Hun Xen: Sihanouk was the one who left border problems between Cambodia and Vietnam

លោក ហ៊ុន សែន៖ ព្រះ​មហា​វីរក្សត្រ​ជា​អ្នក​បន្សល់​ទុក​នូវ​​វិបត្តិ​ព្រំដែន​កម្ពុជា-​វៀតណាម​​

មេដឹកនាំ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​កម្ពុជា បាន​ទំលាក់​កំហុស​ដល់​ព្រះបាទ នរោត្តម សីហនុ ថា ជា​អ្នក​បន្សល់​ទុក​នូវ​រាល់​វិបត្តិ​ព្រំដែន​រវាង​កម្ពុជា និង​វៀតណាម ទាំង​ព្រំដែន​គោក និង​ព្រំដែន​ទឹក ហើយ​ថា ក្រុម​អ្នក​រិះគន់​អំពី​បញ្ហា​ព្រំដែន គឺ​ជា​ការ​វាយ​ប្រហារ​ទៅ​ដល់​រាជបល្ល័ង្ក និង​រាជ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល។

2012-08-08
ដោយ តាំង សារ៉ាដា
Radio Free Asia

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ទាក់ទង​នឹង​បញ្ហា​នេះ ​ទីប្រឹក្សា​ព្រះករុណា នរោត្តម សីហនុ អះអាង​ថា រាល់​កិច្ច​ព្រមព្រៀង​ដែល​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន ចុះ​ហត្ថលេខា​ជាមួយ​វៀតណាម ក្នុង​អំឡុង​នៃ​ការ​ត្រួតត្រា​របស់​កងទ័ព​វៀតណាម នោះ​គឺ​ផ្ទុយ​ពី​កិច្ច​ព្រមព្រៀង​សន្តិភាព​ទីក្រុង​ប៉ារីស ឆ្នាំ​១៩៩១ និង​ច្បាប់​អន្តរជាតិ​ស្ដីពី​ច្បាប់​សន្ធិសញ្ញា​ក្រុង​វ្យែន ឆ្នាំ​១៩៦៩។ ប៉ុន្តែ​ទីប្រឹក្សា​ព្រះករុណា នរោត្តម សីហនុ អះអាង​ថា រាល់​កិច្ច​ព្រមព្រៀង​ដែល​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន ចុះ​ហត្ថលេខា​ជាមួយ​វៀតណាម ក្នុង​អំឡុង​នៃ​ការ​ត្រួតត្រា​របស់​កងទ័ព​វៀតណាម នោះ​គឺ​ផ្ទុយ​ពី​កិច្ច​ព្រមព្រៀង​សន្តិភាព​ទីក្រុង​ប៉ារីស ឆ្នាំ​១៩៩១ និង​ច្បាប់​អន្តរជាតិ​ស្ដីពី​ច្បាប់​សន្ធិសញ្ញា​ក្រុង​វ្យែន (Vienna) ឆ្នាំ​១៩៦៩។ លោក​នាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​ពុធ ទី​៨ ខែ​សីហា បាន​ចោទ​ក្រុម​អ្នក​រិះគន់​អំពី​បញ្ហា​ព្រំដែន​រវាង​កម្ពុជា និង​វៀតណាម ថា​ជា​ការ​វាយ​ប្រហារ​ទៅ​ដល់​ព្រះ​មហា​វីរក្សត្រ នរោត្តម សីហនុ រាជបល្ល័ង្ក និង​រាជរដ្ឋាភិបាល។ នៅ​សល់​តែ​មួយ​ថ្ងៃ​មុន​ការ​បង្ហាញ​ខ្លួន​ចំពោះ​មុខ​អ្នក​តំណាងរាស្ត្រ នៅ​ឯ​សភា​ជាតិ​ជា​លើក​ដំបូង ដើម្បី​ឆ្លើយ​តប​ទៅ​នឹង​សំណួរ​ទាក់ទង​នឹង​វិបត្តិ​ព្រំដែន​រវាង​កម្ពុជា និង​វៀតណាម លោក​នាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន បាន​ទាញ​ព្រះនាម​អតីត​ព្រះ​មហា​វីរក្សត្រ​ខ្មែរ អោយ​ចូល​មក​ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​ក្នុង​ការ​ទទួល​ខុស​ត្រូវ​ចំពោះ​ការ​បាត់​បង់​បូរណភាព​ដែន​ដី​របស់​មាតុភូមិ​កម្ពុជា។

Chinese Influence Under Scrutiny

Beijing’s sway in Cambodia causes controversy in the wake of a presidential visit.

