Cambodia information center

On the occasion of the visit of H.E. Xie JingPing, Vice President of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia, December 21-22, 2009, both leaders, namely Samdech Akka Moha Sena Pakdei Decho Hun Sen and H.E. Xie JingPing witness the signing of several cooperation documents by relevant ministers. The documents outline further cooperation between the two countries and worth about US$1.2Billion in the form of grant, concessional loan and Preferential Buyer's Credit extended to the Kingdom of Cambodia for some critical projects in developing the country.

She moved to San Jose in early 1980. She now has a professional career as a Knowledge Development Engineer. Raising two beautiful children and overcoming many big changes in her life are among her proudest accomplishments. Despite the distance of time and space from her homeland, her love for Cambodian people and culture is rooted deeply in her heart. At the present, she and her two children are intimately involved in the Cambodian-American community in San Jose, where she volunteers tirelessly in the Khmer Cultural Dance Group.

Public and private K-12 teachers, students, parents, administrators and community members are invited to attend the fourth annual Bay Area Schools Environmental Conference to learn how your school can “go green” with recycling, composting and worm composting; water and energy conservation; and on-site gardening. Discover ways to connect children with nature and other environmental education topics such as solar energy and climate change. Plus, find out how your schools can apply for green program funding. Get inspired by this year’s special keynote speaker, Alec Loorz, youth founder of Kids vs. Global Warming and the youngest trained member of Al Gore’s Climate Project team.

On the occasion of the visit of H.E. Xie JingPing, Vice President of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia, December 21-22, 2009, both leaders, namely Samdech Akka Moha Sena Pakdei Decho Hun Sen and H.E. Xie JingPing witness the signing of several cooperation documents by relevant ministers. The documents outline further cooperation between the two countries and worth about US$1.2Billion in the form of grant, concessional loan and Preferential Buyer's Credit extended to the Kingdom of Cambodia for some critical projects in developing the country.

On the occasion of the visit of H.E. Xie JingPing, Vice President of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia, December 21-22, 2009, both leaders, namely Samdech Akka Moha Sena Pakdei Decho Hun Sen and H.E. Xie JingPing witness the signing of several cooperation documents by relevant ministers. The documents outline further cooperation between the two countries and worth about US$1.2Billion in the form of grant, concessional loan and Preferential Buyer's Credit extended to the Kingdom of Cambodia for some critical projects in developing the country.

For centuries, the Khmers had traditionally celebrated the Pisnokar ( Bisnukara) ceremony before they started doing things like building a house, Touk Gnor ( boat ), an oxcart, , Phleng Boran Khmer (learning traditional Khmer music ), learning martial art e.g., Kun Dambang ( fencing with sticks ) or boxing etc. Regarding other professions like carpentry, blacksmith or jewelry working, the Khmer also believed that the offerings of that kind of ceremony to Pisnokar would bring success to their work or the efficiency to their learning ability. Most of them knew little about the real meaning of Pisnokar. Only through the Khmer legend they believed him as the angelic architect who had the power in the building of Angkor Wat and making the Sacred Sword to the king named Preah Keat Mealea. They also believed that Pisnokar was the Guru's spirit of all Khmer artisans or craftsmen to be received the offerings through " Pithi Reap Pisnokar " ( the ceremony of Pisnokar ).

"Hit me again with that song of love" The most versatile of traditional Cambodian garments, the krama, (a multi-coloured rectangular piece of woven cotton ) is employed this time to create the game of Cha-ol Chhoung. A krama is rolled into a coconut sized ball , with one length left free. This is to allow the players to take the ball and swing it around and then release it high into the air towards the opposition's half. There are two teams-boys versus the girls. The game begins with one of the boys throwing the ball into the air. The girls must catch the ball before it touches the ground. On catching it, she must throw it straight back at the boys- with the aim of hitting one of them. If a boy is hit, he must go into the girls' camp and sing a song. At half-time,, the teams are reversed with the boys doing the catching and the girls doing the throwing and singing. A game of Cha-ol Chhoung always draws a large audience keen to hear the humourously improvised songs. te

