Cambodian king to call 1st parliamentary session on Sept.23

English.news.cn   2013-09-09 20:06:17

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni will convene the first National Assembly session on Sept. 23 after the official election results were confirmed Sunday that Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party won an absolute majority of vote.
"I will invite all elect-lawmakers in the fifth legislature of the National Assembly for the first session on Sept. 23 at the National Assembly Palace," the King said in a royal message to Im Suosdey, president of the National Election Committee (NEC), on Monday.
Sihamoni has been in Beijing since Aug. 12 for a routine medical checkup and is scheduled to return on Wednesday.
The NEC released the final election results on Sunday, showing that the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen got 68 seats and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long- time opposition leader Sam Rainsy took the remaining 55 seats.
But the opposition rejected the results, claiming that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP receiving 60 seats if alleged irregularities during the poll were fairly resolved.
The CNRP said it would call a massive non-violent protest for three consecutive days starting on Sept.15 at the capital's Freedom Park and it would boycott the first session of the National Assembly if an independent probe committee was not formed to look into alleged poll irregularities.
"There will be a series of demonstrations. They will be larger because we will mobilize people who are not happy with the results of the election," Sam Rainsy told a press conference on Sunday. " The peaceful protests could last for days--both at daytime and nighttime."
The ruling CPP has repeatedly ruled out the opposition's request for an independent poll probe committee, saying it is against the country's constitution since the opposition has asked for the exclusion of the NEC from the proposed committee.
"There is no need to discuss the so-called independent poll probe committee since the official election results were released already," CPP's senior legislator Chheang Vun said Sunday.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.
He said that under the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50- percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.
Hun Sen, 61, who has ruled the country for 28 years, will stretch his power for another five years through the victory.
Security forces and armored vehicles have been deployed around the capital since early last month after the opposition has repeatedly threatened to call mass demonstrations.

Editor: Luan

Cambodia's political row deepens as opposition plans larger protest against poll results

English.news.cn   2013-09-08 19:30:13

by Nguon Sovan
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's political dispute deepened on Sunday as the opposition planned a three-day mass protest against the final election results that handed victory to the long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party.
The nation held a general election on July 28. The National Election Committee (NEC) issued the final results on Sunday, showing that the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Hun Sen got 68 seats and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy took the remaining 55 seats.
"The CNRP has no surprise over the election results released today and the party's stance is still the same - we do not recognize the results since they do not reflect the will of Cambodian people," Sam Rainsy said in a press conference at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh on Sunday.
The opposition claimed that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP receiving 60 seats if alleged irregularities during the poll were fairly resolved.
"The CNRP will call a massive non-violent demonstration for three consecutive days on September 15, 16, 17 at the capital's Freedom Park and then, we will boycott the first session of the National Assembly if an independent probe committee is not formed to look into alleged poll irregularities," the party's Vice- President Kem Sokha told the press conference.
He also appealed to the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni to help mediate a top leaders' meeting between the two parties in order to
find a peaceful solution to the contested election results.
The King is currently in Beijing for routine medical checkup.
The ruling CPP has repeatedly ruled out the opposition's request for an independent poll probe committee, saying it is against the country's constitution since the opposition has asked for the exclusion of the NEC from the proposed committee.
Speaking in a press briefing on Sunday, CPP's senior legislator Chheang Vun said: "There is no need to discuss the so-called independent poll probe committee since the official election results were released already."
He said that King Norodom Sihamoni will return to Cambodia next Wednesday and he may convene the opening session of the new National Assembly in the early fourth week of this month -- no later than Sept. 28.
Meanwhile, Chheang Vun said that it would be impossible for his ruling CPP to form a coalition government with the opposition party in the forthcoming new government because it is contrary to the democratic principle.
The CPP issued a statement on Sunday, urging the CNRP to see the interests of the nation and the people as top priority and should do everything based on the country's constitution, laws, and democratic principle.
"The CPP accepts the official election results and vows to protect the results, which were born from the real will of the Cambodian people," the statement said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.
He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.
Hun Sen, 61, who has ruled the country for 28 years, will stretch his power for further five years through the victory.
Security forces and armored vehicles have been deployed around the capital since early last month after the opposition has repeatedly threatened to call mass demonstrations.
On Saturday, at least 20,000 opposition supporters held a four- hour non-violent protest at the capital's Freedom Park to reject the election results.

