Showing posts with label Royals and politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royals and politics. Show all posts
Friday, May 18, 2012
Friday, December 10, 2010
Politics and the Khmer Royals
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| King Father has a history of siding himself with the faction(s) most likely to come out on top or, with those already consolidating themselves in power - in this case, the Hanoi-backed and nurtured CPP |
Op-Ed by MP
ONE would have surmised that King Father would have availed himself of the opportunity granted him by his Vietnamese hosts recently to urge them to respect Cambodia's territorial borders, if not the plight of the Khmer Kroms and other important issues. Not so, judging by the presence of those enormous concrete markers in Kompong Cham. After all, retirement is retirement, heh?
It comes as no surprise to anyone following Cambodia's politics that King Father has a history of siding himself with the faction(s) most likely to come out on top or, with those already consolidating themselves in power - in this case, the Hanoi-backed and nurtured CPP - whilst paying scant attention to the plight of his subjects and/or national sovereignty, which would be delivered over to his friends like lambs to the slaughter.
Of course, Mr Hun Sen would always warm up to Rannaridhh or any other royal pawns still remaining outside his snares and the Royal Palace where they will be expected to do or say nothing more or less than what CPP protocols require of them. To understand why Mr Hun Sen and his Vietnamese mentors would rather have the Khmer Monarchy on their side one would have to appreciate the deep roots that this ancient institution has established in the Khmer populace and mindset, from which even their well-oiled propaganda machine has not succeeded in dislodging. The electoral campaign of 1993 by Funcinpec, for example, had been well fought; the party was further aided by a fair distribution of mass media coverage. However, the decisive factor contributing to the electoral victory, albeit by a narrow margin, was not Rannaridhh’s leadership skills or his political acumen, but the natural desire for change and a yearning of a people who had, for the previous two decades been abandoned to the charge of alien rulers, for resumption of a bygone - and what by now appeared - ‘golden’ age of peace and stability. Rannaridhh’s greatest asset to the CPP would have to be his gullible demeanour before his real enemies, and his abrasive inflexibility before his real friends. As First Prime Minister, the Prince appeared to have dispensed more energy persecuting his party rivals like Mr Sam Rainsy than attempting to consolidate or widen Funcinpec’s electoral base. In the end, as many observers had long forecast, Rannaridhh’s hatchet job for Mr Hun Sen would leave him personally wealthy, but his party ruined.
On the other hand, the House of Norodom’s tendency to play Russian roulette with the Khmer people and their nation by colluding with their traditionally deadliest of enemies can be seen as a reflection of its fear and distrust of the progressive, educated classes whose broadly democratic, republican outlook tends to be at odds with the autocratic style and entrenched conservatism of the modern Khmer monarchy; a conservatism that by itself is not essentially evil or inimical to national life or progress, but which nevertheless remains a pliable, reactive force to the point of being an anachronism and an aberration when subject to the whims and emotions of a notoriously self-styled, excitable and consistently inconsistent human persona that was Norodom Sihanouk. To suggest that this unwholesome trait mirrors the pressure the Prince had found himself harbouring under in the course of his colourful and tumultuous political career may help us to appreciate somewhat the fragility factor in his human dimension, or the pressure that comes with the weight of national responsibility. Yet there is no stronger defence for any man or woman in like circumstances before the judgement of their nation than their own conscience and enduring fidelity towards their people; something that has sadly been found wanting in the former monarch.
In this respect, N. Sihanouk’s reference to the CPP as the sister of his Popular Socialist Party (or the Sangkum Reastr Niyum) of the 1960s is not without justification. The former King could easily confide to Mr Hun Sen that he had once been in the same shoes with regard to those unruly, ‘ungrateful’ elements who owed their lives’ privileges, along with a good education, to his patronage and goodwill, and who were now conspiring and rebelling against him like wayward children. Even Saloth Sar (Pol Pot) had won his scholarship to study abroad by virtue of his Palace connection.
With this in mind, the tendency of the current regime as well as that of the Khmer Monarch to drift in the direction of authoritarianism and to act as stumbling blocks to progressive, liberal movement and reform, is born naturally out of a ‘safety for me first’ instinct, otherwise known as self-preservation. In this context too, it is also clear why the Khmer Monarchy, as represented by the House of Norodom from the 1960s onward, has much in common with the dynasties of the Communist world; an un-holy alliance forged by mutual self-interest in defiance of democratic aspirations of the respective populations in question. What marks Cambodia and Cambodians apart, however, has been the manner in which national sovereignty has been allowed to become severely tarnished and compromised through such unequal partnership. What else could be offered to us as a more acceptable, meaningful rationale with which to endorse or make sense of tyranny?
It would be easy to condemn the 18th March 1970 coup leaders for their failure to better the general conditions they had inherited from Sihanouk whose failings in as much as his questionable, dubious dealings with Hanoi had been the source for their ire and the cause of their discontent. But, in fairness, they, along with their seven million compatriots, had their tragic fate firmly sealed by the Prince and his allies in Hanoi long even before they assumed power, having then proceeded to sort out a war ravaged country already embroiled in compounding multifarious crises that would have overwhelmed any other well heeled administrations in similar circumstances.
