Show-Down Between Peaceful and Violent Forces

Mobilized troops

Peaceful but powerful forces

By Khmer Wathanakam

As the CNRP plans mass protests against the unfair election results, Hun Sen is mobilizing his troops in order to show his muscles to the people. At the same time, Sar Kheng repeatedly warns the opposition of potential severe consequences should the protests result in damages being caused to properties and public order. However, the verbal threats and the show of forces by the CPP will not deter or derail the will of the people who are determined to demand true justice and democracy for the country which has been ruled by the dictatorial regime for over 30 years; a regime that has shown no signs of readiness to relinquish its grip on power.

     The key issue to this potential standoff between the peaceful and the violent forces is over the disagreement concerning the UN's involvement in the inquiry into the election fraud conceivably committed by the CPP and their apparatus, the NEC. The CPP has claimed their victory based on the NEC's unofficial data and the chutzpah on their systematic electoral fraud as the public have witnessed. Meanwhile, the CNRP has claimed their victory too, based on their own data and the fairness of the results. So far, both claimants have firmly stood by their claims which have aggravated the political situation throughout the country. The CNPR have called for an independent inquiry into the serious irregularities with the UN as a mediator, but the CPP has repeatedly nixed the full participation of the UN in the investigation, for they have regarded as illegal action and violation of the country's constitution which clearly states that Cambodia is a sovereign state. But the opposition and many political observers have not bought this CPP's justification and considered it as their political excuse to block the creation of a genuine independent inquiry. The CNRP has insisted upon the UN's full role as the mediator in this investigation process as the only viable option and witness they could have trust in.
 

      This show of force and verbal threats from the CPP is not smoothing out the political situation in the country but is instead aggravating it. The mass demonstration - if it were to happen - will be a lawful, peaceful, and responsible event, but it will also be the most powerful expression and voice of rejection of this preposterous election results that have been marred by serious systematic fraud rarely seen in other countries around the world. In a democratic society, election disputes are settled by the National election Commission or the court which has a final say. In Cambodia as we have seen, the NEC, the courts, and the Supreme Constitutional Council are under the control of the CPP. Thus, the CNPR have seen only the UN as their last resort for lodging their complaints. To have the UN as a referee in this inquiry process would also provide a saving face and exit strategy for both parties in such an uncompromising standoff. There is no liable consequence or penalty for any wrong doing found by this inquiry, but both sides would need to be prepared to accept the findings. Now, to help reduce political tension, the CNPR have agreed to accept the limited role of the UN and the civil society as the observation roles that can work along with the independent inquiry committee comprising of the two parties and the NEC. Nevertheless, there are a lot more questions still unanswered.

 

     The CPP should not be worried too much about this independent inquiry if they have sincerely accepted the democratic principle. If they will have lost from the results of this inquiry, they will still be maintaining enough seats as the solid voices in the National Assembly with which to negotiate or to block any new law that they will have viewed as a threat to their power or interest. But if they will have won from the results or verdict of this inquiry, they will be viewed at least as the acceptable winner by the electorate and the world community, and the opposition will eventually recognize and accept the results undoubtedly. And the CNRP will continue to play the role as the opposition in the National Assembly for another five years term with dignity. This is how democracy works. If you accept the democratic principle, you must play with it. You cannot play the communist game with the democratic principle, or you end up playing with it alone. Democracy is the sole means to guarantee the long-term peace, stability, and prosperity for nations around the world. The use of forces has merely solved the short term problems but would not secure the sustainable peace and stability for any nation.