Two Events in 1991 Dramatically Alter the Political Dynamic Affecting U.S. Diplomacy with Cambodia and Vietnam

Amb. Quinn recalls how 1991 was a year that contained events that would drastically impact diplomatic relations with the United States and Cambodia/Vietnam. The first such event was the collapse of the Soviet Union, which sent a shudder of fear through China and Vietnam, which had then engaged in a ten-year long hostility which left them sharply opposed to each other. Now, fearful of a similar event that might lead to the unraveling of the communist party control in both countries, their desire to come to some sort of agreement is greatly enhanced. Amb. Quinn’s analysis of this situation showed that it directly affected their willingness to negotiate with the United States.