Cambodian PM talks political ‘cease-fire’

By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AA) – With two opposition opponents in exile and hiding and just days after vowing to “eliminate” those who would dare demonstrate against his rule, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen alluded to a supposed cease-fire Thursday that one analyst brushed off as nothing but talk.

The Cambodia Daily on Friday quoted Hun Sen as saying that “there is a cease-fire, as it has been a bit quieter since Monday,” when he was quoted as saying that he would “eliminate” participants in planned opposition protests.

He added that he wanted to “see if this cease-fire remains”.

Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), has been in self-imposed exile since late last year to avoid a prison term for defamation.

His deputy, acting president Kem Sokha, is in hiding to avoid being hauled before court after he was exposed as having an affair and an investigation opened into claims that he would buy property for his mistress.

CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann told Anadolu Agency on Friday that party officials would “wait and see what is going on”, adding that he did not want to react further “because I think the acting president of the CNRP is considering what has been said and what has been happening recently.”

Political analyst Ou Virak said it wouldn’t be worth reading into the cease-fire, “because it’s common for [Hun Sen] to do it during the Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben holidays.”

Cambodian Buddhists are currently in the midst of the two-week-long Pchum Ben holiday, when people pay respects to their deceased ancestors.

“It’s not surprising, and not an indication of an imminent deal,” Virak told Anadolu Agency on Friday.

“It won’t remain like this, because there is absolutely no understanding or clarity between what would be belligerent language and proper competition in a democratic way.”