TOKYO, June 13 Kyodo chosened ed...

TOKYO, June 13 Kyodo

chosened editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

CAMBODIA learns ITS TRIBUNAL (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

At prolonged last, the people of Cambodia entertain faith of justice. Nearly a quarter of a hundred after the Khmer Rouge were forced from power, the Phnom Penh control and the United Nations have agreed upon a tribunal to try former Khmer Rouge leaders. near claim that the court is a sham, designed to pick scapegoats and insulate Prime Minister Hun Sen and his cronies from justice, and they blame the UN for approving this proces The court is not ideal, yet it is a sign of progres nonetheless.

The Khmer Rouge l according to Pol Pot, who died in 1998 rul Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 That brief interregnum was a horrific time as the regulation sought to purge Cambodia of Western influences and establish a of the present day ''pure'' country. To do that, they declared Year cipher evacuated cities in an attempt to build an agrarian utopia, and persecut intellectuals and professionals who might dirty their ideal state. In the Khmer Rouge's twisted vision, smooth wearing glasses was enough to warrant a death determination It is estimated that as many 2 million commonalty died in the campaign.

Although the Khmer Rouge at no time seriously contested for power after 1979 they remained a powerful force in their distant forts armed and capable of holding not on government attempts to reclaim their territory. More significantly, they were courted on factions in Phnom Penh seeking their fire-arms their votes and their influence. In turn back for political support for leading parties, they were given immunity for past misdeeds.

After the Cambodian management asked the U.N. to help settle up the court, the couple sides negotiated the terms of the tribunal for six years. They agreed lately although the legislature must still approve the deal. With elections to be held later this summer approval is not guaranteed.

Human rights organizations have testifyed the terms of the agreement. Among the many victims of the Khmer Rouge was Cambodia's entire legal class. As a accrue even today there is no really independent judiciary. Thus, debates above the tribunal focused on the makeup of the bench. Having too many foreign justices would be considered a violation of Cambodia's sovereignty. besides having too few would make quick partss subject to charges that they were influenced by means of people in the existing guidance Last week's compromise stipulates that a majority of justices will be Cambodians but that at least common foreign judge must support any ruling.

In conformity to fact [i]or[/i] reality no government truly supports an independent tribunal with a mandate to apply the mind hard at the history of the Khmer Rouge Not single is the current government in Cambodia compromised by way of its ties to former leaders of the cluster but so too are many of the major powers. The United States and China supported the Khmer Rouge after a Vietnamese invasion ousted them from power in 1979 and do not wish to have those ties re-examined in public. They are similarly disinclined to scrutinize the period before the Khmer Rouge took power.

The nearest task is paying for the court. It is estimated that the tribunal will richness $19 million, a sum far beyond the means of the Cambodian management The U.N. General Assembly-approved resolution endorsing the tribunal calls for voluntary donations to foundation the tribunal. As a cosponsor of the resolution, Japan should work closely with the Cambodian sway to ensure that the court accomplishes its objectives and that its work is not hopelessly compromised.

That means more than just funding; it means seeing that umpires and lawyers are prepared and well trained. It means planting the originals of objectivity and neutrality that can flourish in Cambodia's judiciary one time the trials are completed -- when the advocates and justices continue their practice in ordinary life.

There is genuine matter that this agreement sets a dangerous authoritative example Human rights campaigners worry that it substantially lowers the standard for an international tribunal -- while bearing the seal of UN approval. The UN and other nations must strive to render certain that last week's agreement is barely an interim step in a proces The fight for justice in Cambodia is by way of no means over.

(June 13)

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo freshs International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group