"... the victories in Anlong Veng, Prasat Preah Vihear, and in other places have followed the same process as that in Pailin and Samlot. Are there any other methods to solve the problems better and fairer than this? and with better respect for laws and morality? Can we finish Anlong Veng stronghold by using only military means? Young children in the areas are growing up with no basic schooling. Although they are illiterate, still they know how to pull the trigger in replacement to older people every passing day. With this fact, when can we end the Anlong Veng problem? Pol Pot’s fate would not have been terminated if the last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge had still existed...

"...to put an end to the Khmer Rouge we cannot use only military means, nor can we finish their political and military organizations by allowing them to come to Phnom Penh, by keeping them as a political counter balance, or by negotiating with them as a political and military organization. Therefore, the win-win solution or policy through the process of pacification in the remaining territory, is the only measure taken in accordance with law and morality to end these prolonged wars...

"... the honor being granted to me for the win-win policy is signified as a gold medal to be awarded to our people as a whole, especially the National Armed Forces of Cambodia and the defectors themselves, without whose support and implementation, there would have been no such achievements... (your defection) is not a surrender or a confession, but an obligation to be fulfilled by all Cambodian sons and daughters in joining efforts to put an end to the war which the previous generations started...

"... Though, the breaking away from the Khmer Rouge Ta Mok, Khieu Samphan, Pol Pot, Nuon Chea is life-risky, a grand movement to bring about peace, territorial unification, and to reduce the Khmer Rouge forces to smallest ever possible in the last five decades has taken place...

"... We did not create the wars which have engulfed Cambodia, but we have been victims of it. When the war started in 1970, we were young children, youth, farmers, workers, businessmen, and students, etc. There was no possibility for us to create war... but to be victimized by war created by older generations in the context of Cold War and ideological confrontations...

"...I wish to disclose to our compatriots that the plan to bring about this major defection was code-named `Phen Kar Muoy Sen’ (Muoy Sen Plan) on which I laid down my signature to approve its implementation since when I was in the period of mourning over the death of my late mother... The plan was supposed to be carried out since the Lunar Khmer New Year in 1997, but failed because of unfortunate frustrations... Although peace came late, it is still better than not at all...(Also) I issue orders to the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, the Ministry of Interior, the General National Police, and the authorities of all levels to carry out as soon as possible the integration of the armed forces, civil administration and the arrangement of administrative control of the breakaway zones... I also appeal to CMAC and other military units to clear mines so that de-mined land could be distributed to the local people... along with food and productive tools for them to start new lives...

"... I am greatly encouraged that a free, fair and credible election will be conducted as scheduled without delay. I have always displayed my stance and deed on the elections and democracy, for which I will steadfastly maintain... (As) a leader of a political party and a Cambodian citizen, I will try my best to fulfil all my obligation to ensure that free, fair, and credible elections will be held as scheduled, without any delay, in order to comply with our people’s aspiration...

"... I have told about half a million members of the Cambodian People’s Party that they had to provide the best support they can through offering: 1) support to the National Election Committee (NEC) so that it can fulfil its noble tasks; 2) support to all political parties so that they can fully carry out their activities; and 3) support to all people to exercise their rights in choosing a political party they like...

"... I hereby issue instructions to the Cambodian National Armed Forces and the Civil Administration, and the local authorities at all levels to fulfil the following three tasks: 1) create a favourable condition for NEC to fully perform its tasks as determined by law and in the capacity of an independent and neutral institution; 2) create a favourable condition for all political parties to carry out their activities, electoral campaigns in a free manner; 3) allow our people to choose whichever political party they like, free from coercion, intimidation, and threats...

"...(as far as) foreign assistance to the elections are concerned, I understand that any attempts to delay the elections will prolong the poverty of the people. The elections will speed up development to win over poverty... (As far as) security is concerned, the 1998 security situation is better than ever including 1993 elections period. Defections in 1994 (Phnom Voar), 1996 (in Malai, Pailin, Samlot, Sampeo Loun, Kamrieng, Taken Koh Sla, etc.) and 1998 (Anlong Veng and Preah Vihear) allow us to hold elections with confidence of the best ever security...

"... I am ready to transfer power peacefully to the political party which wins the elections. In case the Cambodian People’s Party wins the majority, I will arrange to set up a coalition government with many parties in it. This is another win-win policy that I hope to be able to carry out in the forthcoming elections... I am ready to stand a loss as long as we all stand to win over violence, injustice and unfairness. 

On the occasion of the Lunar Khmer New Year, the Year of Tiger, BE 2542, on my behalf as the Second Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Co-Commander in-Chief of the Cambodian National Armed Forces (CNAF), I and my wife would like to extend our best wishes to Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen as commanders of all levels, officiers, non-commissioned officiers, and soldiers, the police, the military police, and the militia, together with their families.

