To the Editor,

I am writing to correct the impression left by the story

"Cabinet not told of plan to ditch UNCHR" in your issue of March 24 - April 6

that the United States does not have any official position on the proposed

closing of the UN Center for Human Rights.

In fact, we have indicated to

the Royal Cambodian government that it is our view that the UN Human Rights

Center field office in Phnom Penh is fulfilling many useful functions. We think

it is in Cambodia's interest and in the interest of the international community

that the office remain open.

The Cambodians have not requested that the

office be closed before the end of the year. This leaves time for discussion,

and we intend to utilize fully this opportunity to consult closely with the

Royal Cambodian government and the United Nations in an effort to keep the

office open. We look forward to the proposed visit to Cambodia by the Secretary

General's envoy, who will look into the question of the future of the

office.

- Charles H. Twining, Ambassador, United States

Embassy.

(Editor: We are happy to record the United States' position

on the proposed closing of the UNCHR office. At the stage that the Phnom Penh

Post went to press on March 21, our reporter telephoned an embassy spokesman who

said that (the United States) government did not have any official position on

the issue.)