Cambodia union leader mourned

Chea Vichea's supporters are convinced the killing was political

Hundreds of Cambodian workers have been mourning the murdered union leader Chea Vichea who was gunned down in Phnom Penh on Thursday.

They brought flowers and donations as they visited the body at the headquarters of Cambodia's Fee Trade Union of Workers (FTUWKC).

Chea Vichea organised unions at garment factories and was associated with Cambodia's opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

His killing follows a series apparently targeting government critics.

With 30,000 members, the FTUWKC is one of the country's most active unions and its members have frequently clashed with police.

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Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition party which bears his name, said Chea Vichea "was a target of the current regime", because of his stance against corruption and human rights abuses.

The Union has also said that the killing was politically motivated.

Three parties

Cambodia is still without a proper government after the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) failed to win an overall majority in last year's elections.

The CPP is still in negotiation with the opposition alliance - combining the Sam Rainsy Party and FUNCINPEC - over a possible three-party administration.

Commenting on the killing, a State Department spokesman in Washington, Adam Ereli said the United States deplored what he described as "this cowardly act of violence."

"We call upon the Cambodian government to undertake immediate and effective action to bring the perpetrators of Chea Vichea's murder to justice. It's important that a culture of impunity in Cambodia not be allowed to exist," he said.

At least three members of the opposition have been killed in recent weeks.

The opposition parties have warned that the murder of the labour leader is likely to cast a shadow over negotiations currently under way to form a government.