The government Intends to Pay Foreign Debts After the National Election

13th March 2008
By Hassan
Radio Free Asia

Translated from Khmer to English by Khmerization

Courtesy of Khmerization : http://khmerization.blogspot.com/

The Xinhua Newsagency on Thursday reported that the Cambodian government has declared that it will start to pay foreign debts after the 2008 national election which will be held in July, in a response to the appeals from the United States.

Mr Hang Choun Narong, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, has said that foreign debts will be reduced to about $US2 billion after the government negotiated with the creditors. He said that Cambodia needs to earmark about $US20-$US50 million annually in order to pay debts to the United States and Russia.

According to the Xinhua Newsagency report, which quoted the Ministry of Finance and Economy, as of 2006, Cambodia has foreign debts totalled more than $US3 billion.

in February, a U.S official has told the Cambodian National Assembly that Cambodia has foreign debts totalled more than $US2,500 million.

Hun Sen Appealed for Votes for a Fourth Term

12th March 2008
By San Suwit
Radio Free Asia

Translated from Khmer to English by Khmerization

Courtesy of Khmerization : http://khmerization.blogspot.com/

In a speech at a graduating ceremony of teaching students at Hun Sen Pedagogue College in Kandal province on the 12th of March 2008, Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) has proudly told those graduating teachers about the his personal success, beginning as a pagoda boy to become a multi-term prime minister. The prime minister has used the opportunity to ask people to vote for him to so that he can serve as prime minister for the fourth term.

The prime Minister said: “All of you can use my successful life to make a comparison so as to use it as an experience. And I wish to share with you of what Hun Sen had succeeded, starting as a pagoda boy and working the way up to become a prime minister of a country. No one has become a prime minister longer than Hun Sen, until now the opposition parties tried and tried to kick me out from the prime ministership on a daily basis but they cannot kick me out because the people are still voting for me. A moment ago, someone said that he wish to support me for a fourth term. If you continue to vote for me I will continue to be prime minister forever. Don’t be too curious about that.”

Sacravatoons : " Pig can fly "

Courtesy of Sacravatoon : http://sacrava.blogspot.com/

Sacravatoons : " No Enter "

Courtesy of Sacravatoon : http://sacrava.blogspot.com/

Please End Your Dream of Setting Up a Taiwanese Representative Office In Cambodia

Posted on 15 March 2008.
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 551

“Phnom Penh: Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen said on 13 March 2008 that he has put an end to the dream of some people about setting up a Taiwanese representative office in Cambodia, as an exchange for the return of 2,500 allegedly trafficked women living in Taiwan.

“In the closing ceremony of the annual conference at the Ministry of Interior, Samdech Prime Minister said that the issue of these Cambodian women is used to pressure Cambodia into allowing a Taiwanese representative office to be set up in Phnom Penh, and this issue is used to dissuade Cambodia from supporting the one-China policy.

“Samdech Dekchor said he could quietly get millions of dollars into his pocket if he would sign documents allowing it. He said this is not about business; this is about the sovereignty of countries.

“Samdech Prime Minister said he has documents requesting the setting up of a Taipei office in Phnom Penh. If such an office would be set up, those allegedly trafficked women could legally live in Taiwan. Samdech said that Taiwan has come to a situation that they have to use these women for political reasons and to pressure Cambodia into allowing to have a Taiwanese representative office in Phnom Penh. Samdech Hun Sen sent a message to all who live in Cambodia that they should not have any dream about having a Taiwanese representative office in Phnom Penh or any other part of Cambodia, adding that he could not allow this to happen, because this is a part of the foreign policy of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

“For many years, the Cambodian government has shown its position to recognize the one-China policy. This is a political line which the government is adopting in accordance with the policy from the Sangkum Reastr Niyum which was led by our former King, His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk.

“In his speech, Samdech Prime Minister also cited the success in communicating with North and South Korea, while the two nations are members of the United Nations. Prior to this, Cambodia only communicated with South Korea. Samdech Prime Minister said that the People’s Republic of China is a member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council. Quite differently, Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, but it is just a province of China.

