By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Prince Norodom Ranariddh has delayed his return to Cambodia originally slated for this morning, and will instead arrive in Siem Reap later this week to meet with Retired King Norodom Sihanouk before travelling to Phnom Penh, officials said Sunday.
The Funcinpec president, who left the country following a barrage of criticism from Prime Minister Hun Sen in March, will have "a father and son" meeting with Norodom Sihanouk, said Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay. He added that the pair will not discuss politics.
Several royalist sources said the prince will arrive in Siem Reap Thursday to stay two nights with his father, though Nhiek Bun Chhay said this has not yet been determined.
Norodom Sihanouk founded Funcinpec but has distanced himself from the party in recent years. Political observers speculated that the retired King may advise his son about running Funcinpec, and that the meeting may provide a boost to the embattled party's popularity.
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith welcomed the prince's return, but declined comment on the meeting.
Sam Rainsy, president of the party that bears his name, said he did not believe Norodom Sihanouk would try to help his son's political career.
"The retired King does not interfere in any political parties. I don't believe he plans to restore or support any party." Sam Rainsy said.
The SRP is not worried that the meeting could suggest to voters that Funcinpec has Norodom Sihanouk's endorsement, he said.
Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free Elections in Cambodia, said the prince will gain political capital from the meeting.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, who has formed his own political alliance based on "Sihanoukist" ideologies, said he did not view the meeting as a threat to his own popularity.
"Prince Norodom Ranariddh and I are walking on different roads, but our objective is the same. Some day our two roads will eventually meet," he said. "The royal family is still united. There is no split among us."
The Funcinpec president, who left the country following a barrage of criticism from Prime Minister Hun Sen in March, will have "a father and son" meeting with Norodom Sihanouk, said Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay. He added that the pair will not discuss politics.
Several royalist sources said the prince will arrive in Siem Reap Thursday to stay two nights with his father, though Nhiek Bun Chhay said this has not yet been determined.
Norodom Sihanouk founded Funcinpec but has distanced himself from the party in recent years. Political observers speculated that the retired King may advise his son about running Funcinpec, and that the meeting may provide a boost to the embattled party's popularity.
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith welcomed the prince's return, but declined comment on the meeting.
Sam Rainsy, president of the party that bears his name, said he did not believe Norodom Sihanouk would try to help his son's political career.
"The retired King does not interfere in any political parties. I don't believe he plans to restore or support any party." Sam Rainsy said.
The SRP is not worried that the meeting could suggest to voters that Funcinpec has Norodom Sihanouk's endorsement, he said.
Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free Elections in Cambodia, said the prince will gain political capital from the meeting.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, who has formed his own political alliance based on "Sihanoukist" ideologies, said he did not view the meeting as a threat to his own popularity.
"Prince Norodom Ranariddh and I are walking on different roads, but our objective is the same. Some day our two roads will eventually meet," he said. "The royal family is still united. There is no split among us."
3 comments:
don't make Cambodia situation trouble,
Ah King Father
King father is ah sdech moha kbot cheat and his son, ah Krom Pret is ah sdech moha pok rolouy because :
- he was the accomplice with youns during civil war of viet nam (1960 - 1975)
- he caused the war in Cambodia during 1970-1975
- he is a main killer of the genocide about 1.7 millions Cambodia people in Cambodia
- he cause Cambodia situation trouble all the time especially during his staying in Cambodia
All sdech are the same characteristics!
If no sdech, Cambodia will become better!
a farmer
Well, well, after all a looser baby prince Krom Pret is running like a coward to get papa for help.
I hope his papa spanks him in the butt and say, " don't make so many mistakes like papa!
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