Cambodia: The Tragedies (Part 2) By Hann So April 17, 2013 Visit to the Refugee Camps on the Khmer-Thai Border March 22 – April 2, 1987 The Delegation The delegation, headed by John Than Po of Seattle, WA, was composed of: Seang Lim Bit,Oakland, CA; Sakphan Keam, Long Beach, CA; Kim An Leng, Lebanon, PA; Bun Tek (Ted) Ngoy, Mission Viejo, CA; Luke Polk, Portland, OR; Sithan Sar, Norwalk, CA; Hann So, San Jose, CA; Arun Son, Fresno, CA. The delegation left Los Angeles, CA on March 21, 1987, and arrived in Bangkok, Thailand on March 22,1987. The visit lasted until April 2, 1987. The Mission The mission of the delegation was to: • observe the living conditions of the Khmer refugees, • boost the morale of the Khmer refugees, • encourage the struggle for freedom and peace of the Khmer refugees, • support the cooperation between the Khmer People’s National Liberation Armed Forces (KPNLAF) and the Nationalist Sihanoukian Army (ANS) in their effort to liberate Cambodia from the Vietnamese rule, and • educate the Westerners about the refugees’ plight and the Cambodian tragedy. The Program March 23 Orientation meeting with General Sak Sutsakhan, Commander-in-Chief of KPNLAF March 24 Visit of Ampil March 25 Visits of Nam Yin (Baksei), Nong Chan, Samlor, and Dangrek March 26 Visits of O’Bok, and Rithysen March 27 Trip to Surin Dinner reception by Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Commander-in-Chief of ANS March 28 Visit of site B March 29 Visit of Sokh Sann Macrh 30 Meeting with Son Sann, President of Khmer People’s National Liberation Front (KPNLF) The Meeting On March 23, 1987, the delegation had an orientation and information meeting with General Sak Sutsakhan, Commander-in-Chief of KPNLAF. Former Premier Huy Kanthoul was also present. Gen. Sak handed out the program and inform us tha the Thai Supreme Commander had approved or request to visit all the refugee camps except Khao I Dang which was closed in December 1986. Also, we were not authorized to spend the nights in the camps for security reason. Gen. Sak explained about the refugees’ plight and the situations in the camps with all the problems that the refugees actually faced. He showed us the location of Site II, Sokh Sann and Site B on the map. These were the camps scheduled to be visited by the delegation. He was pleased to announce that the internal crisis of KPNLF ended on March 18 when he and President Son Sann of KPNLF went to Site II to sow the Khmer people their reconciliation and unity. Gen. Sak also talked about the reforms he started on KPNLAF and the civilian camps, which were separated from the military camps that were moved to the fields inside the Khmer territory. He emphasized the need of having a close cooperation and coordination of activities with ANS under the leadership of the KPNLAF-ANS Joint Military Command (JMC). He personally made sure that all human rights violations would be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted. He asked the delegation to carefully observe and listen during the entire visit. He would accept any suggestions. He was very open and allowed the delegation to ask any kind of questions. The delegation met Gen. Thou Thip, who just got back from his four-month incursion deep inside Cambodia. He went all the way down to Kompong Thom. In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation departed for Aranyaprathet, located in eastern Thailand about 200 miles from Bangkok. Pen Toula, who was in charge of public relations, was our guide. Site 2 Site 2 is administered by KPNLF. It has about 160,000 inhabitants. It is divided into 2 camps: • Site 2 North comprises of Ampil, Nam Yin (Baksei), Nong Chan, Samlor and Dangrek. • Site 2 South consists of O’Bok, and Rithysen. Visit of Ampil On March 24, 1987, the delegation visited the Ampil camp. Upon its arrival, the delegation was greeted by Gen. Dien Del, Deputy Commander-in-Chielf of KPNLAF, Gen. Pan Thay, Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander of Special Force., and the presidents of the seven camps: Lay Khek, Keo Lundi, Nget Sophon, Chhay Kim huor, Pong Sothy, Thou Thon and Reaksa Sambok.It was the first time that all the camp presidents were together and had shown a good sign of unity. After lunch, the delegation was entertained by the remarkable classical and folkloric dances. The performers were refugees who saw and wanted to conserve the real treasure of the Khmer culture. Through hard work, practice and patience, they demonstrated their artistic talents and abilities, and their love of art. We had to notice that some members of FUNCINPEC, a Sihanoukist organization, and ANS (Gen. Toan Chay, doctor