Chronology
of Cambodian History, 1950-1959
1950
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There are many abbreviations on
this page, click
here.
Jan. 1950
A grenade is thrown into the Democratic Party's
headquarters in Phnom Penh fatally wounded Ieu Koeuss; his funeral draws
an enormous crowd. [24][3]
Feb. 7, 1950
US recognizes Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos as
independent states within the French Union: “The Government of the US has
accorded diplomatic recognition to the Governments of the State of Viet
Nam, the Kingdom of Laos, and the Kingdom of Cambodia.” Communist China and the Soviet
Union recognized the Communist regime of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. [Statement
by the U.S. Department of State]
April 1950
United Issarak Front or Khmer Issarak (Liberated Khmers) is
established and funded by the Thai; the front dedicates to armed
resistance against the French.
April 28,
1950
Norodom Sihanouk becomes Prime Minister
(04/28/50-05/30/50)
May 8, 1950
US Secretary of States and French Foreign Minister meet to discuss
situation in Indochina and U.S. aid to the Associated States of Indochina
and France. [The
statement]
May 17,
1950
Cambodia places with the UN her acceptances of the
Constitution of the World Health Organization.
May 24, 1950
US Charge d'Affaires in Saigon informs the Chiefs of State of
Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos about the U.S. decision to provide economic
aid to the three states. [The
note]
May 30, 1950
Prince Sisowath Monipong becomes Prime Minister
(05/30/50-03/03/51).
Oct. 15, 1950
Cambodia ratifies UN Convention
on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Dec. 23, 1950
US signs Mutual Defense Assistance
Agreement with France and Associated States of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
[Original
Agreement]
1951
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There are many abbreviations on
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here.
Jan. 19, 1951
Cambodia places with UN her acceptance of the
Agreement for the Establishment of Indo-Pacific Fisheries
Council.
March 3, 1951
Oum Chheang Sun becomes Prime Minister
03/03/51-10/12/51)
April 4, 1951
Hun Sen is
born.
July 3,
1951
Cambodia accepts the Constitution of the UN
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
July 16,
1951
Cambodia places with UN her acceptance of the
Constitution of the International Rice Commission. [1613]
Sept. 1951
General election is
held. Again the Democratic Party gains control of the National Assembly.
Sept. 8,
1951
Cambodia and US sign an agreement on Economic
Cooperation between the two countries in Phnom Penh. Foreign Minister Oum Chheang Sun
signs for Cambodia and Charge d’Affaires Don Catlett for the U.S. [Original
Agreement]
Sept. 23, 1951
US and French
officials discuss U.S. military aid program for the defense of Southeast
Asia. [Statement]
Sept. 30, 1951
The Kampuchean People's Revolutionary
Party (KPRP) is founded under Vietnamese Communist auspices
after dissolution of Indochinese Communist Party (ICP), which split itself
into national parties - Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Oct. 13,
1951
Huy Kanthoul (Democratic Party) becomes Prime Minister
(10/13/51-06/16/52).
Oct. 29,
1951
The French commissioner in Cambodia, Jean de Raymond,
is assassinated by a Vietminh.
Oct. 30, 1951
Son
Ngoc Thanh returns to Cambodia.
Oct. 18,
1951
Cambodia and US exchange notes
constituting an agreement concerning mutual
security.
1952
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There are many abbreviations on
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here.
April 9, 1952
Cambodia and The UN
International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) sign an agreement, in
Phnom Penh, concerning the activities of UNICEF in Cambodia (Original
Agreement).
June 2,
1952
Cambodia accepts Treaty
of Peace with Japan.
June 10,
1952
Cambodia accepts the International Plant Protection
Convention (1963).
June 15, 1952
Cambodia declares her acceptance of the obligations contained in
the charter of the UN. PM Huy
Kanthoul makes the declaration
in Phnom Penh, “I, the undersigned, President of the Council of Ministers
and Minister of Foreign Affairs, being duly authorized thereto by the
Cambodian Government, hereby declare, on behalf of the State of Cambodia,
that that State unreservedly subscribes to the principles proclaimed in
the Charter of the UN and accepts and undertakes to fulfill all the
obligations deriving therefrom.”
King Sihanouk dismisses Huy Kanthoul's government,
dissolves the National Assembly, and begins governing the country by
decree. [24]
June 16, 1952
King Sihanouk becomes Prime Minister
(06/16/52-01/24/53)
June 18, 1952
Minister in the
French Cabinet for the Associated States in Indochina, officials from the
U.S. Dept. of State and Defense, Cambodia and Vietnam ambassadors conclude
a series of discussions about the defense of Indochina from communists and
issue a communiqué.
