Chapter 10: An Uphill Battle (Betrayal)

Non governmental agencies such LICAHDO, Women in Crisis, Amnesty International  and other Human Rights organizations were heavily involved in various projects to try and put an end to human trafficking, sexual assaults, child abuses and sexual slavery in developing countries such as Cambodia.  It was estimated that Cambodian government received at least $40 million per year to combat these local and international criminal activities; especially to prevent foreigners who have gone to places such as Cambodia to prey on the young and innocent children. 

Cambodia like many countries in the developing world was going through a period of transition from Communism to a free and democratic society.  Inadequate law enforcement, extra judicial settlements and weak prosecution were still major problems that the Cambodian government was still trying to resolve.  These were works in-progress and will take years to accomplice given the lack of legislations and institutional challenges.  The Cambodian Government has tried to implement rules of laws by implementing institutional reforms within the police and military regarding law enforcement pertaining to rape, sexual assaults and other sexual crimes typically committed by those in power and often times went un-reported.  Weak judicial systems in Cambodia have led to criticism by the international community about human rights abuses and other abuses where perpetrators were never caught or convicted.

There have been little successes even with the overwhelming financial supports from the international community due largely to the lacks of law enforcement by officials who were still very much interested in protecting their own pockets and their positions. 

According to Cambodia’s Statute of Limitations, Article 33, a minor is defined as under 15. An adult's sexual intercourse with a minor is defined as statutory rape based on the principle that a child is not capable of consent and that any apparent consent by a child is not considered to be legal consent.  Perpetrator found convicted of the crime is subjected to 5 to 10 years imprisonment. 

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which Cambodia was a signatory, required states to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. This includes outlawing the coercion of a child to perform sexual activity, the prostitution of children and the exploitation of children in creating pornography. 

But the Cambodian government admitted that it was struggling to even understand the scale of the problem, let alone address it.

For Piseth, it was a case where he was already perceived d to be a convicted rapist.  People that were following Piseth’s case were led to believe that he was a no good, disgusted returnee who took advantage of his own sister-in-law to fulfill his own sexual desire.  Piseth’s case in many people’s eyes was a model case to show the world that the government was taking serious measures to enforce the laws in protecting children from foreign perpetrators.

Mr. Sombath, Piseth’s attorney has a tough road before him.  Mr. Sombath has already been ridiculed by his own colleagues and others in the government for taking on Piseth’s case because many felt that it was a case that was difficult to prove and he was up against many giants, including the Cambodian authorities who wished to not get involved due to funding connection with the Non-Governmental Agencies and Developing Partners like UNICEF and others. 

Lundi, Piseth’s closest friend has also been under a lots of pressure from his department to distance himself from Piseth’s case because if Piseth could not be proven innocence; Lundi’s job at the Defense Department and his reputation will be jeopardized. 

For Lundi, he was a man of altruistic character and a man of principle who will not be distracted by the negative comments nor threats by his department. 

Lundi set off on a personal mission to find the truth by gathering evidences to prove that Piseth never committed the sexually crime that he was wrongly accused.

With the aid from Mr. Sombath, Piseth’s attorney and his own connections with the police and the military; Lundi ventured into Sopheap’s neighborhood (Piseth’s wife). 

Lundi began his investigation by interviewing the people that were living at Piseth’s house before the incidence occurred.  First, Lundi began to interview the neighbors to try and get a better understanding of Sopheap and her personality.  Lundi had every reason to believe that Piseth was set up by his wife and mother-in-law.

From the many interviews of the neighbors; Lundi was able to learn that Sopheap was involved with trafficking, manufacturing of drugs in her house and most importantly had an affair with a senior military police that regularly frequented her house whilst Piseth was absent living in the USA. 

Lundi also learned of child neglect where Lily would be left in the house alone for days not having anything to eat because Sopheap was too busy gambling and traveling outside of the house for on end.  Sopheap also had abusive behaviors towards her two guards and all of the three housemates who were living with her.  Neighbors also witnessed beating on the housemates and the house guards by Sopheap.

