Chea Vanath

Chea Vanath

6/01/11

     Chea Vanath, a UN Representative who is intimately involved with ASEAN, joined our group and spoke of three things. The competencies we should always try to achieve:

-       A sense of mindfulness (consciousness) – awareness of the world in this moment

-       A sense of self-awareness – a sense of our own state in this world

-       Reflective practice – having the ability to reflect on our own state, knowledge and true influence on that world

She gave a comprehensive explanation of ASEAN, it’s role in Cambodia as related to the international community. The goals somewhat defy Western diplomatic ideals and customs, which is why sensitivities to culture is so important.

-       ASEAN wanted to eliminate foreign interference in the domestic affairs of its members (ex. Burma). As a political entity, they don’t function like the UN, so they cannot apply military pressure when a member doesn’t do what the world sometimes expects them to.

-       It is facilitated through close contacts of top political leaders.

-       Because of this, it cannot be as efficient at dealing with countries like Burma.

There are three tracks that help this process. The first is between the diplomatic channels of the respective governments. The second is through civil society groups that are more informal. They can disperse information and decrees and serve as a testing ground for governments without having to take official positions. Finally, the third track is done through NGO’s, social agencies, and others that function on the macro level.

     It is clear there is a fundamental approach in the relationships in the East as contrasted to the West. When asked about China, she explained the difference between the U.S., China, and Cambodia and the long term views of those relationships. China as a long history with Cambodia, and they are currently involved in numerous infrastructure projects. She likened Cambodia to a wife, who China will love consistently, but may occasionally have a concubine. While the US (The Concubine) came into Cambodia with the military during the US War in Vietnam, we also bombed the civilians in the country, and then afterwards, recognizing we no longer had a need to be there, we left Cambodia to itself.    

     When we try to rationalize and understand China and their role in the world, this is what we don’t recognize or acknowledge. We are horrible (boyfriends). Recently we gave the Cambodian military 50 military trucks, then withdrew further aid when Cambodia did not comply with our wishes in return for them. China then came in and offered 100, and seems to always step in after we leave a vacuum. China has an extensive centuries long interest in the region and has been instrumental in Cambodia’s pedigree. This is significant because we will leave two more such concubines in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is probably why a majority of countries across the Middle East and Asia distrust us. We appear to be there when we serves our current interests, and then leave at the first sign of trouble. Like an affair gone bad, it always starts out the same way, but we never know how it is going to end. We have a lot of broken hearts in our wake since the end of World War II, and I don’t see us settling down anytime soon. This is something to think about. Maybe we should begin to consider a wife instead of another girlfriend.