អ្នក រៀបចំចាត់ចែងការប្រជុំនេះនិយាយថា កិច្ចប្រជុំនេះធ្វើបានល្អប្រសើរជាងការដែលលោករំពឹងទុកទៅទៀត។ អតីតខ្មែរក្រហមបានលេចមុខមកចូលរួម ហើយនឹងនិយាយ។
ពួក គេបានស្តាប់នៅពេលដែលសមាជិកម្នាក់នៃសមាគមរបស់ជនរងគ្រោះបាន ប្រាប់ពួកគេថា ខ្មែរក្រហម ដែលជាអ្នកទទួលខុសត្រូវចំពោះការស្លាប់របស់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជា ជិត២លាននាក់នោះ សម្លាប់ឪពុកម្តាយរបស់លោក។
លោក Daravuth Seng និយាយទៀតថា ខ្មែរក្រហមម្នាក់ឬពីរនាក់ បានបង្ហាញនូវវិប្បដិសារី។ គោលបំណងសំខាន់នៃកិច្ចខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងផ្សះផ្សារ គឺឲ្យយល់ថា តើហេតុអ្វីបានជាពួកគេចូលជាមួយពួកខ្មែរក្រហម។
«ប្រសិនបើយើងនិយាយថាមិនចង់ឲ្យអំពើប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍នេះកើតមាន ឡើងម្តងទៀតយើងប្រាកដជាចាំបាច់យល់ភាគីទាំង២ដើម្បីឲ្យយល់ពីរបៀបដែលមនុស្សទាំងនោះឆ្វេងយល់អំពីពិភពលោក»។
លោក Seng និយាយ ទៀតថា ពិធីនៅថ្ងៃនេះ មិនមែនជាទីបញ្ចប់ទេ គឺគ្រាន់តែជាជំហាននៃការចាប់ផ្តើមឆ្ពោះទៅកាន់ការផ្សះផ្សារ ជាតិ៕
Robert Carmichael, VOA
Phnom Penh Friday, 16 April 2010
"When we are talking about reconciliation, it is reconciliation of a nation, and with the Cambodian context that must include a lot of the former perpetrators as well. And in one sense we're all victims in this process."In 1998 the town of Anlong Veng in Cambodia's northwest became the last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge to surrender to the government. Recently, the community was the scene of a new effort to help bring reconciliation and justice to the region.
On the outskirts of the former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng sits the compound of the movement's last leader, Ta Mok.
Ta Mok, who died in jail awaiting trial four years ago, was a terrifying figure in Cambodia, but he was much admired here, one of the Khmer Rouge's last strongholds.
Recently, his home saw the first reconciliation meeting of former Khmer Rouge cadres and the group's victims.
Cambodian-American lawyer Daravuth Seng runs the Center for Justice and Reconciliation, which organized the meeting. He says the gathering aims to get Khmer Rouge members and their victims to talk to each other to promote understanding.
From that understanding, he says, reconciliation can come.
"When we are talking about reconciliation, it is reconciliation of a nation, and with the Cambodian context that must include a lot of the former perpetrators as well. And in one sense we're all victims in this process."
From 1975 to 1979, the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, were responsible for the deaths of more than a million Cambodians - from disease, overwork or execution.
Around 150 former Khmer Rouge and some of their families gathered here as well as a small group of Buddhist monks. Several police attended, along with representatives from the international tribunal that is trying five Khmer Rouge leaders.
It is not long before the Khmer Rouge raise their main concern. They have heard the tribunal has a secret list of five more it wants to prosecute.
They say that violates a pledge they received when they surrendered in 1998 that there would be no losers from their defections.
An elderly woman addresses the tribunal staff.
Her name is Im Chaem, and she was a Khmer Rouge district chief in the late 1970s. Media reports have speculated she could be one of the five names on the list for prosecution.
She wants the prosecutions to end with the five people already in custody.
She says at one time the tribunal said only five were suspected, and now it says another five. This made all the elderly people who were engaged in the war feel unsafe. She says they do not know when will be their turn because they lived and served during that time. Even though Pol Pot died already, there might be another five and then five more and then 10?
Tribunal spokesman Lars Olsen says today is unusual since most Cambodians want to know why so few Khmer Rouge are being held accountable.
"Here it is 'Why do you want to prosecute more? It should be enough with the five, don't stir up everything after we have reintegrated.' So this is the major difference."
The trial of one Khmer Rouge leader ended last year and a verdict is expected in the coming months. Four others are in prison and are expected to face trial next year. Most of the group's senior leaders, however, died long before the tribunal began its work a few years ago.
By the end of the day, participants have discussed the meaning of reconciliation, justice and reintegration. There is broad agreement that the leaders currently in jail ought to be prosecuted, but no one else.
Participants are also tired of being referred to as "former Khmer Rouge". They say the term is equated with murder and oppression, which is unfair to their children. Far better, they say, that all are called Cambodian.
And they recognize their lives have improved since they defected. One attendee says families used to live in the mountains and were unable to share a meal together. Now their children have schooling, and people have access to health services and good roads.
In short, they want peace and more economic development for this impoverished part of Cambodia. It is time, they say, to look to the future.
Organizer Daravuth Seng says the day went better than he expected. Former Khmer Rouge turned up, engaged, and spoke.
They listened as a member of a victims' association told them that the Khmer Rouge - responsible for the deaths of perhaps 2 million Cambodians - killed his parents.
Daravuth Seng says one or two people even showed remorse.
A central purpose of the reconciliation effort is to grasp why they joined the Khmer Rouge.
"If we are to say never again, we really need to understand both sides, to understand the way these folks are perceiving the world."
Seng says the day's event is not an end in itself, but the beginning of steps toward reconciliation.
