Cambodian Refugees Settle in US with Mixed Emotions
Diocesan Press Service. July 28, 1975 [75260]
Carolyne Aniba, Diocese of Washington
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- While West Virginians went all out to welcome Cambodian refugees in the state's eastern panhandle, the refugees settled into the small town of Martinsburg with not only uncertain futures and severe cultural shock but also mixed emotions.
Uy Taing and Huor Ley, both of whom worked as electricians for the American Embassy in Pnom Penh, were unaware that when they left Cambodia they would not return.
"We were told that we would go to Bankok for a couple of weeks," explained Taing, "then the people from the embassy told us that the Khmer Rouge would kill us if we went back.
" There are many men in Pembleton who are here without their wives and families," he continued, "and I have left my brother and sister."
Taing further explained that he knew of five or so employees who did not leave and he is not sure of their fate -- not sure that they were or were not punished or executed.
Taing and Huor have been resettled, with Huor's wife and six children by Church World Service and the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief in Martinsburg, W. Va.
Asked what he would do if someone offered him a trip to return to Cambodia, Taing, who has begun to feel restless after two months of shuffling about, said he would return if it were peaceful in his native country.
Department of State official, Andrew Antippas, Inter-Agency Task Force, told Religious News Service, "We would be happy to send them back if they want to go. They sat in Thailand over a month where they could have voiced their opinion.
"The situation is not very pretty in Cambodia. In the twinkle of an eye, they have gone back to dark ages. Our information is that food is very scarce and cholera is wide-spread.
"We have asked the UN High Commission for Refugees in Geneva to take charge facilitating the return of those who want to go back. They have collaborated with the PRG -- the US has not been involved. "
Another Department of State spokesman from the Cambodian desk explained, "The going is going to be tough for them here and they try to rationalize. However, they can leave and be repatronated at any time."