The outspoken pen pal of retired King Norodom Sihanouk predicted yet another victory for Prime Minister Hun Sen in the next national election, and expressed skepticism that Funcinpec could benefit from King Norodom Sihamoni’s popularity.
Many have speculated that the retired King himself writes Ruom Ritt’s letters, but the retired King has denied this.
“Everyone knows that in 2008 (or 2009), Samdech Hun Sen will completely and alone control Cambodia,” the retired king’s longtime friend Ruom Ritt wrote in a letter posted on Norodom Sihanouk’s Web site dated Friday.
“Consequently, the ‘score’ to be obtained by Funcinpec in the next legislative elections will depend on the degree of benevolence to the regard of this Funcinpec of our Great Leader, Samdech Hun Sen,” he wrote.
As for what will become of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, he added: “Let us consult some reputed Astrologers!”
Responding to speculation that Funcinpec could boost its diminishing popularity by riding on the coattails of the new King Sihamoni, Ruom Ritt said that “Funcinpec is no more royalist than the other Khmer political Parties.”
He added that its attempts to closely align itself with the palace in the past “did not deter Funcinpec from undergoing in the two previous legislative elections two successive defeats.”
At Funcinpec’s 24th anniversary last week, royalist President Prince Norodom Ranariddh announced he was confident the party could win the 2007 commune election and 2008 national election but did not outline how it would do so.
In a message dated Thursday, Norodom Sihanouk said he had initially supported his son, Prince Ranariddh, to succeed him when he resigned last October.
“I said that the one who deserved the most to be my Successor as (constitutional) King of Cambodia was…Norodom Rana-riddh,” he wrote.
Yet Prince Ranariddh declined, saying he was happy to continue as Funcinpec president and head of the National Assembly, and threw his support behind his brother, now King Sihamoni, Norodom Sihanouk wrote.
