For instance, while the UN-nominated judges will be screened by the Cambodian Supreme Council of the Magistracy, a body controlled by the ruling party in Phnom Penh, the UN has no power to screen the Cambodian judges appointed. Another element of the draft law agreed to by the UN and the Cambodian government says that the trial proceedings will be based on existing Cambodian criminal proceedings. Such a situation would give the control to the Cambodian side to acquit any suspect they don't want to see convicted, since the minority of international judges would be unable to ensure a conviction on their own. Third, as in many things concerning Cambodia, the international community is divided. Moscow may wish that certain information is not disclosed during a trial.
China is vehemently opposed to the tribunal being established.
Strangely, the Cambodian premier constantly uses the amnesty given by King Sihanouk to Ieng Sary to justify his defense of Ieng Sary in front of the people of Cambodia and the international community. I am often asked why the King agreed to the request made by Norodom Ranariddh, and, Hun Sen, to grant an amnesty to such notorious mass murderers as Ieng Sary. First, it should be said that under the 1993 Cambodian Constitution, the King is empowered to grant amnesty of his own volition or after a request from the head of the Cambodian government has been received. Let me recall the events surrounding this amnesty for Ieng Sary, back in September 1996. On Saturday, Sept 14. 1996, the two co-prime ministers of Cambodia, Norodom Ranariddh and Hun Sen requested an audience with the King.