By Ek Tha
PHNOM PENH, September 20,
2013, – Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An was informed by
former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai that the Asian Peace
and Reconciliation Council (APRC) is willing to contribute to find solutions to
the South China Sea issue.
The APRC is an independent,
international and non-governmental body. It is founded on the principles of
inclusiveness, non-interference and consent. It operates on the basis of silent
diplomacy and the individual and collective good offices of its members, said
Founding Chairman H.E. Surakiart Sathirathai.
The former deputy prime
minister and former foreign minister of Thailand, H.E. Surakiart Sathirathai,
said that APRC’s objective is to assist governments and societies in Asia to
identify peaceful means of resolving conflicts and reconciling differences.
In the meeting on Friday,
Surakiart told His Excellency Dr. Sok An that APRC is seeking ways on how to
play a role in contributing to the solution of the South China Sea.
His Excellency Surakiart
Sathirathai also learnt a great deal about Cambodia’s political situation,
especially concerning the July election.
His Excellency Dr. Sok An
told His Excellency Surakiart Sathirathai that the opposition parties in
Cambodia have never recognized the election results. Cambodia has 11 elections
including local and general elections since 1993.
There were nearly 300 foreign
observers who witnessed the general election in July and they said the election
was conducted in a free and fair manner.
Dr. Sok An said that the
alleged claims by opposition that 1.2 million names of voters were missing from
the voter lists is groundless.
He assured His Excellency
Surakiart Sathirathai that Cambodia has legal ground to form the new sitting of
the National Assembly and a new Royal Government. Meaning that only 50% plus 1
are required by the Constitutional law and internal rules and regulations of
the National Assembly.
Thus, only 63 lawmakers out
of the 123 parliamentarians can go ahead to vote in favor of forming
the new National Assembly and a new Royal Government.
The country’s Constitutional
Council (CC), after the National Election Committee (NEC) announced the
election results, has clearly reaffirmed that CPP is the real winner of the
July election.
The ruling party of CPP has
won a majority of 68 parliamentarian seats, while the opposition CNRP
gained 55 seats.
His Majesty King Norodom
Sihamoni will preside over the opening session of the National Assembly on 23
September.
His Excellency Dr. Sok An
said that a package vote of electing new leaders of National Assembly and its
commissions chairpersons, leaders and members of a new government are expected
to take place on 24th September that will be presided over by Samdech Akka Moha
Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin.
“We do not foresee any
deadlock. We will not have any problems with the package voting,” His
Excellency Dr. Sok An assured former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart
Sathirathai.
End
