Students like Hun Sen’s parliamentary address, others don't

PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - The Cambodia Democratic Student Intellectuals Federation has expressed support for Prime Minister Hun Sen's address to the National Assembly about border issues with Vietnam.

In a statement issued Thursday, the federation said Hun Sen was trying to overcome obstacles to land and maritime boundary issues with Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.

"In this historic event, I've very proud of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s position in serving the country, achieving peace, political stability, national unity and non-stop development," a university student said. "We strongly support the patriotic example of Prime Minister Hun Sen."

But Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, denounced Hun Sen for giving up claims on the Mekong Delta, which has not been ruled by Cambodia for more than 300 years, and the island of Phu Quoc, which the French put under Vietnamese administration in 1939.

He said the Cambodian government should keep the issue open for the next generation.

Son Chhay, a senior lawmaker with the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, expressed regret that Hun Sen used the live radio and television broadcast to denigrate the opposition.

He denied that the opposition planned to use border issues to challenge the government.