This experience shows why it is important that any sensible government must tackle identified social ills resolutely in peace time, for the time of war - if that arrives - could but ill afford room for the purpose of implementing that task. This consideration is all the more relevant for a small country like Cambodia, still heavily dependent upon foreign assistance and largely without an industrial base to supplement, or relieve its reliance upon, seasonally bound agricultural economy. From Cambodia’s own recent past alone, it is clear that war-time priorities had at best been ill met, and at worst, violently engaged; a practice that has been grimly and resiliently familiar to all regimes within that time span, of which the mass mobilisation of the ‘K5’ project had been the last of its kind to spring to mind, serving to illustrate yet again the dismal discrepancy between forward planning and arising contingencies; a habit of which, further, the recent peace-time Bridge Tragedy at the heart of the capital can be cited legitimately as an unnecessary, but understandable casualty and by-product.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Royal Pawns Between The Tiger and The Crocodile
Then-Prince Sihanouk and then-Princess MoniqueThursday, August 05, 2010
Op-Ed by MP
THOSE of us who have been keen observers of Cambodian politics within recent decades are more or less used to idiosyncratic reminiscences emanating from N. Sihanouk's camp. There's no real cause for doubting KI Media's sincerity in rendering this kind of anecdotes, which has been profusely produced by the former monarch himself and accumulated in abundance, no doubt, in his Royal Library.
What should interest any independent, fair-minded observer is to what extent and how much of an influence had our Royal Princess Monique who formed the other Half of the Khmer Royal pair been part of Sihanouk's decision-making throughout his long convoluted political career and, through that, her own personal involvement in the making of Cambodian history - its salvation and tragedies alike - in the course of the same period. In his own memoir, Sihanouk recalls how Monique was persistent in 'persuading' him - following his overthrow by Lon Nol - to join force with the Khmer Rouge who were then still under de facto influence of the North Vietnamese whose troops remained on Khmer soil even after April 1975 and would have remained there longer had it not been for Beijing's mounting pressure on Hanoi to withdraw.
Perhaps, China did exert pressure on the exiled Khmer royals to return to reinforce Sihanouk's erstwhile opponents (Red Khmers) whom he now described as ‘patriots’ or maybe the Royal Couple themselves were counting on the Vietminhs repaying them in gratitude for what the latter owed the former for that vital assistance provided prior to the 1970 coup. What is beyond debate is the fatal 'mistake' committed by Sihanouk in his decision to embrace the Red Khmers so soon after that coup; an error which he subsequently himself publicly acknowledged in an off-guard moment to a journalist. If Monique did sway this historical decision then she may have, even with her youth and legendary beauty in mind, reduced more than a couple of Soviet leaders to helpless victims by the power of her spells.
With the benefit of hindsight and with our bitter taste of what was to follow as a direct outcome of this course of action and gamble by Sihanouk one could not help but wonder what course history might have taken instead had he not allowed his Royal name and presence to be used by cold-hearted men and revolutionary groups whose ideology the US ambassador to Cambodia at the time described as ‘un-Cambodian’. And he was not simply referring to the North Vietnamese.
But even without the benefit of hindsight, it is plausible to take the view that there would have been no logical need for the Prince to plunge his small kingdom that had no real quarrel with the US into full blown armed conflict by embracing the Communists. Lon Nol might have grave difficulties holding out against the battle- hardened Vietminhs, but at least he would not have to dispense so much energy killing – or trying not to be killed by – his own compatriots in the Red Khmers who were now responding to Sihanouk’s call to bear arms against the ‘traitorous’ Khmer republicans with alarming fanaticism and zeal. The Vietnamese might also have eventually achieved their ultimate ambition of bringing the Indochina-coursing Mekong under their control by one means or another, but the most likely scenario that would have prevailed would have been the absence of executions and killings that had been a most salient and grim pattern in Cambodia’s ‘civil wars’ in recent decades. Even the systematic executions of between 40-60,000 defeated Lon Nol soldiers most of whom had once been Sihanouk’s ‘children’ and subjects – the part of that mass killings to only have been openly acknowledged by Pol Pot - would have been too much a price for Cambodia to have to pay. The survival of trained non-Communist military personnel would have provided the country with a much better material with which to resist outright foreign domination in later years. Even the North Vietnamese recognised the pragmatic benefit of incorporating former South Vietnamese soldiers and officers into their unified national military rank, some of whom were subsequently dispatched as ‘volunteers’ to Cambodia and Laos. This familiar mistake – committed again by the CPP in 1997 to neutralise Funcinpec’s military threat - should never be repeated. It is a senseless waste of human resource in the glaring face of the nation’s much lamented numerical handicap with relations to its neighbours, never mind the charge of rights violation against captured military personnel in time of war.
As a keen reader of world history, Sihanouk would have taken note with some personal trepidation of the massacre of the entire Russian royal family carried out by the Bolsheviks to ensure that the monarchy could never again re-emerge to reclaim the political throne in Russia. That he overlooked this personal risk and made a decision to throw in his lot with the Communist camp does seem to testify to his overall misplaced (and perhaps, reckless) optimism that the North Vietnamese and their Khmer Rouge allies would save his nation and people from any likely catastrophe - which they singularly failed, by force of their own respective motives and in line with their own ulterior agendas (and are arguably failing still) to do. Not only that. Once their common Foe – the US - had been overcome traditional distrust resurfaced between the North Vietnamese and their Pol Pot-led Communist allies leaving Sihanouk in a precarious position as he was now caught between the Tiger of the Khmer Rouge and the Crocodile of the Vietminhs in his Unholy Royal Alliance with them both, who by way of their own imperceptible metamorphoses and un-evolved predatory traits, continue to keep him through his ceremoniously enthroned royal heir firmly between their threatening jaws - a tragic fate and dilemma, furthermore, to which by way of perverted extension the Khmer people and nation are presently condemned.
What should interest any independent, fair-minded observer is to what extent and how much of an influence had our Royal Princess Monique who formed the other Half of the Khmer Royal pair been part of Sihanouk's decision-making throughout his long convoluted political career and, through that, her own personal involvement in the making of Cambodian history - its salvation and tragedies alike - in the course of the same period. In his own memoir, Sihanouk recalls how Monique was persistent in 'persuading' him - following his overthrow by Lon Nol - to join force with the Khmer Rouge who were then still under de facto influence of the North Vietnamese whose troops remained on Khmer soil even after April 1975 and would have remained there longer had it not been for Beijing's mounting pressure on Hanoi to withdraw.
