751H.00/6–954: Telegram
The Chargé in Cambodia (McClintock) to the Department of State
148. Sent Saigon 288, repeated information Department 148, Paris 122, Geneva 7. On the eve of my departure from Cambodia, where I have served for 22 months as Chargé, I paid farewell calls on the King, Prime Minister and all members of Cabinet, accompanied by FSO Herbert Goodman to whom I am relinquishing charge. It was evident from these visits that the independence that Cambodia won from France after months of negotiations has greatly solidified public support behind King Norodom Sihanouk, but at same time Viet Minh onslaughts have revealed the Kingdom’s weakness when faced with regular enemy battalions. Members of Government agree that Cambodia now enjoys full internal sovereignty and that questions which remain to be settled (monetary independence, commercial independence, etc.) are matters to be discussed jointly with France and the other Associated States. The only thing that prevents Cambodia from returning to a constitutional government based on free elections is the presence of Viet Minh intruders in the country.
During my calls Cambodian officials invariably expressed doubts as to the positive results that may be expected from the Geneva Conference. There is a new awareness (for Cambodia) of the seriousness of purpose of the Communists in planning world-wide domination. The insistence by the Viet Minh Delegation, supported by that of USSR and Communist China to speak for “Free Cambodia” finally convinced those who had hopes to stay out of conflict (exemplified by Prime Minister Penn Nouth who last September said he had no quarrel with Viet Minh if they left Cambodia alone) that neutrality means national suicide. Now Cambodian officers have placed their lot with that of the US and are eager to participate in defense pact for Southeast Asia. The Cambodian Government is particularly grateful to the United States for its support of the Cambodian thesis that the Viet Minh in Cambodia are foreign invaders and their evacuation from Cambodian soil is the only acceptable solution.
The Prime Minister particularly requested that I convey to American Government the gratitude of his Government for the unflinching support given to his delegation by ours. He expressed grave concern over French and particularly British wavering in face of Viet Minh suggestion to lump three Associated States into one and same solution.
The fact must be faced that Cambodia has long mistrusted sincerity of French aims in Indochina. The negotiations of last year illustrated the inability of France to make concessions in time for them to appear as generous contributions to the aspirations of the Cambodian people. [Page 1674] Instead there is a feeling that without the King’s northern campaigns (trip to the United States and flight to Bangkok) the French would never have given Cambodia its independence. The fall of Dien Bien Phu and the avowed inability of the French command to give any substantial assistance to Cambodia to resist the invasion of the northeastern provinces by two regular Viet Minh battalions marked the end of French military prestige in Cambodia. Now the leaders of the country unanimously look to the United States for the salvation of their country from Communism. They know that the United States has no vested interest to protect in this Kingdom and they intuitively trust not only our motives but our ability to protect weak peoples.
Cambodia wants arms to build up its army, and it wants them directly. It needs bold military leadership that will take the offensive against the entrenched rebel groups who terrorize entire areas with their sporadic raids and ambushes. General Tioulong has brought back much confidence to the same young royal army to the strength needed (estimated by MAAG at three divisions) to be able to meet any Viet Minh thrust into Cambodian territory. The United States now has in staunchly anti-Viet Minh Cambodia a potentially important supporter in the struggle against Communism in Southeast Asia. By proper handling and tactful diplomatic negotiation, the manpower resources of this country will be real asset to US foreign policy.