The Cambodian government is under new pressure to finalise legislation to allow for the establishment of a war crimes tribunal to try Khmer Rouge leaders following an agreement yesterday from donor countries to give $500 million in aid.
The aid package was agreed at the end of a two-day meeting in Tokyo, with Japan pledging to give $100 million, the largest portion of the fund; $15 million of the package is to be used to help Cambodia reach its goal of slashing its military by 31,500 troops to 100,000 by 2002.
While Cambodia has won recognition from donor countries for its commitment to its ambitious reform programme, some non-governmental organisations and the opposition leader, Mr Sam Rainsy, have been less enthusiastic and positive.
Mr Rainsy had urged donors to review Cambodian aid, saying the government had failed to alleviate poverty, combat corruption and pass the long-awaited legislation on land rights and a tribunal for former leaders of the Khmer Rouge.
The Cambodian Prime Minister, Mr Hun Sen, said yesterday that one of the largest challenges Cambodia faced was restructuring of the army to meet the demands of a peaceful nation.
"Our most important agenda is to turn our massive, now no longer needed, swords into new ploughshares," he said, adding that the government would embark on a full demobilisation programme as soon as financing was in place.
At the donor meeting the Prime Minister appealed for aid, saying that even though more remained to be done, Cambodia had taken giant strides forward on reform.
Mr Hun Sen said particular progress had been made toward providing the peaceful environment necessary for real growth.
"For the first time in four centuries, Cambodia is at peace, without separatists and rebels and internal strife," he said. "The hard-gained peace, stability and unity of territory have created unprecedented conditions for the royal government to implement the important agenda - speedy poverty alleviation and economic growth."
The Prime Minister had said the long-awaited legislation to create a special trial for former Khmer Rouge leaders would not be passed until after the donor meeting, even though he had promised in April that the government would submit the legislation to legislators before he left for the meeting.
He said last week the government was "too busy" and had decided to do it after the Tokyo meeting.
Legislation to create a tribunal, with UN judges, was approved by the Cambodian parliament in January. However, the Prime Minister kicked it back to the government in February to have all reference to the death penalty removed. Cambodia does not have a death penalty.