Perhaps, China did exert pressure on the exiled Khmer royals to return to reinforce Sihanouk's erstwhile opponents (Red Khmers) whom he now described as ‘patriots’ or maybe the Royal Couple themselves were counting on the Vietminhs repaying them in gratitude for what the latter owed the former for that vital assistance provided prior to the 1970 coup. What is beyond debate is the fatal 'mistake' committed by Sihanouk in his decision to embrace the Red Khmers so soon after that coup; an error which he subsequently himself publicly acknowledged in an off-guard moment to a journalist. If Monique did sway this historical decision then she may have, even with her youth and legendary beauty in mind, reduced more than a couple of Soviet leaders to helpless victims by the power of her spells.
With the benefit of hindsight and with our bitter taste of what was to follow as a direct outcome of this course of action and gamble by Sihanouk one could not help but wonder what course history might have taken instead had he not allowed his Royal name and presence to be used by cold-hearted men and revolutionary groups whose ideology the US ambassador to Cambodia at the time described as ‘un-Cambodian’. And he was not simply referring to the North Vietnamese.
But even without the benefit of hindsight, it is plausible to take the view that there would have been no logical need for the Prince to plunge his small kingdom that had no real quarrel with the US into full blown armed conflict by embracing the Communists. Lon Nol might have grave difficulties holding out against the battle- hardened Vietminhs, but at least he would not have to dispense so much energy killing – or trying not to be killed by – his own compatriots in the Red Khmers who were now responding to Sihanouk’s call to bear arms against the ‘traitorous’ Khmer republicans with alarming fanaticism and zeal. The Vietnamese might also have eventually achieved their ultimate ambition of bringing the Indochina-coursing Mekong under their control by one means or another, but the most likely scenario that would have prevailed would have been the absence of executions and killings that had been a most salient and grim pattern in Cambodia’s ‘civil wars’ in recent decades. Even the systematic executions of between 40-60,000 defeated Lon Nol soldiers most of whom had once been Sihanouk’s ‘children’ and subjects – the part of that mass killings to only have been openly acknowledged by Pol Pot - would have been too much a price for Cambodia to have to pay. The survival of trained non-Communist military personnel would have provided the country with a much better material with which to resist outright foreign domination in later years. Even the North Vietnamese recognised the pragmatic benefit of incorporating former South Vietnamese soldiers and officers into their unified national military rank, some of whom were subsequently dispatched as ‘volunteers’ to Cambodia and Laos. This familiar mistake – committed again by the CPP in 1997 to neutralise Funcinpec’s military threat - should never be repeated. It is a senseless waste of human resource in the glaring face of the nation’s much lamented numerical handicap with relations to its neighbours, never mind the charge of rights violation against captured military personnel in time of war.
As a keen reader of world history, Sihanouk would have taken note with some personal trepidation of the massacre of the entire Russian royal family carried out by the Bolsheviks to ensure that the monarchy could never again re-emerge to reclaim the political throne in Russia. That he overlooked this personal risk and made a decision to throw in his lot with the Communist camp does seem to testify to his overall misplaced (and perhaps, reckless) optimism that the North Vietnamese and their Khmer Rouge allies would save his nation and people from any likely catastrophe - which they singularly failed, by force of their own respective motives and in line with their own ulterior agendas (and are arguably failing still) to do. Not only that. Once their common Foe – the US - had been overcome traditional distrust resurfaced between the North Vietnamese and their Pol Pot-led Communist allies leaving Sihanouk in a precarious position as he was now caught between the Tiger of the Khmer Rouge and the Crocodile of the Vietminhs in his Unholy Royal Alliance with them both, who by way of their own imperceptible metamorphoses and un-evolved predatory traits, continue to keep him through his ceremoniously enthroned royal heir firmly between their threatening jaws - a tragic fate and dilemma, furthermore, to which by way of perverted extension the Khmer people and nation are presently condemned.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Recycling the used and useless royals?
Still remember who they are?Make Royals the Nation’s Ambassadors: Prince
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Wednesday, 07 July 2010
“These are the high officials of our Kingdom of Cambodia.” (sic!)Members of the royal family should be appointed to ambassadorial positions, where their political neutrality and high educations can serve Cambodia, an outspoken prince says.
The royalists have diminished rapidly as a political force in recent years. But members of the royal family still have “high knowledge” in the constitutional monarchy, said Sisowath Thomico, chief of cabinet for retired king Norodom Sihanouk.
The royal family currently has just one ambassador; Norodom Arunrasmy, the former king’s daughter, is ambassador to Malaysia.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment, but Cheam Yiep, a National Assembly lawmaker for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, said he personally supports the idea.
“These are the high officials of our Kingdom of Cambodia,” he said.
Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party, said in other countries, royal families work on social issues, charity or justice. Positioning royals as ambassadors would not be politically neutral, as those appointments would come through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The royal family has gradually lost political power. Sihanouk stepped down in 2004, ending a long career of statesmanship, and in subsequent years, the royalist parties have lost support.
Around 30 members within the royal bloodlines have ceased politics, Sisowath Thomico said. The royal family has sometimes feuded, or members have opposed each other in politics. But that’s in the past, he said.
“Royal family members almost all have stopped doing politics and have come to serve the king, serve the throne and serve the nation in a different way,” he said.
Ambassadorships could be one way they might contribute, he said.
