Rally to include capital

The Cambodia National Rescue Party has said it plans to expand the mass demonstration already slated for Tuesday in Siem Reap to include another large rally in the capital.

The CNRP announced late last month it was moving its first in a series of new rallies to Siem Reap to allow civil society easier access to City Hall permits for their own demonstrations in the capital on International Human Rights Day.

In an apparent about-face, the CNRP sent a letter on Tuesday to Phnom Penh Governor Pa Socheatvong including details of the Phnom Penh march to the National Assembly building, which showed that three groups of demonstrators, led by CNRP president Sam Rainsy and deputy president Kem Sokha, will head towards parliament.

Protesters will march from the CNRP headquarters in Meanchey district’s Chak Angre Leu commune, the former headquarters of the Human Rights Party in Tuol Kork district’s Toek La’ak I commune and from Russey Keo district along National Road 5. City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said yesterday that he had received the letter from the CNRP, but that a decision to allow the march to take place would not be made until representatives of Phnom Penh municipality had met with opposition leaders. …

Siem Reap provincial authorities yesterday moved to stop plans for the marches to pass through the Angkor Wat temple area, issuing a ban due to fears such a rally could hurt tourism. …

 Meas Sokchea and Daniel Pye
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rally-include-capital