Hun Sen: Cambodian territory is bigger than the world recognition

Cambodia News

Phnom Penh (9 August, 2012): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday told the parliamentarians at the National Assembly that the country’s land recognized by the world with the size of 181, 035 square kilometers is in fact bigger than that number.

Responding to those who have criticised him for losing some territory to Vietnam, Hun Sen said Cambodia  has more than 300 square kilometers.

The premier reaffirmed that those who criticised him for the loss of land and sea, they must blame former King Norodom Sihanouk and King Norodm Sihamoni. He also read out sentences of songs criticised former monarch who sold part of the country to foreign countries due to foreign power. However, he said, not any monarch wanted to do so but they lived under foreign colony.

According to history, the current South Vietnam is the former Cambodian territory and it lost to Vietnam due to the French colony.

“Only animals do not recognise their land but human beings must do. I mentioned this it doesn’t mean I said you are animals,” Hun Sen said referring to the opposition party’s parliamentarians and those who have criticised him on the border loss.

“If you attack me it is equal that you attack former King Sihanouk.” Hun Sen said by adding that he would protect the country’s monarchy for the rest of his life. “You have to pass over my body before you want to oust the throne,” he said.

Hun Sen said there have been four different figures of the size of Cambodia territory: 181,035 square kilometers that Cambodia reports to the world; 175, 450 square kilometers from France’s report after Cambodia claimed the provinces of Battambang, Siem Reap, and Sisophon back from Thailand;  179,000 square kilometers from France’s report;  and the last figure is 181,606 square kilometers the National Authority on Border Issue report after computer calculation.

He said the last figure is changed into two different sizes: one is 181,436 square kilometers and another is 181, 312 square kilometers and this size is not included some islands and water areas. However, he said the country decides to currently use the figure of 181,035 square kilometers.