POL POT was reported to be heading for Thailand yesterday after most of his remaining fighters deserted him, with Cambodia's government split over its policy toward the rebels.
The First Prime Minister, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, said yesterday that Pol Pot, reported to be on the run after slaughtering his defence chief and 11 family members, had fled toward the Thai border on Sunday.
He said six of the trucks were caught by Khmer Rouge guerrillas who had broken with their leader, the mastermind of Cambodia's 1975-79 "killing fields" reign of terror. Thailand closed that part of the border last week and pledged to help Cambodia capture Pol Pot.
"This is the end of the Khmer Rouge," Mr Ranariddh said. He predicted Pol Pot's hardliners would be captured within two days.
Mr Ranariddh appeared to be heading for a showdown with his co Prime Minister, Mr Hun Sen, over how to handle the disintegration of the guerrilla movement after Mr Hun Sen warned that government officials who negotiated with the Khmer Rouge should be arrested.
The co prime ministers' conflicting agendas and the problem of contradictory reports prompted representatives of the two leaders' parties to meet yesterday.
After the meeting, committee representative and co Minister of the Interior, Mr Sar Keng said Mr Ranariddh's announcement yesterday that hardline rebels from the guerrilla base of Anlong Veng would join the government seemed premature. "It seems to be fast. It cannot be done," he said.
There were six divisions ready to defect in Anlong Veng and two more that remain loyal to Pol Pot, but the government needed more information on the intentions of both groups, Mr Keng said.
Mr Ranariddh had said about 95 per cent of the guerrillas from Anlong Veng and a division led by Pol Pot had decided to join the government. Pol Pot was reported on Friday to have fled Anlong Veng after the guerrilla movement split over whether to make peace with Phnom Penh.
The guerrillas reneged on a 1991 peace pact meant to end Cambodia's conflict and have been fighting the coalition government formed after a UN sponsored poll in May 1993.
Pol Pot was still holding senior figures as hostages, including Mr Khieu Samphan, president of the Khmer Rouge's provisional government, Mr Ranariddh said yesterday. Rebel commander Ta Mok had broken with Pol Pot and disappeared, he said.
In a surprise revelation, Mr Ranariddh said he had met Mr Khieu Samphan and two of his associates three weeks ago but refused to provide details. The news of secret talks did not sit well with Mr Hun Sen. He warned anyone who negotiated with Mr Khieu Samphan or other top rebels was breaking Cambodian law and would face arrest.