“Immiscible Oil and Water” policy should end - នយោបាយ «ទឹកនិងប្រេង» គួរ​តែ​ត្រូវ​លុប​បំបាត់!

(Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

15 October 2011
By Pen Bona
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Oss Srok

Face to face meeting between Hun Xen and Mu Sochua at the National Assembly on Friday was a rare scene that should be encouraged because, at least, such meetings can reduce tension among these politicians and they also lessen grudges held among themselves

Since 1993, Cambodia has moved to an important chapter in her history: the change from a single-party rule to plural democracy. However, the change is only in the appearance rather than being really meaningful. When it boils down to politics, there seems to be no change at all or very few change if any, i.e. the view of “immiscible oil and water” has affected both the opposition and the ruling parties.

In a democracy, it is not surprising to see the opposition and the ruling parties following opposite directions, and that clashes may result from the differences. Without this, it would no longer be called plural democracy anymore. Under this condition, the political struggle between the opposition and the ruling party should not be surprising at all.

However, what is strange is the fact that politicians in Cambodia are fighting each other nonstop, on any occasion and there is no hope that they would be able to mix up with one another, i.e. they are following the physical law of “oil and water” being immiscible. Among advanced democracies in the world, there are times when the government and the opposition would set aside their political differences to discuss about the interests of the nation and the people which are much more important than politicking. For example, during the current severe flood which threatens Thailand, PM Yingluck Shinawatra and former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva – who lost the election to Yingluck in a bitter political fight – decided to sit together at the same table to find a resolution for their country.

Surayud calls for peace talks [in Thailand]

Wants new govt, CNS to resolve differences

Monday January 21, 2008
ANUCHA CHAROENPO
Bangkok Post

Nakhon Ratchasima - Outgoing Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has proposed talks between the new People Power party-led government, the Council for National Security (CNS) and anti-Thaksin groups in a bid to end the political conflict.

Speaking one day after the official announcement that six political parties would form a coalition government, the prime minister yesterday called on all sides to agree to talks as soon as possible.

But Gen Surayud, whose tenure ends when parliament picks his successor from elected members of the House of Representatives, ruled himself out as a peace broker. ''I still have immediate problems to solve,'' he said.

His call reflects concern that the PPP, backed by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, will seek vengeance on the CNS, the coup makers who seized power from the former telecom tycoon. He was also concerned about possible demonstrations by opponents of Mr Thaksin.

The first step toward selecting a new prime minister comes today, when the new parliament convenes.

Its first task will be to select the House speaker and deputies, which will probably be done tomorrow. The House will choose the prime minister on Friday.

Gen Surayud cited the end of the long-running conflict in neighbouring Cambodia as a clear example to follow, emphasising that the problems were finally settled through peaceful talks and negotiations.

He stoutly defended his interim government, saying it had done its utmost effort to mend fences and heal the rifts in the country. This included talks with Mr Thaksin, who is in self-imposed exile and spends most of his time in London.

Its efforts went nowhere due to a lack of will to compromise, he said.

''It's time for all concerned parties to sit down together, although reaching a solution will take time,'' Gen Surayud told reporters at his controversial 20-rai retreat on Khao Yai Thieng mountain in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima.

He is being investigated by both the Forestry and Land departments to see whether he acquired the land legally. The National Legislative Assembly's ethics committee is also looking into whether it was morally wrong for him to acquire and possess the land.

''Bringing the reporters here [to Khao Yai Thieng] has nothing to do with the ongoing investigations. I'm just fulfilling a promise that I had made to them,'' he said.

The former army chief is due to step down from the premiership when the new cabinet and prime minister are sworn in. He reiterated his intention not to enter politics afterwards, saying he wanted to spend time with his family and enjoy his favourite activities, such as trekking and camping.

His wife, Thanpuying Chitravadee, said she was looking forward to the day.

''We hope that we will have a family gathering on Sundays again,'' she said.

The prime minister said he had done his best and had assisted the investigations into alleged corruption by the Thaksin government since he was picked by the coup makers to lead the interim administration in October 2006.

He called on the public to be patient and wait for the outcome of the investigations by the Assets Scrutiny Committee. He said the people should accept the People Power party's election victory, and whoever is nominated as the new prime minister.

Gen Surayud said he will talk with his successor about the problems which need to be urgently solved.

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej has announced he is ready to be prime minister, but the decision will be made in parliament. Under the constitution, MPs have a free vote when selecting the prime minister, with no need to follow the party line.

Gen Surayud also called for an end to attempts to link Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda with politics.