Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Nixon Address: The Bombing of Cambodia
This day in history on April 30, 1970, 41 years ago the US President Richard Nixon addressed the nation on the bombing of Cambodia as part of a campaign to fight in hot pursuit to the NVN and VC and to protect the Army troupes operating in South Vietnam. This campaign is also seen as the beginning of the US assistance to the Lon Nol government that was born out of the March 18 coup. President Nixon was later in a cover up of a scandal and was forced to resign.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tragedies and The Mother Nature
The Earthquake in Japan, then tsunamis, now tornadoes... floods here and there. Snow in April... It is change... or the work of mother nature... or acts of God... Many deaths and wounded, much damages and destructions... This year is more than other years... The Mayan calendar will end on December 12, 2012, what happened by then?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thailand Vs Cambodia: Declaration of War?
As published in The Nation April 27, 2011:
On Tuesday, a Thai government spokesman said the cabinet had passed a three-part resolution that focused on military retaliation against claimed Cambodian incursions, diplomatic efforts to arrange bilateral talks, and reviewing all cooperation with Cambodia.
Koy Kuong said the part relating to military action was an unacceptable threat.
"(Cambodia) condemns in the strongest terms Thailand's threat and belligerent actions to use its larger and materially superior military might to take control over the Cambodian territory recognized by the International Court of Justice in its 1962 judgment," he said.
That court ruling referred specifically to the 11th-century temple of Preah Vihear, the scene of fighting on Tuesday and sporadic clashes since mid-2008. Both countries also dispute other areas of their common border. The court awarded the temple to Cambodia, but did not rule on nearby areas.
Koy Kuong said Thailand's assessment of what constituted disputed areas was based on maps that Cambodia did not recognize.
Wednesday saw the sixth consecutive day of fighting at another disputed border location, which has left at least 14 dead and around 60 wounded on both sides.
Cambodia: Thai threat 'tantamount to a declaration of war'
The Cambodian government on Wednesday condemned Bangkok's threat to use military action to force Cambodian troops from areas that Thailand considers in dispute.
Phom Penh "considers the above decision of (the Thai) government as tantamount to a declaration of war against Cambodia," Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said.
Koy Kuong said the part relating to military action was an unacceptable threat.
"(Cambodia) condemns in the strongest terms Thailand's threat and belligerent actions to use its larger and materially superior military might to take control over the Cambodian territory recognized by the International Court of Justice in its 1962 judgment," he said.
That court ruling referred specifically to the 11th-century temple of Preah Vihear, the scene of fighting on Tuesday and sporadic clashes since mid-2008. Both countries also dispute other areas of their common border. The court awarded the temple to Cambodia, but did not rule on nearby areas.
Koy Kuong said Thailand's assessment of what constituted disputed areas was based on maps that Cambodia did not recognize.
Wednesday saw the sixth consecutive day of fighting at another disputed border location, which has left at least 14 dead and around 60 wounded on both sides.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Viet PM Viit to Cambodia
Prime Minister Dung holds talks with Cambodian leader Hun Sen
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) greets Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in Phnom Penh. — VNA/VNS Photo Duc Tam |
PHNOM PENH — Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Saturday held talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, in Phnom Penh on issues relating to the two countries' relations and other matters of common concern.
During the talks, the two PMs expressed their delight in the solidarity, friendship and co-operation enjoyed by Viet Nam and Cambodia, which they said would go from strength to strength.
They also applauded preparations made for the second Viet Nam – Cambodia Investment Promotion Conference, which was hosted by the two PMs yesterday.
During the conference, the two sides said they expected to sign a number of co-operative agreements in areas such as aviation, banking, telecommunications, hydropower, mining, rubber and sugarcane production.
The two leaders expressed their belief that the conference would be a success, and contribute to bolstering economic co-operation between the two nations.
