Ben Sokhean  Khmer Times Fri, February 19, 2021

RCAF Commander-in-Chief General Vong Pisen at the closing ceremony for the 9th generation army officer training course. RCAF

RCAF Commander-in-Chief General Vong Pisen at the closing ceremony for the army officer training course. RCAF

PHNOM PENH -Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Commader-in-Chief General Vong Pisen yesterday reaffirmed his call for soldiers across the country to prevent a “colour revolution” attempting to overthrow the legitimate government.

His call was made while presiding over the closing ceremony for the army cadets training course at the Royal Cambodian Amy Institute in Kampong Speu province.

Gen Pisen said the RCAF is the “backbone” of the nation, which at all costs must firmly defend peace and resolutely oppose a colour revolution, protect the people, protect the government and the Constitution.

He highlighted the values of peace that emerged from Prime Minister Hun Sen’s “Win-Win Policy” which saw Khmer Rouge soldiers join with government forces more than two decades ago. He also praised Mr Hun Sen’s achievements and the development of the country in all sectors.

“Everything must start from peace, where we have to spend physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual strength to overcome all obstacles and dare to sacrifice our lives for the cause of peace,” he said.

“In this sense, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, the backbone of the nation, at all costs, must firmly defend peace and resolutely oppose a colour revolution,” he added.

The RCAF commander-in-chief also called on military officers and soldiers to join with the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and called on the soldiers to prepare for the upcoming vaccinations.

Despite Gen Pisen not mentioning any political group who he alleged has attempted to overthrow the government through a “colour revolution” by name, he seemed to refer to ex-opposition leaders who are living in exile.

In recent years, the government alleged that ex-CNRP leader Sam Rainsy attempted to overthrow the CPP through a “colour revolution” as well as a coup attempt.

Rainsy vowed to return to the Kingdom to restore democracy and human rights on November 9, 2019. However, the government accused him and his allies of planning a coup. As such his planned return failed to materialise.

Rainsy, who is living in exile in Paris, last year announced again that he would return to the Kingdom to eliminate what he called a “treasonous regime”.

He also encouraged people to protest against Mr Hun Sen and appealed to the armed forces not to shoot protesters but instead to turn their weapons against the government.

National Police chief General Neth Savoeun recently also instructed the police to track and prevent the actions of “illegal rebel groups” who attempt to overthrow the legitimate government.

However, former CNRP lawmaker Ou Chanrath said yesterday that he did not believe that any ex-opposition parties were involved with any “colour revolution” attempts.

“In my view, no one is planning to do a colour revolution in Cambodia,” he said. “They seem to be afraid of their own shadow. They may be just saying that to make excuses to threaten political or environmental activists, especially those who are demanding the release of [political] detainees,” he said.

Chanrath said Cambodians are focussing on their occupations and businesses so they are not interested in any political group starting a revolution.

“Overall, the people are not interested in a colour revolution. They are more interested in personal struggles,” he said.

SOURCE: Khmer Times,Cambodia Fri, February 19, 2021

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