CNRP Rejects Marching Ban During 3-Day Protest

CNRP vice president Kem Sokha said Sunday that the opposition will not heed an order by Phnom Penh City Hall banning marches in the city, and will push forward with plans to march with thousands of supporters to the offices of the U.N. and at least seven embassies during its three-day demonstration starting Wednesday. The CNRP last week sent a letter to City Hall informing them that its demonstration at Freedom Park—planned to coincide with the anniversary of the signing of the October 23, 1991 Paris Peace Agreement—would include a march with about 20,000 participants to distribute a petition calling on the U.N. and the 18 nations that signed the peace agreement to intervene in the country’s political stalemate. City Hall on Friday denied permission for the marches, with spokesman Long Dimanche saying that crowds of this size marching through the streets could “affect the traffic, public security and there might be acts of violence.” With both sides at loggerheads, Phnom Penh governor Pa Socheatvong on Saturday sent a letter to Mr. Sokha inviting him to a meeting at City Hall at 9 a.m. today. Mr. Sokha said Sunday that he would send representatives to the meeting on his behalf, but the opposition’s plans to march are not up for discussion. …

 Mech Dara and Alex Willemyns
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/cnrp-rejects-marching-ban-during-3-day-protest-45507/