Annan invites Cambodia to restart talks on special court for Khmer Rouge leaders

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has sent a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia inviting the country for preliminary talks on the establishment of a special court to try Khmer Rouge leaders, a UN spokesman said today.

The Secretary-General invited Cambodia to send a delegation to New York for an exploratory meeting to prepare for the resumption of negotiations, according to spokesman Fred Eckhard. The letter, which was sent over the weekend, follows the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution last week concerning the establishment of extraordinary chambers for the trial of Khmer Rouge leaders in Cambodia.

"We understand that the Cambodian delegation will be headed by Sok An, Senior Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers," Mr. Eckhard said. "The Secretary-General has asked his Legal Counsel, Hans Corell, to lead the UN delegation."

The exploratory meeting is expected to take place in early January.