sEgfurr
state. Prince Norodom Sihanouk, still inonfederation of Khmer Nationalistsmeeting in Pyongyang, Horth Korea, late insupporters come from the Paris-based Generalof Khmers Abroad, an umbrella organizationKampuchean exile groups. Former Lonin Tom and Cheng Heng figure prominentlysubordinates.
Sihanouk sees Pol Pot as his
Sihanouk waseadership position months agoro-Chinese, Democratic Kampuchean state, but rejected the Chinese-dictated terms, particularly ato cooperate with Pol Pot. Sihanouk assumes that he must inevitably emerge as leader and unifier of the third force factions. Be appears" to count on the support of even those individuals who have remained steadfastly independent oZ hire, assigning roles to various characters who have not yet agreed to play.
The Khraer Serei
Independently led anti-Communist groups knownas Khmer Serei (Free Khmer) have long been an irritant to various Kampuchean governments. Each Khmer Serei camp appears to function with near autonomylethora of self-proclaimed liberation movements. Khmer Serei obtain supplies at thrivinghortacross the border in Thailand, compared to the .Pol Pot forces, the Khmer Serei living standard ishigher, their fighting ability lower. mWg
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In Tain, former Prime Minister under Lon Noi and Sihanouk's choice as military head, is claimed tormed and loyal Khmer Serei soldiers. In the absence of an effective chain of command, however,power he exercises is not clear. The relationship of Sihanouk toUjjvelterof Khmer Serei groups is also ambiguous. BBsammmmmmmmmmmmmmmT
portedly say they are fighting for the princehis knowledge of their exi:
The so-called Khmer Liberation Movement currently seems tho most significant and cohesive among third force organizations. Its leader. Son Satin, whoctober declared the creation of the Khmer People's National Liberation Front, is also president of the Ceneral Association of Khmers Abroad. Dienorcer Lon Noi general, is military chief. Clashes with the Vietnamese have been alleged, but thecurrent strategy is to lie low, avoidingandopular political infrastructure. The underlying tenet of the movement is that Khmer nationalism and hatred of the Vietnamese will event-ually compel the invaders to withdraw. Baivfwfji
China's Came
China's fondest hopes for the third forceon the integration of Polresistance groups into ascenario proposes close military andbetween Son Sann
Sihanouk prominently hrouaht into the coalition. 1
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An attempt toward the creationnited front was the proclamation by Pol Pot representatives ln filingeptember of the Patriotic and Democratic. Front of Great National Unity m
Should Pol Pot'fl forces, deteriorate beyond apoint, his backers may consider it worthwhile to increase support to other groups ao that they could function either as reinforcements or newromise of considerable aid could go far toward lowering existing ideological barriers. Inase, the third force couldritical part in keeping alive the resistance to the Heng Saarin regime and the Vietnamese.
Current reports of guerrilla resistance inindicate few or no areas that arefor the Vietnamese and Heng Samrin forces. major towns and roads are susceptibleand their grip on the countryside ia even
Thougl
Th^ie7Ea7ese are not likely to be driven out, they -ill continue to encounter resistance that wii^jas^ and debilitate their manpower and_rcsources-
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