Sihanouk was not even directly informed of the fall of Phnom Penh; he initially went to Pyongyang, but was persuaded to return as Cambodian Head of State, despite severe misgivings, by Zhou Enlai.
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By the time of the Khmer Rouge's entry into Phnom Penh on 17 April 1975, the communists were firmly in control of the GRUNK, and communications with Cambodia were effectively cut off.
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Command of the military was however in reality in the hands of Saloth Sar, whose existence in the Khmer Rouge's senior levels (along with that of Nuon Chea, Son Sen and Ieng Sary) was kept essentially secret.