Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge tribunal indicts 4 senior leaders

Sopheng Cheang
Phnom Penh — The Associated Press
Published on Thursday, Sep. 16, 2010 4:23AM EDT

Paves way for UN-backed genocide panel's long-awaited second trial

Cambodia’s UN-backed genocide tribunal has indicted the four top surviving leaders of theblamed for 1.7 million deaths in the 1970s, paving the way for the panel’s long-awaited second trial next year.

The defendants, now frail octogenarians, deny any guilt for their roles in the radical communist rule during which about a quarter of due to starvation, overwork or execution.

The trial, due to start by mid-2011, will bring to the stand Nuon Chea, 84, the group’s ideologist; former head of state and public face of the regime, Khieu Samphan, 79; former foreign minister Ieng Sary; and his wife Ieng Thirith, ex-minister for social affairs, both in their 80s.

Each face four charges: crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and a combined charge of murder, torture and religious persecution, co-investigating judge You Bunleng told a news conference.

SRP points finger at Vietnam

FRIDAY, 03 SEPTEMBER 2010 15:03
CHEANG SOKHA
THE PHNOMPENHPOST

Photo by: Heng Chivoan Thach Le prays after his hearing at Takeo provincial court earlier this week.

HIS week’s conviction of four men for distributing anti-government leaflets in Takeo province may have come at the behest of the Vietnamese government, an opposition lawmaker said yesterday.

Yont Tharo, a Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian and head of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Cultural Centre, connected the convictions with comments made by a top Vietnamese security official in Phnom Penh last month. The official praised Cambodia’s cooperation in disabling anti-Vietnamese “plots” – especially the activities of Khmer Krom activists.

“The sentence of the [men] in Takeo was in parallel to the cooperation raised by Vietnam, on the border issue and the issue of Khmer Krom activists. We see that [Cambodia] has clearly followed the requests from Vietnam,” Yont Tharo said.

On August 3, Vietnamese Vice Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang told a conference in Phnom Penh that “cooperation and positive assistance” from Cambodia had helped to “disable plots and operations of hostile forces opposing the Vietnamese revolution”.

Civil parties pray at Tuol Sleng

Source: AFP
By:Tang Chhin Sothy
Monday,July,26,2010

Bou Meng, right, survivors of the S-21 prison in the Khmer Rouge regime, carries a wreath during a Buddhist ceremony at Tuol Sleng genocide museum, formerly the regime’s notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 25, 2010. A U.N.-backed war crimes tribunal is expected to issue a decision Monday, July 26, 2010, in Kaing Guek Eav’s trial, the first verdict involving a leader of the genocidal regime that created Cambodia’s killing fields. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Hav Sophea, right, whose father was killed by the Khmer Rouge just after she was born, burns incense sticks during a Buddhist ceremony at Tuol Sleng genocide museum, formerly the regime’s notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 25, 2010. A U.N.-backed war crimes tribunal is expected to issue a decision Monday, July 26, 2010, in Kaing Guek Eav’s trial, the first verdict involving a leader of the genocidal regime that created Cambodia’s killing fields. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
A Cambodian woman holds a portrait of her brother, who was a prisoner at S-21 during Khmer Rouge regime, during a Buddhist ceremony at Tuol Sleng genocide museum, formerly the regime’s notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 25, 2010. A U.N.-backed war crimes tribunal is expected to issue a decision Monday, July 26, 2010, in Kaing Guek Eav’s trial, the first verdict involving a leader of the genocidal regime that created Cambodia’s killing fields.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Norng Chan Phal (L), a child survivor of the Khmer Rouge, prays as his daughter looks on during a Buddhist ceremony to commemorate the victims of the Khmer Rouge at Toul Sleng museum in Phnom Penh July 25, 2010. Survivors of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Tuol Sleng prison attended the ceremony ahead of Monday’s court verdict on former prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, who is accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder and torture. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Martine Lefeuvre (2nd L), wife of former Cambodian diplomat to Senegal Ouk Ket, her daughter Ouk Neary (3rd L), and former Olympics rower Rob Hamill (2nd R) of New Zealand offer food to monks during a Buddhist ceremony to commemorate the victims of the Khmer Rouge at Toul Sleng museum in Phnom Penh July 25, 2010. Survivors of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Tuol Sleng prison attended the ceremony ahead of Monday’s court verdict on former prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, who is accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder and torture. Hamill’s brother Kerry was taken to the S-21 prison where he was tortured and executed, according to New Zealand’s local media. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A Cambodian woman wipes her eye as she cries at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum in Phnom Penh. Cambodia’s UN-backed war crimes court on Monday gives its verdict on the Khmer Rouge prison chief, in a step towards justice for the “Killing Fields” atrocities more than three decades ago.  Have posted in Here.

Hun Sen to be PM of Cambodia for life

CPP celebrated 59th anniversary of its birth and declared Hun Sen eternal prime minister

By Khmerization
Source: CEN

The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has on 28th June celebrated the 59th anniversary of its foundation at its central headquarter in Phnom Penh and declared its support for Mr. Hun Sen’s prime ministerial candidacy in future elections, reports Cambodian Express News.

In a speech during the closing of the congress, Mr. Chea Sim (pictured), president of the CPP, solemnly declared that the CPP unwittingly supports Mr. Hun Sen’s prime ministerial candidacy in future elections.

According to Mr. Chea Sim’s speech, the CPP was founded on 28th June 1951 and known then as the “Khmer People’s Revolutionary Party” or “Pak Pracheachun” to fight for independence from France. It came to power on 7th January 1979 when the Vietnamese invading forces propped it up after they toppled the Khmer Rouge regime. After the ParisPeace Accords, it changed its name to the Cambodian People’s Party in 1991.

NOTE:  I think Chea Sim and Heng Samrin might not want this idiot Hun Sen to be the eternal  prime minister of Cambodia. They might be forced to declared so. And the reason that Hun Sen will never give up his post can be read at my previous post HERE.

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