Hans Correll’s Remarks at the Signing of the UN-RGC Tribunal Agreement, June 6, 2003

 

 

 

 

Remarks by His Excellency Hans Corell
United Nations
6 June 2003

(Recorded by KM)



It's an honor for to sign for the United Nations the agreement between the United Nations and the Royal Government of Cambodia concerning the prosecution under the Cambodian law of Crimes Committed during the period of Democratic Kampuchea.

With this step, the quest of the Cambodian people for justice, national reconciliation, stability, peace and security is brought closer to realization. Yet, if the signature for the present agreement marks the end of one phase in the efforts to bring leaders of the Khmer Rouge to justice, it also marks the beginning of another.

There is still much remained to be done before the extraordinary chambers and their related institutions can be established and investigations, prosecutions and trials can begin.

But if the political will is there, these steps can be taken quickly,

The negotiations have not been easy, but the two delegations have always worked well together and with mutual respect. It is my hope that this cooperation will continue as we enter a new phase of this endevour.

...There is also much work that they (Cambodia and the United Nations) that they will have to undertake together. In particular, the agreement that senior minister Sok An and I will soon sign provides for the conclusion of supplementary agreements between the United Nations and Royal Government of Cambodia on safety and security arrangements and on utilities, facilities and services...for the operation of the extraordinary chambers and their related institutions. The United Nations and the Royal Government of Cambodia will need to negotiate and finalize those supplementary agreements before the extraordinary chambers and their related institutions can start functioning. The United Nations will also need to discuss with the Royal Government of Cambodian the personnel requirements for the extraordinary chambers and their related institutions, as well as their requirements in terms of equipment, furniture, supplies, materials and other operating needs.

The Secretary-General will be sending a planning mission to Phnom Penh for that purpose in the near future.

The Secretary-General is fully conscious of the need to act quickly, otherwise, as the general assembly has emphasized the opportunity of bringing to justice those responsible for serious violations of Cambodian and International Laws during the period of Democratic Kampuchea might soon be lost. The Secretary-General is absolutely committed to do in all that lies in his power so that the agreements may enter into force as soon as possible.

The focus of this moment should not be on these matters only regardless of their importance. This is also a time for reflection. In addition to all of you who are honoring this ceremony with your presence, many in Cambodia and abroad follow it through the media.

For some this moment may bring back painful memories of the past and cause deep sorrow.

For others it may be the question: did we not know? Could we not have prevented what happened? What did we do to stop the atrocities? For all of us, however, this moment should serve as a reminder of our duty to act and deal resolutely with impunity that has caused and still causes so much suffering among human beings.

The people of Cambodia have waited a long time to see the leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those who are most responsible for the atrocities of that terrible period in their nation's history brought to justice. Their wait is not over yet but hopefully it is fast nearing and end.