The Cambodian Opposition calls on the Government to organise a national fund-raising to overcome the local funding problem that has prevented the Khmer Rouge trial from getting off the ground, according to a Sam Rainsy Party official. 

“It seems everyone has been contributing to fund the Khmer Rouge trial,” notes Opposition spokesman Ung Bun-Ang. “Except the Cambodian people themselves, here and abroad.” 

“We believe the Khmer people would want to remove the last hurdle, and they ought to be encouraged and given an opportunity to do so,” says the Opposition spokesman. 

The Government insists the trial not begin unless it is totally funded, eventhough the UN Secretary-General recently claimed enough money had already been secured for the trial to proceed. The Government has so far failed to come up with its allocated funding portion of US$13.3 million of the total trial cost of US$56.3 million; it now says it can manage only US$1.5 million. 

“The national fund-raising will certainly succeed with some spare change,” assures the Opposition spokesman. “They are not rich, but the Khmer people living inside and outside the country can manage on average one dollar per head to kick start the trial that means so much to them.” 

Further information, contact SRP Press Office 

Sam Rithy Duong Hak, 012 802 753
Ung Bun-Ang, 012 605 999