Open Letter to President Trump on the Hun Sen Regime

HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is an open letter from the Cambodia-America Alliance:

Dear Mr. President,

They're saying since your presidency; autocratic governments have been forming across the globe and dictators have been allowed to reign supreme. They're also saying you prefer to be a noninterventionist hiding behind your "America First" policy. You've been compared to tyrants and Cambodia's own Prime Minister Hun Sen has taken liberty with justifying his repressive rule by using your "playbook". Mr. President, we don't believe the things they've said because that's just not what it means to be an American and a champion of democracy.

Your trip is taking you close to the land of ire and disbelief that has caused heartaches for many of your citizens, but has the potential to do much worst towards America's interest and security. We understand the need for diplomacy with China and rebuilding a working relationship with Vietnam, but it must never be at the cost of American interest and our guiding principles. Both communist countries have engaged us in Cambodia in a proxy war that began before and lasted well after the Killing Fields. These countries are directly responsible for creating the Khmer Rouge who killed nearly 2 million people and their renewed subversive strategy for Cambodia is endangering more lives and the welfare of pro-democracy groups.

They are complicit in destroying the democratic movement that proved free and fair elections worked when given the chance. The new Asian communist bloc has set in motion a redistribution of power sharing and influence that has shown to eliminate any establishment of fundamental and human rights-the basic prerequisites of a free, vibrant and progressing civil society. They've nurtured the Hun Sen regime to oppress its own people and remain disposable at their behest. Make no mistake that our engagement in Southeast Asia is kept at arm's length by those who benefit from our trade agreements and economic relationship.

Our U.S. Senate is proposing Senate Resolution 279 reaffirming our commitment to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Cambodia. This is a bipartisan initiative that exemplifies democratic ideals and placates American resolve. It will be one of the most important piece of legislation that could mean hope to millions of Cambodians who are affected by the Hun Sen regime and those currently living in fear under this ruthless strongman.

As representatives of the Cambodian-American community, we are asking our President to fulfill a campaign promise. It is a promise that echoes the late President Ronald Reagan when he said we are the beacon of hope for many. It is a promise to reassert American leadership and with that means helping developing nations achieve greatness free from tyranny and oppression. It is a promise to fulfill our obligations to humanity because we are proud Americans who have done so twice during world wars. Americanism does not just mean "America First"; it means freedom loving Americans coming to the aid of those with their hands out in desperation-Cambodians are asking for your help President Trump.

"Today we did what we had to do. They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong"
 — Ronald Reagan

On behalf of millions,

Vibol Touch                                                                Veasna Roeun
Cambodia-America Alliance, President                     Cambodia-America Alliance, Vice President
                                                                                   Chairman of Foreign Affairs

CONTACT: Veasna Roeun, 203-313-2656

SOURCE Cambodia-America Alliance