Remarks by Deputy Secretary Negroponte in Cambodia

US Department of State

John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
September 16, 2008

It is a pleasure to be in Cambodia and to see the progress that has been made over the past several years. I have had a number of productive meetings, including with Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. We discussed the many positive ways that the United States and Cambodia cooperate, and we explored ways to deepen our bilateral relationship. My trip here is also an opportunity to emphasize our commitment to strong regional engagement in Asia.

The United States and Cambodia have a good and growing relationship. We are working together to improve the lives of Cambodians. The first Peace Corps volunteers recently marked their one-year anniversary. We are spending roughly $32 million per year in Cambodia to improve health and are cooperating closely to address HIV/AIDS and avian influenza. We are also working together in the areas of refugee matters, cultural preservation, and humanitarian demining. Our military-to-military relationship is growing stronger, and we value interaction with Cambodia in the areas of counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and POW/MIA matters.

We welcome Cambodia’s increasing involvement in solving regional and global problems. Once the beneficiary of a United Nations peacekeeping operation, Cambodia today has peacekeepers deployed in Sudan. Cambodians have also provided demining assistance to Afghanistan and Iraq.

We have also been impressed with the strides that Cambodia has made in its efforts to combat trafficking in persons in recent years, and the progress of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. The State Department intends to work with Congress to make available an initial contribution of $1.8 million this year to support the tribunal. We expect to be active among donors to the tribunal to ensure that it continues to improve its management and addresses the issue of corruption. This decision to seek funding for the court reflects our commitment to see this process through to its conclusion and to help Cambodians build a society based on the rule of law.

In all of my meetings, I also stressed the importance that the United States places on respect for human rights, open access to the media, and a free and fair electoral process.

Relations between the United States and Cambodia are at a high point, but there is more work to do. We look forward to continuing our efforts with the Royal Government of Cambodia to strengthen the rule of law and further economic development.

Let me now take a few questions.

Released on September 16, 2008

Press Conference by Deputy Secretary Negroponte in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

US Department of State

John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
September 16, 2008

QUESTION: When you talk about the 1.8 million in funding to the KRT, will it be contributed directly to the UN side or the Cambodian side – this is the first question. Secondly during you talk with the Prime Minister Hun Sen, did he ask for UN intervention on the issue of the border problem with Thailand.

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: On the first question subject to correction by the Chargé d’affaires I believe that the contribution will be made to the UN side – the 1.8 million and I would stress again that this is an initial contribution and I think the important point about the contribution is that it represents a threshold contribution by the United States to provide material support to the tribunal.

Your second question I believe related to the dispute with Thailand over the temple, and what I would like to say here is that we think that this is a dispute a difference that should be resolved peacefully between Thailand and Cambodia and that it should be preferably resolved bilaterally between the two countries. We think that is the most effective way of dealing with this problem, and we think that it is important that the use of force or coercion be avoided at all costs because that would risk undermining some of the great progress that has been achieved in this region in terms of peaceful economic development.

QUESTION: Good morning Deputy Secretary – my name is Douglas from the Cambodia Daily and I’ll try and be brief. I have two questions regarding the Khmer Rouge tribunal. One was that as you well know there has been a congressional ban on funding the tribunal pending a finding by the State Department that the Cambodian judiciary is free and fair and that the court meets international standards. If you could tell us about that review – whether or not it has been completed.

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Let me first say that my understanding is that that ban no long exists – it expired about two years ago. That would be the fist point – the second is that I think I’ll ask the Embassy to put out a fact sheet about the tribunal so that some of the details that I may not have complete mastery of can be made clear but I think what my point that I would make is that we believe that the conditions are both appropriate and opportune to make this contribution and we have been talking to our congress and those who are interested in the tribunal and I think there is generally a consensus that this is a good time to move forward in support of the tribunal.

QUESTION: Just quickly my second question concerned the fact that the funding for the court would soon expire this would appear to be one moment where donors have the greatest leverage to request changes in the court. Could you tell us how the US feels about the possible investigation of corruption claims in the court and any changes that need to be made?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well as I mentioned in my prepared statement we think it is important that the court be managed properly and we will certainly spare no effort on our part to ensure that not only our resources but the resources of the international community as a whole are put to good use and this is certainly one of the themes that we will be emphasizing with those concerned. There have been some issues about the management of the court but they have not risen to the level where we felt that it justified withholding any contribution to the court. We think it is a good time to go ahead, we’ll have as a result of that a voice along with the other donors and certainly when we see issues and problems we’re going to be sure that they are called to the attention of the right people.

