Pissed Off: Stop having closed-door meeting with the CPP...

Do I look more pleased than he does?

School of Vice: I believe the senior leaders of the CNRP will benefit more from adhering to a  collective decision making approach. It is well noted by all observers of Cambodia that 'personalities' tend to cast an unhealthy shadow over state affairs and national decision making throughout modern history. We have well-known former colleagues of Pol Pot today who claim not to have much sway in day to day decision-making during those years of frenzied killings and madness, from Ieng Sary [deceased], Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Keat Chuon [Finance Minister in today's CPP government] and even 'Duch' [director of the notorious S21 incarceration centre]. It is the kind of Asian 'clubability' that otherwise can be embraced as part and parcel of the prevailing 'Asian culture'; and beside Cambodia other countries in the region such as Malaysia and Indonesia have also made this culture part of their pretext by which to consolidate and entrench their political exclusiveness and nepotism. "We like to run things cooperatively like a family runs its affairs; without opposition or divisions", said one Indonesian politician, which in this part of the world often means running public affairs without political opposition or pluralism, wider public consensus or consultation with other non-governmental bodies and interested stake-holders, except those deemed 'safe' within this narrow exclusive family circle or those who are unlikely to rock the boat! To have true democracy, Cambodians must demand, and beware of the need to overcome this culture of 'yes men' and of following my leader without conditions!

Through its grassroots support, activists, rank and file members, the leadership as a group already has a fairly good idea of what is expected of it; thus senior party leaders must of necessity 'defer' to those below them for their views and feelings on important matters, particularly before entering any such critical negotiations with another party. In the end, the senior leaders will make their judgements based upon their convictions and knowledge if necessary, but more crucially the consultation process enables the leadership to build trust and transparency within and across the party ranks down to the grassroots, and at the same time, allows it to enlarge its scope of vision needed in terms of forward planning through collective consensus and shared wisdom.

When we look at this apparatus of people and personalities who form the core organs of the current Hun Sen regime from the executive, judiciary, military, police, and even the wholly paralysed monarchy, in other words, the people and individuals who are willingly allowing themselves to be used as the regime's cannon fodders we can almost forgive ourselves in thinking that Cambodia's tragic history is repeating itself; that at some point in the foreseeable future many of these willing tools and instruments of this equally detestable regime will have claimed their innocence and lack of involvement under it just like Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan, Noun Chea, Keat Chuon et al have already claimed theirs from Pol Pot's apocalyptic legacy before them.

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by Pissed Off

CNRP has made a serious mistake in its strategy by negotiating in a closed-door meeting with Hun Sen. Now it is Hun Sen's words against CNRP when he said that CNRP had not negotiated primarily for the creation of an independent committee. The time is now ripe for Hun Sen to start his division game of which he is the master!

CNRP needs to be reminded that they represent the people and their (people's) interests and not the party or any individual in the party so from now on stop having any closed-door meeting! Let us hear what the negotiation is all about! At least allow the presence of independent NGOs in the meeting so they can independently report to the public who are politically well oriented and informed.

What is the main issue here? Well, it is an election fraud that needs independent investigation! So stick with the demand. Don't beat about the bush; ask the voters what they want to do and just do it! Paralyze the whole country if you need to, there is no other way to deal with Hun Sen, but stand firm with your demand of investigating election fraud and not the position of the president of the NA.

Stop calling on the King to do anything. It is a waste of time! His Majesty has not what it takes to be a King, neither education, experiences, nor courage, wisdom and instinct.

So far the CNRP has made it possible, because of its vague objective and strategy, for a lot of people, including those in the security forces who want to help change the country wonder if they should put their lives and jobs at stake by sticking with it!

Sam Rainsy's answer to Mr. Chun Chan Bot, the moderator of RFA with respect to the negotiations to share power with the government is quite evasive and not making much sense to me!

Stick with the original demand, CNRP! I am watching you for every move you are making. For God's sake don't disappoint your supporters or you will die with no hope of being resurrected.

-Pissed Off