Happy New Year!
Dec 31, 2009
Happy New Year!
Respected Readers and Contributors,
As the dawn of a New Year and a New Decade is quickly catching up on us, our team would like to take this opportunity to thank all our respected Readers for your continued interest in news and information from Cambodia, irrespective of your political affiliation and inclination. As you probably noticed already, in spite of the large spread of the Cambodian diaspora all over the world, and even with limit Internet access in Cambodia, the Cambodian community worldwide is vibrant in our expression of opinion, and we are no longer a sheepishly silent community.
We, at KI-Media, feel extremely rewarded and blessed that Cambodians and our foreign friends from all over the world pay close attention to the situation in our beloved Cambodia. We sincerely thank you for the time you spent reading the news, providing your suggestions and posting your comments. As the saying goes: “Knowledge is Power”, we hope that KI-Media contributes somewhat to your empowerment process. Please remember that the comments you posted are not in vain, we learnt, to our great surprise, that government officials in Cambodia as well as other parties involved do read regularly your comments.
We also would like to thank all those who contribute articles for posting on KI-Media. We apologize for not naming all of you here, as the list would be very long. Without you, our knowledge would be limited indeed! Therefore, we would like to encourage all of you, as well as our other readers, to keep sending us your opinions in the coming year.
We would like to wish all our Readers, Contributors and Team Members a HAPPY NEW YEAR! May you all be blessed with a prosperous and happy New Year. We hope that this New Year will wash away the misery our Compatriots are currently facing, and we also dare hope that our beloved Cambodia will recover our full sovereignty, territorial integrity and social justice.
With our utmost respect,
Cambodian court orders arrest of opposition leader
Cambodia opposition party leader Sam Rainsy is greeted by his supporters on the street during the Labor day march in the capital Phnom Penh May 1, 2006. A court in Cambodia has ordered the arrest of Sam Rainsy. [Reuters]Friday, January 01, 2010
Robert Carmichael
Radio Australia News
A court in Cambodia has ordered the arrest of an opposition leader after he failed to appear in court on charges relating to the contested eastern border with Vietnam.
The arrest warrant for Sam Rainsy, the leader of the country's main opposition party was issued after he missed his court hearing earlier this week.
Sam Rainsy, who is currently in France, had been charged with racial incitement and destruction of property.
Those charges followed an incident in October when the veteran politician removed several wooden border posts marking the boundary between Cambodia and Vietnam.
The two countries are halfway through a six-year process to demarcate their 1,300-kilometre long common border.
A spokesman for the opposition said Sam Rainsy had done nothing wrong by removing the posts.
He blamed the authorities for marking the border without consulting local farmers who as a result had lost their land.
The spokesman said Sam Rainsy would return to Cambodia once a political solution to the court case was in place.
Rejecting the court as a political tool of the ruling party, the spokesman said the opposition would instead petition Cambodia's king to resolve the issue.
A tale of two countries locked in a stalemate
Cambodia and Thailand - at loggerheads for months - are unlikely to solve their differences in a hurry
1/01/2010
Saritdet Marukatat
Bangkok Post
All eyes will continue to be on the Thai border with Cambodia this year, and fingers will remain crossed that the spat that has blighted relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh for so many months can now come to a peaceful end.
The government has tried not to exacerbate matters, despite the clear indication from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that he is not in the mood to deal with the Democrat Party-led coalition administration.
The Thai response has been equally clear. Bangkok wants to contain the conflict to the two governments. It has no desire to see it expand to defence ties and the border areas.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, his foreign minister Kasit Piromya and other members of the cabinet saw their rating rise in opinion polls conducted shortly after Thailand decided in November to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Cambodia by recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh, Prasas Prasaswinitchai, and take measures to try to void the memorandum of understanding on maritime boundary settlement and joint cooperation in the Gulf of Thailand.
The decision was in response to Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and economics adviser to his government and criticisms he made in October of the Thai judicial process regarding Thaksin's conviction for corruption and abuse of authority in connection with a Ratchadaphisek land deal.
"All problems with Cambodia started with Thaksin and Hun Sen's interference in the internal affairs of Thailand," said Surachai Sirikrai, an analyst at Thammasat University.
But as Puangthong Pawakapan, an analyst at Chulalongkorn University, told a forum, the approval ratings mean nothing. They were conducted at a time of rising nationalist sentiment against Cambodia.
Not everybody at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and in government are behind Mr Kasit's handling of the row with Cambodia.
Some feel he went too far and too soon with his decision to downgrade relations with Phnom Penh. The move has left the country without any cards to keep close to its chest in dealing with Cambodia. The ministry has overplayed its hand. It will now be very difficult to reach a return to normalcy without some loss of face for either Bangkok or Phnom Penh, or perhaps both.
There were many more options to exercise before recalling the ambassador, said one official requesting anonymity. "Thailand has fallen into its own trap," he said.
The conflict has also had regional implications. Other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its partners are praying for a quick solution.
Division among the 10 Asean members as a result of the souring of ties could affect the grouping's ambitious plans to build the region into the Asean Community in 2015, and obstruct the progress on realising the even grander vision of closer ties between Southeast Asia and the Asian powerhouses of China, Japan and South Korea to create an East Asia Community.
Thammasat University's Mr Surachai said it would it be difficult for Bangkok and Phnom Penh to settle their differences without some form of outside help given their reluctance to show any sign of compromise.
If the conflict drags on, it could fall to another member of Asean or even the entire group to intervene to help sort things out, he said.
There is also the possibility the east Asian countries, China in particular, might play a part in mediating between the two countries.
One official expressed concern that worsening ties with Cambodia could also this year influence Bangkok's relations with Laos, as Vientiane is a close ally of Phnom Penh as well as Vietnam.
"It remains to be seen if there will be a possible spill-over," the official said.
Thailand's relations with its western neighbour, Burma, are also not the smoothest. The ruling State Peace and Development Council was annoyed at Thailand's push for other Asean members to get behind its call, as the Asean chairman last year, for Burma to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The call for the release of the National League for Democracy leader is a trademark issue with the Democrats as part of the human rights plank of their foreign policy. That has resulted in some distance from Southeast Asian governments with records of human rights violations like Burma.
"Thai foreign policy is in line with the United States," Mr Surachai said.
"But the new United States administration has overhauled its policy towards Burma. Unlike his predecessor George W Bush, who rejected talks with the ruling Burmese junta, US President Barack Obama now uses both talks and economic pressure with the ruling Burmese regime.
"The change in Washington could force Thailand to adjust its foreign policy on Burma with more flexibility on human rights conditions."
At least Mr Abhisit enters the new year with warm relations with Malaysia. Pledges from his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak at their meeting in Bangkok last month to support the Thai policy on the lower South with no interference from Kuala Lumpur gives Thailand more confidence in its campaign to end the southern insurgency.
Malaysia was unhappy with the tit-for-tat measures taken by Thaksin when he was prime minister in dealing with the southern separatists.
Mr Najib stressed the use of "peaceful means" in exchange for Malaysia's support.
Thailand needs backing from Kuala Lumpur to block insurgents from hiding in Malaysia, the exchange of intelligence information and close border patrols among other cooperation.
"What happens to Thailand and Malaysia now shows a maturity in their bilateral relations," Mr Surachai said.
1/01/2010
Saritdet Marukatat
Bangkok Post
All eyes will continue to be on the Thai border with Cambodia this year, and fingers will remain crossed that the spat that has blighted relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh for so many months can now come to a peaceful end.
The government has tried not to exacerbate matters, despite the clear indication from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that he is not in the mood to deal with the Democrat Party-led coalition administration.
The Thai response has been equally clear. Bangkok wants to contain the conflict to the two governments. It has no desire to see it expand to defence ties and the border areas.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, his foreign minister Kasit Piromya and other members of the cabinet saw their rating rise in opinion polls conducted shortly after Thailand decided in November to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Cambodia by recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh, Prasas Prasaswinitchai, and take measures to try to void the memorandum of understanding on maritime boundary settlement and joint cooperation in the Gulf of Thailand.
The decision was in response to Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and economics adviser to his government and criticisms he made in October of the Thai judicial process regarding Thaksin's conviction for corruption and abuse of authority in connection with a Ratchadaphisek land deal.
"All problems with Cambodia started with Thaksin and Hun Sen's interference in the internal affairs of Thailand," said Surachai Sirikrai, an analyst at Thammasat University.
But as Puangthong Pawakapan, an analyst at Chulalongkorn University, told a forum, the approval ratings mean nothing. They were conducted at a time of rising nationalist sentiment against Cambodia.
Not everybody at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and in government are behind Mr Kasit's handling of the row with Cambodia.
Some feel he went too far and too soon with his decision to downgrade relations with Phnom Penh. The move has left the country without any cards to keep close to its chest in dealing with Cambodia. The ministry has overplayed its hand. It will now be very difficult to reach a return to normalcy without some loss of face for either Bangkok or Phnom Penh, or perhaps both.
There were many more options to exercise before recalling the ambassador, said one official requesting anonymity. "Thailand has fallen into its own trap," he said.
The conflict has also had regional implications. Other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its partners are praying for a quick solution.
Division among the 10 Asean members as a result of the souring of ties could affect the grouping's ambitious plans to build the region into the Asean Community in 2015, and obstruct the progress on realising the even grander vision of closer ties between Southeast Asia and the Asian powerhouses of China, Japan and South Korea to create an East Asia Community.
Thammasat University's Mr Surachai said it would it be difficult for Bangkok and Phnom Penh to settle their differences without some form of outside help given their reluctance to show any sign of compromise.
If the conflict drags on, it could fall to another member of Asean or even the entire group to intervene to help sort things out, he said.
There is also the possibility the east Asian countries, China in particular, might play a part in mediating between the two countries.
One official expressed concern that worsening ties with Cambodia could also this year influence Bangkok's relations with Laos, as Vientiane is a close ally of Phnom Penh as well as Vietnam.
"It remains to be seen if there will be a possible spill-over," the official said.
Thailand's relations with its western neighbour, Burma, are also not the smoothest. The ruling State Peace and Development Council was annoyed at Thailand's push for other Asean members to get behind its call, as the Asean chairman last year, for Burma to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The call for the release of the National League for Democracy leader is a trademark issue with the Democrats as part of the human rights plank of their foreign policy. That has resulted in some distance from Southeast Asian governments with records of human rights violations like Burma.