2012-04-03

Radio Free Asia

“The Chinese and Cambodian friendship is a life and death issue for Cambodia. It provides us with a life of freedom, sovereignty and independence, and is extremely vital” - Sisowath Thomico

China’s vast influence over Cambodia has come under scrutiny following a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Phnom Penh on the eve of a major regional summit, during which Cambodia tried to exclude the South China Sea territorial dispute from the official agenda.

Hu on Monday concluded a four-day visit to the capital during which he met with King Norodom Sihamoni, as well as his counterpart, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

During the visit, ahead of Cambodia’s hosting of the 2012 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on April 3-4, Hu signed a total of 10 infrastructure cooperation agreements and pledged tens of millions of dollars in grants and loans. The two sides also agreed to double bilateral trade by 2017.

Cambodia is this year’s chair of the regional ASEAN body, which also includes Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Wouldn't justice require that King Sihanouk explains himself in court about his association with the Khmer Rouge regime?

Then-Prince Sihanouk with his Khmer Rouge comrades

Justice requires precision rather than confusion


Monday, 20 February 2012
Prince Sisowath Thomico
The Phnom Penh Post

Dear Editor,

Justice and history both demand precision. Precision regarding the events, the dates and the contexts, as well as precision with respect to the involvement of individuals in those events.

Instead, an article in The Phnom Penh Post on February 16 titled “Blueprint for forced labour” is nothing but all about confusion.

Consequently, for the sake of justice and history, it is necessary to restore the facts in their historical context.

The article states: “. . . a translated version of the document appeared to implicate now-King Father Norodom Sihanouk in ordering the executions of two prominent Khmer Rouge leaders, Hu Nim and Hou Yuon, in 1977.”

There are two major inaccuracies in that sentence.

ទ្រុង ទរ មេ គោ៖ រត់ ធាក់ ចាំ លុញ ការពារ មិនអោយ មានការ ចោទប្រកាន់លើ ព្រះមហាវីរសត្វ ឡើយ

ទ្រុងស៊ីក្រវ៉ាត់ ទរ មេគោ

 24/11/2011
 ដោយ លាង ដឺលុច
RFI

ក្នុងរយៈពេល​២ថ្ងៃ​ចុងក្រោយ​នៃ​សវនាការ​លើអង្គសេចក្តី​នៅក្នុង​តុលាការ​ខ្មែរក្រហម​ លោកអៀង សារី និង ​លោកខៀវ​ សំផន ​បាន​និយាយ​ដល់ព្រះនាម​របស់​សម្តេចតា​នរោត្តម សីហនុ។​ លោកអតីត​រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ការបរទេស​សម័យខ្មែរ​ក្រហម​បានរម្លឹក​ឡើងវិញ​អំពី​ព្រះរាជ​លើក​លែង​ទោស និងអនុគ្រោះ​ទោស​ពីអតីត​ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ​ចំពោះ​រូបលោក។ រីឯអតីត​ប្រធាន​គណៈប្រធាន​រដ្ឋរបប​ខ្មែរក្រហម​វិញ​បាន​ថ្លែង​ឆ្ងល់​ថា ហេតុអ្វី​បានជា​សហព្រះរាជ​អាជ្ញា​ចោទ​ប្រកាន់​លើរូប​លោក ​តែមិនចោទ​ប្រកាន់​ព្រះមហាវីរៈក្សត្រ?

During the past 2 days of hearing the KR Tribunal, both Ieng Sary and Khieu Samphan pronounced the name of King-Grandpa Norodom Sihanouk. Ieng Sary, the former minister of Foreign Affairs of the KR regime reminded the court about the pardon he received from the former king. On the other hand, Khieu Samphan, the former president of the KR regime, was puzzled that the co-investigators only accused him, but they did not accuse the former king.

