POST BAG Cambodia pours scorn on Thai scholar's article

Bangkok Post 22/01/2010

Re: the article by pseudo Thai scholar Pavin Chachavalpongpun published in your newspaper on Jan 18, 2010 under the title, ``In spat with 'Siem', Hun Sen needs Hanoi in his corner.''

This article is completely ridiculous, absurd and vulgar. It fully demonstrates how your newspaper has simply become a political tool serving the government in power and those who have a political agenda to undermine relations between Cambodia and Thailand, without having any sense of professional journalism, truth, tactfulness and politeness.

Your newspaper has allowed such a vulgar scholar to express his ultra-nationalistic and fundamentally provocative views, which have significantly contributed to the worsening of bilateral relations and escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Both your newspaper and this pseudo, cocky scholar would be held accountable for the growing tensions between the two countries.

First, for Cambodia, the restoration of diplomatic relations depends on several important factors:

1. Thailand must stop demanding for, and encroaching on, Cambodia's land near the Preah Vihear Temple.

2. Thailand must stop opposing the inscription of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple on the World Heritage List.

3. Thailand must stop demanding to use its own term [Phra Viharn] for Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple which has long been used by the Khmer people since the 11th century when it was built and named, as well as has been recognised by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) since 1962 and more recently by the World Heritage Committee.

Second, to say that ``Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen continues to challenge the Thai leadership'' shows complete ignorance. Samdech Techo Hun Sen has never challenged the leadership of any country, including Thailand's. Prime Minister Hun Sen only defends the national interests, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cambodia. As the prime minister of Cambodia, he has the right to appoint any person to be adviser to the Cambodian government. This is the sovereign right of Cambodia.

Third, Cambodia's leaders do not engage in a ``zero sum'' game and would not use the balance of power in Cambodia's relations with its neighbouring countries. Our Cambodian leaders would never play ``one neighbour against the other'', as pretentiously claimed by this unscientific, discredited author. In fact, they are only dealing with real politics in Cambodia's relations with its neighbour.

Fourth, your newspaper should stop misleading the public on the history of Cambodia. Historically, the Army of the United Front for National Salvation of Cambodia was set up in 1978 by Cambodian leaders, namely Samdech Chea Sim, Samdech Hun Sen and Samdech Heng Samrin, and appealed to Vietnam for help in order to topple the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.

Without the collapse of the Khmer Rouge at the time, there would not be any Khmer Rouge tribunal today. In fact, the Vietnamese troops all withdrew in 1989, two years before the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements in October 1991.

Fifth, the bilateral relations between Cambodia and Thailand are fundamentally based on mutual respect. If a neighbouring state treats another neighbouring country well, that country would certainly reciprocate in kind. This is the principle of reciprocity, which is widely used in international relations.

Sixth, I think that this pseudo scholar has quoted an opposition party leader in Cambodia, who is well-known as being ultra-nationalistic and xenophobic. By quoting Sam Rainsy's words on the Cambodia-Vietnam border issue, this vulgar scholar has allowed himself to become the spokesperson of Sam Rainsy, without knowing it.

Finally, to claim that His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ambassador Hor Nambora, Cambodia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom; and Ambassador You Ay, Cambodia's Ambassador to Thailand, are of Vietnamese lineage is absolutely insulting.

This Thai ill-bred scholar, if he is civilised and well-educated, would not have stated such a thing _ that Cambodian leaders and high officials are ``Vietnamese proxies''. It should be recalled that these words were the favourite terms used by the Khmer Rouge to attack the government which had overthrown the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in 1979. Do you know the name of the neighbouring country which helped and sheltered the Khmer Rouge in the 1980s and for most of the 1990s?

OUK SOPHOIN

Charge d'Affaires, Royal Embassy of Cambodia