Hun Sen lashed out at the opposition

By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr for Ki-Media
Click here to read the article in French

During the inauguration of the governor office in Oddar Meanchey, Hun Sen (pictured) lashed out at detractors of his government for its diplomatic policy towards Thailand.

In a speech where he obviously displayed his irritation, Hun Sen lashed out against opposition politicians and Sean Pengsè, the president of the Paris-based Cambodia’s Border Committee. “According to them, discussions with Thailand are too slow. They wanted to see an intervention from the UN Security Council (UNSC). Their remarks are childish. Their level of thinking is not even on par with a CPP city governor. The government’s principle is to resolve this border problem in a peaceful manner. For that, the problem on the spot must be reduced and bilateral cooperation reinforced. This conflict, which is still limited to border points, must not widen to higher levels that could affect other sectors. For more than 100 years, and during Norodom Sihanouk’s era, Thailand did not have diplomatic relations with us. Now, this is a chance to hold a dialog,” he shouted.

Still on a vindictive tone, Hun Sen noted that “it is not normal that the losers in the election give recommendations to the winner.” He then turned his lashing at Sean Pengsè, saying: “He fled the country. He was a minster in the Lon Nol government at that time, He did not dare protest then about the violation of the Koh Wai Island territory by foreign troops. So why is now showing so much irascibility? Mr. Sean Pengsè, you are old, you should know, for example, that recently the UNSC asked for a cease fire in the Gaza Strip and that it was not respected. Things are not that simple. The possibility to resort to the UNSC can only be considered in case of invasion. In terms of international justice, we must wait until the failure of bilateral negotiations.”

Hun Sen then turned to the opposition party: “They asked me to answer on the National Assembly floor about the delay in the negotiations. Because of lack of time, I replied in writing. If this is not sufficient for them, I will come to them to explain the same thing. Furthermore, there will be other problems that I will also raise.”

Very critical towards the opposition, he then lashed out their proposals: “With such level of political thinking, it not surprising that the opposition parties lose the elections. One out of three SRP and HRP part members defects to the CPP. Your new alliance can be broken at any time I want it, I’m telling you,” Hun Sen threatened. To conclude his speech, Hun Sen dispensed his advices: “It’s no use using the word “alliance” to try to beat the CPP, it’s better that they stop defections from their rank.”