Siem Reap prison gets upgrade as part of UN-govt programme
Jan 7, 2010INMATES at one of the country’s largest prisons have improved access to clean water following the installation of a rainwater harvesting system, authorities have said.
The new system at Siem Reap Prison, the Kingdom’s third largest with roughly 1,300 inmates, was introduced as part of a prison reform effort by the Cambodian government and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“In some provincial prisons, insufficient and unclean water are major issues facing inmates,” said Heng Hak, director of prisons at the Ministry of Interior. “I hope that this innovative project … will help improve prisoners’ living conditions.”
Officials have credited the OHCHR-Cambodia prison reform programme with nearly doubling inmates’ daily food rations, from the equivalent of US$0.37 to $0.70 in each of the country’s 24 prisons.
“Siem Reap’s prison is one of the country’s largest,” said Mao Yin, provincial coordinator with rights group Adhoc. “Severe overcrowding, poor hygiene and unsafe drinking water from a lack of sanitation are the most critical issues that require our attention.”
The OHCHR-Cambodia collaboration has allowed UN officials to visit prisons across the country to gather confidential information from prisoners as part of an effort to ensure standards for how inmates are treated.
“It’s about human rights monitoring and at the same time working with the General Department of Prisons (GDP) to tackle the root causes of problems,” said Marie-Dominique Parent, the OHCHR’s officer in charge of the programme.
An OHCHR report released late last year praised its collaboration with the GDP, while noting that the prisons bureau suffered from a lack of funding that made it difficult to improve inmate conditions.
“The GDP is faced with a growing prison population, without a corresponding increase in the prison budget,” the report stated. Last month, a 16-year-old inmate died in Takhmao prison while another 20 fell seriously ill after a suspected outbreak of cholera.
read more “Siem Reap prison gets upgrade as part of UN-govt programme”
The new system at Siem Reap Prison, the Kingdom’s third largest with roughly 1,300 inmates, was introduced as part of a prison reform effort by the Cambodian government and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“In some provincial prisons, insufficient and unclean water are major issues facing inmates,” said Heng Hak, director of prisons at the Ministry of Interior. “I hope that this innovative project … will help improve prisoners’ living conditions.”
Officials have credited the OHCHR-Cambodia prison reform programme with nearly doubling inmates’ daily food rations, from the equivalent of US$0.37 to $0.70 in each of the country’s 24 prisons.
“Siem Reap’s prison is one of the country’s largest,” said Mao Yin, provincial coordinator with rights group Adhoc. “Severe overcrowding, poor hygiene and unsafe drinking water from a lack of sanitation are the most critical issues that require our attention.”
The OHCHR-Cambodia collaboration has allowed UN officials to visit prisons across the country to gather confidential information from prisoners as part of an effort to ensure standards for how inmates are treated.
“It’s about human rights monitoring and at the same time working with the General Department of Prisons (GDP) to tackle the root causes of problems,” said Marie-Dominique Parent, the OHCHR’s officer in charge of the programme.
An OHCHR report released late last year praised its collaboration with the GDP, while noting that the prisons bureau suffered from a lack of funding that made it difficult to improve inmate conditions.
“The GDP is faced with a growing prison population, without a corresponding increase in the prison budget,” the report stated. Last month, a 16-year-old inmate died in Takhmao prison while another 20 fell seriously ill after a suspected outbreak of cholera.
New Cambodian island resort launches
TravelDaily.co.uk
Brocon Investment Co., Ltd., the developer selected Phuket for the launch on the advice of agents CB Richard Ellis as the ideal location to introduce Song Saa Island to potential resort buyers.
“We are extremely pleased with the immediate success we’ve had in bookings for this project. The Phuket market has clearly identified with the product. Despite being an emerging destination, Song Saa has attracted a global mix of investors, including Norwegian, French, Hong Kong Chinese, Hong Kong expatriate to British” said David Simister, Chairman, CB Richard Ellis Thailand. Within one week of sending out the launch invitation, the project has received substantial response and 8 bookings were made by the end of the event.
Song Saa Island Resort is located on Koh Ouen and Koh Bong in the Koh Rong archipelago, a 30 minute boat ride from the Cambodian resort town of Sihanoukville. The resort comprises a total of 14 one and two-bedroom residential villas, in a private island setting with a starting price of USD 200,000 and a 10% guaranteed yield for three years. Resort facilities include a five-star over-water restaurant and bar, swimming pool, spa & wellness centre, yoga & meditation centre and a beachside water sports centre. Construction of the resort will begin next month with expected completion in Q2 2011.
Song Saa’s success marks the beginning of the international development of the Cambodian coastline and is the first project to target foreign buyers. The project offers a 99-year leasehold tenure, the best available ownership structure for foreigners compared to other resort markets in the region. The success also proves that there is a market of international investors who are attracted by quality design and operators in an emerging location. Pioneering investors who have invested in this new frontier expect to be rewarded by the significant upside in capital appreciation.
The opening of Sihanoukville Airport will further push the development along the Cambodian coastline and surrounding islands. The airport construction is now complete and includes a runway expansion and terminal renovation. The airport is currently open for chartered flights and private jets. Flights from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are expected to begin in the near future, with rumours of regional airlines also planning scheduled flights in 2010. The airport, once fully operational, will be the principal gateway to Cambodia’s southern coast and a critical catalyst for the area’s development. Transfer from the airport to Song Saa Island is approximately 30 minutes by boat.
There are currently a limited number of resort developments in Sihanoukville such as the Sokha Hotel and Koh Puos (Snake Island), off the southern coast. A number of international investors have purchased beachfront land in the area and it is expected that the official opening of the Sihanoukville Airport will increase development activity, particularly for four and five star hotels. Song Saa Island Resort is the first project to reach the market.
Song Saa Islands are nestled in the lee of Koh Rong, Cambodia’s most important resort island, pitched to be a future Phuket. The entire island is owned by one of Cambodia’s largest corporations, The Royal Group. Pre-development plans are now underway for the island and the aim is to position the island as Asia’s first environmentally planned island development. With an unparalleled quality of water, beach and the environment, the Koh Rong archipelago and the Cambodian coastline has the potential to become the next Asian Riviera, comparable to established markets such as Phuket, Samui and Bali.
“The launch of Song Saa Island Resort has certainly put Cambodia on the global map and has paved the way for future developments in the area. I believe the uniqueness of the product, the charm of the island and pricing have been the key factors for Song Saa’s success” said Rory Hunter, Chairman, Brocon Investment Co., Ltd.
Cambodia boosts border troops to stop civilians entering Thailand
Mao Kleung, a Cambodian teenager, was shot by Thai soldiers (Photo: Khmer Sthapana)Jan 8, 2010
DPA
Phnom Penh - The Cambodian military has stationed extra troops in a western border province to prevent people from crossing illegally into Thailand to fell trees, local media reported Friday.
A senior military officer in Oddar Meanchey province told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper the move came after a four-month period in which a number of Cambodian civilians had been shot, allegedly by Thai troops, after crossing illegally into Thailand to fell trees.