QUESTION: Ker Munthit from AP – can you elaborate a little bit whether there will be conditions or a mechanism that the US will attach to the contribution to make sure that the money…

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: I think I said - at the risk of being repetitive I really believe that I’ve said all that I can say. If you want further background from the Charge d’affaires or the Embassy I would refer you to them after the press conference.
Question: Good morning to you sir – I am Madra from Reuters – sir you said Washington is going to fund 1.8 million for this year – will the US look to further contribute to the tribunal in the future?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Yes – I think that is our hope, it definitely is in our planning and we have included a proposal in the budget for future years that calls for continued contributions to be made to the court. That of course will require, any budget in any system requires the approval of the legislature but that is certainly the position of the executive branch so we’ll make this initial contribution but in future fiscal years we hope to be able to continue to make a contribution and hopefully even increase the size.

QUESTION: Hello sir – another quick question. Why the US want to give funds to the KRT now, why not before.

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well I mean I think one of the reasons that was mentioned is there had been reservations in the past on the part of our Congress but I think the point to make here is first of all we have decided to go forward, and secondly I think that like many other people we think it is important that this tribunal be able to carry out its work and succeed. There have been a number of people arrested now who are awaiting trial. There is a trial that is about to take place perhaps as early as November. I had the opportunity to meet a Canadian prosecutor. So this seems to be a distinctly opportune moment to make an announcement about our contribution but I think the main thing is that we want to help this tribunal succeed, and we think it definitely has the chance to succeed.

QUESTION: Just today you met the opposition leader and what did you talk about with them and what about the compromise between the opposition leaders and Hun Sen’s government

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well I think it would probably not be very prudent of me to comment in any detail about questions that have to do with the relationship between the government and the opposition I did have a opportunity to meet with a couple of opposition leaders, those who had members elected to the national assembly and in the election that took place in July I also had a chance to meet with members of civic society both here and when I was up in Siem Riep. I think the point that I would make is that in July Cambodia had it’s fourth national election since 1993. You’ve had elections for a national assembly in 93, 98, 2003 and now in 2008 and this for a county that emerged from such difficult circumstances this is a very positive track record a very positive development and each of these elections have been progressively less violent and have been carried out under better and better conditions so we welcome that and we think that that bodes well it augers well for the future of Cambodian democracy.

QUESTION: Did you advise them to go to the swearing in ceremony in the palace?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Look – I didn’t offer any particular advice frankly. I listened more than I gave advice. I haven’t been to Cambodia in many many years and for me this was an opportunity to listen and learn about what is happening here and certainly it is not for me to give advice, specific tactical advice to the political actors here. We certainly favor democracy, we favor human rights, we support elections and we want them to be fair and free but I think that our concerns and the kind of advice we give is at a more general level than what is being suggested by your question.

QUESTION: Good morning, my name is (inaudible) – I would like to ask you could you please tell us about FBI progress in the investigation of the journalist’s killing in July, Mr. Kim Sambo from Mnesekah Khmai?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Right – I’m aware of the fact that the FBI is cooperating with the Cambodian authorities in investigating this killing, and I think that is a positive thing I think it is a welcome development and we want to be as helpful as we can but I happen not to know what progress is being made and normally as you can appreciate even if I was aware of some of the details we would probably not reveal them at this stage because investigative matters are usually kept confidential until they are ready until the investigators or the investigative authority is prepared to make its findings public, so even if I did know any of the details it would not be appropriate for me to reveal them publicly. I think perhaps I’ll take one more question.

QUESTION: I’m from thePhnom Penh Post – for military relations between the US and Cambodian government – what further developments can we expect, and can we expect the US to provide lethal material to Cambodia.

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: I think that the focus of our effort is in such areas as peacekeeping, support for peacekeeping efforts and we welcome Cambodia’s role in that, especially as I said in my statement they have been the beneficiaries of peacekeepers in the past, and they have peacekeepers in the Sudan. Demining efforts, perhaps some officer training in exchanges, so it’s that kind of focus that we have at this particular time. Another would be ship visits, visits by some of our naval vessels, we’ve had several in the past year and we can imagine, we can visualize those continuing and perhaps increasing but those would be the kind of areas in which we contemplate a military cooperation between the two countries. I want to thank you for this opportunity – ok – one last question.

