A group of judges visiting Cambodia to give some advice on how to rebuild

the country's judicial system now have a clearer idea of the enormity of the task

at hand. Their van was held up at gun point around the corner from the Ministry of

Justice, the judges and their hosts were abruptly kicked off the vehicle and the

crooks, who are obviously more comfortable with the law of the jungle than the rule

of law, drove away to points unknown never to be seen again.

The Gecko surmises that the judges' final trip report will make for some interesting

if not entertaining reading.

With Mogadishu's General Adeed still claiming to represent the voice of the people,

UNTAC has received an urgent request from their counterparts in Somalia for helmets

and flak jackets.

Alas, UNTAC administrators have determined, much to their chagrin, that hundreds

of the chest and head protectors were stolen by high-minded IPSOs who, the Gecko

is sure, just wanted a small souvenir from their one-week sojourn in Cambodia. One

UNTAC official was overheard grumbling how many of the IPSOs were from countries

that accuse the U.N. of mismanaging funds.

The Gecko has caught wind of the latest in nighttime entertainment which is apparently

out of this world. According to one after hours wanderer a visit to "B Boss"

on Achar Mean Blvd is "like going to another planet."

The karaoki palace offers a whole slew of tiny rooms that rent for $15 an hour but

that's just small change compared to what you can spend on liquid refreshments. Cognac

goes for $190 a bottle; if you stick to Cokes all you need is three bucks a glass.

The back of the menu lists the prices for hostesses whose job it seems is to smile

while you croon away in sync with your favorite tape. Chinese gals can be rented

for $8 an hour, Filipinas as well. Khmer lasses go for only $5 and if you're really

on a tight budget a whisper in the ear of the waiter will secure a Vietnamese gal

from down the street for a bargain $4. What a deal!

It's Deja Vu at the BK Bistro - literally. The previous owner Mr. Graham, who seems

to have ripped off just about everyone in town, has fled the scene and is now under

"colony arrest" in Hong Kong due to bad debts there. Anthony and Kellie,

who spent six months setting the place up before they left in a huff, have come back

to town, after doing a bang up job on their own in Kompong Som with Cafe Rendez-Vous,

and will take over the management as of July 19. The Gecko advises one and all that

the unofficial boycott of the eaterie is now officially lifted.