There were incidences where Lily at the age of 6 years old, living in a great mansion did not have anything to eat but only survived because the neighbors pity her and gave her foods to eat. 

On one occasion, three neighbors recalled, Sopheap demanded that the guards and housemates leave the house.  She was so high on Yama and Ecstasy (drugs widely used in Southeast Asia) with Lily inside with her lit the suitcases on fire.  She wanted to burn the house down and committed suicide and burn Lily alive, as one neighbor exclaimed.  With smoke coming out of the windows, neighbors living next to Sopheap’s house rushed over and extinguished the fire.  When the police arrived, Sopheap managed to pay them off and told them that it was just an accident caused by Lily playing with matches.

Lundi’s interviews with the guards revealed that Sopheap had people coming in to the house with drug manufacturing equipment and had a room dedicated to drug making.  One can only questions where has the money gone with all of the drugs sold because it was lucrative and could potentially earned Sopheap so much money.  When one of the neighbors called and reported to the police, Sopheap again managed to silence them by paying them off. 

The irony was that Sopheap was also a compulsive gambler.  Sopheap had everything she had ever wanted in a woman’s life time.  A caring husband, a mansion, 3 hotels and two cars with incomes that were enough to feed the whole village given the horrible past working as a prostitute earning about $30 per day.

Sopheap was not an ordinary woman.   She was beautiful, unusually smart, witty and most importantly charming.  She had been approached many times by karaoke directors and appeared in three volumes of Cambodian karaoke with love songs about true love before she met Piseth.

The revelation came when Lundi interviewed one of the housemates.  The housemate who frequented places with Charya and Piseth felt a sense of remorse for Piseth by revealing what she witnessed about Sopheap’s true personalities. 

On one occasion Sopheap contracted a painter to come and repaint the interior of the house.  The job took four days to complete.  On the third day, Sopheap was so high on ecstasy that she came on to the painter and had sex with him with the door opened.  Sopheap screamed so loud from her sexual excitement that she woke the housemate and Lily whilst taking nap during siesta.  Was Sopheap psychologically insane? Were the abuses and repeated rapes that she endured during her childhood that caused her to behave like this, or was it a result of the drug that has so much effect on her brain that she would commit such act?  One could only know if Sopheap’s psyche can be revealed?

The Agonizing Voices--Alcohol & Prostitution in Cambodia?

It is estimated that 30,000 to 60,000 women and girls work in the entertainment or in indirect sex industry in Phnom Penh. The irony is that the number will continue to rise at an alarming rates due to continued economic disparities.

Young girls flock to the city to find works in garment and other entertainment industries only to find themselves caught in the web of alcoholism, prostitution and other indirect sexual services when salary earned is not enough to supplement families back home in the villages, room and board and of course their own livelihood in the city.  

For some, prostitution is not a choice; but forced, sold or manipulated by perpetrators that are willing to do any thing for money.  For some, it is an opportunity to make quick bucks to get ahead.  What ever the reasons maybe; alcoholism, prostitution and indirect sexual practices are rampant in contemporary Cambodia. 

The Potential Implications?

In this note, I would like to explore the breadth and impacts of "Beer Girls" or "Sales Promoters" in Cambodia and how their livelihood will play apart in shaping Cambodia's tomorrow.

For those that live and work in Cambodia; beer girls or sales promoters are a growing population and have presence in 90% of the restaurants and other entertainment outlets: such as karaoke bars, discoteques and beer gardens.  

Most  beer girls work during the night and sleep during the day.  Their average salary is between $60 to $110 depending upon what type of beer company they represent.  They drink on average of 1.3 liter of beer per night. 

Promotion girls, whose livelihoods depend on how much beer they sell, often find themselves coerced into night-long booze sessions that can end in sexual assault or other violence.

More regularly, these women often resort to prostitution to supplement their incomes, which hover around $20 to $50 per night depending upon their negotiation skills, leaving them socially stigmatized and vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.

