Their Royal Highnesses of Cambodia visit their former Comrades in Hanoi: it's a private visit ... of course ;)

February 1973: General Vo Nguyen Giap and his wife visit Norodom Sihanouk and Princess Monique in their residence located in a discrete location in Hanoi (Photo: NorodomSihanouk.info)

Cambodian Former King Leaves for Vietnam for Visit

2010-06-22
Xinhua

Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk left on Tuesday to pay a four-day friendship visit to Hanoi at the invitation of the Vietnamese president.

Sihanouk was accompanied by his wife and son King Norodom Sihamoni. They were seen off at the Phnom Penh International Airport by Prime Minister Hun Sen, the National Assembly President Heng Samrin and the Senate President Chea Sim and other government officials and royal family members.

King Father Norodom Sihanouk will not address political issues during his visit to Hanoi, according to Prince Sisowath Thomico, adviser to the former King on Monday. "I think that the visit will be aimed to boost good relations between the governments of Cambodia and Vietnam and between the peoples of the two countries, " he said at a press conference.

"Being retired and no longer doing politics nor diplomacy, my trip to the glorious Socialist Republic of Vietnam will have a strictly private character," the former King said in a statement dated June 14.

The former king made his first visit to Vietnam in 1995 in his capacity as a king of Cambodia. Sihanouk abdicated in October 2004 and was succeeded by his son King Norodom Sihamoni.

During King's absence, the Senate President Chea Sim will be acting as the head of state in accordance with the Kingdom's constitution.

Hun Xen is truly a puppet and lackey of Yuon Hanoi: Ven. Tim Sakhorn

Hun Sen and his master

Click here to listen to Ven. Tim Sakhorn's interview
on World Khmer Radio (MP3)


For additional news on World Khmer Radio, click here

The Prey Nokor News No. 17 Vol. 1 now available

Views of Khmer Krom Youths following their participation at the 2010 UNPFII meeting

Click here to read The Prey Nokor News

Comrade Im Chaem: The center of attention

Im Chaem, right, 67-year-old former Khmer Rouge provincial secretary, reacts as she witnesses delivery of copies of 'A History of Democratic Kampuchea'to students in Anlong Veng, in Uddor Mean Chey province, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 21, 2010. Cambodian students in the former Khmer Rouge stronghold were issued the textbook Monday that for the first time teaches the atrocities of the past, a little more than a decade after government forces captured the movement's last bastion. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Youk Chhang, left, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia which published 'A History of Democratic Kampuchea', introduces Im Chaem, right, 67-year-oldformer Khmer Rouge provincial secretary, during delivery of the textbook to students in Anlong Veng, in Uddor Mean Chey province, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 21, 2010. Cambodian students in the former Khmer Rouge stronghold were issued the textbook Monday that for the first time teaches the atrocities of the past, a little more than a decade after government forces captured the movement's last bastion. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

"Sva Lém Leum" a Poem in Khmer by Sék Serei & Hin Sithan

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Sick Xmer Prime Minister

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

“We are not ignorant to the problems that devastate the country” ... it's just that we don't want to do anything about them: Hoon Xhen

An irate Hun Xen (Photo: Sovannara, RFI)

Hun Sen Angered by UN Envoy’s Remarks

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 21 June 2010

“I did not escape the meeting with [Subedi],” Hun Sen said. “I had no other reason other than my own health problems, which caused an abrupt cancellation of the meeting.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday lashed out at the UN’s human rights envoy, who said last week he was “disappointed” he was not able to meet Hun Sen during a fact-finding mission this month.

The UN special rapporteur on human rights, Subya Subedi, gave a scathing review of Cambodia’s courts following his 10-day investigation, during which his appointment with Hun Sen was canceled.

Hun Sen said in a speech Monday he had been unable to meet because of a health problem, and he said the diplomatic word “disappointed” was disrespectful and could hurt future visits.

“I am very sorry that Surya P. Subedi used the word ‘disappointed’ for not meeting me,” Hun Sen said. “I think the word lacks the respect for the owner of the country and the leader of Cambodia, which has independence and sovereignty, and [the word] could also be looking down on Cambodians who voted for the [ruling Cambodian People’s Party], through the National Assembly, and for Hun Sen to become prime minister.”

