Prince Thomico: Don't involve the king in politics

By Khmerization
Source: RFI

Prince Sisowath Thomico (pictured), advisor to ex-King Sihanouk, has told politicians and political activists not to involve the king and ex-King Sihanouk in the affairs of the state and national politics, reports Radio France Internationale.

Prince Thomico's comment came on the eve of King Sihamoni's and ex-King Sihanouk's official visit to Vietnam from 22-25 June and after there are increased calls for the king and the ex-king to use the opportunity to raise border issues with the Vietnamese authority.

Prince Thomico said earlier that the king is above politics and the ex-king has retired from public life since 2004 and therefore they could not involve in any political issues or affairs of the state, unless it is requested by the government. Earlier, ex-King Sihanouk had issued a personal statement saying that his visit to Vietnam is strictly "private".

In the last month or so, there are calls from Cambodian activists and political parties for the king and ex-King Sihanouk to use the opportunity to raise border issues with Vietnam at a time when there are claims that Vietnam had encroached on Cambodian borders in many provinces.

Earlier, the opposition Sam Rainsy Party sent a letter to ex-King Sihanouk asking him to raise the border issues with the Vietnamese leaders which draw ires from Prince Thomico, who said the SRP had a sinister intention because it released the letter to the public before it was sent to the ex-king.

Mr. Yim Sovan, spokesman for the SRP, said border issue is a national issue, not an issue of any political parties. He said the reason the SRP wrote to ex-King Sihanouk was because it has a deep respect for the ex-king and had strong confidence in him that he can help solve border issue like what he had done for Preah Vihear when Cambodia won an international court case against Thailand in 1962.

And on the eve of the king's and ex-king's visit to Vietnam, Mr. Son Soubert, vice president of the Khmer People National Liberation Front (KPNLF) of former Prime Minister Sonn, has called for a 'co-management' of Kampuchea Krom territory which the French parliament ceded to Vietnam's control on 4th June 1949.