Tuesday, 19 August 2008

King to preside over first National Assembly session

Cambodge Soir
19-08-2008

Though the date is not yet set, the opposition questions the relevance of this announcement, as the session will mark the start of the National Assembly’s work before the announcement of the official election results, which are to be announced between August 13 and September 7.

The holidays are coming to an end for Cambodian MPs. “The King will soon preside over the opening of the fourth legislature of the National Assembly” stated a Monday August 18, press release from the general secretariat. But the exact date of this opening session has not yet been set.

Cambodge Soir Hebdo contacted Sonn Chhay, an MP and Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) member who declared that he was not yet aware of the National Assembly release.

The Deputy went on by saying “I wonder how such an announcement planning the first legislature session can be made before the official results are announced? The usual procedure is that the elected parties meet collegially to set the opening date. It is not up to one party to decide.”

The MP refused to talk about his party’s position on SRP MPs participating in this first session as “we focus on dealing with election complaints”.

Sam Rainsy, the SRP leader, announced that in order to protest against the July 27 ballot frauds, the SRP would boycott the first session of the National Assembly. The Human Rights Party declared that it was ready to follow suit.

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