*EPF124 10/20/2003
Text: U.S. Condemns Killing of Radio Staff Member in Cambodia
("Culture of impunity must not be tolerated" by Cambodian government) (340)

The United States, in an October 18 statement, condemned the killing of Chuor Chetharith, a staff member of Ta Prom Radio in Cambodia, which is associated with a political party that won the second largest number of seats in the new National Assembly.

"The United States calls on the Cambodian government to take effective action to investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice," the Department of State said. "A culture of impunity in Cambodia must not be tolerated."

Following is the text of the press statement issued by the Department of State on October 18:

(begin text)

Department of State
Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 18, 2003

Cambodia -- Killing Of Radio Staff Member Chuor Chetharith

The United States strongly condemns the October 18 killing in Phnom Penh of Chuor Chetharith, a staff member of Ta Prom Radio. Ta Prom Radio is aligned with the FUNCINPEC political party, which won 26 seats in the new National Assembly, the second largest total. The United States extends its sympathies to the family of Chuor Chetharith and to his colleagues at the radio station.

The United States deplores all acts of violence in Cambodia. We are particularly concerned by violence directed against journalists. Such actions, including this cowardly murder, imperil the rights of all Cambodians and jeopardize progress toward a more peaceful, democratic and prosperous in Cambodia.

The United States calls on the Cambodian government to take effective action to investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. A culture of impunity in Cambodia must not be tolerated. We also urge the Cambodian government to take steps to ensure the security of Cambodian journalists, including those working at Ta Prom Radio.

Cambodian leaders are now working to form a new government based on July 27 national elections. It is essential that they are able to do so in an environment that is free of intimidation and violence.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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