Cambodian opposition leader to remain abroad until charges dropped
Jan 4, 2010January 4, 2010
ABC Radio Australia
A member of the Cambodian opposition Sam Rainsy Party says the party's leader will not return to the country while charges remain against him. Sam Rainsy has been charged with inciting racial hatred and destruction of property. An arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court to hear the charges, which he has described as politically motivated.
Presenter: Bo Hill
Speakers: Hing Yoeun, member, Sam rainsy Party Steering Committee
HILL: The charges Sam Rainsy faces relate to an incident on the Cambodia-Vietnam border in October. He's alleged to have incited racial hatred and destroyed property after border markers were removed. Sam Rainsy party member, Hing Yoeun says the opposition leader was doing nothing wrong.
HING YOUEN: On 25 October 2009, the people in the village run to him and complain to him that the Vietnamese side plan to make a border at their rice fields.
HILL: Sam Rainsy claims he was simply helping the villages in Cok Bahn to save their rice fields, and Hing Yoeun says the party and its leader believe the charges are politically motivated.
HING YOEUN: The judicial system in Cambodia is not justice, it's is only the tool of the government and the ruling party.
HILL: Sam Rainsy is currently in France, having left Cambodia before the court appearance order was issued. He's told Reuters news agency he will let the court prosecute him in absentia because the verdict was already decided. Hing Yoeun says Sam Rainsy will pursue the case through diplomatic means from abroad, rather than through the Cambodia court system. But the incident is already a diplomatic issue. A long-running Cambodia-Vietnam border dispute was laid to rest three years ago when the border was official marked, but there are still localised concerns. Hing Yoeun says Cambodian authorities moved against the opposition leader because of pressure from Vietnam, whose investment dollars Cambodia has tried hard to attract.
HING YOEUN: Yes of course because the prime minister of Vietnam said that Cambodia have to avoid the similar action caused by Sam Rainsy in the future.
HILL: Hing Yoeun has hinted that Sam Rainsy, who was educated in France, will remain in Paris for the foreseeable future, and may seek political asylum there. He also said two locals from Cok Bahn village involved in the border marker incident have been arrested, and warrants have been issued for three others.
Presenter: Bo Hill
Speakers: Hing Yoeun, member, Sam rainsy Party Steering Committee
HILL: The charges Sam Rainsy faces relate to an incident on the Cambodia-Vietnam border in October. He's alleged to have incited racial hatred and destroyed property after border markers were removed. Sam Rainsy party member, Hing Yoeun says the opposition leader was doing nothing wrong.
HING YOUEN: On 25 October 2009, the people in the village run to him and complain to him that the Vietnamese side plan to make a border at their rice fields.
HILL: Sam Rainsy claims he was simply helping the villages in Cok Bahn to save their rice fields, and Hing Yoeun says the party and its leader believe the charges are politically motivated.
HING YOEUN: The judicial system in Cambodia is not justice, it's is only the tool of the government and the ruling party.
HILL: Sam Rainsy is currently in France, having left Cambodia before the court appearance order was issued. He's told Reuters news agency he will let the court prosecute him in absentia because the verdict was already decided. Hing Yoeun says Sam Rainsy will pursue the case through diplomatic means from abroad, rather than through the Cambodia court system. But the incident is already a diplomatic issue. A long-running Cambodia-Vietnam border dispute was laid to rest three years ago when the border was official marked, but there are still localised concerns. Hing Yoeun says Cambodian authorities moved against the opposition leader because of pressure from Vietnam, whose investment dollars Cambodia has tried hard to attract.
HING YOEUN: Yes of course because the prime minister of Vietnam said that Cambodia have to avoid the similar action caused by Sam Rainsy in the future.
HILL: Hing Yoeun has hinted that Sam Rainsy, who was educated in France, will remain in Paris for the foreseeable future, and may seek political asylum there. He also said two locals from Cok Bahn village involved in the border marker incident have been arrested, and warrants have been issued for three others.
