ESTABLISHING SHOTS; DAMAGED BUILDINGS; CAMBODIAN SOLDIERS.




Initials JSU/VS/BOB/SC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTERNATIONAL CONTROL COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF AN ATTACK BY SOUTH VIETNAMESE OR AMERICAN FORCES ON BAVET, A CAMBODIAN OUTPOST ON THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE BORDER.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, EIGHT CAMBODIANS, INCLUDING SIX CIVILIANS, WERE WOUNDED WHEN THE POST WAS ATTACKED ON SATURDAY MORNING (4 MAY) WITH MORTARS AND BY HELICOPTERS ARMED WITH MACHINE GUNS.

THE CAMBODIAN CUSTOMS BUILDING AND SECURITY POST SUFFERED SERIOUS DAMAGE AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED OR DAMAGED.

THE CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT HAVE ACCUSED THE AMERICANS AND SOUTH VIETNAMESE OF INTRUDING INTO CAMBODIAN TERRITORY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN THE PAST TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL.

ON SUNDAY (5 MAY) CAMBODIAN TROOPS AT THE POST WERE TAKING STOCK OF THE DAMAGED AND PREPARING IN CASE OF FURTHER INCIDENTS.