Keo Puth Rasmey, Cambodia's ambassador to Germany and new president of Cambodia's Royalists FUNCINPEC party, addresses party members during an extraordinary congress at FUNCINPEC party headquarters in Phnom Penh. Cambodia's royalist FUNCINPEC party ousted its leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh, saying he had destroyed any chance for cooperation with the ruling party.(AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)Thursday, October 19, 2006
Prince Ousted As President Of Funcinpec
By Yun Samean and James Welsh
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh was ousted from his position as party president Wednesday, Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay announced.
Nhiek Bun Chhay said the removal was necessary because of continuing deterioration in relations between the prince and Prime Minister Hun Sen, and the fact that the prince spends too much time overseas.
Prince Ranariddh's whereabouts were unknown Wednesday.
Speaking after a hastily convened party congress at Funcinpec headquarters in Phnom Penh, Nhiek Bun Chhay said 1,600 members of Funcinpec's National Council had unanimously voted to "elevate" the prince to the position of "historical president."
"The cooperation between Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen and Samdech Prince Norodom Ranariddh broke down, so that they could not continue to cooperate," Nhiek Bun Chhay said.
"The problem caused trouble between the parties," he told the crowd of some 3,000 who attended the congress sporting T-shirts and caps bearing stickers of Funcinpec's new logo, from which the prince's face has been removed.
Prince Ranariddh became Cambodia's first democratically elected prime minister in 1993 and had served as the royalist party's president since 1992. He was commander of royalist resistance force, based on the Thai border, from 1985 onward.
Prince Ranariddh's ignominious removal by his own party on Wednesday follows after several lackluster years in national politics, during which he came under increasing fire for his poor political leadership and his flamboyant private life.
The prince's so-called promotion was followed by the appointment of Keo Puth Rasmey, Cambodia's Ambassador to Germany, as Funcinpec's new president.
Nhiek Bun Chhay said Prince Ranariddh's numerous trips overseas were especially problematic with the commune elections slated for next year.
He also claimed that Funcinpec had been accused of being "undemocratic" because of a party bylaw that stated Prince Ranariddh must be president for life.
"If we talk about democracy, there is no party president that can become the president for his whole life," Nhiek Bun Chhay said. "We want the president for only five years."
Nhiek Bun Chhay also announced that Lu Laysreng, Funcinpec's minister of rural development, has been appointed to the position of Funcinpec first deputy president. Prince Sisowath Sirirath has also been appointed as the party's second deputy president he added.
Prince Ranariddh's public affairs adviser Ok Socheat, who declined to reveal the prince's current location, said the removal was illegal.
"We will sue. We don't recognize the decision made by the congress," Ok Socheat said.
Making his inaugural speech as newly elected president Keo Puth Rasmey told the congress that he was honored by his appointment and called for Funcinpec to unite to restore its dignity and reputation.
"I will honestly serve the Funcinpec party," he said. "I am confident that with the support of the leaders and members, the Funcinpec party will receive a new image and be successful in the upcoming elections," he added.
"I promise to continue cooperation with other political parties and especially with the CPP."
Prince Sisowath Sirirath said Keo Puth Rasmey was appointed because of his diplomatic experience.
He added that it was time for Prince Ranariddh to "move up to the ranks of historical president."
CPP and Senate President Chea Sim quickly issued a statement welcoming Keo Puth Rasmey's appointment.
"On behalf of the members of CPP and myself, I warmly welcome his excellency and members of the Funcinpec party with the successful congress," Chea Sim wrote.
SRP President Sam Rainsy also welcomed Prince Ranariddh's replacement.
"From today on, the Funcinpec party under the leadership of his excellency will have good cooperation with other political parties, especially the Sam Rainsy Party," Sam Rainsy said.
Julio Jeldres, official biographer to retired King Norodom Sihanouk, wrote in an e-mail that the prince's removal was likely the end of his political career.
"This title of 'Historic President' means nothing [and] is the kind of stuff used by communist regimes when they push their leaders from power," he wrote.
He also said that Hun Sen will continue to capitalize on the continuing turmoil inside Funcinpec.
"It is in the interests of Prime Minister Hun Sen to have Funcinpec in absolute disarray as the party has been this past year," Jeldres wrote.
"His so-called win-win strategy is to destroy any party that could or would present a challenge to his domination of Cambodian political life," he added.
Nhiek Bun Chhay said the removal was necessary because of continuing deterioration in relations between the prince and Prime Minister Hun Sen, and the fact that the prince spends too much time overseas.
Prince Ranariddh's whereabouts were unknown Wednesday.
Speaking after a hastily convened party congress at Funcinpec headquarters in Phnom Penh, Nhiek Bun Chhay said 1,600 members of Funcinpec's National Council had unanimously voted to "elevate" the prince to the position of "historical president."
"The cooperation between Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen and Samdech Prince Norodom Ranariddh broke down, so that they could not continue to cooperate," Nhiek Bun Chhay said.
"The problem caused trouble between the parties," he told the crowd of some 3,000 who attended the congress sporting T-shirts and caps bearing stickers of Funcinpec's new logo, from which the prince's face has been removed.
Prince Ranariddh became Cambodia's first democratically elected prime minister in 1993 and had served as the royalist party's president since 1992. He was commander of royalist resistance force, based on the Thai border, from 1985 onward.
