PSRInformations - Free

spokeswoman for the State Department, told reporters in Washington last week. “So we’ll
continue raising this, and as I said, we are disappointed.”
Tep Nitha, secretary-general for the NEC, defended its decision, saying the committee is
following Cambodian law. However, critics say the committee is biased toward the
ruling Cambodian People’s Party, hastening its decision to remove Sam
Rainsy from eligibility.
Hang Puthea, executive director for the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free Elections,
said it is possible that local and international observers alike are now “concerned” with
Cambodia’s transition to democracy. But he said Cambodia’s stance toward the West has
changed. It has forged a closer relationship with China, which grants large amounts of aid
without the requirments of Western donors.
Suon Bunsak, chief secretary for the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, warned
against such a shift. A free and fair election is needed in Cambodia, and that can only come
with the return of Sam Rainsy, he said.
“So this issue should see a political compromise, to allow the president of the Cambodia
National Rescue Party to compete in a democratic process, which is better,” he said.
The national parliamentary elections are slated for July this year. The elections will pit the
new opposition against the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, whose lawmakers hold 90 of 123
National Assembly seats, following a sweeping victory in the 2008 elections. The Sam Rainsy
Party won 26 seats in that election, and the Human Rights Party won just three. That did not
give the opposition enough seats to stop the super majority of the ruling party.
Posted by Socheata at 5:15 AM 11/01/2013
-------------------------------
Sam Rainsy Confident of Return
The Cambodian opposition chief believes the government will
allow him to contest upcoming polls in order to safeguard the
vote's legitimacy.
2013-01-08
RFA
PSR Informations PSR-France, 69 rue de la Chapelle, 75018 PARIS 4ème Année Page 3