Cambodia condemns Web sites using king's name

2007/2/28
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, AP

Cambodia's royal palace has condemned four Web sites that use the name of King Norodom Sihamoni to promote Las Vegas casinos, discount airfares and dating services.

The palace called for those behind the sites to be prosecuted for slander.

"The royal palace condemns vigorously all persons usurping (the king's name) for their personal use or to slander the sovereign," said a statement from the palace dated Feb. 23.

The king's official Web site is www.norodomsihamoni.org.

The Web sites in question include www.norodomsihamoni.com, which provides links to Las Vegas hotels and casinos and to online dating services, and www.norodomsihamoni.info, which offers travel deals and free music downloads. Neither has any connection to the Cambodian king.
Two others cited by the palace were www.norodomsihamoni.net and www.norodomsihamoni.gov, which did not appear to be functional.

It was not immediately clear where the Web sites were based.

Sihamoni, a constitutional monarch, ascended to Cambodia's throne in October 2004 after the abdication of his father, former king Sihanouk. .