PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union withdraws duty-free trading access over human rights concerns.

 

The EU in November began a formal procedure to strip Cambodia of its Everything but Arms (EBA) status, after Hun Sen returned to power in a July general election in which his party won all of the seats after a crackdown on the opposition.

 

“If you want the opposition dead, just cut it,” Hun Sen said in a speech at the inauguration of a ring road around the capital, Phnom Penh, addressing the European Union and referring to Cambodia’s EBA status.

“If you want the opposition alive, don’t do it and come and hold talks together,” he said.

 

EBA is an initiative aimed at helping poorer countries. It can be withdrawn in the case of serious violations of human rights conventions.

 

The EU threatened to withdraw the trade preferences because of a crackdown on the opposition ahead of the July election, which the EU condemned as not being credible.

 

Hun Sen, 66, who also marked 34th year of his premiership on Monday, said that he would not forgive those who had appealed to Western countries to cut aid to press his government, and said critics should get ready to flee abroad.

“People are prepared to flee, be prepared,” Hun Sen said.

 

“I won’t forgive them.”

Cambodia’s Supreme Court dissolved the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and banned 118 party members in 2017 at the request of the government after accusations that the party was plotting to take power with the help of the United States.

 

The party and the United States rejected any such plot.

CNRP leader Kem Sokha was released from prison in September after spending more than a year in jail on treason charges but remains under house arrest in Phnom Penh.

He denies any wrongdoing. Other senior party members have left the country, in fear of arrest.

 

EU countries took about 40 percent of Cambodia’s exports in 2016, the bulk from the garment sector that employs about 700,000 people.

 

EU Ambassador George Edgar and the CNRP did not immediately responded to requests for comments on Monday.

 

Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Robert Birsel

 

source https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-politics/cambodian-pm-warns-of-dead-opposition-if-eu-withdraws-preferences-idUSKCN1P8090

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 14/01

The man who wants everything. Absolute power with no opposition and benefits from first world trading partners but still threatens anyone who doesn't go along with him. He has a serious case of narcissistic personality disorder.   

Wow,  he is slowly starting to turn into his predecessor.  The EU is now possibly wondering why they removed those peace keepers in the first place.  Never met one Cambodian that liked HS.  We shall see where he will take the country next.   

He says if they want the opposition dead, then cut the trade deal.

 

But, the opposition has already fled - at least the leadership. They are long gone. So who is left? Not even a free press to persecute.

21 hours ago, Lungstib said:

The man who wants everything. Absolute power with no opposition and benefits from first world trading partners but still threatens anyone who doesn't go along with him. He has a serious case of narcissistic personality disorder.   

 

That's what happens when you support someone who was a terrorist and member of one of the most ruthless murdering regimes ever.

 

Let's see how the wonderful EU deal with this very open threat; and the UN and it's various commissions.

 

Like all dictators after years in office he's getting more paranoid about loosing power and more determined to do anything to keep power. 

 

That's possible when the political dictator also manages to get hold of the military and justice system. 

 

 

21 hours ago, Lungstib said:

The man who wants everything. Absolute power with no opposition and benefits from first world trading partners but still threatens anyone who doesn't go along with him. He has a serious case of narcissistic personality disorder.   

He is but one of a long line of greedy dictators that have, and are infecting the planet. Sure will be glad when he reaches his expiry date.

1 hour ago, Proboscis said:

So who is left?

Registered party members?

 

23 hours ago, geovalin said:

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union

I am sure the EU is shaking in it's boots from those harsh words coming from the vertically challenged Hun Sen.

The EU has made to very clear to countries in S.E. Asia like Cambodia, Thailand and others they will not offer free trade deals with nations which have little or no respect for human rights. 

Hun Sen doesn't wan't to be too cheeky otherwise their EU exports could take a bit of a hit.

His Khmer Rouge background is showing through!

5 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

That's what happens when you support someone who was a terrorist and member of one of the most ruthless murdering regimes ever.

 

Let's see how the wonderful EU deal with this very open threat; and the UN and it's various commissions.

 

Like all dictators after years in office he's getting more paranoid about loosing power and more determined to do anything to keep power. 

 

That's possible when the political dictator also manages to get hold of the military and justice system.

Wonderful EU ......You just made me fell off my chair in fits of laughter.

One can only hope that in the end HS will end up much like Mussolini, hanging by his heals with his scull bashed in a public square.  Hope the people take his offspring and do the same along with all the people who supported his regime. All evil people who deserve the worst.