The Japanese Embassy yesterday stated unequivocally that Japan would not “provide funds to the national side of the budget, directly or indirectly”, refuting an earlier statement to that effect by the Cambodian government following a meeting to discuss funding for the tribunal.

A government spokesman on Tuesday said that Japan had agreed to divert some of its donations from the court’s UN-backed side to its cash-strapped national side, where more than 130 staff are striking over unpaid wages.

However, yesterday’s embassy statement refuted that, saying “it is the obligation of the Cambodian government to pay to the national side of the budget”.

“However, Ambassador [Yuji] Kumamaru mentioned that the Government of Japan is considering if it can provide a part of the Japanese contribution to the international side earlier than originally scheduled in order to alleviate the current situation.”