Dear Editor,

Your article about "CPP members want to drop coalition" (PPP, Sept 13-26,

2002) was appreciated. However, there are several points that need corrections.

In the article you quoted one of the CPP members, who said "[The current situation]

is like a business where one partner is not working hard enough and yet still gets

paid the same as the other partner, so it's difficult for us."

In reality FUNCINPEC works very hard and speaks less. FUNCINPEC in both branches

of the government, Legislative and Executive, works very hard to pass important laws

sent to the Parliament by the Royal Coalition Government; and works very hard to

implement governmental decisions and policy.

Without the hard work and the help of FUNCINPEC important laws - Land Law, Forestry

Law, Social Security law, and the NEC Law, etcetera - cannot be passed, and many

decisions set forth by the government would be stalled everywhere. So when your source

(Senior CPP member) said that FUNCINPEC is not working hard enough [it] is ludicrous.

And for the sake of the coalition, I think, FUNCINPEC warrants better respect.

But if your source meant to say that the Sam Rainsy Party is not working hard enough

and yet still gets paid the same as others, I entirely agree with him.

Your source went on to say, "The ineffectual leadership by FUNCINPEC Prince

Norodom Ranariddh and internal divisions within the Royalists had CPP members worried."

Your source totally distorted the facts. It is completely unfair and grossly injustice,

for him to characterize the Prince in such a manner. The National Assembly is a contentious

environment, at times outright hostile, thus HRH Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranaridh

manages to conduct the Parliament in a peaceful way to pass all laws that were sent

to the Assembly by the government.

Your source seems to know a lot about FUNCINPEC's house, but as far as internal divisions

within the Royalists are concerned, there aren't any.

FUNCINPEC is no different than the CPP; FUNCINPEC has a few bad apples just like

the CPP. HRH Samdech Krom Norodom Ranariddh's leadership keeps the country at peace,

creates an environment that [causes] political stability [to flourish], and fosters

democracy and rule of law.

Your source continued: "If FUNCINPEC does not work hard to improve its popularity

then there may no longer be a partnership in the government." There is no need

to teach a swimmer how to swim.

FUNCINPEC still is a contender for 2003; our popularity remains strong throughout

the country; FUNCINPEC will reach the finish line using its own strategy; FUNCINPEC

knows how to win; all FUNCINPEC needs is a fair game.

The future (2003) is to hold promise for FUNCINPEC. It will be because FUNCINPEC

supporters are able to cooperate together in their own best interest. It means putting

aside their differences with one another sufficiently to work effectively together.

FUNCINPEC is not concerned with partnership or not partnership in the future,

because it depends on the people. However, FUNCINPEC wants to take premiership in

2003, but if the people still want to continue the current ineffectual policies,

stagnate growth and development, so be it.

The FUNCINPEC supporters remain strong throughout the country; know when to unite.

The historical record has shown that, which will repeat itself.

- Noranarith Anandayath, Member of FUNCINPEC