New Cambodian Army Attacks Khmer Rouge

Soldiers of Cambodia’s new army mounted fierce attacks on the Khmer Rouge on Wednesday, and government leaders vowed that the guerrillas will not be allowed to carve up the country.

The government called it the biggest offensive against the Khmer Rouge since the U.N. peacekeeping mission began 17 months ago. The attacks seemed aimed at crippling the guerrillas’ military might and bringing them to heel.

Government artillery pounded a Khmer Rouge command and weapons supply center in northwestern Cambodia with up to 40 rounds a minute, U.N. sources said. Steady artillery and small-arms fire were reported into the night.

At least three guerrillas were killed and 10 government soldiers wounded, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Government troops told U.N. peacekeepers that 6,000 men attacked a key Khmer Rouge headquarters. Two tanks and an armored personnel carrier were seen bringing reinforcements.

U.N. spokesman Eric Falt said that part of the command base, Phum Cha, was reportedly overrun. He said troops also advanced on two other Khmer Rouge bases, with a few casualties on both sides.

More than 700 villagers sought refuge Wednesday night in a high school, where relief workers distributed food. One hundred other people, mostly women and children, fled with bundles and bicycles as night fell, fearing a Khmer Rouge counterattack.

U.N. peacekeepers said they were told that the government offensive would continue for five days unless the Khmer Rouge surrendered.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh, co-chairman of the new government, said the Communist guerrillas had been given enough time to stop the war. “From now on, any group or party that is outside the government is outside the law,” he said at a meeting with his co-chairman, Hun Sen.