Amid concerns over CPP President Chea Sim’s health, officials on Thursday confirmed that the leader of the ruling party will not meet with Burmese Prime Minister Lieutenant General Soe Win during his two-day visit to Cambodia.
Chea Sim, who is also president of the Senate, was prevented from meeting with a visiting Vietnamese delegation last month because officials reported that the 72-year-old has been suffering from heart problems, a tumor and joint illnesses.
Officials say Chea Sim’s ailing health has also caused him to withdraw from Soe Win’s courtesy visit to Phnom Penh, which starts today.
“The Burmese prime minister will meet Prime Minister Hun Sen and the King,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hem Heng said Thursday, omitting mention of Chea Sim.
CPP Honorary President Heng Samrin repeated Thursday that Chea Sim’s health is declining.
But he maintained that the party leader is able to continue carrying out his duties.
Heng Samrin said Wednesday that, despite remaining optimistic about Chea Sim’s recovery, nobody but Prime Minister Hun Sen and himself could take over the party presidency if Chea Sim can no longer fulfill his duties.
