|
|
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.
|
|