UN legal counsel heading to Cambodia for talks on Khmer Rouge court

The United Nations Legal Counsel, Hans Corell, will head to Cambodia next month for negotiations with that country's authorities on an agreement for a special court to try the former leaders of the Khmer Rouge, a UN spokesman said today in New York.

Mr. Corell is scheduled to arrive in Phnom Penh on 13 March and he is to remain in the capital with his team until 17 March, according to spokesman Fred Eckhard.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan informed Prime Minister Hun Sen of Mr. Corell's mission in a letter sent yesterday, which also said that Mr. Annan looked forward to fruitful negotiations in Phnom Penh on the remaining parts of a draft agreement, Mr. Eckhard said. The two sides had resumed their latest discussions on a special court during exploratory meetings last month in New York.

The General Assembly has asked the Secretary-General to report on the progress of negotiations by 18 March.