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អន្លង់វែងជាកន្លែងបង្ហាញពីការផ្សះផ្សាជាតិ
ដោយ លោក Robert Carmichael វីអួអេ ខ្មែរ
អន្លង់វែង កម្ពុជា ថ្ងៃសុក្រ, 16 ខែមេសា 2010
«ប្រសិនបើយើងនិយាយថាមិនចង់ឲ្យអំពើប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍នេះកើតមាន ឡើងម្តងទៀតយើងប្រាកដជាចាំបាច់យល់ភាគីទាំង២ដើម្បីឲ្យយល់ពី របៀបដែលមនុស្សទាំងនោះឆ្វេងយល់អំពីពិភពលោក»។ប្រែសម្រួលដោយលោក ជឹង ប៉ូជីន
នៅ ឆ្នាំ១៩៩៨ ទីប្រជុំជនអន្លង់វែង នៅភាគពាយព្យប្រទេសកម្ពុជាបានក្លាយជាទីតាំងរឹងមាំចុងក្រោយរបស់ ពួកខ្មែរក្រហម ដែលបានចុះចូលជាមួយរដ្ឋាភិបាល។
កាលពីពេលថ្មីៗនេះ សហគមន៍នោះជាកន្លែងនៃការខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងថ្មីមួយដើម្បីជួយធ្វើ ឲ្យមានការផ្សះផ្សារជាតិនិងយុត្តិធ៌មក្នុងតំបន់នោះ។
នៅខាងក្រៅនៃទីតាំងដ៏រឹងមាំអន្លង់វែងរបស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហមមានផ្ទះរបស់តាម៉ុក មេដឹកនាំចុងក្រោយរបស់ចលនានោះ។
តាម៉ុក ដែលបានស្លាប់ក្នុងគុក កាលពី៤ឆ្នាំមុននៅពេលកំពុងរង់ចាំការកាត់ទោសជាមនុស្សដ៏កំណាច ម្នាក់ក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ក៏ប៉ុន្តែគាត់បានទទួលការកោតសរសើរយ៉ាងខ្លាំងនៅទីកន្លែងនេះ ដែលជាទីតាំងដ៏រឹងមាំចុងក្រោយបំផុតមួយនៃទីតាំងដ៏រឹងមាំចុង ក្រោយបំផុតនានារបស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហម។
កាល ពីពេលថ្មីៗនេះ ផ្ទះរបស់គាត់បានឃើញការប្រជុំផ្សះផ្សារជាតិលើកតំបូងរបស់ពួក កម្មាភិបាលខ្មែរក្រហម ហើយនិងក្រុមជនរងគ្រោះ។
លោក Daravuth Seng ជា មេធាវីអាមេរិកាំងដើមកំណើតខ្មែរ ដែលដឹកនាំមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលយុត្តិធម៌និងការផ្សះផ្សារជាតិដែលបានរៀបចំ ចាត់ចែងការជួបប្រជុំនេះ។ លោកនិយាយថា៖ ការជួបប្រជុំនេះ មានគោលបំណងធ្វើឲ្យពួកខ្មែរក្រហមនិងពួកជនរងគ្រោះរបស់ពួកគេ និយាយគ្នាដើម្បីឲ្យយល់គ្នា កាន់តែច្រើនឡើង ។
លោកនិយាយទៀតថា ដោយសារការយល់គ្នានេះ ទើបការផ្សះផ្សារអាចកើត (មាន) ឡើងបាន។
នៅ ពេលដែលយើងនិយាយអំពីការផ្សះផ្សារ វាជាការផ្សះផ្សាររបស់ជាតិ ហើយជាមួយបរិបទកម្ពុជា កិច្ចប្រជុំនេះត្រូវរួមបញ្ចូលអតីតពួកអ្នកប្រព្រឹត្តបទឧក្រិដ្ឋ កម្មយ៉ាងច្រើនដែរ។ ហើយក្នុងអត្ថន័យមួយ យើងទាំងអស់គ្នាជាជនរងគ្រោះនៅក្នុងដំណើរការនេះ។
ចាប់ ពីឆ្នាំ១៩៧៥ដល់ឆ្នាំ១៩៧៩ ពួកខ្មែរក្រហមប្រកាន់លទ្ធិម៉ៅនិយមជ្រុលដែលដឹកនាំដោយប៉ុល ពត ជាអ្នកទទួលខុសត្រូវចំពោះការស្លាប់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជាជាង១លាន នាក់ ដោយសារជំងឺ ការធ្វើការជាទំងន់ ឬសម្លាប់ចោល។
អតីត ខ្មែរក្រហមប្រហែល១៥០នាក់ហើយនិងគ្រួសារខ្លះរបស់ពួកគេ បានជួបជុំគ្នានៅទីនេះ ដោយមានព្រះសង្ឃ១ក្រុមតូច។ ភ្នាក់ងារប៉ូលិសមួយចំនួនបានចូលរួមជាមួយពួកតំណាងពីតុលាការ អន្តរជាតិដែលកំពុងកាត់ទោសពួកមេដឹកនាំខ្មែរក្រហម៥នាក់។
មិន យូរប៉ុន្មានក្រោយពីពួកគេបានឮថា តុលាការមានបញ្ជីឈ្មោះសម្ងាត់របស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហម៥នាក់ទៀត ដែលតុលាការចង់កាត់ទោស ទើបសមាជិកអតីតខ្មែរក្រហមទាំងនោះបានបង្ហាញការព្រួយបារម្មណ៍កាន់ តែខ្លាំងឡើង។
ពួក គេនិយាយថា នេះជាការរំលោភការសន្យាដែលពួកគេបានទទួលនៅពេលដែលពួកគេចុះចូល នៅឆ្នាំ១៩៩៨ថា នឹងមិនមានអ្នកចាញ់ពីការចុះចូលរបស់ពួកគេទេ។
ស្រ្តី ចំណាស់ម្នាក់និយាយទៅកាន់បុគ្គលិកតុលាការ។ គាត់ឈ្មោះ អ៊ឹម ចែម ជាប្រធានស្រុករបស់ពួកខ្មែរក្រហមក្នុងចុងទសវត្សរ៍១៩៧០។ សេចក្តីរាយការណ៍បណ្តាញផ្សាយព័ត៌មាន បានប៉ាន់ស្មានថា គាត់អាចជាមនុស្សម្នាក់ក្នុងចំណោមមនុស្ស៥នាក់នៅក្នុងបញ្ជី សម្រាប់កាត់ទោស។
គាត់ចង់ឲ្យការកាត់ទោសបញ្ចប់ជាមួយមនុស្ស៥នាក់ដែលស្ថិតក្នុងការឃុំឃាំងរួចហើយ។
គាត់ និយាយថា បើម្តងសង្ស័យ៥នាក់ ម្តងទៀតសង្ស័យ៥នាក់ទៀត អញ្ចឹងការព្រួយបារម្មណ៍របស់យើងខ្ញុំទាំងចាស់ៗ និយាយរួមជំនាន់ចាស់ៗដែលកើតមកក្នុងសង្គ្រាមខ្មែរក្រហមនោះនេះហើយ ជាការព្រួយបារម្មណ៍ថា នឹងថ្ងៃណាជាប់មកខ្លួន ពីព្រោះខ្លួននៅសង្គមនោះដែរ នៅក្នុងជំនាន់នោះដែរពិតមែនតែមានមេប៉ុល ពត ដឹកនាំ គាត់ស្លាប់ទៅបាត់ហើយ តែក្រែងលោមានម្តង៥នាក់ហើយម្តង១០អីទៀត។