"Thai foreign policy is in line with the United States," Mr Surachai said.
"But the new United States administration has overhauled its policy towards Burma. Unlike his predecessor George W Bush, who rejected talks with the ruling Burmese junta, US President Barack Obama now uses both talks and economic pressure with the ruling Burmese regime.
"The change in Washington could force Thailand to adjust its foreign policy on Burma with more flexibility on human rights conditions."
At least Mr Abhisit enters the new year with warm relations with Malaysia. Pledges from his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak at their meeting in Bangkok last month to support the Thai policy on the lower South with no interference from Kuala Lumpur gives Thailand more confidence in its campaign to end the southern insurgency.
Malaysia was unhappy with the tit-for-tat measures taken by Thaksin when he was prime minister in dealing with the southern separatists.
Mr Najib stressed the use of "peaceful means" in exchange for Malaysia's support.
Thailand needs backing from Kuala Lumpur to block insurgents from hiding in Malaysia, the exchange of intelligence information and close border patrols among other cooperation.
"What happens to Thailand and Malaysia now shows a maturity in their bilateral relations," Mr Surachai said.
Arrest warrant for Sam Rainsy
On 29 December 2009, Judge Long Kesphirom of the Svay Rieng provincial court, issued an order to arrest opposition leader Sam Rainsy. The court accused Sam Rainsy of destruction of public properties and incitation to racial discrimination (sic!) because of his involvement in the uprooting of marking stakes along the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. However, there is no word as to why these border stakes are planted right in the middle of rice fields belonging to Cambodian farmers.Election Committee Cleans Up Voter Lists
By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
read more “Election Committee Cleans Up Voter Lists”
Original report from Phnom Penh
31 December 2009
More than 8.3 million Cambodians are registered to vote, government officials announced Thursday, following a review of voter lists in October.
The new lists include nearly 280,000 new voters, with more than 160,000 names deleted from registries, said EmSophat, a member of the National Election Committee.
“Those who were erased have deceased, changed locations or have double names” in registries, he said.
Cambodia is preparing for commune council elections in 2012, followed by national parliamentary polls in 2013.
The registration clean-up was observed by all five of Cambodia’s main political parties, and no complaints were made.
Observers said such a process in a non-election year was less crucial than in polling years.
The new lists include nearly 280,000 new voters, with more than 160,000 names deleted from registries, said EmSophat, a member of the National Election Committee.
“Those who were erased have deceased, changed locations or have double names” in registries, he said.
Cambodia is preparing for commune council elections in 2012, followed by national parliamentary polls in 2013.
The registration clean-up was observed by all five of Cambodia’s main political parties, and no complaints were made.
Observers said such a process in a non-election year was less crucial than in polling years.
Kasit said he had good relations with all countries around the world - except Cambodia
Diplomatic fake smiles and handshakes?Kasit defends record in office
31/12/2009
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
Minister denies he is weak link in govt
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has defended his performance over the past 12 months - particularly in dealing with the Thai-Cambodia dispute - insisting he will not resign from his post.
Mr Kasit yesterday responded to public criticism and polls that show he is "a weak link in the government" and that his ministry has performed badly over the past year.
Mr Kasit said he had good relations with all countries around the world - except one country which created problems because "some Thais became spies to undermine him". He was referring to Cambodia.
"I did not yield to the leader of that country because it would have meant losing what is in Thailand's national interest, especially the oil and gas reserves under the Gulf of Thailand," Mr Kasit said.
"It does not belong to any family or any group of people, not Thais or another country. It belongs to the 65 million Thai people. I will not allow one or a few families from any country to occupy this oil and gas reserve, and I will not quit my position.
"What I try to fight for is the right thing and I can explain everything I did. I think this government and I did everything right."
Mr Kasit admitted the weakness of the government and the Foreign Ministry was their poor public relations work.
"It is the responsibility of neighbouring countries, which believe in international rules and regulations and non-interference principles, to not sit idly by but to help orchestrate talks," he said.
The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after Cambodia appointed ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and personal adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The Thai government recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and Cambodia responded by withdrawing its ambassador from Bangkok.
Cambodia refused to extradite Thaksin when he arrived in the country on Nov10 to take up his post as adviser.
Phnom Penh authorities then arrested a Thai engineer working for Cambodia Air Traffic Services on spying charges for passing on details of Thaksin's flight details to the Thai embassy.
He was later granted a pardon by the Cambodian king.
Mr Kasit said Thailand's image among the international community had improved over the past six months.
"The international media has less comment on the Thai government and understands more about the role of the monarchy," he said.
He said the election scheduled for Burma next year would be another challenge for Asean.
If Burma was successful in its election, it would help strengthen the grouping and improve human rights issues, making the Asean Charter stronger.
"I think progress in Burma is an important [issue] and peace along the Thai-Burmese border [will improve the] solidarity of Asean."
If the election fails, it will be to the detriment of Asean, he said.
The minister said the ministry's core policy next year would be to emphasise cooperation with Africa and Europe as Thailand was seeking closer links with the two continents.
Africa will become an emerging market for Thai consumer goods and food resources and Thailand will help to provide technical assistance in agriculture.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has defended his performance over the past 12 months - particularly in dealing with the Thai-Cambodia dispute - insisting he will not resign from his post.
Mr Kasit yesterday responded to public criticism and polls that show he is "a weak link in the government" and that his ministry has performed badly over the past year.
Mr Kasit said he had good relations with all countries around the world - except one country which created problems because "some Thais became spies to undermine him". He was referring to Cambodia.
"I did not yield to the leader of that country because it would have meant losing what is in Thailand's national interest, especially the oil and gas reserves under the Gulf of Thailand," Mr Kasit said.
"It does not belong to any family or any group of people, not Thais or another country. It belongs to the 65 million Thai people. I will not allow one or a few families from any country to occupy this oil and gas reserve, and I will not quit my position.
"What I try to fight for is the right thing and I can explain everything I did. I think this government and I did everything right."
Mr Kasit admitted the weakness of the government and the Foreign Ministry was their poor public relations work.
"It is the responsibility of neighbouring countries, which believe in international rules and regulations and non-interference principles, to not sit idly by but to help orchestrate talks," he said.
The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after Cambodia appointed ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and personal adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The Thai government recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and Cambodia responded by withdrawing its ambassador from Bangkok.
Cambodia refused to extradite Thaksin when he arrived in the country on Nov10 to take up his post as adviser.
Phnom Penh authorities then arrested a Thai engineer working for Cambodia Air Traffic Services on spying charges for passing on details of Thaksin's flight details to the Thai embassy.
He was later granted a pardon by the Cambodian king.
Mr Kasit said Thailand's image among the international community had improved over the past six months.
"The international media has less comment on the Thai government and understands more about the role of the monarchy," he said.
He said the election scheduled for Burma next year would be another challenge for Asean.
If Burma was successful in its election, it would help strengthen the grouping and improve human rights issues, making the Asean Charter stronger.
"I think progress in Burma is an important [issue] and peace along the Thai-Burmese border [will improve the] solidarity of Asean."
If the election fails, it will be to the detriment of Asean, he said.
The minister said the ministry's core policy next year would be to emphasise cooperation with Africa and Europe as Thailand was seeking closer links with the two continents.
Africa will become an emerging market for Thai consumer goods and food resources and Thailand will help to provide technical assistance in agriculture.
FBI Report Links Ruling Party to Grenade Attack
The chief instigator of the 1997 grenade attack?
Slaughter during the 1997 grenade attackOriginal report from Washington
31 December 2009
A declassified report by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation indicates involvement by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party to a deadly grenade attack on an opposition rally in 1997.
The attack, on a gathering of supporters for opposition leader Sam Rainsy, killed 16 people and injured more than 100 others, including an American citizen, which prompted an FBI investigation that was ultimately abandoned.
But in documents recently released to the English-language Cambodia Daily through a Freedom of Information request, the FBI said it had been pursuing evidence that pointed to the involvement of security forces loyal to then second prime minister Hun Sen.
Released in part to the newspaper, the 2,300-page case file indicates advance knowledge of the attack by Cambodian police at the scene of the March 30 rally and possible collusion with the attackers by Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit.
The rally was organized by the Khmer Nation Party, the precursor to the Sam Rainsy Party, to demand an independent judiciary.
“But at the time, some criminals with an order from the top threw hand grenades into the rally,” Sam Rainsy told VOA Khmer recently. “The FBI also looked thoroughly into the case and had witnesses, evidence and clear records to show that those who are behind the grenade attack are those in power today.”
The FBI investigation came months after the attack, at the request of Funcinpec and the CPP, which were in a power-sharing coalition. The investigation did not go far, and the FBI pulled its investigator from the country due to security concerns and political tension, the Daily reported.
The FBI also encountered difficulties having CPP officials cooperate, the newspaper said.
Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, dismissed the report, calling the abortive investigation “an FBI failure.”
“The FBI should take it as a lesson for its academy,” said Khieu Sopheak, who had acted as a liaison officer with investigators at the time. He also denied any security threats to FBI personal, saying he would have heard about them because police and the FBI spent time together.
Nevertheless, the FBI report highlights several anomalies that led investigators to suspect involvement of Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit, including an abnormal deployment of troops near the rally.
Unit commander Huy Piseth and his deputy, Hing Bunheang, were interviewed by the FBI, along with other officials.
Hing Bunheang, who is now the head of Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit, declined to comment on the FBI report.
“I only pay attention to helping farmers to harvest,” he told VOA Khmer by phone. “People don’t have enough, and they are now harvesting. I have no time to think of any political parties. I only see rice harvesting. Many people lack a labor force. Some are disabled, old and widowed…and they need a workforce. Besides this, I know nothing.”
The FBI made more than 50 interviews in its investigation, sometimes in collaboration with Cambodian police and sometimes separately without their knowledge, the Daily reported.
A US congressional committee said agents met difficulty gaining the cooperation of police officials like Mok Chito, who was then the chief of penal police for Phnom Penh and is now in charge of the criminal department for the national police.
“I assisted in bringing witnesses to the FBI for drawing sketches, because when I got there I saw a few witnesses and I was on the taskforce,” Mok Chito told VOA Khmer.
