US Could Announce Tribunal Funds: Hun Sen
Following talks with US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte Monday, the prime minister said an announcement of funding could come
The UScould declare additional funding for the cash-strapped Khmer Rouge tribunal as early as Tuesday, PrimeMinister Hun Sen said Monday, following talks with US State Department DeputySecretary of State John Negroponte. "Tomorrow, you will know," Hun Sen told reportersMonday night. "Maybe [Negoroponte] will declare the amount of the donationto the Khmer Rouge tribunal." Hun Sen declined to say what amount the US would pledge, and a US Embassyspokesman would not confirm an aid pledge. A potential announcement of US funding comes amid mountingfinancial pressure on the hybrid Cambodian-UN tribunal, where the Cambodianside has had much of its funding frozen by donors in the wake of corruptionallegations. USofficials have said they will not fund a tribunal that does not meetinternational standards, and the tribunal has taken some measures toinvestigate allegations of corruption. No allegations have been proven, but a 2007 UNDP audit foundmismanagement and questionable hiring practices on the Cambodian side. Tribunal officials say they will need around $50 million,with $40 million coming from donors and $10 million from Cambodia, before the end of 2009. Negroponte, who is one of the highest-ranking StateDepartment to visit post-war Cambodia,signeda $24 million agricultural deal with Hun Sen Monday night, following a brieftrip to the temples of Angkor Wat Sunday and talks with opposition leaders SamRainsy and Kem Sokha Monday. His visit was the mark of a strengthening relationshipbetween the two countries that has meant the resumption of direct USaid. The talks were "a positive process from the USgovernment," Hun Sen said. "Now we can say it is time for thepregnant elephant to give birth." Negroponte is expected to address the media before he leavesTuesday morning.