Neutrality ended in tragic civil conflict

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33813, 9 April 1975, Page 11

Neutrality ended in tragic civil conflict

Cambodia’s tragic civil war grew out of the small country’s attempts to preserve its neutrality in the face of the growing intensity of fighting in South Vietnam.

During the 19605. under Prince Sihanouk. Cambodia refused officially to take sides, and its own Communist guerrilla movement, the Khmer Rouge, was not unduly troublesome to Sihanouk's running of Cambodia.

For as long as possible Sihanouk turned a blind eye on the presence of thousands of North Vietnamese and Viet Gong troops who used the eastern region of Cambodia as a supply and rest area for their campaign across the border in South Vietnam. When their presence could no longer be tolerated, his polite requests to his fighting neighbours to leave Cambodia alone were either ignored or met with denials that the country’s territory was being used. Sihanouk left the country in 1970 for medical treatment; senior Army officers and politicians, acting with considerable popular support deposed the Prince, appealed for foreign help, and set about attempting to cleai- foreign Communists from Cambodia. In spite of help from the United States and South Vietnam, they failed. Cambodia's small Armed Forces were never able to take the initiative once the Khmer Rouge began to receive extensive help from the Vietnamese Communists. - When Sihanouk, from Peking, formed a Govern-ment-in-exile his supporters linked forces with the Cambodian Communist rebels. Major centres of population have gradually fallen to the rebels. The war appears to be in its last stages. Only a huge American airlift sustains the Cambodian Government and its capital, Phnom Penh. Even if Government troops are prepared to fight on. they are not likely to receive the material support they need. Prince Sihanouk, himself, has said that he expects to be dumped by the Communists once their combined forces have won. He has treated the war as a personal feud .between himself and the head of the Cambodian Government. General Lon Nol, who was once one of the leading figures in Sihanouk’s Government Events which have led up to the present crisis max be traced back over 20 years and longer. In 1955 Cambodia ended its association with France and became independent: Prince Sihanouk was named head of State in 1960 after the death of his father, Norodom Suamarit. Sihanouk refused the title of king. Nearly five years later the strains imposed bv the Vietnam war began to tell. 1965 May. — Cambodia breaks off diplomatic relations with the United States and blames the Americans for exercising the “right of hot pursuit” of Viet Cong across border from South Vietnam. 1966-67 Cambodians suffer casualties from time to time in fighting between retreating Viet Cong and the pursuing South Vietnamese and Americans. Sihanouk say> ’Vietnamese war is becoming a Cambodian war’ Americans claim war that material is reaching Viet Cong through Cambodia Sihanouk says no Co munist troops are in Cambodia. June, 1967. — “Red Khmer” rebellion suppressed in Cambodian province of Battambang. December 27, 1967. — Sihanouk announces he intends to re-ign and suggests a ’‘regular" Government be formed in Cambodia. New Government, formed in January. 1968. includes General Lon Nol as Minister of Defence. Sihanouk stays in charge. He says any incursion from South Vietnam wil] be met with.“firm resistance" by the Cambodian Army of 31.000 and aid will be sought from Russia and China. 1968 January 18. — Fresh United States-South Vietnamese incursion in pursuit of Viet Cong. American relations remain strained with Cambodia through this year. January 27. — Sihanouk blames China for Red Khmei revolt and warns that if he is forced to resign the army will take over and form a pro-American Government. July 15. — Lon Nol becomes first deputy premier. December. — “Red Khmer” rebels active in 11 of Cambodia's 19 provinces. Sihanouk claims they are being armed by Vietnamese Communists. 1969 February. — Sihanouk expresses concern that Viet Cong and North Vietnamese are using Cambodia territory. June 13. — rhe Provisional Revolutionary Government formed by the Viet Cong in South Vietnam is recognised by Cambodia.

July 31, Sihanouk says he will hand over as chief of State to a Regency Council. He blames the bad economic situation on American defoliation raids and on the activities of what he called “Red Khmer” rebels. August 12. — Sihanouk persuaded to withdraw his resignations in exchange for Lon Nol's forming a Government as premier. Lon Nol promises to continue a policy of “strict neutrality”. October. — Lon Nol estimates that 40,000 Communist troops are inside Cambodia. 1970 January 4. — Sihanouk leaves Cambodia for medical treatment in France. March 11. — Mobs sack North Vietnamese and Viet Cong embassies in Phnom Penh in protest against the presence of Communists in Cambodia. March 12. — National Assembly demands. the withdrawal of Viet Cong troops from Cambodia. March 18. — Sihanouk deposed as head of State by the National Assembly. From Moscow he says "the future is very dark”. Cambodian army proposes “extreme measures” to “restore calm”. March 19. — State of emergency. Lon Nol granted full powers by National Assembly. Assembly votes to try Sihanouk for treason “if'he ever returns”. Sihanouk arrives in Peking and proposes referendum in Cambodia to decide his fate. March 21. — Sihanouk reaffirms his claim as head of State of Cambodia, but says he will resign after the new regime there is overthrown. March 23. — Lon Nol offers to negotiate status of North Vietnam and Viet Cong troops in Cambodia: Communists refuse and withdraw their diplomatic representatives. Cambodia closes ports to supplies for Communists in South Vietnam Sihanouk, from Peking, proclaims a “Government of National Union”. He promises arms and training from Moscow and Peking to his supporters in Cambodia who are prepared to “go underground”. March 26. — Demonstrations in favour -of Sihanouk in several Cambodian towns suppressed after heavy loss of life. March 29. — Government reports Viet Cong attacking Cambodian army units. Government forces withdrawn from border area with South Vietnam. March 31. — “Committee of Intellectuals” in Phnom Penh calls for the establishment of a republic. April 9-17. — Several hundred Vietnamese civilians in. Cambodia killed by army units. April 14. — Lon Nol appeals for arms to fight North Vietnamese and Viet Cong invasion. Only Indonesia responds. April 19. — New Zealand joins Indonesia and other South-East Asian countries in appeal to maintain Cambodia's neutrality. May I.— Major American thrusts into Cambodia. Later the United States promises that all its troops will leave Cambodia by June 30. May 5. — Lon Nol accepts permanent help from South Vietnam and re-establishes diplomatic relations which were broken off in 1963. June 25, — Lon Nol orders “general mobilisation” of Cambodian population to expel Communists. North Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge have control over much of -Cambodia outside the area of American and South Vietnamese operations. June 29. — Last United States troops leave Cambodia in spite of statement from Lon Nol: “I would like them to stay”. President Nixon claims huge losses inflicted on Communists will allow United States to speed up withdrawal from South Vietnam. October 5. — Cambodian Government votes unanimously to proclaim a republic. October 10. — Sihanouk, from Peking, calls the republic “illegal and anti-constitutional,, bogus, antipopular, anti-democratic and anti-national”. China calls on other countries not to recognise Cambodia. 1971 January 6.— Sihanouk interviewed by “N.Z. Monthly Review.” He says New Zealand’s “hostile attitude” will “seriously compromise” future relations after his side has won. January 28.— Chief of New Zealand Defence Staff (General Sir Leonard Thornton) returns from a brief visit to Cambodia and describes an air of “calm and confidence” there in spite of heavy Communist attacks near Phnom Penh. February 15.— Lon Nol flies to Hawaii for treatment after a stroke. Stays there until late April. April 12.— New Zealand journalist. Miss Kate Webb, reported missing after North Vietnamese attack Cambodian paratroop base. April 17.— Sihanouk, from Peking, orders search for Miss Webb.

