Letter to the Honorable David Wu

March 25, 2003

The Honorable David Wu

United States House of Representatives

620 SW Main, Suite 606

Portland, OR 97205

Dear Congressman Wu:

Your support in co-sponsoring H.CON.RES.83, a measure to honor the victims of the Cambodian genocide, has caught the attention of many Cambodian-Americans here in Oregon and across the United States.  We would like to publicly extend our deepest appreciation for your support in this resolution.  The Cambodian Dance Troup of Oregon has sent a formal invitation to you for the Cambodian New Year celebration held on Saturday, April 12, 2003, an event that is expected to draw between 500 to 700 people.  This is a unique opportunity for us to honor your important contribution to the Cambodian-American community.

As a member of the United States Congress, your considerable influence is very important and much needed in our struggles to seek true justice for the state-sponsored violent crimes the Cambodian government has committed under the Khmer Rouge regime.  True justice is needed to free the Cambodian society from its culture of impunity.  The premise for true justice is the presence of the rule of law.  For the rule of law to preside, there must be an independent and competent judiciary system and the mechanism for law enforcement.

To bring Cambodia out of its dark history of violence, we must first help create these foundations in its society.  The establishment of infrastructures capable of supporting these foundations must be laid where people’s lives, rights and interests are protected.  The current dictatorial government of Cambodia has failed miserably on all accounts.

Cambodia’s strongman, Hun Sen, continues the bloodshed.  Many credible and independent sources have cited him responsible for political assassinations and harassment of opposition and democratic leaders.  Just this month, humanist, political activist and former parliamentarian Om Radsady was recently murdered in broad daylight.  (See attached herewith statement on Mr. Oum Radsady and the underlying features of Cambodia as a failed state).  Furthermore, the Hun Sen government uses legal maneuverings and political manipulations to continuously obstruct the United Nation’s quest to bring true justice to the Cambodian people in the past five years.

By sponsoring measure H.CON.RES.83, you help promote justice in Cambodia.  And real justice must precede true closure to such atrocities that the Cambodians have suffered.  Closure will help Cambodian-Americans in the United States and around the world to fully move on with their lives and become better contributing members of society.

The United States holds a unique and powerful place in the world community.  Your voice can be the small catalyst that is needed to move other local, national and world leaders to champion this noble cause. 

Our advocacy organization, World Cambodian Congress for Peace and Development (WCCPD, info. at www.wccpd.org), is at the forefront fighting to bring true justice, democracy, and the rule of law to Cambodia.

The Cambodian-American community in Oregon would very much appreciate your presence at our celebration on Saturday, April 12, 2003.  We hope you will join us.  Again, thank you very much for your support in remembering the victims of the Cambodian genocide.

Sincerely yours,

Veronica C. Ngi                         Mabbeskal Man

WCCPD General Secretary        WCCPD President

c:         Dr. Theoul Thuch

            Dr. Naranhkiri Tith

            Mr. PekThov Tan

Attachment

Radsady death deplored

I am completely taken aback, deeply shaken, extremely sad and full of anguish because of the brutal murder of my dear friend Om Radsady, who was not even able to kill a fly.

The Radsady I know did not promote or practice violence. He was a peaceful man and a true Buddhist.

He was caring and sharing and he never enriched himself by illegal means to the detriment of society.

He was one of the extremely rare Cambodian leaders who gave the national interest and the political principles of democracy and the rule of law as well as the Buddhist precepts the priority in his professional and personal life.

Radsady was an outstanding example of humility, sincerity and integrity - qualities which most Cambodian politicians do not possess. His death is a great loss for Cambodia although only few Cambodian leaders will understand that.

When will those who are responsible for the murder of Om Radsady and the several hundred political killings during the past 10 years finally be brought to justice? But who cares and who dares?

- Peter Schier - Kuala Lumpur