While our Cambodian politicians focusing on the benefit of their parties and agendas for the upcoming national election; we must brace for the infiltration, violated peace, and security for our beloved land. I am talking about the controversial barricades of nominating Preah Vihear in the List of World Heritages from Thailand. The Thai government and her people have the rights to stall, object, and lead demonstration. They also have their basic duty as Thais to fight as hard as they can to take Preah Vihear away from Cambodia. At the very least, make Cambodians ask them permission before doing anything near, inside, or around the temple. It is within our right as Cambodians supported by the International Court of Justice to protect our beloved Preah Vishear.
You can not wait until after the election to have your voices heard. Everyday there is silence, everyday we loose our protection to our temple. If Preah Vihear is a sacre place, then show it. Isn’t the elected official’s campaign to work, protect, and preserve the land and people of Cambodia? So, what wrong with this picture? Why are the leaders hide their tails between their legs and let the little people, who don't even have enough foods or shelters to struggle to secure and protect Prasat Preah Vihear? Where are the Khmer Machas Srok, Human Right Party, and Sam Rainsy Party? I am amazed to see that the only strong support of word was from the Cambodian government. This is a sharp contrast then prior land dispute. If we call ourselves patriots and look to protect our lands, cultures, beliefs, and religion, let’s protect it from within, from all sides of neighbors, and not just the neighbors who had bad experience with us.
Let have a voice “Prasat Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia” – can we all say that? Keeping silence does not mean anything, but only abdicating your own individual right…Wake Up!
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cindy McCain, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting Sen. John McCain, visited the Cambodian capital's garbage dump Monday and met with impoverished children who scavenge there.
McCain visited the sprawling Stung Meanchey dump, a depository for the refuse of Phnom Penh's 1.5 million people, said Pen Kosal, an official with For the Smile of a Child, a French aid group that helps feed children who scavenge the dump.
McCain toured the aid group's office, which is located near the dump, and spoke to several children as they ate breakfast, he said.
"She was very simple and liked the children very much. She even hugged some of them regardless of their dirty clothes," he said.
The aid group receives rice donations from the U.N's World Food Program to feed some 6,000 boys and girls, most of whom live with their families near the dump and scavenge discarded bottles, cans, plastic and other scraps to sell for a living.
Jeff Daigle, the U.S. Embassy spokesman, declined to comment on Cindy McCain's trip, saying it was private and organized by the World Food Program. McCain, a philanthropist with a long experience in humanitarian assistance, was in Cambodia on the last stop of a three-nation tour. She also visited Vietnam and Thailand.
An official at the WFP also declined comment and said the trip was not open to media coverage.
After visiting the dump, Cindy McCain was scheduled to travel to an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS in Takeo province, 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Phnom Penh.
