Prime Minister Hun Manet (left) spoke with Asean chairman Anwar Ibrahim on Nov 14. - STPM
PHNOM PNEH: Cambodian leaders have affirmed that Cambodia will continue to pursue a path of peace, even if Thailand resorts to violence by shooting and killing Cambodian citizens. They have reiterated that violence, or the use of force, does not yield any benefits.
Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed this stance during a visit on Friday (Nov 14) to three Cambodian civilians who were wounded by Thai bullets in Prey Chan village, as they receive treatment at Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh.
“Cambodia still maintains its position of resolving problems peacefully because resolving issues through violence or the use of armed force does not provide any benefits or create positive conditions for problem-solving. Furthermore, it poses risks to the lives and property of innocent civilian populations,” said Manet.
He reiterated this position during a telephone conversation with Asean chairman Anwar Ibrahim later the same day.
“Cambodia continues to maintain its stance on resolving border issues peacefully and through existing and agreed-upon mechanisms, especially in line with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement of Oct 26. We want to bring an end to border disputes and build peace between the two countries,” he said, via social media.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, believed that a calm, reasonable, but not silent, response is the correct approach, noting that it is especially important to acknowledge the truth about one's own strength and capabilities.
In the face of Thai violence, Peou stated that Cambodia must take stronger diplomatic and political actions and disseminate information about incidents caused by Thailand more widely, clearly, quickly and professionally.
He also reinforced the need for Cambodia to maintain internal unity and solidarity because internal division is what Thailand wishes to see happen.
According to Peou, Cambodia must not forget to strengthen its capabilities, as Thailand currently holds an advantage over Cambodia in both military strength and weaponry.
This is because Thailand has never suffered the devastation of civil war like Cambodia and has been strengthening its capabilities for decades. He believed that strengthening these capabilities is essential because he doubted Thailand would abandon what he described as its intention to seize Khmer territory in the future.
"Thailand has an advantage over Cambodia in the economic sector, and they also have an advantage over Cambodia in diplomacy and information. If we do not acknowledge all of this and keep it hidden, we will continue to suffer losses. If we acknowledge that they are stronger than us in the points I mentioned, we will know how to strive and contend with the strong,” he said.
He encouraged Cambodia to adopt a “multi-coloured flower” strategy for diplomatic policy, befriending and being close to all parties and avoiding focusing or relying solely on one country.
He encouraged Cambodia to be clear in pursuing international law to protect its territory, such as through the use of the Franco-Siamese treaties to defend Cambodian territory. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
