Cambodia's former king urges royals to stay away from politics
5/2/2007 16:34
Cambodia's retired king Norodom Sihanouk, currently in China, has called
on members of the royal family not to oppose the ruling Cambodian People's Party
(CPP) and suggested that all royal members should stay away from politics, local
media reported today.
"Our Princes and Princesses should avoid declaring that
they are against the CPP, are fighting and shall fight against the CPP, " local
newspapers quoted a message posted on his website as saying.
It is fitting
and time for the Khmer kingdom to imitate other Kingdoms of the world that the
members of the royal family abstain from politics, he said.
Cambodia's
current leaders could have chosen to oppose restoring the monarchy in the early
1990s, but did not, Sihanouk wrote, adding that the royals therefore should not
oppose the CPP.
Cambodia could also consider providing royals with pensions
in exchange for their agreement to stay out of politics, he said.
Meanwhile,
the Cambodian Daily quoted Prince Sisowath Thomico, president of the Sangkum
Jatiniyum Front Party, as denying opposing the CPP.
"I don't fight against
the CPP. I fight against the regime which the CPP has built," he said, adding
that recent history has seen royals attain notable political accomplishments,
including national independence in 1953.
In addition, CPP lawmaker Nguon Ngel
told the newspaper that the royals' political role could result in discord, but
added that his party does not wish to initiate a law that would keep royals out
of political careers.
Apart from Thomico, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, son of
Sihanouk, currently presides his own party, which is reportedly an opposition
one.
Some royal members also hold senior positions in the government, which
is co-ruled by the CPP and the Funcinpec Party.
Back to October 2006,
Sihanouk issued statements on his website to declare his determination to keep
away from the kingdom's political scenario.
He said that he would no longer
give comments about the situation in Cambodia, denying an earlier message from
Prince Thomico that he should step out of retirement and once again manage the
kingdom, he said.
In 1953, under Sihanouk's leadership, Cambodia won
independence from France. On Oct. 6, 2004, he retired due to age and health
problems, after serving his country for almost 63 years through wars and
turmoil.
Since then, the royal members, mainly Prince Ranariddh, still played
important role in the kingdom's politics. Ranariddh once served as first prime
minister in the government.
Xinhua
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