Tribunal Official To Resign if Graft Is Found

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
28 August 2008

Khmer audio aired 27 August (1.12 MB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired 27 August (1.12 MB) - Listen (MP3)

The director of the Khmer Rouge tribunal's administration office has said he will resign if any corruption is found in his department, following allegations made by Cambodian staff in June, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The director, Sean Visoth, is dedicated to tackling the corruption issue, tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said.

Allegations of kickbacks from the Cambodian side of the hybrid tribunal have led to a freeze in funding, as donors consider whether to continue, and the Cambodian side has established an investigation task force.

Long Panhavuth, a tribunal observer for the Open Society Justice Initiative, welcomed the determination of the administration chief but added that investigations into the allegations should ensure confidentiality.