Phnom Penh (FN), Oct. 15 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed the value of peace, urging the armed forces and all stakeholders to unite in safeguarding it at all costs.

The premier spoke on Tuesday (Oct. 15) during the 30th founding anniversary of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ (RCAF) Brigade 70 in Phnom Penh.

Samdech Thipadei further reflected on Cambodia's troubled history, "Cambodia endured decades of war following the 18 March 1970 coup that overthrew the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk. The war pitted Khmer against Khmer, leading to the Pol Pot Regime. Even after the victory on January 7, Cambodia did not achieve full peace immediately. The country was divided into four factions, with the Khmer Rouge still active. It was only after the win-win policy introduced by Samdech Techo Hun Sen that the Khmer Rouge forces were dissolved, and in 1998, Cambodia finally achieved lasting peace."

"Peace is something we hear about often. Some might be tired of hearing that we've had 20 years of peace. But the true value of peace becomes apparent only when it disappears," Samdech Thipadei added.

The premier urged those who do not fully understand the value of peace to ask the older generation who lived through the war. He also noted that young people born after 1998 may not fully grasp the significance of peace, but it is equally valuable to people of all ages, regardless of religion, location, or occupation—whether in the city or province, in the army, or as civilians.

On the occasion, the prime minister also referenced fighters who had trained and served in war-torn countries, noting that "they truly understand the value of peace.”
=FRESH NEWS