SRP to mark ’97 coup d’état anniversary

SRP to mark ’97 coup d’état anniversary

1997 Coup D'etat (Photo: AP)

Tuesday, 05 July 2011
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

The opposition Sam Rainsy Party will hold a ceremony tomorrow to remember the dozens who died in the 1997 factional fighting, SRP lawmaker Kimsour Pirith said. During two days of heavy fighting on July 5 and 6, a Cambodian People’s Party faction led by then-second Prime Minister Hun Sen ousted forces loyal to Funcinpec, headed at the time by then-first Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh. Funcinpec president and Deputy Prime Minister Nhek Bun Chhay, who was targeted in the action but is now part of a coalition with the ruling CPP, said yesterday that the Sam Rainsy Party was using the occasion for its political benefit.