25 January 2007

U.S. Ambassador Praises Former Khmer Rouge Photographer for Apologizing

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The U.S. ambassador to Cambodia shook

hands with the former Khmer Rouge chief photographer Thursday, and praised

him for apologizing for his role in the regime that caused nearly 2 million deaths

in the 1970s.

Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli said at a news conference at the embassy that
Nhem En has "set a good example for apologizing for his part in those
atrocities."

"Contrast what he has done with the fact that no Khmer Rouge leader has ever
stepped forward to admit guilt or accept blame for the regime's brutal
crimes," said Mussomeli, who posed for pictures beside the American flag
with Nhem En.

Nhem En photographed thousands of prisoners at the infamous Khmer Rouge S-21
prison, before they were locked up, tortured and executed.

He asked for forgiveness and offered his apology Thursday, two days after
coming forward and saying he plans to set up a museum with pictures of the
notorious regime's leaders.

"During that era, I was merely a cog in the (Khmer Rouge) machine," he said.

Historians estimate that more than 1.7 million Cambodians died of execution,
starvation, overwork and inadequate medical care due to the extremist
policies of the Khmer Rouge during the group's 1975-79 rule.

Haunting photos of the victims are the centerpiece of the former prison
site, also known as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, in Cambodia's capital, Phnom
Penh.

The Associated Press