I wish to clarify the quote attributed to me in 01-14 June 2007 edition of your publication.
During an interview I was asked why the international community decided to get involved
in the ECCC, knowing Cambodia's reputation of corruption and judicial weaknesses.
I responded by saying that after long negotiations, the international community had
decided to take a leap of faith and trust that ECCC would be able to rise to international
standards and live up to its name as an Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia.
The article appeared to use my comments in support of suspicions raised by Brad Adams
from HRW and some anonymous sources regarding the recently completed UNDP audit of
the ECCC. The contents of UNDP audit have yet to be released beyond the UNDP offices
and the Director of Administration of the ECCC.
It is therefore impossible to draw any conclusions on its findings and premature
to make any comments about what the report might or might not contain.
Only time will tell if our leap of faith has been justified, but there are checks
and balances built into this system which give us confidence that the ECCC will be
able to achieve its goal, and meet the highest standards possible. The people of
Cambodia deserve nothing less.
Peter Foster - UNAKRT spokeperson
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