Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy address the press at the National Assembly in Phnom Penh in 2015. Heng Chivoan
Prime Minister-designate Hun Sen lashed out at political analyst Meas Nee for suggesting he meet with opposition figure Sam Rainsy, who lives in France, while in Europe.
Several analysts, in fact, called for the meeting, saying that political solutions could be solved with the help of the international community later this month during the leader’s trip.
Nee claimed that although the two leaders have political differences, they still have enough empathy to find solutions through a third party.
“If we look at their personalities, every day they express their feelings. Some are good and some are bad. When it is good, [they] are close to each other, but when [they] have a little argument, something white becomes black immediately."
“I still believe that on behalf of Cambodia, both Samdech [Hun Sen] and Sam Rainsy should take national benefits seriously and find an opportunity to work together,” Nee said.
Though Nee said now may not be the best time for Hun Sen and Rainsy to work together, in the future they could end disputes and avoid international criticism of Cambodia.
“If we just heard that the two sides had met, Cambodians across the country would applaud and maybe send them congratulatory messages. This is an encouragement from Cambodians, including me,” Nee said.
In October, Hun Sen will attend a meeting hosted by the European Union in Belgian capital Brussels.
Before that, the prime minister, as head of the new Cambodian government, will attend an UN convention in New York at the end of the month.
Sam Rainsy also has appointments in the same cities at the same time.
Cambodia Intellectual Association head Ruos Sarom said Hun Manet and Sam Sarum, the sons of both men, had met each other in June, claiming a reliable source told him about the meeting.
He further speculated that the feud between Hun Sen and Rainsy was exaggerated by both sides.
“During Samdech Hun Sen’s visit to Europe, I think it is a good idea if they can meet because the meeting between them produces nothing negative for Cambodia."
“They meet and they talk for the well being of Cambodians. Don’t mix personal problems with national problems."
“Sam Rainsy is a criminal only in Cambodia. If Sam Rainsy were an [international criminal], Interpol would have gotten him already, they would not let him walk all over the world like this,” Sarom said.
‘No negotiations’
However, according to Freshnews, Hun Sen said there would be no negotiations between him and Rainsy. He also denied the fact that there was a political crisis in the country.
“There will be no negotiations whatsoever between me and convict Sam Rainsy during my trip abroad to the US and the EU.
“I would like to say that Cambodia does not have a political crisis as foolishly analysed by Meas Nee. There is only a politician who has to undergo punishment under Cambodian law,” Hun Sen told Freshnews on Monday.
The CPP president further scolded Nee to stop analysing the political situation if he didn’t understand the problems.
“Meas Nee, if you are crazy, you are crazy alone. Do not trigger others to become crazy with [you]. If you are stupid and do not understand politics, do not be an analyst anymore,” Hun Sen told Nee.
Nee shrugged off the leader’s reaction, saying that it was par for the course with Hun Sen. “Sometimes, analyses have some loopholes. For me, I don’t think it is a big issue . . . I simply do what I can do,” he said.
