Keeping the peace: stories of Australian peacekeepers - UN in Cambodia
- The United Nations and Cambodia
- Australians in Cambodia
In the 1970s, one million Cambodians died in four years under the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, led by Pol Pot. After a Vietnamese invasion overthrew Pol Pot, Cambodia remained driven by factional conflict. In the power vacuum and civil war that followed Vietnamese withdrawal in 1989, Australia promoted the idea of a United Nations transitional administration to take over Cambodia until elections could be held.
In the Paris Peace Agreement of 1991, all parties to the conflict agreed to this solution. The result was a large and complex United Nations operation, employing 1,000 civilians, 3,600 civilian police, and 16,000 military personnel. Very soon, however, the Khmer Rouge withdrew its cooperation. Rather than attempt a peace enforcement operation for which it had neither the strength nor the political backing, the United Nations force pressed on with the planned elections in May 1993.
The elections were an outstanding success. Despite intimidation by the Khmer Rouge, about 85 per cent of eligible Cambodians registered and voted. A fragile democracy was given a chance of life.
Gunner Trenton Prince
As a radio operator with the United Nations operation in Cambodia, Gunner Trenton Prince met both human suffering and danger. On one occasion he came upon a local truck which had careered out of control over a cliff. Prince took charge and organised the rescue and evacuation of the severely injured passengers, gave them first aid and accompanied them to hospital. For this he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.
A few months later, he was with a group manning a post on the Thai-Cambodian border when they were attacked by Khmer Rouge forces. The group was held captive by the Khmer Rouge for eight hours, before the Thai military negotiated their release.
An Australian soldier (left) serving with the Force Communications Unit (FCU) of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), at a rural polling station during voting for the Cambodian national elections.
