The Constitutional Council’s first meeting to discuss the draft law to try former Khmer Rouge leaders was canceled due to a lack of electricity Thursday.
“We felt bad because there was no electricity,” said Yang Sem, a council member. “We need electricity for computers and to record the meeting on tape.”
The nine-member council could meet this weekend and finish a review of the legislation next week, Yang Sem said.
Constitutional Council President Chan Sok said he was disappointed by the cancelation.
“It was a good chance for us to talk because all nine members were present,” he said.
The council will review the legislation to ensure the draft law does not conflict with the Constitution. The law will then go to King Norodom Sihanouk.
The UN and the government would then work out the details of a trial in a memorandum of understanding that would make the tribunal agreement official.
Cabinet Minister Sok An, head of the government’s tribunal task forced, urged the UN to be ready to compromise when memorandum discussions begin.
The UN sent a letter to the government expressing concerns about 17 articles of the draft law. The government said those points will be addressed in another agreement to be signed with the UN.
(Additional reporting by The Associated Press)