Cambodia, Thai soldiers enjoy New Year's dance near border
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Some 80 Cambodian and Thai soldiers enjoyed a New Year's dance last weekend, a festivity that helped the two sides of armed forces to know each other and exchange gifts, a senior military official said Monday.
Major Gen. Srey Doek, commander of Division 3 based at Preah Vihear Temple said some 30 Thai soldiers and 50 Cambodian soldiers who are all based along the two countries' borders had enjoyed a Jan. 1 gathering.
He said during the gathering, both sides had exchanged gifts, sharing fruits, drinks and danced to the music together for about two hours at Choam Te border point, about 18 kilometers from Preah Vihear Temple.
He said during the gathering, both sides had pledged that regular meetings shall be held in order to avoid any armed clash.
Since the border conflict between the two nations began last year, two times of armed clashes had occurred, during which several soldiers from both sides were killed and injured.
Cambodia and Thailand believe in Buddhism and they enjoy similar culture, tradition and round dance (Roam Vong Dance).
Major Gen. Srey Doek, commander of Division 3 based at Preah Vihear Temple said some 30 Thai soldiers and 50 Cambodian soldiers who are all based along the two countries' borders had enjoyed a Jan. 1 gathering.
He said during the gathering, both sides had exchanged gifts, sharing fruits, drinks and danced to the music together for about two hours at Choam Te border point, about 18 kilometers from Preah Vihear Temple.
He said during the gathering, both sides had pledged that regular meetings shall be held in order to avoid any armed clash.
Since the border conflict between the two nations began last year, two times of armed clashes had occurred, during which several soldiers from both sides were killed and injured.
Cambodia and Thailand believe in Buddhism and they enjoy similar culture, tradition and round dance (Roam Vong Dance).
Other Border Markers Surreptitiously Removed
4 January 2010
OTHER BORDER MARKERS SURREPTITIOUSLY REMOVED
We have just learnt from local authorities and villagers in Svay Rieng province that several wooden poles supposed to be temporary border markers similar to the ones opposition leader Sam Rainsy removed on 25 October 2009 in Samraong commune, have been surreptitiously removed by the Vietnamese authorities assisted by Cambodian officials.
Sam Rainsy pulled out six wooden poles at border 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.
CPP officials celebrate 07 January … in Svay Pak!?!?
CPP's 7th January Heaven celebration in Svay Pak calls for an inauguration?04 January 2010
DAP News
Translated from Khmer by Komping Puoy
Svay Pak, Phnom Penh – In the evening of 03 January 2010, inside the Heng Meng Huy ice factory located along National Road No. 5, in Svay Pak village (also known as Phnom Penh’s red lantern district), Svay Pak commune, Russey Keo district, a celebration was held to commemorate 07 January, the day of the second birth. The festivity was presided by General Ek Somrith Dy, the personal advisor of Hun Xen and deputy army chief of staff, Ly Son, the CPP MP from Kampong Speu province, as well as local officials and several other CPP party members.
Kong Kim Heng, the ice factory owner, declated that the reason he held this celebration was in gratitude and to thank the CPP leaders, because without these leaders toppling the KR regime (KI-Media note: Wasn’t it the Vietnamese army that toppled the KR regime? Too much partying in Svay Pak made the CPP supporters forget all their history?) on 07 January, he wouldn’t be here today.
Ly Son declared that 07 January is the second birth (KI-Media note: Could it be a second birth (i.e. reincarnation) for the CPP officials following a detour to the Svay Pak 7th Heaven … oops, sorry, we meant 7th January Heaven?) of our people, in particular for him and his family, because without 07 January, he wouldn’t be here. Not only that, his family wouldn’t be able to survive and the black shirts (KR soldiers) would have killed them all.
