Divide to Conquer - the Communist Way

July 23, 2012
By Mu Sochua

The communist style strategy “divide to conquer” kills the spirit of our nation. All that for power of the current rulers. Our revered monks practice Buddhism and have a voice and role in defending human rights and freedom. Join us in giving Cambodia Movement for National Rescue the force that can and will restore our fundamental values and principles. The movement is our only choice and the right choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EeY67XvHGg

Hun Sen casts doubt on Kem Sokha's sincerity and the opposition alliance: Hun Sen's divide and conquer strategy at work?

Kem Sokha denies Hun Sen’s claim

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

Could it be that Hun Sen was adding fuel to the fire…? On Thursday 25 September, at the end of the Parliament session for the vote of confidence to his new government, Hun Sen repeated that “the internal situation of the SRP [would seem to be] worst,” and he also ventured to talk about a “bad strategy” that “maybe” the SRP would have adopted. He also returned back to the case of Kem Sokha, whom with two other elected MPs of his party (the HRP) did not participate in the swearing-in ceremony the day before.

“At dawn this morning, H.E. Kem Sokha […] asked me if it would possible to organize a swearing-in ceremony [for the elected MPs of his party] so that they can come to vote today. I contacted the NA to find out if there is a way, the latter replied that it was not possible. I then consulted H.E. Sar Kheng, the vice-PM, who suggested that the only way was to wait until the new CPP MPs take their functuon to replace others who resigned. Then they can all swear-in together.”

When asked to react about Hun Sen’s claim, Kem Sokha denied that he contacted the CPP. “I did not ask anything, it was [Hun Sen’s] party which contacted us to find out what we intended to do!” Kem Sokha corrected.

In his declaration, Hun Sen also strongly insisted on the fact that Kem Sokha “consulted” with him on several occasions, and these consultations took place even before he formed his HRP party. “He asked for advice from me to see whether it would be better for him to continue his work at the head of a NGO or whether to form his own party. I told him that he was welcomed to show that I do not fear competition. He wrote me and we had several phone conversations on this topic.”

Kem Sokha’reply: “I don’t think these comments are useful for the nation. In any case, the citizens already know our party. That’s a calumny!”

Hun Sen then nailed Kem Sokha in: “ Kem Sokha told the mediator [Kith Meng who was chosen by Hun Sen to negotiate with the opposition] that he did not know that Sam Rainsy would go to the inaugural session yesterday even though him and Sam Rainsy agreed to boycott” the Parliament opening session. Hun Sen added that Kem Sokha would be “angry” about this issue. While acting innocent, Hun Sen wondered aloud: “Why does Kem Sokha have a party if he is going to follow another party? In all cases, I guessed it right!” Then Hun Sen proceeded to apologize to Kem Sokha for these somewhat embarrassing revelations.

Kem Sokha replied that Sam Rainsy did tell him that he would finally go to the NA. “It was his right to go there. Each party is independent from one another, and our alliance still holds.”

As if he was trying to push the two allies to break up, Hun Sen added that by joining Sam Rainsy, the day after the election, to issue a common declaration to challenge the ballot casting, the NRP and the HRP only provided “ammunitions for Sam Rainsy to strengthen his position”. “Now, we don’t know who cheated whom … even though there was a declaration saying that the opposition alliance is not an issue. […] I am not pointing finger at anybody, but this is a lost of independence [for the HRP].” Hun Sen then proceeded to tell HRP party members not to cast any doubt on Kem Sokha “who did not obey my (Hun Sen) order, but he only consulted with me.”

“We are independent from each other, and our position is clear and solid,” Kem Sokha said. As for Sam Rainsy, he could not be contacted.

Hun Sen would love to see the SRP and HRP split

Second NA day, according to Hun Sen, opposition parties would split

25 Sept. 2008
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
Click here to read the article in Khmer

On this second day of the new NA session, only 94 MPs (out of a total of 123 MPs) were present to elect the NA president, vice-presidents, chair and vice-chair of the NA committees, under the presidency of Phnom Penh CPP MP Chea Soth, the dean of the MPs. SRP and HRP MPs were noted for their absence. At the exit of the morning session, Hun Sen revealed during a press conference that internal strife within the SRP is taking place, following yesterday’s participation by Sam Rainsy to the NA inaugural session – a session which Sam Rainsy earlier promised to boycott. Hun Sen also indicated that there would be fight between the two opposition parties that could lead to an explosion of their alliance.

Hun Sen added that the last minute decision made by Sam Rainsy to take part in the NA inaugural ceremony without warning Kem Sokha, his ally, led to the latter’s rage.

Hun Sen also revealed that Kem Sokha wanted his 2 MPs to be sworn in this morning, but such maneuver was “not possible,” following Hun Sen’s consultation with the NA. Hun Sen proposed to the HRP MPs to wait until the new CPP MPs occupy their seat first, so that they can all swear in together.

Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha could not be contacted over the phone.

Heng Samrin, the CPP honorary president, maintained his position as president. He will be joined by Nguon Nhel and Say Chhum as vice-presidents. Say Chhum will be replacing Hong Sun Huot as the NA second vice-president. Following the vote, the NA gave their confidence to Hun Sen’s new government – the detailed composition of which is not revealed to the news media yet.

Hun Sen trying to divide and conquer?

Funcinpec secretary general Nhek Bun Chhay. (Photo: HENG CHIVOAN)

Friday, 08 August 2008
Written by Vong Sokheng and Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

Royalist parties greet possibility of joining ruling coalition with skepticism and accuse CPP of using divide-and-conquer tactics

OPPOSITION parties Thursday denied jockeying for posts in Cambodia's new government, saying that Prime Minister Hun Sen's suggestion of a broad coalition of political groups was a bid to split his opponents and weaken resistance to his ruling Cambodian People's Party.

Hun Sen, speaking publicly Wednesday for the first time since June, said he would welcome "honest men" into government and that the CPP, which is expected to win 90 of the National Assembly's 123 seats, would again form a government with its old coalition partner Funcinpec.

The royalists could get as many as 30 positions in government, including a ministerial post, government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Thursday.

"We are waiting for the draft list of government appointments by Nhek Bun Chhay," Khieu Kanharith said, referring to Funcinpec's secretary general, whose faction inside the party has remained loyal to the CPP.

In an apparent allusion to the Human Rights Party (HRP) and Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP), Hun Sen said that other political groups were also asking for a government partnership.

"I welcome all people...this new government will become bloated but it will not be a problem as long as we all keep working together," Hun Sen said, adding that opposition parties were "going back and forth over positions" in government.

But HRP president Kem Sokha told the Post Thursday that his party never considered an agreement with the CPP, saying his party was instead intent on "finding justice for people who [were disenfranchised]" when thousands of names were left off of voter registration lists, preventing them from casting their ballots.

Senior officials with the NRP and main opposition Sam Rainsy Party also denied asking the CPP for a coalition deal.

"The electoral process is not over, we do not recognise the election results. There is no point discussing coalitions," said Mu Sochua, deputy secretary general of the SRP.

She added that Hun Sen's overtures to other parties was "part of the same pattern - control by splitting."

"We are not falling for this at all," she said Thursday, adding that the opposition's complaints over vote irregularities had to be resolved before the parties could join the National Assembly.

The opposition has threatened to boycott the Assembly's first session, drawing an angry rebuke from Hun Sen, who said their seats - 31 in all - would be given to those parties present.