Civilians starve while Nol hoards U.S. aid

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33783, 4 March 1975, Page 1

Civilians starve while Nol hoards U.S. aid

(New Zealand Press Association—Copyright)

PHNOM PENH, March 3.

The Camhodian Government is giving all American airlifted food to the military, although more civilians in Phnom Penh are now dying of starvation.

A senior Government official said yesterday that President Lon Nol had ordered the Government to stockpile the airlifted rice for the sole use of soldiers and their families.

Social workers say penniless refugees in Phnom Penh are being denied the rice. Deaths from starvation are increasing each day.

The shortage of supplies in the capital has sent the price of food soaring. The cost of a 1101 b bag of rice on the black market has doubled to SNZ22 in the last week.

“And the only way you can even buy Black-market rice is to know someone.’’ a resident said todav.

The senior official said Marshal Nol ordered the restriction of rice supplies last Thursdav at the beginning of the huge Berlin-style airlift of food. American commercial jet aircraft piloted by civilians have been flying in about 600 tons of rice a day, more than enough to feed all of the capital’s two million residents. But most of the estimated 60,000 destitute refugees in Govemment-run camps have had to depend on their wits to obtain food. “Only the children here get food,” said the director of one camp. “They receive a bowl of vegetable soup six days a week.” Food stalls close About 90 per cent of the vendors in Phnom Penh’s four main food markets have closed their stalls because of shortages and fear of food riots. There has been little traffic on the streets because of a petrol shortage. Field reports indicate a deterioration in the military situation around Phnom Penh’s lifeline. Pochentong Airport, where United States aircraft are landing at the rate of one every 20 minutes with food, fuel and ammunition.

A three-day Government drive to clear the Khmer Rouge from the jungles west of the airport '.as so far been unsuccessful. Officers fear the insurgents might use the

region to shell the airport at close range.

Rockets fell in Phnom Penh at midday today, killing seven persons and wounding four.

The police said four Chinese-made 107 mm. rockets landed in the central part of the city. One exploded in the middle of the street at. fruit market. It caused most of the casualties.