'We took this measure because we don't want to see Cambodian people shot or arrested and sent to Thai prisons,' said Nuon Nov, a regional deputy military commander.
Poverty is widespread in Cambodia and drives thousands to work in Thailand, often illegally, to earn money for their families back home.
In the most infamous case, a 16-year-old died in September after he was shot and wounded, then allegedly tied to an ox-cart while alive and burned to death by Thai soldiers. The Thai government later insisted the teenager had already died from gunshot wounds when troops burned his body.
Nuon Nov said troop numbers were bolstered this week and on the first day alone 60 civilians had been stopped from crossing the border.
'We brought these people back to be re-educated [about the dangers], and we also punished them to dig trenches for one week,' he said. 'Otherwise, they will not be afraid.'
Last month, the Cambodian government instructed provincial authorities to do more to stop people crossing illegally into Thailand.
The relationship between the two nations has been tense for more than a year with a number of clashes reported between troops from both countries over a disputed piece of land near the Preah Vihear temple in northern Cambodia.
Ties worsened late last year when Cambodia appointed Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser to the government.
A senior military officer in Oddar Meanchey province told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper the move came after a four-month period in which a number of Cambodian civilians had been shot, allegedly by Thai troops, after crossing illegally into Thailand to fell trees.
'We took this measure because we don't want to see Cambodian people shot or arrested and sent to Thai prisons,' said Nuon Nov, a regional deputy military commander.
Poverty is widespread in Cambodia and drives thousands to work in Thailand, often illegally, to earn money for their families back home.
In the most infamous case, a 16-year-old died in September after he was shot and wounded, then allegedly tied to an ox-cart while alive and burned to death by Thai soldiers. The Thai government later insisted the teenager had already died from gunshot wounds when troops burned his body.
Nuon Nov said troop numbers were bolstered this week and on the first day alone 60 civilians had been stopped from crossing the border.
'We brought these people back to be re-educated [about the dangers], and we also punished them to dig trenches for one week,' he said. 'Otherwise, they will not be afraid.'
Last month, the Cambodian government instructed provincial authorities to do more to stop people crossing illegally into Thailand.
The relationship between the two nations has been tense for more than a year with a number of clashes reported between troops from both countries over a disputed piece of land near the Preah Vihear temple in northern Cambodia.
Ties worsened late last year when Cambodia appointed Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser to the government.
Is Hun Sen qualified for world worst dictator yet?: Opinion by Kok Sap
Hun Sen: "Me no Stooge but Master of Cambodia Profiteer Party" (Photo:Reuters)7 January 2010
By Kok Sap
Originally posted at http://khamerlogue.wordpress.com/
From 2003 Parade magazine featured world worst dictators. Following years ASEAN plus 3 club seems steadying at the top places between N. Korea, China, and Myanmar. In 2007 alone, 4 out of 20 went to Myanmar-Than Swe (6) and Laos- Choummaly Sayasone (16), N. Korea-Little Kim Jong Il (2) and China- Hu Jintao (4). Hopefully 2009 Hun Sen will make the list before he will become ASEAN chairman in 2012.
Since UNTAC left in 1993, billions of dollar in donations poured into Cambodia for government and administrative expenses. Yet CIA world factbook indicates external debts are $4.127 billions in 2008 and $3.89 billions in 2007, roadways in total 38,093Km but only paved 2,977 Km; railways total 602 Km which partial is useable and the rest needs to rebuild; airports 17 but only 6 with paved runways; below standard ports 1 in Phnom Penh and another in Kg. Som; and military expenditures still 3% of GDP based on 2005 estimate. The rate of infrastructure rebuilding seems very slow i.e. it took 8 years to construct 142 Km road (6,5) from Siem Reap to O’Chrao (Siam Ploy Paet, French Poi Pet)).
In 20th century, Cambodia's Pol Pot killed millions and held a distinctive place to be equal to dictators like Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse Dong and Ho Chi Minh. Hun Sen born in 1951, a former Pol Pot foot soldier with marginal education and unquestionable loyalty to Hanoi, made himself the world youngest Premier and wealthier than all at age 33. To be what and where he is today, he has toppled his first Premier Pen Sovann and then arranged to send the second Premier Chan Si to secret death in Moscow hospital. The tactics reminded us how Pol Pot had done similar to be top dog in his regime from 1975 to his death in 1998.
In July 1997 bloody coup, it ‘s made known there were 100 killed and several more fled the country. Since then Hun Sen seems following his former ex-leader Pol Pot footstep into the dawn of 21st century.
From watching him delivering his animating speech on state television, his facial expressions and body languages especially when he spoke of his political opponents remind people of Hitler addressing his SS/Nazi rally. From folly gestures to turning his back at audience while talking to the walls or chastising and insulting his subordinates for a laughter, surely Hun Sen seemed disturbed, may be, from mental disorder and post traumatic syndrome disorder. Too much anger in him, the profile can be an apparent sign of paranoia and psychotic delusion that Pol Pot had suffered.
The longer he stayed behind microphones, the more flaws and insolences of Libya dictator Muammar al Qadhafi type showed. He buries himself in speech as a theatrical stunt person but often unsure what’s he talking about. His speech filled with unnecessary stories away from real policy points. It’s clear, after having stayed at the helm for 31 years and no one told him his weaknesses, he almost believes everything he says is the truth. There were points he went into rage and believed all critics are out to destroy him. He is truly to believe he is irreplaceable and Cambodia is his property.
In ASEAN close circle, Hun Sen’s thuggish nature alienated people who knew him. One seasoned diplomat from Thailand has called Hun Sen, a thug and a bluff. In contrast to elite circle of Cambodia, he is the great and unmatched leader.
In 2006, Police General Heng Pov as his personal advisor had a fall out and turned on him and his henchman Hok Lundi. Unfortunately, Hok Lundi died from suspicious helicopter crash after he arrested and jailed Heng Pov for good. He was Hun Sen handy man during 1997 coup and the most corruptive police officer in the nation. Many knew Hok Lundi was too dangerous and a hefty liability for Hun Sen. So his cause of sudden death remains suspicious and mysterious to date.
In UN arena, Hun Sen is known Cambodia‘s Iron Fist and one of the worst human rights detractor and abuser. UN and Khmer Rouge victims had to wait 10 years to see the ECCC up and running. He has done anything to disrupt and ensure the UN initiated tribunal is a failure.
In looking back into 1993, under UNTAC nose, he personally ordered the protest and protesters to violently attack fellow SNC members, Khieu Samphan and peers. Since then every UN human rights commission special envoy has been a target for his verbal belligerences and threats. He mocked UN after fact that, if it wasn’t for UN concerted efforts, Hun Sen might never see the light of peace yet. Presently Cambodia faces increasing of censorship in media and free expression and denial of human rights protection. Many journalists and activists ended up dead, in jail and flee the country.
Under his successive government performances:
In financial and trade, Cambodia is known as one of the worst corruptive and poor fiscal responsible nations in records. It sells export rights to foreign countries to ship their products in lieu of Cambodia’s own for world markets. In shipping and fishing venues, it sells rights to foreign higher bidders in order for them to fly its flag to avoid tariffs and sail through international water.