Hun Sen has traditionally had a prickly relationship with UN rights envoys, and he cut off meetings entirely with Subedi’s predecessor, Yash Ghai, who was heavily critical of Cambodia’s human rights record.

“I did not escape the meeting with [Subedi],” Hun Sen said. “I had no other reason other than my own health problems, which caused an abrupt cancellation of the meeting.”

Subedi said last week he was not confident the courts could bring justice to the people of Cambodia. Subedi met with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and senior government adviser Om Yentieng and will submit detailed recommendations to the UN’s Human Rights Council in September.

In his speech Monday, Hun Sen also took issue with Subedi’s assessment of the courts, which the envoy said lacked the resources, organization and willingness on the part of some judges to “command the confidence of the people.”

“We are not ignorant to the problems that devastate the country,” Hun Sen said. “You [Subedi], do not try to break through the door when the door is open, and don’t tell me that rain is falling when I’m standing under the rain.”

The many ways to curse Heng Soy ... please choose your words curse wisely

Dear Readers,

It's early morning here in Phnom Penh. After spending the whole night awake, I thought I would share with our readers the many ways one can curse my name and the explanation that goes with it. My advance apologies if I may offend any of you, the following are merely my own self-deprecating notes.

I have to confess that I am somewhat disappointed because these curses pale in comparison to the alleged exchange between our famous singer and her husband.

Last, but not least, please believe me, when I say "disappointed" I did not mean to look down on anybody!

Yours truly,

Heng Soy

---------------

Ah Soy: The unlucky (derogatory)

Hen Soy: Ruined unlucky

Seng Soy: Soy who is sold or rented out for a commission or profit

Heng Soy so childish: Need I say more?

Antikhmer Heng Soy: I never renege my Khmer nationality as far as I know

Ah Heng Soy, Ah Jangrai: Heng Soy (derogatory) the prophet of evil. Please send in your donation, I will pray for you! All currencies accepted except Vietnamese Dongs (too heavy and burdensome!).

Your parents are all dead: Please tell me something new

Idiot and Little Snake like you: How could you tell I am slithery when I did not meet you face to face yet? Did I tell you also that I am a venomous snake?

Idiot divider: Agreed! Please send me a calculator, I was never good at division.

[You are] being a great divider: Please see above

[You are] playing Yuon Hanoi game: I am not the one who is traveling to Hanoi on cue, am I?

A skilled troll: As far as I can tell, I'm a wee bit taller than a troll

[You] can only stir up the flame confusing the ignorant pukes: I'm speechless at the power I have not acquired yet.

A troll divider is Heng Soy: How can I reject the absolute truth? Anyway, which page of the bible stated this again?

Heng Soy is stupid: Agreed!

Heng Soy and Hun Sen are the same thing, they are they both are dumb and stupid street gangsters!: Amen! Wait, I still have both eyes and I do not live in Tuol Krasaing.

Crazy mob like Heng Soy: A one-man mob? How do you do that?

Stupid divider H[eng]S[oy]: How can I oppose a higher authority?

Heng Soy is Hun Sen alike: Sorry to disappoint you, I still have both eyes and I don't curse.

You are soy biggest time: You are soy to the n-th power?

KI[-Media] makes readers stupid: Really? But, Sir/Madam, you thought differently from others, therefore, you are definitely not one. Do I feel a sense of contradiction here?

The hypocrite great dividers owned KI[-Media]: To be exact, Google owns Blogspot which hosted KI-Media for free.

Heng Soy is very SOY: Couldn't agree more!

Heng Soy is one of the irrational and extreme divider: Right on the money!

Heng Sa-oy: Lucky foul smell. I must have a skunk in my family tree? Lucky? I doubt it!

Heng Ksouy: Lucky out of breath

Fool Ah Soy: No translation needed

You are wrong and fxxxing dirty: I may be wrong, but I don't think I'm dirty, I shower at least once a day even when the temperature falls below zero and several times a day when the temperature climbs above 40 degrees Celsius.

“If [Mu Sochua] still opposes, she will be arrested”: Ultimatum from CPP-controlled Sok Roeun

Ultimatum Issued in Mu Sochua Court Fine

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 21 June 2010

The Phnom Penh municipal treasury department has issued a court order to opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua that requires her to pay a court-mandated fine and compensation to Prime Minister Hun Sen or face a jail term.

