The Editor,
I
t is absurdly confusing for anyone who is trying to understand the politics in
Cambodia. Case in point, the First Prime Minister, Prince Ranariddh who was once
a strong ally of the Khmer Rouge, has now stood firm, along with his father, the
King, against their return. Perhaps they have learned from their bitter past association
with the Khmer Rouge? However, the Second Prime Minister Hun Sen, who was once a
KR cadre himself, someone who has always been dead set against the Khmer Rouge return
in the past, has suddenly become essentially a KR advocate. It is of course all in
the name of "peace and reconciliation."
What do all these latest maneuvers mean? Pure Cambodian politic, of course. Both
leaders of Cambodia, along with King Sihanouk and many MPs, have been or are now
compromising their own principles simply in the name of "politics', while others
call it "peace and reconciliation."
In the name of "peace and reconciliation," the Royal Government of Cambodia
(RGC) is considering turning the other cheek to allow the Khmer Rouge leadership
to return to politics. We are talking about the very same mad group of people who
nearly destroyed Cambodia because of their ideology, or their insanity. We are talking
about the same old blood thirsty lunatics, a bunch of mad dogs, the scum of the earth.
We are talking about the very same serial killers whose responsibility wiped out
an estimated two million innocent Khmer men, women and children, including the unborn.
To deal with these animals, the RGC might as well become one of them.
Yet, I applaud the RGC for its willingness to have "peace and reconciliation"
in Cambodia, something every Khmer inside or outside of Cambodia wishes to see. As
a Khmer who survived and suffered a great deal during the KR years, someone who lost
nine out of twelve members in the family, I'm the first to want to see "peace
and reconciliation." But at what price? The cost of our pride, dignity and principles?
No! Thank you kindly! Has the RGC forgotten who the KR really are? What they stand
for? Forgive them is a difficult thing to do, but we must. However, the RGC should
never, ever forget the past! Never! Those who forget the past are surely doomed.
How could the RGC even consider allowing the KR, the most vicious of serial killers
and mass murderers, into politics while it is doing all it can to suppress legitimate
opposition parties, such as Sam Rainsy's Khmer Nation Party, for opening offices?
How more hypocritical can the RGC be? Personally, I would rather see Cambodia go
to war for the rest of my life or at least the life of the old lunatics, such as
Pol Pot, Ieng Sary, Ta Mok, Noun Chea, Khieu Samphan, Son Sen and so on rather than
allowing the KR into the political arena again. These top KR lunatics should have
a "fair trial" - not "fair access" to a political office or party.
Don't let them go in the name of "peace and reconciliation!" To do that
would be the biggest insult and greatest disgrace to the millions of dead Khmer whose
souls are still searching and screaming for justice. These top KR leadership, one
by one, should only have "fair access" to hot boiling oil in a big pan
for a few seconds, removed while they are still alive, encased in salt and red-hot
peppers for at least an hour before receiving limited medical attention.
Sure, you could call it revenge or whatever you want to, but I simply call it "redemption."
To kill or execute them, not that they don't deserve it, would be way too easy. No,
they must be brought to justice
- not political office! Not even in the name of "peace and reconciliation."
They are a bunch of cowards and killers, just like Adolph Hitler, who would probably
commit suicide rather than face their own actions and responsibilities of crimes
against humanity. To allow them into mainstream Cambodian politics again would be
a total disgrace for the RGC's principles and to all Khmer. No, the RGC has too much
pride, dignity and strength of principle to even consider such a move. Cambodia wants
and needs peace and reconciliation, but lets not compromise everything else in the
name of it. The RGC would have nothing left in the eyes of all Khmer (dead or alive)
and the world. Nothing!
- Ronnie Yimsut, Oregon, USA.
