Khmer M'Chas Srok communique regarding January 7th, 2010

Dear Compatriots

Please find the following Khmer M'Chas Srok communique regarding January 7th, 2010.

Khmer Mchas Srok

Click on the statement in Khmer to zoom in

Khmer Mchas Srok Movement activities in Washington DC and New York, USA

Dr Chak Sakhonn proudly showing the Cambodian flag
Dr Chak Sakhonn and Mr. Sean Masavang
Dr Chak Sakhonn
Dr Chak Sakhonn

Dear Khmer Mchas Srok, Dear Compatriots

I have the honor to report the program of the Delegation of KMS in Washington DC and New York, USA last week (17 Nov-23 Nov-2009) to prepare the 6th Session of UPR in Geneva in December 2009:

1 - 19/Nov/2009 10:00: meeting with the UN Mission in Washington DC, USA

2 - 19/Nov/2009 at 11:30: meeting with the Officer for Asia Pacific at the State Department in Washington DC, USA

3 - 20 / Nov/2009 at 9:00 to 12:00: Participating in the ceremony of "20th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children" at the UN headquarters in New York (Opening remarks Mr. Ban Ki-moon), followed by a friendly lunch at the UN
4 - 20/Nov/2009 at 14:00: Meeting with the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN headquarters in New York
5 - 21/Nov/2009 afternoon: Meeting / Discussion with representatives of the Khmer Association in Washington DC on the current and future situation in Cambodia,

6 - 22/Nov/2009 10:00 - 17:00: Seminar followed by a Meeting / Public Debate, with the Khmer compatriots and Media (VOA and RFA) in Washington DC on Vietnamization in Cambodia

All these interviews and meetings with the international and Khmer community are actually beneficial to advance the objectives of KMS. They bring a wealth of information and encouragements to peacefully resolve the problems of Cambodia.

You will find enclosed some pictures of our mission in Washington DC and New York.

Good luck to you all for KMS Rally on 04 December 2009!

With all my Best regards

Dr Chak Sakhonn
Président de KMS
_________________________
Chers Khmer Mchas Srok, Chers Compatriotes

J'ai l'honneur de vous communiquer le programme de la Délégation de KMS à Washington DC et à NewYork -USA de la semaine dernière (17 Nov- 23 Nov-2009) pour préparer la 6ème Session de UPR à Genève en Décembre 2009 :
1- Le 19/Nov/2009 à 10:00: Entretien avec la Mission de l’ONU à Washington DC-USA,

2- Le 19/Nov/2009 à 11:30: Entretien avec le Responsable du Secteur Asie Pacifique au State Departement à Washington DC-USA,

3- Le 20 /Nov/ 2009 à 9:00-12:00: Participer à la cérémonie du "20e Anniversaire de la Convention de l'ONU sur les Droits des Enfants", au Siège des Nation à New York (Discours d'ouverture prononcé par M. Ban Kimoon), suivi d'un déjeuner amical à l'ONU,

4- Le 20/Nov/ 2009 à 14:00: Réunion avec le Haut Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme au siège des Nations Unies à New York,
5- Le 21/Nov/ 2009 après midi: Réunion/Discussion avec Les représentants des Associations Khmères à Washington DC sur la situation actuelle et future au Cambodge,
6- Le 22/Nov/ 2009 10:00 à 17:00: Séminaire suivi d'une Réunion/Débat Public, avec les compatriotes Khmers et les Médias (VOA et RFA) à Washington DC sur la Vietnamisation au Cambodge,

Tous ces entretiens et Réunions avec la Communauté Internationale et Khmère sont réellement bénéfiques pour faire avancer les objectifs de KMS. Ils nous apportent énormément d’informations et d’encourragements pour résoudre pacifiquement les problèmes du Cambodge.

Vous trouverez ci-joint quelques photos de notre mission à Washington DC et à New York.

