H is Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk said that the Khmer Rouge's shadowy leader Pol
Pot deserved to go to the "deepest hell" for the crime he committed during his
rule of Cambodia.
"Like Pol Pot who killed almost 2 million people, he
should go to the deepest hell. Why is he still alive?" King Norodom Sihanouk
lamented to about 200 Royals, politicians and VIPs during his New Year state
address at the Royal Palace on April 16.
"The world and the nation
endlessly insult him [Pol Pot] everyday. This is called sin," said the King.
The King advised his people - with special reference to both the
legaslative and executive branches of government - to clean their hearts and
minds of violence and greed.
The King advocated an extended amnesty for
the outlawed Khmer Rouge but he said he could not single out who should be given
amnesty as he did not want to interfere in the National Assembly and government
affairs.
King Sihanouk also said he appreciated the amnesty program the
Royal Government had carried out with the KR defectors.
"I think this
kind of national reconciliation is appropriate... because this act is wise for
peace and progress of our nation," he said, adding that Pol Pot, Ieng Sary and
Ta Mok could not be corrected.
The King denied any suspicion that he
sympathized with the rebel group by saying that he only wanted peace. The name
Khieu
Samphan was not heard.
"But, if they [KR] don't agree with us,
let them be according to their fate. We don't know what to do either," the King
said, adding that the group must bear heavy responsibility before history and
before the world for the suffering they continued to bring to Cambodia.
The King, who is 72, said he was satisfied with the progress being made
and unity among the Cambodian people, particularly between Funcinpec and CPP.
"What makes me happy is solidarity, development, progress. So, today I
am 100 percent happy," he said.
But, he added that his Chinese doctors
have warned him that to live to a longer age he must be emotionally happy and
"worries will shorten my age".
