COMMUNIQUE
Opposition Leaders and Members of Parliament Kept Hostages
FUNCINPEC firmly demands that a government ban preventing HRH Samdech Krom Preah Norodom
Ranariddh, President of FUNCINPEC, all FUNCINPEC MPs and MPs-elect and members of the
partys
steering committee from travelling outside of the country be immediately lifted.
Only a few hours following the announcement by HRH Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh of
the
participation of FUNCINPEC at the opening of the National Assembly on September 24, 1998,
the
government hardened its position by extending ban to include all members of FUNCINPEC
Steering
Committee.
FUNCINPEC appeals to all governments, in particular to the imminent members of ASEAN, the
Friends
of Cambodia, the European Union to immediately intervene on behalf of those whose
fundamental right of
movement has been violated.
FUNCINPEC has so far demonstrated its sincere gestures in taking steps towards
peaceful and durable
solutions to the convening of the National Assembly as so wisely suggested by His Majesty
King
Norodom Sihanouk. Negotiations for positive solutions to the nations crisis over the
results of the July
elections can not be conducted on an equal and equitable basis if the CPP continues to
impose its power
during the negotiation process.
Phnom Penh
September 16, 1998