Flag of Khmer Republic Regime
After
getting independence fully from France on November 9th, 1953,
Cambodia was on the right track towards the modern economic development as the
first fast growing economy in South East Asia region in 1950s and 1960s along
with her capital known as Pearl City in South East Asia. However, on March 18th,
1970 new regime known as Khmer Republic started under the rule of General LON
Nol. There are several reasons for the very famous era of Sangkum Reastr Niyum
to be finished. First, the existence of millions Viet Cong troops in the
country caused General LON Nol to do the coup d’état. Since the ties between
Cambodia and China had been strengthened in 1956, Cambodia seemed to be under
China’s political influence rather than the United States since there had been
no support from the United States for early 1950s independence campaign of
Cambodia. Then from year to year Cambodia tended to be influenced by Communism
rather than democracy while Cambodia claimed for neutrality. Simultaneously, China
and Vietnam were so close together during that time for China would get control
on Paracel Island if he gave support to North Vietnam, so China persuaded Cambodia
to allow the flow of North Vietnamese troops and workers into Cambodia through
Ho Chi Minh trail to liberate the South Vietnam from the influence of the
United States. More and more North Vietnamese troops known as Viet Cong or Yiek
Cong got into Cambodia from the end 1950s till the early 1970s that millions of
Viet Cong people and army staying through out Cambodia. That’s why the United
States decided to drop millions of bombs along Cambodia-Vietnam border from the
early 1960s until early 1970s to keep the South Vietnam government alive caused
to injure and kill nearly one million Khmer people and most villages were
damaged completely in some provinces such as Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie,
Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Kandal, Svay Rieng (the most serious one), Prey Veng,
Takeo, and Kampot. General LON Nol saw the bad situation to go on if the
existence of Viet Cong was still in Cambodia, so General LON Nol tried to find
the way to push Viet Cong out of the country without King NORODOM Shihanouk who
denied returning to Cambodia quickly as the proposal from him to solve the
problem of Viet Cong’s existence. Second, the rumor on King NORODOM Shihanouk’s
black list of powerful government officials related to corruption to be killed
was spread, so most powerful government officials were so concerned and went to
discuss with General LON Nol to do something else, but they met LON Non,
younger brother of LON Nol. LON Non seemed to be the most mistaken
person related to 1970 coup d’état since he was the one to convey wrong
information to General LON Nol and Prince SISOWATH Sirimatak. His brother asked
him about Prince
Sirimatak’s decision related to coup d’etat and he answered “agree” instead of
prince while he had not decided yet. Also, he answered “agree” instead of his
brother to Prince Sirimatak. This happened a day before March 18th,
1970 coup. An eyewitness for this event is Prof. ROS Chantrabotr who survived
until today. Finally, another reason is the serious economic downturn in the
late 1960s caused by most rice and other products were used to support Viet
Cong instead of export and no money was received back on total price since
North Vietnam used trick to excuse paying back to Cambodia. The suffering also
brought Cambodia to against the Viet Cong inside the country along the need for
new regime to reform economic development strategy.
New regime began as the vote to withdraw the confidentiality on King NORODOM Shihanouk was conducted on March 18th, 1970. Finally, he was withdrawn the confidentiality from the public and General LON Nol became a president of Khmer Republic, but later he got serious disease not allow him to move his body. As the first step for reforms, Cambodia reinforced the tie with the United States to force out Viet Cong troops. The United States had more chance to drop thousand tons of bombs (B-59) on the border territory of Cambodia. However, this tie was not helpful to Cambodia since the United States had negotiated with North Vietnam to withdraw his troops back since 1972. No protection from the United States longer for Khmer Republic, the troops of Khmer Rouge increasing quickly fought with Khmer Republic army and gained control on most of Cambodia’s territory in 1973, especially rural areas. It should be noticed that the reason for the strength of Khmer Rouge was because of the fake kindness to local people during fighting and the attraction of young men based on the fame of King NORODOM Shihanouk. Khmer Republic still wanted to reform her economic condition and asked to join Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in order to get help in controlling Khmer Rouge troops and reinstalled back her strong economy, but Thailand strongly disagreed for the ASEAN membership approval. Then more and more territories became under Khmer Rouge troops in which in the end 1974 until early 1975 these troops surrounded Phnom Penh and other main municipalities like Battambang, Shihanoukville, Siem Reap, and so on in order to the stop the flow of supplies like weapons, food, and other materials for Khmer Republic side. They fought and used trick to weaken the strong will of Khmer Republic army. The United States embassy withdraw by bringing Khmer embassy officials to U.S. without letting them know for leave, just to travel. Also, General LON Nol and his own family were brought out of Cambodia without know the real reason to travel, but just knew it was for short visit and would come back. Finally, on April 17th, 1975, Khmer Rouge army completely overcame Khmer Republic military in Phnom Penh and other main municipalities. Then Khmer Rouge forced people to leave their house immediately to countryside. While Khmer Rouge pushed people out of all cities, especially Phnom Penh, millions of Khmer Republic officials including members of Kanseng Sar special troops were killed gradually through out Cambodia next 3 years 8 months 20 days along with millions death of teachers, students, businessmen and businesswomen, royal families, doctors, artists, other highly skillful people, etc. “Review the reality around before taking decisions!” “Be strong enough before helping others!” “Do not trust others so easily! No one is your true friend except your own community!” “Do not just listen to your nearer one, but think of what is the right thing to do in such situation!” “The internal solidarity is the right track towards the better situation!”
By: POK Panhavuth
Patriotic Songs in Khmer Republic
Videos about Khmer Republic (1970 - 1975)