Dung and Hun Sen acknowledged the great effort made by the two countries' offcials border demarcation and marker planting, adding that the completion of the programme would bolster borderline peace, friendship and co-operation and boost development and prosperity in the region.
The two Government leaders asked border demarcation and marker planting forces to continue to closely co-operate and do everything in their power to fulfil the targets that had been set by the two countries.
The two PMs agreed to entrust the two countries' Joint Committee for Land Border Demarcation and Marker Planting to designating where to position markers No 30 at the Le Thanh (Gia Lai) – Odadao (Ratanakiri) international border gate, No 275 at the Tinh Bien (An Giang) – Phnom Don (Takeo) international border gate, marker No 314 in Kien Giang and Kampot provinces (the last on the land border line between the two countries). Further posts are earmarked for Chang Riec, Tan Ha, Tan Dong and Tan Binh (Tay Ninh Province of Viet Nam), On Lung Chrey, Thlok Trach, Bung Chron and Phum Don (Kampong Cham Province of Cambodia).
The settlement of these areas would be implemented under the principles specified by the 1985 Treaty on Delineation of National Boundaries and the supplementary treaty in 2005 signed by Viet Nam and Cambodia, they said.
They added that border demarcation would be based on existing maps and on the traditional work habits of the people in both countries.
The PMs said the border demarcation and marker planting work along the entire Viet Nam – Cambodia land border would be completed by the end of 2012.
Meanwhile, on the subject of building hydropower works on the Mekong River, such as the Sayabouly dam, the two leaders said they hoped countries bordering the river, such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam, together with the International Mekong River Commission would take into account the possible negative impacts of the work.
Hun Sen discussed with his Vietnamese counterpart the border conflict with Thailand in recent days. Dung expressed his deep concern about continued clashes over the Cambodian – Thai border.
He said Viet Nam hoped the two sides would do their utmost to avoid armed conflict and would settle their differences peacefully according to international law and the UN Charter, and in the spirit of friendship and solidarity within ASEAN.
He added that Viet Nam would like Cambodia and Thailand to implement commitments reached at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat in Jakarta on February 22, 2011, to prevent the situation from becoming more complicated.
After the talks, the Vietnamese and Cambodian PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the two governments on borderline adjustments and a co-operative agreement on aviation.
Lasting impressions
On arrival in the Cambodian capital, Dung paid a courtesy visit to former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, and met Acting Head of State and President of the Senate Samdech Chea Sim and Acting President of the National Assembly Nguon Nhel.
During the meeting with King Norodom Sihanouk, Dung said the visit to Viet Nam by the former King, the Queen Mother and the King of Cambodia in June 2010 had left a great impression on the Vietnamese people. He also thanked the former King for the great support Cambodia had given Viet Nam during its struggle for national independence and during the later reunification and construction process.
He said he was delighted with the great achievements made by the Cambodian people over the past few years and affirmed Viet Nam's commitment to maintaining and consolidating the good relations enjoyed by the two countries and with the region and rest of the world.
The former Cambodian King warmly welcomed Dung's visit to Cambodia and expressed his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people for the invaluable support and assistance they had given.
He said he hoped the friendship and co-operation enjoyed by Cambodia and Viet Nam would continue to prosper.
During Dung's meeting with Acting Head of State and President of the Senate Samdech Chea Sim and Acting President of the NA Nguon Nhel, the two sides expressed their satisfaction with the traditional friendship enjoyed by the two countries and co-operation between the two parliaments and people.
The leaders of Cambodia's legislative bodies thanked the Vietnamese people for their support during the process of national revival.
They said they would do their utmost to foster greater ties between Cambodia and Viet Nam.
Investment Promotion
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen yesterday co-chaired the second Viet Nam-Cambodia Investment Promotion Conference.
The one-day event attracted 600 representatives from ministries and agencies and 200 leading enterprises of the two nations.
Dung told the conference he appreciated the outcomes of bilateral co-operation in economics and trade since the first conference was held in HCM City in December, 2009.
