To the editor:

T hank you for your wonderful newspaper, Phnom Penh Post, for myself and for most of us here in the States Phnom Penh Post has been our eyes and ears inside Cambodia. Lets keep up the great works.

Please allow me to express my frustration over this whole issue of the KR and its war. Just for your record, I am a Cambodian American citizen whom fortunately survived the Pol Pot era and have been living in exile since 1979. I am 30 years old, married and still have love for my country and any people.

I have been following your report on the three Western hostages whom were later killed by their abductors, the KR. Unfortunately, these Westerners became further victims. The KR (Khieu Samphan, Ta Mok, Pol Pot) and their party leaders must bear full responsibility for their crimes and regardless of the outcome justice must be done.

It is very shameful for the KR to accuse the execution of these Westerner backpackers of being spies. Why can't they admit that the KR leaders are no longer able to control their thugs. Everyone knew that it was a train robberies as usual by their thugs and outlaws who have been terrorizing civilians daily.

Come on Mr. Khieu Samphan you should get on your KR radio and admit that a mistake was made and to apology to the victims family. It is ridiculous for you and your radio station to say those three Westerners were spies while you know and I know that your thugs abducted them along with other civilians during a train robbery attempted on Route 3 to Kampot. Lets stop the war now. You can seek asylum in the States with some of your war-mongering friends.

On behalf of all Cambodians, I would like to send our condolence to their families of the victims and I strongly condemn the KR organization and its supporters for their terrorism activities around Cambodia.

Let us be understood that we can not build our nation with hatred, war and destruction. We must put more faith in God we trust, gain higher morals, value life a greater deal and care for others. Until then, our nation will be doomed to die. Look back! Look back to the past my dear fellow Khmer. We must learn to live alongside our neighbors and rebuild our nation with greater pride and openness.

We must open up our border with liberal free trade economy in order to attract more capital that soon will bring jobs and prosperity. Then petty corruption will be gone forever. And Cambodia will be a number one choice for tourism and a country of gentleness as we all have known.

- Kong L. Khieu, Minnesota