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