News in July 2005

Update: 19^th July 2005

 IRI and Regime Change Attempts in Cambodia

Prime Minister, Hun Sen, for one is furious at their tactics and sees it as blatant American interference in the affairs of Cambodia. Human rights groups are also deeply suspicious. They were disturbed by the IRI's stony silence when their candidate of choice, Sam Rainsy, started playing the race card during the election campaign by attacking Vietnamese who live in Cambodia. The IRI just cannot rest in peace when there are governments around the world who have been put in power by the people, simply because the IRI's candidate was not the intended winner.
 

Update: 18^th July 2005

 US Backed Regime Change has Terrible History

With a U.S. attack on Iraq looming on the horizon, the Bush administration was already perfecting its war on the PR front. The corporate media mouthpieces parrot the president, assuring that the real goal of a unilateral attack is a regime change" (read: overthrow) that will bring democracy to Iraq. Before passively accepting this benevolent justification, however, Americans and Cambodians should recall the long and brutal history of U.S.-backed "regime change" around the world. In the late 1950s, for example, the U.S. and Britain attempted a "regime change" in communist Albania. British and American forces backed an opposition comprised of monarchists and Nazi and Fascist collaborators. After Prime Minister Mossadegh began pushing for a nationalization of Iran's oil supply in 1953, the U.S. and Britain overthrew him and installed the repressive Shah regime. Bad for Iranians, good for Western oil companies. In the same year, the CIA organized a coup in Guatemala, which overthrew a democratically elected progressive president. Bye-bye democracy, hello United Fruit Company! Also, who can forget the notable successes of the 1960s? Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia (where Prince Sihanouk was overthrown by a Republican Lon Nol)  Ecuador... the list goes on and on. During this time, the CIA still found time to organize the assassination of Patrice Lamumba, the Congo's first prime minister after gaining its independence. In 1964, Washington successfully assisted Brazil's transition from democracy to military dictatorship. In 1973, the CIA created a Sept. 11 of its own in Chile. On Sept. 11, 1973, the U.S assisted in the assassination of Salvador Allende, the democratically elected Marxist president. Torture and executions became commonplace under General Pinochet's rule, while America looked the other way. In 1975, democracy wasn't an issue when the US government supported Indonesia's brutal act of genocide against the East Timorese. According to Noam Chomsky, this resulted in "perhaps the greatest death toll relative to the population since the Holocaust."
 

Update: 16^th July 2005

 DVD Transcripts Raises More Questions and Provide Answers

The English transcripts of the DVD, pitting one suspected grenade thrower, Chhay Vee and SRP Secretary General Eng Chhay Eang and Tioulong Saumura, has raised more questions then provide answers. A careful scrutiniy of the transcripts will show that there are many distortions in time-line, identify of people, sequence of events and simply put in legal terms, leading the suspect by the nose with 'leading' questions. In a court of law, such evidence will be torn to shreds by capable lawyers and judges will certainly throw out this hearsay testimony, meant to discredit certain individuals  rather than  shed light and truth as to what really happened on the fateful day of 30^th March, 1997. This is yet another calculated malfeasance by SRP and Sam Rainsy to divert  attention from the facts and reality away from himself, so that when the confession comes from Cheam Chhany, people will not pay much attention as all ears and eyes are focused on the DVD. It is also ridiculous  and unbelievable that a person of General Hing Bun Heang's stature, built and identity can be easily forgotten if indeed he was the person who gave Chhay Vee USD1,000 as first payment for the cowardly act. It also does not absolve Chhay Vee of the fact that it was he who had thrown the grenade and this fact is not contested.
 

Update: 14^th July 2005

 Prime Minister Hun Sen on Win-Win Policy

"In Cambodia people's democracy and the creation of a win-win situation have brought about peace in a complete cessation of war. Take for instance, based on my vision of people’s democracy, I have managed to phase out various complications in the interests of our people, take for instance the re-configuration of fishing area that belongs to the state allowed more fishing area to the people. Though it has been reformed late, still it is done now for the sake of the people. My policy has always been people-driven. Some people blamed me for "close" relationship to China. I doubt they did not see also when I presided over the signatory ceremony to accept assistance from the United States, Japan, the European Union, etc. I would not give be responding to such an absurd remark because whatever I would do would be for the supreme interest of the Cambodian people."
 

