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.

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.