20 October 2006
Ranariddh to lose his parliamentary seat (2)
Ousted Funcinpec president prince Norodom Ranariddh is still pondering whether to form a new political party that would bear his name. According to the current law on the election of parliamentarians and the recently amended internal rules of the National Assembly, any Assembly member who would leave the political party under the banner of which he was elected, would lose his parliamentary seat. Without parliamentary immunity, prince Ranariddh will have to stand trial in relation to his alleged corruption (scandals related to the management of the National Olympic Committee and the construction of the National Assembly's new buildings) and his marital problems (lasting relationship with Ms. Ouk Phalla while he is still married to princess Eng Marie Ranariddh).
Only four Funcinpec MPs would follow prince Ranariddh (2)
On October 16, 2006, only seven Funcinpec National Assembly members (out of 26) were absent from the parliamentary session that voted out Government members loyal to prince Ranariddh. The latter had called his supporters to boycott the session. Among the seven absentees, two had asked and received permission to fulfill other tasks abroad on the same day. The five who apparently boycotted the session were prince Norodom Ranariddh himself, princess Norodom Vacheara, princess Norodom Rattana (Ranariddh's daughter), prince Norodom Sirivudh, and Mr. Khek Vandy (Ranariddh's brother-in-law).
US. Assistant Secretary of State meets with Cambodian opposition leader (1)
On October 16, 2006, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Barry F. Lowenkron met with opposition leader Sam Rainsy at the SRP Headquarters in Phnom Penh. For one hour, they talked about three inter-related issues: elections, government corruption, and human rights.
Photos can be viewed here.
NEC's double-dealing (2)
As an apparent sign of good will, the National Election Committee (NEC) earlier this week accepted to extend the voter registration period for four days, until October 24. However, this measure would be merely cosmetic if serious problems, which have been disrupting the registration process, are not quickly addressed. The most serious problem is a systemic shortage of administrative forms that must be filled in order for people to get registered as voters. Independent observers warn that the extension would be useless if the registration remains stalled because of the form shortage. Other lingering problems pointing to an organized confusion and chaos are exposed in the following statement and letter both in English.
Tep Vong's double-dealing (2)
On the one hand, CPP-affiliated Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong (who used to be Vice-President of the National Assembly in the 1980's in his capacity as a clergy leader) says that he agrees with the National Election Committee's decision on October 11, 2006 allowing Buddhist Monks to register to vote, but on the other hand he gives instructions to all Pagoda Chiefs all over the country not to issue special certificates of residency to Monks living in their respective Pagodas. Monks need such certificates to get registered as voters. There are more that 50,000 Monks living in more than 4,000 Pagodas throughout Cambodia.
On October 16, 2006, opposition leader Sam Rainsy wrote to Tep Vong begging him to facilitate Monks' registration. There has been no reply as of today while the registration period will end on October 24. The Sam Rainsy Party has disseminated thousands of leaflets intended for Monks elaborating on their voting rights (with quotes from UNDP-sponsored announcements) and encouraging them to register to vote. Only a small number of Monks (those who have stayed in the same Pagodas for a long time) have so far succeeded in getting registered.
Sam Rainsy's letter in Khmer is here.
Leaflet in Khmer is here.
[End]
Ranariddh to lose his parliamentary seat (2)
Ousted Funcinpec president prince Norodom Ranariddh is still pondering whether to form a new political party that would bear his name. According to the current law on the election of parliamentarians and the recently amended internal rules of the National Assembly, any Assembly member who would leave the political party under the banner of which he was elected, would lose his parliamentary seat. Without parliamentary immunity, prince Ranariddh will have to stand trial in relation to his alleged corruption (scandals related to the management of the National Olympic Committee and the construction of the National Assembly's new buildings) and his marital problems (lasting relationship with Ms. Ouk Phalla while he is still married to princess Eng Marie Ranariddh).
Only four Funcinpec MPs would follow prince Ranariddh (2)
On October 16, 2006, only seven Funcinpec National Assembly members (out of 26) were absent from the parliamentary session that voted out Government members loyal to prince Ranariddh. The latter had called his supporters to boycott the session. Among the seven absentees, two had asked and received permission to fulfill other tasks abroad on the same day. The five who apparently boycotted the session were prince Norodom Ranariddh himself, princess Norodom Vacheara, princess Norodom Rattana (Ranariddh's daughter), prince Norodom Sirivudh, and Mr. Khek Vandy (Ranariddh's brother-in-law).
US. Assistant Secretary of State meets with Cambodian opposition leader (1)
On October 16, 2006, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Barry F. Lowenkron met with opposition leader Sam Rainsy at the SRP Headquarters in Phnom Penh. For one hour, they talked about three inter-related issues: elections, government corruption, and human rights.
Photos can be viewed here.
NEC's double-dealing (2)
As an apparent sign of good will, the National Election Committee (NEC) earlier this week accepted to extend the voter registration period for four days, until October 24. However, this measure would be merely cosmetic if serious problems, which have been disrupting the registration process, are not quickly addressed. The most serious problem is a systemic shortage of administrative forms that must be filled in order for people to get registered as voters. Independent observers warn that the extension would be useless if the registration remains stalled because of the form shortage. Other lingering problems pointing to an organized confusion and chaos are exposed in the following statement and letter both in English.
Tep Vong's double-dealing (2)
On the one hand, CPP-affiliated Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong (who used to be Vice-President of the National Assembly in the 1980's in his capacity as a clergy leader) says that he agrees with the National Election Committee's decision on October 11, 2006 allowing Buddhist Monks to register to vote, but on the other hand he gives instructions to all Pagoda Chiefs all over the country not to issue special certificates of residency to Monks living in their respective Pagodas. Monks need such certificates to get registered as voters. There are more that 50,000 Monks living in more than 4,000 Pagodas throughout Cambodia.
On October 16, 2006, opposition leader Sam Rainsy wrote to Tep Vong begging him to facilitate Monks' registration. There has been no reply as of today while the registration period will end on October 24. The Sam Rainsy Party has disseminated thousands of leaflets intended for Monks elaborating on their voting rights (with quotes from UNDP-sponsored announcements) and encouraging them to register to vote. Only a small number of Monks (those who have stayed in the same Pagodas for a long time) have so far succeeded in getting registered.
Sam Rainsy's letter in Khmer is here.
Leaflet in Khmer is here.
[End]
1 comment:
Hello,
Even if Ranarith has decided to file suit, the legal ice upon which he was skating was very thin. There was ample circumstantial evidence/hard evidence of his foolishness to convince the court to issue an arrest warrant – (government and/or royal immunity?)
It is still an illusion!
Somlor Ma-Chou Yuon Leay . . . .
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