Khmer Rouge tribunal summons Cambodian gov't leaders to testify+

Chea Sim

(Post by CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 8 (AP) - (Kyodo)—The U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal has for the first time summoned six senior government and legislative officials to testify against former Khmer Rouge leaders, against the wishes of the Cambodian government.

The summons, copies of which were released late Wednesday, were sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Keat Chhon, Senate President Chea Sim, who is also head of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, and senators Ouk Bunchoeun and Sim Ka.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday he was puzzled at the tribunal's move to summon his people who had worked together with him to destroy the Khmer Rouge movement and bring its leaders to justice.

All six of those summoned to testify were members of the Khmer Rouge when the radical group came to power in 1975.

Chea Sim, for example, was a district party secretary, while Heng Samrin was a political commissar and army division commander. Hun Sen himself was a former Khmer Rouge cadre before he defected.

Keat Chhon has publicly declared in the past that he was willing to take full responsibility for his part in the Khmer Rouge regime and was willing to testify if he were to be summoned for questioning.

The tribunal is now trying Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, the former chief of infamous torture center known as S-21 or Tuol Sleng prison. His verdict is expected sometime early next year.

The four others in custody awaiting trial are Nuon Chea, better known as Brother No. 2 in the Khmer Rouge hierarchy after late supremo Pol Pot, Khieu Samphan, who was head of state, Ieng Sary, who was the regime's foreign minister, and Ieng Sary's wife Ieng Thirith, who was its social affairs minister.

Last month, Hun Sen ruled out allowing for more suspects to be tried by the tribunal, saying more prosecutions could lead to a renewal of civil war.

He made the statement a day after the tribunal said the international co-prosecutor on the U.N. side wanted five more suspects to be investigated for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Khmer Rouge are blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians in late 1970s.