Update: 13^th July 2005

 Irresponsible Personalities Should be Punished

The Government, including the Royal Palace and the  King Father's cabinet should carefully investigate the allegations that Prime Minister Hun Sen was mobilizing forces to kill the King Father. This is very serious allegation posted on the King Father's website and though he did not specifically name Mr. Hun Sen, the SRP aligned website did make the claim. This is clearly a case of extreme contempt for the Prime Minister and the King Father. SRP, in the past, has based its accusations on sources obtained by unidentified, unrecognizable  individuals who seemed to just materialize out of thin air, make or give incriminating information and then vanish just as fast. Analysts and Cambodian observers still remember clearly that it was Sam Rainsy who informed then King Sihanouk that mass demonstrations have been planned if he had returned to Cambodia, thus clearing the way and expediting or rather pushing King Sihanouk to abdicate. The source of Rainsy's allegation - an unknown individual. One also remembers Rainsy's campaign speech in 1998 when he said that he escaped sure death in 1997’s grenade attack because a little angel had whispered in his ears to get down the podium as danger was lurking! Cambodia has full of folklore, Rainsy and his cohorts should not fabricate anymore to endanger the people, bring about instability and continuously mocking the relationship between the King Father and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
 

Update: 12^th July 2005

 DVD and Eng Chhay Eang

Analysts and Diplomats who had viewed the DVD of the so-called confession of one grenade throwing suspect in 1997 are deeply concerned about the facts of the case, the timing of its release and more importantly, the role of Eng Chhay Eang and Tioulong Saumura in this matter. There are grounds to insinuate that that the two were probably the last two people to know the whereabouts of Chhay Vee and if that is the case, they would be liable for withholding critical information pertaining to the case and the status of Chhay Vee. The question then is: When did Saumura and Eng Chhay Eang talk to Chhay Vee and why was the DVD just released, to coincide with the SRP's celebrations of the July 1997 factional fighting which rid the city of undesirable elements. Furthermore, it was the FUNCINPEC which was affected by the factional fighting, not the SRP. So, why was the SRP  commemorating this event? Sinister motives again?
 

Update: 11^th July 2005

 It is Prime Minister Hun Sen's Legal and Moral Obligation to Defend Constitution

There have been many who have made proposals to give powers to individuals on matters which concerns the nation's sovereignty, integrity and friendly relations with neighboring nations. Cambodia cannot afford to be a constant state of confrontation with its neighbors at all three points where international borders merge on three sides. Cambodia cannot afford to be like Africa where nations are constantly at war and confrontations with their neighbors over a myriad of issues. The same has happened with South America and numerous other countries. Since there is a clear and present danger that taking rigorous efforts to resolve the perceived border issues with its neighbors will most certainly result in armed confrontation ( a situation which is  lose-lose for all parties, giving extra-ordinary powers to a retired personality will not only be unconstitutional, but one which could  result in decisions being made  on an emotional basis. These decisions, while probably being good for domestic consumption, certainly does not augur well for the  neighboring nations which depends on governments of the day to resolve issues of mutual interest or problems.
 

Update: 10^th July 2005

 Kill the King Father? Utter Nonsense

"They" are preparing our Armed Forces (FARK [French acronym for Khmer Royal Armed Forces]) -sic!- to, one day, physically attack me, arrest me, torture me, then later kill me -sic!- in order to punish me severely because of some of my writings -sic!- and my "displeasing" words." This were the translated words of the   King father's alleged statement in his website. Firstly, analyst would like to elucidate here that  it would not be to Mr. Hun Sen's benefit to harm the King Father or put an end to the monarchy. If he wanted to do that, he could have easily eliminated the monarchy by simply allowing the King Father to slip into oblivion when he abdicated. Secondly, the King Father realizes that with Prime Minister Hun Sen, the monarchy stands a very slim chance of continuing its existence, especially if SRP comes to power since Rainsy has been waiting for decades to seek revenge his father’s death during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime. Lastly, it appears that the King Father seems to be ill advised as each time the country struggles to move ahead, the writings of the King Father then and now, pull the country backwards. Analysts can only blame the King Father's French based pen pal and also his litany of rogue advisors! At a time when the CPP President publicly praised the King Father for his noble efforts, others try to discredit the King Father! With this wealth of experience and wisdom gained over eighty years, one hopes the King Father will be more pragmatic with his comments.
 

