Protest gets injection of energy
What had been a relatively subdued gathering at Freedom Park yesterday became a jubilant celebration as opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha delivered the news of fruitful discussions with the government to party faithful. Despite much-diminished crowds – and the sobering events of Sunday night still fresh in demonstrators’ minds – thousands nevertheless broke into song and cheers as Cambodia National Rescue Party deputy president Sokha told supporters that the Cambodian People’s Party had agreed, at least in principle, to reforms of the National Election Committee, touting the accord as much for its implicit admission of fault as its actual content. “We have reached an agreement that is positive, and that is the wishes of the Khmer people,” Sokha said. “If the Cambodian People’s Party agrees to reform, to change this mechanism, it means that the present mechanism of elections is not correct.” ... Though [protester Long] Hann added that he would be happy to see negotiations between the parties continue, fellow demonstrator Bun Leng, 61, warned the CNRP against hasty compromise. “If the [CNRP] has not found justice already, and joins a coalition government with the Cambodian People’s Party, we would hold a demonstration against it,” he said.
Stuart White and Meas Sokchea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/protest-gets-injection-energy
