Hun Xen (L) shaking hand with the Viet Nguyen Tan Dung (R)By Khmerization
Source: RFA
Prime Minister Hun Sen has hit back at his border critics who promised to reclaim Kampuchea Krom territory back from Vietnam, saying that they have made promises that can't be delivered, reports Radio Free Asia.
During a service to commemorate 61st anniversary of the loss of Kampuchea Krom territory to Vietnam on 4th June, there are some reports that some speakers have made promises that if they become prime minister of Cambodia, they will try to reclaim Kampuchea Krom from Vietnam. "Some people have made promises on the 4th of June that if they become prime minister they will reclaim back the territory of Kampuchea Krom. I say, please try! Anh (the derogative term for 'I') will not go with you. They dare to make such a big promise! What will happen if they cannot deliver their promises? Up to this hour, can anyone do it? Even his Majesty the King-Father (Sihanouk) who had deposited a map of Cambodia at the UN didn't even put Kampuchea Krom territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia", said Mr. Hun Sen.
During a speech at the commemoration service, Mr. Mam Sonando, director of Sambok Khmum Radio, said if he becomes prime minister, he will try to reclaim back the Kampuchea Krom territory. Mam Sonando told RFA that past and present Khmer leaders have never tried to reclaim back the territory because they were and are incompetent. "Past leaders have no capability, but I have the capability. My capability is my moral determination and many people also think like me to help in the reclaiming of the Kampuchea Krom territory. This is my strength. Do you understand? Because no one has ever tried to reclaim the territory because they were afraid of Vietnam. They only want powers, this is what they want only", he said.
Mr. Kem Sokha, President of Human Rights Party, said Mr. Hun Sen did not say anything about Kampuchea Krom because he is afraid of Vietnam. "Anything to do with Vietnam he (Hun Sen) dare not touch it. We are all Khmers so we must give encouragements to each other, whether we want or don't want to do it. I believe that Khmer Krom people are also Khmers, so we don't claim that we will or will not reclaim back those territories. It must depends on the future reality of the situation in our nation. But at present, it is necessary that we protect the rights of the Khmer Krom people", he said.
Mr. Thach Setha, president of the Khmer Kampuchea Kromm Association in Cambodia, said even if Prime Minister Hun Sen does not care about Kampuchea Krom territory, he should care about the Khmer Krom people. Ven. Yin Soeung, president of Khmer Krom Monk Association, echoed Mr. Thach Setha's comment, but he said he understands Mr. Hun Sen's predicament. "He has his own predicaments also. We don't need to talk about this because what can we do because we were born in such a society (regime). So we must put up with it and try to survive. I believe that he (Hun Sen) is also a Khmer", he said.
On 4th June 1949, the French colonial parliament voted to cede 67,700 sq. kilometres of Kampuchea Krom territory comprising 21 former Cambodian provinces to Vietnam.
During a service to commemorate 61st anniversary of the loss of Kampuchea Krom territory to Vietnam on 4th June, there are some reports that some speakers have made promises that if they become prime minister of Cambodia, they will try to reclaim Kampuchea Krom from Vietnam. "Some people have made promises on the 4th of June that if they become prime minister they will reclaim back the territory of Kampuchea Krom. I say, please try! Anh (the derogative term for 'I') will not go with you. They dare to make such a big promise! What will happen if they cannot deliver their promises? Up to this hour, can anyone do it? Even his Majesty the King-Father (Sihanouk) who had deposited a map of Cambodia at the UN didn't even put Kampuchea Krom territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia", said Mr. Hun Sen.
During a speech at the commemoration service, Mr. Mam Sonando, director of Sambok Khmum Radio, said if he becomes prime minister, he will try to reclaim back the Kampuchea Krom territory. Mam Sonando told RFA that past and present Khmer leaders have never tried to reclaim back the territory because they were and are incompetent. "Past leaders have no capability, but I have the capability. My capability is my moral determination and many people also think like me to help in the reclaiming of the Kampuchea Krom territory. This is my strength. Do you understand? Because no one has ever tried to reclaim the territory because they were afraid of Vietnam. They only want powers, this is what they want only", he said.
Mr. Kem Sokha, President of Human Rights Party, said Mr. Hun Sen did not say anything about Kampuchea Krom because he is afraid of Vietnam. "Anything to do with Vietnam he (Hun Sen) dare not touch it. We are all Khmers so we must give encouragements to each other, whether we want or don't want to do it. I believe that Khmer Krom people are also Khmers, so we don't claim that we will or will not reclaim back those territories. It must depends on the future reality of the situation in our nation. But at present, it is necessary that we protect the rights of the Khmer Krom people", he said.
Mr. Thach Setha, president of the Khmer Kampuchea Kromm Association in Cambodia, said even if Prime Minister Hun Sen does not care about Kampuchea Krom territory, he should care about the Khmer Krom people. Ven. Yin Soeung, president of Khmer Krom Monk Association, echoed Mr. Thach Setha's comment, but he said he understands Mr. Hun Sen's predicament. "He has his own predicaments also. We don't need to talk about this because what can we do because we were born in such a society (regime). So we must put up with it and try to survive. I believe that he (Hun Sen) is also a Khmer", he said.
On 4th June 1949, the French colonial parliament voted to cede 67,700 sq. kilometres of Kampuchea Krom territory comprising 21 former Cambodian provinces to Vietnam.
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