22. Memorandum From Michel Oksenberg of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1
SUBJECT
- Statement on Human Rights in Cambodia
Lest I go down in your book as a person insensitive to the plight of my fellow man, let me raise briefly with you why I demonstrate particular hesitancy to speak out on the human rights situation in Cambodia. Perhaps my views reflect the fact I attended a Quaker college, where I learned that upon occasion quietness is the highest expression of morality.
The Cambodian situation poses profound moral problems for the U.S. I have no hesitancy for us speaking out boldly concerning the appalling human rights situation in Uganda or South Africa or Rhodesia. I look forward to the day when we can speak more forthrightly about the situation in the People’s Republic of China. But in none of those instances can one so clearly link current human suffering to previous actions of the U.S.
However, Americans bear direct responsibility for the sufferings to which the Cambodians are now subjected. In May, 1970, we chose to involve the people of Cambodia more fully in the Indochinese War than they previously had been. Then, in mid-1973, when it no longer suited our purpose, we chose to abandon that military theatre and leave the populace vulnerable to the barbarism of those whose vindictiveness and strength our previous actions largely had engendered.
There is, therefore, a certain hypocrisy in our easily speaking up about human rights in Cambodia today. It is a cheap act. It ignores the past. When it proved too costly, we abandoned a self-assumed obligation to act on behalf of the people of Cambodia, though we knew the consequences of our leaving. Now, we wish to speak out—to indulge ourselves—when it will cost us little.
I believe that the defense of human rights is a privilege which irresponsible nations should not seek to exercise. We behaved irresponsibly in Cambodia. Since we helped cause what has transpired in Cam [Page 82] bodia, I am loath to see us adopt a position of smugness and self-righteousness through the issuance of statements about what transpires there now. Quietness on this issue out of a recognition of our own inadequacies there—an exercise of Christian humility if you will—seems more called for in this particular situation.
Since the Carter Administration wishes to exercise moral leadership—as I am proud it does—we must teach our people the discipline of quietness—of not speaking out in certain instances—as a way of reminding ourselves about the responsibility we bear as a nation when we do speak out. Without that sense of discipline and responsibility, our words will be meaningless, for there will be no commitment to act upon them.2
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 42, Kampuchea, 1/77–10/79. No classification marking. Sent for information. A copy was sent to Jessica Mathews. Oksenberg wrote at the top of the page, “Zbig—I hope you’ll read this memo when you’re in a reflective + quiet mood. I’d like you to ponder this memo before responding. Mike.”↩
- Brzezinski wrote at the end of the memorandum, “I agree with most of what you say—but not the conclusion. Our complicity cannot become tantamount to acquiescence in what is happening now. Because America was silent about the pogroms in the late 30s, should it have been silent later? I think we have a duty to speak—and not all of us were involved in the Cambodian war decision.” Carter’s statement on human rights violations in Cambodia, April 21, is in Public Papers: Carter, 1978, Book I, pp. 767–768.↩