"What is Rotten Must be Removed"

Finally, the perpetrators of one of the worst genocides in modern history will be brought to justice. Or, at least, to trial. An estimated two million people were murdered by Pol Pot and his lunatic gangs. Many folks were killed simply for being educated. "What is rotten must be removed" was a slogan of the Khmer Rouge leaders. Removed by bludgeoning, that is. The judges for the long-awaited Khmer Rouge genocide trials in Cambodia have announced that they are ready for court proceedings to start. After a six-month delay because of disagreements between Cambodian and United Nations judicial officials, the judges have settled on the ground rules for the special court. It means there should soon be official confirmation of which former Khmer Rouge leaders will face trial and what charges they will face. FULL STORY... Background: Throughout Cambodia, deadly purges were conducted to eliminate remnants of the "old society" - the educated, the wealthy, Buddhist monks, police, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and former government officials. Ex-soldiers were killed along with their wives and children. Anyone suspected of disloyalty to Pol Pot, including eventually many Khmer Rouge leaders, was shot or bludgeoned with an ax. "What is rotten must be removed," a Khmer Rouge slogan proclaimed. More about this...