Peace on the Move

There is a movement growing in Cambodia. It is a nonviolent people's
movement. It is a movement of peace. A movement of people excited by the new
era dawning in their country, excited by the possibilities of these times.
The possibility of laying down weapons after more than 20 years of war, the
possibility of settling differences verbally rather than through guns, and
the possibility of a new constitution which finally provides them with basic
rights and freedoms.  The movement consists of a coalition of monks, nuns,
women's groups, student associations, development and human rights groups who
are determined to seize the unique opportunities of these days in creating a
new peaceful era.  They have organized several activities over the past
month, turning out thousands of people onto the streets continuously,
similarly empowered by the recent successful elections in which over 90% of
the Cambodian people braved threats of intimidation to express their burning
desire for peace.

One of the coalitions first unifying projects was organizing the arrival of
the Dhamma Yietra, a Walk for Peace and Reconciliation, into the capital of
Phnom Penh.  This walk of 350 monks, nuns and lay people had begun 17 days
and 350 kilometres earlier at Ankor Wat, the ancient temple complex in Siem
Reap province.  The Dhamma Yietra crossed several war-torn provinces before
entering the capital.  As it entered Phnom Penh, a city tense with the fear
of violence, the Dhamma Yietra swelled to approximately 3,000 people, with
nearly 10,000 people participating daily in walks and meditations for peace
around the city during the next 3 days (May22-24), the eve of the historic UN
sponsored elections.  As one spectator testified, "People were so afraid of
elections here in Phnom Penh they had started to stockpile rice... but the
walk has relieved us all, and inspired us with hope."

One week later, June 4-6, the coalition organized a three day Peace Festival
before the final results of the election were announced.  Similar to the
walk, again, the festival consisted of silent meditations for peace and
ceremonies of offerings to monks, at various key points in the city to
congratulate the Cambodian people on the successful elections, and usher in
the light of a new peaceful era.  The Buddhist principle of equanimity, of
remaining calm, was encouraged for losers as well as winners.  Slogans quoted
the words of the Buddha, "Hatred is never appeased by hatred.  Hatred is
appeased by love.  This is eternal law", and the prayer in Pali, the ancient
language of Buddhism Natti Santi Param Suk Kham or "There is no greater
happiness than a peaceful heart".

On the final day of the festival about one thousand people gathered at the
Independence Monument in central Phnom Penh.  They gathered to listen to the
words of Maha Ghosananda, Cambodian Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism and leader
of the Dhamma Yietra, and sat in silent meditation, despite a rain shower. 
Afterwards, the crowd, joined by thousands along the way, paraded a boat made
of banana leaves to the river front, where they launched it into the Tonle
Sap river, symbolically sending off all the violence and hatred of the past
2O years.  As one participant commented exuberantly "...and sending all those
weapons back to where they came from."  People piled money into the boat
before it was launched as a symbol of ridding themselves of their own greed,
hatred and delusion.

Tirelessly, the coalition's committee met again the next day to plan the
following event.  When they presented their next plan to Maha Gosananda for
his blessing, he laughed and said, "You all understand very well working for
peace. There is no beginning and no end.  We must continuously begin again
and never become discouraged.

Meanwhile the ruling party, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), which gained
33% of the vote, to the opposition FUNCINPEC party's 45%, began to contest
the results of the election.  They refused to recognize the results, calling
for an independent commission to review them, and several eastern provinces,
traditional strong-holds for the CPP, claimed themselves autonomous and
attempted to expel UNTAC and FUNCINPEC.  Still the activists maintained hope,
repeating Maha Ghosandnda's words "never be discouraged", and their sense of
humour.  One of the monks from an eastern break away province joked that he
would, "...need a new visa to return home!"  Another monk said, "Regardless,
we must continue.  We must have a sustained peace movement."  To which one of
the women organizers responded, "Yes, we cannot stop until there is true
peace, and a new constitution in Cambodia."

On June 10th, the day Mr. Akashi, the head of UNTAC announced the final
results of the election in the royal pa]ace.  The Coalition organized a Bon
Chlong Wiel Bey (see below) for that day.  During this festival thousands
walked through the streets, ending up in front of the palace where birds were
released in a symbolic gesture of freedom, and balloons flown with peace
messages, ushering in the new era of peace and ending the cycles of war,
suffering, fear and sorrow.  The name of this festival in Khmer means
crossing three deserts.  Maha Ghosananda explained how Cambodia has crossed
the deserts of hatred, greed and delusion which are the cause of war.  He
said, "Like our breath, in and out, like day and night, war and peace are
always interchanging.  Nothing is permanent.  One leads to the other.  Now we
leave suffering and enter peace."

On Monday June 14, at the first meeting of the new Constitutional assembly,
thousands of monks, nuns, representatives of human rights and other
nongovernmental organizations and individuals gathered in front of the
assembly building "to encourage the new constitutional Assembly in their
noble task of preparing for a new Constitution for Cambodia".  They also
requested seats for representatives of monks, nuns, non-governmental
organizations and people's committees as observers in the assembly in an
effort to make the period of writing the new Constitution a democratic
process.  "The constitution should be a reflection of the will of the people
to move forward to peaceful times.  We strongly believe the constitution will
provide us with freedom, security and create a civil society wherein basic
rights of the people are guaranteed and respected."

The group stood with their banners as the representatives filed past to enter
the building, chanted prayers of blessing, read a statement and then sat in
meditation outside during the session, once again raising banners as the
delegates left two hours later.  As one monk. explained, "We represent the
majority of the Cambodian people, as the successful election proved they all
want peace."

The record of the peace proceedings was made by a group of 6 women from the
Peace Walk who were trained in video techniques. The group was able, in a
very short time, to document the whole period of elections, the Peace Walk
and various events related to Peace and the opening of the new Constituent
assembly.  Training in this powerful medium gave the women confidence as well
as means to reach thousands of people.  The group was also able to obtain
continued coverage of all events by both local as well as international
media.

The coalition is developing plans for the next three months, the time
allotted to write the Constitution according to the Paris Peace Accords, to
ensure that the preparation of the new Constitution is a democratic process. 
The Coalition will lobby for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, for the
establishment of an independent judiciary, and for provisions for the
advancement of women and gender sensitivity.

In less than a month, the peace movement has empowered thousands of people
and has given leaders new experience, strength and inspiration.  New groups
of committed organizers and leaders have sprung up over the past four weeks
making this the beginning of a new era, breaking the silence of a people too
accustomed to living in an environment dominated by fear and intimidation. 
The people clearly want to show their newly elected leaders the way to lead,
a way which serves the people.  It is not elected leaders right to lead, but
rather a responsibility to respect the peoples right to live in dignity.
Liz Bernstein