*EPF410 01/22/2004
Text: U.S. Condemns Killing of Cambodian Union Leader Chea Vichea
(State Department Jan. 22 statement) (350)

The United States strongly condemns the January 22 killing of Cambodian trade union leader Chea Vichea, the U.S. Department of State said in a statement released the same day.

Praising Chea Vichea as a "champion of labor rights and the free trade union movement in Cambodia," Deputy State Department Spokesman J. Adam Ereli called upon the Cambodian government to "undertake immediate and effective action" in resolving the crime and stressed that intimidation and violence must not interfere with efforts to form a new government based on July 2003 national elections.

Following is the text of the statement:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
January 22, 2004

STATEMENT BY J. ADAM ERELI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Cambodia - Killing Of Union Leader Chea Vichea

The United States strongly condemns the January 22 killing in Phnom Penh of Mr. Chea Vichea, President of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Chea Vichea was a champion of labor rights and the free trade union movement in Cambodia, which the United States strongly supports. We deplore this cowardly murder and other acts of violence in Cambodia.

The United States calls on the Cambodian government to undertake immediate and effective action to bring the perpetrators of Chea Vichea's murder to justice. A culture of impunity in Cambodia must not be tolerated. The United States urges restraint on all sides so that this tragedy will not be compounded by further violence. We also call on the Royal Government of Cambodia to take steps to ensure the security of Chea Vichea's family, his colleagues and other labor organizers. We offer our condolences to his widow and children.

Cambodian leaders are now working to form a new government based on the July 27, 2003 national elections. It is essential that they are able to do so in an environment free of intimidation and violence. It is the responsibility of all elements of Cambodian society to take a constructive role in finding peaceful solutions to conflicts.

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

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