Chronology of Cambodian History, 1950-1954
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 and Britain recognizes Cambodia of King Sihanouk, Vietnam of Bao Dai, and
Laos of King Sisavang Vong as independent states within the French
Union. Communist China and the Soviet
Union recognized the Communist regime of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. [US
Statement]
Feb. 11, 1950
Greece recognizes the pro-French governments of Vietnam,
Cambodia and Laos.
March 12, 1950
Vatican recognizes the pro-French government of Vietnam,
Laos and Cambodia.
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. Statement
is issued following their meeting.
May 17, 1950
Cambodia places with the UN
her acceptances of the Constitution of the World Health Organization.
May 21, 1950
French sources report that Viet Minh guerrillas have
infiltrated Cambodia and opened an arms-smuggling corridor to Thailand.
May 24, 1950
US Charge d'Affaires in Saigon informs
the Chiefs of State of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos about the US decision to
provide economic aid to the three states.
May 25, 1950
US announces that Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will get
"industrial rehabilitation projects and other economic help" from
the US.
May 30, 1950
Prince Sisowath Monipong
becomes Prime Minister (05/30/50-03/03/51).
Sept. 12, 1950
US minister to Indochina, Donald Heath, presents US arms
and equipment for three battalions to Cambodia.
Oct. 15, 1950
Cambodia ratifies UN Convention
on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Nov. 22, 1950
French cabinet promises that the native govt. of Vietnam,
Cambodia and Laos will be granted almost complete authority over home affairs
by Jan. 1, 1951.
Dec. 1, 1950
AP reports that Ho Chi Ming has announced his intention
of driving the French not only from Vietnam but also Cambodia and Laos.
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 this page, click 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 US 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 this page, click 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 6, 1952
US,
Vietnam and Cambodia raise their diplomatic missions to embassy status.
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.
Sept. 19, 1952
Russia vetoes the UN membership applications of Vietnam,
Laos and Cambodia.
1953
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There
are many abbreviations on this page, click here.
Jan. 24, 1953
Penn Nouth becomes Prime
Minister (01/24/53-11/22/53)
April 21, 1953
King Sihanouk ends his US visit and leaves for home to
prepare for a possible Viet Minh invasion of Cambodia.
May 9, 1953
French and Cambodia rep. announce agreement after a 2-week
Paris meeting on protocols to assure Cambodia "full sovereignty" in
military, judicial and economic affairs.
King Sihanouk is made titular head of French-directed forces in his
state.
June 13, 1953
King Sihanouk goes into self-imposed exile in Thailand to enforce
his demand for Cambodia independence.
June 20, 1953
King Sihanouk ends his self-imposed, one-week exile in
Thailand.
June 26, 1953
French send several battalions of troop reinforcement to
Phnom Penh to guard against a possible anti-French uprising.
July 2, 1953
France's new Lanial government offers to holds a
conference with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to settle their demands for
self-government in the 'economic, financial, judicial, military, and
political fields.'
July 5, 1953
PM Penn Nouth says France's offer to negotiate on
greater self-rule falls short of Cambodia's desire for complete independence.
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.
Aug. 11, 1953
PM Penn Nouth reports that France has agreed to give
Cambodia full internal sovereignty while retaining some judgeships, military
posts and control over foreign affairs.
Sept. 11, 1953
PM Penn Nouth makes an appeal for 10,000 Viet Minh
guerrillas to leave Cambodia in return for Cambodia's neutrality.
Sept. 16, 1953
PM Penn Nouth protests US and French criticism of his
country's neutrality, claiming that Cambodia wishes to avoid "making
herself a mercenary of foreign power."
Sept. 30, 1953
US govt. 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.
Nov. 8, 1953
King Sihanouk returns to Phnom Penh after five months of
self-imposed exile in Siem Reap. He
grants an amnesty to 360 political prisoners held for helping the Viet Minh.
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).
Nov. 26, 1953
King Sihanouk announces that he will abdicate to prove
that he does not seek personal absolute power.
Dec. 20, 1953
King Sihanouk leads his army against Communist forces
near the Thai border.
1954
Chronology Of Cambodia History
There
are many abbreviations on this page, click here.
Jan. 7, 1954
Thai diplomatic mission in Phnom Penh suggests the
possibility that Thailand join Cambodia and Laos in an anti-Communist bloc.
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 8, 1954
King Sihanouk orders general mobilization and takes command
of Cambodian and French forces defending northern Cambodia against a possible
renewed Viet Minh invasion.
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
King Sihanouk names Penn Nouth as PM (04/18/54-01/26/55) and instructs the new cabinet
to tighten the nation's defenses.
April 23, 1954
Cambodia Amb. to the US, Nong Kimny, files formal
charges with the UN that Viet Minh forces have committed aggression against
Cambodia.
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]
Viet Minh FM Pham Van Dong suggests partition of Vietnam
as part of a cease-fire agreement, with Viet Minh and French forces
withdrawing to different parts of the country. Cambodia and Laos demand that any cease-fire agreement provide
for withdrawal of all Viet Minh units from their territory.
June 10, 1954
British Foreign Secy. Anthony Eden declares that
Communist delegates must agree to effective, impartial international
supervision of an Indochina armistice and halt maneuvers designed to extend
Viet Minh influence in Laos and Cambodia.
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.”
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. 20, 1954
France signs agreements in Paris giving South Vietnam,
Cambodia and Laos full financial and economic independence.
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.
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
|