CNRP Vows More Protests if Demands Not Met
Opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha on Tuesday ended the CNRP’s three-day demonstration in Phnom Penh, but vowed to hold further demonstrations if the National Assembly is convened on Monday without an agreement having been reached with the ruling CPP over the disputed results of July’s election. Mr. Rainsy arrived at Freedom Park just after 4 p.m. to greet the thousands of people who turned out for the last day of the mass protest that began Sunday and peaked that night with violent clashes in which security forces shot dead a man near Monivong Bridge. … Addressing the crowd, Mr. Rainsy said negotiations with the ruling party had ultimately been fruitless. “This morning we met with the top leaders of the CPP,” he told the 20,000 or so assembled demonstrators. “We had discussions for three hours but did not succeed any more than we succeeded yesterday.” … Mr. Rainsy added that the CNRP would stick to its plans to boycott the opening of the National Assembly on Monday, which King Norodom Sihamoni announced early last week, if there is no breakthrough. “Our stance is still the same,” Mr. Rainsy said. … CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann on Tuesday confirmed that the party would continue negotiations with the CPP and would hold renewed mass demonstrations if the National Assembly is convened before opposition lawmakers agree to take their seats. But he said that it was not yet decided whether those demonstrations would spread beyond Phnom Penh. …
Khuon Narim and Alex Willemyns
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/cnrp-vows-more-protests-if-demands-not-met-42577/
