NRP generation war

12 Feb 2009
By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French

The two warring clans within this royalist party claimed to have found a negotiated solution to their crisis, on the other hand, they are increasing their exchange of barbs on one another.

For the last three weeks, the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) is split into two clans: the one led by Chhim Seak Leng, the party standing president, and the one led Suth Dina, the former deputy secretary-general of the NRP and the representative of the youths from the Khmer Front Party, which was the political party that formed the basis of the NRP.

The two camps tried to find a solution to their dispute. “Activists from our camp wish to see unity and we wish to put an end to the conflict,” Kim Sok, spokesman of the Suth Dina clan, indicated. “We, the party youths, want to reach a peaceful solution for the common interest (of both parties).”

Nevertheless, Kim Sok took opportunity of the occasion to criticize the attitude adopted by the “aging” party leaders who belong to the Chhim Seak Leng clan. He let it understood that the opposing camp, which includes You Hockry, consist of people who are “not very honest.”

“We will not let party members be removed without reason. We defend all the activists, not just Meas Sokun, the NRP representative in Banteay Meanchey who was expelled from the party at the end of January,” Kim Sok added.

According to communiqué distributed on Thursday 12 Feb by the Suth Dina clan, the internal conflict does not reflect the royalist party’s struggle for influence, “It is a conflict between a small group and a majority that fights for justice,” the communiqué read.

You Hockry, the NRP secretary-general, could not be reached by Cambodge Soir Hebdo on Thursday 12 Jan.

Sar Kheng, the (CPP) minister of Interior, told Em Sitha, a representative of the party youth movement, on that same day that his ministry would not allow the NRP to hold a congress on 15 Feb. Suth Dina whished to organize this congress to change the NRP party name, as Prince Ranariddh already left the party to work at the royal palace.

Sar Kheng indicated that only Chhim Seak Leng is authorized to call for a party congress.

Disruptions within the Norodom Ranariddh Party: the party gives its explanations

02-02-2009
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set in English

On the occasion of the signature on Monday February 2nd of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the FUNCINPEC and the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) in Phnom Penh, NRP leaders went back over the tensions currently shaking the party's ranks. On Friday January 30th, members of the Khmer National Front party (KNF), which has been incorporated within the NRP, came to demonstrate outside the NRP headquarters and caused damage, as a sign of protest against the firing of one of their members, Mrs Meas Sokun. Other dismissals concerning KNF members came about in the meantime. Here are the explanations given by the NRP and Prince Ranariddh.

Reasons for the firing of Mrs Meas Sokun

NRP secretary-general You Hokry sees in this situation the result of a “personal conflict within the party”. During a meeting of the Governing Council meant to resolve internal issues, he explains, “some mentioned the case of Mrs. Meas Sokun, whose husband burst into our party headquarters carrying a fire weapon with him, with the intention of threatening a person who was in an open conflict with his wife”. He adds that this misconduct cannot be tolerated, and “this is why the Governing Council asked our member to explain her husband's attitude”.

This incident, You Hokry continues, was followed by another: Mrs Meas Sokun, a member of the NRP Steering Committee, allegedly spoke to Prince Ranariddh with disdain. “Even though the Prince has left the party, it continues to bear his name and still displays a portrait of him. We asked Mrs Meas Sokun to write an apology letter for Samdech Krompreah. We gave her some time but never saw any such letter! We gathered she does not support the NRP. In any event, two thirds of Governing Council members decided on her dismissal from the party. The decision was made on January 24th but because of the Chinese new year, we preferred to only make it public on January 30th.”

The NRP wants to files several complaints against KFP members

After reminding that the Khmer National Front party had been disbanded after the holding of a Congress at the NRP, the NRP secretary-general said: “Looking at the NRP and at the KNF, which one is legal? Our own party is registered at the Ministry of Interior and we have already taken part in several polls and won MP seats in the Assembly!” He then mentioned Suth Dina, official spokesman and deputy secretary-general of the NRP and a former member of the KNF who took the side of Mrs Meas Sokun. You Hokry naively asked himself: “Can a deputy secretary-general throw the secretary-general out?” Suth Dina was sacked from the party.

“We are filing a complaint with Justice against those who vandalised the NRP headquarters, with the Ministry of Defence against Mrs Meas Sokun's husband for illegally carrying a weapon, and with the Bar of Cambodia against this woman, who is herself a member of the Bar”, You Hokry announced.