QUESTION: Just would like to know will the White House invite Prime Minister Hun Sen. Is there any plan for that to happen?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well I’m not aware of any such plan and at the moment as you know we’re in the final stages of our own electoral campaign between now and the 4th of November and we will have a new administration in January so I would think that any possible meetings at that level and in Washington would probably have to wait till the next administration although I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that our leaders might meet one way or another during the course of some of the international meetings that are taking place between now and the end of this year.

Thanks you very much.

Released on September 16, 2008

CAMBODIA: Human trafficking likely to increase

Photo: David Swanson/IRIN
Lured by the prospects of better job opportunities, many men have fallen victim to human traffickers as well

" Trafficking is a mega-problem in Cambodia. It's becoming a critical issue that needs to be tackled head-on, in a coordinated and comprehensive way. "

PHNOM PENH, 17 September 2008 (IRIN) - Trafficking in Cambodia is set to rise with the sharp increase in food and fuel prices, according to humanitarian workers.

"The lure of a better life and a secure income is bound to trap more unsuspecting youngsters into the grip of these trafficking rings," Lim Tith, project coordinator for the UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP) in Cambodia, told IRIN.

"Trafficking is a mega-problem in Cambodia," said Vicheth Tuon, chief executive officer of the NGO Coalition to Address Trafficking and (Sexual) Exploitation of Children in Cambodia (COSECAM).

"It's becoming a critical issue that needs to be tackled head-on, in a coordinated and comprehensive way," he said.

According to the UN, men, women and children are susceptible to trafficking, with some trafficked inside the country and others sent abroad - mostly for labour exploitation.

Some women and children are recruited from the countryside by gangs and inducted into the sex trade in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, while most end up in domestic service, factories, ships or as beggars.

"I came to Phnom Penh to work in a restaurant," a 22-year-old bar-girl, Pong Ly Kaeng, said. "The owner came to our village in Svay Raeng and promised my sister he would look after me and pay me a good salary. So I went with him. But I left when the owner tried to make me have sex with a customer.

Then my cousin found me a job in the bar. But I don't sleep with all my customers." Such stories are typical among the girls working in the capital's entertainment industry, in "hostess" bars, Karaoke clubs, beer gardens and brothels.

"At least 20 percent of sex workers in Phnom Penh have been trafficked," said Lim. "It is difficult to estimate the number of people being trafficked into Phnom Penh to be commercial sex workers, but it is a constant stream, probably between 200 and 500 a month," he said.

Trafficking abroad

But there have also been reports of women being trafficked abroad for sexual exploitation.

"A few years ago there was a major case of Cambodian women being smuggled into Somalia," said Lim. "There have also been a few cases of women being transported to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to become commercial sex workers. Of course there are also many Vietnamese women who have been trafficked from southern Vietnam to work in Phnom Penh's sex industry," he said.

Many of them are under-age, a Cambodian aid worker who monitors the situation, told IRIN.

Another disturbing trend is children being trafficked to neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam to work as street sellers or beggars.

Photo: WFP Cambodia
Most trafficking victims come from Cambodia's impoverished countryside

Most of the girls selling flowers in Bangkok's red light districts are Cambodians - including seven-year-old Kimmi from Phnom Penh, who has been selling roses in Nana for more than two years after her father sold her to a trafficker for US$50.

Cambodian children, especially from the western provinces, are being trafficked to Vietnam to beg and to a lesser extent work as scavengers in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh.

"Handicapped children are particularly vulnerable, as they are believed to be more effective beggars," said Lim, adding that up to 700 children a month were being trafficked across the border.

Cheap labour

Yet most Cambodians who are trafficked end up in sweat shops, construction sites, fishing trawlers and domestic service, mainly in Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan.

"One of our current concerns is Cambodian men who are being trafficked to work on fishing boats in Malaysia and Thailand," Lim said.

More than 4,000 a year were being trafficked, passing through a network, from one local recruiter to another in Phnom Penh or the border town of Poipet, to a Thai gang and then sold on to a boat, he said.

Conditions on many of the boats, which go out to sea for up to six months, are reportedly intolerable, with few safety precautions taken.

"Once on the fishing boat, life is unbearable; we get little to eat and are often beaten," Kong, a former Cambodian fisherman on a boat based in southern Thailand, said. "It's so bad there are only two choices: commit suicide or jump ship," he said.

According to the UN, more than 200,000 trafficked Cambodians are working in factories and boats in Malaysia and Thailand.

"The situation remains critical, and the fact that it remains hidden makes it much harder for the government and development workers," Tuon said.

