Thirty-Three Back On Job in Sihanoukville Toxic Scandal

Nearly three dozen customs officials suspended a year ago for alleged involvement in the dumping of toxic waste in Sihanoukville will return to their jobs, the deputy director of the customs department said Wednesday.

Khun Nhim said Finance Minister Keat Chhon on Monday ordered the 33 customs officers reinstated after a ministry committee found they were not gulty, and not involved in the importation of 3,000 tons of mercury-laden toxic waste by a Taiwanese company at the port in November, 1998.

Finance Undersecretary of State Ngy Tay Ea confirmed Wed­­nesday that the suspended customs officials were found not responsible by their bosses.

He pointed out that the court last June found only four men guilty of bringing the waste to Cambo­dia.

Despite the convictions of the four men, the government has never explained who gave government permission to bring the poisonous waste into Cambodia and then dump it outside Siha­noukville, one of the nation’s most popular recreational areas.

The only person to spend time in jail following revelations of the importation was a Cambodian ddd

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