The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Norodom Sihanouk

Born Oct. 31, 1922, in Phnom Penh. State and political figure of Cambodia; prince.

In 1941, Sihanouk became king of Cambodia. In 1955, after the Cambodian national liberation movement had brought the country to full independence, he abdicated in favor of his father and immersed himself in political activity. In the same year, he created the political organization People’s Socialist Community (Sangkum Reastr Niyum, or Sangkum). At several junctures he was chairman of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia. After his father’s death in 1960, Sihanouk was elected head of state. His policy of peace and neutrality, his friendly relations with the socialist countries, and his progressive socioeconomic measures within Cambodia added to his prestige.

On Mar. 18, 1970, while Sihanouk was abroad, Cambodian rightists, with the support of foreign imperialists, overthrew the government, and Sihanouk was forced to remain in exile. He headed the National United Front of Cambodia from May 1970 until his retirement on April 5, 1976.

K. IUREV [23–981–4; updated]

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References in periodicals archive

"The statue is built to express gratitude and to commemorate the late King Norodom Sihanouk, the father of independence, territorial integrity and national unity," he said.

Cambodia unveils statue of late King Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh

Three major parties are competing in the poll, including the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self-exiled leader Sam Rainsy, and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Cambodian Prince Thomico to quit as personal secretary to Queen Mother

The last few months of King Father Norodom Sihanouk's life, with all the pain and physical stresses that he endured - his life hanging by a thread from day to day, and he all the time cheerful and undaunted, stricken in body but quite undisturbed and even unaffected in spirit - these have made a profound and an enduring impression and should be a help to all.

A Eulogy to King Father PREAH KARUNA PREAH BAT SAMDECH PREAH NORODOM SIHANOUK

PHNOM PENH - Former King Norodom Sihanouk passed away in Beijing early Monday morning, government officials said.

Kyodo news summary -1-

If the test of politics is survival, Norodom Sihanouk must be counted as a master.

The Nine Lives of Norodom Sihanouk (2009)

Summary: Riyadh, Dhu Al-Hijjah 29, 1431 H/Dec 05, 2010, SPA -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of condolences to King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia in the aftermath of the stampede that occurred in his country and caused deaths and injuries.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, his Deputy condole King of Cambodia

The Norodom Sihanouk Archival Collection was given by Norodom Sihanouk, the King of Cambodia, to Monash University Library (Melbourne, Australia) in 2004, shortly before the announcement of his retirement.

Royal songs and royal singing: music in the Norodom Sihanouk Archival Collection, Monash University Library

2004: Though his statement has no legal impact, Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk endorses same-sex marriage after seeing gay couples wed in San Francisco.

Time line: international marriage

The airline is run by Prince Norodom Chakrapong, a son of retired King Norodom Sihanouk.

2 injured in plane accident in eastern Cambodia

In April 1967, Lee Kwan Yew was invited to Phnom Penh by Cambodia's Prince Norodom Sihanouk. Cruising along the capital's elegant boulevards in his Mercedes convertible, the Singaporean premier turned to his host and mused, 'I hope, one day, my city will look like this'.

View from Phnom Penh: the formerly elegant Cambodian capital was one of the many victims of the country's civil wars. It is now at peace, and attention can finally turn to restoring its rich architectural heritage

The couple also attended banquets in their honor hosted separately by Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk and Prime Minister Hun Sen while in Phnom Penh.

Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko return from Cambodia visit