Government First Meeting

 From the media:

Reform was the watchword of the day as newly reappointed Prime Minister Hun Sen delivered an expansive and record-breaking speech to the newly formed Council of Ministers that lasted nearly six and a half hours.

Among other things, Hun Sen touched upon reforms to the civil service, the judiciary, infrastructure and utilities – reforms that analysts and the opposition deemed unlikely – while at the same time defending his Cambodian People’s Party’s election victory and threatening to release damning recordings of opposition president Sam Rainsy should he continue calling for protests.

“Reforms are the top priority for Cambodia, and the country will continue deepening reforms in all fields in order to increase competition, to sustain economic growth and to reduce poverty,” the premier, speaking at the Peace Palace, said. “Deep reforms will be focused on legal and judicial reforms, anti-corruption, good governance and land and forest management.”

He even went so far as to call on government officials to hold a public forum between civil servants, citizens, the private sector and NGOs in the interest of giving “people the right to point their fingers at ministers or officials” who abuse their positions.

“There will be no tolerance for any misbehaving ministers in this term,” he said.

Defending the decision to convene parliament without the participation of the Cambodia National Rescue Party – and also deflecting what he characterised as the criticisms of foreign governments –

Hun Sen maintained that the new government’s legitimacy had been secured by the King, and needed no other approval.

“For us, recognising or not recognising the legitimacy of the government [doesn’t matter]. Not the secretary-general of the United Nations, nor any foreign country, nor the diplomats in Phnom Penh, nor any other president of any country called for the first session of the National Assembly, but only the King [did],” he said. “We are [legitimately] sitting here because of the King.”

Political analyst Kem Ley, however, was sceptical that any meaningful reforms would come to pass, even though those contained in the premier’s speech were worthy.

“I thought that it was a good speech, and I can say [it was] a smart speech, but this reform, I think it will not change anything at all,” he said, adding that he had seen as much in the latest draft of the government’s long-term strategic plan. “I saw and I read the guidelines for the National Strategic Development Plan for 2014 to 2018. It hasn’t changed; nothing has changed from the last four or five [plans].

“I’ve listened to him for 20 years,” Ley added. “I hear the same song sung around the election every year.”

Even with all the lofty talk of reform, the premier found time to sling some political mud at his long-time political adversary, CNRP president Rainsy.

“If he continues to protest, we will post something on Facebook in order to ensure that [people know] what he had said inside the meeting and what he said outside the meeting [are different],” Hun Sen said, referring to closed-door negotiations that took place between the parties last week.

“[Sam Rainsy] said that his party would make a lot of concessions, and stop demanding the formation of the independent investigation committee,” he continued, describing the purported content of the recordings. “Secondly, he said they recognised that the CPP won 68 [seats] and CNRP won 55. He reviewed it many times, and it means that he recognised the official result of the election. Third, he said that his party supported Samdech Hun Sen as premier.”

Hun Sen has threatened to release such leaks in the past, telling Sam Rainsy Party members in November 2011 to “please come pick up” secret recordings of intra-party strife in his offices.

He also obliquely threatened to release documents showing secret conversations between himself and Rainsy, admonishing him “not to forget what you talked with me [about]”.

Responding to the allegations yesterday, Rainsy declined to elaborate on what he had said in last week’s negotiations, but said he would support releasing recordings of the talks in their entirety.

“We will welcome the release of the full extent of the negotiations,” he said. “If one isolated piece is exposed out of context it is misleading.”

Rainsy attributed the rest of Hun Sen’s speech, particularly its focus on reform, to the sharp rebuke of CPP policies delivered at ballot boxes nearly two months ago.

“I think he is in disarray and shock, because after the setback the CPP suffered … they understand that this is a very serious warning from [voters],” he said.

“So they have to at least announce something in order to remain alive, remain relevant, but I think nobody would believe that,” he continued. “Even if he speaks 24 hours non-stop, no one would believe it.”

The UN Expert

Cambodia must ensure the national Assembly represents all parties: UN Expert.

UN News Centre

25 September 2013 – Following the general elections in Cambodia in July, the Government must now ensure that the National Assembly is truly representative to promote a successful transition to democracy, a United Nations independent expert said today.

“Every country that undergoes a transition to democracy faces a moment when the rules must change. Cambodia is facing such a moment now,” said the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the country, Surya P. Subedi.

On Sunday, the Cambodian National Assembly opened with the presence of only one party. However, Mr. Subedi argued that the Assembly should be represented by the two key parties, as the widely disputed election results indicate that “roughly half of the population voted for one party and half for the other.”

“It is critical for the new National Assembly to be represented by the two key parties, for the National Assembly to be truly representative of the whole of the Cambodian people and for it to be concluded that the right to vote was effectively exercised on 28 July,” he said.

