CPP Keeping Eye on Sokha [Hun Sen is out to get Kem Sokha and destroy the CNRP!]

Sunday, 10 May 2015; News by Khmer Times/Ros Chanveasna

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Kem Sokha,  deputy president of the National Assembly, talking to reporters at the National Assembly building. KT Photo: Ven Rathavong

PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times) – In a letter to members of his party, Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on local officials within the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to keep their eyes on Kem Sokha, vice president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). 

Despite the recent press surrounding the purported “culture of dialogue” developing between the two main parties and especially between CNRP president Sam Rainsy and Mr.Hun Sen, fissures still remain. Chief among them is Mr. Sokha, who has proven to be a divisive figure on both sides of the political aisle. 

Mr. Rainsy and Mr. Hun Sen have made an effort to publicly work together and present their relationship as harmonious despite the continued war of words between the CPP and Mr. Sokha.

Sok Ey San, spokesman for the CPP, said that his party released the letter informing party officials to watch Mr. Sokha because of his past actions.

“Previously, there were some activities that broke against the meaning of the culture of dialogue,” Mr. Ey San said. “However, before we can accuse him [Mr. Sokha] again, we must make sure to have clear evidence, including specific voice recordings, the date, the time and the place.”   

Mr. Ey San pointed to an episode in February, where Mr. Sokha was caught on camera saying that he wished the CNRP could have “overthrown” the CPP during the last election. Mr. Sokha continued to rail against the government and the deal both parties signed after the last election. 

“Actually, his actions have already broken our agreement and the spirit of the culture of dialogue,” Mr. Ey San said. “Premier Hun Sen has threatened Mr. Sokha, that if he still attacks the ruling CPP leaders and government, he will be ousted from his position as vice deputy president of National Assembly. 

Since Hun Sen said that, Mr. Sokha seems to have kept quiet.”

Rainsy and Sokha

A political analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity described the relationship between Mr. Rainsy and Mr. Sokha as tenuous and said: “Mr. Rainsy himself has also put pressure on Mr. Sokha to reinforce the culture of dialogue again. If not, Mr. Sokha’s popularity will plummet.” 

Yem Ponhearith, spokesman for the CNRP, denied any claims of turmoil between the two leaders of the party. 

“That’s not correct, both Mr. Rainsy and Mr. Sokha are a single person and they discuss all working affairs together before making any decisions,” he said. In an effort to battle against the notion that the “culture of dialogue” is code for acquiescing to the party in power, Mr. Ponhearith said the CNRP was still ready, willing and able to criticize the government when necessary.

“No one has said Mr. Sokha isn’t allowed to criticize the negative points of the government or its authorities, so we are still able to criticize the government,” he said.      

Cementing the Culture

In an effort to make the “culture of dialogue” a tangible reality, the CPP and CNRP released a joint statement on Friday agreeing to end using abusive threats and degrading insults against one another.

Both parties adopted seven principles for the “culture of dialogue”:

• Be honest.
• Respect and value each other.
• Avoid at all costs provocations; refrain from insults like “communist dictators,” “Vietnamese puppets,” and “traitor”. 
• Avoid threats and intimidations in any forms such as “detainment” or “war will start.”
• Eradicate concepts of revenge and holding grudges.
• Eliminate racism and extremist politics.
• Persuade officials, members, and supporters of each party, from the local to the national level to adhere to the above-mentioned points.

The agreement was signed by the leaders Mr. Hun Sen and Mr. Rainsy.

Readjusting Life Goals

Mr. Rainsy will look to quell any rumors of party turmoil and tacit submission to the ruling party on his month-long trip to North America, where he will meet with foreign delegates and CNRP members in the US and Canada.

He has tried to strike a balance between fostering cooperation between the two parties and holding on to the oppositional views and tactics that have propelled the party thus far.

During a stop at the Champs-sur-Marne in France before he made his way to New York, Mr. Rainsy was recorded describing the thought process behind the “culture of dialogue.”

“Hun Sen and I are getting old. We have to re-adjust our life goals,” he said. “What is important now is the legacy that we will leave behind for the new generations.”