Volume 2 Issue 26
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEWSPAPER
“You’re going to reach the top with us.” 15 May 2005
King Norodom Sihamoni
The smiling face of Cambodia's new king Norodom Sihamoni appeared in every newspaper this weekend for his 52nd ZAMAN NEWSPAPER Zaman, Publisher Guler Erken, Editor-in Chief Zulfi Erken, Editor at Large
Prepared by 10- F Zaman International School Newspaper dedicated to educating students and training journalists. Published 2 times a month in Zaman International School. Copyright 2003 by the Zaman International School. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in print or electronically without the consent of The Zaman International School.
birthday, six months into a reign seen as a success although experts said he still needs time to stand on his own. Norodom Sihamoni's accession was carefully orchestrated by his f a t h e r, f o r m e r k i n g Norodom Sihanouk, who abdicated in October. In his first six months, Sihamoni has made himself accepted and loved by Cambodia's 13 million people, experts said. However people in Cambodia, where the monarchy traditionally takes on a quasireligious hue, are still getting to know the successor to Sihanouk, who is considered the father of the nation who first took the throne in 1941 and became a revered figure inextricably tied to Cambodia's chaotic fortunes over the decades. The son of Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Monineath was a dancer, choreographer, and ambassador to UNESCO in Paris. He had not lived in Cambodia in nearly 30 years, and was almost unknown here. Since taking the throne, the new king has used his smile and gentle charm to win over Cambodians, making frequent journeys to the countryside. In addition to his formal trips, he has also made unannounced visits to rural areas, where he showed real concern for the problems of ordinary people. "He did ever ything that he should. He visited almost all the provinces, he's reached out to rural folk, and people like him a lot,"
The new king is "warm, close to the people," he told reporters, saying that he sometimes "kneels before people to put himself at their level." "The Cambodian people kiss his hands, crowds come to see him and show him their support,". "He is in the process of patching the national fabric, which has been torn greatly." Sihamoni, who does not govern under Cambodia's constitution, has also managed to stay
above the political fray. "He succeeded in doing what his father wanted, making a smooth transition," one western diplomat said, even if royal protocols weigh on him and if palace life often means solitude for the unmarried king. "He is sensibly and ably learning his job as king," he told reporters. "He's more charismatic every day.”
Oudom Hean, Marady Nhim