Which is bigger: Chinese rat, Sumatran rat or Fat rat jumping off F'pec ship to join the CPP?

Man catches 6-pound rat in China

FUZHOU, China, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- A Chinese man said he caught a 6-pound "rat the size of a cat" by its 12-inch tail in a residential area of the city of Fuzhou.

The man, identified only as Xian, said he caught the gargantuan rodent after seeing a group of people crowding around it, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.

Xian said he grabbed the rat, which he speculated might be a rare species or other valuable specimen, by its tail and the scruff of its neck.

"I did it, I caught a rat the size of a cat," he said before shoving the animal into a bag.

Fuzhou's local forestry unit said photographs indicate the large animal was a bamboo rat, but a close examination would be required for an official identification.

Sumatra bamboo rats can grow up to 30 inches long, including their tails, and can weigh as much as eight pounds, The Telegraph said.

Funcinpec defections continue unabated, as six more jump ship [-Memberless royalist parties?]

Sun Chanthol defected from Funcinpec to the ruling CPP last week. (Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN)

Monday, 02 February 2009
Written by Vong Sokheng The Phnom Penh Post

Last week's defection of six senior Funcinpec officials to the ruling CPP points towards the party's total dissolution: analyst.

A RECENT string of high-level defections from Funcinpec to the ruling Cambodian People's Party could be the final nail in the coffin for the flagging royalist party, says one political observer.

"The latest series of Funcinpec political elites to join the CPP would be a concerning issue [for the party]," said Mar Sophal, an independent political analyst.

"I think that the defection of members of the Funcinpec elite - such as Sun Chanthol and Serey Kosal - could lead to the dissolving of the party."

In last July's national elections, Funcinpec won just two of the 123 seats in the National Assembly and has since held a tenuous position in a coalition government, losing ministerial posts to a government reshuffle.

And more senior Funcinpec officials are reportedly preparing to defect to the ruling party in the hope that their defection will help them retain posts in the current government.

Kampuchea Thmei reported last week that a further six Funcinpec members had announced their defections, with Sun Chanthol, former minister of transport and public works, the highest-ranking official named.

The list also included a former undersecretary and secretary of state, and a lawmaker from a Kampong Cham constituency.

Not dead yet

Funcinpec Deputy President Prince Sisowath Sirirath said Sunday that Sun Chanthol, the only defecting member of the standing committee of the party, had submitted his resignation to the party last week.

But he said that Funcinpec is a democratic entity that has never interfered with its members' rights of political expression, and that Sun Chanthol's departure would not deal it a fatal blow.

"I think that those defectors who have gone over to the CPP have no faith and defected to the CPP purely out of personal interest," he said.

"Funcinpec is still a key political party, and we will not surrender to personal interest."

Cheam Yeap, a senior CPP lawmaker, told the Post last week that the door of the ruling party was open for all politicians and political parties.

"The CPP remains open for any politicians who are faithful and respect the party's rules and work for the unity of the nation," he said.

The CPP has reiterated its commitment to keeping Funcinpec as its partner in the current coalition government, with shared positions in the government.

Sun Chanthol declined to comment Sunday.

More fat rats jump off Funcinpec ship to join the CPP

Sun Chanthol received his B.S in Business Administration from The American University, the Advanced Management Program from the Wharton School, and Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, but apparently he failed to take "Political Integrity 101" while attending school in the US.

29 Jan 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

According to a CPP official, 6 high ranking Funcinpec officials defected to the CPP. The 6 Funcinpec officials include: Sun Chanthol, the former minister of Public Works; Neav Sithong, a former MP from Kampong Cham; Manuk Sophana, the under-secretary of state for the ministry of Water Resources and Parliament candidate for Banteay Meanchey province; Prak Sihara, the former deputy-governor of Sihanoukville; Suong Heng, the former secretary of state from the ministry of Public Works; and Chea Chhay, the former secretary of state from the ministry of Health. Besides these 6 defectors, several other important Funcinpec officials are preparing their paperwork to submit their defection to serve the CPP also. An anonymous defector indicated that the Funcinpec defectors decided to join the CPP because they believe that the CPP led by Chea Sim, Heng Samrin and Hun Sen, has led the country with intelligence, and brought in fast development to the country. Therefore, these defectors want to help build the country, and hence they decided to abandon Funcinpec to join the CPP instead.

