(17 Sep 1998) English/Nat
Rival party leaders in Cambodia have scheduled face-to-face talks next week to try to bring an end to the country's simmering political crisis.
King Norodom Sihanouk announced on Thursday that the meeting will bring together strongman Hun Sen and his foes Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy.
It's to be held early next Tuesday under the king's auspices in the northwestern province of Siem Reap.
It will be Hun Sen's first meeting with Ranariddh since he ousted the prince in a violent coup in July last year.
Prominent dissident Sam Rainsy met with King Norodom Sihanouk in Siem Reap on Thursday, leaving his sanctuary at the United Nations office in the capital, Phnom Penh, for the first time in more than a week.
Rainsy sought protection from the United Nations after he was accused by Hun Sen of being behind a September 7 grenade attack on the Cambodian leader's home.
Fellow opposition leader, Prince Ranariddh, spoke with the king - his father - on Wednesday.
After Thursday's four-hour meeting, Sam Rainsy said he would attend next week's summit meeting and that his party would be present for the opening of parliament on September 24.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We can strengthen democracy from within the system, from within the national assembly. We want the debate and the confrontation, if any, to move from the streets to the national assembly."
SUPER CAPTION: Sam Rainsy, opposition leader
Opposition leaders, protesting against alleged fraud in July's parliamentary elections, had previously threatened to boycott the National Assembly, which would have made it impossible to form a new government.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We still do not recognise the results of the last election, but this does not prevent us from going to the national assembly. Remember in 1993 the CDP did not recognise the results of the Junta election but this did not prevent them from taking part to the debate in the national assembly."
SUPER CAPTION: Sam Rainsy, opposition leader
Hun Sen's ruling party won a slight majority in July 26 parliamentary elections, but not the two-thirds needed to form a government by itself.
Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy accused Hun Sen of winning through fraud.
Last week police violently suppressed opposition-backed demonstrations calling for Hun Sen to stand down.
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20 июл 2015
