Not so funny story from a man who chose a fair skin Eurasian wife after divorcing his “dark” skin Khmer wives

A couple of Khmer men with their "white" skin wives

Contrast between a "dark" skin former KR commander and his "white" skin wife who is now part of Cambodia's "nouveau" majority

A Khmer man ahead of his time: he chose a "white" skin wife before it was in fashion

"Rira bien qui rira le dernier" - Those who laugh last laugh best

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Funny story

By N. Sihanouk

Tuesday 07 October 2008. TV5 World [channel], Asia. 07:45AM (Beijing time).

A TV program about India. Several pretty Indian women are rushing to (women) beauty shops to change their brown skin to white with a (new) cream that can turn their brown or dark skins to white.

An Indian woman, whom I found her pretty and attractive with her brown skin, said: “I must have my skin color changed because men only love women with fair skin.” –sic!-

In Cambodia, people knew, “before [it is even known in] India,” about this miraculous cream which, when applied on brown or “black” skin, turns this skin into … white.

That’s why [the] Phnom Penh [channels] TVK, CTN – TV stations which I watch every day during my stay in Beijing – show us a large majority of “white” Khmer women and only a negligible minority of brown-skinned Khmer women!

With food, one can love and appreciate both French dishes and desserts and Khmer dishes and desserts.

For a woman, it is the beauty of her face and body shape that matter. Not the color of her skin.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

My Maman - by Norodom Sihanouk

Translated from French by La Poule Mouillée

My Maman

Undoubtedly, her soul remains with me.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

In the royal residence in Beijing (P.R. of China), I have 3 photos of her (one on the Buddha and the ancestors’ altar, the second one on my desk and the third one (of her wearing her “daily” jacket, in full family intimacy) on top of my TV in my living room-bedroom.)

It is this last photo of my Maman (H.M. Queen Preah Sisowath Kossamak) dressed like the “Khmer People” which remains with me most of the time.

I look at her and salute her each day, each afternoon and each evening – each night.

When I look at this last photo, I feel myself serene.

Young Prince Sihanouk was no choir boy

Translated by Luc Sâr

“Mech” in Khmer means “Little Cutie” in French [and English]

By Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing, P.R. of China, 07 October 2009

1- Early 30’s: As a young boy, I was accepted at the Elementary School for young girls built by Samdechs Sutharot, my paternal grandparents, next to their home, for their beloved Little People,

I was the only “boy” in this school for girls!! This did not intimidate me; quite to the contrary, I felt that I was “privileged” because I only had (young) “fresh flowers” as classmates; the most “interesting” of these “flowers” was named “Mech”; when it rained, Miss Mech, most likely born into a poor family, did not have an umbrella and the rain wetted all her white clothes and her “fresh” flesh could be seen: this interested me prodigiously!!! Such “precociousness”!! But, my “love” for the cute Miss Mech remained “platonic.”

x
x x

2- It was in memory of this young lady (born from the Little People) that I named “Mech” (her official name was Kantha Bopha) my favorite daughter at her birth (in 1948). My other favorite daughter was Sorya Roeungsy (born in 1947), (both of them were borne by the same mother, H.R.H. Princess Sisowath Pongsanmoni, daughter of H.M. King Preah Sisowath Monivong).

x
x x

3- My favorite daughter Ah Mech (Kantha Bopha) died (in 1952) at 4 years old from stupefying leukemia.

I built for her a beautiful stupa. Unfortunately, the Lonnolian putschists stole the gold urn containing her ashes and they threw her ashes into a trash can.

My ashes and, later, those of my wife Monineath, will be deposed in the stupa built for my favorite daughter, Ah Mech, [located] near the great stupa of my parents (at the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh).

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
-------
KI-Media Note: In case our readers are curious about historical facts, King Sisowath Monivong was King Sihanouk’s maternal grandfather, therefore Princess Sisowath Pongsanmoni, the mother of King Sihanouk’s favorite daughters, would be his own aunt. Unbelievable but true! Princess Pongsanmoni bore 7 children with King Sihanouk, and her marriage with the king ended in a divorce in 1951, 9 years after their marriage.

You rascals, stop wishing me to live to 300-year-old for ... I "lived too long"

Click on the message in French to zoom in

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

“A lengthy longevity”
By N. Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R. of China, 02 October 2009

My Father, H.M. King Preah Suramarit died at the age of 64-year-old (from diabetes). 1960.