The angkunh is a fruit that grows on trees found in the provinces of Stung Treng and Kratie. It is round with two flat sides and a diameter of about six centimetres. When ripe, it has a hard skin and turns the colour of mahogany. The game of angkunk requires several players with two mixed teams of young boys and girls. Each participant takes turn to throw the fruit, frizbee or free style, into the opponent's area- a triangle made from three angkunh stuck into the ground. A goal is scored when a player knocks over all the angkunhs or when an angkunh lands in the triangle. The victor wins the right to gently tap the loser's bent knee with the two flat sides of the fruit-the sound of which is a source of much amusement.

Before we used to THNGAI MUOY ROUCH or THNGAI MUOY KOEUT, we used RONOUCH and KHNOEUT according to the Chanda Gita (the movement of the moon). Today, we use the elements of the Solar System to name the days of the week. This kind of counting is the Suriya Gita way. 1st day = ADITYA (Read: Atit) Sunday - Sun Color KRAHAM HKCHEI or KRAHAM CHHAS (Dark red or light red) 2nd day = CHANDA (Read: Chant) Monday - Moon Color LOEUNG TUM (Orange or Yellow-Orange) 3rd day = ANGARA (Read: Ankear) Tuesday - Mars Color SVAY (Purple, Violet, Mauve) 4th day = BUDH (Read: Put) Wednesday - Mercury Color SILEAP (Green-Yellow) 5th day = BRAHASPTI (Read: Prahos) Thursday - Jupiter Color TROUY CHEK-BAI-TANG KHCHEI (Green or Light Green) 6th day = SOKRA (Read: Sok) Friday - Venus Color = KHIEV (Blue or Dark Blue) 7th day = Sao-Sunday-Saturn Color PRING TUM )Color of Jambolan Plum or Crimson) These days have different powers on the life of the living things on Earth. So everything is done according to these da

Before we used to THNGAI MUOY ROUCH or THNGAI MUOY KOEUT, we used RONOUCH and KHNOEUT according to the Chanda Gita (the movement of the moon). Today, we use the elements of the Solar System to name the days of the week. This kind of counting is the Suriya Gita way. 1st day = ADITYA (Read: Atit) Sunday - Sun Color KRAHAM HKCHEI or KRAHAM CHHAS (Dark red or light red) 2nd day = CHANDA (Read: Chant) Monday - Moon Color LOEUNG TUM (Orange or Yellow-Orange) 3rd day = ANGARA (Read: Ankear) Tuesday - Mars Color SVAY (Purple, Violet, Mauve) 4th day = BUDH (Read: Put) Wednesday - Mercury Color SILEAP (Green-Yellow) 5th day = BRAHASPTI (Read: Prahos) Thursday - Jupiter Color TROUY CHEK-BAI-TANG KHCHEI (Green or Light Green) 6th day = SOKRA (Read: Sok) Friday - Venus Color = KHIEV (Blue or Dark Blue) 7th day = Sao-Sunday-Saturn Color PRING TUM )Color of Jambolan Plum or Crimson) These days have different powers on the life of the living things on Earth. So everything is done according to these da

WE had adopted two types of months: Chanda Gati and Suriya Gati. The first one was from Pre-Angkorian Era and the second one was started during the late Nineteenth Century or at the beginning of the Twelve Century. a. Chanda Gati (Read Chan-teak Kakte) = Luna Months. This lunar month is used according to the Moon movement around the earth. This kind of months used RKSA (read Rik). In Chanda Gati, there are no angels to measure the space traveled by the moon. They only called that space NAKSATRA RKSA (read: Neak-Ksat-Rik). Rksa means many things: ·Khlar Khmum (bear) ·Svar Angkot (money with short or no tail) ·Pkay Pkrapeu (name of the North Stars) ·Pkay Nubkros (the Nine Planets) ·Pel Mean Chork-Mangkol-Serey (Lucky, Successful Day, etc.) We count them like this: 1st month: Mika-Se, or Mika-Se Rksa or Rksa Kdann (Deer) = 29 days 2nd month: Bos or bos-Rksa or Rksa Kda:m (CRAB) = 30 days 3rd month: Meak or Meak-Rksa or Rksa Svar Pream (Monkey) = 29 days, etc. The 5th month: Chaet or Chaet

