Monday, 21 January 2008

A Move Toward the Coming Elections: Three Political Parties Express Their Positions for the Competition

20 January 2008.

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 543

“Phnom Penh: Representatives of the Cambodian People’s Party [CPP], of the Sam Rainsy Party [SRP], and of the Norodom Ranariddh Party [NRP] stated their policies in an analysis forum on strengthening the culture of multi-party democracy on 18 January in a move toward the fourth term parliamentary elections. Each party affirmed to respect the Constitution and liberal multi-party democracy, and said that they will accept the results of the 2008 election.

“Mr. Cheam Yeap, the representative of the CPP, said in the discussion of the forum that in the extraordinary congress of the CPP, which was held recently, seriously discussed the work to prepare the fourth term parliamentary elections, so that the competition is conducted on equal terms without violence, in order to hold the elections with dignity, maintaining good reputation, having the elections free, fair, and reliable, and to punish those who commit offenses.

“Concerning the application of the Constitution, Mr. Cheam Yeap said, ‘We always apply it very strictly. However, sometimes we meet difficulties and shortcomings that cannot be avoided.’ He went on to say, ‘We respect the Constitution, apply democracy, and respect human rights.

“Mr. Sam Rainsy, the president of the SRP, said, ‘Previously, concerning the selection of leadership, we used appointments.’ But the SRP has conducted reforms by using elections from the low level up to the higher level, from villages up to the steering committee of the party. He added that he wants to strengthen democracy, to respect each other, and it is necessary to adhere to a culture of non-violence; he wants that all parties consider each other as competitors and not as enemies intending to kill each other.’

“Mr. Sam Rainsy said that the government will change when other parties get a majority of votes, but if the CPP wins, it will continue to hold power. Nevertheless, whether the SRP or other parties win, whoever wins, they will hold power; this is democracy, there is no democratic country in which one party holds power forever.

“Mr. Muth Chantha, the representative of the NRP, said that the NRP respects the equality of partners, it does not use violence or force to put pressure on other parties, and it does not use state resources to buy Khmer citizens’ feelings. He added, ‘To have many parties to participate in elections is not enough to call it democracy.’ He complained, ‘Some parties are just established to split votes away from another party; this is not in accordance with a culture of liberal and multi-party politics.

“Mr. Chhim Phal Vorun, the director of an institute of civic studies, said that this forum has the goal to strengthen multi-party and liberal democracy for the coming elections. He continued that his institute invited representatives of four political parties which participated in 2007 in elections, or those with seats in the National Assembly, but the NRP did not yet participate in the elections at that time. Mr. Monh Saphan, the representative of Funcinpec who participated in the forum, did not agree to make any comment.”

Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6249, 19-20.1.2008

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