'No attack on rebel strongholds'

'No attack on rebel strongholds'

PHNOM PENH (Reuter): The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces has no plan to attack and take any key Khmer Rouge strongholds this year but will try to narrow the rebel's controlled territory, a senior army commander said.

"Now, I tell the truth -- we will not attack Pailin, Anlong Veng, Malai this year but we will next year," Lt. Gen.Nhek Bun Chhay told reporters at Pochentong airport late Wednesday.

Nhek Bun Chhay is the deputy chief of staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and is in charge of military action in the north and northwest.

He claimed recent military action against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas was designed only to reduce the outlawed faction's controlled territory rather than an all out offensive.