Replying to Sam Rainsy's groundless criticism, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdeach Preah Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia, wrote Prince Norodom Ranariddh a letter dated September 10, 1997 which reads through the unofficial translation from its original in French as follows:

Dear beloved Son,

H.E. SAM RAISNY just wrote me again to protest against my signature affixed to the letter of Credence accrediting the delegation of H.E. Samdech HUN SEN government to the 52nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

I accept with humility all the critics that the Khmer anti-Samdech HUN SEN personalities have on my action.

But let me repeat that I was not aware at all of the existence, since August 25, 1997, of the other Letter of Credence with your signature of First Prime Minister.

It is not possible for me to write a letter to H.E. Mr. KOFI ANNAN, Secretary General of the UN, to invalidate in any way my signature.

I am very conscious of the extreme gravity of the tragedy which divides, alas irremediable, our sad nation and our quite unfortunate people.

I am also conscious of the inanity of my efforts extended to prevent our Country from those terrible accidents that injure it more and more seriously and will end up killing it if this tragedy ever continues for a long time.

History will judge all. Conscious to the fact that I am a nonentity, being Constitutional King, I am going to abdicate and announce this abdication whenever my present mission in Cambodia comes to an end. In fact, I no longer deserve to rest on the throne of a Monarchy which, because of me, failed to its tasks.

Daddy embraces you with his limitless affection.

(Signed)
Norodom Sihanouk

Siemreap-Angkor, September 10, 1997