ABSTRACT
Developments in 1990 appear likely to increase America's importance among the contending groups involved in the Cambodian situation. The Soviet Union, China and Vietnam all face massive internal difficulties. It is also possible that a resurgence of Khmer Rouge power or other events in Cambodia could impel US leaders to take a more decisive leadership role in shoring up international efforts to prevent a return to power of the reviled Cambodians. Japan has the economic power to exert an important independent influence in Indochina. Events in Eastern Europe and changes in East-West relations are likely to free US government resources from the defense budget; but there is no guarantee that these resources could be put to use, through greater foreign aid or other means, to support a more assertive US policy toward Indochina. Higher government priorities involve overall cuts in government spending, support for domestic programs, and foreign assistance to newly democratic countries in Eastern Europe and Latin America.
