Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, East Asian Security; Cambodia; Laos, Volume XXI

225. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Cambodian Ambassador (Nong Kimny) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson, Department of State, Washington, February 10, 1956¹

Washington, February 10, 1956

SUBJECT

• Sihanouk’s Visit to Peking and Cambodian Recognition of Communist China²

On Friday, February 10, Ambassador Nong Kimny called on Assistant Secretary Robertson to give the answer of the Cambodian Government to inquiries regarding Sihanouk’s visit to Peking and Cambodian recognition of Communist China. Nong Kimny stated there was no question of Cambodian recognition of Communist China. Both the visit to Peking and the non-recognition of either side in China or Viet-Nam were in accord with the Cambodian policy of neutrality.

Mr. Robertson stated that speaking as a friend of Cambodia and based on his long association with Nong Kimny he sincerely regretted that Cambodia had embraced a policy of neutrality. He pointed out that such action, if not supporting Communism, at least gave the impression of such support and assisted a regime which was dedicated to the suppression of individual liberties and the institution of a system of enslavement of the individual. He recalled that the Cambodia delegation at Geneva was most outspoken against the proposed settlement which would give the Communists an advantage in Indochina. He asked why Cambodia was taking such a position of neutrality in contrast to that of the Philippine Islands and Thailand, two other small countries in Southeast Asia. He wondered if Indian influence was one factor since he seemed to detect a change following Sihanouk’s visit with Nehru last year.

Nong Kimny stated that Cambodia was not in the same position as either the Philippines or Thailand. The Philippines are separated from Communist China by water and do not have a long history of colonialism of the same type that had existed in Cambodia. Thailand has been receiving U.S. aid longer than has Cambodia. Nong Kimny added that he hoped Thailand lived up to the U.S. expectations of her.

Nong Kimny denied the predominance of Indian influence, stating that Sihanouk made up his own mind. Nong Kimny stated that big powers such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, and France could not remain neutral as could small powers such as Cambodia. He stated that India was a big country but not yet a big power. He recalled that the Cambodian delegation at Geneva had not followed the line that Krishna Menon tried to settle and that Cambodia is now accepting U.S. military aid despite Nehru’s displeasure. Mr. Robertson observed that U.S. aid has no purpose other than to assist non-Communist countries, who requested it, in maintaining their national independence. Nong Kimny recognized that U.S. aid is in response to Cambodia’s request and that Cambodia is very grateful for such aid.

Nong Kimny stated that Cambodian neutrality is a matter of state. Cambodia recognizes the evil of Communism. If Cambodia states that she is prepared to fight to defend her independence against outside interference, Cambodia recognizes that a threat comes only from Communism.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.11/2–1056. Secret. Drafted by Price on February 15 and, according to a note on the source text, approved by Robertson.
2. Sihanouk visited China February 13–21 and met with Chou En-lai and Mao Tse-tung. On February 18, Sihanouk signed with Chou En-lai a Sino-Cambodian joint communiqué affirming friendship between two countries and agreeing to maintain and promote contracts and relations especially in the economic and cultural sphere. A report on the trip is in telegram 1629 from Hong Kong, February 21, not printed. (ibid., 751H.13/2–2156)