Attempted coup a diversion

In the days following my return from Phnom Penh, dramatic events put Cambodia back on the front pages of the world's press. As I arrived at the airport on July 1 a friend told me: “There's a coup in process -- right now. No, it's not just one of those rumours. This one is really happening”.

Something was definitely on. A small band of 200 troops and armoured vehicles were intercepted as they approached Phnom Penh from the east on the evening of July 2. The next morning two arrests were made: Prince Norodom Chakrapong (one of Sihanouk's sons who had joined the Cambodian government before the UN intervention and led an attempted secession after the CPP had failed to gain a majority last year's election) and General Sin Song (the former defence minister who joined in the secession move).

After pleas from King Sihanouk and Queen Monique, Chakrapong was allowed to leave Cambodia for Malaysia; he is now seeking a place of asylum. Sin Song and a number of other officials have been arrested, and investigations are underway as to who was behind the coup and what were its real intentions.

The coup was probably a diversion intended to sabotage the bill to outlaw the KR. Amazingly, the National Assembly convened the following day and adopted the bill by 98 votes out of 99. Ranariddh led the debate on the floor, and even Rainsy voted for it in the end. A caveat was added which granted Sihanouk the power to grant amnesty. But since amnesty is already one of his constitutional powers, this was not a significant weakening of the bill.

The struggle against the KR should reach a new stage now that it no longer has office in Phnom Penh; there is no more recognition of “Democratic Kampuchea” passports and no more official governmental ambivalence to the KR.

Serious pressure should be placed on Thailand to comply with international law and recognise Cambodia's territorial integrity. Moves to bring the KR leaders to trial for their crimes against humanity should be supported internationally. Full support for Cambodia's moves against the KR, legally, politically, psychologically and militarily, should be extended.

The Campaign to Oppose the Return of the Khmer Rouge-Australia will be pressing for such actions in the coming weeks. If you wish to join the campaign, contact CORKR-A, PO Box 132, Yagoona 2199.

... Helen Jarvis

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