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PM Hun Sen Attack Environmental Extremists’ Criticism on Hydropower Projects
Phnom Penh, December 31, 2010 AKP -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has attacked the environmental extremists for the criticism on a number of hydropower plant construction projects in Cambodia.
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, made the attack while presiding over a ceremony on Tuesday to block a river to build “Russey Chrum Krom” Hydropower Plant in Koh Kong province.
“Is there any development project that does not affect the environment and natural resources?” Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen asked the environmental extremists to give acceptable answers.
He referred to a number of examples in producing oil, gas, cement and steal using the natural resources that also cause the environmental problem.
To have a 338-megawatt hydropower plant at Russey Chrum Krom, the river had to be blocked and the surrounding forests would be inundated, but it was a swap for electricity, he further clarified.
If the reliance on gasoline and diesel needs to be reduced, and the energy safety needs to be guaranteed, so there must be the searches for the sources of hydropower and other alternative energies, he said. --AKP
Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary
Article in English by Ravuth M.
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AKP/02
Cambodian FM: No Release of 7 Thais Entering Illegally Cambodia
Phnom Penh, December 31, 2010 AKP -- Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that there is no release of seven Thai entering illegally Cambodian territory.
The Cambodian foreign minister told this to reporters after meeting with his visiting Thai counterpart, H.E. Kasit Piromya, on Dec. 30.
“Let the legal procedure proceed the case as normal and as long as it is in hand of the court, the royal government cannot do anything,” he said.
The seven Thai nationals, including “yellow shirt” activist Veera Somkwamkid, had been arrested on Dec. 29 by Cambodian army.
He told Thai foreign minister that it was not the first time that Thais entered illegally Cambodia, but it was the third times, he said, explaining that the first was in July and the second in September, but they did not go too deeply into Cambodian soil, they were then banned by the Cambodian army and sent back to Thailand.
“The arrested Thais intended to go to Chok Chey village about 1,200 meters away from the border and they did not lose their way and they traveled across the border pole No. 46,” he said.
H.E. Kasit Piromya acknowledged that he did not know the Thais went to Cambodian village like that, he said, adding that the case went to the court’s hand and let juridical procedure proceed it.
Thai Foreign Minister H.E. Kasit Piromya said that he came to Cambodia to tell the truth of the Thai side and he respected the justice movement and demanded that the Cambodian royal government do as much as possible to finish the issue soon. --AKP
Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary
Article in English by THOU Peou
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AKP/03
DPM Hor Namhong Meets U.S. Lawmaker
Phnom Penh, December 31, 2010 AKP -- A visiting U.S. Lower House Member Ms. Laura Richardson met here on Dec. 29 with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Hor Namhong.
On the occasion, Ms. Richardson said that she will discuss with U.S. Lower House members to write off the debts Cambodia owed to the U.S. during the U.S.-backed Lon Nol regime.
Through the U.S. Lawmaker Ms. Laura Richardson, H.E. Hor Namhong asked the American government either to convert some part of the debts to development assistance or to write off all the debts or some part of the debts.
Moreover, both sides also focused on the cooperation between Cambodia and the U.S., said Koy Kuong, undersecretary of state and spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. --AKP
By CHEA Vannak
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AKP/04
National Forest Programme Launched
Phnom Penh, December 31, 2010 AKP -- A 160-page document on the implementation of the National Forest Programme 2010-2029 was launched here on Dec. 29 in the presence of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries H.E. Chan Sarun.
Some 300 officials of the Forestry Administration and representatives of community forestry, NGOs, private sectors, foreign embassies attended the launching ceremony.
On the occasion, H.E. Chan Sarun praised for the close cooperation between the Forestry Administration and relevant partners, especially DANIDA, DFID, NZAID, FAC and NFP Facility in setting up the National Forest Programme approved by the Council of Ministers on May 7, 2010 and officially signed by Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen on Oct. 18, 2010.
The National Forest Programme is aimed at creating a social framework and an appropriate policy in sustainably managing all types of forests, he said, adding that it will help develop the field of forestry in contribution to developing the economy and improving people’s living standard. --AKP
By SOKMOM Nimul
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AKP/05
Phnom Penh To Build Underpass
Phnom Penh, December 31, 2010 AKP -- Phnom Penh Municipality is planning to construct the first ever underpass to avert the capital city’s traffic congestion, Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Kep Chutema said yesterday.
Today there are around 2.5 million residents, 180,000 vehicles and 900,000 motorbikes in Phnom Penh, therefore underpass is one of the choices to be applied in the future, he said.
Nhem Saran, director of Phnom Penh Public Works and Transport said the underpass would be built at the intersection between Mao Tse Tung, Kim Il Sung and Russian Federation Boulevards. --AKP
By KHAN Sophirom
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AKP/06
Increasing New Media Access and Its Impacts on Cambodian Politics
Phnom Penh, December 31, 2010 AKP -- Giving the increasing trend of Cambodian web browsers, the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) on Dec. 31 organized a roundtable discussion on new media and the impacts on politics at Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh.
According to the Cambodian Publication Review produced annually by the Department of Media and Communication of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, as of 2010 there are more than 110 thousand web browsers among the Cambodian population of around 14 million. And 72 percent of the browsers are male.
In his presentation, CCJ President Pen Samitthy shared his observation of declining readership of print media and the increasing browsership of new media, adding that Cambodian government is also starting to turn their interest to new media.
In his example, Mr. Samitthy projected high number of Facebook fans of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, especially for his greeting message posted in July that reads “…I love you all and without you I am working for nobody…”
It is reflected that limited access and knowledge about the new media among Cambodians, especially those in the rural areas, may restrict political role in the means. However, it will not be true in the future as more and more internet coverage has been made possible from time to time.
Funded by Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the roundtable discussion also highlighted drawbacks of the not-yet-controllable new media not only in political, but also in cultural and social aspects. To maximize positive consequence of the emerging new media, it calls for the collaboration among policy makers, media practitioners, development agency and other stakeholders.
Talking about his experience, Radio France International reporter Ky Soklim said that the new media can influence voters. “Traditionally a political belief of a family can be shaped by the family leader or anyone who is more knowledgeable in the family. Therefore, when influenced by abundant information from new media, those key persons in the family may change their political stance.” The question is how the politician can take advantage of this.
For the print media journalists, the new media poses new challenges as warned by the CCJ president Pen Samitthy that questionable quality and ethical standard as well as issue in terms of timeliness are becoming more critical now if the ‘traditional’ journalists want to sustain. --AKP
By MOM Chan Dara Soleil
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