July 17,
1952
Foreign Minister Prince Norodom Songdeth makes a declaration,
in Phnom Penh, accepting the jurisdiction of the International Court of
Justice.
1953
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There are many abbreviations on
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Jan. 24, 1953
Penn Nouth becomes Prime Minister
(01/24/53-11/22/53)
July 13, 1953
King Sihanouk launches “the royal crusade for the independence of
Cambodia” by going into self-imposed exile.
July 24,
1953
Cambodia and UN sign an agreement concerning
technical assistance to Cambodia.
PM Penn Nouth signs for Cambodia and N.E.S. Raghavachari for the UN
(500).
July 3, 1953
French
Government announces its intention to give independence to the three
Associated States of Indochina.
July 23,
1953
Cambodia places her ratification or accession, with
the government of Belgium, constituting the acceptance of Universal Postal
Convention, Agreement Concerning Insured Letters and Boxes, Agreement
Concerning Postal Parcels, Agreement Concerning Postal Money Orders and
Postal Travellers’ Cheques, Agreement Concerning Cash-On-Delivery Items,
Agreement Concerning the Collection of Bills, Drafts, Etc., and Agreement
Concerning Subscriptions to Newspapers and Periodicals.
July 29,
1953
France hands over police and judicial power to Cambodia.
Sept. 30, 1953
The US government agrees to provide
additional aid to France and the Associated States of Indochina. [Joint
Franco-American communiqué]
Oct. 17, 1953
France
and Cambodia sign an agreement on the hand-over of military sovereignty to
Cambodia.
Sept. 8, 1953
King Norodom Sihanouk
returns to Phnom Penh.
Nov. 9, 1953
The
independence ceremonies are held, marking the end of colonial presence in
Cambodia.
Nov. 23, 1953
Chan Nak becomes Prime Minister
(11/23/53-04/7/54)>
1954
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There are many abbreviations on
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here.
Feb. 18, 1954
Foreign
Ministers of the US, France, the UK and the Soviet Union issue a joint
communiqué in Berlin following their meeting to discuss plans for the
Geneva Conference on Korea and Indochina.
March 2,
1954
Cambodia accepts the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea (2163).
March 29, 1954
US Secretary
of State addresses his country's views of Indochina and the Chinese
Communist on the eve of the Geneva Conference. [Text of
the address]
April 7, 1954
King Sihanouk becomes
Prime Minister (04/7/54-04/18/54).
April 14, 1954
US Secretary of State and French Foreign Minister issue a joint
statement following their conversation in Paris about the situation in
Indochina.
April 18, 1954
Penn Nouth becomes
Prime Minister (04/18/54-01/26/55).
May 5, 1954
U.S. President issues a statement
concerning the preparations of the Geneva Conference on Indochina.
May 7, 1954
U.S. Secretary of State's address
referring to the Geneva Conference, which he had attended, and is still
going on in Geneva.
May 25, 1954
U.S. Secretary of
State addresses the conditions for the U.S. direct intervention in
Indochina at a news conference. [Excerpt
of the news conference]
June 11, 1954
U.S.
Secretary of State addresses the threat of direct Chinese Communist
intervention in Indochina: “At the moment, Indochina is the area where
international communism most vigorously seeks expansion under the
leadership of Ho Chi Minh.” [Text of
the address]
July 15, 1954
U.S. Secretary of
State issues a statement
following his consultations with the French Premier and British Foreign
Secretary concerning Indochina.
July 20, 1954
The
Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Cambodia is agreed, providing
for a cease-fire, withdrawal of all foreign armed forces, military
personnel, and establishment of an International Control Commission, which
is comprised of representatives of Canada, India and Poland, to supervise
its execution. [Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Cambodia,
Vietnam
and Laos]
July 21, 1954
The Geneva Conference concludes and issues a Final
Declaration of the Geneva Conference on the problem of restoring peace in
Indochina.
July 23, 1954
All hostilities are to
be ceased from 0800 hours (Pekin mean time) throughout Cambodia (Article 1
of the Agreement).
Aug. 7, 1954
A cease-fire
throughout Cambodia went into effect at 7 hours local time (Article 2 (a)
of the Agreement).