Mr. Subedi urged that dialogue continue at an appropriate decision-making level, with a view to resolving the current impasse without further delay. He also reiterated his call for calm and restraint.

The Special Rapporteur noted the general restraint exercised by the Cambodian authorities in the use of force in the past weeks, but said he was “gravely concerned” by what he described as “indiscriminate and excessive use of force” in several recent incidents, and urged authorities to allow future demonstrations to proceed without undue restrictions.

“I continue to believe that the leaders of Cambodia can still, even at this late stage, make this election a milestone in the journey to making Cambodia a just, equitable, and free society,” Mr. Subedi said. “It is my sincere hope that in the process, the situation will be resolved without further loss of life, and that the will of the people will be reflected in the new governance structure that will lead the country on its path to a true democracy.”

Mr. Subedi today presented his fifth report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, which includes recommendations to the Government. “My reports on judicial, parliamentary and electoral reform can serve as guidelines to parliamentarians from both political parties as the country takes the road towards a fuller liberal democracy underpinned by sustainable peace and equitable economic development,” he added.

Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes.

The New HS Government

 From VOA:

PHNOM PENH & WASHINGTON DC - The ruling Cambodian People’s Party on Tuesday voted in a package measure to select ranking members of the National Assembly, while reaffirming Hun Sen as prime minister. The vote, 68 to 0, took place under a National Assembly session that was boycotted by the opposition’s 55 lawmakers elect.

Hun Sen told reporters after the session that the option remains for the opposition is to join parliament.

“Before negotiating, they must be sworn in first,” Hun Sen said.

“The Royal Palace doors are always open, waiting for those who wish to get sworn in, one or two or all 55 of them, but not 63,” the premier added, referencing the number of opposition seats won in official results, versus the number opposition officials estimate they won. “This needs to be clear. Sixty-three is illegal.”

The Assembly session comes following an election in July that the opposition says was tainted by irregularities and fraud.

Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the Rescue Party, said the opposition now plan further demonstrations against the results of the election, where opposition officials say 1.2 million people were unable to vote.

“We’re preparing for protests in Phnom Penh and the provinces and collecting people’s thumbprints to petition the king to express our dissatisfaction with this illegal act,” he said. “The act that has caused national break-up and disunity.”

The CPP, which lost 22 seats in the Assembly, according to the official results, also appointed eight different ministers, including a replacement for Keat Chhon, the longstanding Minister of Finance, and Cham Prasidh, the former Minister of Commerce.

Former Hun Sen adviser On Pornmoniroth was named Minster of Finance. Sun Chanthol, a former Funcinpec official, was named Minister of Commerce. Cham Prasidh was named Minister of Mines and Energy. Ouk Rabun, a secretary of state for the Ministry of Finance, was named Minister of Agriculture, replacing Chan Sarun. Hang Choun Naron was named Minister of Education. Prak Sokhon was named Minister of Telecommunications.

Three women were given appointments in the new cabinet: Minister of  Women’s Affairs Ing Kanhaphavy; Minister of Parliamentary Relations Men Sam An; and Minister of Fine Arts Phoeung Sakuna.

A number of CPP officials retained their posts, including Cabinet Minister Sok An; Interior Minister Sar Kheng; Foreign Minister Hor Namhong; and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith.

Kem Ley, a social development researcher in Phnom Penh, said Tuesday’s appointments signaled an administration that was top-heavy with senior positions that ensured a CPP-dominated government. The administration has too many secretaries of state and not enough heads of departments or directors general in each ministry, he said.

But it remains unclear whether the legislative measures have legal weight, due to the opposition boycott of the session.

Analysts say that the opening session of the National Assembly does not meet the constitutional requirements to form a new government.

The ruling and opposition parties failed to find common ground following July’s election, as the opposition held firm to a position that the results were not valid and that a credible investigation be conducted into widespread allegations of irregularities.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who heads the Cambodia National Rescue Party, told VOA Khmer that that international community should not accept the decisions of the new Assembly, “because the [1991] Paris Peace Agreement clearly stipulated that Cambodia should apply democracy, freedom, and pluralism.”

“People voted for change, but we’re only seeing the same people and the same party holding power,” Sam Rainsy said in an interview Monday. “So we have to protest and respond to the will of the people.”

Sam Rainsy called the National Assembly session, which opened Monday under King Norodom Sihamoni, “illegal.”

“The constitution says His Majesty the king is the symbol of unity, [but] where is the unity?” he said. “The CPP, because of the election fraud, says they represent half the number of people in the country, but the [Rescue Party] also represents half the number of people, too. So Cambodia is split in two. And the parliament should represent the entire nation. How can it represent a nation if it’s only CPP? So that means it’s not a parliament of a nation but the parliament of one party.”

