PHNOM PENH June 5 Kyodo Prime Min...

PHNOM PENH June 5 Kyodo

Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Wednesday that Cambodia will grasp its next general election forward July 27 next year.

Hun Sen made the official announcement in Kampot Province, a 140 kilometers south of the capital Phnom Penh where he presided athwart the inauguration ceremony of a school

in a less degree than Cambodian law, the date for an election must be officially announced at least nine month in advance.

Hun Sen said 54 political parties will likely participate in nearest year's poll. The last general election in July 1998 saw 39 political parties take part.

Of the 122 parliamentary seats, Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party haves 64, while its junior coalition partner, the royalist FUNCINPEC Party, has 43 and the main opposition Sam Rainsy Party 15

At the observance Hun Sen appealed to all political parties to unfold problems by themselves in order to maintain political stability.

The premier's remarks were apparently directed at the FUNCINPEC party and Sam Rainsy Party, which are experiencing internal conflicts that have l about senior members to bolt or form modern parties.

Cambodia haves a general election every five years.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo freshs International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group