Officials Call for an End to Politicising of Oct. 23 Agreement

Senior Cambodian officials with profound knowledge on the Oct. 23 Paris Peace Agreement have urged for an end to political manipulations of the accords and for acceptance of the reality for collective effort for Cambodia's further development.

The reactions followed groundless interpretations by few politicians that could mislead the public in relation to the Paris Peace Agreement and the value that the Royal Government placed on it.

Minister of Information H.E. Khieu Kanharith who also witnessed the agreement process strongly underlined that the claim that the Royal Government has taken for granted the agreements is a misinformation.

The Royal Government deeply treasures the agreements to the extent that it incorporated the spirit of it into the Constitution and has continued to reinforce the country's democracy guided by the agreements, he continued.

H.E. Chin Malin, Secretary of State and Spokesperson at the Ministry of Justice, echoed the emphasis, adding that the mere content of the agreements in terms of organising Cambodia's first national election in 1993 and forming of a coalition government is over.

However, he went on, the Royal Government is very committed in implementing Cambodia's Constitution pioneered by the agreement and well captures its ultimate intention.

It is not the question about whether the Royal Government continues to implement the spirit of the agreement which has already achieved, but it is the question whether the Constitution is protected and adhered to -- he stressed.

The democratic principles drawn from the agreements and continue to guide Cambodia through the Constitution are the assurance and respect of a constitutional monarchy, a liberal multi-party democracy, the rule of laws, and the rights and freedoms.

Information Secretary of State H.E. Chea Chanboribo viewed that rather than misleading the public, politicians should take the Oct. 23 as an opportunity to acknowledge the key players who made a lot of sacrifice for the peace agreements, especially Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and the Late King Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.

Historically, Cambodia entered the so-called Paris Peace Agreement to end the country's civil war on Oct. 23, 1991, however complete peace was attained until Dec. 29, 1998 when all parties came together as one -- thanks to the Win-Win Policy of Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press