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Sihanouk's father dies. Sihanouk becomes head of state
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King Sihanouk abdicated in favour of his father, Norodom Suramarit.
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Cambodia wins its independence from France. Under King Sihanouk, it becomes the Kingdom of Cambodia.
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Sihanouk abdicates to pursue a political career. His father becomes king and Sihanouk becomes prime minister.
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Cambodia severed ties with South Vietnam.
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Sihanouk breaks off relations with the US and allows North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia in pursuance of their campaign against the US-backed government in South Vietnam.
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The US begins a secret bombing campaign against North Vietnamese forces on Cambodian soil.
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Lon Nol is overthrown as the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot occupy Phnom Penh. Sihanouk briefly becomes head of state, the country is re-named Kampuchea.
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The country is re-named Democratic Kampuchea. Sihanouk resigns, Khieu Samphan becomes head of state, Pol Pot is prime minister.
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Fighting breaks out with Vietnam.
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Vietnamese forces invade in a lightning assault.
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The pro-Vietnamese Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Party wins parliamentary elections. The international community refuses to recognise the new government.
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Vietnamese troops withdraw. Hun Sen tries to attract foreign investment by abandoning socialism. The country is re-named the State of Cambodia. Buddhism is re-established as the state religion.
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A peace agreement is signed in Paris. A UN transitional authority shares power temporarily with representatives of the various factions in Cambodia. Sihanouk becomes head of state.
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Elections are held in Cambodia
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Pol Pot dies
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1999 Cambodia joins ASEAN
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Norodom Sihamoni becomes king
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Oil is discovered off Cambodia
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February - Rainsy receives a royal pardon and returns home.
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