Letter from Pnompenh

There are no signs at all of a civil war in Cambodia,” said Deupty Prime Minister Sirik Matak. “The only problem we face is that an aggressor nation has invaded Cambodia and is fighting us.” I would have expected such statements from the leader of any beleagured nation, but after a month of visiting most of the key population centers and numerous villages, I was convinced of their absolute validity.

“After the end of June, we do not want any foreign troops on our soil. Insofar as possible, it will be our task to chase away the Communists,” declared Sirik Matak, a member of the ruling triumvirate. “We believe Mao Tse-tung’s theory that fish live only in water: Cambodia is not the kind of water for Communism.”

JR

About the Author

John R. Thomson

Featured Tags

There are no signs at all of a civil war in Cambodia,” said Deupty Prime Minister Sirik Matak. “The only problem we face is that an aggressor nation has invaded Cambodia and is fighting us.” I would have expected such statements from the leader of any beleagured nation, but after a month of visiting most of the key population centers and numerous villages, I was convinced of their absolute validity.

“After the end of June, we do not want any foreign troops on our soil. Insofar as possible, it will be our task to chase away the Communists,” declared Sirik Matak, a member of the ruling triumvirate. “We believe Mao Tse-tung’s theory that fish live only in water: Cambodia is not the kind of water for Communism.”