Sisowath Seryroth, second vice president of the Funcinpec party, said royalists should not leave politics, not “until there is a law stipulated by the National Assembly and Senate that bans royal family members from doing politics.”
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Royal visage can't be muddied by politics, says Prince Thomico [-Thomico still daydreaming?]
Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who has retired from politics. (Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN)Thursday, 08 January 2009
Written by Neth Pheaktra and Brendan Brady
The Phnom Penh Post
Insisting his cousin’s image be restricted to use in the Royal Palace, Prince Thomico demands NRP assume a different logo
PRINCE Sisowath Thomico has urged the Norodom Ranariddh Party to change its name and logo to help its namesake dissociate himself from politics as he attempts to cut a regal profile.
Along with other members of the royal family, cousins Prince Thomico and Prince Ranariddh were recently given prominent posts in the King's palace council, in a move that observers saw as a tacit quid pro quo pushed by the government for the removal of royals from politics.
Some scepticism remains, however, about whether the mercurial Ranariddh can stay away from the limelight.
"The prince has resigned as president of the party and announced he has left politics, but his name and picture are still used as the party logo," Sisowath Thomico said. "It leaves the Cambodian people and [me] wondering whether he really has left politics completely."
The party has clung to the image of its namesake because what little support and prestige it has left stems from its association with the prince, Thomico contended. And he worried the party could continue to drag his cousin's already dented reputation through the political mud.
Restoring the shine
Ranariddh has sought to restore his credibility after a downward spiral that saw him devolve from co-prime minister in the 1990s to an exile in Malaysia for two years after fleeing the country to avoid a jail sentence for embezzlement.
"If they continue to use his name and picture, it will affect his honour and the reputation of other members of the royal family, especially the monarchy, who have decided to stay out of politics," Thomico said.
Ranariddh's spokesman, Chea Chanboribo, said the party's title and image were "technical issues" beyond the prince's control, and changing them could create complications for the party's two elected lawmakers in the National Assembly.
"I can say the prince has definitely left politics since resigning from the party, and I've been told the party is looking into changing its name and logo."
But party spokesman Suth Dina said that when Ranariddh resigned, he gave the party full rights to continue using his name and image, and it would require time and resources to organise a motion for the party congress to remake them.
Tep Nytha, secretary general of the National Election Committee, said no current legislation stipulates on the question of party names.
PRINCE Sisowath Thomico has urged the Norodom Ranariddh Party to change its name and logo to help its namesake dissociate himself from politics as he attempts to cut a regal profile.
Along with other members of the royal family, cousins Prince Thomico and Prince Ranariddh were recently given prominent posts in the King's palace council, in a move that observers saw as a tacit quid pro quo pushed by the government for the removal of royals from politics.
Some scepticism remains, however, about whether the mercurial Ranariddh can stay away from the limelight.
"The prince has resigned as president of the party and announced he has left politics, but his name and picture are still used as the party logo," Sisowath Thomico said. "It leaves the Cambodian people and [me] wondering whether he really has left politics completely."
The party has clung to the image of its namesake because what little support and prestige it has left stems from its association with the prince, Thomico contended. And he worried the party could continue to drag his cousin's already dented reputation through the political mud.
Restoring the shine
Ranariddh has sought to restore his credibility after a downward spiral that saw him devolve from co-prime minister in the 1990s to an exile in Malaysia for two years after fleeing the country to avoid a jail sentence for embezzlement.
"If they continue to use his name and picture, it will affect his honour and the reputation of other members of the royal family, especially the monarchy, who have decided to stay out of politics," Thomico said.
Ranariddh's spokesman, Chea Chanboribo, said the party's title and image were "technical issues" beyond the prince's control, and changing them could create complications for the party's two elected lawmakers in the National Assembly.
"I can say the prince has definitely left politics since resigning from the party, and I've been told the party is looking into changing its name and logo."
But party spokesman Suth Dina said that when Ranariddh resigned, he gave the party full rights to continue using his name and image, and it would require time and resources to organise a motion for the party congress to remake them.
Tep Nytha, secretary general of the National Election Committee, said no current legislation stipulates on the question of party names.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Two Warrior-Princes
Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)Sirirath remains committed to politics
Sisowath Sirirath (R) standing next to Lu laysreng (L) and Keo Puth Rasmey (C)Friday, 02 January 2009
Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
Prince Sisowath Sirirath, second deputy president of Funcinpec, told the Post Tuesday he has no intention of quitting politics, despite pressure from other royals to keep the royal family separate from national politics.
Sirirath said until a law is passed prohibiting him from party membership, he will continue his political work. "When I was a boy, I began studying politics. It is the only subject I know well."
Sirirath's comments follow a public statement by Prince Sisowath Thomico on Tuesday urging any royal with connections to the palace to quit all political activities and party memberships.
Sirirath said until a law is passed prohibiting him from party membership, he will continue his political work. "When I was a boy, I began studying politics. It is the only subject I know well."
Sirirath's comments follow a public statement by Prince Sisowath Thomico on Tuesday urging any royal with connections to the palace to quit all political activities and party memberships.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Thomico: Royals should remain in politics
Wednesday, February 6, 2008Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
During a recent interview given to the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper about whether the royals should pursue politics or not, Prince Sisowath Thomico said that, in his opinion, the royals should pursue their political life based on whatever mean and method these royals see fit. The prince added: “We know that a royal has the duty to serve the people, if the royals want to continue pursing politics, they should be allowed to participate openly.” However, for himself inside the Funcinpec party, the prince said that he will not present his parliamentary candidacy in any of the provinces. Even though he does not present his candidacy to the parliament, or to any position, the prince said that he still pities and loves his nation, and he will still continue to provide good ideas to our national political leaders in order to develop and bring progress to our nation in the future.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Ranariddh: "If I am not allowed to be involved in politics, soon the republicans will squeeze each others, just like in the past"
Ranariddh: If the royals are prohibited from getting involved in politics, he will drop his royal titleMonday, December 31, 2007
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Prince Norodom Ranariddh, NRP president, declared one more time about his desire to remain in politics, in spite of the fact that there is a new current wanting to see royal family members ending their political involvements.
