By Elizabeth Tomei
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The North Korean ambassador, who was next in line to take over as dean of Cambodia's diplomatic corps, has declined to accept the position when the Laotian ambassador hands it over in the coming weeks, officials said.
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith wrote in an email Thursday that the leadership position, which is traditionally awarded to the longest-serving ambassador in the country's 25-nation strong diplomatic corps, will be handed instead to French Ambassador Yvon Roe d'Albert.
"North Korea might understand the possible negative reaction from Western countries, in particular the USA," Khieu Kanharith wrote of the decision.
Laotian Ambassador Thouane Vorasarn, who has been dean for the past two years, said he believed that North Korea's Ambassador Choe Han-chun declined to take the position because he has very little time left in Cambodia.
"[Choe Han-chun] will finish his mission very soon," Thouane Vorasarn said, adding that he is preparing to transfer his title to Yvon Roe d'Albert as early as next week. Thouane Vorasarn is also leaving his position as ambassador.
Choe Han-chun was out of the office and could not be reached for comment Thursday, while Kim Kwang-guk, first secretary at the North Korean Embassy, declined to comment. Khieu Kanharith said by phone that to his knowledge, North Korea has never held the dean position.
French Embassy spokeswoman Man Sen Cal said she did not know about the matter and referred questions to Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials declined comment.
US Embassy spokesman Kurt Stoppkotte wrote in an e-mail that "any individual has the right to decline taking up this responsibility."
Canadian Ambassador Donica Pottie said her embassy would have no objection if the North Korean Embassy were to assume leadership of the diplomatic corps.
"We would have been fine with Ambassador Choe," she said.
Pottie added that the diplomatic dean's major duties are "protocol-related," and might involve corresponding with King Norodom Sihamoni or the Cambodian government on behalf of all members of the diplomatic corps.
The diplomatic dean also heads official diplomatic gatherings, she said.
(Additional reporting by Chhay Channyda)
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith wrote in an email Thursday that the leadership position, which is traditionally awarded to the longest-serving ambassador in the country's 25-nation strong diplomatic corps, will be handed instead to French Ambassador Yvon Roe d'Albert.
"North Korea might understand the possible negative reaction from Western countries, in particular the USA," Khieu Kanharith wrote of the decision.
Laotian Ambassador Thouane Vorasarn, who has been dean for the past two years, said he believed that North Korea's Ambassador Choe Han-chun declined to take the position because he has very little time left in Cambodia.
"[Choe Han-chun] will finish his mission very soon," Thouane Vorasarn said, adding that he is preparing to transfer his title to Yvon Roe d'Albert as early as next week. Thouane Vorasarn is also leaving his position as ambassador.
Choe Han-chun was out of the office and could not be reached for comment Thursday, while Kim Kwang-guk, first secretary at the North Korean Embassy, declined to comment. Khieu Kanharith said by phone that to his knowledge, North Korea has never held the dean position.
French Embassy spokeswoman Man Sen Cal said she did not know about the matter and referred questions to Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials declined comment.
US Embassy spokesman Kurt Stoppkotte wrote in an e-mail that "any individual has the right to decline taking up this responsibility."
Canadian Ambassador Donica Pottie said her embassy would have no objection if the North Korean Embassy were to assume leadership of the diplomatic corps.
"We would have been fine with Ambassador Choe," she said.
Pottie added that the diplomatic dean's major duties are "protocol-related," and might involve corresponding with King Norodom Sihamoni or the Cambodian government on behalf of all members of the diplomatic corps.
The diplomatic dean also heads official diplomatic gatherings, she said.
(Additional reporting by Chhay Channyda)
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