Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy (R) looks at victims' portraits at a memorial for victims of a grenade attack, which took place near Cambodia's National Assembly on March 30, 1997, during the ninth anniversary of the attack in Phnom Penh March 30, 2006. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea The following is the content of a letter sent by Mr. Sam Rainsy, the Opposition leader, to the Editor of the Cambodia Daily in regards to the article titled "Grenade Attack Survivors Mark Nine Years"
April 1, 2006.
The Editor
The Cambodia Daily
Phnom Penh
Sir,
In "Grenade Attack Survivors Mark Nine Years" (March 31) you mentioned a March 29 statement from New York-based Human Rights Watch saying "the Cambodian government has made no progress [since 1997] in bringing the perpetrators to justice", and calling on the US to reopen its investigation on that deadly attack on a peaceful rally.
We remember that the FBI immediately started to investigate on the spot because American Ron Abney was wounded in the incident, but unfortunately they withdrew soon after for unclear reasons.
As the leader of the party that organized the ill-fated 1997 rally and possibly the main target of the attack, I fully support Human Rights Watch's assessment and their call on the US administration. I demand that the Cambodian government officially invite the FBI to resume its investigation and that they ensure the American police their full and diligent cooperation.
We must strive to bring an end to the culture of impunity that prevails in Cambodia. Victims of the Khmer Rouge regime and their families have been waiting for justice since 1979. Victims of the 1997 grenade attack and their families have also been eagerly waiting for the past nine years. Justice that has been delayed so far must not be denied forever.
We remember that the FBI immediately started to investigate on the spot because American Ron Abney was wounded in the incident, but unfortunately they withdrew soon after for unclear reasons.
As the leader of the party that organized the ill-fated 1997 rally and possibly the main target of the attack, I fully support Human Rights Watch's assessment and their call on the US administration. I demand that the Cambodian government officially invite the FBI to resume its investigation and that they ensure the American police their full and diligent cooperation.
We must strive to bring an end to the culture of impunity that prevails in Cambodia. Victims of the Khmer Rouge regime and their families have been waiting for justice since 1979. Victims of the 1997 grenade attack and their families have also been eagerly waiting for the past nine years. Justice that has been delayed so far must not be denied forever.
Sam Rainsy
Opposition leader
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