(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen dismissed accusations that the Royal Government is “trading land for peace,” calling the claims false and intended to mislead the public.

Samdech Techo spoke on Monday (Nov. 17) during the 33rd National Congress of Buddhist Monks at the National Institute of Education.

“I want to ask: do you want war again, or do you want peace? Some say we traded land for peace. The prime minister has already clarified that no agreement mentions any loss of territory. None at all,” Samdech Techo underscored.

Samdech Techo continued, “What is the key element of a ceasefire? A ceasefire means no troop movement and no reinforcement of forces. A peace agreement, however, involves reducing heavy weapons, clearing mines, combating online crimes, and more. Regarding mine clearance, it must be done jointly, not one-sidedly. And you cannot clear mines and then claim the other side is laying new ones. That is not the case. President Donald Trump and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet have already discussed the agreement, including mine clearance, which must be coordinated. Both sides must mutually agree on where mines will be cleared….”

Samdech Techo reiterated, “So do not misunderstand that we traded land for peace. Absolutely not. If peace were obtained by trading land, then we wouldn’t have needed to fight. At that time, the other side threatened to seize Ta Krabei and demanded Preah Vihear Temple. If avoiding war meant giving away Ta Krabei and Preah Vihear in exchange for peace, then Cambodia could have just handed them over. There would have been no need to fight….”

“So I would like to warn those Facebook users. Do not try to provoke by commenting. For me, I will not let it go, and I will not accept apologies. I am telling you clearly, whether you are monks or ordinary people. Do not provoke by commenting. And do not misunderstand that just by commenting on Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s page, we will track you. Any comment on any page that constitutes insult or that demoralizes the armed forces will not be tolerated. This is not an act of authoritarianism; it is enforcement against insults and attempts to undermine our military,” Samdech Techo reiterated.
=FRESH NEWS