KING NORODOM SIHANOUK (CAMBODIA) - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/28/1969 - HFSID 16641

KING NORODOM SIHANOUK (CAMBODIA)
Historically Important Vietnam War Typed Letter signed "It is totally wrong to claim that we 'permit' the Vietcong to use our country as a sanctuary or place of rest. When they cross our border or stay temporarily inside the border, it is always against our liking and in spite of our protestations. So when the American army and its allies with 1.500.000 men, are incapable of hermetically closing the border between Vietnam and Cambodia, how could we do better with an army of 36.000 men, defending 3 borders?" Exquisitely framed to 34½x20½.
Typed Letter signed: "N. Sihanouk" in English as Cambodian Head of State, 2 pages, 8x10¼. Phnom Penh, 1969 February 28. To Alan Hirsch, Flushing , N.Y. In full: "I have received your letter of the 25th January, and thus I thank you. I realize that you have been misinformed regarding what is happening in my country: 1) Cambodia is not 'tiny' -if it is not compared with the United States, Russia, etc. With its 181.000 Km square and its 7 million inhabitants, it occupies around, for the size and for the population, the middle of the list of member countries of the United Nations. 2) It is totally wrong to claim that we 'permit' the Vietcong to use our country as a sanctuary or place of rest. When they cross our border or stay temporarily inside the border, it is always against our liking and in spite of our protestations. So when the American army and its allies with 1.500.000 men, are incapable of hermetically closing the border between Vietnam and Cambodia, how could we do better with an army of 36.000 men, defending 3 borders? 3) We do not supply the Vietcong, but the latter, like the rest of the 'governments' of Saigon, buying rice and other products of our agriculture and of our industry at our border in contraband, paying for them a price very elevated. I point out to you that smuggling exists everywhere (even the United States). We make every effort in order to put an end to this practice, which is ruinous to our budget, but it is not easy. I know you like your well-meaning thought of creating a 'Cambodia committee'. Several of your compatriots have already made this proposition. But, while we are grateful to all the Americans when they want to who support our cause, we prefer to defend ourselves alone, hoping that one day the American government will comprehend that Cambodia deserves its respect and not its scorn." A year after writing this letter, on March 18, 1970, Prince Norodom Sihanouk (1922-2012) was ousted as Head of State by former Defense Minister, Army Chief of Staff and Premier, Colonel Lon Nol. Supported by the U.S., he attempted to suppress the Communist Khmer Rouge guerrillas. His efforts plunged the country into civil war. Norodom Sihanouk first became King of Cambodia on April 24, 1941 when he was 18. He served until March 3, 1955. As Prince, he was Head of State of Cambodia from April 20, 1960 to March 18, 1970, April 17, 1975 to April 11, 1976 and June 14, 1993 to September 24, 1993. Cambodia was known as the Khmer Republic from 1970-1976 and Kampuchea from 1976-1989. From 1945-1962, Norodom Sihanouk served as Cambodia's Prime Minister eight times; the longest period was for 21 months (1958-1960). From November 20, 1991 to June 14, 1993, he was Chairman of the Supreme National Council of Cambodia. Sihanouk was King of Cambodia once again from 1993-2004. He has been in self-imposed exile since April 10, 2004. Fine condition. Framed in the Gallery of History style: 34½x20½.