Vanna Roth, etc.) also attended the show. After the show, the delegation was given a guided tour of the camp by Nget Sophon, president of the camp. We visited the Khmer Women’s association which was in charge of the sewing (hand and machine), handicraft (scarf and mat weaving, silk production, carpentry, sculpture), children’s education and orphan centers. We toured the self-reliance program center, which promoted the breeding of chicken and ducks, and the center for handicaps. Chum Sambath, director of Information, showed us the traditional theater and music, and the modern music. He gave each member of the delegation two tapes of Khmer revolutionary songs, and two tapes of Ayai, a traditional song dialogued by a man and a woman. They were all performed by the talented refugees. Visits of Nam Yin, Nong Chan, Samlor and Dangrek On March 25, 1987, the delegation visited the facilities of all the above camps. We started with Nam Yin. In Nong Chan, we had a brief meeting with the populace, where each member of the delegation introduced himself and made a small speech. During the meeting, the following question was asked: why didn’t the Khmer living in foreign countries help now instead of waiting to side with the winners? At lunch, the delegation was divided to allow each member the chance to sit with the officials of the camps. We had a good opportunity to chat about the problems and to become aware of the real problems in the camps. Afterwards, we proceeded back to the reunion center where we enjoyed the folkloric dances. At the Samlor camp, the delegation was greeted by both the camp president and Gen. Ta Maing. After the presentations and speeches, we proceeded to Dangrek, where camp president Keo Lundi showed us the technical school. He tried to develop a course of electricity, electronics and mechanics. He needed books and equipment. Back to Aranyaprathet, Gen. Teap Ben, Vice-Chairman of JMC, invited the delegation for dinner. Afterwards, Gen. Dien Del went to have a friendly chat with us at our place until four in the morning. He answered all the questions that were posed to him. Visits of O’Bok, and Rithysen On March 26, 1987, the delegation spent the whole day at O’Bok and Rithysen. After having visited O’Bok, the delegation was briefed about the Rithysen camp by Thou Thon, the camp president. Rithysen was the largest camp with more than 60,000 inhabitants. We toured the Lok Ta Sok school, and had a meeting with the students of political war. The delegation was very impressed by the great number of students – several thousands - who assembled there to greet and listen to us. We were so moved by their presence that we did not want to leave. Pressed by time, we had to move on to another meeting with the mass. Another question that deserved reflection from all of us was raised: even though we were unable to help the refugees go to the third countries, at least could we do something to improve their living conditions? After the meeting, as we were running late, we were taken to another meeting where we were introduced to all the military commanders and camp presidents. After a brief speech by Gen. Sak, we all had lunch under a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We were entertained by the Khmer traditional music. After lunch, we visited the Khmer Women’s association and the medical school. Then we ended our visit at the Buddhist temple. The honorable head of the temple said to us after our own introduction: “I was mesmerized for a while during your speeches. Right now, I’m kind of staying in a temple in Cambodia, and all of you are like the ambassadors, who come to visit my temple. I’m so moved.” We could see tears coming out of his eyes. Everybody cried too. We left with deep sorrow. In the evening, the delegation wa briefed by Gen. Pok Sam An, Chief of Staff of KPNLAF, about the military situation. Site B Site B is administered by FUNCINPEC, and has about 46,000 inhabitants. Trip to Surin On March 27, 1987, Gen. Teap Ben took the delegation to Surin. We were greeted and briefed by Leu Lay Sreng, Information Director of FUNCINPEC. We were shown the Free Radio center. A tape and some documents were given out to each member. In the evening, the delegation was invited to a dinner reception given by Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Commander-in-Chief of ANS. He talked about politics, the military situation, and the cooperation between the two non-communist forces. Visit of Site B On March 28, 1987, the delegation was taken to Site B. We were greeted by Prince Ranariddh and camp president Chhim Siek Leng. The mass stood in ovation upon our arrival.