Many male rats seen jumping off sinking F'pec ship to marry the Vietnamese-installed CPP-monster

Pou Sothirak

Many Funcinpec Party members defected to the Cambodian People’s Party

9th January, 2009
Kampuchea Thmey newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization

Many important leaders, government officials, police and military officials from the Funcinpec Party have decided to defect to the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Those 35 Funcinpec members who decided to defect to the CPP include ex-members of parliaments, secretaries of state, under-secretaries of state and police officials.

The most recent defectors came from Phnom Penh and Battambang. They said that their only reasons for defecting to the CPP is because they like the leadership and the policies of the CPP. They’ve seen that the CPP has led the country to developments and prosperity.

They said that they defected not because they are angry with the leadership of the Funcinpec Party, but that they have tendered their resignations properly to the party leadership before defecting.

Those 35 defectors are:

1. Mr. Pou Sothirak, ambassador to Japan during the third mandate.
2. Mr. Pou Darany, ex-under-secretary of state of parliamentary relations and inspection.
3. Mr. May Sam Oeun, member of the steering committee of Funcinpec Party.
4. Mr. Ma Sophanna, member of the steering committee of Funcinpec Party.
5. Oum Chhoeun, vice-president of Funcinpec Party, Kampong Cham branch.
6. Mr. Sing Mao, secretary-general of Funcinpec Party, Koh Andet district, Takeo province.
7. Mr. Nuon Saroeun, Funcinpec vice-president of Toul Kork branch, Phnom Penh.
8. Morm Sak, vice-president of Funcinpec Party, Kampong Cham branch.
9. Mr. Korng Lavy, permanent secretary of Stung Trong district, Kampong Cham province.
10. Mr. Sam Phally, party member from Chamkar Leu district.
11. Nhel Chrech, a police major from Battambang.
12. Pou Sayan, party member from Phnom Penh.
13. Mr. Vuth Sophal, a police second lieutenant.
14. Mr. Im Pak, a police second lieutenant.
15. Horm Veasna, a master sergeant.
16. Ceuy Kim Yen, a police master sergeant.
17. Mr. Thel Chan Sary, a police captain.
18. Mok Huot, a police colonel.
19. Sok Borin, police first lieutenant.
20. Suorn Morm, a police second lieutenant.
21. Orn Rath, a police captain.
22. Khim Ry, a police second lieutenant.
23. Pov Maly, a police second lieutenant.
24. He Var, a police second lieutenant.
25. Horn Touch, a police major.
26. Horng Buntha, a police captain.
27. Sok Sarin, a police second lieutenant.
28. Sout Soeung, a police captain.
29. Roeun Phally, a police second lieutenant.
30. Bun Sakhorn, a police major.
31. Chamroeun Buntha, a police captain.
32. Mean Vandy, a police second lieutenant.
33. Hem Hor, a police captain.
34. Kourn Sarou, a police master sergeant.
35. Tha Saroeun, a police captain.

A senior Funcinpec official said that there are many more Funcinpec officials who are preparing to defect to the CPP.

Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the CPP spokesman, said that in the past the CPP had never rejected anyone from any party who wanted to defect to the CPP. He added that those defectors have sincere intentions to join the CPP because they see that the CPP has good leaders who ruled the country well. He compared the CPP to a beautiful girl who are adored many men who wanted to get married with her.

CPP buying members of the HunSenpec coalition partner

CPP Forced Coalition Defection: Officials

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 May 2008

The Funcinpec party said Friday at least 50 members had been forced to join the ruling Cambodian People’s Party in Siem Reap province.

Chhum Sam, a Funcinpec commune leader for Srey Snom, said members were given money and gifts by CPP officials who told them a defection would mean they could live in peace and without intimidation.

Srey Snom District Governor Chhuern Chhean could not be reached for comment, but Tin Narin, a CPP commune chief, denied the accusations.