Editor: Yang Yi

Cambodia opposition rejects poll results, warns to call mass protest

English.news.cn   2013-09-08 16:08:26             PHNOM PENH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Sunday rejected the final election results that handed victory to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen. "The CNRP has no surprise over the election results released today and the party's stance is still the same - we do not recognize the results since they do not reflect the will of Cambodian people," the party's president, Sam Rainsy said in a press conference at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh. CNRP's Vice-President Kem Sokha still insisted that an independent poll irregularity investigation committee must be formed, or the party would call a three-day mass protest. "We will stage a massive non-violent demonstration for three consecutive days on September 15, 16, 17 and then, we will boycott the first session of the National Assembly if our demand is not met," he told the press conference. He also called on the country's King Norodom Sihamoni to help mediate a top leaders' meeting between the two parties in order to find a peaceful solution to the contested election results. The King is currently in Beijing for routine medical checkup. The nation held a general election on July 28. The National Election Committee (NEC) released the final results on Sunday, showing that the CPP got 68 seats and the CNRP took the remaining 55 seats. However, the opposition claimed that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting 60 seats if alleged poll irregularities were fairly resolved. Under the kingdom's constitution, a new National Assembly will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election day. Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government. He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament. Hun Sen, 61, who has ruled the country for 28 years, will stretch his power for further five years through the victory. Security forces and armored vehicles have been deployed around the capital since early last month after the opposition threatened to call mass demonstrations. Editor: Hou Qiang

Cambodian PM's party wins 68 seats against opposition's 55 in polls: official results

English.news.cn   2013-09-08 09:55:58

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party won an absolute majority vote in the July 28 parliamentary election, according to the official results released on Sunday.
The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) got 68 seats and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy took the remaining 55 seats, said the final results issued by the National Election Committee.
Hun Sen, 61, who has ruled the country for 28 years, will extend his power for another five years with the victory.
However, the opposition rejected the results, claiming serious irregularities during the poll. It said the party should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting 60 seats if alleged poll irregularities were fairly resolved.
On Saturday, at least 20,000 opposition supporters held a four- hour nonviolent protest at the capital's Freedom Park to reject the election results.
"We will not recognize the election results if an independent committee is not formed to investigate alleged poll irregularities, " Sam Rainsy told the rally on Saturday. "We are seeking justice for vote owners. No justice, no peace."
He also appealed to the country's King Norodom Sihamoni to help mediate a top leaders' meeting between the two parties in order to find a peaceful solution to the contested election results.
The King is currently in Beijing for routine medical checkup.
Kem Sokha, the CNRP's vice president, warned on Saturday that the party would organize another mass protest to oppose to the election results.
Security forces and armored vehicles have been deployed around the capital since early last month after the opposition threatened to call mass protests.
Under Cambodia's constitution, a new parliament will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election day.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.
He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

Editor: Yang Yi

Cambodian PM to join ASEAN-China Expo in Nanning

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accompanied by a large group of business people, left here Monday for Nanning of southwest China's Guangxi Province to attend the 10th ASEAN-China Expo, which is set to be held from Sept. 3 to 6.
The premier was accompanied by Cham Prasidh, Minister of Commerce, Sok Chenda, President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and other senior officials as well as business executives from 167 companies, Sry Thamarong, minister attached to Prime Minister Hun Sen, told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before departure.
During the expo in Nanning, Hun Sen will hold a bilateral talk with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and meet separately with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Governor of China's Guangxi Chen Wu, and Governor of China's Yunnan Province Li Jiheng, he said.
The expo was initiated by former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during the 7th ASEAN-China Summit and was firstly held in 2004. It is usually held in Nanning City.
"Since its inception in 2004, the relations and cooperation in economics and trade between Cambodia and China have rapidly developed," said Sry Thamarong.
"We have attracted a lot of investments from Chinese private sector in infrastructure, energy, information technologies and telecommunication, banking and finance, agriculture and tourism."
China is the top investor in Cambodia. According to figures from the Council for Development of Cambodia, from 1994 to 2012, total Chinese investment in Cambodia has reached 9.17 billion U.S. dollars.
On bilateral trade, China is also one of the leading trading partners of Cambodia. Last year, the bilateral trade volume accounted for 2.9 billion U.S. dollars and it was expected to reach 5 billion U.S. dollars by 2017, he said.
Hun Sen will return to Cambodia on Tuesday afternoon.
The annual event of the ASEAN-China Expo is a very important platform to further promote trading in goods and services, investment cooperation, culture and tourism, particularly contributing to strengthening and developing the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership.
During the expo, there will be an ASEAN-China Business and Investment Summit, which is a key platform for leaders of China and ASEAN to exchange opinions and enhance cooperation.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Key Words :   ASEAN-China

