Opinion by Kok Sap
Originally posted at http://khamerlogue.wordpress.com/
Per its Constitution provision on 18 March 1970, Cambodia might have removed Sihanouk from his office but his 1969 Salvation government remained intact. The country was still a kingdom under Sihanouk‘s late Maman, Dame Nearyroth Kosamak, as the sitting monarch. It was his abandonment of office and duty that required the National Assembly to vote of no-confidence on that day. Majority of his followers voted no-confidence to remove him from leadership.
Afterward one thing led to another, Cambodia began to look hard on its old defunct monarchist state. People knew Cambodia has been under one form or other of the monarchy for as long as the country can remember its past. To say the least that Khmer Republic was born on 18 March 1970 was entirely wrong. However, the confusion remains as Sihanouk followers had famously distorted it. It wasn’t the case yet.
For sure, the event led to many unexpected chains of reaction from Sihanouk, himself, the reds and his de-facto government members. The libertarians and the progressives alike seized opportunity to sway from the old and outdated regime that did no good but harm Cambodia to the point that its neighbors lost respect for its national sovereignty.
In William Shawcross book ‘Sideshow’ indicated it was Sihanouk’s own doings to involve Cambodia with US foreign policies then. In his letter dated 4 April, 1969, to then President Nixon, gave green light for US renormalization relations with him, “the resumption of normal relations between our two countries –a resumption which will follow in the near future the decision of the United States to recognize our frontiers- will open the way, I hope, to mutual understanding and good future relations between Cambodia and the United States of America.
On July 28, 1969 Sihanouk acknowledged and invited Nixon to visit Cambodia in the future,” I was pleased to receive your letter on 28 July, 1969 and thank you warmly for it. I would wish it were possible for you, at the time of next travels in Asia, to visit Cambodia where the warmest reception will be reserved for you by the Cambodian people and the Royal government.”
It’s Sihanouk who threw Cambodia foreign policy into the hands of the minority Republicans which was scrutinized by the majority Democrats in US Congress. US public wanted war ended in Viet Nam. Sihanouk wanted Viet Cong to respect and vacate Cambodia. To achieve that goal Viet Cong and Sihanouk struck deals to defeat the imperialist US. This where thing got tough for Sihanouk to swallow when Viet Cong ignored his demand to vacate Cambodia.
Sihanouk had allied his political adventure with Viet Cong in hope to have Hanoi respect Cambodia post 1954 borderlines. Meanwhile Viet Cong allied with Khmer rebels who named themselves Khmer Communists. Sihanouk had something to do with the rise of Khmer Communists too in case the tide turned against him. Khmer choice was limited without resorting war to deal with Viet Cong transgression. In 1975 victory, Viet Cong had other plan for Cambodia future.
Would it be wrong for Cambodia then to stay involve with US in order to get international support and military aids in its self-defense in case of war broke out with the aggressors, Viet Cong?
This was Sihanouk’s pre-emptive objective to get US to normalize relations and help bombing the eastern part of Cambodia. In his US relations endeavor, Sihanouk knew well ahead because of his personal attacks on John Kennedy, a leading Democrat, who was inherited Viet Nam war from previous administration. As long as Sihanouk remains the Head of Cambodia, the US Congress would not be Sihanouk favor.
Another frustration for him was his failures to remove the corruption from Cambodia and he’s broke. Be clear the corruption existed under Sihanouk socialistic party control which was resemble to present situation of Cambodia. But since he stepped on many old friends toes and broke many friendly confidence thus likely 18 March 1970 was unavoidable in order to save him later they must hang him now.
Sihanouk knew he’d bankrupted the nation and in no way his old and dilapidated armed forces numbered 15,000 could impact Viet Cong war plan. Based on his neutrality foreign policy and bankrupted treasury, Sihanouk entrapped himself in double jeopardy.
Other hand he did not want war led by communism, capitalism or republicanism. But in practicality, Cambodia then can’t afford not to side with either side. The US led heated contest for dominance between the East and West ideology seemed contracting Sihanouk’s neutral island into full war later.
Sihanouk neither can stand Bangkok or Saigon political maneuvers. His claimed neutrality was a smoke screen for supporting communism expansion and buying time for his next move which happened to be the cause of 18 March 1970 event. He left the country for his long excursion abroad while Cambodia was in trouble. His government officials and family were preoccupied with lucrative deals with Viet Cong paying with counterfeited notes. When his own country armed forces were not up to standards and trainings, Sihanouk were too busied spending the exhaustive national bank cash to produce his unrated films for his crony entertainment consumption.
Now many said 18 March 1970 was the root of Cambodia war. Indeed it was. But it’s not wrong to claim that Sihanouk was the one who waged war on his friends and government. The event was designed by Sihanouk, himself, before his secretive trip abroad in January 1970.
