Address at the Closing of 2010 Stocktaking and 2011 Direction Setting Conference of the Ministry of Commerce

Phnom Penh, February 9, 2011

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Today, it is my pleasure to participate in the closing of “2010 Stocktaking and 2011 Direction Setting Conference of the Ministry of Commerce”. I believe the workshop is a good opportunity for collecting ideas, comments and experiences from all the participants in order to fine-tune our future plan and direction. On behalf of the Royal Government, I congratulate the Ministry of Commerce on their marvelous achievement made in 2010. In general, the achievement made during the past year is in line with the Rectangular Strategy Phase II which strives for growth, employment, equity and efficiency.

The stocktaking conference is indeed an important component that allows us to jointly review the performance and policy implementation in this sector as outlined within the framework of the national strategic development plan which regards trade as a source of growth. Drawing on this policy vision, the Royal Government has been working hard on reform inside and outside of the sector, including local infrastructure, production, industry and human resource as well as strengthening of international cooperation and global integration to ensure a sustained growth. In particular, thanks to our effort, international trade has generally increased. In 2010, international trade stood at USD 10 billion, an increase of 6.8% compared to 2009, albeit the global financial and economic crisis. The 2010 exports within the preferential treatment framework increased from USD 2.6 billion in 2009 to USD 3.3 billion in 2010, a rise of 27%.

Along with this, last year’s trade contributed roughly to 5% of growth. Inflation was contained at 4% in 2010, compared with 5.3% in 2009. Cambodia’s international reserves increased from USD 2,376 million in 2009 to USD 2,650 million in 2010. In particular, we expect our economy to grow by 6% in 2011 as our key sectors including manufacturing, garment, agriculture, tourism and construction have started to retake off. The currently rebounding manufacturing sector, especially the garment, absorbs around 376,000 work forces. The total figure of workers’ wage in 2010 was USD 372 million, compared to USD 25.7 million per month in 2006. This indicates that trade activities have played an important role in accelerating growth.

In this spirit, I would like to further encourage the management and all officials of the Ministry of Commerce to keep on implementing trade facilitation, especially negotiating with some developed countries to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers for exports from Cambodia. Along with this, the Royal Government will do its utmost to ensure political stability, peace and security that are the pre-requisites for realizing the full potential of its socio-economic development.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

As I have previously raised, our greatest challenge is to find and open the market for our agricultural, agro-industrial and industrial products as most countries are fiercely competing to export their own products. In this sense, obtaining low tariff treatment from developed countries for our exports is not adequate. We must not only implement practical measures to facilitate exports such as reducing the time request for goods inspection, the joint inspection by the Customs and Excise General Department, and the CAMCONTROL and reducing the inspection time of goods but we must also improve the export capacity and production ability in order to gain competitive advantage.

In fact, I have mentioned before that in order to speed up the development of Cambodia’s commerce sector we have to focus on diversification of markets especially markets for farmers’ yields. Because Cambodia has high potential in agricultural production and needs to continue promoting and attracting investors to invest in Cambodia, especially in agriculture sector and factories using agricultural yields as inputs so that we can increase our competitive advantage in business sector with high potential. Parallel to this, we have to find a measure to obtain Generalized System of Preference (GPS) for Cambodia, continue integrating and deepening Cambodia’s economy extensively into the region and the world in order to maximize the use of Cambodia’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is very true that all these tasks requires us together to continue taking further care of because all these factors provide not only ability to Cambodia to compete on international markets but also incentives for innovative productions serving exports market, which is our priority.

In this spirit, in addition to what we have been implementing, and supporting what H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon, Minister of Economy and Finance has brought up and encouraged the workshop to thoroughly discuss in the opening of the workshop on February 7th 2011, with the aim to continue encouraging the development of national and international commerce sector, I would like to take this opportunity to provide some recommendations as followed:

1. Continue promoting the use of system of preferential commerce. The maximum use of imports tariff preferential markets is a key factor for continuing the promotion of Cambodia’s commerce and economic growth. Indeed, Cambodia has already received imports tariff preferential from developed and developing countries for many hundreds of Cambodia’s farmers’ yields such as the United States of America, the EU, Canada, Japan, Australia, China, Korea etc. together with imports tariff preferential market that we have obtained from cooperation in ASEAN region and ASEAN partners as well. Through this Ministry of Commerce has to work hard continuing promotion and encouraging exports of all goods with high effectiveness and efficiency. For that we have to ensure and promote extensive opening of current Cambodia’s market especially American and European markets because in the long term future the United States of America’s and Europe’s markets will remain as big markets for the world economy. In addition, Cambodia also needs some more time to prepare herself to enter the structure and market chains in the region, which is a new opportunity.
2. Encourage and promote the exports of Cambodia’s rice to international markets. We all know that agriculture sector is the third most important sector for Cambodia’s economy, after services and industry sector. At the same time, agriculture is a sector that absorbs the most labors in our country. Hence, the promotion of paddy rice production and rice exports is one important obligation that Ministry of Commerce has to pay attention to the implementation of policy measures on promotion of paddy rice production and rice exports, which was officially adopted on 17th August 2010. For that we have to continue finding solutions for relevant issues such as cutting the informal costs to the minimum and promoting investment in innovating rice to increase its quality to satisfy the quality standard importing countries want. I think that all these tasks will be enhanced because in a parallel manner we also introduced the implementation of another policy measure “Credits Guarantee Fund”, which is a new mechanism to promote production sector and the exports of Cambodia’s rice.
3. Continue maintaining price stability of goods and food security. Nowadays, natural disasters in a number of countries in the world have destroyed a lot of farmers’ yields, and the price of fuel has gone up. In this sense, maintaining the price stability of daily use goods especially food is very crucial for the stability and the development of society. Through this, Ministry of Commerce has to follow up with prices of important good on the markets and has to impose appropriate measures in order to maintain food security especially paddy rice and rice security with high effectiveness.
4. Ministry of Commerce has to continue writing laws and regulations that are not complete, in order to make free-market economic mechanisms in the country even better and to response to the new trends of commerce atmosphere in the region and the world by providing confidence to investors and businessmen doing businesses in Cambodia. Furthermore, Ministry of Commerce, president of National Committee of Copyrights Management, has to continue the cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions in implementing copyrights laws more effectively in order to stop violations of copyrights, stop trafficking of unsafe foods and quality, goods with inappropriate standards and bootlegged goods on markets.
5. Continue completing the tasks of integrating and deepening of Cambodia into the region and the world. The Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to promoting the integration of Cambodia into the region and the world through active participation in implementing the tasks that have been agreed upon in contracts. From those tasks we have to continue drawing benefits for Cambodia especially the opening of access for Cambodia’s products to markets in the region and the world. At the same time, we have to continue working hard with our utmost efforts to use the technical assistance provided by the development partners and try to find more new technical assistance in order to improve the capacity of our human resources in public institutions as well as private sector for the production and supply of our goods.

Indeed, although Cambodia has already integrated into the ASEAN community and the WTO, we need to take speedy action to get maximum benefits from these works. In parallel, we need to find way to tape potential from these cooperation in framework of Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and other sub-regional triangle development area as well as East Asia Community and Asia-Pacific free trade area, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), ASEAN-China free trade agreement, East ASEAN Free Trade Area(EAFTA), and Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) in long term, because all these works will provide extensive opportunities for investment and foreign trade regime of Cambodia. All cooperation not only promotes trade and economic growth, but also creates a current towards establishing a new kind of Cambodian trade architecture, especially diversifying markets for Cambodian production in order to catch up with pace of world and regional economic evaluation and seize new opportunities from the emergence of Asian economy.

In fact, all cooperation has been providing other new opportunities for investment and international trade reform through liberalizing trade and eliminating barriers to investment. Furthermore, these tasks have pushed for implementation of reform programs, modernizing structure and management system of national economy as well as strengthening competitiveness in conformity to both regional and international standards. In this view, Cambodia not only overcomes obstacles hindering economic growth through implementation of reform programs, but also ensures conditions for growth sustainability, and for appropriate sharing cost and equitable sharing benefits from development.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen!

The Royal Government is committed and pays great attention to trade liberalization, free movement of goods nation-wide, bolstering foreign trade ties and integrating trade with the region and the world in order to bring benefits for the people and our nation. I strongly believe that the conference will consider these recommendations within the spirit of implementing their roles and obligation based on the objectives set for 2011 by putting into account the national interest.

Moreover, the Royal Government will put further efforts to develop various sectors, which are to directly support the trade sector as the Royal Government has, so far, implemented, which includes ensuring the banking and financial stability, improving the protection and prevention of social safety net, re-education, increasing the public spending on physical infrastructures and upgrading productivity in order to boost agriculture, including the creation of “Agriculture Support and Development Fund”. In fact, these affairs have led Cambodian economy to mitigate from the hardship of the global economic crisis as we can firmly maintain the financial stability as well as the macro-economic and social stability, especially ensuring the balance of the living standard of the people throughout the country.