Woman establishes school in Cambodia

Post Independent GLENWOOD SPRINGS

By Stina Sieg
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — In an act of charity, it takes real love to empower people, rather than make them depend on you. Kari Grady Grossman has come to understand that.

The reason why is quite a journey.

In 2001, she was a freelance journalist, working for the Discovery Channel’s website and living in the mountains of Wyoming. These days, she’s a Front Range mother of two adopted children, an award-winning author and founder of a successful school in her son’s native home of Cambodia.

“To be honest with you, I’m kind of in awe,” she said.

She’s not the only one.

Her recent book, “Bones That Float: A Story of Adopting Cambodia” has won several accolades, and Grossman herself has been named “Peacemaker of the Year” by the Independent Publisher Book Awards. She’s given presentations across the country, and thousands have bought her memoir. People seem eager to hear her story. That doesn’t mean, however, that it’s a simple one to tell.

Her connection to Cambodia began when she and her husband, George, wanted to start a family and faced infertility. World travelers already, they thought of international adoption immediately. Grossman liked the idea of being part of some distant place.

“You’re not just American anymore,” she explained. “You’re Cambodian-American. You’re Indian-American. You’re really connected with your child’s history.”

She completely took that to heart.

After adopting Grady, now 8, from an orphanage, she learned about his country’s complex history, about the abhorrent acts committed by its government and the role our own government had there. What she saw was a corrupt, war-torn nation, and she just wanted to help. Full of empathy and good intent, she started up the Grady Grossman School in a small, mountain town and began a nonprofit to support it. For years, she acted mostly in a fundraising capacity. Her efforts were valiant, but something was missing. She wanted more for these people.

“It wasn’t very empowering for them to depend on a nice girl in Colorado to raise money for them,” she explained, “And (what) we really needed to do with that community was empower them to support their own school.”

What she was dealing with was a culture so used to foreign aid that its citizens felt entitled to it. It was frustrating for Grossman, as she wanted these people to feel they could help themselves. At Grossman’s school there were constant absences of both teachers and students, and some of the surrounding areas were completely deforested, as the trees were cut for fuel. The two issues might seem divergent, but they weren’t. It all stemmed from an economic and social depression, one that discouraged any form of creative problem solving. These people didn’t feel ownership over their own lives, and they’d been scared into silence about it for years by their government. They were desperate and had no idea how to make things better.

So Grossman decided to shake everything up for them.

These days, the Grady Grossman School is completely different than before. Teachers want to be there, because they’re compensated extra for their attendance. The town’s environmental nightmare has been squelched, as Grossman found the residents a way to make briquettes out of waste instead of using wood. The manufacturing of this burnable material generates income, as well, which helps the residents stay afloat, and allows more kids to stay in class. Instead of just being given funds, people have to work for them. If they want a library or some other addition, they have figure out how to pay for it. Slowly, the people who want change are taking over the reigns of their lives — economically, socially and educationally.

Strangely, by making the villagers more fiscally accountable, it’s as though Grossman’s setting them free.

“Our mission is to empower communities to sustain schools through economic development,” she said, adding later, “We’ve kind of stumbled on a real answer.”

In America, her nonprofit, formally known as Friends of the Grady Grossman School, is now Sustainable School International. As she sees it, this is a totally new way of running a charitable organization. She can’t help but want to spread it far and wide. But, of course, when it comes to dealing with people, nothing is cut and dried. Though her family moved to Fort Collins to be closer to a major airport recently, Grossman can’t always be in her adopted village to oversee things. She has Grady and her 4-year-old daughter, Shanti (from India) to take care of. In her absence, all kinds of things can happen. People can make mistakes and argue and use poor judgment. They’re human. They are what makes Grossman’s efforts so complicated and trying — and absolutely rewarding, too. This is really about people, after all, not the schools.

“You’re telling them you believe in them,” she said.And that’s what makes all this possible.


Floating bones
In Cambodian, the expression “bones that float” means “the sacred that rises above the suffering.” It’s also the title of Kari Grady Grossman’s memoir and historical look at Cambodia. In 2001, Grossman adopted a little boy from the country and decided to establish a Cambodian school, which a portion of the proceeds from her book funds. She’ll be speaking about her experiences, reading from “Bones” and showing a documentary film produced by her husband, George, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library, 413 Ninth St. The presentation is free. For more information, visit Grossman’s website at www.bonesthatfloat.com.

Cambodia, Thailand trade jibes in border spat

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Cambodia and Thailand swapped accusations of violating each other's territory Wednesday in a simmering spat about disputed land near ancient temples along their border.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thai soldiers of being thieves ''creating anarchy'' around border areas, including at the ancient Ta Moan and Ta Kwai temples.

''We cannot accept this act,'' Hun Sen said, calling for fresh border talks with Thailand.

The Thai foreign ministry in return issued a statement protesting that Cambodian soldiers had violated Thailand's sovereignty by periodically occupying Ta Kwai temple in August and September.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Cambodia denies PM called for Thailand to give up ASEAN chair

www.chinaview.cn

2008-09-17

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Minister of Information and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith denied reports made by the Bangkok Post that Prime Minister Hun Sen had called on Thailand to give up its temporary chairmanship of ASEAN, national media reported Wednesday.

"Prime Minister Hun Sen never ... made any comment that would impact Thailand's position as chair of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations)," Khieu Kanharith was quoted as saying in a statement released Tuesday, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

The statement said that Hun Sen's comments only related to Thailand's ability to host a forthcoming ASEAN summit in light of current political troubles.

Hun Sen had no intention of disrespecting Thailand but was addressing a broader issue of concern for all ASEAN members, the statement said.

Khieu Kanharith was responding to a Bangkok Post report claiming that Hun Sen had called on Thailand to abandon its chairmanship of ASEAN in favor of Singapore or Vietnam.

The article added that it was "unusual" for ASEAN countries to comment on the internal disputes of their fellow members.

The Cambodian government only wants to see the political situation in Thailand return to normal in order to guarantee peace and harmony among ASEAN members, the statement said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Editor: Bi Mingxin

UN human rights envoy to Cambodia resigns

ABC Radio Australia
September 17, 2008

The UN's special envoy for human rights to Cambodia Yash Ghai has resigned after arguing with Cambodian officials and complaining of being repeatedly insulted by Prime Ministrer Hun Sen.

The Kenyan lawyer gave unusually blunt assessments of the government's reform failures.

He was snubbed by government officials during a visit in December when he declared the country's judiciary had failed.

Cambodia lodged a formal complaint against Mr Ghai with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Cambodia 'sympathises' with Thai Asean chair

Phnom Penh (dpa) - Cambodia said Wednesday that it was concerned about Thailand's ability to host the upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in December.

Cambodia sympathised deeply with Thailand during its period of political turmoil and was suggesting a contingency plan for the scheduled summit of leaders of the 10-member bloc, government spokesman Khieu Kanharith, said in an official clarification issued by the Information Ministry.

"Until now, the government's desire is nothing but to see the Thai situation become normal in order to have peace and harmony in Thai society and the Asean community," the statement read.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that Asean might consider a more stable host such as Singapore or Vietnam for December's summit if Thailand remains troubled.

The chair rotates annually in alphabetical order and hosting the summit is prestigious. Thailand took the chair from Singapore in July but has been wracked by demonstrations that saw Government House overrun and a new prime minister installed Wednesday.

Hun Sen's spokesperson Ieng Sophallet referred questions to Dr Chap Sotharith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP), who said Cambodia's security worries were legitimate and not without precedent.

"Cambodia is an Asean member so we have a right to speak our concerns," Hun Sen said, pointing out that the 2006 summit in the Philippines was postponed, officially due to a looming storm.

He said Thailand has "also previously expressed concerns about us" and that dialogue within ASEAN was healthy. CICP describes itself as an independent, neutral, non-partisan research institute.

Letter to Co-Investigating Judges and Co-Prosecutors of ECCC

Cambodian Action Committee for Justice & Equity
No: 3 Fountain Ave. Cranston RI, 02920 Web: www.cacje.com, Email: cacje@cacje.com

"CACJE’s mission is working & advocating for Social Justice & Human Equity"

Read the original letter

No: 0035/CACJE

Date: 16th Sptember 2008,

To: Mr. Yu Bun Leng and Mr. Marcel Lemonde, Co-Investigating Judges of ECCC; And
Ms. Chea Leang and Mr. Robert Petit, Co-Prosecutors of ECCC.

Address: National Road 4, Chaom Chau Commune, Dangkao District, Phnom Penh
P.O. Box 71, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tel: (855) 23 219 814, Fax: (855) 23 219 841

Object: Request to broaden and deepen the investigation to individual and group of high ranking officers who had ordered, had executed the mass slaughtering of thousand (s) people and who commanded the Santibal (Security forces) during the Khmer Rouge regime.

