Dear All,

 

Please find attached a letter from HM regarding his definitive(???) decision to live in exile outside of Cambodia due to the current border issue.

 

Quotes: (unofficial translation)

 

"I never said that I agree with the French regarding the Brévié line [which put Koh Tral under the Conchinchine administration]."

 

"Currently, we are already divided between those who declare that Cambodia is gaining land (even gaining water [rivers] for the population to use) and those who believe that lager swath of Cambodia lands have been swallowed. What is the truth? Right now, I don't want to act as a judge as to who is right or who is wrong. I beg for forgiveness because the truth cannot be known yet. I am removing myself out and please don't accuse me of being a traitor."

 

"I ask my Compatriots for understanding, and to forgive me because I cannot return back to our country since there is so much injustice against me. I will follow the path of Preah Norodom Yukanthor who defended the national integrity, who dare fight against the French, and who was exiled by the French [colonial authority] until his death."

 

Translation Notes:

 

1- Hun Sen recently declared that the signing of the additional convention to the 1985 border treaty with Vietnam would allow Khmer people living along the border access to waters in those areas which are currently occupied by Vietnam

 

2- Prince Norodom Yukanthor, son of King Norodom, died in exile in 1934 in Thailand because he refused to submit to the French colonial rule.

 

 

 

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