“Samdech Prime Minister also denounced some members of civil society and some members of the opposition who criticize him for not allowing such an office to be set up, due to the fear that China would be angry. In fact, this is about the respect of independence and sovereignty.

“Samdech Hun Sen asked, ‘If someone want to cut one of your legs, would you agree? Absolutely not. If someone wants to cut one of your provinces, would you agree? Of course, not.’ Samdech said that China has a heart and Chinese leaders are also human. ‘We need to clearly understand this issue.’ Samdech said he does not have the intention to kill those women, but we can find other solutions to bring them back without having to set up a Taiwanese office in Cambodia.

“Samdech Prime Minister said that many Taiwanese companies operate their businesses in Cambodia. We can operate businesses together; they can fly into Cambodia, but they cannot put the Taiwanese flag on Cambodian territory.

“Many kinds of human trafficking happens in Cambodia since many years. Many women were trafficked in many ways - such as false marriages of Cambodian women with foreign men. In the speech, Samdech Prime Minister appealed to parents and guardians as well as the authorities to review all related wrong-doings. There must be a clear observation of the situation before parents should allow their daughters to get married with foreigners. Samdech Prime Minister also ordered the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Woman’s Affairs, and other relevant institutions to quickly find solutions to fix these problems in order to prevent Cambodian women from being cheated and sold to foreigners.”

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7 #1592, 14.3.2008

Adoptions lead to helping hand

by Danielle Portteus
March 14. 2008

Deb Lagger not only adopted two girls from Cambodia, but she also adopted the country.

Ms. Lagger adopted Hannah, now 8, and Kalliyan, now 7, from orphanages in Cambodia when they were infants.

Her love for her girls inspired Ms. Lagger, the director of workforce development for Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, to donate money to build an English language and career center in Cambodia.

The center, which will be named after the girls, is scheduled to open this month.

"Cambodia trusted me to raise two of their most precious gifts, and I want to thank them by providing education and vocational opportunities that will allow Cambodians to rise above the unimaginable poverty that still exists," Ms. Lagger said.

The center will open a new world to those in Cambodia through education and provide a way to obtain jobs and careers that provide economic stability for them and their families, Ms. Lagger said.

Ms. Lagger has worked with three agencies to get the center build. Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Goodwill Industries International and Digital Divide Data have partnered to build the center as well as existing facilities in Battambang, Cambodia, and Vientiane, Laos, to provide career and life skills to those who need it most.

One center, located near the orphanage where one of the Lagger girls lived, teaches sewing skills. The new facility will offer more than one marketable skill, English language training and additional career development options.

"We hope to provide them not only with career and life skills, but also feeling empowered when they have completed their training," Ms. Lagger said.

For two years, some classrooms at Monroe Road Elementary, where the girls attend school, have donated money to purchase gifts for children living in the orphanages. Last year, a couple classes decorated water bottles and sold them in the cafeteria during lunch to purchase a well in the rural Pursat village, where villagers have to walk nearly two miles to get fresh water.

"Our Bedford community should be very proud to have young citizens who have humanitarian hearts at such a young age," Ms. Lagger said.

Meg Mall, manager of international development at Goodwill Industries International said in a 2007 e-mail that more than 500 people with disabilities, orphans and rural migrants benefited from the current centers in Cambodia and Laos.

"The center aims to serve more than 1,000 people in 2008," she said. "At Goodwill, we know that people are best able to focus on job training and career goals when they have a stable home life. The Family Resource Center complements existing employment and training programs by identifying the needs of the family and linking employees to community resources.

"Ms. Lagger said the cost to sponsor a student at one of the family resource centers is $28.37 for the entire year.

For information about donating to the Hannah and Kalliyan Lagger Career and English Language Center, call Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio at (419) 255-0070.

CAMBODIA TRIP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

thisisscunthorpe.co.uk
14 March 2008

Land mine, polio and cerebral palsy victims in Cambodia look set to be given help and support from a North Lincolnshire duo who have pledged to make a difference to their lives.