Usurpation of power, according to Suth Dina

Suth Dina, reminding of his dismissal by the NRP on January 31st – the decision did not “surprise” him – also explained for his part that the Steering Committee of the former Khmer National Front party sent on February 2nd a letter to the Ministry of Interior, to the Royal Palace, to the Constitutional Council and to the government to denounce “the lack of legality in the NRP administration”. According to him, the NRP “usurped power”. “On November 16th 2006, at a Congress, the Khmer National Front party handed its power over to Prince Ranariddh, and not to its vice-president [Chhim Siek Leng] or even its secretary-general [You Hockry]!, he pointed out.

Norodom Ranariddh does not want his name to be used any more

Since he took up the new position of chair of the Supreme Council of King Sihamoni, Prince Ranariddh launched his [new website http://www.norodomranariddh.org/] and decided to take part in the debate raging on in his name. In a message dated January 31st , posted on his website and addressed “to citizens and members of the NRP”, he demands that his name and portrait stop being used in the field of politics so as to preserve the neutrality of the Royal Palace where he now works.

“Recently, incidents have tarnished my honour and my name and much criticism has arisen, accusing me of continuing to interfere in matters of the [Norodom Ranariddh] party. I asked NRP representatives to launch a procedure to remove my portrait and my name, in order to avoid criticism. But party representatives asked me to let them keep them until the elections of new councils in May.” Prince Ranariddh adds that he acceded to their request. Complaining about “unfair attacks which his name and portrait are subjected to”, he reminds at the end of his message that he “continues to serve the Nation, the Religion and the King” of Cambodia, with the new responsibilities he now holds.

NRP Reported Sacking Sparks Internal Conflict

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
30 January 2009

A senior Norodom Ranariddh Party official was reportedly removed from her position Friday, marking a potential rift within the party’s ranks, officials said.

Meas Sokun, the NRP chief in Banteay Meanchey province and a member of the steering committee, was fired by the party’s governing council, following statements insults and “impolite words” for Prince Norodom Ranariddh during a meeting on Saturday, according to a statement released to the media Friday.

But the party’s official spokesman, Suth Dina, who is also a deputy secretary-general, said the governing council had not consulted with the steering committee, and therefore Meas Sokun was retaining her position.

At least one top NRP official, who asked not to be named, said the firing was a legitimate decision by the governing council.

Suth Dina said the group opposed to the firing would now appeal to the Ministry of Interior to bar the Norodom Ranariddh Party from the country.

The differing accounts of the two top officials marked a potential split in the party among those close to Prince Ranariddh, who formed the party ahead of commune elections in 2007, and newcomers close to Suth Dina, who brought his own Khmer National Front party into NRP ranks at its formation.

Neither NRP President Chhim Seakleng nor Secretary-General You Hokry could not be reached for comment Friday.

Meas Sokun denied insulting the prince and said she was keeping her position. She said some members of the party had spoken ill of her to the prince, who now misunderstood her.

“They accuse of me of making trouble in the party, but I’m not troublesome,” she said. “I haven’t done anything troublesome.”

Prince Ranariddh retired from his party shortly after his return from exile in September 2008. He had been found guilty of breach of trust, and refused to return to Cambodia until he was granted a royal pardon.

He is now chief adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, his brother, and he retains a number of loyal followers within his old party.

Student group stakes claim to Ranariddh's divided party

Prince Norodom Ranariddh shown here in a file photograph. (Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN)

Friday, 30 January 2009
Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

NRP officials condemn students for ‘defaming' retired Prince Norodom Ranariddh as royalist party falls further into disarray.

A CAMBODIAN student group claimed ownership of the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) Thursday, urging current leaders to defect and arguing that they have no firm strategy for carrying the party forward.

Sun Sokun Mealea, a member of the Democratic Front of Khmer Students and Intellectuals and a central committee member of the NRP, emphasised the historical links between the royalist party and the Democratic Front, dismissing reports of her defection to the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

"We must remain in order to protect the party that we gave birth to and to preserve our ideals for the nation."

The NRP took its current shape in 2006 when the Khmer Front Party, formed from the Democratic Front, backed Ranariddh and adopted his name for the party.

Her comments follow accusations by the NRP that the student group had defamed former party leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who retired from politics in October and whose connection with the party has been a matter of ongoing contention.

Sun Sokun Mealea said Ranariddh's retirement effectively left ownership of the party in the hands of the Democratic Front.

Kim Sok, a spokesman for the Democratic Front and a member of the NRP, told the Post Wednesday that the student group had lost faith in Ranariddh and the NRP's current leadership.

NRP officials were unavailable for comment Thursday, but the party issued a statement Wednesday condemning the student group and accusing it of defaming Ranariddh.