Prince Sihanouk's Neutrality

摘要

For almost thirty years, Prince Nordom Sihanouk maintained a degree of peace, tranquility and neutrality in Cambodia. But today, sixteen years after the Cambodian National Assembly deposed Sihanouk as the Chief of State, the country finds itself mired in chaos and unabated bloodshed. Sihanouk spent most of his political life trying to maintain the independence, security and sovereignty of Cambodia. He was confronted with colonial influence, aggressive neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam, conflicting ideologies, and the resulting 'east-west' power struggle. Nonetheless, He attempted to maintain the independence, security and sovereignty of Cambodia through an independent foreign policy based on the concept of neutrality. His political orientation won him the overwhelming support of his countrymen, and yet, ironically, even with the 'genuine affection of his people,' he was deposed. What happened to the Prince's policies, and what in turn set the stage for his country to experience such chaos, turmoil and conflict. Were historic confrontations with Cambodia's neighbors bound to lead to the inevitable downfall of the Cambodian regime. What problems did the 1954 Geneva Conference cause for Sihanouk. Were Sihanouk's policies really neutral. Were there 'cold war' issues too large and complex for a small and weak country to contend with. This paper examines why Sihanouk's efforts to maintain a neutral foreign policy failed, and how as a result of that failure, the stage was set for Cambodia's destruction as a nation.