Speaking by phone from Malaysia, the prince discussed with his supporters at his party headquarters on 30 December 2007. The prince claimed that he will drop his royal title and become a normal citizen so that he can be involved in politics, if the current to end the political involvement of royal family members is indeed really strong.
The prince said that the reason he would drop his royal title, would be so that he can be involved in politics at a time when the Cambodian people live in misery, as is now. He said that, in the past, the people were subjected to hardship, like during the Khmer Republic regime, and this upset the royals.
The prince added: “There’s nobody else, only the royals are voicing for justice for the people who are the owners of the lands and waters, and owners of the nation, and if the royals are prohibited from being involved in politics, I will drop my royal title.” The prince asked how could he remain idle when the country is currently facing with all these problems? People should judge as to whether the royals should stop being involved in politics or not?
Recently, a number of royals declared that they resigned from politics, during a time when there is a current discussing about a draft law to pull the royals out of the political scene. Prince Ranariddh said: “A number of royals went into their (CPP) camp already, and a number of other royals are preparing to follow a neutral politics also.”
Prince Ranariddh called on Funcinpec party members who used to support him, to come and join the NRP instead because he claims that he will turn the NRP to be like Funcinpec when it was under his leadership, unlike the current Funcinpec party.
Prince Ranariddh said: “Should Ranariddh shut his mouth or not, if there is Norodom Ranariddh alone only? If I am not allowed to be involved in politics, soon the republicans will squeeze each others, just like in the past.”
The prince called again the SRP and the HRP to unite with his party, the NRP, and these two parties should not voice out on their own as they cannot win over the current ruling party. However, the prince’s call was recently rejected by both parties.
The prince also accused the National Assembly which plans to introduce a law forcing the royals to stay out of politics, calling it a human rights violation and a waste of time because the law is aimed at one person only (the prince himself). The prince also asked for the cancellation of the monogamy law and the army drafting law because the army drafting law does not (send soldiers to) fight with anybody, it is only used to draft into the army the sons of poor people.
The prince said that he is confident he will have the opportunity to return back to Cambodia before the upcoming 2008 election. However, he said that there is no clear guarantee yet on his return.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Royals Ponder Future in Wake of Defections [- A royal crisis]
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
10/07/2007
Original report from Phnom Penh
10/07/2007
Prince Sisowath Thomico, one of several politicking royals, said he would hold a joint press conference Wednesday between Funcinpec and Norodom Ranariddh Party officials, following a series of political defections in recent weeks.
Funcinpec is the ruling party's coalition partner; the Norodom Ranariddh Party is the eponymous endeavor of Funcinpec's former president; and Thomico himself dabbled with a small party in this year's commune elections. Now, less than a year before national elections, royalty's loyalties have become increasingly hard to divine.
In recent weeks, Funcinpec has said it is welcoming a number of NRP officials, including top leaders, into its ranks. Thomico has already moved from his own party to the NRP to Funcinpec.
Thomico said Tuesday the press conference would answer serious questions about future of a royalist movement.
"The royalist party members who participated in the commune elections in April 2007 were seriously defeated," Thomico said. "So the question is, should there be a royalist movement, a royalist party, or not? If the royalist party will exist still, how should we go about it?"
Funcinpec is the ruling party's coalition partner; the Norodom Ranariddh Party is the eponymous endeavor of Funcinpec's former president; and Thomico himself dabbled with a small party in this year's commune elections. Now, less than a year before national elections, royalty's loyalties have become increasingly hard to divine.
In recent weeks, Funcinpec has said it is welcoming a number of NRP officials, including top leaders, into its ranks. Thomico has already moved from his own party to the NRP to Funcinpec.
Thomico said Tuesday the press conference would answer serious questions about future of a royalist movement.
"The royalist party members who participated in the commune elections in April 2007 were seriously defeated," Thomico said. "So the question is, should there be a royalist movement, a royalist party, or not? If the royalist party will exist still, how should we go about it?"
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Son Chhay believes that the royals won’t have to grow corn for a living
Tuesday, June 12, 2007Kampuchea Thmei newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
“When I heard that some members of the royal family want to sit out of politics, I think that this is a good opportunity for the royals,” SRP MP Son Chhay said. Son Chhay believes that the government will not neglect royal family members and neither will it force them to have to grow corns to earn a living.
Son Chhay said that Cambodia’s parliamentary monarchy has lasted for a long number of years already, and lately, a number of royal family members have decided to sit out of politics. “The above reasons make me think that this is a good opportunity for the royal family members, so that they no longer be muddied by politics. We want royal family members to stay out of politics so that people can highly respect them in the country,” Son Chhay declared.
Son Chhay said that when royal family members leave politics, they will avoid criticisms from politicians. However, if a prince or princess continues to pursue politics, they cannot avoid criticisms. Son Chhay that it is normal that during election campaigns, politicians cannot avoid insulting one another.
Son Chhay added that some royal family members are afraid that when they are no longer involved in politics, then there would be no one to defend them. However, now that all political parties represented in the National Assembly have already made their proclamations, the royals should stay out of politics. He also said that the government should set up a clear list of all royal family members so that they do not have to live in dire poverty (in the future). “Nevertheless, I believe that the government will not neglect royal family members and forcing them to have to grow corns to earn a living,” Son Chhay said.
