Government Troops Step Up Assault on Rebels in Cambodia

Hun Sen’s soldiers pressed a new offensive against Cambodian resistance forces Tuesday, blasting artillery at the opposition’s stronghold on the Thai border.

The 2-day-old battle--the fiercest in months--marked the resumption of hostilities between forces of coup leader Hun Sen and his ousted co-premier.

Loyalists of deposed First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh held the mined high ground around the village of O’Smach near the Thai border.

Gen. Khan Savoeun, the No. 2 commander of Ranariddh loyalists, said Hun Sen’s forces had fired more than 300 shells and 500 rocket-propelled grenades since Monday. There was no definitive word on casualties, although resistance forces claimed to have intercepted army radio messages reporting 48 government deaths.

Hun Sen toppled his co-premier in two days of fighting in the capital in July, shattering a tense coalition put in place by U.N.-organized elections in 1993.

The coup was condemned by countries that Cambodia depends upon for aid, and Hun Sen has recently tried to boost the legitimacy of his government by wooing politicians who fled his takeover to return and contest elections planned for next year.

“First, Hun Sen wanted to negotiate a compromise for peace, but now he sends soldiers, tanks, artillery to attack us,” Khan Savoeun said by telephone. “For us, Hun Sen’s talk is cheaper than a dog’s. Freedom, peace, democracy in Cambodia are zero.”

Government officials said Hun Sen’s troops had taken part of the area around O’Smach. But Thai army officials who closely monitor the fighting said his forces had failed to make any headway.

The Thais said that at least two of Hun Sen’s soldiers were killed Monday and that several were injured by mines. Three resistance fighters were wounded.