Compare to other ASEAN members, Cambodia poverty rate is stagnant and the good governance and transparency is non-existed, education is below standard and Laos, unemployment and crime rate is going up daily, land title and distribution is ineffective. The eviction and land grab is uncontrollable plus recently World Bank assistance in land title issuance and distribution has been scrapped by Hun Sen. Overall, no economic safety net in place and US and Russia debts still unpaid.
In social culture, Cambodia is embracing revisionary culture of feudalistic class. Government can’t enforce laws and societal norms stink. Teachers stop teaching and educational system is also corrupted. Most military and law enforcement high ranking officers corrupt to afford outlandish lifestyle in opulent mansions. Each of them and Hun Sen, no exception, uses governmental office and privilege to front enterprises of foreign origins. Most senior ministers and high ranking officers hold titles and ownership of big investment firms and land holdings. Hun Sen and his wife or children share ownership of large monopoly companies in telecommunication, media, oil and energy, and mines. Worst his siblings with no education or capital back in Viet occupation era, now they are tycoons bearing feudal privileged status and unquestionable power of all sorts. Some of his relatives are deep in syndicated and organized crimes and smuggling ring in drug, timber and gambling. Thus social disorderly and moral degradation are owed to his clan and thug personae.
At the UN expenses, in 1993 Cambodia was given an opportunity for first time after Viet prolonged war since 1970 to be a self-controlled and respected sovereignty. But Hun Sen saw it otherwise. The corruptive mechanisms and systematic power abuse go on unchecked. Cambodia government is too corruptive and human rights protection is too pathetic. In economic and livelihood, 90% of population can barely afford $0.50 per day while the top tier children drive flashy cars worth up to $500,000 and countless worldly trips. In sum, all are made possible by dictator Hun Sen, his family and his senior governmental officials who are not only blocking the anti-graft and corruption laws from passing but also obstructing justice for the humanity and killing fields’ victims too.
Source:
http://www.fact-index.com/m/mo/moammar_al_qadhafi.html
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_02-11-2007/Dictators
Since UNTAC left in 1993, billions of dollar in donations poured into Cambodia for government and administrative expenses. Yet CIA world factbook indicates external debts are $4.127 billions in 2008 and $3.89 billions in 2007, roadways in total 38,093Km but only paved 2,977 Km; railways total 602 Km which partial is useable and the rest needs to rebuild; airports 17 but only 6 with paved runways; below standard ports 1 in Phnom Penh and another in Kg. Som; and military expenditures still 3% of GDP based on 2005 estimate. The rate of infrastructure rebuilding seems very slow i.e. it took 8 years to construct 142 Km road (6,5) from Siem Reap to O’Chrao (Siam Ploy Paet, French Poi Pet)).
In 20th century, Cambodia's Pol Pot killed millions and held a distinctive place to be equal to dictators like Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse Dong and Ho Chi Minh. Hun Sen born in 1951, a former Pol Pot foot soldier with marginal education and unquestionable loyalty to Hanoi, made himself the world youngest Premier and wealthier than all at age 33. To be what and where he is today, he has toppled his first Premier Pen Sovann and then arranged to send the second Premier Chan Si to secret death in Moscow hospital. The tactics reminded us how Pol Pot had done similar to be top dog in his regime from 1975 to his death in 1998.
In July 1997 bloody coup, it ‘s made known there were 100 killed and several more fled the country. Since then Hun Sen seems following his former ex-leader Pol Pot footstep into the dawn of 21st century.
From watching him delivering his animating speech on state television, his facial expressions and body languages especially when he spoke of his political opponents remind people of Hitler addressing his SS/Nazi rally. From folly gestures to turning his back at audience while talking to the walls or chastising and insulting his subordinates for a laughter, surely Hun Sen seemed disturbed, may be, from mental disorder and post traumatic syndrome disorder. Too much anger in him, the profile can be an apparent sign of paranoia and psychotic delusion that Pol Pot had suffered.
The longer he stayed behind microphones, the more flaws and insolences of Libya dictator Muammar al Qadhafi type showed. He buries himself in speech as a theatrical stunt person but often unsure what’s he talking about. His speech filled with unnecessary stories away from real policy points. It’s clear, after having stayed at the helm for 31 years and no one told him his weaknesses, he almost believes everything he says is the truth. There were points he went into rage and believed all critics are out to destroy him. He is truly to believe he is irreplaceable and Cambodia is his property.
In ASEAN close circle, Hun Sen’s thuggish nature alienated people who knew him. One seasoned diplomat from Thailand has called Hun Sen, a thug and a bluff. In contrast to elite circle of Cambodia, he is the great and unmatched leader.
In 2006, Police General Heng Pov as his personal advisor had a fall out and turned on him and his henchman Hok Lundi. Unfortunately, Hok Lundi died from suspicious helicopter crash after he arrested and jailed Heng Pov for good. He was Hun Sen handy man during 1997 coup and the most corruptive police officer in the nation. Many knew Hok Lundi was too dangerous and a hefty liability for Hun Sen. So his cause of sudden death remains suspicious and mysterious to date.
In UN arena, Hun Sen is known Cambodia‘s Iron Fist and one of the worst human rights detractor and abuser. UN and Khmer Rouge victims had to wait 10 years to see the ECCC up and running. He has done anything to disrupt and ensure the UN initiated tribunal is a failure.
In looking back into 1993, under UNTAC nose, he personally ordered the protest and protesters to violently attack fellow SNC members, Khieu Samphan and peers. Since then every UN human rights commission special envoy has been a target for his verbal belligerences and threats. He mocked UN after fact that, if it wasn’t for UN concerted efforts, Hun Sen might never see the light of peace yet. Presently Cambodia faces increasing of censorship in media and free expression and denial of human rights protection. Many journalists and activists ended up dead, in jail and flee the country.
Under his successive government performances:
In financial and trade, Cambodia is known as one of the worst corruptive and poor fiscal responsible nations in records. It sells export rights to foreign countries to ship their products in lieu of Cambodia’s own for world markets. In shipping and fishing venues, it sells rights to foreign higher bidders in order for them to fly its flag to avoid tariffs and sail through international water.
Compare to other ASEAN members, Cambodia poverty rate is stagnant and the good governance and transparency is non-existed, education is below standard and Laos, unemployment and crime rate is going up daily, land title and distribution is ineffective. The eviction and land grab is uncontrollable plus recently World Bank assistance in land title issuance and distribution has been scrapped by Hun Sen. Overall, no economic safety net in place and US and Russia debts still unpaid.
In social culture, Cambodia is embracing revisionary culture of feudalistic class. Government can’t enforce laws and societal norms stink. Teachers stop teaching and educational system is also corrupted. Most military and law enforcement high ranking officers corrupt to afford outlandish lifestyle in opulent mansions. Each of them and Hun Sen, no exception, uses governmental office and privilege to front enterprises of foreign origins. Most senior ministers and high ranking officers hold titles and ownership of big investment firms and land holdings. Hun Sen and his wife or children share ownership of large monopoly companies in telecommunication, media, oil and energy, and mines. Worst his siblings with no education or capital back in Viet occupation era, now they are tycoons bearing feudal privileged status and unquestionable power of all sorts. Some of his relatives are deep in syndicated and organized crimes and smuggling ring in drug, timber and gambling. Thus social disorderly and moral degradation are owed to his clan and thug personae.
