King Norodom Sihanouk used the start of Cambodia's colorful Water Festival to appeal

to his government not to arrest journalists who criticize him.

Information Minister Ieng Mouly had said at the recent ethics conference at the Foreign

Correspondents' Club that journalists writing unfavorable articles about the King

could face arrest.

Before the races began loudspeakers broadcast a message from the King in Beijing

requesting the authorities not to detain critical journalists.

"I would like to ask the Royal Government of Cambodia not to arrest any journalist

who is guilty of criticizing me, Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia," state

radio quoted the 71-year-old monarch as saying.