King Flies to China Amid Pardon Dispute

King Norodom Sihanouk abruptly left the country for Beijing after amending his promise to pardon his son, who faces a possible trial after his ouster in a coup. Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the son, has been charged with conspiring with outlawed Khmer Rouge guerrillas to depose his rival, current leader Hun Sen. In July, Hun Sen cited the alleged plot in ousting the prince, then serving as his co-premier. Later, he criticized the king for promising to pardon the prince if he is convicted. Bowing to Hun Sen’s demands, Sihanouk agreed that Ranariddh would have to formally request a pardon--a symbolic admission of guilt.