Moreover, the regular alcohol consumption will in doubt leads to the deterioration of their body immune systems, leaving them defenseless and prone to all sorts of diseases.

It is a sad irony and of grave consequences if we as citizens of this beloved nation called Kampuchea continue to allow beer companies and importers of alcohol to go unpunished without strict and proper policies and laws protecting and helping women in these kind of workplaces.  Nor that we should sit idle to see a generation of drunkards without the necessary support systems in place to help them.  

If we are careless, we may have a society faced with more criminal activities, violence and other destructive elements caused by alcoholism and its negative side effects.

I am not against the use of alcohol as a form of entertainment.  We have seen time and again that alcohol prohibition is not a way to resolve these potential social issues.  

My Proposals:

1.  Strict guidelines/work conducts by beer companies and importers on their promoters; specifically drinking on the job and accepting sexual advances; in return for reasonable salary and employment contract.

2.  More laws and enforcement of the laws protecting women working in these mentioned settings.

3.  Vocational training programs should be made available by the companies and Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training so that Cambodian women are provided alternatives in terms of professions and skill sets.

4.  More education needed to provide necessary education to restaurants and entertainment outlets about sexual harassment, assault and violence against women - the right to refuse services to clients who perpetrate such acts.

5.  Provide incentives to women in these type of settings to become leaders, speak up and out against sexual violent--organized by beer companies and importers, NGOs, Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant agencies.

6.  Alcohol treatment center to treat alcohol addiction and its side effects.

The issues of alcohol, prostitution, sexual violence and their impacts are REAL and NOW.  We need to take immediate actions because they affect all of us in many ways.  

It is very easy to forget the SERIOUSNESS and its wider implications because alcohol has been used for centuries for enjoyment; but we must use it in the MOST RESPONSIBLE WAYS.  Moreover, sexual violence does not deserve a place in our society.  Women of Cambodia must rise above all else because at the end, they are the MOTHERLAND and MUST BE PROTECTED at all costs.

Chapter 6: Falsely Accused (Betrayal)

Packed and ready to return to Phnom Penh not knowing what the future lies ahead.  The treacherous part of his emotional being was the separation from his family, his beloved daughter and the country he loves so dearly.  He had so much hope being a part of the rebuilding process, whether they be in small investments with his lifelong saving, making small donations to the local school, sponsor a child at the orphanage, or just helping out family members from both sides of his family and his wife’s.

Piseth’s mind was full of memories of good times and some bad times in their relationship together which now lasted over 10 years.  There were bad days in their lives together, yet today has never been worst in his life time. 

The rental taxi speeds faster and faster into the horizon not knowing the pain and anguish that Piseth was experiencing. 

Poor Piseth, has the world turned upside down against him?  For a purest of man always been honest with friends, family and those he came in contact with.  He sacrificed ten years to help his cousins by helping to sponsor them as wives so that they have better opportunities to help a generation.  Have all of the good deeds gone the opposite way and god’s way of providing rewards is to punish him?

Piseth turns to his diary in which he has been keeping daily entries about the changes and moments of his life.  He begins to read an entry on how the sister-in-law tried to seduce him to fall in love with her.  As he reads on, he begins to recollect the weeks leading up to the incidence where he was accused of raping his own sister-in-law. 

Charya, the 15 years old sister-in-law, supposedly the victim has been infatuated with Piseth because of his good look, charm, and extremely nice personalities that he portrays. 

One moment in time, Piseth writes, “she came so close to me and even asked me whether she can sit on my lap.  I refused but she kept on making flirtatious approaches on me...”.  Piseth writes, “my wife came back from the market and looked at me very suspiciously”.  Sopheap was angry at the incidence yet it was something Piseth had never planned to do nor had the slightest thought about having an affair with his own sister-in-law. 

