Britain and Sihanouk's Cambodia / Nicholas Tarling.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tarling, Nicholas, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Politics and government.

International relations.

Cambodia--Foreign relations--Great Britain.

Cambodia.

Great Britain--Foreign relations--Cambodia.

Great Britain.

Cambodia--Politics and government--20th century.

World politics.

Political science.

Physical Description:

xi, 375 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Singapore : NUS Press, [2014]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Britain at the height of the Cold War provide unique insights into the overall foreign policies of both nations. King Norodom Sihanouk's strategy of preserving the independence and integrity of Cambodia through a policy of neutrality grew ever more challenging as the Cold War heated up in Indochina and conflict in Vietnam became a proxy war between the superpowers. Despite its alliance with the United States, Britain's diplomatic objectives in the region largely aligned with Cambodia's, and British criticism of US policy towards Cambodia was a problem in the alliance. British diplomatic records present a fascinating window into Cambodian decision-making, and the rationale behind Sihanouk's sometimes apparently irrational policies. The reports yield new insights into Sihanouk's efforts to sustain Cambodia's integrity vis-à-vis its more powerful neighbours. Equally, a fine-grained analysis of British-Cambodian relations reveals much about the dynamics of British foreign policy in the period. Britain's ultimate dependence on its powerful American ally limited its influence in the region. After 1967, indeed, it ceased to have a strategic role. Over the period, British frustrations grew, even as it remained consistent in its foreign policy objectives and approaches. Book jacket.

Contents:

Chapter 1 From Geneva to Geneva 1

Bandung and the Five Principles 6

Sihanouk's First Visit to the PRC 8

The Philippines and SEATO 13

Interviews and Articles 17

The Frontier with South Vietnam 19

The Neutrality Law 21

South Vietnam and the Recognition of China 22

Son Ngoc Thanh and Sam Sary 28

The Aftermath 31

The Zhou Visit 36

The Laos Conflict 38

Sarit, Laos and Sihanouk 45

The Laos Agreement 52

Chapter 2 Another Geneva? 56

A Conference Proposal 57

Responses and Replies 60

The Ratanakiri Bombing 71

The Cambodian Proposals 76

American Drafts 85

Tripartite Talks in Paris 92

French Action 95

Reviving the Proposals? 103

Neighbours 111

Chapter 3 Deaths 114

A Renewed Proposal 118

Tripartite Talks Again 126

Barbaric Rejoicing 130

SEAO and Embassies 133

Persuading Saigon 137

Handling the Drafts 139

Reactions in the Region 146

Confrontation and Conference 151

Cable's Reflections 159

Chapter 4 Policies and Ejections 163

A New Proposal 167

New Cambodian Drafts 170

The Attack on the Embassies 173

A Further Effort 178

Another Last Chance 186

A Thai Conversation 188

Two Decisions 190

American, British and Cambodian Policies 191

The Security Council 197

The Tonkin Gulf 205

Elections and their Impact 208

Chapter 5 A Conference on Vietnam? 210

President and Prime Minister 216

The Indochinese Peoples Conference 219

Another Prime Ministerial Visit 225

Severing Relations with the US 237

Frontier Declarations 244

The British Embassy 249

Malcolm MacDonald 254

Chapter 6 Communists and Coup 262

The ICC 267

Friend No. 1 269

Wilson and Moacow 277

China Friendship 279

The Thlok Trach Incident 281

President de Gaulle and the Frontiers 283

The Bowles Mission 286

A British Frontier Declaration 291

Eugene Black 292

US Declaration 298

Bombing 309

Overthrow 314

Retrospect 320.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical reference (pages 360-363) and index.

ISBN:

9789971697075

9971697076

OCLC:

872027001