End to Exile?

AN official from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) says that its eponymous party president will return to Cambodia soon, despite the prospect of his arrest after being sentenced to prison for uprooting border markers. SRP spokesman Kimsour Phirith said on Tuesday that he could not give a date for Sam Rainsy’s possible return to the country, but said he would do so without fear. “He must be back, because he is Khmer and he cannot give up the Khmer nation. If he comes and faces arrest, he will still come. His stance will not change,” he said. Sam Rainsy “must dare to face prison to prevent [Cambodia] from losing land.” Kimsour Phirith added that the international community, would “not be quiet” about his jailing. Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said that Sam Rainsy must serve his sentence. “He must be punished – this is the court’s stance,” he said.