[Khmer] Government troops repulsed in drive to open Highway Two (Visnews production number 10648-72)

Tight security continued in Phnom Penh on Sunday (3 September) during the elections to restore Parliament. These are the first such elections since 1966. The election day coincides with the anniversary of the death of North Vietnam's former leader, Ho Chi Minh, and the Communists were expected to step up their activities. Khmer Republic troops in recent days have been trying to break a tightening ring around the capital formed by communist forces. Phnom Penh is still cut off from all major provincial towns, except for Kompong Cham in the northeast and the small port of Kompong Som in the west. South of the capital, on Highway 2, government troops have been trying to reopen the road and relieve encircled Khmer troops at Prasat Noang. The government forces, however, suffered a high number of casualties as they were repulsed by the Communists three times in five days.