Ranariddh Returns; Says He'll Unite Funcinpec
By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh touched down at Siem Reap International Airport at noon Thursday, ending his five-month absence from Cambodia and vowing to a small but loyal crowd that he would unite his embattled party.
Some 100 royalists were on hand to greet the troubled party leader, including lawmakers, senators, Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay, Senior Minister Serei Kosal and a host of royalist officials who were removed from their government posts in recent months by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
"I have one ultimate intention," the prince told reporters in a Speech broadcast on Beehive Radio station.
"Although there was no problem, it is to strengthen the alliance, especially between Prime Minister Hun Sen and I. I want to remind that Funcinpec officials are still partners." he said.
The prince also said he would unite disputing Funcinpec members "so they will love each other," his public affairs adviser Ok Socheal said by telephone. "First we unite, and then we will work," Ok Socheat said.
The prince told supporters that Funcinpec's current political platform will not lead to ejection victory and needs to be changed. Ok Socheat said. The prince did not explain what changes will be required, he added.
Following his 12:10 pm arrival the prince met with Retired King Norodom Sihanouk at his Siem Reap residence, where the father and son spoke from 12:15 pm to 1:30 pm, the retired King said in a statement posted on his Web site.
Norodom Sihanouk said he expressed joy at seeing his son, and that the prince also voiced joy to see his father in good health.
Prince Ranariddh also discussed his father’s two recent movies, "The Commander of the Royal Order of Koh Daung" and "Four Wives Are Not Such Fun," Norodom Sihanouk wrote. He also informed his son of a recent football victory by France over Bosnia.
"I wish for him to regain his understanding, his friendship, with Samdech Hun Sen," Norodom Sihanouk said, adding that he also thanked Nhiek Bun Chhay for his loyalty.
Prince Ranariddh will now visit party supporters in Siem Reap, return to Phnom Penh Saturday, then go to help people suffering from flooding in the provinces, Ok Socheat said.
Acting Sam Rainsy Party Secretary-General Meng Rita said the prince will not be able to bridge the gulf between party members who are aligned with the CPP and those who side with the prince, as it is simply too wide.
"The prince cannot heal the rift," he said.
He also said the prince will likely find he has little in common with the villagers he is hoping to rally in the countryside.
"I have observed that over 30 years, I have never seen him farming," Meng Rita said.
Koul Panha, director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, predicted that the prince will be able to reunite his party, and that his presence will also enable it to garner more votes.
He also said that the prince should be able to resolve his problems with Hun Sen. who has threatened to fire provincial Funcinpec officials if they go to greet him in the capital Saturday.
"Politicians can be flexible," Koul Panha said.
The prince beat a hasty retreat from Cambodia in March after Hun Sen made repeated verbal attacks on Funcinpec officials, accusing them of incompetence, nepotism and extramarital affairs.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said the party expects the prince to now return to his parliamentary position. "The CPP welcomes his return. [Senate President] Samdech Chea Sim and Samdech Hun Sen never abandon the alliance with Funcinpec," he said. "The National Assembly has already prepared his seat in the front row."
Some 100 royalists were on hand to greet the troubled party leader, including lawmakers, senators, Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay, Senior Minister Serei Kosal and a host of royalist officials who were removed from their government posts in recent months by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
"I have one ultimate intention," the prince told reporters in a Speech broadcast on Beehive Radio station.
"Although there was no problem, it is to strengthen the alliance, especially between Prime Minister Hun Sen and I. I want to remind that Funcinpec officials are still partners." he said.
The prince also said he would unite disputing Funcinpec members "so they will love each other," his public affairs adviser Ok Socheal said by telephone. "First we unite, and then we will work," Ok Socheat said.
The prince told supporters that Funcinpec's current political platform will not lead to ejection victory and needs to be changed. Ok Socheat said. The prince did not explain what changes will be required, he added.
Following his 12:10 pm arrival the prince met with Retired King Norodom Sihanouk at his Siem Reap residence, where the father and son spoke from 12:15 pm to 1:30 pm, the retired King said in a statement posted on his Web site.
Norodom Sihanouk said he expressed joy at seeing his son, and that the prince also voiced joy to see his father in good health.
Prince Ranariddh also discussed his father’s two recent movies, "The Commander of the Royal Order of Koh Daung" and "Four Wives Are Not Such Fun," Norodom Sihanouk wrote. He also informed his son of a recent football victory by France over Bosnia.
"I wish for him to regain his understanding, his friendship, with Samdech Hun Sen," Norodom Sihanouk said, adding that he also thanked Nhiek Bun Chhay for his loyalty.
Prince Ranariddh will now visit party supporters in Siem Reap, return to Phnom Penh Saturday, then go to help people suffering from flooding in the provinces, Ok Socheat said.
Acting Sam Rainsy Party Secretary-General Meng Rita said the prince will not be able to bridge the gulf between party members who are aligned with the CPP and those who side with the prince, as it is simply too wide.
"The prince cannot heal the rift," he said.
He also said the prince will likely find he has little in common with the villagers he is hoping to rally in the countryside.
"I have observed that over 30 years, I have never seen him farming," Meng Rita said.
Koul Panha, director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, predicted that the prince will be able to reunite his party, and that his presence will also enable it to garner more votes.
He also said that the prince should be able to resolve his problems with Hun Sen. who has threatened to fire provincial Funcinpec officials if they go to greet him in the capital Saturday.
"Politicians can be flexible," Koul Panha said.
The prince beat a hasty retreat from Cambodia in March after Hun Sen made repeated verbal attacks on Funcinpec officials, accusing them of incompetence, nepotism and extramarital affairs.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said the party expects the prince to now return to his parliamentary position. "The CPP welcomes his return. [Senate President] Samdech Chea Sim and Samdech Hun Sen never abandon the alliance with Funcinpec," he said. "The National Assembly has already prepared his seat in the front row."
2 comments:
Another corruption pighead, let smoke him, and sell him the Phnom Pehn market. The Norodumb lineage is a disgrace for the nation. His family is like stagnant muddy pool.
They stink a mile away. These M.F. old people are just headless to follow the bastard.
Yep,Hun Sen is using Prince of hoods to get reelect soon.
Yep,front seat for firing squad possibly as a national treasury robber.
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