Disruptions within the Norodom Ranariddh Party: the party gives its explanations

Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 2/02/2009: Lu Laysreng, former Minister of Rural Development and current First Deputy President at FUNCINPEC, with NRP president Chhim Siek Leng, toasting after the NRP (Norodom Ranariddh Party) and FUNCINPEC MoU ceremony at the FUNCINPEC headquarters. (Photo: John Vink/ Magnum)

By Duong Sokha Ka-Set.info
02-02-2009
On the occasion of the signature on Monday February 2nd of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the FUNCINPEC and the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) in Phnom Penh, NRP leaders went back over the tensions currently shaking the party's ranks. On Friday January 30th, members of the Khmer National Front party (KNF), which has been incorporated within the NRP, came to demonstrate outside the NRP headquarters and caused damage, as a sign of protest against the firing of one of their members, Mrs Meas Sokun. Other dismissals concerning KNF members came about in the meantime. Here are the explanations given by the NRP and Prince Ranariddh. Reasons for the firing of Mrs Meas Sokun NRP secretary-general You Hokry sees in this situation the result of a “personal conflict within the party”. During a meeting of the Governing Council meant to resolve internal issues, he explains, “some mentioned the case of Mrs. Meas Sokun, whose husband burst into our party headquarters carrying a fire weapon with him, with the intention of threatening a person who was in an open conflict with his wife”. He adds that this misconduct cannot be tolerated, and “this is why the Governing Council asked our member to explain her husband's attitude”. This incident, You Hokry continues, was followed by another: Mrs Meas Sokun, a member of the NRP Steering Committee, allegedly spoke to Prince Ranariddh with disdain. “Even though the Prince has left the party, it continues to bear his name and still displays a portrait of him. We asked Mrs Meas Sokun to write an apology letter for Samdech Krompreah. We gave her some time but never saw any such letter! We gathered she does not support the NRP. In any event, two thirds of Governing Council members decided on her dismissal from the party. The decision was made on January 24th but because of the Chinese new year, we preferred to only make it public on January 30th.” The NRP wants to files several complaints against KFP members After reminding that the Khmer National Front party had been disbanded after the holding of a Congress at the NRP, the NRP secretary-general said: “Looking at the NRP and at the KNF, which one is legal? Our own party is registered at the Ministry of Interior and we have already taken part in several polls and won MP seats in the Assembly!” He then mentioned Suth Dina, official spokesman and deputy secretary-general of the NRP and a former member of the KNF who took the side of Mrs Meas Sokun. You Hokry naively asked himself: “Can a deputy secretary-general throw the secretary-general out?” Suth Dina was sacked from the party. “We are filing a complaint with Justice against those who vandalised the NRP headquarters, with the Ministry of Defence against Mrs Meas Sokun's husband for illegally carrying a weapon, and with the Bar of Cambodia against this woman, who is herself a member of the Bar”, You Hokry announced. Usurpation of power, according to Suth Dina Suth Dina, reminding of his dismissal by the NRP on January 31st – the decision did not “surprise” him – also explained for his part that the Steering Committee of the former Khmer National Front party sent on February 2nd a letter to the Ministry of Interior, to the Royal Palace, to the Constitutional Council and to the government to denounce “the lack of legality in the NRP administration”. According to him, the NRP “usurped power”. “On November 16th 2006, at a Congress, the Khmer National Front party handed its power over to Prince Ranariddh, and not to its vice-president [Chhim Siek Leng] or even its secretary-general [You Hokry]!, he pointed out. Norodom Ranariddh does not want his name to be used any more Since he took up the new position of chair of the Supreme Council of King Sihamoni, Prince Ranariddh launched his [new website http://www.norodomranariddh.org/] and decided to take part in the debate raging on in his name. In a message dated January 31st , posted on his website and addressed “to citizens and members of the NRP”, he demands that his name and portrait stop being used in the field of politics so as to preserve the neutrality of the Royal Palace where he now works. “Recently, incidents have tarnished my honour and my name and much criticism has arisen, accusing me of continuing to interfere in matters of the [Norodom Ranariddh] party. I asked NRP representatives to launch a procedure to remove my portrait and my name, in order to avoid criticism. But party representatives asked me to let them keep them until the elections of new councils in May.” Prince Ranariddh adds that he acceded to their request. Complaining about “unfair attacks which his name and portrait are subjected to”, he reminds at the end of his message that he “continues to serve the Nation, the Religion and the King” of Cambodia, with the new responsibilities he now holds.