The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 525
“Phnom Penh: Independent political analysts in Cambodia dismissed on 10 September the possibility that the Sam Rainsy Party [SRP] will defeat the Cambodian People’s Party [CPP] in the national elections in 2008, as Mr. Sam Rainsy had claimed in his party congress which had been held for two days (8-9 September).
“Ms. Chea Vannat, an independent analyst and the former president of the Center for Social Development, and Ms. Pong Chiv Kek [Dr. Kek Galabru], the president of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights, considered what Mr. Sam Rainsy said to be normal propaganda of a politician, only in order to encourage their followers to work hard. Ms. Chea Vannat and Ms. Pong Chiv Kek thought the same, ‘The CPP will still lead in the 2008 elections.’
“When questioned about the political analysis of Mr. Sam Rainsy’s propaganda in the congress, saying that his party will defeat the CPP, Ms. Pong Chiv Kek said, ‘I think that every party always wants to win. Therefore, I am not surprised.’ However, she added, ‘Concerning the CPP since 1993, we see that it always gets increasing numbers of votes: while it got 51 seats in the election in 1993, 64 seats in 1998, and then it got 73 seats in 2003. Thus, I don’t believe that the CPP’s votes will decline.’
“Ms. Chea Vannat provided the same political analysis about Mr. Sam Rainsy’s propaganda. She said that in propaganda, normally politicians hope to win. She explained, ‘Nevertheless, considering the strength of the CPP these days and the commune and subdistrict elections in 2007, we see that the CPP will still lead in the 2008 elections.’
“However, Ms. Chea Vannat said that the votes of the SRP may increase, because of the land issue which is boiling in Cambodia. She did not think that the propaganda on corruption will affect the voters’ decisions.
“In the two-day congress, which was finished on Sunday, Mr. Sam Rainsy propagandized that the SRP will win the 2008 elections with the possibility to get 62 among the 123 seats in the National Assembly, to lead Cambodia.
“To create a government it is important to get the majority of votes, or 50% +1 in the parliament, which has 123 seats.
“In the congress, Mr. Sam Rainsy was elected as the party president and Mr. Eng Chhay Ieng was elected as secretary-general of the party. As for Ms. Mu Sochua, she had been first secretary-general, but she was not elected. As for the position of second secretary-general, it is obtained by Teav Vannol, a Cambodian-American.
“The SRP’s fourth congress also selected ten Permanent Committee members, including Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mr. Kong Korm, the vice-president of the party, Mr. Yim Sovann, the general treasurer, Mr. Om Kim Sea, the commissioner of accounting, Ms. Tioulong Saumura, Ms. Mu Sochua, Mr. Cheam Channy, Mr. Kuoy Bunroeun, Mr. Kimsour Phirith, and Mr. Eng Chhay Ieng.
“The SRP planned to have 15 Permanent Committee members, but the other five candidates were not supported in the elections. However, the five candidates will stand for election next time.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4386, 11.9.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Chakraval, Vol.15, #2714, 11.9.2007
- US Provides [more than] $500,000 [since 2001] for the Protection of Gibbons in Cambodia
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1441, 11.9.2007
- Vietnam Agrees for Parliamentarian Son Chhay [Sam Rainsy Party from Phnom Penh] to Lead Delegation [of Cambodian parliamentarians] to Vietnam [1. to build relations between the Cambodian Assembly and the Vietnamese Assembly. 2. to meet Tim Sakhan who has been defrocked on accusation of having perpetrated an offense against the Buddhist law, because he is accused to have destroyed the harmony between Vietnam and Cambodia, now jailed in Vietnam – but the second purpose has been rejected by Vietnam]
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.1, #22, 11.9.2007
- Opposition Party Boycotts Adoption of Draft of the Concessions Law
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6141, 11.9.2007
- 1,232 Pieces of Unexploded Ordnance and Mines Destroyed [Stung Treng]
Meatophum, Vol.51, #658, 10-15.9.2007
- Government Plans to Provide Social Concession Land to 10,000 Poor Families
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3260, 11.9.2007
- Deminers at Border Still Suspend Activities after Black-Clad Thai Soldiers [special border protection unit] Entered [Cambodia] to Prohibit Them from Demining [Oddar Meanchey]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4386, 11.9.2007
- Independent Analysts: Sam Rainsy Party Won’t Be Able to Defeat Cambodian People’s Party
- Cambodian Assembly Adopts Law on Concessions
- Cross-Border Human Trafficking: [Two] Sri Lankan Nationals and [one] Pakistani National Arrested [and expelled from Cambodia]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #3135, 11.9.2007
- Samdech Krom Preah Tells Khmer Students and Workers to Support Norodom Ranariddh Party to Reconstruct Cambodia
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