Hun Sen wins King Sihanouk's backing

Hun Sen wins King Sihanouk's backing

SIEM REAP, Cambodia (Agencies): Strongman Hun Sen won the unofficial backing yesterday of King Norodom Sihanouk to quell Cambodia's political instability by trying to create a three- sided coalition government including opposition parties that accuse him of electoral fraud.

But the opposition parties led by Sihanouk's son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, and Sam Rainsy said it was too early to discuss a coalition before allegations of election irregularities are investigated and the final count from Sunday's elections is in.

Hun Sen, whose ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) party looks set to win the weekend general election, proposed a three- way coalition with two rival parties yesterday.

"We appeal to have a coalition between the CPP, FUNCINPEC and Sam Rainsy," Hun Sen told reporters as he emerged from talks with Sihanouk. The CPP is expected to win more than 60 of the 122 National Assembly seats after Sunday's vote but needs endorsement by two thirds of the assembly to form a new government.

Though Sihanouk is largely a figurehead, his popularity among many Cambodians and high international profile make his blessing a vital step for Hun Sen to win back international legitimacy and aid lost by ousting the king's son as co-prime minister in a bloody coup last year.

"The king is pleased with the idea," Hun Sen told a news conference. "It will create cooperation in the National Assembly and the government, giving a favorable atmosphere for national reconstruction."

Both Ranariddh's royalist FUNCINPEC and the Sam Rainsy Party threaten to boycott the assembly and paralyze formation of a government, accusing Hun Sen of rigging the election.

Terror

Terrorized opposition activists have meanwhile fled from the provinces to the capital, Phnom Penh, as the Hun Sen-controlled police retaliated for their challenges to his rule.

Thomas Hammarberg, the top United Nations human rights envoy to Cambodia, said the international community wanted it stopped.

"It's very important that the political leadership make very clear they will take a strong stance against attempts to settle scores," said Hammarberg.

Many Cambodians disbelieve claims by Hun Sen's party of an overwhelming election victory, but they also put a premium on stability after decades of war, the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970s that caused the deaths of as many as two million people, and last year's coup.

Under Hun Sen's proposal, his Cambodian People's Party would retain control of the key ministries -- the security portfolios of interior and defense, finance, justice and foreign affairs. Sharing other ministries would be discussed after final results come in.

The action signaled that Hun Sen -- relaxed and confident despite an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago -- realizes he cannot ignore the opposition but intends to keep all real power.

Hun Sen said that officials of his party have already discussed the idea with FUNCINPEC.

Sihanouk, 75, intends to leave for China for medical treatment once the new assembly and government are seated, Hun Sen said.

The opposition has threatened to boycott the assembly, denying the two-thirds attendance needed to confirm a new government. Hun Sen replied Wednesday he would change the constitution to rule unfettered for the next five years.

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