Politics at play in Khmer kidnaps

THE armed convoy drew to a halt and David Chappell stepped gingerly from the British embassy Land-Rover to photograph the scene of his son's kidnapping. He knew he could have been standing within a few kilometres of where Dominic Chappell was being held by Khmer Rouge guerillas but there was nothing he could do. Some of those walking past him probably knew exactly where his son was, but to tell would guarantee horrific retribution. The Khmer Rouge in the south of the country are in the odd situation of being isolated from their main body presently involved in the biggest offensive against Government troops this decade in Cambodia's northwest. While the fighting rages on, the smaller semi-autonomous group behind the kidnapping of Dominic and his girlfriend Kelly Wilkinson, both former Hong Kongers, and their friend Briton Tina Dominy must wait for instructions on what to do with their captives. The three were abducted on April 11 when their taxi was caught behind a truck being stolen by the Khmer Rouge on the notorious road between Phnom Penh and the southern port city of Sihanoukville where Mr Chappell and Miss Wilkinson run a restaurant. It was at this point that the Khmer Rouge elsewhere found themselves in a strong bargaining position as they argued the toss with the Government over whether they would begin round-table peace talks this week. That those talks were cancelled was probably due to the fact that in the past two weeks Khmer Rouge forces have moved from success to success, rather than the official excuse that their delegates' security could not be guaranteed. Western hostages, possibly kidnapped for the purpose, also add to their bargaining power in their efforts to obtain a senior role in the Government. In the meantime, the Government is now considering whether it should implement legislation outlawing the Khmer Rouge. But that could lead to long delays in opening negotiations for the hostages' release. DAVID Chappell travelled from Hong Kong where he works as a writer and photographer to Cambodia last week to meet King Norodom Sihanouk and find out what could be done to have his son released. The King was certain the group was being well-cared for and appealed to the Khmer Rouge for their immediate and unconditional release. Those experienced in the rebels' ways say they will not be mistreated and the key to being held for such a long period would be to keep a positive attitude. ''Life won't be easy for them, they will be living rough but the KR [Khmer Rouge] won't hurt them if their past record is anything to go by,'' said former United Nations worker and Cambodian resident Vic Key. Similarly, David White who is a friend of Dominic and Kelly's, said the couple were tough and adaptable. Mr White was travelling in the British embassy convoy last week when the vehicles stopped for David Chappell to photograph the stretch of road where the kidnapping took place. ''They could be sitting just out there in the bush less than a kilometre from where we are now . . . it's a bit of a weird feeling,'' he said. ''We know they haven't been moved far but getting in contact with them and finding out what the people who are holding them want is something different again.'' So far the Cambodian Government, which is co-ordinating the search, says there have been no ransom demands and no contact has been made. However, there are rumours that up to US$10,000 per person has been demanded. Aid group Food for the Hungry International has been in talks for about a month with the Khmer Rouge group holding Melissa Hines who was working for them until her recent kidnapping. It has agreed to build wells in local villages but has refused to consider ransom demands. Meanwhile, the British and Australian embassies, which both have a strong presence in Cambodia, continue to act in advisory roles to the Cambodian Government. After initially being forthright about the search for their missing nationals, they now refer all enquiries to offices in London and Canberra as two Australian Federal Police officers, who speak the local Khmer language, stand by to offer their services. This is a world where nothing can be rushed and an almost Muslim notion of ''Inshallah'' (God willing) pervades the country and its people who have known little but war and famine for decades. David Chappell had visited his son in Cambodia before and knows the people and the lifestyle. ''All I can do is wait, I know I can't rush it and I know that it's the people of this country and its way of life which attracted Dominic to open a restaurant in Sihanoukville in the first place,'' he said. ''It is a wonderful life and a great challenge for them. I think they are both strong enough to get through this. ''Hopefully when they are released, Dominic and Kelly will choose to stay on and continue what they started. But of course that is up to them.''