Hun Sen Reaffirms Support for Monarchy; Attacks Opposition, Ranariddh Indirectly

Phnom Penh Television Kampuchea in Cambodian

18 Mar 08

Cambodian Government-run Phnom Penh Television Kampuchea in Cambodian at 0558 GMT on 18 March carried a 82-minute recorded video report, following its midday newscast, on Prime Minister Hun Sen inaugurating the 105-meter bridge of Prek Chrey and a road as well as opening a work site for building Stoeng Meanchey Bridge in Cheung Ek suburb, Dangkao ward, Phnom Penh on the morning of 18 March.
Click here to view the 59-second video clip on Hun Sen attacking the royalist radio program of Prince Ranariddh.

In his address, Hun Sen recounted the government's efforts to build bridges and roads for the people. After, he recalled the military coup staged on 18 March 1970 by Marshall Lon Nol of the Khmer Republic regime to topple the then head of state Norodom Sihanouk and to abolish the Cambodian monarchy.

While reaffirming his resolve to uphold the monarchy and adhere to the policies of Sihanouk's Sangkum Reas Niyum [People's Socialist Community] regime, Hun Sen also attacked Prince Norodom Ranariddh indirectly, saying, "I am not royalist more than the royals, but can I ask to protect the monarchy? However, now, concretely the one who declares that he is royalist is not able even to defend himself. This is the fact. Therefore, all are asked to try to protect this constitutional monarchy," and never ever say--this remark was aimed at the Sam Rainsy Party [SRP]--the "future of the monarchy should be left for the people to decide." He added, "I wish to point out again that the clauses in the Kingdom of Cambodia's Constitution on the constitutional monarchy and liberal multiparty democratic regime cannot be amended. These points are forbidden from being touched." "Therefore," he added, "our Kingdom of Cambodia will last forever."

Continuing his indirect attack on Prince Ranariddh, Hun Sen warned that even though the Cambodian king was appointed, but this or that prince should "never dream about ascending the throne." It was because the Constitution stipulated that "the king is the head of state for life." He said that to his information, there was somebody wanted to be "king."

Hun Sen also attacked the Royalist Voice program of Prince Ranariddh. He said, "A radio calls itself royalist voice, but it curses other people. I do not know whether the king has listened or not. It calls itself royalist voice but it curses the other people. As such, does it deserve being royalist? This point is difficult. Saying like this, they may say that they are feared. Please go ahead continuing it. You are free. You can give yourself whatever name you want. I do not know. However, acting like that will besmirch the honor of the king, of the royal family, of the monarchic institution, and of the constitutional monarchy."

Also, before ending his address, Hun Sen also said that he would continue to be prime minister so as he could continue to "support the king." Moreover, he announced that the "King Father and Queen Mother will return to Cambodia to celebrate the Cambodian New Year with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren [on 13 April 2008]. This is happy news."