Demonstration

About 500 Khmer Krom gathered Monday at a pagoda in Meanchey district to mark the 33rd anniversary of their decision to openly resist what they described as a systematic effort by Vietnam to stamp out the minority group. “Today the Khmer Krom communities in Cambodia commemorated the 33rd anniversary of their fight against the Vietnamese government to conserve their regional identity,” said Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Yont Tharo, who is Khmer Krom. He added that the local authorities had approved the peaceful gathering, during which attendees presented food to the monks at Wat Samakirangsey in Stung Meanchey commune as a way of giving thanks to those who have died “in the struggle to preserve Khmer Krom culture”. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said he was confident that the peaceful demonstration would not affect relations with Vietnam. The government in September led a delegation to Vietnam’s Tra Vinh province to showcase good relations among Cambodia, the Khmer Krom and Vietnam.