Dear President-Elect Obama: Five more days will be the most important and historical day for the American to celebrate your inauguration to become the 44th President of the United States of the America. I, on behalf of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation representing the Indigenous Khmer-Krom Peoples of the Mekong Delta (South Vietnam) and Khmer-Krom diasporas around the world, would like to express our sincere congratulations on being elected as the 44th President of the United States of America. I am confident with your depth of diplomatic work experiences and strong leadership, that you will help us to overcome the financial crisis and also bring peace and prosperities to America and the world. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you about our people: Khmer-Krom. The Khmer-Krom people are the Indigenous Peoples of the southern Vietnam (Kampuchea-Krom). Most of them live in the Mekong Delta. Living under the control of the Vietnamese Communist (VC) government, the Khmer-Krom people have suffered tremendous human rights violations, confiscation of ancestral lands, and economic and social deprivations. They are not allowed to freely learn their own language and history in public schools or to freely practice their Theravada Buddhism without the interference of the VC government. I know that you will be busy with many challenges including two wars and a tanking economy when you take office on January 20, 2009. Like the millions of Americans who entrusted your capability and responsibility, I am sure that you and your new cabinet can do it as you said: “Yes We Can”. I also believe that you will stand and support all peoples, including the Khmer-Krom, who “seek for peace and security”. With your new leadership at the White House, I hope that you will help to pass the H.R. 3096: Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007. With the grace of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, may you always be a cultivator of longevity, riches, glory, fame, strength, and comfort. May all your illnesses, fears, perils, dangers, bad omens and misfortunes be destroyed. Respectfully Yours Thach Ngoc Thach President of Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation
