16 April 2008By Phan Sophat Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Prince Ranariddh said that his return home is currently facing obstacles because of the conditions set by Prime minister Hun Sen are not acceptable to the prince.
During a phone call from his exile in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the prince told RFA that accepting any of the conditions imposed on him would be a political suicide not only for himself, but also for the NRP, his party, as well.
Prince Ranariddh said: “They have set 3 conditions: (1) I must write an apology letter to those who gave me hardship, just like what Mr. Sam Rainsy did. I cannot do this because I did not commit any mistake to the nation or to the country at all. (2) They said that, I, Norodom Ranariddh should stop being involved in politics. If I stop getting involved in politics today, tomorrow I can return back home right away. I am telling you: Norodom Ranariddh cannot stop being involved in politics. I cannot accept this second condition, Sir. And for the third condition, they said that I must lead the Funcinpec party again, I am telling you: I cannot return back home.”
In reaction of the prince’s announcement, Khieu Kanharith, government spokesman and CPP spokesman, said that the prince’s claims are merely his political game to hide his own offences only.
Khieu Kanharith said: “Samdach Hun Sen never interfere in Prince Ranariddh’s problems. We already know that, regarding letters, it was in fact the prince who wrote letter(s) to Samdach Hun Sen to nominate his people to negotiate his case. Samdach Hun Sen even showed these letters to reporters also. The prince legal case is a criminal case. But, we know that, if Funcinpec, the plaintiff, pulls out its complaint, then arrangements could be made, however, when the prince saw that, he thought that Samdach Hun Sen was setting conditions. The prince and Samdach Hun Sen are not in any quarrel with each other. Furthermore, Samdach PM only wants to help coordinate, but when it comes to conditions, there were none.”
Prince Ranariddh has been living in exile for the past several months, following the sentence handed down to him by the Phnom Penh municipal court in regards to the sale of the party property lawsuit brought up by Nhiek Bun Chhay, the prince former colleague who is now the party secretary-general.
Regarding this lawsuit, Prince Ranariddh accused Hun Sen of being behind the attempt to kill his political career, but Hun Sen kept on insisting that this problem is the prince’s personal issue.
Prince Ranariddh said also that his absence from the country, especially, during the upcoming general election, will not allow this election to be held freely and fairly.
Nevertheless, government officials and national and international observers said that, even with the absence of the prince, the NRP can still pursue its activities in the upcoming election.
During a phone call from his exile in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the prince told RFA that accepting any of the conditions imposed on him would be a political suicide not only for himself, but also for the NRP, his party, as well.
Prince Ranariddh said: “They have set 3 conditions: (1) I must write an apology letter to those who gave me hardship, just like what Mr. Sam Rainsy did. I cannot do this because I did not commit any mistake to the nation or to the country at all. (2) They said that, I, Norodom Ranariddh should stop being involved in politics. If I stop getting involved in politics today, tomorrow I can return back home right away. I am telling you: Norodom Ranariddh cannot stop being involved in politics. I cannot accept this second condition, Sir. And for the third condition, they said that I must lead the Funcinpec party again, I am telling you: I cannot return back home.”
In reaction of the prince’s announcement, Khieu Kanharith, government spokesman and CPP spokesman, said that the prince’s claims are merely his political game to hide his own offences only.
Khieu Kanharith said: “Samdach Hun Sen never interfere in Prince Ranariddh’s problems. We already know that, regarding letters, it was in fact the prince who wrote letter(s) to Samdach Hun Sen to nominate his people to negotiate his case. Samdach Hun Sen even showed these letters to reporters also. The prince legal case is a criminal case. But, we know that, if Funcinpec, the plaintiff, pulls out its complaint, then arrangements could be made, however, when the prince saw that, he thought that Samdach Hun Sen was setting conditions. The prince and Samdach Hun Sen are not in any quarrel with each other. Furthermore, Samdach PM only wants to help coordinate, but when it comes to conditions, there were none.”
Prince Ranariddh has been living in exile for the past several months, following the sentence handed down to him by the Phnom Penh municipal court in regards to the sale of the party property lawsuit brought up by Nhiek Bun Chhay, the prince former colleague who is now the party secretary-general.
Regarding this lawsuit, Prince Ranariddh accused Hun Sen of being behind the attempt to kill his political career, but Hun Sen kept on insisting that this problem is the prince’s personal issue.
Prince Ranariddh said also that his absence from the country, especially, during the upcoming general election, will not allow this election to be held freely and fairly.
Nevertheless, government officials and national and international observers said that, even with the absence of the prince, the NRP can still pursue its activities in the upcoming election.
