(VOV) – The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Thursday decided to postpone talks scheduled for Friday on its ongoing political row with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). The decision came after Cambodian authorities dispersed hundreds of striking workers at a garment factory on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. The opposition party declared it will resume talks with the CPP only if the authorities stop using violence against strikers. Kheng Tito, spokesman for the National Military Police, however, said that strikers had tried to destroy factory property, so security forces had to take action against them. He added that 15 people, including five fake Buddhist monks, were arrested on charges of inciting violence.
Clash between police and the demonstrators. Photo: internet
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The same day, the CPP expressed regrets for the opposition party’s decision, stating that the CNRP used the clash between the authorities and striking workers as a pretext to suspend the talk plans. The CPP said it revealed a lack of any real will to seek a solution through negotiations. The CPP urged the opposition party to stop inciting violence and causing social unrest, and immediately return to the negotiating table in order to resolve issues peacefully for the sake of the nation.