At the UN expenses, in 1993 Cambodia was given an opportunity for first time after Viet prolonged war since 1970 to be a self-controlled and respected sovereignty. But Hun Sen saw it otherwise. The corruptive mechanisms and systematic power abuse go on unchecked. Cambodia government is too corruptive and human rights protection is too pathetic. In economic and livelihood, 90% of population can barely afford $0.50 per day while the top tier children drive flashy cars worth up to $500,000 and countless worldly trips. In sum, all are made possible by dictator Hun Sen, his family and his senior governmental officials who are not only blocking the anti-graft and corruption laws from passing but also obstructing justice for the humanity and killing fields’ victims too.
Source:
http://www.fact-index.com/m/mo/moammar_al_qadhafi.html
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_02-11-2007/Dictators
Cambodia's ruling party warns KRouge court
Cambodia's president of the Cambodian People's Party Chea Sim (L), talks to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (R)Friday, January 08, 2010
AFP
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's ruling party Thursday warned the country's UN-backed court not to disrupt national progress in its pursuit of Khmer Rouge leaders, as it marked the 31st anniversary of the regime's ouster.
The court is preparing to give a verdict in its first trial, of former torture centre chief Duch, while four other senior leaders of the hardline communist regime are awaiting trial on war crimes and other charges.
But Cambodian and international prosecutors have openly clashed over whether the court should pursue more suspects, while the Cambodian investigating judge has refused to summon high-ranking government officials as witnesses.
"We oppose any attempts to use the chamber for ill-intentions that would have an impact on peace, national reconciliation and development, which are our hard-won achievements" said Chea Sim, president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
Addressing thousands of supporters during a rally to mark the anniversary of the toppling of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime by Vietnamese-backed forces in 1979, Chea Sim pledged the party's continued backing.
"CPP offers its support to the current process of (the tribunal) in trying crimes committed by senior leaders of the Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge) regime," he said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also the deputy leader of the CPP, has repeatedly warned that pursuing more suspects from the hardline communist regime could spark civil war.
The process has often been hit by allegations that Hun Sen's administration has attempted to interfere in the tribunal to protect former regime members who are now in government.
After several years of haggling between Cambodia and the UN, the tribunal was created in 2006 to try former Khmer Rouge leaders.
Up to two million people were executed or died of starvation or overwork as the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge regime tried to create an agrarian utopia. After being toppled they continued to fight a civil war until 1998.
The court is preparing to give a verdict in its first trial, of former torture centre chief Duch, while four other senior leaders of the hardline communist regime are awaiting trial on war crimes and other charges.
But Cambodian and international prosecutors have openly clashed over whether the court should pursue more suspects, while the Cambodian investigating judge has refused to summon high-ranking government officials as witnesses.
"We oppose any attempts to use the chamber for ill-intentions that would have an impact on peace, national reconciliation and development, which are our hard-won achievements" said Chea Sim, president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
Addressing thousands of supporters during a rally to mark the anniversary of the toppling of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime by Vietnamese-backed forces in 1979, Chea Sim pledged the party's continued backing.
"CPP offers its support to the current process of (the tribunal) in trying crimes committed by senior leaders of the Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge) regime," he said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also the deputy leader of the CPP, has repeatedly warned that pursuing more suspects from the hardline communist regime could spark civil war.
The process has often been hit by allegations that Hun Sen's administration has attempted to interfere in the tribunal to protect former regime members who are now in government.
After several years of haggling between Cambodia and the UN, the tribunal was created in 2006 to try former Khmer Rouge leaders.
Up to two million people were executed or died of starvation or overwork as the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge regime tried to create an agrarian utopia. After being toppled they continued to fight a civil war until 1998.
Hun Xen the Only Leader of Cambodia? ហ៊ុនសែនជាមេដឹកនាំតែម្នាក់គត់សម្រាប់កម្ពុជា?
Hun Sen (Xinhua)January 7, 2010
By Sokhoeun Pang
Originally posted at: http://sokheounpang.wordpress.com/
Hun Sen is the only PM candidate for the Cambodian People´s Party (CPP). Xinhua:
In Seam Riem 26 -01-2005, Pin Sisovan and Lor Chandara of Cambodia Daily has it about Hun Sen who seemed that Cambodia must have him and he must be for thePprime Minister for life who said during a school inauguration speech in Siem Reap and broadcasted on Apsara radio.
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., in his article: Giving Up Freedom to Settle for Peace, clearly pointed out that:
Other concern is that Hun Xen is not a leader for all Cambodians, but he is the leader who forgets his root, is corrupt, and has no vision for the future of the nation at all. Best to say he is a leader of his family, his CPP and his master – Hanoi. Tom Fowthrop from Guardian News wrote in his article: The Leader who goes on and on that:
Notice: To vote him out of the power must be not easy because he controls everything(see here). Moreover, he has also illegal viets to help vote for him including many other tactics like vote buying, threat, and even killing.
The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) reassured Thursday that Prime Minister Hun Sen is the only candidate for the prime minister from its party for the next elections.It doesn´t need Chea Xim to reassured this to us this time at all, because Hun Xen himself has many times said that he is the only person who can lead Cambodia and he will lead Cambodia until he dies or he is 90 years old.
Giving speech at the party’s commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the downfall of the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime, Chea Sim, president of the CPP and president of the Senate said that “Hun Sen will be the only candidate from his party for prime ministerial position” in next general election.”
In Seam Riem 26 -01-2005, Pin Sisovan and Lor Chandara of Cambodia Daily has it about Hun Sen who seemed that Cambodia must have him and he must be for thePprime Minister for life who said during a school inauguration speech in Siem Reap and broadcasted on Apsara radio.
“If the prime minister is safe, the people are also safe. If the prime minister dies or resigns, a new prime minister cannot ready be picked, and the whole [government] Cabinet will be dissolved,” he said.Asia Time Craig Guthrie on his article: Towards Hun Sen´s Cambodia , also raised Hun Sen´s intention to rule Cambodia until he is 90. Hun Said this in 2007.
“If I died today… [deputy prime ministers and ministers] will automatically be terminated from their posts,” he added. “There will be chaos…. It is not a funny issue.”
Hun Sen said someone had suggested it was “time for Hun Sen to resign.”
“In the past he has said he has no intention of standing down as prime minister until he is at least 90 years old. This would be a remarkable run: he became the Vietnamese-backed premier of Cambodia in 1985, when he was 33.”Ron Glukman in his article: Cambodia Building Boom, also reafirmed the will of Hun Sen to grip on power as long as he can that:
“Asia’s longest serving leader, and victor of several coups, Hun Sen has regularly sided with development. In June 2007, the folksy PM, vowing to keep power until he’s 90, claimed credit for a property boom that sent prices of bare land to $1 million. “Without me, without my rule, it would be worth only $500,” he told reporters.
