Cambodians Flee Fighting Near Border
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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodians fled by the thousands into neighboring Thailand on Friday, escaping a rocket barrage by forces of coup leader Hun Sen. Rockets exploded within 300 yards of a refugee camp.
In Phnom Penh, the capital, Second Prime Minister Hun Sen’s new government moved to consolidate his power, organizing a mock political convention with the apparent intent of dividing the opposition and warning Asian neighbors to stay out of Cambodia’s affairs.
Rockets pummeled two northern bases controlled by forces loyal to deposed First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh, ousted in a July 5-6 coup.
The shelling near the border town of Poipet sent about 7,000 people fleeing into Thailand, although about half of them returned later when fighting eased.
Poipet came under the control of Hun Sen’s forces Wednesday. Ranariddh’s loyalists have been driven north to the border since Hun Sen’s troops forced them from Phnom Penh.
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