De Gaulle On Indochina, America And National Self-Determination

On 1 September 1966, in the Cambodian capital, General De Gaulle delivers to over 200,000 people, the "Speech of Phnom Penh." This speech is one of the most forward-thiniking of the postwar years. Recalling the independence of France, he asserts the existence of a third track represented by the non-aligned nations, one of independent sovereignty .De Gaulle also indicated a turning point in the approach to international relations for the former colonial powers. These words were felt at the time as a slap and a betrayal by the Americans at war in Vietnam. In 1968, it was in Paris of course where the conference which was to end the Vietnam War took place, the most futile in the history of the United States until the Afghanistan and Iraq wars). What is impressive is that after over 45 years, De Gaulle's words about the sovereignty of nations still echo in an original way and are more relevant than ever. Unfortunately the political pygmies who pass for 'world leaders' today could not match De Gaulle's levels of statesmanship if they were all added together.