Adhoc investigator Sous Narin said he was working to confirm a lobbying effort by the CPP for Funcinpec, but he had not received a complaint from the coalition partner. Such acts could be a breach of election law, he said.

Hun Sen: CPP no longer welcomes Funcinpec defectors

Cambodian election: A survey that gives a taste of victory to Hun Sen

29 May 2008
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the original article in French
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

On Thursday 29 May, Prime minister Hun Sen broached again on the survey conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI). He revealed that one question asked by the survey was not made publicly available in the official results provided by the IRI on Wednesday 28 May.

Prior to the publication of the survey results, IRI and USAID representatives took the entire results to show Sok An, the vice-prime minister, and in the document presented, the following question was included: “Will you vote for the CPP at the election?”, to which, 55% of the answers said “yes” and 25% said “maybe”, Hun Sen reported with a lot of enthusiasm.

“If we can convince the 25% of undecided, it would be awesome!” Hun Sen burst before detailing that the IRI chose not to display this question “for fear of other political parties.”

Hun Sen now shows a keen interest in surveys, “real tools for democracy” he claimed while adding that their results should not be underestimated. Nevertheless, he asked government officials, high-ranking officials, and CPP members not to abandon their effort before the 27 July election date “because these are just predictions, nothing is certain yet.”

Furthermore, Hun Sen called on Funcinpec candidates not to join the CPP anymore. “If you are defecting (to join the CPP), I would ask you to return back to where you came from!” However, he is mum when it comes to SRP defectors…

"As long as there is Lu Lay Sreng in F'pec, this party will not go anywhere": No wonder F'pec is not going anywhere at all nowadays

Funcinpec vows not to merge with the CPP

Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

“Don’t trust the sky, don’t trust the stars,
Don’t trust the wife who claims to have no lover,
Don’t trust your mother who claims to have no debt”
- Old Khmer saying

Even though numerous high-ranking Funcinpec party officials defected to join the CPP, Funcinpec party leaders still claim that this party will absolutely not merge with the CPP. Lu lay Sreng, No. 1 Funcinpec party vice-president, told The Mekong Times that his party will not merge with the CPP. He said that Funcinpec has a very clear identity, and the defection of party members will not shake the party. He stressed: “As long as there is Lu Lay Sreng in Funcinpec, this party will not go anywhere.” Serey Kosal, the party deputy secretary-general, also indicated that the past defection of Funcinpec officials cannot force this party to merge with the CPP. He said that, now and in the future, Funcinpec is and will not be a satellite nor a lackey of the CPP, but that it is the CPP partner only, there is no time to merge Funcinpec with any other party.

Political Cartoon: No Room

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Hun Sen's warning to Funcinpec: No Parliament seat, no coalition government

Hun Sen talks to reporters in front of the National Assembly (Photo: Chantha, Koh Santepheap newspaper)

Hun Sen: Those who submitted to the CPP were in fact a boon for the Funcinpec

15-01-2008
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr

The defection of several Funcinpec party members does not shock Hun Sen. That they choose to join the CPP is the least damage inflicted on Funcinpec, Hun Sen claimed.

Did the CPP betray its agreement with Funcinpec by accepting several high ranking Funcinpec defectors? The musical chair game which saw the defection of a dozen of Funcinpec ministers, state secretaries, and MPs did not lead to a rupture of the Funcinpec-CPP coalition, Hun Sen claimed. Asked about this subject by reporters, at the National Assembly on 15 January, Hun Sen explained that the free political choice of the citizens must be respected.

“I heard that the Funcinpec dissidents were “traitors” and “unconscious.” These criticisms do not respect the democracy. If they don’t want to stay with Funcinpec, where should they go?” Hun Sen asked.

Hun Sen further argued that “if these people joined political parties other than ours, this would bring more trouble to Funcinpec. If they are with the CPP, they cannot criticize the Funcinpec which is a (CPP) partner. The Funcinpec leaders should understand this.”

While discussing about this topic, he also called on Funcinpec to maintain its efforts in view of the upcoming general election. Obtaining seats at the National Assembly is a sine-qua-non condition to induct Funcinpec party members in the government positions. “The constitution allows the prime minister to provide a position in the government to a member of a party that is represented at the National Assembly. If our partner has no seat, it will be very difficult,” Hun Sen said.

