NGOs Weigh in on RFA Dismissals

Written by DAP NEWS -- Sunday, 27 September 2009
(CAAI NEWS Media)

Some NGOs working in Cambodia on Saturday made comments suppor- tive of workers fired by Radio Free Asia (RFA), calling the dismissals unjust and unreasonable.

According to an RFA source, Phan Sophat is now the fifth worker to be fired by the RFA management in Phnom Penh after Huy Vannak, Seang Sorphorn, Thai Sothea, and Mean Rith. Chea Mony, Cambodian Free Trade Union President, on Saturday told DAP News Cambodia that he has received complaints from the fired workers. He said he would strive to whether the dismissals were legal or not. “According to the labor law, if any worker is employed for more than two years, firing them can only be done if they have made mistakes,” said Chea Mony. “Any firing without reason is said to be illegal.”

Rong Chhun, Cambodia Indepen- dent Teacher Union President, said that he will investigate this case. He said the workers should be provided with compensation.

“If those workers need help from us, we will intervene in this case,” he added. Ou Virak, Cambodian Center for Human Rights Director, said he was disappointed such experienced and educated workers were fired. “I regret for what RFA, which is very popular among Cambodian listeners, has done.

They should find good solutions to share and balance benefits,” he told DAP News Cambo- dia on Saturday. He also promised to investigate the case.

Four well-respected reporters from Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Friday evening protested by burning tires in front of the RFA main office in Phnom Penh.

The four reporters, Huy Vannak, Seang Sorphaorn, Thai Sothea, and Phan Sophat said they demonstrated following the decision by the director, Kem Sos, to fire Huy Vannak and Thai Sothea.Both Huy Vannak and Thai Sothea opposed the dismissal of Seang Sorphaorn, saying it was “due to revenge and abuse of internal regulations.”

Thai Sothea said that he had been fired illegally. Kem Sos declined to comment on the matter, asking that questions be sent to the RFA main office in Washington DC in the US.

The protesters iterated that they will send a statement to the US embassy in Phnom Penh if there is no solution.

The US embassy officials in Phnom Penh will call those fired workers to clarify more details on Monday next week, according to the source from US embassy.

NGOs Weigh in on RFA Dismissals

Written by DAP NEWS -- Sunday, 27 September 2009

(khmernz.blogspot.com)

Some NGOs working in Cambodia on Saturday made comments suppor- tive of workers fired by Radio Free Asia (RFA), calling the dismissals unjust and unreasonable.

According to an RFA source, Phan Sophat is now the fifth worker to be fired by the RFA management in Phnom Penh after Huy Vannak, Seang Sorphorn, Thai Sothea, and Mean Rith. Chea Mony, Cambodian Free Trade Union President, on Saturday told DAP News Cambodia that he has received complaints from the fired workers. He said he would strive to whether the dismissals were legal or not. “According to the labor law, if any worker is employed for more than two years, firing them can only be done if they have made mistakes,” said Chea Mony. “Any firing without reason is said to be illegal.”

Rong Chhun, Cambodia Indepen- dent Teacher Union President, said that he will investigate this case. He said the workers should be provided with compensation.

“If those workers need help from us, we will intervene in this case,” he added. Ou Virak, Cambodian Center for Human Rights Director, said he was disappointed such experienced and educated workers were fired. “I regret for what RFA, which is very popular among Cambodian listeners, has done.

They should find good solutions to share and balance benefits,” he told DAP News Cambo- dia on Saturday. He also promised to investigate the case.

Four well-respected reporters from Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Friday evening protested by burning tires in front of the RFA main office in Phnom Penh.

The four reporters, Huy Vannak, Seang Sorphaorn, Thai Sothea, and Phan

Sophat said they demonstrated following the decision by the director, Kem Sos, to fire Huy Vannak and Thai Sothea.Both Huy Vannak and Thai Sothea opposed the dismissal of Seang Sorphaorn, saying it was “due to revenge and abuse of internal regulations.”

Thai Sothea said that he had been fired illegally. Kem Sos declined to comment on the matter, asking that questions be sent to the RFA main office in Washington DC in the US.

The protesters iterated that they will send a statement to the US embassy in Phnom Penh if there is no solution.

The US embassy officials in Phnom Penh will call those fired workers to clarify more details on Monday next week, according to the source from US embassy.

Two Policemen Arrested for Anarchic Shooting

Written by DAP NEWS -- Sunday, 27 September 2009

(khmernz.blogspot.com)

Daun Penh police arrested two policemen for shooting “anarchically” on the public streets, a police officer said on Saturday.

The two men were arrested at 00:45 am on September 26 in the Central Market III Commune in Daun Penh district, Phnom Penh after one fired freely. The accused man Bo Sovannarith, 25, an Interior Ministry officer, was found in possession of one K54 handgun with an invalid license a Honda Cub motorcycle.

Bo Sovannrith, of Dang Kor district of Phnom Penh, was with his friend Som Seyha, a Department of Preah Vihear province policeman who lives in the Chamkarmon district of Phnom Penh.

The two men are linked to the police department, so one anonymous source asked if the crime would be sufficiently dealt with.

Construction Firms Vow to Continue Work

Written by DAP NEWS -- Sunday, 27 September 2009

(khmernz.blogspot.com0

Despite increasingly somber predictions from economists, construction companies on Saturday assured that they would continue work on megap- rojects such as Gold Tower 42.

Buildings along the eastern Mekong river bank are all progressing, one source claimed on Saturday.

Construction Manager of the Borey Sopheak Mongkol Building Keo Sovann told DAP News Cambodia that, “Our company still continues to construct all the buildings, even if the global economic crisis (GEC) has impacted us.”

But some customers of Borey Sopheak Mongkol told DAP News Cambodia a very different story. “The company does not add construction to the new buildings,” one anonymous irate customer said

The manager of the Mekong View project said that building is still continuing, although he admitted that the downturn “has impacted our investment.”

The manager stressed that “We have enough money to finish the job.”

“We met some problems because we want to expand our business. It depends on the economic situation in Cambodia, so now we focus on sales.”

Some companies delayed work or stopped altogether because of a lack of capital.

Sung Bonna, CEO of Bonna realty and president of the National Valuers’ Association, told DAP News Cambodia that “in Cambodia, the small development projects have good, but the huge projects are stopped in some parts.”

Chan Sophal, a local economist, said that “Cambodia can live through 2009.”

“If the Cambodian Government wants [a real GDP] increase of over 6 percent, they must spend many millions of dollars to offset the effects of the GEC,” he added.

But Cambodian MP and President of Economic Council Cheam Yeap claimed that “Cambodia has not been hurt like European or other countries.

According to predictions, our environment is healthy.”

Mu Sochua to Appear at Appeal Court Oct 2

Written by DAP NEWS -- Sunday, 27 September 2009

(khmernz.blogspot.com)

Mu Sochua, Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) Lawmaker, will appear at the Appeal Court on October 2, according to the Appeal Court prosecutor general’s recalling issue singed on September 23. This recalling issue of the appeal court prosecutor general was made two days after Mu Sochua arrived Cambodia from a visit to the US.

Mu Sochua’s appearance is related to an appeal over the verdict in a defamation case with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Ouk Savuth, appeal court prosecutor general, on Saturday told DAP News Cambodia that he would question Mu Sochua about the case with the premier.

Ky Tech, the premier’s lawyer, said that he has so far not received any notification of the upcoming case.

The lawyer has already stated he is ready to face Mu Sochua at the Appeal Court or Supreme Court if she chooses to challenge the August 4, 2009, ruling of the Phnom Penh court.

Mu Sochua could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Mu Sochua left rebuffed a small crowd of around 10 waiting journalists upon her arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport as she was escorted through the VIP gate.