In this regard, although we have tremendous potential in front of us, I would like all colleagues to take the concepts raised in this conference for implementation with high effectiveness and efficiency in order to achieve fruitful results for socio-economic development as a whole. Once again, I would like to appeal to Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen and all participants to actively participate in the implementation according to the plan, that has been put forward, as well as sharing information, knowledge and experience gained from this conference for the sake of improving the implementation to achieve new achievements based on our trade development strategy. In this connection, I strongly believe that Cambodia will move ahead with optimism, progress and prosperity on the more comprehensive and favorable foundation together with maintaining peace, political stability, social harmonization and sustainable development.

Before ending, I would like to take this opportunity to, once again, thank Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, officials of the Ministry of Commerce and related Ministries/Institutions, private sector and development partners, who have supported and promoted trade sector in Cambodia, to become more successful with pride. These contributions truly contributed to the poverty reduction of the people and the development according to the policy of the Royal Government.

At the end, together with the closing of the 2010 Stocktaking and 2011 Direction Setting Conference today, I would like to wish Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen the four gems of Buddhism blessings: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

Selected Comments at the Closing of 2010 Stocktaking and 2011 Direction Conference of the Ministry of Commerce

09 February 2011

Quality – Key in Competition

I have not much to add on to the speech that I have just read. However, concerning the point that while promoting export we are seeking so and so country to bring down their tariff, etc., I would like to draw your attention to issue of quality (of our products). This is a point that we all must pay due attention to because in a free market environment, quality is key in competition. We should not place our hope just in tariff reduction by so and so countries. A favorable condition could be given only when our products are relatively apt to the standard. So quality in all products must be seen as a guarantee.

Increase Home Supply for Tourists

One other point that I want to talk about is about production that cater to the need of serving tourist industry. We must see that it is important not only to attract tourists to Cambodian destination but also to retain most of their spending inside Cambodia, which means for the Cambodian involved sectors. Currently, most of the income generated from the tourist sector has been paid to other products or services of other countries because Cambodia has not got the facilities and abilities to answer to their needs all by itself. We should try to retain most income inside the country.

I used to mention about ‘export to local market,’ which on various occasions I urge for an understanding that we should also see important local tourist market in our export policy. By export we should not be of only one idea that it has to be a cross-border one. We should also consider supplying products and services for tourist industry inside the country as a form of export too. As our economy is making a recovery, we should try and pool together our effort to maximize profit from all possible means for our nation.

Thank the Cambodian Armed Forces for Bravely Defending the Country

Well I have said what I need to in addition to the speech on trade and export to local market. I am sure our people have been waiting to hear from me about the Cambodian-Thai border situation. Let me take some of your time to talk about it. First of all I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for all of our armed forces who have bravely and victoriously fulfilled their missions in defense of our territory. They have proven to be a source of confidence and trust of our nation, our religion and King. I also would like to thank all sub-national level authorities and institutions for spending their times to visit our troops at the front. They have proven to be a source of encouragement, logistics and materials for our armed forces.

Urgent and More Assistance and Care for Displaced People

Some of them have also provided assistance for displaced people (from the war at the border). Let me relay, to the displaced people, my assurance that I have ordered local authorities and involved agencies to provide you with care and necessity while you are on displaced movement and also when you return to your normal livelihood. It is a sad experience that both Cambodian and Thai people have been displaced because of war. As it is in dry season now, I wish that extra attention must be given to providing our people with safe drinking water. Issue of hygiene and other matters concerned must be addressed attentively. In short, they must be well taken care of until the day they return.

Thank Cambodian People and Political Parties

I would like to thank our people from all walks of life who have actively joined with CTN and Bayon TVs campaigns to raise fund to help support our soldiers and defense work at the border. It is becoming a national movement now that our people, young and old, have thrown themselves behind our army in this task of defending our nation. This is what I call a real force of national defense and a response to my policy for a firm national defense infrastructure. Our people’s contribution, big or small, signifies their great virtue and value for their country. I also would like to express thanks to all political parties, especially in letter written by Norodom Rannaridh Party, and civil society for their supports for the Royal Government’s actions in its stand to knock out the Thai aggression on Cambodia. I also have noted statements by other political parties. I am glad that Cambodians of all political tendencies have come to a political consensus on this issue.

Ready for Long-term Aggression

It has proven clearly now that we need to have a long-term strategy in our struggle against the Thai aggression. It will take us years. The Preah Vihear temple has served as an example. Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk conducted negotiation since 1954 and he finally brought the case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. We have been conducting bilateral negotiation (with Thailand) over two years now, but (things has gone to a deadlock situation) we decided now to seek legal interventions from the International Court of Justice, but also, because of the state of war, from the United Nations Security Council.

Social Policy towards Those Affected by War

While talking about consequences of war, I also would like to take this moment to inform our people and monks, as well as institutions involved, that the Royal Government of Cambodia has been setting out and seeing through the implementation of its policy vis a vis those deceased and wounded. The family of the deceased was provided with a sum of 10,000 USD and funeral service procedures are also covered by the Government. Those who are seriously wounded are provided with 3,000 USD and less if they are suffering minor injuries. For a civilian who died from the war, the Royal Government also gave his family with a sum of 5,000 USD.

I also urge people under command to send our soldiers, no matter how minor their wounds are, to hospital for proper medical care. I urge also for a thorough inspection if families of the deceased and wounded in action are in short of land, they must be provided with some according to our set policy. This is a policy to be applied to families of those who happened to die in action and by accident in action.

Two-Pronged Actions – Military and Diplomacy

Where are we now? Diplomatic actions have been quite busy in the last few days. You may remember that last August, when PM Abhisit said that he would use both diplomatic and military means to resolve the problem, I sent a letter to the Security Council of the United Nations and made a speech in the following day at Koh Pij Development Center. I said if war was to take place, Cambodia would pursue two pronged actions – defending our territory by military means and taking actions at the Security Council of the United Nations, and/or relevant international organizations. Now things have come our way.

As things have gone this wrong, the General Secretary of ASEAN, HE Surin Pitsuwan, who is also a Thai citizen, proposed to PM Abhisit for ASEAN to help mediate the conflict. Unfortunately, PM Abhisit rejected the offer and said the issue could be discussed between Thailand and Cambodia. Even after the rowing visit of the Indonesian Foreign Minister to Bangkok, they still kept their position that the matter must be resolved bilaterally.

By Peaceful Negotiation, with Presence of Third Party

As of this moment, I declare that we will pursue peaceful means but on the condition that there will be presence of a third party. Solely bilateral negotiation cannot be accepted anymore. Yesterday Thai Foreign Minister called to HE Hor Namhong to think of meeting in a third country. We could not say yes at the time because that would devalue our stand at the Security Council. They later said that HE Hor Namhong has agreed with them on this idea. I must correct this as we have not agreed with them on anything and I would not allow Cambodians even at the ministerial level to meet.

We have come to the point of no return. We cannot be sure now as to how long this situation will last. We can no longer trust the Thais. They signed an agreement with us with their hands, but they clear it with their feet. We will use all international mechanism exits to resolve this matter. I have asked for the UNSC to convene an urgent meeting on the issue and to send in a UN peacekeeping force or a team of the UN military observers to Cambodia. If they could come and defend Preah Vihear temple, a world heritage site, by themselves, we also agree with that.

Not Armed Clash, a War it was

How could they define it as an armed clash when the Thai side shelled Cambodian with cluster bombs? It is a war. It is not an armed clash. It took also a long time. It will take us even longer time to find a solution with the Thais. Last night at between 8:29 pm and 8:39 pm my son took note of my conversation with the Secretary General of the United Nations, HE Ban Kimoon. He told me he already talked to PM Abhisit and he called me from New York. He then used the term armed clash (between Thai and Cambodian forces). I deny it to be an armed clash but a war it was.

Why did they term it an armed clash? They sought to diminish importance of the forthcoming UNSC meeting. I said to HE Ban Kimoon that ‘Abhisit is cheating’ and that Abhisit always claims that Cambodia invaded Thailand. I reasoned with him, if Abhisit says so why should he be worried about bringing this issue to the next level? We have spent over two years to find a bilateral solution, since July 15, 2008.

ASEAN Role is Welcome

I would like to assure Abhisit he should not be worried about taking the two countries’ border conflict to the next level, which is to involve international mechanism of some kind. I even hinted that if the Security Council feels it difficult to give pro or con decision, the Security Council should delegate this mediating role to ASEAN, after the meeting of the Security Council. It was a good thing that Thailand has confirmed its Foreign Minister’s presence to the meeting where Cambodian Foreign Minister and ASEAN rotating chairman Indonesian Foreign Minister will also take part.

This is not the world in which bigger nations should and could do whatever they wanted to smaller ones. We are living a new world order. The mediating role, if the UNSC sees it is necessary, can be transferred to regional mechanism, however, in a coordinating and not in a separate manner. The complementary role of the United Nations and ASEAN is quite acceptable and Cambodia will do all it can to cooperate with.

I have told my army to stay put and not to be tricked by Thai’s instigation. We are preparing for further action to ask the International Court of Justice to elaborate its decision of 1962 as (the forthcoming mediating role) will be a mechanism for provisional ceasefire only. This issue would not be at its end. Let’s hear what Limthongkul has said ‘(Thai) army should fight to capture Angkor Wat and use Angkor Wat to trade for Preah Vihear.’

