Cambodia's gloomy future

Cambodia's gloomy future

Up to now, it is still not clear in which direction
developments in Cambodia are apt to go. Perhaps it is because of
this that Second Prime Minister Hun Sen and First Prime Minister
Ung Huot's visit to Beijing to ask for King Norodom Sihanouk's
blessing has been an interesting political drama to follow.

All hope seems gone for Ranariddh to regain his position as
Cambodia's First Prime Minister. In a chain of rapid
developments, Hun Sen launched a high-level political maneuver by
appointing former Foreign Minister Ung Huot to replace Ranariddh.

Hun Sen's present political maneuvering is interesting to
watch. His visit to Beijing to see King Sihanouk constitutes an
interesting political move that is worth close observation.
According to the country's constitution, the nomination of a
prime minister will be considered legal if it has the king's
blessing. Initially, it was reported that Sihanouk had given his
blessing to Ung Huot's appointment. Now, however, it seems that
Sihanouk is still withholding his support.

Hun Sen's visit to Beijing also conveys a complicated
psychological aspect of the problem. It is interesting that Hun
Sen is willing to travel to Beijing to see Sihanouk and ask the
king for his blessing. After all, isn't Sihanouk the father of
Prince Ranariddh, who Hun Sen had so unceremoniously removed from
his position?

The present political unrest in Cambodia once again presents
us with the prospect of a gloomy future for that nation.
Observers everywhere are following the political turmoil in
Cambodia with apprehension. A dark shadow has once again fallen
on Cambodia. We hope, however, that the Cambodians will be able
to pass this present test and never again fall into political
chaos.

-- Kompas, Jakarta