U.N. chief hopes Cambodia can move on 10 yrs after Pol Pot's death

NEW YORK, April 15 Kyodo

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon used the 10th anniversary of Khmer rouge leader Pol Pot's death Tuesday to remind the international community of the ''urgent importance'' of closing one of ''history's darkest chapters.''

''Today marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Pol Pot,'' Ban said in a statement. ''I would like to remind the international community of the urgent importance of bringing to closure one of history's darkest chapters.''

Up to two million Cambodians are estimated to have died from overwork, starvation or by execution during the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge rule.

In addition, millions of people were driven from their homes and forced to live on collective farms during that time.

The U.N. chief said the international body and the government of Cambodia ''remain actively engaged in efforts'' to hold senior Khmer Rouge leaders and others accountable for their role in carrying out ''their horrific crimes.''

''With the support of the international community, it is my hope that the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia will soon deliver long-overdue justice for the people of Cambodia,'' he said.

Pol Pot reportedly died of a heart attack on April 15, 1998.

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