UN, Cambodia wrap up exploratory talks on special court for Khmer Rouge

The United Nations and Cambodia have wrapped up exploratory talks in New York on the establishment of a special court to try former Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity.

The two sides held a sixth round of exploratory talks yesterday afternoon following a meeting between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the head of the Cambodian delegation, Senior Minister Sok An.

Speaking to the press after their talks, Legal Counsel Hans Corell, the head of the UN delegation, said the last meeting was a "very intense" one that dealt with substantive issues as well. He said Mr. Sok An intends to go to Phnom Penh for further consultations, and that the Secretary-General would wish to have a message from Prime Minister Hun Sen before considering the next steps.

"We have worked very hard and have worked in good spirits," Mr. Corell said of the discussions, but "until everything is agreed, nothing is agreed."

Mr. Sok An agreed that the discussions had been intense and substantive, but offered no time frame on the road ahead. The Senior Minister did say, however, that "we can say that there is progress" - although no specifics were mentioned by either side.