Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
Dear orphans,
Certainly, we still have a lot of works to accomplish in order to promote Cambodian children. We have to strengthen the social cell and orient children to walk in the right path; care and educate children to respect traditions and love the national culture; try to solve problems in the society, which cause homeless children, especially to fight against HIV/AIDS, prostitution and the living outside of the society. We should have a firm political will and wisdom in leadership, aiming at supporting children to live in a proper manner, and receiving health care and education, and then they can become good citizens in the society and become true human resources of the society.
Today, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labor, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation has another new partner that will share the difficulties in bringing up orphans and providing them with education including general education and vocational skills, so that they can make their livings as well as to serve the society. I strongly hope that under the support of Cambodian and Korean teachers, orphans of this generation can also reach a higher level of skills as the elder orphans of the previous generation.
Recently, the Government of the Republic of Korea has offered quotas to Cambodian citizens to work in the Republic of Korea. The vocational training school which is inaugurated today is a precious donation of the SASWM, which will be managed and trained directly by Korean instructors and technicians. On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and on behalf of orphans, may I propose to the SASWM to consider the possibility in teaching the orphans Korean language and any vocation skills which are suitable to the labor market such as hair dresser, make-up, which the Korean teachers have high skill and very popular in Cambodian market and other skills which the Republic of Korea has not enough labor to satisfy the Korean market as well as Cambodian market. On the other hand, I also propose the SASWM to help seeking more support from god-parents in order to be able to provide the outstanding orphans with opportunity to study in the Republic of Korea or in other countries including short term and long term studies.
Today, you are very lucky to receive a new building to be used as a center for general education and vocational training, which is a wonderful donation from the SASWM of the Republic of Korea. Before, you could not go to school as there was no sponsor. However, now you get support from the SASWM. Therefore, you should do your best effort in learning from Cambodian and Korean teachers all subjects both in general education school and vocational training school. You should understand that while you have been adopted by the SASWM and get educated, other children, although they have their parents, have no possibility to go to school as you, because those children are living in poverty. Thus, you must commit yourself to give up any manner or behavior which may harm the society and be prepared to become good, hard-working and lovely children of the god-parents since you are the hope of the Royal Government and of the whole society. The success of your study is the success of the Royal Government and also the pride of the god-parents, instructors, and all generous people who support us, in short it is the pride for us and all our partners who have contributed to the development of Cambodia.
[Unofficial Translation – Start of Adlib Comments]
… Please allow me to add a few things on this occasion because I will be leaving Phnom Penh tomorrow to Kuala Lumpur for the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement Countries (NAM), at which the heads of States and Governments of over 100 countries will be present. In fact we should talk about positive achievements on this occasion but (it is quite unfortunate that we could not do so) because some of the politicians have created the so called “severe political crisis” leading to proposing that HM the King organize a meeting for the three political parties with seats in the National Assembly (to resolve the issue.) It was a complete day-dream. As they called it serious political crisis I do not know in fact what they are aiming for.
… When we were under the Pol Pot regime, nobody proposes any initiatives to save our people from the genocide regime but stayed hidden. During the flood situation in 2000, as I observed, this group of people travelled and enjoyed living abroad. The flood situation in 2000, 2001 and the drought situation in 2002, while we all have noticed the efforts made by Their Majesties, the Royal Government and various (humanitarian) organisations, as well as donor countries, they seemed to have neglected the situation.
… Taking the recent move into consideration, I find it hard to understand how come they could bother HM the King with their letters making HM cancel his routine trip to Beijing for medical check-up. In just a few days ago they created a crisis by themselves as they fled into foreign embassies and cried out loud that they were hunted for arrest. After that they called on HM the King to summon a meeting (of the three political parties’ leaders) but HM the King said there would not be a meeting of this kind. It is one’s own problem by nature so one has to go resolving it by oneself. It is a routine process and there is no one country in this world that does not have problem at all. Like in New York last night there was a fire on a ship, so no country is incident free at all.
… Everything is in its regular procedure, and they said the country is in crisis. If the crisis existed I would not dare travel abroad tomorrow. During time of flood in 2000, I took off the four-day trip to New York so that I could spend 56 days in flood relief situation. I do not understand what crisis they have said about. They once spread about rumour on the differences between HM the King and Prime Minister and they called on Samdech Preah Reach Akkemohesey to reconcile. When HM returned to the country, I have requested for a meeting and I was accepted for a chat about the French football team during the world cup in South Korea and Japan. HM the King told me the French team called on mental specialist to inspect the team members. So I said to HM the King whoever said HM the King and I are in discontent should also visit a mental doctor. The same is true for those politicians who cried out of political crisis when the country’s situation is calm and normal.
… The number of tourist in Siemreap has increased with no fall and on week-end there are tourists in and outside the city or capital. Like in Phnom Penh, people go to the Kob Srov flood protection dyke for fun as well. So if they talk about crisis, they should go for it themselves and not to bother HM the King and Samdech Preah Reach Akkemohesey. They should understand that the Doctors have ordered for a check-up for HM the King. How a country could be in crisis while its Prime Minister goes here and there and inaugurating lots of achievements. During the transfer of the Buddha remain ceremony, a politician approached me and said to me “our country is now in happy time.” I said to him well if we do not scold one another we would be happier. Like HE Ambassador of Republic of Korea (ROK) and ROK’s SASWM said “the war ravaged Korea but with the efforts made by its people, it has become a economic tiger in Asia.” It was not happening out of miracle. With this example we also have to make efforts. In 1979 our country was devastated with highest number of orphans. But in those days no politicians request for help from the UN or any donors to help but punishing us and sanctioning the economy of the State of Cambodia…
[End of Adlib Comments].
Once again, on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and my self, I am very encouraged and deeply grateful to the SASWM of the Republic of Korea for this valuable and fruitful contribution in achieving the construction of this center for primary, secondary and computer training, and also for their participation in the rehabilitation and development in other sectors which aim to speed up the development of Cambodia with potential and hope. May I take this opportunity to thank donor countries, non-governmental, national and international organizations and all generous people who have participated in the cause of Cambodian children.
I am sure that Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen well understand the difficulties and the aspiration of the Cambodian people. In this regard, I hope that donor community will remain the necessary partners of Cambodia in further helping to develop Cambodia with great hope. Cambodian people will certainly treasure this generous behavior in their train of thoughts and for the next generation. Finally, I would like to wish you all good health, happiness and success.
EndItem.
