CAMBODIA MAY SEEK ARMS FROM CHINA

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29260, 19 July 1960, Page 15

CAMBODIA MAY SEEK ARMS FROM CHINA

Aggression Feared; “Grave Problem For 5.E.A.T.0.” (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 930 p.m.) , LONDON, July 18. Cambodia warned early today that it would negotiate a military aid agreement “with our Chinese and Russian friends,” unless America provided it with arms, according to the “Daily Mail.” The warning came in what the newspaper described as an exclusive cable from the Cambodian Head of State, Prince Norodom Sihanouk. He said he feared aggression’from traitors, who had the support of South Vietnam and Thailand.

Prince Sihanouk said Cambodia was particularly interested in jet fighters from Russia. His message added, however, that Cambodia would not seek Communist arms until “we have exhausted all possibilities with the Americans.”

The newspaper said the Prince’s message came in response to a message to Cambodia from the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Selwyn Lloyd, supporting the Cambodian policy of neutrality.

Prince Sihanouk said he doubted whether Mr Lloyd understood the reality of the threat from South Vietnam and Thailand.

The country was threatened primarily by a group named the "Free Cambodians” led by “the former protege of war time Japan,” Son Ngoc Thanh, .and the disgraced former Ambassador to Britain. Sam Sary.

Mr Sary is the Ambassador who was recalled in 1958 after a nursemaid at the Cambodian Embassy in London complained she had been beaten by him. The message said the “Free Cambodians" were few in number, but enjoyed continued support from Thailand and South Vietnam. These countries had boasted that their armies could overrun Cambodia in less than 24 hours.

Prince Sihanouk explained that jet fighters were needed to replace the “ludicrously inadequate and decrepit trainers” which at present constituted the Air Force.

The “Daily Mail" commented that if Cambodia did indeed become a Communist-sponsored wedge between Thailand and South Vietnam—both allies of the West—the S.E.A.T.O. Powers would be faced with a grave problem.