I think everybody know and understand about the date of the Khmer New Year but many people do not know why we take the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April as the beginning of the New Year. This is not a very hard question to answer if we answer this three questions: What is the time concept of the Khmer people? When did we start to use it? How do we count time? Before I talk about these things, I would like to mention that: Khmer New Year is not a religious or Buddhist celebration (Bon Put SaS-NA), even though, most Khmer people go to the pagoda at that time and give food to the monk, do Poun Phnom Ksach ceremony, etc. All of these do not mean that Khmer New Year is a Buddhist celebration. There is a big difference between a traditional ceremony and a religious ceremony or a Buddhist ceremony. Some traditional ceremonies are religious ceremonies also but not all are religious, as in the case of the Khmer New Year.

Should we consider the " unthinkable " as we use to think : it is not really important, before we go to the big stuff like Patriotism, Revolution etc...and ... etc., ? For me... I used to observe in many occasions how the Khmer majority use their time. In order to really understand their real identity I try to see their reaction towards time and their time-consuming by working with the REAL Khmer. The reason I take this problem to the forum is to find out why TIME is a problem for the Khmer(s) ? and how we can help and correct it ? According to my observation ( not all Khmers but the majority) TIME is not really "clear " and its application has no precision if we compare it to others, especially the Europeans. The Khmer-time is "ELASTIC". This means that not all the Khmers are careless about time but if we try to see " how the Khmers in majority use the time in their own way " we will notice many... This writing is divided into two parts.The firs

Once upon a time, when legends were still young and magic walked the earth, there was a very powerful God named Kapila who lived in the paradise of Brahma. One day, he decided that he would like to set a test for his disciple the Bodhisattva Thomobal (formerly an incarnation of the Buddha), and asked him to solve three parbols. If he couldn't find the answer before seven days and seven nights, Thomobal would be decapitated. If he could solve them, then it would be Kapila's head that would be on the block. On the sixth day Thomobal, in a state of great agitation, not yet having discovered the answers to the three parabols, happened to see two eagles talking about the enigmas. Hidden from their view, he was able to eavesdrop on the eagles' conversation and so discovered the answers to his quest. He immediately returned to Kapila and told him his news. On hearing this, Kanila, being a worthy and honourable God, wasted no time in arranging his own decapitation, as agreed. But i

Once upon a time, when legends were still young and magic walked the earth, there was a very powerful God named Kapila who lived in the paradise of Brahma. One day, he decided that he would like to set a test for his disciple the Bodhisattva Thomobal (formerly an incarnation of the Buddha), and asked him to solve three parbols. If he couldn't find the answer before seven days and seven nights, Thomobal would be decapitated. If he could solve them, then it would be Kapila's head that would be on the block. On the sixth day Thomobal, in a state of great agitation, not yet having discovered the answers to the three parabols, happened to see two eagles talking about the enigmas. Hidden from their view, he was able to eavesdrop on the eagles' conversation and so discovered the answers to his quest. He immediately returned to Kapila and told him his news. On hearing this, Kanila, being a worthy and honourable God, wasted no time in arranging his own decapitation, as agreed. But i

We thank Mrs. Dean, Mr. Phim, and Mrs. Pok for their time and talents to pass along their knowledge to our young generation. We also thank Mrs. Yean for her willingness to volunteer time with the group. Although she has no knowledge of dance, we always can count on her. These are her words: "Helping the Cambodian children find their roots through the culture adds more than words can say to them while they are growing in the western civilization. If I don't help now, who will? If more of us help, then more of the youngsters learn who we are as Khmer." Mrs. Chamroeun Yean graduated as school teacher in Phnom Penh right at the 1975 fallback, came to the USA in late 1979, is living with her two children in San Jose.