My Three Sons Are Soldiers

It has been quite absurd now that they not only insult me but also my son, Gen. Hun Manet. They even spread the news that Gen Hun Manet, while commanding the fight at Preah Vihear, has been wounded. I am feeling pitiful on my son. He was born under Pol Pot’s time and called me ‘uncle’ instead of ‘father’ when we met again. Now the Thai invaders insulted you. I hope that you will fight against aggression till the end. I also send a message to Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, etc. that all my three sons I have are soldiers. They should think of themselves that while they are in their 50s and 60s already, they behave as bad examples to younger generation that they insulted kids like this.

A Mouse Catching Cat

Some political parties may have said that I have taken an awkward position on this matter. Let me remind you all that I have said it clearly that I do not care if it is a black or white cat as long as it is catching mice. Which means, I see it fit for any mechanism, bilateral or multilateral, to resolve the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. We have succeeded in making Thais to withdraw their troops from the Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda through bilateral negotiation. However, conflict has developed beyond bilateral mechanism already.

Exhibition To Go, No Extremist Forum

Well let me reaffirm here that we should try to contain this conflict within the military aggression of Cambodia only while negotiations on bilateral trade and economics will continue. I also appeal to all concerned and people that we must not allow extremism to expand one problem to another. According to HE Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister for Trade, the Thai exhibition in Cambodia will be taking place on February 17 as scheduled. I would urge our people to go buy and visit the exhibition as they wish. We Cambodians do not act like Limthongkul and his men.

Selected Comments at the Graduation and Diploma Conferment of the Norton University

NIE, 07 February 2011

Diploma Conferment for 1,379 Graduates

Once again and it is now my fifth time to preside over the graduation of the Norton University and to confer diplomas for graduates since 1997. It is a great pleasure today that I am here to confer diplomas for 1,379 graduates of both bachelors and masters. I would like to take this opportune moment to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the University’s effort in overcoming difficulties to achieve development this far. I thank the management and professors of the University for transferring knowledge and knowhow for students. The University has been active too, according to my knowledge, in providing scholarships for poor but capable students.

Job Attainment – 80% to 90%, Quality of Education - Strengthened

Aside from student’s own effort in studying, I also appreciate efforts – both personal and family – for paying school fees. Achievements that all of you have scored today are indeed prides for you and your families. I also share this joy with all of you. Furthermore, as is stated by Mr. Chan Sok Khieng, Rector, the rate of employment that graduates from Norton University have attained so far between 80% and 90+% is quite encouraging. This has called for quality in education indeed.

Among other things, I have urged various institutions involved to focus on consolidating and achieving a high quality in education so as to cater to demand for skills and knowledge in the job market. Without skills and knowledge, our young people could not in any way find a job or a better job to do. It is in this belief that I continue to appeal to all tertiary education institutions to make more efforts to strengthen quality in education, which from this University alone, we will have some 20,000 graduates in the future.

Quality in education has been a demand of our time of integration. Cambodia is in its fast moving process of integration in which human resource need is urgent. Let me share with you one example of human resource achievement (that Cambodia has made and been) praised the United Nations. We have sent our troops to Sudan, Chad, Central African Republic, and Lebanon. They have been the country’s pride because the United Nations have given us a high evaluation. This is what Cambodian military human resources have been achieved. We are also looking for chance that you all could also find jobs in world, regional and subregional institutions too.

A Tiny Motor To Be Made in Cambodia

I have the feeling and belief that investors would not want to hire expertise from abroad for their investments in Cambodia, except when they could not find one in Cambodia. I met with a Japanese company’s representative who came to Cambodia seeking an investment opportunity in Cambodia of some 57 million USD to manufacture various kinds of motor in Phnom Penh’s special economic zone.
After his exposure of the project, I told him I mistook his project to manufacturing water pump motor.

It is in fact a project for manufacturing all kinds of motor for use in airplane, watches, mobile phone, etc. The project presented by the company will manufacture a sort of motor (that is tiny enough to fit in a small camera) that goes through human organs for making photographic images from inside. The company’s representative assured me this product will be manufactured in 2013 or 2014 and uniquely made in Cambodia.

Weeks ago, I presided over two hydroelectric projects, which cost us over one billion USD, which will be producing 600 MW of electricity for our country’s need. The projects are technically sophisticated as dam of over a hundred meters has to be built and a drill of 6 and 7 and over 10 km though mountains have to be made to gain high water power to turn the turbine. You must agree with me now that there needs to be highly skilled human resources in order to do the job.

Market Need Oriented Human Resource Development

I have said on several occasions with the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC) to work out a plan for orienting our training and education in response to market needs. Back in 1997, if I could recall, I said that Cambodia was in need of road construction. Then, it would not be our call to work out a plan for training (our human resources) in drilling mountain to make way for water to run turbine (as I mentioned earlier). But now it is time for that.

We are also looking forward to training human resources in nuclear energy as well. The University of Battambang has indeed developed a curriculum to include also nuclear engineering and assistance will be provided from Korea on this subject. Faced with growing demand for electricity, we have to be prepared, in spite of so much hydroelectricity we have been investing in, for development of electric generation run by nuclear power. Of course this has to be carefully planned and implemented as this sort of energy development requires vigilance for its unpredictability (explosive nature). You may be recalled about the Chernobyl case in the former Soviet Union.

Though we will move on this with attention and vigilance, it is a must that we need to start local training curriculum and also send our students for further education in experienced countries like Japan and France. We need to have our human resources trained and ready for that matter.

Effect of Climate Change, Coping Mechanism Needed

We also need to adapt to climate change condition. As I went back to Sihanoukville province, which is one of Cambodia’s sea bordering province) again after some 13 months, I seemed to notice the increase of level of sea water. It seems to me that the coast where tourists enjoy their baths has shrunk smaller as temperature has gone high.

In a climate development that the soil temperature has increased, for example from 36 to 40 degree Celsius, what should we do to sustain our food production? We could not do it otherwise but to adapt to the condition. This would mean that new seeds would have to be developed for new climate condition. Look, the United States of America, the world richest and most technically advanced countries in the world, also cannot save themselves from hurricane.

Every country in the world needs to develop its own mechanism to prepare itself in coping with new climate condition. For example, for countries where seismic activity is a part of their life, invention has to be conducted for new knowledge and techniques so that buildings can be constructed to adapt to the earth unpredictable movement. Many countries have done that and their experience could be great example.

Border Fight Development

I am sure you all are anticipating for news about conflict development at the border with Thailand. As I entered this meeting hall, a fight has broken out at Phnom Trop (adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple, the world heritage site, Preah Vihear province) as Thai (soldiers) crossed into our line (in order) to retrieve their fallen ones. They then fired 105 mm shells into our territory and we could not give the number as there too many. That is the fourth fight in a row.

It has been said so much in the last few days by Prime Minister of Thailand and other Thai leaders that Cambodia was the one that initiated the fight. Literally they said Cambodia opened fire first. In fact, it is contradicting to the international norm already that Thai PM demands Cambodia, a sovereign nation, to remove flag from its Buddhist shrine. The pagoda was built back in 1998, even prior to the signing of memorandum of understanding in 2000.

On account of how the fight started, Thai troops moved in and bulldozed (to build) a road (from their side) to the Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda. The Sambok Khmum zone (bee zone), through which the action of bulldozing took place, has been agreed by both sides to be a no-travel place by either. How come Thai troops moved their machineries to clear the way (for their bosses) to come pay respect for the monks? They also have many pagodas on their side, why do they need to come to our pagoda? We warned them not to infiltrate again. Not only did they not pay heed to our warning, their return came with firing on us. We could not withhold our self-defense rights.

That is why who started the fight first is clearly easy to understand. If Thai troops did not move into the prohibited zone, fighting would not erupt. Should they take our warnings and not fire on us, there would not be a problem to solve. We initially thought there were only two pieces of machineries, but when fighting stopped, there were three of them. I told my field commander Gen. Srey Doeuk to let them take those machineries out.

Nature of Conflict

Who initiated the fight is one thing but we must look into the nature of conflict which brought about this fight. Then it is understandable who initiated it. Without the understanding of the nature of conflict, it is impossible to see who would be responsible as Thailand or Cambodia would not accept to be the one who caused the fight.

What remains to be the core of the conflict is when the Thais claim this so-called 4.6 square Kilometer land and their invasion of Cambodia in the Keo Sekha Kirisvarak Buddhist pagoda of Cambodia on July 15, 2008. Under troop readjustment negotiation, the invading soldiers have moved out at 10:30 pm on December 01, 2010.

While they were in Cambodia, Thai troops carved on two different stones “here is the land that belongs to Thailand.” As the troops have been readjusted, our army requested to me to mount a table with words on it “Here is the land that belongs to Cambodia. Thais invaded on July 15, 2008. They moved out at 10:30 pm on December 1, 2010.” In response to request by the Thai Defense Minister, HE Prawit Wongsuwan, to rephrase the words, I have instructed my people to just write “Here is the Cambodian land.”

