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Koh Pich Tragedy: The Main Mistake Is Under-estimation of Situation
Phnom Penh, November 30, 2010 AKP -- The main mistake leading to the stampede tragedy on the last day of the Water Festival was carelessness and under-estimation of the situation.
“Our main mistake was under-estimation of the situation and the number of the people who came to enjoy the Water Festival,” said here yesterday Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen while presiding over the inauguration ceremony of the office building of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation.
“It was not a crowd of people, but a sea of people,” he added.
The Cambodian premier also took the opportunity to underline that no official resigns or to be punished from this tragic event because, he explained, no one knew it in advance. The royal government was trying utmost efforts on the day of accident to help the victims on the spot and to avoid mass chaos or panic from the public gathering in the whole city on the day, he stressed.
He further warned some politicians not to politically exploit the corpses and their families’ pain.
Despite the tragic incident, the Water Festival will be celebrated as usual, but the government will take strong measures and all necessary precautions to avoid a repetition of the accident, said Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
For Koh Pich, it will be developed as planned without any change and the government will use the place for one of the venues for the upcoming meeting of more than 100 political parties scheduled to be held in early December.
The Koh Pich tragedy occurred on the night of Nov. 22 on Pich Bridge of Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center in Phnom Penh when millions of Cambodian people were celebrating the last day of the annual Water Festival. The official dead toll has now reached 351 with 395 others injured.
According to the prime minister, each family of the deceased victims could receive the cash donation of at least US$12,000, while the injured people, they get free treatment. If they are in critical condition, they can be sent abroad for treatment and the government will be responsible for the cost. --AKP
(By SOKMOM Nimul)
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Cambodia Requests S. Korea to Assist Its Film Sector
Phnom Penh, November 30, 2010 AKP -- With a plan to establish Cambodia film school, the Culture and Fine Arts Minister H.E. Him Chhem requested the Republic of Korea to support the sector.
The Culture and Fine Arts minister made the request in his Nov. 26 meeting with the newly-appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Cambodia Chang Ho-jin at the ministry office, Phnom Penh.
In response to the request, H.E. Chang Ho-jin promised to endorse it for a discussion with his government.
Support in terms of musical instruments was also proposed by Cambodia when the two countries are committed to strengthen cultural cooperation for mutual interest.
Taking the opportunity, the South Korean ambassador invited H.E. Him Chhem and other concerned officials to attend the Korean Film Festival in Cambodia to be held from Dec. 3 to 5 at Lux Cinema. --AKP
(By MOM Chan Dara Soleil)
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Archeological MoU’s Signed with Cambodia
Phnom Penh, November 30, 2010 AKP -- The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts on Nov. 26 signed two Memorandums of Understanding – ancient bone research with Sydney University of Australia and archeological research with Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Heritages.
According to Heritage Director Aok Sophon who represented the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in the signing, the 2-year cooperation with the Sydney University is worth US$12,600. It aims to research ancient human bone and natural environment so as to understand ancient people’s movement and housing.
To be carried out in Banteay Meanchey province, the result of the research will be included in the Asian ancient context.
The cooperation with the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Heritage, added H.E. Aok Sophon, is worth 250 million yen (opproximately US$3,000,000) and will last for five years in Kampong Chhnang province. This is both a research and training coordinated by Japan for Cambodia in terms of archeological research.
Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Heritage collaborated with Cambodia since 1993 in various Angkorean areas. --AKP
(By MOM Chan Dara Soleil)
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