Week 490

Some Civil Society Organization Oppose 7 January Memorial Day Because They Consider It to Be a Party’s Day, Not a National Day

“During the day that the Cambodian People’s Party [CPP] marked 7 January anniversary brilliantly, some trade unions and associations criticized it and did not support that it is a day when Cambodia survived [from the Khmer Rouge regime], by raising the argument that 1991 is the second birthday, and 1979 is not.

“The CPP considers 7 January 1979 to be the second birthday of all Khmer citizens, without 7 January 1979 Khmer citizens could not live like they do today. Mr. Mao Veasna, the president of the Student Movement for Democracy said by phone that they do not support the 7 January memorials as a national day. On 7 January 1979 was Yuon [Vietnam] invaded Cambodia. He added that the declaration opposing to celebrate 7 January was done by many trade unions and associations, including the trade union of Mr. Chea Mony, the association of Mr. Rong Chhun, the trade union of Mr. Ly Korm, and the trade union of Mr. At Thon. We do not support to celebrate this day, but we suggest that 23 October 1991 should be used as a national holiday; this would be better and it relates to the fact [of the Paris Peace Treaties]. He went on to say that 23 October should not have been deleted from the calendar and 7 January should not have been made a national holiday. It is not appropriate.

“Samdech Chea Sim, the CPP president and the president of the Senate of the Royal Government of Cambodia, said that today is the 28th anniversary of 7 January 1979 which is a historical victory day which rescued the nation, the motherland, and the Cambodian people, so they survived the mass killings of the Democratic Kampuchea regime of Pol Pot. Although a period of nearly three decades has passed, the historical event is still in the heart of Khmer nationals of all generations, and in the hearts of humanity loving peace and justice all over the world. Based on this victory, the Cambodian people can have whatever they have like they do today, and also have hope about their future.

“He went on to say, ‘We meet to celebrate the day of victory of the Cambodian people in a spirit of great gratitude to the heroic male and female soldiers and the patriots of all generations who greatly sacrificed in all times for the stability, safety, and prosperity of the motherland and the Khmer nation. At this time, all the Cambodian people have come to this new year with great pride about the achievements in all fields in the past years, with a strong belief in new successes in 2007.’

“Before the celebrations of 7 January, the Student Movement for Democracy, together with some political parties and civil society organizations regularly petition to oppose the 7 January celebrations. They were always intercepted by the authorities. Yesterday morning, a crowd of uniformed forces, all with weapons, waited opposite the National Assembly, ready to prevent any demonstration by the Student Movement for Democracy, and also the security guards there seemed to be ready to intervene. Because of this situation, and the fact that the number of uniformed forces was bigger than the number of demonstrators, the Student Movement for Democracy and some trade unions members did not dare to appear near the National Assembly, and even the petitions against celebrating 7 January were not released. Concerning this issue, Mr. Rong Chhun, the president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association, stated his opinion that 7 January 1979 did not give a second birth to Khmer citizens, but it caused many problems to our society, with the loss of natural resources, cultural property, and problems such as the ‘Kor 5 campaign’ [early 1980s logging campaign supposedly to increase security towards the Thai border], and troop mobilization – ‘My opinion is that 7 January must not be a national day, it is just a political party’s day, and to regard it as a national day is not appropriate.’ He added that 23 October 1991 that brought the election to Cambodia to end the disputes is appropriate to be a national day.

“He went on to say that 23 October was deleted though it is an important day when the 18 signatory countries came to arrange the elections in 1993 which made Cambodia respect human rights and brought democracy to Cambodia. He expressed the opinion that the abolition of this holiday has not wiped out the memory, but it is still strong.

“Samdech Chea Sim expressed the opinion that on 7 January 1979, the motherland was liberated, and the genocidal regime fell down under the loud cheers of victory of the troops of the patriotic front and the Cambodian people everywhere. Since then, this historical scenario put Cambodia into a new era with all the survivors’ hope and joy which cannot be described. This is the great historical survival of Cambodia, up to today 28 years passed, and we have many major achievements, such as saving the nation, bringing back freedom to the people, being the core force of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements allowing Cambodia to start the process of peacemaking for the whole nation through a win-win policy, protecting the national achievements, providing stability for the throne council, maintaining stability, security, and public order, restoring the economic and social infrastructure, conducting statewide reforms to guarantee economic growth, strengthen the rule of law and democracy, and establish the prestige of the Kingdom of Cambodia in the international community so that Cambodia is equal to the countries in the world.

“More than ten parties sent delegations to participate in the 7 January celebrations held in the compound of the CPP headquarters with thousands of supporters, including from Funcinpec, which sent its delegates – led by Mr. Keo Puth Rasmey – such as Prince Sisowath Sereyrath, the second vice-president of Funcinpec; Ms. Ky Lum Ang; Mr. Veng Sereyvuth; and Mr. Hong Sun Huot, the second vice-president of the National Assembly.

“Despite the dissatisfaction of the Student Movement of Democracy and some associations, the celebrations finished successfully without interruption, and the people returned to their businesses as normal.

“Samdech Chea Sim said that our great achievements are based on an appropriate policy.” Reach Seima, Vol.2, #155, 8.1.2007

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 8 January 2007

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1237, 7-8.1.2007

Japanese Tourists Call Strange Bird [which landed in a village in S’ang, Kandal] “Tsuru” [“crane” in Japanese] Taking It as a Sign that Cambodia Will Have Peace Forever
Hundreds of Demobilized Soldiers Get Angry with Banteay Meanchey Authorities [because the authorities break promise about packages for the demobilized soldiers]
Asian Development Bank and World Bank Help Develop Clean Water Supply in Cambodia

Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5934, 8.1.2007

Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher Found by Children on Outskirts as They Catch Fish [Dangkao, Phnom Penh]

Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3056, 8.1.2007

Hun Sen Orders that All Six Communes in Takhmao [where his residence is] Must Be Won [by Cambodian People’s Party in commune elections – Kandal]
Number of Tourists Increases but Income Is Less [because the tourists stay in Cambodia for a short time only for security reason – airport workers in Thailand and waiters in Vietnam wear T-shirts printed by Cambodian Mine Action Center with the writing “Danger! Mines! Cambodia”]

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4179, 7-8.1.2007

World Health Organization Issues Warning about Bird Flu in Vietnam

Reach Seima, Vol.2, #125, 8.1.2007

Khmer Rouge Tribunal Likely to Start the Trial after All [former] Khmer Rouge Leaders Will Have Died
Four to Ten Cars Smuggled to Cambodia through An Seh Border Crossing in Preah Vihear Each Day

Vol. 11, No. 490, Monday, 8.1.2007

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