Sam Rainsy, leader of his self-named party, said Sunday that he and his deputies still want a safety guarantee before returning to Phnom Penh.
In a Sunday letter to King Norodom Sihanouk, Sam Rainsy asked the monarch to help him obtain guaranteed security from Second Prime Minister Hun Sen and CPP President Chea Sim so his deputies could attend the National Assembly meeting Nov 25.
Sam Rainsy said Prince Norodom Ranariddh informed him Saturday that Hun Sen recently accused the Sam Rainsy Party, along with the Khmer Rouge, of planning a Sept 24 rocket attack in Siem Reap town. One person died in the attack, which the second prime minister has claimed was an attempt on his life.
The Sam Rainsy Party has denied any involvement in the attack, but fears reprisals, possibly arrests. “In light of this very grave accusation [Prince Ranariddh suggested I should] first ask, before returning to Phnom Penh, for assurances concerning my security and the political-judicial double-crossings that could be organized against those responsible for the Sam Rainsy Party,” Sam Rainsy said.
Sam Rainsy earlier asked Hun Sen and Chea Sim for details about security for his party members’ once they return to Phnom Penh. But Sam Rainsy said he has received no response.
The party leader’s request came Nov 11, a day after the King had suggested Sam Rainsy seek security guarantees.
Sam Rainsy has not returned to Cambodia since he left Sept 25. Most of the party’s 14 other newly elected parliamentarians are also outside the country.
Second Prime Minister Hun Sen, with the King’s backing, guaranteed safety to Prince Ranariddh, the Funcinpec leader, prompting the prince to return to here for a summit with CPP on Thursday and Friday.
But no guarantee came for Sam Rainsy, his party did not attend the summit, and the role of his party in the new government has not been resolved.