Cambodian Committee for Justice and Equity (CACJE) can’t accept the investigation report that made by Co-investigation Judges of an Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) that said in a statement on August 8, 2008 that its investigating judges issued the indictment upon ending their investigation of Kaing Guek Eav — also known as Duch — whose Phnom Penh prison was used as a torture center.

CACJE requests the ECCC to broaden and deepen its investigation to other individual and group of high ranking officers who had ordered or had executed the mass slaughtering of thousand and more people and those who commanded the Santibal (Security forces) during the Khmer Rouge regime.

Thousands of documents have been collected and hundreds of mass graves, prisons and memorials have been mapped by the Vietnam Experts and Research Committee of the Salvation Front (Renakse) during 1979, the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) and the Cambodian Genocide Program. These will be made available to the court

At Nuremberg Court, which was created immediately after the victory of the allied forces, the evidences can be reasonably established because the majority of evidences were recent, only less than four years old and the memory was still fresh while the evidences that the ECCC will use for its investigation and verdict were at least 33 years old and live witnesses did not yet participate fully and freely.

The bulk of evidences that the ECCC will use to decide on its investigation and its verdict came from the documents of Tuol Sleng Prison, S-21 which were deposed at Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-CAM) and constituted almost the whole archives of DC-CAM.

CACJE has some witnesses who still alive, they declare that when S-21 was liberated in January 1979 S-21 was empty. There was nothing inside. No bone, no archives, nothing. All the bones and skulls which were exposed now at S-21 were transported by trucks from village Laang Sala,
[Phnom Sam Pov] of Battambang Province. Those bones and skulls were not the ones belonging to people who were tortured and executed at S-21.

S-21 was close to Beung Trabek Prison. Beung Trabek Prison was under the power of Comrade Hong aka Hor Nam Hong. Beung Trabek Prison had tortured and slaughtered more than one hundred thousand people. Compared to Beung Trabek Prison, S-21 is nothing. It was a political decision to make S-21 more important than Beung Trabek Prison.

The bulk of documents, physical evidence, such as mass graves and former prisons, and statements and testimony by victims, witnesses and defendants were fabricated and doctored by Hanoi government officials.

For example, Ta KEU (aka Nhim Sophal), Ta KAO (aka Ros Ngim/Moul Sambath) and Ta PET (in charge of security forces) were respectively the number one, the number two and the number three of the Northwest region (Phumpheak Peay Yorp). Almost one million people have died/slaughtered in that region during the Khmer Rouge regime under their watch 1975-1977
June 1977, Ta KEU and Ta KAO fled with their 38 headquarter staff officers to Thailand. They escaped by cars and abandoned their cars at Bovel district city, Battambang Province, then, walked toward Thailand. The distance to Thailand border was one day walk. They lost their way and fell in Khmer Rouge border guard’s ambush in Anlong Thngan village. The fugitives were all killed. But according to Toul Sleng, S-21/DC-CAM files Ta KEU and Ta KAO were tortured and confessed and recorded a long report and then killed in Toul Sleng Prison, S-21.

April 21, 1975, Venerable Buddhist monk Chief PON SAMPHEACH, Col. Leng Raoul and others 19 Army officers surrendered to Khmer Rouge Army. KEO (Khmer Rouge Army Division commander), Saravuth (Khmer Rouge Army Brigade commander), Khleng (Khmer Rouge Army Brigade commander) backed up by 40 soldiers accepted their surrender. Then, they transported those surrendered people by cars to Veal Bekchan Battambang airport. Not far from the airport, the Khmer Rouge soldiers bind the surrendered people hands one by one and kill them all and buried their corps under a tall tree. But according to DC-CAM file, Venerable PON SAMPHEACH was tortured with confession and died at Toul Sleng Prison, S-21.

CACJE requests the ECCC to widen and deepen its investigation to all level of administration high ranking officers, top down, from head of state levels to village level, people who had ordered or had executed the order or participated to the execution of the order to kill/slaughter several thousand and more people in order to render justice to family members of the victims. At least five thousand of "people who had committed the crime against humanity" lived free now.

