The US State Department has vouched for efforts by the United Nations and the Cambodian government to address allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, paving the way for a possible contribut-ion to the court.

“I certify that the United Nations and Government of Cambodia are taking credible steps to address allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia,” Thomas Nides, the department’s deputy secretary for management and resources, said in a notice made public  this week.

The US previously declined to fund the court until a similar guarantee had been made.

US embassy spokesman Sean McIntosh said yesterday there had been no final decision on additional US contributions to the ECCC.

Asked whether the court had also addressed allegations of political interference, McIntosh said:  “The Tribunal law and its internal rules can effectively address and resolve differences that may arise during the investigative phase and the pre-trial process.”