Those outcomes would be a foundation for further fostering co-operative relationships and developing the potential of the two sides, he said, and the conference would become a regular information exchange channel for both business communities.
Dung asked Vietnamese companies doing business in Cambodia to comply with the country's laws, manners and customs and pay attention to ensuring employment and social welfare as well as eliminating hunger and reducing poverty to maintain the good image of Vietnamese businesses in the country.
"The Vietnamese Government is determined to boost and facilitate Vietnamese enterprises' investment to foreign countries in general and to Cambodia in particular," Dung said.
For his part, Hun Sen said the conference would contribute to consolidating the two nations' traditional friendship and co-operation.
He said the Cambodian Government was making every effort to create a favourable investment environment and implement reforms in specific fields in which the country had an advantage, such as telecommunications, rubber planting, minerals and hydropower plants.
To encourage Vietnamese investment in Cambodia, Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc suggested State agencies of the two sides speed up the implementation of bilateral agreements such as on investment protection and promotion, double taxation avoidance and rubber planting co-operation.
He urged the prompt completion of the legal system of investment and business, reform of administrative procedures and improvement of infrastructure, especially transport and electricity, which were needed to encourage the participation of economic sectors.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Cambodian Development Council and Cambodian Chamber of Commerce introduced the country's economic development strategy and investment incentives, and commitments of the council, to Vietnamese enterprises operating in Cambodia.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group chairman Doan Nguyen Duc said Cambodia was a country full of untapped potential. It was convenient that the two countries had one common border, with many border gates, and had similar cultures, he said.
The private group has had large investments in Cambodia in minerals, rubber and sugar processing,
Ho Chi Dung, general director of Viettel Telecom, which has poured US$235 million in to Cambodia, said two years after the group entered the market, its Metfone subscribers increased by three times.
Over the past year, Viet Nam and Cambodia have signed more than 60 co-operation agreements and formed the necessary co-operation mechanisms.
This contributed greatly to increasing two-way trade from $950 million in 2006 to $1.8 billion in 2010. Viet Nam is now one of the three biggest foreign investors in Cambodia with 87 projects worth over $2 billion, focusing on telecommunications, airlines, agriculture, energy, minerals and banking.
Also at the conference, the two Government leaders witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding on:
° Promoting investment between the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Cambodian Investment Council,
° Granting an investment licence to the Se San 2 hydropower plant project between Viet Nam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and Cambodia's Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining.
° Licensing other production projects.
On the same day, the two leaders cut the ribbon to open the Viet Nam-Cambodia Securities Company. — VNS
Vietnam PM Visit
While borders clashes between Thailand and Cambodia over the temples of Ta Kraey and Ta Mueon in Oddar Mean Chey province, Prime Minister of Vietnam was received in Phnom Penh during an official visit. What will be the outcomes of these events?
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Beginning
Of a new life for me, and it was not fun. The last few days in the Motherland in April 1975 was tumulteous and to leave the country was a matter of fate. Working for national security was a risky business. I was thankful to General Sak for saving my life.
To continue...
To continue...
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Fall of the Republic
I mean of the Khmer Republic 36 years this day in April 17 1975. The war began with the change voted by the Cambodian congress on March 18, 1970. The khmer republic was proclaimed later that year on October 9. It was the war that was not prepared and involved by many differents parties and countries. The loosers, the Khmer people, were dispersed some around the world, many others around the country forced to live their home to live in the country side.
The winners, the Khmer Rouge, would rule the country at gun point killing and or causing around 1.7 millions people to die, until they were kicked out by the communist Vietnamese in 1978 after 3 years 8 months and 20 days in power.
Who is to blame? - It depends on where you stand.
A point to remember, on April 12, 5 days earlier, the Americans main suppoters of the Khmer Republic closed it embassy and evacuated its sfaff and some of their friends by helicopters in an operation code named Eagle Pull.
