First, the Communists — who realized that they needed the support of the Cambodian government for safe haven and supplies — may have felt the need to take out insurance in case the Cambodians decided to renege. To begin with, they were far from confident that Sihanouk, whom they viewed as the best of a bad lot, was secure on his perch. A variety of documents show that they feared the rise of Cambodia's "right-wing clique," which included