By KS
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Answering to an invitation by king Norodom Sihamoni, Nguyen Minh Triet, the Vietnamese Prime Minister, started a 3-day state visit in the kingdom. Welcomed at the airport by a few government officials, the Vietnamese president went directly to the Royal Palace at his arrival. He was received there by king Norodom Sihamoni. During his stay, Nguyen Minh Triet, who is accompanied by some 50 businessmen, will meet with both presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate, before meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen. With this trip to Cambodia, the Vietnamese president is returning the courtesy back to king Norodom Sihamoni who visited Vietnam in 2006. “It is courtesy call. There will not be any discussion on border issues because it is now resolved,” Long Vissalo, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters. In 2005, the two countries ratified the Supplemental border treaty to the 1985 border treaty, which, at the time, was sharply criticized by the opponents of the prime minister.
Today again, some said that the border issue should not be closed. In a communiqué, the Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) organization firmly “condemns” the Vietnamese government “which uses its political might to pressure Cambodia and to encroach on her territory.” In this communiqué signed by Men Nath, CWC’s president, CWC calls upon the Cambodian government to repeal the 1982 treaty on the maritime border [imposed by Vietnam during its occupation of Cambodia].
Regarding the relationships with this neighbor, Sam Rainsy, the opposition leader, called on the government to think first and foremost on the interest of the country. “Cambodia must remain independent with respect to all foreign powers, whoever they may be,” Sam Rainsy stressed. Sam Rainsy also underscored the fact that the kingdom is courted by both China and Vietnam, each one of them is looking to balance their power in Cambodia.
Thun Saray, president of the Adhoc human rights NGO, noted that Vietnamese president’s visit carries both the economic and the political aspects. “Economic because he is accompanied by businessmen, and political because it must be viewed in the context of regional strategies carried out by powerful neighbors. Cambodia is in the interest of both Vietnam and China,” Thun Saray stressed.
Today again, some said that the border issue should not be closed. In a communiqué, the Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) organization firmly “condemns” the Vietnamese government “which uses its political might to pressure Cambodia and to encroach on her territory.” In this communiqué signed by Men Nath, CWC’s president, CWC calls upon the Cambodian government to repeal the 1982 treaty on the maritime border [imposed by Vietnam during its occupation of Cambodia].
Regarding the relationships with this neighbor, Sam Rainsy, the opposition leader, called on the government to think first and foremost on the interest of the country. “Cambodia must remain independent with respect to all foreign powers, whoever they may be,” Sam Rainsy stressed. Sam Rainsy also underscored the fact that the kingdom is courted by both China and Vietnam, each one of them is looking to balance their power in Cambodia.
Thun Saray, president of the Adhoc human rights NGO, noted that Vietnamese president’s visit carries both the economic and the political aspects. “Economic because he is accompanied by businessmen, and political because it must be viewed in the context of regional strategies carried out by powerful neighbors. Cambodia is in the interest of both Vietnam and China,” Thun Saray stressed.
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