True Tales of Days Gone By ~ UNTAC recollections
CAMBODIA INTERLUDE
Tom’s narrative brought back many memories. He was perhaps too kind in some of his assessment but I found little to disagree with….minor discrepancy though:
The UNTAC women murdered in Siem Reap happened on the night of Jan. 12 or early am on Jan. 13 1993. I clearly heard the gunfire from my residence on the southern edge of Banteay Srai District.
Early the next morning I was told that two of our people had been killed. It wasn’t until I arrived at provincial HQ that I was informed that Ty Sary had been killed.
I helped her get the job with UNTAC and in a sense put her where she was that night.
She worried about me as my district was said to be very dangerous. She nevertheless asked me to have her transferred to my office. The main reason I didn’t do so was because I was sure to give in to the temptation. I was determined not to abuse the power of my position.
Tom will certainly attest to the power of being an unmarried man in a society where women over age eighteen outnumbered men two to one, and the few available men were often amputees. Being an unattached man who tried to maintain principles increased the rarity.
Things were going on in her district that never came to light. The sexual shenanigans of UNTAC, especially the CIV/POL caused a level of animosity against us by the local population. In her village, Siem Reap District Capital, the CIV/POL had become “engaged” to local girls who had been involved with the village police/militia.
Some of the young women believed they were genuinely engaged to the CIV/POL from Ghana. Many locals saw through the ruse and recognized the power of the UNTAC daily stipend of $145.
In the weeks prior to the attack a UNV stationed there was accused of raping a young woman working in the office. An “internal investigation” ordered by the Provincial Electoral Supervisor and conducted by a fellow UNV who shared the nationality of the accused found no evidence of guilt.
The night of the attack the outposts of the village police/militia were vacant for the first and only time of the UNTAC mission. The UNTAC Electoral office was destroyed, as was the residence of the Japanese CIVPOL, who happened to be out of the country on R&R.
Gunmen entered the residence of the Ghana CIV/POL where they found one under a bed. He was ordered out and as he lay on the floor shots were fired and the UNTAC CIV/POL had his thumb hot off.
There was apparently no intention of killing anyone. Had murder been the intent the carnage would have been complete.
The two UNTAC women were inadvertently killed when a gunman sprayed their tent with his AK-47.
This was further borne out when during the two-day memorial at the pagoda (wat), villagers told the parents of Hang Vicheth “the reason your daughter was killed was because the drunkest soldier stood by her tent”.
Although a sea of landmines stood between the village and the nearest KR base, the Khmer Rouge became the convenient scapegoat.
The UNV accused of rape was temporarily removed from his post and sent to register voters in a refugee camp in Thailand. He continued to receive his monthly allowance, and since he was temporarily reassigned from his duty station he received the daily $145 stipend; not a bad bonus for an accused rapist.
In an almost ghoulish fashion the coffins holding the bodies were replenished with ice while the funeral was delayed for several days to allow Akashi to be present. I was not a fan of Mr. Akashi and in fact had penned a letter to the editor of the Phnom Penh Post in response to his “boys will be boys” speech referred to by Tom in his book.
Perhaps it was brought to the attention of Mr. Akashi that the author of the letter had a special relationship with Ty Sary, another victim of the sexual license afforded by Akashi’s policy.
Mr. Akashi failed to appear at the funeral. In his place came Dr. Reginald Austin, head of the Electoral Component. Dr. Austin’s presence gave a dignity and respect that could be afforded by no other.
The election came off as planned, good media coverage, great photo ops, and the UN awarded itself laurels and accolades.
“The United Nation’s Finest Hour” said Boutros Boutros Gali.
The UNTAC Mission made many rich, established many in careers and ill-gotten glory, and left millions of trusting Cambodians in the clutches of the same evil where they had been in the first place.
But what can you expect for $3 billion?
Bert Hoak UNV
[email protected]
Tom’s narrative brought back many memories. He was perhaps too kind in some of his assessment but I found little to disagree with….minor discrepancy though:
The UNTAC women murdered in Siem Reap happened on the night of Jan. 12 or early am on Jan. 13 1993. I clearly heard the gunfire from my residence on the southern edge of Banteay Srai District.
Early the next morning I was told that two of our people had been killed. It wasn’t until I arrived at provincial HQ that I was informed that Ty Sary had been killed.
I helped her get the job with UNTAC and in a sense put her where she was that night.