Son Chhay said that he welcomes the news (about royals leaving politics), but should they still insist on staying in politics, they can still try it and see how the future will fare for them. “If they (royals) don’t believe it, let them try it so that they won’t say that those who discussed about it do not just want to see the royals involved in politics. What I welcome is the fact that when we look forward, we see that whether the royals are involved in politics or not, they will both win and lose equally. In other countries with a monarchy, their law allow the royals to sit out of politics so they avoid election competition, and thus avoid curses and insults. Should they sit out of politics, then they will avoid all criticisms,” Son Chhay declared.
SRP MP Keo Remy said that whether the royals remain in politics or stay out of politics, depend entirely on each royal family member because the law clearly stipulates that all individuals have the right to be involved in politics, regardless of whether they are royals or commoners. He added that in order to avoid discriminations against all types of politicians, we should consider the law and provide the opportunity to the royals to make the final decision.
Keo Remy said that his idea would be to have all the royals holding a meeting among themselves, and make a final decision on whether they want to remain in politics or sit out altogether. Our law recognizes three branches of royal family members: the Norodom, the Sisowath, and the Ang Duong, therefore, according to Keo Remy, it would be better if all the royals meet to decide on one single point: whether to stay out of politics or not. Keo Remy said that the royals should not be forced, threatened, or discriminated against.
Om Yentieng, Hun Sen’s advisor, already said that the CPP will not in the forefront to demand that the royals stay out of politics.
Prince Sisowath Thomico who used to oppose the idea of having the royals staying out of politics, had softened his stance, but he requested that the government and the National Assembly to organize a dignified departure of the royals from politics.
Son Chhay said that Cambodia’s parliamentary monarchy has lasted for a long number of years already, and lately, a number of royal family members have decided to sit out of politics. “The above reasons make me think that this is a good opportunity for the royal family members, so that they no longer be muddied by politics. We want royal family members to stay out of politics so that people can highly respect them in the country,” Son Chhay declared.
Son Chhay said that when royal family members leave politics, they will avoid criticisms from politicians. However, if a prince or princess continues to pursue politics, they cannot avoid criticisms. Son Chhay that it is normal that during election campaigns, politicians cannot avoid insulting one another.
Son Chhay added that some royal family members are afraid that when they are no longer involved in politics, then there would be no one to defend them. However, now that all political parties represented in the National Assembly have already made their proclamations, the royals should stay out of politics. He also said that the government should set up a clear list of all royal family members so that they do not have to live in dire poverty (in the future). “Nevertheless, I believe that the government will not neglect royal family members and forcing them to have to grow corns to earn a living,” Son Chhay said.
Son Chhay said that he welcomes the news (about royals leaving politics), but should they still insist on staying in politics, they can still try it and see how the future will fare for them. “If they (royals) don’t believe it, let them try it so that they won’t say that those who discussed about it do not just want to see the royals involved in politics. What I welcome is the fact that when we look forward, we see that whether the royals are involved in politics or not, they will both win and lose equally. In other countries with a monarchy, their law allow the royals to sit out of politics so they avoid election competition, and thus avoid curses and insults. Should they sit out of politics, then they will avoid all criticisms,” Son Chhay declared.
SRP MP Keo Remy said that whether the royals remain in politics or stay out of politics, depend entirely on each royal family member because the law clearly stipulates that all individuals have the right to be involved in politics, regardless of whether they are royals or commoners. He added that in order to avoid discriminations against all types of politicians, we should consider the law and provide the opportunity to the royals to make the final decision.
Keo Remy said that his idea would be to have all the royals holding a meeting among themselves, and make a final decision on whether they want to remain in politics or sit out altogether. Our law recognizes three branches of royal family members: the Norodom, the Sisowath, and the Ang Duong, therefore, according to Keo Remy, it would be better if all the royals meet to decide on one single point: whether to stay out of politics or not. Keo Remy said that the royals should not be forced, threatened, or discriminated against.
Om Yentieng, Hun Sen’s advisor, already said that the CPP will not in the forefront to demand that the royals stay out of politics.
Prince Sisowath Thomico who used to oppose the idea of having the royals staying out of politics, had softened his stance, but he requested that the government and the National Assembly to organize a dignified departure of the royals from politics.
Samdech Krom Preah Moves Towards Being Lonely
Posted on June 12th, 2007.
The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 512
Click here to read the article on the Mirror website
The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 512
“Three royal family members of the Norodom line decided to leave politics. This decision shows publicly that three of them follow Samdech Euv [the Father King], who had appealed in February to the royal family members to stay outside politics.
“Princess Norodom Vacheara, the older sister of Prince Norodom Sirivuddh and the younger sister of Samdech Euv, told a local newspapers yesterday, ‘I decided that from 2008 on, I will stop entering politics.’ The Princess stated that she does not want to be with remorse in the future, and she does not want to go back and forth [between different parties?]. She joined Funcinpec in 1998, because Funcinpec followed the political line established by Samdech Euv, Preah Norodom Sihanouk. The Princess said that her decision to leave politics is to follow Samdech Euv, who had appealed for this earlier this year.
“Princess Norodom Vacheara, the older sister of Prince Norodom Sirivuddh and the younger sister of Samdech Euv, told a local newspapers yesterday, ‘I decided that from 2008 on, I will stop entering politics.’ The Princess stated that she does not want to be with remorse in the future, and she does not want to go back and forth [between different parties?]. She joined Funcinpec in 1998, because Funcinpec followed the political line established by Samdech Euv, Preah Norodom Sihanouk. The Princess said that her decision to leave politics is to follow Samdech Euv, who had appealed for this earlier this year.
