S AM Rainsy, still firmly in the bad books of the government and his party's
boss, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, is now facing a new dilemma: how long will his
presence in his Funcinpec party last?
The party's executive committee has
had a meeting to discuss the future of the outspoken MP, whose activities have
angered many members and have affected party unity, according to sources.
"The executive committee discussed and reviewed activities [of Rainsy]
that affect the party," Nan Ly Tan, an executive member of Funcinpec, told the
Post.
Ly Tan did not give details of the meeting or the date when it was
held. He said that no decision has been finalized about Rainsy's membership in
the executive committee and in the party.
"I'd like to affirm that, up to
now, there is not any decision from Samdech [Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh], the
president of Funcinpec, to remove Sam Rainsy yet," he said, adding that
Ranariddh was absent from the meeting, which was chaired by Public Works
Minister Ing Keat.
Another source inside Funcinpec said that many members
of the party were not happy with Rainsy's activities. He added that, although
Rainsy's future in the party has not been determined, it is likely he will be
fired from the executive committee.
Rainsy, who has been out of the
country since March 2, could not be reached for comment. His calls on the
international donor community to attach conditions of their assistance for
Cambodian government outraged First Prime Minister Ranariddh, who later publicly
expressed regret for having Rainsy in Funcinpec.
Rainsy has repeatedly
said his statements to donors simply called for better use of funds. He has
never called for a suspension of aid.
But Second Prime Minister Hun Sen,
upon his return from abroad on March 25, told reporters that there is a second
Pol Pot who is trying to block aid to Cambodia. Khmer newspapers reported the
comment was directed at Rainsy.
