Published by the Cabinet of Samdech Hun Sen —————— MP of Kandal Prime Minister Issue 92 http://www.cnv.org.kh September, 2005 15 September 2005 September 2005 (With Unofficial Translation of Selected Responses) Address to the United Nations General Assembly Interview Granted to Radio France Internationale made steady and tangible pro- gress, human rights are fully protected and spectacular eco- nomic growth is manifestly evident. We have also made significant advances towards reaching Cambodia's Millennium De- Honorable Co-Chairs, velopment Goals, especially in Majesties, Excellencies, the education sector and in Heads of State and Govern- combating HIV / AIDS. We ment, Mr. Secretary-General, however know that in socio- Distinguished Delegates, economic development, the During his working visit to the Republic of France, Samdech Hun Sen road ahead is longer and more called on HE Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic of France On behalf of the delegation of arduous than we have so far (Photo: Reuters) the Kingdom of Cambodia covered. and my own, I would like to During his working visit to the told him that France has been extend our congratulations to At present, the Royal Govern- Republic of France in second helping Cambodia in two Honorable Co-Chairs of the ment of Cambodia is actively week of September 2005, stages. First, in between 1997 High Level Plenary Meeting preparing the "National Strate- Samdech Hun Sen granted an and 1998, when Phnom Penh of the UN General Assembly. gic Development Plan" for exclusive interview to Radio was in difficult situation, Allow me to express also, my 2006-2010, which will deter- France International on issues France offered help in public appreciation to H.E. Mr. mine Cambodia's milestones of Cambodian-French rela- order and support to the or- JEAN PING, President of the towards achieving the MDGs tions, the trial of the Khmer ganization of the general elec- 59th UN General Assembly, in 2015. Allow me to raise Rouge leaders, land grabbing tions. France did not cease or for his able leadership and some issues related to the fu- issues, the country’s border freeze its assistance to Cambo- guidance. ture of our fragile world in the and use of French language. dia but continue to provide it. twenty first century. Following are the translations In the 1998 elections, France The excellent report, "In Lar- of extracts by the Kampuchea was leading the EU countries ger Freedom", of H.E. Mr. Freedom from want Thmei newspaper. in providing financial and Kofi Annan, UN Secretary technical assistance. Second, General, and his colleagues We fully share the Secretary- On the Cambodian-French when Cambodia was in its provides a global vision and General's analysis of the inter- relations political deadlock after the proposals for us to build to- 2003 general elections, France linkages between human ... Samdech Hun Sen reaf- gether human solidarity clearly affirmed that it would rights, the rule of law, democ- firmed that what is special in through a more just and civi- continue to provide assistance racy, security and develop- the relationships between the lized world. Our actions today to Cambodia until a new Gov- ment. We should therefore two countries lies in the fact will determine the destiny of ernment came into being. work on all the fronts at the that France had taken up a role humanity and our planet. Every time I met the French same time. Unless all the inter- and fulfilled its tasks in seek- (Continued on page 2) dependent causes advance, ing a political settlement to the Cambodia has turned a new none can succeed. page in its history, putting Cambodian conflicts in the In This Issue past, which brought about the firmly behind the darkness Development issues should 1) UN Address, p. 1 and tragedies of recent past Paris Peace Agreement in 2) RFI Interview, p. 1 remain at the heart of the at- 1991. During his courtesy call and has emerged into the new 3) U Thant Award, p 3 tention of the international on HE Jacques Chirac, Presi- dawn of its future. Democracy community. Strong political 4) Kong Pisey, p. 4 has taken strong roots, public dent of the Republic of will is a prerequisite to achieve 5) Tree Nursery Svay Rieng, p. 5 order and rule of law have France, Samdech Hun Sen (Continued on page 3) 6) Samraong Tong , p. 8 Mailing Box: Cambodia New Vision (CNV), P.O. Box 158, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; e-mail: [email protected]; Tel: 855-23 219898; Fax: 855-23 360666/219869 Cambodia New Vision—Issue 92 September 2005 (Continued from page 1) position in the forthcoming witnessed this troublesome of seven points of