[2]
[…] (The prepared text) […] On the one hand, ASEAN opposed the legitimacy of the government occupying Phnom Penh, but on the other hand, ASEAN was a key mediator in promoting peace in Cambodia, with the participation of a government that ASEAN did not like and isolated.
[Comment 2]
I would like to clarify this point so that we can understand each other, because the problem that has been happening is the pride of our Southeast Asian nations. We must recognize the truth of history. Southeast Asia was previously divided into two clear blocks. One block was the ASEAN 5, and the other was Indochina, not including Myanmar. Perhaps here, you can remember or study the domino theory. The biggest concern that is almost more than the crimes against humanity or genocide, is what they called the fear of communism itself.
There had also been a phase that ASEAN helped prolong the war in Cambodia. We have to tell the truth because, I can tell you, if there was no help from the ASEAN presence, the Khmer Rouge would have died easily and the war in Cambodia could have ended sooner. But through some actions, including the use of ASEAN territory in the formation of a tripartite coalition government to help legitimize the Khmer Rouge to occupy the Cambodia’s seat at the United Nations, it was also a basis for prolonging (the conflict and the war). If we go back a little further, when the war, the so-called Indochina war or the Vietnam war, broke out, the territory of some ASEAN countries became foreign military bases, from where they bombed Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. This is the fact of history.
Starting from this point, the (Southeast Asia) region has two blocs – ASEAN and Indochina. There have been periods of complete confrontation, and of cooperation and confrontation, but what is the pride of the nations of Southeast Asia is the transformation from confrontation or conflict into a group of nations, into a region with unity, namely ASEAN. This is a great achievement in our region, turning from confrontation to unity as a regional actor, which should be (remembered and kept) as an experience and/or lesson that we have realized this point. This is a strong point.
I think Cambodia owes ASEAN a debt of gratitude because ASEAN played a key role in helping to bring peace to Cambodia. I will give an example regarding Indonesia. At that time, Thailand and Indonesia, especially Indonesia, put aside the issue of recognition or non-recognition (of the State of Cambodia) but focused on the Cambodian peace by eagerly organizing (the Jakarta Informal Meeting-I) JIM1 (the Jakarta Informal Meeting-II) JIM2, starting with the meeting in Bogor in 1988 after the commencement of negotiations between Sihanouk and Hun Sen.
Therefore, ASEAN’s civilization lies in the fact that ASEAN has reached a stage of pushing (the relevant parties as well as ASEAN members themselves) to reach peace (for Cambodia as well as the region). If ASEAN did not seek to solve this problem, perhaps countries outside the region, including the big five of the United Nations, would not have been able to act (to solve the problem).
[3]
(From the prepared text) […] At this point, I must make it clear that Cambodia is truly indebted and grateful to ASEAN. We must not forget that Cambodia’s peace-building was largely the work of ASEAN, even though Cambodia was not yet a member of ASEAN. Just imagine how much of a role Thailand played in taking care of and repatriating nearly 400,000 Cambodian refugees. Why was HE Chavalit Yongchaiyuth willing to facilitate negotiations between all the Cambodian parties on Thai soil […]
[Comment 3]
And even coordinated with Japan to sign the SNC (Supreme National Council) in Tokyo. Why did Indonesia, with former Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, willingly arrange Indonesian territory as a venue for many meetings – JIM1, JIM2, IMC and other meetings, including the preparation of the composition of the Cambodian Supreme National Council in Jakarta? President Suharto at that time, although he did not recognize my government, still gave me the opportunity to talk with him. In January 1989, although he did not recognize my government, then Thai Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan invited me to visit Thailand. This is where I said, “ASEAN’s strength and civilization lies in pushing the parties in conflict to the negotiating table and end the war,” despite the problems I mentioned earlier. This is a history that we all need to remember.
[4]
(From the prepared text) […] I would like to remind you that ASEAN countries do not recognize the Phnom Penh government, and the Phnom Penh government does not recognize the Khmer Rouge. Therefore, bringing all parties to the negotiating table in a peaceful, dignified, and civilized manner is very important.
[Comment 4]
At this point, I am making a comparison that in the past, our region was full of conflicts, but our civility was to push the parties involved to the negotiating table. On the contrary, regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine, where and when would the negotiation (be possible)? Sometimes there seem to be voices saying, “if a negotiation were to be conducted now, Ukraine would lose the advantage.” This means that they wanted Ukraine to gain military superiority first and then come to the negotiating table. There is no way that Russia will allow Ukraine to have superiority on the battlefield to put pressure on the negotiating table. No way. However, participated in the framework of resolving the Cambodian conflict, ASEAN did not think about the military situation on the battlefield, but thought more about national unification and reconciliation. This is where I would like to express my respect to the ASEAN leaders of that era.
[5]
(From the prepared text) […] ASEAN has respected Cambodia’s sovereignty and right to self-determination by not interfering in Cambodia’s internal affairs, but has facilitated dialogue between all relevant parties, with the request and recognition of ASEAN’s role by all relevant parties.
