By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 July 2008
The ruling Cambodian People's Party was seeking a partner in its ruling government Wednesday, and officials said it would reach out to its old partner, the fractured royalist party Funcinpec.
CPP officials said Wednesday they would not allow some members of the royal family to join the government, but they would be amenable to adding other members of the party, as the next government faces a potential deadlock after Sunday's vote.
"I met with [Funcinpec Secretary-General] Nhiek Bunchhay yesterday, and I reported to Samdech Hun Sen, and Samdech prime minister will discuss with the party," government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said, adding that the coalition could include one party, like Funcinpec, or two.
The overture follows a unified censure of Sunday's polls by four main parties: Sam Rainsy, Human Rights, Norodom Ranariddh and Funcinpec. Analysts say the four parties can keep the government deadlocked if they refuse to be sworn in to the National Assembly within 60 days.
Keo Puth Reaksmey, president of Funcinpec and son-in-law to former king Norodom Sihanouk, and Sisowath Sirirath, second vice president of Funcinpec, would not be acceptable to such a coalition, because they protested the election results, Khieu Kanharith said.
Keo Puth Reaksmey is currently a deputy prime minister, and Sisowath Sirirath is a government adviser. Keo Puth Reaksmey could not be reached for comment Wednesday, and Sisowath Sirirath declined to comment.
Nhiek Bunchhay confirmed the negotiations took place and said Funcinpec was of two opinions.
"I think if we join the coalition, we will gain standing," he said.
But a coalition depends on a decision by Funcinpec's permanent committee, he added.
The CPP claims to have won 90 seats in this election, compared to just 51 in 1993, far more than the number needed to form a single-party government or pass important legislation on its own.
Funcinpec fell to just two seats Sunday, following 58 seats in 1993, 43 in 1998 and 26 in 2003.
Even if Funcinpec has two seats, they can join a government as a partner of CPP, said Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections.
"But the question is how strong Funcinpec will be in the government," he said.
CPP officials said Wednesday they would not allow some members of the royal family to join the government, but they would be amenable to adding other members of the party, as the next government faces a potential deadlock after Sunday's vote.
"I met with [Funcinpec Secretary-General] Nhiek Bunchhay yesterday, and I reported to Samdech Hun Sen, and Samdech prime minister will discuss with the party," government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said, adding that the coalition could include one party, like Funcinpec, or two.
The overture follows a unified censure of Sunday's polls by four main parties: Sam Rainsy, Human Rights, Norodom Ranariddh and Funcinpec. Analysts say the four parties can keep the government deadlocked if they refuse to be sworn in to the National Assembly within 60 days.
Keo Puth Reaksmey, president of Funcinpec and son-in-law to former king Norodom Sihanouk, and Sisowath Sirirath, second vice president of Funcinpec, would not be acceptable to such a coalition, because they protested the election results, Khieu Kanharith said.
Keo Puth Reaksmey is currently a deputy prime minister, and Sisowath Sirirath is a government adviser. Keo Puth Reaksmey could not be reached for comment Wednesday, and Sisowath Sirirath declined to comment.
Nhiek Bunchhay confirmed the negotiations took place and said Funcinpec was of two opinions.
"I think if we join the coalition, we will gain standing," he said.
But a coalition depends on a decision by Funcinpec's permanent committee, he added.
The CPP claims to have won 90 seats in this election, compared to just 51 in 1993, far more than the number needed to form a single-party government or pass important legislation on its own.
Funcinpec fell to just two seats Sunday, following 58 seats in 1993, 43 in 1998 and 26 in 2003.
Even if Funcinpec has two seats, they can join a government as a partner of CPP, said Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections.
"But the question is how strong Funcinpec will be in the government," he said.
6 comments:
Which hole CPP going to penetrate this time??????
[Funcinpec tried to "get in bed" with the CPP again]
Now, the editor, I really despise the term written above. It's a political matter for a nation. And it's not a high school fighting ground. Be knowledgeable and sensitive to the situation. We have been a race of the poorest of every thing, including the human resources. Please be wise. Thank you.
Nhek Bun Chhay,
You made me sick. With your formal education during Lon Nol's era, you could be " Adjudent " or NCO in the Army.
Are you stupid or what? Who needs you? CPP? They are so.............smart than you and your entire Funcinpec organization. They don't need you and you know that.
Royal family betray Khmer people by prostituting themselves to HUONG XEN. NOW ROYAL FAMILY IS UELESS, HE THROWS THEM LIKE TOILET PAPER.
WHEN SIHANOUK DIES, KING KONG SIHAMONI WILL BE HOMELESS AND HUONG XEN WILL BE:
KING KORN VARMAN II
HERE WILL BE THE NEW DYNASTY HUONG
From PUT TUM NEAY,
hun xen needs nhek bun chhay to lick his boots, why not?
Sam Rainsy Party has joined forces with three other parties to protest the election results. It should remainds itself of past betrayals it has bitterly experienced in the past, by FUNCINPEC and even by its own members.
Any long-term observer of Camboain polics should not fail to notice that, for a party that has never been in any goverment before, Sam Rainsy Party is the most resiliant and the most successful party. It has been facing all sorts of attempt at its destruction, including the physical elimination of its leader (grenade attack on 30 March 1997) and the "massive" dection before the 27 July election.
Starting from nothing, Sam Rainsy Party won 15 seats in 1998, 24 in 2003 and 26 in 2008. Considering the defection mentioned above, it has emerged from the last election triumphant, stronger and taller. It has a solid powerbase now, although this powerbase is not large enough.
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
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