Please be blessed with good health, happiness, and success in fulfilling their tasks for the sake of our motherland.

I would like to give my best regards and wishes to families of fallen soldiers, the wounded and disabled soldiers who have made great sacrifices for the noble cause of our nation. I would like to give my best regards to soldiers who are receiving medical treatment in the hospitals. Please accept my best wishes and be quickly recovered in order to resume tasks in your units.

On this joyous occasion, on behalf of the Royal Government and the Co-Commander-in-Chief of the CNAF I would like to express my warm congratulations and best wishes of happiness and success to the officiers, non-commissioned officiers, and soldiers as well as their families, who previously lived under temporary control of the Khmer Rouge rebels in the border areas stretching from Anlong Veng to Preah Vihear temple, and who have now broken away from the rebels to return to the Royal Government and the nation.

Also on this lunar Khmer New Year occasion, may I respectfully bow before the memory of officiers, non-commissioned officiers and soldiers, the police..., the militia who have laid down their lives for the cause of defending the nation, safeguarding people’s security and social achievements, for the sake of peace, national reconciliation and development in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The past year, the Year of Ox (in Lunar Calendar), witnessed various achievements and provided valuable experience. Although, the Royal Government and CNAF had to cope with many complicated challenges, especially the regretful event of July 5-6, 1997, the situation in all fields, ranging from politics to military, security, economy, and livelihood have been developing with stability and normality, in accordance with legality, democracy, respects of human rights, and national development.

The Royal Government and CNAF have exerted efforts to create a neutral political atmosphere so that the forthcoming elections will be free, fair and credible. For instance, efforts being made to implement the eight-point security plan for strengthening public security and order, and the Japanese Government’s four-point peace proposal reflects a high sense of good will of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

At the same time, we have carried out the pacification process in the remaining zones of Anlong Veng and the border areas in Preah Vihear province, which will create favourable conditions for strengthening security and order and expanding areas of elections to be held on July 26, 1998.

The coming New Year is a year of historical significance because the National Assembly, the Royal Government, and the entire Cambodian people will organize and participate in the election process to elect the parliamentarians for the second legislature of the National Assembly, and set up a Government in order to fulfil national tasks in the future.

In this spirit, on behalf of the Royal Government and the Co-Commander-in-Chief of CNAF, I hope that CNAF will continue to fulfil their noble duties and tasks in a better manner for the sake of peace, national reconciliation, democracy, and national development under the motto of Nation, Religion, and King.  

Allow me to express my sincere thanks to compatriots and people of all strata who have sent me their warmest greetings on my birthday anniversary. Although this year I did not celebrate it as I had done in the past years because I am in the period of mourning over the death of my late mother, I am always concerned and think about the well being of our compatriots. Therefore, on the day I received such a great deal of best wishes, I started to write this letter to Buddhist monks, and to our compatriots thanking them for their wishes and wishing them a very Happy New Year.

Please allow me to ask for your sympathy and understanding for being unable to accept the proposal for organizing a grand meeting to welcome peace on my birthday on April 4. I would like to ask for sympathy and understanding from the compatriots for my failure to visit all of you in various locations, especially for not being able to attend the inauguration of a number of public constructions which I have contributed. In Phnom Penh and in various localities all over the country, our compatriots, especially our youths have started their entertainment programs already such as Ramvong (circle dance), Angkounh throwing (a game of throwing a king of hard-cover seed), Leak Kanseng (a game of kerchief hidden), etc. from the very beginning of the second week of March. As a matter of fact, after the Military Court passed the sentence on Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh for the first time on March 4, 1998, our compatriots are very happy. However, on HRH’s return, there were pressures and threats imposed on several protesters who requested Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh to solve some problems. This created an abnormal situation, in which the public opinions have great concerns about the failure to clear mistakes from the part of Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh. The fortunes of national and family reunions have at last happened to our fatherland and people. This resulted from the merits of the former Khmer Rouge officiers and soldiers from divisions 980, 801, 802, 417, and 912, putting an end to the last Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng.

Along with my praise and thought for the officiers, non-commissioned officiers and soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), I would like to extend my praise and regards to the former Khmer Rouge officiers, non-commissioned officiers, and soldiers who have recently broken away from the Khmer Rouge hardliners in Anlong Veng. As I have promised with those who proposed a grand meeting to be held to welcome them in the same way as we did for our brothers and sisters in Pailin, Samlot, and Malai, I accept this proposal and will attend such a grand meeting when my period of mourning is over. In fact, the actions and sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters who have recently defected are no different from those made by brothers and sisters in Pailin, Samlot and Malai. It is a resolute implementation of the policy of peace and national reconciliation in accordance with the win-win formula with no risk of having any losers. This policy is completely legitimate. Our compatriots have given justice and encouragement to me when stating that this is my merits worthy of pride. I myself cannot accept it as my own merits, because, though this policy has been thought up and initiated by me, it has certainly come from the hearts of the Buddhist monks, and our compatriots, including the armed forces and our dear people, and those political parties which have no collusion with the Khmer Rouge hardline chieftains.

