ABC Radio Australia
In Cambodia, the United Nations-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal has summoned six senior government ministers and legislative officials to appear as witnesses.
The French investigating judge wants the officials to testify in the second case, which is expected to question former Khmer Rouge idealogue Nuon Chea. But the Cambodian government says any testimony will be given on a voluntary basis.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speakers: Michelle Staggs Kelsall, Deputy Director, Asian International Justice Initiative
Listen: Windows Media
KELSALL: These are really current senior ministers and legislative officials from the current Cambodian People's Party and the ruling government and we have the president of the Cambodian People's Party, Chea Sim, also the president of the National Assembly, Heng Samrin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Finance and then two PPP senators, Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka.
LAM: Do we know why these ministers have been summoned? Has it anything to do with any kind of connection with the former Khmer Rouge?
KELSALL: Eh, well certainly the witnesses who've been testifying in the tribunal to date and certainly the information on public record would suggest that these ministers are being summoned to their role in the Khmer Rouge during the period of 1975 to '79. They are obviously being asked to testify to evidence that they may know with regard to what happened during that period due to their role at that time.
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