THE QUESTION OF THE ABDICATED CAMBODIAN KING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300330010-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: March 9, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : Clr RQ$j'1443R000300330010-3
NSC BRIEFING 9 March 1955
THE QUESTION OF THE ABDICATED
CAMBODIAN. KING
1. Big questions on Cambodian king's abdication are: Why did
he do it? What will-he do next?
A. Immediate reason was growing criticism of
king's apparent effort turn back march of
democracy in Cambodia.
B. King deeply convinced he has public pulse,
which, acting through him, constitutes
sort of democracy.
C. King also ultrasensitive to criticism and
given to impulsive acts.
D. He has keen sense of showmanship and is
capable of grasping opportune moment for
execution of carefully evolved plan.
E. Resentment over British expression of
concern over proposed constitutional
reforms was immediate cause of--or pretext
for--abdication.
F. Deeper motivation is probably king's
desire to confound critics by proving
to them--and to himself--that he does not
need throne in order to be political
heavyweight.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : Cl 3R000300330010-3
 Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-R 000300330010-3
1. Since political bug bit him two
years ago, king has acquired
talent and zest for hurly-burly
of politics.
2. Moreover, king has messianic bent;
may compare himself to Gautama
Buddha who put aside princely
inheritance for sake of cause.
3. King's "cause" would be defense of
people's interests against venal
party politicians.
II. Ex-king obviously still regards himself as ultimate authority
in Cambodia.
A. At military graduation on 5 March, his parents,
the present king and queen, were on hand but
ex-king was also and obviously in complete
charge.
B. He told Ambassador McClintock "he had arranged"
with palace that negotiations for American aid
be expedited.
C. McClintock foresees him continuing in role of
a "shogun."
III. He has retained wide freedom of action in charting his
future course.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300330010-3
 Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA- F 3R000300330010-3
IL_ a
-- 3 -
A. He will be free, like any loyal subject, to
build a political organization to combat his
arch-enemy Son Ngoc Thanh.
B. At the same time, he can if he chooses remain
king in all but name, ruling through his
parents.
C. Third possibility is to have Regency Council
restore crown to him, perhaps as result of
popular demand which his supporters could
easily arrange.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300330010-3