San Jose Police Department for Crime prevention in Cambodia

Located at Svay Chrum Village, Kan Tout Commune, Choam Ksan District, on the mountain rank of Dang Rek (Preah Vihear mountain is 800 Meters x 400 Meters). The mountain has very steep side from Cambodia and gently sloping side from Thailand. Preah Vihear temple has 405-Kilometer distance from Phnom Penh or 108-Kilometerdistance from the provincial town of Preah Vihear by road No 211 to the Choam Ksan District. At the mountain of Dang Rek, there is a stair stretching up the top where the Preah Vihear temple located. Nowadays, most local people and venders usually go up the mountain by the Road C1 because it is easy to go. Preah Vihear temple is the historical site named “Se Khari Svarak” means “power of mountain” and was built at the end of 9th century and at the beginning of 10th century by four Kings namely: Preah Bat Yak So Varman I from AD 889-910. Preah Bat Sorya Varman I from AD 1002-1050 Preah Bat Sorya Varman II from AD 1113-1150 Preah Bat Chey Varman VI from AD 1080-1109. Preah

those "beasts" you call wolves were created by God himself. WE are the creatures that have all the flaws. Wolves kill to survive, people kill with no mercy and no compassion. wolves rotting in cages is an inhumane statement, why don't we let our ppl rot in cages? After all not only are we killing ourselves we're also killing everything around us on God's green earth. How about a smith and wesson to keep us all safe ? she was attack by a pack of wolves,animal that have no soul,no mercy,no compassion,no conscience,a bunch of ignorant beast,let them all rott in cages,they are not fit to walk on god green earth among god

I'm going insane,i need a moment of silent prayer for the deceased,how i wish i could be there for her,she's Cambodian that's all that matter to me,my own mother attended her funeral,the lord be with her,compfort her in his loving embrace,she is a child of god,we live in the valley of death,i could only wonder who's next ?

The Cambodian Literacy School of San Jose has been in existence for nearly 20 years. A few Cambodian community volunteers and their associates initiated it. Among the earliest pioneers were Mr. Kas Thon and Mr. Ouk Sophorp. They both were instrumental in organizing this organization. They recognized the needs of the community and acted on it. In late 1999, Mr. Ouk's health presented many challenges to him, which ultimately forced him to resign. However, he continues to serve as a substitute, mentor, and advisor. Later, Mr. Sarit Bay and his wife, Sophany Bay, joined the team. Under their leadership and direction and with the assistance of many volunteers, the program rose to a new height. After Mr. and Mrs. Bay resigned in early 2000, Bophal Phen assumed the lead responsibility. The assistance of Mr. Kas Thon, a senior teacher and advisor, has helped transformed Khmer Literacy School to formalize a new structure.

Currently, this program has over 100 students and continues to increase every week. The primary goal is to teach children and young adults to speak, read and write Cambodian, as many are beginning to lose their native tongues. Secondly, to preserve and educate Cambodian-Americans about culture, tradition and values, self-identity, history, and literature. More importantly, this program aims to close generation gap by establishing an improved ways of communication between parents and children. In order to satisfy these goals, staff and volunteers have worked meticulously to re-design and tailor the curriculum to meet and accommodate all socio-economic backgrounds. Teachers are continuously trained and encouraged to adapt to new and improved systematic approach of delivering the lessons in a more fun and interactive style. Further, multiple subjects (history, geography, music, sports, etc) are being re-enforced so students will maximize their time. Mannerism is also incorporated in each

Assisting Cambodian parents and children to overcome their language and cultural barriers, Bridging their intergenerational gap, and Strengthening their families. The Cambodian School is a community group that is run by a team of Cambodian teachers, parents, and volunteers. This School is dedicated to providing services that bridge the intergenerational gap between Cambodian parents and children of recent refugee/ immigrant families. Our projects are designed to assist them to overcome their language and cultural barriers and to strengthen their families. Since the early 1990’s, we have been serving hundreds of Cambodian and non- Cambodian students aged 7 to late 20’s throughout the County of Santa Clara.