Sam Rainsy said the opposition had found instances of vote fraud, and it would not accept the results of the election. “We cannot compromise based on vote cheating, robbing, lying and injustice over people, at all.”

After the NA Opening

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The opposition boycott of the opening session of new parliament on Monday could affect the country's standing in the international community because the legitimacy of the new government could be put into question, according to academics here.

However, a government spokesman said that the new government would be formed in accordance with the constitution.

The country opened the fifth legislature of the National Assembly on Monday despite the boycott by the political opposition that refused to recognize the results of the July 28 election that handed victory to Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party.

King Norodom Sihamoni opened the new parliament session, which was attended by all the 68 elected lawmakers from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) led by long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen.

As earlier announced, all the 55 elected lawmakers from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy did not join the opening session.

The CNRP claimed that the elections were marred by massive fraud and demanded for the formation of an independent poll probe committee, but the CPP rejected the request, saying that the move was against the country's constitution since the election results were already ratified. "Without the participation from the opposition, the legitimacy of the new government would be questioned and its role and image on the international stage could be downgraded,"Chheang Vannarith, senior researcher of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, told Xinhua.

He warned that the Cambodian economy would face huge challenges if there is no domestic political stability and national unity. "In a political situation like this, both existing and potential investors would be reluctant or more cautious in investing in Cambodia,"said Vannarith, who is also a lecturer at the Leeds University in Britain. "If there is no peace and political stability, there is no development."

Professor Sok Touch, deputy chief of the Royal Academy of Cambodia's International Relations Institute, said the opposition boycott of parliament demonstrated the incompetence of Cambodian politicians in resolving political stalemate, adding that this would have an adverse effect on the country's foreign standing.

The United States, Japan, Australia and European Commission have urged the Cambodian government to transparently review the alleged irregularities in the July 28 national elections. "If these countries do not support the new parliament, Cambodia will face an economic crisis because those countries are main importers of Cambodian products, especially garments,"he said. "Moreover, investors and tourists from Western countries may hesitate to come to Cambodia."

Sok Touch said the two parties should continue to work together to reach a political settlement that could unite the country and best serves the Cambodian people.

However, ruling CPP's member Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, defended the legitimacy of the new parliament and government. "According to the constitution, a new government will be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament," he told Xinhua on Monday."And the CPP has enough lawmakers to form a new government despite the opposition boycott." "The country does not have political or constitutional crisis, but it has the opposition boycott of parliament," he said."Their boycott cannot cause crisis or political instability in Cambodia."

He expressed his belief that investors will still come to Cambodia because they trust the country's political stability and sound economic development under the leadership of the CPP President and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

But Sam Rainsy, CNRP's president, said Monday that the opening session of parliament was a violation of the constitution and was contrary to the principle of multi-party liberal democratic regime. "The new parliament is the one-party parliament, it does not represent the whole Cambodian people,"he told reporters.

Following the opening session, King Norodom Sihamoni appointed incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen as the prime minister for the new five-year-term government. "The prime minister of Cambodia has duties to prepare the members of the Cambodian government in order to ask for the adoption of confidence from the National Assembly," the king said in the royal decree of appointment.

In response to the appointment, Hun Sen thanked the king and vowed to put all his efforts to fulfill his duties in order to serve the nation and the people.

The premier said that he would submit the members of the new government to the dean of the parliament on Tuesday.

Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will be sworn in for another five-year term on Tuesday.

The NA with only 68 over 123 members

 From AFP: 

Cambodia's parliament convened despite a boycott by the opposition, as the country is gripped by political crisis following disputed elections that led to mass protests and violence.

King Norodom Sihamoni opened the session -- the first since the July polls won by strongman Hun Sen -- and urged the country to "stand united", as parliament was surrounded by heavy security.
No opposition MPs were present at the meeting after vowing a boycott over their demands for an independent investigation into the election.
According to official results of the July poll, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 68 seats against 55 for the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) but the opposition has rejected the tally, alleging widespread vote irregularities.
Dissatisfaction with the election saw three days of demonstrations earlier this month, which descended into violence when a protester was shot dead as security forces clashed with a stone-throwing crowd.
Security has been stepped up around official buildings in recent days, with anti-riot police and road blocks near parliament in the capital Phnom Penh.
Hun Sen, who suffered his worst poll result in 15 years, agreed to find a peaceful solution to the dispute in talks with rival Sam Rainsy but he has rejected opposition CNRP calls for an independent probe.
The Cambodian strongman is likely to be sworn in for another five-year term on Tuesday.
The opposition, which held a ceremony on Saturday for its MPs to swear not to attend Monday's parliament meeting, said it had not changed its demands.
CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann told AFP that the legislature was "undemocratic" to have opened with only ruling party members.
Cambodia's king urged lawmakers to work towards social justice and good governance in his speech to parliament.
"The Cambodian nation must stand united and show the highest national solidarity on the basis of the implementation of the principles of democracy and rule of law," he said.
The political crisis saw a new twist on Friday when a pro-opposition Cambodian prince -- the king's cousin -- went on hunger strike in protest at Hun Sen's contested win, demanding "justice for voters".
His protest ended after military police expelled him from the pagoda where he was holding the hunger strike.
Hun Sen, 61, a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and oversaw Cambodia's rise from the ashes of war, has already ruled for nearly three decades but has vowed to rule until he is 74.
Garment exports and tourism have brought buoyant economic growth but Cambodia remains one of the world's poorest countries and the government is regularly accused of ignoring human rights and suppressing political dissent.

