Sisowath Monireth (Khmer: ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុន្នីរ៉េត; 25 November 1909 – September 1975)[2] was a Cambodian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Cambodia, during the French protectorate period, from 17 October 1945 to 15 December 1946. One of the most prominent members of the Sisowath line of the royal family at the time, he had earlier been passed over for the throne by the French authorities in favor of his nephew Norodom Sihanouk, whom they considered to be more pliable. The prince, however, remained heir to the throne under Sihanouk's reign.
Sisowath Monireth, Crown Prince of Cambodia | |
|---|---|
ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុនី្នរ៉េត | |
 Monireth in 1953 | |
| Chairman of the Regency Council | |
| Acting 6 April 1960 – 13 June 1960 | |
| Prime Minister | Norodom Sihanouk Pho Proeung |
| Preceded by | Chuop Hell (acting) as Chief of State |
| Succeeded by | Chuop Hell (acting) as Chief of State |
| Prime Minister of Cambodia | |
| In office 17 October 1945 – 15 December 1946 | |
| Monarch | Norodom Sihanouk |
| Preceded by | Son Ngoc Thanh |
| Succeeded by | Sisowath Youtevong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 November 1909 Phnom Penh, Cambodia, French Indochina |
| Died | September 1975 (aged 65) Kampuchea |
| Political party | Sangkum (1955–70) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (1945–55; 1970–75) |
| Spouse | Pok Rosette Vani |
| Children | See list
|
| Parents |
|
| Awards | Legion of Honour Croix de guerre |
| House | Sisowath |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  French Third Republic Free France |
| Branch/service | French Foreign Legion[1] 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II[1] |
From 1939 to 1945, he fought for France in World War II.[1]
Early life
editThe original Cambodian Scout movement Ankar Khamarak Kayarith was created in 1934, under the direction of Prince Sisowath Monireth and other leaders, including Tem Im and Pok Thiem. This first era of Cambodian Scouting spread over several provinces and numbered more than 1,000 members.
Period in office
editOne of his first acts as Prime Minister was to create the first modern Cambodian army. Having won the consent of the French, who had just returned to power in Cambodia after the defeat of the Japanese in World War II, Monireth succeeded in forming out of former colonial NCOs the basis for an indigenous army whose mission, according to the Franco-Khmer Military Convention of 20 November 1946, was to uphold the sovereignty of the king, to preserve internal security, and to defend the frontiers of the country.[3]
In later years, Monireth temporarily acted as head of state from 6 April to 13 June 1960 in his capacity as Chairman of the Regency Council.
In 1975, he was executed by the Khmer Rouge after the Fall of Phnom Penh.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c Lepage, Jean-Denis (2008). The French Foreign Legion: An Illustrated History. McFarland. p. 137. ISBN 978-0-7864-3239-4.
- ^ Samdech Krom Preah SISOWATH MONIRETH
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-09-21. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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