His father-in-law, H.M. King Preah Monivong, died at the age of 64-year-old (died of sadness in 1941 – sadness for the loss of Battambang, etc... – which were unfairly annexed by Thailand with the help of Japan).

My maternal great-grandfather, H.M. Preah Sisowath had the reputation of having a very long life; he died at the age of 83 (died from old age).

But, for me who sincerely wants to die in the very near future as possible, I “lived too long”: On 31 October 2009, I will be 87-year-old.

The lengthy longevity bears on me like an unbearable weight.

Not knowing well my mentality, a large number of compatriots wish me to live over 100-year-old. Some men/women among these beloved compatriots even went on to wish me to live to 300-year-old!!!

Through courtesy and love, rather than through hypocrisy, I thanked these Compatriots.

But to be honest and devoid of hypocrisy, I would like to let everybody (Khmers and Foreigners) know that they do not please me at all when they wish me a long life. What I want is to die as soon as possible, without having to infringe on the teachings of the August Buddha who forbade suicide.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

Sihanouk to end a number of activities

August 16, 2009
By Pen Bona
Radio France International
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

King-Father Norodom Sihanouk issued a declaration at the end of the week, indicating the weakening of his health and mental capacity. The 87-year-old former monarch who is currently staying in Siem Reap province, declared that he will stop a number of his daily work activities, and he is turning all his works to Prince Thomico to take care for him.

Starting from Sunday 16 August, King-Father Norodom Sihnaouk will take a rest from writing documents for posting on his website and for publication in his monthly BMD magazine. The announcement was made in a declaration issued by the former monarch at the end of this week.

In a press communiqué distributed on Saturday in Siem Reap city, where he is currently staying, King-Father declared that his body is aging considerably, both physically and mentally. This situation no longer allows him to fulfill his daily work as he used to do in the past.

This reason forced him to take a rest from writing documents for publishing on his website and his BMD magazine. King-Father transferred the task to Prince Sisowath Thomico. The latter indicated today that King-Father is very tired because he did not have much rest.

The 87-year-old former monarch returned from China on 08 July, following a long medical care stay in Beijing. Since his return, he has stayed at his palace in Siem Reap province. A few weeks earlier, the former monarch declared that he would stop receiving high-ranking officials and foreign guests who want to have an audience with him.

King-Father plans to return back to China at the beginning of September for medical checkup. According to Prince Thomico, even though King-Father is very tired, his health is still strong and there is nothing much to worry about.

Thomico’s ravings: his uncle

The ravings of Prince Sisowath Thomico
By N. Sihanouk

(…) “There is an exquisite Japanese garden that was donated around 1993 to retired King Norodom Sihanouk by Yasushi Akashi, the head of Untac, Prince Thomico said.” (quote from King Norodom Sihamoni’s 56th Birthday. A special supplement to The Cambodia Daily, Page 5 (…)”)

King-Father's note in French: I protest with indignation; neither Japan, nor H.E. Yasushi Akashi, the Untac or other foreigners gave a garden or anything else to the “lands” of the Khmer Royal Palace.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing, P.R. of China, 26 May 2009

My so-called greed: Norodom Sihanouk

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Declaration from
Norodom Sihanouk
(Continued)
Beijing, P.R. of China, 21 April 2009

3- My so-called “greed”

(The new Petit Robert [dictionary] of the French language – 2008: “CUPIDITY [GREED]”: Indecent and petty desire to earn money, to make money from anything; fierceness, avidity, greed, rapacious.)

3a – In 1963, as Head of State of Cambodia, I put an end to the multiform US aid to the Cambodian state (an aid amounting to a total value of $30 million per year), because the US made this aid a conditional one (conditions that are incompatible with the total Independence of the neutrality of the Khmer Kingdom).

3b – The Lonnolians, following their Putsch dated 18 March 1970, received for themselves and their republican regime more than US$200 million per year + $350 million per year (military and Khmer (Republic) government war spending) + $750 million per year for the US spending in Cambodia itself [for] imperialist, neocolonialist was spending.

3c – Very powerful head of the Khmer state, I only earned (if my memory is correct) 18,000 riels per month for salary (at that time, [the exchange rate for] US$1 was 35 riels at the official rate, and 50 riels at the black market).

