The Khmer Diaspora in France would not accept insult from CTN

Cambodian Community in France Protests against CTN’s Commentator


AKP Phnom Penh, May 19, 2011 –The Cambodian community in France has, through Cambodian Ambassador to France H.E. Uch Kiman, protested against a commentator of the well-known local TV channel CTN, demanding him for a public apology.

The protest was made following the “malicious comments” at CTN by Som Chhaya who had criticized the Cambodian community in France for having remained silent and done nothing in response to Thai aggression against Preah Vihear.

“We were the first abroad to react [...] to create the Solidarity Movement for Preah Vihear. We have organized many rallies, regardless of political stripes, in favor of soldiers and displaced population of Preah Vihear. We have managed to mobilize our people and to bring them together for a national cause, erasing at the same time the partisan division,” said the Cambodian community in France.

“We were able to send donations through H.E. Sok An (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers) and the Red Cross, but especially we have built a six-classroom school building inaugurated in the last new academic year by H.E. Sok An [...],” stressed the Cambodian community, adding, “Here in France, we do not need praise or medals or anything else. But smearing our name by insulting is unbearable and unacceptable.” By SOKMOM Nimul, Mr. Som Chhaya on CTN in February 2011.