The Sihanouk Controversy Goes On

The Saga Goes On

by Stan Starygin

Following retired King Sihanouk's offer-ultimatum to the ECCC, none of the tribunal's representatives made an appearance at the Royal Palace before the deadline imposed by the King. ECCC's Peter Foster commented by stating that he had no authorization from the UN to participate in events of this type. In the meantime the pressure from different sources in the Royal Government mounted and created a feeling as if there was a concern that the King might be indicted by the tribunal. Although this concern was never expressly articulated by any government agents quoted, there were threats of "throwing the tribunal out of the country", if the ECCC decided to indict Sihanouk. There was a report acknowledging that, for a reason and purpose unbeknownst to us at this point, the ECCC communicated with Sihanouk via a letter that was delivered to the Royal Palace by a messanger with its contents to this day kept secret from the public. Sihanouk later stated that any discussion of his involvement with the Khmer Rouge -- which the retired king narrowed down to the Khmer Rouge allegedly murdering his children and grandchildren, and brushing aside years of support he had thrown before the movement, that is an undisputed matter of historical record -- would have to take place on TV. It is not clear what information Sihanouk wants to divulge and that, for one reason or another, hadn't made it into his book on his and his wife's house arrest under Democratic Kampuchea. I have a feeling that this story is far from over and we have yet to see the best of it.