The ordeal worsens as days passed.  Charya became unusually close to Piseth and would always asked Piseth to go out in the evening for a drive to the center of town to buy fresh fruits or just to sit by Steung Sangker to enjoy the passing view of cars and motocycles.  Charya and one of her cousins who happened to be hired by Piseth’s wife always accompanied Piseth and Charya to the town center in evening whenever they choose to go.  Piseth knew in his heart that he did not want people to have the wrong impression about his relationship with his sister-in-law.   In Cambodia people have a tendency to spread rumors like wild fire even though things are not true; especially involves love triangle.

One day, at the house, whilst Sopheap was out with her friends; Piseth found himself in a difficult situation where Charya came into his room and started to kiss him on his neck.  Piseth was in shock and immediately told Charya to leave his room. Piseth felt that it was inappropriate act on the side of the Charya to lead him on.  Nobody knew about the incidence except the cousin who hired as the mate of the house.  She saw Charya leaving Piseth’s room but did not suspect anything else had happened.

As Piseth contemplates on the memories and different incidences that led up to the night he was drunk; he begins to have doubt about himself whether or not he ever committed the crime of rape to his own sister-in-law.   

All the sudden, Piseth was awaken by sudden stop of the taxi in a town called Udong, in Kampong Speu province, known for its historical significance of being a capital city before Phnom Penh.  In additions, the beautiful stupas and temples that are recently built on the Udong Mountain served as a reminder of the great Cambodia’s past.

Apparently, the taxi driver had miscalculated and hit a running cow.  It was a small accident and the taxi driver proceeded on to Phnom Penh.

It was night fall when Piseth arrived in Phnom Penh.  He had made prior arrangement to have some friends pick him up and stay with them for the night.  It was nine in the evening when Piseth finally made it to his friend’s house across the Japanese bridge in a new housing development called Borey Sopheakmongkol.

It has been a long day for Piseth.   At this juncture, his friends do not understand the mental anguish that Piseth was experiencing, but they suspected that Piseth was unusually upset over some thing.

To cheer Piseth up, some of his friends organized a dinner party because they also knew that he was going to depart to the USA in two days. 

Off they went, to a restaurant nearby the new housing estate, called Washington.  There is a local saying about going to the United States from Cambodia without using visa; particularly about this restaurant called Washington, equipped with modern hotel, Karaoke center, casino, massage parlor and fitness center.  It was a place where the local Cambodians like to come out and enjoy their evenings with friends and families because of its friendly services, nice hostesses, and some famous singers providing entertainment all night long at no additional charge.

Piseth smiles in despair because he just has too much on his mind.  A crowd of beer promotional girls swamped their table with all sorts of beer brands such as Love, Asahi, Heineken, and Tiger and of course the local favorite Angkor Beer, with their tagline “My Country, My Beer”.   

It is normal that at a single table, five to six different brands are opened at the same time.  This goes to show how beers are sold in places such Cambodia.  Beers are sold mainly at restaurants and entertainment outlets through the use of promotional girls. 

The strategies now have evolved into freelancing where the girls are not attached to the Beer Company, but work purely as independent agents on 100% commission.  The girls can redeem their bottle caps for instant cash at the end of each night or they can save it for redemption at a later time. 

These promotional schemes have led to probably one of the most detrimental developments in Cambodia’s history.  A typical pay for an average garment worker in Cambodia earned about $40 dollars per month.  In comparison, promotional girls have to force themselves to drink heavily to earn extra and most would resort to selling their bodies for extra income.  As a result of the heaving drinking; most of these promotional girls encountered sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.  It will definitely become a ticking bomb for Cambodia in the nearest future to come.

One of the singers who came to sit by him asked Piseth why he was sad; but Piseth refused to tell, shrugged it off and diverted the questions to something else. 

Life's Biggest Problems And Their Solutions

1. Tunnel Vision : The tendency to focus only on the immediate crisis or sore spot . Under stress, things look worse or more complex than they really are.  Perspective : Ask if it will matter in 6 months . Ask what else is going on? How did I create this situation and, in an ideal world, what would I like to do about it?