Bon courage à vous tous pour le Manif du 04 Décembre 2009 !!!
Avec toutes mes considérations
Dr Chak Sakhonn
Président de KMS

Khmer Mchas Srok's Open Invitation To Participate In The "Human Rights" Rally

Paris, October 26, 2009

Subject: OPEN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "HUMAN RIGHTS" RALLY

Dear Cambodian Compatriot,

To commemorate the World “Human Rights Day” and to show our determination to stop GENOCIDE of the Khmer People to the United Nations during the special Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Cambodia in December 2009

PLEASE COME
To participate in the "HUMAN RIGHTS" RALLY
Organized by KHMER M'CHAS SROK(KMS)

Date: Friday December 4th, 2009
Time: 13H00 - 17H00
Place: in front of the PALAIS DES NATIONS
CH 1211 Geneva 10 - Switzerland

This is a great opportunity for us and on behalf of the Cambodian people victims of the genocide and gross human rights violations in Cambodia to stand up in solidarity for defending human rights and act on our collective responsibility to urge the world bodies to respond to the call of humanity for peace, justice and compassion in Cambodia as well as in other countries around the world.

Mr. Elie Wiesel, a Jewish writer, professor, political activist, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate (Peace Prize in 1986), has said, “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

We thank you in advance and hope you will support us in this important event.

President of Khmer M'Chas Srok
Dr. Sakhonn CHAK

The Frog in the Indochinese Federation's pot of hot water

President of Khmer Mchas Srok Movement visits Minnesota

Dr Chak Sakhoon, President of the Khmer Machas Srok Movement
Dr. Chak Sakhonn and Mr. Sean Masavang of the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement

Monday, September 28, 2009
Source: Khmer Mchas Srok Movement

Dr. Chack Sakhonn visits Minnesota in a second times to meet her supporters and update the current situation in Cambodia and the Khmer Mchas Srok‘s policy. On September 26. 2009 at 2:00pm about 100 supporters came to listen to her emotional speech and a presentation of real tragic pictures from Cambodia.
On her speech, Dr. Sakhonn focused on the critical issues that our people and nation are facing today: illegal immigrants, borders issues with neighboring countries, land grabbing by the powerful and rich, widespread corruption, national debt, unemployment, poverty, human rights violation, bias justice system, and unfair election.

Furthermore, Dr. Sakhonn accused Vietnam of trying to control Cambodia through the CPP puppet regime. She gave an example that the so-called Triangle Development Zone which contains 20 percent of Cambodia’s size and 30 percent of natural resources of the country but has only two hundred thousand Khmer population to joint with Vietnam’s 3 provinces that has more than 6 million population as a first step toward full Indochina Federation in the future.

At the end of her speech, Dr. Sakhonn appeal to all Khmers who live outside and inside the country to use their rights and voices as the Khmer Mchas srok to demand independence, sovereignty, and eternal peace for our nation, which guaranteed by the Paris Peace Accord in 1991.

For additional information about the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement, click here.

Congratulation to Khmer M'chas Srok Movement for receiving honorific US Congressional Proclamation

Dr. Chak Sakhonn of the Khmer M'chas Srok movement showing the US Congressional Proclamation

Click on the translation in Khmer to zoom in

CONGRESSIONAL PROCLAMATION

In recognition of

Khmer M’Chas Srok

The national Union movement of all Khmer people for Real peace in Cambodia

WHEREAS: Khmer M’Chas Srok has dedicated itself to the independence , sovereignty, and peace of Cambodia and;

WHEREAS: Khmer M’Chas Srok is committed to the encouragement and promotion of cultural awareness and preservation among the Khmer people, and;

WHEREAS: we recognize the Khmer M’Chas Srok for having educated so many people on the current condition of Cambodia and on the vital importance for every country to be self-reliant and have a strong economy, and;

WHEREAS: The Fifth Congressional District has a large and active Cambodian community that invest their efforts into building peace in Cambodia, and;

WHEREAS: Khmer M’Chas Srok is devoted to prosperous future for all Khmer generation to live.

THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, That Khmer M’Chas Srok for their outstanding commitment to the Khmer people and for providing a positive message of community involvement and contribution, be hereby officially recognized for their exceptional dedication, and their continual commitment to establishing Real Peace in Cambodia.