Prince Sirik Matak was invited to the evacuation, he refused and wrote this note to Ambasador John G. Dean:
"Dear Excellency and friend,
I thank you very sincerely for your letter and for your offer to transport me towards freedom. I cannot, alas, leave in such a cowardly fashion.
As for you and in particular for your great country, I never believed for a moment that you would have this sentiment of abandoning a people which has chosen liberty. You have refused us protection and we can do nothing about it. You leave and it is my wish that you and your country will find happiness under the sky.
But mark it well that, if I shall die here on the spot and in my country that I love, it is too bad because we all are born and must die one day. I have only committed this mistake of believing in you, the Americans. Please accept, Excellency, my dear friend, my faithful and friendly sentiments. Sirik Matak."
My story: On that day after the last chance of evacuation failed I drove and left my wife at my aunt home and along with my driver/body guard Say Karo and my aide Phap Saphan I made the last try and my patrol boat unit on the Mekong. Things were worse and my last stop is to see Marine Commander Vong Sarandy who told me that theere was no way out. I returned to my aunt home and I was told that my wife with an aide went to the Red Cross office.
Then I went to the Prime Minister home who told me that there was an helicopter waiting at the Olympic Stadium and we should rushing there immediately. I was thinking of my wife but thought that she may have achance to survive without me. Asking asking my driver and aide to go home I humped in the PM mercedes with Thong Lim Huong Information Minister sitting in the passenger seat next to me and Prime Minister Long Boreth in the back seat, and immediately I drive the car at full speed via Sihanouk Avenue to the Stadium that was guarded by a few Military Police officers at the gate. One of them recognized me me and allowed us to get in. We rushed from the car and join the helicopter were we saw General Sak Suthsakhan and a few officers waiting. We climbed to the helicopter that the pilot just changed the battery but then Mr. Long Boreth saw his wife waiting by the stadium side and he decided to get off with Thong Lim Huong expecting to get in another helico. When we lift off we saw Long Boreth trying to find another helico but it was unsuccessful. Apprently they never left Phnom Penh. I was the only civilian member of the Government to leave that morning.
The helico I was in flew to Kompong Thom and after a few hours stop over took off to Siemreap for gasoline refill before continuing to Samrong City in Oddar Meanchey. I spent at the National Police Office and early in the morning on April 18, we flew to American Utapao Air Base in Thailand.
It was a great escape that can be a tory of a book.
The winners, the Khmer Rouge, would rule the country at gun point killing and or causing around 1.7 millions people to die, until they were kicked out by the communist Vietnamese in 1978 after 3 years 8 months and 20 days in power.
Who is to blame? - It depends on where you stand.
A point to remember, on April 12, 5 days earlier, the Americans main suppoters of the Khmer Republic closed it embassy and evacuated its sfaff and some of their friends by helicopters in an operation code named Eagle Pull.
Prince Sirik Matak was invited to the evacuation, he refused and wrote this note to Ambasador John G. Dean:
"Dear Excellency and friend,
I thank you very sincerely for your letter and for your offer to transport me towards freedom. I cannot, alas, leave in such a cowardly fashion.
As for you and in particular for your great country, I never believed for a moment that you would have this sentiment of abandoning a people which has chosen liberty. You have refused us protection and we can do nothing about it. You leave and it is my wish that you and your country will find happiness under the sky.
But mark it well that, if I shall die here on the spot and in my country that I love, it is too bad because we all are born and must die one day. I have only committed this mistake of believing in you, the Americans. Please accept, Excellency, my dear friend, my faithful and friendly sentiments. Sirik Matak."
My story: On that day after the last chance of evacuation failed I drove and left my wife at my aunt home and along with my driver/body guard Say Karo and my aide Phap Saphan I made the last try and my patrol boat unit on the Mekong. Things were worse and my last stop is to see Marine Commander Vong Sarandy who told me that theere was no way out. I returned to my aunt home and I was told that my wife with an aide went to the Red Cross office.
