King Decries Coup, Says He’s Powerless

King Norodom Sihanouk, while condemning the bloody coup that ousted his son as first prime minister, said in a letter that he is powerless to help the people. “I have no ability to do anything,” the constitutional monarch wrote from Beijing, where he is undergoing medical treatment. He said he still regards his son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, as a legitimate prime minister. Lawmakers have confirmed Ung Huot, coup leader Hun Sen’s handpicked replacement for Ranariddh. In his message to opposition leader Sam Rainsy, the king said he did not want to take any responsibility for political decisions and that was why he authorized acting head of state Chea Sim to sign all laws and decrees.