PHNOM PENH April 28 Kyodo Cambodi...

PHNOM PENH April 28 Kyodo

Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk forward Wednesday said he is prepared to testify at a planned tribunal to experience former Khmer Rouge leaders.

''I will appear at the national court with the UN participation at all times, that is, from the first day of the hearing until the fall of the curtain of the court's decision upon the Khmer Rouge,'' the king said in a stated issued from Pyongyang, where he is now visiting.

The king added that he would have his wife, Queen Monineath Sihanouk, accompany him to the court and act as a witness, citing her neutrality.

The statement marked a reversal from a fresh statement that he would not appear at the joint Cambodia-U.N. tribunal, saying the country's judicial plan is not neutral.

Khmer Rouge leaders have been blamed for the deaths of at least 17 million Cambodians during their sway from 1975 to 1979.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo recents International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group