The World - News from May 31, 1989

After months of internal debate, the Bush Administration has decided to seek congressional backing for a covert program to supply rifles and other weapons to non-Communist guerrillas in Cambodia, the New York Times reported. It quoted Administration sources as saying that the main purpose of the aid would be to strengthen the position of Prince Norodom Sihanouk in negotiations with the Cambodian government and the rebel Khmer Rouge. The latter is a Communist group blamed for a bloodbath in 1975-79, when it ruled Cambodia. The prince, who has been trying to oust the government, recently indicated he might be able to reach an accord with it under certain conditions.