LETTER TO MIKE MANSFIELD FROM HENRY A. KISSINGER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-4-3-14-8
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 23, 2009
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: February 21, 1970
• Content Type: LETTER

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IF
Dear Senator Mondlold:
The President has asked me to call to your
attention an article which Prince Sihanouk
wrote for the becamber iSSISAI Of SA40163
I enclose * translation of the article
prepared by our Embassy in Phnom Penh,.
Best regard..
Henry A. Melange?
The Hon* hie Mike Maaelieid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 20510
Rewrtn: AMH:1?16:2/21/70
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THIS DOCUMENT MAY CONTAIN
CONGRESSIONAL MATERIAL
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CAMODIA -AFTER THE VIETNAM WAR
The U.S. and Us
PHNOM PENH A-10
Encl. 1
Page 1
The US is fully aware that on the day, when they will have completely dia-
engaged from SEA, that day will be the "beginning of the end"for Cambodia,
independent, neutral and Buddhist. That is why American newspapermen who,
as we know, do not have the slightest sympathy for us, predict with satis-
faction, even with cynicism, a sad end for my country under the claws of
neighbors who will cut up Cambodia after having liquidated the crimnal
which I am and who has dared to combat US imperialism.
These journalists recall my notorious and unforgiveable ingratitude toward
their country which for veers has been sacrificing the lives of its sons,
its money, its materiel In the face of the tentacular expansionism of Asian
Communism, in order to defend the liberty of the peoples of our region -
.including the Khmer people.
Now, it so happens that my country and I, myself, have absolutely no reason
to be grateful to the US, and for the following reasons:
1. The efforts put forth by the US to fight Communism have never been
directed in the right direction, despite my many warnings. The latter, which
were severe, made me appear in the eyes of Uncle Sam as a spoilsport, since
these were the opposite of the flattery which they were used to hearing from
their Asiatic "clients".
Furthermore) these sacrifices were agreed to by the US in SEA only
to serve their interests as a great power and not to "defend the liberty" of
the peoples of our region. If it ware otherwise, how could it be that we
should see dictatorial, anti-popular governments in Taipei, Seoul and) es-
pecially, in 'Saigon and Bangkok..-------
_
2. The armed, badly inspired, badly conceived interventions, and even
the sacrifices - of the US have finally favored the advance of Communism in
the minds and on the ground - which brings Communism to the frontiers and
even to the interior of Cambodia much more rapidly than would have occurred
normally.
3. The so-called war "against communism" carried on by the Americans'
has resulted in damaging or destroying a sizable part of the economic poten-
tial of Cnalbodia (plantations, cattle) buildings, fields and rice pLddies).
It has ruined numbers of our peasants and placed more than 400 of their fami-
lies in mourning.
4. The American press, not content with inciting the US Government and
Army to the murder of Cambodia, still carries on an unjust campaign to dis-
credit and humiliate our country in all fields: political, diplomatic idea-
logical, economic - and even on that of the building up of tourism.
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PHNOM PENH A-10
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Page 2
5, The CIA and "other agencies" have organized, as the American press
has itself admitted, plots against our unity, our independence and our neu-
trality, our territorial integrity - without speaking of the task of cor-
ruption of a part of our civilian elite and military, of the support for
the'khmer Serei" and of their multiple attempts during these last years to
have me assassinated, while I am the national leader freely chosen by the
Khmer people.
? Not only do the Americans have no right whatsoever to our gratitude but.
we know that certain US circles (CIA, press) detest us and despise us even
more than they despise the Communists, whom they combat but respect.
* * *
This clarification done, I must admit in all honesty and objectivity that
American imperialism in installing itself in our region after the defeat
of French colonialism by the Viet Minh -- and in using enormous means of all
kinds in order to maintain itself since 1955, renders us an involuntary and
. indirect service.
Certainly, we are too attached to our political and territorial unity to wish
for others, even though they be our actual or potential enemies, any weaken-
ing or division.
It is very sincerely, for instance, that we wish for Vietnam the liberation
- of the South of the country from foreign occupation and a final reunifica-
tion.
We always begin with the principle that one must never wish for others what
one would not wish for oneself.
