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-:-Story of Cambodia-:-May 24, 2008 1:18 am

newking

A former ballet teacher and UN cultural ambassador has been crowned the new king of Cambodia.Prince Norodom Sihamoni was chosen to succeed his father, the octogenarian King Sihanouk, who has opted to step down in order to ensure a peaceful succession for the war-torn nation before he dies.Like his father Sihamoni took an early interest in the arts, starring as a boy in Sihanouk’s movie adaptation of The Little Prince. He later studied at the National Conservatory and the Academy of Musical Art in Prague.After escaping from Cambodia with his parents during the Khmer Rouge terror, Sihamoni went to France where he became a professor of classical dance. In the eighties, he set up and choreographed work for the company Ballet Deva and made several dance films. From 1993 until his appointment as king he was Cambodia’s ambassador to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).Sihamoni’s artistic interests are not unusual for an Indochinese monarch. King Bhumipol Adulyadej of neighbouring Thailand is a noted jazz musician and clarinettist, responsible for more than 40 compositions. Sihanouk too is a prodigious patron of the arts who directed several films and wrote musical orchestrations. Sihamoni’s sister, Princess Norodom Bophadevi, a master of traditional Apsar dance, is Cambodia’s current minister of culture.
November 1, 2004 - Delicate dance for Cambodia king
October 30, 2004 - New king hails Vietnam-Cambodia ties

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia’s new king, Norodom Sihamoni, said he was happy with the constant development in co-operative relations between Cambodia and Viet Nam. In response to President Tran Duc Luong’s message of congratulations regarding his ascension to the throne, King Sihamoni thanked President Luong for recalling the spendid relationship and exemplary multi-faceted co-operation which had been cultivated by Vietnamese leaders and his father, King Norodom Sihanouk, over the past decades. Those relations, the message said, serve the common benefit of both peoples as well as peace, stability, friendship, and development in Southeast Asia and the world at large. — VNS

October 30, 2004 - Former dancer crowned Cambodia’s new King

Phnom Penh — Carried on a golden litter by eight bearers and blessed by dozens of chanting Buddhist monks, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni was crowned Cambodia’s new King in an ornate ceremony yesterday.The new monarch, who was little known even in his own country until a few weeks ago, prayed before statues of his ancestors in the throne hall of the royal palace before taking his oath. AP

October 30, 2004 - (Xinhua) — Cambodia’s new King Norodom Sihamoni puts his palms together to greet people at the Royal Palace Square in Phnom Penh Oct. 30, 2004. Sihamoni met with people at the square and made his first national address on Saturday, one day after he ascended the throne. In front of about 50,000 well-wishers, the king said that he would follow his retired father King Norodom Sihanouk’s teaching to be a faithful and devoted servant of the nation and the people. The three-day coronation will end tonight with firework displays and performances. (Xinhua Photo/Li Peng) (dzl)/(zlq)

Cambodia’s new monarch receives UAE envoy

Cambodia’s new monarch Norodom Sihamoni received today Salim Issa Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Thailand and non-resident ambassador to Cambodia. The meeting comes as part of the coronation festivities of King Sihamoni, who succeeded his father Norodom Sihanouk. Ambassador Al Zaabi conveyed to King Sihamoni the greetings and well-wishes of President H.H Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The King also asked Al Zaabi to convey his greetings to Sheikh Zayed.

October 30, 2004 - Ex-dancer crowned new Cambodia king

Norodom Sihamoni was crowned yesterday as Cambodia’s first new king in 50 years, in ornate ceremonies that formally ended the reign of one of Asia’s longest-serving and best-known rulers. Sihamoni, who was little known even in his own country until a few weeks ago, prayed before statues of his ancestors in the throne hall of the Royal Palace before standing in front of the throne to take his oath. "I swear to abide by the constitution and laws of the kingdom and am committed to serve the interests of the state and the people," Sihamoni said. He repeated the oath three times, and bowed after finishing the sentence each time. Fifty-two Buddhist monks - one for each year of the king’s life according to the traditional Cambodian zodiac - then chanted blessings for about 10 minutes. By the Western calendar, he is 51 years old. Sihamoni’s ascension came two weeks after he was selected by a panel of political and religious leaders to succeed his father, Norodom Sihanouk, who abdicated three weeks ago, citing ill health. Sihanouk led his country through wars, revolution and the building of a shaky democracy since he was first put on the throne by the French in 1941, and attained godlike status for many Cambodians. Yesterday’s ceremonies were the centerpiece of three days of festivities marking the coronation. Sihamoni, a former professional dancer, cultural ambassador and political novice, was brought to the palace on an ornate golden litter carried by eight bearers. He was accompanied by royal guards and musicians playing ceremonial music, while other royal officials carried a golden crown, robe and sword that were used in the ceremony. The procession went from the golden-hued Khemarin Palace, where the king resides, to the throne hall, where the monarch conducts official affairs.