The situation was tense and I called for negotiation between the Thai military region 2 and the Cambodian side to resolve this spat. They got rid of the letter written (by Thai soldiers) on the rocks and removed (the Cambodian) tablet as well. That was what happened in the morning of January 27. In the afternoon of the same day, Prime Minister Abhisit Vijjajiva of Thailand said to the press that (Cambodian) flag (at the Keo Sekha Kirisvarak) must be taken off. He also went this far to warn of “military option” as last resort. In fact, PM Abhisit threatened on several occasions, since when he was leader of opposition party, that he is committed to resolve the matter by both diplomatic and military means.

Demanding flag removal from the (Cambodian Buddhist) pagoda is tantamount to declaring war with Cambodia already. Removing the flag as they demanded, for us Cambodian, is like stripping away the Cambodian soul too. No one Cambodian would dare do that as this would prove the person, Prime Minister or simple citizen, is not a Cambodian.

PM Abhisit Sharing Border and Temple Stand with PAD

Along with move by the PAD (Thai yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy) to set up fund to take Preah Vihear temple back, on February 6, 2011, The Nation quoted Abhisit as saying “he wondered why the PAD would intensify the protests to force him out of office when he shares the same stand with the PAD regarding to the border disputes.” What do the two trends mean? It is seen and understood that Thai Prime Minister shares his stand in taking back Preah Vihear temple (from Cambodia).

Adding to this Abhisit also said that his Government was the first (Thai) Government that was opposed to Cambodia’s unilateral registration of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site. By this, did he mean that Preah Vihear belongs to his country so that he opposed the unilateral registration of Preah Vihear by Cambodia?

On another note, Abhisit opposes use or application of 1/200,000 map that Cambodia has based (its claim) in border demarcation. Despite all that, on Sunday, February 7 Abhisit insisted that Thailand has not lost its territory to Cambodia (as alleged by the PAD). PM Abhisit may need to explain here if Thailand has not lost land why he demanded for (other country’s) territory by trying to prevent registration of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site. This is the point to analyze and to ask if Abhisit understand it or not.

Why Military Exercise Near Preah Vihear?

As you now can account for the development of the situation as a result of problem created by the Thai side from one to another. We have no other choice but to move in and get ready. Look, there is this Cobra Gold 2011 military exercise (a part of which is) taking place close to the border with Cambodia in the Preah Vihear temple area. There is so much space in Thailand, why else they chose to launch the exercise in the area?

Cambodia launched live ammo military exercise too but we decided to do it far away from sensitive area as it might cause misunderstanding. This military exercise on the scene is seen to be one that is preparing for attack and capturing the so-called 4.6 sq.km area.

Thai Fought to Occupy 4.6 sq. km – Correct Assessment

As you all are aware now how the fight erupted, I must draw your attention on the fact that our assessment of the situation (that the Thai troops will move on us) has proven to be justifiable. (We have understood now that) it was not a simple clash but a fight planned by Thai side with real intention to occupy the so-called 4.5 square Kilometer area by starting their intrusions from the points of Jak Jreng, Ta Sim, Viel Intri and Phnom Trop, etc.

Our evaluation of the fight has concluded that it was a small war or a large scale clash along the Thai-Cambodian border. All fronts pointed to the 4.6 sq.km area. Thai troops used whatever they have ranging from 130 mm to 155 mm. They even scorned us to have no modern weapons as they do and use only outdated ones. Chamlong Srimuang, one of PAD leaders, said as soon as Thailand move in its troops, the Cambodian army would be terrified as they have only outdated weapons to depend on. He even threatened Cambodian with Thai air force. I think he’s better save that as it would give more weight to Cambodian case at the United Nations. I just assure him that Cambodians are not war mongers but used to make war for self-defense.

Thai Defense Minister’s Role in Ending the Fight

As I was sitting with HE DPM Tia Banh, Minister for National Defense, there was a call (from HE Prawit Wongsuwan, Thai Defense Minister) to seek for a ceasefire. Because my English is not that better than his, I passed the phone to HE Tia Banh, who knows Thai, to communicate with him. I stick to a principle that if Thai troops agree to stop firing, Cambodia will reciprocate in kind and ten minutes’ time after the discussion has been set. By my watch, it all stopped after seven minutes. See, if there is a will for ending the clash, like what HE Prawit Wongsuwan did with me and HE Tia Banh, there is always a way.

On this account HE Prawit Wongsuwan, Thai Defense Minister, and myself, together with HE Tia Banh, Cambodian Defense Minister, have played critical role in ending the fight. We have agreed since on the night of February 4 and soldiers from both sides should stay where their positions are, which means there should not be troop movements, waiting for resolutions from either the Joint Border Committee (JBC) or International Court of Justice. In fact, Thai military region leaders do not have the authority to give agreement to the two issues but a ceasefire is what they can do.

A Prisoner of War – Released by Cambodia

You know that Thailand and Cambodia agree to have five soldiers from each side at the place. As fighting erupted, one among five escaped and the remaining four have been saved by our soldiers at the moment that the Thai troops opened fire on Cambodia. The Thai troops fired on their own troops who are with the Cambodian soldiers. Have not they thought of their soldiers who were among ours?

Both sides claimed so and so number of deaths and casualties. That is war. Bullets, modern or outdated ones would not distinguish who from whom. They opened heavy artillery again on us in the morning of February 5 and 6. On the morning of February 6, we arrested one Thai soldier. He is Pvt Songkran Thongchompoo, born on April 3, 1989, enrolled in the Thai army on November 1, 2009, from the section II, infantry company 16, seconded to military region II and was arrested while creeping in Cambodian territory to gather military intelligence.

In fact I have agreed to release him since yesterday 9 o’clock in the morning but when Defense Minister Tia Banh told them Cambodia arrested one Thai soldier, there was denial from the commander of regiment 23 of Thailand that no one from Thai side has been arrested. I then asked my commander to send him to Phnom Penh. Pvt Songkran Thongchompoo wrote letter by his hand in Thai asking Samdech Techo Hun Sen to intervene for his release and he would owe unforgettable gratitude for this gesture. This is one more testimony that Thailand has invaded Cambodia. He was not arrested on Thai territory but on the Cambodian soil. If Thailand maintains that he was arrested on Thai soil, they may give Cambodian soldiers too much credibility.

We have taken good care of the prisoner, and applied the convention and rules of prisoner of war for enemy combatants. His release will be made with agreement from both sides and in the presence of the ICRC (International Committee of Red Cross). Thais may realize the Cambodian nature. Illegal migrants from Thailand to Cambodia are never handcuffed, but you Thais cuffed my people in hands and feet. Cambodians are poor but we are kindhearted. If they continue to deny his identity, we may have to keep him in Cambodia and if the he likes to be a Cambodian we may consider provide him with one.

Thai Shelling World’s Heritage Preah Vihear Temple

The temple of Preah Vihear was registered as one of the world heritage sites on July 7, 2008. What has left to be accomplished is development of management plan that Cambodia has been working on in close cooperation with UNESCO. Though it has not been adopted in the Brazil’s meeting, the fact that Cambodia moved its people out of the K1 village was not in any way a response to demand from Thailand but from the World Heritage Committee. Shelling on the world heritage site, didn’t Thai or PM Abhisit admit, is tantamount to shelling on the world (property). How he could explain or deny that since PM Abhisit has been quoted by the press to acknowledge he is sharing the stand with PAD in demanding a return of the Preah Vihear temple.

SMS between Gen. Hun Manet and Thai General

Maybe it is worth recalling some of the messages that General Hun Manet has been in contact with Thai military generals so that we all could account the whole event together. At 8:33 pm, there was a message from General Nipat Thonglek, former Director of the Border Affairs Department, Royal Thai Armed Forces, to Gen. Hun Manet, which reads “Gen. Hun Manet, I have tried to contact you to discuss issue at the border, please pick up your phone or call me, from Gen. Nipat (sic).” At 8:37 pm a call came to Gen. Hun Manet seeking for a truce. Gen Hun Manet relayed the message to me. I told him to reply if Thai troops stop the fighting, Cambodian will too. General Nipat seemed to have said let’s wait about twenty minutes. Till then, from now at 8:40 pm, it will be till 9 pm for a truce to take place.

I asked Gen. Manet to probe why twenty more minutes. Let’s end it now. General Nipat said, now then, I will contact my people. At 8:55 pm Gen. Hun Manet confirmed ceasefire from Cambodian side but Thai side continued. General Nipat said he did not know, let him check. At 9: 03 pm Manet checked again why the Thais did not stop or else Cambodia will respond. Again they agreed to stop altogether within five minutes. Gen. Hun Manet agreed. At 9:17 pm there was a report of movement of Thai tanks. I told Manet to call the Thai General not to move their tanks or fighting would be inevitable at the point of Ta Thao … It was M113.

As far as SMS we keep track is at 10:17 pm General Nipat wrote: “Thank Gen Hun Manet for your cooperation. Border situation is now calm. Gen Sowatchai Samutsakorn sends you his thanks too. We promised to talk when there is a problem so as to avoid accidental risk in the future. Gen. Sowatchai proposed for a friendly meeting. Just tell us when and where. Once again thanks for your cooperation. At 11:15 pm another SMS came and read: “Yes, Thai side apologizes for three more mistakenly shelling. Gen Sowatchai sends his regret and please accept our apology.” Our troops confirmed the last three shells. Look, they always mistakenly shelled on to Cambodian side, not to Thai side.