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., in his article: Giving Up Freedom to Settle for Peace, clearly pointed out that:
“Ironically, no Cambodian is in a better position than Sen himself to redress the imbalance of values and principles, and stability and order. But he is the man who said he would stay in power until he’s 90, and would not leave power even if he would not win the elections.”Politically, Hun Xen who is a power-crazy man will never leave the power to others due to his crimes and his personal greed for power. Khiev Kanharith once said that it was not the first time that Hun Sen kep saying about the PM cadidate for Cambodia.
Though Hun Sen’s latest come just days before the CPP’s annual party congress on Friday and Saturday,the CPP has no plans to talk about Hun Sen’s leadership at the meeting, said government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith.Practically and politically, we would never care whether Hun Xen is to lead Cambodia until he is 90 or he dies if he is a good and competent leader. But the problem is that Hun Xen is a criminal leader who is even a puppet of other country- Vietnam. In The New York Time, Seth Mydan wrote:
“We don’t think about that yet,” he said.
During the congress, the CPP plans to appoint more members to the party’s permanent committee, Khieu Kanharith said, but declined to elaborate. He added there was nothing unusual in Hun Sen to speculating about the future of the premiership.
“I think more than 50 times now he has brought up the issue", Khieu Kanharith said.
“Still only 45 years old, Mr. Hun Sen has been his nation’s leader in one capacity or another for more than a decade, but until now he has never held complete power on his own.”But do we belive that Hun Xen today is the alone capitain of Cambodia? I think many of us will say “NO“. Because Hun Xen is always a puppet of Hanoi.
“From 1985 to 1993 he was Cambodia’s leader in an administration installed and controlled by Vietnam. From 1993 until last Sunday,July 1997, he shared the premiership with a man he clearly despises as effete and incompetent. People who know him say he has yearned for the stature he believes he deserves.”
Today, at a news conference that followed the Cabinet meeting, he was able to say, ”I am the captain alone.”
Other concern is that Hun Xen is not a leader for all Cambodians, but he is the leader who forgets his root, is corrupt, and has no vision for the future of the nation at all. Best to say he is a leader of his family, his CPP and his master – Hanoi. Tom Fowthrop from Guardian News wrote in his article: The Leader who goes on and on that:
“It is strange that Hun Sen, who shares his humble beginnings with Brazil’s Lula and Bolivia’s Evo Morales, has no agenda for the poor, no instinct to curb the grotesque excesses of the ruling elite, and has made no attempt to protect the small farmers that he is descended from. For all his intelligence and political skills, Hun Sen’s success was based on survival, not a vision of the future. Bolstered by the recent discovery of offshore oil, the CPP has no development model other than the prescriptions of the IMF and World Bank, which are easily grafted onto the corruption and get rich-quick mentality of his business cronies, military generals and his police chiefs.”Through this, I hope that all Cambodians who dearly love our country and the people of Cambodia will come together and united in order to by all means topple him or vote him out of power if we are to protect our nation from danger towards real peace, independence, development, democracy, and justice. WE MUST NOT LET HIM LEAD OUR COUNTRY ANY LONGER!
Notice: To vote him out of the power must be not easy because he controls everything(see here). Moreover, he has also illegal viets to help vote for him including many other tactics like vote buying, threat, and even killing.
The 31st anniversary of Cambodian division?
Anniversary Marks Division Among Cambodians
By Heng Reaksmey and Kong Sothanarith
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 January 2010
January 7 has become a contentious date in Cambodia. On the one hand, it marks the beginning of the end of the Khmer Rouge, who were ousted on the date in 1979 by Vietnamese forces and Cambodian defectors of the regime.
The ruling party marks the day as the beginning of victory over the regime and of peace that was formalized in accords in 1991. Opposition members and others say the day should be remembered as the beginning of a decade-long Vietnamese occupation, and not of liberation.
Cambodian People’s Party officials gathered at their headquarters Thursday morning to mark what they term “Victory Over Genocide Day.”
Chea Sim, who is the president of the CPP and of the Senate, told those assembled that the 31st anniversary marked a day that “saved our nation and people from the genocide disaster” of the Khmer Rouge.
Since the defeat of the Khmer Rogue, “our nation has ceased a time in history that is full of internal conflicts, wars, tragedy and the state of being underrated,” he said. “We have got out of this darkness, which actually gave us valuable lessons and experiences.”
The ruling party supports the Khmer Rouge tribunal, he said, “in trying crimes committed by senior leaders of the Democratic Kampuchea regime.” However, he said the party opposed “attempts for using [the court] for ill intention with impact on peace, national reconciliation and development, which have been our hard-won achievements.”
Thach Setha, a top official of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said Jan. 7 simply “marks the invasion of Vietnamese troops.”
Historically, he said, the Khmer Rogue would not have succeeded without the Vietnamese communists, which initially supported the dissidents that would form the regime.
“If the Vietnamese communist party did not create the Cambodian communist party, there would not have been mass killing in Cambodia,” he said. “They played a double role. That means they killed and they saved after.”
The day that brought real development to Cambodia, he said, was Oct. 23, 1991, the date of the Paris Peace Accords.
Kek Galabru, president of the rights group Licadho, said Jan. 7, 1979, the liberation of Cambodia, was “a fact,” and the peace accords that came much later also brought development. “Leave it to the Cambodian people to judge the events,” she said.
The ruling party marks the day as the beginning of victory over the regime and of peace that was formalized in accords in 1991. Opposition members and others say the day should be remembered as the beginning of a decade-long Vietnamese occupation, and not of liberation.
Cambodian People’s Party officials gathered at their headquarters Thursday morning to mark what they term “Victory Over Genocide Day.”
Chea Sim, who is the president of the CPP and of the Senate, told those assembled that the 31st anniversary marked a day that “saved our nation and people from the genocide disaster” of the Khmer Rouge.
Since the defeat of the Khmer Rogue, “our nation has ceased a time in history that is full of internal conflicts, wars, tragedy and the state of being underrated,” he said. “We have got out of this darkness, which actually gave us valuable lessons and experiences.”
The ruling party supports the Khmer Rouge tribunal, he said, “in trying crimes committed by senior leaders of the Democratic Kampuchea regime.” However, he said the party opposed “attempts for using [the court] for ill intention with impact on peace, national reconciliation and development, which have been our hard-won achievements.”
Thach Setha, a top official of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said Jan. 7 simply “marks the invasion of Vietnamese troops.”
Historically, he said, the Khmer Rogue would not have succeeded without the Vietnamese communists, which initially supported the dissidents that would form the regime.
“If the Vietnamese communist party did not create the Cambodian communist party, there would not have been mass killing in Cambodia,” he said. “They played a double role. That means they killed and they saved after.”
The day that brought real development to Cambodia, he said, was Oct. 23, 1991, the date of the Paris Peace Accords.
