CNRP Spokesman Says He Advocated for Higher Troop Wages
CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann on Thursday moved to clarify his position on the armed forces after the Defense Ministry accused him of “looking down” on the government and the work of the army. In a lengthy written statement issued Thursday, Mr. Sovann spoke in glowing terms about the “patriotism and braveness” of the military, adding that in his own political career he had always been a firm supporter of the troops and even called for their salaries to be raised. … Sok Sam Oeun, a prominent lawyer and the executive director of the Cambodian Defenders’ Project, said the law is unclear when it comes to the neutrality of the military and that while showing support for a government was acceptable, public support for individuals, like Mr. Hun Sen, was “a little bit problematic.” “We need a clear law on the involvement of the armed forces and political issues happening in Cambodia,” Mr. Sam Oeun said. … But National Assembly spokesman Cheam Yeap said the armed forces must follow Mr. Hun Sen’s orders. “They must be neutral, but they listen to the party who won the votes, and the prime minister,” he said. …
Khy Sovuthy
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/cnrp-spokesman-says-he-advocated-for-higher-troop-wages-51162/
