Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered authorities to make the map used by the country in demarcating its border with Vietnam public at the Cabinet meeting on October 9.
According to Government Spokesman Phay Siphan, the PM highlighted documents relating to the map used in demarcating border with Vietnam were ratified by the King and the Cambodian National Assembly, and served as historical evidence in scientific research on the national territory.
The country’s leader said the documents prove transparency and sense of responsibility of the Cambodian People’s Party in protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The PM’s decision came after a statement was posted on media on October 7 by Um Sam An of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), declaring he found a Bonne map which was submitted to the United Nations (UN) on October 4, 1954. He said this was the map stated in Cambodia’s Constitution, and it was necessary to review border markers between Cambodia and Vietnam.
The same day, the Cambodian government announced to consider strict legal measures against lawmaker Um Sam An.
Cambodia’s media quoted a statement of the Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit (OMCM) as saying that Um Sam An’s actions have caused misunderstanding on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and social unrest.
The OMCM statement affirmed that the map was officially recognised by the country’s constitution and submitted to the United Nations in 1964, not in 1954 as Um Sam An’s statement
Um Sam An holds dual citizenship, the US and Cambodia, and left Cambodia for the US in August. He is expected to return Cambodia in early 2016.-VNA
