Kep Chuktema orders the repair of the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship monument

Cambodia's symbol of oppression and foreign occupation

Thursday, October 18, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Kep Chuktema, the governor of Phnom Penh, ordered the repair and beautification of the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship memorial monument located at the public park in front of the Wat Botumvatey (Botum pagoda), in order to give it the dignity of a place to remember the gratefulness to the (invading) Vietnamese army which came to free (and occupy) the Cambodian people from the genocidal Pol Pot regime. The Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper reported that Kep Chuktema issued directive to experts from the city hall and professors from the Royal University of Fine Arts to beautify and repair the statue of the Vietnamese-Cambodian soldiers, and to fix the terrace surrounding this statue to make it look nice. This monument was built under the (Vietnamese-installed) State of Kampuchea regime, and one of them was built in every province to thank the (invading) Vietnamese army which came to liberate (and occupy) the Cambodian people from the killing by the Pol Pot regime.

Monument of Independence closed for repair [-The same should be done to the Hun Sen’s gov’t and Tep Vong's communist sangha also]

Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

An official for the Phnom Penh city indicated that the Monument of Independence was ordered closed by Kep Chuktema, the Phnom Penh city governor, for repair and modeling. The flower planters will be removed to make place for water fountains instead. The repair started since 08 August, and the remodeling is expected to be completed on 30 October, ahead of 09 November 2007, the day marking the celebration of the Cambodia’s Independence. The city official also indicated that under the directive of Kep Chuktema, water fountain experts will install 7 color lights water spray that cannot be higher than 0.8 meter. The water spray could not be higher in case it splashes on passersby around the monument. In addition to the installation of water fountains, tiles will also be installed around the perimeter of the monument also in order to improve the beauty of this valuable historical monument.