Cambodia’s Ruling, Opposition Parties Debate Prospects for Fresh Talks

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and the opposition are debating prospects of new talks aimed at ending their political deadlock three months after disputed national elections thrust the country into a crisis. But chances of a fresh meeting between the two sides following the collapse of their September talks appear slim as opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) continues to call for an independent investigation into the July 28 polls as a precondition for ending its parliamentary boycott. … On Monday, Sam Rainsy, CNRP deputy president Kem Sokha, and other senior party members discussed the possibility of resuming the talks with the CPP, after wrapping up a three-day mass protest in Phnom Penh last week against the poll results declared by the government-appointed National Election Committee (NEC). … During the meeting CNRP members named three demands for the CPP to meet before opposition members agree to join parliament, spokesman Nhem Ponharith told RFA’s Khmer Service. “The three points that the CNRP is still demanding are, first, the establishment of a committee to investigate into the election, second, reform of the NEC—which the CPP also recognizes has problems—and third, government must implement the recommendations from the U.N. and NGOs on electoral and other reforms,” he said. ..l.

 Radio Free Asia News Staff
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/talks-10282013174112.html