Following Cambodia’s elections this past weekend, the country seems to be teetering on the brink of a crisis as opposition leaders are blaming fraud for their apparent election defeat to the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party headed by Hun Sen. The leaders are vowing to boycott the new parliament and organize protests. This is significant because under the constitution, a new government requires endorsement from 2/3 of the 122 seat National Assembly. Meanwhile, U.S. officials called last night for a thorough investigation of the allegations of fraud, which some interpret as Washington throwing its weight behind the opposition coalition that is viewed as more IMF friendly. Full results of Sunday’s vote are not due until this weekend.

Guest:

• Derrick (John) Jeffrey, was in Cambodia from 1991-1993 working for the United Nations transitional authority as an international observer. He was the editor of the UN staff report, a union magazine that covers the activities of the U.N. staff. He retired from the U.N. last December, and is now based in Bangkok and Pnom Penh.