Dear Editor,

In the Post, June 9-22, 2000: "Top monks disagree".

Running over the article, I thought a detailed reply to the Venerable Samdech Tep

Vong's views on HIV/AIDS and its implications in Cambodia should be worded.

However, reading his statements in detail, one can only try to avert one's eyes from

so much ignorance, bias and inhumanity.

It is not my task to instruct the Patriarch of Cambodia's majority sect, but I dare

to say that his views neither represent the teaching of the Buddha nor do they reflect

Cambodian reality.

- (Dr) Christoph Bendick, Phnom Penh