The Boycott ...

 CNRP elected representatives have written back to the King requesting to postpone the opening of the National Assembly to November 7, 2013 to solve the problems with CPP.

By JUSTINE DRENNAN — Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodian opposition supporters gathered at the royal palace Saturday and delivered a petition to the king calling on him to postpone the opening of parliament until the country's political deadlock is resolved.

Hundreds of riot police guarded the palace, outnumbering supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. The peaceful gathering ended after four representatives were allowed past a barricade to hand palace aides the petition. About 260,000 supporters signed the petition, said Mu Sochua, an opposition leader.

The opposition says it will boycott parliament's opening session Monday unless the government agrees to an independent probe of the July 28 election results. The CNRP says it was cheated out of a victory because of electoral fraud.

......

From Xinhua:

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has tightened security on the eve of the new parliament's opening session scheduled on Monday as the opposition says it will boycott the session unless the ruling party agrees to an independent probe of the disputed July 28 election results.

Security forces have seen stationed along streets in the city with barbed wire barricades being used to block roads surrounding key government's buildings, the Royal Palace, and the National Assembly.

"Thousands of armed forces have been deployed to ensure security and public order because it will be the historical day for Cambodia on Monday--a new parliament and a new government for the fifth legislature will be formed," National Military Police spokesman Kheng Tito told Xinhua on Sunday.

"According to the City Hall, protests are not allowed during these days," he said, adding that military police have routinely conducted patrol and search for weapons and explosives among passengers at nights.

The country held a general election on July 28. The official results showed that the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 out of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy got 55 seats.

The CNRP rejected the results, claiming serious vote fraud and demanding the formation of an independent poll probe committee, but the CPP rejected the request, saying the move was against the country's constitution and the election results were already ratified.

King Norodom Sihamoni last week invited all the 123 elected lawmakers to attend the opening session of the parliament, but Sam Rainsy announced on Friday that the CNRP would not attend the session if no appropriate solution to the alleged poll irregularities was found. He also warned another mass protest.

On Sunday morning, all the CNRP's elected lawmakers took an oath at the Angkor Wat temple in northwestern Siem Reap province, vowing not to join the parliament's opening session on Monday.

The leaders of the two parties had held two rounds of talks earlier this week, aiming at finding a way to break through the political impasse, but failed to reach any major agreement.

Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

Editor: Zhu Ningzhu

Elections: The King's Call ...

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy reiterated on Friday that his party's elected lawmakers would boycott the opening session of new parliament scheduled for next Monday if no appropriate solution was found to the disputed July 28 election results.

"Our party's last stance is that we will not attend the opening session of new parliament on Sept. 23 if there are no more talks with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) in order to resolve the contested election results," Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), said at a press conference at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh. "The opening session of parliament should be postponed," he said.

He also called for the resumption of talks with the CPP in order to find the truth for voters, or there could be another mass protest against the opening of the new parliament.

The official election results showed that the ruling CPP of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 out of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the CNRP of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy got 55 seats.

The CNRP rejected the results, claiming serious vote fraud and demanding the formation of an independent poll probe committee, but the CPP ruled it out, saying it was against the country's constitution and the election results were already ratified.

King Norodom Sihamoni last week invited all the 123 elected lawmakers for the opening session of the new parliament on Sept. 23. On Wednesday, he urged the opposition party's 55 elected lawmakers to attend the session in order to show "unification and national unity."

The ruling CPP announced on Thursday that the party's elected lawmakers were ready to attend the opening session of the new parliament despite opposition warning of a boycott.

"The CPP would like to announce that all the 68 elected lawmakers comply with His Majesty's invitations and are ready to take part in the opening session of the fifth legislature of the National Assembly under the auspices of His Majesty on Sept. 23," the CPP said in a statement.

