Sean Pengse, President of the Cambodia's Border Committee in France and Worldwide (Photo: VOA)13 August 2006
By Hassan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
The Cambodian and Thai prime ministers had recently agreed to visit together the border demarcation in the province of Preah Vihear at the beginning of next month.
The leaders of the two countries have also agreed to set the goal for joint commercial cooperation in the sharing of offshore natural gas and oil located in overlapped sea areas.
Mr. Sean Pengse, President of the Cambodia’s Border Committee in France, considers that the plan and the border agreement above constitute a major loss of Cambodian interests.
The following is the transcript of the interview with Mr. Sean Pengse with Hassan of RFA.
Hassan (RFA): I would like to ask 2 or 3 questions regarding the problems of water and maritime borders between Cambodia and neighboring countries. I have also read the letter which you addressed to prime minister Hun Sen on 18 July 2001. Was there any response regarding the issues you raised in the name of the Cambodia’s Border Committee located overseas?
Sean Pengse (SP): In short, there was no answer. I wrote the letter to Mr. Hun Sen and the King. The King always replied me back, but Mr. Hun Sen never replied me. I did not just write that letter, I wrote to him about 50 letters already, he never replied.
RFA: Why do you think prime minister Hun Sen never replied your letters like this?
SP: (1) maybe they (people who work around Hun Sen) do not want him to know, so they threw the letter away, or (2) he cannot answer because those who work under him cannot provide and answer. Whatever I wrote is correct, they could not answer back, so they did not let him (Hun Sen) know.
RFA: Another issue: according to what you just said that maybe prime minister Hun Sen cannot provide an answer because you based your letters on factual documents, but the (Hun Sen) government also believes that it is right. So who is right? Who is more correct than the other? Could you please clarify for the Cambodian population on the documents which you are basing on to claim that you are right?
SP: I based myself on the 1904 and 1907 agreements (with Thailand) in which the border demarcation line is clearly specified. Back then, the French was administrating Cambodia, and they signed the agreement with Thailand in our name. Just like right now, the Vietnamese are demarcating the border line on their own in the name of Cambodia, they are administrating Cambodia just like the French (colonialists) did in the past.
Back then, the talk was on the border demarcation line between Thailand and Indochina which consisted of land border starting from Koh Kong to Dangrek mountain (range), up to the border between Thailand and Laos all the way to Vientiane (Laos capital), that was for Indochina. Regarding the maritime border, it starts from the land border located in Mount Koh Kuch which is the highest point. In the (agreement) protocol, it was clearly stated during the 1908 signature in Pailin, that when looking from Koh Kong to the highest mountain, it is the Mount Koh Kuch, which is the correct marker.
Therefore, the demarcation line between Cambodia and Thailand has been determined clearly, however Thailand encroached inside Cambodia (maritime territories) up to 30,000 square kilometers based in the 1982 agreement which the Vietnamese (then occupying Cambodia) and Mr. Hun Sen (then foreign minister of the Vietnamese installed People’s Republic of Kampuchea) recognized, they also recognized that Koh Tral island (Phu Quoc in Vietnamese) and the Poulo Panjan belong to Vietnam, so the Vietnamese took these islands. The Thai signed an agreement (with Vietnam) during the year of the coup d’état (in Cambodia in 1997) to take over 30,000 square kilometers each (of Cambodia maritime domain), Cambodia is then left with only 30,000 square kilometers of maritime territories.
RFA: Does this mean that the 1907 or 1908 agreement or protocol signed in Pailin was not recognized by Thailand as a basis for the new agreement?
SP: That’s right. The reason they signed a new agreement was to take our territories. We (Cambodian people) do not agree, however, I don’t know what happen to Mr. Hun Sen, he gave away two of our islands to others, he decides whatever he wants. Back then (during the signing of the agreement between Thailand and Vietnam to take over 30,000 sq. km. each of Cambodia maritime territories), Mr. Hun Sen went to Thailand to protest the agreement, but Thailand did not agree with what Hun Sen said. They told Hun Sen that if he has a disagreement (with the Vietnamese-Thai agreement), he should meet (and discuss) with Vietnam, because Hun Sen himself was the one who signed the agreement with Vietnam. This was how he tied his own hands.
