Baptism of fire for Norodom Sihamoni

Norodom Sihamoni, Friday 24 September

24-09-2008
By U. Cham.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo in English
Click here to read the article in French

No political crisis or formal faux pas. For his first opening session, the King who accessed to the throne in 2004 has accomplished his mission with honours: to represent the nation and remain independent from the parties.

Dressed in a simple suit, he entered the Assembly in the company of high dignitaries, before reading a speech of about ten minutes. “My congratulations go to the different government institutions for the work they’ve accomplished, which contributed to putting Cambodia on the international scene”, said the King in a quiet voice and carefully pronouncing each word. Norodom Sihamoni then expressed his satisfaction of seeing most of the parties gathered in the hemicycle: “The members of this Assembly represent the Cambodian population, they have to prioritise the interests of the nation above any other consideration. “The King has drawn up a list of priorities of the new legislation: peace, respect for human rights and territorial integrity. The elected representatives of the nation have to work together in order to ensure social justice and good governance”, he declared, advising the deputies to establish the best possible bonds “of unity and solidarity”.

New Parliament session without the boycott of the opposition party

Phnom Penh (Cambodia), 24 September 2008: Taking a picture of the opening session of the new Parliament in the press room, the only place accessible to the photographs. (Photo: John Vink/Magnum)

24 Sept 2008
By Ros Dina
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Click here to read the article in Khmer

On Wednesday 24 September, King Sihamoni opened the first session of the National Assembly. Among the 123 MPs, only 4 were absent: Mrs. Tioulong Saumura, Sam Rainsy’s spouse and SRP MP, as well as the three HRP MPs, including Kem Sokha, the HRP party president, who arrived at the National Assembly too late and were prevented from entering. Sam Rainsy, accompanied by some of his party MPs, entered the National Assembly through the south gate, two minutes before the arrival of the king who, following the latter’s arrival, all entry doors to the NA were closed. Up until the last minute, the opposition leader left some doubt about the possibility that his party’s MPs may or may not join this inauguration in protest of the 27 July election results. At the end of the morning, Son Chhay, a heavy weight of the SRP, said that he was satisfied with this new Parliament session in which, “for the first time, the presentation of each MP could be conducted.” In the afternoon of Wednesday, all the MPs are called in again for the swearing-in session.

Sam Rainsy present at the NA inauguration ceremony

24 Sept 2008
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

Sam Rainsy renounced to the boycott of the 24 September inauguration ceremony, unlike what he threatened to do since the announcement of the 27 July election results.

The SRP leader, who indicated that he would travel to his district in Kampong Cham on the swearing-in date, showed up at the National Assembly to participate in the ceremony presided by King Norodom Sihamoni. Sam Rainsy was accompanied by other MPs from his party.

While the majority of the MPs were dressed in traditional clothes, Sam Rainsy listened to the king’s speech in civilian clothes.

Kem Sokha, HRP President, remained outside the ceremony, along with the other two elected MPs from his party. The three HRP MPs stayed outside the National Assembly building.

The king congratulated the elected MPs and he also gave them some advises during his fifteen minutes speech. “Cambodia must move toward democracy, toward good governance and must reinforce its judicial system,” Sihamoni declared.

NA inauguration without required quorum: King Sihamoni and the CPP in flagrant violation of Cambodia's Constitution?

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen waves as he walk past an honor guard upon his arrival to attend the first parliamentarian meeting to form a new government after the national elections in July at the national assembly building in Phnom Penh September 24, 2008. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni walks past an honor guard upon his arrival to preside over the first parliamentarian meeting to form a new government after the national elections in July at the national assembly building in Phnom Penh September 24, 2008. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, right, greets with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, in front of the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. Cambodia's newly elected lower house of parliament held its inaugural session Wednesday, ushering in a new era of sweeping power of Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (R) greets President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin after the opening of the first parliamentarian meeting to form a new government after the national elections in July at the national assembly building in Phnom Penh September 24, 2008. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, center, greets parliamentarians in front of the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. Cambodia's newly elected lower house of parliament held its inaugural session Wednesday, ushering in a new era of sweeping power of Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian parliamentarians and King Norodom Sihamoni pose for a picture after the opening of the first parliamentarian meeting to form a new government after the national elections in July at the national assembly building in Phnom Penh September 24, 2008. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Senate President Chea Sim, Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni (L-R) and other parliamentarians pose for a picture after opening the first parliamentarian meeting to form a new government after the national elections in July at the national assembly building in Phnom Penh September 24, 2008. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea