Indonesia Expresses Condolences Over Sihanouk's Death

Jakarta, Oct 16 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on behalf of the nation and as the head of state, expressed condolences over the death of former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk on Monday. He stated that King Norodom Sihanouk, who died in Beijing this morning, was Indonesia`s friend and one of the key Cambodian figures who had helped increase cooperation between the two countries. "King Norodom Sihanouk is very well known among Indonesians as a leader who significantly contributed to the progress of Cambodia. He is known as a true statesman and a unifier. He has played a key role in safeguarding the unity of Cambodia as well as in the country`s economic development," President Yudhoyono said at a press conference. He added that King Norodom Sihanouk would be remembered by the Indonesian people as a friendly and warm figure. "King Norodom Sihanouk has been close to Indonesia from a long time. He had developed a great relationship with our nation since the administration of President Soekarno, and he continued it with President Soeharto and later presidents," the head of state noted. President Yudhoyono said he had already sent a letter of condolence to King Norodom Sihamoni and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. "Although I will not be able to attend the funeral of King Norodom Sihanouk, I am scheduled to visit Cambodia next month to meet Prime Minister Hun Sen and King Norodom Sihamonu, as well as to attend the ASEAN and East Asia summits," he explained. "I shall personally express my condolences then," President Yudhoyono added.***1*** T.P008 (H-YH/INE/H-YH) (T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH) 15-10-2012 20:43:08 Daerah : Jakarta (JKT) Kembali Home | ias.antara.net.id | www.antara.net.id | www.antara.co.id | mail.antara.co.id | mail.antara.net.id | www.antaranews.com | web.antara.net.id Tampilan Terbaik Menggunakan Browser Firefox Versi 2.0 Keatas Copyright © 2012 Departemen Sistem Informasi™