By Heng Reaksmey, VOA KhmerOriginal report from Phnom Penh
05 December 2007
The US ambassador at large for war crimes, Clint Williamson, arrived in Cambodia Wednesday for a three-day study of the Khmer Rouge tribunal.
Williamson's visit comes as the US is considering funding for the cash-strapped tribunal, officially known as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, or ECCC.
"While the US wants to be in a position to be able to support the ECCC politically and financially, the State Department is still reviewing all the facts about the tribunal and its operations, including whether or not it is capable of meeting international standards of justice," the US Embassy in Phnom Penh said Wednesday in a statement.
Williamson will meet with tribunal, government and rights officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, the embassy said.
The US was instrumental in establishing the framework for the hybrid tribunal, which pairs UN-appointed international and national jurists across several offices and court chambers.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said Wednesday the courts welcomed the visit.
"We have iterated from the beginning that the US is a country involved in this tribunal, and a country that pushed for the formation of the ECCC," Reach Sambath said.
The tribunal, which in recent months has arrested five top Khmer Rouge leaders, opened its doors February 2006, after years of wrangling. Observers now say it will overreach its time limit, and that necessary funds will be needed to keep it running.
But the process has been tarnished by accusations of corruption, kickbacks and a lack of transparency, and US officials have said in the past these need to be overcome before the US will help fund it.
"The US takes seriously allegations of mismanagement or impropriety in the ECCC's Office of Administration," the embassy said Wednesday. "There have been multiple assessments this year of the ECCC's administration, and these are important tools for identifying and correcting weaknesses in the ECCC's operations. The US looks forward to receiving updates on the steps taken by the ECCC's administration to address the concerns identified in these audits."
Williamson's visit comes as the US is considering funding for the cash-strapped tribunal, officially known as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, or ECCC.
"While the US wants to be in a position to be able to support the ECCC politically and financially, the State Department is still reviewing all the facts about the tribunal and its operations, including whether or not it is capable of meeting international standards of justice," the US Embassy in Phnom Penh said Wednesday in a statement.
Williamson will meet with tribunal, government and rights officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, the embassy said.
The US was instrumental in establishing the framework for the hybrid tribunal, which pairs UN-appointed international and national jurists across several offices and court chambers.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said Wednesday the courts welcomed the visit.
"We have iterated from the beginning that the US is a country involved in this tribunal, and a country that pushed for the formation of the ECCC," Reach Sambath said.
The tribunal, which in recent months has arrested five top Khmer Rouge leaders, opened its doors February 2006, after years of wrangling. Observers now say it will overreach its time limit, and that necessary funds will be needed to keep it running.
But the process has been tarnished by accusations of corruption, kickbacks and a lack of transparency, and US officials have said in the past these need to be overcome before the US will help fund it.
"The US takes seriously allegations of mismanagement or impropriety in the ECCC's Office of Administration," the embassy said Wednesday. "There have been multiple assessments this year of the ECCC's administration, and these are important tools for identifying and correcting weaknesses in the ECCC's operations. The US looks forward to receiving updates on the steps taken by the ECCC's administration to address the concerns identified in these audits."
12 comments:
The ECCC shall look at the criminal story in past 10 year to save Cambodia as well. The Khmer rouge actions were in the past and also the coup in 1997, SRP grenade attacked, the people beating and killing in land disputes, the Dey Kraham eviction, the ……
There many criminal activities in past 5 to 10 years. These criminal actions are crime against humanity. The US$$ shall be used to trail these peoples also.
Mr. Williamson shall review these actions prior to giving more US$$ to support ECCC.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Does Cambodia have Founding Father (FF)?
