Radio Free Asia 8 October 2007 Translated by KKF As a representative of Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) globally, he’s really disappointed when he heard the news about Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen sending a letter to former King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk regarding the issue of former Khmer Krom monk, Venerable Tim Sakhorn. Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach labels the act of Cambodia government as an action to protect personal friendship rather then protecting or care for their own citizen. The following is an interview of Ms. Serey Roth with Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach. Serey Roth: What do you think about Mr. Hun Sen letter to the King about the accusation toward Mr. Tim Sakhorn who is Khmer Kampuchea-Krom nationality and the refuse to resolve his issue? What is your reaction about Mr. Hun Sen letter? Thach Ngoc Thach: About Mr. Hun Sen letter to the King, I feel that it is really late first of all. Second, this letter is just helping Vietnam getting out of trouble. Vietnam wants everyone to see that Khmer and Khmer having problem toward each other rather than problem with Vietnam. In addition, I believe that Prime Minister Hun Sen is the same as all Khmer citizens in that we are fearful of losing territory rather than losing friendship with Vietnam. But as a result, we see his actions contradict with the concerns of the citizens. With this [letter], we can see that the government have no concern nor does it pay close attention to the citizen or the concern of Cambodia territory and we regret to see this happen. At the same time, I would like appeal to all Cambodia citizens around the world to push and encourage Cambodian government to pay attention concerning the issue of the people as well as paying attention toward the land rather then friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam. As I have mention before, this letter is just letter helping Vietnam getting away with trouble. Serey Roth: What do you plan to do next regarding Mr. Tim Sakhorn issue? Thach Ngoc Thach: Regarding Mr. Tim Sakhorn issue, I believe Vietnamese government will release him shortly as I have mention before. It is because Vietnamese government doesn’t want to receive any pressure from the international that is why they visited Cambodia in regards to the issue to show that it is a problem only in Cambodia not in Vietnam. And Vietnam government in all eras are finding different methods to make Khmer fight with each other and ensuring that that crisis takes place in Cambodia. From this point forward, we will push Vietnamese government to resolve not only the issue of Venerable Tim Sakhorn. In the future, we do not want to see any Cambodia citizen got seize and send to Vietnamese government as well. Vietnam government had violated Cambodian territorial integrity; as a result Cambodian government should remember that Vietnam never respects the friendship that they have with Cambodia. If Vietnam does, Vietnam shouldn’t take the issue of Venerable Tim Sakhorn to resolve and imprison him in Vietnam. From this, Vietnam government should receive such pressure from the international as we have them encourage before at the United Nations. And this 2009, Vietnam government should face United Nation regarding Human Rights violation in Kampuchea-Krom. Source: RFA
