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More refugees flee Cambodian clashes
Battling leaders also fight for U.N. recognition
September 25, 1997
Web posted at: 2:18 p.m. EDT (1418 GMT)BATTAMBANG PROVINCE, Cambodia (CNN) -- Cambodian government troops have recaptured five northwestern villages from former Khmer Rouge guerrillas in fighting that has driven thousands of people to seek safety in Thailand, officials said Thursday.
The deputy governor of Battambang province, where the fighting has flared intermittently over the past two months, said troops had recaptured the villages Wednesday from guerrillas he contended were fighting on behalf of deposed co-prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh.
The deputy governor, Souza Karya, said five rebels were killed, five wounded and 10 were captured in Wednesday's fighting. He had no information about casualties on the government side.
International relief officials in Thailand said thousands of people had fled the fighting but the exact number was uncertain.
The fighting, centered on the town of Samlaut, is well to the southwest of O'Smach, a border village where resistance forces loyal to Ranariddh have waged a stubborn defense against troops supporting Cambodia second premier Hun Sen, who toppled the prince in a July coup.
In addition to the refugees fleeing Samlaut, more than 20,000 Cambodians have fled into Thailand's Surin province since Ranariddh's ouster to escape fighting between his troops and government forces around O'Smach.
Cambodia's empty U.N. seat
The two factions are also fighting a diplomatic war at the United Nations, which spent more than $2 billion organizing Cambodia's 1993 election. Ranariddh won the most votes but was forced to allow Hun Sen into a power-sharing government after Hun Sen threatened to renew civil war.
Now, in the aftermath of his coup victory, Hun Sen is asking for U.N. recognition, a move opposed by Ranariddh, who still considers himself Cambodia's legitimate ruler.
For now, the United Nations isn't taking sides. The Credentials Committee has deferred a decision on who will speak for Cambodia, so its chair at the General Assembly sits empty.
"Nobody is admitted," said General Assembly President Hennadiy Udovenko, "until we receive a report from the committee on credentials."
Cambodian Secretary of State Uch Kin An said a ruling against Hun Sen would be "interference in Cambodia's internal affairs."
But Ranariddh told the committee in person that he, alone, is Cambodia's "legal and democratically elected first prime minister."
With the issue in dispute, Hen Sen -- now in Paris -- has decided not to come to New York for the General Assembly session. He said he'll vacation in France.
Senior Correspondent Richard Roth and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related story:
- Ranariddh: Only negotiations can end Cambodian crisis - September 16, 1997
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