Hun Xen warns SRP leader
05 Jan 2010
By Tin Zakarya
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
PM Hun Xen issued a warning to the opposition leader at a time when a Cambodian court summoned opposition leader Sam Rainsy for questioning about the uprooting of border stakes. Hun Xen indicated that this is a light case in comparison to foreign courts where the opposition party can be dissolved.
Hun Xen made this declaration at the inauguration of a section of National Road No. 1, and the inauguration of the construction field for the next section of this road in Kien Svay district, Kandal province on 05 January.
Hun Xen warned: “They hit us, when we used the court to resolve the problem, they said that we use the court to pressure them! Courts in some countries not only do they sentence individuals, but they even go on to dissolve political parties or prevent politicians from voting. [In comparison,] the Cambodian court is not that severe!”
Yim Sovann, spokesman for the opposition party, clarified that foreign courts can dissolve the opposition party, but these courts are independent and they also arrest corrupt government officials and bring them to trial, unlike what is happening in Cambodia.
Yim Sovann said: “Our court, which the national and international opinions consider as a tool of the ruling party, is used only to tame the opposition party. For us, the opposition party led by H.E. Sam Rainsy at its helm, we are doing everything to serve the national interest, in particular, to protect our territorial integrity that was lost due to the planting of border posts. This is a nationalist action, and it is also an action to help provide justice to the victims.”
Regarding the issue of Sam Rainsy participating in the uprooting of stakes along the Cambodian-Viet border in Svay Rieng province in October 2009, Hun Xen also issued warnings to all foreign embassies in Phnom Penh that are interfering in this case.
Hun Xen declared: “Your Excellencies the ambassadors in Phnom Penh, you should weight and be careful in this case because it is not an ordinary case! Where would the value of the state’s righteousness be for one or 2 people, or small group of people to create such problem?”
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy did not show up in the Svay Rieng court to provide clarification as summoned on 29 December. On that same day, the Svay Rieng provincial court issued an arrest warrant against Sam Rainsy, charging him of destruction of public properties and incitation to racial discrimination.
Up to now, two Svay Rieng villagers are still under detention under the same charges as those used against Sam Rainsy. The two villagers were charged on 23 December and they were immediately placed under arrest following their questioning. The court also ordered three other villagers to show up in court as well.
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