PHNOM PENH,
March 2, 2012 (PRU) – The United Kingdom announced a new financial contribution
of $1.2 million for the Cambodia’s side of the Extraordinary Chambers within
the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
The
announcement was unveiled when His Excellency Ambassador Mark Gooding met with
His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An on Friday at the Office of the
Council of Ministers.
H.E Gooding
said in the meeting that “the UK’s contribution is to indicate its strong
support for both international justice and for national reconciliation in
Cambodia”, adding that “this funding should be available very soon for the
national side.”
In response
His Excellency Dr. Sok An expressed his thanks, saying that “you bring us very
good news”, referring to the current budget shortfall on the Cambodian side of
the ECCC, which has meant that Cambodian staff have not received their salaries
for more than four months.
Both sides
agreed that it is important that the tribunal should proceed in an “expeditious
manner” -- ‘expeditious’ is the word we support, but not ‘rushed’”, Gooding
agreed with Dr. Sok An.
Deputy Prime
Minister Dr. Sok An welcomed such a comment as according with the policy and
position of the Royal Government. He
added that the government is strongly facilitating the work of the ECCC in
accordance with the agreement signed between Cambodia and U.N. in 2003 to bring
to trial senior leaders and those most responsible for the crimes of the
Democratic Kampuchea regime, while at the same time insisting on the need to
maintain peace and national reconciliation.
His
Excellency Dr. Sok An, also Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of
Ministers, said that the latest move of donors by providing financial support
to the ECCC, especially to the Cambodia’s side of the court, is showing that their confidence in
Cambodia’s capacity and commitment to handling the work of the court remains
firm.
The
government of Japan on 24 February 2012, announced its most recent contribution
of approximately 6 million US dollars, of which $2.5 million will be for the
United Nations component and $3.5 million will be for the Cambodian component
of the ECCC budget. Japan has been assisting the ECCC since the very beginning
and, as of February, 2012, has provided financial assistance of about US$76.64
million (or 47% of the total).
Further
contributions to the Cambodian side of the ECCC by other countries, including
the European Union and Australia, are expected to be announced soon, after
having been indicated in recent weeks.