US a 'facilitator' in bid to resolve ECCC graft claims: government

Photo by: Tracey Shelton
US ambassador-at-large for war crimes, Clint Williamson, speaks to the press Friday.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Georgia Wilkins
Monday, 25 May 2009

US urges officials to tackle corruption claims, which continue to dog court.

THE government said Sunday it will work with the United States on corruption allegations at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, but insisted that the donor country did not have any power to make decisions on court policy, only recommendations.

"The US is just a facilitator ... a friend of the court," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said.

"[It] does not have any power to make decisions, wrong or right. But, in principle, we work with all donor countries," he added.

Phay Siphan said that he was hopeful that the visiting US ambassador-at-large for war crimes, Clint Williamson, would go to the UN with positive feedback on the court, after negotiations between the world body and government failed last month to agree on an anti-corruption mechanism.

"He will go back to New York and share information so [the UN] will understand what's going on," Phay Siphan said.

Tackle corruption: US
The comments come after Williamson told reporters at a press conference Friday following a visit here that officials must address the graft issue.

"This is an issue that has to be tackled. There has to be some sort of resolution of this going forward, and I think there is agreement on both sides that this is needed," Williamson said.

Williamson added that he had been in "extensive discussions" with other donor countries, as well as meetings with UN, government and civil society officials over how best to deal with graft allegations.