Talks on Khmer Rouge trial stalled

Talks on Khmer Rouge trial stalled

CAMBODIA: Phnom Penh said on Wednesday that talks with the United Nations on legislation paving the way for controversial trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders were still on track and it hoped for a final agreement this year.

Cambodia last year passed new legislation to set up a UN- assisted court for leading figures in the 1975-79 "killing fields" regime.

Prime Minister Hun Sen initially said the trials would begin by the end of 2001. But Cambodia and the UN have yet to sign a final agreement on a Khmer Rouge tribunal. The UN says it is waiting for Cambodia to respond to its requests for clarification of certain points in the legislation.

Hun Sen has threatened to go ahead with trials without UN co- operation if agreement is not reached. --Reuters