What Was the American Attitude Towards Khmer Rouge?

Understanding the American attitude about the Khmer Rouge is important to understanding history. The Khmer Rouge was a violently radical Communist party that occupied Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, leaving behind an indelible mark of destruction on in the war-torn country in only four years. Under the rule of the Khmer Rouge, genocide and inhumane practices led to the obliteration of a population, practices the United States would not admonish until it was much too late.

It is important to understand how the Americans potentially contributed to the Khmer Rouge's rise to power:

• The Khmer Rouge did not rise to power in Cambodia until after the devastation of the Vietnam War, which was largely fought in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. 
• The war was between North and South Korea and was heavily aided by the United States in an effort to oppose and prevent the spread of Communism. 
• During the war the United States massively bombed large parts of Cambodia, ravaging the land and its citizens. 
• The detrimental effects of the U.S. military actions likely led to the Khmer Rouge getting a large portion of support from the population because the party campaigned heavily against the bombings.

United States Attitude: 1979-1990

The Americans helped to encourage the rise of the Khmer Rouge; so, it is helpful to look at more specifics about America's attitude towards this regime:

• The United States politically supported the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia throughout most of the party’s rule. 
• In 1979, at the height of Pol Pot’s vicious reign, Vietnam invaded Cambodia and seized power from the Khmer Rouge in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh. 
• When news was heard of Vietnam’s successful infiltration of Cambodia, the United States actually criticized Vietnam for what they believed to be an unfair invasion, even though it was the Khmer Rouge that prompted the invasion by first attacking Vietnam’s border.
• After Vietnam pushed Khmer Rouge forces into Thailand, the United States openly gave support to Pol Pot’s party in the United Nations, and formally recognized the malicious group as the governing body of Cambodia. 
• Despite knowing of the tragedy that occurred in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge’s operation, the United States continued to protect Pol Pot and even opposed any discussion regarding aid for Cambodia and trials for the criminal party leaders.
• It would not be until 1997 that the United States relented, finally offering support for tribunals of the remaining members of the Khmer Rouge, in particular their leader, Pol Pot.

In short, the politically motivated American attitude towards the Khmer Rouge was imprudent and destructive toward the country of Cambodia. With Cambodia already left in ruins during the many bombings of the Vietnam War, the United States did a grave disservice to the citizens of the country by continuing to support the Khmer Rouge. It is with this dismissive attitude that the United States helped the Khmer Rouge stay in power, postponing an entire country’s justice.