Former King Norodom Sihanouk (Photo: AFP)PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodia's former King Norodom Sihanouk has promised to withdraw from public life, saying he would no longer grant audiences.
"I may not make any exception," the wildly popular ex-monarch said in a statement on his website made from Beijing in which he apologized to his people and asked for their understanding.
"Otherwise I would face complaints from everywhere that I would hardly overcome."
Sihanouk is expected to return Friday to Cambodia after a long absence that he blamed partially on political tensions at home.
The cancer-stricken 83-year-old, who left for Beijing last August to undergo medical treatment, has told aides he wants a low-key homecoming without the presence of government officials or media.
Over the past year Sihanouk, who endeared himself to Cambodians with his accessibility and public appearances, has slowly tried to retreat from public view.
Last August he asked that portraits of himself and his wife be taken down from schools and buildings. His plea went unheeded, though, as his pictures remain throughout Cambodia.
Sihanouk abdicated in October 2004 in favour of his son King Norodom Sihamoni, citing old age and health problems.
Despite giving up his role as monarch, Sihanouk remains a powerful figure in Cambodia and frequently waded into the political fray with sometimes-blistering communiques.
In April he threatened to sue any newspapers that defamed or criticized him, but in another statement days later he reversed himself.
"I may not make any exception," the wildly popular ex-monarch said in a statement on his website made from Beijing in which he apologized to his people and asked for their understanding.
"Otherwise I would face complaints from everywhere that I would hardly overcome."
Sihanouk is expected to return Friday to Cambodia after a long absence that he blamed partially on political tensions at home.
The cancer-stricken 83-year-old, who left for Beijing last August to undergo medical treatment, has told aides he wants a low-key homecoming without the presence of government officials or media.
Over the past year Sihanouk, who endeared himself to Cambodians with his accessibility and public appearances, has slowly tried to retreat from public view.
Last August he asked that portraits of himself and his wife be taken down from schools and buildings. His plea went unheeded, though, as his pictures remain throughout Cambodia.
Sihanouk abdicated in October 2004 in favour of his son King Norodom Sihamoni, citing old age and health problems.
Despite giving up his role as monarch, Sihanouk remains a powerful figure in Cambodia and frequently waded into the political fray with sometimes-blistering communiques.
In April he threatened to sue any newspapers that defamed or criticized him, but in another statement days later he reversed himself.
8 comments:
it is so hard to believe him
because
he is complice with youns during the vietnam war
he is :
-maker of wars in Cambodia during 1970-1975,
-maker of killing almost 2 million of cambodian people during 1975-1979,
-he deliver cambodian land to vietnam by signature
-he is a great cheater
No gain keeping him,No loss losing him...
He is truly a Moha Viraek Satr ( animal )
a big animal hero!!!
.
King Father!!! I, your servant, love you but can not help you
May be you will be the OBJECT of the Khmer Rouge tribunal because China would not defend you after his affairs
This kind of King Father must be taken to the trial as the other Khmer rouge leaders because he was president from 23 March 1970 to April 1976.
Everyone has the same right before law.
Jesus, does anyone of you actually know anything about Cambodia's History?! In light of your ignorant comments, and attempts to re-write history and King Sihanouk's past, I strongly doubt you know anything about (let alone understand) Cambodia.
WHAT A PITY, KING FATHER!!!
YOU WILL BE THE OBJECT OF THE KR TRIBUNAL BECAUSE NEITHER CHINA NOR CAMBODIA PEOPLE WILL PROTECT YOU
YOY ARE CLEAR THAT YOU ARE A KILLER OF ALMOST TWO MILLION OF CAMBODIAN PEOPLE
you are complice with youns during the vietnam war
you are :
-maker of wars in Cambodia during 1970-1975,
-maker of killing almost 2 million of cambodian people during 1975-1979,
-you delivered Cambodian land to vietnam by signature
-you are a great cheater
law student
Go to hell, and born to a dog for the vietcong tov, ah sdach jker eiy,,, eeyore!
Post a Comment