ECCC to resume cooperation with OSJI, but requests apology
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) has expressed readiness to resume cooperation with the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), on condition that the New York-based NGO apologizes for its allegations of corruption in the court, local media said on Tuesday.
"If they apologize, we will reconsider it. If not, there will be no reconciliation," ECCC spokesperson Reach Sambath was quoted by French-language daily Cambodge Soir as saying.
Last month, OSJI released a statement suggesting an investigation was needed into reports that Cambodian officials at ECCC contribute some of their salaries to senior government officials in exchange for their positions.
ECCC denied the allegations, and its administration director Sean Visoth formally cut off ties with the OSJI two days after the allegations appeared.
Failing to comment on any intention to apologize, OSJI coordinator to Phnom Penh, Heather Ryan, simply said that she is ready to work with the tribunal once again.
"We have not been urged. But if they want to hold discussions again, I will agree," she said.
OSJI, one of the NGOs that are entrusted by the United Nations to supervise and facilitate the operation of ECCC, said that even if cooperation with the Cambodian side has come to a halt, dialogue with the international side should continue.
ECCC, designed to try former Democratic Kampuchea (DK) leaders believed to be responsible for the death of some 1.7 million people between 1975 and 1979, is currently facing a delay due to failure to approve internal regulations, which are necessary to begin judicial procedures.
After failing to finalize the rules twice in the recent past, foreign and Cambodian ECCC officials will discuss resolving the differences once again from Wednesday until March 16.
The UN and Cambodia agreed on the current tribunal framework in 2003 after six years of talks.
Source: Xinhua
"If they apologize, we will reconsider it. If not, there will be no reconciliation," ECCC spokesperson Reach Sambath was quoted by French-language daily Cambodge Soir as saying.
Last month, OSJI released a statement suggesting an investigation was needed into reports that Cambodian officials at ECCC contribute some of their salaries to senior government officials in exchange for their positions.
ECCC denied the allegations, and its administration director Sean Visoth formally cut off ties with the OSJI two days after the allegations appeared.
Failing to comment on any intention to apologize, OSJI coordinator to Phnom Penh, Heather Ryan, simply said that she is ready to work with the tribunal once again.
"We have not been urged. But if they want to hold discussions again, I will agree," she said.
OSJI, one of the NGOs that are entrusted by the United Nations to supervise and facilitate the operation of ECCC, said that even if cooperation with the Cambodian side has come to a halt, dialogue with the international side should continue.
ECCC, designed to try former Democratic Kampuchea (DK) leaders believed to be responsible for the death of some 1.7 million people between 1975 and 1979, is currently facing a delay due to failure to approve internal regulations, which are necessary to begin judicial procedures.
After failing to finalize the rules twice in the recent past, foreign and Cambodian ECCC officials will discuss resolving the differences once again from Wednesday until March 16.
The UN and Cambodia agreed on the current tribunal framework in 2003 after six years of talks.
Source: Xinhua
4 comments:
Ok, Ok, some famous faces have already apologised. Why not OSJI?
OOOO
Don't apology OSJI. Your allegation is 110% grounded. Please make a tough investigation with ordinary staff of the ECCC, you will 110% find the true.
I appeal to all interested states, donors and organization concerned, please make a clear guideline to investigate what is happenning behind the scene at the ECCC.
Kickback is still in full operation and keep going on in the ECCC. Please find it........
From an ECCC staff.
Be serious OSJI! If you apologize you lost your credibility as an independent monitor and supervisor of the ECCC operaion. I'm sure when you've made the statement you've fact to back up otherwise you'd not have made the allegation. So stick with it and get on with the job with the international team and don't child play with the spoil kids.
I know some people, who are currently working as officials in the public institutions, also got the jobs with the ECCC because they know some big shots there. These people receive salaries in both places, but they are more active at the ECCC.
Therefore, there is not only corruption at the ECCC, but also nepotism and favouritism. The ECCC-tantrum-kid is not the correct term in this context. Kids are more open to new ideas. It should be the ECCC-tantrum-old-boy.
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