Spanish couple Elena Gutierrez and Sergio Gallego, who made Scunthorpe their home seven years ago, will be taking three months' unpaid leave from their jobs to help in a busy centre run by the Cambodia Trust for young disabled people out there.

Elena works as an occupational therapist, treating adults with neurological conditions.When she and Sergio fly out to Cambodia in July, she will be offering patients occupational therapy services at the Kratie Centre where they will be based.

Elena (34) will accompany them back to their villages where she will help them settle back into normal daily routines.

She will also help the permanent members of staff at the centre with their work."I have wanted to do something like this for such a long time," said Elena.

Elena's partner Sergio (36) works for Corus as a chemical engineer, but in Cambodia he will be running English classes for the staff at the centre.And this, he said, would be in addition to helping them write reports, emails and documents in English.

Sergio explained he will be involved in the patients' rehabilitation process by organising sports and activities for them.

"This is a specialist voluntary organisation based in Somerset which sends committed volunteers to Cambodia to carry out a range of humanitarian and teaching projects," said Sergio.

"We realise our time in Cambodia will be challenging and difficult, but we hope to make a difference to the lives of the people we will be working with.

"In the meantime, and before their departure, the couple need to raise £5,400 to cover the full cost of carrying out and completing their projects.

This, said Sergio, is also to cover the cost of insurance, board, language training and accommodation.

Anyone who would like to help Elena and Sergio with their sponsorship is invited to contact them on (01724) 271023.

Cambodia: Real Estate Boom Widens Growing Gap Between Rich And Poor

nuwireinvestor.com

By Trista Winnie
Friday, March 14, 2008

Foreign investment in Cambodia has caused an upsurge in construction that is furthering the gap between the rich and the poor in the country.

"Cambodia is experiencing a construction boom fueled by foreign investment, particularly by South Koreans, and buying and selling among the country's few nouveaux riche -- while leaving the poor majority behind," according to a recent article in the Taipei Times.

"The biggest projects are being funded by South Korean investors and companies, which have been the leading investors in Cambodia following the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1997. Investment and tourists from South Korea have surged following a 2006 visit to Cambodia by former [South Korean] president Roh Moo-hyun," according to the article.

The disparity between the rich and the poor in Cambodia is so great that about 10 percent of the population owns nearly 90 percent of the land in Cambodia, Naly Pilorge, director of the nonprofit human rights group Licadho, said in the article. Such a situation could result in social and political unrest.

Hospitals have been torn down and replaced with condominiums and residents in run-down areas have been displaced.

"Prime city land prices have tripled over the last two years to US$3,000 per square meter. Those kinds of returns have drawn rich and middle-class Cambodians, as well as those living abroad," according to the article. And while real estate prices in Cambodia have risen dramatically in the last few years, they are still lower than real estate prices in Vietnam and Thailand.

Construction begins in Phnom Penh next month on Cambodia's first luxury residential building, a 42-story tower that will have 500 apartment units, each priced between US$112,000 and $1.8 million, according to the article. Half of the units have already been purchased. The tower will be the tallest building in Cambodia.

"Thrilled with the boom, Prime Minister Hun Sen has said it has been made possible by the political stability he has brought. In a recent speech he warned that if he is not re-elected in July elections, property prices could nosedive," the article said.

In addition to the political ramifications of the construction boom--many developers have connections with Cambodian government officials, and some suspect that much of the cash going into the real estate boom is the result of money laundering--there are ramifications for the nation's impoverished citizens.

"Poor residents like Chhorn Et, the former slum dweller who was moved outside the capital, are left to cope with a stark reality in their new village, which has no running water or sewage system," according to the article. "Although each family has been given a small piece of land, they complain of the lack of means to support their livelihoods. They have to travel daily to the capital to do odd jobs as motorbike taxi drivers, construction workers or scavenge for bottles and cans to sell to buy food. Many of them are too poor to afford a latrine and have to use a nearby rice field as a toilet."

Give me a portion of your heart

"Som Besdoang Muy Chomnek " -- Give me a portion of your heart. This song was first released at least 5 years ago. And now this song has been banned by Bun Rany Hun Sen .

