PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen alluded to an unnamed country that claims to be a democracy and said that Cambodia faces certain misfortunes from this country. He added that any sanctions made against Cambodia are not effective, further warning this country not to make a ‘third mistake’ in Cambodia.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for students of the National Institute of Education on Tuesday morning, 25 April 2023, Prime Minister Hun Sen reminded this unnamed country of the first mistake they made in Cambodia, which was to support the coup to overthrow King Norodom Sihanouk. The second mistake they made, he said, was to support the Khmer Rouge from 1979 to 1991, adding that this country also never showed any regret to the Cambodian people for this mistake.

The Prime Minister, who has led Cambodia since 1979, said that Cambodia was unfortunate, but has also shown its ability to solve its own problems.

"Your sanctions are ineffective and cannot stop the Cambodian people," he said.

The Prime Minister warned this country that claims to be a democracy not to make a ‘third mistake’ in Cambodia, because the country has not forgotten their past blunders.