Given this 30th day of August, in the year 2008, and in the 232nd year of the independence of the United States. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Congress of the United States.

NICOLA S. TSONGAS
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

SEAL of the U.S HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVE

Sacrava's Congratulation: Khmer M'chas Srok

By Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Khmer M'chas Srok Movement rejects the result of the 2008 Election in Cambodia

Dear Compatriots

Please read the communiqué in Khmer by Khmer M'Chas Srok about the rejection of the 2008 election results in Cambodia.

Good Reading

Masavang SEAN
Khmer M'Chas Srok

Click here to read the communiqué in Khmer (PDF)

Invitation for 2nd World Convention of Khmer M'chas Srok in Lowell, Mass.

Khmer M'chas Srok
P O Box 460 Lynn Massachusetts 01905
Website: www.khmer-mchas-srok.org
e-mail: Khmer.mchas.srok@gmail.com

INVITATION
(2nd WORLD CONVENTION of KHMER M'CHAS SROK)
Saturday, August 30, 2008

We, the Executive Board of the Khmer M’Chas Srok (KMS) cordially invite you to participate in our 2nd World Convention wich is honnored by the presence of Dr. Sakhonn Chak, the General Representative

Khmer M'Chas Srok is the National Union Movement of all Khmer people having the common goal of reaching Real Peace in Cambodia.

The Real Peace for the Khmer people means that they can live peacefully, freely and supremely, in prosperity and in harmony with their culture and their civilzation in their country.

This Real Peace has been lost for several decades, due to foreign domination, which has interfered in the Sovereignty, the Independence, Territorial Integrity and Inviolability of Cambodia.

This foreign domination is characterized by some principle activities of “Puppet Government” in Cambodia, which:

• has opened the borders and allowed millions of illegal settlers in to Cambodia, and diverted the richness of the country to benefit the new settlers, and
• disregarded the well being of the Cambodian people, and
• failed to defend the territorial integrity and inviolability of Cambodia, etc.

Dear Compatriots, now, together, we face a new challenge to save our motherland and our Khmer identity, in order to build a peaceful and prosperous future for all generations to live as “Khmer M'Chas Srok”.

EVENT INFORMATION

• WHAT: Khmer M’Chas Srok 2nd World Convention
• WHEN: Saturday, August 30, 2008
• WHERE: DoubleTree Hotel, 50 Warren Street, Lowell, Massachusetts
• TIME : 12:00 PM (Noon time) to 5:00 PM (17:00)

For more information, please send e-mail to khmer.mchas.srok@gmail.com or contact us:

• Mr. Masavang Sean: 33 6 07 95 53 66
• Mrs. Vera Tith : 617 717 9117
• Mrs. Deborah Biv: 781 913 2297
• Mr. Kosal Nou : 781 883 6666
• Mr. Sem San : 781 738 6293
• Ms. Sinath Peou: 978 239 9944
• Mrs. Sopor: 781 820 3452
• Mr. Hong Sokheang: 617 548 7727

Thank you for your participation in the meeting and your continued patriotism.

Khmer M’Chas Srok

Click on each page to zoom in

Cating the ballot

Click on the toons to zoom in

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)
and Khmer Mchas Srok (on the web at http://wms.cfcambodge.org/kms/)

New Year Wishes from the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement

NEW YEAR WISHES
YEAR OF THE RAT BUDDHIST ERA 2552

During this New Year occasion Khmer M'Chas Srok wishes upon the TEVODA Chhnam CHOUT (year of RAT), for her to bless all Khmer compatriots inside and outside Cambodia as follow:

May they will be able to defeat every adversary near and far who are disturbing our country, causes our people to suffer every day with social injustice, poverty, land grabbing; and abuses the people's rights over their freedom of expression, religious faith, freedom to live with their culture, tradition and ancestor's land as the result of the lost of partial of Cambodia mother land.

May the TEVODA Chhnam CHOUT brings Khmer people the awakening that helps them to see the real danger of being forlorn with the lost of the Khmer identity and being transformed to be the people of Indochina Federation.

