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The Vietnam News

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Cambodian lawmakers approve controversial border with Vietnam

Cambodian lawmakers on Friday approved a controversial border treaty with neighboring Vietnam, despite allegations by critics that it amounts to a land giveaway to its more prosperous neighbor. Ninety-seven lawmakers voted for the pact by raising their hands following some eight hours of heated debate, with none against. But 14 lawmakers from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party walked out of the National Assembly session before the vote in protest of the agreement.

"It is a very sad day for our nation," said Son Chhay, an opposition party lawmaker. "It looks like we are begging Vietnam to stop taking more (Cambodian) land and just trying to put up a fence to circle what is left." Prime Minister Hun Sen signed the pact with Vietnamese leaders during his visit to Hanoi last month. Its ratification, Hun Sen told reporters Friday, shows the "very high responsibility" of the legislature. He added that the government intends to establish a "precise" border line between Cambodia and Vietnam and "make it a border of peace, friendship and cooperation for development."

Border issues are a passionate subject for many Cambodians, who have seen the vast territory once ruled by their ancient Angkor Empire swallowed up over the centuries by their larger neighbors, Vietnam and Thailand. The controversy heated up again when Hun Sen signed the new border treaty with Vietnam that critics said gave up land to which previous Cambodian governments had staked a claim. Hun Sen has sued at least six Cambodians for criminal defamation after they criticized the deal. Two of them, a radio station director and a union leader, are in jail pending trial.

Border issues with Vietnam are especially contentious, since Hanoi's troops occupied Cambodia for a decade after they toppled the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979. Hun Sen was foreign minister under the Vietnamese-installed communist government in the 1980s and then prime minister.

Pravda - November 11, 2005.


Cambodia parliament approves border treaty with Vietnam

PHNOM PENH - The Cambodian National Assembly on Friday unanimously approved a supplemental border treaty signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen with Vietnam. After nearly six hours debate, the supplemental border treaty was approved by 97 lawmakers at Friday's session, chaired by the National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

The treaty was signed in Hanoi on Oct. 10 during Prime Minister Hun Sen's three-day visit to Vietnam and approved by the Cabinet on Oct.21. Sok An, minister of the Council of Ministers, said at the session that the aim of the supplemental border treaty is to establish a peace and friendship border with the neighboring country. He stressed that what the royal government treasures most and wants to do is to maintain the country's peace and stability.

Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed at the session that he, on behalf of the royal government, will do its best and work hard with the government to implement the border agreement, and to continue to negotiate with Vietnam to resolve the remaining border issues. The premier said that he and the government will endeavor to build the borders with neighboring countries into the borders of peace, friendship and cooperation. The treaty is required to be sent to Senate for ratification and finally the King's signature before coming into effect.

Xinhuanet - November 11, 2005.