It is impressive to explore that does Cambodia have founding father? The answer YES. But what era and kingdom? According to historical accounts, we can assume that in pre-Angkorean period, we have some founding fathers such as Queen Liev Y, King Jayarman II, Suriyavarman II, and King Jayavarman VII...etc
But if we look at post-Angkorean period (1434 - present), we have hard time to find Cambodian founding father. Somehow, we can regard King Angdoung as founding father because he initiated to liberate Cambodia from both Siam (Thailand ) and Dai Viet (Vietnam). Beside this, I see nothing if I search deeply into the virtue of founding father.
Founding father literally refers to one who pioneered or oriented one important policy and it has become the cornerstone for younger generation. One example country I want to study is US as this country created in 17 century but has become stronger and stronger nation till nowadays. This consistent strength values so much to those American initiative founding fathers.
Thomas Jefferson in 1781 stood up firmly and declared LIBERTY as his cornerstone national and international policy. Latter on, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Woodrow Wilson , and current president Bush has significant carried out this policy, and it is profoundly becoming the immortal continuity of America.
One memorable story about George Washington is that: when he liberated America from Britain and France successfully, he renounced his presidency and lived in a remote farm. Many followers try to seduce him to lead and stay in position, but he said "why I need that position when all my obligations are done, I need to find peace for myself and watch all of you to take turn." Once, there were thousand mercenaries migrated from Europe. They are hired by Britain and French to achieve a secret mission to kill George Washington, but after they all were caught by Washington, they were freely resettled in the farms. Later, those mercenaries have become American cowboys and they were the brave protectors of Washington.
This smart and win-win strategy of Washington has become the cornerstone policy of America in later hundred years. Nowadays, America has employed most of their social workers and aid agents in foreign countries. The atomic bomb in Japan doesn't make Japan irritated America, but many younger Japanese peoples see America as their hero in bringing advancement to their nation. WB, IMF, UN, USAID and others are the representatives of America to turn those aliens or vicious enemies become long lasting friend of America. Wild mercenaries have become Washington's protective guardians are sound for him as a "True Founding Father".
Look at Cambodia, do we have founding father after the war outbreak?
KY
No the U.S refrain from funding, it is because they want to be 100 percent sure their responsibilities and share of this horrific crime will not be punished!
4:43, why are you trying to sell slave abuser's (G. Washington's) philosophy to us? Do you where we can find some slaves that we can used to enriched our country like the US?
From the sound of what you're saying Anon@8:35AM, I wouldn't even let you clean my toilet, Sucka!
Well, what was wrong with what I was saying, 8:54?
5:58AM
You are not wrong, but absolutely stupid.
Your English is bad and not understand KY's article as well.
Very stupid you are,
Okay then, if you are so smart, tell us what is so stupid about it, 1:07.
It seems that Uncle SAM wants the world to help spin his wheel too! Ahhahhahahaha Why is it important to have Uncle SAM involvement in the Khmer Rouge trial? First, Uncle SAM is the United Nations! Second, Uncle SAM has the financial and the political mean to make the UN Khmer Rouge trial work like magic! Ahahhahhah
Third, Uncle SAM can help the Cambodian hybrid court meet international standard which mean Cambodian people can get a fair justice for their pain and suffering!
I would like to see more Uncle SAM involvement in the United Nations Khmer Rouge trial because one day the top high ranking former Khmer Rouge officials currently holding position in Cambodian government right now will find themselves in court too if the United Nations Khmer Rouge trial is to hold according to International Standard!
Come on down Uncle SAM and the red carpet is waiting for you!
No problemo, just give us a couple hundred billions USD and you're in.
Regardless how the ECCC does it and as long as it is within the frame work of Hun Sen/CPP controlled, I don't see any way that justice can be brought fairly to the people of Cambodia. All culprits such as Vietnam, China, US, USSR, shold be called upon to testify along with Sihanouk and then we will know the whole truth.
It would be interesting to hear where the fingers pointing go, but I am sure they all are going to focus primarily on convicting only a few Khmer Rouge heads.
There is no real justice here. It is purely a show to cover up all the guilts of the parties involved.
There is no real justice here? are you mad? FYI, there is no real justice anywhere.
Post a Comment