Prince Sisowath Thomico (Photo: RFA)Wednesday, July 26, 2006
By Douglas Gillison and Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Prince Sisowath Thomico is set to launch his new political party with a ceremony at the top of Kompong Speu province's Udong Mountain on Thursday—a site synonymous with Cambodia's royals— despite continued criticism of the project from retired King Norodom Sihanouk.
The prince said Tuesday that a half-hour of prayer will be held at 7:30 am at Udong, which was the royal capital of Cambodia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Stupas on the hill's slopes today contain the ashes of many of Cambodia's kings.
Prince Thomico described the occasion as "a quite simple ceremony during which those present will simply pray."
Participants, including representatives from the fledgling People Power Party and the little-known Khmer Unity Party, will make statements to the press at the foot of the hill at 9:30 am, Prince Thomico said the two parties are expected to merge into Prince Thomico's party.
The prince has previously said his party's platform would be based on Norodom Sihanouk's Sangkum Reastr Niyum of the 1950s and 1960s.
In a statement posted to his Web site Monday, Norodom Sihanouk said he disapproved of the new party and doubted it could survive on the allowance he provides to Prince Thomico.
"Even for a dreaming party fed on ideals far from the realities and possibilities of the new Cambodia, one cannot avoid having the money needed for producing and distributing flyers...the costs of travel and contact with the public," Norodom Sihanouk wrote.
"We give [Prince Thomico] every month a check for $600 and sometimes more," the former King wrote, adding that he doubted the prince would get far with this.
Potential donors from abroad would not be "crazy" enough to donate to anyone but Prime Minister Hun Sen and the CPP, he wrote.
Sun Sokunmealea, president of the ultra-nationalist Khmer Front Party, said her party also plans to join forces with Prince Thomico.
"We believe the party will be prosperous and the ultimate choice for voters," she said.
Sun Sokunmealea said she felt Norodom Sihanouk was actually trying to spur the party's members to greater determination with his criticism.
"This is a kind of encouragement," she said. "It is an important message for the party to reach unity."
The prince said Tuesday that a half-hour of prayer will be held at 7:30 am at Udong, which was the royal capital of Cambodia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Stupas on the hill's slopes today contain the ashes of many of Cambodia's kings.
Prince Thomico described the occasion as "a quite simple ceremony during which those present will simply pray."
Participants, including representatives from the fledgling People Power Party and the little-known Khmer Unity Party, will make statements to the press at the foot of the hill at 9:30 am, Prince Thomico said the two parties are expected to merge into Prince Thomico's party.
The prince has previously said his party's platform would be based on Norodom Sihanouk's Sangkum Reastr Niyum of the 1950s and 1960s.
In a statement posted to his Web site Monday, Norodom Sihanouk said he disapproved of the new party and doubted it could survive on the allowance he provides to Prince Thomico.
"Even for a dreaming party fed on ideals far from the realities and possibilities of the new Cambodia, one cannot avoid having the money needed for producing and distributing flyers...the costs of travel and contact with the public," Norodom Sihanouk wrote.
"We give [Prince Thomico] every month a check for $600 and sometimes more," the former King wrote, adding that he doubted the prince would get far with this.
Potential donors from abroad would not be "crazy" enough to donate to anyone but Prime Minister Hun Sen and the CPP, he wrote.
Sun Sokunmealea, president of the ultra-nationalist Khmer Front Party, said her party also plans to join forces with Prince Thomico.
"We believe the party will be prosperous and the ultimate choice for voters," she said.
Sun Sokunmealea said she felt Norodom Sihanouk was actually trying to spur the party's members to greater determination with his criticism.
"This is a kind of encouragement," she said. "It is an important message for the party to reach unity."
6 comments:
I wish all Khmers who are non-CPP to be united in order to win the next general election.It means those who will not vote for CPP won't fight each other and hold their hand to liberate our Homeland from.....? in order to promote prosperity to our people.And I also bag to those opportunist politicians of the Non- CPP's party to quit politic in 2008'election including Mr. Sam Rainsy who are trying to cheat our courageous Khmer Activists.
I wish NO:FUNCINPEC-CPP's government, NO:SAMRAINGSY-CPP's government and NO:FUNCINPEC-SAMRAINGSY-CPP'S government.
I wish after 2008's election Cambodia will be independent for the second time!!!!
A Khmer Patriotist
Who should we vote for this coming election, Comment#1? Who do you support and why? No CPP, No FUN and No RSP...
Khmer Patriotist answers:
If you will go to ballot, I suggest waiting until a few weeks before the election or after the election campaign to decide which party you have to vote for.
Each of Khmer has the right to vote for a party that he or she judges that party will be the best or not to vote for all parties if they judge that those parties are not good.
From my views the way FUNCINPEC helping to legalize VN's Protetorate of Cambodia is worst then CPP doing to keep VN as master. If in 2008, FUNCINPEC and SAMRAINGSY will joint CPP to legalize its Master's protectorate on Cambodia,it means SAMRAINSY party comes to end our KHMER DESTINY!
A NOBLE UNITY WILL LIBERATE OUR MOTHERLAND FROM VN PROTECTORATE
Visite Sangkhum Khmer Niyum Party:
www.sknparty.com
Wow........????????????
Hi every khmer! Help our nation and participate! please just have a look of: wwww.sknparty.com or email to: selrithy_eam@yahoo.com
WOW!!
Remember!
(1) Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Preahmahaviraksat from Hanoi founder of the Sangkhum Reastr Niyum Party and FUNCINPEC Party.
(2) Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Akkak Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen from Hanoi Vice-President of the Cambodian People Party.
(3)Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Jayavarmen VII Oeurn Sarath from Americ founder of the Sangkhum Khmer Niyum Party/The United People of Cambodia.Anyone want see him go to www.SKNParty.com
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