U.S. urges all parties in Cambodia not to use force

Asian Political News, Sept 14, 1998

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 Kyodo

The United States on Tuesday urged all parties in Cambodia to stop using force as a means to solve political problems.

''It is time for the Cambodian political crisis to be resolved in a nonviolent manner through dialogue, and we urge the parties to conduct their activities in accordance with those principles,'' State Department spokesman James Rubin told a news briefing.

At least one person was shot dead Monday when Cambodian military police opened fire while dispersing opposition protesters.

Witnesses said at least three people were badly injured as police dispersed as many as a thousand supporters of opposition leader Sam Rainsy who had gathered in front of a Phnom Penh hotel where he was taking refuge.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday ordered the arrest of Sam Rainsy and other opposition party members on allegations that they had a role in grenade explosions earlier in the day at his house and for organizing around-the-clock antigovernment demonstrations over the past two weeks in front of the National Assembly.

The arrest warrant was rescinded the following day, however, after intervention by Japanese, U.S. and other diplomats, as well as by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's personal representative in Cambodia.

Sam Rainsy denied involvement in the blasts, in which nobody was hurt, and said Hun Sen's government was using it as a pretext to justify cracking down on the political opposition.

''We deplore the widespread use of violence in Cambodia, particularly the recent grenade attacks on Hun Sen's residence and at a protest led by Sam Rainsy at the Ministry of Interior,'' Rubin said.

He also said the U.S. deplores the use of force by the Cambodian government in breaking up demonstrations and denying opposition parties their freedom of expression.