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| Opposition leader Sam Rainsy discusses Cambodia's political situation with RFA, June 15, 2016. RFA |
Interview: Cambodia's Sam Rainsy on Talks with Hun Sen: 'Everything has to have a starting point.'
RFA | 16 June 2016
Cambodia has been in the grips of a political crisis for months as
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government has pursued an investigation into
an alleged affair between Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) deputy
leader Kem Sokha and a young hairdresser. The investigation has led to
the arrest of four human rights workers and an election commission
official who are accused of bribery or accessory to bribery charges for
attempting to keep the woman quiet, and it has also seen heavily-armed
police attempt to arrest Kem Sokha at the CNRP's headquarters.
While that is the most high-profile case, Hun Sen and the ruling
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) have also pursued other cases against
opposition lawmakers. Opposition party Senator Um Sam An was charged
with two criminal offenses over his accusations that the government
conceded land to Vietnam along its border. The government is also
holding more than two-dozen other opposition party officials on various
charges, including Senator Hong Sok Hour and CNRP media director Meach
Sovannara.
Cambodia National Rescue Party President Sam Rainsy went into
self-imposed exile following his removal from parliament in November
2015 by the CPP because of a warrant issued for his arrest in an old
defamation case. Most analysts say the campaign against the CNRP is
designed to intimidate and weaken the party before elections due in
2017and 2018. In a live interview on June 15 in the RFA studio in
Washington, DC. Sam Rainsy discussed the situation in Cambodia with RFA
Khmer Service journalist Vuthy Huot.
RFA: The situation in these past few days seemed to hold some
positive signs for the CNRP. The international community, including the
U.N., European Union and the United States, seemed to back the CNRP. How
much of this is the result of the diplomatic efforts by you and the
CNRP?
Sam Rainsy: People are finally getting a clear understanding of the
political situation in Cambodia. The world has learnt that the situation
in Cambodia has reached a most dangerous stage due to the strategy of
the dictatorship of Cambodia.
The government used intimidation, threats, violence and the court
system, under the control of the CPP, to put pressure on CNRP members or
on the members of the civil society who were just speaking the truth
and who protected and provided justice to the victims, so it is not hard
for the world to see it.
RFA: I can understand how international recognition is helpful and
it puts pressure on Cambodia’s rulers, but I’m not sure how much that
moves Prime Minister Hun Sen. He recently said discussions about the
detention of CNRP officials and civil society workers is off limits in
any negotiations to end the crisis. What does this mean for “the culture
of dialogue?”
Sam Rainsy: I want to emphasize that I always value and hail the
culture of dialogue. The culture of dialogue is not just between two
individuals or two parties, but it is for all parties so the Khmer
people of all political stripes can move into the future.
That said, the culture of dialogue in Cambodia is still very new and
there are difficulties, but we have to have trust that the culture of
dialogue will remain alive and replace the culture of violence. We have
experienced only the culture of violence, the culture of destroying
each other. We should give up this culture and grasp the culture of
dialogue so that the Khmer people can experience peace, to ensure our
country’s stability and real democracy.
RFA: From the outside, Cambodia looks like it’s in trouble?
Sam Rainsy: Since the coup d’ etat in 1997, Cambodia’s crisis is
currently at a stage that could lead the country over the edge to
disaster if we do not solve it peacefully. The CNRP is ready to start
discussions with mutual respect. We did not put conditions regarding
date, time, venue, or topic on the discussion. The topic we need to
select is the one that is relevant and reflects the current tense
situation. Now let’s ask the people, what are their biggest concerns
and sufferings? We have to put these issues on the table for discussion.
RFA: So, will you drop the insistence on conditions before there is negotiation?
Sam Rainsy: There are no longer any conditions. Everything has to
have a starting point, but it has to lead to topics that reflect the
people’s concerns.
Sam Rainsy: The CNRP is not quarreling, but is a victim of successive
problems created by those who keep drumming up allegations and
accusations against the CNRP. Before returning to the National
Assembly, we want to see lawmakers’ immunity fully respected and
protected as it is laid out in the constitution.
Currently, the national assembly is not working properly because it
is now going back to the situation before the Paris Peace Accords. When
there was only one dominant party. It’s even worse than that, because it
is only one man who causes all the troubles on his own free will.
We are not going to join this game. We want to have a real
multi-party government with democratic principles. We want the situation
to go back to normal as it was about six months or a year ago before we
return to our National Assembly duty.
RFA: Does that mean you want to have a negotiation process in place before the CNRP returns to parliament?
Sam Rainsy: Per our experience, unless there is a package solution we
must not accept partial or temporary solutions. They release some
people and later on, they arrest this or that person…We need an official
declaration of a principle that stops using the court system to put
pressure on people and creates an intimidating environment that would
affect the upcoming election process.
RFA: Did the culture of dialogue lead you to write a letter
regarding the published allegations on Hun Sen -- Facebook posts saying
one of his sons is the child of his wife and a former Vietnamese
leader? Have you received any response from the CPP or from the prime
minister regarding your letter?
Sam Rainsy: I regret and I denounced the allegations and accusations
against Mr. Kem Sokha who is deputy head and currently acting head of
CNRP. Because those allegations and accusations are a personal issue
that is of no use. It’s a petty thing that is just diverting people’s
attention from the vital issues of the nation.
Since I feel that way about him, I also feel regret and denounce
those who create the same problem for others. That is why I wrote that
letter expressing regret regarding the accusation against Prime Minister
Hun Sen.
RFA: Have you gotten a response?
Sam Rainsy: I did not write the letter because I expected a
response. I wrote it to affirm the morality of the CNRP, its leaders and
its members, who have maintained a noble dignity. We did not make any
allegations and accusations on a personal issue that would lead to
humiliation and defamation against others, stain their dignity or cause
them pain.
RFA: But have you received any response?
Sam Rainsy: I am now in Washington D.C., and I have not received any information on the response from Mr. Hun Sen, yet.
RFA: Since the scandal issue broke, the CNRP has declared that it
will stay silent, not quarrel or respond. That all its efforts and
focus is on preparing for the upcoming commune elections. But this is
the state of play: The CNRP leader is still in exile; the acting head is
in self-detention within the party’s headquarters; and it looks like
all CNRP members, lawmakers, and supporters in the country have gathered
around the headquarters in Phnom Penh.
It looks like the focus on the election has been postponed. How you are going to deal with the situation?
Sam Rainsy: The situation is not at a standstill, but actually moving
forward with positive prospects for the CNRP. We can see, at the
grassroots level in 25 provinces and cities across the country,
including the capital city of Phnom Penh, that the threats and
intimidation are not scaring anyone off. Instead people are stronger and
more supportive of the CNRP.
They continue encouraging CNRP leaders by coming to the party
headquarters with tens of thousands of petitions and staying for days
regardless of all the difficulties. People inside and outside the
country have provided financial support to buy food and water, while
others cook meals for those who stay at the party headquarters. It is a
good sign for the CNRP as well as for its plan for the upcoming
elections in 2017. And those who have caused the problems in the hope
to weakening the CNRP, we have proved them wrong. We have become
stronger than ever.
RFA: When will you return to Cambodia?
Sam Rainsy: I will go back before the election date. Even if for
just a short period of time prior the election. Even a short stay would
be sufficient. In 2013, they created so many troubles for me. I returned
to Cambodia less than 2-3 weeks before the last election date and it
was enough time. There were people showing their strong support before
my return. This time, the people’s will and support are even stronger
than before, and we will stick to our vital goal that is to have
peaceful change on the path of democracy in the country.
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