Prince Ranariddh's ignominious removal by his own party on Wednesday follows after several lackluster years in national politics, during which he came under increasing fire for his poor political leadership and his flamboyant private life.
The prince's so-called promotion was followed by the appointment of Keo Puth Rasmey, Cambodia's Ambassador to Germany, as Funcinpec's new president.
Nhiek Bun Chhay said Prince Ranariddh's numerous trips overseas were especially problematic with the commune elections slated for next year.
He also claimed that Funcinpec had been accused of being "undemocratic" because of a party bylaw that stated Prince Ranariddh must be president for life.
"If we talk about democracy, there is no party president that can become the president for his whole life," Nhiek Bun Chhay said. "We want the president for only five years."
Nhiek Bun Chhay also announced that Lu Laysreng, Funcinpec's minister of rural development, has been appointed to the position of Funcinpec first deputy president. Prince Sisowath Sirirath has also been appointed as the party's second deputy president he added.
Prince Ranariddh's public affairs adviser Ok Socheat, who declined to reveal the prince's current location, said the removal was illegal.
"We will sue. We don't recognize the decision made by the congress," Ok Socheat said.
Making his inaugural speech as newly elected president Keo Puth Rasmey told the congress that he was honored by his appointment and called for Funcinpec to unite to restore its dignity and reputation.
"I will honestly serve the Funcinpec party," he said. "I am confident that with the support of the leaders and members, the Funcinpec party will receive a new image and be successful in the upcoming elections," he added.
"I promise to continue cooperation with other political parties and especially with the CPP."
Prince Sisowath Sirirath said Keo Puth Rasmey was appointed because of his diplomatic experience.
He added that it was time for Prince Ranariddh to "move up to the ranks of historical president."
CPP and Senate President Chea Sim quickly issued a statement welcoming Keo Puth Rasmey's appointment.
"On behalf of the members of CPP and myself, I warmly welcome his excellency and members of the Funcinpec party with the successful congress," Chea Sim wrote.
SRP President Sam Rainsy also welcomed Prince Ranariddh's replacement.
"From today on, the Funcinpec party under the leadership of his excellency will have good cooperation with other political parties, especially the Sam Rainsy Party," Sam Rainsy said.
Julio Jeldres, official biographer to retired King Norodom Sihanouk, wrote in an e-mail that the prince's removal was likely the end of his political career.
"This title of 'Historic President' means nothing [and] is the kind of stuff used by communist regimes when they push their leaders from power," he wrote.
He also said that Hun Sen will continue to capitalize on the continuing turmoil inside Funcinpec.
"It is in the interests of Prime Minister Hun Sen to have Funcinpec in absolute disarray as the party has been this past year," Jeldres wrote.
"His so-called win-win strategy is to destroy any party that could or would present a challenge to his domination of Cambodian political life," he added.
10 comments:
Sue what? Your own brother?
Are you alright Prince?
You need to grow up and come out to congratulate Mr.Koe Rasmey instead.
It's just not a way for royalty to handle family matter and the affair of state.
Oh well... It's your decision, but really you should think about resting. The island that you bought in Thailand, what is it for? a new resort for the birds?
If Niek Bun Chhay continues kissing Hun Sen in the right spot he is always in good hand. But I am not so sure.
I take very good note on what Nhek Bunchay said "If we talk about democracy, there is no party president that can become the president for his whole life,". No ambiguilty. Hope other leaders who want to stay or deliberately do everything to keep his position will consider and learn what Bunchay said.
HAHAHAHAHHA
It is time to bomb the SKP out of Funcinpech. And later on, will be the time to bomb out Chea Sim out of CPP president.
Ranaridh is end. Good Job my budy Bun Chay.
I am considering a way how to bomb my president as soon as possible, if he try to do something without my permission, and do something that is not my order.
If we keep Radnaridth, he will be our obstacle to do something.
Sorry Brother Ridh, But, why you were trying to attack me by saying about Border with my lovely Veitname? and why you were trying to have aliance with SRP? and why were to give my wealthy position to ex-king?
Hahahh, No way. Who can drop me from the power?
I will stay in the power till i don't want.
Good by my brother Ridh. Have a nice honey moon with your chick at abroad.
Hun Sen
AH KEO PUTH RASMEY is different than AH PRINCE RanNoGood.
The both want to cooperate with AH HUN SEN to protect what they have from corruption and at the end they both will be kicked by their own party member!
Even at the last minute before kick out,AH Prince RanNoGood still preaching that he want to have good relation and cooperation with AH HUN SEN!
correction. AH KEO PUTH RASMEY is NO different than AH PRINCE RanNoGood.
Nuk BunChay is a traitor to the Funcinpeach party....Now he's happy that Ranarith is gone.. but wait...your turn will come. We all know what Hun Sen is capable of doing. What goes around will come around....Hun Sen will get ride of him soon too.
as far as the new dude (Keo Puth Rasmey),, he's a new face and every inexperience in this political arena. He's won't last....His party will get him no-where. Just another showoff that's all.
what can anybody do to CPP ???? come on be real people.
and what is up with all the yellow t-shirt. it look more like a soccer league to me!!...
very flashy and show off for real.. but not any effective.
none sense guy! what about your underwear?
what about your mama underwear...??? ewwwwww!!
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