December 14, 2006

Keat Chhon Admits Role in Pol Pot Regime

By Chun Sakada

Keat Chhon, current Minister of Finance, admits to his involvement in the
Khmer Rouge Regime (1975-1979) Wednesday at the National Assembly.

His response came after opposition party leader Sam Rainsy accused Keat
Chonn of having played a key role in the Khmer Rouge era, as advisor to the
late Pol Pot- the mastermind behind Cambodia's Killing Fields.

Keat Chhon went on to say that he accepts full responsibility for his part
and is willing to testify in the trials, should the Khmer Rouge Tribunal
summon him to court.

Document Center of Cambodia's deputy director Vanthan Pov Dara says that the
center does not have any document confirming Keat Chhon's involvement in the
Khmer Rouge regime; however, he commended the Minister for telling the
truth.

Besides Keat Chhon, other Cambodian government officials are reported to
have ties with the Khmer Rouge regime as well.

The list of names includes Senate President Chea Sim and President of the
National Assembly Heng Samrin, whom are claimed to be former Khmer Rouge
military officials.