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Palace denies Rainsy was sent royal invite - ខុទ្ទកាល័យ​សម្តេច​ឪ​ថា មិន​បាន​ចេញ​លិខិត​អញ្ជើញ​សម រង្ស៊ី​ទេ

Monday, 07 November 2011
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

The Royal Cabinet of King Father Norodom Sihanouk yesterday rejected opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s assertion that he had been invited by the King to attend his recent 90th- birthday celebrations, but a Sam Rainsy Party spokesman stood by the claim.

Prince Sisowath Thomico, adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni and personal secretary of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, told the Post the King Father had not invited the SRP leader to attend his birthday, saying that the Royal Palace had not even been involved in the planning.

“The Royal Palace had not issued invitations to anyone. His Excellency Sam Rainsy was not invited; other officials also were not invited because [the King’s birthday] was organised by the royal government,” Prince Thomico said, adding that he could not say where the letter came from or whether it had been falsified.

But SRP spokesman Yim Sovann insisted the invitation in question was the same as those received by other parliamentarians and that the Royal Cabinet’s subsequent claim came as the result of political pressure.

Prince Sisowath Thomico rejected that, saying there had been no pressure on the King Father’s Royal Cabinet and that he himself had never done anything because of pressure or threats.

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ខុទ្ទកាល័យ​សម្តេច​ឪ​ថា មិន​បាន​ចេញ​លិខិត​អញ្ជើញ​សម រង្ស៊ី​ទេ

Monday, 07 November 2011 12:01
មាស សុខ​ជា
The Phnom Penh Post

ភ្នំពេញៈ ខុទ្ទការល័យ​សម្តេច​ឪ នរោត្តម​ សីហនុ បាន​ច្រាន​ចោល​ ការ​អះអាង​របស់​គណ​បក្ស​ប្រឆាំង ដែល​ថា លោក សម​ រង្ស៊ី មេ​ដឹក​នាំ​បក្ស​នេះ​ ត្រូវ​បាន​អញ្ជើញ ដោយ​សម្តេច​ឪ ឲ្យ​មក​ចូល​រួម​ពិធី​ចម្រើន​ព្រះ​ជន្ម​របស់​ព្រះ​អង្គ​កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​ទី​ ៣០-៣១ ​ខែ​តុលា ប៉ុន្តែ​​អ្នក​នាំ​ពាក្យ​គណ​បក្ស​ប្រឆាំង ​នៅ​តែ​អះ​អាង​ថា មេ​បក្ស​របស់​ខ្លួន ​ពិត​ជា​ត្រូវ​បាន​សម្តេច​ឪ ​អញ្ជើញ​ប្រាកដ​មែន​។

Cambodian King's aide seeks calm

Thu, Aug 05, 2010
The Nation/Asia News Network

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva interpreted a letter from the Cambodian king's adviser as a welcome gesture, saying the idea to make the Preah Vihear a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries sounded good.

"The Preah Vihear has historical and cultural values which could create peace and reconciliation between the people of two countries," he said.

"But if we take advantage of the issue for territorial boundary purposes, people on both sides won't accept it."

The Thai government has objected to the world heritage inscription on the Preah Vihear for fear of territory loss in the disputed areas adjacent to the temple.

In a letter to Abhisit recently, Prince Sisowath Thomico, an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, said the two countries should not use the territorial dispute to spoil "harmony" in the region.

"Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development," the prince's letter was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post.

Abhisit acknowledged the letter but said he had not yet received the copy. It was unclear whether the letter is a personal idea or reflects real opinion in the Cambodian government, he said.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the Thai government interpreted the letter as a personal one to express goodwill and cordial relations between the two countries.

The Foreign Ministry would read and offer an official interpretation of the letter later, he said.

The letter was sent when Thailand and Cambodia were both claiming victory over the World Heritage Committee's decision.

Thailand saw a victory in the committee's decision to consider the temple management plan at its next session in 2011, rather than reading reports submitted by Cambodia during the session in Brazil last week.

Thailand expressed its concern that Cambodia might take the areas to the west and north of the temple, which are subject of a border dispute with Thailand, as buffer zones for the heritage-listed property.

Cambodia argued it had not taken the areas - and the committee decision would not deter it from implementing the plan it had submitted to the committee months ago.

