Hun Sen stifles talk of new king

Hun Sen stifles talk of new king

PHNOM PENH (Reuters): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday urged a halt to all talk about how King Norodom Sihanouk's successor will be chosen and who the new king might be.

Hun Sen said talking of the 77-year-old monarch's successor was tantamount to tempting fate and should be avoided under any circumstances.

Opposition politicians and political analysts have recently suggested making the selection of the next king more democratic and they have also urged that a successor be chosen now to ensure a smooth transition.

Hun Sen's party CPP and Prince Norodom Ranariddh's FUNCINPEC last week accused Sam Rainsy of treason, sedition and defaming the monarchy over a statement in which he blasted a government of "criminals, crooks and clowns."

Sihanouk on Wednesday called on the Cambodian government not to pursue complaints of sedition and treason against Sam Rainsy.