Chhim Siek Leng becomes president of the renamed NRP

Monday, June 29, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Pen Sangha, the NRP spokesman, told Rasmei Kampuchea that the NRP extraordinary congress was held this past Saturday. The party decided to change its name from NRP to the “Nationalist Party” and it approved Chhim Siek Leng as the new party president. Besides selecting a new party president, the congress also selected 2 new party vice-presidents: You Hockry, the no. 1 party VP, and Pok Than, the no. 2 party VP. NRP MP Sao Rany from Prey Veng province was nominated as the party secretary-general. Nhiek Bun Chhay, Funcinpec secretary-general, and several other high-ranking Funcinpec officials were also guests at the congress. Pen Sangha indicated that the congress was held to change the party name only, there was no merger with Funcinpec yet, but the two royalist parties are cooperating with each other, as stipulated in the MOU between the two parties on 30 January 2009.

Ranariddh wrote a letter to Hun Sen, Queen-Mother and King Sihamoni act as middlemen in the reconciliation between the prince and Hun Sen

Krom Preah Ranariddh wrote a letter to Samdach Hun Sen

Thursday, July 05, 2007
Rasmei Kampuchea
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prince Norodom Ranariddh, NRP president, told the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper in the afternoon of 04 July that he is very happy to learn that Prime Minister Hun Sen still “pities me, loves me, and wants to help me even more.”

From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Prince Ranariddh revealed the fact that he sent a handwritten-letter to Hun Sen. Ranariddh said that in the letter dated 29 June 2007, he wrote about two main points: one about his happiness when he learned from Queen-Mother and King Norodom Sihamoni that Hun Sen told them that he still pities and loves the prince (Ranariddh).

The prince added that he told Hun Sen that he has difficulties accepting the position of historical leader from Funcinpec, and in particular, (he has difficulties accepting) the rude words used by Lu Laysreng, vice-prime minister and first vice-president of Funcinpec.

According to Krom Preah, King Sihamoni talked about Hun Sen’s pity and love towards him, when the prince met King Sihamoni during his recent visit to France.

On 05 July, Krom Preah also received another good news from Queen-Mother Monineath Sihanouk. The prince told Rasmei Kampuchea that: “I am informing you that yesterday (04 July), Queen-Mother told me over the phone that Samdach Hun Sen not only pities me and loves me, but he even wants to meet me also.”

Along with expressing his happiness, Krom Preah asked Hun Sen to help him find justice as he is Hun Sen’s older brother (ex-king Sihanouk adopted Hun Sen). The prince also called for the appeal court to provide justice to him when making its decision based on the proof presented.

Krom Preah still claims that he has difficulties accepting the spirit of the 18 October 2006 (Funcinpec congress) which kicked him out of his position as Funcinpec president, and installed him as a historical president instead. Furthermore, the prince said that Lu Laysreng’s words are a major obstacle preventing the discussion between NRP and Funcinpec. The prince then asked: “How can I accept to be a historical president when I heard Lu Laysreng’s rude opinion against me?”

In wanting to find justice for both sides, Krom Preah decided to allow Pok Than, a senior official of his NRP party, to contact Keo Puth Rasmei, Funcinpec president. However, the prince ordered a stop to all discussions after the heard Lu Laysreng’s phone interview, and the prince considered Lu Laysreng’s interview as an insult that he cannot accept.

Under this circumstance, Lu Laysreng said on 04 July that he accepts to beg for pardon from Krom Preah if this begging will make Prince Ranariddh return back to join Funcinpec.

Lu Laysreng told Rasmei Kampuchea over the phone, on 04 July afternoon: “We are not enemies. I can fulfill the condition for a reconciliation.” He added that Funcinpec wants the prince to join Funcinpec back, but he must become the party historical president first. He said that only after this condition is fulfilled that negotiations can be conducted to find out what the prince wants. He said that Funcinpec permanent committee maintains this clear position. Lu Laysreng also said that since Krom Preah became the party historical leader through the party congress, any modification to this title for the prince will also have to go through the party congress as well.

Even though Lu Laysreng has accepted to beg for pardon from the prince, the latter said: “I dare not say anything beforehand. Let Funcinpec resolve this issue with Lu Laysreng first.”

But Pok Than, whom the prince nominated as his negotiator with Funcinpec, said on 04 July afternoon that is there is an acceptable resolution, the discussion (between Funcinpec and NRP) can restart again. He added that “once a door is opened, it can’t be close.” Pok Than believes that an agreement can be reached if the negotiations take place. He said that according to brief discussions (between Funcinpec and NRP), we don’t have any difference.