Cambodia Observes 20th Anniversary of King-Father’s Return to Country

AKP Phnom Penh, October 30, 2011 –Cambodia marked here this morning in front of the Royal Palace the 20th Anniversary of the return of King-Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk to the country from exile and the 90th Birthday of King-Father.

Thousands of Cambodian people including top government leaders and members of Parliament as well as students and local residents attended the celebrations.

Foreign ambassadors to Cambodia were also on hand.

Addressing the auspicious event, Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Kep Chutema said under the leadership of retired King Norodom Sihanouk along with the royal government’s Win-Win policy and rectangular strategy phase I and II, Cambodia, especially Phnom Penh has developed remarkably.

At this great opportunity, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said today is a historical anniversary of peace and development of Cambodia.

“Today’s event is a great evidence of Preah Karona Preah Bath Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s return to Cambodia on Nov. 14, 1991 after the Oct. 23, 1991 Paris Peace Agreements,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen said in his speech.

Preah Karona Preah Bath Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk is the father of peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development of Cambodia, Samdech Techo said.

After the Coup d’état on Mar. 18, 1970 and the falling down of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, the State of Cambodia and the Cambodian People’s Party have tried to rehabilitate all sectors and stepped to peace talks on Dec. 2, 1987 when Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Preah Karona Preah Bath Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk held the first peace talk and reached the peace accords on Oct. 23, 1991.

According to Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s speech, Cambodia run the national election in 1993, but at that time the Khmer Rouge withdrawn from the election. However, under Preah Karona Preah Bath Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s high reflection, and the Win-Win policy of the royal government, in late 1998, the Khmer Rouge organization has been destroyed and some of the regime’s senior leaders have been arrested and charged under the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen further wished His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and King-Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk good health, happiness and longevity to be the shadow for peace, democracy, unity, prosperity, cooperation and development of Cambodia and the Cambodian people.

For his part, King-Father highly appreciated the development in Cambodia. On the occasion, he announced to stay in Cambodia forever.

“Even though I still have health problem and need treatment every day, Samdech Ta (King-Father) and Samdech Yeay (Queen-Mother) will not depart out of Cambodia,” he said.

“I was born on Oct. 31, 1922 and tomorrow I will be 90 years old. I will stay with my people forever. And if Chinese doctors want to treat me, please come to Cambodia,” he added.

A 70-booth exhibition displaying King-Father’s crusades and achievements as well as ministries’ and institutions’ activities are taking place during the celebrations. Concerts and fireworks will be held at night on Oct. 30-31.

By KHAN Sophirom