Talks due on Khmer Rouge trial

By Guy De Launey
BBC correspondent in Phnom Penh

Khmer Rouge victims have had a long wait for justice

A United Nations delegation is in Cambodia to discuss funding for a long-awaited tribunal to bring to justice leaders of the bloody Khmer Rouge.

Sceptics had suggested that a tribunal would never be held.

It is 25 years since the end of Pol Pot's regime, and seven years since the process to bring about a trial began.

But the arrival of the UN delegation shows that the momentum is building - with a real possibility of the tribunal starting next year.

KHMER ROUGE TRIBUNAL Will try cases of genocide and crimes against humanity Five judges (three Cambodian) sit in trial court Cases decided by majority Maximum penalty is life imprisonment Key figures facing trial

The domestic obstacles to holding the tribunal have already been removed. Just before the coronation of King Sihamoni at the end of October, legislation was ratified to allow foreign judges to preside in Cambodia.

Over recent weeks, the Cambodian government has urged the UN to come up with the money to move to the next stage.

The tribunal will take around three years - and the estimated total cost is around $60m.

There is no question of the UN providing funding directly - it will look to individual countries to contribute. So far, however, only Australia has come up with a firm pledge - worth $3m.

And the United States has already said it will not provide any funding at all.

The most likely outcome of this week's meeting is that an international appeal will be launched to find the necessary cash.