Top CPP officials once again have urged their cadre to avoid violence during the upcoming election campaign.
CPP members discussed that appeal and other campaign strategies at a party meeting Friday at the studios of Apsara TV in Phnom Penh, attended by more than 750.
Few details were disclosed about the meeting among top CPP officials and representatives. But Khieu Kanharith, secretary of state for Information, said the discussion included an appeal to CPP cadre not to be provoked into violence by the opposition. He said members were urged not to “fall into the trap, even if they are insulted in front of their face.”
A diplomat characterized the conference as a “secret meeting, mostly preparing for the upcoming elections, and instructions about the political campaign. It was an internal matter.”
Ith Sam Heng, CPP Cabinet director, declined comment Monday, referring questions to Khieu Kanharith.
Khieu Kanharith indicated the conference was to assess where the CPP still is weak, and to devise ways to strengthen those areas. Overall, he said, voter registration had been a big success.
The Khmer-language newspaper Kampuchea Thngay Nih (Cambodia Today) said issues of integration, political alliances and the role of the monarchy as a symbol of national unity also were discussed.
“They appealed to the NEC [National Election Committee], the Royal Government and all competent institutions to take measures to ensure safety…and free, just, transparent and non-violent elections,” the paper stated.
The opposition Khmer Conscience newspaper highlighted a conference report that it said assured continued payments to party officials and members to ensure their loyalty. The newspaper claimed that Second Prime Minister Hun Sen already has spent $10 million “buying votes.”
Observers conservatively have estimated that the CPP is spending about $2.5 million a month.
CPP officials have claimed at least 3 million members among the estimated 5.4 million voters.