On Friday morning, Prince Sisowath Thomico, an opposition party 's senior member, went on a hunger strike at the capital's historical Wat Phnom site in order to call for a political solution over the contested election results.

"I will go on a hunger strike until there is a way to find justice for voters," Thomico, former personal secretary and nephew of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, told reporters at the site.

The prince ran as an opposition party's parliamentary candidate for Southwestern Preah Sihanouk province in the July 28 election, but won no seat.

On Thursday, more than 100 pro-opposition monks marched to the Royal Palace and called on the King to delay the opening session of new parliament, saying that political dispute over the election results has not been resolved.

On Sunday, the opposition staged a three-day mass demonstration in the capital and led to two clashes between police and protesters, leaving one protester dead and several injured.

During the clashes, the police had fired tear gas, smoke bombs and water cannons to disperse protesters.

The leaders of the two parties--Prime Minister Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy--had held talks on Monday and Tuesday, aiming at finding a way to break through the political impasse, but reached no any remarkable agreement.

Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

Protest: Day 3: A Monk ...

On Day 3, a monk from Kompong Thom tempted to burn himself, but was prevented by the security. He wanted to send a message to PM Hun Sen.
     Also from 9:00AM CNRP President Sam Rainsy and his team met again to try to find a solution to the deadlock. No formal resolution was issued, each party would like to consult with their leadership first.
    Day 3 of the protest was ending in the afternoon of September 17, 2013.

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy have moved closer to an agreement to break through political stalemate over the contested July 28 election results, spokesmen said.

"We have moved closer to each other on the current political issues and reforms to key national institutions," Yim Sovann, spokesman for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), said in a joint press briefing after a three-hour meeting between the two leaders. "We are narrowing the gap of differences towards a common ground. However, we need more talks. Hopefully, both sides will be able to find a common ground before the opening session of the parliament on Sept. 23," he said.

Prak Sokhonn, minister attached to Prime Minister Hun Sen, said both sides had agreed on most of the issues, but they still need more time to discuss internally in their respective parties.

"Today, there is no joint statement because we have not totally agreed with all issues," he said in the press briefing. "Both sides will meet again when they find any formula to reduce the gap of differences relevant to the issues."

He said the leaders of the two parties have showed more mutual understanding and are committed to seeking a solution for the whole nation.

On Monday, the two political rivals had spent nearly five hours to negotiate on the current political impasse and agreed on three points: no more clashes between police and protestors, creating a mechanism to reform the National Election Committee and more meetings with officials at various levels to resolve national issues.

However, the two leaders did not agree over the opposition's request for an independent committee to look into the contested election results that handed 68 parliamentary seats to the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Hun Sen and 55 seats to the CNRP of Sam Rainsy.

The CNRP did not recognize the outcomes, claiming that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting 60 seats if alleged irregularities during the poll were fairly investigated.

It launched a three-day mass protest on Sunday at the capital' s Freedom Park and Sam Rainsy led thousands of protesters to march through the city.

Two clashes between police and protesters broke out on Sunday during the protest. In the clashes, the police had fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters.

A protester was shot dead and several wounded in one accident, and a police officer was injured on his head by a stone thrown by protesters in another.

Yim Sovann said the party would end its three-day mass protest this Tuesday afternoon.

King Norodom Sihamoni on Saturday invited all the 123 elected lawmakers for the opening session of the new parliament on Sept. 23.

Yim Sovann said the CNRP has not decided yet if the party's lawmakers would attend the opening session of the new parliament without an independent poll probe committee.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

Hun Sen, 61, will extend his power for further five years through the election victory.

Protest: Day 2: CNRP & CPP Meeting ...

 From AFP: 

Cambodia's political rivals held fresh crisis talks Monday as thousands of protesters massed for a second day following violent clashes against a disputed election that left one demonstrator dead and several wounded.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy met for several hours at the National Assembly in search of a way out of the deepening political standoff triggered by July polls marred by allegations of electoral fraud.

In a joint statement released afterwards, they said they had agreed on three points -- to heed the king's call for an end to the violence, to set up a mechanism to bring about election reform in the future and to continue negotiations.

The talks followed violent clashes in the capital Phnom Penh Sunday on the fringes of a mass demonstration that drew an estimated 20,000 opposition supporters demanding an independent probe into the vote.

Security forces fired smoke grenades, tear gas and water cannon at rock-throwing protesters.

The opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) blamed the authorities for the death of a protester who, according to witnesses, was shot in the head.

"The CNRP strongly condemns the cruel violence by police who shot and beat people... causing a youth to die and many injuries and arrests by the authorities," it said in a statement.

Military police spokesman Kheng Tito denied the security forces had fired live ammunition.

"The military police used only batons and shields and police used tear gas. We did not use live rounds," he said late Sunday.

