Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 12 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen shared his own experience of growing up and living through decades of the civil war in Cambodia.
The premier spoke in 2022 Sunhak Peace Prize award ceremony held on Saturday in Seoul, South Korea.
“I wish to share my own experience of growing up and living through decades of the civil war in Cambodia. I was forced to quit my study in 1970 when my country became deeply divided, and the war was looming. My childhood and teenage life, which should have gained great joy if the country had been peaceful, faced only hardship and suffering. I was in great despair about my future and the future of my country,” the premier underlined.
Samdech continued, “From that moment, I devoted my life to searching for peace for Cambodia. It took almost three decades to realise my dream, and I had to endure hardship and take life risks along the way. I got wounded and lost one eye. I had to escape on foot to Vietnam through minefields and the heavily militarised border at night while leaving my pregnant wife behind in Cambodia.”
“In 1996, I took life risk again by negotiating with the Khmer Rouge at their stronghold to persuade them to put down their arms and join the government under the Win-Win Policy that guarantees their lives, right to property ownership, ranks and professions.”
“The policy allowed Cambodia to achieve full peace in 1998. It has enabled the government to focus its full attention on national development, and the Cambodian people enjoy the benefits and opportunities that peace and development offer. Cambodia has maintained peace for more than 20 years, and we are committed to protecting and promoting it.”
The premier added, “From Cambodia’s experiences with wars and peace, I wish to emphasise that “No peace, No hope. No peace, No development. No peace, No respect for human right and democracy”. And I share the same belief as Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon that “peace is concrete action, not a vague dream”.
“That is why my government has made it a priority to send thousands of Cambodian soldiers to join UN peacekeeping and mines clearance operations in Africa and the Middle East, hoping to help restore peace in those regions. Moreover, although our country is small, we assist the peace process in the region and the world with goodwill, responsibility, and honesty,” premier Hun Sen added.
=FRESH NEWS
