Hor Namhong speaks against Iran sanctions

via Khmer NZ

Thursday, 12 August 2010 15:03 Sebastian Strangio and Cheang Sohka

FOREIGN Minister Hor Namhong has voiced opposition to the international sanctions imposed against Iran for its alleged nuclear weapons programme, following his two-day visit to the Islamic republic this week, Iranian media reported.

Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki on Tuesday, Hor Namhong said Cambodia did not support the plethora of sanctions currently in place.

“The sanction-based policies are condemned everywhere, and just a positive and constructive policy can solve the problems,” the Fars News Agency quoted Hor Namhong as saying.

The United Nations Security Council has introduced four resolutions imposing economic sanctions on Iran for its nuclear programme. Other nations have levelled even tougher measures.

Iran says that its nuclear technology will be used for peaceful purposes.

Hor Namhong said his talks with Manouchehr Mottaki also ranged over other regional and international developments.

“We talked about the situation in Iraq, the Palestinian issue, and the status quo in Afghanistan. We agreed that problems in these countries could not be resolved through war,” he said.

On Tuesday, Mottaki hailed the two countries’ expanded cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism and agriculture.

“Mutual support has paved the way for the start of a new era of economic cooperation between the two countries,” he told reporters.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said he could not clarify Hor Namhong’s comments on the Iranian sanctions. As a general matter, he said, Cambodia opposed the development of nuclear weapons.

“In general, the Cambodian government supports energy programmes that are designed for peace and development,” he said.

“We always oppose arms races. We oppose nuclear programmes that are designed for producing nuclear weapons.”