Mondulkiri (FN), Oct. 24 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the people to unite in preserving peace in order to achieve new progress, speaking on Thursday (Oct. 24) during the inauguration of O’ Te Dam in Mondulkiri province.
"This task is crucial to ensuring that peace remains the driving force behind development. The incitement surrounding the CLV-DTA cooperation aims to undermine national unity through mistrust, which poses a great danger. Let me talk about the value of peace and its fruits. Peace is like a tree, and the fruits of peace are what we have gained for over 500 years. However, for the people, the peace tree was only truly planted in 1998, when it became alive and sustainable,” the premier underlined.
“Yesterday, 23 October, marked the 33rd anniversary of the 23 October 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, where our leaders, the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Samdech Techo Hun Sen, signed an agreement to plant the tree of peace. The United Nations spent over USD 1 billion to end the war, but the peace tree did not fully grow. We had to continue fighting until 1998 when the tree finally began to thrive and bear fruit,” the premier added.
Samdech Thipadei continued, “Our people have benefited, especially in the northeastern provinces, from the ceasefire, the end of fighting, and the reunification of the country. Over the past 25 years, we have seen development, and these are the fruits of peace. Our leaders, soldiers, officers, and armed forces worked hard and made sacrifices on the battlefield to plant this tree of peace. Today, we enjoy the fruits of this peace, as do our descendants for generations to come. We must protect this tree of peace from being destroyed or eaten away by worms, and we must take care of it together. If anyone seeks to burn or cut its branches, please don’t—this tree can grow and continue to bear fruit if we, as Cambodians, unite and care for it.”
"Cambodia does not act as a satellite to any country. We are an independent and sovereign state with a population of 17 million. After the Pol Pot regime, our population was only 5 million. In the next 10 to 20 years, our population may grow to 20 million or more. As Cambodia’s population grows, we must build our economy and create favourable conditions for our people. Over the next 40 years, and during this seventh mandate, the Royal Government will continue working to ensure growth and prosperity for all citizens, especially in the northeastern provinces. Whether in the economy, agriculture, industry, or trade, we will continue to strengthen development, along with investments in health and education, so that Cambodian children can grow and thrive. This is the commitment and goal of our government," Samdech Thipadei added.
=FRESH NEWS
