‘Desperate’ appeal for help

Press, 8 December 1978, Page 6

‘Desperate’ appeal for help

NZPA-Reuter Peking 1! Cambodia has appealed for) -j international support as! fighting with Vietnam builds) (■up, according to the New: s*China News Agency. China,) 11 its closest ally, says it) ;[firmly backs the Cambodian) 'people. / But there was no mention if of any other commitment when the agency yesterday I published letters written by • the Cambodian President (Mr ; Khieu Samphan) — which (some diplomats thought had [almost a ring of desperation [ — and th', chairman of [China’s Parliament (Mr Yeh I 1 Chien-ying). ! Mr Yeh, who Is in effect) [China’s Head of State, was) [brief in his reply to a lengthy) [letter sent by Mr Khieu) [Samphan on November 24 to! leaders of countries friendly) to Phnom Penh. The Cam-) bodian leaders sought their) “opposition” to Vietnam’s: actions. Mr Yeh did not make any) icommitments other than to) [say that China fully sup-) ) ported “the solemn and just! ■ position” of the Cambodian) ■Government “and firmly sup-) [ports the Kampuchean people) 1 [in their just struggle)! [against aggression by the: [Vietnamese expansionists.” |i Publication of the letters)! [coincided with reports from) ■ Bangkok that Vietnamese)' ‘forces have moved deeper in-).-■to Cambodia in the past few!) ■ days and are heading for the|i (vital Mekong River port off! (Kratie. .