Update: 09^th July 2005

 SRP Diverting Issue from Committee 14

The release of a DVD, the contents of which cannot be scientifically verified by a timeline, is SRP's response to a potential explosive situation whereby detained SRP Parliamentarian Cheam Chhany, who was stripped of his parliamentary immunity, could make a full public confession  implicating Sam Rainsy as the person who authorized the creation of the shadowy Committee 14 and also empowered him to recruit people for this illegal entity. This is a clever strategy by SRP on the basis of practicing  "Real Politik" and a an feeble attempt to deflect public opinion and keep their minds occupied with the DVD when and  the confession  comes, which,  by then, will be more explosive than the DVD!

Update: 08^th July 2005

 DVD and its Contradictions

SRP claims that the content of the supposed DVD clashed with the argument hitherto developed by the CPP according to which there is a plot to implicate Hun Sen. In November 1998, at Om Yen Tieng's house, CPP agents forced a prime suspect named Chhay Vee to make a televised recantation in which he alleged that Sam Rainsy Party Secretary-General Eng Chhay Eang had bribed him into implicating Hun Sen's bodyguards in a confession he made in June 1998 before the American FBI. In his recantation, Chhay Vee said he had told the FBI a story written by Eng Chhay Eang which he (Chhay Vee) had to learn by heart. But the newly released DVD contains a video footage produced in May 1998 - six months before Chhay Vee's recantation. Assuming all the above is true, analysts wonder why SRP had waited seven years to make this DVD public and through anonymous means? Could it be that the DVD was produced recently by Eng Chhay Eang and his cohorts with Chhay Vee and released recently to coincide with the celebrations of the SRP for the events which happened in July 1997? How would SRP know that Chhay Vee was forced to make the recantation? Does SRP ors its agents and cohorts know the whereabouts of the suspects? Are they under his  custody or his harboring? Does he know the physical whereabouts of the suspects? if he does, he is clearly in serious violation  of the law in harboring suspected criminals. Lastly, why wait for seven years to release a video footage if can have such incriminating evidence unless it was fabricated recently?
 

Update: 07^th July 2005

 Emergency Meeting? SRP is Going Senile 

A SRP backed electronic media, well known for its incredible fantasy and hear-say new3s, reported that Prime Minister Hun Sen had called for en emergency meeting with his top advisors to discuss about the supposedly "Potentially Explosive DVD", analysts are puzzled as to how the website and SRP got to know about a meeting which never took place or one which supposedly took place with the Prime Minister with his top security people. It is incredible to believe that anyone of the four people who were supposedly present in the meeting will call SRP and or his electronic website and say that such a meeting took place. This further "proof" of  KI and SRP's growing detachment with reality!

Update: 06^th July 2005

 SRP Does Not Understand CPP Mechanism

An SRP Backed website insinuated that Prime Minister Hun Sen and Samdech Chea Sim are not on the same page in so far as the issue of the King Father and the border Council  concerned and quoted Samdech Chea Sim's speech at the CPP Anniversary on 28^th June 2005 as the example.  This complete lack of understanding is synonymous with the SRP and their leaders. They never understand that whatever speeches made by the CPP top leadership are vetted by the Steering Committee and all inputs are taken into consideration. As for the speech on 28^th June 2005, Mr. Hun Sen was well aware of the contents, a week before the said speech was delivered. SRP have already confused themselves, and along with their confusion, they have tried in vain to confuse the international community. Now they are slowly but surely losing their sanity along with their credibility with stupid assumptions.

Update: 05^th July 2005

 SRP's Warning to Investors Yet Another Act of Stupidity

The SRP had in its website warned investors not to sign what it perceived as illegal contracts with the Government. It said: "No regime will ever last forever. Any successor to a corrupt administration will want to clean up the mess, and put things into the right order. It is very likely that any dubious contractual agreement with the State with corrupt high officials will be then subject to a close scrutiny. It must be borne in mind that many existing legislations have been either ignored or blatantly violated; and that any legal gaps can also be closed later under a new administration with retro-active legislations."This is yet another stupid act as any political party which threatens to nullify business contracts  and makes such threats public are sending a clear and stupid signal to potential investors. The message: "The Sanctity of Contracts" will not be recognized by an SRP government (heaven forbid). This statement is a clear violation of the contractual obligations provided for by the Law on Investment in Cambodia. For Cambodia to develop, it needs investors - both foreign and domestic. By threatening to revoke or terminate what it perceives as dubious contracts, will create social instability along with economic malfunction as jobs will be threatened and the economy will be affected for want of jobs and foreign exchange. So, wake up SRP. You have threatened many times. That is why investors never want to see an SRP led government or 'regime' as the SRP refers to the democratically elected Royal Government.