2. Fear : The anxiety or terror that things will go badly, that we will fail or be embarrassed.  Humor and Curiosity : Modern life has very few saber-tooth tigers . The situation is rarely life or death . Ask, What's the worst that can happen? What's the best? What can I learn? What would I do if I had no fear?

3. Confusion : The sense of being lost or unclear about our direction . The sense that we don't know our own priorities anymore.  Responsible Choices : Choose your values and priorities and set your own path . Your life is yours . Check your moral compass, pick a direction and do something extraordinary!

4. Guilt : The belief that we have hurt or failed or sinned and deserve punishment . Guilt is either accurate, because sometimes we do behave badly, or it is false and simply an illusion.  If we have transgressed, we must make restitution, ask forgiveness, learn from our error and move on . If it is false guilt, set it down as an unnecessary and irrational burden.

5. Shame : The belief that we are worth-less than others, that we have a terrible, incurable flaw . It is not that we have done something wrong (guilt), but that we are bad or wrong.   Clear, rational thinking : Everyone has behaved badly, but no one was created badly! Any flaws only serve to make you stronger, more heroic or more compassionate toward others.

6. Loneliness : The belief that no one loves us, that no one cares and we must desperately cling to anyone who finds us attractive or acceptable . This creates dependency, not intimacy.  Accurate Self-Assessment : Not everyone will love you, but many people will if they meet you, get to know you, and spend time working/playing along side you.

7. Resentment : Holding anger and refusing to move beyond real or imagined mistreatment in the past . Some people spend their whole lives as "victims", nurturing a terrible event in their past.  Let go! Life is not fair and people do not always behave well or kindly . Use your trauma to make you wise, kind, gentle, and strong . Holding anger will not work.

8. Self-Doubt : The repeated, endless questioning of your own abilities, opinions or actions . The inability to take a stand, to act boldly, or to follow-through.  Action! Think clearly, then take action and follow-through : Start small, but do it! You are the world's expert on your life! Use your wisdom to live well.

9. Stubbornness : The refusal or inability to re-assess a situation, change your mind, or admit you were wrong.  Wisdom and Humility : Only a fool stays on a course that is headed for disaster! Search for new and better information, remain flexible, open and creative . When the situation changes, adjust accordingly and set a new course.

10. Addiction : Humans become addicted to drugs, but we also become addicted to our jobs, our opinions or our lifestyle . We can be addicted to people and need them rather than love them.  Take a vacation! Periodically, walk in someone else's shoes . Break your habits, re-arrange your schedule, delegate those things that only you can do "right" . Use habits and traditions to set you free, don't let habits enslave you!

Tips on Study Smart for High School and College Students

Here are study suggestions in which I find helpful when I was going to school and I thought that they would be interesting and helpful for our friends who are currently going to school.

1.  Read course objectives and understand what the intentions are for each course

2.  Read only materials covered by the notes or course objectives

3.  When reading, underline important facts and concepts--highlighter is preferred

4.  Make flash cards

-Write a summary of key points of what you have read in your own words based on your understanding

-Draw pictures or diagrams to help you understand the concepts

-Produce concept maps (mind maps) to help you understand concepts or ideas

5.  Minimize reading

6.  Maximize doing

*Remember, learning is not about memorizing concepts or ideas BUT understanding the concepts and ideas so that you can use them at a later stage.  Once you are able to comprehend and understand the concepts; your abilities to remember will greatly improved.

*For those of you who are English learners; make effort to build and increase your vocabualry base.  You should make an attempt to learn 10 words per day.  Write English on one side and Khmer interpretration on the opposite side.  Make games out of the them with friends and family members when you have free time.

*Just imagine, 10 words per day x 365 days per year...how many words?  The power of words and reading comprehension are important in understanding all other subject matters; hence, reading is key to your success.

Have fun studying...

Mistaken Identity--A Story about Sean?

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon, Taro’s phone rang whilst all of us including my two brothers, a cousin and three friends were sitting and waiting for our meal at a riverside resort town of Kep Thmei.  

