Cambodia’s ruling party ready to resume talks with opposition, but refuses probe

The ruling party said Thursday it was ready to resume talks with the opposition party over the contested election results, but ruled out the possibility of talks on the formation of a special investigation committee into poll irregularities since it was against the Constitution. “The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) is ready to resume negotiations with the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in order to find a solution to the remaining issues based on the election results and the spirit of national reconciliation and unification,” the ruling CPP said in a statement. … “Article 136 in the Constitution stipulates that the Constitutional Council shall have the right to examine and decide on contested cases involving the election of Assembly members and Senate members,” the CPP said. … The two parties had recently met for talks on the matter for two times, but reached no agreement. “If talks between the two parties towards the formation of an independent poll probe committee have been resumed, we will cancel our protest plan,” Rainsy told a press conference at the party’s headquarters. The CPP said in the statement that Rainsy’s mass protest announcement will affect people’s daily lives and is against the will of the people, who expressed their voices through ballot casting on July 28.

 Xinhuanet News Staff
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/29/c_132674417.htm