Japan will extend $250,000 in grant-in-aid to Cambodia to help the country bring about a free and fair general election in July, Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi said Friday.

Obuchi said the aid will be disbursed to allow the United Nations to monitor the safe return to Cambodia of dissidents and their free participation in political activities. Obuchi, meanwhile, said he hopes the death of Cambodia's former Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot will bring the people of Cambodia together and promote political stability. He said that Japan is willing to do everything it can to help bring about a fair and free election.