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### Viewing cable 04PHNOMPENH1609, CAMBODIA HAS A NEW KING -- NORODOM SIHAMONI

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
04PHNOMPENH1609 | 2004-10-15 12:55 | 2011-07-11 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Phnom Penh

`

    O 151255Z OCT 04
    FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
    TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3055
    INFO ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
    USMISSION USUN NEW YORK

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L  PHNOM PENH 001609

    DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV
    DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID/ANE

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2014
    TAGS: PGOV PREL CB
    SUBJECT: CAMBODIA HAS A NEW KING -- NORODOM SIHAMONI

    Classified By: DCM Mark C. Storella for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

    ¶1.  (C)  Summary:  On October 14, the Cambodian Throne
    Council unanimously (9-0) elected Norodom Sihamoni as the new
    King of Cambodia.  Sihamoni (51), a son of former King
    Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Monineath, has lived for years in
    France as a dancer and Cambodian Ambassador to UNESCO.  He
    will be formally invested in a ceremony in Phnom Penh October
    ¶29.  Sihanouk engineered the choice of Sihamoni to ensure the
    continuation of the monarchy.  PM Hun Sen supported the
    choice, perhaps because Sihamoni is apolitical and believed
    to be relatively pliable.  Sihamoni's half-brother, Prince
    Ranariddh, went along, probably grudgingly, but may still
    harbor desires someday to replace Sihamoni, possibly upon
    Sihanouk's death.  Sihanouk will now likely work behind the
    scenes to train Sihamoni and keep his hand in politics.  The
    succession went forward in a remarkably orderly and peaceful
    fashion in apparent conformity with the constitution and will
    likely contribute to stability.  Sihamoni has the bearing and
    open spirit of a King.  It is striking that the Cambodian
    people have shown little reaction to Sihanouk's decision to
    step down after 63 years at the center of Cambodian political
    life.  End Summary.

    Anatomy of an Abdication
    ------------------------

    ¶2.  (C)  Former King Sihanouk has never been satisfied with
    his constitutional role as a monarch who "reigns but does not
    rule."  Since reassuming the throne in 1993, Sihanouk has
    seen his power progressively eroded by powerful politicians,
    especially Hun Sen, and a more open political system.
    Sihanouk apparently took particular offense when  his son,
    Prince Ranariddh, and opposition politician Sam Rainsy walked
    away from a new power sharing formula Sihanouk had brokered
    last November.  He was further disappointed when political
    leaders refused his summons to Pyongyang this spring to
    settle the political deadlock.  Sihanouk has found himself
    uncomfortably marginalized.  At the same time, Sihanouk at
    81, has complained of increasing medical problems, and has no
    doubt focused on his legacy.

    ¶3.  (C)  When Sihanouk announced his resignation October 7,
    many assumed it was another empty threat designed to provoke
    calls for him to assume a greater role.  In fact, it now
    seems that a tired Sihanouk was focused on using what cards
    he had left to ensure his own succession and the continuation
    of the monarchy.  In recent days, Sihanouk has spoken openly
    about his concerns about the strength of republic sentiment,
    which exists in all three top political parties, including
    the royalists.  Under the Cambodian constitution, a new King
    is to be elected from among members of the three royal blood
    lines by the Throne Council within seven days of the death of
    the former King.  A sitting King has no inherent
    constitutional role and there is no heir apparent.  And the
    constitution is moot on what happens of the King abdicates.
    It is now apparent that Sihanouk had worked behind the scenes
    with Hun Sen and others to permit him maximum influence in
    the selection of his own successor.

    Why Sihamoni?
    -------------

    ¶4.  (C)  Many had long speculated that Ranariddh, Sihanouk's
    oldest son, would be the logical choice for King.  However,
    Sihanouk has had a rancorous relationship with Ranariddh for
    years.  Sihanouk may have worried that having such an overtly
    political son as King would put the monarchy itself in
    danger.  But, most important, Sihanouk is devoted to Queen
    Monineath, and, therefore, has long expressed support for his
    son by her, Norodom Sihamoni.  The selection of Sihamoni no
    doubt took on even greater emotional urgency for the Queen
    with the untimely death of her other son my Sihanouk, Prince
    Narindrapong, earlier this year.

    ¶5.  (C)  Sihanouk needed Hun Sen's support to control his own
    succession because Hun Sen controls a majority of the seats
    on the nine-member Throne Council.  Hun Sen has expressed his
    support for Sihamoni, who is likely an attractive choice for
    two reasons:  first, Sihamoni is widely assumed to have no
    political experience or ambition; second, the selection of
    Sihamoni puts Ranariddh, a key competitor of Hun Sen, in a
    kind of political box, limiting Ranariddh's political options
    and increasing his dependence on Hun Sen.

    ¶6.  (C)  At Sihanouk's request, the National Assembly quickly
    passed laws to permit election of a new King upon abdication
    and to permit election by a simple majority of the Throne
    Council, thus ensuring that Ranariddh -- a member of the
    Council by virtue of his position as president of the
    National Assembly -- could not block a vote on Sihamoni.
    Ranariddh has recently claimed his support for Sihamoni, to
    which Sihanouk publicly replied, "anyone who tells you he
    does not want to be King is lying."

    What of Sihanouk's Future?
    --------------------------

    ¶7.  (C)  Sihanouk claims he intends to live quietly in
    retirement.  But no one is counting Sihanouk out yet.  He has
    indicated his intention to live in Phnom Penh probably in the
    palace in close proximity to King Sihamoni.  Speculation is
    that Sihanouk will seek to mentor his son as King.  There are
    also rumors that Sihanouk may someday reenter the political
    fray openly, possibly by starting his own political party.
    As far fetched as that may sound now, Sihanouk abdicated the
    first time in 1955 precisely so that he could play an overtly
    political role and become prime minister.

    And Ranariddh...?
    -----------------

    ¶8.  (C)  Ranariddh has professed support for his brother
    Sihamoni as King and voted for Sihamoni in the Throne
    Council.  Nevertheless, there is ongoing speculation in Phnom
    Penh that Ranariddh still hopes one day to ascend the throne.
     While the selection of Sihamoni probably portends greater
    stability in Cambodia, one cannot rule out a tense period
    upon Sihanouk's eventual passing.  Sihamoni has been King for
    only 24 hours, and the rumor mill in Phnom Penh is already
    churning out speculation that Ranariddh may still hope to
    succeed his half-brother, possibly upon Sihamoni's eventual
    abdication.

    Implications for the U.S.
    -------------------------

    ¶9.  (C)  For the time being, there is no indication of any
    negative impact of Sihamoni's ascension on the throne.  The
    process by which Sihamoni was chosen was remarkably peaceful
    and orderly, which bodes well for stability in Cambodia.  At
    the same time, we know little of Sihamoni's political views.
    He has a close attachment to France and is a French citizen,
    but we are unaware of him ever expressing strong views about
    the U.S.  Since Sihanouk became King in 1941, U.S. relations
    with the palace have often been rocky or worse.  With
    Sihamoni's ascension as King, we have an opportunity to open
    a new chapter with the Cambodian monarchy.

    Ray

`