Sincerely,
Sourn Serey Ratha

Copy to: Chief Mission

 UNAKRT Office in New York
 Foreigner Embassy in Phnom Penh
 Local & International NGOs
 Local & International Media

Sacravatoons : " Power & Money "

Courtesy Sacravatoon

Sacravatoons :" Two Toons on Preah Vihear Temple "

Courtesy Sacravatoon

Cambodia needs 1.14 bln USD to develop 7 hydropower projects

XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
Source: Comtex Business

PHNOM PENH, Sep 16, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) -- Cambodia needs 1.14 billion U. S. dollars to develop seven priority hydropower projects out of the 29-hydropower-project master plan, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The location of the hydropower sites will be in the northeastern and southwestern of Cambodia, according to the report from a joint study by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Cambodian Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy (MIME).

"We have to discuss them in details to implement the priority hydropower projects," said Ith Prang, Secretary of State for MIME.

"When we have electricity from hydropower, it will provide electricity supply of cheap price and help reduce poverty in the country," he added.

The report said that Cambodia has two existing hydropower stations, including Kirirom I and O Chum with the capacity of 12 and one megawatts respectively, which are already operated by Electricity Authority of Cambodia.

The hydropower master plan is a part of generation expansion in Cambodia, the report said, adding that the target is 100 percent of village electrification, including battery lighting by 2020 and 70 percent level of household electrification with grid quality by 2030.

On the East Side, Cambodian Two Ways

Alex di Suvero for The New York Times. OLD AND NEW The catfish crepe at Kampuchea.

The New York Times

By LIGAYA MISHAN
Published: September 17, 2008

IT looked as if 2008 might be a breakout year for Cambodian food after epicurious.com predicted in December that it would become the new Thai.

Julien Jourdes for The New York Times
In June, Jerry Ley opened Cambodian Cuisine, which moved from Brooklyn

Yet here it is September, and we seem to have only two Cambodian restaurants in New York City: a relocated Cambodian Cuisine and a revived Kampuchea.

Kampuchea isn’t even really Cambodian; Cambodian-inspired is more like it. Kampuchea, Khmer for Cambodia, opened in 2006 on the Lower East Side as Kampuchea Noodle Bar, a name that remains on its awning but not in its publicity. (A good thing too, as noodle bar pretty much says, “I want to be Momofuku.”)

The chef, Ratha Chau, was a child when his family fled Cambodia. This may be why Kampuchea evokes an expatriate’s vision, looking like an old shop front, with dark wood communal tables and drinks in Mason jars.

Initial reviews complained of a reticence in seasoning. Two years on, that has been redressed, as brazenly exemplified by the plate of pickles ($8) that ratchet up in heat clockwise. Equally aggressive is the bwah moun ($15), a chili ginger lime broth laden with rice, shrimp and chicken.

Mr. Chau is ostensibly focused on street food, but he harbors greater ambitions. Green papaya, traditionally a julienne in a salad, is run through a mandoline and paired with strips of cured duck breast ($11), coolly sweet and salty at once. Less successful are sweetbreads, which soak too long in a mushroom broth.

To serve authentic food seems less of a priority than to appeal to the young and restless who haunt the Lower East Side. The grilled corn and chili mayonnaise, sticky with coconut ($6), is more South American than Southeast Asian.

A savory crepe cradles peppered catfish ($14). Variations on num pang, a sandwich akin to the Vietnamese banh mi, come on sturdy baguettes ($12 to $16). Fillings like house-cured bacon, tucked in with charred chilies ($13), earn happy sighs. But veal hoisin meatballs err on the sweet side, and the oxtail was anemic.

In June a less glamorous Cambodian outpost appeared on the Upper East Side. The forthrightly named Cambodian Cuisine started life in Fort Greene, but Manhattanites visiting the Brooklyn Academy of Music urged the chef, Jerry Ley, to move. Trouble with permits, faulty piping and a threat of eviction delayed its opening for nearly three years.

The new space feels like the charming, hodgepodge restaurants you’d find in Phnom Penh: a family affair, with the chef’s wife and sister out front; Khmer wedding music trilling; TVs playing sports with the sound down. (All that’s missing is karaoke.)

The menu is bewilderingly long and vague. Neophytes may wind up with a meal they can get at a Chinese restaurant. Best to heed the house favorites, including ahmok, a highlight of Cambodian home cooking ($14.95). Customarily made with fish steamed in curry until it achieves a mousse-like texture, here it takes the form of chicken, breaded with curry and swamped in coconut curd. It’s delicious, with biting citrus notes and a subtle flare of heat.

The same goes for prahok, the fermented mudfish paste that’s in nearly every Khmer dish. It takes a starring role in prahok ktis, with ground chicken and the national spice palette of galangal, ginger and lemon grass, served with vegetables to dip ($17.95). The flavor is gratifyingly deep.