The FBI produced sketches of nine suspects that were widely circulated that year. In the end, however, no arrests were ever made, and the FBI concluded its investigation was “incomplete.”
The attack, on a gathering of supporters for opposition leader Sam Rainsy, killed 16 people and injured more than 100 others, including an American citizen, which prompted an FBI investigation that was ultimately abandoned.
But in documents recently released to the English-language Cambodia Daily through a Freedom of Information request, the FBI said it had been pursuing evidence that pointed to the involvement of security forces loyal to then second prime minister Hun Sen.
Released in part to the newspaper, the 2,300-page case file indicates advance knowledge of the attack by Cambodian police at the scene of the March 30 rally and possible collusion with the attackers by Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit.
The rally was organized by the Khmer Nation Party, the precursor to the Sam Rainsy Party, to demand an independent judiciary.
“But at the time, some criminals with an order from the top threw hand grenades into the rally,” Sam Rainsy told VOA Khmer recently. “The FBI also looked thoroughly into the case and had witnesses, evidence and clear records to show that those who are behind the grenade attack are those in power today.”
The FBI investigation came months after the attack, at the request of Funcinpec and the CPP, which were in a power-sharing coalition. The investigation did not go far, and the FBI pulled its investigator from the country due to security concerns and political tension, the Daily reported.
The FBI also encountered difficulties having CPP officials cooperate, the newspaper said.
Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, dismissed the report, calling the abortive investigation “an FBI failure.”
“The FBI should take it as a lesson for its academy,” said Khieu Sopheak, who had acted as a liaison officer with investigators at the time. He also denied any security threats to FBI personal, saying he would have heard about them because police and the FBI spent time together.
Nevertheless, the FBI report highlights several anomalies that led investigators to suspect involvement of Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit, including an abnormal deployment of troops near the rally.
Unit commander Huy Piseth and his deputy, Hing Bunheang, were interviewed by the FBI, along with other officials.
Hing Bunheang, who is now the head of Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit, declined to comment on the FBI report.
“I only pay attention to helping farmers to harvest,” he told VOA Khmer by phone. “People don’t have enough, and they are now harvesting. I have no time to think of any political parties. I only see rice harvesting. Many people lack a labor force. Some are disabled, old and widowed…and they need a workforce. Besides this, I know nothing.”
The FBI made more than 50 interviews in its investigation, sometimes in collaboration with Cambodian police and sometimes separately without their knowledge, the Daily reported.
A US congressional committee said agents met difficulty gaining the cooperation of police officials like Mok Chito, who was then the chief of penal police for Phnom Penh and is now in charge of the criminal department for the national police.
“I assisted in bringing witnesses to the FBI for drawing sketches, because when I got there I saw a few witnesses and I was on the taskforce,” Mok Chito told VOA Khmer.
The FBI produced sketches of nine suspects that were widely circulated that year. In the end, however, no arrests were ever made, and the FBI concluded its investigation was “incomplete.”
Stunning 2009 photos of the year from Cambodia by Nicolas Axelrod
July 17, 2009. A 'Beer Girl' works in a Phnom Penh beer garden. The loss of available jobs in the garment industry saw many women turning to waitressing and hostessing in the capitals bars, restaurants, Karaoke and massage parlours. (All photos: Nicolas Axelrod)
May 07, 2009. A woman in her home in Group 78, a poor community living near the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh. The community is slated for eminent eviction.For additional photos from Nicolas Axelrod, please visit:
Here is the link to Nick's blog: http://nicolasaxelrod.wordpress.com where he regularly posts information and multi-media presentations on life in Cambodia.
Thank you Nick for sharing your work!
The Farmers and the Politician
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Justice Speech by Chanda Chhay
Originally posted at http://cambodianchildren.blogspot.com
In a corrupt justice system, the application of the law tends to be heavily biased against those who are poor, powerless and politically unimportant. These facts have been well known in Cambodia; but what makes these injustices more painful is the fact that the one who leads the fight against such injustices run away from the problems when the going get tough.
Let me be blunt. I am talking about Mr. Sam Rainsy and the poor, powerless and politically unimportant farmers in Svay Rieng Province, who have been accused of and charged with destroying state property after they pulled out six wooden stakes marking the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. From the video clips, the statements, and the actions of all involved, it is obvious that the farmers who pulled out the wooden stakes which were planted in their rice field took such action at the behest of Mr. Sam Rainsy. They (farmers) were led to believe that what they were doing was right, as a law maker was encouraging them to do so. Alas, when the state deemed the action a criminal act, it is quite unfortunate that the ones who have to face the consequences are the farmers.
Both Mr. Sam Rainsy and the farmers were equally charged with destroying state property by the Cambodian court in Svay Rieng province. It doesn’t matter if the Svay Rieng Court is a Kangaroo Court; Mr. Sam Rainsy and the farmers should confront the court’s proceedings together. A friend in need is a friend in DEED. Mr. Sam Rainsy should not let the poor, powerless, and politically unimportant farmers face the prosecution alone. As a politician, a political party leader, and a person with political means to defend and protect those powerless farmers, Mr. Sam Rainsy has a moral obligation to confront the issues head on. If this means going to prison, so be it. A person, especially a political party leader whose goal is to seek national leadership should not walk away from the sticky situation he has created. Claiming responsibility for one’s action in absentia while letting other partners-in-crime face the consequences alone is not the answer. We all know that in a dire situation and trying time, issuing statements and proclamation are cheap and meaningless. They have little effect in solving the problems. Only concrete actions count and could make a difference.
If my memory is correct, Mr. Sam Rainsy has engaged in Cambodian politics for almost 20 years now. As a politician and a law maker, he should at least be aware of how the Cambodian legal system operates. If he knows, as he claimed, that the Cambodian legal system is corrupt, incompetent, and prone to political influences, Mr. Sam Rainsy should use the opportunity the Svay Rieng Court has given him and his political clout as leader of a political party to expose these abominable weaknesses and bring changes to it. Otherwise, go to Greece and kowtow in front of Socrates statue to seek some divine guidance. Don’t let the poor farmers, especially Ms. Meas Srey, in Svay Rieng down. Those farmers might be naïve, but many of them do take responsibility for their action bravely knowing quite well that their plight depends very much on the whims of the flip-flop, full of promise-breaking politicians.
Chanda Chhay
Washington, D.C.
Let me be blunt. I am talking about Mr. Sam Rainsy and the poor, powerless and politically unimportant farmers in Svay Rieng Province, who have been accused of and charged with destroying state property after they pulled out six wooden stakes marking the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. From the video clips, the statements, and the actions of all involved, it is obvious that the farmers who pulled out the wooden stakes which were planted in their rice field took such action at the behest of Mr. Sam Rainsy. They (farmers) were led to believe that what they were doing was right, as a law maker was encouraging them to do so. Alas, when the state deemed the action a criminal act, it is quite unfortunate that the ones who have to face the consequences are the farmers.
Both Mr. Sam Rainsy and the farmers were equally charged with destroying state property by the Cambodian court in Svay Rieng province. It doesn’t matter if the Svay Rieng Court is a Kangaroo Court; Mr. Sam Rainsy and the farmers should confront the court’s proceedings together. A friend in need is a friend in DEED. Mr. Sam Rainsy should not let the poor, powerless, and politically unimportant farmers face the prosecution alone. As a politician, a political party leader, and a person with political means to defend and protect those powerless farmers, Mr. Sam Rainsy has a moral obligation to confront the issues head on. If this means going to prison, so be it. A person, especially a political party leader whose goal is to seek national leadership should not walk away from the sticky situation he has created. Claiming responsibility for one’s action in absentia while letting other partners-in-crime face the consequences alone is not the answer. We all know that in a dire situation and trying time, issuing statements and proclamation are cheap and meaningless. They have little effect in solving the problems. Only concrete actions count and could make a difference.
If my memory is correct, Mr. Sam Rainsy has engaged in Cambodian politics for almost 20 years now. As a politician and a law maker, he should at least be aware of how the Cambodian legal system operates. If he knows, as he claimed, that the Cambodian legal system is corrupt, incompetent, and prone to political influences, Mr. Sam Rainsy should use the opportunity the Svay Rieng Court has given him and his political clout as leader of a political party to expose these abominable weaknesses and bring changes to it. Otherwise, go to Greece and kowtow in front of Socrates statue to seek some divine guidance. Don’t let the poor farmers, especially Ms. Meas Srey, in Svay Rieng down. Those farmers might be naïve, but many of them do take responsibility for their action bravely knowing quite well that their plight depends very much on the whims of the flip-flop, full of promise-breaking politicians.
Chanda Chhay
Washington, D.C.
Court seeking Rainsy arrest: police official [-A secret arrest warrant?]
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Cheang Sokha and Sebastian Strangio
The Phnom Penh Post
No details of warrant available, Svay Rieng’s top policeman says.
A senior Svay Rieng police officer said Wednesday that the provincial court is believed to have issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Sam Rainsy after he failed to appear before a judge on Monday in connection with his removal of border posts on the Vietnamese frontier, although no details of the order are available.
Svay Rieng Police Commissioner Prach Rim said he could provide no additional information about the warrant, adding, “It has not yet arrived in my hands, so that is why I cannot elaborate further”.
Earlier this month, Svay Rieng court officials charged Sam Rainsy with racial incitement and the destruction of property over an October 25 incident in which he joined villagers in uprooting six wooden posts near the border with Vietnam.
The outspoken government critic was stripped of his parliamentary immunity last month over the incident.
Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann said he did not have specific information about the warrant, but defended the SRP president’s actions on the border.
“I will repeat that Mr Sam Rainsy has not done anything wrong. Because the demarcation posts were put in the middle of the people’s land without their participation … they had a right to pull them out,” he said.
He said the SRP has long opposed the border treaty signed with Vietnam in 2005, which it feared would lead to the loss of Cambodian land, adding that Sam Rainsy’s current tour in Europe would help publicise the Vietnamese incursions.
“This is a political problem so we have to find a political solution … by speaking to the international donors that provide financial assistance to the government,” he said, adding that he did not know when Sam Rainsy would return.
Government officials, however, said the issuing of an arrest warrant was standard procedure in cases where individuals failed to honour a court summons.
“He failed his obligation to present himself at the court. As a member of parliament, he should set a good example and respect the court’s request,” said Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan. He said he had received no formal notification of the warrant.