Naively Lon Nol was caught by surprise and left no choice but to follow through on issues with Viet Cong. He was not culpable of all events that sprung out of Sihanouk’s own ideas from the start. All transpired from Sihanouk state managed socialist economy and failures of his nationalization of private industries. The obvious corruption and class struggle was not the result of 18 March 1970 event. It’s started long ago by Sihanouk, himself.
At this time and day, Sihanouk shall stop pointing finger at Lon Nol, the man whom he entrusted to follow his orders in his unannounced absence and no matter what happened, as the culprit. It’s easy for Sihanouk to kill the dog which he said it’s crazy. It seems like Lon Nol loyal friendship for Sihanouk turns betrayal at last.
This is Sihanouk’s classic evil twist as we can witness its reincarnation of the Viet Cong’s divide to conquer policy in full view from Phnom Penh government houses to rural communal council all the way to Sihanouk’s Beijing quarter and dining hall.
Afterward one thing led to another, Cambodia began to look hard on its old defunct monarchist state. People knew Cambodia has been under one form or other of the monarchy for as long as the country can remember its past. To say the least that Khmer Republic was born on 18 March 1970 was entirely wrong. However, the confusion remains as Sihanouk followers had famously distorted it. It wasn’t the case yet.
For sure, the event led to many unexpected chains of reaction from Sihanouk, himself, the reds and his de-facto government members. The libertarians and the progressives alike seized opportunity to sway from the old and outdated regime that did no good but harm Cambodia to the point that its neighbors lost respect for its national sovereignty.
In William Shawcross book ‘Sideshow’ indicated it was Sihanouk’s own doings to involve Cambodia with US foreign policies then. In his letter dated 4 April, 1969, to then President Nixon, gave green light for US renormalization relations with him, “the resumption of normal relations between our two countries –a resumption which will follow in the near future the decision of the United States to recognize our frontiers- will open the way, I hope, to mutual understanding and good future relations between Cambodia and the United States of America.
On July 28, 1969 Sihanouk acknowledged and invited Nixon to visit Cambodia in the future,” I was pleased to receive your letter on 28 July, 1969 and thank you warmly for it. I would wish it were possible for you, at the time of next travels in Asia, to visit Cambodia where the warmest reception will be reserved for you by the Cambodian people and the Royal government.”
It’s Sihanouk who threw Cambodia foreign policy into the hands of the minority Republicans which was scrutinized by the majority Democrats in US Congress. US public wanted war ended in Viet Nam. Sihanouk wanted Viet Cong to respect and vacate Cambodia. To achieve that goal Viet Cong and Sihanouk struck deals to defeat the imperialist US. This where thing got tough for Sihanouk to swallow when Viet Cong ignored his demand to vacate Cambodia.
Sihanouk had allied his political adventure with Viet Cong in hope to have Hanoi respect Cambodia post 1954 borderlines. Meanwhile Viet Cong allied with Khmer rebels who named themselves Khmer Communists. Sihanouk had something to do with the rise of Khmer Communists too in case the tide turned against him. Khmer choice was limited without resorting war to deal with Viet Cong transgression. In 1975 victory, Viet Cong had other plan for Cambodia future.
Would it be wrong for Cambodia then to stay involve with US in order to get international support and military aids in its self-defense in case of war broke out with the aggressors, Viet Cong?
This was Sihanouk’s pre-emptive objective to get US to normalize relations and help bombing the eastern part of Cambodia. In his US relations endeavor, Sihanouk knew well ahead because of his personal attacks on John Kennedy, a leading Democrat, who was inherited Viet Nam war from previous administration. As long as Sihanouk remains the Head of Cambodia, the US Congress would not be Sihanouk favor.
Another frustration for him was his failures to remove the corruption from Cambodia and he’s broke. Be clear the corruption existed under Sihanouk socialistic party control which was resemble to present situation of Cambodia. But since he stepped on many old friends toes and broke many friendly confidence thus likely 18 March 1970 was unavoidable in order to save him later they must hang him now.
Sihanouk knew he’d bankrupted the nation and in no way his old and dilapidated armed forces numbered 15,000 could impact Viet Cong war plan. Based on his neutrality foreign policy and bankrupted treasury, Sihanouk entrapped himself in double jeopardy.
Other hand he did not want war led by communism, capitalism or republicanism. But in practicality, Cambodia then can’t afford not to side with either side. The US led heated contest for dominance between the East and West ideology seemed contracting Sihanouk’s neutral island into full war later.
Sihanouk neither can stand Bangkok or Saigon political maneuvers. His claimed neutrality was a smoke screen for supporting communism expansion and buying time for his next move which happened to be the cause of 18 March 1970 event. He left the country for his long excursion abroad while Cambodia was in trouble. His government officials and family were preoccupied with lucrative deals with Viet Cong paying with counterfeited notes. When his own country armed forces were not up to standards and trainings, Sihanouk were too busied spending the exhaustive national bank cash to produce his unrated films for his crony entertainment consumption.