Thousands of opposition protesters joined the second of three planned days of rallies in a park in the capital on Monday to keep up the pressure on Hun Sen.

"Our votes were robbed," said 56-year-old Srin Chea, who travelled from southern Kandal province.

"I am angry. I want justice. I am not afraid of death."

Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and has vowed to rule until he is 74.

His government is regularly accused of ignoring human rights and suppressing political dissent.

Rainsy addressed cheering supporters at the main protest site on Sunday, calling for a recount or new vote.

He said opposition lawmakers would boycott the opening of the parliament on September 23 unless the government addressed the alleged election irregularities.

"Brothers, this is an important mission to rescue the nation," Rainsy told demonstrators, many holding banners reading "my vote, my nation" and "where is my vote?"

The violence came despite a rare meeting on Saturday between Rainsy and Hun Sen, hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni, that was later described by the opposition leader as a "first step" towards ending the crisis.

In a statement released on Monday, Sihamoni offered condolences to the families of the dead and injured.

"I would like to appeal to compatriots -- both demonstrators and the authorities -- to stop all violence such as throwing rocks and using weapons that would inflict injuries and death and cause serious danger to our entire nation," he said.

Protest Day 1: One dead ...

From local media:

 

Cambodia's political rivals were set to hold fresh crisis talks Monday as crowds massed for a second day to protest a disputed election, following violence that left one demonstrator dead and several wounded.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy were due to meet at 9.00am (0200 GMT) at the National Assembly in search of a way out of the political standoff triggered by July polls marred by allegations of electoral fraud.

The talks follow violent clashes in the capital Phnom Penh on Sunday on the fringes of a mass demonstration that drew an estimated 20,000 opposition supporters demanding an independent probe into the vote.

Security forces fired smoke grenades, tear gas and water cannon at rock-throwing protesters.

One demonstrator was killed, according to several witnesses including prominent activist Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.

"I saw with my own eyes he is dead. He was shot in the head," Ou Virak told AFP, adding that while military police had fired "many shots" into the air, the circumstances of the man's death remained unclear.

At least 10 other protesters were injured, Ou Virak said.

"I urge the authorities to ensure that this tragedy is an isolated incident," he said, appealing to both the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) and authorities to calm the situation.

Military police spokesman Kheng Tito denied the security forces had fired live ammunition.

"The military police used only batons and shields and police used tear gas. We did not use live rounds," he said late Sunday.

CNRP official Kuy Bunroeun, one of the rally organisers, blamed the violence on the authorities.

"It was the mistake of the authorities," he said. "The violence stemmed from the blocking of the roads."

He said the opposition would push for an independent probe of the alleged election irregularities at its meeting with Hun Sen.

"Our stance is the same as the people's. We need an investigation to find the truth so that justice is rendered to the people."

But senior ruling party member Cheam Yeap told AFP that the talks would only address the sharing of the leadership of the parliament.

"It's too late to create an independent committee (to investigate the results)," he said.

The opposition was set to hold the second of three planned days of rallies in a park in the capital on Monday to keep up the pressure on Hun Sen.

Ahead of the start of the rolling demo on Sunday, the government set a limit on the number of protesters at 10,000 and said the gathering must finish by around 6pm local time.

But thousands of demonstrators remained into the night, vowing to stay until their demands are met.

"Our votes were robbed," said 56-year-old Srin Chea, who travelled from southern Kandal province. "I am angry. I want justice. I am not afraid of death."

Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and has vowed to rule until he is 74.

A former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and oversaw Cambodia's rise from the ashes of war, his government is regularly accused of ignoring human rights and suppressing political dissent.

Rainsy addressed thousands of cheering supporters at the main protest site on Sunday, calling for a recount or new vote.

He said opposition lawmakers would boycott the opening of the parliament on September 23 unless the government addressed the alleged election irregularities.

"Brothers, this is an important mission to rescue the nation," Rainsy told demonstrators, many holding banners reading "my vote, my nation" and "where is my vote?".

The violence came despite a rare meeting on Saturday between Rainsy and Hun Sen, hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni, that was later described by the opposition leader as a "first step" towards ending the crisis.

According to final election results, Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 68 seats in the July polls against 55 for the opposition.

The CNRP has rejected the tally, alleging widespread vote rigging, but so far its efforts to challenge the results have failed and it has few formal options left in its bid to overturn Hun Sen's victory.

Royal Intervention

Cambodian King invites ruling, opposition leaders for talks over election dispute

English.news.cn   2013-09-12 21:39:50

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni on Thursday invited Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy for a talk over election dispute on Saturday.

"I would like to invite Samdech Techor Hun Sen, vice-president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and two colleagues to attend a meeting under my presidency in order to resolve national issues with the top leaders of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the Royal Palace," the king wrote in a royal message to Hun Sen.

