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UN envoy urges Cambodian ruling, opposition parties to maintain "culture of dialogue"

Xinhua, January 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN human rights envoy to Cambodia Surya P. Subedi on Tuesday urged the ruling and opposition parties to continue the "culture of dialogue" in resolving the issues of national interests. "The spirit of dialogue in the great interest of the people in this country seems to continue for sometime to come, and I wish both the ruling CPP and the (opposition) CNRP all the best in making sure that the country moves toward prosperity and development," he told reporters after a meeting with Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). "I'm quite optimistic that the process of dialogue will continue between the two parties and the country will move forward,"he said.

The expert's comments came after Prime Minister Hun Sen and vice-president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) said Monday that the CNRP had broken a pledge of the "culture of dialogue" for resolving issues. "I'd like to send a message to His Excellency Sam Rainsy that the culture of dialogue is not effective,"Hun Sen said during a graduation ceremony in Svay Rieng province."It's okay now to start challenging each other without the culture of dialogue."

The prime minister's remarks came after Sam Rainsy and his deputy Kem Sokha held several public forums in different provinces last week to verbally attack him and his government on issues including corruption and illegal immigrants.

Hun Sen also urged the court to expedite the prosecution of seven opposition lawmakers on the charges of leading an insurrection in a violent clash last July that resulted in the injuries of more than 40 people. If convicted, the seven lawmakers could face up to 30 years in prison.

CNRP ended its 10-month long boycott of parliament over the 2013 elections on July 22 after Hun Sen agreed to its proposals for electoral reforms and power sharing in the parliament.

In the 2013 elections, the CPP won 68 seats in the 123-seat parliament, while the CNRP earned the remaining 55 seats. Endi