(VOVworld) – Recent protests in Cambodia publicized a perverse claim based on distorted information that a part of Vietnamese territory belongs to Cambodia. Some protestors have demanded severing relations with Vietnam. The protests do not reflect reality or history. Vietnam and Cambodia have always supported each other and protected each other’s sovereignty and national interests. A small group of protestors have tried to sabotage the two countries’ traditional unity to serve selfish political purposes.

Cambodian police with tear gas guns in a protest in September, 2013 (photo: Reuters)

In July 100 people gathered outside the Vietnamese Embassy on Monivong boulevard in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and shouted demands to claim the southern region of Vietnam back to the “Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community” (KKKC). In the middle of August these people staged another demonstration and burned a Vietnamese flag. In recent days, a protest leader announced that they want to sever relations with Vietnam. The protests, which aimed to disrupt unity between Vietnam and Cambodia, were carried out despite public criticism.

The face of the inciters who have distorted history

Who are the protestors? What is the political force backing them? It’s easy to recognize in the chaotic crowd some people of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, CNRP, headed by Sam Rainsy, who has regularly organized campaigns against the Vietnamese community in Cambodia. They have been criticized several times by the Cambodian Royal Government and the UN for inciting ethnic discrimination.

CNRP leader Sam Rainsy has appeared in court twice on charges of distributing false information and fake maps of Cambodia’s land loss during border demarcation with Vietnam in Svay Rieng province. Sam Rainsy’s wrongful acts were handled under the Cambodian law and strongly denounced by Vietnamese and Cambodian people. In fact Thach Se Tha, a senator for the Sam Rainy Party and KKKC President, has masterminded the protests to damage Vietnamese-Cambodian relations and distort the history of Vietnam’s southern region.

Being allowed to operate a non-governmental organization, Thach Se Tha has showed his extremism and strong opposition to Vietnam. He sent a petition to King Sihanuk and the French President and parliament asking that the 49-733 Agreement on Vietnam’s southern region be rescinded, organized a Day to mark the loss of their land on June 4, 2003, and published protest magazines. As a senator of the biggest opposition Party in Cambodia, Thach Se Tha has boldly slandered the Khmer in Vietnam, asked the UN to open an office in Can Tho to monitor the human rights of the Khmer in southern Vietnam, and solicited the support of other opposition parties in Cambodia and of international organizations.

Thach Se Tha’s activities aim to promote the KKKC, obtain the financial assistance of outside reactionary organizations, and gain power within the administration. Thach Se Tha’s political purpose is not caring for Cambodia’s happiness, peace, and prosperity. He has gone against his country and the Cambodian people’s interests in making absurd statements asking Vietnam to give its southern region back to the Khmer, asking the Cambodian government to temporarily sever relations with Vietnam until Vietnam acknowledges Cambodia’s history.

Cambodia has always considered Vietnam a reliable partner

The Cambodian Ministry of Home Affairs said these activities and arguments by Cambodian people who lack historical knowledge are unacceptable. Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Cambodian Royal Government, said Vietnam is not a threat to Cambodian security. The Cambodian government and people have always protected and developed relations with Vietnam, a profound achievement which has kept the two together through many historical periods. The Cambodian government and people do not support and resolutely will not allow a small group of people lacking historical knowledge to disrupt bilateral relations.

Activities by Cambodian extremists have caused a backlash among Vietnamese people, violated Cambodian law, and affected bilateral cooperation and friendship. The protest leaders, who are diplomats, should respect law. They should not distort facts to serve political purposes. They are not representatives of Cambodia but opportunists and their activities cannot diminish the time-honored Vietnam-Cambodia relationship.