Mu Sochua, who lost a Supreme Court appeal in a guilty verdict for defamation this month, is in the US. She has said she will not pay the fine and compensation, a total of around $4,500, in a countersuit brought by Hun Sen after she sued him for allegedly degrading remarks in public speeches.

If a warrant is issued for her arrest, she will be the second Sam Rainsy Party member to be abroad and facing a jail term.

Sam Rainsy himself remains in exile and faces a two-year sentence for destruction of border markers in Svay Rieng province. He is facing additional criminal charges for publishing a map on his website alleging improper border demarcation by the government.

Both lawmakers have been without their parliamentary immunity since 2009, and both have said the courts are being politically manipulated by the ruling party to damage the opposition.

In a letter last week to Mu Sochua, the municipal treasury department said she would have two weeks to pay her fine.

Mu Sochua is currently traveling in the US to promote a documentary film on human trafficking she helped produce. She was not immediately available for comment.

Municipal court prosecutor Sok Roeun told VOA Khmer Monday he will soon issue his own letter giving Mu Sochua 10 days to comply with the fines.

“If she still opposes, she will be arrested,” he said.

Recasting The Map Of Cambodia

62ENG-Refonte MAP-18 JUN-2010

COMMUNIQUE

RECASTING THE MAP OF CAMBODIA

(Paris June 18, 2010)

Modern definition​​​​ of the Khmer Nation is quite similar to that of the Khmer people, in accordance with the traditional definition in the international law, within the context of the international relations and for the purpose and the principles of the United Nations. Cambodia must:

• Be a sovereign country (or a sovereign State) that has a defined territory and borders distinctive from it neighboring countries;
• Have a permanent population composed of a majority of people of Khmer origin;
• Have a Government that administers its own people.

The sovereignty of a State is defined by the competence, independence and legal equality of States. An important component of sovereignty has always been an adequate display of the authority of states to act over their territory to the exclusion of other states. In 1949 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) observed that "between independent States, respect for territorial sovereignty is an essential foundation of international relations."

As evidenced from history, the borders of individual country may have evolved, however these border changes must be completely subjected to the sovereignty of each concerned country.

The United Nations recognizes Cambodia as a legitimate member state. Therefore, Cambodia is a sovereign country like other nations members of the United Nations (UN). The Khmer Nation is covered by the provisions enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter which emphasize that all nations have legal equality status and the rights to self-determination. By virtue of that right, Khmer people can freely determine the fate of his own country. The concept is normally used to encompass all matters in which each state is permitted by international law to decide and act without intrusions from other sovereign states.

The Khmer Nation by this definition must have a genuine Khmer Government who serves the interest of its own Khmer people and must enjoy adequate rights to determine the borders of his own country with neighboring countries in a sovereign manner. The Khmer Government must be able to freely and independently decide the fate of Cambodia to ensure development and happiness for the Khmer People.

It is worth noted that Cambodia which descended from the Great Khmer Empire has seen its territory being gradually diminished due to three main events:

1. For the period up to 1863, the Khmer people controlled the destiny of his country in full sovereignty. Therefore the lost of Cambodia's territory due to wars should be entirely attributed to the responsibility of the Khmer people itself.
2. For the period between 1863 and 1953, the lost of Cambodia's territory were committed entirely to the responsibility of the French Protectorate.

After receiving independence from France in 1953, the Khmer Nation had suffered a great deal in the lost of a huge surface of its territory. The Khmer people has lost "Kampuchea Krom" (which is currently South Vietnam) and "Koh Trall Islands" which historically belong to and were part of the Khmer Nation before French Protectorate took control and colonized Cambodia and Vietnam. The State of Cambodia has never ever recognized or accepted the map determined by the French Colony on the border lines between Cambodia and Vietnam as accurate and correct. All Cambodian governments, after the Independence, have fiercely insisted on the facts that "Kampuchea Krom" and "Koh Trall Islands" have always exclusively been the property of the Khmer people. Cambodia has acknowledged the fact that France had returned to the Khmer Nation, only the remainder (leftover) of Cambodia's entire territory without "Kampuchea Krom" and "Koh Trall Islands", all of which was under French sole occupation. This violation of Cambodia's Territorial Integrity is the accountability and responsibility of France. The map of this remainder territory of Cambodia, drawn after Cambodia Independence, was produced on a unilateral decision by the French Protectorate using the scale of 1/100.000, and since then a copy of it is kept at the Office of the United Nations.