Now many said 18 March 1970 was the root of Cambodia war. Indeed it was. But it’s not wrong to claim that Sihanouk was the one who waged war on his friends and government. The event was designed by Sihanouk, himself, before his secretive trip abroad in January 1970.
Naively Lon Nol was caught by surprise and left no choice but to follow through on issues with Viet Cong. He was not culpable of all events that sprung out of Sihanouk’s own ideas from the start. All transpired from Sihanouk state managed socialist economy and failures of his nationalization of private industries. The obvious corruption and class struggle was not the result of 18 March 1970 event. It’s started long ago by Sihanouk, himself.
At this time and day, Sihanouk shall stop pointing finger at Lon Nol, the man whom he entrusted to follow his orders in his unannounced absence and no matter what happened, as the culprit. It’s easy for Sihanouk to kill the dog which he said it’s crazy. It seems like Lon Nol loyal friendship for Sihanouk turns betrayal at last.
This is Sihanouk’s classic evil twist as we can witness its reincarnation of the Viet Cong’s divide to conquer policy in full view from Phnom Penh government houses to rural communal council all the way to Sihanouk’s Beijing quarter and dining hall.
No matter how defensive anyone is, but the Americans, Thais, and the Vietnamese both Northern and Southern treated Lon Nol and his elites of Phnom Penh the lowest of any man persons on earth. Go read it up at your local college library. North Vietnamese and Viet Congs were able to mow down the Lon Nol troops just like that. Incompetent as always but good at calling names and raping young girls and stealing money from the poor and killing minority people, of course.
ReplyDelete18 Minea thngay dael reastr Khmer vineas mean tukh asan...Cheyo Preah Reacheanachakr Kampuchea...Cheyo Preah Moha Vireak Ksatr
ReplyDeleteOnly a matter of time...when Cambodia have a new elected democratic government.
Who gives 9:30am? and your last sentense is full of sh.t.
ReplyDeleteYou're on the brink of destruction and Hanoi's slaves on your ancestors' land very soon if all of you are continuing to sleep for ever like today.
ReplyDeleteNo wait! Sihanouk created March 18th? wasn't he told not to come back from Russia after that?
ReplyDeleteblaim ah youn chung rei ving and no one else.
ReplyDeleteTo call 18 Mar 1970 the Sihanouk's evil twist is only half correct. In fact, king Sihanouk is the one who brought Cambodia down to the present. No other khmer politicians are at fault, not even Lon Nol. Sihanouk has always been a dumb king and it seems he never learned from his mistakes.
ReplyDeleteNothing better than Monarchy regime in Cambodia. Lon Nol? Pol Pot? Heng Samrin? Prince Sisowat Sirimatak is the symbol of Khmer People that he knowledge the mistake. We could not change.......
ReplyDeleteKhmers, you have too much times to wast.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is wrong and mischievous to keep blaming Hun Sen for being part of the Khmer Rouge.
ReplyDeleteAt the time, he was very young, and was in the military, not political, aparatus of the KR.
After the Lon Nol "coup", Sihanouk called on all the people to resist Lon Nol, and many Cambodians followed that call and joined the KR. A very young Hun Sen was one of countless others who did so.
They did so believing in Sihanouk. What none of them knew at the time was that Sihanouk was not in real charge of the resistance. Pol Pot was secretly plotting in the background to control the movement, and ruthlessly purge all the good Cambodians who did not follow Pol Pot's extremist policies.
Hun Sen, like the others, were tricked. When they realized that, to their great credit, they turned against the KR, and worked tirelessly to bring Pol Pot's genocidal policies to an end.
I am sure Hun Sen does not forget his earlier involvement with the KR. But we should all be thankful that he, and many others, saw the light and overthrew Pol Pot.
Let's us not forget that today!
10:13 AM,
ReplyDeleteAnd why Hun Sen had facilitated for Viet illegal immigrants to flock by the hundreds every day into Cambodia, and got XMER citizenship very easy than our Khmer Kroms who did escape from Vietnam???
Such as an inspiring letter, Prince Sarikmatak had knew the Cambodia's situation and the dark cloud were coming very well.
ReplyDeleteThe Prince was a very smart man. I must admire him. Do we any resouces like him. We indeed need this type of person to be a Cambodia leader and save Cambodia. Come on never too late to save this country from neighbouring croc.
No. Cambodia was not Republic on 18 March 1970. It was around 1971 after Queen Kossamak decided to leave Cambodia to join Sihanouk in Beijing, then Cambodia has declared into a Republic with new National Constitution and new National antene song.
ReplyDeleteIt was a sad thing for Cambodian who couldn't stand on good system but follow their leader to death. This kind of tragedy is now in Thailand where some family members have fought to each other to protect their own leader between Thaksin and Abhisith.
In 1970, Many cambodian families have killed to each other as well for choosing between Lon Nol and Sihanouk. Sometime father and sons have to kill each other for their ignorance.
Areak Prey