She worried about me as my district was said to be very dangerous. She nevertheless asked me to have her transferred to my office. The main reason I didn’t do so was because I was sure to give in to the temptation. I was determined not to abuse the power of my position.
Tom will certainly attest to the power of being an unmarried man in a society where women over age eighteen outnumbered men two to one, and the few available men were often amputees. Being an unattached man who tried to maintain principles increased the rarity.
Things were going on in her district that never came to light. The sexual shenanigans of UNTAC, especially the CIV/POL caused a level of animosity against us by the local population. In her village, Siem Reap District Capital, the CIV/POL had become “engaged” to local girls who had been involved with the village police/militia.
Some of the young women believed they were genuinely engaged to the CIV/POL from Ghana. Many locals saw through the ruse and recognized the power of the UNTAC daily stipend of $145.
In the weeks prior to the attack a UNV stationed there was accused of raping a young woman working in the office. An “internal investigation” ordered by the Provincial Electoral Supervisor and conducted by a fellow UNV who shared the nationality of the accused found no evidence of guilt.
The night of the attack the outposts of the village police/militia were vacant for the first and only time of the UNTAC mission. The UNTAC Electoral office was destroyed, as was the residence of the Japanese CIVPOL, who happened to be out of the country on R&R.
Gunmen entered the residence of the Ghana CIV/POL where they found one under a bed. He was ordered out and as he lay on the floor shots were fired and the UNTAC CIV/POL had his thumb hot off.
There was apparently no intention of killing anyone. Had murder been the intent the carnage would have been complete.
The two UNTAC women were inadvertently killed when a gunman sprayed their tent with his AK-47.
This was further borne out when during the two-day memorial at the pagoda (wat), villagers told the parents of Hang Vicheth “the reason your daughter was killed was because the drunkest soldier stood by her tent”.
Although a sea of landmines stood between the village and the nearest KR base, the Khmer Rouge became the convenient scapegoat.
The UNV accused of rape was temporarily removed from his post and sent to register voters in a refugee camp in Thailand. He continued to receive his monthly allowance, and since he was temporarily reassigned from his duty station he received the daily $145 stipend; not a bad bonus for an accused rapist.
In an almost ghoulish fashion the coffins holding the bodies were replenished with ice while the funeral was delayed for several days to allow Akashi to be present. I was not a fan of Mr. Akashi and in fact had penned a letter to the editor of the Phnom Penh Post in response to his “boys will be boys” speech referred to by Tom in his book.
Perhaps it was brought to the attention of Mr. Akashi that the author of the letter had a special relationship with Ty Sary, another victim of the sexual license afforded by Akashi’s policy.
Mr. Akashi failed to appear at the funeral. In his place came Dr. Reginald Austin, head of the Electoral Component. Dr. Austin’s presence gave a dignity and respect that could be afforded by no other.
The election came off as planned, good media coverage, great photo ops, and the UN awarded itself laurels and accolades.
“The United Nation’s Finest Hour” said Boutros Boutros Gali.
The UNTAC Mission made many rich, established many in careers and ill-gotten glory, and left millions of trusting Cambodians in the clutches of the same evil where they had been in the first place.
But what can you expect for $3 billion?
Bert Hoak UNV
[email protected]
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- Miguelito
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Sir Felger, I don't think you ever posted these stories. Now that you're back contributing regularly and as a mod, perhaps you'll find time?Felgerkarb wrote: ↑Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:48 pmOt Mean Loi wrote:Then we are reading this very differently.
So be it.
And civility has been maintained even if diametrically opposed views expressed.
Ot Mean Loi
I will have to get around to posting a few of my minefield stories...after the bile in my throat clears.
I'm with you, OML.
- KampongThomas
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I gave up. There was no topic or forum discipline. Just detractors and near or actual congenital idiots determined to derail the topic. Smart arsed comments do not equal actual personal experiences or recollections of those times.
Then the "Consolidation" of postings by a former owner distorted things.
So now I mainly, but not entirely, refrain from posting on this forum.
Now I am actively involved in helping Cambodians in need in different ways and just spent part of January 2020 doing just that with an outstanding medical group of Khmer-Americans with very high medical/surgical skills/dental/pharmacy/ophthalmology/ gyno obs etc in so many medical areas of expertise at Kg Speu. To have over 400 poor, rural Cambodians waiting for you, and the others in the team, at 06:45 am daily shows you are needed and welcomed.
