Cambodia

1863: French ProtectorateCambodians aredescendents of the AngkorEmpire which was at itspeak during the 10th-13th

century. But with attacksfrom present day Thailandand Viet Nam the empiredeclined. Soon after, theKing placed Cambodiaunder French rule andbecame part of FrenchIndochina in 1887.

1941: A New KingWhen Norodom passed awayin 1904, the throne was notpassed onto his sons but tohis brother Sisowath. Sisowath ruled until 1941when Norodom Sihanoukbecomes king. Also duringthis time, Cambodia isoccupied by Japan duringWWII. With a new king,Cambodians felt that they should not be under controlby the French anymore.

1953: Independence

In 1946, the French grantedCambodia self governmentwith the French Union. Aconstitution was drawn up in1947 and a treaty was signedin 1949 making Cambodia anassociated state with France. However, King NorodomSihanouk wanted completeindependence and wasawarded it in 1953.

1955-1960: The Ins and Outs

In 1955, King NorodomSihanouk abdicates histhrone and gives it to hisfather to rule. NorodomSihanouk seeks a politicalcareer and becomes apremier. However, hisfather passes away in 1960and his mother, QueenKossamak Nearireak takesover. Later, NorodomSihanouk becomes kingagain.

1970: Take Your SidesThroughout the Viet Nam war,Sihanouk remained neutral toboth sides. He allowed North VietNam to use Cambodian ports andallowed the US to bomb Viet Conghideouts in Cambodia. However,the Cambodians grew discontentwith this. While Sihanouk wasabroad, General Lon Nol led amilitary coup to overthrowSihanouk.

1975: Year ZeroIn 1975, the Khmer Rouge led by Pot Potoverthrew Lon Nol and took over Cambodia. Herenames Cambodia as Kampuchea. Theybelieved that Cambodians will be laborersworking on a one federation of collective farms. The Khmer Rouge wanted to get rid of anyintellectuals, educated people and anybodyagainst their ideas and communism. Hundredsof thousands of the educated middle-classes aretortured and executed in special centers. Othersstarve, or die from disease or exhaustion. Thetotal death toll during the next three years isestimated to be at least 1.7 million.

1979: Vietnamese Invasion

In 1978, Viet Nam decided toinvade Cambodia and takecontrol of the country. TheVietnamese overthrew the

KhmerRouge and drove them to theThai jungles. The Vietnamesetried to install a puppetgovernment and reconstruct thecountry. However, Pol Pot’sregime destroyed the land,ruined the economy and he

killedall of the potential intellectualsthat could have jumpstarted thecountry again.

1985: Starting OverWhile the Khmer Rouge hid inthe Thai jungles, the US weregiving them help. The KhmerRouge continued to fight VietNam to gain control ofCambodia again. In 1985,

HunSen was elected as primeminister, and peace talksimmediately began. In 1989,Viet Nam withdrew its lasttroops out of Cambodia.

1991: Peace?In 1991, a peace treaty

wassigned by all opposingparties. However, thetreaty called for all groupsto be disarmed and theKhmer Rouge refused. With that, Sihanoukdenounced the KhmerRouge and aligned himselfwith Hun Sen. NorodomSihanouk again becameHead of state.

1993: Democratic ElectionsIn 1993, the first everDemocratic elections were

held.The Royalist FUNCINPEC partywon the most seats and HunSen’s Cambodian People's

Partycame in second. A coalitiongovernment is formed withFUNCINPEC's Prince NorodomRanariddh as prime ministerand Hun Sen as deputy primeminister. The monarchy isrestored, and Sihanoukbecomes king again.

1997: Only One Can RuleThe coalition government ofNorodom Ranariddh and HunSen was crumbling. Hun Senset up a coup and replacedRanariddh with Ung Huot. The coup delayed

Cambodia’smembership with ASEAN. Also, in 1997, the KhmerRouge was falling apart andPol Pot was imprisoned. Helater died in 1998.

2001: Justice Begins

In 2001, the CambodianSenate approved a law whichcreated a tribunal. Thiswould allow the Khmer

Rougeleaders to be tried for theirwar crimes. With theJapanese financiallysupporting the tribunal,justice can be served.

2004: Like Father, Like Son

In October 2004, KingNorodom Sihanouk abdicatedhis throne in favor of his son.A nine member councilelected Norodom Sihamonito the throne a week later.King Norodom Sihamoni isthe reigning king today.

2005: The Green LightThe tribunal hadencountered manyproblems. There were

nofunds going towards itand the Khmer Rougeleaders were getting

old.Some feared that theymight die before beingtried. However in 2005,The UN gave the greenlight to start thetribunal.

2007: Justice is Served

In 2007, trials began for

the most notoriousleaders of the KhmerRouge. Nuon Chea

wasarrested in Septemberand is being tried forhis crimes. And inNovember, the tribunalholds its first publichearing with ComradeDuch.