“We are trying to respect the rule of law – no matter who you are, you have an obligation to obey the court,” he said.
read more “Court seeking Rainsy arrest: police official [-A secret arrest warrant?]”
Cheang Sokha and Sebastian Strangio
The Phnom Penh Post
No details of warrant available, Svay Rieng’s top policeman says.
A senior Svay Rieng police officer said Wednesday that the provincial court is believed to have issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Sam Rainsy after he failed to appear before a judge on Monday in connection with his removal of border posts on the Vietnamese frontier, although no details of the order are available.
Svay Rieng Police Commissioner Prach Rim said he could provide no additional information about the warrant, adding, “It has not yet arrived in my hands, so that is why I cannot elaborate further”.
Earlier this month, Svay Rieng court officials charged Sam Rainsy with racial incitement and the destruction of property over an October 25 incident in which he joined villagers in uprooting six wooden posts near the border with Vietnam.
The outspoken government critic was stripped of his parliamentary immunity last month over the incident.
Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann said he did not have specific information about the warrant, but defended the SRP president’s actions on the border.
“I will repeat that Mr Sam Rainsy has not done anything wrong. Because the demarcation posts were put in the middle of the people’s land without their participation … they had a right to pull them out,” he said.
He said the SRP has long opposed the border treaty signed with Vietnam in 2005, which it feared would lead to the loss of Cambodian land, adding that Sam Rainsy’s current tour in Europe would help publicise the Vietnamese incursions.
“This is a political problem so we have to find a political solution … by speaking to the international donors that provide financial assistance to the government,” he said, adding that he did not know when Sam Rainsy would return.
Government officials, however, said the issuing of an arrest warrant was standard procedure in cases where individuals failed to honour a court summons.
“He failed his obligation to present himself at the court. As a member of parliament, he should set a good example and respect the court’s request,” said Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan. He said he had received no formal notification of the warrant.
“We are trying to respect the rule of law – no matter who you are, you have an obligation to obey the court,” he said.
Vietnamese Defence White Paper 2009
December 31, 2009
Pankaj K Jha
Institute for Defense Studies & Analyses (India)
In his December 22, 2009 speech on the eve of Vietnamese People’s Army (VPA) Day, President Nguyen Minh Triet urged the Army to develop defence industry, improve tactical skills and upgrade weaponry to counter the high-tech weaponry and enhanced military strength of Vietnam’s enemies. Though no particular reference was made to China, the underlying theme was the need to counter the increasing assertion of Vietnam’s bigger neighbour. This was a stark departure from the posture adopted in the defence white paper released two weeks earlier.
Vietnam’s third national defence white paper (the first two were released in 1998 and 2004 respectively) shows its commitment to greater transparency in defence modernization and strategic planning. It clearly articulates the priorities for Vietnam but is quite restrained with regard to outlining policy and strategic plans for the future. The foreword by Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh categorically states that
“on the basis of the thorough grasp of the party and the state's guidelines of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development in external affairs and the foreign policy of openness, multilateralization and diversification in international relations, the Vietnamese people’s army should enhance defence diplomatic activities; expand and consolidate ties and cooperation with all countries (first and foremost with neighbouring and regional ones, and other major partners etc.), and conduct deepened, effective, stable, sustainable , mutually confident international relations that contribute to the successful implementation of the party and state's foreign policy, and meet the needs of building the Vietnamese People Army (VPA) under new conditions.”.1
The white paper makes only an indirect reference to China on the issue of military strategy, galloping defence expenditure, advanced weapon systems and technologies. It also lays emphasis on the increasing gap in defence capabilities between the major powers and developing countries. The white paper also discusses the issue of natural disasters and non-traditional threats in general.
The 155 page document is divided into four sections. The first section deals with the security situation and configuring the national defence policy. The white paper lists the country’s major achievements in terms of demarcating the land borders and the settlement of maritime borders with China in the Gulf of Tonkin. However, subsequent passages refer to Vietnam’s sovereignty over and security concerns in the South China Sea. The paper cautiously asserts Vietnam’s sovereign rights over the East Vietnam Sea (otherwise known as South China Sea), which includes the Spratly and Paracel islands. It stresses the importance of building national power through resources and people. It categorically abjures joining any military alliances and maintains the policy of not allowing any country to use its military bases for carrying out activities against a third country. Most interestingly, there are repeated references to developing defence ties with all countries through mutual respect, independence and sovereignty. The one striking example of benefits of defence diplomacy has been cooperation between Vietnam’s defence intelligence agency and its counterparts in other countries on strategic and defence issues. The white paper also discusses Vietnam’s role in peacekeeping operations, though here it expresses the need to gain further knowledge about legal systems and legal liabilities in UN peacekeeping operations.
Part two of the defence white paper discusses comprehensive national power including the whole gamut of factors and actors in building the national defence capability. Here, stress has been laid on developing the science and technology base. The white paper also provides details of the functions of the various departments and the role of leaders and their functional responsibilities. There is also a section devoted to the historical timeline of the development of the VPA and how the divisions were constituted during the First Vietnam War. This section also encapsulates the process of reunification of Vietnam in 1975 and the building of a unified country. It also clarifies the conditions under which Vietnam was forced to invade Cambodia.
The white paper also specifies that the strength of the Vietnamese people's Army (VPA) to be about 450,000, with five million reservists. It clearly states that Vietnam’s defence expenditure was Dong 16,278 billion in 2005 (approximately US $0.997 billion) and that it increased to 27,024 billion Dong ($1.8 billion) in 2008. Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP is in the range of 1.8 to 2.5 per cent.
In the defence white paper, an effort has been made to provide information about the various wings of the defence forces. Their areas of operation and responsibilities are also clearly demarcated. While stress has been laid on building the politico-spiritual strength of the personnel, there is no roadmap for providing them with enhanced training. The white paper lays great stress on enhancing the country’s technological capability, developing domestic defence industry and procuring advanced weaponry. It expresses clear apprehensions about the technical depth of the national defence industry and its capability to supply the military with advanced weaponry. A separate section is dedicated for broadening and intensifying international defence cooperation.
The last part of the white paper emphasises upon management of local defence units, strengthening them, training them and building greater awareness about among them about the emerging challenges. The concluding section highlights the need for greater convergence and integration. It also emphasizes the need for developing better relations with neighbours and the importance of striving for peace, democracy and progress in society. The appendices provide information about the country’s defence set up.
While the effort has been commendable, the white paper suffers from a few shortcomings. It falls short of identifying the major external and internal security challenges. While an attempt has been to be more transparent, the white paper does not give any information about the status of weapons, personnel training, and of the defence industry in terms of production. Although the white paper provides a comprehensive overview of the historical developments as well as the need for upgrading the defence forces and making them more efficient, it ignores the importance of network centric warfare and new modes of training like simulation, scenario building and war gaming. And finally, while Vietnam has the political will and national mandate for building strong, powerful and efficient defence forces, in terms of articulation there is a wide gap between perception and projection.
1. Vietnam National Defence, Ministry of National Defence, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi 12,2009.
read more “Vietnamese Defence White Paper 2009”
Pankaj K Jha
Institute for Defense Studies & Analyses (India)
In his December 22, 2009 speech on the eve of Vietnamese People’s Army (VPA) Day, President Nguyen Minh Triet urged the Army to develop defence industry, improve tactical skills and upgrade weaponry to counter the high-tech weaponry and enhanced military strength of Vietnam’s enemies. Though no particular reference was made to China, the underlying theme was the need to counter the increasing assertion of Vietnam’s bigger neighbour. This was a stark departure from the posture adopted in the defence white paper released two weeks earlier.
Vietnam’s third national defence white paper (the first two were released in 1998 and 2004 respectively) shows its commitment to greater transparency in defence modernization and strategic planning. It clearly articulates the priorities for Vietnam but is quite restrained with regard to outlining policy and strategic plans for the future. The foreword by Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh categorically states that
“on the basis of the thorough grasp of the party and the state's guidelines of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development in external affairs and the foreign policy of openness, multilateralization and diversification in international relations, the Vietnamese people’s army should enhance defence diplomatic activities; expand and consolidate ties and cooperation with all countries (first and foremost with neighbouring and regional ones, and other major partners etc.), and conduct deepened, effective, stable, sustainable , mutually confident international relations that contribute to the successful implementation of the party and state's foreign policy, and meet the needs of building the Vietnamese People Army (VPA) under new conditions.”.1
The white paper makes only an indirect reference to China on the issue of military strategy, galloping defence expenditure, advanced weapon systems and technologies. It also lays emphasis on the increasing gap in defence capabilities between the major powers and developing countries. The white paper also discusses the issue of natural disasters and non-traditional threats in general.
The 155 page document is divided into four sections. The first section deals with the security situation and configuring the national defence policy. The white paper lists the country’s major achievements in terms of demarcating the land borders and the settlement of maritime borders with China in the Gulf of Tonkin. However, subsequent passages refer to Vietnam’s sovereignty over and security concerns in the South China Sea. The paper cautiously asserts Vietnam’s sovereign rights over the East Vietnam Sea (otherwise known as South China Sea), which includes the Spratly and Paracel islands. It stresses the importance of building national power through resources and people. It categorically abjures joining any military alliances and maintains the policy of not allowing any country to use its military bases for carrying out activities against a third country. Most interestingly, there are repeated references to developing defence ties with all countries through mutual respect, independence and sovereignty. The one striking example of benefits of defence diplomacy has been cooperation between Vietnam’s defence intelligence agency and its counterparts in other countries on strategic and defence issues. The white paper also discusses Vietnam’s role in peacekeeping operations, though here it expresses the need to gain further knowledge about legal systems and legal liabilities in UN peacekeeping operations.
Part two of the defence white paper discusses comprehensive national power including the whole gamut of factors and actors in building the national defence capability. Here, stress has been laid on developing the science and technology base. The white paper also provides details of the functions of the various departments and the role of leaders and their functional responsibilities. There is also a section devoted to the historical timeline of the development of the VPA and how the divisions were constituted during the First Vietnam War. This section also encapsulates the process of reunification of Vietnam in 1975 and the building of a unified country. It also clarifies the conditions under which Vietnam was forced to invade Cambodia.