Going through this account, has there anywhere a point that clarifies that Cambodia started firing on the Thais? This has affirmed that there was no point that Cambodia opened fire on Thai first. According to the messages Cambodia expressed its will to ceasefire and did stop firing first.

Situation Aggravates, UN Buffer Zone a Choice, ASEAN Intervention or ICJ Welcome

The situation now has got worse. Bilateral mechanism could solve provisionally and only certain aspect and/or size of the whole problem. It is now coming to a stage that we need to seek urgent intervention from the UN Security Council as the two sides could no longer hear each other out. When their seniors in command said to stop the fighting, those lower in command seemed to have paid no heed to it. On the Cambodian side we have only one line of communication. Take for instance when the Thai PM Abhisit talked about removing the Cambodian flag and tablet, there was one other person who said “Cambodian authorities had showed they were willing to cooperate by removing the insulting stone tablet. What else does [Mr Abhisit] want from them?” and some even said “Cambodia is not a 'child' that we can order to do whatever we want.”

In light of this, the only possible means is for the UN Security Council to convene a meeting to consider urgent intervention or measures that would prevent escalation of the conflict that can be a threat to peace and security in the region, while ASEAN value would also be in question. Cambodia is ready to send its DPM and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, HE Hor Namhong to the Security Council. They could at least consider a buffer zone where some UN forces to station there. This zone would eventually put the two forces away from each other so that clashes between them would be prevented.

Today the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, rotating chairman of ASEAN, will arrive in Cambodia. We welcome urgent intervention of ASEAN and of rotating chairman of ASEAN. On the contrary, PM Abhisit has made it adamant that the matter can be pursued bilaterally and there should not be a third party at all. Why worry of the third party? Whether it is the United Nations or other organization, there is nothing to be afraid of. We have come to this point of no return in bilateral confidence as you agree with me at night and break your agreement the morning after.

Now, in absence of trust, Cambodia needs an international mechanism to control the situation, together with patience from and relations between both sides. It would be even better if some kind of international mechanism is to be placed within the framework of the Thai-Cambodian border, especially the Preah Vihear area.

PAD’s Claiming Preah Vihear Fund, Don’t Make New-Era Hitler Out of Oneself?

Let me call on PM Abhisit to give his understanding of the so-called Claiming Preah Vihear Fund that is being orchestrated by a group of people in Thailand. Extremist democracy in your country has insulted Cambodia. Would you allow that to go on? Cambodia does not need Thai land. We would not want even if you give us. But we will not allow any piece of our land to be lost. You happened to agree that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, but now your fellow countrymen under the leadership of Sondhi Limthongkul, head of the yellow-shirt movement, seems to have taken you to a different track.

While you have confirmed that you have shared the same stand with the PAD regarding the border disputes, as I quoted the source earlier, what could we draw from that? Would you also demand Preah Vihear temple (from Cambodia)? In that case, we have to go to the Security Council of the United Nations, and then to International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, or any other international mechanism to sort things out or else this would not be resolved. When you affirmed your position not to have third party involvement, are you thinking of benefiting from the fact that you are bigger country and more powerful than Cambodia that threat can be exerted on anytime you may like to?

I have discussed with HE Hor Namhong, and he also brought this matter up with HE Kasit Phiromya, Thai Foreign Minister, about the fact that there would not be a common ground for resolving the issue as (Cambodia) is fully observing the maps on which the International Court of Justice in The Hague awarded, by nine votes to three, the temple of Preah Vihear to Cambodia, as it is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. However, Thailand unilaterally drew another map and sometimes they even said blindly that the court only awarded the temple while the land has not yet been decided.

By seven votes to five, the Court found that Thailand was under an obligation to restore to Cambodia any sculptures, stelae, fragments of monuments, sandstone models and ancient potteries which might, since the date of the occupation of the Temple by Thailand in 1954, have been removed from the Temple or the Temple area by the Thai authorities. However, what has been stipulated in the above case so clearly that Thais cannot deny it. Not only did Thailand recognize the map but also ask for copies too. I should warn them not to make a new-era Adolf Hitler out of themselves.

Bilateral Cooperation Should Continue

Once again Cambodia will continue to cooperate with Thailand on all fields while trying its best to contain conflict from growing into other fields. We will contain the conflict on about ten kilometers at the border from growing to be one for the whole 800 kilometers. We should not extend military, political and diplomatic conflict into that of trade, tourism, economics and cultural cooperation.
Those who would like to come over to Cambodia to launch an exhibition, they may do so. In Cambodia, we do not have a movement to insult Abhisit and other Thai leaders as you do in Bangkok to threaten Hun Sen with his head being cut and his blood being washing their feet. Despite all this, we want all cooperation to proceed, while extremist movement should be prevented. In Cambodia we take extra measures to prevent Thai embassy, investor as well as prisoner. So it is my conviction that border trade wherever possible will continue and conflict will be contained from expanding to other areas.

Thank the Cambodian Soldiers; An Appeal to Thai People, Army and Government

Taking this opportune moment, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for our heroic soldiers of all armed forces of Cambodia who are on mission at the border with Thailand. Your heroism is backed up by our people at the rear. You all are not alone. People in the whole country are behind you in the national defense activity. Our people are confident that our soldiers of all ranks as well as national police force and the military police force are quite capable of defending our nation.
Also I would like to take this occasion to express and share my condolences with two of our soldiers and one civilian who were killed in action. The CTN and Bayon TVs have started its fund raising campaign for Thai-Cambodian border security and development. I am sure our people will share what they have with our soldiers at the front.

I would like to place an appeal to the people, Government and Army of Thailand to think of one true fact that Cambodia and Thailand will have to live as neighbors with each other. Being next to each other is like teeth and tongue. In their conflict, one cannot be dislocated from the other. I am sure you understand that this conflict happened because of certain leaders and extremist circles in your country. Again, PM Abhisit should think through and define the meaning of demanding the return of the Preah Vihear temple. Is not it a cause of invasion?

Looking for Win-Win Solution

If Thai continues (with this behavior), the two countries will not be finding peace but disaster. No one would win in a war. All will lose. While bilateral efforts could not yield, it is imperative that the UNSC should do their bit for the sake of preventing conflict and seeking further solution for younger generation of our two countries. International Court of Justice will be our last resort to resolve the matter. It has proven even more so now since both sides disagree on which maps to be referred to in finding bilateral solution.

Denial of old maps from around 100 years by ancestors would lead to going to international court of justice so that our younger generations will not have to fight each other anymore. We regret losses that are incurred on both sides, Thailand and Cambodia. Displaced person is a common situation on both sides too. Well that is one of the consequence of war. Making war is not a good choice.

Selected Comments at the Inauguration of the Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge at Preak Tamak

24 January 2011

Thank China for Immense Achievements
I am so joyful to be here participating with all of our people in the inauguration ceremony of the Prek Tamak Bridge that is built with the Chinese assistance. The achievement of this magnitude is considered immense for our people and country. I would like to take this opportune moment to express my sincere thank for the good words of HE Pan Guangxue, Ambassador of China, about cooperation that we have so far and more to be done in the future.

I would depend on HE Pan Guangxue to relay my sincere thank and appreciation to the people and government (of the People’s Republic of China) for assistances they have provided so far and will be providing in the future for the Kingdom of Cambodia’s development. I also express my appreciation for efforts made by the Ministry of Public Works and Transports as well as related institutions – Ministries of Economy and Finance, local authorities and people living along the project sites of Preak Tamak Bridge as well as the national road 8, in making these projects a great success.

I also thank and appreciate the Shanghai Construction Company and the consultant company Guangzhou Wanana for the efforts they have put into this construction. It was also a good gesture and understanding of allowing our people to use the bridge for a short period of time in July 2010 when our people celebrated annual offering day for their ancestors. After the construction completes, our people have been allowed to use the bridge and today we are here just to make the inauguration official. On this joyous occasion and that the Chinese New Year is approaching, I would like to wish all of you Chinese experts, engineers and workers good health and longevity, while making further contributions in Cambodia.

Three Bridges Ready, Three More to Come
I am so happy today as this is already the third Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge that is being put into official use, after the first 1057 meter Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge at Sekong River (in Stoeng Treng province) that links the national road 7, which China also helped build from Kratie to Stoeng Treng on one end of the bridge and from the other end of the bridge to the border with Laos, that was inaugurated a few years back and the second Cambodian-Chinese Friendship bridge at Prek Kadam that was put into official use last year.

I also would like to take this opportune moment to inform our people that there will certainly be two more Cambodian-Chinese Friendship bridges – the Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge at Jroi Jangva (adjacent to the Cambodian-Japanese Friendship Bridge) in Phnom Penh and the Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge at Ta Khmao (of Kandal province). As we are working out a new project to build a road linking Preah Vihear province and Stoeng Treng province, we would go for a third new bridge in line across the upper part of the Mekong River too.

Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership
I am so content that this has been one of so many achievements that are the fruits of cooperation between Cambodian and China. Our foreign policy to build up relations with the People’s Republic of China has now entered a stage of comprehensive partnership for strategic cooperation. This has provided Cambodia with opportunity to cope up with needs for development, in which infrastructural one, that China has been providing credit, is our priority.

The Cambodian-Chinese cooperation has proven to be of importance for Cambodia. It should be noted that economic development in China has not been for the sake of Chinese growth and prosperity alone. China has pursued a foreign policy that is providing help for other developing countries, not only in Asia but also in Africa and Latin America, too. Particularly for ASEAN, I could recall that HE Wen Jiabao, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, has been increasing Chinese commitment to provide assistance in related ASEAN + China summits. The amount of commitment has reached some seven billion USD, and Cambodia has achieved a fairly big part of this committed amount for its development projects.

As I mentioned once the amount of committed fund that Cambodia has secured for development projects so far has been provided in two forms. One form of provision of funding is provided from the Chinese Government to the Royal Government of Cambodia and another form of funding is by funding the Chinese private sector to carry out investment projects in Cambodia. As for the latter form, HE Pan Guanghue and I have presided over the river closure ceremonies to built two hydroelectric plants that provide some 600 MW of electricity at a total cost of over one billion USD.

Six Hydroelectric Plants
In all there have been six Chinese companies working on hydroelectric projects in Cambodia. There have been six construction sites, one of which has now provided electricity already. The credit for all six projects cost up to between 1.6 and 1.7 billion USD. As of this year, Cambodia will have over 200 MW of electricity more, in which 193 MW will come from the Komjai hydroelectric plant and 18 MW will come from Kirirom III. We are busy wiring them out through Takeo province and on to Phnom Penh.

Here at Prek Tamak (a commune of Khsaj Kandal district lof Kandal province that bordering on the western bank of the Mekong River with Punnhea Loe district of Kandal province) we also need electricity for the bridge as well as household and production consumptions. We must make further effort to provide electricity to the bridge as we already have a beautiful bridge in use now. We could not afford to let it be damaged from driving in the dark at all.

So Nguon Transports Warned
Talking about careless driving let me warn the So Nguon’s transport company about their state of operation. In fact (Oknha) So Nguon is chairman of the private sector’s transportation service However it has been so frequent that his transport means cause accidents. His company truck had just broken the rail of the Monivong Bridge. I must say it out loud and in open. It has been said that the company’s means of transport have not been properly maintained and their drivers have been considered careless too. I think I have said about this twice already.

This is just my advice. If this is going on to be the case, no heed will be paid to advice and traffic accidents of that sort will keep happening, there is no other way to make thing better but to close the company down. I doubt what sort of Government partner this company could be. In absence of electricity to light up the Prek Tamak Bridge at night, I warn of careless driving and improperly maintained vehicles to cause such damages.

Infrastructures – Prime for Economic Development
I subscribe to a theory that in order to achieve economic development, efforts must be made to have infrastructure in place. This has not been well approved by many except only in about a year ago. With without their recognition and/or approval, Cambodia has made its choice. What we have achieved because of courageous policy, in the name of the Cambodian People’s Party as well as the Royal Government of Cambodia, under my leadership is a pride.

Efforts have been made from stage to stage and in stringent financial condition to have bridges built. We now have the Japanese built Kizuna Bridge at Tonle Bet of Kampong Cham province, the Cambodian-Chinese Friendship of Sekong, the Cambodian-Chinese Friendship at Prek Kadam, the Cambodian-Chinese Friendship at Prek Tamak, the new Monivong Bridge in Phnom Penh, and we are going to build two more bridges at Jroi Jangva and Takhmao both with the Chinese assistance. On February 12, 2011, we will solemnize the construction of the Neak Loeung Bridge that is two kilometers long.

Started from wooden bridge, we then came to Bailey bridges that we also purchased them from China. We have now reached the time when we have them replaced with concrete bridge. Beiley bridges have been relocated to formerly inaccessible areas. In tough financial situation, in order to connect the whole country together, the Royal Government allowed private sector to buy the Beiley Bridge and built them first and the government would repay them later in stages.

Economic and Social Benefits from Being Connected
As the country fully achieved peace, infrastructures were still a major problem as they still leave the whole country in disconnection. People travelling to and from rural areas to cities and other centers, for business and/or for holidays and visits, have been vastly improved indicating three major changes in people’s economic and social conditions, thus far assuring benefits our people get from infrastructural development projects.

In the last few years, it has been noticed that cities and centers have been left quiet as people travelled far and back to their home villages for example. This can be a good example of how infrastructural development benefits our people. Firstly, thanks to peace and security that is spreading throughout the country, our people can travel wherever they wish to. Secondly, travelling is possible because the country has been well connected by roads and bridges, and thirdly, our people must have a better living conditions or made a fairly amount of money in order to travel.

It has been my philosophy and it will be in the future that investment must continue to be made in infrastructures – such as roads, bridges, water canals, electricity and human resource development. I have said and repeated that we must continue investment in four prioritized areas: water, road, electricity and human resources development. If we are not connected internally how do we go about preaching of regional integration?

Local Unsophisticated Ferry – A Memory
Take this area for instance. Not to mention of Prek Tamak Bridge that connects one side of the Mekong River to another, at Preah Kunlong waterway of Khsaj Kandal, if you care to look at the footage of TVK, I crossed it with the most unsophisticated ferry in the world. There were two boats tied alongside each other topped with floor piece that slices of wood nailed together. The ferry of this sort was powered by human pulling a cable that is tied to each side of the waterpass.

In 1989, it was within the rainy season as our people celebrating traditional Buddhist offerings to their ancestors, with a group of officials, I came to Prek Tamak by boat. As we arrived, there was a heavy rain. The locals told us we’d better leave in the rain for wherever we wanted to go or after the rain stopped travelling would be impossible for slippery condition and/or motorbikes’ tires would be immovable by mud. We did. We reached to Sanlong commune and stayed there overnight.

A Promise Kept from 2003
It was in that state of road and ferry that we pooled out resources and built a bridge at Preah Kunlong that was inaugurated in April 1990. It was a small bridge. However, it was our great pride and joy. I remember that in 2003, at the Prek Bang pagoda of Khsaj Kandal district, I have affirmed that if I were to be in power, I would try my best to build the national road 8. It was then designed to be a road of seven meters in width. However, now we have a bitumen road of eleven meters in width instead stretches from Prek Tamak to the b order with Vietnam and on to the district of Punnhea Krek of Kompong Cham province.

In addition to the road that I promised, now we have also a bridge of 1,066 meters in length and 13,5 meters in width at the cost of 43 million USD, in which 2,178,180.95 USD is the counterpart fund provided by the Royal Government of Cambodia. As is written on banner here, or generally said in China and Cambodia, where there is a way there will be hope. It is in this line that we have saved every cent to invest forcefully in infrastructural development.

Infrastructural Development – People’s Benefits
As we achieve peace and in order to preserve peace as well as to integrate our people from former Democratic Kampuchea, through the win-win policy that I put out in 1996 and implemented through to 1998, recommendation has been focused on urgent infrastructural development. I have said that political and administrative integration was only one part of the whole process, whereas to integrate them by infrastructural means would be another important part.

In some countries efforts have been made only for urban infrastructural development while less has been done for people in rural areas. That has led to judgment by local rural people that they have been neglected and also their production in that instance would be locked up in their areas as access to market would be impossible. Discontent among them would rise and there would also be negative impact on pricing of products and goods in urban markets as well.

Take for example, Snuol district of Kratie province, people produced various kinds of crop but could not get them out to markets anywhere because of absence of road links. As we have the national road 7 in place our people really benefit from the development of infrastructure in many terms.

According to the report by HE Tram Iv Toek, Minister for Transport and Public Works, the cost of crossing the Mekong River at this point, Prek Tamak, by ferry to-and-from was ranging from 24,200 Riel for empty or small vehicle, 82,000 Riel for large truck ... However, after the bridge has been allowed for use last July, travelers by all transport means no longer pay that sum of money anymore. They can cross the river as many times as they may need to while the Royal Government has paid for their trips.

Some people have said about us that we did not do anything for the country. I would rebuke to their remarks that “yes, we did not do ‘things’ but we build roads, bridges, irrigation canals, etc. What a useless thing to do to play flute for cow’s ears.

Infrastructural Development Projects with Chinese Assistance
I just want HE Pan Guangxie to note that he is going to be the busiest compared to former Ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China to Cambodia. Let me line out that so far there is 1,500 km of roads and bridges that have been built and put into use with the grant and credits from the People’s Republic of China. Maybe I should list them here.

