(Kampong Speu): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that any nation experiencing war inevitably faces total destruction. Therefore, the true human value of “peace” lies in the opportunities it offers Cambodia and its people for development across all sectors.
The premier spoke on Tuesday (May 20) at an inauguration ceremony of the Conch KT Cement Factory in Oral District, Kampong Speu Province.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet acknowledged that the word “peace” may sound repetitive—we may hear it every day, or even grow weary of it—but he has never tired of speaking about it. Why? Because without peace, Cambodia would be lost. The value of peace must be remembered, preserved, and cherished for the countless benefits it has brought to the Cambodian people to this day.
Samdech Thipadei emphasised that many of the achievements blossoming across the country only became possible after the end of the civil war more than 26 years ago. Therefore, he urged all compatriots to join together in preventing any attempts to incite division, chaos, or destruction as seen in the past. No citizen or nation celebrates when their homeland is consumed by the flames of war or instability.
“Whether a country is democratic, communist, or socialist—when war breaks out, people die. Bullets do not recognise political systems or religions. Once fired, they offer no opportunity for development. Bridges that took decades to build can be destroyed in an instant—this is the reality. [...] A single gunshot, in the blink of an eye, can claim hundreds of lives on the battlefield,” the premier underscored.
Samdech Thipadei added that to safeguard lives, protect hard-earned infrastructure, and continue rebuilding Cambodia after attaining full peace, there is one word the nation must never lose: “peace.” He noted that the Cambodian people have already suffered enough—from violence, separation from loved ones, and the devastation of war. Hence, it is imperative that everyone unites with the Royal Government to build the nation, stimulate economic growth, and create opportunities for citizens to achieve prosperity and raise strong families.
Cambodia has emerged from nearly three decades of war—conflicts triggered by toxic and deceitful rhetoric from politicians lacking integrity. Today, extremist groups are once again attempting to incite unrest through lies and misinformation. They exploit sensitive aspects of national history to provoke public outrage and stir confrontation, hoping to drag Cambodia into conflict with its neighbours, thereby jeopardising the hard-earned peace achieved since the implementation of the Win-win Policy in late 1998.
“The major political decisions of the Royal Government, under the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party, are based on peaceful resolution. We are steadfast in defending our sovereignty through all available legal and technical means to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. However, we remain prepared to protect our territory by military means if provoked. A political decision to go to war may be easy to make, but it would cost the lives of our soldiers and young people—youth who do not hate each other, but are forced to shoot one another. That is the tragic reality of war,” Samdech Thipadei affirmed.
The Cambodian people now better understand the dangers of war and the true value of peace. History has taught the younger generation that Cambodia’s nearly 30-year civil war claimed millions of lives. The nation has already endured enough—gunfire, starvation, and family separation.
=FRESH NEWS
