Hanoi-educated Hun Xen warns Surya Subedi against being "ignorant" and biased

Hun Sen speaks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. (Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON)

UN envoy welcomed, warned

Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Written by Cheang Sokha and Georgia Wilkins
The Phnom Penh Post

PRIME Minister Hun Sen, who famously soured relations with the former UN envoy for human rights, Yash Ghai, has welcomed his successor on his first visit to the country while at the same time warning him against being "ignorant" and biased.

"We will listen to his ideas, and we hope he will listen to our ideas," Hun Sen said Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"But I think he would not be ignorant and follow an ignorant person from his team previously.... Working with this rapporteur will not be difficult, but it will be difficult to work with people in [the local UN rights office] if they still have an ignorant stance towards the government."

Surya Subedi, the new envoy, began his first visit to the Kingdom on Monday and met with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Tuesday.

Though Tuesday's meeting was labelled a "protocol" meet-and-greet by UN officials, ministry spokespeople said afterwards that the government had appealed Subedi to be "just" when assessing rights in the country.

"What the government is wanting is justice, reality and transparency,"Ouch Borith, secretary of state at the Foreign Ministry, told reporters after the meeting.

"Hor Namhong told Mr Subedi that he should meet with and collect information from all government officials, not just listen to or get reports from NGOs, civil society groups or the opposition. [He] has to get reports from all sides," he added.

Ouch Borith also said the government had made a request to Subedi to check any report before it is sent to the UN.

"[We] want to check the report for balance," he said.

Subedi's predecessor Yash Ghai resigned from the post after receiving multiple personal attacks from Hun Sen and other top government officials.

UN human rights representative Christophe Peschoux would not comment on the meeting except to say that it did not deal with "substantial" issues and was rather a greeting.

The new envoy is to meet with the prime minister on Thursday morning and has also confirmed a meeting with the head of the government's human rights committee, Om Yentieng, later that day.

Hun Sen threatens to abolish ministries [-The 2 departments can't share bribes equitably?]

Monday, 04 May 2009
Written by Nguon Sovan
The Phnom Penh Post

PRIME Minister Hun Sen warned he may dismantle the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Finance because of an ongoing dispute between the Department of Customs and Excise and Camcontrol, which falls under the Ministry of Commerce.

The disagreement centres on control of the country's customs committee, he said.

"The two men have bad blood," said Hun Sen, referring to Pen Simon, chief of the department of customs, which controls tariffs; and Mok Pichrith, chief of Camcontrol, which controls food safety.

The premier lashed out at the officials during a ceremony to inaugurate a new crane at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port at the end of last week.

"Why are they negotiating an agreement between the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance? It is like the two ministries are independent states," said Hun Sen. "There should be an inter-ministerial announcement, not an agreement. If this continues, I will dismantle the two ministries and combine them."

The customs department has the role of chairman and Camcontrol appoints the deputy to the government committee for customs control.

"If the chairman does not give the order, the deputy cannot do anything," said the premier.

He said the two units have joint responsibility for imports. "We created a one-stop service to let the two units work together. The two must harmonise."

Neither Pen Simon nor Mok Pichrith could be reached for comment.

Cambodian PM warns army not to cross border

April 21, 2009
Source:Xinhua

Prime Minister Hun Sen has cautioned military officials against the use of force outside Cambodia, national media said on Tuesday.

"Troops can be deployed and defensive force used only within Cambodian territory. (I) do not allow (you) to fight outside your own territory," Chinese-language newspaper the Jian Hua Daily quoted him as telling a certificate-awarding ceremony for 22 officers here on Monday.

"The (Cambodian) military has not thought of sending troops outside the kingdom, so there would be no reason for another country to be concerned," he said.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) should strengthen its training to become more powerful to safeguard Cambodia itself, he added.

The Military Institute of the People's Army of Vietnam on Monday issued certificates to Cambodian officers, including doctor degrees of military science for RCAF Commander-in-Chief Pol Saroeun and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Kun Kim.

Also on Monday, Hun Sen met with visiting Vietnamese Vice Minister of National Defense Nguyen Chi Vinh. Both sides vowed to strengthen their cooperation on human resource development in the military field.

In early April, two exchange of heavy gunfire occurred at the border area the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple between Thai and Cambodian troops.

Since July 2008, troops from both sides have stationed near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and two armed confrontations last year sparked brief concerns of war.

The two neighboring countries have never fully demarcated their disputed 800-km-long border, mainly due to their different judgments of historical maps and the landmines left over from decades of civil war in Cambodia.

Hun Sen warns not to wrestle power (from him?) by using force

Friday, March 20, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On Wednesday, Hun Sen warned politicians whom he did not name directly, telling them that if they want to change the country’s leader, they must do it according to a democratic election, and they should not use force because, otherwise, they will receive heavy retaliations back. In his closing speech held at the yearly meeting of the ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Hun Sen declared: “Don’t get excited about changing [the country leader] or not. The change must be done according to the election, don’t use the shortcut, I tell you, don’t use the shortcut at all. [The change must de done under] a democratic election, don’t use a shortcut, I don’t know what other would do, but Hun Sen will strike back.” Yim Sovann, SRP MP and party spokesman, reacted to Hun Sen’s declaration by saying that his party will never resort to war. Yim Sovann told a pro-SRP newspaper that: “War cannot start up and the opposition will not foment war, and nobody is dumb enough to conduct a war in this day and age anymore. The SRP will follow the peaceful path.”

Hun Sen admits: The govt is filled with old goats unwilling to retire, and the army filled with ghost soldiers

Some of the CPP old goats who still cling on to power past their retirement age (L to R): Hor 5 Hong, Chea Xim and Heng Xamrin

Government workers warned by Hun Sen

19 Feb 2009
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

At the closing session of a seminar dedicated to reform in the public sector, Hun Sen sent several warnings to administration chiefs so that they change their behaviors.

“I was informed recently that, at the army headquarters, at least 500 people can be fired,” Hun Sen claimed on Wednesday 18 Feb, during the closing session of a national seminar on reform in the public sector.

Among the crowd, a voice chimed in: “In three [army] units, it possible to get rid of up to 10,000 people who are not ‘indispensable,’” i.e. ghost soldiers.

Hun Sen was struck by a few seconds of stupefaction before answering: “10,000 people, that’s more than a battalion. So do it, real soldiers must be sent in to our regiments.”

Thus spoken, Hun Sen went on deliver a message in which tightening of public services will be undertaken – public services which he compared to an inverted pyramid with “a large head, a large body and small legs.”

“Don’t act like a rock preventing young saplings from growing, you have to give the opportunity to people under you to blossom up. In fact, this type of chiefs still exists and, furthermore, they do not want to go retirement. By doing so, you will help yourself and the Nation,” Hun Sen declared without hesitation.

Hun Sen who never missed telling an anecdote, even gave himself as an example: “I am proud of myself, up to now, I have preserved my old friends who have always been by my side, such as Hor Nam Hong and Sok An,” he declared while reminiscing about people close to him at the ministry of Foreign Affairs in the 80s, and who, since then, have reached high positions.

In the wake of his speech, he reminded government workers about their main mission in the public service: “Don’t act like bosses, but act as servants to the people,” he asked from them.

During his speech, he also called on the need to tighten up the belt somewhat. “In some ministries, when you send 20 people to retirement, that does not mean that you need to recruit 20 new people. No, you should put the personnel to better use,” he said after pushing the idea of better deployment of government workers according to their ability.

Hun Sen set 2013 as the deadline to show the public service efficiency.

"Don't use monks to joke": Warning from Hun Sen, an atheist Khmer Rouge commander

Hochimonk Non Nget, Cambodia's new censor

Cambodian PM: Culture products portraying monks' life must be approved first by authorities

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Any play, movie or musical featuring monks must from now on be screened and approved by the Ministry of Cults and Religions and leader of a Buddhist sect before it can be broadcast on television, national media on Monday quoted Prime Minister Hun Sen as saying.

The premier called on all TV stations, private and public, to seek permission from the ministry and Non Nget, the supreme patriarch of the dominant Mohanikaya sect, before presenting shows with actors depicting monks, said English-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodia Daily.

"I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the producers of any form of rock opera, movie and drama that involve actors acting as monks. They must have permission from Non Nget and the Ministry of Cults and Religions," he told the inauguration ceremony of a pagoda here on Sunday.

"Don't use monks to joke," he added.

Hun Sen's comments came following a controversy over the rock opera "Where Elephants Weep," which told a story involving two reckless young monks.

Some Buddhist monks were outraged by the show's Dec. 25 broadcast on CTN and demanded it be banned.

Comrade-strongman Hun Sen's warning

Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks Wednesday at a decentralisation conference in Phnom Penh. Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN

Hun Sen warns councillors

Thursday, 29 January 2009
Written by Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

PRIME Minister Hun Sen has warned that future district, provincial and municipal councillors - to be elected through indirect nationwide elections in May - should not meddle in foreign affairs, despite the impending devolution of political power to the sub-national level.

Hun Sen, speaking to more than a hundred high-ranking government officials at Chaktomuk Theatre Wednesday during a decentralisation conference, highlighted the Taiwan-China dispute as one in which council members should hold their tongues.

"After the election, if the councils become independent and recognise Taiwanese independence, it will be wrong, as there is no such law," Hun Sen said, referring to Beijing's commitment to a "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan.

"Cambodia recognises the one-China policy," he said.

Cheam Yeap, spokesman of the ruling Cambodian People's Party , said that the prime minister was merely expressing concerns that the new councils may become confused about central government policy.

"The premier's message was to repeat government policy so that the new councils understand our foreign policy," he said.

On May 17, Cambodia will hold its first elections for positions on district, provincial and municipal councils as part of the government's drive to transfer more decision-making powers to the local level.

Hun Sen said also that the central government does not have sufficient ability to effectively provide public services in the Kingdom's remotest areas, and that it was preparing local administrations by equipping them with staff, finances and other resources.

"We hope that the reform will provide better services and bring about a reduction in poverty," he said, adding that after the May elections, councils will be able to remove local officials if their performance falls below a certain level.

But Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Yim Sovann said that since the only eligible voters were sitting members of the country's commune councils, local people would have no hand in electing new officials.

"People are not able to express their rights to elect their leaders in their districts and provinces," he said. "The SRP will participate in the election. We will have our representatives, who will act as a watchdog over local developments."

Hun Sen Warns of Strict Helmet Policy

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
22 December 2008

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday called on motorcycle riders to wear helmets “100 percent” to avoid the hundreds of traffic fatalities that occur each year.

“If you want to drive your motorcycle without a fine, you must wear your helmet from now on,” he said during a graduate student ceremony in Phnom Penh, “to protect your life and to avoid road accidents as well as property damage.”

More the 1,500 people were reported killed in traffic accidents in 2007, nearly double the number in 2003. An Asian Development Bank survey in 2003 counted 824 dead in road accidents, estimating a $116 million cost to the country.

“The traffic law will be fully implemented and fined from Jan. 1, 2009, because the road accidents causes the loss of human life more and more,” Hun Sen said, calling traffic fatalities a “bigger disaster” than AIDS and land mines.

The prime minister also called on civil servants, police and commune and village leaders to wear helmets as an example, while urging helmet vendors to keep prices low.

Travel on Cambodian roadways without a helmet is punishable by a 3,000 riel, or $0.70, fine. By contrast, a helmet can cost between $10 and $20.

Meas Chan Dy, coordinator for helmet safety at Handicap International Belgium, called helmets “a very good measure for reducing road accidents,” and he urged strong implementation of all traffic laws for all vehicles.

Brig. Gen. Tho Khan, director of traffic order for the Ministry of Interior, said Monday police would strengthen the traffic law “with efficiency and effectiveness.”

“More importantly, we must introduce people to understanding the law and help protect their lives and property,” he said.

PM: boycott could lose SRP its NA seats

Hun Sen showed his anger to Sam Rainsy whom he accused of insulting him during the election campaign.

Monday, 04 August 2008
Ly Menghour
The Mekong Times

In their first public exchange of words since the national election, Prime Minister Hun Sen warned opposition leader Sam Rainsy against his party boycotting the soon to be formed National Assembly (NA), warning the seats would simply be divided among other parties.

Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party won an estimated 90 seats in the July 27 election. The Sam Rainy Party (SRP) thought it had increased its minority by two to 26, but it has disputed the results, claiming that up to a million voters were disenfranchised.

“If the SRP boycotts the NA, the 26 seats the SRP won will be divided among other parties,” said the premier to Sam Rainsy while they were seeing off former King Sihanouk to Beijing at Phnom Penh International Airport on Friday.

Hun Sen added that while he welcomes the slight increase in votes for the SRP, that the party should now accept the election results.

“On September 24, the NA plans to convene a meeting to swear in. If you do not swear in [its new lawmakers] … your seats will be divided among others,” Hun Sen said.

Sam Rainsy responded with a smile, saying: “My party represents the votes of two million.”

“Two million! But you don’t plan to attend the parliamentary session! You are using this fact to prevent the session? You wait and see if I am right,” warned the premier.

Hun Sen then described the adhoc alliance formed by the SRP, the Norodom Ranariddh Party and Human Rights Party to dispute the election results as “demonic.”

“You want to accuse me. Please go ahead. But I just use rights to defend myself. Now the election has been already conducted … and I have 90 seats.”

SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said that the party is currently busy gathering evidence about irregularities in the election and demanding that the government find solutions for the disenfranchised.

“We don’t have time to decide if we will attend the NA session or not,” he said, dismissing Hun Sen’s remarks as a threat.

If the SRP’s seats are allocated to others, “it is not right according to law and inappropriate according to the principles of democracy,” added Son Chhay.

“The SRP is protesting the election results as it wants respect for democratic principles and law and a balance in power between the government and the NA,” Son Chhay added.

Sok Sam Oeun, president of Cambodian Defenders Project, said if the SRP refused to attend the NA’s inaugural session that the National Election Committee (NEC) can legally take its seats and divide them among other parties.

“But if [we] do so, it is contrary to the principles of democracy, because the party which has seats in the NA represents people. If people’s supportive votes are divided to other parties, it is not proper.”

Tep Nytha, NEC secretary general, added that along with losing its seats, the SRP’s name would be struck from the nation’s list of political parties if it relinquishes its seats in the NA.

Hun Sen warns against int'l tribunal for ecological crimes: Guess why?

Cambodian PM warns eco-court can curb tourism

PHNOM PENH, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned that government ministers should be cautious before offering support for a proposed international tribunal for ecological crimes, the Cambodia Daily newspaper said Friday.

Cambodia should not allow new environmental restrictions to curb the increasing number of planes that deliver increasing volumes of tourists to Cambodia, Hun Sen was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Cambodia was not alone responsible for climate change, he said, adding that climate change is a new, complex issue that required further study before Cambodia could take any actions.

Hun Sen said Cambodia expected to receive 2.3 million tourists this year, a 15 percent increase over 2007 level.

It was unclear which proposed international body the premier was referring to, however the Inter Press Service news agency reported in September that UN diplomats had expressed renewed interest in creating such a tribunal, a long-standing proposal, the newspaper said.

Meanwhile, World Wildlife Fund Program Manager Bas van Helvoort said Thursday that Cambodia was not among the world's largest polluters, but it likely would not suffer from the creation of such a court.

Chinese New Year celebration: Warning from Hun Sen, Greeting from Sam Rainsy

Hun Sen warns: it’s the Chinese New Year but the Cambodians are the ones drunk

Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

“It’s the Chinese New Year but the Cambodians are the ones drunk,” this is the reality in the Cambodian society during the Chinese New Year. This reality brought Hun Sen to call on restraint in the drinking that could cause accidents. Opposition leader Sam Rainsy also took this opportunity to wish a Happy New year to Chinese-Cambodians during this Chinese celebration.