Pakistan-Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni sworn in as monarch

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, the 51-year-old son of former king Norodom Sihanouk, formally took his oath as monarch Friday in a ceremony broadcast on national television. "I swear to follow the constitution and all the laws of the kingdom of Cambodia and to carry out my duties for the prosperity of the nation and the people," he read from a scroll, in front of an audience of hundreds of top government officials, religious leaders, monks, royalty and diplomats. afp

October 29, 2004 - Former ballet dancer crowned king of Cambodia

Miranda Leitsinger, Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Carried on a golden litter by eight bearers and blessed by dozens of chanting Buddhist monks, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni was crowned as Cambodia’s new king in an ornate ceremony today, replacing his father, one of Asia’s longest-serving and best-known rulers. Sihamoni, who was little known even in his own country until a few weeks ago, prayed before statues of his ancestors in the throne hall of the Royal Palace before taking his oath.“I swear to abide by the constitution and laws of the kingdom and am committed to serve the interests of the state and the people,'’ said Sihamoni, who wore loosely fitting light golden-colored ceremonial garments. He said the oath three times and bowed after each statement.Afterward, 52 Buddhist monks - one for each year of the king’s life according to the traditional Cambodian zodiac - then chanted blessings for about 10 minutes. By the Western calendar, Sihamoni is 51 years old.His ascension came two weeks after he was selected by a panel of political and religious leaders to succeed his father, Norodom Sihanouk, who was put on the throne by the French in 1941 and subsequently led his country to independence and through the turmoil of the Vietnam War, the genocidal Pol Pot regime and the building of a shaky democracy in the 1990s, attaining godlike status for many Cambodians along the way. He decided to step down for health reasons and turns 82 on Sunday.Sihamoni has no political experience and is better known as a professional dancer and an envoy to the United Nations cultural agency. He has spent most of the past two decades living outside his homeland, mostly in Paris.Cambodia’s king is seldom involved in day-to-day politics, but the position carries huge cultural significance for the Cambodian people, and the king has some influence on national affairs.Today’s ceremonies were the centerpiece of three days of festivities. As Sihamoni was borne into the palace, musicians played ceremonial music and other royal officials carried a golden crown, robe and sword.The procession went from the golden-hued Khemarin Palace, where the king resides, to the throne hall, where the monarch conducts official affairs.More than 200 dignitaries attended, including Prime Minister Hun Sen and National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Sihamoni’s half brother.Temples across the country were expected to fill with people offering prayers for the new king.In a statement released after the ceremony, Sihamoni called today “the most auspicious day in the history of Cambodian history and history of my life.'’“I am extremely touched to have the opportunity to devote my physical and mental strength and intelligence to serve the nation and the people and to continue tradition and glorious achievements of my father,'’ the king said.Earlier today, Sihamoni paid respect to past kings and divine spirits guarding the throne to ask for their blessings.In a ritual bathing ceremony, monks and Sihamoni’s parents - Sihanouk and former Queen Monineath - poured water culled from the Kulen Mountains on the new king to wash away his impurities, and increase his prestige and power.Stones from the mountains, just north of Siem Reap, were used to build the ancient temples of Angkor, Cambodia’s best-known landmark. The area’s water is considered especially pure.During the ceremony, Monineath gently patted the back of her son’s head and gave him a kiss. His half brother, Ranariddh, held his hand as he walked him to the royal bath.Sihanouk wished his son “great success and prestige.'’“May also peace, happiness and prosperity prevail for the Cambodian nation and people under King Norodom Sihamoni,'’ he said.The streets of Phnom Penh - some dotted with portraits of the youthful-looking king - were quiet today, with most workers having the day off to mark the coronation. Police barred traffic in front of the Royal Palace, where a huge portrait of Sihamoni has replaced one of his mother and father.Sihamoni was selected as new king by a nine-member throne council Oct. 14, a week after Sihanouk abdicated.Ranariddh said his brother “will carry on the legacy'’ of Sihanouk, whom most Cambodians consider the father of Cambodia’s “independence, territorial integrity and national unity.'’Sihanouk asked for the ceremonies to be kept low-key because he didn’t want the impoverished country to spend too much money on the event.In a lifetime on Cambodia’s center stage, Sihanouk wrested independence from the French and led the country through a peaceful, relatively prosperous era in the 1950s and ’60s. He then saw his country plunged into bloody conflict between the Khmer Rouge and a U.S.-backed regime in Phnom Penh, going several times into exile, before democratic elections in 1993.“We’re happy to see the peaceful succession,'’ U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray said. “We hope that the new king will have every success as he works to consolidate stability and peace and freedom in Cambodia.'’ British Ambassador Stephen Bridges said: “I think it signifies the peace and the stability of the country that, for all the political problems over the last year, we can have a ceremony like this.'’

