Sir: The evidence which John Pilger and David Munro produce
(Letters, 18 May) of alleged 'integration' between the three Cambodian resistance factions is suspect in the extreme.
The 'joint operation' between Khmer Rouge and Sihanoukists shown in the 1989 documentary Cambodia Year Ten was not convincing. I looked in vain for shots of soldiers from the two factions together. I would at least have expected to see the two commanders poring over a map or congra- tulating each other on a successful opera- tion. By the end of the sequence I was left wondering whether I might not have been looking at two, or even three separate clips of film. I hope Pilger and Munro have not been hoaxed.
On 29 March 1991 the Bangkok Post Weekly highlighted what was reported to be the first ever instance of Khmer Rouge
LETTERS
co-operation with the non-communist KPNLF (Khmer People's National Libera- tion Front) when a KPNLF unit ran short of ammunition during an engagement and had to appeal to the KR for resupply. The KPNLF have no doubt had their knuckles sharply rapped by the Americans. Note the phrase first ever.
A report to the US Congress in late February, while noting unconfirmed re- ports of possible instances of low-level tactical co-operation between Khmer Rouge and Sihanoukist troops, concluded that there was no evidence whatsoever of strategic planning, let alone 'integration' of forces. Both the Sihanoukist and KPNLF commanders have given assurances in writ- ing to Congressman Solarz that no military co-operation of any kind with the Khmer Rouge will be permitted by the non- communist forces under their control.
Pilger and Munro seem blissfully una- ware that the US Congress, satisfied after very careful investigation that there was indeed no serious evidence of military co-operation between the non-communists and the Khmer Rouge, approved some weeks ago the first $7 million tranche of humanitarian aid to the non-communists for the current fiscal year. The news has long since reached Phnom Penh — on 6 May the Phnom Penh News Agency SPK quoted Prime Minister Hun Sen as com- plaining about the congressional decision to visiting Senator Kerry. It would seem, however, that the news has not yet reached Central Television.
In short, Pilger and Munro's 'irrefutable evidence' would seem to be, to borrow Sir Bernard's phrase, all bunkum and balder- dash.
Derek Tonkin
Heathfields, Berry Lane, Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey
Previous page
