Translators strike at Khmer Rouge trial

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, March 6 (UPI) -- Cambodian translators who haven't been paid for months stopped working at the U.N.-backed court trying former Khmer Rouge leaders, the court said.

Press Officer Neth Pheaktra said the 30 striking interpreters have offered to return to work if they receive their December paychecks but will walk out again at the end of the month unless they have a new contract, The Phnom Penh Post reported Wednesday.

The interpreters' old contract expired in January.

Trial Chamber President Nil Nonn said the strike has affected the translation of documents as well as court proceedings.

Local staff at the tribunal has been without pay since December because countries that agreed to fund the court have no timeline for sending in their contributions.

The court is still waiting for $300,000 the European Union pledged for 2012.

The Khmer Rouge Tribunal was established as part of a joint agreement between the Cambodian government and the United Nations to try leaders of the Khmer Rouge for war crimes and crimes against humanity.