Powered by Blogger.

Sam Rainsy Seeking Return With Elections on the Horizon

Sam Rainsy, who is currently in the UK, is expected to meet a number of foreign lawmakers in a bid to resolve the charges against him ahead of the elections. (Photo: VOA)

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 22 September 2010

“I will also go to Canada and to the United States to meet with lawmakers and senators. I expect there will be a movement of the lawmakers from these two countries.”

Sam Rainsy, the main opposition leader, sought outside help to return to the country this week. But the government has so far shown no willingness to allow it, and observers said the move could signal concern for his political future.

Sam Rainsy is facing criminal charges for publishing a map alleging Vietnamese encroachment on his party's website and a two-year jail term for uprooting markers along the Vietnamese border last year, which the court said was an attempt to incite racial hatred.

“We wish to see a political compromise,” said Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc, who said Sam Rainsy's appeal marked “concern” for his party's political bids in commune elections in 2012 and national elections in 2013.

Such compromise would have to come from “the participation of a third party,” he said.

  © Blogger templates Newspaper by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP