quote:
81 Year-Old Cambodian King Backs Gay MarriageHis advancing years hasn't stopped the 81 year-old King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, from embracing new ideas. He runs and maintains a royal website, on which he posts letters to the public regularly. Having watched the gay marriages in in San Francisco on the television, he has posted a hand written message on his popular website in support, "Marriage between man and man... or between woman and woman" should be allowed in a "liberal democracy".
The constitutional King is well respected in Cambodia but has no executive powers, his views on gay marriages are not widely spread in Cambodia. The King said that gays are the way they are because God loved a "wide range of tastes."
If only Cambodia was a liberal Democracy.
PUBLIC STATEMENT
22 February 2004
ANOTHER COWARDLY MURDER OF OPPOSITION MEMBER
The SRP Members of Parliament denounce, in no uncertain terms, the latest cowardly murder of one of their active members, who was shot dead while enjoying the company of his family and friends.
Kong Voeun, 42, an active member of the Sam Rainsy Party for many years, was shot dead at close range with an AK 47 bullet from behind at 8:00 pm on 20 February 2004 in his cousin's home, which is opposite to his in the village of
Trapaeng Thlouk, Svay Chor Chep commune, District of Borseik, in the Province
of Kompong Speu.
The perpetrator was not identified, and quickly disappeared into the darkness.
He served as an active member of the SRP Village Council for his home village of Trapaeng Thlouk Village.
Kong Voeun was survived by his wife, Ouk Rom, 32, and six young children.
The SRP demands that the authorities thoroughly investigate and bring the assassin(s) to justice. The Party has no reason to believe that the murder was motivated by personal disputes.
The Sam Rainsy Party Members of Parliament