From: S. Sophan <[email protected]> Subject: My Letter to the Phnom Penh Post
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 1:22 AM http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7814000.stm The January 7 celebrations in context [image: PDF]<http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=23507> [image: Print]<http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23507&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=52> [image: E-mail]<http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=emailform&id=23507&itemid=52> Written by Sophan Seng Wednesday, 07 January 2009 Dear Editor, It is a great privilege for me to write something about how the day of January 7 simply reflects the thought of a Cambodian. Of course, January 7 is still an ongoing controversial day. Some people see it as the day of foreign occupation over Cambodian sovereignty, but others see this day as their second life when Vietnamese troops toppled the Khmer Rouge regime. However, to celebrate this day is not significantly representing Cambodians as the whole nation. It is only celebrated by the Cambodian People's Party, which has been in power since the day of January 7, 1979. In the past, the celebration of January 7 was likely to honour the victory over the Khmer Rouge regime and aimed to condemn, to ban the Khmer Rouge and make it impossible for them to control the country again, and, legally, to sentence them to death in absentia. But in this year, the theme of the celebration after its 30 years in power, according to the news, is that the CPP will focus on increasing the awareness of sovereignty protection, economic development and leading Cambodia to enjoy a further level of advancement. Hence, the January 7 day has significantly belonged to the CPP. It has not been generally accepted by the Cambodian people. Whatever theme each celebration expects to achieve, those themes still belong to the CPP, and it is truly reminding Cambodian people of the brutality, the foreign invasion and the nonstop division among Cambodian nationals. I understand that the CPP holds this day as very important for their internal bond and achievement of pride, particularly the victory during each national election. This day might not work any longer to recall the brutality of the Khmer Rouge because by doing so, it might not be smart to pursue national unity, long-sighted leadership, national reconciliation and an advance of Cambodia to further achievement in the age of globalisation. Sophan Seng PhD student in political science University of Hawaii at Manoa -- "What they must have are: inner mastery; a central, compelling purpose rooted in moral values; a capacity to persuade; skills in working within the system; a fast start; a strong, effective team; and a passion that inspires others to keep the flame alive." - David Gergen, Eyewitness to Power "I start with the promise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers" - Ralph Nader Sophan P. Seng Ph.D student in political science Graduate Assistant (GA) University of Hawaii at Manoa Email:[email protected] <email%[email protected]> http://www.sophanseng.info/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/camdisc Learn more - http://www.cambodia.org -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