Then I went to the Prime Minister home who told me that there was an helicopter waiting at the Olympic Stadium and we should rushing there immediately. I was thinking of my wife but thought that she may have achance to survive without me. Asking asking my driver and aide to go home I humped in the PM mercedes with Thong Lim Huong Information Minister sitting in the passenger seat next to me and Prime Minister Long Boreth in the back seat, and immediately I drive the car at full speed via Sihanouk Avenue to the Stadium that was guarded by a few Military Police officers at the gate. One of them recognized me me and allowed us to get in. We rushed from the car and join the helicopter were we saw General Sak Suthsakhan and a few officers waiting. We climbed to the helicopter that the pilot just changed the battery but then Mr. Long Boreth saw his wife waiting by the stadium side and he decided to get off with Thong Lim Huong expecting to get in another helico. When we lift off we saw Long Boreth trying to find another helico but it was unsuccessful. Apprently they never left Phnom Penh. I was the only civilian member of the Government to leave that morning.
The helico I was in flew to Kompong Thom and after a few hours stop over took off to Siemreap for gasoline refill before continuing to Samrong City in Oddar Meanchey. I spent at the National Police Office and early in the morning on April 18, we flew to American Utapao Air Base in Thailand.
It was a great escape that can be a tory of a book.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Year of the Rabbit
Most of the time the Khmer New Year - as well as in Thailand, Laos and Burma - start today. But due to precise calculation for this one the new year celebration start tomorrow April the 14. This is not coincide with the Solar or Lunar calendar. But it is celebrated with the end of a season and the beginning of the new one, that is of the rice harvest in the dry season and start of the rainy season and back to work.
April is the warmest season of the year, a time to rest and good for celebration, and since it is warm people do not mind playing with water, splashing at each other. The celebration is for 3 days only, but people just enjoy during the whole month of April... We went to the Buddhist temple, we offer flowers to the Angels of the New Year asking for protection and good luck.
So here in America, it is the beginning of the Spring, with a new beginning, so we celebrate our New Year, this year is the yar of the Rabbit, an animal well known in our legend as witty and clever... a judge among the animal. But still they can't beat the slow turtle or the water snail. It is another story...
April is the warmest season of the year, a time to rest and good for celebration, and since it is warm people do not mind playing with water, splashing at each other. The celebration is for 3 days only, but people just enjoy during the whole month of April... We went to the Buddhist temple, we offer flowers to the Angels of the New Year asking for protection and good luck.
So here in America, it is the beginning of the Spring, with a new beginning, so we celebrate our New Year, this year is the yar of the Rabbit, an animal well known in our legend as witty and clever... a judge among the animal. But still they can't beat the slow turtle or the water snail. It is another story...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Last Day Out...
This day April 12 in history, 1975 - 36 years ago, the US clsoed its Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Ambassador Dean jumping to the helicopter, leaving to Republic to its own fate. For 5 days before it collapsed to the Khmer Rouge fighters on April 17.
Since the March 18 1970 the US was involved near or far in the internal problems in Cambodia. But in retrospect her involvement was originally for the purpose of protecting the life of the US soldiers fighting in Vietnam and to speed up their disengagement. Many foreign journalists speculated that President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger were much to blame for the destruction of Cambodia. The book "Side Show" by William Shawcross, is a book to read to feel the whole implication of the US intervention as stated by the Nixon Address on April 30, 1970.
Many people fear that Cambodia now is in danger again from foreign interference, how the US could have this time? - for the better. Or Cambodia should alone to her own destiny...
According to Justin Corfield: "In Washington Um Sim, Cambodia's Ambassador there lambasted the American Government in a speech at the Washington Press Club: 'We are the patient and the United States is the doctor. You have found our case hopeless but we have to cling to life until we die. Now it would be better if the US left Southeast Asia and never returned."