Nationalist movements in Thailand are pressuring the government to oppose all Cambodian moves and activities at the Preah Vihear. They called on the government to use military force to exercise 'Thai sovereignty' in the disputed areas near the temple. "Peaceful ways might cause loss of territory," said Panthep Puapongpan, spokesman of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Phnom Penh blamed Abhisit's government for provoking nationalism and for giving out misleading information over the world heritage for political gain.

The Preah Vihear's status was ruled on by the International Court of Justice in 1962. It is situated in territory under sovereignty of Cambodia, but nationalists in Thailand and Abhisit's government claim only the stone temple ruin belongs to Cambodia, not the surrounding areas.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen told the Cambodian people there was nothing to worry about over the border issue with Thailand, despite feelings heating up. The military leaders of both sides met and agreed to keep their troops in their stations.

Despite the current calm, Hun Sen said his troops were ready to protect the border from intrusion.

Khmer King's adviser ask [Thai] PM to show restraint

Wed, Aug 04, 2010
The Nation/Asia News Network

Phnom Penh Post reported Wednesday that the Prince's letter from Beijing was an attempt to resolve the ongoing standoff over the status of Preah Vihear temple and other disputed areas along the border.

"Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development," he wrote.

"My dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between the two neighbours."

The letter followed a meeting of both countries during Unesco's World Heritage Committee in Brazil. The panel has delayed its consideration on Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple to next year in Bahrain after Thailand threatened to withdraw its membership.

In a weekly address on Sunday, Abhisit said Thailand had obtained the Cambodian management plan and would look to see if it violates "Thai sovereignty" in the border area.

But Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Council of Ministers' Press and Quick Reaction Unit, said yesterday that since Cambodia's plan had been submitted to the WHC, Thai attempts to raise the matter were meaningless.

"I think Abhisit's knowledge on heritage issues is limited - he does not understand the facts, the work of heritage and its progress," he said. "His manner is to provoke nationalism and [give out] misleading information to gain politically."

Tith Sothea said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed the Cambodian delegation to Brazil, would return to Cambodia on Saturday.

Thomico's Open letter to Thai PM ... But, Prince, where is your open letter to the Viet leaders on Viet encroachments?

Click on the letters in English and French to zoom in
Cliquez sur les letters en anglais et français pour aggrandir

Beijing
August 2, 2010

His Excellency Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Care of the Royal Thai Embassy
Phnom Penh
Kingdom of Cambodia

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

Please convey to His Majesty the King of Thailand my very respectful homages and my wishes for a long life, good health and a long and prosperous reign.

I present to Your Excellency and to the eminent members of the Royal Thai Government as well my compliments.

I feel great admiration for the impressive economic, social and cultural development that the Kingdom of Thailand has achieved in recent decades, and particularly for the strong commitment to education that has underpinned the country’s rise. And I feel particularly grateful to the Kingdom of Thailand for the important role it played in the recent past to help Cambodia recover her sovereignty and put an end to two decades of conflict and suffering.

The Khmer people have no other desire than to heal the wounds of the past and live peacefully. As a member of the international community, of global and regional organizations, Cambodia wishes to achieve its development in harmony with every country, to nurture and reinforce relationships of friendship and cooperation with every nation, and above all with our direct neighbors.

The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand have a long history together, marked indeed by conflicts but also by periods of peace during which exchanges between the two countries have greatly benefited both. We share a common civilization, culture, and religion. Whatever may separate us is not as strong as that which binds us together.

For these reasons it has been especially painful to witness the fast deterioration of relations between our two countries over the last two years. Both our populations are easily stirred by the ultra-nationalistic rhetoric of a minority. But a calm appraisal of history should make it clear that the territorial claims that have so animated the recent popular and political discourse in Thailand have no basis.

That history, in fact, is not a pretty one. The borders between our two countries have indeed been imposed on us by colonial powers who respected nothing but their own interests. While the Kingdom of Thailand was not colonized by Western powers, Khmers and Thais both can rightfully consider themselves victims of this colonial past. I understand the feeling of injustice borne by the Thai people against the impositions made on them by foreign powers. As a Cambodian, I cannot forget that the Governor of Cochinchina, Charles Thomson, arrayed guns in front of the Royal Palace to force HM King Norodom to sign the infamous 1884 Convention. Neither do I forget that the 1896 Convention was adopted by the United Kingdom and France in contempt of both Cambodia and Thailand.