Kong Kim Heng, the ice factory owner, declated that the reason he held this celebration was in gratitude and to thank the CPP leaders, because without these leaders toppling the KR regime (KI-Media note: Wasn’t it the Vietnamese army that toppled the KR regime? Too much partying in Svay Pak made the CPP supporters forget all their history?) on 07 January, he wouldn’t be here today.
Ly Son declared that 07 January is the second birth (KI-Media note: Could it be a second birth (i.e. reincarnation) for the CPP officials following a detour to the Svay Pak 7th Heaven … oops, sorry, we meant 7th January Heaven?) of our people, in particular for him and his family, because without 07 January, he wouldn’t be here. Not only that, his family wouldn’t be able to survive and the black shirts (KR soldiers) would have killed them all.
Fine example for the region
Abdurrahman Wahid "Gus Dur"(7 September 1940 – 30 December 2009)
4/01/2010
Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL
One of the world's most admirable leaders died last week. It is lamentable that the name of Abdurrahman Wahid is less known than the villains and tyrants he fought and overcame. The former president of Indonesia was the major reason his country emerged from brutality and chaos to become the best example of democratic advances in Southeast Asia today. Known both affectionately and respectfully as Gus Dur, Wahid has left a legacy that will be difficult to live up to, but highly deserving of the effort.
Gus Dur - a Muslim honorific combined with the nickname of his own first name - was just 69 when he died after a long series of illnesses. The man of modest means suffered for decades from diabetes, and was functionally blind when he defeated the well-connected, fabulously rich Megawati Sukarnoputri in the first Indonesian presidential election in history, in 1999. His popular appeal was as simple as his campaign platform. Indonesia needed to get over the violence and systemic corruption of the Suharto years and move towards full democracy with a pluralistic government.
Many believed that the Indonesian army would never cede its power. Indeed, for several years after the overthrow of Suharto in ''people power'' demonstrations centred on Jakarta, it was assumed the army would simply retake control. Wahid, however, understood the concerns of the huge and widespread nation. The disgusting corruption and brutality of Suharto and supporters had been imposed at gunpoint. Wahid struck the correct chord in stressing religious freedom, accountable government and a goal of full democracy.
Wahid himself had seen and suffered the brutality of the Sukarno and then the Suharto dictatorships. But after the overthrow of Suharto, he refused to join the hotheaded calls for revenge. Instead, he counselled a policy to look to the future, and to build a democratic and tolerant country. This was a difficult role to play. On one side, the army constantly threatened violence to return to office. On the other, bigoted Muslim extremists, no longer checked or controlled by the government's threats, undertook major terrorist operations, in Jakarta and across the country.
History will probably record that Wahid's greatest achievement was to face down extremists on both sides, but particularly within the Muslim community. He insisted that the two great Muslim ''schools'' of Indonesia - his own Nahdlatul Ulama, with 40 million members, and the 29 million-member Muhammjadiyah - retain moderate and inclusive goals. He spoke out against extremism, including against the Jemaah Islamiyah group which, prior to the 9/11 attacks on the US and its Bali bombings, was attacking Christians and non-Islamic targets with murderous bombs across Indonesia.
Wahid's world travels, always with an entourage and often colourful, emphasised his belief that men and women, and their nations, should receive equal treatment. His frequent request to Indonesians and to world leaders was that ''Upholding democracy is one of the principles of Islam''. He made enemies among extremist groups with such talk. But largely as a result of his personality, the world's most populous Muslim country did, indeed, become a democracy and help to lead the worldwide battle against murderous extremists at the same time.
Wahid's presidency came to an abrupt end in 2001, and many blame a conspiracy of the elite. If so, they failed anyway. Indonesia today is Asean's strongest example of the advantages of democracy. It also is arguably the Islamic world's strongest proof that democracy is good for Islam in many ways. Wahid showed Muslims will fight the extremists, and that is his strongest legacy.
