Thursday, July 26, 2007

Editor Appeals to Plaintiff to Drop Defamation Suit

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
25 July 2007


The editor of an opposition newspaper appealed to a Norodom Ranariddh Party official Wednesday to drop defamation charges against him in exchange for a published clarification.

Thach Ket, editor of Sralanh Khmer, which favors the Sam Rainsy Party, said he thought the suit filed against him by Sao Rany was perhaps proper, but that he would publish a clarification if it would prevent the lawsuit.

Sao Rany claims a Sralanh Khmer story defamed his daughter.

"I think Sao Rany's complaint is proper," Thach Ket said. "His complaint is about defamation, and it involves him, his daughter and his family. I appeal for him for a clarification, and I will publish this clarification to stop the suit."

Sao Rany declined comment, but his lawyer, Liv Sovanna said the defendant must write a letter to the plaintiff signaling his intent.

Thach Ket must "clarify that he acknowledges he is willing to talk," Liv Sovanna said. "He admits he might have made a mistake in his profession. Whatever he wants me to do, he should write to me about it."

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