The white paper also specifies that the strength of the Vietnamese people's Army (VPA) to be about 450,000, with five million reservists. It clearly states that Vietnam’s defence expenditure was Dong 16,278 billion in 2005 (approximately US $0.997 billion) and that it increased to 27,024 billion Dong ($1.8 billion) in 2008. Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP is in the range of 1.8 to 2.5 per cent.
In the defence white paper, an effort has been made to provide information about the various wings of the defence forces. Their areas of operation and responsibilities are also clearly demarcated. While stress has been laid on building the politico-spiritual strength of the personnel, there is no roadmap for providing them with enhanced training. The white paper lays great stress on enhancing the country’s technological capability, developing domestic defence industry and procuring advanced weaponry. It expresses clear apprehensions about the technical depth of the national defence industry and its capability to supply the military with advanced weaponry. A separate section is dedicated for broadening and intensifying international defence cooperation.
The last part of the white paper emphasises upon management of local defence units, strengthening them, training them and building greater awareness about among them about the emerging challenges. The concluding section highlights the need for greater convergence and integration. It also emphasizes the need for developing better relations with neighbours and the importance of striving for peace, democracy and progress in society. The appendices provide information about the country’s defence set up.
While the effort has been commendable, the white paper suffers from a few shortcomings. It falls short of identifying the major external and internal security challenges. While an attempt has been to be more transparent, the white paper does not give any information about the status of weapons, personnel training, and of the defence industry in terms of production. Although the white paper provides a comprehensive overview of the historical developments as well as the need for upgrading the defence forces and making them more efficient, it ignores the importance of network centric warfare and new modes of training like simulation, scenario building and war gaming. And finally, while Vietnam has the political will and national mandate for building strong, powerful and efficient defence forces, in terms of articulation there is a wide gap between perception and projection.
1. Vietnam National Defence, Ministry of National Defence, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi 12,2009.
Cambodia court orders arrest of opposition leader
Thu, Dec 31, 2009
Reuters
"...farmers on the Cambodian side have claimed they are losing land as Vietnam encroaches on Cambodian territory"
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - An arrest warrant has been issued for the leader of Cambodia's main opposition party after he ignored a provincial court order to appear for questioning, a government spokesman said on Thursday.
Sam Rainsy failed to appear for questioning on Monday about an Oct. 25 incident in which demarcation posts were uprooted along Cambodia's border with Vietnam.
A Phnom Penh court issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday, although it was not announced publicly.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan confirmed on Thursday that the warrant had been issued for Rainsy, who leads the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).
In an email from France, Rainsy told Reuters he would not appear in court because the case against him was politically motivated.
'The court in Cambodia is just a political tool for the ruling party to crack down on the opposition,' he said. 'I will let this politically subservient court prosecute me in absentia because its verdict is known in advance.'
Phay insisted the judges made their decisions free of political interference and said the warrant was issued only because Rainsy missed his court date.
'No matter who you are you have to appear in court, that's the law,' he said.
Rights groups have accused the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of using the courts to crack down on opposition.
On Nov. 16, the CPP-dominated government voted to strip Rainsy of his immunity for the second time in 2009.
Rainsy faces charges of racial incitement and destruction of property for his alleged role in uprooting six border posts, which local farmers claimed were placed on their land.
Vietnam lodged an official complaint over the incident. The countries are in the process of demarcating their 1,270-metre long border, but farmers on the Cambodian side have claimed they are losing land as Vietnam encroaches on Cambodian territory.
A group of villagers from Svay Rieng province, on the frontier with Vietnam, brought their concerns to Rainsy, who is a fierce critic of Vietnam's influence in Cambodian affairs.
Vietnam is a growing investor in Cambodia, and the countries signed a memorandum of understanding at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 26, which will guide Vietnamese investments that officials said could top US$6 billion.
read more “Cambodia court orders arrest of opposition leader”
Reuters
"...farmers on the Cambodian side have claimed they are losing land as Vietnam encroaches on Cambodian territory"
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - An arrest warrant has been issued for the leader of Cambodia's main opposition party after he ignored a provincial court order to appear for questioning, a government spokesman said on Thursday.
Sam Rainsy failed to appear for questioning on Monday about an Oct. 25 incident in which demarcation posts were uprooted along Cambodia's border with Vietnam.
A Phnom Penh court issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday, although it was not announced publicly.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan confirmed on Thursday that the warrant had been issued for Rainsy, who leads the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).
In an email from France, Rainsy told Reuters he would not appear in court because the case against him was politically motivated.
'The court in Cambodia is just a political tool for the ruling party to crack down on the opposition,' he said. 'I will let this politically subservient court prosecute me in absentia because its verdict is known in advance.'
Phay insisted the judges made their decisions free of political interference and said the warrant was issued only because Rainsy missed his court date.
'No matter who you are you have to appear in court, that's the law,' he said.
Rights groups have accused the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of using the courts to crack down on opposition.
On Nov. 16, the CPP-dominated government voted to strip Rainsy of his immunity for the second time in 2009.
Rainsy faces charges of racial incitement and destruction of property for his alleged role in uprooting six border posts, which local farmers claimed were placed on their land.
Vietnam lodged an official complaint over the incident. The countries are in the process of demarcating their 1,270-metre long border, but farmers on the Cambodian side have claimed they are losing land as Vietnam encroaches on Cambodian territory.
A group of villagers from Svay Rieng province, on the frontier with Vietnam, brought their concerns to Rainsy, who is a fierce critic of Vietnam's influence in Cambodian affairs.
Vietnam is a growing investor in Cambodia, and the countries signed a memorandum of understanding at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 26, which will guide Vietnamese investments that officials said could top US$6 billion.
Cambodia seeks arrest of opposition leader: lawyer
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy (Photo: AFP)12/31/2009
Agence France-Presse
"Sam Rainsy has done nothing wrong. He just fulfiled his duty as a member of parliament" - Yim Sovann, SRP spokesmanCambodia has issued an arrest warrant for the country's main opposition leader after he failed to show up in court to answer charges of uprooting border markings, his lawyer said Thursday.
Cambodia has issued an arrest warrant for the country's main opposition leader after he failed to show up in court to answer charges of uprooting border markings, his lawyer said Thursday.
The move came after Sam Rainsy, who was stripped of his parliamentary immunity in November, failed to appear in court on Monday on charges of damaging markers denoting the international boundary with neighbouring Vietnam.
The opposition leader is currently in Paris.
"The arrest warrant for Sam Rainsy was issued on Tuesday by Svay Rieng provincial court," Sam Rainsy's lawyer Choung Chou Ngy told AFP.
He said the opposition leader had been charged with inciting racial discrimination and intentionally damaging property when he allegedly uprooted the border markings in October saying they were illegally placed by Vietnam.
Court officials could not be reached to comment, but opposition Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann called the move was "a plan organised by the ruling party to intimidate and to threaten members of opposition party".
"Sam Rainsy has done nothing wrong. He just fulfiled his duty as a member of parliament," he said.
The French-educated former finance minister is the main rival to Prime Minister Hun Sen. He has promised to promote liberal democracy and human rights if elected, while promising to raise wages and fight corruption.
Cambodia and Vietnam officially began demarcating their contentious border in September 2006, in a bid to end decades of territorial disputes.
The border row has sparked virulent anti-Vietnamese sentiment in Cambodia, fuelled by resentment of Vietnam's expansion over the centuries.
The 1,270-kilometre (787-mile) border has remained essentially unmarked and vague since French colonial times, with stone markers and boundary flags having disappeared, while trees once lining it were cut down.
Sacrava Political Cartoon: The Hyena Clan
Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Respected Readers and Contributors,
As the dawn of a New Year and a New Decade is quickly catching up on us, our team would like to take this opportunity to thank all our respected Readers for your continued interest in news and information from Cambodia, irrespective of your political affiliation and inclination. As you probably noticed already, in spite of the large spread of the Cambodian diaspora all over the world, and even with limit Internet access in Cambodia, the Cambodian community worldwide is vibrant in our expression of opinion, and we are no longer a sheepishly silent community.
We, at KI-Media, feel extremely rewarded and blessed that Cambodians and our foreign friends from all over the world pay close attention to the situation in our beloved Cambodia. We sincerely thank you for the time you spent reading the news, providing your suggestions and posting your comments. As the saying goes: “Knowledge is Power”, we hope that KI-Media contributes somewhat to your empowerment process. Please remember that the comments you posted are not in vain, we learnt, to our great surprise, that government officials in Cambodia as well as other parties involved do read regularly your comments.
We also would like to thank all those who contribute articles for posting on KI-Media. We apologize for not naming all of you here, as the list would be very long. Without you, our knowledge would be limited indeed! Therefore, we would like to encourage all of you, as well as our other readers, to keep sending us your opinions in the coming year.
We would like to wish all our Readers, Contributors and Team Members a HAPPY NEW YEAR! May you all be blessed with a prosperous and happy New Year. We hope that this New Year will wash away the misery our Compatriots are currently facing, and we also dare hope that our beloved Cambodia will recover our full sovereignty, territorial integrity and social justice.
With our utmost respect,
Cambodian 'jungle woman' starts speaking: father
Rochom P’nhieng, known as the jungle girl, is shown waiting for treatment at a hospital in Ratanakkiri last month. (Photo: AFP)AFP
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's "jungle woman", whose story gripped the country after she apparently spent 18 years living in a forest, has begun speaking normally instead of making animal-type noises, her father said.
Rochom P'ngieng, now 28, went missing as a little girl in 1989 while herding water buffalo in Ratanakkiri province around 600 kilometres (400 miles) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh.
In early 2007 the woman was brought from the jungle, naked and dirty, after being caught trying to steal food from a farmer. She was hunched over like a monkey, scavenging on the ground for pieces of dried rice.
She could not utter a word of any intelligible language, instead making what Sal Lou, the man who says he is her father, calls "animal noises."
Cambodians described her as "jungle woman" and "half-animal girl" and since rejoining society Rochom P'ngieng has battled bouts of illness and was hospitalised in October after refusing food.
But Sal Lou said late Wednesday that this month his daughter had started to understand Cambodia's Khmer language and could even speak the language of his ethnic Phnong tribe.
"She is becoming a normal human being like others. She has been starting to speak out now -- she speaks the language of Phnong," Sal Lou told AFP by telephone.