លោក Lars Olson អ្នក នាំពាក្យតុលាការ និយាយថា ថ្ងៃនេះជាថ្ងៃមិនធម្មតាទេពីព្រោះប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជាស្ទើរតែ ទាំងអស់ចង់ដឹងថា តើហេតុអ្វីបានជាមានពួកខ្មែរក្រហមតែប៉ុន្មាននាក់ប៉ុណ្ណោះ ដែលត្រូវទទួលខុសត្រូវ។
«នៅត្រង់ចំណុចនេះគឺថា ហេតុអ្វីបានជាអស់លោកអ្នកចង់កាត់ទោសមនុស្សច្រើនថែមទៀត? កាត់ ទោសមនុស្ស៥នាក់គួរតែគ្រប់គ្រាន់ហើយ កុំបង្កើតបញ្ហាទៀតបន្ទាប់ពីយើងបានចូលមករស់នៅក្នុងសង្គមសាជា ថ្មី។ គឺនេះហើយដែលជាការខ្វែងគំនិតយ៉ាងខ្លាំងមួយនោះ»។
ការ កាត់ទោសមេដឹកនាំខ្មែរក្រហមម្នាក់បានបញ្ចប់កាលពីឆ្នាំទៅ ហើយសាលក្រមត្រូវគេរំពឹងនឹងចេញក្នុងរយៈពេលប៉ុន្មានខែទៀតនេះ។ មេដឹកនាំខ្មែរក្រហមបួននាក់ទៀតបានស្ថិតនៅក្នុងគុក ហើយត្រូវគេរំពឹងនឹងប្រឈមមុខការកាត់ទោសនៅឆ្នាំក្រោយ។ ទោះជាយ៉ាងណាក៏ដោយ មេដឹកនាំជាន់ខ្ពស់របស់ក្រុមនោះភាគច្រើន បានស្លាប់មុនពេលតុលាការបានចាប់ផ្តើមការងាររបស់ខ្លួនកាលពី៣-៤ឆ្នាំមុន។
នៅ ពេលបញ្ចប់ថ្ងៃនោះ ពួកអ្នកចូលរួមបានពិភាក្សាអំពីអត្ថន័យនៃការផ្សះផ្សារយុត្តិ ធម៌និងសមាហរណកម្មឡើងវិញ។ មានការព្រមព្រាងគ្នាដ៏ទូលំទូលាយថា ពួកមេដឹកនាំនៅក្នុងគុកនាពេលបច្ចុប្បន្ននេះ គួរយកទៅកាត់ទោស ក៏ប៉ុន្តែមិនមានអ្នកផ្សេងទៀតត្រូវយកមកកាត់ទោសទេ។
ពួកអ្នកចូលរួម ក៏ មាន ការធុញទ្រាន់ការនិយាយសំដៅដល់ពួកគេថា ជាអតីតខ្មែរក្រហម។ ពួកគេ និយាយថា ពាក្យនេះមានន័យដូចគ្នានឹងឃាតកម្មនិងការជិះជាន់សង្កត់សង្កិន ដែលជាការមិនត្រឹមត្រូវដល់កូនចៅរបស់ពួកគេ។ ពួកគេនិយាយទៀតថា ជាការប្រសើរ គេគួរហៅពួកគេថា ជនជាតិកម្ពុជា។
ហើយ ពួកគេទទួលស្គាល់ថា ជីវភាពរស់នៅរបស់ពួកគេបានល្អប្រសើរគ្រាន់បើចាប់តាំងពីពួកគេ ចុះចូលជាមួយរដ្ឋាភិបាល។ អ្នកចូលរួមការប្រជុំនោះម្នាក់និយាយថា ក្រុមគ្រួសារធ្លាប់រស់នៅលើភ្នំហើយពួកគេមិនអាចចែករំលែកម្ហូប អាហារឲ្យគ្នាបានទេ។ ឥឡូវនេះ កូនចៅរបស់ពួកគេ បានទៅសាលារៀន ហើយប្រជាពលរដ្ឋមានសេវាកម្មថែទាំសុខភាពហើយមានផ្លូវថ្នល់ល្អ។
និយាយ ឱ្យខ្លីពួកគេចង់បានសន្តិភាពនិងការអភិវឌ្ឍសេដ្ឋកិច្ចកាន់តែ ច្រើនឡើងថែមទៀតសម្រាប់ផ្នែកដ៏ក្រីក្រនៃប្រទេសកម្ពុជានេះ។ ពួកគេនិយាយថា គេគួរចំណាយពេលវេលាដើម្បីមើលពេលអនាគត។
លោក Daravuth Seng អ្នក រៀបចំចាត់ចែងការប្រជុំនេះនិយាយថា កិច្ចប្រជុំនេះធ្វើបានល្អប្រសើរជាងការដែលលោករំពឹងទុកទៅទៀត។ អតីតខ្មែរក្រហមបានលេចមុខមកចូលរួម ហើយនឹងនិយាយ។
ពួក គេបានស្តាប់នៅពេលដែលសមាជិកម្នាក់នៃសមាគមរបស់ជនរងគ្រោះបាន ប្រាប់ពួកគេថា ខ្មែរក្រហម ដែលជាអ្នកទទួលខុសត្រូវចំពោះការស្លាប់របស់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជា ជិត២លាននាក់នោះ សម្លាប់ឪពុកម្តាយរបស់លោក។
លោក Daravuth Seng និយាយទៀតថា ខ្មែរក្រហមម្នាក់ឬពីរនាក់ បានបង្ហាញនូវវិប្បដិសារី។ គោលបំណងសំខាន់នៃកិច្ចខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងផ្សះផ្សារ គឺឲ្យយល់ថា តើហេតុអ្វីបានជាពួកគេចូលជាមួយពួកខ្មែរក្រហម។
«ប្រសិនបើយើងនិយាយថាមិនចង់ឲ្យអំពើប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍នេះកើតមាន ឡើងម្តងទៀតយើងប្រាកដជាចាំបាច់យល់ភាគីទាំង២ដើម្បីឲ្យយល់ពីរបៀបដែលមនុស្សទាំងនោះឆ្វេងយល់អំពីពិភពលោក»។
លោក Seng និយាយ ទៀតថា ពិធីនៅថ្ងៃនេះ មិនមែនជាទីបញ្ចប់ទេ គឺគ្រាន់តែជាជំហាននៃការចាប់ផ្តើមឆ្ពោះទៅកាន់ការផ្សះផ្សារ ជាតិ៕
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Hun Sen questions summonses
Oct 8, 2009
AFP
AFP
PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIA'S premier on Thursday questioned why a UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes court had summoned six top government and legislative officials as witnesses, describing the move as 'strange'.
