Charles de Gaulle arrived in Cambodia last week, touching off a paroxysm of pageantry and adulation that might have humbled a lesser man. As his plane landed, royal guards in gold-threaded tunics and pantaloons stood at the ready with rolls of ceremonial straw matting, in case the exalted visitor decided to sit down on the tarmac.
Mauve silk umbrellas were hoisted over the heads of General and Madame de Gaulle, while 200 dusky, nubile Cambodian maidens scattered jasmine petals from beaten-silver bowls in their path. The entire Cambodian jet air forcefour null flew past to take De Gaulle's salute.
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