The current Thai territorial claims, just like the 1954 fait accompli against Preah Vihear, use geographical criteria as justification, and as demonstration of how unjust the 1904 Border Treaty was. Natural features such as streams, watershed boundaries, mountain ridges, and escarpment lines, are indeed used to demarcate borders between countries. Bear in mind, however, that ethnic and linguistic considerations are also important criteria. From this point of view, it is undeniable that the 1904 Border Treaty left millions of Khmers separated from their motherland. Cambodia has been torn apart and left in pieces by foreign powers in full contempt of the aspirations of its people. If our two nations have a claim to historical injustice, it should be clear that Cambodia bears the greater burden.

In that era, it must be noted, a people’s right to self-determination was not yet part of international law. Nonetheless, the result today is that more Khmers are living outside of Cambodia, including in Thailand, than on Cambodian soil. Should ethnic and linguistic criteria have been used to demarcate the borders between Cambodia and Thailand, the outcome would have been completely different.

The example of ex-Yugoslavia, artificially created by the superpowers in full contempt of the regional historical, cultural, religious and ethnic realities, the ensuing conflicts of Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo show how fragile those manipulations are and how evil their consequences have been.

In this regard, and as far as nationalistic overbidding is concerned, Cambodia could rightfully be in a position to denounce the 1904 Treaty in order to take into consideration the ethnic and linguistic criteria. Then there would be no Preah Vihear issue as the temple and its surroundings would consequently be located deep inside Cambodia -- where they belong.

But ever since full independence in 1953, under the leadership of then-Prince Sihanouk, Cambodia has only demanded the de jure recognition by its neighbors and by the international community of its borders in accordance with treaties imposed in the 20th century. This is still true today: Cambodia has no other claim.

Our two nations are fated to live side by side. We are both members of ASEAN, a regional organization which aspires, as the European Union has done, to open borders among nations to free the creative energies that are the source of sustainable development. Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our peoples by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development and the fight against poverty on both sides of our shared border.

As a Cambodian - and I am convinced that millions of Khmers do share my feeling - my dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between two neighbors.

Please accept, Mr. Prime Minister, the assurances of my very high consideration.

(signed) Sisowath Thomico

Public figures weigh in on prison term

Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Cheang Sokha and Jame O'Tools
The Phnom Penh Post

AS coverage of Monday’s verdict at the Khmer Rouge tribunal was beamed across the world, some of the Kingdom’s most prominent political figures weighed in on the landmark ruling.

Speaking at Phnom Penh International Airport upon his return from Singapore with a delegation led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong called the judgment “inappropriate”.

“Thousands and thousands of Cambodian people were tortured at Tuol Sleng and brought to be killed at Choeung Ek,” Hor Namhong said. “This sentence seems light and unsuitable compared with the number of people who have been killed.”

He added that he was only expressing his personal view, as the government’s official stance was to respect the independent judgment of the court.

The opposition Sam Rainsy Party agreed that the sentence was lighter than expected, but praised the court’s achievement nonetheless.

“Although falling short of what many survivors and families had hoped for, the verdict today is a first step toward accountability and healing,” the SRP said in a statement. It also said that it supported further prosecutions of Khmer Rouge leaders. Hun Sen has publicly expressed his opposition to prosecutions beyond the court’s second case, warning that they could plunge the country back into “civil war”.

Prince Sisowath Thomico, assistant to King Father Norodom Sihanouk, called the proceedings at the court “politically biased” and “a masquerade”.

“I … would like to warmly praise all the participants, most of all the foreign participants in that media show,” he said in an email. “I just can’t wait to watch the next episode of that prime-time political series.”

Hun Sen himself has not yet commented publicly on the verdict, but Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan called it “a historical point”. He did not comment on the substance of the judgment, but said that the tribunal is “an independent body [that] we have to respect”.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NETH PHEAKTRA

King Father’s trip non-political [-Just plain good old chumming time between brother-ennemies?]

Prince Sisowath Thomico, an adviser to King Father Norodom Sihanouk, speaks with a reporter at a press conference on Monday. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan)

Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

ROYAL adviser Prince Sisowath Thomico held a press conference Monday to emphasise that King Father Norodom Sihanouk will not address political issues during his scheduled visit to Hanoi this week, following appeals that the visit be used as an opportunity to discuss the administration of former Cambodian territories in South Vietnam.