October 28, 2004 - Royal coronation of new Cambodian king begins

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 28 (Xinhuanet) — The three-day royal coronation of Cambodia’s new king began here Thursday with traditional religious rituals being held inside the golden-roofed Royal Palacewhere King Norodom Sihamoni will be crowned Friday evening. Prince Sihamoni was chosen as Cambodia’s new monarch by the nine-member Throne Council on Oct. 14, following his father King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated a week earlier in Beijing for fragile health. Sihamoni is the second king for the Cambodian nation in over 60years. According to Royal Palace Minister Kong Sam Ol, as the retired king Sihanouk asked the coronation ceremony to be held in a modestway, no foreign heads of states, special envoys and royal familieswere invited to the event, nor traditional mass celebrations and parade planned. He said, King Sihamoni will be crowned only in the presence of about 40 royal family members, hundreds of government officials and lawmakers and dozens of foreign diplomats in Phnom Penh. Thursday’s royal coronation includes traditional Buddhist and Brahmanic rites and ceremonies designed to bring divine blessings upon the new monarch in the Royal Palace. King Sihamoni will be officially crowned and seated in the throne Friday evening to be followed by a state banquet. According to a statement from the country’s celebration committee, King Sihamoni is expected to announce royal pardons to scores of prisoners at his coronation. The capital city Phnom Penh is in a festive mood with national flags festooned along the city’s leading boulevards and portraits of the new monarch and banners wearing congratulation messages canbe seen on government, school, factory and hotel buildings. To let the whole country join in the jubilation, people will enjoy one day off on Oct. 29 and fireworks displays were arranged for three evenings along with song and dancing performance at public locations in Phnom Penh. The 51-year-old unmarried king’s coronation ceremony will be broadcast live on radio and TV across the country. Cambodia’s monarchy dates back as early as to the world-famous Angkor Period around the 10th century. The current Constitution, adopted in 1993, restricts the sphere of action of the monarchy which is non-hereditary. The monarchy reigns, but does not rule, nor does the king choose his successor. Enditem

-:-Story of Cambodia-:-May 19, 2008 4:17 am

Cambodia: Year Zero, 1978

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One of the most notable genocides since 1945 was visited on its own people by the Khmer Rouge, the
guerrilla movement which successfully came to power using the destablization of Cambodia, following
the US extension of the Vietnam war into that country. In April 1975, the Khmer Rouge took the capital city of Phnom Penh.

At this point the began an exercise in social control on a scale rarely seen. Under the direction of the Angkar (the "Higher Committee"), led by Pol Pot (who was arrested for this only in 1997), the government moved people out of the cities into the countryside for a massive reeducation program. At the same time there began the systematic killing of those Cambodians associated with earlier governments. More, any Cambodian man, woman or child who was seen as a threat ,or who refused to obey orders was killed. The ability to speak a western language was sufficient grounds.

