Cambodian Govt Issues Statement on Trial of Leaders of Former Democratic Kampuchea

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 16, 2002

Cambodian Govt Issues Statement on Trial of Leaders of Former Democratic Kampuchea

The Royal Government of Cambodia on Friday issued a statement to clarify its position on trial of leaders of the former Democratic Kampuchea.

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The Royal Government of Cambodia on Friday issued a statement to clarify its position on trial of leaders of the former Democratic Kampuchea.

The statement was issued in response to the statement on the issue made by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on March 13, 2002.

The royal government's statement rejected the secretary-general's claim that Cambodia was obstructing efforts to create a framework that would guarantee a fair trial that meets international standards.

Commenting on Annan's allegation that Cambodia's law setting up the tribunal would take precedence over any agreement with the United Nations on the conduct of the trials, the Cambodian government said that the U.N. statement "reflects certain misunderstandings of the Cambodian government position."

The statement noted that in order to assure a credible trial on the basis of internationally accepted standards, Cambodia in 1997 sought U.N. assistance and participation in the trial, and this continues to form the basis of Cambodia's negotiations in good faith.

It pointed out that the Cambodian government has always recognized its international obligations, adding that the supremacy of one document over another is not a matter of issue here.

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