CAMBODIA: CLASHES BETWEEN SOLDIERS ALLIED TO RIVAL LEADERS

(5 Jul 1997) Natural Sound Soldiers allied to Cambodia’s rival leaders clashed on Saturday near the airport just outside the capital, Phnom Penh. Forces backing Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party surrounded two military camps used by supporters of Co-Premier Norodom Ranariddh. Mortar and rocket fire shook both bases. At least 140 Ranariddh fighters surrendered and no casualties were immediately reported. Hun Sen manoeuvrings had all the trappings of a coup d’etat. Troops loyal to Co-Premier Hun Sen surrounded two military camps near Phnom Penh’s airport on Saturday. One base, used by Ranariddh’s top military adviser Nhek Bunnchay, just four kilometres (two miles) outside the airport, was completely surrounded by Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party forces. Mortar and rocket fire echoed across the landscape, as the rival troops waged an hour long battle. The fight apparently started when troops loyal