CAMBODIAN KING'S ABDICATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300270022-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 5, 1998
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: March 2, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2000 . IA-RDP80R01443R000300270022-7
NSC BRIEFING 2 March 1955
CAMBODIAN KING'S ABDICATION
1. In suddenly deciding to abdicate, Cambodian'king Norodon
repeats on a more positive scale a tactic he used to get
his way from the French.
A. In 1953, after issuing an unprecedented blast against
French policy during a stay in New York, he refused
to return to his capital until French met his demands.
B. His present gripe is against both foreign and domestic
criticism of his plans for constitutional reform.
C. Wants to replace elections scheduled for April with
referendum which would decide whether or not consti-
tution would be drastically revised. in a manner which
would virtually eliminate political parties in which
there is considerable republican sentiment.
D. He conceives his program as a device to meet both
demands of democracy and Cambodian desire for
paternalistic monarchy.
E. King's particular annoyance is International Control
Commission's concern with what he conceives to be
purely domestic affairs.
Canadians, Indians, as well as British have charged
his plan not compatible with Geneva agreement which
called for elections in 1955 under constitution then
in force.
II. Norodon is thoroughly sincere and also highly sensitive to
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A. Chosen for his job in 1941 by council or regents
because he was related to both of two rival branches
of royal family.
B. Until two years ago showed little evidence of being
anything more than playboy and never seriously
bucked French control.
C. After finally standing up to French, he won for
Cambodia a considerable measure of real independence.
~ IV
D. Abdicatio -in favor of his father, Prince Suramint(Z
A , "tr~Y' 4, Wec WZ)
~y council of regents.
1. Suramint, never king, has had no active part in
government for years past.
111. Doubtful that king intends to drop out of political scene.
A. But Cambodian stability bound to suffer by his
precipitate act.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300270022-7