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PAGE 01 PHNOM 04897 190738 Z
12
ACTION EA-14
INFO OCT-01 ADP-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-09 H-02 INR-10 L-03
NSAE-00 NSC-10 PA-03 RSC-01 PRS-01 SS-15 USIA-12
DPW-01 SR-02 ORM-03 AID-20 IO-12 RSR-01 /120 W
--------------------- 108864
R 190545 Z MAY 73
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1335
INFO AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY SAIGON
AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
AMCONSUL BIEN HOA
AMCONSUL CAN THO
CINCPAC
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE PHNOM PENH 4897
E. O. 11652/ N/ A
TAGS: PINS, PFOR, CB, VS
SUBJECT: VIETNAMESE POLITICAL PRISONERS/ REFUGEES REPATRIATED
1. ON MAY 15 A RVNAF C-130 REPATRIATED 106 ETHNIC
VIETNAMESE INCLUDING POLITICAL PRISONERS, MEMBERS
OF THEIR FAMILIES OR RECENTLY GENERATED REFUGEES.
THE POLITICAL PRISONERS, ACCORDING TO THE VIET-
NAMESE EMBASSY, WERE ARRESTED BETWEEN 1968-70
DURING THE SIHANOUK ERA AND CHARGED WITH ESPIONAGE,
INTELLIGENCE GATHERING AND SUPPLY OF GOODS OR
MONEY " PRESUMABLY ON BEHALF OF THE SAIGON GOVERN-
MENT." THE POLITICAL PRISONERS INCLUDED 53 MEN
AND 17 WOMEN. AN ADDITIONAL 11 OF THEIR CHILDREN AND
25 RECENTLY- GENERATED REFUGEES FROM KOMPONG CHHNANG
AND NEAK LUONG COMPLETED THE PARTY.
2. THE VIETNAMESE EMBASSY DESCRIBED THE POLITICAL
PRISONERS AS MAINLY POOR, UNEDUCATED FISHERMEN,
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ARTISANS, MECHANICS OR SMALL BUSINESSMEN WHO WERE
BORN IN CAMBODIA. INTERVIEWED BY JOURNALISTS SOME
COMPLAINED OF TORTURE AND GENERAL MISTREATMENT AT THE
TIME OF THEIR ARRESTS. MOST APPEARED TO AN EMBASSY
OFFICER PRESENT TO BE IN FAIR CONDITION, THOUGH A FEW
INFANTS WERE OBVIOUSLY VERY ILL AND UNDERNOURISHED.
3. ONE YOUTH INTERVIEWED SAID HE WAS ARRESTED FOR
GIVING MONEY TO VIET CONG, ADDING HE HAD NOT GIVEN
VERY MUCH. A WOMEN REPORTED THAT SHE WAS ARRESTED FOR
BUYING CLOTH WITH WHICH TO MAKE A VIETNAMESE FLAG.
4. ACCORDING TO THE VIETNAMESE EMBASSY THE PARTY,
WHICH LEFT IN THE CHARGE OF VIETNAMESE NATIONAL POLICE
OFFICERS WHO CAME FOR THAT PURPOSE, WILL BE FREED
AFTER THEIR IDENTITIES ARE VERIFIED AND THEY HAVE BEEN
ISSUED PROPER DOCUMENTS. MOST HAVE RELATIVES IN
VIETNAM WHO CAN ASSIST THEM AND THOSE FEW WHO DO NOT
WILL BE CARED FOR BY VIETNAMESE SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES.
5. ALTHOUGH IT HAS NO FIGURES, THE VIETNAMESE EMBASSY
BELIEVES THAT FEW, IF ANY, VIETNAMESE POLITICAL
PRISONERS REMAIN AND HAS ASKED KHMER AUTHORITIES FOR
A LIST OF ETHNIC VIETNAMESE UNDER ARREST FOR OTHER
OFFENSIES. THE EMBASSY SAID HIGH- LEVEL COOPERTION IS
READILY FORTHCOMING BUT VIETNAMESE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS
WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND WITH KHMER TROOPS IN THE
PROVINCE.
6. THE VIETNAMESE EMBASSY IS PLANNING FOR ADDITIONAL
FLIGHTS TO REPATRIATE THOSE REFUGEES WHO HAVE LOST
THEIR GOODS, CAN NO LONGER EARN A LIVING IN CAMBODIA
AND WISH TO GO TO SOUTH VIETNAM. THREE THOUSAND
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM RECENT FIGHTING AT KG TRALACH
( KG CHHNANG PROVINE) HAVE MOVED TO KOMPONG LUONG.
FURTHER REPATRIATIONS WILL DRAW ON THESE REFUGEES AND
OTHERS NOW NEAR NEAK LUONG WHO FLED THE FEBRUARY
FIGHING AT BANAM.
SWANK
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NMAFVVZCZ
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*** Current Classification *** LIMITED OFFICIAL USE