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The last week of October saw great celebrations and joy throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia in celebration of three events - all surrounding His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, the King Father of Cambodia.
Firstly it was a celebration of His Majesty's return to the Kingdom - together with the Queen Mother - after many months spent in China for medical consultations. Secondly it was a celebration of the King Father's 90th year, and thirdly, it was the 20th Annversary of his return to the country in 1991 after many years in exile.
In a speech to the people of Cambodia from the balcony of the Royal Palace where over 40,000 people had gathered in front of the Palace to listen to the retired King, he told them now he would be staying here in the country and not be returning to China for long periods. Although retired, His Majesty said he would continue to work for the good of the country and the prosperity of the people. The cheers that erupted from the crowd when those words were spoken showed that the people were overjoyed to hear such a strong speech that lasted nearly half an hour. The fact that the King Father himself appeared so strong and in such good health brought happiness to all.
For many Westerners - especially leaders in the big powerful nations, the King Father has always seemed to be something of a mystery. Some have even thought him to be irrational because he was never afraid to change his mind on a subject if he thought it the right thing to do at the time.
King Sihanouk's life has been anything but plain sailing on a calm sea. He first became king at the age of 18 in 1941 at a time when the Japanese army was expanding through Vietnam, Laos and beyond, and he became a prisoner in his own Palace. During the Khmer Rouge reign of Pol Pot, King Sihanouk and his family -including the present king - King Sihamoni - were once again imprisoned in their Palace at Phnom Penh for three years. Like most Cambodian people, many of King Sihanouk's family as well as many of the Queen Mother's family were killed during those years.
After World War II, Cambodia was still part of what was then called French Indo-China and King Sihanouk spear-headed the move for complete independece from France which he finally achieved in 1953 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. King Sihanouk abdicated in 1955, passing the throne to his father King Norodom Suramarit, in order to be free to involve himself in the political field. He did this in order to bring democracy and stability to the Kingdom and became his father's Prime Minister. On his father's death in 1960, he became Head of State but held the title of Prince rather than King.
King Sihanouk was never afraid to stand up to the big and powerful nations if he thought that they were doing something that was not beneficial to his people. It can be truthfully said that he is one of the few leaders of the world in recent years that only used his position of power for the benefit of his country and people and not for himself. He was not afraid to cut diplomatic ties with the United States in 1965 because of U.S. incursion into Cambodian territory during the Vietnam war. Diplomatic ties with the United States were not revived until 1969. The then Prince Sihanouk was accused by many in the West of "flip-flopping", by reversing many decisions he had already made. However, if you look at the situations where this happened, you will find that in each case it was not some irresponsible decision made on the spur of the moment, but rather a decision made because a reversal of the previous decision was for the good of his people and country.
In 1970, the United States backed a coup that overthrew Prince Sihanouk's government while he was out of the country and the Prince remained in exile for many years, mostly in China. Cambodia then became a Republic. In November 1991, the then Prince Sihanouk returned to Cambodia as Head of State until September 1993, when the National Assembly voted to restore the monarchy and Prince Sihanouk once again became King.
This is not meant to be a history lesson, but rather a short summary of events in what you could call "the career" of the King Father.
I believe His Majesty is one of the most charismatic leaders of our time. He is not afraid to speak his mind on any subject whenever he considers it necessary. He is a man who literally changed the history of South East Asia and all for the good of his people. I have heard so many Cambodian people say that he has always been a "king for the people and of the people", which is true............ something they say now also of his son, the present King Sihamoni.
King Sihanouk is much loved and revered by the people of the Kingdom for the simple fact that he loves to mix with them, talk with them and listen to their stories. Whereas obviously he cannot do as much now as he did in his younger days, the King Father still reaches out to the people and sees to their need in times of hardship.
His Majesty's great love and hobby has been both music and film making. He has made many films and composed a great deal of music. Her Majesty the Queen Mother graciously gave me several CD's of King Sihanouk's music and several of them include songs composed by and sung by the King himself. He has a delicious sense of humour, is a great conversationalist and he has a most infectious laugh. Cambodia is indeed blessed to have such a father figure.
It is a pity that today many people in the west do not know much about King Sihanouk, but I hope this short piece of writing will stir their thinking and at least give a little insight into one of the great men of our time.
