Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh lauded himself and Prime Minister Hun Sen Friday for reaching a deal last week he says will solve the eight-month long political deadlock.
“I and Samdech Hun Sen unlocked the right door,” Prince Ranariddh said during a ceremony in Kandal province, which was broadcast on radio.
“[We] opened wrong doors again and again,” he said, but now, after having made the March 15 deal, “both of us did the right one.”
In their tentative agreement, the two leaders indicated they would form a government together in which Funcinpec could share some of its positions with the Sam Rainsy Party. Earlier this week, Sam Rainsy also said he was willing to join such a government.
Prince Ranariddh was optimistic that Sunday’s scheduled meeting of Funcinpec and CPP officials would hammer out the formation of a new government. Funcinpec officials will negotiate on behalf of the Sam Rainsy Party, whose members will not be present.
Sam Rainsy wrote a letter to King Norodom Sihanouk defending his decision to accept a share of the new government positions, according to a statement from the King on Thursday.
“Who is without sin throws the first stone, before seeing and judging the craftsman and his work,” he wrote to the King.
King Sihanouk also said he “will no longer write anything on the current political affairs of Cambodia,” leaving such matters to the parties and the electorate.