Kek Galabru, president of the rights group Licadho, said Jan. 7, 1979, the liberation of Cambodia, was “a fact,” and the peace accords that came much later also brought development. “Leave it to the Cambodian people to judge the events,” she said.
The delusions of the January 7 debate
A propoganda poster from the Khmer Rouge era calling for solidarity between the citizens of Cambodia and Vietnam.Thursday, 07 January 2010
Sophan Seng
Letter to The Phnom Penh Post
Dear Editor,
Your article “PM blasts January 7 detractors” (January 5) didn’t demonstrate anything new for Cambodian politics. Leaders have always pronounced strong political rhetoric to create a clear dichotomy of pro- and anti-groups when this day has arrived. In reality, the government has consolidated full power to exercise over everything, including whether to celebrate this day or not celebrate. The current political environment in Cambodia has not given any clue of the possible threat to the stability of government at all. But why every year, when January 7 arrives, is there a flowering of incidents and controversial public speech in Cambodia?
The answers might be diverse. But I am impressed by the Khmer proverb which states: Veay tiek bong-erl trey, or, “to stir the water to see the fish clearly”. It has been 31 years since Vietnamese troops encroached on Cambodia’s borderlands, accompanied by Khmer Rouge defectors, to topple the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot. The argument since has been endless. Vietnamese troops are presented in Cambodia as either liberators, or invaders, or both. In the past decades, the two debaters carried guns and ammunitions to fight against each other, at least between the Khmer nationalists based along the border and the Khmer troops based in Phnom Penh, and backed by a hundred thousand Vietnamese troops. But after the Paris Peace Accords of 1991 and the subsequent power consolidation of the Cambodian People’s Party, the debate remains only on lips and tongues.
Hence both guns fighting and lips quarreling have significantly divided Khmer society. It has shown division over unity, disadvantage rather than advantage, and myopia rather than long-sightedness. The more we hate the past atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, the more shameful we are as the same Khmer. The more we praise foreign intervention, the more we lose national identity to those foreigners. Thus, what inputs should we welcome and what outcome should we expect? Can Cambodian people come to a joint beneficial solution to this disgraceful quarrel?
Of course, from these 31 years, Cambodian people both old and young have focused on their living standards, schooling and future cultivation. The past has become a good lesson for them. The Khmer Rouge regime will never come back again for sure. The trial of the Khmer Rouge is going on to respectively bring national reconciliation and the healing of trauma. All Cambodian parties and individuals have to join this trial and be courageous to show up at the courtroom as the primary witnesses if you really need the genuine outcome of justice. Cambodian people have to look forward to determine the broader interests of the nation. They should not entrap themselves in a “quid pro quo” of this delusional date, January 7. Take Germany as an example: They have never taken as a big deal or celebrated the day the Allied Forces, led by the United States, liberated them from Hitler’s brutal Nazi regime. That tragic past and the liberation of the Allies has been buried deeply in Germany.
Sophan Seng
University of Hawaii at Manoa
United States
Your article “PM blasts January 7 detractors” (January 5) didn’t demonstrate anything new for Cambodian politics. Leaders have always pronounced strong political rhetoric to create a clear dichotomy of pro- and anti-groups when this day has arrived. In reality, the government has consolidated full power to exercise over everything, including whether to celebrate this day or not celebrate. The current political environment in Cambodia has not given any clue of the possible threat to the stability of government at all. But why every year, when January 7 arrives, is there a flowering of incidents and controversial public speech in Cambodia?
The answers might be diverse. But I am impressed by the Khmer proverb which states: Veay tiek bong-erl trey, or, “to stir the water to see the fish clearly”. It has been 31 years since Vietnamese troops encroached on Cambodia’s borderlands, accompanied by Khmer Rouge defectors, to topple the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot. The argument since has been endless. Vietnamese troops are presented in Cambodia as either liberators, or invaders, or both. In the past decades, the two debaters carried guns and ammunitions to fight against each other, at least between the Khmer nationalists based along the border and the Khmer troops based in Phnom Penh, and backed by a hundred thousand Vietnamese troops. But after the Paris Peace Accords of 1991 and the subsequent power consolidation of the Cambodian People’s Party, the debate remains only on lips and tongues.
Hence both guns fighting and lips quarreling have significantly divided Khmer society. It has shown division over unity, disadvantage rather than advantage, and myopia rather than long-sightedness. The more we hate the past atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, the more shameful we are as the same Khmer. The more we praise foreign intervention, the more we lose national identity to those foreigners. Thus, what inputs should we welcome and what outcome should we expect? Can Cambodian people come to a joint beneficial solution to this disgraceful quarrel?
Of course, from these 31 years, Cambodian people both old and young have focused on their living standards, schooling and future cultivation. The past has become a good lesson for them. The Khmer Rouge regime will never come back again for sure. The trial of the Khmer Rouge is going on to respectively bring national reconciliation and the healing of trauma. All Cambodian parties and individuals have to join this trial and be courageous to show up at the courtroom as the primary witnesses if you really need the genuine outcome of justice. Cambodian people have to look forward to determine the broader interests of the nation. They should not entrap themselves in a “quid pro quo” of this delusional date, January 7. Take Germany as an example: They have never taken as a big deal or celebrated the day the Allied Forces, led by the United States, liberated them from Hitler’s brutal Nazi regime. That tragic past and the liberation of the Allies has been buried deeply in Germany.
Sophan Seng
University of Hawaii at Manoa
United States
No Excuse from Sam Rainsy
January 7, 2010
NO EXCUSE FROM SAM RAINSY
On January 6, 2010, opposition leader Sam Rainsy wrote the following letter to the Editor of The Phnom Penh Post.
Sir,
In your January 6 article “PM dismisses possible pardon for Sam Rainsy over VN border charges,” Prime Minister Hun Sen was quoted as saying, “There are no more chances [for Sam Rainsy] to write a letter of apology to me.”
I would like to specify that I have never written any letter of apology to Mr. Hun Sen. As a matter of fact, I did write to express “regrets” for an unpleasant situation in the past but, in political and diplomatic language, regrets and apologies are not the same thing.
You may regret that somebody is a tyrant but you would never make any apologies to him.
This time, I will not even express any regret at all because, on October 25 in Svay Rieng province, I only defended the interest of my country and my people and therefore only did my duty as a Member of Parliament.
I will return to Cambodia and accept to be jailed -- as Mr. Hun Sen apparently dictates to the court -- when the government releases all farmers being detained for protesting land grabbing, and gives back their property.
Yours sincerely,
Sam Rainsy
Member of Parliament
Sir,
In your January 6 article “PM dismisses possible pardon for Sam Rainsy over VN border charges,” Prime Minister Hun Sen was quoted as saying, “There are no more chances [for Sam Rainsy] to write a letter of apology to me.”
I would like to specify that I have never written any letter of apology to Mr. Hun Sen. As a matter of fact, I did write to express “regrets” for an unpleasant situation in the past but, in political and diplomatic language, regrets and apologies are not the same thing.
You may regret that somebody is a tyrant but you would never make any apologies to him.
