U.S. Policy on Cambodia
George Black (“Ties Bind Meddlers to Murderers,” Commentary, July 23) appears to have several misperceptions.
For Black the most pragmatic solution for Cambodia is exclusive extensive aid to the pro-Vietnamese Hun Sen regime in Phnom Penh. But such a solution is only short-term and assumes that Hun Sen has support. Recent articles on Cambodia point to more repressive policies taken by the Hun Sen government to extend comprehensive membership in “peoples organizations” to Cambodians under Phnom Penh control.
A more suitable long-term policy would be a coalition government between Hun Sen and the non-communist parties. Such a policy would lead to more political pluralism. Such a course would create a rift with Vietnam because the Vietnamese have been unwilling to accept the changes in the role of the Communist Party. Such a rift would lead the Cambodian regime to be much more acceptable to the Chinese. By satisfying Chinese interests in Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge would further be isolated from the international scene.
JOHN CAULFIELD
La Mirada
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