The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) said there will be “no room” for negotiation with the former opposition, amid a call from the former leaders of the court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) for political reconciliation ahead of their upcoming return from exile to attend a court trial in Cambodia. The numerous ex-CNRP former leadership figures, led by their ex-vice president Mu Sochua, plan to return to the Kingdom early next year to attend the trial at the Phnom Penh Municipal court.

 

Sochua has repeatedly said her return to the Kingdom on January 4 is aimed towards political reconciliation with the ruling CPP despite that fact she is facing arrest. On Tuesday, Sochua called for peace talks as some ex-CNRP activists were seriously beaten in Cambodia by unknown suspects. “Violence is never a solution for national reconciliation. Let’s talk #Peace,” she said on her official Facebook page.

 

Despite Sochua calling for reconciliation, Sam Rainsy, the former opposition leader who is living in exile in Paris, recently said he would return to the Kingdom “soon” to eliminate what he called a “treasonous regime”, saying he will gather forces against the government. However, Ministry of Justice Spokesman Chin Malin said yesterday that politicians who commit a crime should be punished based on the law rather than having it up for negotiation.

 

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50794156/no-room-for-negotiation-with-former-opposition/

is anybody surprised by this?