Cambodian Leader to Drop Defamation Suits

Pa Nguon Teang (R), deputy of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), Kem Sokha (2nd R), head of CCHR, Mam Sonando (C), Beehive radio station owner, Rong Chhun (2nd L), teachers' union head and Yeng Vireak, human rights worker affiliated with CCHR, speak to the media during a news conference in Phnom Penh on January 23, 2006. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the release of Pa, Kem, Mam and Rong, who were facing criminal defamation charges on January 17 'as a gift' to the United States, which had attacked the arrest. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia —

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he would drop criminal defamation suits against his critics, signaling a change of heart that came amid mounting calls at home and abroad to drop the lawsuits.

Hun Sen told reporters that instead of pressing for prosecution against four of his critics, he would tell his lawyers to withdraw the lawsuits and "put a smooth end to this affair through compromise."

Just two days earlier, Hun Sen had resisted calls to free the four _ a radio journalist, a union leader and two prominent human rights activists _ saying they would stand trial on defamation charges stemming from their alleged criticism of a border demarcation pact he signed with Vietnam in October.

He said Sunday he had no intention to withdraw the charges despite having ordered the four released on bail last week, following widespread criticism of his opponents' arrests.

The four include radio journalist Mom Sonando, union leader Rong Chhun and prominent human rights activists Kem Sokha and Pa Nguon Tieng from the U.S.-funded Cambodian Center for Human Rights.

Hun Sen instigated defamation proceedings against them _ and several others who have since fled the country to avoid arrest _ after they allegedly accused him of ceding Cambodian land to Vietnam through the border pact.

A coalition of Cambodian human rights groups had called for their release, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill urged the government to withdraw the lawsuits when he visited Cambodia on Tuesday.