Therefore, our [Cambodia’s Border] Committee said that we should not do it (sign the joint oil exploration with Thailand), one day, the Thai find our treasures which is located inside Cambodia, but we share our treasures with them, and the person who signed the agreement is the responsible person. This is hara-kiri because we give away our wealth to others.
RFA: Another issue is the plan to sign an agreement to share income in the exploration of offshore natural resources, in particular oil and natural gas. Up to now, the Cambodian government cannot show that it has the ability to explore for oil on its own, it depends on others to do it. If the government does not have the ability to explore, and if we have to share the [resource found] with others, what would our loss be?
SP: That is a very good question. What you said is true, it is a very long (complicated) issue which I cannot answer in a one-hour time slot. (1) I say that the Vietnamese took 30,000 square kilometers, when I was responsible of these areas (during the Khmer Republic era), the indicator showed that the region (taken away by Vietnam) contains oil. In the area taken by Thailand, there were good indicators (for the presence of oil) as well, that is why Thailand encroached on the area. As for the Cambodian side, we do not know about anything, we let them (Vietnam and Thailand) do whatever they want.
When we look at Malaysia and Thailand which are two similar strong countries, 30 years ago, Malaysia negotiated with Thailand, then only 3 to 5 square kilometers (of territories) were under dispute, based on my knowledge, Malyasia was willing to sue Thailand (for its right for ownership).
The leaders of the two countries have also agreed to set the goal for joint commercial cooperation in the sharing of offshore natural gas and oil located in overlapped sea areas.
Mr. Sean Pengse, President of the Cambodia’s Border Committee in France, considers that the plan and the border agreement above constitute a major loss of Cambodian interests.
The following is the transcript of the interview with Mr. Sean Pengse with Hassan of RFA.
Hassan (RFA): I would like to ask 2 or 3 questions regarding the problems of water and maritime borders between Cambodia and neighboring countries. I have also read the letter which you addressed to prime minister Hun Sen on 18 July 2001. Was there any response regarding the issues you raised in the name of the Cambodia’s Border Committee located overseas?
Sean Pengse (SP): In short, there was no answer. I wrote the letter to Mr. Hun Sen and the King. The King always replied me back, but Mr. Hun Sen never replied me. I did not just write that letter, I wrote to him about 50 letters already, he never replied.
RFA: Why do you think prime minister Hun Sen never replied your letters like this?
SP: (1) maybe they (people who work around Hun Sen) do not want him to know, so they threw the letter away, or (2) he cannot answer because those who work under him cannot provide and answer. Whatever I wrote is correct, they could not answer back, so they did not let him (Hun Sen) know.
RFA: Another issue: according to what you just said that maybe prime minister Hun Sen cannot provide an answer because you based your letters on factual documents, but the (Hun Sen) government also believes that it is right. So who is right? Who is more correct than the other? Could you please clarify for the Cambodian population on the documents which you are basing on to claim that you are right?
SP: I based myself on the 1904 and 1907 agreements (with Thailand) in which the border demarcation line is clearly specified. Back then, the French was administrating Cambodia, and they signed the agreement with Thailand in our name. Just like right now, the Vietnamese are demarcating the border line on their own in the name of Cambodia, they are administrating Cambodia just like the French (colonialists) did in the past.
Back then, the talk was on the border demarcation line between Thailand and Indochina which consisted of land border starting from Koh Kong to Dangrek mountain (range), up to the border between Thailand and Laos all the way to Vientiane (Laos capital), that was for Indochina. Regarding the maritime border, it starts from the land border located in Mount Koh Kuch which is the highest point. In the (agreement) protocol, it was clearly stated during the 1908 signature in Pailin, that when looking from Koh Kong to the highest mountain, it is the Mount Koh Kuch, which is the correct marker.
Therefore, the demarcation line between Cambodia and Thailand has been determined clearly, however Thailand encroached inside Cambodia (maritime territories) up to 30,000 square kilometers based in the 1982 agreement which the Vietnamese (then occupying Cambodia) and Mr. Hun Sen (then foreign minister of the Vietnamese installed People’s Republic of Kampuchea) recognized, they also recognized that Koh Tral island (Phu Quoc in Vietnamese) and the Poulo Panjan belong to Vietnam, so the Vietnamese took these islands. The Thai signed an agreement (with Vietnam) during the year of the coup d’état (in Cambodia in 1997) to take over 30,000 square kilometers each (of Cambodia maritime domain), Cambodia is then left with only 30,000 square kilometers of maritime territories.
