Kem Sokha U-Turn? He now says he wants a union with the SRP ... but with pre-conditions

October 23, 2007, Opposition leader Sam Rainsy and his colleagues met with British Group IPU delegation at the SRP Party headquarters (Photo: SRP)

IPU wants to see SRP and Kem Sokha united in a democratic force [-Kem Sokha claimed]

25 October 2007
Rasmei Kampuchea
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Kem Sokha, HRP President, said on 24 October 2007, that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) wants to see a union between his HRP party and the SRP.

While Kem Sokha is showing his interest on this issue, he is also imposing a number a conditions. On his part, Sam Rainsy is not paying much attention to this alliance, saying that his party is too busy with urgent matters to be taken care of.

After his meeting with Mrs. Ann Clwyd, UK MP and IPU President, on 24 October, Kem Sokha said that the IPU wants to push the HRP and the SRP to unite as a single party under the banner of democrats.

Kem Sokha indicated that the HRP has a firm standing in wanting to form an alliance to be able to seek victory (at the upcoming general election), however, this union cannot see the daylight unless it is based on clear goals, and the HRP demands that there is a term limitat on the mandate of the party president, and that it cannot last forever. HRP also demands for a power sharing, and the declaration of wealth (from party leaders). He added that: “We tried with Mr. Sam Rainsy to unite with each other for several years already, however, Mr. Sam Rainsy has no intention to unite with each other, he wants to hold the power by himself only.”

Kem Sokha asked the IPU to talk with Sam Rainsy and others about this union, and the HRP will welcome this union, as well as the experiment of a union. Kem Sokha also discussed with Sam Rainsy about this union. He went in to meet the IPU delegation, but Sam Rainsy did not show up, and the latter action deceived the IPU delegation. (Therefore,) Sam Rainsy has no interest in this union, Kem Sokha claimed. However, the HRP still wants to have this union, and that this should not be construed that the HRP wants to be the leader of the group, the HRP only demands a term limit for the party president mandate, and one person should not hold power forever.

On his part, Sam Rainsy said that, during his meeting with Ann Clwyd, she did not raise the issue of an alliance between the SRP and the HRP. He said that we (SRP) participated in several IPU meetings, and they never raised this issue to discuss. He added that: “This issue is not on our agenda, we do not pay attention to it.”

Sam Rainsy said that his party is very busy with a lot of work that required attention, such as the resolution of many land disputes for the people.

International Group Urges Parties to Align

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
24 October 2007

A delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an international group of lawmakers, said in Cambodia Wednesday the opposition Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties should join together in an effort to defeat the Cambodian People's Party in next year's elections.

The two parties have so far failed to join in a so-called "alliance of democrats," citing leadership differences, as the country heads toward national parliamentary elections in July.

IPU delegation leader Ann Clwyd, a parliamentarian from the UK, met with Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha Wednesday.

Following the meeting, Clwyd said she would like to see cooperation between the parties, Kem Sokha said.

"I support her idea, wanting the democrats to unite to win the 2008 election," he said, reiterating that he would like to see an alliance, or coalition, rotate its presidency every two years.

"The Sam Rainsy Party has appealed to all democracy lovers, justice lovers, and all the royalists to unite with the [party]," SRP Secretary-General Eng Chhay Eang said Wednesday. "SRP is not limited, but other politicians form a political party according their views and will. This is their political right within the law."

More money, time for Khmer Rouge trial: Deputy Prime Minister

Ann Clwyd, a member of the British parliament, speaks as she wears a kromar (a traditional Cambodian scarf) during a presentation upon her arrival at Phnom Penh international airport October 21, 2007. Clwyd and her colleagues are scheduled to meet Cambodia's Senate President Chea Sim, President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen, NGOs and main political parties, and also visit the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) during their five-day official visit to Cambodia. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Tue, 23 Oct 2007
DPA

Phnom Penh - More money and time than currently budgeted would be needed if the Khmer Rouge tribunal is to complete its work, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong warned a visiting British delegation Tuesday. A spokesman for Hor Namhong told journalists at a press conference that the minister had advised British MP Anne Clywd it was becoming increasingly clear that the 56-million dollar joint UN-Cambodia tribunal to try a handful of former Khmer Rouge leaders had little chance of fitting its three-year budgeted timeframe.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia began initial proceedings late last year. It is not expected to begin hearings until early next year.

The spokesman said Hor Namhong had told Clywd that the budget needed to be extended until at least 2010 and asked for assistance from foreign donors including Britain.

Up to 2 million Cambodians died during the Khmer Rouge's 1975-79 Democratic Kampuchea regime.