“The King Father was invited by the Vietnamese president to pay a friendship visit; therefore I think that the visit will be used to boost good relations between the governments of Vietnam and Cambodia, and between the people of the two countries,” the prince said.

Sihanouk will not “interfere in political affairs”, but will instead act as an “independent symbol of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in accordance with the Kingdom’s constitution”, he said.

Yim Sovann, spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said Monday that Sihanouk was entitled to raise the issue of Kampuchea Krom.

“I hope that the King Father will play his role as stated in the Kingdom’s Constitution as the guarantor of territorial sovereignty,” he said.

In a statement released Sunday, Son Soubert, vice president of the Khmer People’s National Liberation Front, said Sihanouk’s visit could usher in “a new era of frank cooperation” between the two countries.

When contacted on Monday, however, Son Soubert said it was unlikely that sovereignty issues would be discussed. “As the King Father said in his statement that the visit is private and non-political, I don’t expect any of the meetings to be related to border sovereignty,” he said.

The Yuons are crocs ... and I am walking into their mouth: Bravo!?!?

Then-Prince Sihanouk and his close ally, the communist Vietnamese Pham Van Dong in the 70s. Prince Sihanouk wrote that, in the 80s, following the Vietnamese invasion and occupation of Cambodia, he sent a letter to Pham Van Dong which the latter refused to accept. This is the bitter lesson of history that Cambodians should remember. But, alas, under today's "laisser-faire", younger generations of Cambodians are taught that our invaders were our saviors instead. When will Phnom Penh be rebaptized Nam Vang? What will the royal palace be used for in the republican Indochinese Federation: a museum to teach the communist youth about a feudal regime that committed suicide to save communism? Please do not forget a kowtow visit to Uncle Ho's mausoleum! Bravo?!? Way to go Your Majesty!!!

Former King Sihanouk To Travel to Vietnam

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 April 2010

Former king Norodom Sihanouk will travel to Vietnam in June to help strengthen ties between the two countries, a Royal Palace official told VOA Khmer Monday.

“The visit of His Majesty reflects a close relationship and harmony between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” royal adviser Sisowath Thomico said.

Norodom Sihanouk, who is 87, will spend from four days to a week in Vietnam, at the invitation of the government, his first trip since 1995, nine years before his abdication.

“The Vietnamese president, as well as the Communist Party of Vietnam, wish to recall the gratitude of His Majesty to Vietnam in fighting against the imperialist United States,” Sisowath Thomico said.

The former monarch’s visit comes amid rising criticism by the opposition of what it says is border encroachment from Vietnam.

Yim Sovann, a lawmaker and spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party, said the party hoped the former king would raise the border issue with the Vietnamese government.

And Yun Tharo, another opposition lawmaker, said he will try to send to the former king a letter to help him discuss the rights of the minority Khmer in Vietnam.

Sisowatch Thomico said that under the constitution a king or former king has no power in any political discussion.

Thomico: A prince who is more royalist than the king himself

Thomico (Photo: Sovannara, RFI)

Thomico: I do not allow the fake Ruom Ritt to use the king’s name and the border problem to joke around

27 Feb 2010
By Jean François Tain
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Answering to questions asked by RFI’s Jean François Tain, Prince Thomico, the advisor to the office of the Beijing-bound king, provides clarification on the “fake Ruom Ritt” case. For the prince, the person posing as the childhood friend of King-Father Norodom Sihanouk wanted to attack King Sihamoni by accusing the latter of being lax when it comes to defending Cambodia’s territorial integrity.

Click here to listen to the interview in Khmer (MP3)

Sihanouk: Ruom Ritt is not Ruom Ritt (sic!)

It takes two to Tango: Did the master get caught in his own game?

Sihanouk making appearance to reject the appearance of Ruom Ritt

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Rasmei Kampuchea
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

King-Father Norodom Sihanouk was forced to make an appearance to declare that the person who claimed to be Ruom Ritt and whose voice can be heard on interviews recently, is not his childhood friend Ruom Ritt.

