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without definition but in a context which made clear that it was referring to the top
levels of the CPK hierarchy (or some constituent element thereof).630
206. In this Judgement, the Chamber uses the phrase ‘Party Centre’ to refer
collectively to the senior executive organs of the CPK based in Phnom Penh –
namely, the Standing Committee, Central Committee, Military Committee, Office
870, Government Office (S-71) and sub-offices of the Government Office.
5.1.5. Office 870
207. The code number ‘870’ was used ambiguously in the DK period to refer to a
variety of persons and entities connected with the Party Centre. Different witnesses
had different understandings of ‘870’ but generally agreed that it referred to some
aspect of the CPK leadership. According to Witness Stephen HEDER, ‘870’ was in
use as early as 1971 to designate “the centre echelon of the Party”.631 Expert David
CHANDLER told the Chamber that ‘870’ was “generally [used] to refer to Pol Pot,
and sometimes to Pol Pot and a small group of people around him”.632 Witness
NORNG Sophang testified that ‘870’ “referred to the Centre”.633 Expert Philip
SHORT stated that ‘870’ was “the code name for the Standing Committee”. 634 This
uncertainty as to the precise meaning of ‘870’ was consistent with the CPK’s general
emphasis on secrecy and, as Expert David CHANDLER observed, intentional: the use
of the code number served to conceal or obscure the true nature of the CPK
leadership.635
630
See e.g. Revolutionary Flag, E3/25, December 1976-January 1977, pp. 15, 18 ERN (En)
00491408, 00491411; Revolutionary Flag, E3/135, June 1977, pp. 13, 36, ERN (En) 00446858,
00446881; Revolutionary Flag, E3/170, October-November 1977, pp. 6, 11, 22, ERN (En) 00182553,
00182558, 00182569; KAING Guek Eav Letter, E3/1152, 14 September 1976, p. 1, ERN (En)
00583914; Book by D. CHANDLER: Voices From S-21: Terror and History in Pol Pot’s Secret
Prison, E3/1684, p. 15, ERN (En) 00192694; Article by S. HEDER: Reassessing the Role of Senior
Leaders and Local Officials in Democratic Kampuchea Crimes: Cambodian Accountability in
Comparative Perspective, E3/4527, undated, pp. 12-13, ERN (En) 00661466-00661467.
631
T. 18 July 2013 (Stephen HEDER), p. 14.
632
T. 18 July 2012 (David CHANDLER), p. 99.
633
T. 3 September 2012 (NORNG Sophang), p. 20.
634
T. 6 May 2013 (Philip SHORT), p. 64.
635
T. 18 July 2012 (David CHANDLER), pp. 99-100; T. 24 July 2012 (David CHANDLER), p. 128.
See also, T. 18 July 2013 (Stephen HEDER), p. 19.
Case 002/01, Judgement, 7 August 2014 - Public
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