Aug. 8, 1954
The
Manila Pact or Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty and Organization
(SEATO), engineered by the US in an effort to forestall further
Communist gains following the defeat of France in Indochina. The US is
joined by Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines,
Thailand, Pakistan, with the objective of contributing to peace and
security in Southeast Asia through mutual aid in resisting armed attack
and countering subversion. Cambodia, Laos, and South Vietnam,
precluded by the Geneva accords from formally joining, sign a protocol
bringing them within the scope of the treaty's military and economic
terms. The treaty becomes effective on Feb. 19, 1955.
Oct. 2,
1954
US President Eisenhower sends a message
to the King of Cambodia concerning U.S. aid to Cambodia.
Dec.
31, 1954
US Dept. of State issues a statement
concerning direct aid to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos: “Arrangements have
been completed so that on Jan. 1, 1955, the US can begin supplying
financial aid directly to the Government of Viet-Nam, Cambodia, and Laos
for the purpose of strengthening their defense against the threat of
Communist subversion and aggression.”
OTHER EVENTS HAPPENED IN
1954
Thailand claims and
occupies Preah Vihear.
1955
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There
are many abbreviations on this page, click
here.
Jan. 26,
1955
Leng Ngeth becomes
Prime Minister (01/26/55-10/3/55).
Feb. 7-9,
1955
A national referendum
approves King Sihanouk’s rule.
March 2,
1955
King Sihanouk
abdicates in favor of his father, Prince Norodom Suramarit, in order to
freely participate in the political arena.
March 24, 1955
Prince Sihanouk forms his own political movement Sangkum
Reastr Niyum (Popular Socialist
Community).
April 17-24, 1955
Afro-Asian Bandung
Conference.
May 16, 1955
Cambodia and US sign an agreement
concerning U.S. military assistance to Cambodia.
Sept. 11,
1955
Election is held.
Sangkum Reastr Niyum (the People’s Socialist Community) wins all
91-seats in the National Assembly with 83 percent of the
votes.
Oct. 3,
1955
Prince Sihanouk
becomes Prime Minister (10/3/55-01/5/56).
Nov. 8,
1955
Cambodia accedes to
the Convention on the World Meteorological Organization (998).
1956
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There
are many abbreviations on this page, click
here.
Jan. 4,
1956
Oum Cheang Sun is elected by the Sangkum as premier,
replacing Prince Sihanouk.
Jan. 16,
1956
Cambodia accedes to
the Convention on International Civil Aviation (102).
Feb.
1956
Prince Sihanouk makes his first visit to the People’s
Republic of China - Communist China.
March 1956
Prince Sihanouk begins program of "Khmer
Socialism."
March 1,
1956
Prince Sihanouk
becomes Prime Minister (03/1/56-03/24/56).
March 14,
1956
Cambodia accedes to
the Convention on Road Traffic (1671).
April 3,
1956
Khim Tit becomes Prime
Minister (04/3/56-07/29/56).
April 24,
1956
Cambodia signs economic assistance pact with the PRC; South
Vietnam and Thailand impose economic blockades of Cambodia in retaliation
for signing the agreement; U.S. suspends aid to
Cambodia.
May 9,
1956
Cambodia and UNICEF
sign in Bangkok a protocol additional to the agreement of April 9,
1952. [Original
Agreement]
May 18, 1956
Cambodia establishes
diplomatic relations with the U.S.S.R. (Soviet
Union).
Sept. 15,
1956
Prince Sihanouk
becomes Prime Minister (09/15/56-10/15/56).
Oct. 5,
1956
Cambodia and UN revise
Standard Agreement concerning technical assistance. [Agreement]
Oct, 25,
1956
Sam Yun becomes Prime
Minister (10/25/56-04/9/57).
Nov. 12,
1956
Cambodia accepts
International Convention on Certain Rules Concerning Civil Jurisdiction in
Matters of Collision and International Convention Relating to the Arrest
of Seagoing Ships.
OTHER
EVENTS HAPPENED IN 1956
Sarlot
Sar/Pol Pot married Khieu Ponnary, the first Cambodian woman to earn a
baccalaureate. Ponnary was
eight years older than Saloth Sar. [Chandler,
Brother #1 17]
1957
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There
are many abbreviations on this page, click
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Jan.
1957
Sangkum Reastr Niyum approves making neutrality the
constitutional law, which would be enacted by the National Assembly in
September.
Feb. 6,
1957
Cambodia ratifies and
accepts the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency [3988].
April 7,
1957
Prince Sihanouk
becomes Prime Minister, following the deposition by the National Assembly
of Premier San Yun over a budget dispute.
