Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Situation in Cambodia
(Current Situation in Cambodia and Japan's Basic Stance)

September 11, 1998

1. Japan urges all Cambodian political leaders to respect the will of the Cambodian people as expressed in the general election held in July.
   
   
2. Japan is concerned about the situation in the city of Phnom Penh during the past few weeks, Japan strongly opposed every kind of violence, particularly that which is motivated by racial discrimination, and calls upon the Cambodian government and all Cambodians to exercise self-restraint.
   
   
3. Japan strongly hopes that all Cambodian political leaders will cooperate among themselves under King Norodom Sihanouk, who is given "the august role of arbitrator" under the Cambodian Constitution, in order to achieve peace, stability and development in their country.
   
   
4. Japan will continue to prevail on the various parties in Cambodia to heed the above points, and hopes that the other countries concerned will do likewise. In this connection, King Norodom Sihanouk will receive Deputy Foreign Minister M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra of Thailand in audience on September 13 (Sun.) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Japan highly appreciates Thailand's diplomatic efforts which have led to this audience.