Hillary Rodham Clinton, secretary of state of the U.S. on April 11 sent a letter to congratulate the people of kingdom of Cambodia on the occasion of Khmer New year which lasts from 14-16 April this year.
“On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the occasion of Khmer New Year, the statement from the U.S.secretary of state said.
“This is an opportunity to honor Cambodia's culture and its accomplishments. This past year, Cambodians marked a historic milestone when, for the first time in three decades, a former Khmer Rouge official was held accountable for his crimes before an internationally recognized court, the statement quoted her as saying.
“Over the last year, the partnership between our two nations has grown stronger and deeper,” her letter said, adding that together we have expanded cooperation on law enforcement issues, food security, the environment, and international peacekeeping.
“On this festive occasion, let me reaffirm our commitment to both the partnership between our governments and the friendship between our people. We especially look forward to the 60th anniversary of our bilateral relations this coming July, a testament to our enduring bonds,” she noted. “I offer best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year,” she said.
According to the
Last month, The United States pledged five million dollars to the extraordinary chamber in the courts of the Cambodia. Mr. Stephen Rapp, the US ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues told reporters at that time that the donation was made "in light of continued progress" of the court. This year is the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relation and both sides agreed to mark it with many social culture events and it could have the top US officials to visit here.
In a separate case, the Press Telegram newspaper in LONG BEACH of the United States reported online on April 4 that Cambodia community in the states to celebrate the sixth annual Khmer New year. And it reported that the multicultural melange that is the Cambodian New Year parade set off on its sixth annual trip down Anaheim Street Sunday morning to a large and appreciative crowd.
The number of parade participants was down for a second straight year, possibly due in part to the economy or this year's date coinciding with Easter. Some of the Christian, Latino and interfaith organizations were not on hand this time around.
However, the crowd was at least as large and enthusiastic as in prior years and the spirit of the event was equally buoyant. And, as seems to be tradition with the event, the grim-looking morning clouds seemed to disperse on cue with the 10:14 a.m. parade start from Junipero Avenue.
Among the honored guests at the parade was Cambodian Ambassador to the United States Hem Heng, who was making his first trip to the Long Beach event.
"As a Cambodian, it makes me very proud," Heng said. "It is an indication of the prestige of the Cambodian-American people in Long Beach.”Also this parade can make others know better the Cambodian people." Heng said having Cambodians stage an all-American event such as a parade, which is unknown in Cambodia, was a fitting way for cultures to mix and interact.
As always, a wide range of ethnic, cultural and social organizations, clubs and groups were on hand. They ranged from a variety of Khmer youth and arts groups, to a large contingent of Hmong, to police, a fire engine, politicians, civil leaders and two guys in kilts.
One of those kilted guys was Peter Joseph, the co-owner of the Big Red Bus, which was ferrying members of the United Cambodian Community down Anaheim. Asked about his attire, Joseph said, "We wear these everywhere we go.”It's just how we roll." All through the parade route and throughout the day snapshots of the mixing of cultures were evident: There was Mkott Pich jewelry store, festooned in United States and Cambodian flags. Pre-parade blessings given by monks and Cambodian and black Christian ministers. Former ambassador Sichan Siv reading a letter from Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, praising the parade. The entertainment troupe of Serey Raph doing a representation of the Cambodian folk opera Lakhon Bassac, or The Giant Never Wins, from the bed of a truck. A Jeep accompanying the Cambodian Veterans Association with a Cambodian flag in the front and a Chicago Cubs wheel cover on the spare tire in back.
Post-parade entertainment that ranged from traditional Cambodian ballads, to rap by Long Beach's Prach Ly, to an 11-year-old boy doing Michael Jackson dance moves. A Cambodian man buying his daughter a paleta, a fruit ice pop, in the park. As the afternoon waned, diagonally across the street from the park celebration, another fitting symbol of Americana was getting under way — a carnival. ###
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