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U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte (left) is accompanied by DC-Cam Director Youk Chhang (right) during a tour of the former Khmer Rouge’s notorious S-21 prison, now known as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
The United States to provide $1.8 million to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal
U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh
September 16, 2008
On September 16, Deputy Secretary John D. Negroponte announced that the United States plans to work with the U.S. Congress in order to provide the Khmer Rouge Tribunal with $1.8 million in funding this year. In a prepared statement, the Deputy Secretary said that “the Department intends to make available an initial contribution of $1.8 million this year to support the tribunal. We expect to be active among donors to the tribunal to ensure that it continues to improve its management and addresses the issue of corruption. This decision to seek funding for the court reflects our commitment to see this process through to its conclusion and to help Cambodians build a society based on the rule of law.”
The funding will be provided directly to the United Nations administered portion of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). The Deputy Secretary stressed that this was an initial contribution, and that there are plans to provide additional funding in future fiscal years pending Congressional approval. He stated that the decision to provide funding follows the State Department’s assessment that “conditions are both appropriate and opportune” to move forward with this proposal. Noting the importance of the court’s being managed properly, the Deputy Secretary said that as a result of the decision to provide funding the U.S. would have a voice along with the other donors and expressed his certainty that when issues or problems were observed they would be called to the attention of the right people.
In a separate statement, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said that the U.S. is committed to helping Cambodia in its efforts to hold Khmer Rouge leaders accountable for their crimes. While the court still has more to do, the ECCC has made significant strides to overcome international concerns about corruption, mismanagement, and political influence, including adding a new international deputy administrator, strengthening management practices, and establishing procedures to deal with allegations of wrongdoing, he said.
The Deputy Secretary noted that the U.S. will “spare no effort” to ensure that donor contributions are put to good use in the tribunal.
