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| Sam Rainsy addresses reporters at a press conference in Phnom Penh today. Photo by PHA LINA |
Kevin Ponniah and Koam Chanrasmey The Phnom Penh Post Wed, 25 September 2013
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy has threatened to call for a nationwide general strike if the ruling party does not make concessions that would induce opposition lawmakers to take their seats in parliament.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Rainsy said the CNRP would not join the National Assembly until “guarantees” are made on a committee to investigate election irregularities and a comprehensive program of reforms.
“If we join now without having anything concrete prior to joining it will be totally useless. Because once we have joined we will be powerless [as] the CPP would control both the government and the national assembly,” he said.
“I think our leverage is strongest now outside the parliament.”
Rainsy also threatened further mass demonstrations and said he would call on the international community and businesses to stop dealing with the “illegitimate government” in order to ramp up pressure on the CPP.
He added that a general strike was one course of action being floated.
“So the whole country for one day we will hold a strike. All factories, all civil servants, all shopkeepers will stop working that day. This is one possible idea,” he said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said that the CNRP had asked for the National Assembly presidency during negotiations between leaders last week.
While Rainsy today maintained his party was “not interested” in leadership positions until the “truth” was found, he did, however, suggest that the CNRP should be in control of the National Assembly in order to provide a check on the ruling party’s executive power.
“In order to take responsibility together, to have a balance, [we] must have divided positions. One is in the legislative, and the other one is the executive, which can resist each other.”
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan could not be reached because he was in a meeting.
4 comments:
stop the threat talking and just do it!
CNRP leaders are wasting time and pissing Khmer people off with their coward thinking and behavior!
bet prodap tov ah yuon jongray!
ah barn si pi ah sen ponmarn ?
ah ronteas banh!
when cnrp understand about the position of khmer king,it is to late,because from his father was alway need hun sen to against his brothers,ranareth and chackrapong,so all the tactics of norodom family just for the throne,not for country.
KONDUOY MER ,អា SOU MI LAY !
KON MI SAMPHEUNG NA KAE ESS ?
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