Last week, the Funcinpec spokesman rejected the information claiming that the Funcinpec ministers of Health, Public Works, Education, and Culture defected. Nevertheless, he recognized that some party members did leave the party, but he called them “opportunists.”

The 2008 election does not start yet, but the CPP already announces that it will get 81 seats at the National Assembly

20 Funcinpec defectors show their faces at the CPP congress

Saturday, January 12, 2008
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Today, the CPP held its 2-day extraordinary congress, on 12-13 January, in order to strengthen the efficiency of its work, and to issue its 5-year development goal.

What was strange was the presence of about 20 former Funcinpec officials who joined the CPP and showed their face in this congress also. According to CPP and Funcinpec officials, these 20 or so Funcinpec officials occupy ranks of state secretaries all the way up ministers, and they were invited to participate in this congress.

According to officials from both parties, among the 20 Funcinpec officials present, were Mrs. Ing Kantha Phavy, minister of women affairs, Khun Haing, the minister of cult and religion, Kong Vibol, Ou Bun Long, and Chea Peng Chheang, state secretaries of the minister of economy and finance, as well as a number of other high-ranking officials.

This is the first time that such a large number of recent Funcinpec defectors participate in an internal meeting of the CPP. Nevertheless, CPP officials claim that they will still continue the cooperation with the Funcinpec in the future. Political analysts said that Funcinpec should find its own support for the upcoming 2008 general election (rather than just counting on the CPP alliance).

Political analysts said that if Funcinpec is tripped, and cannot gain a decent number of seats at the 123-seat National Assembly, to secure its solidity in the alliance with the CPP, the ruling party could make another choice. Analysts added that the CPP promise is a good thing for Funcinpec, but the reality is something else, as it can evolve with the changing situation.

At least 900 high-ranking CPP officials, from provincial levels and up, came to the 2-day congress. CPP representatives from around the country will review the results of the past 5 years and will then issue the policy for the upcoming 5 years, from 2003 to 2008. At the same time, the CPP will also review the preparation for the upcoming 27 July 2008 election.

The CPP plans to wrestle 81 seats out of the 123 seats in the National Assembly.

Hun Sen: Defectors Are Not Turncoats [-They are just traitors?]

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
10 January 2008

Prime Minister Hun Sen told a group of government officials Thursday that defectors from the royalist party to the ruling party should not be considered turncoats.

Addressing a group of Funcinpec officials at an agricultural development meeting, Hun Sen said members of any political party had the legal right to move to another without being branded traitorous.

"He said, firstly, don't use the word 'submission' for those who defected from Funcinpec to the CPP. It's not right," said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith. "And, secondly, don't use the word 'turncoat' either. It is neither submission nor turncoat, because it is their political right to do so."

Funcinpec is the parliamentary partner of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, though its influence has steadily declined since it was a viable rival in the late 1990s.

"Actually, some people are former politicians in the CPP, and we'd just appointed them, so the majority are now going back to their party," said Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay. "That's why some people just said those politicians are traitors. This point is not right either, because they are going back to where they once belonged."

Some Funcinpec officials have steadily moved their allegiance to the CPP and other parties following a sound defeat of royalist representatives in local elections in April 2007.

Nhiek Bun Chhay in total denial of defections of party members

Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transportation, is seen on this photo posted on the CPP website dated 04 January 2008. This CPP website only publicizes activities conducted by CPP party members. (Photo: CPP)

F’pec denies defection of 4 high-raking officials

Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

The Funcinpec party rejected the information indicating that 4 Funcinpec ministers defected the party to join the CPP.

In a communiqué dated 07 January 2008, the Funcinpec spokesman said that the rumors of the defection of 4 high-ranking party officials to join another party, is baseless, and it was an exaggeration perpetrated to undermine the unity of the Funcinpec party leadership only.

The four high-ranking Funcinpec officials are:

1. Nuth Sokhom, the minister of health,
2. Veng Sereivuth, the minister of culture and fine arts,
3. Kol Pheng, the minister of education, and
4. Sun Chanthol, the minister of public works and transport.

In addition to the 4 officials above, at least 10 other Funcipec officials declared their defection from the party to join the CPP. Some of these defectors are:

1. Chea Peng Chheang, the state secretary of the ministry of economy and finance,
2. Mrs. Chhim Chamroeun, the state secretary of ministry of women affairs,
3. Khun Haing, the minister of cult and religion,
4. Mrs. Ing KanthaPhavy, the minister of women affairs,
5. Ou Bun Long, the state secretary of the ministry of economy and finance,
6. Kong Vibol, the state secretary of the ministry of economy and finance,
7. Khov Meng Heang, the state secretary of the Council of Ministers.

However for the first 4 former ministers listed above, Funcinpec declared that they did not defect to the CPP. Nevertheless, the Funcinpec communiqué recognized that a number of Funcinpec officials defected the party, and the majority of them were “opportunists” who joined the party to look for positions and fortune by bribing Prince Ranariddh, whereas, a number of other Funcinpec defectors did not obey the party rules and they committed illegal acts, such as being involved in corruption.

Nhiek Bun Chhay, Funcinpec secretary-general, recognized that indeed about 5-6 Funcinpec officials defected since Prince Ranariddh was still the party leader. Furthermore, a number of Funcinpec government officials also defected the party to join the CPP. However, he said that these defections will not affect Funcinpec popularity, because the importance remains with the grass root levels. He said that, in fact, it is a good thing (that these defectors left the party) because they do not have a clear standing.

Group of Cambodian Funcinpec leaders defects to CPP [-Mao Havanall also defected]

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- With little more than six months to Cambodia's next national election, several senior party leaders of the already ailing Funcinpec Party has defected to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), including two ministers, local media reported Tuesday.

Rural Development Minister and Funcinpec First Deputy President Lu Laysreng said Monday that Minister of Women's Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi defected to the CPP last week, the Cambodia Daily newspaper said.

She joins Funcinpec's Minister of Cults and Religion Khun Haing, who had defected earlier and has since appeared on television to campaign for the CPP, the daily said.

Finance Ministry Secretary of State Chea Peng Chheang had also left for the CPP, along with his wife, Funcinpec Senator Khloth Tongphka, Lu Laysreng was quoted as saying.

Chea Peng Chheang confirmed by telephone Monday that he had joined the CPP because of his lack of confidence in Funcinpec's leadership, the newspaper said.

Secretary of State Mao Havanall, the top official at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, also confirmed Monday that he had abandoned Funcinpec for the CPP, it said.

In last April's Commune elections, the Funcinpec was hit hard at the ballot box, losing more than 85 percent of the commune councils seats it held nationwide.

Defectors will automatically lose F'pec party membership; Defection will not cause concerns to F'pec: F'pec bravado or ignorance?

Some of the more recent Funcinpec defectors

10 F’pec officials to defect to the CPP?

05 January 2008
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A high-ranking Funcinpec official issued a warning to a number of Funcinpec ministers and state secretaries who defected the party to join the CPP, saying that they will automatically lose their Funcinpec party membership, and that their defection will not cause concerns to Funcinpec.

A number of sources indicated that more than 10 high-ranking Funcinpec party officials defected from the party, however, these sources declined to name these defectors.

Nov Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, said that based on the alliance between the CPP and Funcinpec, these defections (to the CPP) will affect the goals (of the alliance), but he said that this is the freedom of the defectors.

Nov Sovathero said: “In concrete, we see that this will affect the political goal and the cooperation (between Funcinpec and the CPP), however, if we can’t prevent these individuals from defecting either.”

An anonymous high-ranking Funcinpec party official revealed that Mrs. Ing KanthaPhavy, the minister of women affairs, Chea Peng Chheang, the state secretary of the ministry of economy and finance, defected to the CPP, along with a number of other Funcinpec party officials.

Serei Kosal, Funcinpec deputy secretary-general, said that he wanted to see these defectors officially and openly announcing their resignation, and they should avoid keeping it quiet.