Gus Dur - a Muslim honorific combined with the nickname of his own first name - was just 69 when he died after a long series of illnesses. The man of modest means suffered for decades from diabetes, and was functionally blind when he defeated the well-connected, fabulously rich Megawati Sukarnoputri in the first Indonesian presidential election in history, in 1999. His popular appeal was as simple as his campaign platform. Indonesia needed to get over the violence and systemic corruption of the Suharto years and move towards full democracy with a pluralistic government.
Many believed that the Indonesian army would never cede its power. Indeed, for several years after the overthrow of Suharto in ''people power'' demonstrations centred on Jakarta, it was assumed the army would simply retake control. Wahid, however, understood the concerns of the huge and widespread nation. The disgusting corruption and brutality of Suharto and supporters had been imposed at gunpoint. Wahid struck the correct chord in stressing religious freedom, accountable government and a goal of full democracy.
Wahid himself had seen and suffered the brutality of the Sukarno and then the Suharto dictatorships. But after the overthrow of Suharto, he refused to join the hotheaded calls for revenge. Instead, he counselled a policy to look to the future, and to build a democratic and tolerant country. This was a difficult role to play. On one side, the army constantly threatened violence to return to office. On the other, bigoted Muslim extremists, no longer checked or controlled by the government's threats, undertook major terrorist operations, in Jakarta and across the country.
History will probably record that Wahid's greatest achievement was to face down extremists on both sides, but particularly within the Muslim community. He insisted that the two great Muslim ''schools'' of Indonesia - his own Nahdlatul Ulama, with 40 million members, and the 29 million-member Muhammjadiyah - retain moderate and inclusive goals. He spoke out against extremism, including against the Jemaah Islamiyah group which, prior to the 9/11 attacks on the US and its Bali bombings, was attacking Christians and non-Islamic targets with murderous bombs across Indonesia.
Wahid's world travels, always with an entourage and often colourful, emphasised his belief that men and women, and their nations, should receive equal treatment. His frequent request to Indonesians and to world leaders was that ''Upholding democracy is one of the principles of Islam''. He made enemies among extremist groups with such talk. But largely as a result of his personality, the world's most populous Muslim country did, indeed, become a democracy and help to lead the worldwide battle against murderous extremists at the same time.
Wahid's presidency came to an abrupt end in 2001, and many blame a conspiracy of the elite. If so, they failed anyway. Indonesia today is Asean's strongest example of the advantages of democracy. It also is arguably the Islamic world's strongest proof that democracy is good for Islam in many ways. Wahid showed Muslims will fight the extremists, and that is his strongest legacy.
Hun Xen warned those who refuse to recognize 07 January
Consequence of the 07 January event: More than one decade of Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia. Should we thank them for that or should we tell them: "Vietnam Go Home!"?04 January 2010
DAP News
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Battambang – There’s only three days left for Cambodia to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the escape from the genocidal Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge) regime which took place on 07 January 1979. In the morning of 04 January 2010, prime minister Hun Xen issued a warning against a group of people who refused to recognize 07 January as the date of the release from Pol Pot’s hands.
During the inauguration of the International Children village building by the SOS organization in Battambang city, Hun Xen indicated that, if there was no 07 January, there would be no 23 October [date of the anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia] either.
This is not the first time that Hun Xen issued his warning to opposition officials and civil society organizations that are leaning toward the opposition party. In fact Hun Xen and officials from his regime always raised the issue against the criticisms raised by opposition officials in their refusal to recognize 07 January.
Kem Sokha, HRP President, said that 07 January was a victory day, but it was also a day the Yuons invaded Cambodia.
During the inauguration of the International Children village building by the SOS organization in Battambang city, Hun Xen indicated that, if there was no 07 January, there would be no 23 October [date of the anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia] either.
This is not the first time that Hun Xen issued his warning to opposition officials and civil society organizations that are leaning toward the opposition party. In fact Hun Xen and officials from his regime always raised the issue against the criticisms raised by opposition officials in their refusal to recognize 07 January.
Kem Sokha, HRP President, said that 07 January was a victory day, but it was also a day the Yuons invaded Cambodia.
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