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A bloody battle between supporters of the two main figures in
Cambodian politics for leadership of the country is marking its
10th anniversary.
Scores of people died in three days of fighting, and the
power-sharing deal between co-prime ministers Hun Sen and Prince
Norodom Ranariddh was shattered.
The effects of those days are still being felt. Hun Sen's
victory now appears more complete than ever.
Over the past decade, he has led a succession of coalition
governments.
But now his party, the CPP, is in total control of the National
Assembly.
And his old adversary, Prince Ranariddh, is in self-imposed
exile in France.
Improving economy
The anniversary of the events of July 1997 is not officially
being marked.
But the extravagant new National Assembly building is opening on
the same day the fighting ended 10 years ago. It seems more than a
coincidence.
Critics say the anniversary is a reminder of what Cambodia has
lost.
Democracy was only restored in 1993, after decades of civil
war.
But since the factional fighting there has been no serious
challenge to the CPP's dominance.
Opposition leaders have occasionally found themselves on the
receiving end of legal action - and even jail sentences.
Prince Ranariddh currently faces 18 months in prison if he
returns to Cambodia.
But the government points out that the country is enjoying rapid
growth and increasing prosperity, and independent monitors
described this year's local elections as "free and fair".
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