Planned protest will be conducted in "form of prayer": Cambodia opposition

English.news.cn   2013-09-02 14:17:47

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Monday that a mass protest, planned on Sept. 7 against the election results, would be held throughout the country in the form of prayer for peace.
"The spirit of our demonstration has changed. The demonstration will be conducted in the spirit of a national prayer -- prayer for peace, but peace in justice," Sam Rainsy, President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), said in a press conference at the party's headquarters.
Rainsy announced last Thursday that the party would hold a nonviolent demonstration on Sept. 7 in order to reject the results of the July 28 election in which Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party won a majority of vote.
"We decided to change our protest spirit from a nonviolent demonstration to a nationwide protest in the form of prayer in order to follow the recommendations from the King (Norodom Sihamoni), who wishes not to see any violence," he said.
Rainsy said the main location for the protest on Sept. 7 is the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh and the event will be started from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. local time with a Buddhist ceremony.
"We will not do anything that can lead to social unrest," he said, appealing to all participants not to bring along with explosives, knives, axes, clubs, or stones, but candles, incense sticks and flowers.
"I think that it will be a big revolution because Cambodia has always had the culture of violence so that it will be a model for the people to follow the culture of nonviolent demonstration," he said.
Some 2,000 anti-riot police got a special training session on Sunday at the capital's Diamond Island Center in preparation for dealing with any disobedient protests.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng said that in order to facilitate security affairs and to ensure public order, nonviolent protests would be allowed only at "Freedom Parks" in cities and provinces.
"All authorities and competent armed forces must carefully implement their respective duties with high responsibility and adherence to the laws in order to maintain security, safety, and public order during any peaceful demonstration," he said in a public announcement on Sunday, advising those armed forces to " exercise their utmost restraints in order to avoid at all cost of potential clashes."
He also urged oil and gas companies and retail stations to properly store those substances and should cooperate with local authorities in order to avoid any possible risks.
The National Election Committee (NEC) has released the initial election results, showing that the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen won the poll with 68 of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the CNRP took the remaining 55 seats.
But the CNRP claimed that it should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting the remaining 60 seats if alleged poll irregularities were fairly resolved.
The CNRP has repeatedly demanded the CPP to jointly establish an independent committee to look into alleged vote irregularities during the election, but the CPP ruled out the request since it was contrary to the constitution.
Currently, the Constitutional Council, which is the country's final arbiter, has been resolving complaints filed by the opposition party against the election results, but the opposition accused the Constitutional Council of being loyal to the CPP.
The official election results will be officially released on September 8.
Under the country's constitution, a new parliament will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that a new parliament and a new government would be established as scheduled despite the opposition's boycott.
According to the constitution, he said, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.
Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will rule the country for another five years through the election victory.

Editor: Yang Yi

Cambodia opposition chief: Planned protest not to topple gov't

(Xinhua)    13:17, August 29, 2013

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PHNOM PENH, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Thursday that a mass protest, planned on Sept. 7, has no intention to overthrow the current government of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen, but to demand for the poll irregularity probe committee.

"The massive nonviolent protest is not aiming to topple the government at all, but to demand for the establishment of an independent committee to look into alleged poll irregularities," Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), said in a press conference at the party's headquarters.

He said it was unclear if the party would hold a mass protest only in Phnom Penh City, or throughout the country.

Rainsy called for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to resume negotiations towards the establishment of a special committee for poll irregularity investigation.

"If talks between the two parties towards the formation of an independent poll probe committee have been resumed, we will cancel our protest plan," he said.

In a letter to Sam Rainsy on Thursday, Pa Socheatvong, governor of Phnom Penh City, said that any protest must comply with the Law on Peaceful Demonstrations and the principle in maintaining public order as stated by laws.

"The Phnom Penh Municipality hopes that Mr. President of the CNRP will have high spirit and real will to cooperate with authorities to maintain social stability and peace, which are the genuine aspirations of the Cambodian people," he said in a letter.

The country held a general election on July 28. Initial election results showed that the ruling CPP of Prime Minister Hun Sen won the election with 68 of the 123 parliamentary seats, while the CNRP of Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats.

But the CNRP rejected the results, saying that it should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting the remaining 60 seats if alleged poll irregularities were fairly resolved.

Tep Nytha, secretary general of the National Election Committee, said there was no need to discuss the formation of any independent committee since the initial election results had been already released and the final results would be issued on Sept. 8.

The opposition party has repeatedly threatened to call mass protests against the poll results.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng wrote a letter to Sam Rainsy on Aug. 8, saying that peaceful demonstrations are the rights of people, but protesters and their leaders must comply with the regulations of the Law on Peaceful Demonstrations.

"In case that a protest has led to violence, destruction to national security, and damage to public or private properties, the protest leaders and offenders must take full responsibilities in front of the law for consequences arising from the protest," he warned.

Soldiers, police and military police with armored vehicles have been deployed around Phnom Penh City since early this month after the opposition's protest warning.

Under the country's constitution, a new parliament will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Aug. 2 that a new parliament and a new government would be established as scheduled despite the opposition's boycott.

According to the constitution, he said, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power for further five years through the election victory.

（Editor：LiangJun、Yao Chun）