But it is an undeniable fact that the difficulties caused to Vietnam by the
-Americans (and those undergone by Laos and especially Thailand as a result
of the confrontation there of American imperialism and Asiatic Coil-Latinist
imperialism) - and the momentary impossibility of the reunification of our
redoubtable Vietnamese neighbors - permit the survival of Cambodia in total
political independence and in territorial integrity . . .which has become
relative for some time, delaying the end which will see our country absorbed
by Asiatic Communism, except for a miracle.
On the diplomatic and political plane, the fact that the US remains in our
region and does not yet leave it allows us maneuverings "brilliant" accord-
ing to some, "enervating" according to others - but in any case efficacious
to assure on the one hand our more than honorable presence in the concert
of nations one gladly recognizes chat our diplomatic and political statures
fat surpass our geographic and demographic size) and on the other hand, to
remain, until new ordera, on the path of freedom, peace and progress. . .
and of the joy of living, with frontiers recognized by all countries which
count (except by our Thai neighbors).
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PHNOM PENH A-10
Encl. 1 - ?age 3
The American presence in our vicinity permits us to be respected, if not
courted, by the European and even Asiatic socialist camps.
This presence (and this is an irony of Tate for the anti-imperialists that
we are) is an essential condition for the "respect", for the "friendship",
and even for the aid of our socialist "friends". When the US has left
these regions, it is certain that the Cambodia of the Sangkum will be the
objective of the shelling of the heavy communist guns: unfriendliness,
subversion, aggressions, infiltrations, and even occupation.
Until now we have been "anti-imperialist and democratic progressives". We
shall then become for our socialist "friends" (Who will at that moment be-
"come ex-friends) the rulers of a reactionary regime, valets of the American
imperialists, dictators and oppressors of the people "e--no less". . .
This new label is not imaginary. It is already attached to the Sangkum by
our compatriots who are partners of Asiatic Communism and who work against
their own, nation: the "Khaare Rouge".
Asiatic Communism even if it does not attack us directly at that moment,
will so well relaunch clandestinely the "rebellion" of its Khmer valets
(Who already call themselves "the people"), that they will not have very
much difficulty, thanks to this:Trojan horse", in bringing the fortress of
independent, neutral and territorially whole Cambodia tumbling down.
This integrity will easily be placed in doubt. "Corrections of frontiers"
will inevitably be brought about with a Ceelbodia which will no longer have
any liberty for maneuver and with, especially, the presence in Phnom Penh
of a government which will be Khmer only in name and which will have been
placed in power by the "red" foreigner. This government will quickly ac-
cept a 'snore equitable" demarcation of frontiers (in favor of the foreigner,
,naturally) which would be asked of it by its big "brothers" in ideology.
.What I write there is not the fruit of my imagination.
Son Ngoc Thanh, for example, continues to criticize, from his bases in
Bangkok and Saigon, my policy aimed at recognition by all the countries of
the world of the intangibility of our present frontiers. The so-called
"hero of the Khmer people" even has the impudence of speaking against the
fact that I Made respect for the Khmer sovereignty of Preah Vihear the con-
dition nine (Tun. non of our reconciliation with Thailand. He claims that
ouch a policy "does a disservice to the high interests of Cambodia."
As for the "Khmbre Rouge", they formally accuse the Sangkumians of being
"friends of the imperialists" and "accomplices of the Americans", knowing
well that we only have ordinary diplomatic relations which do not bind us
any more closely to these than do our relations with Burma or Laos.
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A-10
Encl. 1 - Page 4
Why do the "KhmU.e Rouge" try so desperately to denounce "connivance"
between. the Americans and the Sangeum which after all has nothing to
do with these "white" imperialists. The reason jumps before one's
eyes: these valets of Communism know that they cannot destroy our
national regime and take over our independence as long as the US re-
mains in the neighborhood, and I believe, for the same reason, their .
masters will be forced to hold out the hand of friendship towards us,
to turn on their smiles (and they laugh "yellow', if I dare use the
expression, in their conscience) in order not to nrew us into the arms
of the adversaret, of the eertal enemy., of the only oeeonent fle ha,ee
since the disappearance of the French and British imperialists in the
conquest and conditioning of humanity. As H.E. Chou .En-lai said to me
at Bandung (14 years ago), "We don't see any harm in your having relations
with France, that you should even accept its teachers and its aid and its
military assistance, for 2ranee has ceased to be a danger for us, while
the Americans are extremely dangerous". . .
