Opposition leader Sam Rainsy addressing party supporters on 23 July 2011 (Photo: Free Press Magazine Online)
23 July 2011
By S. Botum
Read original article at: Free Magazine Online
Translated from Khmer by Si Sophon
Through teleconference video call from Tunisia, opposition leader Sam Rainsy addressed an audience of more than 1,000 attendants at the inauguration of the SRP party headquarters. During his speech, Sam Rainsy raised his hope that Cambodia will see changes like Tunisia, a country where a long time and corrupt ruler was toppled at the beginning of 2011. Sam Rainsy’s expectation is based on his comparisons between the current situation in Cambodia and that of Tunisia.
Sam Rainsy is currently performing a field study on the revolution movement in Tunisia where its dictator was toppled from power. During his speech, Sam Rainsy said: “Tunisia is riddled with corruption, just like Cambodia, and this corruption bred injustice. It is a corruption backed a dictatorial regime. The dictator’s clan wielded their power whereas a very large number of the population lives in poverty. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider and wider, this situation led to an outrage among the population that channeled into anger for the toppling movement. This action was spread to various other countries, such as Egypt where Hosni Mubarak held on to power for more than 40 years, his dictatorial regime was destroyed. Right now, the movement for peace and democracy continues on to Libya, Yemen and Syria. I believe that it won’t be too long before it reaches Cambodia because the situation is very similar to that in those countries.”
Sam Rainsy made this declaration only one day after Hun Xen commented that the situation in Tunisia cannot be compared to his. Hun Xen said that such action will be responded by CPP supporters, just like what happened in 1998. He said that his regime can be removed by election only.
Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy said that the fake election in Cambodia cannot be taken seriously. Election also existed in Tunisia and Egypt, but no matter what, it is impossible to beat the dictators through the election organized by the latter.
According to Sam Rainsy, in order to protect his regime, Ben Ali of Tunisia ordered the police force to shoot on the demonstrators, but because the demonstrator force is so large, the police rejected Ben Ali’s order. Then Ben Ali turned around and issued his order to the army which also rejected him. At the end, Ben Ali’s soldiers could only provide safety for him between his house and the airport, i.e. Ben Ali had to leave the country. In Sam Rainsy’s opinion, this is due to the solidarity between Tunisians and he believes that Cambodians have similar will and thoughts as the Tunisians. Sam Rainsy said that it will not take long for the situation in Cambodia to become like that in Tunisia.
23 July 2011
By S. Botum
Read original article at: Free Magazine Online
Translated from Khmer by Si Sophon
Through teleconference video call from Tunisia, opposition leader Sam Rainsy addressed an audience of more than 1,000 attendants at the inauguration of the SRP party headquarters. During his speech, Sam Rainsy raised his hope that Cambodia will see changes like Tunisia, a country where a long time and corrupt ruler was toppled at the beginning of 2011. Sam Rainsy’s expectation is based on his comparisons between the current situation in Cambodia and that of Tunisia.
Sam Rainsy is currently performing a field study on the revolution movement in Tunisia where its dictator was toppled from power. During his speech, Sam Rainsy said: “Tunisia is riddled with corruption, just like Cambodia, and this corruption bred injustice. It is a corruption backed a dictatorial regime. The dictator’s clan wielded their power whereas a very large number of the population lives in poverty. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider and wider, this situation led to an outrage among the population that channeled into anger for the toppling movement. This action was spread to various other countries, such as Egypt where Hosni Mubarak held on to power for more than 40 years, his dictatorial regime was destroyed. Right now, the movement for peace and democracy continues on to Libya, Yemen and Syria. I believe that it won’t be too long before it reaches Cambodia because the situation is very similar to that in those countries.”
Sam Rainsy made this declaration only one day after Hun Xen commented that the situation in Tunisia cannot be compared to his. Hun Xen said that such action will be responded by CPP supporters, just like what happened in 1998. He said that his regime can be removed by election only.
Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy said that the fake election in Cambodia cannot be taken seriously. Election also existed in Tunisia and Egypt, but no matter what, it is impossible to beat the dictators through the election organized by the latter.
According to Sam Rainsy, in order to protect his regime, Ben Ali of Tunisia ordered the police force to shoot on the demonstrators, but because the demonstrator force is so large, the police rejected Ben Ali’s order. Then Ben Ali turned around and issued his order to the army which also rejected him. At the end, Ben Ali’s soldiers could only provide safety for him between his house and the airport, i.e. Ben Ali had to leave the country. In Sam Rainsy’s opinion, this is due to the solidarity between Tunisians and he believes that Cambodians have similar will and thoughts as the Tunisians. Sam Rainsy said that it will not take long for the situation in Cambodia to become like that in Tunisia.
