SENIOR Vietnamese officials are warning of a 'growing atmosphere of fear' among Vietnamese settlers in Cambodia as provincial officials attempt to force them from the country.
Reports from Hanoi suggest provincial officials in outlying areas have, since the passing of a controversial immigration bill, ordered Vietnamese settlers to re-register and sell their properties.
Some have been told they would be leaving soon and would not be needing them.
The properties were being sold cheaply to officials.
The news came after the killing of seven Vietnamese - including a six-month-old-boy - by the Khmer Rouge late last week.
Vietnam protested yesterday that the Khmer Rouge's reign of 'terror' was provoking racial hatred and 'destroying . . . good neighbourliness' between the two countries.