[Vietnamization: Military, Elections, Tbaung Khmum] Cambodia PM says no tolerance for any attempt to topple government

Cambodia PM says no tolerance for any attempt to topple government

Xinhua | 21 June 2017

PHNOM PENH, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Wednesday warned the opponents against any attempt to topple the government through "color revolution", saying there would be no tolerance for them.

"The armed forces must be ready to crack down on any movement that aims to topple the government and to damage the nation," he said during a visit to southeastern Tboung Khmum province.

He said any attempt to launch so-called "color revolution" in the country would not be tolerated and the doers must prepare coffins for themselves.

"Color revolution" is a term referring to popular uprisings that overthrew governments in the Balkans and Middle East.

"At any cost, we must maintain the country's hard-won peace," Hun Sen said.

The prime minister stressed the need to protect the lives of millions of people. He also called on the people to avoid doing any activities that could incite social chaos.

Hun Sen's warning targets the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) ahead of the national election in July 2018.

In the national election in July 2013, despite losing the election, the CNRP did not accept the results and staged mass protests for several months to demand Hun Sen's resignation, and some of the protests turned violent.