Kem Sokha denies Hun Sen’s claim
25 Sept 2008
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
Click here to read the article in Khmer
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
Click here to read the article in Khmer
Could it be that Hun Sen was adding fuel to the fire…? On Thursday 25 September, at the end of the Parliament session for the vote of confidence to his new government, Hun Sen repeated that “the internal situation of the SRP [would seem to be] worst,” and he also ventured to talk about a “bad strategy” that “maybe” the SRP would have adopted. He also returned back to the case of Kem Sokha, whom with two other elected MPs of his party (the HRP) did not participate in the swearing-in ceremony the day before.
“At dawn this morning, H.E. Kem Sokha […] asked me if it would possible to organize a swearing-in ceremony [for the elected MPs of his party] so that they can come to vote today. I contacted the NA to find out if there is a way, the latter replied that it was not possible. I then consulted H.E. Sar Kheng, the vice-PM, who suggested that the only way was to wait until the new CPP MPs take their functuon to replace others who resigned. Then they can all swear-in together.”
When asked to react about Hun Sen’s claim, Kem Sokha denied that he contacted the CPP. “I did not ask anything, it was [Hun Sen’s] party which contacted us to find out what we intended to do!” Kem Sokha corrected.
In his declaration, Hun Sen also strongly insisted on the fact that Kem Sokha “consulted” with him on several occasions, and these consultations took place even before he formed his HRP party. “He asked for advice from me to see whether it would be better for him to continue his work at the head of a NGO or whether to form his own party. I told him that he was welcomed to show that I do not fear competition. He wrote me and we had several phone conversations on this topic.”
Kem Sokha’reply: “I don’t think these comments are useful for the nation. In any case, the citizens already know our party. That’s a calumny!”
Hun Sen then nailed Kem Sokha in: “ Kem Sokha told the mediator [Kith Meng who was chosen by Hun Sen to negotiate with the opposition] that he did not know that Sam Rainsy would go to the inaugural session yesterday even though him and Sam Rainsy agreed to boycott” the Parliament opening session. Hun Sen added that Kem Sokha would be “angry” about this issue. While acting innocent, Hun Sen wondered aloud: “Why does Kem Sokha have a party if he is going to follow another party? In all cases, I guessed it right!” Then Hun Sen proceeded to apologize to Kem Sokha for these somewhat embarrassing revelations.
Kem Sokha replied that Sam Rainsy did tell him that he would finally go to the NA. “It was his right to go there. Each party is independent from one another, and our alliance still holds.”
As if he was trying to push the two allies to break up, Hun Sen added that by joining Sam Rainsy, the day after the election, to issue a common declaration to challenge the ballot casting, the NRP and the HRP only provided “ammunitions for Sam Rainsy to strengthen his position”. “Now, we don’t know who cheated whom … even though there was a declaration saying that the opposition alliance is not an issue. […] I am not pointing finger at anybody, but this is a lost of independence [for the HRP].” Hun Sen then proceeded to tell HRP party members not to cast any doubt on Kem Sokha “who did not obey my (Hun Sen) order, but he only consulted with me.”
“We are independent from each other, and our position is clear and solid,” Kem Sokha said. As for Sam Rainsy, he could not be contacted.
“At dawn this morning, H.E. Kem Sokha […] asked me if it would possible to organize a swearing-in ceremony [for the elected MPs of his party] so that they can come to vote today. I contacted the NA to find out if there is a way, the latter replied that it was not possible. I then consulted H.E. Sar Kheng, the vice-PM, who suggested that the only way was to wait until the new CPP MPs take their functuon to replace others who resigned. Then they can all swear-in together.”
When asked to react about Hun Sen’s claim, Kem Sokha denied that he contacted the CPP. “I did not ask anything, it was [Hun Sen’s] party which contacted us to find out what we intended to do!” Kem Sokha corrected.
In his declaration, Hun Sen also strongly insisted on the fact that Kem Sokha “consulted” with him on several occasions, and these consultations took place even before he formed his HRP party. “He asked for advice from me to see whether it would be better for him to continue his work at the head of a NGO or whether to form his own party. I told him that he was welcomed to show that I do not fear competition. He wrote me and we had several phone conversations on this topic.”
Kem Sokha’reply: “I don’t think these comments are useful for the nation. In any case, the citizens already know our party. That’s a calumny!”
Hun Sen then nailed Kem Sokha in: “ Kem Sokha told the mediator [Kith Meng who was chosen by Hun Sen to negotiate with the opposition] that he did not know that Sam Rainsy would go to the inaugural session yesterday even though him and Sam Rainsy agreed to boycott” the Parliament opening session. Hun Sen added that Kem Sokha would be “angry” about this issue. While acting innocent, Hun Sen wondered aloud: “Why does Kem Sokha have a party if he is going to follow another party? In all cases, I guessed it right!” Then Hun Sen proceeded to apologize to Kem Sokha for these somewhat embarrassing revelations.
Kem Sokha replied that Sam Rainsy did tell him that he would finally go to the NA. “It was his right to go there. Each party is independent from one another, and our alliance still holds.”
As if he was trying to push the two allies to break up, Hun Sen added that by joining Sam Rainsy, the day after the election, to issue a common declaration to challenge the ballot casting, the NRP and the HRP only provided “ammunitions for Sam Rainsy to strengthen his position”. “Now, we don’t know who cheated whom … even though there was a declaration saying that the opposition alliance is not an issue. […] I am not pointing finger at anybody, but this is a lost of independence [for the HRP].” Hun Sen then proceeded to tell HRP party members not to cast any doubt on Kem Sokha “who did not obey my (Hun Sen) order, but he only consulted with me.”
“We are independent from each other, and our position is clear and solid,” Kem Sokha said. As for Sam Rainsy, he could not be contacted.
5 comments:
The strategy was devised and planned by Hun Sen's advisors. In fact, this is a business as usual for the ruling party. Nice job, Mr. Kem. Of course, you were told by your new boss (Hun Sen).
Mr. Kem, you -- yes, you -- the only one who knows what's going on behind closed door. Also, we know that you're now one of Hun Sen's lapdog, but, at the present time, you're taking it very slow.
That is what it is said that a small thing can make a big different. This small gesture has changed people's view toward those politicians. We will see them from different anggle.
khmer leaders are just a bunch of dickhead.
Better be a dickhead than someone who got their arse kicked by the dickhead.
hey, it's called freedom of speech, and it goes both ways. what make your party think they are special? remember the old sayings: unite, we will stand strong! god bless cambodia.
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