Will Sihanouk testify in Khmer Rouge trial?

It is entirely possible, or so the belief goes, that Sihanouk, in his sunset years, will view the KRT, despite his previous criticism of it, as possibly one of the very few remaining vehicles to put across his side of the story of the period for future generations of Cambodians and for the international community.

There is a view that as he is no more King and since constraints are fewer, he will be more forthright at the KRT. This is not being fair to Sihanouk. His track record here is clear. Even when he was King and there were numerous constraints, he never lacked in forthrightness.

On the contrary, what has always been uppermost in the minds of those who knew him, both friends and detractors alike, was that no one was ever too sure what Sihanouk would say. Even some of those who genuinely admire him admit that Sihanouk is indeed unpredictable and fearless - undoubtedly a potent combination.

Others have described him differently. The highly respected political commentator Milton Osborne titled his book on Sihanouk, Prince of Darkness, Prince of Light.

In a review of the book, the equally respected Martin Stuart-Fox disagreed with that reference. He gently chided, "The title is an extravagant one. Sihanouk is neither a Prince of Darkness nor a Prince of Light. Such cosmological/eschatological overtones as these titles convey should not cloud our judgment. What Milton Osborne actually presents us with in this thoughtful and revealing book is a leader whose flaws of character contributed in no small measure to his country's tragic history."

There will be those who will disagree with that observation about Sihanouk but will wholeheartedly accept that the real tragedy of Cambodia was the Khmer Rouge.

Given this, although Sihanouk is not required to appear before the KRT, and ultimately may not, there is no denying that should he do so, his contributions would be invaluable.

There is equally no denying that should he appear, there could well be understandable anxiety among some individuals and within some capitals.