002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427 production, it was physically impossible to implement the CPK objectives.501 Another objective of this policy was to further the policy relating to detecting, defending against, reeducating and “smashing” the enemy as set out below.502 For example, a February 1976 broadcast cited military functions as one of the six tasks of cooperatives.503 The January 1976 DK Constitution formally established that the populations in cooperatives were duty-bound to defend the country.504 From 1978, cooperatives were increasingly tasked with smashing the “enemies”, whom the CPK believed to be hidden within them.505 A further objective of the cooperatives and worksites was to eliminate the private sphere,506 thus destroying the existing social structure and replacing it with a collectivism regime507 in which there was no allowance for individual or family interests.508 Cooperatives and worksites were therefore a key means used by the CPK to achieve and to do “whatever must be done to serve production”.509 Dates and Participation 170. The establishment of collective agricultural production by the CPK began around 1970, expanding as the CPK strengthened its control over Cambodian territory.510 By 1973 a number of cooperatives had been established.511 In May 1975, a conference was held with CPK representatives from throughout the country, at which Pol Pot and other senior leaders decided that the establishment of socialist revolution in Cambodia required a focus on agriculture and industry, which was to be achieved through continued establishment of cooperatives and the construction of canals and dams. The latter project was to be launched in 1976.512 171. The Standing Committee formulated this policy, as reflected in a series of meetings at which they gave instructions on matters such as rice rations,513 targets for production of rice and other products514 or the construction of water systems.515 On 26 August 1975, the CPK Standing Committee reported on a visit to the Northwest Zone where it became aware of the poor living and working conditions, including food shortages, starvation,516 and lack of medicine,517 concluding that “it’s imperative to strengthen and expand the cooperatives”518 and that the Southwest had “little hope (little land, little water, no good paddy)”.519 On 2 November 1975, the Standing Committee considered training for agricultural machinery520 and salt production.521 On 22 February 1976, the Standing Committee gave instructions relating to the transport and distribution of rice, increasing salt production, the construction of railroads and hydroelectric facilities522 and the building of Kampong Chhnang Airport.523 During a meeting from 19 to 21 April 1976, the Standing Committee stated that it would go down to the bases in May 1976,524 and stressed that the Standing Committee must work with the ministries to “explain about the general stances of the Party and to provide timely Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, National Road 4, Choam Chao, Dangkao Phnom Penh Mailing address: P.O. Box 71, Phnom Penh; Tel: +855(0)23 218914 Fax: +855(0) 23 218941. 45