Cambodian Opposition Lifts Conditions on Talks with Ruling Party

Cambodia’s opposition said Thursday it is prepared to hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party without any preconditions in a fresh bid to end a political deadlock three months after disputed national elections. The move signaled a shift by the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which days earlier had said it would not hold talks with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) until its three key demands, including the establishment of a committee to investigate election irregularities, were met. The other conditions were seeking the resignation of all members of the National Election Committee (NEC), which oversees the country’s polls, and the implementation of recommendations from U.N. experts and NGOs on electoral and other reforms. The three issues will remain part of any future negotiations, CNRP Deputy President Kem Sokha told reporters Thursday. … Sam Rainsy said that the two parties share “common interests” and should be able to hold a “fruitful meeting.” “The CPP … [said] it was willing to commit to deep reforms of the electoral process. This is a common interest the two parties share,” he said. …

 Radio Free Asia News Staff
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/talks-10312013180011.html