3d – Each month, ministers, high-ranking officials etc… made (very modest) donations (in riels) to the National Mutual Assistance Work (NMAW) which I presided. All the money from this NMAW (whose treasurer was the very clean Oknha Puch, an irreproachable civil servant who served my Grandfather, H.M. King Preah Monivong) went to the people, the poor compatriots who need to be saved (victims of landmines, victims of insecurity, victims of fire, war victims).

My personal money went in large part to the NMAW coffer.

NMAW expenses were regularly made available to the general public.

3e – Regarding myself, I was not and am absolutely not greedy.

3f – My revered Maman owned some “income-earning buildings” that she rented to Chinese merchants, etc… This brought her some money each month, a portion of which went to her religious (Buddhist) works, and the other portion came to me: H.M. the Queen my Mother knew that I was not corrupt and I did not know about greed.

x
x x

(To be continued)

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

Why don't you return to live in Cambodia to serve her and her people?: King-Father to critics

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Communiqué from Norodom Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R. of China, 19 April 2009

Khmer people from Canada, France and other foreign countries wrote to me to reproach me for preferring China to Cambodia, and they asked me to return to live in Cambodia.

I have a 3rd cancer (lymphoma B) which requires special cares (chemotherapy, perfusion, etc…).

The P.R. of China, its high medical science, its eminent doctors, its very competent nurses succeeded in curing me from my previous 2 very serious cancers, they thus rehabilitated me to return back to Cambodia, my Homeland, to serve her and her people.

I love, I respect and I admire enormously the P.R. of China, but I never ceased to serve my Homeland and the Khmer People.

To conclude, allow me to ask these Khmer people from Canada, France, etc… why they are not returning to Cambodia to live there and to serve her, and serve her People[?]

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

King-Father's Savoir vivre lesson: What to wear and what not to wear to meet the king

Photos: NorodomRanariddh.org

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Savoir Vivre (Good Manners)

The “problem” of “two-tone” costumes
By Norodom Sihanouk

1- What is known as “two-tone costume” is, for example, a dark jacket (black, dark blue, dark gray) and “light” pants (light blue, light gray, white).

2- When one is received by the King, it is not correct to show up in front of His Majesty in “two-tone” costumes.

A costume including a jacket and pants made of the same material and color is of the order (without omitting a plain color shirt, and a non-whimsical tie). And do not forget to button the jacket, the coat.

3- The “two-tone” costumes can be adopted by a team of sportsmen or athletes during an official parade in a major event (Olympics games, etc…).

4- One can wear “two-tone costumes” when one goes to a club, a sport club, a casino; when one goes for a stroll; when one goes to a commercial movie theater; when one visits “close friends.”

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R.C.
03 February 2009

It was not the Vietnamese army that got rid of Pol Pot, it was the CPP and its illustrious leaders: King-Father

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Gruesome Souvenirs & Buddhist Tevodas (Angels)
By Norodom Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R. of China, 30 January 2009

During my youth, I loved very much watching “horror films” (produced by Hollywood, USA) shown in commercial theaters in Phnom Penh, and afterwards in Saigon, where one could see Satan’s children – infernal beings – coming down to earth to haunt innocent men, women and children, and give them a frightening scare.

Between 19 March 1970 and 16 April 1975, the Lonnolian Khmers behaved like characters from Hollywood horror films against me and to my detriment.

While they came to power, since 07 January 1979, the CPP and its illustrious leaders spontaneously gave me the tile of “Father of Independence, of territorial Integrity, of Reconciliation, of National Unity,” and “Father of the Nation,” the Lonnolians who owed me everything (high-ranking positions, honor, power, wealth) “displayed their gratitude” toward me by dragging me into the mud through their horrible slanders, and by sentencing me as a “super-Traitor,” sentencing me to death, with confiscation of all my wealth and even my Khmer citizenship.

In several countries of our world (the planet Earth), their respective people firmly believe that, from time to time, there are infernal creatures who get out of Hell to come to haunt the surface of our planet Earth and to dispense evil to the maximum.

Personally, I believe that among the Hitlerian Nazis, there were some who were authentic Satan’s children (they upheld inhuman cruelty toward other human beings), and they were sent by Satan to do evil on our Earth. It was also the case of Pol Pot and the most cruel and inhuman Khmer Rouge; [and also the case] of the most unfair Lonnolians.

x
x x

Buddhism teaches us: “If you do good, you will rewarded sooner or later.”

