Sam Rainsy: We still have money, and we face no difficulties

Thursday, June 5, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Following a calm in the defections of local high ranking SRP members, new SRP defections are now starting to take place and claims have been made that the two former SRP members, Meas Marin and Ou Sovann who recently joined the CPP, were former major financial backers of the SRP [KI-Media note: These major financial backers offered $500 and $100 to join the CPP]. Political observers in Cambodia indicated that these defections could affect the SRP financial condition and it could affect the SRP election campaign strategy. However, these concerns were rejected by opposition leader Sam Rainsy who said: “We still have money and we face no difficulties. There are more than 700,000 overseas Cambodians, and a large number of them are SRP supporters, even if (the CPP) could attract 100 persons, there will still be tens of thousands people who will continue to support the SRP.”

Hun Sen used the cases of Meas Marin and Ou Sovann to stir doubts about SRP’s ability to raise funds among overseas Cambodians

Thursday, June 5, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Even though opposition leader Sam Rainsy claimed that the SRP financial condition and grass root base support face no problem, Dr. Pung Chiv Kek, President of the Licadho human rights organization, told The Mekong Times that: “The issue with the SRP is (1) the financial issue, if overseas SRP supporters overseas stop providing assistance, the SRP financial condition will decline because the local SRP supports do not have much money, but the overseas SRP supporters have money. (2) With the departure of these major party members, will they take with them supporters also or not? This is not clear yet, and we have to wait to see the actual results at the upcoming election.” Dr. Pung Chiv Kek said that those overseas defectors will not affect the votes, but it could only affect some financial support for the party only.