AKP - The Agence Kampuchea Press

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Cambodian Army Fight to Repel Thai Invasion

PHNOM PENH, February 4, 2011 AKP – The Thai army has invaded Cambodia again on Friday 4th February 2011 at 3pm (local time), said Cambodian government’s spokesman.

Cambodian armed forces have been forced to take aggressive defensive measures to repel approximately 2000 invading Thai soldiers along six points well inside Cambodian territory.

The fighting erupted at least 500 meters inside sovereign Cambodian territory at Sambouk Khmum and Veal Entry and spread to another four locations.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said “although Cambodian soldiers tried to negotiate to stop the Thai soldiers from invading Cambodia, the Thai army kept moving deeper into Cambodian territory and opened fire without provocation on Cambodian forces. We have a right to self-defense against the Thai invasion to protect our land.”

The Thai invasion came after several hours of painstaking negotiations on Thursday from 4 p.m local time onwards where Cambodian soldiers had persuaded the Thai soldiers to withdraw.

Instead of staying within Thai territory, the Thai soldiers chose to invade Cambodia again on Friday 3 p.m (local time). The Thai forces made an about turn, invaded Cambodia without provocation and fired aggressively. Cambodia is forced to defend its territory and is using all means at its disposal to repel the Thai soldiers who at one point were more than 500 meters inside Cambodian territory, taking advantage of the buffer zone agreed upon previously before the invasion.”

An Asian diplomat said that “the Thai invasion came after the People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) pressured Abhisit-led government to do whatever necessary to free the two convicted, Thai spies currently imprisoned in Cambodia.”

The Thai invasion appears to be well planned and coordinated as the Thai Foreign Minister is currently in Cambodia to attend the Joint Border Commission (JBC) meeting, said the diplomat.

“This is no accidental exchange of shots facing off each other. This is planned and premeditated to try apply pressure on Cambodia to free the two imprisoned Thai spies,” said the diplomat.

It is believed that at least four Thai soldiers were captured deep inside Cambodian territory at Veal Intrei.

Thai soldiers rushed into the buffer zone and moved up to 500meters into Cambodian territory at:

1) Phnom Trab 2) Sambok Khmom 3) Chak Chreng 4) Veal Intrei 5) Ta Tho 6) Ta Sem

and fired vigorously into Cambodian forces defending sovereign Cambodian territory.

By Ek Madra, AKP Contributor

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JICA Continues to Support Gender Mainstreaming Project in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, February 4, 2011 AKP — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has announced its support to the Cambodian Ministry of Women Affairs’ Gender Mainstreaming Project Phase II, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the ministry.

The five-year phase II of the project is aimed to promote the economic status of Cambodian women and to strengthen the join implementation with five partner ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training.

Mr. Kobayashi Yukiharo, representative of JICA to Cambodia, praised the Ministry of Women Affairs for its determination in promoting gender equality, focusing on women’s economy, which he said contributes to increasing social well-being and economy. –AKP

By Théng

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Cambodia To Host International Mines Meeting in Late 2011

Phnom Penh, February 4, 2011 AKP – Cambodia will host the Meeting of the States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in late November or early December this year, Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC)’s senior official said.

Government representatives from over 150 countries are expected to join the one week-long meeting, according to Mr. Heng Ratana, director general of CMAC.

This is the first time that the country hosts such a meeting since it became a State Party to the treaty in Jan. 1, 2000, he said.

From 1992 to 2010, CMAC has found and destroyed some 2.1 million mines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs), said H.E. Heng Ratana, adding that in 2010 alone, over 150,000 mines and UXOs were found and destroyed.

CMAC is an internally-recognized institution and so far many countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Columbia as well as many African countries have come to Cambodia to learn and share experiences with CMAC. –AKP

By CHEA Vannak

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“qb 013” Company To Sponsor the First-ever International Horse Racing in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, February 4, 2011 AKP – Cambodia Advance Communication Ltd. of qb 013 planned to give a sponsorship to the first-ever international horse racing with jumping over fences in Cambodia and sought cooperation with the Ministry of Information.

Faroug Abu Saleh, director of Cambodia Advance Communication Ltd. of qb 013 who met with Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith on Feb. 3, said that his company has run telephone operation here for three years.

He said he has not held a talk yet with the ministry to create the cooperation in telephone and network service and other services to allow his company to meet the need.

The company has had telephone and network service in 17 provinces and expected to extend its coverage to other areas across the country.

H.E. Khieu Kanharith appreciated qb 013 Company for its operation in Cambodia, asking the company to cooperate with the ministry in the call in show in response to the listeners’ opinions because there are many radio stations being installed by the ministry in the provinces, municipality and cities in the country. –AKP

Article in Khmer by HUN Yuth Kun

Article in English by THOU Peou

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EFEO To Hand Over Temple Conservation Archives to Cambodia

Phnom Penh, February 4, 2011 AKP – The French School of the Far East (EFEO) will hand over archives related to the conservation and development of ancient temples since 1907 to >Cambodia, EFEO Director Mr. Franciscus Varellen told Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Sok An here on Feb. 2.

EFEO will also transfer knowledge in architecture through training programs and help repair the West Mebon Temple, he underlined.

EFEO has already completed the restoration of Baphuon Temple and it is planning to organize a workshop on the school’s works, Mr. Varellen added.

In reply, H.E. Sok An, also minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, profoundly thanked EFEO and the French government for their assistance to the restoration of temples in Cambodia and their intention to hand over archives and transfer knowledge in conservation and development of ancient temples as well as to help repair the West Mebon Temple.

He further recommended the APSARA and Preah Vihear Authorities to continue their close cooperation with EFEO and the French Embassy. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom