People fish on the Mekong River in Phnom Penh as the sun rises on September 05, 2010. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A boat navigates the Mekong River near Phnom Penh as the sun rises on September 05, 2010.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Sunday, 5 September 2010
EDITORIAL Welcome overtures
via Khmer NZ
Published: 5/09/2010
The news released by Prime Minister's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul on Friday that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would meet his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept 24 is most welcome, and shows a strengthening of the recent trend that has seen diplomatic relations thawing between the two countries. Mr Ong-art made the announcement upon his return from Cambodia, where he reportedly met and had talks with Hun Sen for about an hour.
The news of the PM's upcoming face-to-face follows on the heels of the reinstatement of the ambassadors for both countries and the normalisation of diplomatic ties.
The ambassadors had been recalled in a tit-for-tat fashion following the appointment of fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra as Hun Sen's economic adviser last November. The reinstatement was a consequence of Thaksin's decision to quit the post.
Although the current state of relations is not quite jovial, it is a big improvement from the low point reached in late July after the contention over Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple proposed to the World Heritage Committee at the WHC's annual meeting, held in Brasilia this year. Even before this the back and forth between the two countries was quite honestly making both sides look petulant and even childish.
While both sides deserve blame for the lack of diplomatic maturity, it was clearly the Cambodian PM's ill-advised appointment of Thaksin that set the stage for the worst of it. He could not have been unaware that taking on a fugitive from the Thai justice system, and one who is still greatly admired by the opposition to the present government, would provoke hostility from the Abhisit government. The fact that he announced his plan to appoint Thaksin as his economic adviser with great fanfare to a media horde as soon as he arrived at the Hua Hin airport to attend the 15th Asean summit, the first hosted by Thailand, is proof that provocation was his intent.
It can only be assumed that the reason for these actions was that Hun Sen was expecting Thaksin to regain power. The recent formal disassociation with Thaksin shows that he has reassessed the political situation in Thailand.
Mr Ong-art reported on Friday that the Cambodian prime minister said that Mr Abhisit should not be discouraged by criticism about his early rise to become prime minister.
''He has voiced confidence that Mr Abhisit will stay in the post for a long time and that the prime minister has grown stronger and proved his leadership skills,'' Mr Ong-art said.
Now is the time for Mr Abhisit to display these leadership skills. It might be tempting for him to hold a grudge against the Cambodian PM for the obvious attempts to humiliate his government, but Mr Abhisit would do much better to accept Hun Sen's peace offering and make moves to strengthen the natural ties between the two countries.
This, of course, will have to start with a negotiated agreement over the Preah Vihear temple. Indications are that this will be a prime topic between the two men in New York.
Mr Ong-art said he explained the legal requirements of the Thai side in the bilateral Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to Hun Sen. A boundary agreement is key to resolving the dispute over the Preah Vihear buffer zone. A JBC meeting is scheduled for the coming week in Bangkok, but there is speculation it will be postponed until after the two leaders meet in New York.
Mr Abhisit may well also need to show his leadership skills in dealing with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The PAD has capitalised on the Preah Vihear issue by stoking nationalist sentiments and adding unnecessary tension to the situation. If the PAD persists in this course and creates obstacles to a fair settlement, then Mr Abhisit must show he can act independently and in the best interests of the country.
These interests very much include good relations with Cambodia. It is important that cooperative frameworks are put in place in many areas, especially economic and environmental, as Cambodia opens itself up to tourism and foreign investment. The two countries share a long border that will be getting busier and busier in the coming years. They also share the Gulf of Thailand, which besides having some of the world's best beaches, is also reported to have large undersea oil reserves.
Cambodians Take First Chinese Language Test
2010-09-05 18:04:12
Xinhua
Web Editor: Zhang Xu
More than 80 students on Sunday took the first Chinese Proficiency test known as HSK in Cambodia.
The test was held in two examination places, one was in Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia in capital Phnom Penh and the other was in a university in Banteay Meanchey Province, about 360 km northwest from the capital of Phnom Penh.
These exam students were from all walks of life in the country, including government officials, university students and members of the public.
Dr. Khlot Thyda, rector of the Royal Academy of Cambodia and the Confucius Institute, presented at exam hall and encouraged students to have a self-confidence and a good test.
A student called Zhou Shengli told reporter that he has learn Chinese language in local Chinese-language school when he was very young, and now he works in a Chinese-funded enterprises. "I want to know which level I have achieved in learning Chinese, so I came here and sat for the test today," he said with full confidence.
Another student, Hu Yongqiang, said that he learned Chinese language from local Duanhua School and have worked for three years. "When I learned there was a Chinese language test, I signed up at once. I want to improve my Chinese language level through the examination."
The growing number of learners for Chinese language over the past decade in Cambodia was attributed to the development of the friendly relationship between China and Cambodia, especially to the further strengthening of the economic and trade relations in recent years.
The Confucius Institute in Cambodia was established on Dec. 22, 2009 and was jointly run by the Royal Academy of Cambodia and China's Jiujiang University in Jiangxi Province.
On Dec. 22, 2009, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping unveiled the first Confucius Institute in Cambodia during his visit in Phnom Penh.
HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is a national-level test of Chinese proficiency for non-native speakers. HSK is seen by many people as an equivalent to TOEFL in the worldwide.
Cambodia's Tourism Up as Neighbours Languish
Some 1,423,505 tourists entered the Kingdom this year to the end of July, up an annualised 13.85 percent. It joins Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Laos as the only ASEAN countries with tourism figures on the rise, according to Ministry statistics.
via Khmer NZ
05.09.2010 | news Newsdesk
Cambodia has seen over 13 percent more tourists during the first seven months of this year, becoming one of five ASEAN countries to see an increase in 2010, according to a Ministry of Tourism report.
Some 1,423,505 tourists entered the Kingdom this year to the end of July, up an annualised 13.85 percent. It joins Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Laos as the only ASEAN countries with tourism figures on the rise, according to Ministry statistics.
Tourism Minister Thong Khon said the Kingdom had the potential to become an even larger draw for regional visitors.
“We have the potential of a huge and great culture which can be used to attract an increasing number of tourists in the future,” he said, and announced the 2011 ASEAN Tourism Forum would be held in Phnom Penh in January.
ASEAN was an important destination for foreign tourists, and Cambodia was becoming increasingly attractive for international tourists, he said.
“We will win the competition, and we need to develop the sector as much as we can,” he said.
Minister of the Council of Ministers Sok An said the government places exceptional emphasis on promoting and developing tourism.
“Daughters of Cambodia” Frees Girls from Sex Industry
via Khmer NZ
Sunday, September 5, 2010
by Marshall Ramsey II, Worthy News US Correspondent
Phnom Phen, Cambodia (Worthy News)-- Daughters of Cambodia, a Christian outreach and rehabilitation program started by British missionary Ruth Elliott, is working to free girls sold into the sex slave industry, Worthy News has learned.
Ruth Elliott has been working in Cambodia for six years to bring girls sold as sex slaves out of the trade. Since 2004, Elliott has worked near the red light district, confronting the practitioners of prostitution head-on, trying to bring them out of the sex trade into a new career and a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
LAUNCHING OUT
According to Elliott, God called her from the time she was 14 for this work. "The Lord began to speak to me," she told CBN. "He wanted me to go into the places that were worst and to facilitate healing the brokehearted and setting the captives free."
In Cambodia, 90% of the prostitutes in the sex trade industry are sold into it by their parents. A number of the girls say their families depend on them for support so they feel obligated to stay.
"They live in the pit of Hell. It's the truth," Ruth said, speaking on the victims' situation. "And they experience horrendous trauma when they come out."
A NEW BEGINNING
Daughters of Cambodia is a day-center started by Elliott that is located near the brothels. They make their own clothing, fashion accessories, and home furnishings and market them locally and overseas.
"We had to start small businesses, which are fair trade businesses, in order for the girls to exit the sex industry," she said. "For without another job, it is just impossible for them to leave the sex industry."
The Daughters of Cambodia center teaches the girls not only new work skills, they also learn valuable lessons for establishing a healthy family and home. "Things like domestic violence prevention, conflict resolution skills, budgeting skills, this kind of thing," Elliott explained. "[Also] drug prevention." Up to 60 girls at a time participate in the program, earning money for rent, food, and other needs.
BRINGING IN JESUS
In addition to teaching the girls how to survive without using their bodies to make money, Elliott also introduces the girls to Jesus Christ. And not to them only, but also to the brothel owners.
"We do build a relationship with the brothel owners and they are welcome in our church program," she said. "We want brothel owners to come. We want pimps to come. We want everyone in the sex industry to come to our church because we believe in the power of Jesus to change everyone's life."
"This involves going directly into the brothels and inviting sex workers who are in the sex industry in Cambodia to change their lives, if they are interested in doing that," she explained.
The message of unconditional love from Jesus Christ is producing great results, especially among the girls. "They respond very quickly to the gospel because they have never in their lives experienced love -- unconditional love and acceptance," Elliott said. "And many of them become Christians as a result of this."
GOD'S POWER AT WORK
The work is not easy. And while it can be dangerous, God's power to protect them is evident in a mighty way. "I have to say we have never, ever, not even one day, had any problems, any brothel owners turn up at our door demanding a girl back or threatening us in any way," she proclaimed. "We have never had a single threat against us. And I can't explain that to you except I believe the grace of God is on us."
The goal of Elliott is to have her girls graduate from the program and live successfully on their own. She hopes to have other Daughters of Cambodia-style centers in other countries with similar needs.
Information for this report was provided by CBN News.
Breaking the chains of addiction in Cambodia
http://www.inspiremagazine.org.uk/
via Khmer NZ
Freedom Cambodia (FC), a partner project of the UK charity Life For The World Trust (LFTW) is working hard with Phnom Penh churches and other ministries to launch Cambodia's first Christian addictions conference.
FC has, under the name Christian Response to Addictions in Cambodia, trained hundreds of workers and volunteers in Christian ministries and churches since 2005. Now FC is setting up a drop in centre for young people who are not only poor but also abusing drugs and solvents.
The conference entitled 'Breaking the Chains' (18 November 2010) is aimed at pastors and church leaders, many of whom face daily the challenge of church families affected by addictions. The conference programme will include a range of workshops on the pastoral issues raised by drug and alcohol abuse and gambling and ways in which churches can provide support for people with addictions.
Organizations Partner to Help Poor Children Prepare For a Better Life
U.S. based Child Rescue, Inc. and Goodwill Community Foundation have partnered to prepare children living in the poor villages of Cambodia’s interior for a better future by teaching them English and basic computer skills.
Denver, CO (PRWEB) September 4, 2010
via Khmer NZ
U.S. based Child Rescue, Inc. and Goodwill Community Foundation have partnered to prepare children living in the poor villages of Cambodia’s interior for a better future.
The endeavor to help children in Cambodia began for the two organizations in 2003 when Child Rescue, Inc. was established to provide a home for orphans living in and around the rural village of Krang Lovea. Since then, the non-profit has cared for over 40 homeless children. Children at the orphanage are taught to speak English as well as reading, writing and arithmetic. Learning English was and is still considered essential for the children who wish to move to large cities like Phnom Penh after they leave the orphanage.
Because speaking English is so important to a child’s future wellbeing, Child Rescue sought other organizations to partner with them to help with the costs of teaching additional, non-orphaned children living in other nearby villages.
In 2007, Dennis McClain, of Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) met with the Child Rescue Board of Directors and agreed to fund a total of 10 schools to not only teach English but the skills required to operate a personal computer and utilize the Internet. In March of this year the two groups saw the first fruits of their combined efforts when eighty children graduated from the first computer training classes that began in December of 2009. A twelfth school teaching English opened in August of 2010 bringing the total number of students enrolled in the English program to approximately two thousand. 94 of the students have opted to take advantage of the computer training.
The English program is spearheaded by Child Rescue, but funding comes primarily from Goodwill so the schools are officially called––GCF Training Centers. Goodwill funding has paid for computers, satellite dishes for the Internet and even generators to produce the required electricity.
Child Rescue also works and raises funds to place young adults who have grown up at the orphanage into colleges or vocational training schools in Phnom Penh.
For additional information contact:
Ken Armstrong–President
Child Rescue, Inc.
303-360-7515
email: ken(at)childrescueinc(dot)org
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi adopt little girl
http://www.thespoof.com/
via Khmer NZ
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Ellen De Generes and her wife Portia de Rossi were in Cambodia to pick up the orphaned girl she is adopting, an official said Thursday.
The couple have refused to speak to the Press about the adoption.
Khut Sophal, manager of the New Adventure agency, which arranged the adoption, said the exact cause of death of the parents isn't clear, but he suspects they died of suicide.
DeGeneres visited the Asian nation last week to file her adoption request, accompanied by Portia de Rossi, an official said Wednesday.
"The paperwork has gone through. Ellen DeGeneres' request was accepted last week," Aki Ra, head of the country's state-run adoption agency, told The Gay Press.
The child "is fourteen years old and came from a brothel in Phnom Penh," Ra said, refusing to elaborate. The actress filed her request through a private adoption agency.
In a posting on a Web site, DeGeneres is quoted as saying the child's name is Marley DeGeneres and that she and Portia de Rossi are "very happy to have a new addition to our family."
Ellen DeGeneres has often talked of adopting a girl from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
She just recently bought a 45 million dollar estate in Phnom Penh, Cambodia where she will live with her family.
For months, rumors have been circulating about the extent of her relationship with Portia de Rossi. Photos published in the July 11 issue of Gay Girl Magazine show DeGeneres standing near several teen girls in Phnom Penh, Cambodia near a rustic store front. The Cambodian girls, all aged 8 to 10, sat in a circle as they ate sweets bought by DeGeneres.
DeGeneres said she has never had sex with a man and is only attracted to females.
Ra said DeGeneres had met the 10 conditions for adopting a child from Cambodia. "The two most important are economic capabilities and caring parents," Ra said. "Although she is a television star, she still has to meet the same requirements as everybody else."
Caring for the orphans costs $115 million a month in a country whose annual health budget is only $140 million. Because of that, Cambodia has gone out of its way to make adoption easier.
Vietnamese naval ship visits Cambodia
09/04/2010
The two Vietnamese naval ships HQ375 and HQ376 docked at a port in Sihanouk city, Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia to begin an official friendship visit on September 3-6.
This first visit by the Vietnam People’s Navy aims to strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries.
Vietnam’s delegation met with leaders of Preah Sihanouk province and the two sides agreed that the event marked a new phase in the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship.
Later, the ships reached Phnom Penh to meet with the Cambodian Minister of National Defense and visited Ream navy base to take part in friendship sports events.
Increase in Cambodia's vultures gives hope to imperilled scavengers
via Khmer NZ
Science Centric | 4 September 2010
While vultures across Asia teeter on the brink of extinction, the vultures of Cambodia are increasing in number, providing a beacon of hope for these threatened scavengers, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and other members of the Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project.
Researchers report that record numbers of vultures have been counted in Cambodia's annual vulture census, with 296 birds of three species found at multiple sites across the Northern and Eastern Plains of Cambodia by the Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project, a partnership of conservationists led by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The record count means that Cambodia is home to the only increasing population of vultures in Asia. Specifically, the census indicates that the country's population of white-rumped vultures is increasing; populations of red-headed and slender billed vultures were found to be stable. All three of Cambodia's vulture species are listed as 'Critically Endangered' by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Vulture populations in Southeast Asia are primarily threatened by the declining number of large herbivores in the region, but have been largely unaffected by a far greater threat to Asia's vultures: the veterinary drug diclofenac. Widely used as an anti-inflammatory drug for cattle in South Asia, diclofenac is toxic to vultures, causing death through renal failure and visceral gout to birds that feed on the cattle carcasses and has led to global population declines higher than 99 percent in some vulture species.
The census success follows a record breeding season for vultures in Cambodia. This year, a total of 36 vulture chicks fledged from colonies across the north and east of the country, an increase from last year's total of 19 chicks.
Vulture conservation efforts in Cambodia are the result of a number of activities promoted by the Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project. For instance, vulture nests are protected by local community members who are paid a small fee for their support. This ensures that vulture nesting success is greatly improved and also benefits local community members who often have few other sources of income during the dry season, which coincides with the vulture breeding season. Vulture food sources are supplemented by 'vulture restaurants,' feeding stations that also give visitors the opportunity to see these huge birds up close.
'By protecting nests and supplementing food supplies, we are saving some of the world's largest and most charismatic birds,' stated Dr Hugo Rainey, WCS technical advisor to the Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project. 'Nowhere else in Asia do vultures have such a promising future.'
While conservationists can point to recent successes in the conservation of Cambodia's vultures, they also warn of the rising threat of agricultural pesticides to the birds. Since December 2008, more than 20 vultures are known to have died from consuming domestic animals that had been poisoned accidentally by the inappropriate use of pesticides. This practice may also present a risk to human health.
Song Chansocheat, Ministry of Environment and WCS Vulture Project Manager, commented that 'Cambodia is the only Asian country where diclofenac is rarely used and vulture populations are managed. We have been monitoring vultures since 2004 and there have been increasing numbers of poisoned birds recently. Educating people about the risk to wildlife and people from incorrect use of poisons is important.'
'Cambodia has become a critical source site for vultures, one that we need to protect as a means of saving these ecologically valuable birds,' said Joe Walston, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Asia Program.
Source: Wildlife Conservation Society
Iranian Envoy, Cambodian Officials Confer on Expansion of Ties
http://english.farsnews.com/
via Khmer NZ
2010-09-04
via Khmer NZ
2010-09-04
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's Accredited Ambassador to Cambodia Seyed Javad Qavam Shahidi met with senior Cambodian officials and discussed ways to boost mutual cooperation.
Commenting on the details of his meeting, Qavam Shahidi said on Saturday that Cambodia is keen on fostering bilateral ties with Iran in various fields.
The Iranian diplomat added that he met with Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong, Minister of the Office of the Council of Ministers Sok An and Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Suy Sem.
During the meetings, he state, the two sides conferred on ways to raise the level of trade cooperation, increase investments and promote cooperation in oil, gas, technical, engineering and political fields.
Earlier in August, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki announced that Iran and Cambodia plan to further boost their political, economic and diplomatic cooperation.
"As regards trade, we agreed to bring Tehran-Phnom Penn relations into a new era through holding national fairs in each other's countries, active participation in the two countries' international fairs, and reciprocal meetings between the two counties' chambers of commerce and ministries of commerce," Mottaki stated, speaking at a press conference after his meeting Namhong here in Tehran on August 10.
Mottaki said that he and his Cambodian counterpart had also agreed to work on tourism as a main agenda for the expansion of ties.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)