This time, I will not even express any regret at all because, on October 25 in Svay Rieng province, I only defended the interest of my country and my people and therefore only did my duty as a Member of Parliament.
I will return to Cambodia and accept to be jailed -- as Mr. Hun Sen apparently dictates to the court -- when the government releases all farmers being detained for protesting land grabbing, and gives back their property.
Yours sincerely,
Sam Rainsy
Member of Parliament
US Congressional Delegation Discusses Trade
Left to right: Joseph Cao, Eni Faleomavaega and Mike Honda (Photo: DAP)By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 January 2010
Prime Minister Hun Sen and three US congressmen discussed an extension of trade relations between the two countries on Thursday, while raising the possibility of debt reduction.
The congressmen—Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat from American Samoa; Mike Honda, a Democratic from California; and Joseph Cao, a Republican from Louisiana—met with Hun Sen, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Finance Minister Keat Chhon and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh
“We did touch on the issue of debt obligations, also on questions of trade and tariffs in trying to bring Cambodia’s trade and economic needs [and] better status especially in trade with the United States,” Faleomavaega told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport Thursday afternoon.
The US delegation is scheduled to travel to Laos, having already visited Vietnam. The tour will conclude in Japan.
Cambodia owes the US more than $300 million from the Lon Nol period, a debt Cambodian officials maintain should be erased. Faleomavaega said he told Hun Sen he would take the matter to discuss with other US lawmakers.
Debt forgiveness could help Cambodia, he said. Faleomavaega said he wanted to play a role in bettering the relationship between Cambodia and the US.
Eang Sophaleth, an adviser to Hun Sen, told reporters the premier had thanked the men for continued economic support from the US and was happy to promote a relationship between the two countries.
The congressmen—Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat from American Samoa; Mike Honda, a Democratic from California; and Joseph Cao, a Republican from Louisiana—met with Hun Sen, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Finance Minister Keat Chhon and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh
“We did touch on the issue of debt obligations, also on questions of trade and tariffs in trying to bring Cambodia’s trade and economic needs [and] better status especially in trade with the United States,” Faleomavaega told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport Thursday afternoon.
The US delegation is scheduled to travel to Laos, having already visited Vietnam. The tour will conclude in Japan.
Cambodia owes the US more than $300 million from the Lon Nol period, a debt Cambodian officials maintain should be erased. Faleomavaega said he told Hun Sen he would take the matter to discuss with other US lawmakers.
Debt forgiveness could help Cambodia, he said. Faleomavaega said he wanted to play a role in bettering the relationship between Cambodia and the US.
Eang Sophaleth, an adviser to Hun Sen, told reporters the premier had thanked the men for continued economic support from the US and was happy to promote a relationship between the two countries.
CPP: Hun Xen to remain the party's candidate for the title of "Dictator of Cambodia"
General-Dictator Hun XenHun Sen only PM candidate of Cambodia's ruling party: CPP
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) reassured Thursday that Prime Minister Hun Sen is the only candidate for the prime minister from its party for the next elections.
Giving speech at the party's commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the downfall of the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime, Chea Sim, president of the CPP and president of the Senate said that Hun Sen will be the "only candidate from his party for prime ministerial position" in next general election.
Hun Sen, 57, has been in power for already 25 years and is considered the longest government leader in office in Asia.
After several decades of civil war, Cambodia held its first general election in 1993 under the full supports from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
Since then, Cambodia hold its election every five years and HunSen was re-elected prime minister ever since.
Giving speech at the party's commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the downfall of the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime, Chea Sim, president of the CPP and president of the Senate said that Hun Sen will be the "only candidate from his party for prime ministerial position" in next general election.
Hun Sen, 57, has been in power for already 25 years and is considered the longest government leader in office in Asia.
After several decades of civil war, Cambodia held its first general election in 1993 under the full supports from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
Since then, Cambodia hold its election every five years and HunSen was re-elected prime minister ever since.
Cracking down on Cambodians to serve Hanoi's interest: Hun Xen's true nature?
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen at Phnom Penh international airport November 8, 2009. Cambodia marked the 31st anniversary of the fall of the murderous Khmer Rouge regime on Thursday in celebrations clouded by the threat of a crackdown on opponents of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen. (REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea/Files)Cambodia marks liberation under cloud of crackdown
Thu Jan 7, 2010
By Prak Chan Thul
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia marked the 31st anniversary of the fall of the murderous Khmer Rouge regime on Thursday in celebrations clouded by the threat of a crackdown on opponents of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Before the festivities, attended by thousands of people in the capital Phnom Penh, the premier vowed to arrest anyone seen handing out leaflets opposing his rule, the latest in what rights groups say is a growing campaign to silence dissent.
Hun Sen's warning to his critics, who say the government is abusing its power to crush all forms of political opposition, came five days after a court issued an arrest warrant for main opposition leader Sam Rainsy.
The crackdown coincides with trouble in one of Southeast Asia's most impoverished economies after an unprecedented boom which saw economic production expand 10 percent annually in the five years up to 2008. Since then, foreign investment has collapsed, tourist arrivals have plummeted and construction has stalled.
Data this week showed about 30,000 workers in the garment industry, a mainstay of the economy, lost their jobs last year as exports to the United States shrank.
Opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua, sued by Hun Sen in July after she accused him of defamation, on Thursday called on the public to resist what she said were intimidation tactics by authorities. "We must still continue to express opinions, not back down because of threats," she said. "We must give a clear message that we can't accept the closure of free expression."
ARREST THREAT
Hun Sen on Tuesday announced the threat to arrest anyone handing out leaflets that express opposition to him or his policies. He said he had seen some such leaflets that were printed in neighbouring Thailand for distribution in Cambodia.
"Leaflet distributors be careful, I will arrest," he said.
He also rejected claims he had been using the courts to intimidate his opponents and warned Rainsy to "be prepared" to go to prison, adding that his long-time political rival, who is now in exile in Europe, would not be pardoned.
The threat appeared effective. No opposition leaflets appeared during Thursday's celebrations marking an invasion by Vietnamese forces in 1979 that toppled the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge, blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million people.
The National Assembly, dominated by the ruling Cambodia People's Party, passed legislation last year outlawing protests of more than 200 people and tightening existing defamation laws in what opponents said were measures to prevent criticism and keep rival politicians in check.
Risk analysts say despite corruption and concerns over human rights and judicial interference, Cambodia's political and economic stability should remain intact in the foreseeable future, with little threat to the government's grip on power.
South Korea and China, the country's biggest sources of investment, signed agreements late last year to pour more money into Cambodia, which will open its first stock exchange later this year as part of a $2 billion project to build a new financial centre.
Rainsy, who heads a party named after him, is accused of causing criminal damage after uprooting several border demarcation posts to appease farmers.
(Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Jason Szep)
Cambodia praises border landmark planting with Vietnam
The Stooges praised his master's border posts that encroached into Cambodia?
Yuon stooges at the service of Hanoi? (Photo: Khem Sovannara)01/07/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)
The Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), Chea Sim, has praised the planting of border landmarks between Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 31st anniversary of Cambodia’s Victory Day on January 7, the CPP party leader voiced his support for the completion of border landmark planting for the sake of peace and stability in the three nations.