The Cambodian people should learn the lesson of the period of 1970 to 1975. I think it was a mistake to depend on foreigners, near or far, as an old khmer saying goes: Kom tuk jet borates... or Never to trust on foreigners...
Since the March 18 1970 the US was involved near or far in the internal problems in Cambodia. But in retrospect her involvement was originally for the purpose of protecting the life of the US soldiers fighting in Vietnam and to speed up their disengagement. Many foreign journalists speculated that President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger were much to blame for the destruction of Cambodia. The book "Side Show" by William Shawcross, is a book to read to feel the whole implication of the US intervention as stated by the Nixon Address on April 30, 1970.
Many people fear that Cambodia now is in danger again from foreign interference, how the US could have this time? - for the better. Or Cambodia should alone to her own destiny...
According to Justin Corfield: "In Washington Um Sim, Cambodia's Ambassador there lambasted the American Government in a speech at the Washington Press Club: 'We are the patient and the United States is the doctor. You have found our case hopeless but we have to cling to life until we die. Now it would be better if the US left Southeast Asia and never returned."
The Cambodian people should learn the lesson of the period of 1970 to 1975. I think it was a mistake to depend on foreigners, near or far, as an old khmer saying goes: Kom tuk jet borates... or Never to trust on foreigners...
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Government Shutdown: Only in the USA
In the last few weeks and days, especially in the last 2-3days or so, there was intense negoatiations between the Reublicans that controlled the House of Representatives and the Senate and the White House led by the Democrats. The issue is the Budget. The Republicans who won the House at the mid-term elections claimed that they got the mandadte from the American people to cut the expenses to trim down the deficit that amounted to the trillions of dollars. The Democratscaimed they have also the mandate from the mandate from the people and they have their programs to serve the people and the country.
The Democrats acceptent to negotiate and make some cuts in expenses but the Republicans wanted more. They have the Tea Party patriots behind to push them to resist the pressure. By the midnight hour EST if no compromise this Friday March 8, 2011, the Government will shut down and will affect 800, 000 federal employees... It happened one time before in 1995 in time of President Clinton. I was a State employee and was not affected by that shutdown.
We will see what happe before modnight: Shut down or not?
If shut down, the Republicans got 37% of the blame, the Democrats got 20% and the President got 20%, that what the one of the Polls shows.
This is the Democratic Game people play, and it happen only in the USA, as I know. They are fighting for the next election for the White House in 2012, in the Fall next year.
Update: Just hour before deadline leaders of both parties have agreement on a deal and avoid government shutdow.
The Democrats acceptent to negotiate and make some cuts in expenses but the Republicans wanted more. They have the Tea Party patriots behind to push them to resist the pressure. By the midnight hour EST if no compromise this Friday March 8, 2011, the Government will shut down and will affect 800, 000 federal employees... It happened one time before in 1995 in time of President Clinton. I was a State employee and was not affected by that shutdown.
We will see what happe before modnight: Shut down or not?
If shut down, the Republicans got 37% of the blame, the Democrats got 20% and the President got 20%, that what the one of the Polls shows.
This is the Democratic Game people play, and it happen only in the USA, as I know. They are fighting for the next election for the White House in 2012, in the Fall next year.
Update: Just hour before deadline leaders of both parties have agreement on a deal and avoid government shutdow.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Democracy in Cambodia Part 1
The history of Democracy in Cambodia started this day in history, April 5, 1946, 65 years ago when then King Norodom Sihanouk signed a Royal Ordinance authorizing the formation of association, the freedom of expression and campaign for elections. According to Mr. Lek Sam Oeun in his book “Khmer Nationalist” printed in 2005, after the signing of that ordinance 3 political parties was formed all led by royal princes: 1) the Democratic Party led by Prince Sisowath Yutevong; 2) the Progressive Party led by Prince Norodom Montana; and 3) the Freedom Party of Prince Norindeth. The 31 May an Election Law was passed by the Royal Council and on September 1, 1946 the first election was organized.
