Sam Rainsy Claims Proof of Border Loss

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC
Monday, 14 June 2010

via Khmer NZ News Media

Photo: by Pin Sisovann
Sam Rainsy, leader of SRP, talks to VOA Khmer on 'Hello VOA', while visiting Washington DC, on Thursday.

“The court is being used only as a tool, a puppet and a nonsensical joke.”

Cambodia’s opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, says he has gathered enough evidence to prove to the international community that Cambodia is losing land to Vietnam and he called on signatory countries to the 1991 Peace Accords to “kindly come to help Cambodia.”

“We are in danger,” said Sam Rainsy, who is facing criminal charges for publishing a map alleging border encroachment by Vietnam, as a guest on “Hello VOA” Thursday.

Sam Rainsy remains in exile, facing a two-year sentence on charges related to uprooting border posts near Vietnam in Svay Rieng province last year. He is in the US building political support for his party.

The opposition leader said Thursday he was not concerned over the charges.

“The court is being used only as a tool, a puppet and a nonsensical joke,” he said. “It is merely a political matter which requires a political solution.”

A government spokesman said Sam Rainsy was exceeding his mandate in attacking the court system.

“The opposition party should play its role properly,” said Phay Siphan, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers. “As an opposition party, you should oppose a political trend, but not the judicial system, which we are working now to strengthen.”

Foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Sam Rainsy was unlikely to gain credence for his views.