"She can ask for food, water and so on when she feels hungry," he said.
The apparent breakthrough happened after Rochom P'ngieng's hospitalization, when doctors gave her injections to treat a nervous illness for a few days, Sal Lou said.
"She is very gentle and I am very happy with her progress," he said adding that her condition appears to be improving from day to day.
Sal Lou said his daughter had stopped trying to flee into the jungle as she had in the past.
"Even though we tried to take her into jungle, she wanted to stay at home," he said, adding that she is able to eat food now.
The jungles of Ratanakkiri -- some of the most isolated and wild in Cambodia -- are known to have held hidden groups of hill tribes in the recent past.
In November 2004, 34 people from four hill tribe families emerged from the dense forest where they had fled in 1979 after the fall of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, which they supported.
Rochom P'ngieng, now 28, went missing as a little girl in 1989 while herding water buffalo in Ratanakkiri province around 600 kilometres (400 miles) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh.
In early 2007 the woman was brought from the jungle, naked and dirty, after being caught trying to steal food from a farmer. She was hunched over like a monkey, scavenging on the ground for pieces of dried rice.
She could not utter a word of any intelligible language, instead making what Sal Lou, the man who says he is her father, calls "animal noises."
Cambodians described her as "jungle woman" and "half-animal girl" and since rejoining society Rochom P'ngieng has battled bouts of illness and was hospitalised in October after refusing food.
But Sal Lou said late Wednesday that this month his daughter had started to understand Cambodia's Khmer language and could even speak the language of his ethnic Phnong tribe.
"She is becoming a normal human being like others. She has been starting to speak out now -- she speaks the language of Phnong," Sal Lou told AFP by telephone.
"She can ask for food, water and so on when she feels hungry," he said.
The apparent breakthrough happened after Rochom P'ngieng's hospitalization, when doctors gave her injections to treat a nervous illness for a few days, Sal Lou said.
"She is very gentle and I am very happy with her progress," he said adding that her condition appears to be improving from day to day.
Sal Lou said his daughter had stopped trying to flee into the jungle as she had in the past.
"Even though we tried to take her into jungle, she wanted to stay at home," he said, adding that she is able to eat food now.
The jungles of Ratanakkiri -- some of the most isolated and wild in Cambodia -- are known to have held hidden groups of hill tribes in the recent past.
In November 2004, 34 people from four hill tribe families emerged from the dense forest where they had fled in 1979 after the fall of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, which they supported.
Poor Cambodians face eviction under new law: report
Families who were evicted from Dey Krahorm (Photo: John Vink/Magnum)Thursday, December 31, 2009
AFP
PHNOM PENH — Hundreds of poor communities in the Cambodian capital face potential forced evictions after parliament this week passed a controversial law, rights groups warned Thursday.
Lawmakers on Tuesday voted through a law on expropriations which will give the authorities legal grounds to seize private property for public development projects in Cambodia.
The law still needs to be approved by the senate and promulgated by King Norodom Sihamoni, but it has raised concerns from rights groups about a surge in forced evictions.
"The existence of a law on expropriation which was just recently passed... will create more negative effects on the poor people in the city," the rights groups said in a joint statement.
The statement said there were 410 vulnerable communities of urban poor in Phnom Penh, with 74 of them threatened with eviction.
"These (74) communities have already received notifications from the government authorities that ordered them to voluntarily move away from their homes with little compensations, the groups said.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, the Housing Rights Task Force, and the NGO Forum on Cambodia also said they had "deep concern about potential forced evictions of urban poor people from their communities in the near future".
The Cambodian government has faced mounting criticism for a spate of forced evictions throughout the country over the past few years at the hands of the army and police as land prices have risen.
Cambodia in September ended a World Bank-financed land-titling programme amid increasing property disputes and allegations of land-grabbing.
Land ownership is a controversial problem in Cambodia, where legal documents were destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and civil war that ended in 1998.
Lawmakers on Tuesday voted through a law on expropriations which will give the authorities legal grounds to seize private property for public development projects in Cambodia.
The law still needs to be approved by the senate and promulgated by King Norodom Sihamoni, but it has raised concerns from rights groups about a surge in forced evictions.
"The existence of a law on expropriation which was just recently passed... will create more negative effects on the poor people in the city," the rights groups said in a joint statement.
The statement said there were 410 vulnerable communities of urban poor in Phnom Penh, with 74 of them threatened with eviction.
"These (74) communities have already received notifications from the government authorities that ordered them to voluntarily move away from their homes with little compensations, the groups said.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, the Housing Rights Task Force, and the NGO Forum on Cambodia also said they had "deep concern about potential forced evictions of urban poor people from their communities in the near future".
The Cambodian government has faced mounting criticism for a spate of forced evictions throughout the country over the past few years at the hands of the army and police as land prices have risen.
Cambodia in September ended a World Bank-financed land-titling programme amid increasing property disputes and allegations of land-grabbing.
Land ownership is a controversial problem in Cambodia, where legal documents were destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and civil war that ended in 1998.
Cambodia's dengue fever death toll sharply falls this year
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The number of reported cases of dengue fever rose in 2009, but fatalities significantly fell from 2008 due to improved public awareness, local media reported on Thursday, citing health officials.
Ngan Chantha, director of dengue control at the Health Ministry, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that there were 11,625 cases of dengue fever and 36 deaths from the disease this year, compared to 9,245 cases and 65 deaths last year.
"We intervened by disseminating information through the media, spraying mosquito insecticide and training doctors and nurses to help dengue victims properly."
"People understand the disease and how dangerous it is, but they still don't change their behavior," he said, referring to the need to keep homes free of places where mosquitoes can breed.
Most of this year's dengue infections occurred in high-density areas in provinces including Kompong Cham, Kandal, Siem Reap and Kampot, as well as the capital Phnom Penh, Chantha added.
Doung Socheat, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, agreed with Ngan Chantha that this year's decrease in fatalities was due to improved awareness and public health education on how to treat the disease.
Public health authorities will concentrate on decreasing further the number of both dengue infections and fatalities in the coming year, Socheat said.
read more “Cambodia's dengue fever death toll sharply falls this year”
Ngan Chantha, director of dengue control at the Health Ministry, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that there were 11,625 cases of dengue fever and 36 deaths from the disease this year, compared to 9,245 cases and 65 deaths last year.
"We intervened by disseminating information through the media, spraying mosquito insecticide and training doctors and nurses to help dengue victims properly."
"People understand the disease and how dangerous it is, but they still don't change their behavior," he said, referring to the need to keep homes free of places where mosquitoes can breed.
Most of this year's dengue infections occurred in high-density areas in provinces including Kompong Cham, Kandal, Siem Reap and Kampot, as well as the capital Phnom Penh, Chantha added.
Doung Socheat, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, agreed with Ngan Chantha that this year's decrease in fatalities was due to improved awareness and public health education on how to treat the disease.
Public health authorities will concentrate on decreasing further the number of both dengue infections and fatalities in the coming year, Socheat said.
China-Asean Trade Deal Takes Hold, Spares Popcorn, Toilet Paper
By Daniel Ten Kate
Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) -- A free-trade agreement between China and Southeast Asia comes into force tomorrow, consolidating a sixfold surge in economic activity over the past decade between countries representing a quarter of the world’s population.
The agreement expands a limited 2005 trade area between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, scrapping tariffs on about 90 percent of goods. By 2015, duties must be cut to no more than 50 percent on “highly sensitive” items, including ambulances in Brunei, popcorn in Indonesia, snowboard boots in Thailand and toilet paper in China.
China’s economic clout in Southeast Asian countries has risen over the past decade as policy makers slashed tariffs on electronics, automobile parts and computer chips. Japan, India, Europe and the U.S. have followed China in courting Asean, home to investments from Intel Corp., the world’s largest maker of computer chips, and Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest carmaker.
Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) -- A free-trade agreement between China and Southeast Asia comes into force tomorrow, consolidating a sixfold surge in economic activity over the past decade between countries representing a quarter of the world’s population.
The agreement expands a limited 2005 trade area between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, scrapping tariffs on about 90 percent of goods. By 2015, duties must be cut to no more than 50 percent on “highly sensitive” items, including ambulances in Brunei, popcorn in Indonesia, snowboard boots in Thailand and toilet paper in China.
China’s economic clout in Southeast Asian countries has risen over the past decade as policy makers slashed tariffs on electronics, automobile parts and computer chips. Japan, India, Europe and the U.S. have followed China in courting Asean, home to investments from Intel Corp., the world’s largest maker of computer chips, and Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest carmaker.
December 31, 2009
The Nation
Sri Lanka on Thursday denied a report that the government planned to appoint fugitive ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.
Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat claimed on Wednesday that Colombo will name Thaksin as an adviser to the government.
Colombo-based Daily Mirror online quoted Sri Lanka's Deputy Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama as saying that he is not aware of any such move.
read more “Sri Lanka not aware of plan to appoint Thaksin as adviser”
The Nation
Sri Lanka on Thursday denied a report that the government planned to appoint fugitive ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.
Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat claimed on Wednesday that Colombo will name Thaksin as an adviser to the government.
Colombo-based Daily Mirror online quoted Sri Lanka's Deputy Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama as saying that he is not aware of any such move.
Misbehaving monks scolded at national religious congress
Dec 30, 2009
Photo by: Heng Chivoan
Monks chant as Senate President Chea Sim enters the stage at Chaktomuk Theatre in Phnom Penh on Tuesday to open the 18th National Monk Congress.WE KNOW THAT SOME MONKS HAVE COMMITTED SINS SUCH AS KILLING, RAPE...
SENATE President Chea Sim has called on Cambodia’s supreme patriarchs to reel in wayward monks following a spate of violent incidents this year involving religious figures.
“The role of monks is very important to educate the social morality of the people,” Chea Sim said in a speech before 800 monks and nuns at the 18th annual National Monk Congress, which opened Tuesday at Chaktomuk Theatre.
“But monks themselves must have a Buddhist’s morality to encourage the national religion.”
Chea Sim urged officials at the Ministry of Cults and Religions to “reinforce the good governance” of Buddhism to ensure peace in the Kingdom.
“The teachings of the Buddha are the light that will educate the people about morality and allow our country to develop peacefully,” Chea Sim said.
“The discrimination, jealousy and violations in social society are caused from indifference to religious belief and are seriously damaging.”
