New book denies Khmer Rouge ordered mass killings

Monday November 19, 12:46 AM
New book denies Khmer Rouge ordered mass killings

The former head of state during the rule of the Khmer Rouge in
Cambodia has defended the group's actions in a new book.


Khieu Samphan dismisses accusations by historians that the movement
killed up to 2 million people.


The former president of Democratic Kampuchea has long claimed his
position was merely ceremonial and that he held no real power.


In his first book, Khieu Samphan depicted himself as a virtual
prisoner of the Khmer Rouge, at risk of execution if he stepped out of
line.


But his new work defends other leading Khmer Rouge figures.


Khieu Samphan said the organisation defended Cambodia's sovereignty
and demanded social justice.


He denies there was ever a policy to starve people or that mass
killings were ever ordered.


- BBC
.