The Democratic Party got the most votes and gained 50 seats, 14 to the Freedom Party and 3 seats to the Progressive. The 25th of September 1946 the first session of the National Assembly was inaugurated by the King and the Assembly was assigned the task of drafting the first Cambodian National Constitution. Led by the French educated Prince Yutevong President of the Democratic Party the work was done and the Constitution was adopted on May 6, 1947 as the highest Law of the Land. The law was not perfect because it was stated that all the power came from the King and He designates the Prime Minister with the approval from the National Assembly. But this Constitution had ended the absolute monarchy system that rules over Cambodia for the last 2 thousand years.
Unfortunately Prince Yutevong did not survive to see the fruits of his work. He passed away on July 8, 1947, of sickness. Many of his supporters in the Democratic Party were questioning the real cause of his death.
New election was organized in November 1947 with two more political parties competing: the Renovation Parting organized by Army Officers Nhek Tioulong and Lon Nol and the National Union Party of Mr. Khim Tith. Of the 75 seats, the Democratic Party got 54 seats, the Freedom Party 21 seats.
Due to conflicts between the Executive and the Legislative on September 18, 1949 the national assembly was dissolved. The internal security was bad with Khmer Issarak and Khmer Vietminh attacking the French occupation in Cambodia in the schemes of the struggle for national independence. Competition between political parties was also intense and on January 14, 1950 Mr. Ieu Koeus Secretary General of the Democratic Party was assassinated by a grenade attack.
On 5 September 1951 new elections were organized: The Democratic Party led again with 54 seats, the Freedom Party got 18 seats, and the remaining 6 seats to other small parties. On October 12, 1951 Mr. Huy Kanthul of the Democratic Party formed a new government. There was some disagreement between him and the King and the Huy Kanthul Government was terminated on June 15, 1952. Then the King declared himself as also the Prime Minister. The National Assembly was dissolved again on January 13, 1953 and it marked de facto the end of the democracy.
The King then launched the Crusade for Independence and after his abdication and the formation of the Sangkum Reastr Niyum, the sole party system, the rest is history.
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Second (and the Last) Term
President Obama files papers today April 4, 2011 to seek reelection for the second term as President of the United States of America. If reelected, he will serve as President for 4 more years, and that is it. It is the law. So far he is first people of color or black president in the US history. He is democrat.
Martin Luther King Jr.
He was assassinated this day April 4th, 43 years ago. Too bad for very good people to end their life by criminals in that way. That what happened to President Lincoln and Kennedy in the US, to statemen like Ghandi in India.. and others that I do not have the records.
I remembered him with great quotes like "Peace is not merely the absence of conflicts, but the presence of Justice"....
I remembered him with great quotes like "Peace is not merely the absence of conflicts, but the presence of Justice"....
Birth of the Khmer Strong Man
Should be today as his "official" birthday April 4, 1951. But PM Hun Sen said that it should be corrected to August 5, 1952. Anyway he is knowned as being the youngest Prime Minister at 33 years old. And how long he will stay in power? According to a speech at a program in PPenh today April 4, 2011, he says that he will stay as long as the peole vote for him and as long as his party, the Cambodian People Party (CPP) will choose him. No term limits, there is such a thing in Cambodia.
Friday, April 1, 2011
PM Hun Sen Declared His Assets
It is not April Fool. Yes, it is true, today April 1, 2011, to comply with the Anti-Corruption law, Prime Minister Hun Sen went to the Anti-Corruption Office in Phnom Penh to remit his sealed declaration of assets. According to the law, he will resubmit a new declaration in 2 years.
At the National Assembly, debate on amendments of the anti-corruption law to make it easier in its implementation, went on without any problems.
At the National Assembly, debate on amendments of the anti-corruption law to make it easier in its implementation, went on without any problems.
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