Saturday, May 27, 2006

Retired King Sihanouk Returns to Cambodia - [Sniping exchange between his son and CPP's Cheam Yeap]

Saturday-Sunday, May 27-28, 2006

By Lor Chandaka
THE CAMBODIA DAILY

Retired King "Norodom Sihanouk arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport from China on Friday afternoon after a 16-month absence from Cambodia, and was greeted by officials from across the political spectrum.

After being escorted out of the plane by his son King Norodom Sihamoni, Norodom Sihanouk spent about 30 minutes shaking hands with about 100 officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He then waved to reporters and stepping into a car with his wife Queen Norodom Monineath without addressing the crowd.

The retired King had reportedly requested government officials not to greet him on his return but Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay said Norodom Sihanouk deserved a proper welcome. "We miss him, we waited for him a long time so he deserves more than a private greeting," Nhiek Bun Chhay said.

Prince Norodom Youvaneath, a son of Norodom Sihanouk and a supreme adviser to King Sihamoni, said his father had missed Cambodia.

"He would like to come back a long time ago but he did not feel OK to return because some people criticized him. He's feeling toward the government was not OK," the prince said. "Prime Minister Hun Sen attacked the King in the past. Communism doesn’t like the King. Democracies leave the King alone," he added.

CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said the prince was entitled to his opinions, but added that the CPP leadership is not communist and views Norodom Sihanouk as the father of the nation.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Idiot, Idiot , Idiot..why can you check the CPP webside.. stupid asshole!!...check the CPP webside and read its bylaws... shit head...an you all will know what i a talking about..The CPP is the Communist party, and is Created by the Vietcong..Cambodia have no preamble, but the CPP has one on its own.. get it!! hehehehw eeyore, roki...