Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, has stressed that the Paris Peace Agreements would not have been possible without the negotiations between the late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk and himself, which began on Dec. 2, 1987.
In a social media post on Friday, marking the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements on Oct. 23, 1991, Samdech Techo Hun Sen reflected on the historical process that led to the landmark agreements, signed in Paris, France, at 3 p.m. on that day.
He compared the process to the growth of a tree, explaining that a tree needs roots, a trunk, branches and leaves to become a complete tree. Similarly, he said, the Paris Peace Agreements had their origins in the meeting between Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk and himself on Dec. 2, 1987, commonly known as the “Sihanouk-Hun Sen Meeting.”
“Without the Sihanouk-Hun Sen Meeting, there would have been no Paris Peace Agreements,” he stressed.
The Senate President noted that the process required considerable time and effort. From Dec. 2, 1987, to Oct. 23, 1991, the negotiations spanned 1,421 days, equivalent to 203 weeks, four months and 21 days short of four years, or three years, 10 months and 21 days.
He also said he had participated in more negotiating sessions than anyone else, explaining that he had to engage with different Cambodian parties, including Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, Mr. Son Sann and Mr. Khieu Samphan, sometimes separately and sometimes collectively.
In addition, he recalled meeting foreign partners from both supporting and non-supporting countries to explain positions, exchange views and seek common ground.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen further noted that he was the youngest among the Cambodian parties and delegations from participating countries involved in the negotiations. He was 35 when the negotiations began and 39 when the Paris Peace Agreements were signed.
He concluded his message by congratulating Cambodia on the 35th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements, signed on Oct. 23, 1991.
