8 November 2001

Respected members of the Buddhist Clergy,

Sdech Krom Khun,

Samdech, Excellencies from national organizations of all levels,

Excellencies, Ambassadors and Representatives from friendly countries to Cambodia,

Your Excellencies, members of the Senate,

National and international distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia has the great privilege in its history to officially decorate all the Senators of the Kingdom.

This very special event reaffirms the new success reached by the Senate as its reaffirms the success shared by all Cambodians who have just enjoyed the Water Festival and who are now ready to celebrate tomorrow the Independence Day of the 9th of November.

During almost three years of its operation, the Senate has made an impressive progress in carrying out its legislative duties with a high degree of responsibility .The task includes reviewing and recommending 52 draft laws referred to it by the National Assembly.

Along with this achievement, the Senate has promoted good international relations with regional governments and parliaments, with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and with parliaments throughout the five continents. In return, the Senate has received good support from these institutions, which allows the Senate to meet the actual needs in human resources through training.

This rapid development is the fruits of the efforts the Senate has made in building the rule of law in the country and in promoting the reputation of the Kingdom of Cambodia in the international arena. This is also a great pride for every Cambodian citizen who has advanced with the dynamic principles of respect for the Constitution and the laws of the land in order to reconstruct an everlasting peace and reconciliation for the nation. Every achievement recorded by the Senate has contributed to speed up the reforms in all fields, which are needed for development.

The foundation of democracy has been laid. It has been gradually built in our land in line with the internal realities of the country, the socio-economic evolution and our cultural background. Democracy has been continually developed and consolidated to reach toward the upcoming commune council elections, which will constitute anew turning point in the delegation of power to local people and authorities.

Our Senate will continue to make its contribution. It will continue to act as a focus for the dissemination of democracy and the stimulus for respect for human rights through the adoption of legislation based on the fundamental principles of guaranteeing the rights for our people, and through the opening of Cambodia to a lager international cooperation of mutual interests with nations in the region and in the world.

Respected members of the Buddhist Clergy,

Samdech President,

National and international guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The gold epaulettes, the uniforms and other decorations worn by Members of the Senate testify to the new development. They are historically meaningful for the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The King of our nation, HIS MAJESTY PREAH BAT NORODOM SIHANOUK has been fully pleased with these awards. HIS MAJESTY has signed the Royal Decree NS/RTK/0701231 dated 12 July 2001 authorizing the official use of these gold decorations and uniforms for members of the Senate.

This demonstrates the generosity of HIS MAJESTY' great heart toward all of us who have fulfilled our duties, who have served the nation as citizen and as dignitaries, with love and respect for the interests of the people, who have honestly served our Supreme King with trust, who have kept the oath of allegiance which we took before we took office in this supreme national institution.

The gold epaulettes, the accompanying decorations and the uniforms symbolize honor and dignity of members of a national institution. They must be worn for its own worth in a way to increase the sense of responsibility of every member for the destiny and future of our nation. These gold decorations and uniforms represent the highest value of political stability, unified solidarity, and the unshakeable national reconciliation, the core of development of our nation.

At this solemn occasion, I would like to appeal to all members of the Senate to increase their duties and to work with a busy agenda in the coming period. I ask them to attentively comply with the Constitution and laws of the land, in order to develop an outstanding model. Particularly, there should be a strict respect for the internal rules and procedures of the Senate which provide direction and efficiency in all circumstances.

I would like also to ask all Senators to strengthen the internal solidarity among themselves by putting national and people's interest above all else. Please strengthen good cooperation with all national institutions, international organization, NGOs, civil society and with all the peoples so that we can learn quickly to assist the ever evolving legislative process.

In conclusion, I would like to wish venerable members of the clergy, Sdech Krom Khun, your excellencies, members of the Senate, Excellencies, national and international guests; ladies and gentlemen, the best of health and happiness.