Cambodian PM Hun Manet. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN photo
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated that as a member of the UN, Cambodia will do its utmost to prevent the spread of war in the region. He also vowed to pay close attention to the safety of Cambodian students in Israel, which is currently at war with the Palestine-based militant group Hamas.
Speaking to more than 10,000 workers in Kampong Cham province on October 25, Manet warned that in the current era, war and insecurity in one country could easily spread to another, and then across the region and beyond.
“For example, the war between Russia and Ukraine has exacerbated the energy and oil crises and affected many countries’ economic growth.
“As a member of the UN and ASEAN, Cambodia is not only committed to maintaining peace in its own territory but also to playing its part as much as possible in preventing the region’s peace and stability from being affected,” he said.
Manet added that since the first day of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Cambodian government has followed up regularly on the safety, food and accommodation of the Cambodian citizens, mostly students, who are present in Israel.
“Whether here or abroad, the Cambodian government considers the lives of its citizens as precious,” he said.
The premier also addressed some criticisms suggesting the government does not pay attention to fulfilling its constitutional obligations to protect the lives of its citizens.
“I urge all of those who are sitting abroad attacking me and trying to use the tragedy in Israel to their own advantage to take their opportunity – I do not care, or get a headache thinking about their comments. The most important thing to me is the well-being of Cambodians everywhere. We are doing as much as possible to provide assistance, and are well prepared to do so, whether inside or outside Cambodia. We strive to help, this is the commitment of the government,” he said.
“I have instructed our officials in Israel to report the situation of our compatriots there to me four times a day, and ensure their safety. It is tragic that a Cambodian student was killed when the fighting broke out. His remains were returned to Phnom Penh for a traditional funeral on October 24. The government assumed responsibility for his repatriation and the funeral,” he added.
Manet extended his thanks to the Cambodians living abroad, especially in Israel, who intervened to help their countrymen in vulnerable areas. He said this was a sign of their “shared Khmer blood”.
Royal Academy of Cambodia secretary-general Yang Peou said Manet’s statement was intended to reiterate that the Kingdom knows the suffering of war all too well, and was committed to the UN in order to ensure that no other nation would suffer at it had.
“Cambodia has suffered the bitter taste of war in its recent history. Therefore, in keeping with the pursuit of global peace, it is committed to sending ‘blue helmet’ peacekeepers to take part in the global peacekeeping efforts. Cambodia is also heavily involved in international diplomacy, as a voice that seeks to prevent war,” he added.
Thong Mengdavid, a researcher with the Asian Vision Institute’s (AVI) Mekong Centre for Strategic Studies, said Cambodia consistently implements an independent foreign policy, which is based on flexibility, wisdom and neutrality. This allows it to respond quickly to geopolitical pressure, and demonstrates the Kingdom’s intelligence and maturity in international relations.
“International issues affect supply chains and foreign investment, which is why the government is working to engage with other countries to promote the resolution of any conflicts through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms,” he said.
He added that multilateralism, independence and respect for the principles of international law are at the core of Cambodia’s political, foreign and diplomatic strategies. He noted that the government has been working closely with the government of Israel and the Cambodian consulates in Egypt and across the Middle East to facilitate the safety of the Cambodian students, considering it a top priority. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
