Relationship in the Shadow of Vietnam: the GDR and Cambodia/ Kampuchea 1969-1989

• Authors: Bernd Schaefer

Title variants

PL

Relacje w cieniu Wietnamu: NRD i Kambodża/Kampucza 1969–1989

Abstracts

EN

Until 1990, the GDR had varying degrees of bilateral ties with Cambodia: friendly- constructive during the rule of Sihanouk for ten months in 1969/1970; very distant between 1970 and 1974; none at all and outright hostility under Pol Pot between 1975 and 1979; and finally relatively close but restricted by the Vietnamese side between 1979 and 1990. Unlike other socialist countries, the GDR was able to establish contacts with Cambodia only belatedly due to the West German strategy of isolating the GDR diplomatically between 1955 and 1969. Once those hard-fought ties were achieved, however, the relationship between the GDR and Cambodia over the next 20 years resembled a roller coaster ride due to the Sino-Soviet Conflict and, as a result, the divergent interests and policies of Cambodia’s changing patrons, namely Vietnam and China. The GDR was rather subject to these currents than being able to shape tchem in any significant way.

PL

Do 1990 r. NRD utrzymywała dwustronne stosunki z Kambodżą w różnym stopniu: przyjazne i konstruktywne podczas rządów Sihanouka przez dziesięć miesięcy w latach 1969–1970; bardzo odległe w latach 1970–1974; żadne i jawnie wrogie pod rządami Pol Pota w latach 1975–1979; i wreszcie stosunkowo bliskie, ale ograniczone przez stronę wietnamską w latach 1979–1990. W przeciwieństwie do innych krajów socjalistycznych, NRD zdołała nawiązać kontakty z Kambodżą dopiero z opóźnieniem ze względu na zachodnioniemiecką strategię dyplomatycznej izolacji NRD w latach 1955–1969. Po nawiązaniu tych ciężko wywalczonych stosunków relacje między NRD a Kambodżą przez następne 20 lat przypominały przejażdżkę rollercoasterem ze względu na konflikt chińsko-sowiecki, a w rezultacie rozbieżne interesy i politykę zmieniających się patronów Kambodży, czyli Wietnamu i Chin. NRD raczej poddawała się tym prądom, niż była zdolna do kształtowania ich w znaczący sposób.

Keywords

EN

Sihanouk; Pol Pot; Sino-Soviet Conflict; Vietnam; China

PL

Sihanouk; Pol Pot; konflikt chińsko-radziecki; Wietnam; Chiny

• Publisher: Instytut Pamięci Narodowej, Komisja Ścigania Zbrodni przeciwko Narodowi Polskiemu
• Journal: Pamięć i Sprawiedliwość
• Year: 2023
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 166-183

Dates

published

2023

Contributors

author

Bernd Schaefer

• Global Fellow with the History and Public Policy Project Cold War International History Project at the Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington D.C, USA

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• the GDR and Cambodia/Kampuchea 1969-1989

Identifiers

DOI

10.48261/pis234108

Biblioteka Nauki

2230856