CNN logo
Navigation


Infoseek/Big Yellow


Pathfinder/Warner Bros


Barnes and Noble
World banner
rule

Royalists in Cambodia hold out against government forces

August 30, 1997
Web posted at: 4:18 p.m. EDT (2018 GMT)

SIEM REAP, Cambodia (CNN) -- Troops loyal to ousted First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh repulsed government attacks Saturday, hanging on to their stronghold on a ridge overlooking the northwestern border town of O'Smach, close to the Thai border.

Thai troops, which had fortified the border in light of the fighting, reported hearing shelling and small-arms fire between Ranariddh's forces and troops loyal to Second Prime Minister Hun Sen, who ousted Ranariddh in a violent coup early July.

Automatic gunfire continued to crackle in the rain as dark fell, witnesses in the region said.

The attack lasted more than three hours, and a Thai military source said Hun Sen's forces were believed to have suffered heavy casualties.

Hun Sen toppled Ranariddh in a bloody coup July 5-6 in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, and chased the prince's supporters to the border with Thailand as the four-year-old coalition government collapsed. Ranariddh's men have defied repeated assaults for two weeks.

King returns to his homeland

Saturday's firefight followed a day of relative calm, and came one day after King Norodom Sihanouk returned to his home country after several months of medical treatment in China.

Rebel Khmer Rouge forces, which reportedly fought alongside Ranariddh's forces, hailed Sihanouk's return as the best chance for mediation with Hun Sen.

"The king is staying here, working here with us," Hun Sen said Saturday, and he brushed aside rumors that the king had refused to have a working meeting with the new leadership in Phnom Penh.

King Sihanouk has made clear his disapproval of Hun Sen's takeover, saying he still regards Ranariddh, his son, as legitimate co-premier. But Sihanouk has also said that as head of state he cannot take sides.

Sihanouk was expected to spend his time in Siem Reap praying for peace with Buddhist clergy.

Thailand wants Cambodian refugees to leave

Across the border in Thailand, more than 25,000 Cambodian refugees were waiting Saturday, hoping that the king could secure peace and democracy in their home country.

Hun Sen's government has repeatedly said that all refugees are welcome, irrespective of their political support.

Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Chettha Thanajaro

Thai army officials were anxious to see the refugees leave as soon as possible.

"Now that the other side has guaranteed their safety, the displaced persons should return home," said Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Chettha Thanajaro.

But many refugees remained skeptical, saying there was no telling what might happen once they returned to their home.

"Hun Sen's men are in my village, so I cannot go back," said one woman refugee. "I guarantee I cannot go back now."

U.N. worries about reports of human rights abuses

Concern has also been voiced by United Nations officials who reported widespread human rights abuses by Hun Sen's forces.

Hun Sen denied the accusations and demanded an apology from the U.N. for issuing what he called "unsubstantiated" accusations that his forces had killed dozens of opposition members over the past few weeks.

U.N. officials were planning to meet human rights workers and government officials in coming days, and a report was expected to be completed soon afterward.

Reuters contributed to this report.

 
rule
CNN Plus

Related stories:

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

Infoseek search  

rule
Message Boards

Sound off on our message boards

You said it...
rule
To the top

© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.