What was the real cause of the disaster. Electrocution? Over-zealous use of water cannons by the police? Poor planning by the organizers? Poor planning by the municipal authorities? A simple case of overcrowding? The real cause may never be known. Despite the depth of the tragedy, the initial, insultingly short inquiry, which told us almost nothing believable and achieved zilch in terms of justice, would appear to be the end of the matter.
At least that is how it seems- for those who have suffered the memories must be raw- but reports of the disaster aren't to be found in the newspapers. And they haven't been for some time.
Westerners often say that "life is cheap" in overcrowded Asian countries. This does nothing to refute that prejudice. I saw truckloads of bodies being ferried along Norodom Boulevard. The bridge was opened to traffic and the pretty lights were switched on again within a couple of weeks. Hun Sen preempted the inquiry by saying that no officials should be blamed, as none were for the Sept 11 attack in New York. Then why have an inquiry at all?
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