Manekseka Sangkum:
In a democracy, active lobbying, public moods and campaigning can influence government agenda. Credit must go to those Cambodian-Americans for their effort, as well as to the few US congressmen for standing up on behalf of the long-suffering Cambodian people. This is one of the reasons why the Hun Sen regime is trying to make inroads into Khmer overseas communities through the election of the Khmer-American candidate of Lowell, Mass., into public office recently, spreading CPP membership networks within these communities [not only in the US, but also in a number of EU countries by 'befriending' community leaders and organisers there], and the invitation of Mr Hun Manet himself to a major Khmer cultural event.
The invitation and expected presence of the eldest son of the man who has held his country in hostage and deployed every underhanded method to cling on to power is projected by the people behind the invitation as an apolitical act of purely cultural and national unity, whilst the stench of politically motivated violence and rampant human rights abuses against so many innocents and dissidents back in Cambodia are held to be irrelevant? And why not cultural events? This Hanoi installed regime has made use of every other cultural and institutional symbolism latent in the Khmer consciousness, including its party logo and royalties.
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union speech before members of Congress in Washington, DC. in January. AFP
US congressmen begin Kingdom-centric caucus
ppp Thu, 24 March 2016
Yesenia Amaro
Two US congressmen are pushing to bring together lawmakers interested in “Cambodia’s difficult political situation” and the overall relationship between both countries through the creation of a bipartisan congressional Cambodia caucus.
Behind the effort are US Representative Alan Lowenthal – a California Democrat who represents Long Beach, home to a large Cambodian community – and Representative Steve Chabot, a Republican from Ohio, according to a statement released on Monday.
The group recently met with US Ambassador to Cambodia William Heidt, who gave an update on the current situation in the Kingdom, particularly on the request for the government to respect its citizens’ democratic freedoms and freedom of speech, the statement says.
Heidt, who wasn’t available yesterday, reportedly told the caucus about the need for progress on democratic and judicial reforms.
Lowenthal and Chabot couldn’t be reached as of press time, but Chabot in the statement said the caucus “will be a tremendous help to the Cambodian people as they work to fulfill their dream of establishing a strong and healthy democracy”.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan yesterday said Cambodia welcomed the new caucus. However, he added, both countries are “completely different”, and American views on democracy may not fit the Cambodian context “because it’s a different culture”.
3 comments:
Phay Siphan,
Yes, the two cultures are indeed different, but the thrust and need of basic human rights are certainly the same.
Like Americans, you go to the bathroom the same way !
@25 March 2016 at 08:09
No, superman Phay Siphan can shit standing or walking like cattle if Hun Sen wants him to do it.
Dear Readers,
Look and listen to Pay Siphan, he used to survive in the United Sates of America, but right now he is really good and very smart to twist the reality . He knew very well how to serve the Hun's regime for his own millionaire even millions of Cambodian people suffered.
So, all his words are always support and praise for the Khmer Rouge and criminal regime Hun Sen. He closed all his eyes, ears, or sense and pretense to be a smart guide, but in fact he just only an animal that bark for his boss.
Phay Siphan's barking is really annoy me and many other Khmers in the United States and around the world.
I rally do not know what kind of degree that you got and from what university you were?
Love Khmers
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