On The Parliamentary First Session
It is indeed another historic event that for the first time HM the King comes to preside over the opening of the first parliamentary session since HM ascended the throne in 2004. Though we have followed different tendencies still we all have come to the parliamentary meeting. The Human Rights Party of HE Kem Sokha could not make it for the traffic jam. It is a good sign though that he also made his effort to come to the meeting too. Today is the 15th anniversary of the declaration of the Constitution or which could be said to be the origins of the second Kingdom of Cambodia. It is also victorious that all political parties have united around HM the King, who has taken the time to come to the National Assembly building to validate elected members status.
There was a deep concern yesterday that the Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party were committed to boycott the first parliamentary session. Last night HE Sam Rainsy and HE Eng Chai Ieng have come to meet with Oknha Kit Meng the President of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce in order to work out an understanding. Many conditions have been relayed to me including the adoption of new internal regulations so as to save their image in addition to their desire to be offered the head or vice head of the parliamentary commissions.
I responded through HE Kit Meng that the National Assembly (NA) cannot adopt a regulation that has never yet been studied. There needs a special commission set up to study the issue and all articles related to internal regulation before sending to the commission of legal affairs and then to the permanent committee, and then to the NA session. What they wanted is “the opposition or outside-government parties recognized by the Royal Government.” It was easy to explain to HE Sam Rainsy because he used to be the one who write the law, and I am grateful to the SRP members of parliament for raising hands in adoption of the new internal regulations of the NA, which I think is a show of understanding by the people’s representatives.
Prior to the arrival of HM the King, the CPP permanent committee had its meeting here and decided that we would look into amending the proposed inclusion of phrase “opposition recognized by the Royal Government” … because adding is not a problem but whether we will accept or not is another matter.
Declaration by Parties Out of the Royal Government – Audacious
There was an attempt though, after HE Sam Rainsy left, to have a declaration on that matter to be signed by all five political Parties in the parliament today. I told Okhna Kith Meng that it was a fool move and an audacious declaration to be made. Why did I say so? What they want here is in fact the creation of a political status to be signed in the National Assembly building which, on the one hand, is contrary to the NA internal regulations, and on the other, it is to trick us into accepting that the five Parties came to the NA because of what they say ” … on the spirit of national reconciliation and will for further improvement of the multiparty democracy …” They even said in the “audacious declaration” that the role of all parties outside the Royal Government will be respected and upheld … etc. They indeed want the majority-winning party to be held hostage so as to empower their negotiating position. Condition as such could not be imposed on us…
The negotiation resumed at 6:30 am in which Sam Rainsy proposed to Oknha Kith Meng that he would participate in the NA session this morning but he wanted me to help adopt the proposed changes to the internal regulations. I told Oknha Kith Meng what I had told him earlier that I would see what could be done. A little after 7 a.m. it is made known that they will join the NA first session but will not take on traditional costumes because they are not prepared for that. I asked HE Sam Rainsy why HE Kem Sokha and his members were not here and HE Sam Rainsy said he also did not know. Let’s us leave this matter for the two parties to discuss because they are in a “life and death alliance.” We doubt who would cheat whom here.
PM Hun Sen to New York for UN Assembly – False Report
I think that our press people are not professionally competent and this report has indeed been released by the foreign press while it later came to Koh Sante Pheap Newspaper. Last night it did come to the Bayon TV station. They reported that Samdech Techo Hun Sen would leave for New York in this week to attend the UN assembly session … They all knew that the Prime Minister is busy with the first session of the National Assembly, the line-up of the Cabinet and the first Cabinet meeting and because of this busy schedule, we could not even let HE Hor Nam Hong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs to go either but to send the Secretary of States instead.
Greet New Thai Prime Minister, Border Negotiation to Resume
Because in neighboring Thailand HE Somchai Wongsawat has been elected Prime Minister of Thailand, I did call him to wish him for his work. I talked with him on the phone and the two sides have expressed the will to resolve the border disputes. As far as this matter is concerned the disputes have been yet unresolved but no armed clashes is noted. Negotiation will start and for Cambodia, I think our position, any time will do. I already made my appeal to Thailand that urgent negotiation is better. Prime Minister Somchai has shown how serious he is when he went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand after being elected. All mechanism to discuss the borer issues will actually resume only a little more patience is needed.
Some people have suggested why we do not open attack in return for the invasion. We never think of doing so unless they attack and infiltrate which we are forced to respond militarily. I believe though in the 21 century our neighbors would not resort to using forces to settle problem at all. Cambodia has all documents needed that can be used to claim our position legally or if this does not work we could always go back to the International Court and the UN Security Council will be a means when there is armed conflict. So bilateral negotiation will be the way, and if it could not bring us to the settlement, then we will opt for the court and in this case the International Court in The Hague.
Taking this opportunity I would like to express my sincere appreciation to monks, people, especially the armed forces for their proven patience and also to thank those who contribute their resources for the armed forces who stand by guarding the border. I have recommended to CTN TV Station to use collected contribution resources for the construction of the road to Ta Muan temple and Bayon TV Station to build the road to Preah Vihear…/.
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