Cambodian opposition renews protest warning

Cambodia’s long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy once again threatened to call nationwide demonstrations if an independent committee was not established to look into allegations of poll irregularities. “We strongly insist the establishment of an independent committee to investigate election irregularities before the release of the final election results (on Sept. 8),” Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), said in a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Monday. Rainsy insists that the composition of the proposed independent probe committee exclude the current National Election Committee ( NEC), seen as being loyal to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party ( CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen. However, the CPP has rejected the request, saying that no probe committee would be formed without the NEC’s involvement because it was against the Cambodian law. “If our request is not met, our last resort is nonviolent and peaceful protests throughout the country,” Rainsy said.

 Xinhua News Staff
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90777/8377805.html