T

he Minister of Education Ung Huot welcomed a contract law program which opened

at the Petite Lyceé on June 14. Nearly ninety students will study nine courses

to be taught in three semesters of fifteen weeks each.

The course is the

first full formal program in contract law to be taught in Cambodia in over

twenty years. Huot told the students and teachers: "Contract Law is very

important to the development of Cambodia."

The students include seventy

staff from 14 ministries, three courts, three university programs, along with

students from private human rights and law organizations.

During the

first semester courses in free market contract law, modern contract forms, and

special English for contract law will be taught.

The Asia Foundation is

funding the course and providing the teachers. All of the law courses will be

taught in English and Khmer by lawyers from abroad and assisted by Cambodian Law

School graduates. Three contract law books in English and Khmer have been

created specially for the course.

The special English courses have been

designed and will be taught by the Australian Center for English.

The

Asia Foundation noted that: "As Cambodia continues its transition from a

centrally planned to an open market economy.... it is essential that qualified

Cambodians be able to analyze contracts submitted to Cambodian agencies to

ensure that Cambodian interests are properly served.

"At the same time,

qualified individuals must be able to draft internationally sound contracts to

secure economic and national development."

The program was developed in

cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. The Ambassador of the United States to

the Royal Government of Cambodia, Charles Twining attended the ceremony.