Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy said that Prince Norodom Ranariddh should abandon politics, just like a number of other royals who pulled themselves out of the power circle. Sam Rainsy made this statement at a time when the war of words is erupting between NRP and Funcinpec officials, and Prince Ranariddh’s announcement that he is closing all doors to negotiations.
Sam Rainsy who just returned back from Paris recently, told the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper over the phone on 13 July that a number of royals have pulled themselves out of the political scene, and this decision was warmly welcomed. He added that “if Prince Ranariddh takes example (from other royals), it will be a good thing, and when he returns back, people will respect him.” Sam Rainsy explained that if (Prince Ranariddh) pursues politics, he will suffer attacks, and he will not receive the complete respect. Therefore, if he wants to be respected by everybody, Prince Ranariddh should make the decision by himself.
Sam Rainsy also criticized Prince Ranariddh for not bringing any progress to democracy to the country and the nation. Sam Rainsy said that he does not see any positive point in the work performed by Prince Ranariddh. Sam Rainsy added that, therefore, Prince Ranariddh is better off not being involved in politics in order to preserve the reputation of the king.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, reacted to Sam Rainsy’s opinion on 14 July, saying that Sam Rainsy is not fit to be a political party leader by making such declaration. Muth Chantha said: “Whoever is involved in politics or not, is not up to Mr. Sam Rainsy’s to decide.”
Much Chantha claimed that the political right of each person is stipulated in the Cambodian law. The loss of popularity in the political arena led a number of royals to pull themselves out of politics. Among these royals are: Prince Norodom Sirivudh, Princess Vacheara, and Prince Norodom Chakrapong.
Even though in the past, Prince Ranariddh led Funcinpec from victory to defeat, Muth Chantha still has hope on the prince leadership for the NRP. The NRP success led it to receive the third position in the commune election, after the CPP and the SRP. This result was used by Muth Chnatha to make his claim. Muth Chantha said: “We deeply believe that the population will continue to vote for Prince Ranariddh.”
The voices opposing the CPP have been disunited with the appearance of the new political parties recently. Based on past election results, the CPP took more that half the votes, and the remaining votes were left to be divided among the SRP and Funcinpec, but now, these votes will be also divided to the NRP and Kem Sokha’s HRP which will hold its congress on 22 July. The division of the opposition votes allowed the CPP to have the strength to overpower the political scene.
The other possibility which could bring power equilibrium would be the alliance made between various political parties. Nevertheless, the two royalist parties, the NRP and Funcinpec, have decided to snuff out the negotiations for the unification of the royalists.
Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy said that Kem Sokha and himself used to discuss about such possibility before the HRP took shape, Sam Rainsy said that such discussion was held at the house of Son Soubert, son of the late Son San, about more than one month ago. In that meeting, Ou Virak, the current president of CCHR, and Pa Nguon Tieng, the current president of VOD radio program, as well as a number of other people were also present.
Sam Rainsy said that, currently, “we did not talk to each other about this issue.” Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy said that his party remains opened to work with other political parties.
Sam Rainsy who just returned back from Paris recently, told the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper over the phone on 13 July that a number of royals have pulled themselves out of the political scene, and this decision was warmly welcomed. He added that “if Prince Ranariddh takes example (from other royals), it will be a good thing, and when he returns back, people will respect him.” Sam Rainsy explained that if (Prince Ranariddh) pursues politics, he will suffer attacks, and he will not receive the complete respect. Therefore, if he wants to be respected by everybody, Prince Ranariddh should make the decision by himself.
Sam Rainsy also criticized Prince Ranariddh for not bringing any progress to democracy to the country and the nation. Sam Rainsy said that he does not see any positive point in the work performed by Prince Ranariddh. Sam Rainsy added that, therefore, Prince Ranariddh is better off not being involved in politics in order to preserve the reputation of the king.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, reacted to Sam Rainsy’s opinion on 14 July, saying that Sam Rainsy is not fit to be a political party leader by making such declaration. Muth Chantha said: “Whoever is involved in politics or not, is not up to Mr. Sam Rainsy’s to decide.”
Much Chantha claimed that the political right of each person is stipulated in the Cambodian law. The loss of popularity in the political arena led a number of royals to pull themselves out of politics. Among these royals are: Prince Norodom Sirivudh, Princess Vacheara, and Prince Norodom Chakrapong.
Even though in the past, Prince Ranariddh led Funcinpec from victory to defeat, Muth Chantha still has hope on the prince leadership for the NRP. The NRP success led it to receive the third position in the commune election, after the CPP and the SRP. This result was used by Muth Chnatha to make his claim. Muth Chantha said: “We deeply believe that the population will continue to vote for Prince Ranariddh.”
The voices opposing the CPP have been disunited with the appearance of the new political parties recently. Based on past election results, the CPP took more that half the votes, and the remaining votes were left to be divided among the SRP and Funcinpec, but now, these votes will be also divided to the NRP and Kem Sokha’s HRP which will hold its congress on 22 July. The division of the opposition votes allowed the CPP to have the strength to overpower the political scene.
The other possibility which could bring power equilibrium would be the alliance made between various political parties. Nevertheless, the two royalist parties, the NRP and Funcinpec, have decided to snuff out the negotiations for the unification of the royalists.
Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy said that Kem Sokha and himself used to discuss about such possibility before the HRP took shape, Sam Rainsy said that such discussion was held at the house of Son Soubert, son of the late Son San, about more than one month ago. In that meeting, Ou Virak, the current president of CCHR, and Pa Nguon Tieng, the current president of VOD radio program, as well as a number of other people were also present.
Sam Rainsy said that, currently, “we did not talk to each other about this issue.” Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy said that his party remains opened to work with other political parties.
No comments:
Post a Comment