---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alternatives Watch <[email protected]> Date: Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 3:14 PM Subject: 2010 Alternative Prizes To: Alternatives Watch <[email protected]>
Alternatives Watch – 31xii10 – Special Edition. 2010 ALTERNATIVE PRIZES It is time again for the well-deserved in Cambodian politics to receive awards for their remarkable actions in 2010. No doubt, the “Collective Irresponsibility Prize” goes to premier Hun Sen for coming up with a nifty conclusion – after a quick official inquiry – that absolves everyone for the 353 deaths at the 22/11 Spean Koh Pich stampede. He admits the biggest mistake is carelessness and inept assessment of the situation. However, he says it is a joint responsibility, so no one is going to be responsible, which gives much comfort to those who are careless and inept. Effectively, the Cambodian buck has nowhere to stop. Rubbing salt in the wound, the premier claims the death toll would be higher if he were not in charge, which means Cambodians are small potatoes who ought to be thankful that only 353 of them are dead. Prince Ranariddh grabs the “Will The Royal Soufflé Rise Twice? Prize”. After suffering two years of being busy with what his father describes as doing nothing in the Palace, the prince relies on drug addiction metaphor to seek limelight again. After reducing his 56 seat party to a mere 2, he says he comes out of the oblivion to reunite all royalists under a brand new Funcinpec 81. He says he will not aim to oppose – but solely to cooperate with – premier Hun Sen, which indicates he is looking for wealth and glory again. It is immediately rejected by leader of the prince’s target group royalist Funcinpec Nhiek Bun Chhay, who needs the proposed unification like a bullet in his head. Funcinpec has always been cooperating with the premier, and enjoying all perks. There is no need to rock the boat, which could only spoil its fortunes. While the prince re-emerges to amass fund for his eventual retirement, opposition leader Sam Rainsy secures the “Potential Early Departure Prize”. He appears to have found some quantum of solace in exile with a forced retirement staring at his face. He no longer seems to know what he wants; he lately contents himself with a wait-and-see strategy. When asked how he will return to the ring when he wants to, he simply replies, “you just wait and see”. He may have an ace up his sleeve, but it is clear his frantic lobbying with foreign friends and sympathisers outside the ring is not as effective as he wishes. The light at the end of the tunnel he keeps on promising his supporters may just be an incoming train. Sam Rainsy is stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, which points to his imminent departure from politics. If he remains in exile, his SRP leadership role will become totally ineffectual; premier Hun Sen often claims – and SRP does not even bother to deny – that there are elements in the SRP top leadership working for him. However, if Sam Rainsy is allowed to return, he will have to make colossal concessions to premier Hun Sen that will end his political ambition. Happy New Year, anyhow. Ung Bun Ang -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Alternatives Watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]<alternatives-watch%[email protected]> . For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/alternatives-watch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/camdisc Learn more - http://www.cambodia.org