In a move opposed by Cambodia's administration, French investigating judge Marcel Lemonde has called the officials to testify in the court's second case against Khmer Rouge leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said he found it 'strange' that the six had been asked to testify as witnesses, as he considered them plaintiffs due to their roles in bringing the late 1970s Khmer Rouge regime to justice.
'Why do they call the plaintiffs to be witnesses? Because those people are known to have toppled (Khmer Rouge leader) Pol Pot and they are also the ones who approved the laws to try the Khmer Rouge,' Mr Hun Sen said. He made the comments in a speech marking 30 years since the national bank was rebuilt after the Khmer Rouge.
The process has been hit by allegations that Hun Sen's administration has attempted to interfere in the tribunal to protect former regime members who are now in government.
Senate president Chea Sim, national assembly president Heng Samrin, foreign minister Hor Namhong, finance minister Keat Chhon and senators Sim Ka and Ouk Bunchhoeun were called last month to testify, the court revealed on Wednesday.
The tribunal's second case is expected to try detained former Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife, minister of social affairs Ieng Thirith.
In a move opposed by Cambodia's administration, French investigating judge Marcel Lemonde has called the officials to testify in the court's second case against Khmer Rouge leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said he found it 'strange' that the six had been asked to testify as witnesses, as he considered them plaintiffs due to their roles in bringing the late 1970s Khmer Rouge regime to justice.
'Why do they call the plaintiffs to be witnesses? Because those people are known to have toppled (Khmer Rouge leader) Pol Pot and they are also the ones who approved the laws to try the Khmer Rouge,' Mr Hun Sen said. He made the comments in a speech marking 30 years since the national bank was rebuilt after the Khmer Rouge.
The process has been hit by allegations that Hun Sen's administration has attempted to interfere in the tribunal to protect former regime members who are now in government.
Senate president Chea Sim, national assembly president Heng Samrin, foreign minister Hor Namhong, finance minister Keat Chhon and senators Sim Ka and Ouk Bunchhoeun were called last month to testify, the court revealed on Wednesday.
The tribunal's second case is expected to try detained former Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife, minister of social affairs Ieng Thirith.
Khmer Rouge tribunal summons gov't party officials
2009-10-07
By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press
By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press
The tribunal trying former leaders of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge announced Wednesday that it has summoned six leading members of Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party to give testimony.
The action is likely to irk Hun Sen, who has repeatedly expressed his sharp dissatisfaction with any efforts by the U.N.-assisted tribunal to expand its scope and possibly include his political allies as suspects in grave human rights abuses committed when the communist Khmer Rouge held power from 1975-79.
The tribunal is seeking justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died in Cambodia from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition as a result of the communist Khmer Rouge's radical policies.
The tribunal released copies of letters summoning the six to testify to the investigating judges of the court. They are top members of Hun Sen's Cambodian People's party: Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Finance Minister Keat Chhon, National Assembly president Heng Samrin, Senate president Chea Sim and two other senators, Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka.
All are also former members of the Khmer Rouge, or exercised some authority when the group was in power.
The documents were released late in the day, and those named could not immediately be reached for comment.
The letters did not say specifically what information was sought, but said it was in connection with the cases of Nuon Chea, the group's ideologist; Khieu Samphan, its former head of state; Ieng Sary, its foreign minister; and "others." The three, along with Ieng Sary's wife, Ieng Thirith, who was minister for social affairs, are expected to be tried next year.
The tribunal is currently trying its first defendant, Kaing Guek Eav _ also known as Duch _ who commanded S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, where up to 16,000 people were tortured and then taken away to be killed. He is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder and torture.
Testimony in the his trial concluded last month, and closing arguments will be held late next month.
Critics accuse Hun Sen of trying to limit the tribunal's scope to prevent his political allies from being indicted. Hun Sen himself once served as a Khmer Rouge officer and many of his main allies are also former members of the group.
Hun Sen has claimed that expanding the list of defendants could lead to civil war, a claim doubted by his critics. The Khmer Rouge took control after a bitter 1970-75 civil war, and after being ousted from power in 1979, fought an insurgency from the jungles until 1999, when they ceased to exist as an organized force.
Last month, a tribunal prosecutor formally recommended that five more suspects be investigated for crimes against humanity and other offenses.
The action is likely to irk Hun Sen, who has repeatedly expressed his sharp dissatisfaction with any efforts by the U.N.-assisted tribunal to expand its scope and possibly include his political allies as suspects in grave human rights abuses committed when the communist Khmer Rouge held power from 1975-79.
The tribunal is seeking justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died in Cambodia from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition as a result of the communist Khmer Rouge's radical policies.
The tribunal released copies of letters summoning the six to testify to the investigating judges of the court. They are top members of Hun Sen's Cambodian People's party: Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Finance Minister Keat Chhon, National Assembly president Heng Samrin, Senate president Chea Sim and two other senators, Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka.
All are also former members of the Khmer Rouge, or exercised some authority when the group was in power.
The documents were released late in the day, and those named could not immediately be reached for comment.
The letters did not say specifically what information was sought, but said it was in connection with the cases of Nuon Chea, the group's ideologist; Khieu Samphan, its former head of state; Ieng Sary, its foreign minister; and "others." The three, along with Ieng Sary's wife, Ieng Thirith, who was minister for social affairs, are expected to be tried next year.
The tribunal is currently trying its first defendant, Kaing Guek Eav _ also known as Duch _ who commanded S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, where up to 16,000 people were tortured and then taken away to be killed. He is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder and torture.
Testimony in the his trial concluded last month, and closing arguments will be held late next month.
