Cambodia: From Killing Fields to Field of Dreams
Abstract
Although the Paris Peace Accords of October 1991 opened the way for peace in Cambodia, the country has always enjoyed a violent history. As a small country, about the size of the state of Missouri, a lot of news or information about Cambodia does not surface. What does occasionally make the news is the fact that the Khmer Rouge are still actively doing something in the country, the country best known as the Killing Fields. This paper begins with a brief history of Cambodia to include what the United Nations accomplished there in the early 1990s. Did the work of the United Nations help Cambodia realize the potential of democracy? The paper also addresses Cambodia's current political, military, and social status. The conclusions will show that although the first free and fair elections in 20 years were successfully held in 1993, much internal work remains. The United States granted most favored nation (MFN) status to Cambodia in 1995. Additionally, there is talk of Cambodia joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the summer of 1997. In order to pave the way for both MFN and ASEAN status, the United Nations presence helped break down years of Cambodian isolation. How has this affected Cambodia? The paper looks at the world status of Cambodia both before and after the United Nations sponsored elections of 1993. The huge, overwhelming attention Cambodia has recently received has impacted the country both positively and negatively. The future success of Cambodia lies in social and economic development along with world acceptance and recognition of a credible Cambodian democracy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA398352
Entities
People
- Thomas Dougherty
Organizations
- Air War College