Kim Poeuv SotanRFA 11 January 2006
Unofficial English Translation by M. Preuk
The President of the National Assembly, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, had harshly criticized the US government after the demands made by the US and the International communities had been met with refusal.
Samdech Norodom Ranariddh who is currently co-leading the royal government, denies that they had silenced the opposition and prevented freedom of expression.
The Prince accuses the US of forcing [Cambodia] to abide by the rule of law, but that in fact, the US did not abide by the law at all.
“…Countries which are teaching us that we should abide by the law, but they do not abide by the law. They want all of us to abide by the law, but the people they like, they support them. For example, Mr. Sam Rainsy who is trampling on the law, they (the US) said that he is right,” the Prince declared to news reporters on Wednesday 11 January.
He only attacked the US even though criticisms on the government for the recent arrests of human rights activists were raised from all corners of the world, including the United Nation.
Prince Ranariddh added that the case of Mr. Sam Rainsy stems from his own [fault], and the case of Mr. Kem Sokha, the CCHR President, stems from his false accusation of the government. The Prince also recalled that if Mr. Kem Sokha did not heavily rely on the US, most likely there would be as big a problem as it is now.
“… Mr. Kem Sokha, they have accused him once already. But it was due to me who wanted to unify the nation, I brought him into the folds of the Funcinpec party and they suspended the investigation and accusation [against him]. I made him a Senator and even made him the President of the [Senate] Human Right Committee. But he did not follow me, he believes the US is defending him. Honest, it was the US, he is relying on the US. Sam Rainsy is relying on the US. Mr. Kem Sokha is relying on the US. Now let him continue relying on the US from the Prey Sar [jail].” Prince Ranariddh’s verbal attack on the US follows two declarations made by the US condemning the Cambodian government for the arrest of Mr. Kem Sokha, the CCHR President.
On 6 January, the spokesman of the US Department of State, Mr. Sean McCormack, declared that the arrests of journalists, civil right group leaders, human right activists, and members of the opposition party, constitute a common attack by the government to break critics. These [US] declarations demand the ending of all arrest, and the release of these activists from jail.
Our listeners should recall that Prince Norodom Ranariddh used to ask for support from the US when Prime Minister Hun Sen brought the coup d’état which toppled him from his position of first prime minister on 5 July 1997.
Samdech Norodom Ranariddh who is currently co-leading the royal government, denies that they had silenced the opposition and prevented freedom of expression.
The Prince accuses the US of forcing [Cambodia] to abide by the rule of law, but that in fact, the US did not abide by the law at all.
“…Countries which are teaching us that we should abide by the law, but they do not abide by the law. They want all of us to abide by the law, but the people they like, they support them. For example, Mr. Sam Rainsy who is trampling on the law, they (the US) said that he is right,” the Prince declared to news reporters on Wednesday 11 January.
He only attacked the US even though criticisms on the government for the recent arrests of human rights activists were raised from all corners of the world, including the United Nation.
Prince Ranariddh added that the case of Mr. Sam Rainsy stems from his own [fault], and the case of Mr. Kem Sokha, the CCHR President, stems from his false accusation of the government. The Prince also recalled that if Mr. Kem Sokha did not heavily rely on the US, most likely there would be as big a problem as it is now.
“… Mr. Kem Sokha, they have accused him once already. But it was due to me who wanted to unify the nation, I brought him into the folds of the Funcinpec party and they suspended the investigation and accusation [against him]. I made him a Senator and even made him the President of the [Senate] Human Right Committee. But he did not follow me, he believes the US is defending him. Honest, it was the US, he is relying on the US. Sam Rainsy is relying on the US. Mr. Kem Sokha is relying on the US. Now let him continue relying on the US from the Prey Sar [jail].” Prince Ranariddh’s verbal attack on the US follows two declarations made by the US condemning the Cambodian government for the arrest of Mr. Kem Sokha, the CCHR President.
On 6 January, the spokesman of the US Department of State, Mr. Sean McCormack, declared that the arrests of journalists, civil right group leaders, human right activists, and members of the opposition party, constitute a common attack by the government to break critics. These [US] declarations demand the ending of all arrest, and the release of these activists from jail.
Our listeners should recall that Prince Norodom Ranariddh used to ask for support from the US when Prime Minister Hun Sen brought the coup d’état which toppled him from his position of first prime minister on 5 July 1997.
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