In addition to the prepared speech, Samdech Techo Hun Sen made impromptu comments on some current issues selected and translated as followed:
Maintaining Security for Tourists Arrivals
… I do not forget to encourage (the conference participants) to pay more attention on issues relating to security for our country. Tourists would not take risk to come to places where there is insecurity, for instance, from terrorist attacks or wars. For our region, there had been attacks in the forms of terror-like in Bangkok, Thailand, causing fears among some. However, I think that thing will get normal through actions taken by Thai authority, by Cambodia and relevant countries in the region.
… The issue here is whether we wish to receive tourists or refugees. The world is facing this crucial issue. Europe is facing with this refugees issue. Where have those refugees come from? Who have actually caused this Middle East refugees issue? (We have noticed that) not only people died in countries in the Middle East but also (refugees) flow into countries in Europe, putting the latter in a crisis.
… This is a special point that we must foresee in order to seek for future solution. (People should not be wishful) about the outlook of change. You can see now (what) changes in Middle East, in Europe (really bring about) … We need changes to make progress and we have done it from (Cambodia having) no tourists to having hundreds of thousands of tourists and last year we received 4.5 million of them. We will make further efforts as this year we are expecting to see the arrivals of about five million tourists. By 2020 and 2030, we hope to have between seven and eight millions.
In 2001, I participated in a big international conference in Tokyo, Japan. When I finished my address to the meeting, I received some questions and one of them was whether as Prime Minister I had any concern about the fact that (the People’s Republic of) China would become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and would that be a threat to Cambodia? … If China were to be in turmoil and/or poverty, should about 30 millions of its people flee (from the country) Southeast Asia would be in difficult situation. Let us pray no one country shall be poor. We pray for every country to be rich, China or any country you name it. When we all are rich, we can help each other and our economy will be complementary to one another too.
It is in this condition that we must seek for chance for cooperation in keeping security against terrorist attacks and shall look into improving relations that will have positive repercussion on tourism. Let us keep good security … I am calling for cooperation in defense of national security to provide safety for our people but also for tourism in the framework of cooperation with countries in the region as well as internationally against all forms of terrorist acts of destruction. I must say that we should not underestimate the importance of local tourists, who normally pay lots of money, especially in time of festivity. They leave Phnom Penh quiet for other tourist destinations. People are travelling because Cambodia now has security, good infrastructure, means of transports and money.
Ministries of Trade, Economy and Finance to Check Fuel Prices
In just days ahead, the Buddhist festival to offer alms (Dak Ben) to Buddhist monks will start. I wish to make an appeal from now on two things – firstly, as fuel price in the world has dropped, we noticed that fuel companies do not seem to bring prices down soon enough. (We noticed that) when fuel prices (in the world go high) they are quick to jack up their prices. For instance, fuel prices went high in New York, those involved in selling fuel here in Phnom Penh adjusted their prices up immediately. They had not bought the new-price fuel from there yet, why they jacked up prices. When prices there dropped, the jacked prices here did not seem to go down. I am bringing this issue directly for consideration by fuel traders …
Secondly, in time of festivity, transport cost (price for transportation) always goes up. I will not be in the country for Phjum Ben day but for the sake of our people, especially workers and students who work and study in Phnom Penh and will return to their native villages, I am making this appeal to (those who operate) transportation means not to jack up prices on our people.
Mine in Speech at UN Summit, No Extraction of Titanium at Ji Phat
In days ahead, leaders of the world will gather for the UN Summit in New York City. The meeting will inspect issues relating to millennium development goals (MDGs) and put out sustainable development goals (SDGs) for 2030. There were only eight goals before. Now we have increased them to 17, still mine is not one of them. I do not know why. When they put out eight goals, Cambodia issued its ninth goal about mine. In my address, though they do not have mines as one of the goals, I will still include it. It is necessary to de-mine. Mines cause lethal accidents to our people and would be dangerous for tourism as more and more of them like to go to remote areas, for instance backpack tourists.
… Please do not worry about titanium at Ji Phat. I will not make decision to harm it. Though it may be worth over twenty billion USD, I will not allow extraction. We will keep it underground and safe in Ji Phat. I may advise HE Suy Sem, Minister of Mines and Energy, that we will not do anything to the titanium ore at Ji Phat. We will not trade our forest for just 22 billion USD titanium extractions. Extractions will make Ji Phat no longer ecotourism attraction area. Polluted water will change the color of the seawater over there. Let us leave it for the moment. Extraction may also deplete area where elephants normally come and stay. I just want to reassure that to people in Ji Phat not to worry about it.
Culture of Dialogue – Unfaithful Dialogue Is an Unacceptable Treacherous Act
… (I just warn them) you will not be winning in 2018. They campaign everyday they have won elections. When did they win? … They have made themselves winners and people who were in control … We surely know how to say that too. I will win again. (I will be) the Prime Minister in 2018 and through to 2023. They have campaigned any day “to resolve the problems, people must vote for them” … People up here (on this podium) are their enemies. Will that bring us peace? (They claimed) Oknha (title given to wealthy person contributing to the development of the country) as their class enemies … That I said there would be war was because of two reasons. Firstly, (they) consider the rich as their enemies, and secondly, they already treat neighboring countries as their enemies …
In their campaigns, they always tell people they win and accuse everyone else as thieves … while bragging about their love for culture of dialogue. How could it be a culture of dialogue when they said things like “to arrest a thief, one has to be near the thief?” What can we understand from that? Please give us your interpretation. I am the one who likes dialogue. In my life, I have used culture of dialogue. It was not just yesterday or today. I am the one who created culture of dialogue. I was the one who initiated the Sihanouk-Hun Sen forum at Fére-en-Tardenois, France on 2 December 1987, when I was just 35 years old. I have always dialogued. However, unfaithful dialogue is unacceptably treacherous act.
Yesterday I issue a message about culture of dialogue (on the International Peace Day). However, please do not forget that as long as you are not faithful I will keep not talking to you. Dialogue partners should not be only one. There are many. In Cambodia, there are over 50 political parties … They create problems and cause trouble ever day. What will you do if people continue to vote for Hun Sen? You deploy unfaithful nature … Even having meal together, (he) exploited in his interview abroad … What could you do to right the wrong you did to my family? If you do not fix this, I will keep on being indifferent. I saw an SMS coming (from him) but I have yet to answer. If culture of dialogue is what we need to do, they must not shake hands and step on my feet at the same time. … (He) even (said) “I was afraid of a destiny of Gaddafi” … I warn him I cannot accept that he befriend while assign others to cause me damages … I am telling you “if you do not let me live in peace, a reciprocation you may expect…” /.