In recent months, however, several monks appear to have strayed from the path, with allegations of murder, sexual relationships, alcohol consumption and rape directed at a handful of monks.
Min Khin, the cults and religions minister, acknowledged that authorities were concerned about the allegations. He blamed incidences of bad monastic behaviour on “globalisation”, which he said causes some people – including monks – to make mistakes.
“We know that some monks have committed sins such as killing, rape and violence,” Min Khin said. “But hopefully, the three days of this National Monk Congress will improve monks and encourage them to reinforce the good governance of Buddhism.”
Min Khin said monks must play an integral role in building Cambodia’s developing society.
“The monk’s role is not only to pray or spread the teachings of the Buddha, but also to build roads, schools, hospitals and to protect our … national culture.”
Cambodia’s Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong sidestepped questions over incidences of bad behaviour among individual monks, except to say that all Cambodians should follow the law.
“I think that Buddhists and all people who live in Cambodia must respect the law and other national and international laws,” Tep Vong said. “The monks must respect all laws … to eliminate suffering, jealousy, violence and social discrimination.”
In October, 11 monks in Siem Reap province were defrocked following an all-night alcohol-fuelled bender after shocked villagers demanded that the monks be punished. Later that month, two monks in Phnom Penh were arrested after allegedly beating a medical student to death after the victim chastised them for drinking.
According to Min Khin, the country currently has 4,392 pagodas, 1,370 Buddhist schools and 54,764 ordained monks.
Dams, mines fouling water, say villagers in Stung Treng
Photo by: Daniel Lanctot
Villagers fish on the Srepok River in Stung Treng province. A report this week says dams and mining are polluting the river.SEVERAL thousand villagers living along the Sesan and Srepok rivers in Stung Treng province are facing a severe shortage of rice and clean water as a result of polluted runoff from hydropower dam developments and mine explorations, local representatives and environmental activists warned Tuesday.
“We think there are about 50,000 residents in the area, and many of them have already complained about the water becoming muddy, with red,
white and blue colours,” said Tek Vannara, programme manager for the Culture and Environment Preservation Association.
A report released by the Sesan-Srepok-Sekong (3S) Rivers Protection Network on Sunday attributed the water’s pollution to hydropower dams located on the upper reaches of the Sesan, both on the Vietnamese and Cambodian sides, and added that mining activities could also be responsible for the recent spike in pollution.
“The closing and opening of the existing hydro-dams in Vietnam, the ongoing construction of other dams, together with gold-mining explorations and other mining activities of companies upstream, both in Vietnam and Cambodia, have caused the current pollutions of the Sesan and Srepok rivers,” the report stated.
Bai Thong Nhuth, a representative of communities living along the two rivers, said the Sesan has been muddy since October, whereas the Srepok’s waters started getting dirty last November. He said he has already submitted an appeal for intervention to local authorities.
“There could be serious consequences for communities along the rivers because they use the water for drinking and cooking. We are worried that epidemic diseases may spread,” he said, and added that at least three communes in the area face imminent relocation because they cannot access clean water.
Nou Savath, a 48-year-old villager from Bangbong village along the Sesan River, said that residents and environmental groups have noticed negative effects downstream from the Yali Falls dam, on the Vietnamese side of the border, since at least 2002.
“I have faced difficulties and uncertainties for almost seven years now. Floods of muddy water kill pigs, cows and damage rice fields every day. No one is taking responsibility for this,” Nou Savath said, adding that this year he could harvest only 30 percent of what used to be an average rice yield on his 2 hectares of land.
Hak Vimean, deputy director of the Stung Treng provincial Department of Environment, said that he has submitted a report on the matter to higher authorities.
“The muddy waters are not caused by development projects in our provincial territory. The pollution may be coming from projects upstream. We are conducting an investigation on the issue, but there is no result yet,” he said.
Minorities involved in more land fights
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THE number of land disputes involving ethnic minorities in the Kingdom doubled between 2008 and 2009, the Indigenous Rights Active Members (IRAM) rights group said this week, urging the government to protect minority communities from being taken advantage of in the land-concession process.
Oum Meang, deputy director of IRAM, said his organisation had recorded 14 land disputes involving minority groups this year, up from seven in 2008.
“Ethnic minority organisations want the government to register ethnic lands collectively in order to reduce land-grabbing,” he said Monday.
Oum Meang also said that the government has failed to monitor the effects of land concessions once they have been granted.
Ros Han, the IRAM representative in Kratie province, said the government must do a better job of registering the land of indigenous people and consulting them before economic land concessions are granted.
But Ty Sokun, director general of the Forestry Administration at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said that although “opportunistic people” had occasionally taken advantage of minority groups in land cases, the government has been transparent in dealings with them.
“There is no way that we don’t hold discussions with people. We have never taken people’s land for an economic land concession without prior consultations with them,” he said. “Forested land is state land.... The land we give in economic land concessions is unused or eroded land.”
Although IRAM recorded a rise in land disputes involving minority groups, Ny Chakrya, head of monitoring for the local rights group Adhoc, said the overall number of land disputes in Cambodia declined from 2008 to 2009. Adhoc recorded 306 such cases nationwide last year, and although figures for this year have not yet been finalised, Ny Chakrya said there had been about 200 cases.
Yeng Virak, executive director of the Community Legal Education Centre, explained that ethnic minority groups are especially vulnerable to land-grabbing because they often lack knowledge about their land rights and the legal system, and because the communal land-titling process has been slow.
Although the Kingdom’s 2001 Land Law states that “no authority outside the community may acquire any rights to immovable properties belonging to an indigenous community”, Yeng Virak said that many such communities had yet to register their land, and that enforcement of land protections has been scattershot.
“On one hand, the law recognises their way of living – that means nobody can touch their area, their land. However at the same time, we also see that there have been business interests or powerful interests encroaching on their land, and they don’t have any way to protect themselves,” he said.
“They don’t have communal land titles … like normal citizens.”
Members of minority communities, particularly those who are illiterate, have often been bribed and tricked into signing away rights for their land without realising it, said Pen Bonnar, an Adhoc official experienced in land disputes involving ethnic minority communities.
This is particularly problematic, he added, as many ethnic minority groups have a tradition of communal land use, meaning that the effects of a deal signed by one individual can ripple out to the whole community.
To date, the government has given away more than 1 million hectares in land concessions, Ty Sokun said.
read more “Minorities involved in more land fights”
THE number of land disputes involving ethnic minorities in the Kingdom doubled between 2008 and 2009, the Indigenous Rights Active Members (IRAM) rights group said this week, urging the government to protect minority communities from being taken advantage of in the land-concession process.
Oum Meang, deputy director of IRAM, said his organisation had recorded 14 land disputes involving minority groups this year, up from seven in 2008.
“Ethnic minority organisations want the government to register ethnic lands collectively in order to reduce land-grabbing,” he said Monday.
Oum Meang also said that the government has failed to monitor the effects of land concessions once they have been granted.
Ros Han, the IRAM representative in Kratie province, said the government must do a better job of registering the land of indigenous people and consulting them before economic land concessions are granted.
But Ty Sokun, director general of the Forestry Administration at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said that although “opportunistic people” had occasionally taken advantage of minority groups in land cases, the government has been transparent in dealings with them.
“There is no way that we don’t hold discussions with people. We have never taken people’s land for an economic land concession without prior consultations with them,” he said. “Forested land is state land.... The land we give in economic land concessions is unused or eroded land.”
Although IRAM recorded a rise in land disputes involving minority groups, Ny Chakrya, head of monitoring for the local rights group Adhoc, said the overall number of land disputes in Cambodia declined from 2008 to 2009. Adhoc recorded 306 such cases nationwide last year, and although figures for this year have not yet been finalised, Ny Chakrya said there had been about 200 cases.
Yeng Virak, executive director of the Community Legal Education Centre, explained that ethnic minority groups are especially vulnerable to land-grabbing because they often lack knowledge about their land rights and the legal system, and because the communal land-titling process has been slow.
Although the Kingdom’s 2001 Land Law states that “no authority outside the community may acquire any rights to immovable properties belonging to an indigenous community”, Yeng Virak said that many such communities had yet to register their land, and that enforcement of land protections has been scattershot.
“On one hand, the law recognises their way of living – that means nobody can touch their area, their land. However at the same time, we also see that there have been business interests or powerful interests encroaching on their land, and they don’t have any way to protect themselves,” he said.
“They don’t have communal land titles … like normal citizens.”
Members of minority communities, particularly those who are illiterate, have often been bribed and tricked into signing away rights for their land without realising it, said Pen Bonnar, an Adhoc official experienced in land disputes involving ethnic minority communities.
This is particularly problematic, he added, as many ethnic minority groups have a tradition of communal land use, meaning that the effects of a deal signed by one individual can ripple out to the whole community.
To date, the government has given away more than 1 million hectares in land concessions, Ty Sokun said.
Banteay Chhmar temple wins American preservation grant
Photo by: Roger Mitton
Efforts to preserve the Angkorian-era ruins of Banteay Chhmar temple in Banteay Meanchey province have received a substantial boost courtesy of a new grant from the US.Heritage Watch, the grant recipient, is a partner of the Global Heritage Fund, which launched restoration efforts in 2008 in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and several other NGOs.
In a press release, the AIA said: “With new road improvements, the site is expected to become a major tourist attraction for those travelling from Thailand to Cambodia’s major archaeological attraction, Angkor Wat,” making it essential to advance conservation efforts quickly, as well as to establish community-based enterprises that “protect the site, rather than destroy it”.
Conservationists also fear that the road improvements, particularly National Highway 6 linking Siem Reap with Poipet, will accelerate the looting of Banteay Chhmar. The temple’s proximity to Thailand means that antiquities can disappear undetected into the jungles across the border.
The Angkor-period temples have already lost a number of significant features, including six of the eight massive bas-reliefs depicting Buddhist divinity Avalokitesvara.
Ok Sophon, director general of heritage at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and head of the ministry’s efforts at Banteay Chhmar,
acknowledged that the looting issue was grounded in the relationship of the temple and its surrounding communities.
Despite increased security, Ok Sophon said, his team found 100 holes around the site dug by hopeful antiquities hunters. On one occasion, police tracked down five men seen taking material from the site.
