On 12 December, Cambodian Government-run Phnom Penh Television Kampuchea [ TVK ] in Cambodian at 0655 GMT carried a 60-minute recorded video report, following its midday newscast, on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his wife presiding over an inaugural ceremony for six female students living quarters buildings in Phnom Penh on the morning of 12 December.
At the event, before concluding his address on the importance of the living quarters and urging the students to take good care of them, Hun Sen renewed his tirade against UN special envoy for human rights in Cambodia, Yash Ghai, that he did not mention by name, for the latter's recent criticism of the human rights situation in Cambodia.
Hun Sen said, "There is someone who is a long-term tourist talking irresponsibly that I do not need to reveal his name. You are free to come, but Hun Sen has the right not to receive you. Various government officials have the right to receive or not to receive him, but Hun Sen will not receive him forever." He added he was not obliged to see the UN envoy and the latter deserved it. He said, "if UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon continually employed this kind of person, you are free to do so."
Hun Sen said, "You just come here for a few days, what do you know? Every time he comes, he causes trouble to other people. If his country is talked about, it is 100 times worse than ours. You should go and improve your country. He is a Kenyan; this should be said clearly like this."
Hun Sen said, "During [Khmer Rouge leader] Pol Pot's era, why did you not shout, and now you shout that Cambodia has no law and customs and is uncontrolled. If there is no law, do you think that all the people can live like this? If there is no law, can you travel to various provinces? Will you not be attacked in ambushes? If it is like Nairobi, will you not be in danger, as Nairobi is a breeding ground for robbers? You are so lousy.
"Anyway, I wish to inform UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that if he still employs that person, Cambodia's prime minister will continually refuse to work with him. Cabinet ministers and government officials have the right to receive or not to receive him. You do not need to blame them."
Again Hun Sen said, "He deserves it. He is in one's country, but one does not receive him. Whoever wants to receive him can do so, but I will not receive him. I have the right not to receive him." "I wish to declare that if that person is still used, I will continue to refuse to work with him," he pointed out.
Commenting on the Khmer Rouge [KR] trial, Hun Sen said, "Previously, they claimed that we did not have the goodwill to proceed with the trial. We dragged on negotiations. We made laws incorrectly. The Royal Government was like this or that. However, now, all what they claimed are completely wrong, because all the top KR leaders have been arrested by virtue of the court's warrants. Nonetheless, when they talked wrongly about the past, they have never compensated us. They know only what is right, but they never accept what is wrong. In the past, they supported the KR to sit at the United Nations. However, now, the KR leaders are brought to trial, the value of which equals a slap in their face. They have never said that their policy of supporting the KR at the United Nations is a wrongdoing. They have never mentioned this." Now, they have "acknowledge that we have fulfilled the commitment as a sovereign state and a host, contributing to the implementation of the agreement reached with the United Nations on the KR trial." However, if they just say that they are "very sorry for the past misunderstanding about the government's attitude, is that wrong, abject? It is not abject. But they only know one thing: right, right, and right."
On the question regarding Burma, Hun Sen said, "Now, Burma, Myanmar has proceeded smoothly, but they go and disturb it again. There are also reports on human rights situation in Myanmar. However, Cambodia will make a statement against it." He added, "If all continue to oppose and put pressure on it, how can Myanmar solve its problems. Not only is Mynanmar not be able to solve problems, but I am unable to do so either."
Hun Sen also said it was not because Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein just visited Cambodia that he defended Burma, "but can it be offered opportunities to work? And the problems in Myanmar cannot be solved in one day, and they do not concern only two or three people, but the entire nation."
Hun Sen said one might wonder why Rangoon and Phnom Penh were so in agreement, but "this is a question of principle. They [Burma] also want national union, democracy, and respect of human rights." He added, "We do not agree with the suppression [in Burma] either. However, the two sides should exhibit patience."