Cambodian Saturday School offers free literacy classes every Saturday. If you are interested in learning to read and write in Khmer, just walk in. Everyone is welcome!. We are curently looking for a facility.

Seven beautiful Cambodian ladies dressed in vibrant color pamoung for seven days of the week:Sunday - Red, Monday - Yellow-Orange, Tuesday - Purple, Wednesday - Mustard-Green, Thursday - Green, Friday - Blue, Saturday - Burgundy For special occasion, Cambodians believe that choosing the right color of clothes in accordance with its color chart will bring good luck and happiness.

Chhayam features the long-drum (skor chhayam), clashing hand-held cymbals, wooden clackers (Krab), and other noisemakers made of commonly found materials. The performers show off in comic masks and exaggerated hair styles and make-up. Communal and spontaneous, the combination of drumming, comic exhibitions, and animated vernacular call-and-response vocals (at times nonsensical) are characteristics of Chhayam

A scene where Daun Phann tricked TEAV to marry someone elseIn the previous scene, Tum and Teav were married by the king. The couple was happy together. However, Daun Phnan, Teav's mother, strongly disagreed with the king's decision. She prefers Teav to be married to a wealthy person for it is in her best interest. She sent Teav a faked letter stating her severe health condition and wishes to see her daughter. She slowly learned her presence is requested for an arranged marriage that her mother had set up. She was to be married to Meun Nguon, the son of a regional governor, Auh-Choun. She later discovered her mother had "tricked" her. For it is the only way to manifest true love in the presence of the villagers. The test proved the couple remains faithful to one another. They were tragically separated. Tum was battered by Auh-Choun and was taken away to be executed. This TUM-TEAV sad scene, reminds us of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliette story

"Savoda Khmer" or "Khmer Remembrance song" is written by Mr. Nuon Kan (well known Khmer poet). This poem reminds all Khmer, young and old, domestic and abroad, to remember their roots and origin. It further describes its geography, rich natural resources, Angkorian history, culture and tradition, architect, and many more. It is a well-known fact for many centuries.

Seven beautiful Cambodian ladies dressed in vibrant color pamoung for seven days of the week:Sunday - Red, Monday - Yellow-Orange, Tuesday - Purple, Wednesday - Mustard-Green, Thursday - Green, Friday - Blue, Saturday - Burgundy For special occasion, Cambodians believe that choosing the right color of clothes in accordance with its color chart will bring good luck and happiness.

Robam Koah Trah Lauk: This Classical dance describes the beauty of Khmer woman. The music and the melodic song narrated her uncompromising beauty and compare it to a golden flower. Although she is practical and strong, she is also admirable and soft. This dance brings out all of which true beauty is.

Depicts the story of three students, Moni Mekala, Ream-Ea-So and prince Vora-chhun, who received lessons from one teacher, Moni-Ey-Sey. The teacher had given each of them specialized weapons before their departure. Ream-Ea-So was a bad giant who seeks to steal the other's weapons to be top in his class. He kills prince Vora-chhun for his Sword, and is trying to kill Moni Mekala for her Crystal ball. Moni Mekala is not only beautiful, but is also powerful. She fights her battle bravely with Ream-Ea-So. While attempting to take possession of the Crystal ball from Moni Mekala, Ream-Ea-So throws his Arch in an attempt to kill her. To prevent this, she throws her Crystal ball up to make the thunder's flame, blinding Ream-Ea-So and defeats him at the scene.

This Classical dance describes the beauty of Khmer woman. The music and the melodic song narrated her uncompromising beauty and compare it to a golden flower. Although she is practical and strong, she is also admirable and soft. This dance brings out all of which true beauty is.

