Between 1975 and 1979 Cambodia was ruled by a fanatical Communist regime called the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge wanted to de-industrialize Cambodia. Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge leader, ordered the detention of most educated Cambodian citizens. During the Khmer Rouge rule in Cambodia, 1.5 to 3 million of these citizens were tortured, worked to death or executed. This period became known as the killing fields.
US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, quoted at the time “The Khmer Rouge are murderous thugs, but they are at war with Vietnam, therefore we will work with their government.” One of Kissinger’s aides stated “well, I guess the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” The US went on to support the Khmer Rouge until Pol Pot was overthrown by the Vietnamese Army in 1979. Trials for former Khmer Rouge leaders continue to this very day.
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