Original report by Voice of America (Khmer) English Translation by SoDa Huu A conference was held on October 20th until Sunday 21st 2007 with representatives from France and other different states in America in order to resolve some issues that could be create more problem regarding Cambodia and its people. On the last day of the conference there are several speaker delivering their speech, in there, Venerable Berong Thach, representative of Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks. In his speech, he spoke about the issue of Khmer-Krom people such as the continued oppression of Vietnam government and authorities toward Khmer-Krom citizens; human rights violation from Hanoi toward Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks and also the issue about defrocked monk, Tim Sakhorn who is currently imprisoned in Vietnam. Following Venerable Berong’s speech, Mr. Sereivuth Prak spoke about the oppression from Vietnam toward Khmer-Krom in detail; and Mr. Mannrinh Tran, member of KKF gave a speech regarding the action and steps that KKF have done internationally. Afterwards, a political discussion was engaged in an attempt to find ways of resolving the problem, steps that are needed to take, and ways of finding better solutions for the future. There are some giving ideas, opinions, and question regarding the issue of if one did not obey Paris Peace Agreement of 1991. The meeting also open for discussion regarding the story of how the violation wrongly done and by whom etc… Dr. Thanh Vihak gave an interview to VOA radio about his observations, ideas and knowledge regarding the issue when he attended the conference. He brought about the important of Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia of 1991 as a birth certificate of Cambodia and that has been approved internationally and should execute by law to protect the country if any countries violate or take advantage of Cambodia territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ms. Marina Keo, a guest who attended the meeting gave her opinion and support on the issue. She spoke about Vietnam having violated and disobeyed the agreement, and thus should face the law since Vietnam is one of the country who sign the agreement along with eighteen other countries. VOA also conducted an interview with Ms. Nicole Ung, who explained about a letter she prepared to all Senate of United State explaining the issues facing Khmer and Khmer-Krom. The letter seek their support to the resolution that was made by the assembly called House Resolution 3096 and H. RES 506 where United States would stop Aiding to Vietnam if Vietnam did not respect human rights toward Vietnamese citizen [Khmer-Krom] as well as committing crimes toward Cambodia territorial integrity and sovereignty. This included the recent arrest of Cambodian citizen [Ven. Tim Sakhorn] that was deported and imprisoned in Vietnam. During the interview Ms. Ung also brought up her plan to conduct a Starving Protest to grab the attention of American Senate and to wake up all Khmer in general to be conscientious about Cambodia’s sovereignty and violation by other nations toward Khmer as well as helping to demand the release of Ven. Tim Sakhorn from the Vietnamese government.