[Comment 5]
This point is very important and also a favorable factor. At that time, although there were two governments, there were four Cambodian parties. It was very complicated. However, all parties recognized the role of ASEAN and also made it a condition for ASEAN to mediate on all these issues. I was a direct negotiator with multiple negotiating partners. I did not see ASEAN interfering in matters regarding the common and different points of all the Cambodian parties, but leaving them to the Cambodians themselves to reconcile. This is a special point that I would like to raise out of respect for ASEAN’s civility.
[7]
(From the prepared text) […] We must respect and value the far-sighted wisdom of ASEAN’s founding fathers, and all member countries who have a role to play in preserving ASEAN’s noble traditions that we have worked together to build over a long period of time.
[Comment 7]
I apologize for having to keep you listening a bit longer. I would like to share a story related to the consensus issue, because apart from me, there may only be some documents in the ASEAN Secretariat (talking about this). That was the time of the adoption of the ASEAN Charter in Cebu, the Philippines in 2007. At that time, two problems arose. I think some ASEAN participants may remember. In terms of leaders of that generation, Malaysia, who is current rotating chairman of ASEAN, was led by HE the former Prime Minister (Abdullah Ahmad) Badawi, who recently passed away. The Philippines was represented by the former President Arroyo. Myanmar had the presence of President Thein Sein. Thailand (was represented) by Surayud Chulanont. Singapore (was represented) by HE Lee Hsien Loong, Vietnam by HE Nguyen Tan Dung, the Sultans of Brunei and myself for Cambodia.
Two points emerged. The first was the plan to have it approval (on matters) by vote. The second was the question of whether ASEAN has the right to expel members when they commit serious wrongdoing. I intervened on this issue, saying that if we approved by vote, ASEAN would be divided because there would be members voting “yes” and members voting “no”, and members voting “abstention” on a particular issue. Therefore, ASEAN cannot have unity, and will only be divided and weakened by gathering into groups, and factions. On this note, we are willing to endure this difficulty (of reaching a consensus). That is why in the ASEAN Charter, we maintain the principle that existed before, or that the founding fathers of ASEAN used to do, which is the principle of consensus. True, it is a little difficult, but it is better than division. This is the first point.
The second point concerns the expulsion of ASEAN members in the event of serious misconduct. I asked the meeting what constitutes a serious misconduct? Is it a military coup? The meeting was really stunned by the question. But the second question added, what mechanism can be used to assess whether the misconduct is serious or minor? Finally, there is no provision in the ASEAN Charter regarding approval by vote and/or expulsion. I contributed from the beginning to sending a distinguished Cambodian figure, Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, who is currently Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, to attend. I said to him to be careful about the principle of consensus and voting.
As expected, in Cebu, we had an evening meeting. Perhaps some of my assistants, including HE Kao Kim Hourn, the current ASEAN Secretary-General, may still remember this. When I die, I could have taken (these things) with me, but now I have spoken openly. In the past, no one has spoken openly about this. There has been discussion on this issue. In the end, we have managed to prevent the expulsion of members. Is there any mechanism that can assess whether this is a serious or minor mistake? I asked what is a serious mistake? Is it a military coup?
I hope that Your Excellency, Madam, remembers and jot this down. I don’t know if the ASEAN Secretariat, led by HE Ong Keng Yong, then the ASEAN Secretary-General from Singapore, kept this record or not. For me, it’s like storing in a computer memory. Now that I am talking about it, my brain just pulls it out. I remember it. The principle of consensus, which I call community spirit, does not distinguish between small countries and big countries, poor countries and rich countries, first or last countries (to join ASEAN). There should be equal rights to approve, to reach an agreement, rather than voting, which leads to division.
[9]
(From the prepared text) […] Each country has its own economic power. This means that the “ASEAN economic pie” is not lost to the new members. Rather, the size of the “ASEAN economic pie” is growing, and all members can benefit from the growth in economic size, trade, and investment.
[Comment 9]
I am thinking that, if Timor-Leste is added, the ASEAN cake will not decrease. On the contrary, the ASEAN cake will become bigger. Bigger in terms of GDP, which includes Timor-Leste, bigger in terms of population and number of countries. But when it comes to integration, I still remember clearly what is worth respecting is Singapore’s hosting, which launched the ASEAN integration initiative in 2000. This is the wisest idea of the ASEAN chairmanship, which is supported by member countries, allowing the less developed countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar the opportunity to grow quickly, especially in terms of human resource training and promoting socio-economic development.
[10]
(From the prepared text) […] The diplomatic opportunities that respect the rules-based multilateralism mechanism and the free, open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trade practices that ASEAN has long embraced have provided many benefits to its member countries and partners. Therefore, ASEAN membership has been of great benefit, and since its accession, Cambodia has played a role in further expanding ASEAN’s diplomatic opportunities.
[Comment 10]
I also apologize to HE the ASEAN Secretary-General and the ASEAN Secretariat for the figures I mentioned earlier. If there are any gaps, I apologize because the ones who have the real figures are at the ASEAN Secretariat. For instance, how many partners? how many ambassadors? What we have recorded from the sources we have is that much. Whether it is right or wrong, I would like you to see to it.
