Ranariddh thanks Hun Sen

Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who is currently in self-exile overseas, thanks Prime minister Hun Sen for declaring that he does not have any plan to allow foreigners to have the rights to own land in Cambodia. In a speech given to his supporters (over the phone) in Kandal province last week, the prince said that he kept on raising again and again the issue of allowing foreigners the right to own land, but now that Hun Sen declared in Kampong Speu that he never think of, nor even dream of allowing foreigners to own land in Cambodia, therefore, the prince thanks Hun Sen for rejecting this idea. At the same time, the prince also thanks Tea Banh, the vice-prime minister and minister of defense, who declared that the army drafting is set aside for now. The prince said that he raised the issue of Heng Samrin’s National Assembly drafting a law forcing people to serve in the army on many occasions, but now Tea Banh has decided to set this law aside.

Kem Sokha opposes draft law allowing foreigners to buy land in Cambodia [-Khieu Kanharith: No such draft law]

Monday, February 11, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

HRP leader Kem Sokha announced his firm opposition to reports published by a number of newspapers claiming that the government is currently preparing a draft law allowing foreigners to buy and own lands. Kem Sokha said that this action is a serious danger to Cambodia’s future. In a declaration made during a party office opening in Siem Reap on Sunday, Kem Sokha said that if there is a law allowing foreigners to have the right to buy and own lands, then foreigners will use their money to buy lands from Cambodians, and the latter will lose their lands and become ethnic minorities just like the Cham people and the Khmer Kampuchea Krom people. Kem Sokha said that if his party will win the upcoming 2008 election, he will cancel such law. Khieu Kanharith, government spokesman, criticized Kem Sokha’s comment, saying that his opposition is baseless and without clear proofs. Khieu Kanharith told RFA that the government did not draft any law to allow foreigners to buy and own lands at all.