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Cambodia's former king Norodom Sihanouk dies at 89 | Cambodia's former king Norodom Sihanouk dies at 89 |
(6 months later) | |
Norodom Sihanouk, the former king of Cambodia who was a towering figure in the country's politics through half a century of war, genocide and upheaval, has died aged 89. | Norodom Sihanouk, the former king of Cambodia who was a towering figure in the country's politics through half a century of war, genocide and upheaval, has died aged 89. |
Sihanouk saw Cambodia transform from colony to kingdom, US-backed regime to Khmer Rouge killing field and foreign-occupied land to guerrilla war zone, and finally to a fragile experiment with democracy. | Sihanouk saw Cambodia transform from colony to kingdom, US-backed regime to Khmer Rouge killing field and foreign-occupied land to guerrilla war zone, and finally to a fragile experiment with democracy. |
He abdicated the throne in 2004, citing his poor health. He had been getting medical treatment in China since January and had a variety of illnesses, including colon cancer, diabetes and hypertension. | He abdicated the throne in 2004, citing his poor health. He had been getting medical treatment in China since January and had a variety of illnesses, including colon cancer, diabetes and hypertension. |
Prince Sisowath Thomico, a royal family member who also was Sihanouk's assistant, said the former king suffered a heart attack at a hospital in Beijing on Monday. "His death was a great loss to Cambodia," he said. Sihanouk had dedicated his life "for the sake of his entire nation, country and for the Cambodian people". | Prince Sisowath Thomico, a royal family member who also was Sihanouk's assistant, said the former king suffered a heart attack at a hospital in Beijing on Monday. "His death was a great loss to Cambodia," he said. Sihanouk had dedicated his life "for the sake of his entire nation, country and for the Cambodian people". |
Sihanouk's successor, Norodom Sihamoni, flew with the Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen, to Beijing to retrieve the body. State flags flew at half-mast. Officials said they expected as many as 100,000 people to line the route from the airport to the Royal Palace for the return of Sihanouk's body. | Sihanouk's successor, Norodom Sihamoni, flew with the Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen, to Beijing to retrieve the body. State flags flew at half-mast. Officials said they expected as many as 100,000 people to line the route from the airport to the Royal Palace for the return of Sihanouk's body. |
In January, Sihanouk requested that he be cremated in the Cambodian and Buddhist tradition, asking that his ashes be put in an urn, preferably made of gold, and placed in a stupa at the Royal Palace. | In January, Sihanouk requested that he be cremated in the Cambodian and Buddhist tradition, asking that his ashes be put in an urn, preferably made of gold, and placed in a stupa at the Royal Palace. |
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