The possibility of "amnesty" or "pardon" for Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea, just two among dozens of other former Khmer Rouge figures who have, or will be permitted to blend into the population of Cambodia, will mark another sad page in Cambodian history.

Justice has, for the past few decades, been a farce in Cambodia, and now, with the virtual hugging and kissing" of the former leaders and butchers of the "killing fields," it provides evidence that not much will change. The message being sent to the world is that if you kill 2 million people, are subsequently run out of town by another rogue gang (the so-called Hun Sen - Vietnam "liberation / invasion), then are able to live in the jungle for a couple of decades, write a candy-coated letter in which you promise to be a "good boy," then you will be welcomed with open arms, flowers, and a vacation at the beach financed by one of your former comrades (Khmer Rouge commander Hun Sen).

How can the blood and life of so many innocent Cambodians be cheapened in this manner? If this fiasco continues it will give credence to the caustic cynics (who do not know the true nature of the Cambodian people) who say that "life in that part of the world has little value within society anyway."  

It is understood why Hun Sen would welcome his old friends, after all, they will now be bound to protect each other.   Their new "mutual admiration society" practically guarantees that no international tribunal will ever be held.   Such claims that pardons and amnesties for people such as these are in the national interest and in the name of national reconcilliation is atrocious, and those who make such statements with a straight face are in denial, it would be laughable if it wasn't so utterly revolting.

Rather than being eliminated, the cancer that was once the Khmer Rouge, clad in black, has now mutated into another form of disease and parades around in traditional Khmer clothing, or even in pin-striped suits clasping Angkor beer in one hand and a cell phone in the other.   The survivors of the "killing fields" who yearned for justice must be in shock, and their senses must be numbed by the prospects that the highest of the Khmer Rouge power structure will soon be able to live right next door to them, if they so choose.

Forgiveness, Mercy, Reconcilliation, Healing ... such words are only significant when they are the manifestations of the prerequisites of Confession, Contrition, Remorse, and Humility.

To allow the Khmer Rouge heirarchy, what is left of it, including Hun Sen, to resume "normal" lives while so many of their victims continue to live with the scars of years of trauma, is nothing short of advocating genocide and anarchy.   Again, the message being sent is: "If you can get away with it, and allow the sands of time to cover the blood-stains, you will not only be feared, but you will also profit handsomely." Members of the latest coalition government, especially those who claim to be in the "pro-justice," and "pro-democracy" ranks, have a great deal  to consider on this matter.   It will take great courage to say "no" to pardon and amnesty, but for many it will be easy to say "yes", and hide behind the false curtain of "reconcilliation."   I suggest that those members GO!, ... visit Tuol Sleng or Choeng Ek or any of the hundreds of other "killing fields" before you decide.   Can you live with those spirits calling to you for justice the rest of this life, and will you be able to deal with your karma in the next? You may be able to wash the blood from your hands, but your own conscience will condemn you, ... provided you are human and have a conscience.

As one who has family and friends who were victims of the Khmer Rouge, and perhaps the Hun Sen - Vietnamese regime as well, I publicly condemn those who choose to hold hands with the likes of Ieng Sary, Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ta Mok, among other K.R., and the Hun Sen - Vietnam collective as well.

I have said before,  "A human life has to have meaning in Cambodia again."

Justice does not give license to extract revenge, but to those who condone cosmetic amnesty and pardon for such genocidal acts as the Cambodian Holocaust, I say you too then become accomplices to the crime, you too then become a Khmer Rouge with a pick-axe raised above your head preparing to take another precious Khmer life, you too then hold hands with the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Tojo, Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, and Pol Pot and Hun Sen.

If the equivalent of a "champagne toast" between former Khmer Rouge leaders (including Hun Sen) and members of the so-called coalition government is permitted over the graves of 2 million innocent Cambodians, it will be a supreme act of disgrace, disregard, and disrespect, ... the age of darkness and deception in Cambodia will continue, the wounds will go unhealed, and the tears will never cease to flow from Cambodia's sad eyes.