RFA: Does this mean that the 1907 or 1908 agreement or protocol signed in Pailin was not recognized by Thailand as a basis for the new agreement?
SP: That’s right. The reason they signed a new agreement was to take our territories. We (Cambodian people) do not agree, however, I don’t know what happen to Mr. Hun Sen, he gave away two of our islands to others, he decides whatever he wants. Back then (during the signing of the agreement between Thailand and Vietnam to take over 30,000 sq. km. each of Cambodia maritime territories), Mr. Hun Sen went to Thailand to protest the agreement, but Thailand did not agree with what Hun Sen said. They told Hun Sen that if he has a disagreement (with the Vietnamese-Thai agreement), he should meet (and discuss) with Vietnam, because Hun Sen himself was the one who signed the agreement with Vietnam. This was how he tied his own hands.
Therefore, our [Cambodia’s Border] Committee said that we should not do it (sign the joint oil exploration with Thailand), one day, the Thai find our treasures which is located inside Cambodia, but we share our treasures with them, and the person who signed the agreement is the responsible person. This is hara-kiri because we give away our wealth to others.
RFA: Another issue is the plan to sign an agreement to share income in the exploration of offshore natural resources, in particular oil and natural gas. Up to now, the Cambodian government cannot show that it has the ability to explore for oil on its own, it depends on others to do it. If the government does not have the ability to explore, and if we have to share the [resource found] with others, what would our loss be?
SP: That is a very good question. What you said is true, it is a very long (complicated) issue which I cannot answer in a one-hour time slot. (1) I say that the Vietnamese took 30,000 square kilometers, when I was responsible of these areas (during the Khmer Republic era), the indicator showed that the region (taken away by Vietnam) contains oil. In the area taken by Thailand, there were good indicators (for the presence of oil) as well, that is why Thailand encroached on the area. As for the Cambodian side, we do not know about anything, we let them (Vietnam and Thailand) do whatever they want.
When we look at Malaysia and Thailand which are two similar strong countries, 30 years ago, Malaysia negotiated with Thailand, then only 3 to 5 square kilometers (of territories) were under dispute, based on my knowledge, Malyasia was willing to sue Thailand (for its right for ownership).
5 comments:
The reason that Hun Sen has never replied to Sean Pengse because Hun Sen and his trator don't want to admit that they are wrong and that they are commiting a crime to gain neighboring support.
The reason why Hun Sen does not act and support for the interests of Cambodians is he is not Khmer anymore. Khmer should do everything for Khmer people's interests at large. Khmer is not defined and limited to skin, race, etc., but to their head. Hun Sen's head and brain has been influenced and changed by foreigners! Listening to his speech, I never find he cares about the nation's interests. Stupid Prime Minister I ever seen on earth. Thinking all about this I got serious trauma!sic
To 10:37
I am humbly agree with you 100%. Every time this idiot open his mouth, only one thing in his brain is telling him to kill and look down on well educated people and compatriots who is not on his side who is trying to reason with him.
I am so glad that Communist Russia was coming down. Otherwise, Hun Sen would have kept Vietnamese army in Cambodia know no how long.
Well. You can't expect too much from ah Hun Sen because most if not all, his education/credential were donated. That is why his public speech seems very like Kindergarten. Look at his son, I don't think he make it at WEST POINT because in America one need to work hard to earn a degree.
I wish his son would kick him in the head for making them really Dumb mother F..ker. I hope he would fall flat on his face like Fidel Castro, and end up in the ICU & 6 feet underground.
Oh is there anyone out there knew if Hun Sen's brain was transplated, replaced with new one 1978 before Youn invaded Khmer..?? If it happened, that brain is MADE in Hanoi.. All ch-kae bamroe yuon... Go to HELL or herrible Hanoi..
Dead to anyone who betrayed, betrays, and attempt to betray Khmer soul!
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