In a communiqué dated 23 Feb, Sihanouk wrote that Ruom Ritt, his childhood friend, who is currently living in France (in the Pyrenees), is very old and very ill. He could no longer write articles for publication anymore. Therefore, the hero-king said from Beijing that: “Right now, if there is any group or any individual who claimed to be Ruom Ritt, then he is a fake Ruom Ritt.”

Sihanouk’s reaction came immediately after Prince Thomico, Sihamoni’s advisor, officially informed him to the fact. Thomico who is Sihanouk’s own nephew, reported to the ex-king that a radio station known as the “World Khmer Radio” broadcasted on 19 Feb phone interviews with Ruom Ritt on border issues. In his report, Thomico claimed that the interview used the border topic as a mean to attack King Sihamoni and the monarchy because these two institutions are accused of being lax in the defense of Cambodia’s territorial integrity. Thomico said: “All observers know that Mr. Ruom Ritt does not keep contact with anybody else other than the revered king [Sihanouk]. Therefore, the appearance of Mr. Ruom Ritt is nothing more than a bad trick. Furthermore, in addition to this trick, the interview was a subterfuge to blame and to create hatred against the Cambodian monarchy.”

More than 5 years ago, Ruom Ritt, whom Sihanouk claimed to be his childhood friend, made his appearance in the Cambodian political scene through correspondence exchange with Sihanouk. At that time, Ruom Ritt severely criticized Hun Xen’s regime, so much so that the latter reacted and attacked back by using vulgar words on Ruom Ritt. Since then, Ruom Ritt disappeared into oblivion.

Don't depend on the king ... if you are not from the ruling CPP party?!?!

Friction between the opposition and the royal palace

23 January 2010
By Pen Bona
Radio France Internationale
Editorial
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

The monarchy institution expressed its extreme displeasure towards Cambodia’s opposition party. This displeasure was shown in two letters sent by Prince Sisowath Thomico, the advisor attached to the king’s office, to the SRP which was seeking royal intervention from King-Father in the border stakes uprooting lawsuit case in Svay Rieng province. The content of these two letters showed the friction that exists between the royal palace and the SRP.

Relationship between Cambodia’s opposition party and the royal palace shows that an intense friction is taking place between the two parties, a situation that was never seen in the past. The friction is observed through two major events:

1. King-Father turned down the intervention request in the border stakes uprooting lawsuit against Sam Rainsy. The request was made by Kong Korm, the SRP party vice-president, on 05 January. It was accompanied with a 232-page long petition gathered by the SRP from its supporters. According to Thomico’s letter dated 18 January, King-Father would have refused to intervene in Sam Rainsy’s case, based on three points: (1) he already retired since October 2004; (2) Sam Rainsy’s case is a political case and therefore, King-Father cannot get involved with it; and (3) the case is currently in the hand of the court, therefore, nobody can interfere with it.
2. On 22 December 2009, opposition leader Sam Rainsy sent a request to the royal cabinet asking for a private audience with King-Father. His request was not welcomed by the royal palace, in order to avoid showing any involvement of the monarchy with Sam Rainsy’s lawsuit case. Not only that, an angry Thomico also scolded Sam Rainsy in very strong terms, telling Sam Rainsy that he was looking down the monarchy, as well as claiming that Sam Rainsy lacks respect for the monarchy. Thomico’s letter content, filled with friction, clearly shows the seriousness of the problem between the opposition and the royal palace.

In the eyes of political observers in Cambodia, this rupture stems from the use of the royal pardon. It is true that the Cambodian Constitution allows the king to pardon jailed convicts. However, what is noticeable is the fact that in major cases involving politicians or in very sensitive cases, the king had never used his rights to issue pardon without first obtaining the consent from the government. The king adopted this attitude in order to avoid locking horns with the government.

Therefore, each time that there is a pardon request made, the king always forward these requests to the prime minister and the ministry involved to review them. However, in this latest case, the royal palace decided to provide a direct reply to the opposition party. Such direct response is viewed as a warning from the monarchy telling politicians not to pester the monarchy anymore.

In summary, what has happened lately truly shows the friction that exists between the opposition and the royal palace. However, this problem does not carry any negative impact on the general political situation, it is only a first warning letter from the royal palace to politicians. Politicians tend to seek royal intervention from the king when they have problems, even though they know beforehand that the king can never help them.

