US welcomes return of Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy

Sean McCormack, spokesman of the US Department of State.

Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 10, 2006

Cambodia: Return of Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy

The United States welcomes the return on February 10 of Cambodian opposition leader and parliamentarian Sam Rainsy to Cambodia. Rainsy’s return follows King Norodom Sihamoni’s February 5 pardon, at the government’s request, of his criminal defamation conviction. We are pleased to see Cambodia’s political leaders engaged in constructive political dialogue, and we look forward to the unfettered participation of the opposition in the National Assembly and further cooperation between government and opposition for the benefit of Cambodia and its people.