Between 1975 and 1979 over half a million Cambodians, out of a population of seven million, fell in the Khmer Rouge "killing fields".

François Ponchaud is French Roman Catholic priest who lived and worked in Cambodia for many years. (Cambodia was a former French colony). Although he had to leave Phnom Penh in 1975, along with all foreigners, he continued to work with Cambodian refugees. The following excerpts describe the experiences of a schoolteacher, court clerk, and physician during this period, as they were interviewed by Fr. Ponchaud.

A Schoolteacher’s Story

At the beginning of January 1976, . . . twenty of us were sentenced to death for traveling without permission. We were taken away in a truck with our hands tied behind our backs. One Khmer Rouge sat behind with a gun and two more sat in front with the driver. One of us managed to free himself and secretly untied eleven others. Then one of us tried to kill the Khmer Rouge sitting in the back of the truck, but the guards in front saw him and turned around and started shooting. The twelve who had their hands free jumped down from the truck and dived into the Mongkol Borei River by the side on the road, then disappeared into the forest. The other eight were killed on the spot.

A Court Clerk’s Account of an Execution

In October 1975, the Angkar chose us to cut bamboo at O Ta Tam, near Phnom Rodaong, for eighteen days. One afternoon we were in a group of thirty wagons carting bamboo to the national highway. We had loaded and were about to turn around when we saw a military truck enter the forest carrying about ten young men and girls. A moment later we heard shots, then the truck came back empty. We were very frightened, and harnessed up to go home. Then we heard moaning and somebody calling for help. One of our group, named Sambath, went over and saw a young man with bullet wounds in both arms and one thigh, and his arms still tied behind his back. Sambath untied him, gave him a little rice, and told him how to get to the road to the west. On the way home Sambath told us, "That young man told me that the people who had been shot hadn’t done anything wrong, they had simply gone to look for food in the forest, so they weren’t working with their group. That’s why they were killed."

A Physician’s Description of His Prison Camp

When we got out of the train at the station in Sisophon a reception committee was waiting for us. Loudspeakers welcomed us and asked all "specialists" to step forward: doctors, architects, schoolteachers, students, technicians, and skilled workers of all kinds. The Angkar was going to need them. I didn’t move, but a man who had been a nurse under me and was now a Khmer Rouge cadre recognized me and strongly advised me to tell them my true identity or risk punishment. Then all the "specialists" were taken to Preah Neth Preah, where we had to work the land as before. One day we were taken to Chup, a village on the road between Siem Reap and Sisophon. There the Khmer Rouge received us with open arms and gave us three meals a day! That was a real treat! At one big meeting, attended by 397 "specialists," a Khmer Rouge asked us to write our biographies and set down our desiderata. He even invited us to come up to the platform and offer our suggestions as to bow the country could be better run. Teachers and students went up and began criticizing the Angkar for not giving people anything to eat, and for treating the sick with medicine that was more like rabbit dung than real pills; they asked for the bonzes to be reinstated and the pagodas reopened, and the high schools and universities, and for everyone to be allowed to visit his family, et cetera.

The Khmer Rouge said nothing, but we could see plainly enough that they didn’t like it. After we had written our autobiographies they called out die names of twenty young people who had been most outspoken in their criticism, tied their hands behind their backs the way you tie a parrot’s wings, and took them to Sisophon, where they were put in prison.

The rest of us went back to the village of Preah Neth Preah. A month later, on January 6, the Khmer Rouge came to get some of us and took us to dle Battambang prison. There were fortyfive of us, and we were the first Zguests" of the prison since the new regime began. We had to write out our autobiographies several more times. Each time the cadres became more insistent: "You’ve made good progress since the last time but we know that some of you are still not telling the whole truth! We know what that truth is, why hide it? The Angkar doesn’t want to kill you, don’t be afraid! By acting the way you are, you show that you have not been converted." After three sessions, one of my friends revealed that he had been an army doctor. A week later he disappeared.

We had been there two weeks when the group of twenty young people interned at Sisophon were brought in; their arms were still tied at all times, even during meals, and the ropes had cut deep furrows. We also saw a former lieutenant colonel of the government army brought in, and about twenty [republican] MPs. After a few days they were taken away one at a time and we didn’t see them again.

