How Cambodian nationalism is driving border disputes with Vietnam

[geovalin]

How Cambodian nationalism is driving border disputes with Vietnam

Author: Vannarith Chheang, Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies (CISS)

To strengthen national unity and identity, Cambodian leaders have for generations tried to construct, or reconstruct, nationalist ideology around Cambodia’s enduring border disputes. The border disputes have become the main topic in Cambodian domestic politics and foreign policy since Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953. The disputes are the result of the unclear frontier demarcation by the colonial administration, and have led to armed conflicts between Cambodia and its neighbours.

But some political leaders have gone too far and become ultra-nationalist. In Cambodia’s electoral democracy, some political parties have promoted a type of nationalism that positions itself explicitly against the country’s bigger neighbours to gain popular political support. A lack of political transparency, understanding and participation has made the general public more vulnerable to populist and nationalist policy agendas.

Anti-Vietnam nationalism and a perceived Vietnamese threat gained momentum since 2009, when the current opposition leader Sam Rainsy allegedly encouraged villagers to uproot border markers on the Cambodia–Vietnam border in Svay Rieng province. The border disputes intensified after lawmakers from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) led a few hundred activists to the to-be-demarcated border region in north eastern provinces, leading to clashes and violence in June.

The border tension is compounded by an anti-Vietnamese political rhetoric that has gained steam since the general election in July 2013. The opposition parties have accused the government under the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of being under strong influence from Hanoi, of ceding territory to Vietnam and of allowing Vietnamese immigrants to illegally enter and work in Cambodia. Since April 2014 more than 2000 illegal Vietnamese immigrants have been deported. The opposition parties will continue to use the ‘Vietnam threat’ factor as a key part of its strategy to gain popular votes in the upcoming commune election in 2017 and the national election in 2018.

Read more: http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2015/10/16/how-cambodian-nationalism-is-driving-border-disputes-with-vietnam/

[Katipo]

Cambodian's are a people lost. So much turmoil and heartache in recent memory, followed by massively corrupt leaders playing on their Ancient Khmer Kingdom legacy (because sadly that's all they've got) to turn frustrations born our of poverty into nationalist fervor. It's a common tactic used by leaders all over the world who are fearful of losing their power.... just in some they are worse than in others.

[anon4546543]

I visited and travelled through Cambodia in 2001. The people were still trying to come to grips with the evil of Pol Pot. But they did this in a calm and totally Buddhist way, accepting and adapting to the circumstances. The UN was there in a big way but as per usual, not doing too much in a constructive way. They seemed to spend most of their time in the bars. Sharkeys was one that I remember. Cambodians do not really like Vietnamese, mostly because of a difference in Buddhist versions of interpretation. But they are a proud and nationalistic country, they have confronted Thailand over a wat that Thailand had tried to claim and now a border dispute with Vietnam. Maybe the UN may do some good finally for Cambodia and settle this dispute. This country has been screwed by the US and China. The people are good and the country deserves a break for a change.

[FangFerang]

With minor changes this same story is chronically playing out in Thailand. Just change the title to

How Thai Nationalism is Driving Border Disputes with Cambodia Over Preah Vihear

[Cats4ever]

Border disputes with Vietnam led to the defeat of Pol Pot. Might be a lesson worth revisiting.