In recent developments many people and circles have been spreading rumors aimed at launching and exaggerating the so called internal rift of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), a party coup after the departure of Samdech Chea Sim, President of the CPP, for a medical checkup without signing the Royal Decree that would promulgate the additional constitution law, which is being compiled for the sake of the regular functioning of the national institutions. The fact his failure to give his signature on the above Royal Decree has brought about rumors that Samdech Chea Sim has objection to the legal procedure for the package vote.
In my capacity as the Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party, I am taking the liberty to clarify to national and international public opinions as follows:
– Since the beginning, Samdech Chea Sim has always offered his support to the legal procedure of the package vote, which is the best way for breaking through the political deadlock,
– On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the victory over the genocide regime on January 07, 2004, Samdech Chea Sim also stated in his speech his support to the procedure,
– In its strategic decision on February 04,2004, signed by Samdech Chea Sim, the Cambodian People’s Party reaffirmed once again its three point position, which includes also the package vote as well,
– The package vote itself is the important and key point of the Protocol on the Cooperation Agreement between the Cambodian People’s Party and FUNCINPEC, on which Samdech Chea Sim laid his signature in his capacity as the President of the Cambodian People’s Party on June 30, 2004.
From the beginning of the negotiation between the Cambodian People’s Party and FUNCINPEC, Samdech Chea Sim delegated me full power to lead the negotiation. Prior to, during and after the negotiations, I always report, discuss and seek advice from Samdech Chea Sim. Without the support of Samdech Chea Sim, I would not be able to score the achievement of today.
What happened on July 12 and 13, 2004 was irrelevant to the fact that Samdech Chea Sim signs or does not sign the Royal Decree at all but it is a coincidence that the delegation of power from HM the King for Samdech Chea Sim to sign the Royal Decree came in right at the time that Samdech Chea Sim also requested for permission from HM the King to leave for an urgent medical treatment abroad.
Some people and circles have picked up the above coincidence and the departure of Samdech Chea Sim for Thailand on July 13, 2004 as an incidence for spreading rumors that Samdech Chea Sim was forced out and 20 National Assembly members from the CPP left the country also because of the split.
As a matter of fact, aside from a dignitary that has to seek medical treatment abroad, parliamentarians of the Cambodian People’s Party were all present in the session of the National Assembly and adopted the constitutional supplement. This clearly affirms that rumors made by some people and circles are all false. It was only an effort made in vain by some people and circles aimed at misleading the public opinion, causing unstable situation and especially damaging honor and prestige of the Cambodian People’s Party, for whom the majority of the Cambodian people provide their love and support.
The recent development has once again reasserted that those who have made incorrect judgment on internal unity, solidarity and situation of the Cambodian People’s Party are indeed standing on the losing side.
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