It's the future of Cambodia that matters now and should be of interest. The past is passed and I've moved on and am involved in the present. So be it. I'm getting older and not sure how much longer I can keep doing this. It's demanding
OML
Then the "Consolidation" of postings by a former owner distorted things.
So now I mainly, but not entirely, refrain from posting on this forum.
Now I am actively involved in helping Cambodians in need in different ways and just spent part of January 2020 doing just that with an outstanding medical group of Khmer-Americans with very high medical/surgical skills/dental/pharmacy/ophthalmology/ gyno obs etc in so many medical areas of expertise at Kg Speu. To have over 400 poor, rural Cambodians waiting for you, and the others in the team, at 06:45 am daily shows you are needed and welcomed.
It's the future of Cambodia that matters now and should be of interest. The past is passed and I've moved on and am involved in the present. So be it. I'm getting older and not sure how much longer I can keep doing this. It's demanding
OML
OML,
I thank you for yours posts and your sharing of past and present events.
Much Respect.
Kev.
I thank you for yours posts and your sharing of past and present events.
Much Respect.
Kev.
I refuse to go out with nothing more than a whimper followed by a small farting sound and a shit stain on my bed sheets..
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
- Lucky Lucan
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I had a look through and, unless many were deleted it seems most of the comments were overwhelmingly positive and mostly on topic - some discussed other time frames. Still easily the best historical thread ever on here so thanks for the contributions Ot Mean Loi, Chris K, Karmageddon and others.Ot Mean Loi wrote: ↑Sat Feb 01, 2020 12:52 pmI gave up. There was no topic or forum discipline. Just detractors and near or actual congenital idiots determined to derail the topic. Smart arsed comments do not equal actual personal experiences or recollections of those times.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
- violet
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Do you have a succession plan? Would you like assistance formulating and implementing one?Ot Mean Loi wrote: ↑Sat Feb 01, 2020 12:52 pmI gave up. There was no topic or forum discipline. Just detractors and near or actual congenital idiots determined to derail the topic. Smart arsed comments do not equal actual personal experiences or recollections of those times.
Then the "Consolidation" of postings by a former owner distorted things.
So now I mainly, but not entirely, refrain from posting on this forum.
Now I am actively involved in helping Cambodians in need in different ways and just spent part of January 2020 doing just that with an outstanding medical group of Khmer-Americans with very high medical/surgical skills/dental/pharmacy/ophthalmology/ gyno obs etc in so many medical areas of expertise at Kg Speu. To have over 400 poor, rural Cambodians waiting for you, and the others in the team, at 06:45 am daily shows you are needed and welcomed.
It's the future of Cambodia that matters now and should be of interest. The past is passed and I've moved on and am involved in the present. So be it. I'm getting older and not sure how much longer I can keep doing this. It's demanding
OML
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
- Plutarch
- Plutarch
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Thank you scoffer.
At the risk of derailing a thread I started long ago and changing it's direction from 1992/93 to January 2020. I have several outstanding memories from the time I spent with the Cambodian Health Professionals Association of America, CPHAA, 10th mission to Cambodia which, for 2020 was based on the Kg Speu Provincial Referral Hospital.
Firstly, the professionalism and qualifications and wide experience of these medical professionals, predominantly, but not entirely, Khmer-Americans, who had been able to get from the squalid Cambodia/Thai refugee border camps of Kho I Dang and Site 1, etc., to the USA and pass through the American education system and graduate from medical schools in so many medical disciplines.
Their commitment and devotion to Cambodians from all walks of life could not be faulted or bettered. It was exemplary and all pro bono.
But two instances really stand out for me. Although working with the ophthalmic team, I had occasion very early one morning to take a patient requiring cataract surgery to Registration. In walks a small Khmer woman, very obviously heavily pregnant, who immediately announces to me and all at registration - my waters have broken, my contractions have begun but as a mother I know that something is wrong with this delivery. How right she was. The Obstetrics and Gynecology staff immediately took charge of her and confirmed that her maternal instincts were correct. She had two previous children, the child she was carrying was in a "breach" position and could not be turned. Within the hour she had received a "C" section and was the proud mother of her third child. One of only three children delivered by the obs team.
