After comparing Hun Sen to Napoleon, Thomico now attacks the opposition

From Left to Right: Hun Sen, Thomico, Napoleon Bonaparte whom Thomico compared Hun Sen with

Political parties deny that they are competing to become the CPP’s partner

Monday, March 17, 2008
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prince Sisowath Thomico accused the major opposition parties in Cambodia that they have no intention of competing against the CPP, but in fact, they are only competing to become the partner of the ruling party after the national election which will be held on 27 July 2008. The prince seems to be aiming at the SRP, the HRP and the NRP.

Prince Thomico said that the SRP has three choices: (1) stop being involved in politics, (2) continue to be an opposition party that keeps being weakened, and (3) to work hard to become the CPP’s partner. He said that the SRP does not want to be an opposition party, but it wants to be the CPP’s partner.

Thomico said that he also maintains the same view on Kem Sokha’s HRP party. He said that when he formed the Sangkum Jati Niyum Front Party, the Phnom Penh city hall did not allow him to organize his party congress, but the city hall allowed Kem Sokha’s party to hold its congress at the Olympic Stadium, and it even provided security force. The prince added: “This shows that Kem Sokha’s party has extremely close relationship with the CPP.” Regarding the NRP, the prince said that it only wants to topple the Funcinpec party which Hun Sen claimed that he will cooperate with this latter party.

The prince accused that all these parties do not want to win over the CPP, but that they want to negotiate in secret with the CPP to become its partner. He said that such action is a lack of respect to the voters.

Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said the SRP’s ambition is not to be the No. 2, or No. 3 party, it only wants to be the No. 1. Therefore, the SRP is competing against the CPP, and in turn, the CPP is also concerned about the SRP as well. That is why the CPP decided to reward SRP defectors with the position of advisors having the same rank as a state secretary. Eng Chhai Eang explained that this was the reason why the SRP criticized these negative aspects of those in power. Eng Chhai Eang also said the SRP is not worried about competing with other political parties.

Keo Remy, chairman of the HRP rule committee, said that his party is competing, but that it is doing so without violence, and that it does not consider any party as its mortal enemy. “We must compete according to democracy, so that when we win or lose, we would be satisfied with it. If we are a lackey of the ruling party, we would have joined them since 1997-1998,” Keo Remy said. He added: “Otherwise, I would sit in the National Assembly, there was no need for me to resign at all. Our goal was to form a party to give a choice to the people.” Beyond that, Keo Remy said, “if we win the election, we will invite strong people from other parties to come to work with us.”

Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said the he does not know where Prince Thomico learns how to form a political party from. Based on democracy, the political parties are competing to obtain supporting votes from the voters. He said that if such competition is taking place, will there be any exception or not? Muth Chantha added that: “If we compete, we will have no exception. The goal of forming a political was not done in that way, it only happens among parties that have a pre-arranged alliance.”