No royal audience for Sam Rainsy whose party is accused of disrespect toward royalty: Thomico, King-Father’s new guard dog

Sam Rainsy will not be received by Norodom Sihanouk

Wednesday 20 Jan 2010
By A.L.G.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo

KI-Media note: "See bay ah na, reak-sa ah neung," (The person whose rice you eat, you will guard that person) the old Cambodian saying goes. As a reminder, Prince Thomico, though an advisor to the ex-monarch, receives his salary from the Cambodian government. Currently, the Cambodian government is Hun Xen! Is there any surprise there?

Furthermore, if discussing Vietnamese incroachments does not benefit "P'Kona" or the monarchy institution, what does? Does this mean that the royal institution is out of touch of Cambodia's reality? You be the judge!

Prince Sisowath Thomico has decided: opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s letter asking for an audience with King-Father will not be handed over to the ex-monarch.

In a letter sent to Sam Rainsy, Prince Thomico indicated Norodom Sihanouk will not see Sam Rainsy in his Beijing residence as the latter requested him in a letter dated 22 December. Sam Rainsy could be jailed if he returns back to Cambodia.

Thomico’s letter from Beijing dated 02 January sent to “Very Dear Rainsy” indicated that Sam Rainsy’ private audience request will not be handed over to the ex-monarch due to “the general attitude of the Sam Rainsy Party toward the monarchy and the party’s flaunted disrespect toward the royal institution which is currently represented by King Sihamoni and which was represented by P’Kona [Norodom Sihanouk] in the past.”

Sisowath Thomico chided Sam Rainsy for criticizing the “’subjugation’ of the King to the CPP.”

The letter written in French was published in the pro-CPP newspaper Kampuchea Thmei in its Wednesday 20 January’s edition.

“This is not about me taking revenge back on you, but just like what you thought what you could do best for your interest and your party at the time, I believe that your request is not timely in the current situation and it would not benefit P’Kona, nor the monarchy institution,” the prince wrote.

On Tuesday 19 January, Prince Thomico also rejected the petition sent by the SRP to Norodom Sihanouk to end the lawsuit against Sam Rainsy. In his letter, Thomico noted that King-Fathar has retied since 2004 and the prince qualified the affair as being a “political case”. He also indicated that the case is currently dealt with by “the independent judicial power.”

Sam Rainsy was sued for uprooting stakes along the disputed border with Vietnam. He will be sentenced on 27 January and he will most likely be absent to this sentencing.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: "Atha-Hek ......."

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

King-Father denies help to Sam Rainsy: Lawsuit case is a “political” case … and the court is independent (sic!)

Click on the letter in Khmer to zoom in

20 January 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

King-Father rejected the request made by Sam Rainsy to intervene in the charges brought against him regarding the uprooting of border stakes in Svay Rieng. The rejection was announced in a letter signed and sent by Prince Thomico to Kong Korm, the SRP party vice-president. Thomico informed Kong Korm that the ex-monarch cannot intervene on behalf of Sam Rainsy. He indicated that the reason behind this rejection is because the ex-monarch has already retired since 16 October 2004. Furthermore, Sam Rainsy’s lawsuit case is a political matter, and he cannot interfere in political issues. Thomico added that Sam Rainsy’s case has already reached the judicial system already, and according to the Cambodian Constitution, the court system is an independent institution (sic!). Therefore, nobody can interfere in the court system (sic!).

Survivors of the Khmer Rouge: The prince - 31 Mar 09

Most Cambodians alive today lost at least one family member to the Khmer Rouge's brutal rule.

And that includes the royal family, among them Prince Thomico Sisowath, the nephew of former King Sihanouk.

But despite losing his parents to the Khmer Rouge he is not in favour of the tribunals that are now underway.

He tells Al Jazeera his story.

King-Father’s website to be modernized with same “old-writing” content?

January 15, 2009
KI-Media

The Cambodia Daily reported today that Prince Thomico indicated that King-Father’s website will be modernized in order to index King-Father’s notes for easier archival and keyword search through Internet search engines. However, the prince indicated King-Father’s handwritten messages and commentaries will be kept. Prince Thomico indicated that the new and improved website will be launched by the end of January or early February, and it will start with the contents from the last few months. Additional information will be added as time goes by.

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.