Since the invasion of Cambodia by Vietnam from 07 January 1979 to the present time, Cambodia no longer has efficient sovereignty in mastering and self-determining the destiny of its own country. The deprivation of its sovereignty is due to Cambodia has been pressured to submit itself to Vietnam. Consequently, the borders between Cambodia and Vietnam have been arbitrarily determined by Vietnam. Moreover, these newly demarcated boundaries were imposed unilaterally by Vietnam without involvement of KHMER people or the consent of the real KHMER Nation, as defined in the United Nations (UN) Charter.

In this context, "Khmer M'Chas Srok" solemnly declares that "we will not recognize the borders or the maps made by any third country whatsoever, whatever procedure used, which was manipulated by Cambodian Government who does not represent the genuine choice of the KHMER People who supposed to be elected through a free and fair election in accordance with article 21-3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations of December 10, 1948". The determination of the Cambodia's borders with its neighboring countries is "the fundamental rights of the KHMER people" as defined within the context of the United Nations" which no one can deviate from nor manipulate it.

Paris, June 18, 2010
President of Khmer M'Chas Srok
Dr. Sakhonn CHAK

'Enemies of the People' Garners Rights Award

Filmmaker Thet Sambat interviewing former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea in his home. (Photo: Courtesy of Thet Sambath)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
New York Monday, 21 June 2010

Co-producer Thet Sambath, who remained in Cambodia for the screening, said the film was “very crucial to show to people…to understand human rights violations and the leading of a country to disaster.”

A documentary that explores the leadership of the Khmer Rouge and its decision-making, “Enemies of the People,” has won another award at this year’s Human Rights Watch Film Festival.

The film, which contains rare interviews with Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, who is currently detained for atrocity crimes at the UN-backed tribunal, was shown for three days at Walter Reade Theater in New York.

The Nestor Almendros Award was given to "Enemies of the People" for its courage and commitment, John Biaggi, director of the festival, said.

Co-producer Thet Sambath, who remained in Cambodia for the screening, said the film was “very crucial to show to people…to understand human rights violations and the leading of a country to disaster.”

The film also won prizes at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

A second Cambodian documentary, “Red Light,” will have its premiere in New York this week. That film, produced with the help of opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua, examines Cambodia’s sex industry.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: My Beloved Samdach Akkek Decho Hun Xen

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

From Hue to Hanoi

Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Op-Ed by MP

SOMETIMES men commit treason deliberately for the advancement of their own narrow self-interests; while others commit treason unwittingly through lack of foresight.

Which of the above categories does this reported joint-administration of Kampuchea Krom proposal fall under?

Most Khmer people who follow news of their country today were probably born well after those portions of Khmer territory had been (for whatever reasons) handed over to Vietnamese authority or control. Regardless, as a nation Khmer people feel the burden and pain of the losses in their hearts as if these events occurred yesterday and indeed in context of their country's long history, the losses are certainly recent, smouldering phenomena.

What does the concept of "co-management" of these territories tell the world about their historical-legal status? Like the idea proposed by Bangkok over the Preah Vihear area one of the most feasible assumptions that can be derived out of it is that Cambodia has a de facto recognition that the losses were dictated by legitimate circumstances.

The other related implication is that Cambodians are resigned to relinquishing their claims -if any - on the said territories, and such despondent abandonment of will and determination in the face of adversity in like manner to how a python constricts, crushes and suffocates its prey until it breathes its last, is precisely the End Game of this historical, piece-meal Vietnamese expansionism.

If Hanoi accedes to such a proposal it will not be something out of its character either. After all, the Court of Hue and the Court of Hanoi have in succession pursued their grand imperial ambitions over weaker states through their fostered facades of mutually beneficial co-existence with those states for over three centuries, have they not? They applied tact and diplomacy when they needed to populate new territories, but as soon as Vietnamese influence and presence had been established over those lands they feigned amnesia over their own pledges and sacred vows.

We need not look far into the past to find instances of this co-management schemes being put into practice. Indeed, the idea itself is innate to the Vietnamese State (and I am at risk of repeating myself unnecessarily by pointing this out). It underpinned the Indochinese Workers' Party when critical international assistance was required, then the Communist Party of Laos and Kampuchea to win over patriotic fervour of these neighbouring states as well as to allay fear of outright Vietnamese domination and the loss of their respective politico-economic autonomy.

