Khmer Times/May Titthara Sunday, 28 February 2016 805 views

Cambodia could be headed to another civil war if the country’s young people fail to appreciate and preserve the peace achieved after decades of civil conflict, Hun Many, the son of Prime Minister HE, said over the weekend.

Mr. Many made the comment in a letter issued by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) and the Asian Youth Council (AYC), both of which he leads.

“There is a high risk of another war and crisis due to the carelessness of the youth in terms of their lack of appreciation of peace and preservation of peace,” the letter read, adding that Cambodian youths put the importance of their own comfort above peace and democracy, concepts he said should be always be discussed together.

“AYC is ready to represent the only voice of the youth in Asia as well as the youth in the world in order to gain support for peace, stability, unified societies and common prosperity,” the letter said.

It was released in conjunction with the AYC’s annual summit, which took place over the weekend. The meetings are meant to help preserve peace and prevent crises in Asia as well as the world.

Mr. Many’s father, Prime Minister HE, acted as a guest speaker at the summit, where “peace, democracy and regional partnerships for sustainable development” were primary topics of discussion, the letter read.

During the prime minister’s opening speech to the 111 representatives from 17 countries throughout Asia, he said that such a summit would be impossible to hold if war broke out in individual Asian countries or across the region.

Social analyst Kem Ley called the prime minister’s message a threat to Cambodian people, especially youths. He asked who bore responsibility for ensuring peace in the country: youths or the government.

“This speech is a threatening message. If we look at the result of 30 years in power, what kind of real peace does the government hope to preserve? Is it possible to make youths responsible for preserving peace? War cannot happen only because of young people,” Mr. Ley said, adding that having an efficient government should be the priority.

willyhilly wrote:Oh dear, and isn't this the man who went to West Point?

juansweetpotato wrote:

willyhilly wrote:Oh dear, and isn't this the man who went to West Point?

How the hell did he get into West Point?

Raybull wrote:Gearing up for 2017/2018, they would only make such a pre-emptive comment if they believed it might happen.

hanno wrote:

Raybull wrote:Gearing up for 2017/2018, they would only make such a pre-emptive comment if they believed it might happen.

The old man has been saying the same thing for years; nothing new there. Rain Main blames everything on the Yuon; CPP waves the civil war stick; they full extent of their relative political programs....