My second sad memory is that of a nine year old girl. More or less dumped on me at 06:45 AM one morning. It was quickly established by the ophthalmologists that she was needlessly permanently blind in both eyes due to damage to the optic nerve due to elevated intra ocular pressure (IOP) in both eyes since birth. A condition known variously as neonatal glaucoma or congenital glaucoma. In any developed country her IOP would have been checked with in a day or two of birth and simple remedial action taken using, for example, Alcon Travatan Eye Drops, to immediately lower her IOP and save any damage to her optic nerve in both eyes. At a later date, say at age seven years, she could have had an operation known as a Trabeculotomy and she would have had normal sight for the rest of her life. But not in Cambodia if you are rural poor. She was totally alone for the whole day until collected at about 4pm. Terribly sad and so needlessly blind poor girl. All I could do for her was to make sure she got some food and water and to keep moving her out of the sun during the day.
But enough is enough.
OML
At the risk of derailing a thread I started long ago and changing it's direction from 1992/93 to January 2020. I have several outstanding memories from the time I spent with the Cambodian Health Professionals Association of America, CPHAA, 10th mission to Cambodia which, for 2020 was based on the Kg Speu Provincial Referral Hospital.
Firstly, the professionalism and qualifications and wide experience of these medical professionals, predominantly, but not entirely, Khmer-Americans, who had been able to get from the squalid Cambodia/Thai refugee border camps of Kho I Dang and Site 1, etc., to the USA and pass through the American education system and graduate from medical schools in so many medical disciplines.
Their commitment and devotion to Cambodians from all walks of life could not be faulted or bettered. It was exemplary and all pro bono.
But two instances really stand out for me. Although working with the ophthalmic team, I had occasion very early one morning to take a patient requiring cataract surgery to Registration. In walks a small Khmer woman, very obviously heavily pregnant, who immediately announces to me and all at registration - my waters have broken, my contractions have begun but as a mother I know that something is wrong with this delivery. How right she was. The Obstetrics and Gynecology staff immediately took charge of her and confirmed that her maternal instincts were correct. She had two previous children, the child she was carrying was in a "breach" position and could not be turned. Within the hour she had received a "C" section and was the proud mother of her third child. One of only three children delivered by the obs team.
My second sad memory is that of a nine year old girl. More or less dumped on me at 06:45 AM one morning. It was quickly established by the ophthalmologists that she was needlessly permanently blind in both eyes due to damage to the optic nerve due to elevated intra ocular pressure (IOP) in both eyes since birth. A condition known variously as neonatal glaucoma or congenital glaucoma. In any developed country her IOP would have been checked with in a day or two of birth and simple remedial action taken using, for example, Alcon Travatan Eye Drops, to immediately lower her IOP and save any damage to her optic nerve in both eyes. At a later date, say at age seven years, she could have had an operation known as a Trabeculotomy and she would have had normal sight for the rest of her life. But not in Cambodia if you are rural poor. She was totally alone for the whole day until collected at about 4pm. Terribly sad and so needlessly blind poor girl. All I could do for her was to make sure she got some food and water and to keep moving her out of the sun during the day.
But enough is enough.
OML
Last edited by Ot Mean Loi on Sat Feb 01, 2020 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Succession plan?
Old farts are supposed to just fade away and let new blood and ideas take their place.
Life is an escalator and I'm getting to the top of it.
When one evening a woman asked me this year at Kg Speu if I had served in SVN during the Vietnam War and I casually mentioned that it was 50 years ago now and yes, the helicopter I was door gunner in had been shot down once, you would have though that I was from Jurassic Park! But that was then and this is now. None of us should live in the past. Life only gets shorter if you live in the past.
OML
Old farts are supposed to just fade away and let new blood and ideas take their place.
Life is an escalator and I'm getting to the top of it.
When one evening a woman asked me this year at Kg Speu if I had served in SVN during the Vietnam War and I casually mentioned that it was 50 years ago now and yes, the helicopter I was door gunner in had been shot down once, you would have though that I was from Jurassic Park! But that was then and this is now. None of us should live in the past. Life only gets shorter if you live in the past.
OML
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Last edited by Ot Mean Loi on Sat Feb 01, 2020 2:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Playboy
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Can appreciate your wanting to live in the 'Now' more than the past, however to quote a Spaniard:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
"We, the sons of John Company, have arrived"
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There is nothing wrong with my memory as to the past.
It is all about where I chose to position myself.
And it is very much for the now - and long may it continue.
As an attractive French woman said to me when working in Copenhagen...Life is to short to drink White Wines when there are so many superb Reds still to be drunk...
OML
It is all about where I chose to position myself.
And it is very much for the now - and long may it continue.
As an attractive French woman said to me when working in Copenhagen...Life is to short to drink White Wines when there are so many superb Reds still to be drunk...
OML
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