PHNOM PENH, May 4: The Khmer Rouge claimed Monday that its remaining leaders had no plans to surrender, despite reports by government generals that there was nowhere left for them to run. reports AP.

"Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea remain unified with our people to forever save the Cambodian nation and people." said Monday's Khmer Rouge radio broadcast, referring to two of the three top leaders.

Low-level fighting continued between government troops and a dwindling band of guerillas in the mountains along the border as more refugees fled into Thailand.

Some 10,000 new refugees, mostly Khmer Rouge civilians sprinkled with fighters, have passed Thai checkpoints in recent days and Joined the 64,000 Cambodian refugees already in Thailand. The guerillas turn over their weapons as they cross the border.

The broadcast called reports in the Thai press that Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea had contacted Defence Minister Tea Banh to discuss surrender the result of "cheating propaganda machines."

No mention was made of the man regarded as the group's most brutal and powerful chieftain. Ta Mok. who replaced the notorious Pol Pot as leader last year in a bloody power play.

Pol Pot led the Khmer Rouge regime that caused the deaths of as many as 2 million people between 1975 and 1979. He died April 15 of a purported heart attack under house arrest by his old comrades.

Tea Banh told reporters that government troops were in full control of the last Khmer Rouge stronghold, a piece of high ground called Hill 200. Searches were being carried out for the leaders ana their radio transmitter.

"They are on the run in Jungle along the border.” Tea Banh said.

Cambodian leader Hun Sen indicated over the weekend that the end of the once-formidable guerilla army was at hand but

refused to speculate on the whereabouts of the top trio.

"Let us keep the secret now. we are putting out bait to catch a big fish." Hun Sen said.

The remaining Khmer Rouge were seriously weakened when many guerillas recently defected over unhappiness with Ta Mok's harsh rule and refusal to consider a peace deal. Thousands of other war-weary fuerillas have made peace since 996.

Thai military officers said Monday that some Khmer Rouge leaders were negotiating with Gen. Nhek Bunchhay. commander of opposition forces loyal to Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who was deposed as co-prlme minister by Hun Sen

in a coup last July.

Meanwhile. Prince Norodom Ranariddh returned from exile Monday to prepare his severely weakened royalist party for elections called by his archrival Hun Sen. who deposed him as co-premier in a bloody coup last July.

Ranariddh, who has said his return would be indefinite this time following two short forays home over the past six weeks, was met by about 300 supporters at Phnom Penh's airport. He called on Hun Sen to reverse his refusal to meet with him.

"The main parties have to talk to each other to pave the way for the elections, to pave the way for what happens after the elections," Ranariddh said.