Now and then one of us was summoned for a "meeting," and sometimes the person did not come back. At the end of two and onehalf months in prison fifteen of us were taken to the Van Kandal pagoda, which had also been made into a prison. There were three buildings in the pagoda: The doors and windows of one were kept permanently shut-that was where the prisoners were beaten, and some people had been in it for seven months. The windows of the second building were opened from time to time. The third building, where I was put, was for prisoners who stayed only a short time, usually two or three weeks. Its doors and windows were always open until 6:00 P.M. We had reeducation sessions, study meetings, we were subjected to constant interrogations. Those of us who were Europeantrained doctors and engineers were questioned even more than the others, because we were suspected of having worked with the imperialists or been engaged in secret activities.

In the evening, when we were taking our bath in the Stung Sangker, we saw other prisoners bathing, for although the houses on the other bank were always shut up, there were prisoners in them too. After ten days we were given a black garment and a gray and red krama [scarf] and put in a truck. Half the group was let out at Poy Saman and the other half at Kauk Khmwn to go on working in the field. That was April 6, 1976.

From François Ponchaud, Cambodia: Year Zero, translated by Nancy Amphoux (New York: Holts Rinehart and Winston, 1978), pp. 67, 6970.
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This text is part of the Internet Modern History Sourcebook. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and copy-permitted texts for introductory level classes in modern European and World history.

Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the document is copyright. Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational purposes and personal use. If you do reduplicate the document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use of the Sourcebook.

(c)Paul Halsall Aug 1997

-:-Story of Cambodia-:-May 8, 2008 10:06 am

Editorial: Unworkable cartel

The recent bid by Thailand and Cambodia to revive the long-dormant proposal for creating an Opec-like cartel of five rice-exporting countries of South-east Asia is both ill-timed and ill-advised; indeed, prima facie, the idea is unworkable. This balloon was floated first by Thailand in 2001, subsequently by Cambodia in 2005, and is supported by Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. Thailand is the world’s largest rice exporter (with annual exports of 10 million tonnes), with Vietnam not far behind (exporting around 6 million tonnes). Cambodia is a smaller exporter, with exports of around 2 million tonnes, but it can expand paddy cultivation to boost its surplus, if assured attractive prices. Together, these three members of Asean (Association of South-east Asian Nations) account for a sizeable part of total rice exports.

The idea has been floated again at a time when global rice prices are already on the boil, having more than tripled since 2006. Supplies are tight, owing partly to the restrictions on rice exports imposed by several countries, including India, Brazil and Egypt, all of which are keen to build up domestic stockpiles. Any adverse price signals at this stage are bound to add to food inflation. An indication of what could be in store came when the rice import tenders floated by the Philippines and Bangladesh failed to attract any worthwhile bid and had to be scrapped early this week. It is no wonder therefore that the first denouncement of the cartelisation move came from none other than a key Asean member, the Philippines, which is a large rice importer. The Asian Development Bank too has been quick to oppose it, maintaining that it would not be good for either exporters or importers.

Going beyond the immediate interests of rice-exporters and -importers, the truth is that a successful rice cartel is almost impossible to visualise. Even if the alliance partners agree on a price band, it will be difficult for them to control production/supply — which is a key requirement for a successful cartel. This is especially so because some of these countries grow three or four crops of paddy in a year and, unlike oil wells, which can be switched on and off, a paddy harvest cannot be so regulated. Stocking up, as an option, could be expensive, especially if prices do not stay high. Nor can farmers be coerced into increasing or reducing rice acreage. The key element is that buyers have an option to go elsewhere, as the other rice-exporting countries are free to sell at prices of their choosing. Indeed, buyers could switch to alternative cereals too.

Regardless of whether a rice cartel is born or not, the alarm bells set off by the Thai attempt may spur fresh efforts to salvage the Doha round of trade talks, stalled for some years now because of disagreement over the liberalisation of agricultural trade. When the rice price manipulation proposal is viewed against the backdrop of the global food crisis, which has resulted in food riots in several countries, the need for free (unhindered) and fair (undistorted) trade in food and other farm products under a globally agreed and legally-enforceable regime will be seen to be all the more urgent.

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