Phnom Penh (FN), Jul. 22 – Atul Khare, Under Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) for Operational Support, commended on Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen's efforts to end the civil war and bring peace to Cambodia.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen received a courtesy call by Atul Khare, Under Secretary General of the UN for Operational Support, on Monday morning (Jul. 22) at the Senate.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen was pleased to learn that the UN under secretary general visited Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces and witnessed Cambodia's progress in various sectors, in particular demining.

Atul Khare recalled his first meeting with Samdech Techo in 1992 when he was a representative of India in the peace-seeking process in Cambodia. He noted that Cambodia was war-torn country, and reflecting on Cambodia’s bitter past, he expressed his sincere admiration and congratulations for Samdech Techo's leadership.

In addition, he pointed out that Samdech Techo Hun Sen is not only a leader who brought peace to Cambodia, but also a leader who brought peace to other countries by sending Cambodian peacekeepers.

For his part, Samdech Techo highlighted that Cambodia transformed from a war-torn country into a full peace and development nation since 1998 and has capacity to send blue berets to participate in global peacekeeping operations under the UN peacekeeping missions.

The Senate president added that Cambodia has transformed from a large empire in Asia into a small country as it is today due to war and territorial division over more than 500 years.

Samdech Techo reminded that after UNTAC withdrew from Cambodia, the nation was still at war. Samdech risked his life by entering the Khmer Rouge area and pursued a win-win policy until its success in late 1998.

"So far, we have peace, a peace that lasts longer than ever. Without the win-win policy, Cambodia would not be able to collaborate with the UN to deploy peacekeepers to other countries," Samdech Techo Hun Sen underlined.

Samdech Techo informed Atul Khare that after the Pol Pot regime, the population of Cambodia was only five million, but today, Cambodia has a population of 17 million, with a large number of young people who hold great potential for the country's development.a

Atul Khare considered the increase of the Cambodian population to 17 million as proof of the Cambodian people's trust in Samdech Techo's leadership. He added that without trust, people would not have many children in Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS