Kingdom of Cambodia National Day

November 8, 2009
Manila Bulletin

The Kingdom of Cambodia celebrates its National Day Nov. 9, Monday. On this day in 1953, King Norodom Sihanouk declared the country’s independence from French colonial rule.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cambodia were formally established in 1957.

Although our relations were affected by the Khmer rouge regime in 1975, the Philippines and Cambodia have maintained cordial ties since the resumption of diplomatic relations in 1995 and the reopening of the Cambodian Embassy in Manila in 1999. The two countries have concluded agreements on economic and trade relations, agricultural and agribusiness collaboration, and tourism cooperation.

Cambodia is a member of the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2004 and attended the inaugural East Asia Summit in 2005.

Cambodia has established diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, and Russia. As a result of its international relations, various charitable organizations have assisted with both social and civil infrastructure needs.

We congratulate the people and government of the Kingdom of Cambodia headed by His Majesty, King Norodom Sihamoni, and H.E., Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, and its Embassy in the Philippines led by Ambassador In May, on the occasion of their National Day.

So tough-looking ... but why aren't they on the frontline defending Cambodia integrity?

Phnom Penh (Cambodia) 09 November 2008. Parade of special forces in front of the Royal Palace during the 55th anniversary of Cambodia's Independence (Photo: Laurent Le Gouanvic, Ka-set)

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Independence Day Parade

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Xmer-Independence Day

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Comrade Nong Duc Manh congratulates Xmer Independence Day

Congratulations on Cambodia’s National Day

09/11/2008
VNA (Hanoi)

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong have extended congratulations to their Cambodian counterparts on Cambodia’s 55th National Day (Nov. 9).

In their messages sent to King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, President of Cambodian Senate Chea Sim and President of Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin, the Vietnamese top leaders praised the achievements recorded by the Cambodian people over the past years.

They hoped that the Cambodian people will make further achievements for development, peace and prosperity in the country.

Deputy PM cum Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem also sent greetings to Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong, on the occasion.

Cambodia marks 55th anniversary of independence

Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Prime Minister Hun Sen vowed to strengthen Cambodia's armed forces Sunday as he joined the country's king in celebrating the 55th anniversary of independence from France.

The prime minister's statement came amid a tense standoff between Cambodian and Thai troops near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, which last month erupted into a clash that raised concerns of a border war.

Speaking at an independence day parade, Hun Sen made no mention of the border conflict but vowed to push "ahead with reform of the armed forces to ensure highly effective defense" of Cambodian territory.

Among those marching in Sunday's celebration parade were Cambodian mine clearers with their mine-sniffing dogs, reflecting continued efforts to clear rural areas of land mines after three decades of civil war, which ended 10 years ago.

Lawmakers are expected to approve a $2 billion budget for 2009 later this month, of which about $500 million will be allocated to the military. Cheam Yeap, a lawmaker, said the new military expenditure will be almost double that of 2008.

Cambodian and Thai troops fought a brief gunbattle last month, killing two Cambodian soldiers. A Thai soldier died later from wounds sustained during the clash.

The two countries both claim 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) of land near the temple, which the World Court awarded to Cambodia in 1962.

Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers are scheduled to hold new talks Nov. 12 in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap.

King Norodom Sihamoni said he was confident that the "great national solidarity" of Cambodians would ward off "aggression on our priceless territorial integrity."

Sihamoni, who is a constitutional monarch, made no direct reference to the border conflict with Thailand.

Cambodia and Thailand share a 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border, much of which has never been clearly demarcated because the countries refer to different maps.

09 Nov: Cambodia celebrates independence from France

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni greets officials during the Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2008. Cambodia celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is seen during the Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2008. Cambodia celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni greets well-wishers as he presides over the country's 55th independence anniversary from France in front of Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (L) watches the procession during the Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2008. Cambodia celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodian flag-bearers march in front of the royal palace during the Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2008. Cambodia celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodians march alongside a car decorated as a dove in front of the royal palace during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 9, 2008. Cambodia celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodians march alongside a car decorated as a dove in front of the royal palace during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 9, 2008. Cambodia celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

King Sihamoni closes the National Independence celebration

His Majesty King Presides Over Closing Ceremony Marking National Independence

Phnom Penh, November 12, 2007
AKP

His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni put out a symbol flame, while presiding over a closing celebration to mark the 54th anniversary of National Independence from France at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh on Sunday.

Samdech Akkak Moha Dharm Porthisal Chea Sim, president of the Senate, Samdech Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, president of the National Assembly, and other Cambodian high-ranking officials participated in the ceremony with a crowd of Phnom Penh residents and students in attendance.

Foreign Ambassadors to Cambodia were also present at the event.

Prime Minister Samdech Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen attended the opening ceremony on Friday, but he made a trip to Siem Reap on Sunday to inaugurate the Angkor National Museum.

"I would like to call for the current government to maintain real independence, not just independence by lip service": English teacher Ly Ry

On Independence Day, a Refurbished Monument, Little Real Progress

By VOA Khmer Stringers
Original reports from Phnom Penh
09 November 2007

"At the moment what I'm worried about most is the fate of the Norodom Ranariddh Party ... We're worried that this party is not going get any seat in the parliament. We want them to get one or two seats" - Concerns of Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and government spokesman

Cambodia celebrated its 54th Independence Day Friday with the release of doves and the dedication of a refurbished monument in Phnom Penh, as some observers bemoaned the current state of the country.