May 18,
1957
Cambodia accedes to
the Convention for a Uniform System of Tonnage Measurement of Ships
[2814].
June 12,
1957
Cambodia places her
accession to the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the
Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery
[3822].
July 26,
1957
Sim Var becomes Prime
Minister (7/26/57-1/11/58).
July 30,
1957
Cambodia places with
UN her accession to the Protocol for Extending the Period of Validity of
the Convention on Declaration of Death of Missing Persons.
Sept. 9,
1957
Foreign Minister Sim
Var, in Phnom Penh, declares Cambodia’s recognition as compulsory the
jurisdiction of the International court of Justice. [Declaration]
Oct. 17,
1957
Cambodia and the US
sign an agreement for mutual assistance in cartography between the Khmer
Geographic Service and the Army Map Service. [Original
Agreement]
1958
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There
are many abbreviations on this page, click
here.
Jan. 11,
1958
Ek Yi Oun becomes
Prime Minister (1/11/58-1/17/58).
Jan. 17,
1958
Penn Nouth becomes
Prime Minister (1/17/58-4/24/58).
March 23,
1958
Elections for the National Assembly; the Sangkom Reash Niyum win
all 61 seats.
April 24, 1958
Sim Var becomes Prime
Minister (4/24/58-7/10/58).
June
1958
South Vietnamese forces incur into eastern
Cambodia.
July 10,
1958
The National Assembly
approves a new cabinet headed by Prince Sihanouk (Prime Minister
7/10/58-4/19/60)
July 24, 1958
Cambodia recognizes
communist China (People’s Republic of China - PRK).
Sept. 25,
1958
The PRC establishes its embassy in Phnom Penh. On the
same day, Prince Norodom Sihanouk makes his first visit to US since
Cambodia gaining her independence from France.
Nov. 28,
1958
Cambodia breaks off relations with Thailand.
Dec. 8,
1958
Cambodia notifies the
Swiss Federal Council of her accessions to: (1) Geneva Convention for the
Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members
of Armed Forces at Sea and in Field; (2) Geneva Convention Relative to the
Treatment of Prisoners of War; (3) Geneva Convention Relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
1959
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There
are many abbreviations on this page, click
here.
Jan. 13,
1959
Prince Sihanouk, in a speech at Kompong Cham, reveals a
plot “Bangkok Plot” to eliminate him, seize power and set up a pro-US
regime: "The plan was drawn up by a march, head of the government of a
neighboring kingdom, by the envoys of a neighboring state, and by Song
Ngoc Thanh. Like nocturnal
birds of prey blinked by the hunter's touch, dark schemes hatched in
secret will come to nothing once they are dragged out into the light."
[2]
Feb. 20,
1959
Cambodia resumes relations with Thailand.
Feb.
21, 1959
Gen. Dap Chhuon, who leads a plot against Prince
Sihanouk in which the CIA, Thailand and South Vietnam are involved, is
captured and killed. [2][4]
March 2,
1959
Cambodia and Japan
sign an agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation in Phnom
Penh.
March 26,
1959
Prince Sihanouk leads
a group of diplomats, including the US, USSR, PRC, Britain and France, on
a tour of Dap Chhuon villa. [2]
March 30,
1959
Cambodia places with
UN her accessions to the Convention for the Suppression of the Circulation
of, and Traffic in, Obscene Publication.
Aug. 31, 1959
Bomb assassination attempt against royal family. A plastic bomb sent in a gift box
to a royal family member explodes as Prince Vakrivan - Palace Chief of
Protocol - opened it, killing him, King Suramarit's valet and wounding two
others. The King and Queen
who were receiving PM Son Sann in the adjoining room were unhurt. Prince Sihanouk blames Sam Sary and
Son Ngoc Thanh, in Saigon at the time, for the blast. The Prince also adds that the bomb
was sent from an American military base in South Vietnam. [2][4]
Sept.
1959
L'Observateur, a
left-wing French-language newspaper, begins its publication; Khieu Samphan
is its editor. [3]
Sept. 22,
1959
Cambodia places with
UN her accession of the Convention on the Taxation of Road Vehicles for
Private Use in International Traffic. [4844]
Sept. 30,
1959
Cambodia files a
complaint with the International Court of Justice concerning Thailand’s
occupation of Preah Vihea.
Thailand claimed Preah Vihea and occupied the area surrounding the
Temple since 1954.
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