When the song is banned, that would make it even more popular. Here's Khmer lyrics of the song and the video I found on Youtube.

Hospitality Institute provides free education, employment to poor Cambodians

By Hiroshi Limmell
Channel NewsAsia
14 March 2008

SIEM REAP, Cambodia : Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world, and most Cambodians rely on agriculture to make a living.

Tourism plays a key role in the country's economy but most of the money is channelled back into the industry, benefiting hotels and tourist organisations.

One establishment is trying to change that by providing free education and employment. 23-year-old Orn Soaline is starting out at his new position after his recent promotion.

Now, he teaches cooking lessons at a Hospitality Institute. Orn knows only too well the background of his students.

They come from a similar situation as he did - from families too poor to pay for their education.

He said: "When I was 20, I was in a school, but in high school I had to spend a lot of money. My mother and father could not afford to send me to school so I had to leave."

The Institute was set up five years ago. Its aim is to provide free skills and employment to the very poor in Siem Reap.

A boutique hotel funds the school and, as the hotel's owner explains, it takes more than just free education to help the poor.

Sokoun Chanpreda, Owner, Shinta Mani Hotel, said: "In Cambodia, the poverty level is very obvious.

You can see street kids everywhere, there's not much employment opportunity even if they tried. "So there, it is a very challenging situation.

The tourist industry really helps a lot in that way. It helps the local people get employment here."

Orn was one of the first batch of students taken in by the Institute. Now, he makes US$100 a month from teaching. He aims to become a master chef at one of Siem Reap's hotels one day.

Traffic Deaths Rising Steeply: Group

By Seng Ratana, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 March 2008

Khmer audio aired March 14 (884KB) - Listen (MP3)

Traffic deaths, especially among the young, are increasing nationwide, government officials said this week, following the release of a new independent report.

At least 125 people died and 576 were seriously injured in traffic accidents nationwide in December 2007, Handicap International reported this week. This is a 32 percent increase compared to the same period in 2006, the group said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday that traffic accidents were the second-most killer in Cambodia, next to HIV and AIDS.

Handicap International spokesman Sem Panhavuth said about 83 percent of the victims died because of head injuries. Of those who died, only four were wearing a helmet, he said.

The increase was due to the "human factor," rather than the road conditions or weather, he said, adding that most of the victims were men, and about 70 percent of the fatalities were in motorcycle crashes.

"They drive very fast when they are drunk, and don't obey the traffic laws," he said. "Especially the young, between 15 years and 29 years old."

Tem Proseur, director of the Phnom Penh traffic police, said that in in the capital only about 80 percent of motorcycle drivers wear helmets. In 2007, he said, Phnom Penh saw 260 deaths, 60 more than in 2006.

Most of the victims were students, Pen Khun, deputy director of Phnom Penh traffic police, said.

In order to decrease the traffic fatalities, the government has formed a traffic safety committee, which includes members from 20 ministries, said Chum Iek, secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works.

The committee is working to advocate traffic safety to students, as well as strengthening law enforcement. The committee hopes to work with non-government agencies to educate people on traffic laws, he said.

Tycoon Gets 13 Years on Debauchery

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 March 2008

Khmer audio aired March 14 (981KB) - Listen (MP3)

Russian investor Alexander Trofimov was handed a 13-year jail sentence Friday on a conviction of abusing a 14-year-old girl in the beach resort town of Sihanoukville.

Trofimov, 41, had been an influential investor on the coast and was leading a $300-million development on Snake Island until his arrest in October 2007.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled Friday on a case heard earlier this week, finding Trofimov guilty of debauchery, in one of several cases Trofimov now faces for sex acts with young girls.

Cambodian Phal Vannara received an 11-year jail term for his role in procuring the girl for Trofimov.

"There is enough evidence to prove his guilt," said Municipal Judge Ke Sokhan, who presided over a three-judge panel in the case.

The crime affected the security, culture, dignity, honor and health of humankind, Ke Sokhan said.

"I'm very happy for the municipal verdict," said the victim, who had requested that her hearing be made public.

The court, which has mandated one month for appeal, ordered the two to pay $100,000 in compensation to the victim.

"The court decision is unjust for my client, because there is not enough evidence against him," said Ouch Sophal, Trofimov's lawyer. "I still defend my client; he is not guilty at all."

Developers Break Ground on Golden Towers

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 March 2008

Khmer audio aired March 14 (738KB) - Listen (MP3)

Korean developers broke ground Friday on the construction of what aims to be Cambodia’s highest building—by far.

Yon Woo, Co., Ltd., says its 192-meter Gold Tower 42, expected to be completed by 2011, will house commercial space and condominiums.

The twin-tower “high-tech living space” will also contain a hospital, bank, shopping mall, fitness center, driving range and pool, developers say.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Phnom Penh Friday, Council Minister Sok An said the construction of the towers would encourage infrastructure development and renew the reputation of Phnom Penh.

Yon Woo officials estimate the building will create 20,000 jobs, including employment for Cambodian university graduates, Sok An said.

Korean Ambassador Hyun Seok Shin said Friday that Korea enjoyed a “unique presence” in Cambodia, with a prominent role in foreign direct investment, tourism, cultural exchange, IT industry, vocational training, finance and construction.

The towers will stand as a symbol of Korea's presence in Cambodia, he said.

Hun Sen Orders Government Energy Saving

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 March 2008

Khmer audio aired March 14 (766KB) - Listen (MP3)

Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered government agencies to cut energy corners where they can, in order to save on electric bills.

Air conditioners are to be kept at 25 degrees Celsius and turned off 30 minutes before quitting time, Hun Sen wrote in a directive.

Government officials are to cut other energy costs to decrease budget expenditures, he wrote. The rising price of fuel increases the price of electricity, Hun Sen said, as he ordered that air-conditioners be limited to 25 degrees Celsius and turned off thirty minutes before quitting time.

Computers, printers and photo copiers must be turned off when not in use, and computers should be turned off and unplugged, he said.

He encouraged the use of natural light coming through office windows, and said street lights on only one side of the road will be illuminated, and not before sunset.

Ith Prang, secretary of state for the Ministry of Energy, said Friday the directive was on the right track, as Cambodia does not produce enough energy.

"Up to now, some places neglected the use of energy," he said. "Some places use extremely too much."

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said the measure would do much less than the much-awaited anti-corruption law, which is in the hands of the government and has not been passed to the National Assembly for approval.

"If we reduce electricity use, we earn only one or two cents, but corruption makes a loss to the national revenue of around $500 million per year," he said. "The reduction of the use of electricity will earn only $20,000 or $30,000."

Only about 20 percent of Cambodians currently have access to electricity. Several Chinese companies have begun construction on hydroelectric power plants in an effort to increase the country's power production.

The government expects by 2030, it could provide around 70 percent of the population with power, including electricity purchased from Thailand and Vietnam.

Ministry Orders Visa Restriction for UN Envoy

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
14 March 2008

Khmer audio aired March 13 (1.36MB) - Listen (MP3)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an order banning Cambodian embassies the authority to issue visas for UN human rights envoy Yash Ghai without prior approval.

Ghai has had an increasingly cantankerous relationship with the government, especially with Prime Minister Hun Sun, following his strident criticism of Cambodia's poor human rights record and the concentration of power in the hands of the premier.

The visa restriction comes days ahead of Ghai's expected rights report to the International Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"Any visa application to Mr. Yash Ghai has to be approved from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance, even if he's holding any kind of passport," the order says.

Christopher Peschoux, director of the Human Rights Office in Cambodia, said he would seek clarification on whether this policy was wider reaching or applicable only to Ghai.

Judicial Reform Needs Brave Steps: Expert

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington
14 March 2008

Khmer audio aired March 13 (3.62MB) - Download

Judicial reform is lagging, and the country's justice system needs courageous leadership from its top body to reverse the trend, a leading law expert said Thursday.

