Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to resume negotiations toward the formation of a new government and National Assembly during an hour-long meeting with Funcinpec Deputy Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay on Saturday, officials said.
The premier’s decision to reopen talks among the three main political parties has boosted optimism of a breakthrough in the months-long government deadlock, Nhiek Bun Chhay said.
“The agreement helps to open the door since [negotiations between] the working groups got stuck,” he said.
The two task forces of top-level leaders from all three parties, appointed to discuss the formation of the government and National Assembly, broke off negotiations in December citing lack of progress.
Nhiek Bun Chhay said no specific date has yet been set for the task forces to meet.
CPP spokesman Khieu Kanharith on Sunday confirmed Hun Sen’s decision, saying, “The working groups will start the discussions soon.”
Meanwhile on Saturday, Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh met with US Ambassador Charles Ray to discuss the current political situation, royalist spokesman Kassie Neou said.
He said Ray expressed concern over the security of the leaders of the Funcinpec and Sam Rainsy Party’s Alliance of Democrats, who the opposition party alleges are on a CPP assassination list.
Kassie Neou added that Ray said the US would continue to support a peaceful and constitutional process to end the political deadlock, though he made no indication of whether the US would intervene.
US Embassy officials declined to comment further on Sunday.
In an interview with Radio Free Asia Saturday, Prince Ranariddh urged the CPP to accept the Alliance’s proposals, which include nullifying border agreements made with Vietnam in the 1980s, and implementing judicial reforms.
During the interview, Prince Ranariddh also repeated his earlier claim that he does not want to be the Assembly president, which the three parties agreed to during the Nov 5 meeting.
