PM Lee expresses "deepest gratitude" to Cambodian PM for help

26 November 2007
By Margaret Perry
Channel NewsAsia (Singapore)

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has expressed his deepest gratitude to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen the government's help in the dragon boat tragedy.

Mr Lee thanked the Cambodian government for its massive search and rescue operation and for helping bereaved families and injured team members.

He said Cambodian officials worked closely with staff from the Singapore Embassy and went out of their way to extend their full assistance and cooperation.

He said this is a reflection of the very close and strong ties between Singapore and Cambodia.

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has also sent a letter to President S R Nathan to extend his "sincere condolences and profound sympathy" to the families of the five Singapore national dragon boaters who lost their lives in the tragic accident.

In his letter, the King said his people shared in "the sufferings of the people of Singapore".

Hun Sen explained about his alleged threat leveled against people

Thursday, November 01, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Hun Sen provided an explanation about the accusations made by a number of people who defamed him by saying that he (Hun Sen) threatened people not to vote for others. At a speech given during the handing of diplomas to students on Tuesday, Samdach Dek Cho Hun Sen recalled that at the Phnom Ta Mao, he raised the issue that: if there were to be war and unrest in the country, and the economy were to collapse, then the king would be very disappointed to have bestowed upon him (Hun Sen) the title of “Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho.” Hun Sen added that some have turned this issue into a threat that he (Hun Sen) pronounced to prevent people from voting for them. Hun Sen added: “I am saying that from this time on, from this hour on, until the end of the mandate for which I am responsible for, if there were to be a war, and the macro-economy were to explode, and the inflation were to hit the roof, these would be my responsibilities. As for people voting for one individual (or another), it’s up to the people, if after the election, war were to start under the watch of another prime minister, it’s an issue involving that prime minister (only), and not mine. I never forced anybody …”