STATEMENT OF FUNCINPEC PARTY

(for immediate release)

THE ATTEMPT TO ARREST OPPOSITION LEADERS

Plain-cloth Police and pro Hun Sen demonstrators are spreading fear and terror on the streets of Phnom Penh, chanting and holding banners "Ranariddh and Rainsy are traitors. The Government must arrest the Pair".

There are clear evidence that the pro Hun Sen demonstrators have strong intention to call for the arrest of opposition leaders who Hun Sen has accused of leading illegal demonstrations and authors of a grenade attack on his residence, at the beginning of the week. Funcinpec elected and alternate MPs are ready to be arrested and stand together in solidarity should their leaders be illegally arrested and retained. We condemn all form of violence and Hun Sen’s flagrant violation of the Constitution.

Funcinpec is appealing to the world community to react immediately and condemn Hun Sen’s act of terror against his opponent and the peace loving people of Cambodia. Pro-democracy demonstrators among whom are Buddhist monks, Lay men, students and women have been brutally killed and injured by Hun Sen’s armed police.

Hun Sen continues to put pressure on opposition to form a coalition government despite strong evidence that the July 26  elections marred with widespread irregularities and fraud.

Any attempt to arrest elected and alternate MPs will be the end of the convening of National Assembly and the formation of the new government.

Phnom Penh, 12 September 1998