Elections: Paris answers Sam Rainsy

Cambodge Soir

27-10-2008

Jean-David Levitte, a diplomatic advisor to the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, assessed the Cambodian elections as “better organised than the former ones [although] they did not meet international standards”, he stressed. The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) deemed this answer satisfying.

The last general election “process was better than the previous elections but they are not yet up to international standard” stated a letter drafted by Jean-David Levitte and sent to Sam Rainsy.

On August 28, Sam Rainsy wrote to Nicolas Sarkozy and to the Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, both Heads of State of the chairing countries of the Paris Agreements in 1991.

In the letter, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha declared that “what is left of the democracy installed at high cost by the international community is a cracking facade”.

“This answer is positive" SRP MP Mu Sochua, declared to Cambodge Soir hebdo on October 24. “This proves that the French government assumes its role towards Cambodia. What Jean-David Levitte wrote about not respecting the international standard is what Comfrel also concluded.

In his letter Jean-David Levitte promised that the French government will closely monitor the forthcoming Cambodian elections. This is a positive and strong message”, added Mu Sochua.

The MP also declared that the SRP maintains a “good relationship” with the French Embassy in Phnom Penh.