CAMBODIA: PHNOM PENH: EVACUATION OF FOREIGNERS ENTERS THIRD DAY

(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 lon