Cambodia's Ruling Party Under Siege

The party that has ruled Cambodia since 1985 is facing the biggest challenge to its authority in years. Prime Minister Hun Sen said July 31 that his Cambodia People's Party is ready to talk with the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party after the opposition and international observers accused it of vote rigging and fraud in the July 28 parliamentary elections, which the ruling party claimed it had won. The opposition has pledged to have its supporters launch street demonstrations and has called for a U.N. investigation. The looming political instability could undermine Cambodia's prospects as one of East Asia's most promising emerging economies.