UN, Cambodia resume exploratory talks on special court for Khmer Rouge

United Nations and Cambodia officials today resumed exploratory talks on the establishment of a special court to try former Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity.

"We are working in good spirits and looking at all the elements that are necessary for us to examine," Legal Counsel Hans Corell, who is leading the UN delegation, told reporters after this morning's meeting at UN Headquarters in New York.

The exploratory meetings began on Monday and were postponed yesterday at the request of the Cambodian delegation, which is led by Senior Minister Sok An, head of the country's Council of Ministers. They are scheduled to restart tomorrow morning.

The talks are aimed at preparing for the resumption of negotiations to conclude an agreement on the establishment of Extraordinary Chambers within the judicial system of Cambodia to deal with the prosecution of crimes committed during the period of Democratic Kampuchea.

Last month, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution asking Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resume negotiations with Cambodia in an effort to reach agreement on a special court. The Secretary-General had decided in February 2002 to break off discussions following five years of fruitless talks.