Khmer Rouge steps up armed attacks

In the last week, the Khmer Rouge has escalated its attacks on UN and Cambodian government installations as it seeks to prevent the May 23 elections.

On May 3 Khmer Rouge guerillas attacked Siem Reap, a provincial capital, and temporarily seized control of the airport. The government says that its forces killed 13 guerillas. One government soldier and three civilians also died.

An UN officer also said the guerillas were repelled after several hours and had withdrawn about three kilometres from the city. He said the guerillas still controlled the city's electric power plant on Monday afternoon, although they were not able to hold it.

A UN spokesperson in Phnom Penh said that UN logistic camps to the north of Siem Reap's airport were destroyed by rockets. He said a dozen or so tourists in Siem Reap were taken to the UN bases.

The commander of the Australian troops in Siem Reap said that members of a Bangladeshi infantry battalion and a French engineering battalion had fired back at the guerillas, who attacked in several groups of between 15 and 20. He also said that the UN headquarters came under scattered rifle fire.

Khmer Rouge official Khieu Samphan has threatened “explosions” if the Hun Sen government wins the elections. The UN is responding by withdrawing its officials from areas of Khmer Rouge operation. Any Cambodians who have registered to vote and live in those areas will have to travel to UN-administered areas in order to vote.

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