In a message coinciding with the 32nd anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who now serves as head of the Supreme Privy Council to the King, recalled how his win-win policy eventually ended civil war in 1998, bringing about comprehensive peace and prosperity that he said has lasted until the present day.
October 23 marked the anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords, a “comprehensive political settlement of the Cambodia conflict” signed in the French capital Paris in 1991 by 19 difference states.
In an October 23 social media post, Hun Sen explained that 32 years ago, there were four factions struggling for control of Cambodia – the State of Cambodia (SOC) led by himself, the FUNCINPEC led by then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk, the Khmer People’s National Liberation Front (KPNLF) led by Son Sann, and the Democratic Kampuchea, or Khmer Rouge, led by Khieu Samphan.
The four parties, together forming the Supreme National Council (SNC) chaired by Prince Sihanouk, entered into the Paris Accords witnessed by 18 states and the UN.
“Even though the Paris Peace Agreements were signed in 1991, the civil war in Cambodia continued. My win-win policy totally ended the war in 1998, bringing a lasting peace and prosperity to the country,” Hun Sen said of his policy that eventually saw the reintegration of the remaining Khmer Rouge soldiers that year.
In a separate post, Prime Minister Hun Manet described how Hun Sen and the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk had striven to lead the parties to the negotiating table and reconcile a divided Cambodia.
“These talks were the foundation for restoring and developing the nation to grow in all sectors. Peace is the foundation of all human rights and freedoms in any society,” he said.
Government spokesman Pen Bona described the agreements as a historic step in the Kingdom’s long journey to peace, and Hun Sen as one of the main actors in the process.
“When it comes to the Paris Peace Agreements, the main actors were the late King Father and [Hun Sen]. Without their dedication and commitment, and the support of the international community, these agreements would not have been possible,” he said.
Several civil society organisations and trade unions gathered on October 22 to celebrate the 32nd anniversary at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh.
Ny Sokha , head of rights group ADHOC, said on October 22 that the agreements were not born of any gods, but of the blood and sweat of the Cambodian people.
“They were born from the spirit of national unification and the leaders of the past, who did not want to see Cambodia plunged further into war,” he said.
Sokha noted that the best of the government’s policies followed the spirit of the agreements, particularly as Cambodia’s Constitution was born of their essence.
Ministry of Justice secretary of state Chin Malin highlighted three key aspects of the agreements which had shaped modern Cambodia.
“First, the four main foundations of leadership were incorporated into our Constitution in 1993. They include the principles of national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, constitutional monarchy, liberal democracy and pluralism, and respect for human rights, freedom and the rule of law,” he said.
Secondly, he said, the government had an obligation to abide by the Constitution, even if the agreements were no longer valid.
“Third, although the agreement failed to bring a total end to the prolonged civil war in Cambodia, it formed a foundation for leading the country in a democratic, modern path,” he added.
US ambassador W Patrick Murphy took to social media to congratulate the Kingdom on the anniversary.
“We joined civil society today for the 32nd anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements, which put Cambodia on a path to peace and stability. Embassy deputy chief of mission Bridgette Walker noted that, as a signatory of the agreements, the US stands with the Cambodian people for an inclusive, multiparty democracy,” he tweeted.
The French embassy noted that 32 years after the signing of the Paris Accords, the people of Cambodia have walked a long path towards economic development.
“France encourages the widening of political and civic spaces, and the strengthening of a pluralist democracy that is respectful of human rights, which are at the core of the agreements,” it said in a tweet.