- Title: Khmer leaders joint ??? conference
- Date: 21st November 1974
- Summary: Khmer Republic Prime Minister Long ??? and Khmer Armed Forces commander-in-chief Lieutenant-General ??? Fernandez pronounced sos-tain fernandays) start press conference. ??? individual shots of each. two takes at length on prime minister long ??? as he makes statement in French. Long ???oret answers two questions in English - first is to do with United Nations up??? on ???dia; second is about possible curtailment of American military aid (see last shot of film for answers in French from General Fernandez about U.S. aid cut). cutaways of press General Frehandez answers question in French about Khmer Armed forces continuing their offensive operations against the insurgents in dry season. General Fernandez again answers in French - this reply in response to question about possible curtailment of American military aid. wide shot as conference ends. Scripting: The civilian and military leadership of the Khmer Republic (Cambodia) held a joint press conference in Phnom Penh today (21/11/74). This came at a time when their is increasing friction developing between the administration and the military, so it was a show of unity to try and dispell the talk in Phnom Penh of the "two governments" (civilian and military). Government ministers have publicly accused high-ranking military men of corruption, and earlier in the week an army controlled newspaper was banned by the prime minister for counter-attacking against the corruption among the top civilian leadership. Commander-in-chief General Sosthene Fernandez defied the government edict, and ordered the newspaper published. It was, and the government order fell flat. In an opening statement prime minister Long Boret said that the Khmer Republic would continue to seek every avenue to peace, and again called on the insurgent side to enter into meaningful negotiations with the Phnom Penh regime, and to accept the standing offer of discussion on all subjects affecting the Khmer people with no prior conditions attached. This proposal was first made by Khmer Republic president - Marshal Lon Nol - on July 9 last, and has been repeated several times since. However, Long Boret said that the Republincreasean side would not surrender to the communist-led dissidents, nd that the Khmer people would not acdept the totalitarian rule of the insurgents. He said he felt the United Nations would recognise the right of a member state to settle its own affairs, and that the Phnom Penh regime would retain the seat in the U.N. The debate in the U.N. on the "Cambodia question" could begin within one week of ten days. General Fernandez said his troops had gained ground in the wet season just finished, and would continue their offensive operationsduring the upcoming dry season (just starting). Both leader declined to comment in depth on the possiblility of a large cut in American aid, particularly military aid. The U.S. congress is due to make a decision on aid to Phnom Penh before December 10, ??? military aid could be slashed by about 40%. ???already stated previously that such a cut ??? the military.??? Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 5th December 1974 12:00
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- Location: Prime Minister's office, ??? republic
- Country: Cambodia
- Reuters ID: LVAAJT1T46DTG2I0UJ845ZNFM6TY
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