Cambodian Online
___
Hun Sen on Political, Economic Situation in Cambodia

The Editor
Managing Editor
Cambodian Online

Contact Information
Cambodian Mobile:
012-247-125
International Mobile:
(855) 12-247-125

 Information

24-Aug-2005
Last Edited

"The immortal gods, when they intend to punish some men for their sins, sometimes grant them temporary prosperity and prolonged immunity to make them suffer more severely from a change of fortune." -- Julius Caesar

Posted By: Cambodian People's Party 

Date: Sunday, 9 June 2002, at 1:53 p.m.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: Hun Sen on Political, Economic Situation in Cambodia

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen has said he firmly believes there is and will be no war in Cambodia and that political stability and peace are prevailing all over the country. As the government is implementing the reform of the country's infrastructure,achieving successes one after another, there should not be any concern over political stability. He added: "One should not be afraid of the dung or footprints of the tiger [Khmer Rouge] because it is already dead."

The samdech Prime Minister made the remarks to some 200 investors, representing many key international investing companies, at a conference on Year 2002 Investment in Cambodia jointly organized by the Washington-based US-ASEAN Trade Council and the Bangkok-based Data Consultative Group at the Le Royal hotel on the evening of 05 June.

Addressing investors' concerns over events relating to future elections, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said that there is no cause for concern over political stability. He added that it appears that there should be no reason to worry about the forthcoming election.

In Cambodia, who want to be headmen? Only a few people. Therefore, it is unreasonable to worry about it. The situation will be continually improving until 2003, as the government continues the destruction of [illegally owned] weapons and the process of implementing reforms by pushing for the neutralization of the armed forces and civilian administration.

Samdech Hun Sen added that the only thing he asks from foreigners is that they should respect the decisions of the Cambodian people and the legitimate government. They should not indulge their own whims.

At the conference, Samdech Hun Sen also spoke about results achieved by the government in the implementation of reforms, such as macroeconomic stabilization, GDP growth, and the suppression of logging-related corrupt practices.

Samdech Hun Sen added that we are not able to resolve every problem in just over one year, but we have already achieved a lot. What is essential for us is the judicial framework. We need to organize the legal structure in order to ensure investors' confidence. He stressed: "This issue is bigger than the law on the trial of the Khmer Rouge because it is needed to resolve problems facing living people."

Samdech Hun Sen also said that corruption is a hot issue that needs to be dealt with. He added that in the past the government has acted against corruption but it has not done it persistently because we lack legislation to ensure the continuation of the process. Now we are codifying audit laws and arranging the composition of an [audit] institution. We have also established the Relations with Parliament and Inspection Ministry and the advisory board for the Anti-corruption Commission under the State Reform Council with the samdech as chairman.

The samdech said that with past practices, we have achieved significant results: customs duties have gone up to 60 billion from 30 billion riels [Cambodian currency] a month. We have demanded that they be increased to 80 billion riels. This is the result of good governance. He added: "Each month, we are losing $5 million in oil taxes. We have to manage to recover this sum of money."

Samdech Hun Sen said: "We are determined to safeguard investments and the system of protecting state-owned capital and assets to show how the government, through its activities, has been responsible for its task toward investors in Cambodia."

Concluding, the samdech said: "I would like to invite all of you to join me, through your vigorous contributions, to wage war against poverty and to prepare Cambodia for a bright future."

[Description of Source: Phnom Penh Reaksmei Kampuchea newspaper]