Deathwatch: Cambodia

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Sihanouk may regard Vietnamese colonialism as evil No. 2, but the non-Communist nations of Southeast Asia are as hostile to Hanoi's puppet regime in Phnom-Penh as they are to Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge. Viet Nam has been repeatedly rebuffed in its efforts to have the legitimacy of the Heng Samrin regime endorsed by the world's major powers. Indeed, only the Soviet Union, its satellites and a few other smaller countries have recognized the present Phnom-Penh government. Hanoi suffered a particularly humiliating defeat in September when the U.N. General Assembly, by a 2-to-1 margin, voted to seat a representative of the Pol Pot regime as Cambodia's delegate.

Despite the ghastly record of the Khmer Rouge, the majority—which included the U.S.—could not stomach legitimatizing a regime that had been installed at the point of Vietnamese guns.

Last week Hanoi was cannily maneuvering to use the U.N. special conference on aid to Cambodia as a stepping stone for recognition of the Heng Samrin regime. Vietnamese Ambassador Ha Van Lau reportedly raised the issue of Samrin representation with Secretary-General Waldheim. Phnom-Penh's Foreign Minister Hun Sen sent a message to Waldheim saying that his government viewed "with sympathy" all well-intentioned humanitarian assistance and was "prepared in consequence to send its representatives to assist the proposed conference."

Though clearly motivated by political opportunism, the Hun Sen statement was the first indication that Phnom-Penh—if properly rewarded—might ease somewhat its restrictions on relief supplies to Cambodia. Unless Cambodia's borders are opened to life-giving aid, the situation will remain what it has been for five years: the war in Cambodia will be fought to the last starving Cambodian.

The Cambodian plight has stirred civilized men and women around the globe. Many Americans have a particularly keen sense of compassion about the world's latest tragedy. In part, that feeling is inspired by lingering memories of the long, unhappy involvement of the U.S. in Indochina. Beyond that there is the frustration of knowing that the catastrophe of Cambodia could be averted; that the food, the medical supplies and the will to help do exist. Only the cruel, baffling politics of Southeast Asia stand in the way.