RCAF Asked to Reassure Public After Coup Warnings

Civil society groups and the opposition on Wednesday called on the military to issue a statement repudiating claims made by the owner of a popular radio station that the military would remove the opposition from office if it wins Sunday’s national election. The calls came after Seng Bunveng, who set up ABC Radio in 2008 and insists on the pseudonym “Aja A,” repeated on air Wednesday morning his warning from Tuesday that the military would stage a coup if the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) wins the ballot. “Three months after [the CNRP is elected], the blood will flow through the streets,” he said during an early morning broadcast. “Those who struggle for power in [opposition leader] Sam Rainsy’s government—those who couldn’t get positions —will join with defecting soldiers to stage a coup d’etat.” “At that time, I…will leave the country and the investors will leave our country, and our country will be completely destroyed,” he added. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia executive director Koul Panha said that to ensure the legitimacy of Sunday’s election, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) should issue a statement to reassure voters that Mr. Bunveng’s claims are false. …

http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/rcaf-asked-to-reassure-public-after-coup-warnings-36616/