via CAAI News Media
Japanese Scientists Seek Cambodian Officials to Attend the Science Forum in Japan
Saturday, 06 March 2010 12:15 DAP-NEWS/ Ek Madra
Japanese delegation met with the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on late Friday in which Japanese scientists sought Cambodian officials to attend the forum of Science and Technology in Society (STS) which will be held in Kyoto in October, 2010.
The Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum, which is a non-profit organization, inaugurated in November 2004 and hold an annual meeting started in October every year, in Kyoto, Japan.
The meeting is aimed at creating a global human network based on trust and providing a framework for open discussions regarding the further progress of science and technology for the benefit of humankind, while controlling ethical, safety and environmental issues resulting from their application.
Deputy Prime Minister Sok An received Koji Omi, is a founder and chairman of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum with the aim of building a worldwide network among scientists, policymakers and business people.
Mr. Omi, in the bilateral talk, sought Sok An to send the Cambodian delegation to attend the forum which is to be held from 3 to 5th October.
Omi was seeking to have between 10 to 20 Cambodian officials, of the different institutions, to take part in the coming forum.
“Last year the forum received 85 countries, but so far there are not many from ASEAN block especially from Cambodia,” he said referring to 6th Annual Meeting, which was held in October 6, 2009 in Kyoto, Japan.
The forum received more than 800 including scientists, policymakers, business executives and media leaders from the region and international organizations.
The forum agreed the needs for more support from the developed countries to strengthen their capacities and human capital for science and technology.
They also agreed to maintain investment in the field of science and technology and continued to promote the said field as the driving force for economic recovery and sustainable growth. Nuclear power is crucially important to decrease carbon emissions, they agreed.
They also agreed how to handle the population growth and climate change in the wake of the food crises and the issue of the clean water.
For ASEAN block, where an estimated 500 million population lived, needed more developments to meet the growing demands in the long run, which intrigued the Japanese scientists to see the participations from the block is crucial in exchanging their views for the sustainable developments. “It is very important to have more participants from ASEAN,” he told Sok An.
ASEAN, which is the 10 member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, consists of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
“There is huge potential development for ASEAN countries, so there is need cooperation among the countries to exchange views,” he said.
In respond, Sok An said Cambodia is considering the request given the Cam-bodian government’s budget is slim. “We are highly appreciated your comment the importance of the participations, but I do not expect that I can get much budget from our government since we have cut spending a lot already,” Sok An told the group.
“I agreed with Your Excellency that the more participations the more we will be motivated, but our problems is we do not have much budget available,” Sok An, who is also the Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, told the delegation.
Japanese officials, however, said they are “very much appreciated with the Cambodian officials listened to their explanations about the main goal of the forum”.
PM Hun Sen meets with Kalmykia President
Saturday, 06 March 2010 03:34 DAP-NEWS
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday met with Kirsan Ilyumzi-hinov, the president of the autonomous Kalmykia state of Russia. The two discussed investments in mines and energy.
Ilyumzihinov told Hun Sen that he aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and Kalmykia wants to invest in mine exploration, the energy sector and telecommunications in Cambodia, Eang Sophallet, assistant to the PM, told reporters after the meeting.
Next month, Kalmykia will send researchers to Cambodia.
Hun Sen recommended Kalmykia cooperate with Suy Sem, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy and So Khun, Minister of Telecommunications and Post, Eang said.
Ho Vann’s Immunity Returned
Saturday, 06 March 2010 03:33 DAP-NEWS
A Cambodian National Assembly Committee on Friday decided to return criminal immunity to opposition party lawmaker Hor Vann after a Justice Ministry request.
Ho Vann’s immunity was removed after complaints filed by high-ranking army officers over degrees awarded by a military university Vietnam.
Son Chhay Criticizes Anti-Corruption Draft
Saturday, 06 March 2010 03:33 DAP-NEWS
Cambodian opposition party MP Son Chhay on Friday criticizes the draft of the long-awaited Anti-Corruption Law, saying it was not specific enough to tackle corruption.
His remarks were made before the National Assembly (NA) were during a session to talk about the Anti-Corruption Law draft on March 10, 2010.
Speaking at the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) main office in Phnom Penh, Son Chhay welcomed to the government’s sending of the draft to the NA said it lacks no specifics.
“The draft of anti-corruption does not contain the corruption meaning, as the draft just only advise the citizens to understand the corruption,” Son Chhay explained to about 30 reporters. “The declaration of assets is done in hidden way.”
Om Yentieng, the government’s Anti-Corruption Committee president, could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Cheam Yeab, a Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker, said Son Chhay could use his freedom of expression but must “not affect others.”
Anti-Corruption law has been delayed since 1994, much to the frustration of the Cambodian public, the political opposition, donors and development partners, civil society and the international community. Endemic corruption is consistently cited as one of the most serious problems in Cambodia, a country that by most measures is among the world’s most corrupt.
The government sent the draft to the NA on February 24, 2010.
Soy Sopheap Visits Takeo to Test Fertilizer
Saturday, 06 March 2010 03:31 DAP-NEWS
Secretary General of Golden Rice Association (GRA) and General Director for the Deum Ampil Media Center visited testing at Takeo with AZOMITE-Organic experts on Wednesday, a GRA official said.
A GRA official told DAP News Cambodia that Soy Sopheap was helping investigate natural fertilizers. It is hoped chemical fertilizers can gradually be replaced.
One farmer participating in the testing, Khi Vannak, said that the ZOMITE-Organic fertilizer “is better than the chemical used in the same field.”
Diamond Group Manager Khut Chantha told DAP News Cambodia the organic fertilizer is made in the US, but is imported and distributed by a German company.
Nightclubs Closed, At Least 120 Detained
Saturday, 06 March 2010 03:32 DAP-NEWS
After Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned he would close all illegal clubs, especially those involved in the sex trade, Chamkarmon authorities in Phnom Penh detained at least 120 people during raids, including 51 women.
Ya Kim yi, one military officer involved in the raids, said 200 officers were involved. An AK47 with 40 bullets, narcotics and other illegal materials were confiscated during the crack down.
Featuring “sex dancers,” the clubs operated Sunday to Thursday for Khmer teenagers, and mostly foreigners on Friday and Saturday, Ya said. He warned other such establishments would be targeted.
Amnesty Appeal for Rape Victims
Saturday, 06 March 2010 03:31 DAP-NEWS
Amnesty International on Friday urged the Cambodian government to take action to protect victims of sexual violence as it saw reports of rape increase.
Survivors of rape in Cambodia face limited access to justice, medical services and counseling, Amnesty International said in a report issued on Friday as rapes of women and girls appear to be increasing.
Breaking the silence: Sexual violence in Cambodia, issued to mark Internat- ional Women’s Day, exposes how corruption and discrimination within the police and courts prevent survivors of rape from receiving justice and required assistance, while most perpetrators go unpunished, the Amnesty International added.
“Dozens of survivors told us that they face extortion, ignorance and disbelief from officials whose job it should be to assist them and protect their rights,” said Donna Guest, Amnesty Interna-tional’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director. “For too many survivors of rape, the pursuit of justice and medical support adds further distress to the initial abuse.”
Amnesty International researchers found sex workers and women living in poverty faced serious obstacles in seeking justice and medical services.
They were unable to pay bribes which were often required of them from the police and others, and could not afford legal or medical services.
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