Tuesday, 5 August 2008

Cambodian opposition warned not to boycott NA

www.chinaview.cn
2008-08-05

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A government official warned if newly elected Cambodian opposition parliamentarians boycott the National Assembly's official swearing-in ceremony, their seats will be divided among other parties, local newspaper the Cambodia Daily reported Tuesday.

Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith was quoted as saying on Monday that if the opposition parties follow through with their threat, 15 of their 31 projected seats will be given to the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the 16 remaining seats will be given to the Funcinpec Party, which currently only have two seats.

Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) President Sam Rainsy said last week that his party, along with the Human Rights Party (HRP) and the Norodom Ranariddh (NRP), will boycott the first session of the National Assembly unless alleged election irregularities are addressed.

On Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen publicly admonished Sam Rainsy at Phnom Penh International Airport, warning that if the opposition fails to have its lawmakers sworn in, they will lose their seats.

Sam Rainsy told the newspaper Monday that he was not concerned by either the prime minister or the information minister's threats and that the boycott will continue as planned.  

Editor: An

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