Month: May 2007

Thursday, 31.5.2007: Prime Minister Adheres to Tight Position against Amnesty for Samdech Krom Preah

The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 510

“The request for amnesty for Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh is unlikely to be successful after Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen’s strong reaction on 30 May against a group of people who submitted their thumbprints to the King in order to pave the way for Samdech Krom Preah to return to the country to again enter politics as normal.

“Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen said that if thumbprints can be decisive to give amnesty, courts could be abolished.

“He responded to a message from the King’s message which says that there are thumbprints by Samdech Krom Preah’s supporters, asking the King to grant Samdech Krom Preah amnesty. Samdech Hun Sen said that he replied to the King’s letter that if only thumbprints can be used to ask for an amnesty, others can also find millions of thumbprints to have somebody punished.

“On 12 May, Samdech Krom Preah’s supporters presented a petition with 120,000 thumbprints, asking for amnesty for Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh. On the same day, Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen also met with the former King. What made the Prime Minister react strongly is the accusation by Samdech Krom Preah’s supporters, saying that Samdech Hun Sen met with the former King in order to ask him to help protect the prime ministerial position.

“There is also a report which says that officials close to Samdech Krom Preah want pressure from foreign countries to be applied to push Samdech Hun Sen from the prime ministerial position.

“Reacting strongly, Samdech Prime Minster said [to Norodom Ranariddh Party officials], ‘So your boss cannot be free.’

“Mr. Muth Chantha, the spokesperson of Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh, said on 30 May that he would not make any comment on Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen’s speech. However, he referred to the content of the Constitution in Article 27 which states that the King has the full right to tolerate punishment or to give amnesty [Article 27: “The King shall have the right to grant partial or complete amnesty.”]. He added, ‘Therefore we believe that the King will use his right.’

“Trying to explain the reasons behind the request for amnesty for Samdech Krom Preah, Mr. Muth Chantha referred to past events when amnesty was granted: for the former Khmer Rouge leaders, for Mr. Sam Rainsy, for Mr. Kem Sokha – they all did not go first to jail for two thirds of their sentences (as stated in the laws).

“Mr. Muth Chantha also rejected a report which states that the group close to Samdech Krom Preah said that Samdech Hun Sen met with Preah Moha Vireak Ksatr [the Great Heroic King, retired King Sihanouk] in order to ask him to help protect the prime ministerial position, and to protect from requests putting up pressure to expel Samdech Hun Sen from the position of Prime Minister. Mr. Muth Chantha said that throughout this month, Samdech Krom Preah, he himself as his spokesperson, and the leadership of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, did not make any such a comment publicly, we just have heard it from one another.’” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4298, 31.5.2007

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 31 May 2007

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1353, 31.5.2007

  • Cambodia and Switzerland Strengthen Relations through Cambodian King’s Visit
  • [Drunken] Soldier Shoots His Chief to Death, Who Was Director of Stung Chral Military Training School [he is arrested – Phnom Sruoch, Kompong Speu]
  • [South] Korea and Cambodia Sign Agreement to Create Friendship Village in Siem Reap
  • Indonesia Gives Death Penalty to Seven Foreigners [on accusation of producing millions of tablets of Ecstasy drug]

Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6053, 31.5.2007

  • Mr. Yash Ghai [Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia] Fails to Meet with Head of Government; Government Official [Hun Sen] Calls Him a Long-Term Tourist
  • Samdech Hun Sen Says Radio Free Asia Reporter [Keo Nimol] Escaped Because He Wants to Live Abroad
  • Europe Is Biggest Development Partner in Cambodia on Education, Health, Good Governance, and Human Rights
  • Cambodia Prepares to Host Inter-Religious Conference Next Year

Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3172, 31.5.2007

  • Mr. Sam Rainsy Tells Mr. Yash Ghai to Demand UN Help Organize Khmer Election System Like the One Organized during UNTAC [United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia] Time

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4298, 31.5.2007

  • Prime Minister Adheres to Tight Position against Amnesty for Samdech Krom Preah
  • National and International Lawyers [for Khmer Rouge Tribunal] Will Meet Today to Discuss Internal Rules
  • Ratanakiri Has Failed to Receive TVK [national television] Programs for One Month Due to Electricity Cutoff [because Ratanakiri sub-station owes electricity fee of Riel 12 million = approx. US$3,000]

Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #3049, 31.5.2007

  • Norodom Ranariddh Party Seeks Intervention to Get Amnesty for Samdech Krom Preah through Article 27 of Constitution
  • Nhek Korsal Vithyea [Director of Camintel] Is a Hen That Lays Eggs on Paddy Rice [he is said to be involved in overseas phone gateway fee theft]

Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #414, 31.5.2007

  • China Uses Cambodia and Some Other Countries to Sell Its Goods and to Increase Influence
  • Democracy Faces Danger if Hun Sen Is Still Prime Minister
  • Pursat Authority Colludes with Traders Who Cut Trees and Transport Wood [illegally]

Takhmao Thmei, Vol.4, #33, 31.5.2007

  • Chevron Will Start Oil Drilling in Cambodian Sea in 2008

Go to last week’s editorial

Back to top