In a response to the king's invitation, Hun Sen said he would lead two colleagues--Say Chhum, CPP's secretary general, and Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng--to attend the meeting.

The opposition party could not be reached for a response on Thursday.

The National Election Committee (NEC) released the final results of the July 28 election on Sunday, confirming that the CPP of long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen won the victory with 68 seats and the CNRP of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy took the remaining 55 seats.

But the opposition rejected the results, claiming that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP receiving 60 seats if alleged irregularities during the poll were fairly resolved.

It accused the NEC of being loyal to the ruling CPP and demanded an independent poll probe committee that excluded the NEC, but the CPP ruled it out, saying that it was against the kingdom's constitution.

The CNRP set Sept. 15, 16, and 17 for a massive non-violent protest at the capital's Freedom Park against the election results. It would then would boycott the first parliamentary session if the proposed committee was not formed.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power for another five years through the election victory.

CNRP Next: 3 Day Protest

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni will convene the first National Assembly session on Sept. 23 after the official election results were confirmed Sunday that Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party won an absolute majority of vote.
"I will invite all elect-lawmakers in the fifth legislature of the National Assembly for the first session on Sept. 23 at the National Assembly Palace," the King said in a royal message to Im Suosdey, president of the National Election Committee (NEC), on Monday.
Sihamoni has been in Beijing since Aug. 12 for a routine medical checkup and is scheduled to return on Wednesday.
The NEC released the final election results on Sunday, showing that the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen got 68 seats and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long- time opposition leader Sam Rainsy took the remaining 55 seats.
But the opposition rejected the results, claiming that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP receiving 60 seats if alleged irregularities during the poll were fairly resolved.
The CNRP said it would call a massive non-violent protest for three consecutive days starting on Sept.15 at the capital's Freedom Park and it would boycott the first session of the National Assembly if an independent probe committee was not formed to look into alleged poll irregularities.
"There will be a series of demonstrations. They will be larger because we will mobilize people who are not happy with the results of the election," Sam Rainsy told a press conference on Sunday. " The peaceful protests could last for days--both at daytime and nighttime."

CNRP: more protests ... and Where is the King?

Cambodia opposition rejects poll results, warns to call mass protest

English.news.cn   2013-09-08 16:08:26

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Sunday rejected the final election results that handed victory to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"The CNRP has no surprise over the election results released today and the party's stance is still the same - we do not recognize the results since they do not reflect the will of Cambodian people," the party's president, Sam Rainsy said in a press conference at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh.

CNRP's Vice-President Kem Sokha still insisted that an independent poll irregularity investigation committee must be formed, or the party would call a three-day mass protest.

"We will stage a massive non-violent demonstration for three consecutive days on September 15, 16, 17 and then, we will boycott the first session of the National Assembly if our demand is not met," he told the press conference.

He also called on the country's King Norodom Sihamoni to help mediate a top leaders' meeting between the two parties in order to find a peaceful solution to the contested election results.

The King is currently in Beijing for routine medical checkup.

The nation held a general election on July 28. The National Election Committee (NEC) released the final results on Sunday, showing that the CPP got 68 seats and the CNRP took the remaining 55 seats.

However, the opposition claimed that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting 60 seats if alleged poll irregularities were fairly resolved.

Under the kingdom's constitution, a new National Assembly will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election day.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

Hun Sen, 61, who has ruled the country for 28 years, will stretch his power for further five years through the victory.

Security forces and armored vehicles have been deployed around the capital since early last month after the opposition threatened to call mass demonstrations.

Editor: Hou Qiang

NEC Final Results: No Changes

September 8 Phnom Penh time, as planned and the CPP won with 68 to CNRP 55 seats. Will CPP going solo or sharing power? - will see. Look at this article in Wall Street journal published yesterday:

Cambodia Opposition Stages Mass Protest Over Disputed Vote

   

   The Wall Street Journal

ASIA NEWS :September 7, 2013,

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

The protest, one of the Southeast Asian nation's largest opposition rallies in recent years, came amid a standoff between Mr. Hun Sen's party and the Cambodia National Rescue Party over competing claims to victory in the July 28 vote — a political stalemate that could delay the forming of a new government for months.

Political analysts say the demonstration points to rising momentum for the country's emboldened opposition movement, and could mark the CNRP's last push for a United Nations-backed probe to be held into alleged electoral fraud, ahead of officials results due Sunday.

More than 20,000 people — bearing opposition flags and placards — joined the protest at Freedom Park in the heart of Phnom Penh, crying "change, change" and chanting slogans that called for nonviolent dissent against Mr. Hun Sen, who has dismissed the opposition's challenge and pledged to press ahead to form a new government and extend his 28-year reign as prime minister.

