Strongman to celebrate Great King's birthday in Beijing

Cambodian PM to visit former king Sihanouk in Beijing

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian officials have confirmed that Prime Minister Hun Sen plans to visit retired King Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing to celebrate the King Father's birthday on Oct. 31, national media reported Wednesday.

Hun Sen is scheduled to attend the Asia-Europe meeting in Beijing on Oct. 24 and 25 on his first international tour since he was sworn in as prime minister following his Cambodian People's Party (CPP)'s victory in the July 27 general election, the Phnom Penh Post said.

"I am going to ask to meet the King Father to wish him a happy birthday and celebrate with him and the monks," the prime minister said last week.

Cheam Yeap, a member of the CPP's Central Committee, told the Post that Hun Sen would also take the opportunity to update the King Father, who since August has been in Beijing where he maintains a residence, about the situation in the country.

The King Father recently congratulated Hun Sen on his re-election as the country's prime minister in a statement posted on his website, adding that Hun Sen is a leader who has contributed positively to both the national and international community.

Rivals Seek Audience With Former King [-Sam Rainsy: "Our country now is sinking like a ship in the ocean"]

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 October 2008

Both Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy plan to visit Cambodia's former king in Beijing separately in coming months.

Hun Sen plans to call on the former king, Norodom Sihanouk, following an Asia-Europe Meeting, scheduled for Oct. 24 in Beijing, prior to Sihanouk's Oct. 31 birthday, when he turns 87.

Sam Rainsy is planning to meet with the former king in late November, "in the name of national reconciliation," the opposition leader said in a letter.

"I will extend well wishes to the king father on his birthday, and then I will go to the ASEM in Beijing," Hun Sen said at a scholarship award ceremony at Phnom Penh's National School of Pedagogy Thursday. "Right now I've told the king father's protocol office to arrange my schedule to meet the king father."

The annual two-day Asia-Europe Meeting brings leaders from 45 Asian and European countries, including Cambodia, together for political, security and economic discussions.

Following Hun Sen's visit, Sam Rainsy is scheduled to pay a call on the former king in Beijing.

"Our country now is sinking like a ship in the ocean," Sam Rainsy wrote the former monarch in French. "Our people are dying like abandoned animals. That's why I myself and for all Cambodian citizens, I would like to assist you in helping the country in the name of national reconciliation."

SRP Deputy Secretary-General Mu Sochua said Thursday the letter to the king reflected Sam Rainsy's worries for the future of the country, following the ruling Cambodian People's Party extension of power after July's elections.

Sam Rainsy will likely discuss alleged irregularities in July's election and "the political situation," she said.