How did the geo-politics of the Far East, and in particular the policies of the US and China affect the recent history of Cambodia? Why did the United Nations (UN) prevaricate about recognising the genocide? While confrontation continues what are the related fates of democracy, the environment, and the rule of law in Cambodia’s development? This chapter from Critical Asian Studies on “Conflict and Change in Cambodia” introduces this investigation by explaining the complex historical background since 1945 and by summarising the other contributions.
From 1945-1975 Cambodia witnessed the reassertion of colonial power, growth of a communist party, the achievement of independence, an armed domestic insurgency, massive bombardment during the Vietnam war and civilian casualties, pogroms and ethnic “cleansing” of religious minorities. From 1975 to 1979, genocide by the Khmer Rouge took another 1.7 million lives. UN intervention and democratic transition were followed by Cambodia’s defeat of the Khmer Rouge in 1999 amid continuing internal tension and political confrontation.
The geo-politics of the Far East in 1980s and 1990s have contributed to Cambodia’s suffering and slow return to democracy and peace.
- China provided the Khmer Rouge forces with $100 million in weapons per annum all through the 1980s and the US opposed efforts to investigate or indict the Khmer Rouge for genocide or other crimes against humanity.
- Also in the 1980s, international legal bodies rejected invitations to send jurists to Cambodia to investigate the crimes of the Khmer Rouge and initiate legal action.
- In the 1990s there have been advances and setbacks in the incorporation of rival political forces into a democratic state structure.
- An analysis of the roles of two opposition parties during the 1998 elections reveals the return of racism to Cambodia’s political scene in tandem with campaigns against corruption.
- Forest resource exploitation has fuelled the conflict with opportunities for corruption and tempered it by fostering common business interests.
- Logging has both threatened and benefited local minority groupings, who seek to retain their autonomy and gain from development.
Hopefully, the Cambodian government and its imperfect judicial system will not be left to try the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders without substantial international assistance and inspection. The related fates of democracy, the environment, and the rule of law will remain key issues for Cambodia’s future development, while confrontation continues and change persists.
- Whether legal accountability will resolve the country’s poverty and injustice remains to be seen.
- Racism remains a threat that needs to be addressed if a stable society is to take shape.
- Forest resources are exhaustible, and older issues of conflict and corruption may always regain prominence in a degraded environment, making the autonomy of minority groupings uncertain.
