194. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Sebald) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Situation in Cambodia2
Reasons behind the King’s abdication are still obscure and probably not subject to conventional western logical analysis. It is possible he may return to the throne under coaxing and although his general prestige among the masses might not be impaired, many of the more sophisticated political leaders probably have become disillusioned with the King’s gyrations.
The outlook for the future is not encouraging. In recent months the King through his practice of “infallible” absolutism has antagonized many of the moderate political figures and most of the liberals. If the present trend continues and elections are held April 17th, the Democratic Party now under radical control will likely return a majority to Parliament and possibly give government leadership to Son Ngoc Thanh. If this should happen, we could expect a quick shift toward neutralism and coexistence and a rejection of western influence.
The present ineffective King and unpopular Queen3 can do little to stave off the above eventuality without risking a revolution.
Should Norodom Sihanouk return to the throne, he conceivably could save the situation by giving his support to moderate political [Page 437] leaders and assist them in recapturing the Democratic Party and in winning the elections. However, the King from his recent behavior has shown no inclination or willingness to tolerate even the mild dissension or compromise considered necessary to create such a political counter-force. It therefore would appear Cambodia will develop along lines unsatisfactory to attainment of our political objectives unless Norodom Sihanouk returns to the throne and having done so takes actions which in the past he has been unwilling to do.
It would appear useful to discuss the Cambodian problem in detail with the French and ascertain their analysis and plans for the future.…
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.00/3–455. Secret. Drafted by Purnell and concurred in by Hoey and Murphy. A note on the source text indicates that the Secretary saw this memorandum.↩
- King Norodom Sihanouk announced his
abdication on the afternoon of March 2. Additional documentation
on the abdication is ibid., 751H.11.
At the 239th meeting of the National Security Council, March 3, Allen Dulles described the abdication as follows:
“Mr. Dulles then commented that the King of Cambodia had just abdicated his throne. … Mr. Dulles went on to state that he did not attach any profound significance to the King’s abdication.”
At the 240th meeting of the NSC, March 10, Allen Dulles commented further on Sihanouk’s abdication as follows:
“Mr. Dulles then referred to a recent report from the scene analyzing the reasons which prompted the recent abdication of the King of Cambodia. It nevertheless remained difficult to grasp why the King had taken this step. Some motivation seemed to derive from the King’s Buddhist religious feelings. In any event, he had informed the American authorities that his abdication was in fact definite and final. However, the King could readily change this decision if he chose to do so. Summing up the affair, Mr. Dulles said that there was ‘nothing very subtle back of it.’” (Memoranda of discussion; both in Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
↩ - King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Sisowath Kossomak Nearireath, Sihanouk’s father and mother.↩