Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 24 – Cambodian President of the Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen reflected on Cambodia's painful history, highlighting how a so-called democratic country inflicted suffering on Cambodia. This occurred as the government sought to liberate the nation from the Khmer Rouge regime, which slaughtered innocent people, yet was denied recognition as the legitimate Royal Government. Instead, the Khmer Rouge retained Cambodia's seat at the United Nations.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen spoke on Sunday (Nov. 24) during the opening of the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel.

Samdech Techo underscored, "At that time, in my capacity as Cambodian foreign minister, when I was only 27 years old, the suffering I experienced has not ended even today. I must point out that there was no single standard, which I previously mentioned at the ICAPP meeting. From 1970 to 1975, the seat at the United Nations (UN) was held by the Lon Nol regime, on the grounds that Lon Nol ruled the capital. From 1979 to 1991, we fought for the UN seat, but our Royal Government was deemed illegal. While Lon Nol's illegal coup was recognised as legitimate at the UN, our legitimate government was not."

Samdech Techo Hun Sen stressed that this serves as a lesson and an experience, underscoring the need for specific and consistent interpretations in international relations. He criticised interpretations driven by the interests of powerful nations, which lack integrity or a sense of responsibility.

"Even though these events are long past, we cannot forget them. We cannot change the past, but it serves as an experience to guide us in the future," the senate president added.

Furthermore, Samdech Techo Hun Sen reflected on his appointment as Prime Minister of Cambodia in 1985, when he was only 32 years old, making him the youngest prime minister in the world at that time. Upon assuming the role, Samdech declared that Cambodia's conflict could not be resolved through military means. Instead, only negotiations and political solutions among Cambodians could bring lasting peace to the country.
=FRESH NEWS