Cambodia accepts Annan’s invitation to start talks on Khmer Rouge court

Cambodia has accepted an invitation from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to begin exploratory talks next month on setting up a special court to try former Khmer Rouge leaders, a UN spokesman said in New York.

The Secretary-General was informed of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s decision by the Cambodian Mission to the United Nations, according to spokesman Fred Eckhard. The talks would take place in New York starting on 6 January.

Mr. Annan made the proposal in a letter to the Prime Minister following the General Assembly’s adoption last week of a resolution concerning the creation of extraordinary chambers for such trials.