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Peace Tour Inaugurates UPF in Cambodia
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon were met at the airport by Prince Sirivudh and Hon. Son Soubert, two Ambassadors for Peace who have attended several international peace conferences. On the approach to the hotel, about people lined the entryway waving Cambodian flags.
As a smaller group gathered in their room for a welcome, Father and Mother Moon, who had not visited Cambodia before, said they felt at home as they met with various Cambodian leaders, including representatives from neighboring Thailand who had come with nearly 400 delegates to Cambodia for this event.
The main program hall was filled early with 1000 delegates, including the 400 who had traveled from Thailand. Prince Sirivudh and his wife, and Hon. Son Soubert were seated on the stage. Reminding us of the Buddhist traditions of this small nation, there was a group of about 50 Buddhist monks in attendance as well.
A letter of welcome was read from the Speaker of the Parliament, a member of the Royal Family and a former Prime Minister, who sent his sincere regrets that he had to be at this time in Manila for the Southeast Asia Games. Then Prince Sirivudh delivered his address.
Father Moon spoke for three hours. His delivery of the peace message was natural, dynamic and interactive. He frequently turned to his left to interact directly with the Prince and Hon. Son Soubert. The audience remained focused and attentive, no doubt taking example from the Prince, seated on stage. There was a genuine rapport between Father Moon and his audience.
“If all the religions united and guided the nations we could have arrived at peace,” he said, “Where there is fighting there is no God. The fighters become smaller and smaller. Even royal family members of the world need to go through this education in my teaching. We need Ambassadors for Peace to form peace councils and a 'Peace UN.'"
The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.
After the speech there was an exchange of gifts. The Prince presented gifts to Father and Mother Moon, followed by a presentation of beautiful ceramic vases with Father Moon’s calligraphy to Prince Sirivudh and his wife, who with the Hon. Son Soubert joined them for dinner.
To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
To download a report booklet of the UPF Founders' 2005 World Peace Tour, click here.