Tuesday, 8 April 2008

Political Will of Samdech Euv: Royal Government Declares to Continue Tradition of Cambodian-Chinese Friendship

Posted on 8 April 2008.
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 555

“Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen mentioned, on the morning of 5 April in Preah Vihear, during the inauguration ceremony of a site for the reconstruction of National Road 62 from Tbaeng Meanchey to Preah Vihear of 116.36 km, and National Road 210 from Road 62 to Srayang Koh Ker of 34.15 km,, that this year China is the organizer of the Olympic Games. Our King is going to participate in the official opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

“Moreover, Samdech Dekchor stated, ‘I will have to go to China for two occasions this year; in October for the Asia-Europe meeting, where France and Germany participate, in Beijing [7th ASEM Summit in Beijing, China, 24-25 October 2008]. As for Cambodia, it is one among about 30 countries in the meeting. The second occasion is to be an honorary guest at the Nanning China-ASEAN Exhibition [Nanning, Guangxi, China, 20-23 October 2008], because this year Cambodia will deliver a speech. Therefore, we have many other activities to strengthen the relations between Cambodia and China at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.’

“During this important and meaningful ceremony, Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen expressed his gratitude to the former King Preah Norodom Sihanouk who has organized the policy of relations with China since 50 yeas, and left it for the children of next generations; and Cambodia keeps to adhere to the One-China-Policy which cannot be changed. ‘Some people said that Mr. Hun Sen does this to please China, but that is not what I do,’ said Hun Sen.

“Samdech Dekchor asserted that if it is reasonable for South Korea and North Korea to have become members of the UN, this one thing. However, Taiwan is just a province of China. Thus, in this case, there is an obligation to respect independence and sovereignty. For us, we would not agree if someone wants to take one of our provinces to be independent. Samdech Dekchor raised as an example Preah Vihear, which is the most distant province; if the provincial governor would declare independence, and would be supported by foreign countries, who would agree? Another point is that Cambodia also does not agree to the use the Olympic activities to take them hostage over the issues of Tibet and Sudan.

“Samdech Dekchor said that was an attempt in Phnom Penh, they prepared to hold an activity in Phnom Penh in order to urge Chinese government to put pressure on the government of Sudan, and to hinder Olympic activities. ‘That is why I told the Minister of Interior and the municipal authorities, “Cambodia will not let someone come to quarrel with others. I am sorry; if you want to quarrel with others, please get out the Khmer land, because Cambodia is not a base for one country to oppose another.” If other countries want to oppose China or China wants to oppose other countries on Khmer land, I will also not agree.’

“Samdech Dekchor said that regarding the Olympic case, they raised the Darfur dispute for an activity in Cambodia. Recently the issue of Tibet has been used to hinder Olympic activities. The Olympics are just a sports event, but some people use them for other purposes; that creates endless issues.

“Samdech Dekchor emphasized that Cambodia will not join activities that are contrary to its policy.”

Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6316, 7.4.2008

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