To the editor,

The Phnom Penh Post article entitled "King offers olive

branch to KR", published on 27 Jan, quoted that I told your reporters that I

believed that the King had a proposal "to seek greater political

power".

I want to firmly deny this statement because it is an inaccurate

transcription or a serious misinterpretation of what I actually said when

pressed to comment on a possible role of the King in bringing true and lasting

peace to this country.

The opinion which I have always expressed is

that:

1. The King, in His capacity as the Father of the Nation, can put a definitive

   end to the war in Cambodia through a genuine national reconciliation;

2. The King can achieve peace in the framework of the present Constitution (in

   other words, the King does not need and does not want "to seek greater political

   power");

3. The King has the full support of the entire Cambodian people who are longing

   for peace and who venerate their Monarch.

Thank you for kindly publishing this clarification.

- Sam Rainsy, Member of Parliament, Siem Reap.