King Sihanouk Gives Nod to Replacement of Son as Co-Premier
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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — King Norodom Sihanouk gave tacit approval Thursday to the replacement of his son as first prime minister, effectively endorsing last month’s bloody coup by Hun Sen, the second prime minister.
Army units loyal to Hun Sen, meanwhile, were deployed near the Thai border for a new offensive against opposition troops controlling the zone. An estimated 15,000 refugees displaced by fighting have gathered in the area.
Sihanouk’s action dealt another blow to his son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who was ousted by Hun Sen in the July 5-6 coup. The Hun Sen-controlled legislature voted Wednesday to replace Ranariddh with the foreign minister, Ung Huot.
The ailing Sihanouk sent a message from Beijing on Thursday saying acting head of state Chea Sim could issue a decree replacing Ranariddh.
Sihanouk, who is required by the constitution to approve a new first prime minister, made no mention of his personal approval for Ung Huot’s appointment.
In Washington, the Clinton administration said Thursday that it will deal with the new first prime minister.
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