KKF Press Release 23/07/2008 On behalf of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation and Khmer Krom people around the world, we would like to acknowledge and announce our support towards the recognition of Cambodia’s Keo-Sikha-Kiri-Svarak (or also known as Wat Prasath Preah Vihear) as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). We would like to denounce the use of military forces by the Thai militants in an attempt to take over the pagoda which located in the Cambodian territory. We urge the Cambodian and Thailand governments and all political parties to resolve this escalating crisis by remaining calm and to use the instruments of peaceful negotiations. We strongly urge all people of Khmer descendent, inside of Cambodia, in Kampuchea-Krom and abroad to remain calm and united in defending the sovereignty of Cambodia. We believe that unity is a must for all Khmers and that the Preah Vihear is an issue that affects all Khmer, not one government or organization or for any political interest. We ask for people to remember and maintain respectful to the friendship between Khmer and Thai peoples. We ask that all Khmer people help support our Khmer people, soldiers and Buddhist monks living within the crisis zone by donating money and food as well as providing moral support. We ask all Khmer citizens to write a letter of support to His Majesty King Father, King Sihamoni as well as all political parties in Cambodia to unite in this matter and propose a day of unity. While the main issue is about Preah Vihear, we believe that it is a great opportunity for all Khmer people to show the world our unity, our love for our history and heritage and the willingness to defend what has been and will always remains part of Cambodia.
