PM Explains the Cambodian-Vietnamese Border Issues to the Parliamentarians

AKP Phnom Penh, August 09, 2012 –

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia this morning led a delegation to explain the border issues with Vietnam to the National Assembly (NA).

In his more than five-hour presentation, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said what the current Royal Government of Cambodia has done is based on the legal way and in following of the legacy of King-Father, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.

Cambodia has not lost any land and maritime territory, stressed the Cambodian premier, adding that the land border issue between Cambodia and Vietnam will be solved based on the concrete situation.

According to the prime minister, Cambodia has occupied some 916.7 ha inside the Vietnamese border, while Vietnam has occupied some 2,160.6 ha inside the Cambodian territory. If both sides acknowledge the figure, Vietnam has to give back some 1,243.9 ha to Cambodia, he explained.

Such practice has been also done is many countries around the world including between China and Vietnam, France and Belgium, Belgium and the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia, he said.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also took the opportunity to reaffirm Cambodia’s sovereignty over Poulo Wai Island and invited all the NA members and senators to visit the island where Cambodian armed personnel has stationed since 1982.

The Cambodian premier rejected an accusation against the Royal Government of Cambodia over the loss of 10,000 square kilometers of Cambodian maritime territory, explaining that the Cambodia-Vietnam maritime border will be discussed once the land border is fully demarcated.

He further expressed the royal government’s strong determination to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity by following the legacy of King-Father and based on the map kept at the UN since 1964.

No one is more patriotic than King-Father, so we should not blame him for losing rights to demand land (Kampuchea Krom territory, Tral Island and other islands) from Vietnam, he underlined.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s clarification was made at the request of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, which has accused the current royal government of national betrayal for ceding land to Vietnam.

The presentation, which started at around 8:30 am, was televised live in local TV channels and radio stations.

Cambodia and Vietnam share a common border of 1,270 kilometers.

By KHAN Sophirom