(26 Aug 1997) Natural Sound

The government of Cambodia's Second Premier Hun Sen rejected an appeal for a cease-fire to coincide with the return of King Norodom Sihanouk to the troubled country.

The appeal was made by Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Sihanouk's son, who was deposed as co-prime minister by Hun Sen in a violent coup last month.

Fighting continued on Tuesday between the two sides as troops loyal to Ranariddh maintained a stubborn defence against Hun Sen's larger, better-armed forces near the Thai border at the Cambodian village of O'Smach.

Fighting continued on Tuesday between rival forces in Cambodia, despite reports that the resistance's last stronghold had fallen to government troops.

Shelling and explosions could be heard at the border post of Chong Chom in Thailand.

Three wounded resistance fighters were allowed into Thailand for medical treatment.

One soldier who was brought across the border was already dead.

Thai officers estimate that 700 fighters loyal to deposed First Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his Funcinpec party remain in the area surrounding O'Smach, considered to be their last major outpost.

Hundreds of others are believed to have slipped east to Tatum in recent days, preparing for a guerrilla war if O'Smach falls completely to the government.

Fighting between government troops backing Second Prime Minister Hun Sen and Ranariddh's men broke out after Hun Sen seized power from the prince on July 5 and 6.

Hun Sen's regime has claimed for more than a week that the last resistance stronghold had fallen.

However, independent reports from the border confirm Ranariddh's forces remain in O'Smach.

A foreign television cameraman at the border was grazed by a bullet Tuesday.

It was unclear who fired it.

The prince - exiled in Thailand - has proposed an immediate cease-fire in Cambodia to welcome the return of his father, King Norodom Sihanouk.

Hun Sen's regime responded that there was only one way to stop the fighting - Ranariddh's unconditional surrender.

The 74-year-old King Sihanouk plans to return from Beijing - where he has undergone medical treatment since February - to pray for peace at the city of Siem Reap.

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