A few days ago, NBC, a local TV channel in America, showed on its Dateline program

a video made in Cambodia. The video was called "Child on Sale", and featured

the problem of child prostitution in Cambodia. It showed of a raid on Svay Pak by

the Cambodian police and some human rights activists and an interview with H.E Mou

Sochua, Cambodia Minister of Women's Affairs.

I did not realize how much I miss home until I saw this video.

However, what disturbs me more was the fact that the present political stalemate

has diverted much resources and attention of the government, the public as

well as the international community from many social problems (i.e. child prostitution)

facing the society.

Take the problem of declining moral values of the average Cambodians as an example.

More and more people are becoming self-centered and would care little about other's

interests or welfare but their own. These problems need to be addressed and resolved

and deserve proper attention.

I appeal to all the leaders, left and right, to take a second (or third) look at

the current situation and to put the nation's and the people's interests first for

the sake of our beloved country and people.

- Khemara Khiev - East Lansing, - U.S.A.