Kingdom of Cambodia
Nation Religion King
Nation Religion King
FUNCINPEC PARTYStatement
by
HRH The Princess Royal Samdech
NORODOM ARUNRASMY
FUNCINPEC PARTY
28 July 2008
by
HRH The Princess Royal Samdech
NORODOM ARUNRASMY
FUNCINPEC PARTY
28 July 2008
Now that the election is over and that the people of Cambodia have spoken out, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all party members, from the leadership to the grassroots, for their exemplary work before and during the campaign.
It was a tremendous privilege for my husband and I to be able to visit the provinces of Cambodia and to exchange views with so many compatriots, both supporters and non-supporters of FUNCINPEC, and to hear about their hopes and aspirations for their future.
During these meetings, I learned much about our people’s wishes to live in peace, with full respect for human rights, rule of law, free of corruption, and prosperity for all not just a few. I also learned that our people wanted change but it seems, from the outcome of the election, that our people’s wishes were not respected and that pressure was too strong and their desire for change was suppressed.
As Winston Churchill used to say “a country without a conscience is a country without a soul, and a country without a soul is a country that cannot survive”. Because of my love for my homeland, I earnestly hope that this is not the case for Cambodia.
When I accepted to lead the FUNCINPEC Party to the election, it was with a sense of duty, honour and dignity. Above all, it was with a sense of gratitude to our King Father, His Majesty Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK, founder of FUNCINPEC and Father of modern independent Cambodia. Yet, during the electoral campaign, I was not even allowed to mention that our King Father had established FUNCINPEC against all odds and that he had struggled for over ten years until peace, independence and freedom were given back to Cambodia and her people.
I owe my deepest gratitude to my Royal Father that Cambodia can today enjoy peace and stability, and I am sad that His Majesty’s noble efforts are, under this crucial and sensitive circumstance, not genuinely recognized and, consequently, we are not allowed to mention them when we talk to our people, whose love and affection for His Majesty remain undiminished.
During the past months, I worked hard to restore the tarnished image of FUNCINPEC to what it used to be, the symbol of past peaceful and prosperous years. I am profoundly disappointed that people have worked hard to discredit me before even giving me the chance to prove myself as a hard working and conscientious woman.
FUNCINPEC has also loyally contributed to the peace and stability of the country. Instead, we have been accused of selling out, of being puppets, etc… If we had acted or behaved in a different way, peace and stability would have been broken and the election may not even have taken place.
I am convinced that deep inside their heart, the people of Cambodia know that I have tried hard but that there are powers at work that are stronger than our humble intentions and efforts to help the people of this beautiful country of ours.
I wish everybody much happiness, good health and well-being and I thank you again for your support.
NORODOM ARUNRASMY
It was a tremendous privilege for my husband and I to be able to visit the provinces of Cambodia and to exchange views with so many compatriots, both supporters and non-supporters of FUNCINPEC, and to hear about their hopes and aspirations for their future.
During these meetings, I learned much about our people’s wishes to live in peace, with full respect for human rights, rule of law, free of corruption, and prosperity for all not just a few. I also learned that our people wanted change but it seems, from the outcome of the election, that our people’s wishes were not respected and that pressure was too strong and their desire for change was suppressed.
As Winston Churchill used to say “a country without a conscience is a country without a soul, and a country without a soul is a country that cannot survive”. Because of my love for my homeland, I earnestly hope that this is not the case for Cambodia.
When I accepted to lead the FUNCINPEC Party to the election, it was with a sense of duty, honour and dignity. Above all, it was with a sense of gratitude to our King Father, His Majesty Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK, founder of FUNCINPEC and Father of modern independent Cambodia. Yet, during the electoral campaign, I was not even allowed to mention that our King Father had established FUNCINPEC against all odds and that he had struggled for over ten years until peace, independence and freedom were given back to Cambodia and her people.
I owe my deepest gratitude to my Royal Father that Cambodia can today enjoy peace and stability, and I am sad that His Majesty’s noble efforts are, under this crucial and sensitive circumstance, not genuinely recognized and, consequently, we are not allowed to mention them when we talk to our people, whose love and affection for His Majesty remain undiminished.
During the past months, I worked hard to restore the tarnished image of FUNCINPEC to what it used to be, the symbol of past peaceful and prosperous years. I am profoundly disappointed that people have worked hard to discredit me before even giving me the chance to prove myself as a hard working and conscientious woman.
FUNCINPEC has also loyally contributed to the peace and stability of the country. Instead, we have been accused of selling out, of being puppets, etc… If we had acted or behaved in a different way, peace and stability would have been broken and the election may not even have taken place.
I am convinced that deep inside their heart, the people of Cambodia know that I have tried hard but that there are powers at work that are stronger than our humble intentions and efforts to help the people of this beautiful country of ours.
I wish everybody much happiness, good health and well-being and I thank you again for your support.
NORODOM ARUNRASMY
