via CAAI
NA President Meets Newly Appointed Australian Ambassador
Phnom Penh, January 11, 2011 AKP – National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin received here on Jan. 10 newly appointed Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Ms. Penelop Ann Richards.
In the meeting, Samdech Heng Samrin warmly welcomed the diplomatic mission of the Australian ambassador to Cambodia, through which he said the diplomatic relations as well as the bilateral cooperation between the two countries will be further strengthened and expanded.
The Cambodian National Assembly president deeply thanked the Australian people and government for their assistance to the Cambodian people for the cause of peace, national reconciliation and development of the country.
The Australian government has also helped Cambodia in human resource training, socio-economic development by focusing on three main fields – rural poverty alleviation, economic improvement and natural resource management, and law enforcement, he said.
For her part, Ms. Penelop Ann Richards pledged to do her utmost to boost the relationship between both countries, especially between the two legislative bodies.
She further highly appreciated the role of the Cambodian National Assembly under the wise leadership of Samdech Heng Samrin in setting up policies for the national development and the enforcement of the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the Australian diplomat lauded Cambodia’s active role on the international arena, particularly the participation of Cambodia in the peacekeeping missions under the UN umbrella.
She also told Samdech Heng Samrin of the visit of a high-ranking delegation of the Australian Assembly to Cambodia next week. –AKP
By SOKMOM Nimul
Cambodian PM: Nobody Can Interfere in Court’s Competence
Phnom Penh, January 11, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen said nobody can interfere in court’s competence in response to seven Thais entering illegally in Cambodia and being now held in prison awaiting trial.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony held at the National Institute for Education in Phnom Penh on Jan. 10, the Cambodian prime minister said “no matter what the governments or foreigners and the royal government or Cambodians are, it is a judicial procedure,” asking not to make any comments leading to the impact on the trial.
“Let the court continue with the legal procedure,” he said, citing the penal court, the Supreme Court and afterwards the reconsideration of the case.
This second statement of the Cambodian premier was made following those made by Thai leaders including Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva. And there is also a rumor that Puea Thai Party and former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra get involved in freeing the arrested Thais.
“I would like to say this case is related to legal procedure, nobody intervenes, law is a law, court is a court and government cannot order the court to be arranged politically,” he stressed.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also warned any groups from the United Nations not to intervene with the case, saying “Don’t say too much, be quiet better than talking and eating green banana better than nothing.”
The Thais had been arrested by Cambodian border protection army at the border pole No. 46 in Chok Chey village, O Beichuan commune, O Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.
After inquest on the arrested Thais, the Cambodian court decided to charge them two cases. The former is the illegal entry into Cambodian territory according to the article 29 of the Cambodia’s immigration law and the latter is on the bandit deed to enter military base based on the article 473 of the penal code.
For the first case, they could face between 3 and 6 months in prison, and the second case from 6 to 12 months in prison and fine from one million to two million Riel (about US$250 to US$500). –AKP
By THOU Peou
Colombian Foreign Minister To Visit Cambodia Soon
Phnom Penh, January 11, 2011 AKP – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia Ms. Maria Angela Holguin will pay an official visit to Cambodia from Jan. 16 to 20 at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Hor Namhong.
During her visit in Cambodia, the Colombian foreign minister will be received in royal audience by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, according to a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued today.
Ms. Maria Angela Holguin will also hold bilateral meeting with her Cambodian counterpart H.E. Hor Namhong.
Besides, the press release added, she will visit Tuol Sleng Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh and Angkor Temples in Siem Reap province. –AKP
United States Awards New Food Security Program
Phnom Penh, January 11, 2011 AKP – The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has awarded a five-year, US$56 million contract designed to improve food security through enhanced agricultural development and rational management of natural resources.
The five-year, US$56 million contract was awarded to Fintrac Inc., a highly respected U.S.-based agribusiness consulting firm that develops agricultural solutions to end hunger and poverty, according to a press release of the U.S. Embassy dated Jan. 10.
This U.S. Government award will now serve as USAID’s flagship food security activity in Cambodia, Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem STability (HARVEST) Project, will work with public, private and civil society to strengthen food security by increasing agricultural productivity; raising the incomes of the rural poor; preparing the country to adapt to climate change; and reducing the number of Cambodians, especially women and children, suffering from malnutrition.
HARVEST is supported by Feed the Future (FtF), a U.S. Presidential Initiative for food security, as well as other U.S. Government priority initiatives, including global health and climate change. Cambodia is one of twenty priority countries receiving FtF support, and the only country in Southeast Asia.
U.S. Government Feed the Future investments will address key determinants of food security:
• investments in agricultural productivity, agribusiness and market development, and equitable distribution of and control over productive resources
• a multifaceted approach to nutrition
• a long term perspective to foster permanent solutions to chronic food insecurity
Investments will build on existing successes, U.S. and Cambodian expertise and strengths, and be concentrated in strategic areas based on U.S. and Cambodian comparative advantage. They will be designed in close coordination with the Royal Government of Cambodia and with other development partners in order to maximize the collective impact on sustainably reducing hunger and poverty.
A “focus on food” approach to rural income diversification and value-chain strengthening will help the Cambodian agricultural sector to become a major contributor to stable and sustainable economic growth for Cambodia and the region. Improved land and other resources management will conserve and maintain the economic value of Cambodia’s sensitive ecosystems and rich biodiversity as well as reduce the vulnerability of agriculture and rural communities to climate change. Permanently reducing hunger and maintaining sustainable use of natural or communal resources are the central goals of HARVEST; goals that will effectively tackle two of the worst aspects of poverty. –AKP
No comments:
Post a Comment