CAMBODIA: FOUR FUNCINPEC GOVERNORS SACKED,

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000600 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS; GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA: FOUR FUNCINPEC GOVERNORS SACKED, PRESSURE ON FUNCINPEC CONTINUES TO MOUNT ¶1. (SBU) Citing incompetence and corruption, Prime Minister Hun Sen last week removed four FUNCINPEC provincial governors from their posts, and promised to remove any others who permitted illegal logging to continue in their provinces or who could not resolve land disputes. Additional pressure on FUNCINPEC came as Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his mistress, Ouk Phalla, had their pictures splashed on the front pages of two Khmer language daily newspapers and two biweekly magazines. These latest developments continue to denigrate FUNCINPEC as a political party and Ranariddh as a leader, but the party does not seem ready to crash yet. End Summary. FUNCINPEC's Fortunes Take Another Drop -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Late last week Prime Minister Hun Sen removed four FUNCINPEC-appointed provincial governors from their posts, citing incompetence and corruption, and replaced them all with members of his own Cambodia People's Party (CPP). Kuch Moly, governor of Odar Meanchey province, was replaced by Pich Sokhi, formerly the Third Deputy Governor of Siem Reap province. Sim Son, governor of Siem Reap province, was replaced by Sou Phirin, formerly governor of Takeo province. Lao Sun Pa, governor of Kandal province, was replaced by Khim Bo, formerly First Deputy Governor of Kandal province. Heng Chantha, governor of Banteay Meanchey province, was replaced by An Sum, formerly the First Deputy Governor of Banteay Meanchey province. The First Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, Mam Bun Neang, was also removed from his position. Of the five, three were assigned to new positions within the government. Lao Sun Pa and Heng Chantha were both moved to the Ministry of Interior, while Sim Son was appointed as a State Secretary for Rural Development. ¶3. (SBU) In a speech given in Siem Reap province on Monday, March 27, Hun Sen warned that he would remove any provincial governors who would not enforce the logging ban or resolve land disputes in their provinces. In his speech the PM singled out former governor of Siem Reap, Sim Son, as being hesitant to enforce laws, hence he was removed. Hun Sen also reiterated that unqualified officials who purchased their positions would be rooted out and replaced with qualified personnel. ¶4. (SBU) The assault against FUNCINPEC party leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh also continued, with photos of Ranariddh and his mistress, Ouk Phalla, gracing the front pages of Rasmei Kampuchea as well as Kampuchea Thmei, a pro-CPP paper. The news stories contained information about Phalla and her family, as well as the well-circulated rumors that Ranariddh made political appointments suggested by his mistress, and claims of multiple properties owned by the pair. Two biweekly magazines also included Ouk Phalla's biographical information and articles about her illicit relationship with Ranariddh. Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The CPP is continuing to beat down FUNCINPEC and its beleaguered leader. While Prime Minister Hun Sen is cloaking his actions under the guise of fighting corruption, the fact remains that only FUNCINPEC officials are being purged. While FUNCINPEC officials have expressed concern about the future of their party, many mix that concern with continuing complaints about Ranariddh's poor stewardship. One FUNCINPEC Minister with close CPP connections told us he expects the purge of FUNCINPEC officials to end soon, now that the PM has taught Ranariddh a lesson. Most observers think FUNCINPEC will still limp forward. End Comment. Mussomeli