* * *
The problem is to know finally, if the Americans will really be able or
will really wish to diseneeee and leave Souhcasc
In my opinion, the US, if I may express myself thus, are condemned to re-
main a world power and therefore present everywhere.
For them it is a question of life or death.
This is the primary explanation of the immense sacrifices in men and mate-
t.1.d1. which they devote to the war in Vietnam - and it is the principle
reason for the impasse at the negotiations in Paris.
The US (and especially their government) know well that the famous "domino"
theory applies to them just as much as to other non-communist countries
under whose eyes they wave the bugaboo of Maoist danger.
Their press tries to change the tone in predicting that not only Vietnam
but Southeast Asia as a whole offers no strategic interest for the future
of their country.
Believing - wronelv that Cambodia, disappointed by the actually disres-
pectful friendship of certain of its socialist neighbors who pretend to
respect its frontiers, tries to place itself under the military and finan-
cial protection of Uncle Sam. This press floods us with ringing warnings.
Iii substance she tells us: "It is too late, friende. Until vary recently
you had largely insulted us in order to be agreeable to the Chinese and
Vietnamese Communist whom you court. We Americans tried in vain to warn
you that the enemy for Cambodia was Communism and not the US. You, and
especially Sihanouk, turned a deaf ear. Now your eyes are opened. You
plead tmea culpa' and, trembling, you try to shelter yourself under our
protecting umbrella which you rejected yesteryear.
? "If the peoples of Southeast Asia are not capable of defending them-
selves, we are not going to continue impoverishing ourselves and having
!,
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our soldiers killed to save you.
WM PENH A-10
Encl. 1 - Page 5
1
"From now on look after yourselves. .We Americans wash our hands of
what may happen. After long reflection, we estimate that we have no essen-
tial interest to defend in Southeast Asia. We will lose nothing in leaving
you to your sad fate which is to be swallowed by Communism."
This language may sound impressive to American ears.
But, if the US truly is losing interest in Southeast Asia, why does Mr,
Nixon show himself so worried about what is happening there and why, as
concerns Indochina particularly, does the US effect such reluctance in
getting out of the Vietnamese hornets' nest.
Cambodia, for its part, has never had any illusion as concerns its communist
"friends". But, even if tomorrow relations between us worsen, there will be
absolutely no question of our breaking diplomatic relations with them and
even less question of drawing nearer to the Taipei or Saigon regimes. For
we would have everything to lose in treating the communists as enemies and
in trying to resolve our common problems without diplomatic relations with
.them.
?
After all, it is within thi same order of ideas that we had to renew
diplo-
matie relations with the US, fo the difficulties between us were getting
worse from the fact that we could not examine them together.
Therefore, the fact that we treat the communist countries as friends does
not in any way siz-,nify that we nurture the slightest illusion towards them.
On the other hand, the normalization of our relations with the US does not
.in any way mean to say that we are looking for their aid and protection:
,we see too clearly what has happened to South Vietnam, Thailand and Las.
?;leihen the American press writes: "Look after yourselves", we are for once
,in full accord: since 1053, the throne, and since 1055, the Sangkum, have
taught the nation to count only on itself, no matter what the eircumatances.
But does America really think that she will be able to give up, without
seriously mortgaging her future and without compromising her creation:
.the "free world" and her planetary position.
The South Vietnamese problem is more?complex than it appears. After the
innumerable difficulties and disappointments caused them by the Viet Minh
and Viet Gong - and taking into account their tremendous deception (not ad-
mitted, of course) of having had to defend in Saigon only dictatorial, cor-
rupt and extremely unpopular regimes - The Americans are probably sincere,
:when they state that they would like to disengage as quickly as possible
from the Vietnamese conflict.
