Before delivering the speech at the Joint Session of the National Assembly and the Senate on the topic of “Informal Economy,” Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet gave introductory briefing on the border issue in the military region 4 which encompasses the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey.
[Start of introductory note on the border situation]
Before getting on to my intervention on the first agenda item on the social protection system, I would like to ask for permission from the President of the Congress and the entire Congress to briefly report on the border situation, especially in the direction of Military Zone 4 in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces.
The border has been used by a small number of extremists in Cambodia and Thailand as a topic to escalate tensions between the two countries and their peoples. This issue has led to the outbreak of armed conflict in the Mom Bei (Three Angles) area due to Thai troops raiding Cambodian army positions in the Cambodian territory, resulting in the death of one of our soldiers – Brigadier General Suon Roan (whom I would like to express my condolences again), as well as increasing tensions in the Ta Moan area and some temple areas in Oddar Meanchey province, which could lead to renewed confrontation.
Although the two governments have tried to prevent the issue from escalating into a conflict and maintain good border relations, the tension is not over yet. On the contrary, extremist forces continue to stir up trouble. The Royal Government of Cambodia has always taken a stance of peacefully resolving the issue based on international techniques and laws to increase the effectiveness of resolving the issues in these temple areas.
The Royal Government has decided that the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) Cambodia should firstly hold an urgent meeting with the Thai side to resolve the border issue, continue the measurement of the boundary, and demarcate the border between our two countries. Secondly, the Joint Boundary Commission is tasked with preparing to include in the agenda for the JBC meeting regarding taking the issue of the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabey temples and the Mom Bei area to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to extinguish this issue rather than sitting around and blowing smoke.
Cambodia hopes that the Thai side will agree with Cambodia to jointly take this issue to the International Court of Justice in a spirit of fairness and honesty with each other to avoid it becoming a problem that leads to renewed armed conflict due to the unclear border […] I would like to emphasize that even if the Thai side does not agree with us to take this issue to the ICJ, Cambodia will still file a complaint with the ICJ on this issue to end and extinguish the issue, so as to avoid any confusion, especially falling into the incitement of a small group of extremists in Thailand and Cambodia, which could lead to armed conflict and confrontation. This is the decision of the Royal Government.
I would also like to reiterate to the Congress and the Cambodian people that, while Cambodia is trying to resolve the border issue peacefully through technical mechanisms and based on international law, Cambodia reserves the right to defend its territorial integrity by all means, including the use of armed force, if there is an attempt to violate Cambodia’s sovereignty by using armed force. This is the commitment of the Royal Government.
Yesterday, I went to Preah Vihear to meet with the leaders of the army stationed there and who are ready to defend the territorial integrity of Cambodia. Cambodia has no intention of invading its neighbors, and does not want even one millimeter of territory from any country, but Cambodia is determined to absolutely defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is the determination of the army and the national police stationed at the front.
I would like to thank and admire the heroism of the army, the national police, and all forces standing ready to protect the integrity of the territory along all borders, speaking both as a whole and particularly, in the direction of Military Region 4, which has been facing with this problem.
I would like to thank Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, who has always provided support, leadership, and encouragement to the heroic soldiers who stand guard along the border, including all types of armed forces and the National Police, in the past and now, and has also inspired the people’s national defense movement that mobilizes citizens across the country to encourage our forces who are ready to defend the integrity of the territory.
I would also like to thank the overwhelming support from Cambodian citizens in all directions, whether at home or abroad, for supporting the army and the national police force through continuous donations of resources, funds, materials, and food, as well as expressing support through messages on social media, such as Facebook, in all forms to support our brothers and sisters. I would like to emphasize that such support is not just food or money.
Food and financial assurance, the Royal Government has already prepared, and the Ministry of National Defense, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, His Excellency Tea Seiha went to station there, His Excellency It Sarath, His Excellency Hing Bung Hieng and the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense’s relevant departments of logistics and techniques, have made their presences to ensure that we will not let our brothers have any shortages. The additional support of our citizens is even more important, not only in terms of food and materials, but also in terms of encouragement so that our troops know that the people in all directions are behind them to successfully fulfill their duty to defend the territory. This is a very big message for our brothers.
I call for continued support and unity to encourage our forces. At the same time, I would like to once again appeal to all Cambodian citizens, regardless of their tendencies, not to take any action that would harm the morale of the Cambodian (army). This is a time when the entire nation must come together, especially behind the army, to prepare for national defense and territorial integrity.
We will talk about politics and differences at another time, but please do not say anything that will affect the morale and spirit of defending our country (at this time). (This) is not (the time) to exploit internal politics and oppose each other, but to come together and gather together because our country and our army is at stake. In this regard, I would like to thank our citizens across the country again and call on them to continue to support and encourage our army. Thank you.
[End of introductory note on border situation]