Cambodian opposition leader appeals for talks with Hun Sen

Cambodia opposition leader Sam Rainsy appealed Saturday to Prime Minister Hun Sen, who heads the ruling party, to agree to talks in order to find a way out of the country's current political crisis.

At a press conference, Sam Rainsy, leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, said his party wants to have an "open talk" with the Cambodian People's Party next week.

He said that, starting from Wednesday, the first day of the New Year, the CNRP requests an open meeting among political parties and major civil organizations with the participation of the public in order for them to listen to the talks.

In an immediate response to Sam Rainsy's appeal, Sar Kheng, deputy prime minister and minister of interior, said the CPP's door is always open for negotiations with the CNRP but he did not give any specific date for such a meeting as Hun Sen just returned home Saturday from a three-day official visit to Vietnam.

Also Saturday, Sam Rainsy made a surprise and rare statement by extending his warm wishes to Hun Sen and his family for happiness and success in work for the betterment of Cambodia and people in the New Year.

However, both Sam Rainsy and his deputy Kem Sokha said that opposition protests will go on unless a proper solution to the current political crisis is found.

Whatever happens next, both said they hope the CPP's leaders, especially Hun Sen, will have a fresh motivation upon his return from Vietnam to settle the differences between the CPP and the CNRP.

Since Dec. 15, the CNRP has staged mass protests and marched around the capital daily.

The CNRP's protesters are calling for a credible probe into alleged electoral fraud by the CPP during last July's general election, and for the holding of a new election. They also demand the resignation of Hun Sen, who has been in power for almost three decades.

The official results of the July 28 general election showed that the CPP won 68 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly and the CNRP 55 seats.

Refusing to recognize those results, the elected opposition parliamentarians have since boycotted all sessions of the assembly.

==Kyodo