May the TEVODA Chhnam CHOUT comes to guide Khmer people the way to a peaceful resolution in the up coming election in Cambodia, which means giving them freedom of expression with fairness truthfulness and.

May they will be able to choose any political party that has a will power to salvage Cambodia from falling into chasm of becoming to be part of Indochina Federation leaded by Vietnam.

May the TEVODA Chhnam CHOUT brings clear conscience and a NATIONAL SPIRIT OF UNION of being "the owner of the land", solidarity between Khmer and Khmer people in this most critical and life threatening to their nation. For them to be able to institute a sovereign peace that will free Khmer people from foreign occupation and allows them to eternally live in the sovereignty, independent, prosperity on their own ancestor's land according to their culture and tradition.

The Khmer M'Chas Srok also takes this opportunity to wish all Khmer people, men, women, young and adult, wherever they may live, whatever their political affiliation; to forgive and understand one an other and reaching out for each other hands to unite together and live as one family and to be blessed by the Buddha's five wishes: longevity, aspiration, happiness, good health and fraternity with eternal sovereignty, independent and prosperity.

Paris April 13, 2008

Khmer M'Chas Srok

Click here for additional information about the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement

Khmer Mchas Srok Movement of Minnesota holds its first conference

Mr. Sean Masavang and Dr. Chak Sakhon of the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement (Photo: KMSM Minnesota)
Audience participating in the conference (Photo: KMSM Minnesota)

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Report by Khmer Quorum
Originally posted at http://khmerquorum.blogspot.com

On March 22, 2008 in Minnesota, although heavy snow and slippery roads, about 150 Cambodian Americans excitingly came to a conference to listen to a long but very important speech from Dr. Chak Sakhon, a General Representative of the world Khmer Mchas Srok Movement. The conference started from 1:00 PM to 6:10 PM, interrupting with applauses from the audiences and brief video shows.

After a brief welcome speech by Mr. Cheat Hungsa, a president of the KMSM of MN, Dr. Chak Sakhon and Mr. Sean Masavang deliver a key speech to the curious audiences outlining all significant issues that our nation is facing today. With enormous evidences from her studies and researches, Dr. Sakhon explains and convinces our Cambodian American audiences that our beloved nation is in a great danger of losing its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national identity.

The great threat posed to our nation now is millions of illegal Vietnamese immigrants who have been granted full rights as Cambodian citizens to vote. Dr. Sakhon has projected that about 30 percent of registered voters would be Vietnamese in this 2008 election. Along with the rights to vote to decide the Khmer fade, those Vietnamese are free to form their associations in 19 provinces throughout the country. These Vietnamese associations are powerful and cannot be touched or monitored by the Khmer authority. In contrast to the illegal Vietnamese in Cambodia, our Khmer Krom people who have lived on their homeland for generations are not allowed to do the same thing as the Vietnamese in Cambodia.

Furthermore, Dr. Sakhon points out why too many illegal Vietnamese immigrants are in Cambodia. The answer is because Heng Somrin and Hun Sen had signed a number of illegal and unfair treaties with Vietnam--a 25 years Vietnam and Cambodia friendship treaty 1979, 1982 treaty that lost sea water and a number of islands including Kash Tral, 1982 Decree requiring Khmer authority to take care and support Vietnamese immigrants in the country, 1985 treaty that lost border land, and finally a 2005 additional border treaty that has legalized all previous treaties albeit the Paris Peace Accord required the Cambodian government to nullify all previous illegal treaties.

In addition to the unfair treaty with Vietnam, Dr. Sakhon raises another issue about the so-called Triangle Development Zone among the three countries in Indochina--Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Dr. Sakhon calls, “the first legal step toward Indochina Federation.” When they create this free economic zone, the Vietnamese are free to do businesses and settlement in our three provinces. And a combined population of Laos and Cambodia in a combined six provinces in this Free Economic Zone is less than half a million compared to the population of the three provinces in Vietnam in this zone by more than 6 million. For instance, when your family has only one child, and then you put all your property in common with the other family which has ten children. Who is the gainer and who is the loser? In this game, Khmer and Laos are clearly the losers.