Reigning King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen and other top officials attended the ceremonies, along with a crowd of 20,000 people. Former king Norodom Sihanouk, who was the monarch when Cambodia was left 90 years of French rule, was not in attendance.

King Sihamoni lit a torch inside the Independence Monument to celebrate the break, in 1953, as students and other Cambodians looked on. Many said that Cambodia had backslid following independence.

"I would like to call for the current government to maintain real independence, not just independence by lip service," said Ly Ry, an English teacher in Phnom Penh. "I request that the leadership be independent, just like the independence we achieved in 1953."

Noranarith Anandayat, secretary-general of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, said the country had declined since achievements following its independence.

"Universities, hospitals, schools and so on have gradually been destroyed by concurrent governments," he said. "These are the biggest worries of the party. Nevertheless, we still congratulate the independence claimed by Norodom Sihanouk without bloodshed."

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the party should have more pressing concerns.

"At the moment what I'm worried about most is the fate of the Norodom Ranariddh Party," he said, referring to next year's national elections. "We're worried that this party is not going get any seat in the parliament. We want them to get one or two seats."

Chun Sary, a 63-year-old retired government employee, said times had gotten worse since independence.

"Back then, the Ministry of Education was called the Ministry of Studies, and teachers' salaries were the highest among all the government positions," he said. "And that is the reason students tried hard in their studies. Farmers experienced no starvation. They cultivated once for three to five years worth of food."

Political Cartoon: 54th Anniversary of Xmer's Independence Day

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Cambodia celebrates independence ... and the sentencing of our citizens by Vietnam with the complicity of our gov't

Cambodia celebrates 54th Independence Day

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia King Norodom Sihamoni ignited the torch inside the Independence Monument to symbolize the country's liberation from 90 years' colonial rule by France, while hosting the national ceremony to mark the 54th Independence Day here on Friday.

"The victorious torch stands for our freedom and the soul of our nation," said Min Khin, secretary general of the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals, adding that the torch fire will remain burning for three days.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate President Chea Sim, National Assembly President Heng Samrin and other senior country leaders, together with more than 20,000 students, civil servants, armed forces, government officials and foreign diplomats, also attended the ceremony.

"Today we celebrate our Independence Day. We now have freedom and we manage the country by ourselves," said Min Khin.

"We have always remembered the achievements of retired king Norodom Sihanouk, who did his crusade to win independence from France in 1953. Our people can sacrifice their lives for the independence of the country," he added.

At the ceremony, a number of large size file photos of Sihanouk and Sihamoni could be seen at the hands of the audience.

Meanwhile, Cambodian-language newspaper the Rasmey Kampuchea on Friday printed a lengthy editorial, praising the kingdom for its economic prosperity and politic stability and reviewing its history after the independence was won.

"Now, Cambodia is led by Prime Minister Hun Sen. We have political stability for nearly ten years. We are walking on the right track of development and multi-party system in the process of democracy," it said.

Cambodia celebrates the 1953 Independence from France ... What is the meaning of Independence in current Cambodia? Share with us

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) talks to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Commander-in-Chief Ke Kimyan during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 09, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodian school children wave Cambodian flags as they hold portraits of former King Norodom Sihanouk and current King Norodom Sihamoni during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 09, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodian school children wave Cambodian flags as they hold portraits of former King Norodom Sihanouk and current King Norodom Sihamoni during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 09, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (R) walks past an honour guard during Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 9, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni walks past an honour guard during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 9, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, right, and other dignitaries attend Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007. King Sihamoni is jointed by thousand of civil servants and students to mark the country's 54th Independence Day from France, Nov. 9, 1953. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (bottom R) prepares to release a dove during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 09, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
(KI-Media Note: Non Nget, seen on the second row in reddish orange robe, is the Buddhist patriarch who wrote to comrade Tep Vong to defrock Venerable Tim Sakhorn)
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni greets school children during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 9, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, left, greets students during the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007. King Sihamoni is jointed by thousand of civil servants and students to mark the country's 54th Independence Day from France, Nov. 9, 1953. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, left, greets students during the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007. King Sihamoni is jointed by thousand of civil servants and students to mark the country's 54th Independence Day from France, Nov. 9, 1953. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia celebrates anniversary of independence from France

Fri, 09 Nov 2007

Phnom Penh - Thousands of Cambodians waving national flags turned out at the capital's Independence Monument Friday to witness King Norodom Sihamoni light the symbolic flame to mark the 54th anniversary of the country's break from colonial France. However, the man widely credited as the architect of a political solution to growing popular and increasingly armed resistance to French rule in November 1953, 85-year-old former King Norodom Sihanouk, was not present. Only his portrait oversaw the ceremony.

Police estimated that around two thousand people lined the streets around the monument to watch Sihamoni symbolically release pigeons before hundreds of balloons were also sent skyward. Countless more watched the live broadcast on state television.

Sihamoni was born just months before France agreed to withdraw from Cambodia and succeeded his father as monarch in 2004.

The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate and National Assembly presidents Chea Sim and Heng Samrin - both former resistance fighters against the French - senior politicians, business leaders and the nation's most senior Buddhist monks.

The flame will burn for three days before being extinguished by Sihamoni in a brief ceremony Sunday. A fireworks celebration on the city's central Tonle Sap river is scheduled for Friday night.