Kingdom of Cambodia
Speech given by
Samdech HUN SEN
Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia
During the Ceremony
22 December 2001

As you are aware, the People of Cambodia have finally turned a corner of history, putting firmly behind the darkness of its recent past history and emerging into a new dawn of our future. We have achieved national reconciliation and peace, which we value the most. I am sure you would agree with me that, we owe this peace to our beloved monarch, His Majesty King NORODOM SIRANOUK, who is the (Supreme Heroic King-Preah Maha Vorak Ksatra) and father of our nation, the wisdom and tolerance of Cambodian political leaders and the ordinary people of Cambodia. With this "diamond" opportunity, we have devoted our body and soul to implement reform programs in all sectors with the view to promoting sustainable economic growth, ensuring equitable distribution of the fruits of growth and trickle down growth to Cambodians from all walks of life. Our ultimate objectives are to create a socially connected, educationally advanced, and culturally vibrant society in Cambodia, where Cambodians could enjoy decent livelihood, live in peace, harmony, free from fear, animosity and violence. In such a society democracy and the respect for human rights are considered as the highest value, as well as the only road to progress, prosperity and social justice. With strong determination to achieve this noble mission, our Cambodian people look to the future with a smile of pride and optimism. In this sense, I share this prize with my life-long companion, Lok Chum Teav Bun Rany Hun Sen, my parents, brothers and sisters, my children and grand children, my teachers, as well as my colleagues and all of the people of Cambodia, especially Samdech Chea Sim and Samdech Heng Samrin, to whom Iam always loyal.

Excellencies:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As we entered the third millennium, we still witness wars, terrorist acts, tensions and hatred, caused by religious and other differences, especially the horror of 11 September. Therefore, more than ever we really need many more Sri Chirunoys to unite the people on Earth to live in harmony, peace and friendship. We still need more Peace Runs, Peace Blossoms and Peace Meditations, especially the arts of sharing and mutual concession to breed the value of tolerance and mutual understanding among different countries and people. In this regard, I express my deep respect and sincere gratitude to Excellency Sri Chinmoy for his dedication to world peace.

Accepting the "Lifting Up the World With a Oneness-Heart" award, I am more and more committed to an endless duty. I humbly pledge that I shall give the rest of my life to safeguard and enhance the achievements reached in Cambodia in national reconciliation and to foster solidarity and cooperation of Cambodians from all walks of life with the view to promoting democracy, the respect for human rights, and especially pulling Cambodia and Cambodians out of the shackles of poverty. This is also a valuable contribution to world peace.

In concluding, I would like to extend to you all, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the five gems of Buddha’ wishes and my best wishes for the coming 2002 New Year.

Thank you.

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