Road/Bridge	Where	Length
National Road 7 segment	from Kratie province to the border with Laos at Stoeng Treng province	196.8 km
Sekong River Bridge	at Steong Treng Province	10,57 m
Prek Kadam Bridge	at Kandal province	775 m
Prek Tamak Bridge	at Kandal province	1,066 m
Total	3,098 m of bridge
	196.8 km of road

Projects that are underway are:

Roads	From-to	Length/km
National Road 8	Prek Tamak Bridge to Komjai Mie of Prey Veng	109
National Road 76	Snuol district of Kratie to Sen Monorom of Mundulkiri	127
National Road 61	Prek Kadam Bridge to NR 6A Juncture	16
National Road 57	Battambang province to Pailin	103
National Rod 62	Tbeng Meanjei of Preah Vihear province to road 210	150
National Road 62	Kompong Thom province to Preah Vihear province’s Tbeng Meanjei	128
New Road	Anlong Jrei of Krek district to Moen Jei of Krabao district of Kompong Cham	24
National Road 3762	Sen Monorom to Dakdam of Mondulkiri province	26
National Road 78	O Pong Moan of Stoeng Treng province to Banlung of Ratanakiri’s province	121
National Road 59	Pailin, Komrieng, Phnom Proek, Sampeo Loun, Mealai in Pailin and Battambang provinces	144
National Road 57B	Thmor Kol, Sampeo Loun, Village 30, Phnom Preok, Kamrieng, Oda of Battambang province	176
Total		1126

About 70% of the projects have been achieved so far. These roads have been used by our people already.
We also have new projects that that have been agreed upon in general and those that are requesting assistance from China for 2012, 2013 and 2014 as followed:

Road/Bridge/Irrigation	Where	Length
Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge	at Phnom Penh’s Jroi Jangva	719 km
National Road 41	Thnol Totoeng to Jum Kiri	95 km
Cambodian-Chinese Friendship Bridge	at Kandal province’s Takhmao	795 m
Access Road to the Takhmao Bridge	at Kandal province’s Takhmao	11 km
National Road 6A Enlargement	from Phnom Penh to Thnol Keng (Juncture)	40 km
National Road 5 Enlargement	from Phnom Penh to Prek Kadam	30 km
National Road 214	from Tbeng Meanjei of Preah Vihear province to Thala Borivat of Stoeng Treng province	132 km
New Road	from Sen Monorom’s Koh Nhek of Mondulkiri to Lumphat of Ratanakiri province	171 km
Irrigation System	Tonle Vaiko of Svai Rieng province	n.a
National Road 6 Enlargement (2012)	Road juncture at Skun of Kampong Cham’s province to Kampong Thom and Siemreap province	270 km
National Road 44 (2012)	from Jbar Mon district to Oral, Amlang and Udong districts of Kampong Speu province	116 km
National Road 58 (2013)	Banteay Manjei province that runs through Banteay Mean Rith and Thmor Daun	132 km
National Road 55 (2014)	from Pursath city to Phnom Kravanh and Oda	179 km

Neighborly Partnership Foreign Policy
In general, request of this sort will be supported by China because it will increase Cambodia’s economic efficiency. As is stated in HE Pan Gunagxie’s speech, China supports one’s own independent effort for development. This has clearly affirmed that the government of China pursues a policy of good neighborliness and values neighboring partnership as its foreign policy that fully supports the Royal Government’s of Cambodia’s efforts for poverty alleviation and economic development.

These will help Cambodia improve its status for integration of Cambodia into the region and international community. (It has been a promising statement that) China wishes to see Cambodia maintain its own independent effort for national development and assures its approval within its own rights and ability to assist Cambodia.

Having said so, China has seen Cambodia’s own efforts in implementing these projects of development and this has clearly come out through its noninterference into Cambodian decision in its development plan. There has never been no condition attached to every assistance China provides to Cambodia. I am sure that Cambodia will benefit from this relation and we will work out further progress in negotiating new projects. As you can see that China has helped Cambodia a length of road that does not before exist in its history.

Speech at the Official Inauguration of the Prek Tamak Bridge

January 24, 2011

Your Venerable Monks,
H.E PAN GUANG XUE, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cambodia,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Beloved Compatriots, Teachers and Students!

I am pleased and honored to be here to officially inaugurate the Mekong-Crossing Prek Tamak Bridge. I would like to congratulate the people living in and nearby this area on the achievement of a new bridge, which will further improve your living standard. Along with this, I would like to convey my warmest welcome to H.E. PAN GUANG XUE, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cambodia, and his subordinates on the occasion of the Official Inauguration of the Mekong-Crossing Prek Tamak Bridge, linking the National Road No.6 to the National Road No.8 at Ksach Kandal District. The construction of this bridge has been financed by a part of the USD 300 million loan from the Government of the People’s Republic of China and 5% from the Royal Government of Cambodia. This 1,066-meter-long and 13.5-meter-wide bridge, which complies with class-1 standard of the People’s Republic of China, costs USD 43,503,619, of which USD 41,325,438 are loaned by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and USD 2,178,180.95 comes from the Cambodia’s counter fund. This bridge will be a growth and local development catalyst. Put it simple, those who drive their motorcycles across this bridge can save at least 2000 Riels usually paid to ferry operators.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to apologize for the delay of the inauguration of this bridge, which was initially planned during the visit of H.E. LI KEQIANG, First Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, on September 9, 2010 due to flooding and landslide disasters in Gansu.

Taking this opportunity, through H.E. PAN GUANG XUE, I would like to convey Cambodia’s deepest gratitude to the people and Government of the People’s Republic of China. Indeed, China has been a long time friend and a big contributor to Cambodia’s development effort, especially in transport sector. In particular, some road-bridge construction projects have been completed, while others are being and will be constructed. Thousand kilometers of national, provincial and rural roads have been constructed and rehabilitated to link all corners of the country to promote both domestic and interstate trade and business activities. In this connection, investment on physical infrastructure remains one of our priorities in socio-economic development effort, like a slogan that goes “Where there are roads, there is hope”.

What makes us happier and prouder are that during my mid-December 2010 visit, the People’s Republic of China approved additional loan packages to finance many construction projects in Cambodia, including:

1. The 144.27-Km National Road No.59, (from Koun Damrei Village to the National Road No.5 Malai – Sampov Loun – Phnom Preks – Kamrieng – Pailin) which is planned for the groundbreaking ceremony on February 15, 2011.
2. The 176.35-Km National Road No.57B (from Thmor Kol – Borvil – Sampov Loun – Borvil – Phnom Preks Phoum Sam Seb – Kamrieng) which is scheduled for the groundbreaking ceremony on March 21, 2011.
3. The New Phnom Penh Port project which is scheduled for the construction opening on March 2, 2011, and
4. The Second Chruoy Changvar Bridge – Ta Kmao Bridge – National Road No.41 (Kampong Tram – Bor Seth – Chum Kiri)

Besides, we have other projects that would be completed and open for use in 2011 such as (1) National Road No.67 Snoul- Sen Monorom (127 Km) (2) National Road No.57 Battambang- Pailin- Cambodia-Thai border (103. 14 Km) (3) National Road No.62 Tbeng Meanchey to Preah Vihear mountain and (4) Road No.210 from the cross junction of Koh Ke temple to Tbeng Meanchey with a total distance of 150 Km. Along with this, we have other national roads projects that are in the process of construction and would be completed in subsequent years in the future such as (1) National Road No.62 128Km from Kampong Thom to Tbeng Meanchey, (2) National Road No.6 (109 Km) and two cross roads Kam Nat 8-1 562Km (Kro Bao- Meun Chey) and Kam Nat 8-2 18.59 Km (Anglong Chrey- Ponhia Krek) (3) National Road No.78 (123.1Km O Pong Morn - Banlung) (4) National Road No.61 (16Km) from Prek Kdam to Thnal Kaeng and (5) Road from Sen Monorom toward Vietnam’s borders at Dak Deng bridge in Moldolkiri province.

In addition, we have projects that would be supported principally by aids from the Government of the People Republic of China’s and are under study (feasibility study, engineering plan, price negotiation, guarantee letters from Ministry of Justice, environmental impacts evaluation, and aid contracts preparation and so on); Constructions of those projects would be open at the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012, that includes (1) Road 214 from Tbeng Meanchey passing through Srok Chep to Thala Barivat and bridge crossing Mekong river at Steung Treng province with a total distance of 135 Km, which is the second sub-corridor of the southern economic corridor in the framework of sub-Mekong region (2) National Road No.76 from Sen Monorom passing Srok Koh Nhek, Srok Lum Phat 171.78 Km linking with National Road No.78.

All these achievements, in part, will make a big contribution to the socio-economic development of Cambodia in the near future.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Beloved Compatriots, Teachers and Students!

It is true that for many decades our compatriots going Vihea Sour area and its surrounding areas through national road 6A have to spend hours for the distance less then 30 Km from Phnom Penh capital. Even though the distance is only 30 Km if we have no this bridge, those areas seem to be far away from Phnom Penh and other urban areas, which makes the development of the area late: lacking all sorts of physical infrastructure, losing opportunity developing all sectors, and making the living standards of people in this area falling behind other areas with sufficient roads. This affirms as saying, “there are roads, there is hope”.

Indeed, after opening for use since July 21th 2010 people have had more chances to earn income from trading products in the areas as well as international businesses. Now, our people can travel to Kampong Cham province such as Rattanakiri, Modolkiri, Steung Treng, Kratie passing through Prek Tamak bridge and National Road No.4 linking with the bridge at Svay Orntor, taking shorter time than using National road 7 and passing through National Road 1. In addition, this achievement has also reduced ferry traffic congestion at Neak Leung during festivals. The link between Prek Kdam bridge or Prek Phnov from National Road No.5 passing through Prek Tamak bridge has made our communication network more intertwined, creating a potential economic gate that can be linked with Anlong Chrey.

