Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 17 - Is the populist Cambodian politician, Sam Rainsy, walking on the same path followed by his father Sam Sary ? The man is well known for his racist and xenophobic statements and his close relationship with the USA and US ultra conservative movements like the Heritage Foundation.

Sam Sary, in the fifties, used to be part of a group of politicians that disagree with the neutrality of Cambodia decided by the National Assembly in accordance with the Geneva Accords. Despite the strong military support by the USA to the then Republic of South Vietnam that used to threaten the territorial integrity of Cambodia, Sam Sary was in favour of an alliance with the USA. He had regular contacts with the US embassy in Phnom Penh, but also with CIA agents. With the support of the CIA and the US embassy in Saigon, he was involved in an attempt, on August 31, 1959, to kill the Head of State of Cambodia, then Prince Norodom Sihanouk. All of this is now confirmed by CIA and US National Security Council archives.

During the past week end, in Texas (USA), Sam Rainsy said that the Cambodia National Rescue Movement (CNRM) launched recently will be organised as “a secret network and would infiltrate along liberated parts of Cambodia’s border”. “We will organise a network to go deep into Cambodia’s territory, provoking the public, students, workers and farmers,” he said.

After failing to be a democratic opponent, Sam Rainsy is now moving to rebellion against the legitimate institutions of Cambodia. Like his father.

Like his father and his US supports, he wants to bring civil war in the country. Like is father, he is now a great danger for the peace and the development of the country. Like his father, Sam Rainsy is now nothing but a rebel, an outlaw individual.

One question remains: will the West still support this kind of “democrat”, like it did with his father ?

Raoul M. Jennar PhD
Doctor in Khmer studies