Vietnamese Repulsed, Khmer Rouge Claims
Communist Cambodian guerrillas claimed Wednesday they have repulsed a 4 1/2-month Vietnamese offensive aimed at a key guerrilla stronghold in western Cambodia.
The Khmer Rouge radio station said four Vietnamese divisions backed by tanks and artillery met with “complete failure” as they tried to strike guerrilla positions in the Pailin area near the Thai border in Battambang province from November to mid-April.
Vietnam’s aim, the radio said, was to cut off supply lines from the border area to guerrillas operating inside Cambodia. Vietnam last year overran all major guerrilla strongholds near the Thai border.
The Khmer Rouge, with an estimated 50,000 fighters, is the strongest of three major guerrilla groups contesting Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia. Its claims rarely can be verified independently.
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