The Tevodas (Angels) are rightly rewarding the CPP and the 3 Great Samdechs (Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, HUN SEN); Lok Chumtiev Thom Bun RANY Hun Sen as well.

The CPP and its illustrious leaders, its army, its people got rid of the satanic Pol Pot and Polpotians for us, and they ceaselessly advance our country and our nation in all fields of the national edification.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk
------
KI-Media Notes: For the record,

1. The CPP did not exist on 07 January 1979. This party saw the daylight in 1991 only. Prior to 1991, it was known as the Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Party (KPRP), and it was led by not only Heng Samrin, Chea Sim and Hun Sen, but also, Pen Sovann, Chan Si and others.
   
2. Without the Vietnamese army, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge army would not be removed from power. In fact, Heng Samrin, Chea Sim and Hun Sen had to flee the Khmer Rouge to find refuge in Vietnam.
   
3. In the 80s, then-Prince Sihanouk led the resistance movement against the Vietnamese along the Thai border. For his action, Prince Sihanouk was the ire of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea led by Heng Samrin, Chea Sim, Pen Sovann, Chan Si, Hun Sen, which labeled him with the most horrible and satanic epithets (we cannot print these epithets here for fear of being charged with lèse-majesté).
4. It is scientifically proven that, for human beings, the memory capacity becomes shorter with age as senility sets in, and it has been observed that “buttering up Cambodian leaders” is the way of life among certain groups in Cambodia and elsewhere in the Middle Kingdom.
   
5. Bravo(?!?!) to King-Father for providing this interesting piece of history, although somewhat contorted. Hopefully, KI-Media will not be accused of lèse-majesté for setting the record straight, but you never know. Please pray for us!
   

King-Father's nationalism and self-reliance lesson for the youngster generation of Cambodia would-be strongmen/leaders?

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Cambodian Studies
Sihanoukism and Sihanoukists
By Norodom Sihanouk

(Written in Beijing, P.R. of China, on 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 January 2009)

1- S.R.N. – Sihanoukism (1955-1969)

In 1955, I abdicated to found the S.R.N.

• Sangkum = community
• Reastr = people
• Niyum = devoted to; pro-
• Reastr Niyum = loving the people = devoted to the people = dedicated to the service of the people = defending anything that is in the (minor, major) interest of the people.

Sihanoukism: Nationalism; Buddhist socialism (Buddha is the No. 1 socialist in the history of the universe).

Fight without compromise against all forms of corruption.

Cambodia: Complete independence; must count on herself to survive, prosper, develop in all domains of the national edification. Neutrality and non-aligned. Complete rejection of any protective “shade” (such as SEATO [precursor of ASEAN], etc…)

(To be continued)

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

King-Father: Stop drowning me with messages

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Communiqué from
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia

Beijing, P.R. of China, 12 January 2009

On Christmas 2008 and New Year 2009, I received several hundreds of e-mails, greeting cards, letters, etc… from Friends, relatives, and even strangers.

In spite of my very serious illness (3rd cancer, lymphoma B), I had to send in writing my thanks and wishes to all these personalities and people.

On each day, my illness currently requires medical exams, care, tests, etc… For example: Monday 12 January 2009 -> medical exams, blood sample. Tuesday 13 January and Wednesday 14 January 2009: stay at the hospital, medical exams, shots, blood sample, chemotherapy, at least 7 hours of perfusion, taking medicines (pills, etc…), each hour, I must drink a lot of water ….

I am very old and I am becoming physically and mentally weaker and weaker…

Those who have pity on me and who really love me, they should, from now on, abstain from sending me e-mails, cards, letters, messages, greetings, autograph requests, etc… etc…

I am thanking them infinitely for their understanding.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

Kign-Father's tribute to the "Small Khmer People" who (partly at least) remain so faithful to Him and who love Him

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Interview
BMD – Norodom Sihanouk

My answers to questions raised by the BMD management and team:

1- The current cancer is my third one (lymphoma B). My eminent PRC doctors, who succeeded in curing my previous two very serious cancers, told me that the current one (this third cancer) is localized in one portion of my body and this allows for simpler and easier care. In this regard, they are “optimist” (sic!).

2- My only sadness is the fact that I am thinking so much about the “Small Khmer People” who (partly at least) remain so faithful to me and who love me.

