Jean-Francois Tain, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, described Cambodia as proud of its patriotic youth, but warned that they must be wary of being deceived by “extremists” or “populists” who seek to ignite their anger.

Tain’s remarks followed strong sentiments by some Cambodian people against the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA), with unfounded rumours circulating that the Kingdom could lose land to Vietnam or that Vietnamese people could use the CLV area to enter the Kingdom in large numbers.

Speaking at an August 19 press conference at the Council of Ministers, Tain said: "It's a positive thing and we are proud of Cambodians who have demonstrated their patriotism by taking part in lively debates on the CLV-DTA. Caring for the nation and its territory demonstrates undeniable pride".

"On behalf of the Royal Government, I would like to commend the patriotic spirit of my nieces and nephews," he said, noting that as the leaders of the country, the government has an obligation to listen to all the opinions, whether in opposition or agreement.

The CLV-DTA aims to support the development of the triangle between Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It was first mooted in 1999, but had not been widely discussed until an eruption of public opinion began about one month ago.

Since then, several government leaders, including former Prime Minister Hun Sen, currently Senate president, who initiated the CLV-DTA, Prime Minister Hun Manet, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul, and several other government-linked institutions, have held talks to explain the agreement. 

They said the cooperation does not involve sharing the territory, but aims to boost trade connections and combating crime, among other benefits. 

Despite their explanations, dissatisfaction with the CLV-DTA led to protests abroad and demands that the government withdraw from the agreement. It has also been claimed that anti-government groups living abroad attempted to use the issue to incite people to revolt and overthrow the government.

More than 30 arrests were made last week in connection with the anti-CLV-DTA movement, according to the National Police.

Tain called for patriotic youth not to let themselves be deceived by populists or extremists who only see the negative aspects in society and attempt to stir up anger amongst the public under the banner of nationalism or behind the label of democracy.

“Democrats would not call for the overthrow of the government. Democrats never call for the army to fire on the government. Such actions are called coups or revolutions,” he said.

Tain is a geopolitical analyst who is well-known to the public. He joined the government last year when Manet was appointed as prime minister.

He noted that the current situation in Cambodia reminded him of what occurred in the late 1960s, when right-wing groups of extremists accused then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk of serving Vietnam.

He urged Cambodians to take note of the lessons of history because if they fall into killing each other, no one can help the country. Foreign countries can only condemn, but those who will be suffering will be Cambodians. 

True nationalists never instigate one social class against another. They instead call for national unity, national strength and unity as a whole, he explained.

Pen Bona, a government spokesman, urged young “extremists” to cease their activities and return to normalcy. He said that if they are unhappy with any aspect of the government, they should express it through suggestions for new ideas and policies.