King Extends China Visit for Health Reasons

King Norodom Sihanouk announced Thursday that he will  extend his stay in China for a few days on the advice of his doctors, but that he will return to Cam­bodia in time for the Khmer New Year, beginning April 13.

“After a thorough examination of my health, the Chinese doctors advise me to prolong my stay in Peking for a short while,” the King said. He did not say what the doctors’ concerns were.

When the King left for Beijing at the end of February, he was expected to return in April, al­though no specific date was mentioned.

“I will be able to come to Cam­bodia before the Khmer New Year, so that I will be with you all,” the King said. “As the new year is coming near, I pray to God to help sustain Cambodia in peace, prosperity and happiness.”

An official with the cabinet of Prince Norodom Sirivudh, the king’s half-brother, said the King’s health is good, but he needs a rest before the new year.

The King left for China before signing the Khmer Rouge tribunal law, which subsequently required technical amendments. It must now return to the Na­tional Assembly for additional debate.

The assembly is not expected to convene until April 18, after the new year’s celebration.

 

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