New Observer Pact Improves Cambodian Cease-Fire Prospects

Cambodia’s four rival factions agreed Friday to deploy military observers in each other’s zones of control, considerably enhancing prospects for a lasting cease-fire, a United Nations spokesman said.

“It’s been very good progress today. When the blue (U.N.) flag is somewhere and when we have a military working group with each faction, then I think it’s better for the cease-fire,” said Brig. Gen. Jean Michel Loridon, chairman of the U.N.-organized Mixed Military Working Group.

The group, comprising officers from all four factions, met at the headquarters of Cambodia’s reconciliation body, the Supreme National Council.

The agreement breathes new life into Cambodia’s shaky 9-month-old cease-fire. It will allow for the deployment of two officers from each faction at their respective military headquarters within two weeks, Loridon said.

Under terms of the Paris Peace Accord signed Oct. 23, U.N. military liaison officers have been posted to the headquarters of all four factions to facilitate dialogue in the event of a cease-fire breakdown or violation.

“It’s been big progress. We can guarantee their safety, no problem,” said Khmer Rouge Gen. Mao Savy when asked about precautions for officers from the Vietnamese-backed Phnom Penh government to be based at Pailin, the Khmer Rouge headquarters.

U.N. liaison officers, accompanied by two officers from each faction, will now be based at the Phnom Penh army headquarters at Battambang and Seam Reap in the northwest of the country.

The liaison officers are also based at Pailin and at the headquarters of the two smaller non-Communist armies at Beantey Mean Rith and Phum Ku in the northwest.