King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia abdicates

[quaoar]

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/10/7/latest/19209KingNorod&sec=latest

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated Thursday and asked the people of Cambodia - which does not have a hereditary monarchy - to begin a search for a successor, the head of the National Assembly said.

The king, who is currently in Beijing, made the announcement in a letter read to the National Assembly early Thursday by his son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who is also head of the assembly.

The news "was shocking and very regretful,'' the prince said.

The king asked the country to form a throne council - a nine-member panel - to consider choosing the next monarch, the statement said.

Although Cambodia's monarch is not selected according to heredity, the candidate must have a royal bloodline.

[Dufaeth]

1. But what a cool name!

eom

[aquart]

2. Excuse me, he abdicated from CHINA?

What's wrong with this picture?

[Maple]

3. Does sound strange

Maybe he was about to be chucked?

[quaoar]

4. Not that surprising

He has spent quite a bit of time in China.

[AndyTiedye]

5. He Must Be Pretty Old By Now - Maybe in Hospital

China may have better medical facilities than Cambodia.

[goclark]

6. He has more sense than Bush