The ousted leader of Cambodia's royalist FUNCINPEC party Prince Norodom Ranariddh, seen here in August 2006, condemned his removal and vowed to form a new political party, in an interview with French radio.(AFP/File/Tang Chhin Sothy)PHNOM PENH (AFP) - The ousted leader of Cambodia's royalist FUNCINPEC party condemned his removal and vowed to form a new political party, in an interview with French radio.
Prince Norodom Ranariddh was removed as president of FUNCINPEC on Wednesday. The party voted unanimously to replace him with Keo Puth Rasmey, Cambodia's current ambassador to Germany and son-in-law of former king Norodom Sihanouk.
Ranariddh, a former prime minister and son of Sihanouk, was named as the party's "historic leader" at the meeting on Wednesday but the embattled prince said he would not accept the honorary title because the decision to oust him violated the party's rules.
"I will form a political party named the Norodom Ranariddh Party as soon as possible," the prince told Radio French International (RFI) in an interview first broadcast Wednesday night.
"I hope that the interior ministry will not make an obstacle for me because Prime Minister Hun Sen recently said he welcomes all Cambodians who wish to form political parties," said Ranariddh, who was in France when his party voted to remove him.
The prince accused FUNCINPEC -- part of Cambodia's governing coalition -- of no longer being a royalist or independent party and said he would return to Cambodia as soon as possible to prepare for his comeback.
"They have removed the handcuffs from me, so I can prepare something new to respond to the needs of the nation," he said.
Ranariddh was accused by FUNCINPEC secretary general Nhiek Bun Chhay of creating friction with Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party.
In a separate interview with radio station Voice of America, Ranariddh said he had already prepared his new party's structure and logo.
"I think the Norodom Ranariddh Party may become an opposition party," he said, adding that a survey conducted in 2004 showed that 63 percent of people supported him, while only 15 percent supported FUNCINPEC.
Ranariddh had in the past criticized opposition leader Sam Rainsy for naming his party after himself, but on Wednesday insisted he did not have a choice.
"I don't want to use my name... but if I use other names, someone would do this to me again," he said, referring to his removal from FUNCINPEC.
Ranariddh has led FUNCINPEC since 1993, but his leadership has been in question ever since he was ousted as prime minister by arch-rival Hun Sen in a coup in 1997.
The party has steadily lost support since the putsch, with the CPP winning the past two general elections.
He left his party in turmoil in March this year when he abruptly quit as head of parliament and went to France.
Prince Norodom Ranariddh was removed as president of FUNCINPEC on Wednesday. The party voted unanimously to replace him with Keo Puth Rasmey, Cambodia's current ambassador to Germany and son-in-law of former king Norodom Sihanouk.
Ranariddh, a former prime minister and son of Sihanouk, was named as the party's "historic leader" at the meeting on Wednesday but the embattled prince said he would not accept the honorary title because the decision to oust him violated the party's rules.
"I will form a political party named the Norodom Ranariddh Party as soon as possible," the prince told Radio French International (RFI) in an interview first broadcast Wednesday night.
"I hope that the interior ministry will not make an obstacle for me because Prime Minister Hun Sen recently said he welcomes all Cambodians who wish to form political parties," said Ranariddh, who was in France when his party voted to remove him.
The prince accused FUNCINPEC -- part of Cambodia's governing coalition -- of no longer being a royalist or independent party and said he would return to Cambodia as soon as possible to prepare for his comeback.
"They have removed the handcuffs from me, so I can prepare something new to respond to the needs of the nation," he said.
Ranariddh was accused by FUNCINPEC secretary general Nhiek Bun Chhay of creating friction with Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party.
In a separate interview with radio station Voice of America, Ranariddh said he had already prepared his new party's structure and logo.
"I think the Norodom Ranariddh Party may become an opposition party," he said, adding that a survey conducted in 2004 showed that 63 percent of people supported him, while only 15 percent supported FUNCINPEC.
Ranariddh had in the past criticized opposition leader Sam Rainsy for naming his party after himself, but on Wednesday insisted he did not have a choice.
"I don't want to use my name... but if I use other names, someone would do this to me again," he said, referring to his removal from FUNCINPEC.
Ranariddh has led FUNCINPEC since 1993, but his leadership has been in question ever since he was ousted as prime minister by arch-rival Hun Sen in a coup in 1997.
The party has steadily lost support since the putsch, with the CPP winning the past two general elections.
He left his party in turmoil in March this year when he abruptly quit as head of parliament and went to France.
11 comments:
He thinks he had gold spoon in his mounth. His speech does not going to convince Cambodian people to follow him except few that kiss his bottom.
I would like to suggest to him that the political party of Cambodia shall have leader who is interesting in develop Cambodia not because his father was the king and took bribes to build his own account.
"Daddy, please help me"
No those fool do not know how to kiss his bottom they stab his black hold!
Pauvre Ranaridh, qui va donner des cours aux enfants français.
poor Ranarith will kick by french kid too?
OK, he still own an island, if the new Thai government not disolve the contract by Sinawatra!
Eh! by the way I know that Ranarith and Hun Sen have some share with the Naga Casino! How mutch they will make after the stock jum from 1 to 181?
Those shares they got fo free it should belong to the nation or the king!
Arh Rid,
What make you think the nation need you?
The nation doesn't need brainless leader like you. You should just stay abroad away from politic like your father, you stupid idiot.
Rannarith must choose between two positions
-Politic in CAmbodia which is now gone for ever. Even the monky have also known Rannarith as bloodi idiot.
-Teaching in France. I just wonder what kind of teacher like that. An idiot teacher will make all students idiot like him. I will withdraw my children from his class.
You deserve it, dude... Kama is always around the corner...hehehe
This Rana-IDIOT just doesn't get it. He's simply an IDIOT!
Well, maybe not, he got his new party structure and logo figured out. Now he just have to figure out a few more minor things call leadership, accountability and respect and how to implement them.
IDIOT, just simply idiot - any more Khmer leaders want be like him and the rest of his family - even the Khmer flies and mosquitoes might want to run away from his craps that he's preaching.
Ranaridh n'est qu'un pauvre crétin ... ce n'est pas sa faute mais celle de sa mère, danseuse de ballet : il est né crétin.
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