Cambodian Opposition Chief Under Fire for US Trip Amid Crisis

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has left for the United States to attend his daughter’s wedding, triggering criticism at home that he was leaving the country in the midst of a political crisis following disputed national elections. Sam Rainsy announced at a mass rally at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh on Tuesday that he would be away for a few days as a dispute continued between his Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) over who won the July 28 elections. “In order to avoid misinterpretation, I would like to say goodbye just for a few days as I am going to my daughter’s wedding in the United States,” Sam Rainsy, the CNRP head, told the 10,000-strong crowd. “As a father, I have left her alone while I’m involved in politics in Cambodia. In order to avoid remorse, I would like to seek your permission to be away for a few days and I will return after the wedding,” he said. “Will you give me permission,” he asked, drawing cheers from the crowd as if to signal that they agreed to his request. But after Sam Rainy departed Phnom Penh, some groups criticized him for leaving Cambodia while the country is in a deadlock following elections. They said that the trip was not timely especially after he had threatened to lead a mass demonstration in the capital if the ruling CPP and the country’s main election body, the National Election Committee (NEC), continue to block an independent investigation into widespread irregularities in the elections. …

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/trip-08072013184422.html