This bridge has also contributed to lifting the living standard and facilitating the services businesses and other transactions along National Road No.8 that can be made quickly to Phnom Penh and other areas in the middle and western parts of the country. In addition, traveling from Prek Tamak bridge to Prey Veng province through National Road No.8 can be done for the entire year, unlike before we had to travel on red soil roads to ferry stations or boat quays at Prek Tamak in the summer; and in the rainy season the red soils roads would be cut off by flood, requiring a lot of national budget in order to fix it everyone.

Seeing a potential opportunity like this, the Royal Government has worked hard seeking funds from the People’s Republic of China for the construction of this bridge, in order to ensure this potential area with full ability contributing to national economic growth, households’ incomes and social development. In general, this bridge has partly created an opportunity for expanding and strengthening investment scope, and context and increasing value add for international level commerce as well.

In this spirit, on behalf of the Royal of Cambodia I would like to continue adhering to the position, willingness, and support for rehabilitation and construction of physical infrastructure, which is the priority and primary policy ensuring Cambodia with even higher ability in competitiveness with other provinces in the region in the near future.

Through this, I would like to send a message to the Members of the Royal Government, local authority at all levels and the management, and all government officials at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to continue cooperating and working hard in maintaining, repairing, and linking road networks to all areas nationwide and with neighboring countries with high quality. Through this, I have another vision that a road linking from National Road No.8 to Toul Basan and linking to Sonlob Dauntey area, former Prey Norkor city in King Korn era.

This achivement will not only connect the regional economic vein, but also highlight again the historical area of Cambodian ancestors as well as creating a newly potential historical tourism pole to serve the local and foreign tourists. In this sense, I would like to further push this working process.

Excellencies, Ladie and Gentlemen,
Beloved Compatriots, Teachers and Students!

Once again, on behalf of the Royal Government and people of Cambodia, I would like to express deepest thanks to the government and people of the friend countries and all development partners, who have always paid attention to spiritually and materially support for the development of Cambodia in all sectors. In particular, I would like to thank the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China, who have timely provided loan, without any conditions, at the request made by Cambodia, who is facing hardship and in bad need to promote economic growth and social development.

Along with that, I would like to congratulate, appreciate and encourage closer cooperation between the mangement and officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport with the local authorities as well as with the related institutions, who have put greates efforts in cooperation in order to achieve successful stategic planning, set by the Royal Government, especially the construction of road, bridges, railways, air routes, waterways, and seaports al over the country. At the same time, I appreciate theSianghai Group Company, who has implemented the construction project and GUANGXUE Van An Construction Monitoring Company, who is the technical advisor for this bridge construction with quality and could be completed 12 months before the schedule.

Before ending, I would like to appeal to all people who are living in this area and request all levels of local authorities to provide good cooperation, which is the perfect character of our Cambodian people, in order to contribute to maitain this bridge and road to be more sustainable with long lasting interst in the future.

Besides, I would like all people to strictly respect the traffic law with high spirit of carefullness while drving at the time we are having good bridge and road, in order to prevent the incidental accidents, causing human lives and properties; and the competent authorities must continue to put further restriction on the overweighted heavy vehicles, violated the law.

At the end, together with Official Inauguration of the Mekong Crossing Prek Tamak Bridge now, I would like to wish the Venerabke Monks, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, National and Internationa Distinguished Guests, Teachers and Students and all Compatriots the four gems of Buddhist blessing: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

Selected Comments at the Birthday Anniversary Celebration for Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea Buo Kri, Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya

23 January 2011

Thank Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea
My wife and I have a great pleasure to be here with our Buddhist parishioners in the celebration of the 67th birthday anniversary for Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea Buo Kri, Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya, and the inauguration of various achievements in the pagoda of Svay Po Pe.
My wife and I, as well as all of my colleagues, would like to express our thanks for Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri for accepting proposal to celebrate this meaningful event here in the pagoda of Svay Po Pe. I would like to thank the organizing commission of the event that has been going on a few days already.

I have attentively listened to the report of HE Kep Chuktema, Mayor of Phnom Penh, and read the pamphlet here about background and actions of Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri.

Tasks Carried Out by Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea
It is our knowledge that Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri has been in his monkhood in his whole life without disruption. He started his monkhood since the period of Samgkum Reast Niyum. When the war broke out in the country, and later fell under Pol Pot’s regime, he fled to France.

There in France, in absence of Khmer Buddhist pagoda, Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri has led active participation for the construction of a pagoda in France, which, if I am not mistaken, is becoming known to the first Buddhist pagoda in Europe. It has proven to us that Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri keeps a relentless faith in Buddha and Buddhism.

Aside from effort that results in building a pagoda in France, Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri has been the one to ordain our respected HM the King, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni. While being ordained, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni was not yet King and now Samdech has been our Majesty for six years already.

Some Memories on Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea
I also have a memory about few things of Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri before he returned to Cambodia in 1991. In the course of negotiation for political settlement to the Cambodian problem by all Cambodian political factions, I could recall that prior to starting the first meeting at Pataya (Thailand on the Cambodian issue), within the framework of the Supreme National Council (SNC), Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri has chanted blessings for all members of the SNC to have a successful discussion. I was so moved with a good memory that wherever we are there will always be Buddha and Sangha.

I still have two more memories with me about Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri. What has carved in deeply as my first memory was in 1992, when Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri offered all contributions from the Dhamma talk to Prime Minister Hun Sen to make good use, after the Dhamma talk that he gave at the Vihear Suor temple in the Royal Palce. I gave them to the Unalom pagoda.

Also in vivid memory was when Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri assured with his signature on a letter that I asked Samdech Kong Sam Ol to intercede on my behalf to seek support for the election (of then His Royal Highness Norodom Sihamoni as) HM the King in the meeting of the Throne Council, which is composed of nine people, on October 14, 2004. I was then on my way back from the Asia-Europe Summit in Hanoi. We were under time pressure because the Constitution stipulates that a new King must be present within a week after the throne is left vacant.

Events have proved that with Samdech Chea Sim, Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranaridh, Samdech Preah Maha Sangha Raja Tep Vong, Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri, and I, have had the privilege to elect King twice, in 1993 and 2004, in our country. It is indeed a history and a memory that I have with Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri.

Buddhism and Buddhist Monks Come to Life
Just now, my wife and I have cut the ribbon to inaugurate 161 Buddhist pagoda of Dhammayuttika Nikaya in the whole country. As of present, in Cambodia, we have for the two assemblages of Buddhism, Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya, some 4,468 pagodas. There are 57,361 Maha Nikaya Buddhist monks and 2,500 Dhammayuttika Nikaya monks.

The Svay Po Pe pagoda was established in 1867, or 144 years already. This pagoda has in fact been fortunate that in the time of war between 1970 and 1975, it suffers no damages. Under the Pol Pot’s regime, all Buddhist pagodas, Maha Nikaya or Dhammayuttika Nikaya, were all subjected to destruction. It was lucky that Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri had fled the country or he would have been disrobed or even lose his life too. Pol Pot’s regime, according to booklets written about class and class struggle in Cambodia in the 1960s, and to be more so when they were in power, categorized monks as parasites in society.

No Distinction from Mahanikaya to Dhammayuttika Nikaya
After January 7, 1979, every religion, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, has come to life again in Cambodia. People practice religion according to their beliefs. Buddhism for instance has made tremendous progress. In light of this, the Governments and National Fronts then and now have made no distinction between Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya at all. My wife and I, as well as our officials, are here in witnessing that there is no distinction between the two Nikayas/sects.

In request for assistance through a letter by Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri to me, I have noticed that there are needs for Buddhist University of Preah Sihamoni Raja, which bears HM the King’s name and where there are so many students, a Buddhist library of Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri, and a students’ accommodation.

I have the duty to thank and express my sincere appreciation to the whole Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buddhism (in Cambodia) for giving me, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, your relentless support for the premier candidacy for terms to come.

Contributions for Dhammayuttika Nikaya Needs and Development
My wife and I have discussed and decided to help finish the construction of the Buddhist University (of Dhammayuttika Nikaya) which has been projected to cost some 488,917 USD, and which has been about 15% in construction. As some 72,000 USD has been spent for the 15% construction, my wife and I would cover the rest 416,917 USD. In this amount, some 98,115 USD and 3.2 million Riel have been contributed by various officials here. So I will add the remaining balance of 318,402 USD.

Along with this, I would like, through Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri, to make a contribution of two million Riel for each of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buddhist pagoda. I would like to take this opportune moment to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to their Majesties Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, Samdech Preah Reachea Akka Mohesei Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, and HM the King for granting always their wealth, messages as well as permission for my wife and I, and all of our colleagues here to organize this ceremony for Samdech Preah Abhiserei Sokunthea and Maha Sangha Raja of Dhammayuttika Nikaya Buo Kri.