The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Officials from Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal traveled Monday to the United Nations in New York to request US$114 million (€euro 74 million) in additional funds for trying the Khmer Rouge's surviving leaders.
The tribunal told donor countries in January it would need US$170 million (euro €110 million), a sharp increase from the originally budgeted US$56.3 million (euro €36.5 million).
A three-person delegation from the tribunal planned to answer questions about funding during meetings Thursday, said Helen Jarvis, the tribunal's chief spokeswoman.
The long-delayed trials are expected to start this year, but many fear the Khmer Rouge's aging leaders could die before facing justice.
The Khmer Rouge is accused of responsibility for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians during its 1975-1979 rule. So far, none of the regime's senior leaders has gone on trial.
The tribunal opened its offices in early 2006 after years of wrangling between the Cambodian government and the U.N. Trials were originally projected to end by 2009, but are now expected to run through March 2011.
Current funds for the tribunal are projected to run out by the end of this year, Jarvis has said. The tribunal's revised budget proposal says it needs more money to expand its services and nearly double its staff to some 530 to allow it to operate through March 2011.
Five former senior Khmer Rouge leaders are under detention awaiting trial. They have been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The major donors to the tribunal so far are Japan, France, Germany, Britain and Australia.
Donors have called for reforms to address allegations of corruption and lack of transparency at the tribunal.
The tribunal told donor countries in January it would need US$170 million (euro €110 million), a sharp increase from the originally budgeted US$56.3 million (euro €36.5 million).
A three-person delegation from the tribunal planned to answer questions about funding during meetings Thursday, said Helen Jarvis, the tribunal's chief spokeswoman.
The long-delayed trials are expected to start this year, but many fear the Khmer Rouge's aging leaders could die before facing justice.
The Khmer Rouge is accused of responsibility for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians during its 1975-1979 rule. So far, none of the regime's senior leaders has gone on trial.
The tribunal opened its offices in early 2006 after years of wrangling between the Cambodian government and the U.N. Trials were originally projected to end by 2009, but are now expected to run through March 2011.
Current funds for the tribunal are projected to run out by the end of this year, Jarvis has said. The tribunal's revised budget proposal says it needs more money to expand its services and nearly double its staff to some 530 to allow it to operate through March 2011.
Five former senior Khmer Rouge leaders are under detention awaiting trial. They have been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The major donors to the tribunal so far are Japan, France, Germany, Britain and Australia.
Donors have called for reforms to address allegations of corruption and lack of transparency at the tribunal.
20 comments:
All I know is we have a heck of a time to get the first $56 millions, and I don't know what make these stupid delegation think they can get $114 millions just like that, not to mention the $170 millions total estimate to prosecute 5 accused criminals is out of this world.
first it was good news to all cambodians to hear that the khmer rouge are being tried for war crime after months and months of countless money shortage i gave up on hope.
I think the ECCC is hoping that all these shortage of money might just cancel the whole hearing period.
I guess life is full of disappointments.
All of the Khmer Rouge Leaders on trial now are the product of the great power China who is one of the five permanent members in the UN. To my prediction, there won't be any trial. Even after all of them die from sickness or old age still won't be any trial. The Preah Moha Virak Khatt also deeply directly or indirectly involved in this atrocity. I keep praying the process to continue. At least these Khmer Rouge killers are kept in jail and not staying in the AC at their residence.
A waste of money for these few criminals. THe money is better spent on toilets for the khmer people. We need more toilets!
For cry out loud, 10:00, stop blaming other people (China in this case) for you own mistakes, will ya? Just admitted that you made a mistake of couping Sihanouk's arse that caused hell to break out in the region. How hard is that for you to do, huh? I know the truth may hurt, but it doesn't kill you, but at least it also help to put you back in touch with reality.
As for keeping the accuse KR killers in jail without a trial, you better have a talk with your dog (Ghai). I don't think he will agree with you.
Agreed 10:22.
well said 11:10
cambodia has a saying that money can be reproduce whereas everything else to do with legacy, love, dignity, justice and all other abstracts etc. are priceless.
It is a good saying, but not a perfect one. Many sayings are like that.
11:10, either you were born after the killing field era or you were living oversea escaping the atrocity at the time. I don't see that you feel being a victim of the killing. I was one of the KR victim. I have lost my parent, family, relatives, and almost lost my life. I suggest you go read the book about the KR, the ex-king and China involvement. 2 million Cambodian lifes, my friends! If you think it is better to let those master-mind killers live freely, think again. I understand it may be a waste of money, but it is the principle that is counted. By the way, don't dream of having the money diverted for the poors if the trial is abandoned.
11:10pm, first of all, 10:00pm did not say China involved in killing Khmer. He said the KR leaders are the product of China. They were taught to be pure RED. A lot of Red Chinese experts were in Cambodia during that time. Second, toppling Prince Sihanouk was more to the prince's fault himself, despite the fact that Lon Nol were weak and his government was corrupted. Please know that Mr. Lon Nol was loyal to the prince.
10:56, if Sihanouk was pro-commie, he would not had driven the khmer-rouge into exile in the jungle when he was in power. So stop give us your stupid stories. Just admitted that you made a mistake and done with it, okay?
10:40, stop crying, you created the killer; you are responsible for your own action, no one else, alright?
2:19, Prince Sihanouk not only drived the communists into jungle but also joined them in later time. He even called on innocent Khmer people to join arms with the communists. He claimed to be a Buddhist but his closest friends are communist China and communist North Korea who believe in no religion. He condemned Dalai Lama to please his Chinese friend. And of course he is not a communist. Wake up my friend!
2:25, I don't think you understand what 10:40pm is trying to say, and I don't think 10:40pm is promoting killers.
3:53, I didn't said he promoted the killers. I said he CREATED the killer. Can't you tell the difference?
3:48, stop twisting the truth; let's take it step by step, shall we?
Okay, Sihanouk drove the Khmer Rouge in to the Jungle, Then what happened?
Let's have the truth, alright?
Hurry up, 3:48, no one can live forever, you know? The truth won't kill you, buddy.
Darn, once again, ah Khmer-Yuon avoided the truth. I guess the truth always bind up their tongue and lock up their jaw so that they can't speak.
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