CPP Blames Stalled Talks on CNRP Divisions

The cabinet chief of CPP Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng has blamed internal strife within the opposition CNRP for stalled negotiations that might break the present political impasse that has led the CNRP’s 55 lawmakers-elect to boycott parliament. … In a statement issued Saturday, Mr. Kheng’s cabinet chief, Khieu Sopheak, who is also the Interior Ministry spokesman, blamed the stalled talks on the opposition be­cause its leaders were making conflicting demands. “His Excellency [CNRP president] Sam Rainsy called His Excellency Sar Kheng by phone and clarified that the CNRP dropped its demands for presidency of the National Assembly, but wants [equal] distribution of the 12 permanent committee members of the Assembly,” Lieutenant General Sopheak said in the statement. The permanent committee consists of the chairpersons of the Assembly’s nine standing committees, the Assembly’s president and its two vice presidents. “By contrast,” Lt. Gen. So­pheak’s statement adds, “His Ex­cellency [CNRP vice president] Kem Sokha and His Excellency [CNRP spokesman] Yim Sovann clarified that the CNRP still demands the presidency of the Assembly.” … Contacted on Sunday, Lt. Gen. Sopheak said the CNRP president and vice president had also not agreed on splitting the permanent committee down the middle, but added that the option was in any case unacceptable to the CPP because it would likely lead to a good deal of deadlock. … Mr. Rainsy was abroad and could not immediately be reached for comment, while Mr. Sokha declined to comment. CNRP chief whip Son Chhay, however, denied the claim. … Asked if the presidency of the Assembly was presently a demand of the opposition’s, Mr. Chhay replied, “this can be discussed.” …

 Hul Reaksmey
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/cpp-blames-stalled-talks-on-cnrp-divisions-44999/