PRINCE SIHANOUK AMONG DOCTORS AND NURSES AT HOSPITAL; CHARGE D'AFFAIRES SPEAKING; SIHANOUK SPEAKING AND CUTTING TAPE; CHARGE D'AFFAIRES PRESENTING GIFTS.




Initials DHC/V/CT/SC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WAS PRESENT AT A CEREMONY IN PHNOM PENH RECENTLY, WHEN CAMBODIAN HEAD OF STATE PRINCE NORODOM SIHANOUK INAUGURATED RECONSTRUCTION AT THE PREAHKET-MEALIA HOSPITAL. THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA DONATED MEDICAL FACILITIES AND SUPPLIES TO THE HOSPITAL.

THE PREAKHET-MEALIA HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE OLDEST AND LARGEST IN CAMBODIA, BUT IT HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM SHORTAGE OF SPACE AND MODERN EQUIPMENT IN RECENT YEARS.

DURING THE CEREMONY AT THE HOSPITAL, DOCTORS AND NURSES CROWDED AROUND PRINCE SIHANOUK AND THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES. THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, CHENG SSU-HSIUNG, MADE A SPEECH IN WHICH HE SAID THAT HIS COUNTRY WOULD ALWAYS SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENCE AND NEUTRALITY OF CAMBODIA. THE UNITED STATES, HE SAID, WAS AN ENEMY OF CAMBODIA AND OTHER INDO-CHINESE COUNTRIES.

IN REPLY, PRINCE SIHANOUK SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL TO THE OFFER OF CHINESE AID, BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONAL, AND ASKED NOTHING IN RETURN. HE SAID THAT CAMBODIAN'S NATIONAL POLICY WAS TO RETAIN AS MANY FRIENDS AND AS FEW ENEMIES AS POSSIBLE.

AFTER THE CEREMONY OF PRESENTATION, PRINCE SIHANOUK AND HIS GUEST WERE TAKEN ON AN INSPECTION OF HOSPITAL INSTALLATIONS.