U.S. Ambassador hails Cambodian leader for dropping suits against critics

U.S. Ambassador hails Cambodian leader for dropping suits against
critics
AP
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Washington's Ambassador to Cambodia on
Wednesday praised its prime minister for dropping defamation lawsuits
against four critics - and urged him to reconcile with targets of
similar legal action.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he would drop criminal suits
against the four, after they had written to thank him for ordering
their release on bail.

"We are very happy with what has happened. It's something that the
entire international community should applaud," U.S. Ambassador Joseph
Mussomeli told reporters.

The four - radio journalist Mom Sonando, union leader Rong Chhun and
human rights activists Kem Sokha and Pa Nguon Tieng - had been set to
be tried over their alleged criticism of a border demarcation pact Hun
Sen signed with Vietnam in October.

Hun Sen's decision to halt the criminal prosecutions followed heavy
international and domestic criticism of his government's recent
crackdown on dissent. Many feared Cambodia is drifting toward
dictatorship.

Despite his praise, the U.S. envoy also said the government should do
more to resolve other defamation cases, like that against self-exiled
opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who "needs to get back here."

Sam Rainsy fled Cambodia in February 2005 after lawmakers of the Hun
Sen-led coalition voted to remove his parliamentary immunity.

A court in December sentenced him to 18 months' prison for accusing Hun
Sen of being behind a deadly 1997 grenade attack on a peaceful
anti-government demonstration, and for accusing Prince Norodom
Ranariddh, the National Assembly president, of taking a bribe to join
Hun Sen's ruling coalition.

"One has to welcome and be impressed with" Hun Sen's about-face,
Mussomeli said. But "there are still problems that need to be
reconciled."

"There are still criminal defamation suits out there; there are still
issues that the government and the opposition need to work on
together," he said. "Criminal defamation is a bad tool. It impedes the
progress of freedom and democracy."

Som Chandina, lawyer for one of the four released men, said Wednesday
he is still awaiting news of steps a Cambodian court has taken to
complete dropping the cases.



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01/25/06 03:06 EST

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