He also criticised antagonist forces for interfering with the planting of border landmarks to serve their own ends without caring about national interests.
Chea Sim said that he backed the CPP party and Cambodian Government’s efforts to deal with the dispute over territory with Thailand through peaceful solutions in order to build a common border line for the sake of friendship, peace, stability and development of both countries.
Regarding the court proceedings against leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime, Chea Sim said the CPP and Cambodian Government strongly criticize the self-serving elements’ intention of using the court to undermine peace, national reconciliation and development in Cambodia.
Earlier on January 6, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that there would be no tolerance of those forces seeking to disrupt the ceremony to mark Cambodia’s Victory Day (January 7, 1979-January 7, 2010). He asked security forces to arrest those distributing leaflets aimed at undermining the celebration.
PM Hun Sen also reaffirmed the historical significance of Victory Day on January 7 when the Cambodian people successfully overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 31st anniversary of Cambodia’s Victory Day on January 7, the CPP party leader voiced his support for the completion of border landmark planting for the sake of peace and stability in the three nations.
He also criticised antagonist forces for interfering with the planting of border landmarks to serve their own ends without caring about national interests.
Chea Sim said that he backed the CPP party and Cambodian Government’s efforts to deal with the dispute over territory with Thailand through peaceful solutions in order to build a common border line for the sake of friendship, peace, stability and development of both countries.
Regarding the court proceedings against leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime, Chea Sim said the CPP and Cambodian Government strongly criticize the self-serving elements’ intention of using the court to undermine peace, national reconciliation and development in Cambodia.
Earlier on January 6, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that there would be no tolerance of those forces seeking to disrupt the ceremony to mark Cambodia’s Victory Day (January 7, 1979-January 7, 2010). He asked security forces to arrest those distributing leaflets aimed at undermining the celebration.
PM Hun Sen also reaffirmed the historical significance of Victory Day on January 7 when the Cambodian people successfully overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime.
The Hero or the Traitor?
By Pang SokheunOrginally Posted at: The Son of the Khmer Empire
To show off his muscle as a strong leader, the nationalist, the conpetent and the defender of the nation HunSen has verbally and militarily been ready to attack Thailand at anytime if he has the chance without thinking of the consequence. With this, he is entitled as the only HERO of Cambodia by his group.
To maintain such a self-claimed status, he has never listened to suggestions, petitions and complaints from any NGO, Opposition party, and expert on border conflicts with the neighboring countries, esp., with Vietnam-his master.
Clearly, SRP leader Sam Rainsy, upon the request of the farmers, uprooted six border posts which illegally installed in their rice fields. His act was not appreciated or cooperated by Hun Xen, but he is condemned and now is under the arrest warrant accusing him of destroying public property and racism.
The three named in the warrants – Prak Chea, 28, Neang Phally, 39, and Prak Koeun, 38 – joined with opposition leader Sam Rainsy in uprooting the posts during a Buddhist ceremony in Chantrea district on October 25, claiming they were placed on their land by Vietnamese authorities.
However, CPP and Vietnam also uprooted many other border posts which claimed to be illegally installed on Cambodian territory as released by SRP Cabinet in its statement on: ”Other border markers surreptitiously removed“, and they contradictorily are not condemned and charged for the same act.
"Sam Rainsy pulled out six wooden poles at border the marker # 185. But subsequently, similar wooden poles at nearby border markers # 184, # 186 and # 187 have also been removed by the authorities themselves. At marker # 184 even the concrete foundations under the wooden poles have been dug out, put onto a tractor and taken back to Vietnam.
As Sam Rainsy has exposed, the poles he pulled out were planted on Cambodian farmers’ rice fields that are private properties with the farmers holding legal land titles to justify ownership of their land. Therefore, since the wooden poles were planted on their private properties without their consent, the farmers were entitled to remove them (the poles) or to ask somebody else to do it for them, which Sam
Rainsy did at marker # 185.
Now realizing they are on weak legal ground in the prosecution of Sam Rainsy and the concerned farmers, the authorities have surreptitiously resorted to do the same thing as Sam Rainsy did, i.e. removing illegally imposed border markers, which is leading to a judicial imbroglio illustrating the political nature of the charges levied against Sam Rainsy."
This act of Viet and puppet CPP is witnessed by Pov Pheap , second deputy chief of Samrong commune in Chantrea district, who said Tuesday that:
“Tthe border markers in question had in fact been removed by Vietnamese authorities on November 16, the same day that Sam Rainsy’s parliamentary immunity was lifted, paving the way for the charges against him.
“Sam Rainsy just pulled out six wooden border poles and they accused him of destroying public property, but when Khmer and Vietnamese authorities came to pull out the others nearby, that was not illegal,” Pov Pheap said.
Through this I think our compatriots will justly judge about this case and give justice to MP Sam Rainsy as well as the three farmers whose lands lost to Youn invader and now are being jailed and condemned by the puppet leader -Hun Sen.
U.S. to consider turning Cambodia's debt into development aid
January 07, 2010
Xinhua
The United States Congressman Eni Faleomavaega told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday that he will discuss with his colleagues about Cambodia's debt if it can be turned into assistance for development projects in this country, a Cambodian official said.
Eang Sophaleth, Hun Sen's spokesman told local reporters that during the meeting with Hun Sen on Thursday morning in Phnom Penh, Eni Faleomavaega said he will discuss with his colleagues after returning to the United States about the debt.
Eni Faleomavaega, who was accompanied by his two Congressmen Joseph Cao and Mike Honda, was making a two-day visit to Cambodia.
Cambodia has several times asked the United States government to consider canceling its debt amounting to some 300 million U.S. dollars it borrowed since 1972.
The U.S. has not yet answered to Cambodia's request for the debt written-off.
Cheam Yeap, chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Commission and a senior member of the Cambodian People's Party said several countries including China have written off Cambodia's debts owed some decades ago.
Cambodia is also asking Russia to cancel its debt that amounts around to 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.
read more “U.S. to consider turning Cambodia's debt into development aid”
Xinhua
The United States Congressman Eni Faleomavaega told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday that he will discuss with his colleagues about Cambodia's debt if it can be turned into assistance for development projects in this country, a Cambodian official said.
Eang Sophaleth, Hun Sen's spokesman told local reporters that during the meeting with Hun Sen on Thursday morning in Phnom Penh, Eni Faleomavaega said he will discuss with his colleagues after returning to the United States about the debt.
Eni Faleomavaega, who was accompanied by his two Congressmen Joseph Cao and Mike Honda, was making a two-day visit to Cambodia.
Cambodia has several times asked the United States government to consider canceling its debt amounting to some 300 million U.S. dollars it borrowed since 1972.
The U.S. has not yet answered to Cambodia's request for the debt written-off.
Cheam Yeap, chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Commission and a senior member of the Cambodian People's Party said several countries including China have written off Cambodia's debts owed some decades ago.
Cambodia is also asking Russia to cancel its debt that amounts around to 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.
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