Robam Meh Am Bao: It illustrates a story of bug busters working diligently to maintain the garden and keeping unwanted bugs away. At same time, a group of young female butterflies flying and singing in the garden as they look for pollen to extract. To their surprise, the butterflies are quietly caught by the bug busters. They try to convince the bug busters to release them by claiming they were just "beautifying" the garden.

This dance is a Khmer Classical dance describing the beauty of young ladies in their elegant costumes performing beautiful Khmer dance. This dance reminds the Khmer people of the rich culture that has been kept and nourished through generations, and it is a well known among the neighboring countries.

Thousands of people attended this holiday observance featuring blessings by Buddhist monks, traditional new year games, Cambodian fashion show, Khmer rememberance Song, the cultural dance performances and the public were warmly welcomed. This year the day-long community celebration began at 9:00 AM with Buddhist monks in saffron robes chanting and performing the New Year Blessings ceremony. The blessing is followed by a display of traditional Cambodian games for adults and children. These daytime festivities are an opportunity to participate in the rich cultural heritage of the Khmer people making a new home in this country and are free to all comers. In addition, there will also be a host of vendors displaying their arts and crafts and other Cambodian products. The evening cultural program begins at 5:30 PM and will feature several performances of Khmer classical ballet and folk dance; folk and classical music as well as modern performances.

Samdech Hun Sen re-visited the Hydro-electric Power Station Kirirum I, Kompong Speu.

Cambodian Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen (center-R) and Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (center-L) pose with Thai and Cambodian cabinet ministers at the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, May 31, 2003. Thailand and Cambodia held a joint cabinet meeting in the Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap in a very public display of a their patched-up friendship.

Cambodia King Norodom Sihanouk (R) and Queen Monineath give a traditional greeting as people celebrate the Water Festival along the Mekong River in Phnom Penh Saturday. The race is an important part of an annual three-day festival, which sees tens of thousands visit the capital from the countryside for the festivities and included the 50th anniversary of the country's independence.

Nearly 2,000 Buddhists from 15 nations gathered in Cambodia on Thursday to call for an end to terrorism and the cycle of retaliation and revenge. Kyuse Enshinjoh, president of the World Buddhist Conference, said going to war to combat terror was ultimately self-defeating. "Retaliation...will only lead to yet another act of revenge and the start of the vicious circle," Enshinjoh, founder of Japan's Nenbutsushu Buddhist sect, told delegates from countries as diverse as Japan, Australia, Myanmar, Russia and Thailand. "Peace can never be achieved by force. Retaliation follows retaliation, and its chain reaction is occurring in many places throughout the world today. It is obvious that such actions will never lead us to peace."

Cambodia King Norodom Sihanouk (L) and Queen Monineth wave to the crowd upon their arrival at the annual boat racing festival in Phnom Penh, October 30, 2001.The ailing King will celebrate his 79th birthday on Wednesday.

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk touches the hands of school-children at the end of an independence day ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,Friday, Nov. 9, 2001. Cambodiacelebrated its 48th anniversary of independence from France in 1953, with the King asking for Cambodia's neighbors, Vietnam and Thailand to respect his country's borders.

King Norodom Sihanouk speaks to reporters at a ceremony in Phnom Penh to celebrate Cambodia's Independence Day November 9, 2001. The ceremony at Phnom Penh'sIndependence Monument was attended by Sihanouk, 79,government officials, foreign diplomats and thousands offlag-waving school-children. Cambodia achievedindependence from French colonial rule on November 9, 1953.

King Norodom Sihanouk, center, waves during a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of Cambodia's independence from France, in Phnom Penh Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003. Opposition party leader Sam Rainsy is seen at right and Prime Minister Hun Sen is seen at left.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met with French President Jacques Chirac on Monday, 19 September 05, as part of a 10-day overseas tour. Samdech Hun Sen was expected to sign agreements on bilateral cooperation with France and to ask the French government to appoint its judges for a proposed genocide tribunal for surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge, a presidential adviser said. The Cambodian prime minister was due to meet with French business leaders Tuesday before leaving on Wednesday, according to the AP. Samdech Hun Sen arrived in France on Saturday, after taking part in the Sept. 14-16 World Summit at the United Nations in New York.