Kep Thmei, also known as KT was our usual leisure place where we congregate and relax after a long week of work.  We come to know the owners and all of the people in the resort by name.  They were genuinely nice people when it comes down to service delivery.  Great foods, excellent ambience, nice looking hostesses, and always that opportunity to jump into the water when ever one feels that it was necessary.  Many of our friends, about fifty others regard this place called Chne Tonle as our second home away from home because we feel a sense of attachment due to the quality of services that we have been receiving.

Taro picks up the phone and voices shouting in a teasing way that his his girlfriend, (The Minister of Interior) is checking up on him.  Taro takes the phone and run to one corner of the room.  We realized after Taro spoke briefly that it was a serious call from our friend, Sean.  From the tele-conversation, we overheard that Sean had requested Taro to get help from a business tycoon of whom Taro’s uncle was a close associate.  Taro panicked, hung up the phone then became dead silent.  “Shit” he shouted…..why Sean?, why Sean?  All of us were numbed and did not really know what was happening.  After a brief moment of anticipation, Taro spoke about Sean and the reasons for his call.   

Taro began by telling us that Sean had been arrested at 2:00pm the day before at the Thai-Cambodian border town of Poipet as he tried to enter Thailand on a short excursion.  With Sean was his newly found companion of whom he recently met after his visit to Siam Reap province, a tourist town that was always filled with tourists who come to see ancient Khmer monuments and the various archeological sites . 

Sean was taken from the border town, blind folded and handcuffed in the dead of night, accompanied by three armed men to Phnom Penh, the capital city situated about 450 kilometers away.  The trip took Sean and the men about  eight hours due to the horrifying road conditions. 

Sean had just arrived in Phnom Penh and locked up at an immigration detention center, when he made the call to Taro.  Emotions ran high, shocked for most of us because we did not know how to react to such case.  Fortunately, after a brief silent; Lee, Taro’s cousin, whose father was a close associate of the business tycoon that Sean had identified as a potential individual to help him out of the detention quickly turned to me; then made a phone call to his father.  After a lengthy discussion, Lee’s father was hesitant because he found out about the seriousness of the case.  Lee’s father was probably afraid of the political implication on his boss; then quickly said that he did not want to get involved.

By this time, we were able to gather that Sean was arrested due to some sorts of political reasons.  We were not given the details of what had happened.  All of us were interested in the truth.  I refused to acknowledge the political reasons for his arrest.  I found it to be absurd and not true.  From what I know of Sean and his family in more than twenty years; they have never been involved with politics.  For Sean, it was his sixth trip to Cambodia because he enjoyed coming back and spent his hard earned money in the mother land.  Most of his activities were out and about Phnom Penh night life, the beaches and the many opportunities to reminisce his childhood memories.

In the back of my mind, I was somewhat furious with Sean because I was supposed to be his first contact in situation like this.  Sean had spent a couple of nights at our house before he left to Siam Reap province, then to the provincial town of Poipet where he was arrested.  On his way to Poipet, Sean called me and told me of how excited he was going there, but never mentioned the short excursion into Thailand.   I would have guessed that he was having an adventure of a life time with a beautiful girl on his side.  Taro became Sean pretty good friend after many late nights at the clubs in and around Phnom Penh.  On the other hand, I was some what considerate and thoughtful that Sean probably did not want me nor my family to be involved or worried about his ordeal.

After a brief discussion among ourselves, we told the resort owner to pack the foods because we did not have time to stay and enjoy our meal.  In my mind, whatever the case maybe, I had to act quickly to mobilize necessary resources to get Sean out of the detention center. 

Myself, my two brothers, and my cousin started to drive back into town.  I had made a couple of calls and found out the exact location of where Pheak was detained.  The sky darkened and became very gloomy.  A down pour ensued.  By the time we got to the immigration detention center, the streets were already flooded.  I, my brother and my cousin had to park and walked in a waist deep sewage water to get to the detention center.