irregulari- trial of the former leaders of issue, the Royal Government ties, six of which have been delegations, Samdech said, I the Khmer Rouge, Samdech in the second term decided to resolved already with the last always heard they said “the Hun Sen clearly stated, “I establish a new Ministry to point to be discussed. The French knows full well with have been to PRC for the first oversee issues of urban plan- irregularities lie in the fact that whom they should work in time in 1996, again in 1997, ning, land management and there are asymmetries in ac- Cambodia.” This has been a 1999, twice in 2004 and three construction. The Ministry is tual mapping -- printed in be- strong political message which times in 2005, but the PRC bestowed upon with such tween 1933 and 1953, and clearly illustrates the French leaders and I never discussed tasks of seeking the most suit- later was recognized interna- support to Cambodia. Sam- the Khmer Rouge issue. PRC able solution to land problems tionally in between 1963 and dech Hun Sen also thanks the never denies in its own right and issuing our people their 1969 -- by the Indochina Geo- French consideration and ef- the Khmer Rouge leaders’ land titles. In relations to the graphic Team that does not forts in helping Cambodia to trial as it is not trying PRC in fulfillment of the court’s deci- reflect the decision made by take care of its culture and that sense. Trying the Khmer sion in the district of Poi Pet, the French Governor General. heritage, while stressing that Rouge leaders (for the crime where fatal conflict occurred, If the argument of losing land he is very proud and grateful they had committed) is purely Samdech expressed his grue- is true, Samdech said it would to see that all the French lead- Cambodia’s internal affairs.” some feelings and stated that it not be the Cambodian in ers have always been deeply Talking about this Samdech was in this incident that Sam- France or in Phnom Penh to interested in the issue. suggested it was the United dech ordered arrest of those produce reactions but those Nations that granted its sup- who actually caused casualties living along the borders. But ... In response to the question port to the Khmer Rouge, why on the spot. It was taking the as you can see those people on how one could compare not they do something about court’s decision to extreme, living along the Cambodian- the relations that Cambodia this now? Samdech said. In relation to Lao, Cambodian-Thai and the has with France to that with investment, a study has to be Cambodian-Vietnamese bor- the People’s Republic of On Self-Exile of Mr. Sam conducted to make sure that ders voted for the Cambodian China (PRC), Samdech Hun Rainsy the land is actually free from People’s Party. Sen gave his argument that the our people’s individual owner- ... Responding to the question Cambodian foreign policy is ship. If things happen with the On French Language Issue about the self-exiled Sam based upon independence, involvement of the military in Rainsy abroad, Samdech ... Samdech has in that inter- neutrality and non-alignment. grabbing lands that belong to Prime Minister gave his re- view clarified his own efforts Cambodia makes friends with our farmers/people, the one mark that Samdech never sees since 1980s to strengthen the every country irrespective of and only solution is to take any political party leader like use of French language in its religion and/or political land and give it back to the him as Sam Rainsy always Cambodia as is testified by the tendency. “Some people ac- people. In practice that does abandons his followers. “I do re-establishment of the Pasteur cused me of making too close not sound easy, and though not think this is a good thing to Institute, the operation of the relations with a communist Hun Sen is said to be a strong- do as a leader. If I were to be Calmette Hospital and the country – they mean the PRC man, but in case like that, with one of Sam Rainsy party School of Medicine. As a indeed. Let us look at the rela- negligence, ten more would member I would have mobi- member of ASEAN though, tions between France and not do. lized others to relieve him off Samdech said, Cambodia has PRC, they have a far wider his command already.” Sam- to use English as more and and productive relations with On Border Issues dech gave his analogy to a more French speaking senior one another, and in a greater military commander, who in ... Some people, Samdech citizens passed away one after size than Cambodia does. such a case would never be argued, appointed themselves another. The younger genera- Some people play on words able to command his troops.