Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Ban expresses deep condolences to Cambodia following death of former monarch

King Norodom Sihanouk – shown here in 1992 when he was a prince – cuts a ribbon to open the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) provincial headquarters in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap. UN Photo/Pernaca Sudhakaran
UN News Centre

15 October 2012 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today offered his deep condolences to the people of Cambodia, the Government and its royal family on the death of the country’s former monarch, King Norodom Sihanouk, according to the UN chief’s spokesperson.

“The Secretary-General acknowledges King Sihanouk’s long dedication to his country and his legacy as a unifying national leader who is revered by Cambodians and respected internationally,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson added in a statement.

According to media reports, King Sihanouk, 89, died after having a heart attack in Beijing, China, where he had been residing for the past eight years. The former monarch came to the throne in 1941 and remained a prominent figure for more than 60 years until his abdication in 2004, when he passed the throne to his son, King Norodom Sihamoni.


King Sihanouk saw Cambodia go from French rule to independence in 1953, experienced house arrest during the Khmer Rouge regime during which nearly two million people died between 1975 and 1979, and faced 13 years of exile during the country’s civil war that followed the regime’s toppling. He later returned to his country amidst its efforts with reconciliation and the restoration of political stability.

“The Secretary-General also hopes that the legacy of the former King will allow Cambodia to advance the national healing process, including through continued commitment to justice,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did King father put his country and nation before himself like other king and queens of England?

Anonymous said...

WE DON'T SEND OUT CONDOLENCES TO A BUTCHER OF IT'S OWN PEOPLE

កុលបុត្រមហានគរខ្មែរ said...

Burn his body over there (China). Don't bring back to Cambodia. He was a Traitor to Khmer people. The Khmer people have suffered enough by him. He did not respect even his own mother. He was an evil king . He should be alive until he can serve his punishement in the Khmer Rouge trail. Please don't forget he was the person who killed Lok Protean Sam Rainsy's father.

Pang Sokheoun, Secretary-General of SRP in Sweden.កុលបុត្រមហានគរខ្មែរ

Anonymous said...

10:00 PM

Even foreigners respect the great king and millions khmer will do the same.

What make you think people listen to you? so STFU, khmer rouge!

Anonymous said...

And Ah Choy Marai @10:19PM,

Why the fuck can't you respect other people opinions...Aren't you Khmer Rouge yourself you fucker?

How many millions of Khmers died under Sihanouk's watch you fucker?

Anonymous said...

AH LOP 10:19PM

OF COURSE THE FOREIGNER WILL RESPECT HIM AFTER HIS DEATH BUT NOT WHEN HE ENTER A DIRTY POLITIC AH DICK