Mr. Chairman:

I would like to join other friends to welcome you, your lady Gorgia and all your Assistants to this evening gathering on behalf of Cambodian-Americans and other Cambodians who could not physically be present tonight.

Most Cambodians who have the interests of the country at heart and who have fought to try to advance it in the path of democracy and justice do not know you in person. Yet, you are very famous amongst us and well known to us as the Champion for democracy! We are aware of your

contributions to help us fight against tyranny. There are so many examples that it is impossible to list them all. The media constantly reported them and always succeeded in carrying them back to Cambodia despite censorship and repression. 

Those contributions have enormously strengthened our determination to continue the struggle until democracy wins. Your influence has enormously consolidated our different groups to seek common goals, albeit at a slow pace. The communist regime under its different names but with the same approach to use forces to suppress oppositions will not last forever! We already experienced the fall of Berlin Walls and the demise of the Soviet Union or the evil empire, as former President Reagan called it. In South East Asia, Vietnam and Cambodia are resisting such changes while the killings are still widespread in Cambodia. They should not last long with your supports and the influence of your stewardship at the International Relations Committee of the United States House of Representatives.

WCC Chairman of the Board, Prof. Kiri Tith of the Johns Hopkins University expressed very well our appreciation of your personal involvement to help Cambodia when he said in the 1997 Gilman Silver Dinner Gala that you are the beacon of our hope. All oppositions to the tyranny, their families and the silent majority of the population are always seeking your guidance. Our friends in Rockland County have been so kind to always share your invaluable advises with us. They are more fortunate than us because they could physically work with our friend, WCC President PekThov Tan for you in the elections. Therefore, in order not to be left out in showing our appreciation, Mr. Chairman, please permit me, in the name of Cambodian Americans of Long Beach, CA to present to you the proceed of this evening gathering in the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($ 2,500) to the Citizens for Gilman for your campaign.

We also would like to join the big majority of our friends in the 20th District to call on other undecided constituents to cast their vote for Chairman Gilman. You could not wish for better candidate and will be well served by the most trusted and loved representative of your time.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you again for honoring our gathering tonight with your presence.

Reatrey Soursdey

Good evening. I want to thank you for inviting me here this evening to share a few thoughts with you on Cambodia. It is good to see a few familiar faces out there in the audience and it is wonderful to be here in California.

        Anyway, I know you are probably very interested in hearing what I have to say about the opinions in Washington, but I will tell you that I am very anxious to hear what you have to say as well-- especially about the current conditions in Cambodia and the propects for the upcoming elections on July 26th.

        We are all very concerned about the situation in Cambodia and especially the elections. I believe that the elections for free, fair, and fully representative elections are not currently present in Cambodia and that the elections should be delayed until later this year.

        As you may know, I sent a letter to that effect to our Secretary of State, Madelein Albright, two weeks ago along with five other Members of Congress including Messrs. Rohrabacher, Burton, Solomon and Ms. Lofgren.

        First off, the elections. We, in the Congress, are all very troubled about the prospects for free, fair and fully-representative elections in Cambodia. Let me emphasize the phrase "fully-representative." That is important. The people of Cambodia must be appropriately represented through their participation in this election.

        Just over six years after the Paris Peace Accords were signed and Cambodia's warring factions committed themselves in front of the world community to a cessation of hostilities and the building of liberal democracy, Cambodia once again is in a highly precarious position.

        But, as you well know, and more to the point, democracy is in danger in Cambodia. The illegitimate government of Hun Sen continues to impose its political will on the Cambodian people and threatens the legitimacy of a democratic process that many---both inside and ouside Cambodia---have worked so hard to create. The people of Cambodia deserve better.

        We're concerned about human rights abuses; access to media for the oppositions; the existence of an environment of intimidation and fear; the proppects for a credible and effective opposition for this election cycle; the development of electoral framework for the elections; the perception of an air of impunity for those who commit crimes; and the creation of a political climate in which free and fair elections can take place.

        The people of Cambodia--who expressed their overwheming commitment to the democratic process in the UN- sponsor elections in 1993--deserve the unflagging support of the American people, the Congress, the US government and the international community.

        With only one short month until the July national elections, it is critical that the international community continue to bring to the attention of the world the plight of Cambodia and those fighting for democracy there.

        We must call upon others----such as ASEAN and the Europpian Union----to do the right thing and suppport a "genuine"democratic process in Cambodia embodied in free, fair and fully-representative elections.

        These elections must be fully-represent ative of the Cambodian people and we should accepppt nothing less. ASEAN also should insist on this before Cambodia is welcomed into their organization.

        But we must encourage the true "democrat" in Cambodia--and in this room this evening-- to continue to fight for democracy in Cambodia. We must all stay engaged; not give up hope; and continue to work to bring democracy ---permanently---to the Khmer peopple.

