Khmer Rouge Tribunal ‘Not Able’ to Put Other Leaders on Trial: PM

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Written by DAP NEWS -- Thursday, 10 September 2009

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday claimed that Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT) is unable to seek charges for another 5 leaders of the brutal Democratic Kampuchea regime headed by Pol Pot.

The KRT’s international prosecutors on Tuesday said they would seek to charge another 5 leaders. By internal regulations, the proposal passed by 4 supporting votes to one opposed vote.

However, Hun Sen said the main priority for Cambodia should be peace and stability, national reconciliation and development, not more prosecutions. He said the Cambodian Government could block the prosecutions. “You cannot win as you have only two voices, but the Cambodian party has three voices. As a result, it can result in a row in the court,” Hun Sen stated. “If Cambodia is peaceful, they are not happy, but if Cambodia has a war, they will be happy as it’s easy to control, but that definitely cannot happen in Cambodia,” the premier said. “You have to proceed by internal measures and regulations, but the last result is zero.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday sent a strongly worded warning to anyone suggesting that other leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime be put on trial. Five high ranking former cadre are currently on trial.

“If you want to do anything, you have to prioritize safety, peace and reconciliation first; do not push one side without thinking of the other side,” the premier said during a ceremony to mark the release of data from the the 2008 population census in Chaktomuk.

Strongly warning on Monday by The premier also referred to Youk Chhang, director of the Documenta-tion Center of Cambodia (DC-CAM), who the premier said made the suggestion other leaders be charged last week. Youk Chhang denied having made any such remarks .

Youk Chhang told DAP News Cambodia that he had not week forum related to any ideas to push charging other leaders in Khmer Rough Regime to be on trial beside the 5 leaders.

The Khmer Rouge Tribunal has faced increasing criticism at home and in the international community for perceived inefficiency, incompetence, foot-dragging and corruption.