Along with a fearful Vietnamese influence and trick on our nation, the natural resource destruction and negligence by the current government is another important key note in her speech-- deforestation, negligence of oil resource and islands in the Gulf of Thailand, and a lack of transparency in revenue collection from Angkor Wat and other tourist places. Dr. Sakhon emphasizes that if we manage our resources carefully and effectively, we can earn enough hard currency to sustain our economic growth and raise a living standard of our people without depending on foreign aids and loans. Currently, the government generates national debt more than $6 billion, and this enormous debt will create a big burden to our children for generations.

Another factor that creates poverty in our country is corruption. Cambodia is well- known as the most corrupt country in the world. Corruption has spread all over the country from the top to the bottom levels of government officials. Corruption costs hundred of million dollar a year for the state budget. Corruption has created more poverty--more than 5.5 million Khmer people live with less than $1 a day and the other 3 million live in extreme poverty with no land, proper shelters, clothing, and food. Also, corruption keeps the government from raising salaries to all civil servants to a livable level.

Finally, Dr. Chak Sakhon focuses on the KMSM’s major policies and goal. She explicitly declares that KMSM is not a political party but a political movement. The KMSM adheres to a principle of non-violence and a use of legal means. As a non-political party, the KMSM does not participate in an up-coming general election. However, the KMSM supports all political parties which have the same mission as KMSM’s. The KMSM encourages all Khmer people to vote for any political party which serves and defend our nation from foreign influence and promote human rights and a rule of law.

During her speech, Dr. Sakhon makes an analogy of the KMSM as a drop of water which dropped on a top of a mountain, but an ultimate place of this drop of water is an ocean. To reach an ocean, this drop of water will face with numerous obstacles such as rocks, stones, trees, and logs. However, those obstacles naturally cannot stop a drop of water from reaching an ocean but merely slowing it down. In the same way, nobody can stop the KMSM from reaching its goal -- independence and sovereign peace for our nation -- but only to slow it down.

After a long passionate speech, the conference moves into a question and answer session. A number of audiences including representatives from few political parties and Khmer Krom Federation raise many concerned questions related to the current situation in our country and the goal and policies of the KMSM. The conference is concluded at 6:10 PM following with food and beverage serving.

Khmer Mchas Srok Movement to hold a conference on Cambodia’s problems

15 March 2008
By Moeung Tum
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Khmer Mchas Srok Movement (KMS) will organize a new conference focusing on the major problems faced by the current Cambodian society.

Dr. Chak Sakhon, KMS General Delegate, told RFA this Saturday that her movement will organize a conference at the Church of the Nazarene in Minnesota, USA, between 22 and 26 March 2008.

Dr. Chak Sakhon said: “In the name of the Khmer Mchas Srok, our compatriots in Minnesota will organize a conference to provide information about the various problems in Cambodia that is facing with threats from rights violation on the people, land-grabbing by powerful (government officials) people. In particular, prior to the election, our compatriots must make the right decision before voting in July 2008. Our compatriots must think hard about these issues, and they must understand the various problems that are occurring in Cambodia nowadays.”

This conference will also focus on the formation of a new office branch of the KMSM in Minnesota. The KMSM indicated that it is not a political party, but it is a national unification movement, formed by expatriate Cambodian people to serve the interest of all the Cambodian people.

