Hun Sen Touts Road and Bridge Projects
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
14 May 2008
Prime Minister Hun Sen boasted Wednesday of creating more than 400
kilometers of roads and many new bridges in the last two weeks alone,
in a move observers say is a kind of campaigning ahead of the
election.
Campaigning is officially set to begin June 26 and will run through
July 25, two days before the polls open for general elections. But
observers say remarks by Hun Sen broadcast on local media are aimed at
pulling in voters sooner.
Hun Sen had =93inaugurated some new national roads and bridges of more
than 400 kilometers, during the last two weeks,=94 the prime minister
told a crowd gathered for the opening of 152 kilometers of road and
four bridges in Koh Kong province. =93This is a marvel in the 21st
Century, in what the Cambodia government and the people are
cooperating with development partners to make for our Cambodians.=94
=93The people have asked him to continue,=94 Hun Sen said of himself.
=93After the election, I will take the prime minister post.=94
Hun Sen=92s public appearances were part of a =93very im****tant election
campaign,=94 said Human Rights Party Vice President Keo Remy. They also
amounted to =93demagoguery to capture ballots from the voters.=94
Opposition Sam Rainsy Party Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng called
the statements =93propaganda.=94
=93He is proud of the right things,=94 Eng Chhay Ieng said. =93But he must
tell the public how much the government has in foreign debt.=94
Yong Kim Eng, director of the People=92s Center for Development and
Peace, said Hun Sen=92s speeches were an =93election strategy=94 to show
the=
public the achievements of the government.
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