Critics accuse Hun Sen of trying to limit the tribunal's scope to prevent his political allies from being indicted. Hun Sen himself once served as a Khmer Rouge officer and many of his main allies are also former members of the group.
Hun Sen has claimed that expanding the list of defendants could lead to civil war, a claim doubted by his critics. The Khmer Rouge took control after a bitter 1970-75 civil war, and after being ousted from power in 1979, fought an insurgency from the jungles until 1999, when they ceased to exist as an organized force.
Last month, a tribunal prosecutor formally recommended that five more suspects be investigated for crimes against humanity and other offenses.
Khmer Rouge court calls government witnesses (Update)
Cambodia's senate president Chea Sim (R) and National Assembly president Heng SamrinWednesday, October 07, 2009
AFP
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes court has summoned six top government and legislative officials as witnesses against leaders of the late 1970s regime, said documents released Wednesday.
In a move opposed by the Cambodian government, letters signed by the French investigating judge called on the officials to testify in the second case against former Khmer Rouge leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Current senate president Chea Sim, national assembly president Heng Samrin, foreign minister Hor Namhong, finance minister Keat Chhon and senators Sim Ka and Ouk Bunchhoeun were each "asked for a hearing as a witness," said the letters.
They will have to give testimony to an investigating judge of the tribunal, which was created in 2006 to try leading members of the regime.
"Except for individuals who volunteer to go, the government's position is no to this even if they are called as witnesses," government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP Wednesday.
He said that foreign officials involved in the tribunal "can pack their clothes and return home" if they are not satisfied.
However Heather Ryan, court monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative, said the move to release the court documents was an "important step" which might make members of government feel obliged to cooperate with the tribunal.
"The fact that the letters are public hopefully increases the chances they will comply with the summonses," Ryan said.
Critics of Cambodia's administration have previously alleged that it has interfered in the tribunal to protect former regime members now in government.
The court's second case is expected to try detained former Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife, minister of social affairs Ieng Thirith.
As the court has sought to investigate other suspects, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned further prosecutions could plunge Cambodia back into civil war. But critics say there is no risk of more fighting after over a decade of peace.
Final arguments in the court's first trial of prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, known by the alias Duch, are scheduled for late next month.
He has used the proceedings to accept responsibility and apologise for overseeing the execution of more than 15,000 people at the main Khmer Rouge jail, known as Tuol Sleng.
Led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge emptied Cambodia's cities in a bid to forge a communist utopia, resulting in the deaths of up to two million people from starvation, overwork and torture.
In a move opposed by the Cambodian government, letters signed by the French investigating judge called on the officials to testify in the second case against former Khmer Rouge leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Current senate president Chea Sim, national assembly president Heng Samrin, foreign minister Hor Namhong, finance minister Keat Chhon and senators Sim Ka and Ouk Bunchhoeun were each "asked for a hearing as a witness," said the letters.
They will have to give testimony to an investigating judge of the tribunal, which was created in 2006 to try leading members of the regime.
"Except for individuals who volunteer to go, the government's position is no to this even if they are called as witnesses," government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP Wednesday.
He said that foreign officials involved in the tribunal "can pack their clothes and return home" if they are not satisfied.
However Heather Ryan, court monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative, said the move to release the court documents was an "important step" which might make members of government feel obliged to cooperate with the tribunal.
"The fact that the letters are public hopefully increases the chances they will comply with the summonses," Ryan said.
Critics of Cambodia's administration have previously alleged that it has interfered in the tribunal to protect former regime members now in government.
The court's second case is expected to try detained former Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife, minister of social affairs Ieng Thirith.
As the court has sought to investigate other suspects, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned further prosecutions could plunge Cambodia back into civil war. But critics say there is no risk of more fighting after over a decade of peace.
Final arguments in the court's first trial of prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, known by the alias Duch, are scheduled for late next month.
He has used the proceedings to accept responsibility and apologise for overseeing the execution of more than 15,000 people at the main Khmer Rouge jail, known as Tuol Sleng.
Led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge emptied Cambodia's cities in a bid to forge a communist utopia, resulting in the deaths of up to two million people from starvation, overwork and torture.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
A KR Tribunal that is unable to take up a KR case?
Hor Nam Hong (L) and Sam Rainsy (R)Click here to read The Cambodia Daily article published in 2000 where eyewitnesses discussed about
Hor Nam Hong's role at the Boeung Trabek jail
KR Tribunal refuses to take up Hor Namhong’s lawsuit against Sam Rainsy
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
By Nora-Brevin
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata and Heng Soy
"We should not tell the KRT to do this or that"- Reach Sambath, KRT spokeman
Phnom Penh – At the Phnom Penh International Airport, opposition leader Sam Rainsy refused to apologize to Hor Namhong, and he said that he is not concerned about this lawsuit affecting the political activities of the opposition party or his own activities, he placed his hope on the KR Tribunal (to take up this lawsuit case). However, the KRT spokesman rejected by saying that the KRT does not have the right to resolve such case.
After returning from his visit to Canada and the USA, on 29 April, Sam Rainsy told reporters at the Phnom Penh International Airport that: “What is the reason for me to apologize to Mr. Hor Namhong? I revealed (the information) to the authority and institutions which have the duty to find the truth.” He said that the appropriate institution that has the clear duty is the KRT, because its duty is to find the truth for events related to the killings under the Khmer Rouge regime. Therefore, this is not the duty of the Phnom Penh municipal court.
The opposition leader still claims that whatever he said, he has the basis and the witnesses for them. Sam Rainsy said: “Now, there are a lot of witnesses, they are Cambodian intellectuals who were jailed at Boeung Trabek, and they know what was Mr. Hor Hamhong’s duty, what he did.” He said that he is receiving some of the information from people who used to be jailed in Boeung Trabek.
In spite of his claims, Sam Rainsy still uses Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk as his excuse to defend himself in this lawsuit. He said: “I am repeating after Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk only, if the court summons me, the court must also summon Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk as well.”
Besides that, Sam Rainsy said that Hor Namhong’s lawsuit does not affect the SRP, and quite to the contrary, those who sue Sam Rainsy are likened to those who help advertise for Sam Rainsy at this point in time. He said: “I am not concerned at all.”
Known for leading demonstrations, Sam Rainsy still maintains his desire to hold another anti-inflation demonstration and to demand for a salary increase. He said that he still plans to hold another demonstration, however, he must discuss the issue with his colleagues who were in contact with numerous people at the local levels who want to join the demonstration. He added he will no longer hold a demonstration in one spot anymore.
