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U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, Clint Williamson, at a press conference during his recent visit to Cambodia.
U.S. War Crimes Ambassador Visits Cambodia
Phnom Penh
December 05 - 07, 2007
Clint Williamson, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, conducted a 3-day visit to Cambodia to learn more about recent developments with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). During the visit, Ambassador Williamson met with representatives from the ECCC, international donor organizations and civil society, as well as with officials from the Royal Government of Cambodia, including Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Sok An. Ambassador Williamson described the meetings as "very productive."
During his time in Cambodia, Ambassador Williamson made it clear that the U.S. supports bringing to justice senior leaders responsible for the atrocities committed under the Khmer Rouge regime. He called the recent arrests of five senior Khmer Rouge leaders "encouraging." While the U.S. wants to be in a position to be able to support the ECCC politically and financially, the State Department is still reviewing all the facts about the tribunal and its operations, including whether or not it is capable of meeting international standards of justice.
The U.S. takes seriously allegations of mismanagement or impropriety in the ECCC's Office of Administration. There have been multiple assessments this year of the ECCC's administration, and these are important tools for identifying and correcting weaknesses in the ECCC's operations. Ambassador Williamson also received updates on the steps being taken by the ECCC’s administration to address the concerns identified in these audits.
Background on Ambassador Clint Williamson
Ambassador Williamson, a career federal prosecutor, was confirmed to his current position by the U.S. Senate on June 29, 2006. Prior to this, he served at the National Security Council (2003 to 2006), including as the Acting Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Relief, Stabilization, and Development. From 2001 through 2002, he served in the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations as the Director of the Department of Justice in the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), overseeing the justice and prison systems for the UN-administered province. For 7 years before that, from 1994 to 2001, he worked as a Trial Attorney at the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, Netherlands. Prior to joining the ICTY, Ambassador Williamson served as a Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime Section and as an Assistant District Attorney in New Orleans.
