No Man’s Land:sensitivity vs. nationalism

Looking down from the Preah Vihear mountain, everything apparently becomes unimportant.

As reported, the recent disputes between Cambodia and Thailand over Preah Vihear Temple which shares the Hindu sculpture of the famous Angkor Wat temple have stirred nationalism in many Cambodians. Before that, the inclusion of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site rankled a huge number of Thais and has given a chance to Thai politicians to take advantage of the politics in Thailand.

Let’s do some talking.

In a book written by a historically-famous Chinese ambassador to Cambodia back to the mid-Angkorian era, Cambodians were portrayed as brave warriors. They, both male and female, worked hard for their country. Nationalist, you can say. Yet, what impared their character was they easily took the bait.As written in the book, Cambodian warriors preferred keeping their swords with them all the time to anywhere they went. Fighting was common on the way. They would go into fighting quite easily. And blood could be shed without hesitation with swords in their hand.

What I want to point out from here is that sensitivity ran through the circle of the Cambodian ancestors and emotions spoke too much on behalf of the brain. ‘Nationalism’ and ‘senstitivity’ should be distinguished. Of course, the past was the past. It will go forever, but inevitably we need to learn the differences.

What is defined by nationalism? Does nationalism mean that you have to die for your country all the time while you leave someone else suffering? Do people have to kill or hurt others to be called “nationalists”? Of course, I appreciate that Cambodia learns that Preah Vihear belongs to them. But obsession that it must be ‘yours’ doesn’t help make the truth clear. We must do something besides showing our emotions (anger/sadness). Can I say ‘globalist”?

Three Days at Preah Vihear

Preah Vihear Temple
Little Fun in Warzone

Friends will be there for you at war or peace.
Looking from afar…

Soldier calling a family member from atop Soldiers patroling on the edge of the mountain
Soldier standing guard at Preah Vihear Temple
Thai soldiers protecting their area,high ground.
It’s time to go home?No, they’re there days and nights.
Photos by KKnila
With support and help of KCF (Khmer Civilization Foundation), Seila, Geoff and I got on a 12-seated mini-bus to Preah Vihear, along with other Cambodian journalists. Anxious, excited and eager, we arrived at Preah Vihear early in the evening though we left Phnom Penh for it around 5 am. I was very impressed with the sight of the ruins at the beginning. Nothing could shock me as much as broken pieces of one of the temples we stepped on. The Cambodian flag was moving through the wind. Sometimes, there was no wind but it moved because our heart was moving back and forth, calling for a solution and peace for everyone.

Talking about the first day we were there, we three hurried to explore all the parts of the Preah Vihear temple. I took all the pictures, of course, as many as I could, from the footage of the mountain to the top. Nothing could stop me from taking photos of Cambodian and Thai soldiers sitting down for rest on the way up to the mountain. I was surprised by their patience and determination to even sleep on the way. The night soon fell and we wasted no time so intervied two soldiers about what happened and what they thought about the upcoming elections. I was chilled by the cold night. We almost could have listened to the Cambodian soldiers’ meeting! They shooed us away! That night, my friend and I were sleeping on two tables previously used in an official meeting. :)

The next day was quite happy. I got up early, very bored with the cold that mountaintop gave me. I’d rather not sleep than lying down dying in cold. Later, we rushed to the cliff of the mountain where we could get a phone service/coverage. All those journalists were so busy calling their editors, family members or somebody! We posed for very nice photos. :) Blurrrr! With socks on my feet and a long-sleeved blouse, coldness could still cover my skin. We later went to the pagoda called “Preah Vihear Pagoda” or “Keo Seka Kiri Sarak”. What a heart-breaking sight! There were about four poor buildings. The biggest one was where everyone could pray to God Buddha. The monks were staying inside their monasteries. There were just a few monasteries. The Cambodian and Thai soldiers were scattered everywhere around the pagoda. They were looking, non stop. Back behind the monasteries, a group of Thai deminers were chatting and taking a rest. We couldnt’get to the high ground those Thai deminers took up and shooed us away from. What were they doing there? I was wondering.