Dr. Chak Sakhon also indicated about the activities conducted by the KMSM: “In our first step, we are only making the public aware of the various problems faced by Cambodia, so that our Cambodian compatriots understand them clearly about the current Cambodian affairs, such as the poverty problem, the corruption problem, the lack of social justice problem, the human rights problems. What I want all Cambodian people to know is where we are right now, in 2008. Will Cambodians fare well in the future or not, or will we lose our identity and become just a simple Indochinese? During this month, the KMSM issued two statements, the first one about Cambodians in Long Beach setting up Cambodia Town, we asked that Cambodian people overseas unite with each others to strongly preserve our identity, because inside Cambodia, it is not certain that the Cambodian identity will be preserved, maybe in the near future, we will have the Indochinese citizenship and we will be ruled by Vietnam. Therefore, we are very concerned about this issue. Secondly, we also issued a statement about the conference held on the 28 (of February) in Sihanoukville (between Cambodia and Vietnam), we are very concerned about this conference because the (Hun Sen) Cambodian government signed several treaties and sub-treaties, and we are concerned about the usefulness of these treaties, what will Cambodian people benefit from them? Maybe they are concluded only to put to an end of our Cambodian identity and turn us into Indochinese placed under the yoke of the Vietnamese? Therefore, on all these issues, we want our compatriots to understand that the Cambodian people are walking towards an abyss, if they take another step they will fall into the abyss, shouldn’t they pull back?”

The KMS was formed October 2006, it is based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and it has several other branches in other US states, as well as in other countries, such as France and Australia.

Political Cartoon and Poem: Kamnarp from Khmer Mchas Srok

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)
Poem by Khmer Mchas Srok (on the web at http://wms.cfcambodge.org/kms/)

Water Power

Please click of the article to zoom in

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)
Article by Samrong Chrey

Cambodian police attempt to stop journalists from photographing dispute over land

6 February 2008
Source: Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)

Two journalists who were reporting a land dispute in a village were harassed by police for taking pictures of the incident, according to the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ), a SEAPA partner based in the capital Phnom Penh.

On 30 January 2008, journalists Chum Sophal and Kong Sopheak, from the local newspapers "Khmer Mchas Srok" and "Solanh Khmer", respectively, went to Au Andong village in Prek Pra commune, Meanchey district, to cover the confrontation between two major companies, Phanimex and Sok Kong Import Export Co Ltd, and the villagers.

As Sopheak was photographing the police in the act of removing the poles that demarcated the land in dispute, the police got angry and shouted at them, ordering for the photos to be deleted. They did not press the matter when Sopheak refused to hand over his camera, according to CAPJ, who said that most of them were drunk.

Land disputes and forced evictions are an ongoing problem in Cambodia. As they are often accompanied by violence, authorities would try to prevent media and human rights workers from monitoring or reporting on evictions as they happen.

Khmer Mchas Srok Branch is formed in Minnesota, US

Saturday, January 26, 2008
By Khmer Quorum
http://khmerquorum.blogspot.com/

A fear of Vietnamization in Cambodia and Khmer Race extinction is haunting all Cambodian communities around the world as well as in the country. In response to this fear, On January 26, 2008, about fifty Cambodian Americans in Minnesota have come together to form a Khmer Mchas Srok Branch in the state. At the meeting, the members have voted to choose a president, a vice president, three secretaries, a treasurer, and a numbers of advisors.

An important mission of this organization is to restore full independence and national sovereignty from Vietnamese expansionism policy and to brink back true democracy, self-determination, and the rule of law for our country. The president of this newly established organization has given a short speech to the members, focusing on an unfair border treaty with Vietnam, an alarming number of illegal Vietnamese Immigrants who continuously flowing into the country without check, and the growing influence of Vietnamese associations and businesses in the country.

The organization believes that at least there are 2 to 4 millions illegal Vietnamese Immigrants are currently living in Cambodia under the protection of the current regime. If the current government continues to rule the country for the next 30 to 50 years, Cambodia will automatically become Champa and Kampuchea Krom. The past and current situations have convinced the Khmer Mchas Srok that Vietnam is constantly and systematically swallowing Cambodian land through all kinds of mean.

To save Cambodia from the real danger of extinction, the Khmer Mchas Srok will appeal to all the signatory countries of the Geneva Peace Accord in 1954 and the Paris Peace Accord in 1991 to review and reinstate all clauses that had guaranteed the full sovereignty and independence of Cambodia. On the other hand, the Khmer Mchas Srok clearly states that it has no policy and intention to compete or challenge with any political party in Cambodia, but its sacred mission is to salvage our nation from the Vietnamese expansionism.