But such a disengagement, should it take place, would be interpreted by
their opportunistic "clientele" (allies, friends, the non-aligned of the
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PHNOM PENH A-I0
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entire world) as a defeat - and the propaganda of the communist states
never COSOOS to insist on this theme.
A defeat which would be the first in the history of this country which
considers itself the richest, the most developed, the best armed in the
world, which has even ? succeeded in conquering the moon ? a defeat caused
by a little underdeveloped yellow country; This would create great
anxiety on the part of all clients of the US and a veritable panic in
some.
Already, partially "occupied" Japan is moving, and the tenors of the
pro-American policy of the Philippines between 1945 and 1966 are now
playing towards the US " super Sihanouk". Thailand, itself, through the
voice Of its Minister of Foreign Affairs, announces that it is preparing
a change in its foreign policy.
In the Middle East, ? the Soviets are supplanting the USA - and this process
will become general and irreversible, if there is an American defeat in
Vietnam.
Latin America is stirring more and more. Several governments have taken
their distance from the American government and are checking the economic
and financial monopoly of the US. The former chief of state of the ponini-
can Republic, Mr. Juan Dosch, confirmed this to me last month in Phnom Penh.
He told me that Khmer resistance to "Yankee imperialism" and the military
victory of the Vietnamese constitute "that much more eneouragement to the
;South. American peoples in their struggle to free themselves from the clutches.
of the USA."
The "domino" theory is in full swing. The US, itself, who invented it runs
the risk of being the princineal victim. Parenthetically, we must note far-
theremore that Washington has never been convinced (and for reason) by the
iargument of our delegate to the UNaAs that the US would gain great prestige
by quitting South Vietnam.
, To return to our region. Singapore and Malaysia are already very worried by
the retreat of the British from their lands. What are they thinking, what
will they do when the American retreat follows in the region.
Australia sees very clearly the lot which awaits it in the same eventuality.
She has had the frankness to openly express her very real worry in the case
of the departure of the Americans from South Vietnam.
? The US should learn much in studying with great care the more and more
"neutralist speeches" pronounced in the UN and elsewhere by the ex-champion
of SEATO anddof anti-conmunism, such as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of
_Thailand and the Philippines.
The prospective of an early retreat of the Americans from South Vietnam
plunges all the friends of the US into fear - except Cambodia, of course,
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PHNOM PENH A-10
Encl. 1 -
who will know how to fall before communism with its customary poise er4
dignity.
The clients and friends of the US are now thinking of "dropping" t1:10.
latter in an effort to "whitewash" themselves toward Mao's side. iii
are like the bird terrorized by the serpent, which tries to be very
in the hopes that the latter will let him alone. But the bird, gentl
or not, always ends up by being wallowed up.
Yes, Cambodia is aware that it stands a good possibility of fallin:;
the retreat of the US from South Vietnam. But after it, neither rfna:
nor Burma, nor Malaysia, nor Singapore will escape the same destiny.
It Is not only Cambodia who will know the "twilight of the gods." A11
the false"gods" who criticize us or who despise us will also be gwoot
aside (perhaps even more easily than us) by Asiatic communism.:
The US has announced that their military disengagement in South Vit:
will be followed by that from other countries of the region, beginni
with Thailand,
.Already, the Japanese government no longer respects the peace treaty'
signed with the US, which forced it to keep only a police force. It
in the process (and it has the means, Japan having become a third ecc
power in the world) of endowing itself with a real national defense
with very modern armed forces (sea, land, air),
It is evident that Asia no longer counts on the Americans. India,her:;
rather than remaining face to face with China, will resign itself to
under Soviet influence,
The true theory of the "domino" is this: in losing South Vietnam thc
will lose all of Southeast Asia, and as a result, Asia.
.Supporting Israel, they will lose the Near East and then Africa.
losing Africa and Asia, they will lose the Near East and then Africa.
Africa and Asia, they will entirely have lost face in Latin America
which they will be chased.
They will thenbe reduced to defending their ideals and very life as
inside their own frontiers.
aginable.
