The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 553
“Kompong Chhnang: Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen told politicians [of other political parties] on 22 March 2008 that they should recognize their own weaknesses which led to rifts in their own parties, rather than trying to put the blame on their [former] party members.
“Referring to Norodom Ranariddh Party [NRP] leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy Party [SRP] leader Mr. Sam Rainsy, Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen said, ‘Please don’t try to cover your weaknesses. I guarantee that no one would be able to beat Hun Sen; only Hun Sen can beat Hun Sen.’
“Samdech Prime Minister sent this message to the public during a groundbreaking ceremony of a pagoda in Tuek Phos, Kompong Chhnang. He said that no one can beat the Cambodian People’s Party [CPP], only the CPP itself can do so. He said, ‘If the CPP members are not holding hands to reach out to the Cambodian people, but do bad things, then the CPP will be weak. If everyday we trod around here and there to violate the rights of the people, and if we do not do good things following Buddhism, who would believe Hun Sen? Therefore, those parties should recognize their own weaknesses.’
“Samdech Prime Minister also said that Mr. Nhek Bun Chhay was accused by Prince Ranariddh that he [Nhek Bun Chhay] is the one who split Funcinpec. As for Mr. Ngor Sovann and Mr. Sok Pheng, they were accused by their party leader of leading party members to leave the SRP and to defect to the CPP.
“Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen welcomed the senior SRP members who defected to the CPP, adding that ‘this is a good choice.’ Samdech Dekchor praised Mr. Ngo Sovann [a defector from the SRP], who also participated in the ceremony, for choosing the right path in order to develop the country as an intellectual.
“Samdech said that even with 57 political parties, it will be clear in the people’s minds what it means when they see intellectuals choosing the ruling CPP. This is the way they can help develop the country.
“Almost ten thousand people participated in the ceremony. This pagoda was first constructed in 1995. It cost about US$212,500. Samdech also showed his thanks to those who contributed to the construction of the pagoda. He encouraged all generous people to maintain the spirit of sharing, in order to construct the nation more and more.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1600, 23-24.3.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 24 March 2008
Chuoy Khmer, Vol.2, #70, 24.3.2008
- [President of Human Rights Party] Kem Sokha Calls the Increase of Salaries for Teachers before Elections Demagogy of the Ruling Party
- [President of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia] Chea Mony Declares to Lead Workers to Strike on 27 March to Demand a Pay Rise, and They Might Hold a Large Demonstration
- State Loses Much Income from Smuggled Goods through Trapeang Phlong Border Crossing [Ponhea Kraek district, Kompong Cham]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1600, 23-24.3.2008
- Samdech Dekchor Told Politicians That They Should Recognize Their Own Weaknesses
- Mr. Sam Rainsy Dreams about Becoming Prime Minister While His Activists Continually Leave
Khmer Amatak, Vol.9, #566, 24.3.2008
- Samdech Krom Preah [Prince Ranariddh] Thanks US International Republican Institute for Helping Norodom Ranariddh Party to Strengthen Its Force throughout the Country [with trainings for trainers]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6304, 24.3.2008
- 95 Houses Destroyed by Rain Storm in Kamrieng District [21 March – Battambang]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3420, 24.3.2008
- Human Rights Organization [Cambodian Center for Human Rights] Finds Irregularity in Arrest of Sam Rainsy Party Commune Chief [former Sam Rainsy Party activist Tim Norn was paid US$200 by Sok Pheng, a Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian who has recently joined the Cambodian People’s Party, to attract other Sam Rainsy Party members to join the Cambodian People’s Party. After spending the all money without being able to report success to Sok Pheng, Tim Norn was frightened and tried to seek help from Sam Rainsy Party officials in Baray]
- Three Russey Keo District Deputy Governors [Chan Savuth, Koup Sleh, and Koeut Chhe], Who Ordered Security Forces to Use Violence, Are Sued by [Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian from Phnom Penh] Mr. Ho Vann for US$15,000 Compensation [on accusation of injuring him while he was trying to protect a Sam Rainsy Party signboard from being removed – 22 March – Phnom Penh]
- Price of Rice Skyrockets; Hun Sen Busy to Create Sub-Decree Allowing Civilians to Use Guns
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4548, 23-24.3.2008
- Mr. Sar Kheng: 2008 Elections Will Be Better Than Previous Ones
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #646, 24.3.2008
- Sam Rainsy Government Is beyond the Horizon
- Young People’s Votes [of the Sam Rainsy Party] Cannot Overcome the Cambodian People’s Party [says the Prime Minister, a Cambodian People’s Party leader
- Opposition Party’s Blood Is Exhausted
- Whether UN Human Rights Office Is to Continue in Cambodia or to Close Depends on [Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Human Rights in Cambodia] Yash Ghai’s Attitude
