February 10, 2006
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A KING:
Sam Rainsy returns to Cambodia (BBC, 2/10/06)
Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has returned home following a year of self-imposed exile in France.Posted by Orrin Judd at February 10, 2006 8:15 AM"I'm very happy!" Mr Rainsy shouted as he arrived in Phnom Penh airport, where he was greeted by 2,000 supporters.
In December Mr Rainsy was sentenced in absentia to 18 months in jail, for defaming the country's leaders.
But he was granted a royal pardon last Sunday, and has promised to change his confrontational attitude towards Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival, Sam Rainsy said he planned to hold talks with Hun Sen soon, and was committed to putting aside past disagreements.
"Democracy requires all leaders to talk to each other to find a solution for the nation," he said. "I will do whatever it takes for the country to progress."
Still, it's always worrisome when potential foreign leaders return home from France, given all the goofy ideas that seem to fester in folks' heads after year or more in that country.
Posted by: John at February 10, 2006 10:01 AM