Consequences of: THE VIETNAM INVASION OF CAMBODIA Saturday, December 26, 2009
National New Year Resolution: Upholding the Four Freedoms First published in January 2007 (reprinted in January 2008) in The Phnom Penh Post and Khmer translation in Koh Santepheap, as part of the Voice of Justice columns. Rather than progressing, Cambodia is regressing on these four freedoms, most notably with the re-stripping of parliamentary immunity of the political opposition leader and the crackdown on democracy and human rights activists. As we pray for the safety of those unjustly arrested in Svay Rieng, let us be reminded of Gandhi's words: "An unjust law is itself a species of violence. Arrest for its breach is more so." Another, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." And also, "Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?" BRIEF HISTORY : ABOUT VIETNAM INVASION OF CAMBODIA 1. HANOI HAD CREATED THIS FRONT :Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation (KUFNS) ON Dec. 2, 1978 The establishment of Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation (KUFNS) was announced by Hanoi. The KUFNS dedicated to overthrow Pol Pot's regime. Dec. 4, 1978 Hanoi radio broadcasts a KUFNS statement assailing the Khmer Rouge govt. as dictatorial, militarist, and fascist and echoing genocide charges brought by Cambodian refugee. THIS IS THE MAN Gen. Van Tien Dung WHO Led an INVASION OF CAMBODIA DECEMBER 25 ,1978. Gen. Van Tien Dung, launch an invasion of Cambodia. Dec. 25, 1978 Invasion of Cambodia. Some 100,000 Vietnamese with 20,000 KUFNS troops, under the direction of Gen. Van Tien Dung, launch an invasion of Cambodia. IT WAS CONDEMNED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. Strong Resolution on Cambodia Human Rights Abuses Feb. 27, 1982 : UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva adopted a resolution condemning Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia as a violation of Cambodian human rights. The vote was 28 in favor, 8 against, and 5 abstentions. Oct. 21, 1986 The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution A/RES/41/6, by vote of 116-21 with 13 abstentions, calling for a withdrawal of Vietnamese forces from Cambodia. The lessons we learned from the American civil rights movement which resulted in Barak Obama becoming president are summed up by Martin Luther King, Jr., "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." Now, more than ever, we need to be reminded and uphold these four freedoms here in oppressed Cambodia. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations reminds us that whoever we are - rich or poor, farmers or city dwellers, white or black, male or female, Buddhist or Christian, Khmer or Vietnamese or African or American or French - whoever, it doesn't matter - each of us innately yearns for the freedom of expression, the freedom of belief, the freedom from fear and the freedom from want These four freedoms encapsulate what it means to be fundamentally human and express the highest aspirations of the common person throughout all ages. These four freedoms form the cornerstone of a democracy and are fundamental to social development, whatever level of progress of that society or nation. THIS BOOK : " GIAI PHONG " by T Terzani. It describes a Vietnamese as THIEF, A LIAR, A KILLER, A DECEIVER , a sleeper ...... as "Cambodia" Minister of Foreign Affairs , Hor Nam Hong (Vietnamese) We are starting a new year and at a time like this, it is instructive to reflect and re-commit ourselves to fundamentals, beginning with the upholding of these four freedoms. In the ten months that I have been at the helm of the Center for Social Development (CSD), I have witnessed that these four freedoms are not yet sufficiently present in current Cambodian society as reflected in the persistent angst of the common Cambodian. • Freedom of Expression In 2006, we have witnessed our fundamental freedom to express our thoughts, desires, opinions and ideas curbed and suppressed, sometimes violently, sometimes through ill-constructed laws. We witnessed grass-roots human rights activists imprisoned, villagers protesting illegal land-grabbing suppressed violently, garment workers killed or wounded. We were aghast that members of the National Assembly should vote to limit their own ability to debate ideas (or as more memorably put by US Ambassador Joseph A Mussomeli, ''castrate themselves") and thus downgrade the quality of their duties and responsibilities. And as we go into 2007, our freedom to expression continues to be fundamentally inhibited by the criminalizing of defamation. > Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:00:24 -0800 > Subject: Re: SON CHHAY: I think the King has no say. He only did what the > Prime Minister want > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > > > > On Dec 23, 3:28 pm, TSC <[email protected]> wrote: > > Whether he likes the Monarchy or not, as a politician one should > > choose his words carefully. Son Chhay can be charged with looking down > > on the Cambodian King by stating publically that the King did whatever > > Hun Sen wanted. This could be interpreted that that Hun Sen is Hun > > Sen’s subordinate. SRP members seem to do things carelessly that give > > the opportunity to the CPP to challenge them legally. > > > > The word CARELESSLY could be exactly right. However, one can see it > differently by thinking about the reason why they are doing what they > are doing. > Obviously, Sam Rainsy and his clans think that their political > movement is the right one for Cambodians. They even think that it is > the right one that most countries around the world want. THAT'S WRONG. > It is an arogan practice on their part. If they are smart and > courageous, they would explain it to the people and let them decide. > If it is genuinely good for the people, they will vote for it. Today, > we know that Sam Rainsy and his clans have been trying. And they are > not winning. > Their ideology doesn't convince the majority of the people of > Cambodia. > > > > The more explicit attacks by Sam Rainsy against the government, > > against Hun Sen and the CPP will draw more confrontational approaches > > from Hun Sen and his administration. The regime can find more reasons > > (or excuses) to charge against SRP and against Sam Rainsy. > > > > That's all Sam Rainsy has been doing, fighting against Hun Sen and > CPP. > He has never intended to present an ideology to let people choose, He > choose sentiment hopefully that the people would fall in love with > him. Look at the border saga. What kind of act is that? Look at the > Mu's venture. What kind of politician is that? > > > > > > > -- > 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 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/ -- 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