Mu Sochua’s actions were puzzling to some of the Cambodian reporters given her recent scathing criticisms of democracy and human rights in Cambodia during her trip to the US.

Thai Group Plans Protest at Border

Written by DAP NEWS -- Sunday, 27 September 2009

(khmernz.blogspot.com)

The Land Demand Pilgrim Group, apparently a different group of Thai protestors to those who recently demonstrated, on September 29 held a protest demanding 4.6 square kilometers of Cambodian territory near the Khmer Preah Vihear Temple be handed over to Thailand. The Land Demand Pilgrim Group’s protest follows the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest on September 19 to demand the same. “We will make a protest at 9:00 am on Sunday at Kasem Seri Hotel in Sisaket province to demand the area belonging to Thailand near Preah Vihear Temple, and to criticize the plan peacefully,” Sama Sigam, the group’s leader, was quoted by Thai News Agencies as saying.

It is so far unclear whether the Sisaket Provincial Authority will permit the protest. The Sisaket Provincial Authority recently stopped the PAD and closed all hotels, guesthouses and petrol stations in the area. Koy Koung, Ministry of Foreign Affair and International Cooperation spokesman, on Saturday told DAP News Cambodia that “They can do whatever as long as it does not affect Cambodia.” Srey Doeuk, Khmer Preah Vihear Army Chief, said that Cambodian soldiers don’t care as they protest on their own territory.

“They can do whatever they want, but do not do or protest in our territory. If they do, we cannot be patient,” Srey Doeuk warned.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has warned protesters not to complicate political issues and not to encroach on Cambodian territory.

Naga Corp wins Cambodian Premier League 2009 Championship

PHNOM PENH, Sep. 26, 2009

(khmernz.blogspot.com)

(Xinhua News Agency) -- Naga Corp was crowned the champion of the Cambodian Premier League (CPL) on Saturday after defeating Khamera Keila FC 2-1 at national Olympic stadium.

Okonokwo Sundayapatrick was the hero of the match, scoring two goals. Naga Corp pocketed a prize money of 10,000 U.S. dollars.

Khamera FC, which finished runner-up, earned 7,500 dollars, and Royal Sword was third with a cash award of 5,000 dollars.

Phnom Penh Crown FC was fourth and the fifth place went to National defense FC.

"Football now is starting to be very popular game for our people especially for the youth and it also can help them to avoid using drug," Thong Khon, tourism minister and president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia said at the closing ceremony.

"Next year, we will change the name of CPL to C League which will be supported from Vietnam telephone company, Metfone," said Ouk Sotheacheat, secretary general of FFC.

(Source: iStockAnalyst )

1,500 U.S soldiers to join military exercise in Cambodia next year

http://www.chinaview.cn/

2009-09-27

(khmernz.blogspot.com)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- About 1,500 U.S. military men are expected to join military exercise which is planned to take place in Cambodia in the middle of next year, Cambodian military official said Saturday.

Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman of National Defense said that more than 2,000 military men are reserved for the first-ever event in the country and they will come from more than 20 countries, of which 1,500 will be from the United States.

The military exercise which is to be supported by the United States under a program titled "Global Peace Operations Initiative or GPOI" will take place in June or July next year.

According to the plan, the military exercise will be conducted in Phnom Penh and in Phnom Sruoch district in Kompong Speu province, about 90 kilometers from the capital, the officials added.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh issued a statement saying during a four-day visit to Washington D.C. , Tea Banh, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense had met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and discussed security cooperation between the United States and Cambodia.

During the meeting, they also highlighted Cambodia's ongoing support for international peacekeeping operations and Cambodia's commitment to hosting the 2010 Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) regional capstone exercise.

GPOI is a U.S.-funded G-8 program to expand global capacity to train and equip 75,000 peacekeepers by the year 2010, the statement said.

