… I was in Kompot last Saturday and this Saturday I am in Kompot again. I am very honoured to be invited to join with all of you to inaugurate a Buddhist temple in the pagoda of Angprei Sereimeanchei. What impresses me is that before anything else happens in the pagoda, our people under the leadership of our Buddhist monks here have sought out to fulfil the demand from the secular world first. A Japanese non governmental organization was asked to provide assistance to the people’s need in this area and that was the construction of school buildings for our children to have a place to go to study. The construction of the temple itself was done later and it has taken a shape of a Khmer feature temple. But the venerable head monk of the pagoda has yet to have a place of his own and I really appreciate what he has done.
… The pagoda has evolved through times and has been given three names already. Angprei Sereimeanchei was named by the current head monk Khuon Sari. In 1973, the pagoda was the first to have been destroyed by the B52 bombardment, while in Pol Pot regime it was used as a palm sugar refinery place. I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to efforts made by generous fellows, especially the leadership skill of its head monk, in making this pagoda getting shape again and I am sure that it will make more progress in many years to come. I also thank the local authority for the efforts they made together with our people in combating poverty which as I said has not got wings just to fly away. No one could make things happen by magic but only by making own efforts.
… Unfortunately we have had so many rumours these days. Last night rumour was passed from one to another that one has to consume green bean in order to preserve one’s life. The people being cheated spent money last night at ten or fifteen time the price of bean in order just to fulfil this fake instruction. I think we should draw some experience on this issue otherwise our people could not have physical and mental stability. I used to mention about cheating and being cheated. If one is cheated for the first time, the person who cheats is bad. If one is cheated for the second time, still the person who cheats should bear the blame. But if one is cheated three times, and thereafter, the cheated is to take the blame. It is very superstitious to believe the story of a child that was born at night with an ability to speak right away and advised people to eat green bean before he was to die after that. We used to have similar rumours on poisoned foods since 1981. Psychological war could create confusion by telling people to eat green bean but I am sure our people would not take poison. I also have heard rumour about the opening of the Taiwanese Representation in Phnom Penh. I wish on this occasion to reiterate Cambodia’s one China policy.
… Last night we had rain almost all over the country and just now we have had some more but I have noticed water in the fields along my flight route from Phnom Penh to Kom Pot. The Kompot’s salt field is now at a halt, though. What makes me happy is the fact that some of our people have ploughed their lands and because of their efforts throughout the country we would soon build more achievements one after the other. What we have achieved here is the result of cooperation in the last ten years among our people and religions. We also have the collaboration of the two main political parties. I have been taken by excitement to see that we could collaborate and build our country together. If our people would like the current stability, they should just support to the Royal Government’s appeal for non-violence, no threats and no illegal actions. No matter what party you may support but you may not harm others for different beliefs. Pol Pot was cruel but he could survive no longer than three years and eight months and twenty days. Jungle law by Pol Pot could not be applicable. In the last five years, the current Royal Government has proven to be the most stabilised and I hope that it will continue to the post election period and the establishment of the third term Government.
On that occasion Samdech Hun Sen offered twenty million Riels and US$ 2,800 to the pagoda Angprei Sereimeanchei, ten million Riels to the pagoda of Chakrei Ting, a school building of five classrooms to the Primary School of Angprei, a school building of five classrooms to the Primary School of Bos Trabek, five computers, one printer, 14″ colour TVs and three VCRs to the School of Pedagogy of Kompot, and ten computers, two printers, three colour TVs and three VCRs to the Kompot Training Centre.
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