Let me reiterate the four factors that attracted Cambodia to ASEAN. Firstly, the factor of non-interference in internal affairs. Secondly, the community spirit which is to work according to consensus. Thirdly, the integration from which Cambodia has benefited greatly, and fourthly, Cambodia’s diplomatic gateway. These four were sufficient to pull Cambodia into ASEAN within the framework of my leadership. For this reason, I stated earlier that not only I had been building my country from scratch, but I also starting from zero in ASEAN.
Despite the obstacles, Cambodia has joined ASEAN and taken up the rotating chair of ASEAN three times. Hopefully, the successor will chair ASEAN for the fourth (and fifth) time. At the very least, under my (tenure as Prime Minister of Cambodia,) Cambodia had been chairman of ASEAN three times. Cambodia joined (ASEAN) in 1999 and became (ASEAN’s) rotating chair in 2002. At that time, some friends suggested that I bring in a team of assistants (to help with the preparation and conduction of the summit and related summits). I thanked them and said that we would work hard (to make the summits a success). We had done something amazing, including the DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties) in the South China Sea and other initiatives, such as bringing India to the ASEAN-India meeting for the first time, which has now become an important player in ASEAN-India relations.
[11]
(From the prepared text) […] In the future, ASEAN will be able to change its role from “reacting to the world” to one that can help “creating the world.”
[Comment 11]
Give it a lance, at this moment, the global mechanism is losing its influence. Both the UN General Assembly and the role of the UN Security Council, especially the role of the World Trade Organization, are almost gone. Our regional mechanism, ASEAN, is no longer a separate actor in the framework, but must participate in the reorganization of the order.
[12]
(From the prepared text) […] I would like to encourage the new generation of ASEAN leaders to create more memories together to strengthen solidarity, cooperation and enhance harmony in the region.
[Comment 12]
This is a very special point. This morning, a specific scene has appeared, in which, in the discussion, HE the President of Indonesia picked up the phone to connect on a video call with the Prime Minister of Malaysia. We video call together. This is the main point of our relationship. It is not just a state-to-state relationship. Our generation of ASEAN leaders loves and respects each other. I hope that the next generation of leaders, who are ruling and holding on to power, will continue to build relationships that go beyond the level of state affairs to understanding each other.
In addition, we need to build a group of young people from now for them to get to know each other, so that in the future, when they become leaders, even at the ministerial level, they can meet together. So, we need to focus on the young people who will continue the ASEAN relationship as a community, and as a family together.
[13]
(From the prepared text) […] We envision ASEAN to have world-class universities across the region; ASEAN to have world-class technology companies, factories and markets for the world; ASEAN to host world-class diplomatic forums, host the World Cup; ASEAN to be an attractive gathering place for people from all over the world who want to work or live in a civilized, harmonious, multi-ethnic society and a good social system. These are dreams, and I believe that the future of the world is in Asia, the future of the world is in ASEAN.
I should clarify a little on this point. I once said outside the meeting that we should bid for the World Cup in ASEAN at some point. We can also go ahead and create a strong ASEAN football team, if we want to. We can do that. Now, many ASEAN countries send troops to help countries maintain peace. We can also send (the peacekeeping force) under the ASEAN framework. For instance, Cambodia sends its peacekeeping troops, and it can fly the flag Cambodian flag and the ASEAN flag together. That means the troops are from ASEAN as well. I think it is possible because we are doing that anyway. Many countries in ASEAN have sent troops out to help with peacekeeping.
To increase the weight of ASEAN as an institution, we can participate in peacekeeping by sending peacekeeping forces with the ASEAN flag to recipient countries, without having to combine troops together. For example, the Cambodian troops are in Lebanon, South Sudan, Central Africa and other countries. More than 10,000 Cambodian forces have been deployed abroad. We put up the ASEAN flag (with the Cambodian flag) together. They see the ASEAN acter. It is possible, but I left the position of Prime Minister already.
I have been Prime Minister for 38 years. It is time for me to leave. However, as you all see that I have been standing here for about an hour and 20 minutes. I told you all that yesterday I was in Kampong Cham province, my hometown, to celebrate my mother-in-law’s fifth-year demise anniversary. I reposed in my hometown. Then I came to celebrate the three-year anniversary of my elder brother’s (demise).
I traveled all night from the province by car to Phnom Penh. Last night, I rested from 1 am until 5 am. By this time, I haven’t rested. Who says I’m old? (Age) is just a number. It can be said that I have the ability to be Prime Minister until 2028 or even 2032, without anyone being able to defeat the Cambodian People’s Party through the elections, but I don’t want the history to repeat itself.
I am willing to leave and hand over power to the successors. They work faster than us. The crisis of “who will take over after Hun Sen” is not a small problem. For example, Hun Sen dies suddenly, who will become the Prime Minister? […] After more than 500 years of Cambodia’s history of division, we have only recently unified and achieved national and territorial unity for more than 26 years, without dividing the country. The previous generation of leaders had had more than two areas of control at the same time, from 1460 until 1998. We just ended (that situation). Therefore, we are willing to give up power to the youth group to carry on. This youth group will contribute to ASEAN. They will not betray the ideals that their forefathers participated in ASEAN affairs. I thank you for your attention and good wishes./.