Click here to read the article on the Mirror website
Saturday, June 09, 2007
A third royal decides to quit politics
Saturday, June 9, 2007Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Princess Norodom Vacheara becomes the third member of the royal family to decide to quit the current hot Cambodian political arena. Her departure leaves Prince Ranariddh as the only royal family member who cannot detach himself from power, and who still remains as a contender in the increasingly tense (political) competition (in Cambodia).
Princess Vachears told Rasmei Kampuchea over the phone from Paris, in the afternoon of 08 June that: “I already decided, that starting from 2008, I will no longer be involved in politics.” The princess said that she does not want to have any remorse in the future. She also said that she does not know how to run from one side to another. When she joined to serve Funcinpec in 1998, it was because she supported the political views of Funcinpec which was established by King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. Her involvements with politics were to serve the people, rather than serving any particular individual.
Before making her decision to quit politics, Princess Vacheara said that she visited King-Father and Queen-Mother to inform them that she wanted to serve King Sihamoni and King-Father on humanitarian, cultural, and social affairs. Princess Vacheara added that the king welcomed her decision.
Princess Vacheara is currently a Funcinpec party member. Since Prince Ranariddh formed his NRP party, Princess Vacheara did not keep contact with the prince. According to Princess Vacheara, the rupture of relationship between her and the prince stems from the fact that Prince Ranariddh was not happy with her because she supported the position adopted by Prime Minister Hun Sen of having the royal family members staying out of politics.
Princess Vacheara said that Prince Ranariddh never contacted her since the formation of the NRP party. She added that she and Prince Ranariddh do not get along because she supported Prime Minister Hun Sen’s call to have royal family members staying out of politics. But, in reality, she was only supporting the call made by King-Father who said that royal family members “should” stay out of politics.
Even though she supports the idea of having royal family members staying out of politics, she said that some duties should be given to royal family members to serve the people, in particular on humanitarian, social and cultural activities, just like several other countries such as Thailand and the United Kingdom.
Until now, three royal family members have decided to pull themselves out of the political scene, they are: Princess Vacheara, Prince Norodom Chakrapong, and Prince Norodom Sirivudh. Prince Ranariddh thus becomes the only royal family members who continue to struggle with his political career. However, Prince Thomico said, during the merger of his Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party with the NRP, Prince Ranariddh declared in his letter that he (Ranariddh) will be willing to quit politics if in Cambodia, the constitution and the King’s royal right are respected.
Even though Prince Vacheara planned to return back home in June, she said that she has postponed her return to July instead because she wanted to wait and meet Prince Sirivudh, her younger brother, first. She said that Prince Sirivudh will arrive in France to take care of his health, at that time, brother and sister will meet each other after several months of separation. Princess Vacheara claims that after her meeting with her brother, the two of them may return to Cambodia at the same time.
Princess Vachears told Rasmei Kampuchea over the phone from Paris, in the afternoon of 08 June that: “I already decided, that starting from 2008, I will no longer be involved in politics.” The princess said that she does not want to have any remorse in the future. She also said that she does not know how to run from one side to another. When she joined to serve Funcinpec in 1998, it was because she supported the political views of Funcinpec which was established by King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. Her involvements with politics were to serve the people, rather than serving any particular individual.
Before making her decision to quit politics, Princess Vacheara said that she visited King-Father and Queen-Mother to inform them that she wanted to serve King Sihamoni and King-Father on humanitarian, cultural, and social affairs. Princess Vacheara added that the king welcomed her decision.
Princess Vacheara is currently a Funcinpec party member. Since Prince Ranariddh formed his NRP party, Princess Vacheara did not keep contact with the prince. According to Princess Vacheara, the rupture of relationship between her and the prince stems from the fact that Prince Ranariddh was not happy with her because she supported the position adopted by Prime Minister Hun Sen of having the royal family members staying out of politics.
Princess Vacheara said that Prince Ranariddh never contacted her since the formation of the NRP party. She added that she and Prince Ranariddh do not get along because she supported Prime Minister Hun Sen’s call to have royal family members staying out of politics. But, in reality, she was only supporting the call made by King-Father who said that royal family members “should” stay out of politics.
Even though she supports the idea of having royal family members staying out of politics, she said that some duties should be given to royal family members to serve the people, in particular on humanitarian, social and cultural activities, just like several other countries such as Thailand and the United Kingdom.
Until now, three royal family members have decided to pull themselves out of the political scene, they are: Princess Vacheara, Prince Norodom Chakrapong, and Prince Norodom Sirivudh. Prince Ranariddh thus becomes the only royal family members who continue to struggle with his political career. However, Prince Thomico said, during the merger of his Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party with the NRP, Prince Ranariddh declared in his letter that he (Ranariddh) will be willing to quit politics if in Cambodia, the constitution and the King’s royal right are respected.
Even though Prince Vacheara planned to return back home in June, she said that she has postponed her return to July instead because she wanted to wait and meet Prince Sirivudh, her younger brother, first. She said that Prince Sirivudh will arrive in France to take care of his health, at that time, brother and sister will meet each other after several months of separation. Princess Vacheara claims that after her meeting with her brother, the two of them may return to Cambodia at the same time.
Prince Ranariddh Promises to Stay in Politics
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
08/06/2007
Prince Norodom Ranariddh said through a spokesman Friday he would stay in politics, despite recent statements from other royal family members that they would be leaving public life.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, whose small political party, the Sangkum Jatiniyum Front, recently joined Prince Ranariddh's party, said this week that in a Cambodia with a mature political system, royalists would not be necessary. But that time was not now.
Prince Norodom Chakrapong has said he will quit as NRP vice president, and Princess Norodom Vicheara has been quoted in local newspapers as intending to leave politics.
