AKP - The Agence Kampuchea Press

via CAAI

President of Timor Leste To Visit Cambodia Next Week

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, will pay a state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia on Mar. 29-31 at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

During his visit, the president of Timor Leste will be received in royal audience by His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia at the Royal Palace, said a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dated today.

H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta will also respectively pay courtesy calls on Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim, National Assembly Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, and hold official talks with Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the press release pointed out. –AKP

______

PM: Government Has No Plan to Recruit New Army

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – The Royal Government of Cambodia has no plan to recruit new army, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen said yesterday.

Speaking at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training’s annual meeting, Premier Techo Hun Sen said although we have to protect our motherland at the border, our government has no plan to recruit new army.

“Don’t worry, we have no plan to mobilize our students, workers and youth since the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces already have enough soldiers. There are a lot of our youths who want to join the army, but we can’t afford it since the number of our soldiers is in surplus now,” Samdech Hun Sen stressed.

On the occasion, the Cambodian premier once again called on the Cambodian people to be vigilant so that they do not fall in the trap of illegal labor ring-leaders. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by KHAN Sophirom

______

Cambodia Welcomes Ceasefire Monitors

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Sok An told visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joseph Yun on Wednesday that “the Indonesian military observers’ mission will be very important for monitoring the ceasefire and the protection and salvation of Preah Vihear Temple.”

“Cambodia is ready to cooperate with the Indonesian military observers”, the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers quoted H.E. Sok An, who is also Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, as assuring Mr. Yun.

The Cambodian deputy prime minister said that the presence of the 13 Indonesian military observers on Cambodia’s side of the border would “contribute to building trust for both countries as well as to preventing the danger of further crimes against culture.”

He further informed the U.S. delegation that Thailand is trying to avoid any meetings mediated by a third party.

H.E. Sok An said that Thai military commanders, according to Thai media reports, did not want to attend a scheduled meeting on April 7-8, to be held in Indonesia. The meeting had already been postponed once because of Thai reluctance.

The deputy premier also showed photographs of serious damage to the 900-year-old Preah Vihear Temple caused by Thai troops’ artillery fire. “The Thai troops even fired at the sign board calling for the protection of this world cultural heritage,” he said.

H.E. Sok An also briefed the delegation about the Thai troops’ use of unconventional weapons, namely cluster munitions and gas shells, during their Feb. 4-7 attack. He noted that the Thai military is again building up its forces along the border, including tanks and heavy weapons.

During the Feb. 4-7 attack, at least six Cambodian military and police were killed and at least 30 Cambodians were wounded. More than 3,000 Cambodian families were displaced from areas near the Temple of Preah Vihear.

H.E. Sok An said that Thailand has violated the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, which ruled that: the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. The Court found that Thailand is under obligation to withdraw any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory. Thailand is under an obligation to restore to Cambodia any objects of the kind specified in the Cambodia’s fifth submission which may, since the date of the occupation of the Temple by Thailand in 1954, have been removed from the Temple or the Temple area by the Thai authority. –AKP

______

Human Rights Reporting Training Course for Journalists Closes

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – The Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) closed yesterday a human rights reporting training course, awarding certificates to 50 trainees, of them 25 are from provincial media units, in the presence of Secretary of State at the Ministry of Information H.E. Thach Phen.

The course was aimed to help increase Cambodian journalists’ knowledge and capacity, especially in effectively reporting the human rights issues, said CCJ President Pen Samitthy.

According to Mr. Chhay Sophal, a CCJ board member, the CCJ has during the past ten years trained more than 1,000 journalists from different media units throughout the country.

Mr. Rafael Dochao Moreno, chargé d’affaires of the European Union Delegation to Cambodia, stressed on the importance of human rights reporting, saying that it provides news related to the violation of human rights law and helps strengthen good relations between journalists and the public.

For his part, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Information H.E. Thach Phen attached a lot of importance to the human rights reporting skill, praising CCJ for running the course to increase the knowledge of journalists and their related skills. –AKP

By Théng

______

Cambodian Higher Education Association Delegation Returns Home

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – A delegation of Cambodian Higher Education Association returned home on Mar. 23 after paying their 10-day visit to the United Kingdom.

The visit was aimed to contribute to enhancing the education of Cambodia, exchange and study the experiences and culture of the UK, the structural management and UK universities’ study program and to improve relations between Cambodian and UK’ universities, Mr. Ly Chheng, President of Cambodian Higher Education Association, told reporters upon the arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport.

During its stay in the UK, the delegation has visited a number of famous universities, including the University of Greenwich, Regent’s College, London Metropolitan University, the University of Wolverhampton, York St John University, Leeds Metropolitan University, Calderdale College, the University of London, the School of Oriental and African Studies and St Mary’s University, he said

The 16-member delegation is from Beltei International Institute, Phnom Penh International University, New York International School, Cambodian Banana University, International University, Vanda Institute, Home of English and Home of Khmer. –AKP

By LIM Nary

______

Fifteen Carved Statues of Buddha Blessed in Preah Sihanouk Province

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – Fifteen newly carved statues of Buddha were blessed by 555 monks in a ceremony held in the western coastal province of Preah Sihanouk on Mar. 18-20.

The monks, invited to attend the blessing ceremony, were from the provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Takeo and Prey Veng.

Of the fifteen statues, the biggest of more than 11 metres high and four metres wide is made of granite rock, originally from Kampong Thom province.