3- Because of my new cancer, as a tribute to the Sihanoukists who love my “Royal Singing” and short films, and based on the requests made by some of these Sihanoukists, I accept that TVK (on every Monday evening, following the broadcast of national and international “News” and … the weather report) broadcasts one “Royal Singing”, a short film by H.R.H. Samdech Buppha Devi based on my music, the “Andromak” film (to be completed at my own cost, and in the care of Samdach Kong Som Ol and H.E. Senator [Ieu] Pannaker).

Because of my cancer, my stay away from the Motherland and our beloved People must be prolonged through the generous and so benevolent PRC.

Because of N. Sihanouk’s distance, “my” short films will be broadcasted on TVK, every Monday evening, as a testimonial of my faithful thought to the beloved Compatriots.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

Beijing, P. R. of China
25 December 2008

King-Father: No response for you!

Translated from French by Tola Ek

Communiqué
from Norodom Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R. of China, 10 December 2008

Since I humbly begged people not to send me any more letters, cards, emails, etc…, I am receiving more than ever a huge number of such letters, cards, emails, etc…

Quite obviously, they are mocking me and they want me to become more ill, more tired, and, this is not nice at all, they want me to become morally, mentally and most of all psychologically ill.

Under these sad conditions, I have the honor to inform the following to all people in the world: Starting from today, 10 December 2008, these people in the world are not going to receive, will not be receiving from me any response anymore.

And, they should not be surprised that they can no longer shorten my life, harass me, turning me crazy.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

King-Father: Those who keep on sending me all those emails, faxes, cards, letters, telegrams, etc… etc… they want to shorten my life

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Communiqué
from Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia

Beijing, P.R. of China, 08 December 2008

In October 2008, November 2008 and up to now, 8 December 2008, I do not stop receiving e-mails, faxes, cards, letters, etc… (the total number of which amounts to more than one thousand) wishing me a happy Birthday (I was born on 31 October 1922).

Each day, I can only send about 10 thank you letters and cards.

In fact, I cannot do more because I am very old (87-year-old) and ill (I had to go to the Beijing Central Hospital several times.) I had (in this hospital) perfusion sessions. Each session lasts several hours. In a not too distant future, I will have to return back to the hospital again.

I beg my beloved Compatriots and foreign Friends to stop sending me emails, faxes, cards, letters, telegrams, flowers, gifts, etc… on the upcoming occasion of Khmer, Chinese, international, universal holidays.

Those who really love me must kindly accept my demand to no longer send me emails, faxes, cards, letters, telegrams, gifts, flowers, etc…

Those who do not heed my demand, they want to harass me, to cause me a mental and physical illness and (they want) to shorten my life which, in their mind, is already too long.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

King-Father's worsening health condition

The following is the English translation of an email sent by King-Father to Prof. Alain Daniel who inquired about his health condition.

Translation from French by Luc Sâr

e-mail
H.E. Mr. Professor Alain Daniel, Cambodia

Very dear and great Friend,

Queen-Mother, my wife, and me, we are expressing our most affectionate, deepest and moved gratitude for your noble, so affectionate and moving message. My eminent PRC doctors are very visibly concerned about the globally negative evolution of my health. They increase their visits and exams. “Before,” there was one medical exam per week (on each Friday). Today, there are two visits. And tomorrow, one or two visits. To me, I find my physical weakening very normal. I am heading towards 90-year-old. It is thanks to the PRC and its medicine that I have the privilege to be alive still, as my beloved compatriots and sincere Friends like you wish. In this world, there are so many people who die from “old age” in their 80s or 70s. I hope that my beloved compatriots and true friends will excuse me if I am heading towards a quite natural “death from old age.” Our Lord Buddha left this world at the age of 80.

Very high consideration. With all my thanks for so much fidelity and services rendered, as well as my deepest and admiring affection.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk
28 November 2008

King-Father deplores his deteriorating health and profusely praises China for saving him from Cancer

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

The deterioration of my health
By N. Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R. of China, 01 December 2008

1- “Before,” my eminent Chinese doctors “visited” me once per week.

“Now,” they “are visiting” me several times per week. On some days: two visits and medical exams per day (one in the morning, one in the afternoon).

2- My very devoted Chinese doctors told Queen-Mother N. Monineath Sihanouk: “King-Father must accept to be hospitalized. At the hospital, if there is an “emergency,” we will have the proper equipments … and specialists to take care of His Majesty.”

