Most Khmers said that they loved the King, and seemed to have high hopes for the future. Therefore, it was a shame that the only people permitted to attend the festivities at the palace were a handful of dignitaries and foreign journalists. Citizens were forced to watch the closed affair on television. Even the attendance of opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, was up in the air. Many politicians blamed Sam Rainsy for King Norodom Sihanouk delaying his return to Cambodia, after his latest trip to Beijing. Some went so far as to blame him for the King's abdication. The King had often threatened to resign his post if the CPP, Cambodia's ruling political party, and the opposition could not come to an amicable compromise. Most recently, Sam Rainsy had sent a warning letter to the King, explaining that an anti-royalist protest awaited him in Phnom Penh, if he returned from China, as scheduled. The opposition leader claimed that the protests were arranged by the CPP, but were to be blamed on Sam Rainsy. In the end, it is believed that intervention by King Norodom Sihanouk himself secured an invitation for Sam Rainsy. Although the press competed fiercely for photos of the new king, Sam Rainsy was the only coronation guest who was asked to hold an impromptu press conference. It was apparent that journalists wished to ask Sam Rainsy a slue of poignant questions, about his relationship with Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as rumors that he would be brought in for questioning, regarding his letter to King Norodom Sihanouk.
Most Khmers said that they loved the King, and seemed to have high hopes for the future. Therefore, it was a shame that the only people permitted to attend the festivities at the palace were a handful of dignitaries and foreign journalists. Citizens were forced to watch the closed affair on television. Even the attendance of opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, was up in the air. Many politicians blamed Sam Rainsy for King Norodom Sihanouk delaying his return to Cambodia, after his latest trip to Beijing. Some went so far as to blame him for the King's abdication. The King had often threatened to resign his post if the CPP, Cambodia's ruling political party, and the opposition could not come to an amicable compromise. Most recently, Sam Rainsy had sent a warning letter to the King, explaining that an anti-royalist protest awaited him in Phnom Penh, if he returned from China, as scheduled. The opposition leader claimed that the protests were arranged by the CPP, but were to be blamed on Sam Rainsy. In the end, it is believed that intervention by King Norodom Sihanouk himself secured an invitation for Sam Rainsy. Although the press competed fiercely for photos of the new king, Sam Rainsy was the only coronation guest who was asked to hold an impromptu press conference. It was apparent that journalists wished to ask Sam Rainsy a slue of poignant questions, about his relationship with Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as rumors that he would be brought in for questioning, regarding his letter to King Norodom Sihanouk.
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