7 comments:
be careful, DON'T DAMAGED OUR COUNTRY,
it is not the right things to do that..
khmer's peoples has enjoyed thier life.
be careful, DON'T DESTROY OUR COUNTRY
OUR KING FATHER, WAS WORKING VERY, VERY HARD TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY BETTER,
(at least 45years)& counting
play smart politics- don't play dumm
OMG, You (SRS) can burn your house for fun, but we don't allow you to destroy the country just for your own political gain.
just don't stupid
it's ok to burn your home to get america D$
but don't burn Cambodia like befor
Sam Rainsy talked about Tunisia. But he forgot other countries which followed her in this Jamine Revolution path. Beside Egypt, there is also Libya, Syria and Yemen. Bloodbaths, destructions, sufferings, refugees, mayhems...! Is that what he wanted for our country? And all this just because he wanted to be PM? Come one! You decided to go in exil in your comfort home in France to avoid problems in Phnom Penh. Now you think that you are courageous by asking other Cambodians to suffer instead? Think about this again coward leader!
This is a grave concerns and I strongly suggested the Cambodia's government take the Lotus Revolution seriousely to avoid bloodbath in the future. I am not talking about cracking down on them if talking can take place to ensure their demands are met or at least the government tries to resolve/address some of their concerns. I realized that there is no magic bullet to wipe out poverty in Cambodia because we went through 4 regime changed put us at disadvanatage position economic/education and we just started to pick up some econimic steam. The good new is that at least Sam Rainsy continues to study the Tunisia's revolution. The gapse between the poor and the riches continue to be widered, there is a possiblity that Cambodia will not be able to escape Buddhist's prophecy ឈាមដាបពោះដំរីនៅទន្លេមុខបួន. There is no way that Sam Rainsy actions were supported by only the local Cambodian. If it is, than I dont see how he can win this except more killings and caused more bloodbath for Khmers on Khmers. It is impossible to this without super power support, if you study all the regime changed that Sam Rainsy talking about, the finger point to USA as the main supporter of those up rising. Recent Wikileak released by Washington sparked questioning debate why it released such information that damaged Cambodia's government image. Could the Lotus revolution backed by the USA as the Lon Nol regime? We really dont know who behind the Lotus revolution but it caused great concerns over the potential human sufferings, economic setback, internal insecurity and the chaos inside the country if the revolution set in motion. I disagree with Sam Rainsy assessment that those countries that went through their revolutions are the same as Cambodia. Their military and police power are independence power and supported the revolutionaries. However, Libya is similar to Cambodia without the oil. Where is Libya today? Libya turned into civil war between opposition backed by the USA and NATO against Gen. Kadafi regime. Killings continue daily; this is what we went through during the 70s. Why Cambodia is similar to Libya? Cambodia military and police are control by PM Hun Sen, this is a fact so there is no need to deny it. The other big question is "How much interest USA has on Cambodia?" Vietnam and Philliphine seem to gain support from USA regarding the spreadly islands dispute with China. How Vietnam relationship with the USA impact on Cambodia? Where the Lotus revolution stands without support from the USA? If the USA doesnt support Sam Rainsy and his Lotus revolution then it would be suicidal to uprise against PM Hun Sen. Whether today we can slow down the thought of Lotus revolution, however we cannot stop them forever if the poverty gapse, immigration issues, corruptions, and buddy system is not resolve. The countries that Sam Rainsy mentioned regarding their revolution; he should also ask where they are economically and security. It probably wiser for Cambodia to work together and resolve the issue peacefully. Since we alway preached this philosophy during the Thai-Cambodia border conflict. Why can't we do the same with our own countrymen?
Here is another scenario why Lotus revolution is not the option for Cambodia to put in motion. Let assumed that the Lotus revolution drove PM Hun Sen out from power with the bloodbath; his supporters will hide in the jungle to continue to fight guarilla warfare for generations. If you remember during the 80s, Funcipec and KR joined hands fought the Phnom Penh regime decades until peace agreement signed in 1991. Is this the type of revolution you want Cambodian to expereiences again and again? Our country will be in termoil, people will die of hunger, refugees will be flooded to Thailand which allows Thailand to slaughter Cambodian again like in the 80s. Children grow up without childhood, wars will be their playground daily activities. Why dont we learned from the past history? PM Hun Sen will fight to the end if you bring force to drive him out from power. Dont forget, there are more supporters of CPP than Sam Rainsy. Election is the only option to change power. If you loose, then you find other strategies to win but never put Cambodia at risk for more wars; we seen enough Cambodian sufferings. If you continue to have loosing result in election, may be it is time for you to step aside and let other leaders in your party have a chance. I am sure you have talent and smart leader working for Sam Rainsy party. Dont assume that you are the only leader can get thing done and never develop others to take your place. How will they grow if you dont give them a chance? How will you know that they can't beat CPP if you dont put them to the test. If you claimed election is cheated then find ways to put your people in the NEC to ensure there is fair election or work with international community to assist in monitoring the election. This is much better option than Lotus Revolution.
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