Two days later, America did refuse to recognise Ung Huot, partly because his appointment had not received Prince Ranariddh's blessing.

ECONOMIST: The tigers’ fearful symmetry | The

Hun Sen and his handpicked co-premier, Ung Huot, issued a four-page rebuttal.

CNN: Rebuilding A Country?

Sihanouk, who never was enthusiastic about the Japanese initiative, had said that he would not grant the pardon unless Hun Sen and new First Prime Minister Ung Huot specifically made a written request.

CNN: POWER PLAY

Though the missive was not signed by Ung Huot -- interpreted by some as a ruse, by others as his ineffectualness in the partnership with Hun Sen -- Sihanouk acquiesced and issued a pardon, one that presumably covered the fine as well.

CNN: POWER PLAY