The following is a translation of an interview with SRP Senator Kong Korm published in French by Cambodge Soir newspaper. The interview provides the current SRP perspective at the dawn of its 10th anniversary as the only opposition party in Cambodia.
Follow this link to read the original Cambodge Soir article: http://tinyurl.com/anbm3
Kong Korm: “In 2008, I believe that we will obtain 40 seats of the National Assembly”
The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) is celebrating tomorrow its 10th anniversary. Founded in 1995 under the name of Khmer Nation Party by Sam Rainsy following his expulsion from Funcinpec, the party is the only opposition party represented at the National Assembly, with 24 elected MPs in 2003. Under the blows of legal lawsuits for defamation, Sam Rainsy saw his parliamentary immunity lifted in February and now lives abroad. In his absence, Kong Korm, a former member of the CPP, is assuming the role of interim President. Interview.
Cambodge Soir [CS]: In 10 years, what has the party done for the country?
Kong Korm [KK]: At the social level, we taught the workers to organize themselves as unions, and to express themselves without fear. And we were able to obtain better working conditions and better salaries for the workers. We also taught the inhabitants to resist the men of power who rob their lands. We also fought so that the government is taking care of the standard of living of primary school and secondary school teachers. Another important fight for us: the legal reform. You will remember that in 1997, we had organized a demonstration in favor of legal reform. The result: almost 20 people were killed and several were injured by the grenades tossed against this demonstration. At the political level, even though the party was formed under difficult conditions, it was able to attract local and international supports.
CS: What are the difficulties encountered by your party during the last 10 years?
KK: There were a lot. There were attempts to buy out our members. Before each election, some of our militants were killed or threatened. Our MPs were excluded from parliamentary committees. One of our MP [Cheam Channy] was thrown in jail. Before, they use guns to intimidate us. Now, the court is being used to threaten us.
CS: Your President is abroad. This [fact] and the obstacles you talked about earlier, are they weakening you party?
KK: No, to the contrary. These obstacles are making us popular. And the absence of Sam Rainsy does not damage at all the functioning of the party. We do not want Sam Rainsy be thrown in jail as Aung San Suu Kyi [leader of the Burmese opposition, she is deprived of freedom for more 10 years already]. We prefer that he works for the party from abroad. Recently, a group of about 30 members of our party went to meet him in Manila. In his absence, our elected [members] are working hard and at the base level, a lot is happening. This is due to the reform of our party where from now on, the leaders will be elected from the bottom up. I see the SRP as a child with normal growth.
CS: What are your predictions for the 2008 elections?
KK: In 2008, I believe that we will be able to have 40 MPs elected. We now have 24 versus 15 from the past legislative. That being said, for the 2003 elections, we thought we were able to obtain about 30 seats at the National Assembly.
CS: Rumor has it that the party is fraught with internal disputes …
KK: Our party is a democratic party. Therefore, there are times when people do not speak the same language. But this does not mean that there are internal disputes. Furthermore, each responsible member is trying to develop his or her own popularity. And, contrary to what was said, Keo Remy, the Phnom Penh MP, had assured the party of his trustfulness [the possibility of his return to the Funcinpec was speculated in the last few weeks].
Interviewed by Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir
Monday, 28 November 2005
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