1.
GV Three representatives of exiled Cambodian government (Colonel Souvatthana - centre, Mr. Thol - left, Dr. Vansath - right)
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2.
SCU Colonel Souvatthana speaking
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SCU PAN FROM Mr. Ouk Thol TO Souvatthana
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SV Dr. Ouk Vansath speaking
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SCU Colonel Souvatthana
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SV Mr. Ouk Thol speaking
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Initials CL/1740 CL/1800



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: It was alleged in Paris on Friday (7 May) that the Cambodian government has committed acts of genocide since it came to power in April 1975. Colonel Souvatthana, a former officer under Lon Nol, whose regime was overthrown when the Khmer Rouge communist forces entered the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, made the allegations at a press conference.

Colonel Souvatthana, addressing what he called the "peoples of the free world", said that Cambodians should protect their children from "certain death at the hands of the Reds". He said that the time had come to unite and forget ancient differences.

On 22 April, the Colonel announced the creation by former Lon Nol officers of a new Cambodian opposition organisation called Moulinak (Movement for the Khmer National Liberation).

Dr. Ouk Vansath, the Secretary-General of a group known as the Khmer Republican Front for Nationalist Action, also spoke on Friday. He said that his organisation gave full support to the "Khmer Liberation Government in exile", and recognised it as the only legitimate Cambodian government.

Mr. Ouk Thol, Secretary-General of another group calling itself the League for the Khmer Nationalist Youth, was present at the press conference. He said many statements had been made by his countrymen about the actions of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. He added that with the documentation that existed the proof "was established that we have been suffering a real genocide".