Cambodia to Remain Engaged With the United Nations: King Sihamoni

Khmer Circle: This is a king whose 14-15 million subjects are being held at a gun-point [sorry, hostage; pretty much as he is treated physically and politically, minus the Gold Cage!]; his loyal Opposition party has since been dissolved; millions are in a dire state of destitution; most are too preoccupied with eking out a living to reflect on their country's politics; the Kingdom itself fares worst [or among the worst] in almost every field one cares to name, from education and health to human rights abuse. Border demarcation, especially, with the country's eastern neighbour, proceeds on in a one-sided fashion and in complete secrecy and non-transparency. Yet, we have not heard a word from him uttered in his kingdom's defence for fear of violating that sacred oath which tells him that "the King reigns but does not rule"! So what on earth compelled his conscience to issue this public statement entirely out of character? That Cambodia still desires to be an "active member of the UN body"? The Vietcongs do know how to put their willing accomplishes and stooges to work for them in their typically unpalatable and cynical way. As for exactly how this pariah state is to contribute to building a stronger, unified and peaceful world through the UN, well...

26 December 2017

Aun Chhengpor

VOA Khmer

FILE: Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, center, greets his government officials upon his arrival for the water festival in front of Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.

The statement comes amid growing tensions between Cambodia and the United States over Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government’s crackdown on political opponents and civil society.

PHNOM PENH — 

King Norodom Sihamoni has said that Cambodia remains committed to engagement with the United Nations as an “active” member following calls for the U.N. General Assembly to review the country’s membership in light of the dissolution of the country’s main opposition party.

In a letter dated December 21 and sent to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, King Sihamoni expressed his “deep appreciation” of the organization.

“The Kingdom of Cambodia will remain active in its engagement and contribution to help build a stronger United Nations and advance our shared efforts to ensure peace, development, and human rights for all,” the monarch wrote in the letter, published later on his official website.

The letter comes amid growing tensions between Cambodia and the United States over Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government’s crackdown on political opponents and civil society.

At a recent panel discussion hosted by the United States’ U.N. mission, speakers called for a review of Cambodia’s membership.

The United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding King Sihamoni’s letter, but last week a U.N. spokesman said Guterres was “concerned” by the deteriorating political situation in Cambodia and would “urge the authorities to abide by the commitments they have made in an area of human rights and preserve the democratic achievements the country has made.”

A palace aide said the letter was a routine gesture in response to a letter from Guterres on the occasion of Cambodia’s Independence Day celebrations last month.

“That’s normal that he had to respond,” Oum Daravuth, a palace cabinet member, told VOA Khmer.