THE HUMAN DIMENSION IN THE CULTURE OF DIALOGUE

០៣ ឧសភា ២០១៥ / 03 May 2015

By reading my answers to the following questions asked just a few days ago by a western journalist from The Phnom Penh Post, any interested person will better understand the culture of dialogue that Prime Minister Hun Sen and I, as opposition leader, are trying to develop in Cambodia.

Question: You also spoke of creating a culture of dialogue with Hun Sen in 2006, after your return from exile, but despite initial warmth, Hun Sen ultimately continued his political persecution against you. Why do you think it will be different in 2015?

Answer: Sometimes, many attempts are needed before you can finally reach your goal. Besides, Cambodia’s political landscape in 2015 is much different from the one in 2006. For the first time ever, there is a united (and strong) democratic opposition in Parliament where only two parties are represented. The new balance of power is more conducive to a real dialogue.

Question: Do you believe Hun Sen honestly believes you may eventually become Prime Minister, like he said a few days ago, or do you think he's just performing political theatre?

Answer: It was just a supposition on his part. He pronounced my name just as an "example" of a possible future prime minister following a change in the country’s leadership. But my political future only depends on the Cambodian people.

Question: To what extent do you believe Hun Sen is acting in good faith, and to what extent do you believe he's trying to manipulate you by engaging you in a culture of dialogue? How do you defend yourself from Hun Sen's manipulation?

Answer: Both of us are getting old and we have to re-adjust our life goals, including preparing the legacy that we want to leave for the next generation. In this context, I sincerely believe Hun Sen is sincere. And this may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I believe that in any human being, even in a tyrant or an assassin, there is at least a hidden particle of humanity. We must help humanity grow everywhere. I am not a Christian but I believe in redemption as I believe in forgiveness. These concepts do not contradict my Buddhist faith. 

If you listen to our recent speeches, Hun Sen and I have finally (better late than never) drawn the same lesson from our country’s history: because its leaders have been divided and continuously fighting against each other over the last centuries, with each side calling for support from a neighbouring country to win over the other side, a lot of Khmer blood has been spilled in civil wars and massacres and Cambodia’s territory has been continuously shrinking while its independence was lost following each foreign intervention, and this trend may jeopardize our country’s very existence as a nation.

Question: Not everyone in the opposition appreciates the dialogue you've opened up, particularly Mam Sonando. Can you please explain how your political calculation is wise when it may lose you support in the opposition?

Answer: What is important is to remain true to yourself. By advocating a change in mentality associated with the culture of dialogue I know I am taking a political risk because some people will not immediately understand where I want to go and they may accuse me of betrayal just because I call for talks with the "enemy". But as long as I am true to myself and continue to uphold principles that are at the basis of my 25-year political struggle, I am not afraid to lose some support and votes in the short term. Time will tell and time will help people understand my real motivation and objective.

Question: Both you and the Prime Minister must believe this detente benefits your respective parties. Could you please explain how being friendly with the Prime Minister does more good for the CNRP than it does the CPP?

Answer: Given the implications of the culture of dialogue, it is not that important to do "good for the CNRP" compared to doing good for the country. When trying to put an end to the centuries-long culture of confrontation and violence by replacing it with the culture of dialogue, it is not the CNRP that I have in mind but the Cambodian nation as a whole. My dream is to see a mature and progressive democracy take roots in this country where no Cambodian would treat another Cambodian as an "enemy". We would then stop the vicious circle of violence and revenge and be able to concentrate our efforts, energies and resources to develop our country for the well-being of our people.

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