"We will continue to demand for justice for the Cambodian people," CNRP leader Sam Rainsy, who was denied candidacy in the July vote, told the crowd. "We will continue to hold demonstrations until there's a solution — an independent commission to investigate election irregularities."

CPP officials have repeatedly discouraged Saturday's protest, warning of potential civil unrest and pressing the CNRP to pursue its claims through bilateral talks. "I call on the people to maintain calm and we will continue negotiations between the two parties," Interior Minister Sar Kheng told The Wall Street Journal during the demonstration.

Police officials said tens of thousands of security personnel were deployed across Phnom Penh to maintain order, though no violence was reported.

According to preliminary tallies by the National Election Committee, Mr. Hun Sen's CPP received 48.8% of the 6.63 million ballots cast, or about 3.24 million votes, compared to the CNRP's 44.5%, or about 2.95 million votes.

The election commission hasn't announced parliamentary-seat allocations, but the CPP claims it has won 68 seats in a 123-member National Assembly, against 55 won by the CNRP. This marked a loss of 22 seats from the 90 that the ruling party won in 2008, a decline political analysts attributed to deepening disenchantment over rural land conflicts, high youth unemployment and widening social inequity.

The CNRP — formed last year by a merger of two opposition parties — meanwhile claims to have won 63 seats, enough for overall victory, compared to the 29 taken by its constituent groups five years ago.

Mr. Rainsy, a 64-year-old former finance minister, has repeatedly called for an internationally backed probe into alleged election irregularities, but the election commission — which has close ties to the CPP — has rejected this demand on grounds that it would contravene constitutional laws. On Thursday, the commission said its own investigations found some irregularities that weren't significant enough to sway the final result.

Either way, the vote — Cambodia's fifth since the United Nations reintroduced competitive elections in 1993 after decades of civil war — would mark the CPP's worst showing since 1998. While opposition protests aren't likely to alter the outcome of the election, political analysts say the strong turnout could compel the CPP, which has governed since 1979 independently and through coalitions, to do more to address socioeconomic concerns.

"The rally serves as a tool for the opposition to bargain and negotiate with the CPP, and will put pressure on the ruling party," said Chea Vannath, a Cambodian sociologist and political analyst.

Mr. Hun Sen, Cambodia's 61-year-old strongman, has said his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government. But some legal experts, including those from legal aid group Cambodian Defenders Project, say the constitution allows the opposition to block the process by declining to take its parliamentary seats.

Mr. Hun Sen last faced a similar situation in 2003 — when his CPP failed to win the required two-third parliamentary majority for forming a government on its own — and broke the political deadlock 11 months later by forging a coalition with the royalist Funcinpec party.

"Political risks have risen in the short term," said Douglas Clayton, chief executive at Leopard Capital, a private-equity firm that invests in frontier markets. But in the long run, "the move towards multiparty democracy reduces Cambodia's 'key man' political risks, and points the way toward better governance and transparency.

"Time is on the opposition's side. Cambodia's voter base gets younger every year, as the population's average age is just 22," Mr. Clayton said. "The CPP has to figure out how to connect with the postwar generation, or start planning their retirement."

Final vote tally shows no change

Sun, 8 September 2013

Chhay Channyda and Abby Seiff

The Phnom Penh Post

A voter casts her ballot in Kandal province on election day. PHA LINA

The National Election Committee this morning issued its final results, confirming a win by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, which took 68 seats in the National Assembly to the opposition’s 55.

Results were announced this morning on state broadcaster TVK. NEC secretary-general Tep Nytha also announced – for the first time – the candidates who won seats in each province. While parties submit ranked lists of candidates in the run up to the vote, post-election adjustments are common.

At least two of the “dynasty candidates” who were ranked too low to win seats have been moved up to take positions.

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s son, Hun Many, was moved into the second of three slots in Kampong Speu. At 31, he will be the youngest of 123 lawmakers to take a seat.

Sar Sokha, the son of Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, was moved into a seat in Prey Veng.

The results came 24-hours after the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party held a long-planned mass demonstration calling for a thorough investigation into election irregularities. The party maintains it won the election with 63 seats, based on its own figures tallied at polling stations.

Both the NEC and the Constitutional Council – the highest adjudicating body – have repeatedly ruled that small irregularities uncovered during and prior to Election Day were not severe enough to have affected the outcome of the vote.

With formal avenues for investigation now closed, the opposition is seeing its opportunities narrowed.

Opposition lawmakers, party leaders and spokespeople could not immediately be reached for comment as a meeting was ongoing. But CPP spokesman and Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith said today’s results meant the end to any talk of changing numbers.

“The door is still open for suggestion but not the final outcome,” he told the Post.