Cambodian leader reverses position on dropping defamation suits

Updated:2006-01-30 01:48:36
Cambodian leader reverses position on dropping defamation suits
By KER MUNTHIT
AP
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia's prime minister on Monday said he
was unable to honor an earlier pledge to drop defamation suits against
four of his critics because the court in charge of the case has refused
to allow it.

Prime Minister Hun Sen's comments marked yet another about-face in a
high-profile case that has drawn international and domestic attention.
Just a week ago, Hun Sen said he would drop charges against four
prominent human rights activists and would tell his lawyers and
presiding judges he was withdrawing the suits.

During a speech to graduate students Monday, Hun Sen said the court had
replied to his request by saying it was "impossible" to comply since
the activists had already been charged and legal investigations were
under way.

"Suspension is possible only if the case has not yet entered its
investigation phase," Hun Sen said. "So neither suspension nor
withdrawal (of the cases) is possible."

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

Hun Sen launched defamation proceedings against them - and several
other people who have since fled the country to avoid arrest - after
they allegedly accused him of ceding Cambodian land to Vietnam.

Domestic and international rights groups criticized the decision to
prosecute the activists, which came amid a wider government crackdown
on dissent. Many critics fear Cambodia is drifting toward dictatorship.

In a concession to detractors, Hun Sen agreed earlier this month to
order the four released from prison on bail pending trial. Then, last
week, he said he would drop the suits entirely after the activists had
written thank you letters to him for being released on bail.

The decision to drop the lawsuits had drawn praise last week from U.S.
Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli, who said it was "something the
international community should applaud."

Hun Sen said Monday that to get around the court's decision he has
proposed that the lawsuits be deferred, citing a Cambodian law that
allows for a deferment period of up to three years for court cases.

"This may be the solution: holding up prosecution of the suits and just
letting them rest idly and quietly," he said, but then appeared to
dangle a threat, saying that the activists were not yet out of
"trouble" and the court could "promptly summon" them if they continue
to behave "discordantly." He did not elaborate.

Cambodia's judiciary is known for being corrupt and bending to
political influence.

Mom Sonando, one of the released critics, reacted to Hun Sen's reversal
with little surprise, saying "everything is in Hun Sen's hands."

"If he wants to make thing easy, it will be easy," he said. "If he
wants it to drag on, it can drag on indefinitely."



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01/30/06 01:47 EST

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