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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by M. Lee McClenny, Acting Spokesman
March 6, 1999

Capture of Top Khmer Rouge Leader Ta Mok

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has informed the U.S. Ambassador in Phnom Penh that former Khmer Rouge leader Ta Mok was captured March 6 near the town of Anlong Veng along the Thai-Cambodian border. He has been transported to Phnom Penh where he is now being held by military/judicial authorities.

The United States welcomes the capture of Ta Mok as a very positive step by the Cambodian Government. The U.S. and Cambodia have been in close contact on this subject for many months. We congratulate the Cambodian Government on the success of its operation to apprehend this hardline Khmer Rouge leader.

The United States urges that the Cambodian Government take all steps to bring Ta Mok to justice in the shortest possible time. We note that there is a UN Experts Group report, shared with the Cambodian government, which calls for an international tribunal for the senior Khmer Rouge leaders. The U.S. calls for the establishment of such a tribunal through the UN Security Council.

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