The Editor,

I would like to point out that your article "The uneven scales of Khmer justice"

(Post Oct 6 - 19, 1995) contained 'heaps' of inaccuracies, especially the following:

• "...., and it is Snguon who hires and fires judges and prosecutors..."

  (paragraph IV of first column).

• Since taking office, I have not fired any judge or prosecutor.
• "Snguon's latest memo dated Sept 13 to provincial chief judges is a case

  in point. He ruled as from that date prisoners' parole will be decided by a 'specialized

  department' within his ministry 'which is in charge of this matter' " (paragraph

  5 of first column).

There is no such "latest" memo which rules that prisoners' parole will

be decided by a "specialized department" within the ministry.

• "Every month Snguon meets his senior judges" (paragraph 8 of fourth

  column).

This is not true. I do not have monthly meetings with senior judges, or any regular

meeting with senior judges.

I have reservations about other paragraphs in the article, but the above are the

main points.

- Chem Snguon, Government Senior Minister, Ministry of Justice.