Serei Kosal said: “Those who already defected, please don’t remain quiet and don’t hide your head while you tail is sticking out, you would be called the “cashew” (svay chanty in Khmer) defectors. Send in your resignation letters to tell (us) that you are leaving.”

Ing KanthaPhavy could not be reached to ask for a confirmation and the cause of her defection to the CPP, however, Chea Peng Chheang, the state secretary of the ministry of economy and finance, confirmed that he did join the CPP.

Chea Peng Chheang said: “Yes, this is true! We are involved in politics, we must look at the standing of the leader of the political goal and such…”

Chea Peng Chheang indicated that he has no plan to publicly announce his defection from Funcinpec.

Regarding the defections above, Khieu Kanharith, the CPP party mouthpiece, could not be reached to obtain his comment on this issue, however, Cheam Yieb, the CPP MP from Prey Veng province and a high-ranking CPP official, said that the defection of the high-ranking Funcinpec officials did not need any enticement.

Cheam Yieb said: “Based on the CPP goal, we are open to all the volunteering (defectors), regardless of where they were from, we accept them all.”

Cheam Yieb said that, even if the CPP win the upcoming election in July 2008, is will preserve the alliance with Funcinpec as usual.

Hang Puthea, director of the Nicfec organization, said that it is normal to see party officials defecting from one party to another, especially prior to a national election planned for July 2008.

More rats are jumping off the Funcinpec ship

Some of the rats who jumped off the sinking Funcinpec ship

At least 6 Funcinpec ministers and state secretaries defected to the CPP

Saturday, January 05, 2008
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A high-ranking Funcinpec party official indicated that about 10 Funcinpec party ministers and state secretaries defected to the CPP after Funcinpec faced problems with Prince Ranariddh.

On 04 January 2008, Ok Socheat, a high-ranking Funcinpec official, recognized the fact that a number of Funcinpec party officials defected to join the CPP. He said that, up to now, about 10 Funcinpec party members defected to join the CPP because they are afraid of losing their juicy government positions.

A source within Funcinpec indicated that, during this week, Chea Peng Chheang, state secretary of the ministry of Finance, and Mrs. Chhim Chamroeun, state secretary of the ministry of women affairs, defected to the CPP, in addition to a number of others Funcinpec defectors. Khun Haing, the minister of cult and religious affair and Ing Kanthaphavy, the minister of women affairs, also defected to join the CPP, the current ruling party.

Furthermore, Ou Bun Long, the former SRP secretary-general who defected to Funcinpec, Kong Vibol, state secretary of the ministry of economy and finance, Khov Meng Hieng, state secretary from the Council of Ministers, are known to have defected to the CPP also.

Ok Socheat said that only a small number of Funcinpec government officials who defected to the CPP. He added that the current Funcinpec party helps protect the roles and the positions occupied by Funcinpec party members in the government, the police force, and the army. He said that any Funcinpec party members who defect to join the NRP cannot preserve their positions and their royalist affiliations.

Besides the Funcinpec government officials cited above, it is also known that a number of other Funcinpec party officials also defected this party to join the CPP.

The flow of defection of Funcinpec party members started when Prince Ranariddh had a rupture of relationship with the CPP, and when the prince wanted to pull out of the government led by the CPP. The flow of defections kept going on because of internal dispute within Funcinpec, and this, subsequently, led to the removal of the prince from the Funcinpec party. The prince later formed the NRP party. Since that time, the popularity of the Funcinpec party faced ever increasing difficulties.

Coalition partners in hell: CPP welcomes Funcinpec defectors

Wednesday, August 17, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Even though they are partners in the coalition government, the CPP publicly announced the defection of several hundreds of Funcinpec party members who decided to join the CPP. A CPP official said, on Tuesday, that about 600 Funcinpec party members defected to the CPP during a ceremony held in Pursat province, presided by Suy Sem, the chairman of the working group helping the Pursat province and minister of industry, mining and energy. Ly Thuch, the 2nd vice-chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Management, and himself a recent Funcinpec defector, said that 624 Funcinpec party members have defected to the CPP voluntarily and without any coercion. Ly Thuch said these defectors left Funcinpec because of the split within this party. Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, declined to comment on this issue, saying only that this public declaration could be psychological warfare.