NRP spokesman Muth Chantha quoted Prince Ranariddh as saying he will still run the party he started after leaving Funcinpec, which is still the government coalition partner and considered the main royalist party.
"Prince Ranariddh still thinks that, first he still wants to serve the people, the nation, and he respects the constitution, which is Cambodia's supreme law, and the international laws to which Cambodia is a signatory country," Muth Chantha said.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, whose small political party, the Sangkum Jatiniyum Front, recently joined Prince Ranariddh's party, said this week that in a Cambodia with a mature political system, royalists would not be necessary. But that time was not now.
Prince Norodom Chakrapong has said he will quit as NRP vice president, and Princess Norodom Vicheara has been quoted in local newspapers as intending to leave politics.
NRP spokesman Muth Chantha quoted Prince Ranariddh as saying he will still run the party he started after leaving Funcinpec, which is still the government coalition partner and considered the main royalist party.
"Prince Ranariddh still thinks that, first he still wants to serve the people, the nation, and he respects the constitution, which is Cambodia's supreme law, and the international laws to which Cambodia is a signatory country," Muth Chantha said.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Prince Sirivudh Agrees With Retired King: Royals Should Quit Politics [-Thomico: Not until Cambodia gains back her independence]
Friday, February 16, 2007
By Prak Chan Thul
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
By Prak Chan Thul
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Prince Norodom Sirivudh told reporters Thursday that he supported retired King Norodom Sihanouk’s suggestion that royals should quit politics.
On Feb 2, the retired King suggested on his Web site that royals should be removed from politics altogether.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has also since proposed that the royals could initiate their own political retirement.
"We would like to support this highly royal thought," Prince Sirivudh said of his half-brother Norodom Sihanouk's proposal.
"But this is up to the individual royal member to decide," he added.
Prince Sirivudh made the comments after being interviewed at Phnom Penh Municipal Court over a lawsuit filed by Funcinpec against Prince Norodom Ranariddh, accusing the former Funcinpec president of selling off the party's headquarters for personal benefit.
Prince Sirivudh declined comment on his court visit.
But Investigating Judge Ke Sakhorn said the prince said he could not remember any details of the sale because he has been sick with diabetes, Ke Sakhorn said.
Until recently, Prince Sirivudh had been a key figure in Cambodia's political scene, serving as acting president of Funcinpec and as co-minister of interior and deputy prime minister.
He resigned from the Funcinpec position in March 2006, after the National Assembly voted to remove both his senior government positions.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, leader of the Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party, said royals should not quit politics.
"Cambodia is not independent yet so the royal family members have a duty to continue in politics until it is independent," he said by telephone, though he declined to elaborate on how the country is not independent.
Om Yentieng, an advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, called on Prince Thomico to clarify his claim.
"So is the Prince [Thomico] going to crusade for the independence for Cambodia?" Om Yentieng asked.
On Feb 2, the retired King suggested on his Web site that royals should be removed from politics altogether.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has also since proposed that the royals could initiate their own political retirement.
"We would like to support this highly royal thought," Prince Sirivudh said of his half-brother Norodom Sihanouk's proposal.
"But this is up to the individual royal member to decide," he added.
Prince Sirivudh made the comments after being interviewed at Phnom Penh Municipal Court over a lawsuit filed by Funcinpec against Prince Norodom Ranariddh, accusing the former Funcinpec president of selling off the party's headquarters for personal benefit.
Prince Sirivudh declined comment on his court visit.
But Investigating Judge Ke Sakhorn said the prince said he could not remember any details of the sale because he has been sick with diabetes, Ke Sakhorn said.
Until recently, Prince Sirivudh had been a key figure in Cambodia's political scene, serving as acting president of Funcinpec and as co-minister of interior and deputy prime minister.
He resigned from the Funcinpec position in March 2006, after the National Assembly voted to remove both his senior government positions.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, leader of the Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party, said royals should not quit politics.
"Cambodia is not independent yet so the royal family members have a duty to continue in politics until it is independent," he said by telephone, though he declined to elaborate on how the country is not independent.
Om Yentieng, an advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, called on Prince Thomico to clarify his claim.
"So is the Prince [Thomico] going to crusade for the independence for Cambodia?" Om Yentieng asked.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
King-Father's Communiqué
Translated from French by Luc SârCommuniqué
From
Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing, February 12, 2007, at 11:20 PM
From
Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing, February 12, 2007, at 11:20 PM
1- I do not hold any power. I have no power on the Royal Family or other. I have no power to force members of the Royal Family or others to do this or that.
2- If a Prince (or Princess) decides to participate in politics, he (or she) absolutely has the right to do so.
3- I have “fans” who adore my “Internet Website.”
These “fans” wish to be able to read, each day, on this website a handwritten article from their Samdech Euv.
Thus each day, I must find for them something as a topic to write about.
Now, I cannot talk to them about my dogs all the time!
I had, one day, the bad idea to write a “text” on “the Princes and Politics.”
Regarding this bad “text,” I apologize to the Princes and other people who had “counter-attacked” and criticized the old Sihanouk with a noted and notable virulence (sic!)
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
2- If a Prince (or Princess) decides to participate in politics, he (or she) absolutely has the right to do so.
3- I have “fans” who adore my “Internet Website.”
These “fans” wish to be able to read, each day, on this website a handwritten article from their Samdech Euv.
Thus each day, I must find for them something as a topic to write about.
Now, I cannot talk to them about my dogs all the time!
I had, one day, the bad idea to write a “text” on “the Princes and Politics.”
Regarding this bad “text,” I apologize to the Princes and other people who had “counter-attacked” and criticized the old Sihanouk with a noted and notable virulence (sic!)
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
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