The Additional Border Treaty Goes to The Commission of Foreign Affairs

The Additional Border Treaty Goes to The Commission of Foreign Affairs
Sakada Chun
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
25/10/2005

Acting National Assembly President Heng Samrin said the Permanent
Committee of the National Assembly has sent the additional treaty to
the 1985 Cambodia-Vietnam treaty to the Commission of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Heng Samrin said that the Commission of
Foreign Affairs can now study, research the addidtional treaty before
sending it to the whole house for ratification. Heng Samrin said voting
will be done by raising hands and that it does not even require the 2/3
majority. He said the 50 percent plus one formula will be used instead.


Acting chairman of the National Assembly's Commission of Foreign
Affairs refused to comment on the additional border treaty.

Opposition lawmaker Keo Remy said the Commission of Foreign Affairs has
a very important task to do. He said according to principle 24 of the
internal rules the Commission of Foreign Affairs can request the
National Assembly not to consider the draft treaty if the Committee
finds that this treaty is not beneficial to Cambodia.

Director of the Cambodia Center for Human Rights (CCHR) Kem Sokha said
if the Assembly considers using the 50 percent plus one vote, it will
enact the Supplemental Border Treaty without any problem. However Kem
Sokha said the government and the Assembly should conduct a public
hearing to explain this treaty to the Cambodian people for public
support, if there is no referundum. Prime Minister Hun Sen does not
make any comment on this matter.

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