Cambodia opposition calls on supporters to join protest against poll results

English.news.cn   2013-09-12 20:08:17

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Thursday appealed to its supporters to take part in a three-day mass protest against the July 28 election results that handed victory to the Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party.
"The CNRP will organize a massive non-violent demonstration on September 15, 16 and 17 at the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh in order to demand the establishment of an independent investigation committee to look into alleged poll irregularities during the July 28 election," the party said in a statement.
"The party would like to invite compatriots, particularly youths, to attend this non-violent protest in order to demand justice for vote owners," it said.
However, the protest plan is not yet allowed by the authority.
Phnom Penh Municipality spokesman Long Dimanche said the City Hall does not have the authority to approve the CNRP's request for a three-day mass protest, during which 5,000 people are scheduled to camp out for three nights and other 20,000 protesters would occupy the park from morning until noon.
"We have already forwarded the CNRP's protest request to the Ministry of Interior for a final decision, but there has been no answer back yet," he said on Thursday.
The National Election Committee (NEC) released the final election results on Sunday, confirming that the Cambodian People' s Party (CPP) of long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen won the victory with 68 seats and the 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.
It accused the NEC of being loyal to the ruling CPP and demanded an independent poll probe committee that excluded the NEC, but the CPP ruled it out, saying that it was against the kingdom' s constitution.
King Norodom Sihamoni wrote in a royal message on Monday that he would convene the first National Assembly session on Sept. 23.
Sam Rainsy has announced that his party would boycott the first parliamentary session if the proposed committee was not formed.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

Editor: Luan

Cambodian King invites ruling, opposition leaders for talks over election dispute

English.news.cn   2013-09-12 21:39:50

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni on Thursday invited Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy for a talk over election dispute on Saturday.
"I would like to invite Samdech Techor Hun Sen, vice-president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and two colleagues to attend a meeting under my presidency in order to resolve national issues with the top leaders of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the Royal Palace," the king wrote in a royal message to Hun Sen.
In a response to the king's invitation, Hun Sen said he would lead two colleagues--Say Chhum, CPP's secretary general, and Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng--to attend the meeting.
The opposition party could not be reached for a response on Thursday.
The National Election Committee (NEC) released the final results of the July 28 election on Sunday, confirming that the CPP of long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen won the victory with 68 seats and the 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.
It accused the NEC of being loyal to the ruling CPP and demanded an independent poll probe committee that excluded the NEC, but the CPP ruled it out, saying that it was against the kingdom's constitution.
The CNRP set Sept. 15, 16, and 17 for a massive non-violent protest at the capital's Freedom Park against the election results. It would then would boycott the first parliamentary session if the proposed committee was not formed.
Prime Minister Hun Sen 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 been in power for 28 years, will extend his power for another five years through the election victory.

Editor: Luan

Cambodia PM, opposition leader greet King Sihamoni at airport

English.news.cn   2013-09-11 18:04:13

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (R) is greeted by Prime Minister Hun Sen (2nd L) and his wife Bun Rany (2nd R) at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 11, 2013. Cambodia's long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeted King Norodom Sihamoni on his return from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Sovannara)  Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (C) is greeted by opposition leader Sam Rainsy (2nd L) at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 11, 2013. Cambodia's long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeted King Norodom Sihamoni on his return from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeted King Norodom Sihamoni on his return from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon, the first time the perennial political rivals had appeared in public together in five years.
But the two political foes have neither shaken hands nor talked to each other during the event at the Phnom Penh International Airport.
Their public appearance together came after the country's political situation has deepened since Sam Rainsy rejected the July 28 election results that handed the victory to Hun Sen's ruling party.
Speaking to reporters after the greetings of the king's return, Sam Rainsy said he "does not interest in meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen."
The National Election Committee released the final election results on Sunday, confirming that Hun Sen's party won 68 seats and Sam Rainsy's party 55 seats.
King Norodom Sihamoni said in a royal message on Monday that he would convene the first National Assembly session on Sept. 23.
But Sam Rainsy has announced that his party would boycott the first parliamentary session if there was no a proper solution to the alleged election irregularities.
He set Sept. 15, 16, and 17 for a massive non-violent protest at the capital's Freedom Park against the election results.
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 been in power for 28 years, will extend his power for another five years through the victory.

Editor: Luan

Cambodian King returns home after routine medical checkup in Beijing

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (R) and his mother, Former Queen Norodom Monineath (L), get off plane at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 11, 2013. Cambodia's long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeted King Norodom Sihamoni on his return from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

English.news.cn   2013-09-11 18:00:48

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, accompanied by his mother, Former Queen Norodom Monineath, returned home on Wednesday after spending a month-long stay in Beijing for a routine medical checkup.
At the Phnom Penh International Airport, the royal family was warmly greeted by President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen, opposition leader Sam Rainsy, and Li Zhigong, political councilor of Chinese Embassy to Cambodia, as well as other officials and royal family members.
During stay in China, besides a medical checkup, the king had met with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and also attended the opening ceremony of the second Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu province on Aug. 17.
Sihamoni usually has his health checked up in Beijing once every six months.

Editor: Lu Hui

U.S. supports Cambodian opposition-led peaceful protests against poll results

English.news.cn   2013-09-09 15:52:40

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States supported Cambodian opposition-planned peaceful protests against the results of the July 28 election that handed victory to the long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party, said a spokesman on Monday.
"The States is a big supporter of the freedom of expression, particularly the freedom to protest, but we support a freedom to protest as long as in a peaceful manner," Sean McIntosh, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, said when answering a question about the Cambodian opposition's plan to stage a 3-day straight massive demonstration against the election results.
However, he appealed to both parties to come to the negotiating table for the best interests of the Cambodian people.
Cambodia's National Election Committee (NEC) released the final election results on Sunday showing the Cambodian People's Party ( CPP) of long-ruling 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 on Sept. 15-17 at the capital's Freedom Park and boycott the first session of the National Assembly if an independent probe committee was not formed to look into alleged poll irregularities.
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William E. Todd said Monday that he supported the opposition's request for a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities during the election.
"I do believe that the irregularities still need to be looked into," he told reporters at the embassy residence.
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 as the opposition asked for the exclusion of the NEC from the proposed committee.
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.

Editor: Luan

Chinese Foreign Ministry provides office supplies to Cambodian counterpart

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong (R) receives supplies from Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 9, 2013. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday donated 50 laptops and 100 cellphones in equivalent to 70,000 U.S. dollars to its Cambodian counterpart to increase task efficiency. (Xinhua/Li Hong)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday donated 50 laptops and 100 cellphones in equivalent to 70, 000 U.S. dollars to its Cambodian counterpart to increase task efficiency.
Speaking while handing over the supplies to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo said the donation came as promised by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his official visit to Cambodia last month.
"We hope that these materials will assist office staff at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work fast and more efficiently," she said.
Hor Namhong said the ministry was very happy to receive these modern office supplies as they would relieve the difficulties of staff in their work.
He highly spoke of excellent friendship relations between Cambodia and China in all fields and vowed to further enhance the ties in the future.
"The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to work closely with the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia in order to further develop our bilateral ties and cooperation for the mutual benefits of the two countries and peoples," he said.

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