        As for our Nations, we must continue to demand that the Government of Hun Sen prosecute those responsible for the extrajudicial executions during the coup d' etat; lift restrictions on the press and assure equal access to the print and broadcast media; ensure the saffety of the oppositon leaders and their party workers; end the harassment of the UN Center for Human Rights; and etablish a neutralenvironment for the elections. We should accept nothing less.

        If the above conditions are met, the US should cosider funding NGOs-like COMFREL, COFFEL, IRI, and NDI and the UN to monitor the elections and the human rights environment.  But if they are not met, the United State should not aid and abet non-credible elections.

        Although, I believe my views on this subjects are well known, I want to express my strong support for the democratic forces in Cambodia and for the good people of Cambodia who have suffered so much and deserve much better.

        We are dissappointed in the current state of affairs but we are committed to bringing democracy, justice, peace and freedom once again to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

        It will undeniably take a lot of work and it is unlikely that this election will answer all of Cambodia's political ills. But if we view it as the end, we will be right. But if we view it as the beginning, we have a chance.

        There is much work to do between now and the elections-whenever they are held---and we must continue to persevere. We must remain in the game and continue to fight for the democracy.

        The people in this room tonight are the fighters in this great endeavor and I commend you. But achieving democracy can be struggle--ask Kim Dae Jung of South Korea--- Nelson Mandela of South Africa; Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic; or Lech Walensa of Poland.

        Democracy often is not easily achieved-- but I know--- that you know--- that it is worth the effort. Having tasted democracy here in the United States--- you know it is fighting for. The only legitimate government is a government chosen by its people.

        These elections are only the first step in building democracy in Cambodia. Let us take heart tonight and continue the fight for democracy in Kampuchea.

        The struggle may be difficult and the road may be long but it will be worth it. Keep up the fight, good luck--- you are not alone on your journey.

        Thank you and God bless.

Mr. Tom Tan; 907 Freeman Ave. # A; Long Beach, CA 90804; $60.00

Mr. Bakly Chrun;  1690 E. Jackson Street; Long Beach, CA 90805;  $100.00

Mr. Chheng Heat Leao; 2440 E. Vanowan Ave.; Orange, CA 92667;  $100.00

Mr. Nan Chea; 1001 Dawson Ave. # G; Long Beach, CA 90804;   $30.00

Mr. David Kar;  841 N. Curtis Ave.; Alhambra, CA 91801;   $100.00

Mr. Bun Neang Khem;  Consul General of Cambodia; 306 E. Pacific Coast HWY; Long Beach, CA 90806;   $90.00

Mr. Peng Sy Hay; 4412 Walnut Ave.; Long Beach, CA 90807;  $60.00

Mr. Kung Chap;  4854 Daisy Ave.; Long Beach, CA 90805;  $40.00

Mr. Si Vatha Lam;  6975 Elmwood Road; San Bernadino, CA 92404;  $100.00

Mr. Sereivuth Prak;  1777 Rose Ave.; Long Beach, CA 90813;  $100.00

Mr. Eddward Son; 7881 Ring Street; Long Beach, CA 90808;  $100.00

Mr. Lay So Lor;  1462 Roe Avati; San Jose, CA 95131;  $200.00

Mr. Soteara Mike Tomkiel; 181 Avenida Vaguero Ave. Suite D; St. Clemente, CA 92672; $200.00

Mr. Wellington L.Touch;  1169 E. 10th Street; Long Beach, CA 90813;  $100.00

Mr. Kritny Horn;  Horn's Auto; 1427 Long Beach BLVD; Long Beach, CA 90813;  $100.00

Mr. Bunthan Sak;   6801 Berry Ave.; Buena Park, CA 90620;  $50.00

Mr. Ratha Meas; 1433 Gundry Ave.; Long Beach, CA 90813;  $50.00

Mr. Bo Uce; 2501 E. 4th Street #11; Long Beach, CA 908114;  $50.00

Mr. Kim Thai Kuoch;  3074 Palo Verde Ave.; Long Beach, CA 90808;  $50.00

Mr. Say Chhay;  2114 Myrtle Ave.; Long Beach, CA 90806;  $70.00

Mr. David Y. Chhith;  16317 Sylvanwood Ave.; Norwalk, CA 90650;  $30.00

Mr. Dom Meas; 1733 Sherman Place; Long Beach, CA 90804; $50.00

Mr. Tong S. Ly; 1358 Raymond Ave.; Long Beach, CA 90804;  $30.00

Mr. Huon Chum;  910 Freeman Ave. # 9; Long Beach, CA 90804;  $40.00

Mr. Salim Um;  4173 Bouton Place; Lakewood, CA 90712;  $100.00

WCC would like to thank Bunna Men for contributing food and drinks in excess of $1,000.00