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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-05-14 A Non-Partisan Source Sheet on U.S. Intervention In Cambodia

Student Strike - May 1970

A NON-PARTISAN SOURCE SHEET ON U.S. INTERVENTION IN CAMBODIA
1) U. S. HAS FREQUENTLY VIOLATED CAMBODIA SO EREIGNTY IN PAST.
Official Cambodian government data up to May 1969 (not including the past year);
1,864 border violations, 165 sea violations, 5,146 air violations, and 293 Cambodians dead with another 690 wounded by U.S. forces. (from FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW, February 26, 1970, p. 26.)
2) U. S. PUBLIC OPINION IS AGAINST USE OF COMBATFORCES IN CAMBODIA.
Gallup poll showed in answer to quetion, "Do you think we should send U.S. troops to help Cambodia or not?"
58% should not     14% no opinion     28% should (D.M.R., May 4th)
3) U.S. MILITARY ACTION THERE WILL BE INEFFECTIVE TO SHORTEN WAR
JOSEPH KRAFT;
"Certainly the present operation on the Cambodian border cannot be decisive." (Des Moines Register, May 4th, 1970, p. 8.)
T. D. Allman, diplomatic correspondent;
"The Vietcong use Cambodian territory much less than the Americans in Saigon claim." (Far Eastern Economic Review, op. cit.)
London Times;
"Can the supplies built-up in Cambodia really be so great that their loss would cripple any future Vietcong offensive?"
4. U.S. ACTION IS LIKELY TO FORCE COMMUNIST TAKEOVER OR U.S. COMBAT SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT INDEFINITELY.
Le Monde , Paris;
"The government's support seems to come from the landowning class, part of the urban elite, and an army ill-prepared to cope with guerilla activity. (Leftist leaders) plan to take advantage of the embarassment of Americans and General Lon Nol's lack of a real power base to over throw the rightist regime..." (Le Monde, Ap . 2)
London Times, op. cit.
"Opportunities may thus be opened up for the communists."

Summary; a.) The government is not representative, b.) the army cannot defend itself against all-out communist-nationalist drive, c.) the U.S. has already committed military assistance and support d.) the U.S. has already used combat forces inside Cambodia, and 3.) it is only a matter of time, unless policy changes dramatically that the U.S. will be forced to support the government indefinitely by combat intervention.

Result: Another VIETNAM!!!!!!

Note of cynicism and comic relief; The North Vietnamese negotiator at the Paris peace talks commented;
"Mr. Nixon has acted in Cambodia like a man who drinks poison to quench his thirst."

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Student Strike - May 1970 A NON-PARTISAN SOURCE SHEET ON U.S. INTERVENTION IN CAMBODIA 1) U. S. HAS FREQUENTLY VIOLATED CAMBODIA SO EREIGNTY IN PAST. Official Cambodian government data up to May 1969 (not including the past year); 1,864 border violations, 165 sea violations, 5,146 air violations, and 293 Cambodians dead with another 690 wounded by U.S. forces. (from FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW, February 26, 1970, p. 26.) 2) U. S. PUBLIC OPINION IS AGAINST USE OF COMBATFORCES IN CAMBODIA. Gallup poll showed in answer to quetion, "Do you think we should send U.S. troops to help Cambodia or not?" 58% should not 14% no opinion 28% should (D.M.R., May 4th) 3) U.S. MILITARY ACTION THERE WILL BE INEFFECTIVE TO SHORTEN WAR JOSEPH KRAFT; "Certainly the present operation on the Cambodian border cannot be decisive." (Des Moines Register, May 4th, 1970, p. 8.) T. D. Allman, diplomatic correspondent; "The Vietcong use Cambodian territory much less than the Americans in Saigon claim." (Far Eastern Economic Review, op. cit.) London Times; "Can the supplies built-up in Cambodia really be so great that their loss would cripple any future Vietcong offensive?" 4. U.S. ACTION IS LIKELY TO FORCE COMMUNIST TAKEOVER OR U.S. COMBAT SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT INDEFINITELY. Le Monde , Paris; "The government's support seems to come from the landowning class, part of the urban elite, and an army ill-prepared to cope with guerilla activity. (Leftist leaders) plan to take advantage of the embarassment of Americans and General Lon Nol's lack of a real power base to over throw the rightist regime..." (Le Monde, Ap . 2) London Times, op. cit. "Opportunities may thus be opened up for the communists." Summary; a.) The government is not representative, b.) the army cannot defend itself against all-out communist-nationalist drive, c.) the U.S. has already committed military assistance and support d.) the U.S. has already used combat forces inside Cambodia, and 3.) it is only a matter of time, unless policy changes dramatically that the U.S. will be forced to support the government indefinitely by combat intervention. Result: Another VIETNAM!!!!!! Note of cynicism and comic relief; The North Vietnamese negotiator at the Paris peace talks commented; "Mr. Nixon has acted in Cambodia like a man who drinks poison to quench his thirst."