(1 Sep 1997) English/Nat
Addressing an audience of villagers in Northern Cambodia on Monday, King Norodom Sihanouk promised to do what he can to return peace to Cambodia, and offered to play a me
...
diating role between warring factions in his homeland.
King Sihanouk was addressing villagers from Kompong Thom province's Baray district. They had been waiting for four days at the Bayon Temple in the ancient Angkorian city in hopes of meeting the ailing monarch.
When King Sihanouk learned that a group of villagers had been waiting to meet him, he invited them to his royal residence in Siem Reap town for an audience.
Many of the men and women broke down in tears when the king, accompanied by his wife Queen Monireath, welcomed them at the gate of his residence, touching their hands and embracing them.
The son of King Sihanouk, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, was ousted as the country's first Prime Minister in a coup in early July, led by the second Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Troops loyal to the deposed Prince have formed a resistance movement in Northern Cambodia, and have been fighting to challenge Hun Sen.
The king met on Saturday with newly appointed first premier Ung Huot, Hun Sen, and other top government officials.
When he learned that a group of villagers had been waiting to meet him, he invited them to the royal residence in Siem Reap town for an audience.
SOUNDBITE (English):
"They're asking for peace, I say that I always advise my compatriots, all of them, to achieve national reconciliation, to achieve peace for the sake of Cambodia and Cambodian people"
SUPER CAPTION : King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
King Sihanouk said that besides his prayers for peace in Cambodia, he had also offered prayers for the soul of the Princess of Wales.
SOUNDBITE (English):
"So you know, one hour ago I made prayers for peace in Cambodia, and also for the happiness of the soul of Princess Diana. It is very moving, very touching, uh?"
SUPER CAPTION : King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
The king also proposed that the Siem Reap residence, built for accommodating visiting heads of state, be used for informal peace talks.
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