King Declines Power to Appoint Ambassadors

King Norodom Sihanouk has declined Hun Sen’s offer of decision-making power in the appointment of ambassadors, according to a letter written to the second prime minister by the King on Tuesday.

“I would like to thank you,” the King wrote to Hun Sen, “for your desire to give power and rights to me to decide whether to maintain or change a number of our diplomats.”

Prak Sokhonn, an aide to Hun Sen, said he was unaware of the offer. A copy of Hun Sen’s original letter was not available.

The King said that the power to make those decisions should rest with the government. “I would like to give 100 percent of power and rights to the Royal Govern­ment to change or maintain our

…diplomats for the Royal Govern­ment will take a complete responsibility for the nation and our people,” said the letter.

The Constitution states ambassadors and envoys are to be proposed by the Council of Ministers and approved by the King.

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