3- The Khmer people and I know that if I was saved from two successive very serious cancer bouts, and still live to a very old age (87-year-old), it is thanks to the glorious, very friendly, and very generous P.R. of China and its very high medical science, its out to the ordinary doctors and nurses, its rarest and most expensive medicines for me (which came from France, Germany, the UK, the USA, Japan, etc…, in addition to China).

4- My great and respected Chinese Friends never dare speak about my death (from old age) in a not too distant future. But, I told them that I would prefer to die in my residence rather than at the hospital, where I have at my disposition very comfortable apartments.

My respects to the beloved People of China and Cambodia

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

Will the dead Lon Nol, Sirik Matak, In Tam, Cheng Heng rise up from their grave to answer King-Father's claim that they own foreign bank accounts?

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Dramatic-Funny Story
By N. Sihanouk

Following the 18 March 1970 anti-Sihanouk and anti-Khmer-monarchy Putsch led by Lon Nol and Sirik Matak, In Tam, Cheng Heng, Mr. In Tam said: “Mrs. Monique Sihanouk owns a large fortune, a huge mountain of US dollars stashed in a British bank. In a room of this British bank, Monique Sihanouk’s US dollar bills almost pierce the roof (sic!!) of this British bank.

Since Monique Sihanouk owns another mountain of US dollars, she decided to entrust this mountain of US dollars to a Swiss Bank.

x
x x

In Beijing, my wife, Monique, immediately convened the International media (their reporters in Beijing). She told them: “Ladies and gentlemen, I am giving you on this very same moment, in writing and with my signature, the authorization to do a research on British and Swiss banks that Mr. In Tam talked about on the so-called US dollars that I would have owned. If you find any, you can take them all (these US dollars). This fortune will belong to you.

Reporters of the major International media went to the banks involved (in the UK and Switzerland). They did not find anything which belonged to me or to my wife Monique. However, they discovered that Lon Nol and some of his accomplices in the 18 March 1970 Putsch in Cambodia had money deposited in foreign banks (overseas).

(Signed) N. Sihanouk
Beijing (P.R. of China), 26 November 2008.

King-Father: These #$@%&! France and Frenchmen

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Sad story
The contempt, the hatred and the slanders
By N. Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R. of China, November 26, 2008

Here in Beijing, a French gentleman came to visit me recently.

He wrote a book on Norodom Sihanouk. And he will write another one. Regarding this new book on Sihanouk, he had several things to “clarify” and many questions to ask me.

Among these questions, this French gentleman told me: “My compatriots who read my first book about you, they have all made this remark: in this book, there was not a single line criticizing you (Sihanouk), [or] pointing out your vices, your mistakes, your shortcomings. “One of these compatriots said: “When he was in power, Sihanouk did not tolerate any opposition. Films on Sihanouk in power, during the 60s, showed Sihanouk’s opponents locked up in steel cages and paraded (sic!) just like wild circus animals … before they were shot.”

I never locked up, I never paraded anybody in one or several cages. My truthful compatriots who are currently still alive and who lived under Sihanouk’s Cambodia during the 60s, can testify that I never put anybody in a cage.

As for the compatriots who were “shot,” they were CIA Agents, sentenced to death by our National Military Tribunal, and to whom I, the Head of State, officially refused to pardon them.

x
x x

These again are examples of contempt, hatred, injustice dedicated to me, for several years now, by France and many Frenchmen, one of whom even went on to say not so long ago: “My friendship with Sihanouk, it’s finished! I will only have contempt and hatred toward him.”

x
x x

Thanks for all of this, France which, in 1941, at the death on maternal grandfather, H.M. King Sisowath Monivong, selected me to become King of Cambodia while I was still studying at the Lycée Chasseloup-Laubat in Saigon to become later a Professor of French, Latin or Greek in an Indochinese high school!

(Signed) N. Sihanouk

For the umpteenth time, King-Father declares that he will no longer produce movies

Photo: NorodomSihanouk.info

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Communiqué from Norodom Sihanouk

Beijing, P.R. of China, 28 November 2008

Being very old, sick and finding myself more and more tired, I have decided, starting from 17 November 2008, to completely and definitively “stop” the production of films, videos, DVDs, short, medium, long films.

Thus, the short DVD “Don’t mock my love,” and the film “Andromak” will remain unfinished.

In this regard, I very affectionately solicit the understanding and the indulgence from my Khmer and foreign “Fans.”

(Signed) N. Sihanouk