Ranariddh Says He Will Return After Teaching

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY

Prince Norodom Ranariddh has again said he will return to Cambodia and
focus on politics after completing his duties at the French university
from which he is soon to retire, officials said Tuesday.

The prince is due back Feb 28 to participate in the campaign for
April's commune elections, said Norodom Ranariddh Party spokesman Muth
Channtha, adding that the prince plans to visit constituents upon his
return.

Before returning, however, Prince Ranariddh must proctor an exam as
part of his contract with the university in Aix-en-Provence, Muth
Channtha said.

Muth Channtha said he could not say precisely what Prince Ranariddh's
future travel plans were, but he added. "He has to work for two or
three more months before he finishes his contract [in France]."

In November, Prince Ranariddh announced his retirement from the
university where has been teaching a two-month term in law and
political science for the last 30 years. He pledged at that time to
return to Cambodia and "do only politics."

But after returning to Cambodia in December, the prince went abroad in
early January and has not been back since. Muth Channtha said the
prince has been a strong leader in absentia.

"We have telephone conferences where the prince consults with us," he
said. "Even though the prince is absent, he continues to lead the
party. The party is moving forward."

Funcinpec spokesman Nouv Sovathero claimed Prince Ranariddh may be
extending his stay in France to avoid a lawsuit filed against him by
Funcinpec for allegedly selling the party's headquarters for personal
benefit.

Muth Channtha said Prince Ranariddh's lawyer asked Ke Sakhorn, an
investigating judge at the municipal court, to delay court summons
until March to allow the prince to complete his French university
obligations.

Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free
Elections in Cambodia, said the prince's frequent absences are
undermining his party. "Telephone communication is weaker than the
prince's presence," he said. "Party supporters are suspicious about
his absence."

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