Tribunal Money Management Unsettled

Khmer Rouge court judges in session.

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer

Original report from Washington

06 February 2008

UNDP officials said Wednesday they have not yet received a request to manage the next influx of tribunal money.
“No one has contacted UNDP for helping, whether to control money if there is additional funds,” said UNDP spokesman Kim Sen. “But if a government or donor contacts UNDP to help control it, the UNDP will consider such a proposal.”
A UNDP last year found serious flaws in hiring practices and transparency within the tribunal’s administrative unit, following accusations by tribunal monitors that judges paid large kickbacks to high-ranking officials for seats in the courts.
Experts estimate the tribunal needs at least $45 million to continue. In the initial phase of funding, the UNDP was in charge of spending money for international judges and other administrative functions.