Peace Operations Initiative was established after the 2004 G8 Sea Island Summit to address growing gaps in international peace operations. The goals of GPOI expand upon the goals of the Sea Island Action Plan. GPOI built policy based on previous peace operations capacity-building programs.

Editor: Lin Liyu

Cambodia calls for successful conclusion of trade talks

http://www.chinaview.cn/

2009-09-27

(khmernz.blogspot.com)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Saturday called for the successful conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations to help mitigate the impact of the world economic and financial crisis on developing countries.

Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong made the statement as he addressed the general debate of the UN General Assembly at UN Headquarters.

While the developed countries have more possibilities and resources to cope with the economic slowdown, the developing countries have suffered the most with a huge loss of national income, he said.

The economic growth of developing countries is expected to fall sharply due to a drastic reduction in export which they have largely been dependent on, to the falling of investment, and to the rising unemployment, he said.

"In order to help mitigate the impact of this economic and financial disaster on developing countries, I am of the view that we should do everything possible to get the Doha Round negotiation back on track for a successful conclusion in order to break down barriers to trade, to better market access, particularly in agricultural goods, and to reduce agricultural subsidies," he said.

He welcomed the recent commitment of G20 made in Pittsburg to bringing the Doha Round to a successful conclusion in 2010.

The Monterrey Consensus should be invigorated in order to help developing countries to alleviate poverty and meet the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), he added.

Editor: Yan

News in Pictures: The second anniversary of what is known as the Saffron Revolution in Yangon, Myanmar

Demonstrators enact a mock beating during a demonstration Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. The skit and the demonstration were all part of a ceremony marking the second anniversary of an uprising in Myanmar by Buddhist Monks. (AP Photo/David Longstreath) (CAAI News Media)

Myanmar nationals living in Thailand dress as Myanmar soldiers as they perform during a rally outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 26, 2009. Today is the second anniversary of what is known as the Saffron Revolution in Yangon, Myanmar. Two years ago on this day, at least 31 people were killed during a crackdown on protesters by the military junta. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (CAAI News Media)

A Myanmar national living in Thailand holds up his child during a rally outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 26, 2009. Today is the second anniversary of what is known as the Saffron Revolution in Yangon, Myanmar. Two years ago on this day, at least 31 people were killed during a crackdown on protesters by the military junta. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (CAAI News Media)

Myanmarese monks living in Thailand pray during a rally outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 26, 2009. Today is the second anniversary of what is known as the Saffron Revolution in Yangon, Myanmar. Two years ago on this day, at least 31 people were killed during a crackdown on protesters by the military junta. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (CAAI News Media)

REFILE - CORRECTING DEATH TOLL Myanmarese monks, living in Thailand, pray next to a portrait of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi during a rally outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 26, 2009. Today is the second anniversary of what is known as the Saffron Revolution in Yangon, Myanmar. Two years ago on this day, at least 31 people were killed during a crackdown on protesters by the military junta. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (CAAI News Media)

Buddhist monks offer prayers during a demonstration Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, outside the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. Protestors gathered to mark the second year anniversary of an uprising by Buddhist Monks in Yangon and other parts of Myanmar. (AP Photo/David Longstreath) (CAAI News Media)

Thai police officer receives a letter of protest from Buddhist monks during a demonstration Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, outside the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. Protestors gathered to mark the second year anniversary of an uprising by Buddhist Monks in Yangon and other parts of Myanmar. (AP Photo/David Longstreath) (CAAI News Media)

A beggar waits for offerings outside a popular downtown park in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/David Longstreath) (CAAI News Media)

No extension to Bangkok Airways licence

Writer: Boonsong Kositchotethana

Position: Reporter

Published: 26/09/2009

(CAAI News Media)

After the privately-owned Thai regional carrier was notified of the decision by the Cambodian civil aviation authority yesterday, it said the decision would have a minimal impact on its business.