The construction of the carved statues costs roughly US$70,000 funded by the provincial governor and charities.

The statues, displayed under the banyan tree in the garden park, aims to let the Buddhist followers bring the offerings for praying, mainly promoting the beauty of the provincial town, a chief of sub-district of the provincial town was quoted by an AKP reporter as saying.

The banyan, taken from India in former State of Kampuchea and based on Cambodian Buddhist followers’ believes, is a symbol of where the Buddha as a God Master achieved enlightenment and left behind the rule of conducts to the next generations to follow. –AKP

Article in Khmer by SVAY Kethana

Article in English by THOU Peou

______

Embassy of Japan Opens Bank Account for Donations for Quake Victims

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – The Embassy of Japan in Cambodia has opened a new bank account for those who want to make donations in order to help the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The following is the full press release of the Embassy of Japan dated Mar. 21:

1. The Embassy of Japan would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Cambodia for their messages of condolence and sympathy for the victims of Tohoku district, off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake and tsunami which caused devastating human and physical damages on Friday, 11th March.

2. (1) The Embassy also appreciates the many enquiries from the people of Cambodia on how to make donations in order to help the victims in Japan. The Embassy opened a new bank account which will be used specifically to accept such donations. Bank account information is as follows;

Name of Bank: Cambodian Public Bank

Payee name: Embassy of Japan in Cambodia (Earthquake)

Account No.: 010-02-10-05966-0

(2) The Embassy also accepts donations on weekdays, from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 1 2:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

3. Donations can also be made directory to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Please see below information for details.

4. While the Embassy appreciates offers of relief supplies and dispatch of assistance persons, the Government of Japan is unable to ensure smooth integration of these efforts to the activities running on the ground at the moment. The Embassy is thankful and appreciates your understanding of this situation.

-Direct donations to the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS)-

1. Donations for the victims through the JRCS (Note: JRSC will distribute donations to the victims through local government in devastated areas): If you need a receipt, please indicate it in the payment slip. Bank account information is as follows;

Name of Bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Name of Branch: Ginza

Account No.: 8047670 (Ordinary Account)

SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT

Payee Name: The Japanese Red Cross Society

Payee Address: 1-1-3 Shiba-Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN

2. Donations for relief activities by the JRCS (Note: Donations will be specifically used for the relief activities undertaken by the JRCS): If you need a receipt, please indicate it in the payment slip. Bank account information is as follows;

Name of Bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Name of Branch: Ginza

Account No.: 8047705 (Ordinary Account)

SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT

Payee Name: The Japanese Red Cross Society

Payee Address: 1-1-3 Shiba-Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN

______

U.S Chevron To Establish Office in Cambodia in May

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – U.S. Chevron has planned to open its office in Cambodia on May 1, the company’s officials told Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers H.E. Sok An in a meeting here on Mar. 22.

They further reaffirmed the company’s commitment to make further progresses with Cambodian National Petroleum Authority (CNPA), according to the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers.

H.E. Sok An, also CNPA Chairman, welcomed U.S. Chevron to establish its office in Cambodia. “We have been working together for years but Chevron has yet to have a

permanent office. We can now achieve a new phase by establishing an office in Cambodia,” he said.

The Cambodian deputy prime minister said that having the company’s permanent office in Phnom Penh will be vital to increase the level of cooperation between the company and CNPA on how to prepare and train human resources to work for the company’s project.

“It is very good timing. And you know very well that we need skilled people to work on Chevron’s off-shore project,” he told the delegation. “We have to pay high attention to human resources.”

H.E. Sok An also said that Cambodia’s Ministry of Education has been working with the Ministry of Labour and the concerned National Vocational Training Centre for preparations to train the locals on how to work on Chevron’s central production platform and processing facilities.

The company officials said it is a great opportunity and is ready to work with CNPA to get the first oil project running for contribution to the Cambodian economy.

Mr. Steve Glick has been appointed as President for Chevron Overseas Petroleum (Cambodia) Ltd. in Cambodia.

In a meeting with Mr. Frank Sampson Jannuzi, Policy Director for East Asian and Pacific Affairs for the majority staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the United States, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Sok An said that Cambodia expects to produce its first oil in December 2012 from “Block A” where Chevron is drilling.

He has said that Cambodia will spend the oil revenue wisely in social sectors for the

benefit of the nation and its people. –AKP

______

Cambodian, Cuban Foreign Ministers Agree to Boost BilateralRelations

Phnom Penh, March 24, 2011 AKP – Foreign ministers of Cambodia and Cuba on Wednesday in Havana agreed to strengthen bilateral relations that have enjoyed close cooperation and friendship for over 50 years, Chinese News Agency Xinhua reported.

“Cuba has always supported Cambodia in all fields, particularly during the most tragic period in our history,” said Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Hor Namhong. He will be visiting Cuba until Thursday.

“Our political relations have always been very close and we support each other,” said H.E. Hor Namhong after a meeting with his Cuban counterpart H.E. Bruno Rodriguez.

Cuba and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in April 1960 and both countries have suffered from economic embargo by the United States.

“On behalf of the government and people of Cuba, I thank Cambodia for the continued solidarity, especially in the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) vote against the U.S. blockade against Cuba,” H.E. Bruno Rodriguez said.

Cambodia and Cuba maintain collaboration in the field of education. 30 young Cambodian university students are currently studying in Cuba. –AKP