THE COALITION GOVERNMENT OF DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA: A SOLUTION IN SIGHT?

This analytical assessment examines the prospects for the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea as a potential solution to the protracted conflict in Cambodia during the early 1980s. The article investigates the formation, composition, and viability of the coalition government that brought together anti-Vietnamese resistance forces in Cambodia. The research analyzes the political dynamics within the coalition, including the relationships between different resistance factions and their external supporters. The study examines the regional and international context of the Cambodian conflict, particularly the roles of Vietnam, China, ASEAN countries, and major powers. The article assesses the military and diplomatic strategies of the coalition government and evaluates its effectiveness in challenging the Vietnamese-backed regime in Phnom Penh. The research also considers alternative conflict resolution scenarios and assesses the conditions necessary for a sustainable political settlement in Cambodia. Furthermore, the analysis evaluates the humanitarian dimensions of the conflict and the impact on the Cambodian people.

The Cambodian conflict represented one of the most intractable regional disputes of the early 1980s, with this article providing a comprehensive assessment of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea as a potential conflict resolution mechanism. The research begins by examining the historical background of the Cambodian conflict, tracing the evolution from the Khmer Rouge regime through Vietnamese intervention to the formation of resistance coalitions. The analysis explores the composition and internal dynamics of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea, investigating the relationships between the Khmer Rouge, royalist factions, and non-communist resistance groups. The article examines the regional context of the conflict, analyzing how ASEAN countries, particularly Thailand, supported the coalition as part of broader regional security strategies. The study investigates the international dimension, assessing how major powers including China, the United States, and the Soviet Union influenced the conflict through diplomatic, military, and economic means. The research evaluates the military effectiveness of the coalition forces, examining their operational capabilities, strategic objectives, and limitations in challenging Vietnamese military dominance. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article analyzes the prospects for the coalition government as a vehicle for conflict resolution and identifies the obstacles to a negotiated settlement. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of complex internal conflicts with significant external involvement and contribute to understanding the challenges of building viable political alternatives in deeply divided societies.