We walked around the pagoda, listening to a rather standing crowd, one of whom was Mr. Phay Sipha, Cabinet spokesperson. I was wondering what those Thai soldiers thought. They were told or commanded by their commanders to come and do what? The questions filled my mind. I was thinking the same thing about the Cambodian soldiers. The situation was very calm at the pagoda on that day (Saturday). We three played around like monkeys. We took pictures of ourselves, posed with the Khmer and Thai soldiers and were called by an AP photographer as Stars of Preah Viihear.

I miss the days and nights there. I miss the border gate and the market very close to the border. I miss looking at those Thai and Khmer soldiers. I miss the pagoda. I miss the monks, nuns, local people and the vendors I saw there. I miss the nooldes I ate in the mornings there. I miss the tables I slept on. I miss the filthy floor I could get through the cold night with. I miss the internet access on the top of the mountain when I miss having no phone coverage. I miss wildness in my feeling. I miss walking around Preah Vihear temple. I miss listening to people telling me their stories. I miss looking at the ruins. I miss thinking of what it woudl have been like if I had gone 900 years back. I miss walking with other journalists. I miss being angry about their remarks about me as the only girl. I miss looking at the doctors from KCF curing sick soldiers and local peole. I miss Preah Vihear temple. I miss the crowd. I miss the long trip. I miss everyone I traveled with all day long. After all, I want ot be back againt to the place, enjoying the crude feelings of a bit fun and danger (as other people told me). I want no fighting, clashes or even stare between the Thai and Cambodian soldiers. I am thinking about their family members for them. I want them to know that Preah Vihear will be there forever and whoever claims it belongs to them will not stay here forever. And whoever won’t have it will not stay here forever either. The earth will one day meet its end. With an inch to death will they realize that nothing matters as this precious breath does to them? Everything seems to have been much policitized, commercialized and dramatized.

Uh uh, about me?

Students unfazed by reporter’s murder

Friday, 18 July 2008
Pao Raotana
The Mekong Times

Intimidation, detention and particularly murder don’t necessarily make journalism students give up their commitment to the news profession.

Keo Kounila, a student at advertising management of Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), expressed sorrow over the murder of Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper journalist Khim Sambo and his son, Khat Sarin, at a press conference Thursday that showcased the achievements of the students with the Department of Media and Communications (DMC) at RUPP. She stressed that the murder will not discourage her from becoming a journalist. “It doesn’t discourage me. I still want to be a journalist because journalists play a key role in a democratic society to inform society with true news,” Keo Kounila said. “To overcome all obstacles as journalists, we must have specific skills, ethics and heavy responsibilities.”

Lim Seangheng, a second-year media management student at RUPP, claimed the journalism profession is now open to women. Lim Seangheng is proud of her participation along with other second-year students in forming the newspaper Cambodia Votes 2008, which was unveiled at Thursday’s press conference at RUPP. The first 24-page edition has over 50 articles written by the students and was published with a budget of over US$10,000.

The five-day study tour to Stung Treng province and the Lao border and additional research in other regions in Cambodia is part of the “Report on the Election” project, which stemmed from the almost three years of cooperation between the DMC and the German Development Service (DED).

“Training journalists in election is the high-quality result of media education. DMC and DED are very proud of the achievements and good cooperation,” said Wolfgang Moeller, director of DED in Cambodia, during the press conference. “DED has assisted DMC for nearly two and a half years by sending its two advisors and media experts.”

He added that the DED has provided about US$30,000 in funding this year for the program that includes courses on journalism ethics.

Tieng Sopheakvichea, co-director of the DMC, stressed the importance of the program’s mission. “We can say that a good journalism profession relies on a journalist who has knowledge, ethics, and responsibilities,” he said. “At school, each student receives the same training, but they do a different job in society.”

The DMC enrolls 30 students per year for a four-year bachelor degree.

Pram Seila, a student in the department, said he is “very happy” about the end result of the newspaper.

“It shows what we have learned and about the commitment of future professional journalists, and it will provide a lot of benefits to the nation.”

Hul Reasmei, reporter from Radio Free Asia, who attended the ceremony, was impressed with the finbal product. “Each story has interviews with sufficient sources, balance, and good usage of words.”

One thousand copies of Cambodia Votes 2008 are not for sale, but for free distribution.