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From doan@aslslc07.asl.dl.nec.com  Ukn Jun 17 00:33:36 1993
Article: 9457 of soc.culture.vietnamese
Newsgroups: soc.culture.vietnamese
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From: doan@aslslc07.asl.dl.nec.com (Duc Doan)
Subject: Re: Cambodia on the verge of civil war again, but...
Message-ID: <1993Jun14.193128.8847@asl.dl.nec.com>
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References: <Pine.3.05.9306140832.A168-b100000@uclink.berkeley.edu>
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1993 19:31:28 GMT
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In article <Pine.3.05.9306140832.A168-b100000@uclink.berkeley.edu> Stephen R Denney <sdenney@UCLINK.BERKELEY.EDU> writes:
>On Mon, 14 Jun 1993, THANH NGUYEN wrote:
>
>> I heard on the National Public Radio on the way to work this morning that
>> Cambodia is on the verge of civil war, but this time it is between the
>> two sons of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Prince
>> Norodom Chakrapong.  Prince Chakrapong wanted to control 6 provinces of
>> Cambodia and Prince Ranariddh said, "No!" and the two are prepared their
>> troops for battle!!!   This looks like another classic case of forcing
>> Western democracy and its values on a people who are NOT ready for it yet.
>>
>> Well, if anyone out there has more information about the Cambodian
>> situation I heard above, please post it.  Thanks!
>>
>> T. Nguyen
>
>Actually the people voted and most voted against the SOC government. The
>SOC refused to accept its loss, particularly in these six eastern
>provinces, claiming election fraud, which the U.N. observers deny. Thus,
>it does not seem to be a case of the "people who are NOT ready for it
>(Western democracy) yet" but rather that the people who control the people
>are not ready for it. SOC leaders apparently assumed with all the violence
>directed against Ranariddh's party during the election campaign by their
>security forces that FUNCINPEC could not win, and were unpleasantly
>surprised.
Bingo! You hit the nail right on the head. Everyone who were born on this
planet is ready for democracy given the opportunity. The people who are not
ready are those who is shaking at the though of no longer having the power
to opress the people. It is easy to connect this event to the reason why
the communist party in Vietnam WILL NEVER AGREE to this model of democracy.
They are terrified of being brought to justice by the people for the
atrocities commited by them once the people has risen through the ballot power.
This presents a dilemma that is hard to resolve. Should there be a recourse
for these defeated criminals? Eventhough,I beleive a criminal must be punished,
I will support any political maneuvering that allow these criminals to be
removed from office peacuflly by letting them go to a neutral country so they
can spend the rest of their life regretting their sins.

This is also a lesson to be learned for those who beleive in the myth of
"economic prosperity = democracy". There is no question that the current
communist goverment will exploit fully the economic strengh of Vietnam to
strengthen the party and to tighten its strangle hold on the little spark
of freedom expressed sporadically by the Vietnamese people.
>In any case it isn't just a quarrel between two sons of Sihanouk.
>Chakrapong is acting as a front man for the SOC, which had already
>indicated it did not accept the result in these provinces and had
>threatened secession of these provinces.
>
There was a similar situation in Honduras after the UN-sponsored election,
the Sandinista refused briefly to give up their arms and be governed by
another party. However, Chamora(sp?), the elected president did a wonderful
job of reconciliation and democracy won at the end. I have no doubt that
the situation in Cambodia will be resolved peacfully through dialog and the
negotiating skill of prince Shianouk. 

Once the people tasted the sweetness of freedom, there is no turning back.
I love this country and I longed for Vietnam to smell, breath and voice
the same. Once Vietnam has been free, WATCH OUT WORLD!!!!

Duc Doan


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