TAMERIN CAMP, KAMPUCHEA, CAMBODIA (REUTERS)

(11 August 1981)

GV Guerrilla officer briefing troops (2 shots) 0.11
GV Guerrilla patrol moves down track and into grass 0.35
SV Officer waves troops on 0.39
SV Guerrillas defuse booby traps (4 shots) 0.55
SV Wounded guerrilla 1.01
GV Wounded man evacuated on soldier's back, under fire (2 shots) 1.07
GV Mortar crew opens fire, then runs from position 1.47

Initials BB
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Background: INTRODUCTION: Since the Vietnamese army invaded Kampuchea in November, 1978 and overthrew the Pol Pot government and the Khmer Rouge, resistance groups have been engaged in constant guerrilla activity. One such group, the Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF) has been operating in Western Kampuchea, near the Thai border. The KPNLF is led by former Cambodian Prime Minister Son Sann and is reported to be backed by the Chinese government. They operate mainly against the Vietnamese but have also been involved in skirmishes against the Khmer Rouge loyal to Pol Pot.

SYNOPSIS: The Son Sann troops operate out of eight camps, strung along Kampuchea's western border. They have received at least one arms shipment from China.

The 10,000 strong army is led by General Dien Del and conducts guerrilla operations against the Vietnamese inside Kampuchea. Their objective, they say, it to overthrow the government and establish an independent, neutral and non-aligned country. Recently Son Sann went to Washington to speak U.S. funds for food and medicine to distribute to villages loyal to his cause.

This patrol has advanced close to a Vietnamese army post.

The area is booby-trapped by anti-personnel mines. Men specially trained in defusing these types of traps move in cautiously to render them harmless. It's delicate and dangerous work.

The patrol has become engaged in heavy fighting with government forces. The main concern is to provide covering fire to ensure the wounded man is evacuated safely and to prevent more casualties within the group.

The Son Sann army has also been involved in skirmishes against the Khmer Rouge. In July, the KPNLF attacked forces of Pol Pot near the Kampuchean border town of Poipet.