Republican Party (Cambodia)
Encyclopedia
The Cambodian Republican Party was a short-lived political movement established during the Khmer Republic
period (1970–75).
, which had overthrown the Sangkum
regime of Prince Norodom Sihanouk
.
It was first formed in 1971, as the "Independent Republican Association", by Tep Khunnah, a close associate of coup leader Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak
. The Republican Party was formally created on June 15, 1972 in preparation for parliamentary elections to be held that year; Sirik Matak became its Secretary-General. It adopted the symbol of male and female heads, to indicate its emphasis on "family values".
The Republican Party was essentially a vehicle for Sirik Matak's interests, and functioned mainly as an alternative to the power bloc of the other coup leader General Lon Nol
, whose brother Lon Non
controlled the Socio-Republican Party
(PSR). Whereas the latter cultivated a populist power base, encompassing both radical students and - importantly - the Khmer National Armed Forces
, the Republicans attracted the urban elite, Sino-Khmer businessmen, and a handful of military officers (such as Thongvan Fanmuong
). Although the Republicans' nationalist platform was in many ways similar to that of the PSR, Sirik Matak's rather aloof style placed him at a disadvantage to the populism of Lon Nol. When the elections were eventually held on September 3, 1972, the Republicans refused to participate, citing numerous irregularities in favour of the PSR.
The political situation in the Khmer Republic continued to unravel, and on March 25, 1973, Tep Khunnah was the target of an assassination attempt when a grenade was thrown into his car. The incident was widely believed to be the work of Lon Non, whose "Republican Security Battalion" was linked with such activities by Western intelligence agencies.
Pressure from the Americans, who wished to see a broader government in Phnom Penh, eventually led to Non resigning his positions and removing himself to Paris. A "High Political Council" was set up, including Sirik Matak, Lon Nol, Cheng Heng
, and In Tam
. Republican Party delegates were invited into the de facto coalition government, although they were not allowed to vote in an Assembly they still regarded as illegal. Tep Khunnah had in the meantime run into Lon Non in a Paris nightclub, punching him and causing him to lose several teeth.
Despite the appointment of the "High Political Council", Sirik Matak and the Republicans were unable to break the dominance of the PSR before the total collapse of the Khmer Republic on April 17, 1975.
Khmer Republic
The Khmer Republic or République Khmère, was the republican government of Cambodia that was formally declared on October 9, 1970. The Khmer Republic was disestablished in 1975 and was followed by the totalitarian communist state known as Democratic Kampuchea.-Background:Formally declared on October...
period (1970–75).
History
The Republican Party was one of the new parties established in the aftermath of the Cambodian coup of 1970Cambodian coup of 1970
The Cambodian coup of 1970 refers to the removal of the Cambodian Head of State, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, after a vote in the National Assembly on 18 March 1970. Emergency powers were subsequently invoked by the Prime Minister Lon Nol, who became effective head of state...
, which had overthrown the Sangkum
Sangkum
The Sangkum Reastr Niyum , commonly known simply as the Sangkum, was a political organisation set up in 1955 by Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia...
regime of Prince Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk regular script was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his semi-retirement and voluntary abdication on 7 October 2004 in favor of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni...
.
It was first formed in 1971, as the "Independent Republican Association", by Tep Khunnah, a close associate of coup leader Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak
Sisowath Sirik Matak
Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak was a member of the Cambodian royal family, the Varman dynasty.Sirik Matak was mainly notable for his involvement in Cambodian politics, particularly for his involvement in the 1970 right-wing coup against his cousin, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, and for his subsequent...
. The Republican Party was formally created on June 15, 1972 in preparation for parliamentary elections to be held that year; Sirik Matak became its Secretary-General. It adopted the symbol of male and female heads, to indicate its emphasis on "family values".
The Republican Party was essentially a vehicle for Sirik Matak's interests, and functioned mainly as an alternative to the power bloc of the other coup leader General Lon Nol
Lon Nol
Lon Nol was a Cambodian politician and general who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice, as well as serving repeatedly as Defense Minister...
, whose brother Lon Non
Lon Non
Lon Non was a Cambodian politician and soldier who rose to his greatest prominence during the Khmer Republic .Non was the younger brother of Prime Minister Lon Nol...
controlled the Socio-Republican Party
Social Republican Party
The Social Republican Party or Socio-Republican Party was a political party in Cambodia, founded by the then Head of State Lon Nol in June 1972 to contest the National Assembly Elections of the Khmer Republic held on September 3, 1972.-History:...
(PSR). Whereas the latter cultivated a populist power base, encompassing both radical students and - importantly - the Khmer National Armed Forces
Khmer National Armed Forces
The Khmer National Armed Forces , often abbreviated to FANK, were the official armed defense forces of the Khmer Republic, a short-lived state that existed from 1970 to 1975, known today as Cambodia...
, the Republicans attracted the urban elite, Sino-Khmer businessmen, and a handful of military officers (such as Thongvan Fanmuong
Thongvan Fanmuong
Thongvan Fanmuong was a Cambodian general. He was a graduate of Ecole d'Etat Major and Ecole de Guerre, both in France. He fought the Red Khmer until they took Phnom Penh. He was the last general that remained in office....
). Although the Republicans' nationalist platform was in many ways similar to that of the PSR, Sirik Matak's rather aloof style placed him at a disadvantage to the populism of Lon Nol. When the elections were eventually held on September 3, 1972, the Republicans refused to participate, citing numerous irregularities in favour of the PSR.
The political situation in the Khmer Republic continued to unravel, and on March 25, 1973, Tep Khunnah was the target of an assassination attempt when a grenade was thrown into his car. The incident was widely believed to be the work of Lon Non, whose "Republican Security Battalion" was linked with such activities by Western intelligence agencies.
Pressure from the Americans, who wished to see a broader government in Phnom Penh, eventually led to Non resigning his positions and removing himself to Paris. A "High Political Council" was set up, including Sirik Matak, Lon Nol, Cheng Heng
Cheng Heng
Cheng Heng was a Cambodian politician, who acted as the country's Head of State from 1970–1971, and was a relatively prominent political figure during the Khmer Republic period ....
, and In Tam
In Tam
In Tam was a former Prime Minister of Cambodia. He served in that position from May 6, 1973 to December 9 1973, and had a long career in Cambodian politics.-Political career:...
. Republican Party delegates were invited into the de facto coalition government, although they were not allowed to vote in an Assembly they still regarded as illegal. Tep Khunnah had in the meantime run into Lon Non in a Paris nightclub, punching him and causing him to lose several teeth.
Despite the appointment of the "High Political Council", Sirik Matak and the Republicans were unable to break the dominance of the PSR before the total collapse of the Khmer Republic on April 17, 1975.