PHNOM
PENH, Oct. 20, 2011 – Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr.
Sok An and U.N. Under Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Ms Patricia
O'Brien on Thursday discussed a number of issues, in particular the
recent unexpected resignation of the ECCC international Co-Investigating
Judge Siegfried Blunk
Dr.
Sok An said that Blunk’s resignation was influenced by a crescendo of
speculation and interference by certain media and outside organizations
aimed at discrediting the achievements of the ECCC and pressuring its
direction. “The resignation of judge Blunk was not natural or coherent”,
given that he had worked cooperatively and closely with his national
counterpart Co-Investigating Judge for almost a year.
The
Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the need for decision makers on both
sides to discharge their responsibilities without allowing themselves to
be distracted by intense speculation, pressure and interference from
the media and other outside parties. “Our role is to facilitate the
court process at the same time others may be criticising us. We have to
distinguish between the role of decision makers (Cambodia and U.N.) from
those who shout (the media and organizations),” said Dr. Sok An, who is
also Chairman of the Royal Government's Khmer Rouge Trial Task Force,
added that “we have to do our work and let the shouters shout. We should
concentrate on supporting the Court so it can complete Cases 001 and
002,” said Dr. Sok An in the meeting.
Both
sides agreed to continue cooperation so as to ensure the court will
complete its noble task of trying the surviving leaders of the
Democratic Kampuchea regime, which was blamed for the deaths of an
estimated 3 million people during their rule from 1975- 79.
Dr.
Sok An and Ms O’Brien referred to the court’s impressive records,
notably the extent of public support, the involvement of victims in the
judicial process and the importance of Case 002 as one of the most
critical cases in international judicial history.
The
Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Cambodia wants to work together
with the United Nations for the success of the ECCC, while Ms O’ Brien
assured him that “the collapse of the court, is not on the radar”.
Dr.
Sok An and O’ Brien also briefly discussed the replacement of American
Clint Williamson, the Special Expert to the UN Secretary-General on
United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trial, who has taken up a
new position in Europe.
Both
sides welcomed the imminent Final Judgment in Case 001 and the
announcement that the substantive trial in Case 002 will commence on 21
November 2011 and they expressed their desire that the judicial
processes move forward speedily and smoothly, said a Cambodian press
release after the meeting.