(Cambodia) Mr. SarKheng: A Protest must be held under the laws in order to assure peace and security

Cambodian deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior SarKhen said on 5 August 2013 that he had met with diplomats from nearly 10 countries and VIPs from other countries in the last day.

The interior minister, who is also senior official of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), claimed that he had talked with Mr. Sam Rainsy, opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) leader, following a request from the party.
He said in the conversation, both sides agreed to allow the NEC to establish an ad hoc commission to resolve the problems, and to send representatives from their parties to a meeting with the NEC in order to discuss the mandate, role and duties of the commission on 4 August; but the CNRP later on withdrew and refused to attend, saying they wanted to have a mechanism to be established outside the effective laws instead, and wanted to reject the NEC’s role that had been created by law and approved by the National Assembly. This may be impossible, SarKhen said.

With regards to the opposition party’s threat to hold a protest against the results of the July 28 general election, MrSarKheng said this has to be held under the law in order to maintain peace and security.