Cambodia: Ung Huot Confirmed As New Prime Minister

Record ID: 3927

  • Title: Cambodia: Ung Huot Confirmed As New Prime Minister
  • Date: 6th August 1997
  • Summary: Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung Huot has been confirmed as the new first prime minister, in a move that drew immediate fire from Cambodia's exiled opposition. The ousted prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh was stripped of his parliamentary immunity which lays him open to prosecution. Cambodia's National Assembly voted overwhelmingly on August 6 to confirm Ung Huot as first prime minister. Second Prime Minster Hun Sen said the move signalled the end of Cambodia's turmoil and proved he did not seize power. Hun Sen said the crisis was over after 86 members of the 120-seat parliament voted by secret ballot in favour of Ung Huot's nomination as first prime minister. A total of 99 assembly members attended the session. Hun Sen said denied he had seized power, referring to two days of battles in Phnom Penh and his unilateral ousting of Ranariddh on July 6. He said he and Ung Huot were preparing to visit King Norodom Sihanouk in the Chinese capital Beijing where the king is receiving medical treatment.Sihanouk said late last month he would not recognise Ung Huot as first premier as the post belonged to his son, Ranariddh. The king also said that a vote on a new first prime minister by an incomplete parliament would be invalid. The United States and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) both said soon after the prince's ousting that they still recognised the prince as first prime minister. Ung Huot told parliament he was honoured to have been elected first prime minister, and said the main task of the government was to strengthen political, economic and social institutions. He also promised to work closely with Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) in preparing for elections scheduled for May. He said he would stand down as first prime minister at that time. Members of the Cambodian opposition in Bangkok said Ung Huot's nomination was illegal. Earlier the National Assembly voted to strip Ranariddh of his parliamentary immunity, clearing the way for his prosecution for alleged crimes if he returned to Cambodia. The prince was out of the country when he was removed from power. Hun Sen said later that Ranariddh was free to come back, but that he would have to face charges for his illegal negotiations with the outlawed Khmer Rouge guerrilla group and for alleged weapons smuggling. The prince has dismissed the accusations and called from abroad for opposition to his former Co-premier and coalition partner.
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  • Location: CAMBODIA
  • Reuters ID: LDL0012702MUZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
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  • Copyright Holder: Reuters Archive
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