The sky was clear, but from far above came faint sounds like thunder, the sonic booms of jets flying so high we couldn’t even see them. As we stood in the hot sun, shuffling forward with one foot and then the other, the Khmer Rouge fired shots over our heads to get us to hurry, and loudspeakers played radio broadcasts of the government station, which was now under the guerrillas’ control: ‘April 17, 1975, is a day of great victory of tremendous historical significance for our Cambodian nation and people!’ a man’s voice declared. ‘It is the day when our people completely and definitely liberated the capital city of Phnom Penh and our beloved Cambodia!’ a woman’s voice responded. ‘Long live the Cambodian people!’ said the man. ‘Long live the most wonderful Cambodian revolution!’ said the woman. ‘Long live the independent, peaceful, neutral, nonaligned, sovereign, democratic and prosperous Cambodia with genuine territorial integrity!’ It sounded to me as if the man was determined not to be outdone.
What do You think about Survival In The Killing Fields?