"Judicial reform can be done, it's possible, if there is political will," said Sok Samoeun, director of the Cambodian Defenders Project.

The Supreme Council of Magistracy needs a brave member to tackle reforms in the courts and among judges and prosecutors, Sok Samoeun said, as a guest on "Hello VOA."

The courts should be free from political party affiliation, and the appointment of judges from a party quota should cease, he said, while salaries for judges should be raised.

Some progress has been made, Sok Samoeun said, in both the transfer of judges and prosecutors throughout the country and the occasional discipline of judges.

But to be truly independent, he said, a judge needs to be free from worry about his security, his family, his position and his salary.

Nimbus Sport ties up with CamGSM for Barclays EPL mobile clips

deepikaglobal.com

Mumbai, Mar 14 (UNI) Nimbus Sport International today announced an exclusive deal with CamGSM, Cambodia's largest telecommunications provider, to show Barclays English Premier League (EPL) Mobile Clips.

CamGSM has acquired on-demand mobile clip rights to the Barclays Premier League in Cambodia for three seasons from 2007/2008 to 2009/2010 on its mobile network 'Cellcard'. This is the first time that sports video clips will be available on mobile phones in Cambodia.

Nimbus Sport vice president (International) Thomas Klingebiel commented ''We are thrilled to welcome CamGSM amongst our family of Barclays Premier League licensees. It is truly exciting to be pioneering mobile and internet sports video content in Cambodia, and we look forward to further growing the Barclays Premier League's fan base in this market''.

CamGSM Head (Marketing) Sombat Krairit said ''We are very pleased to provide the unlimited excitement of the Barclays Premier League to sport lovers through Cellcard's portal. Now Cellcard subscribers nationwide can access video clips, wallpapers, match results and updates of their favourite teams on their mobile phones everywhere at anytime. We expect to welcome a great number of football fans.'' CamGSM will offer near live content as well as highlights and previews of all Barclays Premier League matches. Cellcard football fans across Cambodia can access the clips via Cellcard's STK menu or visit www.cellcard.com.kh/mobile. Singapore-based i-POP Networks Pte Ltd, one of Asia's leading mobile services and provisioning company, is assisting in the operation and expansion of the mobile clips service for CamGSM, a release issued here today stated.

Nimbus Sport has been awarded the mobile and internet rights for the next 3 years -- covering the 1,140 Barclays Premier League matches that will be played until the end of the 2009-10 season. The 2007/2008 Barclays Premier League season kicked off on August 11 and would showcase 380 matches until May 2008. The company is marketing these rights in conjunction with PA SportEV -- a subsidiary of PA Sport.

The rights awarded to Nimbus Sport span countries across the globe, including China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Asia; UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Egypt in the Middle East and North Africa; Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Belgium in Europe; and reaching as far as Brazil, Australia and New Zealand, the release added.

UN expert slams India, Cambodia, Thailand over sex tourism

Sex workers wait for clients in front of bars in Patpong street

GENEVA (AFP) — India, Cambodia and Thailand are not doing enough to protect children against the risks associated with sex tourism for fear of damaging their economies, a UN human rights expert charged on Friday.

Juan Miguel Petit, the UN special rapporteur on the rights of children, said authorities in these countries are often not willing to tackle the issue of children's sexual exploitation for tourists' benefit.

"Sometimes there are big pressures on governments, explicitly or implicitly, when there are enormous touristic activities going on, making millions of dollars," he told journalists.

"Some interests see the limitation on the sexual market as a limitation for their earning of money," he added.

He denounced this "insane tourism that puts at risk the lives of hundreds and hundreds of children," saying it was against the public interest in such countries.

In general, Asia "continues to be a very difficult, alarming place" as far as human trafficking is concerned, Petit said.

Police often appear unconcerned about the scale and gravity of the problem, he charged.

"They accept this kind of crime in a passive way, as if their job was only to chase bank robbers," he said.

Many convicted Western sex offenders are drawn to Southeast Asia for its perceived laxness in terms of child sex.
British former pop star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was jailed for three years in Vietnam in 2005 for molesting girls aged 11 and 12.

