Opposition lawmakers have called on the Constitutional Council to explain how the

constitution can allow a caretaker government to continue to run the country while

the political deadlock remains unresolved.

On February 28 the 21 lawmakers wrote to question the legality of having a caretaker

government while there is no National Assembly, the caretaker government's right

to borrow money from international communities, and the legality of the expenditure

budget.

Yong Sem, spokesman for the Constitutional Council, said: "We do not comment

while the members of CC are still waiting for an advisory report before holding a

meeting."

Prime Minister Hun Sen has said his caretaker government will continue until 2008

if there is no constituted government to take its place.

Prince Norodom Sirivudh, secretary-general of the Funcinpec Party, said the CPP had

declined to resume talks with the other political parties. Border issues, corruption,

judicial reform, and the high number of murders were matters of national interest

that the CPP must deal with, he said.

Sam Rainsy, president of the SRP, said: "If the political deadlock cannot be

resolved between now and April, the international communities and European Parliament

will be considering suspension of non-humanitarian aid to Cambodia."