Chhay Hok Pheng: “The Paris Peace Agreements ended civil in Cambodia” … but no Superpowers are interested in Cambodia’s current border disputes

Dr. Chhay Hok Pheng (RFI)

22 October 2011
By Kuoch Kuntheara
Radio France Internationale

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The weekly guest of RFI on Saturday 22 October 2011 is Dr. Chhay Hok Pheng, a law doctor in France. In response to Kuoch Kuntheara’s questions, he indicated that the agreements concluded 20 years ago, i.e. on 23 October 1991, brought peace to Cambodia. However, regarding the border disputes that Cambodia is facing currently with her neighbors, Dr. Chhay Hok Pheng said that he does not believe any superpowers, such as France, are paying attention or are helping to resolve them because the world situation has changed significantly as compared to 20 years ago.

Sam Rainsy's interview on RFI

On 07 August 2009, opposition leader Sam Rainsy gave an interview to Radio France International in Phnom Penh where he discussed about the political and economic situation in Cambodia, as well as the SRP political goals.

Click here to listen to Sam Rainsy (MP3 in Khmer)

The opposition is wondering whether it will join the NA swearing-in session [-Contradiction among HRP leaders]

(Photo: Pring Samrang, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

11 Sept 2008
By Leang Delux and Alain Ney
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
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During their visit to Paris in a tour to alert the International opinion about the numerous “rigging” they have observed during the latest general election, the presidents of the SRP and HRP gave an interview to our colleagues at RFI Khmer-language service.
Maybe it is a distance issue, but a divergence seems to appear among the HRP leaders. In Phnom Penh, on 09 September, while the king just issued the official invitations for the 24 September National Assembly swearing-in ceremony, Yem Ponhearith, HRP secretary-general, declared to Cambodge Soir Hebdo: “We will follow the king’s (invitation).”

On Wednesday 10 September, on the RFI broadcast, Kem Sokha, HRP President, gave a different opinion on this issue. Kem Sokha said that the HRP will not swear in at the same time as the CPP MPs. “The three HRP elected MPs will not go the National Assembly on 24 September,” Kem Sokha stressed.

Sam Rainsy, his new road companion, maintains his position: “We do not recognize the election results, we will not participate in this first session,” Sam Rainsy assured.

When both were asked that this boycott may be construed as a lack of respect for the king, Sam Rainsy skillfully dodged the issue: “No, it’s not that, the king has no power. What the CPP decides, the king is conforming to that. If the CPP does not allow something to the king, the latter would not dare bypass it. Like the case of Ranariddh’s pardon, the green light must be given by the CPP leaders first. This is not an issue of respect or not, but that of our conscience, and our conscience does not allow us to go to this Assembly of (vote) thieves, of ghost and Yuon voters (representatives).”

The two opposition leaders said that they are still waiting for a reply from the king to their request in which they indicated to him their “wish to swear separately from the CPP”. Leaving some doubt behind, Kem Sokha said: “Without a reply from the king, we have not yet decided whether to participate in the first session.”

RFI Interview of Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha (in Khmer)