Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-06-27
Cambodia Asks u. ).
For Defense Pact
AGAINST Communists
BY the Associated Press

BY the AsSoetoteo PresS
GENEVA, June 26.-Cam-
bodia, smallest of the three ASSo-
ciated States of o-China. has
asked the United States for pro-
lection against Communist ag-
gression through a defense pact.
Cambodian sources said today.
The request confronts Wash
ington with an immediate show
down on American policy in
Southeast Asia at crucial point |
of the Indo- China conference.
I'm Washington the State
Department officials said that
the American delegation at
Geneva had been in close and
constant contact with the dele
cation of Cambodia and that
the United States Government
is giving sympathetic atten-
ton to problems OF mutual
concern.")
Cambodians here say they
have asked the United States II
it is going to draw a line IN
Southeast Asia, and If so where.
The Cambodians said they want
tn know also whether the United
bodia from that of war-torn
Wet Nam.
Mr.. Chou, fianked by Pham
States will protect their indie
pendence, or whether they must
90 it alone. and make the best
deal possible with Red China.
Cambodia sources say these
issues, growing from current
talks on the withdrawal Of Com
munist-led Wet Mimi troops
from Cambodian soil, were put
to American officials on the eve
of President Eisenhower's con-
ferences with British Prime Min
, lister Churchill on policies IN
Southeast Asia.
Set Of by Chou Talks.
The question was triggered by
Red Chinese Premier-Forelgn
Minister Chou En-lai in MS
meeting with Cambodian officials
here last Saturday a few hours
after he had suddenly agreed IN
a conference session to separate
the problems of Laos and Cam
Van Dong, vice premier OF Tine
Wet Mini regime, promised, &C.
cording to Cambodian sources, te
have Wet Mimi troops pulled ou'
of Cambodia, and to recognize
Cambodia's independence and
territorial integrity on condition
Cambodia remain aloof from any
measures likely to be considered
as a menace to neighoorlnt
countries"
This phrase was interpreted
on both sides to mean they would
think this over. 1t is still being
examined pending some answe'
from Washington. Meanwhile
the projected Cambodian-Vie
Mimi talks for a CommuniS
pullback are being held il
allegiance. !
Mr.. Chou's proposal for tn
naturalization of Cambodia wa
favorably received by the Frencl
Premier Pierre MendeS-Franc
in his talk with the Red Chimes
leader earlier this week in Bern
Presumably, Mr.. Chou is nov
advancing the same project t.
Prime Minister Nehru in NeN
Delhi.
Naturalization Feared.
But Cambodian leaders feel !
they are truly independent an
sovereign they should be free t
make their own arrangements fc
defense. One Cambodian off1ci:
here said his leaders fear net
tralization would leave the cour
try defenseless against any pc:
sible future Communist aggre:
sion.
A Cambodian spokesman hel
said the "only solution whic
conforms to the. information;
principle of the non-interferent
in the internal affairs of otht
states consists in making the ir
vading troops withdraw from i
(Cambodia 50 territory, and aft
this has been done to allow
complete liberty to proceed wit
its internal organization and
adopt any system of defense
its security Chat it wisheS)."
The CambodianS say, howeve
it is pointless to insist on tn
solution if the United States
not prepared to back them up
Before answering the Red
the Cambodians say they wal
to know if there is to be
Southeast Asia pact, and if
whether it will embrace Can
bodia or halt at Thailand.
The conference has fixed Ju
10 as the deadline for decisiC
on the withdrawal of Wet Mil
troops from Cambodia and Lac