When I arrived at the detention center, an old and run down building half buried by flood water; I requested to see Sean, a detainee from the border town.  The guard insisted that visitors were not allowed because it was a weekend and detainees had not been processed.   The guard also signaled that with a little bit of grease, things were negotiable.  Due to serious nature of the situation, I gave the guard twenty dollars for an opportunity to speak to Sean.  Sean was allowed five minutes.   Unshaven, exhausted and scruffy looking;  he seemed as though he has not had foods in days. 

The first question that Sean asked me was “why are you here and how did know that I am here?” My overall feelings were that of joy that he was alive and somewhat well.  A bit of anger in the back of my mind, but I knew he was too traumatized, scared and unable to comprehend what had happened to him.  For me, the immediate things were to see his condition, find out first hand of what had happened, and understand all of the charges against him.  After five minutes, the guard told me that time had expired that the detainee had to go back in.  I walked away from the brief meeting knowing only that he was detained at the border and taken to Phnom Penh to be processed as a political prisoner on god’s only know charges.  I immediately turned to three other sources for help.  I called an American Embassy to inform them that an American citizen had been illegally detained.  Details about Sean were conveyed to the an American officer and he had promised me that he will visit Sean that evening after the rain has ceased. 

My second plan was to get my good friend who works as an attorney for the Prime Minister, also with extensive government contacts to find out the charges against Sean.  My third source was charged to work with the middle ranking police officials and network at the possibilities of how we can secure Sean’s release.  Political arrests were very serious and typically will result in death.  Therefore, I had to pull all kinds of strings to help my buddy, Sean.

After a couple of hours of investigations, I found out that Sean was charged of manslaughter and involvement with a group called Cambodian Freedom Fighters.  A group with its acronym of CFF and its members were wanted by the government for staging a failed coup against the government.  I was forewarn by my friend who was the lawyer to distance myself from Sean because I could be found guilty by association.

After I heard of the two serious charges; I drove to an Immigration Police Chief’s house after having heard that he had just arrived from Singapore.  The police chief welcomed me into his house because of my relationship with him over the years.  Upon my request, the police chief made a few phone calls to his associates and was informed that Pheak was a “Big Catch”.  Sean was a wanted political opponent that had staged a coup d’etat against the Cambodian government which resulted in more than two hundred deaths. 

I was in shock and could not believe what was happening.  I refused to acknowledge that Pheak could be involved in such acts because he was a total extrovert.  Any thing that he did were discussed at the dinner table.  If the story was true, how can Pheak and his family were able to keep such secret from me, my family and our friends for so long???. 

I chose to believe his innocence because I had complete confidence that Pheak was never involved in those illegal political acts.  Was it a scheme for ransom or was it some thing else? 

The American Embassy called me and requested that I bring Sean’s identification card so that the FBI and CIA can do background check regarding Sean’s involvements with a political organization called Cambodian Freedom Fighters.  Fortunately, Sean had left all of his cards at my house except his passport in which he would always carried it around with him. 

On the fourth day of Sean’s arrest, I got a call from an American Embassy that Sean’s name was identical to a person that the government was looking for.  A master mind behind the failed-coup in early 2001.  From my other source, I was told that Sean had been moved to a different facility to be with the political prisoners.  That same source also told me that there were a couple of options if the price was right and Sean could be released in a matter of days.  On the other hand, I had also been told by the American Embassy that it was difficult to do anything because it can become a diplomatic affairs and may have political implications between the two countries.

I aggressively requested the American consulate to pursue all legal means because I was able to convince her about Sean’s background.  I gave an affidavit to the consulate in support of Sean and his innocence.   Meanwhile, my other sources were telling me to cough up ten thousand dollars for an immediate release.  I was unsure of who to trust at this particular moment.  The only thing that was credible in my mind was the American pressure; but I was not able to determine the extent of what they can do for us.

During the course of the ordeal, I have managed to inform Sean’s family in the USA of what was happening to him.  Once I have heard of the serious news about a potential ransom; I was a bit excited because of the nature of these charges.  Not too many were able to escape political charges.

