Sam Rainsy decides to hold People’s Congress at the CNRP headquarters to avoid confrontation

 

The Cambodia Herald | 30 March 2014

 

 

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) – The opposition leader Sam Rainsy decided to hold the people’s congress at the headquarters of the National Rescue Party instead of at the Wat Buotom Park to avoid confrontation with the police.

The CNRP supporters are now marching to the CNRP headquarters, located at the south of Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh Authorities warned that action will be taken if the Cambodia National Rescue Party persists in holding the People’s Congress at the Freedom Park or other public places. 

“Ministry of Interior didn’t allow the Cambodian National Rescue Party to hold the People’s Congress at Freedom Park and other places, but if they persisted, authorities would take action,” said Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for Ministry of Interior, on Saturday. 

“We would not allow our country to fall into civil war because of them,” he said. 

Sopheak accused that the CNRP’s People’s Congress on March 30 is politically motivated, and aims to announce the nationwide protest to topple the legitimate government. 

“If the Cambodia National Rescue Party honestly wants to hold the People’s Congress, there are a lot of places for it,” he said, adding that there will be no crackdown when their congress is lawful. 

Kheng Tito, spokesman for National Military Police, said that the military police would carry out the order to maintain security if the Cambodia National Rescue Party holds the People’s Congress without permission granted by the Phnom Penh authority or Ministry of Interior. 

“We will take action to prevent them if we are ordered,” he said.