May I.— Miss WeDb released unharmed by Khmer Rouge. Lon Nol resigns. Colleagues object that they cannot agree on a successor. May 9.— Lon Nol forms new Government. June 2.— Massacre reports from survivors say as many as 3000 Cambodian villagers have been killed by Communists for failing to join them against the Government. July 29.—South Vietnamese troops in new sweep through eastern regions of Cambodia. December 15.— Lon Nol announces campaign against “paper battalions” inflated by corrupt officers in his army. 1972 February 2.— -“ Attack” on Phnom Penh turns out to be over-enthusiastic troops firing at a “devil” which is believed to be gobbling up the moon during an eclipse. February' 14.— Fighting in ruins of Ankor Wat, held by Communists, brings protests from many countries. April. — New constitution establishes Cambodian Republic. June 4. — Lon Nol elected President. September. — Elections for National Assembly and Senate give Lon Nol’s supporters a clear majority. October 23. — Sihanouk rejects any contact with Lon Nol Government or any cease-fire or partition in Cambodia. November 4. —Lon Nol offers “complete amnesty” to rebels. 1973 January. — Pro-Sihanouk forces concentrate-* on isolating Phnom Penh with attacks on river convoys and rocket attacks on the city. January 29. — Lon Nol orders end to offensive operations; Prince Sihanouk also orders, cease-fire and offers to negotiate with the United States on condition it ends support for Lon Nol. Offer rejected. February 2.— Fighting resumes. By late March all main roads to Phnom Penh have been cut by rebels. March 2.— Sihanouk claims to control 90 per cent of Cambodian territory and 5.5 million people out of 7 million. March 17. — Air force attempt to kill Lon Nol fails. Constitution suspended. State of emergency declared for six months. April 6. — Sihanouk, in Hanoi, claims to have spent more than a month in Cambodia, his first visit since he left in January, 1970, two months before he was deposed. April 29. — Supreme State Council formed from Lon Nol and three main opposition leaders. United States bombing of rebels intensified. May. — Sihanouk Government by now is recognised by 39 countries. May 31. — United States Senate votes to cut off all funds for bombing in Cambodia. June. — Sihanouk offers to negotiate with the United States. President Nixon insists Cambodians must negoitate among themselves. July 17. — Disclosed to United States Senate that 3500 bombing raids carried out against Communists in Cambodia in 14 months after March, 1969, while Cambodia was officially “neutral.” August 15. — United States bombing in Cambodia ends. Communists withdraw from outskirts of Phnom Penh. November 9 — Prince Sihanouk again claims his Government controls more than 90 per cent of Cambodia and announces his Ministries are being transferred from Peking to Cambodia. .November 19. -— Another air force attempt to kill Lon Nol’fails. December. — Communists mass force? around Phnom Penh; heavy bombardment with rockets and artillery until mid-Februafy, 1974. Driven off by Republican forces. 1974 February 2. — President Nixon promises to continue “maximum possible assistance” to Lon Nol. March 18. — Khmer Rouge capture Oudong. north of Phnom Penh, the first provincial capital to fall to the rebels since 1970. March 31. — Lon Nol dissolves Supreme State Council the country’s highest decision-making body. Replaced by a High Executive Council which includes a majority of Lon Nol supporters. May. — Students and teachers join forces in riots in Phnom Penh against suppression of opposition leaders. June. — Students take Minister of Education hostage. Minister killed when riot police attempt to rescue him. 1975 January. — New Communist offensive. Mekong river convoys stopped by late February. Rebels mine and barricade river. United States airlift increased to 700 tons of ammunition a day plus 500 tons of rice and 100 tons of fuel. March and April. — Communist forces gradually close in on Phnom Penh in an attempt to starve the capital into submission. Al! road and river communications cut; Pochentong Airport repeatedly bomb, arded to disrupt American airlift of food and auppliei.