Sam Rainsy’s refusal to apologize means that he is closing the door for an out-of-court settlement with Hor Namhong, therefore the case will be settled by the court.
Reach Sambath, KRT spokesman, said that Hor Namhong’s lawsuit against Sam Rainsy is not under the jurisdiction of the KRT. He explained that the KRT has a clearly set power to judge 2 groups of people only: the top leaders and the top persons responsible under the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime for the crimes which took place between 1975-1979. He added: “Other lawsuits, such as defamation lawsuits or spreading disinformation are not under the jurisdiction of the KRT.” He added that, all of us, small or big, including politicians, we should leave the KRT to operate under the agreement between the government and the UN according to the National Assembly’s approval. We should not tell the KRT to do this or that.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Hor Nam Hong claims to be a victim of the KR because 30 of his relatives were killed by the KR ... Nuon Chea, Brother No. 2, said the same thing also
Sam Rainsy could face jail term or fine from Hor Nam Hong’s accusation of spreading false information
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
On 22 April, Hor Nam Hong, vice-prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs, said that he had to force himself to sue opposition leader Sam Rainsy for spreading false information.
According to the law, Sam Rainsy could face jail term or fine if the court finds him guilty for accusing Hor Nam Hong as being the Boeng Trabek jail chief under the KR regime.
In an interview with the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper and RFA on 22 April, Hor Nam Hong said that he sent his lawsuit to the tribunal on 22 April, and he is suing Sam Rainsy for both spreading false information and defamation. Hor Nam Hong said that he was forced to decide to sue Sam Rainsy because the latter diffused untruthful information about him in front of several hundreds of people.
Nevertheless, Hor Nam Hong said that if Sam Rainsy recognized that he misspoke and apologized to him, he will drop this lawsuit so that the upcoming election atmosphere will be calm, and the election will be undertaken democratically and with transparence.
In his interview, Hor Nam Hong gave out details to explain that he is a victim of the KR regime, and that at least 30 of his relatives and his wife’s relatives were killed by the KR.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said that Sam Rainsy must have known by now that Hor Nam Hong sued him. He added that, regarding the connection of this (Hor Nam Hong) case with the KR regime, only the KR Tribunal can resolve this lawsuit. However, if the Phnom Penh municipal court is rendering justice in this case, then it would a political affair.
Sam Rainsy is known to be leaving Canada to return back to the US on 22 April. Sam Rainsy plans to provide a talk about the situation in Cambodia to a US University.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
On 22 April, Hor Nam Hong, vice-prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs, said that he had to force himself to sue opposition leader Sam Rainsy for spreading false information.
According to the law, Sam Rainsy could face jail term or fine if the court finds him guilty for accusing Hor Nam Hong as being the Boeng Trabek jail chief under the KR regime.
In an interview with the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper and RFA on 22 April, Hor Nam Hong said that he sent his lawsuit to the tribunal on 22 April, and he is suing Sam Rainsy for both spreading false information and defamation. Hor Nam Hong said that he was forced to decide to sue Sam Rainsy because the latter diffused untruthful information about him in front of several hundreds of people.
Nevertheless, Hor Nam Hong said that if Sam Rainsy recognized that he misspoke and apologized to him, he will drop this lawsuit so that the upcoming election atmosphere will be calm, and the election will be undertaken democratically and with transparence.
In his interview, Hor Nam Hong gave out details to explain that he is a victim of the KR regime, and that at least 30 of his relatives and his wife’s relatives were killed by the KR.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said that Sam Rainsy must have known by now that Hor Nam Hong sued him. He added that, regarding the connection of this (Hor Nam Hong) case with the KR regime, only the KR Tribunal can resolve this lawsuit. However, if the Phnom Penh municipal court is rendering justice in this case, then it would a political affair.
Sam Rainsy is known to be leaving Canada to return back to the US on 22 April. Sam Rainsy plans to provide a talk about the situation in Cambodia to a US University.
Hor Nam Hong can be brought to court to answer about his involvements under the KR ... for a mere $2,500 (10 million riels)
Foreign Minister Files Suit Against Opposition
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
22 April 2008
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
22 April 2008
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong filed a complaint in Phnom Penh Municipal Court Tuesday, alleging defamation and dissemination of false information against opposition leader Sam Rainsy.
In an April 17 speech in remembrance of the fall of Phnom Penh, Sam Rainsy said the government still housed former members of the Khmer Rouge, including the Foreign Minister.
“If someone calls me Khmer Rouge, I will be filled with deep pain,” Hor Namhong told journalists Tuesday. “I made the complaints today, one for defamation and the other for the dissemination of false information, because Sam Rainsy was attended by hundreds of people.”
Court officials said Tuesday they had received the complaint, in which Hor Namhong is suing for 10 million riel.
SRP Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng said the courts had no ability to judge who was Khmer Rouge cadre or not.
The party was not worried about the case, he said.
The complaint comes just three months before general elections and Sam Rainsy could face a jail term if found guilty.
“We believe that the Cambodian politicians should not choose to lodge a complaint at the moment,” said Ny Chakrya, chief investigator for the rights group Adhoc. “It is better to keep the good atmosphere for elections.”
Hor Namhong said Tuesday that if Sam Rainsy apologized, the minister would withdraw his suit.
Sam Rainsy is currently out of the country.
In an April 17 speech in remembrance of the fall of Phnom Penh, Sam Rainsy said the government still housed former members of the Khmer Rouge, including the Foreign Minister.
“If someone calls me Khmer Rouge, I will be filled with deep pain,” Hor Namhong told journalists Tuesday. “I made the complaints today, one for defamation and the other for the dissemination of false information, because Sam Rainsy was attended by hundreds of people.”
Court officials said Tuesday they had received the complaint, in which Hor Namhong is suing for 10 million riel.
SRP Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng said the courts had no ability to judge who was Khmer Rouge cadre or not.
The party was not worried about the case, he said.
The complaint comes just three months before general elections and Sam Rainsy could face a jail term if found guilty.
“We believe that the Cambodian politicians should not choose to lodge a complaint at the moment,” said Ny Chakrya, chief investigator for the rights group Adhoc. “It is better to keep the good atmosphere for elections.”
Hor Namhong said Tuesday that if Sam Rainsy apologized, the minister would withdraw his suit.