Photo by: Roger Mitton
Part of the Angkor-era ruins of Banteay Chhmar temple, which are being conserved thanks in part to a new grant from the Archaeological Institute of America.“We went around to the villages in the area and people knew who they were. When we found them, we explained that this was wrong and told them that if they were caught again it would be jail,” he said.
The exact figure for the AIA grant was unavailable on Tuesday, but the maximum award offered under the institute’s Site Preservation Grant is US$25,000 over the course of one to three years.
Sam Rainsy and 3 other farmers are on the arrest warrant
30 December 2009
By Rithipol
Free Press Magazine
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
As pointed out by Hanoi’s government leader, Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy and three other Cambodian farmers – the latter were summoned by the court to show up as witnesses, but fled – now have their names listed on an arrest warrant.
Even though there is no public announcement for the arrest warrant, an official of the Svay Rieng provincial court indicated that the court had issued an arrest warrant on 29 December against those who were involved in the uprooting of stakes along the Khmer-Yuon border on 25 October. The warrant ordered the arrest of opposition leader Sam Rainsy and 3 other villagers as they are accused of willfully destroying public properties and inciting racial discrimination.
The arrest warrant against Cambodia’s opposition leader is taking place only one day after the court rejected Sam Rainsy’s request to delay his court appearance on 28 December because he is currently busy with his overseas mission. Choung Chou Ngy, Sam Rainsy’s defense lawyer, indicated that the uprooting of border stakes is not a criminal case, but it is in fact truly a political case.
Sam Rainsy indicated that the recent arrest of two Cambodian farmers, Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea, was an intimidation so that these farmers lose their courage to protect their rice fields encroached by Vietnam. Sam Rainsy said that the real court is not the Svay Rieng court, nor a court in Cambodia, but rather it is in the Hanoi court that he wants to see his case put on trial.
Opposition MP: Japan freezes Neak Loeung bridge funding (on National Road No. 1)
SRP MP Ly Srey Vina30 December 2009
By Botum Roth
Free Press Magazine
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
An opposition MP indicated that, lately, following the National Assembly (NA) debate on the expropriation law yesterday, Japan decided to freeze its $74 million grant for the construction of a bridge crossing the Mekong river in Neak Loeung, along National Road No. 1.
The reason MP Ly Srey Vina raised this issue was because Cambodia declined to pay compensations to the families who live in the area where the bridge will be built.
Ms. Ly Srey Vina claimed during the NA debate that: “We went all the way to Japan, but Japan refused to release this grant, they told us to resolve the eviction by providing appropriate compensation, then Japan will provide the grant.”
Nevertheless, CPP MP Chheang Vun rejected this claim. He said that the Cambodian delegation to Japan did include SRP MP Ly Srey Vina, “they (the Cambodian delegation) met with the Japanese opposition committee in charge of Foreign Affairs, and the Japanese opposition committee surely does not support the Japanese government [decision].”
However, MP Ly Srey Vina said that the chairman of the Japanese Foreign Affairs committee [from the ruling party] “indicated that Japan will not support the development [project] as long as people are being affected. The Cambodian delegation requested [aid] for the construction on this bridge because it will be very useful, but Japan said that it will not provide any aid that will hurt people in any country.”
The term development should be viewed as progress, however, for the Cambodian people, this term is turned into concerns as developments bring on destruction of their houses, and they cannot receive proper market value compensation for their losses. This issue is a long and contentious case between the victimized people and the government,
However, following the ratification of the controversial expropriation law on 29 December, this law is providing the right to the government to confiscate houses and other properties from the people under the pretense of development and it will also likely cut down the number of future confrontations against the government. On the other hand, the suffering and pain inflicted on the people will likely be increased with the adoption of this law.
The Son promotes, the Father devotes: A tale from the Banana Kingdom?
Translated from Khmer by Tola Ek
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
To Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal Chea Sim, Senate President/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey Heng Samrin, National Assembly President/Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen, leader of the Royal Government of Cambodia
Highly regarded and beloved Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey Heng Samrin/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho
I and Queen-Mother are very pleased to learn about the promotion of Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho to the topmost rank of 5-star RCAF general from King Norodom Sihamoni.
I and Queen-Mother are warmly praising this promotion which is befitting your renown as you are a supreme nationalist, and an extremely good, clever and able leader who received major successes in every field for your participation in the edification of numerous buildings all over the kingdom of Cambodia, for the supreme interest of the population, the nation and the Cambodian people, as all as for raising the international prestige of our nation on the international level.
I am wishing with all the blessings, may you receive additional major successes forever, and may you be blessed with the four Buddhist blessings.
Please accept, Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey and the Chumteav Thom/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho and the Chunteav Thom, my highest regards and my deepest love, as well as those from Queen-Mother.
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing 23 December 2009
Don't like my website, don't read it!: No violent criticism accepted by King-Father
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Communiqué from
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
Beijing, P.R. of China, 27 December 2009
Recently, I received a letter from the US (the author of which does not bear an Anglo-Saxon name) criticizing me very violently about my Internet website (which includes daily: (a) vocabulary, (b) cooking (c) music and song, (d) the national edification of Cambodia under the Sangkum Reastr Niyum between 1955 and 1969).
I am telling all “concerned” individuals that nobody is obliged to learn about my daily Internet website. If they don’t like it, they should just stop reading it.
Phnom Penh street scene
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - A Cambodian man pedals his three-wheeled pedicab on a road as he carries a foreign tourist in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. AP Photo/Heng Sinith.Please hep sign the online petition for the right of self-determnation for Khmer Krom people
The right to self-determination of the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples
(United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1541(XV) of 15 December 1960 and United Nations General Assembly Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 13 September 2007 )
(United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1541(XV) of 15 December 1960 and United Nations General Assembly Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 13 September 2007 )
By virtue of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1541(XV) of 15 December 1960, the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples have three options to choose for their right of self-determination or self-government as follows:
- Free association with Viet Nam, the administering Power that means to self-govern in free association with Viet Nam and thus to become Vietnamese citizens;
- Integration with Viet Nam, the administering Power that means to integrate into Viet Nam and thus to become also Vietnamese citizens; and
- Independence that means want to become fully sovereign and fully independent people from Viet Nam.
Now, Therefore the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples who are the legitimate and rightful owners of their ancestral homeland, Kampuchea Krom territory or southern Vietnam, formerly French Cochin China, have their full and legitimate right to freely choose one of the above forms or models of self-determination for their self-government in accordance with the international laws.
This petition will serve as taking a survey of all Khmer Krom people’s political status or models of self-determination or forms of self-government where all Khmer Krom people inside Kampuchea Krom territory, all overseas Khmer Krom people, all Khmer Krom people in Cambodia and everywhere around the world, and all Khmer people in general can vote for either option number 1, option number 2 or option number 3(independence) for their self-government in strict conformity with the above UN GA Resolution of 15 December 1960 and UN GA Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 13 September 2007. This petition-survey will be sent to the United Nations to urge them to honor the will of the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples regarding their free choice for their self-government option in accordance with the international laws.
We urge all Khmer Krom people everywhere in the world to sign this petition-survey with their full name accompanied by either option number 1, option number 2 or option number 3 at their own freewill without external compulsion.
Made in Saint Paul, the Capital of the State of Minnesota this 28th day of October in the year of our Lord, two thousand nine.
Sincerely,
The convicted spy who can't get away from his spying job?
Sivarak to return to work in P.Penh
30/12/2009
Bangkok Post
Sivarak Chutipong, the Thai engineer convicted of spying in Cambodia and then pardoned, said on Wednesday that he plans to return to work at Cambodia Air Traffic Services in Phnom Penh.
He entered the monkhood after his ordeal and return to Thailand, and spent eight days at Satthatham forest temple in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, returning home on Monday.
Mr Sivarak and his mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, yesterday went to Nakhon Phanom to pay homage to the Buddha’s relics at Phra That Phanom temple and to thank Puea Thai MPs ffrom the province for helping obtain his release.
Mrs Simarak also thanked former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra via his younger sister, Yingluck, for his assistance. She also plans to visit the Puea Thai Party to thank the opposition camp for helping her son.
Mrs Simarak said she was not worried about her son’s plan to return to work in Phnom Penh because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had assured her that Mr Sivarak could stay happily in Cambodia.
He entered the monkhood after his ordeal and return to Thailand, and spent eight days at Satthatham forest temple in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, returning home on Monday.
Mr Sivarak and his mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, yesterday went to Nakhon Phanom to pay homage to the Buddha’s relics at Phra That Phanom temple and to thank Puea Thai MPs ffrom the province for helping obtain his release.
Mrs Simarak also thanked former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra via his younger sister, Yingluck, for his assistance. She also plans to visit the Puea Thai Party to thank the opposition camp for helping her son.
Mrs Simarak said she was not worried about her son’s plan to return to work in Phnom Penh because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had assured her that Mr Sivarak could stay happily in Cambodia.
Please help Koh Kban Kandal villagers who were victimized by Hanoi's puppet regime
Dec 28, 2009
Click on the appeal letter in Khmer to zoom inUnofficial Translation from Khmer
Sam Rainsy Party
Appeal
Appeal
The Sam Rainsy Party would like to inform all our members and all generous persons from both inside and outside of Cambodia that Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea, two villagers from Koh Kban Kandal North village, located in Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province, were unfairly arrested and sent to prison by the Svay Rieng provincial court on 23 December 2009. The court accused the pair of willfully damaging border post No. 185 on 25 October 2009. Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea were among the many land owners who lost their rice fields due to the planting of border post No. 185 on top on their properties.
Videos summarizing the event can be viewed at the following links: http://tinyurl.com/yhwf289 and http://tinyurl.com/yfmakb5
In the name of the victim’s families and in the name of the Sam Rainsy party, I am appealing to all our members, as well as generous donors from both inside and outside our country, to please help provide funds, according to your means and capability, to help encourage, support and alleviate the needs of the families of Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea who were victimized and lost their lands from the planting of border post No. 185 on top of their rice fields.
I am deeply thanking our party members and all the generous donors from both inside and outside our country who had always contributed their personal funds to provide for the families of the victims in their fight to defend our national interest, our territorial integrity, our democracy and social justice.
I am wishing all our party members and all the generous donors from both inside and outside our country with the five Buddhist blessings.
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