Supplemental Border Treaty Goes to the National Assembly
The Supplemental Treaty makes its way to the National Assembly for ratification
The Cambodian government on border affairs' high ranking officials said that the Cabinet's Permanent Committee has sent the Supplemental Border Treaty to the 1985 Border Treaty to the National Assembly so that it can be included in the agenda for the Assembly floor debate. It got to the Assembly Friday morning. Mr. Var Kim Hong, Committee for Border Issues Resolution's director, told reporters at the Cabinet headquarter after its weekly meeting that the Permanent Committee has passed it unanimously and sent it to the National Assembly. Mr. Chan Ven, the National Assembly Office's deputy director, said that he has proceeded according to the law and Mr. Heng Samrin, acting National Assembly leader, will convene the Permanent Committee for an immediate meeting. He said that he has not read the treaty yet. Mr. Keo Remy, Sam Rainsy Party member of parliament said that the Committee should invite the government representatives to clarify about the treaty to all members of parliament once or twice before sending it to the National Assembly's Expert Committee for ratification. He said that such treaty is very important since it is related to Cambodia's territory and results in the arrests and the charges on dissent. Mr. Moanh Sophaan, Funcinpec party legislator said that he cannot make any comment now since he has not seen the treaty. Ms. Chea Vannath, director of the Organization for Social Development said that the government and the three parties should understand the treaty and should insure the national unity before proceeding according to the law. Mr. Khieu Kanharith, government spokesman and Minister of Information said that the government cannot discuss about the treaty's good or bad points since it is still negotiating with Vietnam.