Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 22 – Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Honorary Chairman of the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), recalled his discussions with Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon regarding the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen spoke on Friday (Nov. 22) during the opening ceremony of the 12th General Assembly of ICAPP at the CPP’s headquarters.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that if Cambodia had not maintained control over its sovereignty and internal affairs, the country would have perished under the political agenda surrounding the Khmer Rouge tribunal, which neglected national reconciliation. He criticised foreign stakeholders for prioritising the tribunal while failing to consider peace efforts, noting that some countries supported the Khmer Rouge at the UN but later pressured Cambodia to conduct trials without considering the consequences.

“I told the former Secretary-General of the UN clearly that I would rather let the Khmer Rouge tribunal to fail than risk the country going to war again. Please remember that any foreign contribution, whether from a regional organisation or the UN, must respect sovereignty,” Samdech Techo underscored.

Samdech Techo also argued that while Cambodia must meet certain international requirements, there is no universal standard in politics.

On the occasion, Samdech Techo also highlighted that peace requires political reconciliation, which necessitated integrating the Khmer Rouge regime into society. This reconciliation was based on three key principles such as (1) Protecting the lives and safety of those who fled and surrendered; (2) Securing their careers and occupations; and (3) Safeguarding their property. These three pillars formed the foundation of the win-win policy, enabling Samdech Techo Hun Sen to dismantle the Khmer Rouge’s political and military structures entirely and peacefully.
=FRESH NEWS