Daily Update from Local Newspapers January 30, 2014

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

Ministry of National Defense Condemns an Insult of CNRP to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces

                                                                                                        

A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense has condemned a statement of Mr. Yim Sovann, spokesman for CNRP, which insulted the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. In a statement on 23 January 2014, he said “The government that had been established by the illegal parliament is an illegitimate government and the troops who serve the illegitimate government are also illegal”. According to a press release of a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense dated 28 January 2014, the election of the 5^th mandate was conducted smoothly without violence and with a free, just and fair manner, adding that in the situation where the national security and social order are destroyed which affected national harmony and progress, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces must protect the constitution and legitimate government who had been appointed by the legal parliament. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 30 January 2014)

2.                 Diplomatic Issue

British Deputy Foreign Minister to Pay 2 Days Visit Cambodia

                                                                                                        

According to a press release of the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Cambodia dated yesterday, the British Deputy Foreign Minister H.E. Hugo Swire will visit Cambodia from 30 to 31 January 2014. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Samdech Hun Sen, H.E. Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the leader of CNRP concerning the political situation in Cambodia. “I am very pleased to pay the first visit to Cambodia. Cambodia is an attractive and exciting country which established the relationship with the UK. My presence in Cambodia is

to clearly understand the current political situation in the country and other challenges so as to maintain peace, security and democratic future in Cambodia. In addition, I also want to monitor the potential to increase the trade relation between the two countries in order to boost the economic growth in the near future”, H.E. Hugo Swire said in a press release. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 30 January 2014)