At the end of the emotional but enthusiastic meeting, the Khmer Mchas Srok Branch in Minnesota has called for all Cambodian communities around the world to rally and unify as a single force under an umbrella of the Khmer Mchas Srok in order to save our beloved country from Vietnamization.

“Khmer Mchas Srok” movement meeting to discuss about the country’s problems

Sunday, December 30, 2007
By Hassan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

For a whole day, on Saturday 29 December, in Lowell, Massachusetts, northeastern USA, about 100 Cambodians traveled to listen to reports about problems faced by Cambodia. The event was organized by the committee supporting the Khmer Mchas Srok (Khmer Owners of the Land) movement at the Doubletree Hotel conference room.

The reports about Cambodia were given by Dr. Chak Sakhon, President of the Khmer Mchas Srok movement. The event started with a blessing given by Buddhist monks, followed by a remebrance of National Heroes who dedicated their lives to the Nation and Religion in the past and present. This is the second meeting organized by the movement.

Following a 2-day national congress held near Washington DC in October, Dr. Chak Sakhon gave an account of the latest events, by showing figures and reports gathered by herself and Mr. Sean Masavang, her colleague. The report was the results of a 10-year study conducted by the movement, following the 23 October 1991 Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia, one salient point of this report shows that: “In this entire affair, it was merely an artificial peace, why is it that peace in Cambodia is only an artificial peace? Because we don’t have sovereignty, why don’t we have sovereignty? It’s because of a strange immigration issue, because of poverty in the Cambodian society, because there is no punishment for the criminals, you can kill people and you will not go to jail, because of the destruction of Buddhism and Cambodian culture, because of the dictatorship of the CPP currently.”

So Bun Thoeun, a Cambodian citizen, told RFA with emotion that after he heard and saw the painful graphical images of Cambodian people living in the countryside in some regions, that: “This is the first time that I see the true tragedy suffered by Cambodian people living in Cambodia, and they are being oppressed by Thailand and Vietnam. This all happen because Cambodians are not smart enough, and they allowed other nations to oppress them. All these made me become very emotional, this is the first time I cried, I cried because I have pity for our Cambodian people.”

Mrs. Ung Samon, a 70-year-old lady who recently returned back to her native village to visit her relatives, said that she personally witnessed the current living condition of the [Cambodian] people. Mrs. Ung Samon said: “In the countryside, a lot of them don’t have rice to eat. In Cambodia, there are a lot of Yuons living there, (that’s what I observed when) I visited last year. I thank the formation of the Khmer Mach Srok movement for helping Cambodians and our country from being encroached by the Yuons.”

Supporters of the movement indicated that in the past few days, the Khmer Mchas Srok movement accepted about 100 new supporters who are living in Massachusetts, and these supporters demand the full right to live as Cambodians, the owners of their lands in Cambodia.

“Khmer Mchas Srok” Movement clarifies about a local newspaper

24 August 2007
By Pov Ponlok
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A local newspaper in Cambodia called “Khmer Mchas Srok” does not belong to the US-Based “Khmer Mchas Srok” Movement.

This disclaimer was issued by Mr. Sean Masavang, President of the political committee of the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement in the World.

Sean Masavang told RFA on Friday that: “Recently, we received a report indicating that in Phnom Penh, there is a newspaper called Khmer Mchas Srok which sounds like our Khmer Mchas Srok Movement which is based overseas. However, there is no relation between the Khmer Mchas Srok newspaper in Phnom Penh and our Khmer Mchas Srok Movement. Therefore, our overseas Khmer Mchas Srok Movement would like to inform our compatriots in Cambodia not to be confused by this name. The Khmer Mchas Srok newspaper in Cambodia has no link with our Khmer Mchas Srok Movement based overseas.”

This declaration by the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement was made following the recent Khmer-language publication of the Khmer Mchas Srok newspaper which issued its first edition on 13 August 2007. The Khmer Mchas Srok newspaper did not provide the name of its editor in its publication.