This prospective is not in the long run e:
Yes, the American "hawks" are right when they treat the pacifists, th
parading or fasting in front of the White House to obtain the withdrv
? the US forces from South Vietnam, as "fools" and as "oblivious", but
fault does not come from the pacifists. It is the fault of the Ameri:.e.
Government which has never had the courage to tell its people the basi.:
? the problem.
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?11, IP PHNOM PENH A-10
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The latter is as follows: Will. the US still have a future when the shall
have .retreated into their shell and are obliged to defend their very exist-
ence within the interior of their frontiers - just as if they were a greater'
? Cambodia.
South Vietnam is not a Viet Cong or Viet Minh problem, but a problem of
life or death for the American people -- "To be or not to be", said Hamlet.
? Understanding that, I do not believe that America, even if it wants to can
disinterest itself from Southeast Asia or even from non-communist Indochina.
It is possible and even probable that the new Nixon doctrine which foresees
not having American troops intervene and not even having American troops
in the region, may enter into effect in the years to come,
But I dont believe that the AmeriCans wil/ be able to offer themselves the
luxury of disengaging from this region hy: Other means.
They will be obliged in their own interest to support the popular national-
ists in their resistance against the new imperialism, that of Asiatic com-
munism. This resistance will have two aspects, one military and the other
socio-economic.
'On the military plane, if the US brings an aid without oonditions and with-
out physical intervention in the eraipment and the .arming of the nationalist.
armies, they will ce::tainly have more hope of seeing the flood of communism
,contained than if they assume this task with their own soldiers. In effect,.
? they would thus contribute to cutting the wings from the subversive propa-
ganda of communism, which calls the people to rebellion - and to the "libera-
tion of the Nation" when this region is "occupied" by foreign forces (the
cases of South Vietnam, Thailand and especially Laos.: note the embarrass-
mlent of Prince Souvanna Pnouma when he tries to prove that there is no
:American military presence in his country).
'Independence is the dearest thing to the hearts of Asians. It is under the
banner of liberation that the Viet Minh triumphed over Fre in 1954. It is
under the banner of liberation and not under that of communism that the Viet
? Cong have been able to regroup the greater part of the South Vietnamese
. people and to check the most formidable expeditionary corps in the world.
.,The physical assistance of the US to the non-communist peoples only hastens
their communization. On the contrary, an unconditional material aid with-
out the physical presence of the USA would multiply the efficacy of the re-
sistance of these peoples.
? The indispensable complement of material aid will necessarily be economic
and social assistance which constantly raises the standard of living of the
masses, but must in no case allow their leaders and those who would handle
it the possiblity of turning it to their profit.
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PHNOM PENH A-10
This last risk is not difficult to avoid. It suffices for the donor to
offer his ad in the form of finished goods (to be discussed between the
parties) which he will himself build and Which he will turn over to the
beneficiaries when completed.
One does not conquer communism with bayonets. But one can conquer it
with those weapons which are the well-being of the people and with social
justic'e.
As a result of not understanding this, ever since the end of the second
World War, the US, which possessed a superabundance of the means of making
itself loved and preferred by the peoples of the third world, have suc-
ceeded in getting themselves detested by many of them. And in the long
run, they have only served the interest of communism, their mortal eT.emy.
In the same way, as a matter of fact, the infiltrations of foreign com-
munists in Cambodia and the excesses of their "reds' Cambodian valets have
but succeeded in spoiling communism for our people and in making the latter,
for instance, move somewhat closer to the US (before the bloody US aerial
attack against Dak Dam).
!nava, Deccolher 1969.
i ?
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ACTION
CONFIDENTIAL February 19, 1970
MEMORANDUM Fr)R. DR. KISSINGER
FIC,M: John H. Holdridge
SUBJECT: Letter to Mansfield Enclosing Sihanouk Article
The President suggested that you forward to Senator Mansfield
a copy of Sihanouk's recent article in Sangkurn concerning U.S. /
Cambodian relations. He indicated that he particularly wished
to draw to Mansfield's attention the part of the article in which
Sihanouk argued strongly against a U.S. withdrawal from Viet-
nem.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you sign the letter to Senator Mansfield at Tab A.
Att.
CONFID EN TIA L
JHH:LG:m1r:2/19/70
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