Buddhist monks at pagodas across Cambodia have been asked to chant and play traditional music to mark this week's coronation of new King Norodom Sihamoni, an official statement said on Monday.Three days of celebrations surrounding the coronation of the 51-year-old king, an ex-ballet dancer and cultural diplomat, will begin on Thursday, with a formal ceremony attended by top officials and ambassadors slated for Friday.King Sihamoni was appointed by a panel earlier this month, a week after the shock abdication of his father Norodom Sihanouk. The pair returned home from Beijing on Wednesday last week to a huge welcome in the capital.

Khmer cultural dance classes of the Santa Clara valley is an on-going CARA project directed by Mrs. Chamroeun Yean. With strong support from parents and the communities, our children have been once again beautifully trained and are ready for another performance showcase during the upcoming Cambodian New Year 2003. Among the staff members who make the weekly training happen on every Friday evening are Mrs. Leslie Kim as coordinator, Mrs. Savary Dean as professional dance staff, Mss. Sinoun Buth & Mrs. Raline Von-Buelow as assistant dance staff and a rotating schedule of dedicated parents. Thank you everyone for lending your time and talent so that our children can learn the essential arts of our culture. They will treasure the knowledge learned for the rest of their lives. The cultural dances performances for the Cambodian New Year 2003 as the following:

The report that follows was prepared by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1980. It is significant in that it was probably the first methodical attempt to analyze the statistical impact of the Khmer Rouge reign. Time has shown that this report has serious flaws, most notably the complete lack of any discussion of the purges of 1977 and 1978. Some scholars (particularly Michael Vickery) have suggested that this omission represented a deliberate attempt to whitewash the Khmer Rouge, to justify U.S. opposition to the government installed by the Vietnamese invasion. Readers of the report may judge for themselves whether or not this is a plausible explanation. In any event, the report should not be construed as the final word on the demographics of communist Cambodia. However, it may prove useful as a point for further research and discussion. More recent analyses of the demographic impact of the Khmer Rouge regime can be found in the articles Counting Hell and The Numb

Is It Worth It and for Whom?A Public Discussion held in Phnom Penh, 17 November 2004 Editor's Note: We would like to thank Samantha Brown of Agence France-Presse and Youk Chhang and the Documentation Center of Cambodia for providing this transcript, and to DCC volunteer Isaac Tabor. The transcript of this taped discussion has been edited because of lapses in the audio quality and to omit certain redundancies that come with extemporaneous speaking (indicated by .). Transcribed by Documentation Center of Cambodia volunteer Isaac Tabor. Michelle Vachon: Thank you very much for coming. My name is Michelle Vachon; our moderator tonight is Rachel Snyder; she's been a writer for 10 years and edited First They Killed My Father. She relocated to Cambodia about a year ago and . is working on another book on the garment industry that will be called A Journey through the Parts of Denim. She has also written for National Geographic, American Heritage and Rolling Stone. Rachel Snyder: The t

In many districts visited by Documentation Center mapping teams, additional genocide sites are believed to exist, some of which are reputed to be very large, but could not be surveyed by the team due to a variety of unfavorable conditions ranging from security concerns, inclement environmental conditions, or scheduling problems. Thus, there exist many more additional sites in districts already visited than are currently reflected in the raw data. Moreover, in many cases for sites actually surveyed, for a variety of reasons, the team made no attempt to estimate the actual number of mass grave pits, and therefore those sites are recorded as containing zero mass grave pits and zero victims. (We will return to this question below, under the topic of limitations of the data.) Thus, the raw count of more than twenty-thousand mass graves remains a conservative estimate, even for the 150 districts at least partially mapped to date.Tables 1 and 2 show that mass grave mapping teams have located