CAMBODIA: PHNOM PENH: EVACUATION OF FOREIGNERS ENTERS THIRD DAY

Описание: (10 Jul 1997) Mandarin/Eng/Nat

The evacuation of hundreds of foreigners from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, entered its third day on Thursday.

In the wake of last weekend's coup led by co-Premier Hun Sen, governments decided to evacuate their citizens from the strife-torn country.

In Phnom Penh, about one-thousand foreigners and Cambodians milled about the airport terminal, on Thursday.

The airport - shut days ago by fighting - was a hive of activity, with planes shuttling in and out.

An increasing number of commercial, charter and military flights were taking part in the evacuation flights.

Many were relieved to be leaving the violence and chaos following Hun Sen's forceful coup against his co-premier Norodom Ranariddh.

SOUNDBITE (English):
"I just kind of holed up in a hotel and watched the fighting going on.
Q: But you're leaving today?
A: I'm leaving today. There's no reason to stay around too much longer.
Q: You worried about the security of the situation?
A: It's not that bad, maybe that other people think. But I don't think it's healthy to stay here."
SUPER CAPTION: American citizen

SOUNDBITE (French):
"The security in the city is okay, but the situation remains very fragile. And perhaps we should prepare (since) we are not aware of what is happening. In any event, we were just here as tourists. It's necessary that we return to France as soon as possible."
SUPER CAPTION: French citizen

About 15 heavily armed French troops, presumably military advisers and embassy security staff, provided airport security.

On Thursday, Taiwan also began the evacuation of citizens from Cambodia.

704 Taiwanese business people and tourists were flown out of the capital aboard chartered Vietnamese flights.

SOUNDBITE (Mandarin):
"I still don't think it's very dangerous here, because our delegation is still here to serve other people. If it's really dangerous, then we will all leave this place. (The Taiwan government) wouldn't leave any Taiwan citizens here."
SUPER CAPTION: Taiwan citizen

About 400 Taiwanese investors are believed to remain in Cambodia.

Australia announced Thursday that up to two-thousand people will be airlifted out
of the stricken Cambodian capital from tomorrow as the Australian Defence Force (ADF) carries out a massive evacuation of foreigners.

Operation Vista, as it has been tagged, would involve the evacuation of Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians wanting to flee.

Several other countries, including the United States, Britain and Germany, have asked if their nationals who wanted to leave could have any spare seats.

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