KHMER INTELLIGENCE NEWS
17 September 2008
Internal divisions within the CPP (2)
On September 25, at the first working session of the new National Assembly, the CPP intends to proceed with the simultaneous election of the Assembly President (along with the Vice-Presidents, Committee Chairmen, etc.) and the Prime Minister (along with the Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, etc.) through a single ballot called a "package vote."
At a recent meeting of the CPP Permanent Committee, Nguon Nhel, a Vice-President of the outgoing Assembly, opposed Hun Sen's plan to call for a "package vote" as in 2004 when there was a serious political stalemate. Nguon Nhel said that, after having secured an overwhelming majority at the 2008 legislative election, the CPP does not need to resort to such a "package vote." He was seriously reprimanded by Hun Sen who has to manage internal divisions within the CPP and does not trust many of his colleagues in the ruling party.
The "package vote" is considered undemocratic because when the legislative and executive branches of the government have their respective leaderships elected at the same time, through a same single vote, there is definitely no separation of powers and no system of checks and balances, which is the very essence of a functioning democracy.
International press starts to realize extent of election fraud in Cambodia (2)
On September 12, the Paris-based left-wing daily newspaper "Libération" published an assessment of the July 27, 2008 election in Cambodia, calling the poll "a big mess." The article points to "grotesque" irregularities and official tallies of vote counting whose reading is "breathtaking." Original article in French with English translation and relevant documents also with English translation at http://tinyurl.com/5agfhz
1991 Paris Accords: Most appropriate basis for resolution of conflict with Thailand (2)
In a September 17 letter, the Opposition asks the Government to call on the signatories of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords on Cambodia to fulfill their legal obligations to help find a peaceful resolution to the border conflict with Thailand. See letter in Khmer at http://tinyurl.com/64erzc
One of the Accords, the "Agreement concerning the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia" states, in its Article 5, that:
1: In the event of a violation or threat of violation of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity (…) of Cambodia (…), the parties to this Agreement undertake to consult immediately with a view to adopting all appropriate steps to ensure respect for [their] commitments [towards Cambodia] and resolving any such violations through peaceful means.
2: Such steps may include, inter alia, reference of the matter to the Security Council of the United Nations (…).
3: The parties to this Agreement [including Cambodia] may also call upon the assistance of the co-Chairmen of the Paris Conference on Cambodia [France and Indonesia].
All Cambodia's neighboring countries and all the world's powers signed the Paris Peace Accords in 1991. So far, bilateral talks with Thailand have produced no results and the UN Security Council has refused to deal with Cambodia's complaint.
Thaksin's business interests in Cambodia are a touchy issue (2)
As reported in the "Bangkok Post" on September 14, former Thai Prime Minister and business tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra may be involved in big businesses in Cambodia, especially in Koh Kong province. Read the article at http://tinyurl.com/5ql7z4
Actually, Thaksin may have a hidden (political) agenda when pouring money into Cambodia (see KI News, 19 August 2008: "Thaksin prepares his comeback with the support of Hun Sen").
On September 8, Opposition MP Son Chhay wrote to the Government asking for information related to a deal that Thaksin reportedly signed in Cambodia with Prime Minister Hun Sen only a few months ago. See letter in Khmer at http://tinyurl.com/5bdgnt
According to the Constitution (Article 96), the Government must provide explanations to any question from any Member of Parliament within seven days after receiving the question. Son Chhay has received no answer whatsoever as of today, nine days after the Government has received his question.
19 August 2008
Thaksin prepares his comeback with the support of Hun Sen (2)
Former Thai Prime Minister and business tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra has recently signed an official deal with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to allegedly develop Cambodia's south-western maritime province of Koh Kong.
In fact, Thaksin wants to secure very convenient Cambodian-based facilities to prepare his political comeback in Thailand. Hun Sen is well aware of Thaksin's hidden agenda but the pair have many things in common.The current tension between Cambodia and Thailand about Preah Vihear temple is in part due to false assurances given by Thaksin to Hun Sen in the past about border delineation. A possible additional reason for the tension is pressure exerted by Vietnam on Hun Sen to prove his loyalty toward Hanoi. From this perspective the current tension is reminiscent of the anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh in January 2003 which were organized by the most pro-Vietnamese elements within the Cambodian government.
[End]
2 comments:
Khmerization;
It is not something new about "Internal division" within CPP. Every one knew well about PM, Chea Sim and Heng Samrin's faction.
The package vote was surfaced in 2004 after long stalemate after the election, and was a break through deal by Sam Rainsy - proposed to amend article of the constitution "50 + 1 instead of 2/3 majority" and then CPP suggested that package vote would be submitted on the same day at the 1st session of the parliament.
The reason of package vote is to block any objection by either side on nominated candidates from either side [CPP, Funcipec & SRP] who either to take up post as the head of Parliament, senator and parliament watch-dog [2 post hold by SRP - Foreign affairs under Son Chhay, and defense by Yim Sovann?].
-----------------------------------
Thailnad is really testing the nerve of Cambodia and want to know what Cambodia wants to do about it.
UN security council did not deny Cambodia's request to resolve the conflict, however, suggested that both side shall have a bilateral talk under the ASEAN backdrop and Cambodia temporary postpone with the complaint process but by all means is still valid should Cambodia is to process further with complaint.
This [incursion into Cambodia sovereignty] may engineer by the Thai army general rather the Thai PM, who took the opportunity of domestic unrest [can't afford another coup to overthrow the government as US keep a close eye on Thailand since the coup overthrew Thaksin] and let PAD dealt with the PM whilst order the troops to enter here and there and to force Cambodia to go back to negotiation table ASAP - not much to do with land but economy benefits from tourism and oil and gas exploration which shall be start tapping early next year [disputed water boundary] which Thailand is claimed to be the loser if disputed lands surround the Preah Vihear is still at large.
Cambodia still has option - Go international stage.
-----------------------------------
will come back for more comment
Mediawatch,
Thanks so much for your comments. I am so busy, I don't have time to reply to all your comments. They are all wonderful and rational comments. Some I agreed and some I have some reservations, but they are very good and rational. Thank you.
Post a Comment