This policy has achieved its superiority and success through life-risking sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters in their defection to the government side. Please convey my best regards to the Cambodian National Armed Forces and those breaking away from the Khmer Rouge hardline chieftains, and be assured that their actions and sacrifices have made significant contribution to the cause of peace and national reconciliation, which will add more weight to the forthcoming elections in July 1998.

Furthermore, the return of Their Majesties the King Norodom Sihanouk and Preah Reach Akka Mahesei in the coming days will make our compatriots even happier. It is this atmosphere that prompts New Year Ramvong to take place earlier than previous years; and at the same time, we witness the return of the last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge hardliners to the fold of the Royal Government.

Allow me to express my sincere thanks to compatriots and people of all strata who have sent me their warmest greetings on my birthday anniversary. Although this year I did not celebrate it as I had done in the past years because I am in the period of mourning over the death of my late mother, I am always concerned and think about the well being of our compatriots. Therefore, on the day I received such a great deal of best wishes, I started to write this letter to Buddhist monks, and to our compatriots thanking them for their wishes and wishing them a very Happy New Year.

Please allow me to ask for your sympathy and understanding for being unable to accept the proposal for organizing a grand meeting to welcome peace on my birthday on April 4. I would like to ask for sympathy and understanding from the compatriots for my failure to visit all of you in various locations, especially for not being able to attend the inauguration of a number of public constructions which I have contributed. In Phnom Penh and in various localities all over the country, our compatriots, especially our youths have started their entertainment programs already such as Ramvong (circle dance), Angkounh throwing (a game of throwing a king of hard-cover seed), Leak Kanseng (a game of kerchief hidden), etc. from the very beginning of the second week of March. As a matter of fact, after the Military Court passed the sentence on Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh for the first time on March 4, 1998, our compatriots are very happy. However, on HRH’s return, there were pressures and threats imposed on several protesters who requested Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh to solve some problems. This created an abnormal situation, in which the public opinions have great concerns about the failure to clear mistakes from the part of Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh. The fortunes of national and family reunions have at last happened to our fatherland and people. This resulted from the merits of the former Khmer Rouge officiers and soldiers from divisions 980, 801, 802, 417, and 912, putting an end to the last Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng.

Along with my praise and thought for the officiers, non-commissioned officiers and soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), I would like to extend my praise and regards to the former Khmer Rouge officiers, non-commissioned officiers, and soldiers who have recently broken away from the Khmer Rouge hardliners in Anlong Veng. As I have promised with those who proposed a grand meeting to be held to welcome them in the same way as we did for our brothers and sisters in Pailin, Samlot, and Malai, I accept this proposal and will attend such a grand meeting when my period of mourning is over. In fact, the actions and sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters who have recently defected are no different from those made by brothers and sisters in Pailin, Samlot and Malai. It is a resolute implementation of the policy of peace and national reconciliation in accordance with the win-win formula with no risk of having any losers. This policy is completely legitimate. Our compatriots have given justice and encouragement to me when stating that this is my merits worthy of pride. I myself cannot accept it as my own merits, because, though this policy has been thought up and initiated by me, it has certainly come from the hearts of the Buddhist monks, and our compatriots, including the armed forces and our dear people, and those political parties which have no collusion with the Khmer Rouge hardline chieftains.

This policy has achieved its superiority and success through life-risking sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters in their defection to the government side. Please convey my best regards to the Cambodian National Armed Forces and those breaking away from the Khmer Rouge hardline chieftains, and be assured that their actions and sacrifices have made significant contribution to the cause of peace and national reconciliation, which will add more weight to the forthcoming elections in July 1998.

Furthermore, the return of Their Majesties the King Norodom Sihanouk and Preah Reach Akka Mahesei in the coming days will make our compatriots even happier. It is this atmosphere that prompts New Year Ramvong to take place earlier than previous years; and at the same time, we witness the return of the last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge hardliners to the fold of the Royal Government.

"...the establishement of a non-governmental organization, Foundation of Cambodian People’s Poverty Alleviation, for which I have accepted to be its Honorary President gives more momentum and further means to combat against poverty in Cambodia... (PAL’s) combat will not last one or two days but will make its steadfast efforts to alliviate poverty that has been inflicted on our beloved people in years already due to wars and Polpotist regime of complete destruction and killings...

"... PAL does not intend to only collect money from donors, but tries to set up, and expand funds for funding finance, knowledge, and job. Because with money alone, it is not adequate for the poverty alleviation efforts to succeed. We are in need of wisdom, professionalism, expansion of production, service, and economic bases along with solidarity for mutual assistance.

"... Every Cambodian individual and family must be especially conscious about helping oneself first.