Meanwhile, Sean managed to bribe the police to make short phone calls to me and informed me of his condition and his where about.  He would tell me that he was given very little foods and been paraded in front of many political prisoners.  The prisoners were asked to identify him as their leader.  Fortunately, none of the prisoners expressed any knowledge of the Sean they saw.

Sean's ordeal has taken myself and family by much surprise.  Despite the prospect of being implicated by associating with Sean; I have made up my mind because I was certain that the Sean that I knew was innocent.

Finally, the story broke.  I got a call from an American Embassy that they have learned that a wanted person by the name of Sean Kim was a Cambodian-American and had extensive political involvements out of California.  Sean Kim, the political activist was married with two children.  A big relief to me because the descriptions did not match any thing of the Sean we knew; except both had the same last name. 

I was overjoyed and immediately called Sean’s mother in the US and informed her about the good news.  I proceeded by calling the Ministry of Interior and found out that they were going to release Sean on conditional basis, but the date had not been set.  Sean will be escorted by a civilian clothes secret police when allowed out of the detention center.  He will be allowed to come home during the day time and must check back to the detention center by nine o’clock night time.  Passport will be kept at an immigration detention center until the case had clearance from the Ministry of Interior (the ministry in charge of home land security).  Sean was to remain inside Cambodia until the US embassy was able to resolve the matter politically.

It had been three week.  I was still edgy, restless, and emotionally drained. Furthermore, I was also weary of the mere fact that I was involved in a situation of such enormity.  A potential legal and political implications by associating with a wanted man was certainly a scary ordeal after all. 

I had to close the front gate of my house early in the evenings to safeguard against secret police and other secret elements that were still investigating the case.  There were many tense moments because we would always felt that I was under some sorts of surveillance.

By the fourth week, Sean dropped in un-expectedly to my house at around five o’clock evening whilst I was having dinner.  I was surprised to see him for the very first time since he was detained.  Sean had lost about twenty pounds and had beard and mustache grown beyond recognition.  Sean ran in and hugged my housemates and whispered “I am glad to be home, I am glad to be home….”  He was in tears.  I could see a defeated man, emotionally drained and a sense of helplessness in his eyes.   He was very dis-oriented even after half an hour in our home.  My housemate hurriedly went to the kitchen and started to prepare more foods for both Sean and his escort.

In our hearts, we were just happy to see him again.  We could not discuss any thing sensitive because we were just afraid and did not know who to trust. 

Sean took a break and went up-stair for a shower.  After a refreshing shower, Sean came down to join us for dinner.  By now, his beard and mustache had been shaven.  One could tell that Seanwas trying very hard to be normal in ways of speech and his actions.  I could clearly see that his hands were still shaking as he tried to hold on to his spoon.  He would speak a couple of phrases and then he would pause silently.  His shaky voice echoed feelings of mental anguish and of one that had been rudimentary traumatized.  He spoke very little about the incidence, but he expressed his feelings of home sick and that he greatly missed his mother and his siblings in USA.  The secret police that escorted Sean sat quietly observing our conversation and from time to time; he would step out of our gate for a cigarette breaks.

After two hours, Sean told us that it was time to go back to the detention center.  I secretly gave Sean some money under the dinner table so that he could use it for various exchanges with the guards.  American dollars can go many miles in places such as Cambodia.  Before, Sean left our home, he told us that he will return within three days.  For me, it was one of the most tense moments that I had experienced because I have never been under surveillance and much scrutiny.  I wanted to ask so much about the details; but I was not able to given the circumstances.

Yes, it was a great opportunity to see him.   The feelings of much anticipation and anxiety actually put all of us in a much more doubts of what could happen to Sean in the days to come.  I was not able to go to sleep that night, because I was extremely worried of the fact that the secret police now knows where I live…..Any thing was possible????  I thought about getting the next flight out to Thailand, but I  finally came to my senses and stayed.  The night was long.  Unfortunately, we had a black out in our neighborhood due to a fire at the power station at around two o’clock in the morning.