Sam Rainsy is currently out of the country.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sam Rainsy did not name Hor Nam Hong
Monday, April 21, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Regarding the information reporting that vice-prime minister Hor Nam Hong plans to sue opposition leader Sam Rainsy for accusing him of being the Boeng Trabek (S-21) jail chief under the KR regime, Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, defended Sam Rainsy, saying that the latter did not name Hor Nam Hong or any other individual explicitly. Eng Chhai Eang told The Mekong Times that his party chief did not name Hor Nam Hong or any other individuals explicitly, and that any individual who sues Sam Rainsy, means that this individual is actually involved (with the KR regime). Eng Chhai Eang said: “ During the KR regime, it was not just the KR leaders who have the power to order the killing of anyone, even the prison chief or the group chief, who did not even hold the same powerful position as Duch, had the right to kill anyone. All these people are also involved, but in order to remain free, they used the court to protect themselves. The criminals are not sentenced, and impunity still remains.” Eng Chhai Eang added: “If there will truly be a lawsuit, we will not participate in it, because we do not have confidence on the tribunal, it only hands out sentence according to the order issued to it, it does not provide justice at all.”
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Let’s Battle It Out: The Defamation Case of Hor Namhong vs. Sam Rainsy
Friday, April 18, 2008
Editorial by Khmerization
Originally posted at http://khmerization.blogspot.com
It is interesting to see that, while the Khmer Rouge Tribunal is making great efforts to bring former Khmer Rouge to justice, other former Khmer Rouge, the likes of Hor Namhong and Keat Chhon are trying to battle it out with their victims (Sam Rainsy and co.) in the Cambodian court, citing defamation (read this link).
While defamation is very hard to prove and prosecute in an independent judiciary, it is not in the Cambodian judiciary, especially when the court is at the disposal of the plaintiff, in this case Hor Namhong, who is a senior government minister and the defendant, Sam Rainsy, who happens to be an opposition leader. But this is a fight over principle and, win or lose, the one who has the most to lose will be Hor Namhong himself.
Let’s set the record straight here. In order for any defamation cases to prevail and be successfully prosecuted, the plaintiff must prove and satisfy three elements of the laws. Firstly, the plaintiff must prove that the person who defamed him had actually identified him by name. In this case, it’s disputable whether Rainsy did identify Hor Namhong in his speech, although Rainsy did mention the person by his job description as a foreign minister. Secondly, the allegation must have been published or being communicated to the public. Sam Rainsy made the comments and they have been communicated to his audience and the comments were published by local and international media. Thirdly, that the defendant must have known that his statements are false and that the plaintiff must have suffered damages as a result of those false statements. To satisfy this element of the laws, Hor Namhong must prove that he had suffered in the form of damages to his reputation or job loss, he was subject to public ridicule, hatred and contempt or degradation to his dignity.
By close examination, Hor Hamhong has no strong legal basis for a defamation suit. While Hor Namhong can satisfy the second element of the laws described above, it would be very difficult for him to satisfy the first and third element of the laws. In conclusion, his defamation law suit against Sam Rainsy has no merit and is therefore has a very low chance of victory, if the case is brought before an independent judiciary. But in Cambodia, where the judiciary is at Hor Namhong’s disposal, the chance of a legal success over Sam Rainsy is a sure thing.
All the legal challenges above notwithstanding, Sam Rainsy is not left without a defence. While the plaintiff must satisfy three elements of the laws to be able to successfully prosecute the defamation case, the defendant has also three elements of the laws to defend him/herself against the defamation suit. First is the truth. The truth is the ultimate defence against defamation suit. Sam Rainsy said that Hor Namhong was a director of the Boeng Trabek Prison, which was true. And, as a chief of the prison, he was responsible for the tortures, murders and disappearances of many Cambodian and foreign diplomats, the likes of Sarin Chhak, Chau Seng etc. who were imprisoned at Boeng Trabek and who have disappeared mysteriously without a trace.
Secondly, that Sam Rainsy’s statements were made in the public interests. With over 1.7 million deaths under the Khmer Rouge regime, with the Khmer Rouge Tribunal is seeking for the truth and uncountable executions at Boeng Trabek Prison, the public has the interests and the right to know the truth. Thirdly, is the freedom of speech and parliamentary immunity. Freedom of speech here is not a strong defence as freedom of speech has its limits. You can speak freely as long as you don’t defame someone. And parliamentary immunity is certainly not a defence here because Rainsy’s comments were made outside of parliament. It would be an ultimate defence if the comments were made inside of parliament.
In conclusion, Hor Namhong’s prosecution case is very weak, while Sam Rainsy’s case has a very strong defence - and that is the defence of the truth and the defence of public interests. Hor Namhong can only satisfy one element of the defamation laws - and that is the publications of Rainsy‘s comments, but he will not be able to prove that Rainsy’s statements were directed at him personally or that the statements were maliciously or vexatiously intended to ruin his reputation. It would be very hard to prove that he had suffered any damages as a result of Rainsy’s comments. Meanwhile, Sam Rainsy’s case can at least satisfy two elements of the defence in the defamation laws - and that is the truth and public interests. In an independent judiciary, Hor Namhong’s case has very little chance of success at all.
The Khmer Rouge Tribunal is still in full operation. It is not too late to bring the perpetrators of the crimes, the likes of Hor Namhong and Keat Chhon, to answer what they knew about the Khmer Rouge atrocities and their involvements in those atrocities. So, let’s battle it out, Rainsy.
Editorial by Khmerization
Originally posted at http://khmerization.blogspot.com
“The Khmer Rouge Tribunal is still in full operation. It is not too late to bring the perpetrators of the crimes, the likes of Hor Namhong and Keat Chhon, to answer what they knew about the Khmer Rouge atrocities and their involvements in those atrocities. So, let’s battle it out, Rainsy.”Some people would just want to let the Khmer Rouge leaders live with their guilt and let bygones be bygones for the sake of national reconciliation, peace, prosperity and stability. But with over 1.7 million Khmers died in tragic circumstances and with many victims traumatised and national healing is at stake, it is unimaginable to let the Khmer Rouge crimes go unpunished and let bygones to be gone by. We Khmer must be reconciled to the fact that national reconciliation must come with justice, and to let the bygones to by gone by as in the case of the Khmer Rouge crimes, would be a betrayal of mankind and the 1.7 million who perished in the most inhuman ways. The truth must be revealed and that the perpetrators and their cohorts must be unmasked.