So yes, if Cambodia and Vietnam were to agree to exercise joint administration over the Mekong Delta and Koh Tral, do not expect the affair to be a drastic departure from anything the Khmer nation has had the misfortune to endure so far, from joint management of forestry and rubber plantations to border delineation and ‘national’ airline.

It would be more worthwhile to build up Cambodia’s case by gathering all the relevant historical treaties and documents and then establish how exactly or what were the circumstances under which the country was forced to cede its territories; how these territories were annexed, and why the Khmer people still feel strong emotional attachment to their losses – if they do. In fact, the Khmer people should be told how exactly Koh Tral, for instance, came to be under Vietnamese control, and if this portion of Khmer sovereignty was seized unjustly or illegally then there should not be justifiable reason for the Khmer people not to reclaim it by appropriate means.

That choice will, of course, be theirs to make, rather than individuals like Mr Soubert or anyone else, this insignificant writer included. Cambodia deserves no more and no less of what is rightfully hers.

KPNLF calls for action on ‘lost’ land

Monday, 21 June 2010
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

A KHMER nationalist group has called for the joint administration of former Cambodian territories in South Vietnam in advance of King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s unofficial visit to Hanoi this week.

In a statement issued Monday, Son Soubert, vice president of the Khmer People’s National Liberation Front (KPNLF), said Sihanouk’s visit could usher in “a new era of frank cooperation” between the two countries.

He also added that “co-management” of Kampuchea Krom – the former Cambodian territories in South Vietnam – would be a “unique” opportunity to improve bilateral relations.

“A formula of co-management of Kampuchea Krom, ex-French Cochinchina, known also as the Mekong Delta, by the Kingdom of Cambodia and Vietnam will inaugurate a new era of peace and prosperity in the framework of the construction of ASEAN,” the statement reads.

It notes that such co-management exists in the Pyrenees region of France, where the principality of Andorra has been under joint French-Spanish sovereignty since the 17th century.

The KPNLF was one of three antigovernment resistance groups to join in the decade-long civil war against the Phnom Penh government during the 1980s.

Cheam Yeap, a senior lawmaker for the Cambodian People’s Party, dismissed concerns about Vietnamese border demarcation, saying it is being carried out smoothly.

Sihanouk said in a statement last week that his visit to Hanoi, set to begin Tuesday and to last for two or three days, is of a strictly personal and “non-diplomatic” nature.

Do We Have Pride to Be Born As Khmer?

Meas Srey Has Pride to be Born as Khmer

Monday, June 21, 2010
Op-Ed by Khmer Borann

When you are visiting Preah Vihear temple, you will see a big billboard with the writing in Khmer and English ‘We have Pride to Be Born as Khmer’. It is not known who planted this billboard near Preah Vihear temple. But the locals in the area said the Khmer authority has planted the billboard. Regardless of who planted it, the billboard is a mean to remind all Khmers that we are a nation that has dignity and pride and we have to love and protect Khmer land.

The slogan ‘We have Pride to Be Born as Khmer’ is a very good patriotic reminder for Khmers. This slogan is also coincident the provisions in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, like Article 49 which says: All Khmer citizens shall have the duty to take part in the national reconstruction and to defend the homeland. To have pride to be born as Khmer means to have pride to love Khmer land and to protect Khmer land.

Do Meas Srey and Prom Chea, Khmer farmers in Svay Rieng who are being imprisioned by Hun Sen court for protecting Khmer land from Yuon encroachment, have pride to be born as Khmer? I think, of course, Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prom Chea have pride to be born as Khmer and that’s why they risk their lives to protect their rice fields which are located on Khmer land. I think other Khmers also have pride to be born as Khmer such as Khmer soldiers who fight against Thai aggression on the Khmer-Thai border.

How about the Cambodian officials who jail Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prom Chea? Do they have the pride to be born as Khmer? If they have pride to be born as Khmer, why they imprison Khmers who dare to protect Khmer land? What Hun Sen government is doing to Khmers people regarding the defending national border is just a mockery to the slogan ‘We have Pride to Be Born as Khmer’.

Do you have pride to be born as Khmer when Khmer leaders jail their people because they protect Khmer land?

Khmer Borann
Phnom Penh