Cristina Maza

 

A new book on US president Dwight Eisenhower’s diplomatic manoeuvres in Cambodia pulls back the veil on the US government’s unrelenting efforts to break Prince Norodom Sihanouk’s political neutrality during the Cold War.

 

The book, Eisenhower and Cambodia, published last year by Southeast Asia expert William Rust, unveils the minutiae of the administration’s dealings with Cambodia using previously untapped primary sources.

 

The book focuses on Sihanouk’s efforts to exert Cambodia’s political neutrality in the wake of the 1954 Geneva Accords, fostering a relationship with China, the US and the Soviet Union in an attempt to stave off coup and assassination attempts from Thailand and Saigon.

 

read more http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/eisenhower-book-details-efforts-against-sihanouk

 

 

-- © Copyright Phenom Pen Post 17/02

Unfortunately American foreign policy (which we Aussies went along with) was crazily anti communist at this time. The loss of China to the reds blinded people to the subtleties of the former Indochine. Whilst communism was not to be admired, some of the movements in these areas were ideologues and some went along to ensure supplies and support against the military dictatorships propped up by the West. Vietnam had no great love for China, but was forced to obtain help after the south welshed on the reunification referendum.  It is a pity that Eisenhower was involved, as I regard him as an honourable and decent president.