Hun Sen

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

Cambodian political leader, prime minister 1985–93, deputy prime minister from 1993, and single effective leader from July 1997. His leadership was characterized by the promotion of economic liberalization and a thawing in relations with exiled non-Khmer opposition forces as a prelude to a compromise political settlement. After the defeat of his Cambodian People's Party (CCP) in the 1993 elections, Hun Sen agreed to participate in a power-sharing arrangement as second premier. In July 1997 he launched a successful coup to oust the first deputy prime minister, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, and secure full effective control over Cambodia. In February 1998 he accepted a Japanese-brokered peace plan to allow for Ranariddh's return, after he was found guilty in a March 1998 show trial and then pardoned by his father, King Norodom Sihanouk.

Following the November 1998 elections in which Hun Sen's CCP won 41% of the vote, Hun Sen formed a coalition between the two main rival political parties, FUNCINPEC and the CCP.

Yellow stands for mineral wealth. Green represents the country's vegetation and natural resources. Red recalls the blood spilt during the liberation struggle. Effective date: 18 April 1980. >>