PHNOM PENH�Pro-democracy programming on an opposition-backed Cambodian radio station has been suspended, after what sources here describe as a governmentouster of the station director, RFA's Khmer service reports.
Acting on orders from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Phnom Penh policestormed in and removed Nhem Sophanna as director of the popular FM90-mhzradio station on Monday, turning the station over to the widow of thestation�s former director.
FM90-mhz immediately suspended all pro-democracy programming by human rightsactivist Kem Sokha and the Cambodian Center For Human Rights, of which Kem Sokha is the director. Sources who asked not to be named indicated that the entire staff of the radio station had been sacked, also on Monday.
The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh voiced concern in a statement that thedispute �might result in the loss of a vital source of news and informationto the Cambodian people.�
Kem Sokha's programs, all of which which are sponsored by U.S.-based NGO International Republican Institute (IRI), cover public affairs issues in Cambodia by hosting discussions with guest politicians, authorities, and people from the community, allowing them to freely express their opinions. The programs also were broadcast eight hours daily on Phnom Penh-based Beehive Radio.
�The United States believes that equal access to the airwaves is anessential cornerstone of democracy. The United States will closely followthe outcome of this dispute and maintain active support of Cambodians toexpress their opinions freely,� the statement said.
Details surrounding Keo Sophea's installation as station director remainunclear. But an arrest warrant, obtained by RFA�s Khmer service and datedDec. 22, 2003, accuses her of taking part in an alleged financial fraud onApril 22, 2003 and then disappearing. Keo Sophea declined to comment on the record for this report.
Police have not acted on the arrest warrant since Keo Sophea officiallyresurfaced to take control of the station.
Nhem Sophanna has filed a civil lawsuit against Keo Sophea that wasscheduled to be heard in the municipal court on Thursday, but was postponeddue to the death of the court president�s wife that morning. No new date wasset for the hearing.
Before the hearing was cancelled, Nhem Sophanna told RFA, �I am readyto fight my rival in court on Thursday. If I win the case, I will bring allprograms back on the air,� he said.
FM90-mhz is backed by royalist FUNCINPEC Party, which opposes the govermentof Prime Minister Hun Sen.
A spokesman for Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) declined to commenton the matter, saying it would be decided in court. "It is not a politicalmatter," Khieu Kanharith told RFA.#####