Second Chance: The United States and Indochina in the 1990sIt was becoming increasingly clear in spring 1988 that the ten-year old war in Cambodia was approaching a turning point. For a variety of reasons, mostly domestic, Vietnam was under pressure to withdraw its forces from the region and had, in fact, pledged to do so by 1990/ However, in order to gain the benefits it sought from the international community, it was evident that Hanoi would need to go beyond merely ending its decade-long occupations and contribute to a political settlement satisfactory to all of the principal Cambodia and outside players. Similarly, Cambodia loomed as the main obstacle to achieving Soviet Party General Secretary Gorbachevs objective of normalizing relations with China. Thus, not only did Moscow encourage a negotiated settlement, but even on what was likely to the Kremlin was willing to see the brutal Khmer Rouge included in an interim structure in order to satisfy China that Beijings interest were being protected. The six member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the principal backers of the noncommunist resistance were actively promoting a peaceful resolution, with certain differences and tensions among them. And, through it remained a second-order issue for the United State, it was obvious that Washington would have to reengage in Indochina, if not despite, their previous role their. |
Contents
U S Interests in Indochina | 7 |
After the Fall | 18 |
The Regional Focus | 37 |
Copyright | |
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accept active administration Affairs agreement already American ASEAN Asian assistance become believe bilateral border Cambodia China coalition communist concern conference continued cooperation Council countries Department direction early East Asia economic effect effort factions final forces Foreign future Hanoi humanitarian important Indochina interests involvement issues July June Kampuchea Khmer Rouge Laos leaders March meeting ment military Minister move negotiations noncommunist normalization observers officials organization Pacific Paris parties past peace perhaps Phnom Penh Pol Pot political position possible prepared present President Press problem question reasons refugees regime region relations relationship remains role Secretary seemed settlement Sihanouk South Southeast Asia Soviet Union strategic Thai Thailand tion trade U.S. policy United Viet Vietnam Vietnamese Washington withdrawal York