Bangkok Airways, founded by Dr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, has held an interim permit to operate four flights a day between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh since October last year, when it started operating in place of Siem Reap Airways, an affiliated airline.

Phnom Penh grounded Siem Reap Airways last year after the European Union banned the carrier from flying to EU countries for failing to comply with safety standards.

Mao Havannal, the Cambodian secretary of state for civil aviation, did not explain why the Bangkok Airways' licence would not be extended.

But industry sources said the decision was meant to pave the way for Siem Reap Airways - a Cambodian-registered carrier owned mainly by local investors - to re-start operations.

Siem Reap Airways was grounded in November last year.

Terry Alton, chief executive of Siem Reap Airways, yesterday told the Bangkok Post the carrier was trying to get its operating licence back after meeting the safety requirements.

‘‘There is no indication that they [Cambodian authorities] will oppose our airline from flying again later this year,'' the Phnom Penh-based Australian executive said by telephone.

The airline would fill in for Bangkok Airways, offering four flights a day on the route, he said.

The Siem Reap-Phnom Penh route is Cambodia's only domestic route.

Siem Reap Airways was prepared to compete with the country's new national airline, Cambodia Angkor Air, which was launched in July as a joint venture between the Cambodian government and Vietnam Airlines, said Mr Alton.

Bangkok Airways will suspend four international routes next month as part of a rehabilitation plan to turn its business around after facing its first loss in 40 years.

The four routes being withdrawn from its network are flights from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City and Xi’an, which will be halted from Oct 25, while those to Hiroshima and Guilin will be axed from Oct 27.

The airline earlier stopped flying to Shenzhen, Fukuoka, Macau and Krabi due to weakened travel demand brought about by the global recession.

The regional carrier lost 1.05 billion baht in the 18 months to June this year.

AP: Cambodians Coming Forward To Testify In War Trials

by Ryan ZumMallen
Long Beach News
09.25.09

(CAAI News Media)

Native Cambodians who survived the deadly Khmer Rouge of the 1970s have been coming out in droves in recent months to testify against their oppressors as they stand trial, and the Associated Press today has a story on how the trials have progressed and how some victims are able to speak about the atrocities they experienced. Long Beach plays a central role, because it is home to the nation's largest Cambodian population and some of those quoted in the AP article live in Long Beach. From the article:

From Virginia to California, refugees have spent the past few months pouring out long-suppressed memories to volunteers who fill notebooks with reports of gang rapes, execution, starvation, forced labor and brutal beatings. They attach names of dead relatives, sometimes a half-dozen per person, and scrawl out names of labor camps and far-flung villages where they lived for years on the edge of starvation.

Hopefully these trials will begin to bring closure to a community obviously still haunted by the events of the past. The vibrant Cambodia Town in this city is one of the neighborhoods that makes Long Beach so significantly different from other large, diverse cities.

Here is a success story about Cambodian refugees that found a home and eventual success here in Long Beach.

Bopha Song (left) and Kathy Lor address the crowd as they introduce their shopping center.

In what city officials called a victory for small business in the Sixth District, the Phnom Pich shopping center debuted three new stores at its grand opening yesterday on the corner of Anaheim and Martin Luther King Drive, as the new owners welcomed family and friends in the community to celebrate the culmination of five years of their hard work.

“Our family had a dream that one day we would be able to contribute to the community that has given so much to us,” said Kathy Lor, who co-owns the center along with her sister, Bopha Song. “It stands as a testament to the opportunities available to immigrants in the city of Long Beach. Long Beach is truly the international city.”

The center consists of a Roma Pizza shop, a jewelry store (owned by Song), and a laundromat (owned by Lor). The sisters are Cambodian immigrants who came to America twenty-six years ago with their parents and siblings, in order to escape the terror of the Khmer Rouge. The family settled - and still reside - right down the street from the shopping center they now own.

