Hun Sen: "I will surely win the upcoming 2008 election."29 Feb. 2008
By Kesor Ranniya
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer to English by Khmerization
By Kesor Ranniya
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer to English by Khmerization
Prime Minister yesterday told a conference at the Phnom Penh Hotel that he will surely win the upcoming election in July. Mr. Hun Sen said: “I will wait and see because I haven’t gone anywhere yet and I hope that I will win the election…”
The speech was made in response to claims from many foreign diplomats who reminded him to spend the revenue from the natural resources wisely. But Mr. Hun Sen retorted that it is those diplomats who need to be cautious because they will still have to deal with him in the negotiations for oil explorations in the future.
Hun Sen Reminded About the Success of the Khmer People
Prime Minister Hun Sen has reminded people to learn about the history of works that have been successfully completed by his government. He also reminded about past achievements of the Khmer people that foreigners can not achieve and understand about his efforts, including his achievements during the UNTAC period.
The Prime Minister said: “Cambodia has the capacity since during the civil war. UNTAC has spent $2 billion dollars and left, leaving Cambodia with two separate administrative zones. Khieu Samphan and Son Sen went to negotiate with us in Pyongyang in 1995, 1994 and set the minimum conditions in lieu of the constitution. Please be informed! At that time, even His Majesty, especially the Cambodian patriarchs from various denominations such as Samdech Tep Vong, Samdech Bou Kry, Samdech Non Ngeth, Samdech Um Sum and Samdech Preah Maha Ghossananda proposed a ceasefire but Khieu Samphan and Son Sen rejected the proposal. They refused to stop fighting in 1994 and they are still bombastic about it.”
The prime minister has further revealed about the weaknesses of the UNTAC operations in the early 1990s. The prime minister said: “Even up until 1997 we still signed an alliance with one other party to form a coalition government but the fighting broke out in Phnom Penh because someone who was still forming a coalition government with us in Phnom Penh but they also signed an agreement with the jungle rebels to form a front. No one understood it. UNTAC cannot do anything. Even Gen. Sanderson, Mr. Akashi cannot enter Pailin. UNTAC cannot enter Pailin and so only got tough with those who respected the agreements. Those who didn’t respect the agreements they didn’t dare to do anything. After spending all the money they left, leaving the Khmers to fight each other. But we Khmers know how to unite.”//
1 comment:
Dear Kherization;
Just purely from a personal point of view - am not a political expert, not belonging to any political party.
Let look at the current political parties in Cambodia.
FUNCIPEC: internal conflict has driven to overthrow of its former leader Rannariddth. Did poorly in 2008 election comparing to 1998 [though then Rannariddth was the leader]. Another poor result for the party during the commune election 2007. Claimed that party will do better without the former leader but cloud of doubts remain - if the party can still hang on to those remain seats in NA.
NRP: Freshly established after the overthrown from party leader of FUNCIPEC. Nowaday, self imposed exile in Malaysia, is waiting and wishing for royal pardon so can return and enter political life again. Had no impact during the commune election 2007. Claimed to have plenty of grassroots level supporters. Doubtful if there will be any impact.
HRP: May be a new party but the founder are not new to people, claimed and aiming for leading in contestant with CPP [saying the recent defection by SR senior members would shake the foundation of SRP and giving his party a chance to win]. Another doubtful candidate to turn table around his way. Prediction: would be very lucky if HRP can secure 3 seats in NA for the first shot.
SRP: Aiming for land slide victory [may be possible if SR play his trump card right subject to his policy during this up coming campaign] But the current internal problems would not help much [too many senior members defected and former party tried hard to get Mrs. Mu, questions remain to be asked if Mrs. Mu and secretary general can really sort out their differences].
Based on 1998, 2003 general election and 2007 commune election, can see that SRP will gain more seats [of course remaining seats of FUNCIPEC in NA will be inevitably splitting amongst CPP and SRP, may be 2/3 basis to either side] but doubtful for land slide victory.
CPP: Need 8 more seats to set up government by themselves without having to ask FUNCIPEC as junior partner.
One concern is taking into consideration also was the low turn out during the commune election, and my personal opinion, will not help SRP or any minority party.
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