Hun Sen settles his score

06 August 2008
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr

On his first outing to the province following the general election, Prime minister Hun Sen had the opportunity to criticize his opponents.

Hun Sen was restarting his old habits: visits to the provinces which allow him to dispense his monologues. On Wednesday morning, he was in Kampong Speu. He took advantage of the occasion to talk about the upcoming government which will be “slightly bigger” than the previous one, and about the alliance with Funcinpec. In his new team, he confirmed that a position of Vice-prime minister will be given to Nhiek Bun Chhay, the royalist party secretary-general. Four other Funcinpec officials will be assigned positions also. Kol Pheng, the current minister of Education, Veng Sereyvuth, the current minister of Culture, Sun Chanthol, the current minister of Public Transport, and Nuth Sokhom, the current minister of Health, will indeed obtain ministerial positions.

Beyond the five Funcinpec officials above, Hun Sen attacked Keo Puth Rasmey, Funcipec president. He was accused of signing with some others, a coalition letter with the SRP, HRP and the NRP, the day after the election. Hun Sen will not offer him any position, not even an ambassador position. “Neither him nor his wife have the International knowledge needed to occupy such position (as ambassador),” Hun Sen mocked.

Hun Sen also chastised Sam Rainsy. While talking about his altercation last Friday with the opposition leader, Hun Sen revealed that Sam Rainsy would have asked him to guarantee for the SRP chairmen and vice-chairman positions for the National Assembly commissions. “Why did he make such a demand while he is also protesting the validity of the election?” said an irritated Hun Sen.

Hun Sen also slammed Norodom Ranariddh, declaring that, according to him, the latter should complete 2/3 of his sentence first. Ranariddh was sentenced to 18 months in jail and $150,000 fine in a breach of trust lawsuit case. All his appeals have been exhausted, and the prince is currently living in exile in Malaysia. According to Hun Sen, Ranariddh would have approached Hun Sen for his approval to the request for a pardon from the king. Obviously, the prince maneuver seems not to touch Hun Sen.

Payoff time for Funcinpec and Nhiek Bun Chhay ... for service rendered to the CPP

Hun Sen offers Funcinpec posts in gov’t

Wednesday, 06 August 2008
Ly Menghour
The Mekong Times

Prime Minister Hun Sen told Funcinpec President Keo Puth Reasmey yesterday that his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) will offer five top posts and some lower-level positions in the new government to Funcipec officials.

Speaking at Phnom Penh International Airport during a farewell ceremony for the Kuwaiti premier, Hun Sen said he would give top positions to Funcinpec Secretary General Nhiek Bun Chhay; Minister of Health Nuth Sokhum; Ministry of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol; Education Minister Kol Pheng and Veng Sereyvuth, the minister of Culture and Fine Arts.

He added that Nhiek Bun Chhay should submit the biographies of lower level party officials who he wants to be appointed in the government. “I’ll review each of their biographies,” the premier said to Keo Puth Reasmey.

The premier did not indicate whether any Funcinpec members will be appointed to the post of deputy prime minister or if they will keep their ministerial positions.

Deputy Secretary General of Funcinpec Serey Kossal said he doubted that Funcinpec will receive ministerial posts in the newly formed government.

Nhiek Bun Chhay said by phone yesterday that he is currently abroad and that work on the appointments will begin when he returns to Cambodia.

Hun Sen, who is also vice president of the CPP, said in front of Keo Puth Rasmey and reporters that the new CPP-Funcinpec partnership would be more effective as: “This time we will make no mistakes.” But, he cautioned, that “Funcinpec cannot make demands. I will make the decisions.”

The prime minister also warned Funcinpec not to present him with the names of officials who he dislikes.

Keo Puth Reasmey, president of Funcinpec, could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Serey Kosal said yesterday that Nhiek Bun Chhay would handle the process. “Keo Puth Reasmey can still use his rights as president, but the decision of nominating officials in the government is to be done by Nhiek Bun Chhay.”

CPP spokesman Khieu Kanharith said: “We have announced that we accept Funcinpec as a partner. As soon as official electoral results have been declared the CPP will make another official announcement.”

When asked what government roles the coalition party will be given, he declined to elaborate, but said: “Positions … are being arranged. As official results have yet to be announced, it is impossible for us to form a government. A child cannot be born before his father.”

The opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) is taking no heed of the planned coalition between the CPP and Funcinpec.

“We do not talk about power for the time being. We are busy complaining about problems involving those who could not vote and the many other irregularities,” said SRP spokesman Son Chhay.

According to preliminary results released by political parties and election monitoring NGOs, the CPP has won the parliamentary election with up to 90 of the total 123 seats. The SRP and the Human Rights Party won 26 and three seats respectively while Funcinpec and the Norodom Ranariddh Party each obtained two seats.

The National Election Committee plans to publicize temporary results on Aug 9 and official ones showing the division of seats between Aug 13 to Sep 17. As scheduled the new National Assembly will hold its first session on Sep 24, during which its organizational structure and new parliamentarians will be appointed.

Cambodian PM to offer government posts to Funcinpec members

Wednesday, August 06, 2008
ABC Radio Australia

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen says he will offer some post in his new government to the Funcinpec Party.

The Times reports he told the Party's President five top posts will be available and some lower level positions.

Hun Sen didn't indicate whether any Funcinpec members will be appointed to the post of Deputy Prime Minister or if their will have ministerial positions.

The Times quotes him as saying the new partnership will be more effective than in the past.

However, Hun Sen says Funcinpec can't make demands and he will make the decisions.

According to preliminary results by political parties and election monitors the CPP has won the national election with up to 90 of the 123 seats.