WikiLeaks: Internal split within CPP began in 1985-1986

The two factional leaders of the ruling Cambodian People's Party: Party president Chea Sim (L) shares a joke with Hun Sen, the powerful party vice-president.

R 090624Z DEC 94
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9808
INFO USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI

C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 04053
Document File: 94PHNOMPENH4053

E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PGOV EAGR PINS CB
SUBJECT: HUN SEN'S CURRENT VIEWS

¶1. C - ENTIRE TEXT.

¶2. PROMINENT CAMBODIAN-AMERICAN LEADER SICHAN SIV
(PROTECT) HAD A ONE-ON-ONE SESSION DECEMBER 6 WITH
SECOND PRIME MINISTER HUN SEN. THE PRIME MINISTER WAS
RELAXED AND DEMONSTRATED A GOOD GRASP OF DETAIL,
ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCE. HIS PRINCIPAL POINTS WERE AS
FOLLOWS.

¶3. RELEASE OF COUP PLOTTER SIN SEN. THE TWO PRIME
MINISTERS WERE SIMPLY UNABLE TO SAY NO TO THE KING'S
REQUEST. IN ANY CASE, ONLY THE KING HAS THE POWER TO
PARDON OR REDUCE SENTENCES. ONE HOPES THAT SIN SEN WILL
NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THE APPEAL THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN
FILED IS HEARD.

¶4. DEMOCRACY. RESPONDING TO CONCERN THAT MOVES MAY BE
AFOOT TO LIMIT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OR OTHER BASIC
FREEDOMS, THERE WAS AGREEMENT THAT DEMOCRACY MUST BE
ALLOWED TO FLOURISH AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION MAINTAINED.
¶5. STATE OF THE CPP. RUMORS OF A SPLIT BEGAN IN 1985-86. THEY WERE NOT TRUE THEN, NOR ARE THEY TRUE NOW. IT WAS HE, HUN SEN, WHO HELPED DEVELOP OVER THE YEARS AND BRING TO THE FOREFRONT TWO PARTY LEADERS, SAR KHENG AND SAY CHHUM, THIS REGARDLESS OF THEIR MARRIAGES TO CHEA SIM'S SISTERS.

¶6. MILITARY SITUATION. IN GENERAL, IT REMAINS GOOD.
PHNOM KULEN (ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF PREAH VIHEAR
PROVINCE) WAS CAPTURED, SIEM REAP PROVINCE IS UNDER
CONTROL, BATTAMBANG IS NOT SEEING TOO MUCH ACTIVITY,
KOMPONG THOM IS QUIET, AND KAMPOT IS IN HAND. THE
NUMBER OF KR DEFECTORS HAS BECOME QUITE LARGE.

¶7. RICE. THE SHORTFALL IS SERIOUS, ESPECIALLY IN THE
EASTERN PROVINCES. HE IS TRYING TO PERSUADE FARMERS TO
PLANT DRY SEASON RICE TO MAKE UP THE DEFICIT.

¶8. COMMENT. SIV ADMITTED THAT HE COULD NOT TELL HOW
GENUINELY SUPPORTIVE HUN SEN WAS OF BASIC FREEDOMS OR
HOW MUCH HE WAS IN AGREEMENT IN ORDER TO MAKE HIS GUEST
FEEL GOOD. SIV REMINDED HUN SEN THAT CAMBODIANS ABROAD
NEED FAR MORE NEWS THAN THE GLOOM AND DOOM CARRIED IN
THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS AND REQUESTED THAT THE RCG MAKE
AN EFFORT TO GET THE NEWS OUT TO THEM. HUN SEN PROMISED
TO MAKE SURE THAT SIV AND OTHERS ARE INFORMED OF
IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS.

TWINING