Among the 14 million of people in Cambodia, some are mixed Chinese, and in a number of houses, especially in Phnom Penh, people are celebrating the Chinese New year. Hun Sen said, on 04 February, that very few people in Cambodia celebrate the 01 January New Year, however, 70 to 80% of the population celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Facing with this reality, Hun Sen also announced that there will be no cabinet meeting held on 08 February, so that Chinese-Cambodian government officials can celebrate the Chinese New Year and also to protect the religious rights of the citizens as stipulated in the law. Hun Sen said that Cambodia has religious freedom, any religion in Cambodia has peace, whether it is Buddhism, Islam, Christian, or Chinese Taoism.

Nevertheless, even with this speech, Hun Sen asks for attention in order to avoid traffic accidents caused by the merry eating and drinking during the Chinese New year celebration which will take place during 3 days, on 7-8-9 February. Hun Sen also said: “It’s the Chinese New Year but the Cambodians are the ones drunk,” and he called on the drivers to pay attention.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy takes this occasion to wish a Happy New Year to Chinese-Cambodians during this New Year celebration. In a New Year greeting letter dated 05 February, Sam Rainsy said that, on the occasion of the New Year of the Rat, he wishes everybody, especially Cambodians of Chinese ancestry, a good health, longevity, and success in their jobs, and he wishes that everybody will participate in pushing for the respect of human rights and democracy in Cambodia.

Hun Sen Warns Officials Over Sale of School Land

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
31 October 2007

Prime Minister Hun Sen Wednesday warned public officials not to sell school properties to private investors, following the attempted sale of education property for the expansion of a housing complex in the capital.

Hun Sen said he had destroyed requests for the sale of Chau Ponhie Hok school in Phnom Penh, along with a naval command position in Sihanoukville.

"Please do not talk about dealings with schools, either in Phnom Penh or the provinces," he said, a warning to officials who might consider similar requests.

Education Minister Kol Pheng said Wednesday Hun Sen's "recommendation" was actually "an order that can stop the merchants who want to take advantage of the state."

Hun Sen warns gov’t officials about land problems [-All talk no action, again?]

Thursday, September 6, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a warning on 04 September to government officials responsible of land issues, telling them not to take state-owned lands to distribute anyway they want. Hun Sen said that no matter what position levels they are at, he can remove them if land problems occur. In a speech given at the 12th government and private sector forum, held at the government building, Hun Sen reminded that the destruction of the Long Chhin constructions sets an example showing that the government does not forgive anyone who illegally grabs state-owned lakes. Hun Sen said: “Please you, Sirs, provincial (officials) who are present here, don’t get the idea of signing (off state-owned lands). The case in Kandal province is an example for you to see clearly, at other locations, there will not be any mercy either. The position we gave you, we can take it back, it’s nothing difficult, regardless of the number of (general) stars you have, or the position you occupy.”

Hun Sen warns against a change of leadership

Tuesday, June 5, 2007
By KS
Cambodge Soir
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek

Yesterday, the prime minister warned, during the inauguration of a bridge in the province of Kandal, those who would be tempted to change leaders, that his departure will drag down the price of lands. “One must know that peace is established in the country, a source of political stability, it is an essential factor for the rise of land prices. But, be warned that these prices will fall very quickly if you chose another leader who does not represent a guarantee of stability and peace,” Hun Sen said.

He cited, as example, the current price in the area surrounding the Hun Sen park, where the Cambodiana hotel, the Naga casino, the National Assembly, and the Ministry of Foreign Affais are located, where the price of lands rises to $2,000 per square-meter. “Those who only know how to yell when they don’t have the power, but when they get it, they create troubles. If you chose to replace Hun Sen, the prices could fall to $500 per hectare. In some countries, the change of leaderships already provoked troubles,” Hun Sen added.

SRP MP Keo Remy challenges the logic used by the prime minister. “It is true that stability depends on the leaders. But the price of lands is not entirely linked to the leaders: it depends first of all on the country’s economic activity. The more the country is developing itself, the more prices rise.” Keo Remy said.