Sihanouk signals problems

The Cambodian head of state, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, said yesterday that serious problems had arisen in forming a power-sharing interim government to run the country until a constitution could be written, Reuter reports from Phnom Penh. He said the two parties that had agreed to share power were arguing over getting key ministries, the Phnom Penh army was insisting he be commander-in-chief and the incumbent party wanted the interim plan approved by two-thirds of the National Assembly, not just a simple majority.

An official of Funcinpec, the royalist party that won most votes in last month's UN-run election, said the party chief, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, was due to meet the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, of the Cambodian People's Party, which came second, today. The two men agreed on Wednesday to become co-chairmen of an interim administration.