Hun Sen phone conversation with opposition lawmaker released

PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - The Office of the Council of Ministers has released a recorded telephone conversation in 1997 between then Second Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition lawmaker Son Chhay.

In the conversation, said to be on October 17, the Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker is heard talking about the situation outside Cambodia after armed clashes in July between the Cambodian's People's Party and its royalist coalition partner Funcinpec.

Som Chhay is also heard telling Hun Sen about relations between Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party after the fighting, which occurred on July 5 and 6.

The uploading of the conversation came after Hun Sen mentioned it during an address to the National Assembly on Thursday. He said Son Chhay had agreed to be his spy and accept $10,000 to report on events after the clash.

Hun Sen said he considered Son Chhay a godbrother who persuaded the CPP in 1997 to resist a takeover of Funcinpec by Nhiek Bun Chhay, Khan Savoeun and Hor Sok.

Son Chhay told reporters that he considered Hun Sen’s charge as defamatory.