Hun Sen says Thais should honour JBC and peaceful negotiations
Hun Sen says Thais should honour JBC and peaceful negotiations
Cambodian Acting Head of State Hun Sen today stated that territory that being illegally occupied by Thai troops must be reclaimed, stressing that there are two possible paths to achieve this goal: peaceful negotiations and that Cambodia is not currently considering the use of force for this purpose.
Speaking during a meeting with displaced residents at a temporary shelter in Slar Kram commune, Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province, Hun Sen said Cambodia remains determined to seek the return of the disputed territory.
“The land that is being encroached upon and illegally occupied must be reclaimed,” Hun Sen said, adding that the available options are either the use of military force or negotiations conducted through peaceful means.
“I would like to send a message that a peaceful solution is more sustainable than a military solution,” Hun Sen said.
He stressed that a peaceful solution based on internationally recognised laws and treaties would benefit both sides.
He called for patience and expressed hope that the Thai side would honour its commitments following repeated delays. He questioned how the international community would respond if negotiations were abandoned despite the ceasefire arrangement.
“We must be a state that respects the law,” he emphasised. “If we immediately open fire, the first bullet would mark Cambodia’s failure. By violating the ceasefire, we would suffer major losses. The international community would seriously condemn us; therefore, we should not do that. It would represent an immediate political and diplomatic failure.”
He noted that during his tenure as prime minister, resources were directed toward sectors such as healthcare, education, and social welfare rather than the acquisition of weapons and military equipment.
“As a result of placing trust in peaceful relations, we did not prepare for war and did not invest heavily in armaments,” he said, adding that Cambodia later faced challenges, Cambodia’s military capabilities and equipment were found to be insufficient.
Hun Sen emphasized that he had not expected an invasion or armed conflict to spread across the entire border.
-Khmer Times-