Update: 04^th July 2005

 Assets Declaration

It is interesting to note that the SRP affiliated website has been highlighting the assets of Cambodian leaders. On the same token, analysts wonder why the SRP leaders do not declare their assets. Why doesn't Sam Rainsy, Mrs. Rainsy and the other leaders make public declaration of their assets, their source of funds, their funding to stay abroad and jet set from one country to another, or the source of funds for their rather comfortable lifestyle? Is it the case of the kettle calling the pot black? Why wouldn't the SRP declare to its supporters, members and to the Cambodian people at large, what it actually does and where are the sources of its funds?  The answers  may be worth looking at!
 

Update: 03^rd July 2005

 SRP Making Stupid Assumptions with Chea Sim's Speech

Samdech Chea Sim, in his speech on the occasion of the 54^th anniversary of the founding of the Cambodian People's Party, CPP President Chea Sim declared his support for the Supreme National Council on Border Affairs (SNCBA) chaired by King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. This speech was made with the full knowledge of the Prime Minister.  Secondly, it is only courtesy that that the Acting Head of state (In the absence of His Majesty)  gives due recognition to the King Father. SRP and its affiliated websites, including print media  should know what it meant for domestic public consumption whereby local issues are discussed  and what is meant for international consumption. It is obvious that Samdech Chea Sim's speech is a political speech made in niceties, and it should be read that way. there are no nuances or innuendoes to be looked at here as there are none. In short, don't go looking for needles in a haystack when there are none. On the contrary, instead of finding needles, one may be attacked by a King Cobra. What is also does not mean is that Prime Minister Hun Sen and  Samdech Chea Sim are on the same page with regard to the border issue  as both are well aware of the constitution.
 

Update: 02^nd July 2005

 What are SRP Members Afraid of?

SRP Secretary General Eng Chhay Eang's frivolous claims that nearly 40 members its party members are in hiding purportedly  because of perceived fear of arrest for allegedly plotting to establish an illegal armed force is timely and thought provoking. Firstly, his fellow party officials such as Son Chhay does not seem to agree with his Secretary General's views. Secondly, why would they be hiding if they had nothing to fear? The detention was only for Cheam Chhany. No one else has been implicated or summoned to the court for investigations. Thirdly, looking at SRP Senator Kong Korm's open statement calling for changes  without the democratic process, meaning through illegal regime change or insurgency, gives credence to the charge against Cheam Chhany.  Now that even Sam Rainsy is afraid of a Cheam Chhany confession and what it may unravel, analysts wonder what else is hidden away in the SRP's closet and its ideology of regime change through undemocratic means while conveniently hiding behind the veil of democracy.
 

Update: 01^st July 2005

 SRP's Kong Korm Advocates Change Through Non Democratic Means

Analysts and Cambodianinsight has been saying it for a year now. Now it is being said by the SRP's very own Senator and Vice President, Kong Korm who in an open statement dated 27th June 2005 said: "I would like to appeal to the Cambodian victims of the April 17 and 7 January regimes to adopt a self-help approach by uniting each other to forge a change of the dictatorship and corrupted leaders who have caused disasters to our nation through democratic elections." This is a clear stand expressed by a senior SRP figure, a renegade from the CPP, by the way, that echoes the SRP's stance for regime change through undemocratic means. Thus, reading the statement by Kong Korm, analysts would like to ask how the SRP and Kong Korm intends to forge a change without elections! Is he and the SRP going to do this through illegal means? Through regime change through armed insurrection such as that which was probably envisioned by Cheam Channy and Committee Number 14? Has the SRP truly and completely sold it soul to those who want a violent regime change through undemocratic means as this, by reading Senator Kong Korm's statement, only means that the SRP wants changes through undemocratic means and that means without elections for the people to decide. Who is the dictator under this context? Who has given SRP and or Kong Korm the right to decide the change without an electoral process?