King Norodom Sihanouk on Thursday scrapped his plans to return to Cambodia before the Khmer New Year, saying he will leave the three main political parties to work out the formation of a new government on their own.
“The current political situation is becoming like poison and some politicians are angry with me because everyday, I write articles about their parties’ policies, which makes the political crisis even more complicated,” the King said in a statement.
Before leaving for Beijing in late January to receive medical treatment, King Sihanouk said he would return to Phnom Penh in time for the April 10-15 Khmer New Year celebrations.
Instead, he said Thursday: “I would like between April, May… 2004 to stay in [North] Korea until the current political situation allows me to go back.” He did not mention a return date.
His announcement comes as Funcinpec and CPP officials prepare for Sunday’s scheduled negotiations over the terms of a new coalition government, which Prince Ranariddh and Prime Minister Hun Sen tentatively agreed to establish last week.
Though opposition leader Sam Rainsy on Monday also indicated his party would join such a coalition government, opposition and Funcinpec officials have said the deal with the CPP is still uncertain.
Many had expected the King to mediate a resolution to the eight-month-long political impasse.
Reached by telephone Thursday, Sam Rainsy expressed concern over news of the King’s decision. “I’m worried,” he said. “Prospects for a quick resolution seem more removed…. [The King’s] very presence would make people negotiate seriously. He is the symbol of national unity.”
Hun Sen adviser Om Yentieng on Thursday added: “The political solution cannot be made without the King’s presence.” He also defended the CPP, saying, “none of those politicians [who criticized the King] are CPP members.”
Funcinpec’s spokesman Kassie Neou and Secretary-General Prince Norodom Sirivudh, two of the few officials whom the party has allowed to speak to the press, could not be reached Thursday.
