918 Chapter 6
Narrative: This dispute describes almost three years of attacks on Cambodian border
villages by South Vietnamese forces, sometimes with the participation of American
advisers during the Vietnam War. American commanders often believed that com-
munist reinforcements and supplies are coming through Cambodia though this was
denied by authorities on both sides.
The conflict had potential to widen even further as the attacks continued. Thus, on
January 5, 1966, the American authorization for attacks on northeastern Cambodia
in self- defense was met with Cambodia’s Prince Sihanouk’s response to the United
Nations: if the United States continued their attacks he would seek foreign mili-
tary assistance to carry out reprisals on South Vietnam. The threat implied Chinese
intervention in a larger conflict. Nevertheless, US military intelligence continued to
suspect Cambodian subversion and, on May 15, protested that a Cambodian port was
transferring Chinese and Russian war materials to the Viet Cong. On May 23, Cam-
bodia denied the US protest, but the American government responded with diplomacy,
though still maintaining support for South Vietnamese cross-border actions.
Coding changes: End Date changed from April 28, 1965. Outcome changed from
Unclear. Settlement changed from None. Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#1806
Dispute Number: 1806
Date(s): January 3, 1968 to July 2, 1969
Participants: 2 United States of America, 817 Republic of Vietnam/710 China, 811
Cambodia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: The United States believed that the Viet Cong were using Cambodian
territory during the Vietnam War. The Soviets argued that this was a means to spread
the war and violate Cambodian sovereignty. Cambodia charged that the United States
violated its promise to respect Cambodian borders on January 17, 1968. Cambodia
also charged that on January 19, US and South Vietnamese troops clashed with Cam-
bodian forces. There were three deaths. Cambodia then protested that on February 2,
the United States and South Vietnamese attacked a Cambodian government post and
killed one soldier.
The International Criminal Court began investigating the border incursions by
Communist and Allied forces on February 6. Cambodia charged several border viola-
tions during this time, and on June 5, they reported two deaths from American and
South Vietnamese air raids. On May 25, Cambodia intercepted a Philippine ship and
captured two American soldiers that were one mile inside Cambodian territory—they
were released on June 10 (see MID#3300). There was a Cambodian charge of air
raids on June 29 and July 10. On July 17, Cambodian forces seized an American
patrol boat that had come into Cambodia territory and, on July 22, demanded a tractor
or bulldozer for each man seized or else he would be tried according to Cambodian
law.
On October 4, Cambodian officials acknowledged that Viet Cong forces were using
their territory for purposes of attacking South Vietnam but protested the next day that