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Cambodia's king wants the final word

AFP, PHNOM PENH
Thursday, Jun 05, 2003, Page 16

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk is in a feisty mood, undergoing medical check-ups in China from where the monarch has gone on the offensive to set the record straight on his six decades of political life.

Through his palace publication, Bulletin Mensuel de Documentation (BMD), the king reprints newspaper articles with addendums scribbled in margins and clarifications to stories about himself.

He highlights perceived inaccuracies while applauding efforts to stamp out corruption and human trafficking, with exclamation marks.

In a BMD interview in early May, the 80-year-old monarch wrote, "These days I am writing a lot. It is not necessary to be astonished by it.

"I feel my death is coming soon.

"I must therefore, while the Buddha leaves me some life, write and write again in order to complete all that I have been able to give as testimonies and explanations for history to the young generations."

Just six months ago, a fit Sihanouk entertained heads of state at the summit of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) and was applauded for twinkle-toeing on the dance floor with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo.

He has since verified his list of numerous health complaints, another source of palace rumors among royal watchers, which force him to spend much of the year in China for medical treatment.

He left Phnom Penh for China in March.

The list includes chemotherapy for non-Hodgkins lymphoma, arteriosclerosis, hyperlipemia, gallstones and abnormal glucose tolerance.

One source with close links to the king said Sihanouk's health was fine but the monarch was suffering from depression caused by the problems that have beset his country and was making his displeasure known.

"He's totally depressed by the nonsense that is going on.

"Cambodia has received so much money for reconstruction but no one knows where the money has gone. There are few roads and every time it rains Phnom Penh turns into a lake."

He said the king always notes how Cambodia had historically survived without foreign assistance as an independent kingdom but now his country relies on handouts.

"I don't think he'll return [from China] before the elections."

Instead, Sihanouk is expected to keep writing -- in French, occasional English and Khmer -- and often in response to letters from the mysterious Ruom Ritt, known locally as "a close friend of the king."

Ruom Ritt has proved an occasional irritant to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen by posing questions to the king in BMD and illiciting a blistering response.

Ruom Ritt once asked the king to list the achievements of Hun Sen's government. The king praised his prime minister, compared him to the mighty Angkorian kings of a thousand years ago and forecast his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) would win the elections next month.

He then noted "without accusing them of any corruption" that "certain leaders and cadres in the CPP have become extremely rich."

This included a blatant sell-off of "thousands and thousands" of Cambodian artifacts to well-off Khmers and foreigners.

In the latest issue of BMD the king drew his pen, and his renowned ironic wit for one article referring to the prime minister as the "strongman" and underlined the word, with an additional comment: "Bravo!"

While Sihanouk reserves some tact for his prime minister his assessment of family matters and a likely successor are blunt.

Soon after the May issue of BMD was released, its scribes followed up with another list of questions but the king's answers were sent in a letter to The Cambodia Daily newspaper.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh, once a hot favorite as future monarch, now has "major problems" with politics. Prince Norodom Sihamoni is a "chance" while Prince Norodom Sirivudh is too tainted by past political affiliations.

Instead, the monarch declared to his kingdom that his wife Queen Monineath was a viable option to carry the throne forward after his death but this would require a constitutional change allowing women to reign.

The king, however, has taken steps to ensure his legacy if none of the future alternatives are acceptable, and a republic follows.

In the last issue of BMD, the revered monarch announced his treasure trove of Cambodian movies, directed by himself, would be donated to the French National Film Archives.

Apparently Sihanouk fears his movies would be held up to public contempt by his foes if a republic were declared after his death.

In which case, Sihanouk has laid down his last request.

"In my humble opinion Cambodia's republicanization would be only acceptable after a national referendum was conducted in due form and, if possible, under the appropriate control of the United Nations," he wrote in the letter published by The Cambodia Daily.
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