FRANCE: CAMBODIA'S 2ND PRIME MINISTER HUN SEN PRESS CONFERENCE

(24 Sep 1997) Khmer/Natsound
Cambodia's Second Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened Wednesday to suspend his co-operation with the United Nations.
The U-N last Friday postponed deciding which representatives will fill Cambodia's seat, which means it will stay vacant during the fifty-second General Assembly this week.
The diplomatic confusion comes three months after a coup launched by Hun Sen, which deposed his rival First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh.
The international community has since remained divided over whether to recognise Ranariddh - who is in exile - or Hun Sen as the legitimate ruler of Cambodia.
Cambodia's Second Prime Minister Hun Sen - on a private stopover in Paris en route to New York - threatened to suspend co-operation with the United Nations.
His remarks follow a U-N move to postpone deciding which representatives will fill Cambodia's seat, which means it will stay vacant during the 52nd General Assembly this week.
The threat could jeopardise any U-N hopes to play a key role in the Cambodian election due next May.
At a press conference organised at the ambassador's residence near the Eiffel Tower, Hun Sen said he was bringing to the U-N a letter signed by King Norodom Sihanouk which presents his credentials as the legitimate ruler of Cambodia.
He said he did not understand the position of the United Nations.
SOUNDBITE (Khmer):
"The fact that the United Nations refused the Cambodian delegation to take its rightful seat is not only a violation against the Cambodian government, it is also an offence against the King."
SUPER CAPTION: Hun Sen, Second Prime Minister, Cambodia
The new Cambodian leader also tried to prove that he was not responsible for the conflict that broke out in his country last July.
He blamed his ousted rival Prince Norodom Ranariddh for the "coup" and for the current fighting in Cambodia.
Ranariddh was believed to have been very close to signing a peace treaty with the Khmer Rouge - a move which threatened Hun Sen's grip on power - when the coup took place.
At the press conference, Hun Sen said he had proof that Ranariddh had been in contact with the Khmer Rouge's nominal leader, Khieu Samphan.
SOUNDBITE (Khmer):
"Here is a document sent by Khieu Samphan to Norodom Ranariddh on June 26, 1997."
SUPER CAPTION: Hun Sen, Second Prime Minister, Cambodia
Hun Sen accused Ranariddh of secretly plotting with the Khmer Rouge, but he did not clarify to what end.
SOUNDBITE (Khmer):
"On June 27th, Norodom Ranariddh had prepared an answer, which is a common statement (typed on a machine because where the Khmer are, there is no computer)."
SUPER CAPTION: Hun Sen, Second Prime Minister, Cambodia
Hun Sen said that Ranariddh could return to Cambodia and that he would guarantee his safety.
But he warned the prince would have to face trial for his alleged role in the July turmoil.
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