THE RIGHT CAUSE

It started out on my first ever return trip to Cambodia in December 1994. The trip itself was short, but politically inspirational. It was not planned, but had to be taken because my step-father had been shot to death at Pursat.

On the day of my arrival, my late good friend, Rep. Om Radsady, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, sent his chauffeur to pick me up. I spent the better part of that day with Bong Sady as he tried to show me around the city and especially, his place of work, the National Assembly. He was still the same Radsady I had met in Castle Eggs, Deggendoff, Germany and in Paris on my very first visit to Europe in 1990. It was just wonderful to see him again. A good man with a very good heart.

That evening at the Chao Praya Restaurant, the subject of Sam Rainsy and Prince Norodom Serivudh had come up as part of our conversation. Sam Rainsy had been fired as Minister of Finance and in the process of starting his own political party. As for Prince Norodom Serivudh, he was about to resign from the post as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well. One phrase, that I recalled vividly, Bong Sady said, " Pretty, Sam Rainsy soeung nas na, sok chet badt kao-ey kong sey." I told Bong Sady that I wondered how many people would be willing to loose that lucrative position. We are talking about the position of Minister of Finance. Does anyone knows how rich Sam Rainsy would be should he had closed his lips and played along with Rannaridh or Hun Sen? Imagine that for a second. Sam Rainsy didn't want that because his people and his country worth a whole lot more than simply a one person's concern for his/her own pocket book.

We talked in great length about politics Srok Khmer. We shared each other concerns for the direction the country was heading at the time, and he encouraged me to continue lobby the US and Canadian gov'ts in order to keep democracy moving forward in Cambodia. He told me that,"Pretty, it is like a car, it needs regular tune-up."

On my way up to Pursat the next day, I listened in the car during the debate in the National Assembly. It was a moving experience to hear for the first time a live debate on radio among the Cambodian politicians. It touched me deeply to know that there are people like Sam Rainsy,

who spoke and worked in the interests of Cambodians.

My ten days in Cambodia ended so fast, before I knew it I was already back in Canada. I began talking to some friends in Toronto immediately upon my return, and then in that later part of 1995 we met for the first time in the basement of one of our friend's houses, under the name, Khmer Nation's Party.

I believed that a leader comes and goes. History has not been kind to us as Cambodian people, especially from my own personal standpoint, having been through a few wars and genocide. It is awfully important for any leader to understands what our country and our people has evolved since the fall of the Khmer Empire. History has been rewritten many times to fit a particular regime, or a monarchy period. Have our present leaders in the government today learn anything from experiences of the past? I wonder.

Without strong democratic principles and the rules of laws, our people and the nation will continue to be used, and abused for the benefits of the fews, especially mass foreigners who might end up one day out run us in population wise. They are coming and it's just a matter of time, and sadly, time is not on our side.

This is why I strongly support this democratic movement headed by a true son of Cambodia, Sam Rainsy, who has worked and continue to work tiredlessly. He has shown enornous convictions, grace and perserverance for the last 15 years of his service to our people and the country. I am proud to be a part of this nationalist cause, and I hope you feel just as proud. You know why, when you are lining up all the political leaders out there, 57 parties, plus the thiefs and the crooks, including those sitting on a Lazyboy from a comfortable home or high rise offices somewhere, there is no one can come close to our leader, Sam Rainsy. He works and he works hard for the right cause which is why my friends our party is growing and growing. Trust in your leader, trust in your judgement because it is right, believe in your country and together, we will protect and defend our civilization, as a people and as a nation.

Hail to the Victory.