A rock and a hard place

Some three hours’ drive from the scenes of violence unfolding in Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park yesterday, the Cambodia National Rescue Party found distance no remedy for what it termed a calculated attempt at intimidation. As authorities blocked roads leading to a planned public meeting at the CNRP’s Kampong Cham headquarters yesterday morning, more than 1,000 ruling party supporters gathered outside to “protest” against the event. Cambodian People’s Party protesters, many holding short bamboo poles with Cambodian flags, had earlier assembled both in and outside the grounds of the hotel where CNRP deputy president Kem Sokha was staying, yelling through loudspeakers and holding signs condemning Sokha and party leader Sam Rainsy. In the meantime, military trucks had blocked National Road 4 leading to the CNRP provincial office in Kampong Siem district to prevent opposition supporters expecting to meet Sokha from accessing the venue. The tactics follow the forced cancellation of a similar CNRP event in Kandal’s Sa’ang last Tuesday out of fears of violence after hundreds of intimidating men along with riot and military police gathered in the vicinity. …

 Koam Chanrasmey and Meas Sokchea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rock-and-hard-place