The Generosity of Neighbours

Radio Australia reports that Cambodia will ask Japan for funding to pay for the bulk of its portion of a planned international tribunal to try surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Cambodia says it can only pay a $US1.5 million of its $13-million share of the bill.

Japan, Cambodia's largest aid donor, has already pledged $21.5 million to the UN for the trial, the most of any countries offering money for the three-year proceedings.

The Japanese prime minister, Hun Sen, says he is open to the concept:

"Thirteen million dollars for Japan is not much, but for Cambodia it is a lot of money," he said.