Jan 1: His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk issued a statement noting that
in spite of droughts and floods during the 1960s, Cambodia still had enough rice
to feed its population and that at least 400,000 tons was available for export. In
1969 Cambodia exported 500,000 tons. As far as rubber, production was 51,000 tons
in 1968 versus only 25,000 tons in 1955.
Jan 2: Reuters reported: "Cambodian royalists picked a prominent paliamentarian
at the weekend to replace exiled Prince Norodom Sirivudh as secretary general of
their FUNCINPEC party, an official said. Loy Sim Chheang, first vice president of
the National Assembly, was appointed and approved to the post at a meeting on Dec
31. of the party steering committee, an aide to party leader co-Prime Minister Prince
Norodom Ranariddh said. He replaces King Norodom Sihanouk's half brother Prince Sirivudh....
Loy Sim Chheang, who spent many years in Japan before returning to Cambodia in the
early 1990s, is regarded as loyal to Prince Ranariddh."
Jan 4: Reuters reported: "Four Cambodian civilians were killed and
16 wounded when Khmer Rouge guerrillas attacked the western town of Poipet, a Thai
army officer said Jan 4. The Khmer Rouge fired three artillery shells into the trading
town on Thursday morning. One shell landed in the central market area where the casualties
occurred, the officer said.
Jan 4: A Photographic Exhibition to celebrate the completion of five Samdech
Euv Group projects was held at the Royal Palace under the presence of Their Majesties
King Norodom Sihanouk Varman and Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. The five projects
of Samdech Euv group were funded by Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Project
under the guidance of H.E. Kong Sam Ol. The projects included the construction of
a school and a clinic in Samdech Euv village, a school in Preah Soramarith-Sihanouk
village, a school and clinic in Preah Kossamak-Sihanouk village, and a school in
both Baset and Prambei Mum village. Total Japanese funding provided was US$101,550.
Jan 8: The Thai Embassy announced: "A group of 50 Royal Cambodian
Armed Forces officers left for Thailand over the weekend to undertake a training
course supported by the Ministry of Defense and Department of Technical and Economic
Cooperation of the Royal Thai Government. The two-month course, which takes place
in Phnom Sarakham District of Chachoengsao Province 8 Jan-10 Mar, is designed to
meet Cambodia's needs as the trainees will be equipped with various skllls in rural
development including agriculture, primary healthcare, family industry and technical
engineering...The Royal Thai Army has stepped up its non-lethal military cooperation
with its Cambodia counterpart in the past years..."
Jan 8: Reuters reported: "King Norodom Sihanouk will fly to Beijing
later this month for medical tests and treatment, the monarch said on Jan 7. Sihanouk,
in an address on state television, said he would travel to China as part of routine
treatment. The King appears to have made a full recovery after being diagnosed with
cancer in late 1993, but he has also suffered from arterial problems and was recently
diagnosed as having diabetes. Sihanouk said the date of his return depended on his
doctors but he was expected to be back in Cambodia for the mid-April Cambodian New
Year."
Jan 9: The Cambodian Dental Association of the Faculty of Dentristy opened
its 5th National Oral Health Conference.
