PM Hun Sen Said King Sihamoni Will Sign Supplemental Treaty on November 30
PM Hun Sen seems confident King Sihamoni will sign the supplemental treaty
Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Wednesday (November 30) King Sihamoni plans to sign the controversial supplemental border treaty to the 1985 Cambodia-Vietnam border treaty which Hun Sen signed with Vietnam on October 10. Speaking at a commencement ceremony in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, PM Hun Sen said other top leaders including the National Assembly President, the President of the Senate, and himself will sign the treaty along with the King. Opposition Sam Rainsy party legislator Keo Remy said that in accordance with the constitution, the King is the only person who could endorse any treaty or agreement. Kem Sokha, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) said that the King should make a statement explaining the reason he decides to sign the treaty if he does not want to sign it willingly. However the CCHR president said if the king signs it willingly, then it's fine. Last week, the opposition party appealed to the King not to sign the controversial treaty. Former King Norodom Sihanouk and many Cambodians oppose the treaty saying it is an illegal treaty under the 1991 Paris Peace Accord. Deputy prime minister Sok An has defended the treaty at the national assembly saying that the treaty would not make Cambodia lose its territory. Prime Minister Hun Sen said his government has an opportunity to settle the border issues with Vietnam and he's taking that opportunity. It remains to be seen if King Sihamoni will sign the additional treaty Wednesday.