It is interesting to see that, while the Khmer Rouge Tribunal is making great efforts to bring former Khmer Rouge to justice, other former Khmer Rouge, the likes of Hor Namhong and Keat Chhon are trying to battle it out with their victims (Sam Rainsy and co.) in the Cambodian court, citing defamation (read this link).
While defamation is very hard to prove and prosecute in an independent judiciary, it is not in the Cambodian judiciary, especially when the court is at the disposal of the plaintiff, in this case Hor Namhong, who is a senior government minister and the defendant, Sam Rainsy, who happens to be an opposition leader. But this is a fight over principle and, win or lose, the one who has the most to lose will be Hor Namhong himself.
Let’s set the record straight here. In order for any defamation cases to prevail and be successfully prosecuted, the plaintiff must prove and satisfy three elements of the laws. Firstly, the plaintiff must prove that the person who defamed him had actually identified him by name. In this case, it’s disputable whether Rainsy did identify Hor Namhong in his speech, although Rainsy did mention the person by his job description as a foreign minister. Secondly, the allegation must have been published or being communicated to the public. Sam Rainsy made the comments and they have been communicated to his audience and the comments were published by local and international media. Thirdly, that the defendant must have known that his statements are false and that the plaintiff must have suffered damages as a result of those false statements. To satisfy this element of the laws, Hor Namhong must prove that he had suffered in the form of damages to his reputation or job loss, he was subject to public ridicule, hatred and contempt or degradation to his dignity.
By close examination, Hor Hamhong has no strong legal basis for a defamation suit. While Hor Namhong can satisfy the second element of the laws described above, it would be very difficult for him to satisfy the first and third element of the laws. In conclusion, his defamation law suit against Sam Rainsy has no merit and is therefore has a very low chance of victory, if the case is brought before an independent judiciary. But in Cambodia, where the judiciary is at Hor Namhong’s disposal, the chance of a legal success over Sam Rainsy is a sure thing.
All the legal challenges above notwithstanding, Sam Rainsy is not left without a defence. While the plaintiff must satisfy three elements of the laws to be able to successfully prosecute the defamation case, the defendant has also three elements of the laws to defend him/herself against the defamation suit. First is the truth. The truth is the ultimate defence against defamation suit. Sam Rainsy said that Hor Namhong was a director of the Boeng Trabek Prison, which was true. And, as a chief of the prison, he was responsible for the tortures, murders and disappearances of many Cambodian and foreign diplomats, the likes of Sarin Chhak, Chau Seng etc. who were imprisoned at Boeng Trabek and who have disappeared mysteriously without a trace.
Secondly, that Sam Rainsy’s statements were made in the public interests. With over 1.7 million deaths under the Khmer Rouge regime, with the Khmer Rouge Tribunal is seeking for the truth and uncountable executions at Boeng Trabek Prison, the public has the interests and the right to know the truth. Thirdly, is the freedom of speech and parliamentary immunity. Freedom of speech here is not a strong defence as freedom of speech has its limits. You can speak freely as long as you don’t defame someone. And parliamentary immunity is certainly not a defence here because Rainsy’s comments were made outside of parliament. It would be an ultimate defence if the comments were made inside of parliament.
In conclusion, Hor Namhong’s prosecution case is very weak, while Sam Rainsy’s case has a very strong defence - and that is the defence of the truth and the defence of public interests. Hor Namhong can only satisfy one element of the defamation laws - and that is the publications of Rainsy‘s comments, but he will not be able to prove that Rainsy’s statements were directed at him personally or that the statements were maliciously or vexatiously intended to ruin his reputation. It would be very hard to prove that he had suffered any damages as a result of Rainsy’s comments. Meanwhile, Sam Rainsy’s case can at least satisfy two elements of the defence in the defamation laws - and that is the truth and public interests. In an independent judiciary, Hor Namhong’s case has very little chance of success at all.
The Khmer Rouge Tribunal is still in full operation. It is not too late to bring the perpetrators of the crimes, the likes of Hor Namhong and Keat Chhon, to answer what they knew about the Khmer Rouge atrocities and their involvements in those atrocities. So, let’s battle it out, Rainsy.
Hor Nam Hong plans to provide free publicity for Sam Rainsy in the upcoming election
Left to right: Keat Chhon, Hor Namhong, Sam RainsyFM To Sue Sam Rainsy for Khmer Rouge Remarks
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
18 April 2008
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong plans to sue opposition leader Sam Rainsy over statements made Thursday linking the minister to the Khmer Rouge, an official said Friday.
In a ceremony to commemorate the fall of Phnom Penh to Khmer Rouge guerrillas in 1975, Sam Rainsy said Thursday at least two ministers in the current government were cadres of the regime.
“One of them was secretary and interpreter of Pol Pot and who is senior minister and Minister of Economy and another current deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs was director of Beoung Trabek prison,” Sam Rainsy said. “The director of a prison can point someone and this person will be disappeared.”
Keat Chhon is currently the Economy Minister, and Hor Namhong is the Foreign Minister.
Hor Namhong will file a suit against Sam Rainsy for the remarks, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Sim Bunthoeurn. “He will meet with a lawyer this Monday.”
Sam Rainsy could not be reached for comment, because he is abroad.
But Eng Chhay Ieng, SRP secretary-general, said Sam Rainsy had not mentioned Hor Namhong by name, nor accused him of killing anyone.
The party will defend its leader in court, he added.
Keat Chhon could not be reached for comment Friday.
In a ceremony to commemorate the fall of Phnom Penh to Khmer Rouge guerrillas in 1975, Sam Rainsy said Thursday at least two ministers in the current government were cadres of the regime.
“One of them was secretary and interpreter of Pol Pot and who is senior minister and Minister of Economy and another current deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs was director of Beoung Trabek prison,” Sam Rainsy said. “The director of a prison can point someone and this person will be disappeared.”
Keat Chhon is currently the Economy Minister, and Hor Namhong is the Foreign Minister.
Hor Namhong will file a suit against Sam Rainsy for the remarks, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Sim Bunthoeurn. “He will meet with a lawyer this Monday.”
Sam Rainsy could not be reached for comment, because he is abroad.
But Eng Chhay Ieng, SRP secretary-general, said Sam Rainsy had not mentioned Hor Namhong by name, nor accused him of killing anyone.
The party will defend its leader in court, he added.
Keat Chhon could not be reached for comment Friday.
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