“From what you came from, you struggled and strived and look what you can do for yourselves,” said Sixth District Councilmember Dee Andrews, who worked with Lor and Song throughout the five-year process of acquiring and developing the property. Andrews repeatedly referred to the center as a “jewel” of the community.

“With this project, they could’ve easily gotten discouraged. But these are very dedicated and persistent women. I even got worried at night but this lady and her sister, don’t tell them what they can’t do.”

City Manager Pat West was also in attendance.

"This is a wonderful center in this busy corridor," he said. "The whole Anaheim corridor is changing before our eyes because of people like Kathy and her family."

1,500 U.S Soldiers to Join Drill in Cambodia

2009-09-27  Xinhua Web Editor: Jiang Aitao

(CAAI News Media)

About 1,500 U.S. military men are expected to join military exercise which is planned to take place in Cambodia in the middle of next year, Cambodian military official said Saturday.

Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman of National Defense said that more than 2,000 military men are reserved for the first-ever event in the country and they will come from more than 20 countries, of which 1,500 will be from the United States.

The military exercise which is to be supported by the United States under a program titled "Global Peace Operations Initiative or GPOI" will take place in June or July next year.

According to the plan, the military exercise will be conducted in Phnom Penh and in Phnom Sruoch district in Kompong Speu province, about 90 kilometers from the capital, the officials added.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh issued a statement saying during a four-day visit to Washington D.C. , Tea Banh, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense had met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and discussed security cooperation between the United States and Cambodia.

During the meeting, they also highlighted Cambodia's ongoing support for international peacekeeping operations and Cambodia's commitment to hosting the 2010 Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) regional capstone exercise.

GPOI is a U.S.-funded G-8 program to expand global capacity to train and equip 75,000 peacekeepers by the year 2010, the statement said.

Peace Operations Initiative was established after the 2004 G8 Sea Island Summit to address growing gaps in international peace operations. The goals of GPOI expand upon the goals of the Sea Island Action Plan. GPOI built policy based on previous peace operations capacity-building programs.

From Russia With Rees: Phnomh Penh (Cambodia)

Saturday 26th September 2009

(CAAI News Media)

The thing I am starting to love about travelling is the terrifying feeling I get every time I step off a bus into an entirely new and overwhelming place. There is about 5 seconds when I just want to curl up in a ball and sing softly to myself while the people jabber and the traffic roars past and I have absolutely no idea of where or what anything is. But I can't. So there is nothing for it except hoisting TB onto my back and striding off into the fray.

And that’s how it was a few hours ago when I was ejected off the bus into Phonmh Penh's busy market place where armies of motorbike drivers were waving and shouting at me. But I stormed on through the panic and located a guide-recommended backpacker joint, which turned out to be a wooden structure hanging (literally) off the edge of the lake, at the end of a dark corridor at the bottom of a dirty muddy street. Fantastic.

But before I get too absorbed in Cambodia, I must bid farewell to Vietnam. I had a wonderful weekend in Ho Chi Minh, which is a really easy place to be. There are restaurants and bars galore, markets, food stalls, interesting sights and proper coffee shops (hurray!). There is the posh district, with flash hotels and Gucci shops; the backpacker village, with family-run guesthouses and laundry for 50p; and then local land, where the markets and food stalls are crammed down alleys and on the edge of streets and the ladies slop noodle soup floating with squidgy things into bowls and smile. There is a lot of traffic and noise but also parks and lakes and families out together. It just seemed to have everything.

Perhaps my calm appreciation for the noisy place comes from having had a full body massage (1.30 GBP) by a trained blind Vietnamese lady. I could practically here my poor shoulders sighing in ecstasy!

I left Vietnam in the pouring rain this morning and vowed that I would be back. It has been a fascinating place, with so much more to offer than I realised. And still so much that I didn't manage to see!

But I must let that go now and embrace Cambodia and the next adventure!

Fired RFA Staff Seek US Ambassador Intervention

DAP News
Saturday, 26 September 2009

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