He fled Britain for Southeast Asia, initially Cambodia, in 1999 after serving half of a four-month prison term for possession of child pornography.

Group tries tours to North Korea's isolated golf course

Chinese tourists play golf at a golf course in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang in this picture taken May 1, 2004. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won

Reuters
Friday, March 14, 2008

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean tour group is in talks with hermit North Korea to take golfers to one of the world's most exclusive courses where legend has it Dear Leader Kim Jong-il made history by shooting 11 holes-in-one.

"We are not advertising for the trip yet," said an official with Pyeonghwa Air Travel Agency, but the firm has applied with North Korean authorities to conduct the golf tour.

According to estimates in South Korean media, a five-day trip including rounds at the course outside Pyongyang, would run close to $3,000. That is about double what it costs for similar trips to other neighboring countries.

The few golfers who have played the 7,000 meter (7,655 yard), 18-hole course say the greens are well manicured and caddies can take long naps because of the yawning gaps between tee-offs.

It is used mostly by the handful of foreign businessmen in Pyongyang who play golf.

North Korea's official media has described the holes as "diverse and peculiar in styles."

It has a modern club house supported by pillars shaped like golf clubs and is situated by a scenic lake, the KCNA news agency reported in 2002.

"During breaks, golfers enjoy collecting plants, boating and angling in the picturesque recreation ground," it said.

At his famed round, novice golfer Kim reportedly shot about 20 strokes lower than best round ever for a professional event over 18 holes.

(Reporting by Lee Jiyeon; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by David Fox)

ASEAN defense experts call for more cooperation with China

chinaview.cn
2008-03-14

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Defense scholars from the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday called for more cooperation in the field of defense between the southeast Asian bloc and China.

"Bilateral defense cooperation will strengthen our relationship, give us a better understanding about how China sees ASEAN. We do hope in the future, the relations will become stronger," said Brigadier General Marciano Norman, director for Environment and Analysis Department of Indonesia's Defense Ministry, at a dialog here between senior defense scholars from China and ASEAN nations.

The three-day forum gathered more than 20 senior scholars and experts from China and ten ASEAN member nations on Wednesday in the Chinese capital city to discuss the issue of "military modernization and regional confidence building."

"This is the first meeting among ASEAN senior scholars and is a constructive initiative done by China to enhance trust," Norman said.

He also saw no intention from China to use military forces. "At the meeting, I can see China has no intention of threatening the region in a military way, we're promoting better relations here, which will benefit all of us."

Vanna Ros, deputy chief of ASEAN affairs office of Cambodia's Defense Department, hailed the military cooperation between China and his country. "The military cooperation between China and my country is for peace and confidence building," he said.

China has been providing training for Cambodian soldiers and such training has greatly improved the soldiers' combat skills and techniques, he added.

He hoped that ASEAN and China would conduct more cooperation in the efforts to fight non-traditional security threats, such as terrorism and drug smuggling.

Carlos L. Agustin, president of National Defense College of the Philippines, said China and ASEAN have been getting along well and a strong and solid relation between the two sides is expected.

"The saying that there will be a war (in the region) is obsolete," the retired Brigadier General told Xinhua, adding that peace, development and cooperation are the theme of the time.

Hamzah Sulaiman, director of the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies of Brunei, said he is happy to see that China started sponsoring such forums to forge friendship between different militaries and hoped to cooperate with China in the fields of communications, computing technology, and intelligence exchange.

ASEAN, established in 1967, now groups 10 member countries, namely Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Since China established dialog with ASEAN 17 years ago, both sides have forged a strategic partnership and conducted extensive and frequent exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The mutual political trust has been enhanced and notable results have been achieved during bilateral cooperation.

Editor: Yao Siyan

Dith Pran Discusses His Illness

Dith Pran, the New York Times Cambodian photographer who survived The Killing Fields in his country after it fell to the Khmer Rouge, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pran talked about the illness when a group of friends, including reporter Sydney Schanberg, visited his hospital room. Video by Jane Schanberg.