No meal in Cambodia is complete without soup, or samlor, and the versions found here are the real deal, a pitched battle between sour and sweet, whether teeming with turmeric (samlor mchoo kroeurng, $14.95) or chunky with tomato and pineapple (samlor mchoo moen, $3.95).

In a concession to local palates, salmon is offered: fried, of all things. Go for the tilapia instead ($17.95), a closer approximation of Mekong River fish.

If Cambodian Cuisine represents the old Cambodia, gracious and earnest, Kampuchea is the new: erratic but exciting. Poised at opposite ends of the East Side, the restaurants are not so much rivals as points on a spectrum.

Kampuchea
78 Rivington Street (Allen Street); (212) 529-3901; kampucheanyc.com.

The Boeung Kak residents requesting Hun Sen’s support

Cambodge Soir

17-09-2008

While a court complaint was filed over the filling of the lake, the Boeung Kak residents have the intention to travel to the Prime Minister’s residence in Takmao on Wednesday morning, 17 September.

The residents intend to ask Hun Sen’s intervention in order to stop the lake filling operations already started by the Shukaku Inc. Company. Another important problem is the subject of compensations. This action is the result of the impossibility to reach an agreement between the residents and the local authorities. It ensues from a complaint over the filling of the lake, which the court has to examine before the 19th of September.

Moreover, the residents’ lawyer is studying the possibility of cancelling the contract signed between the company and the Phnom Penh authorities. The latter had granted a 99-year land lease to Shukaku Inc. However, for such a procedure the court requests an advance payment of 50 to 100% of the costs. The lawyer estimates this amount to reach 160 million riel (40,000 dollars), which will be difficult to find.

Cambodian movie receives award in the United States

Cambodge Soir

17-09-2008

Viewed as the medical Oscars, the FREDDIE’s, awarded by the International Medical and Health Agency, have sanctioned the Cambodian movie “Facing the Truth”.

Produced by Khmer Mekong Film (KMF), “Facing the Truth” has been awarded a prize in the category “Prevention”, where it outran American and Canadian productions. Also nominated in the category “Infectious Diseases”, “Facing the Truth” tells the story of two Cambodian sisters who discover at the same time that they’re pregnant and decide to take an Aids test.

The movie was shot around Phnom Penh, directed by the Cambodian, Tom Som, and written by the Brit, Matthew Robinson. It was part of the prevention campaigns around children’s health and intra-uterine transmission risks.

The award ceremony will take place on the 14th of November in Philadelphia. KMF hopes to be represented by two people, amongst whom Tom Som.

A road safety campaign

Cambodge Soir

17-09-2008

The Centre for National Culture and Social Ethics announced the distribution of 15,000 booklets in Phnom Penh and in the provinces, aiming to sensitise the drivers on the traffic rules.

Po Samnang, director of this non governmental organisation, announced that the distribution of booklets with the Traffic Law and of a pedagogical book about road safety will take place on the 24th of September in Phnom Penh.

“Through our action we want to celebrate the anniversary of the Constitution of the Kingdom, established in 1993 during the elections organised by the United Nations. It’s also about reducing the number of traffic accidents”, explains Po Samnang.

According to the Centre’s Director, the road situation still lacks structure. The number of accidents still remains too high. Handicap International Belgium counts an average of four deaths per day on the roads. According to the NGO, this number is the result of a lack of education and information. Through the distribution of these booklets it hopes to reach 30 to 40% of the road users. The distribution of these books targets the poorest people like the motodops, the tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

This project, which will start in Phnom Penh, will be extended to other provinces; Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu and Takeo. These are the regions with the most dangerous roads.

Hun Sen on the forefront of the political scene

Cambodge Soir

17-09-2008

The Prime Minister, clearly in the best of form, has randomly brought up the subjects of Preah Vihear, the Khmer Rouge tribunal and the oath ceremony of the future deputies, in the presence of the US Deputy Secretary of State.

Phnom Penh, Monday 15 September; on the occasion of the signing of a bilateral agreement with the United States, represented by the Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, Hun Sen couldn’t resist bringing up some current events with the journalists.

Regarding Preah Vihear, the Prime Minister has reminded the patience of Cambodia concerning the regular encroaching of Thai soldiers. Addressing his American host, he added that his country is ready to inform the UN Security Council in the event of a war, deploring that currently “one doesn’t know who to talk to on the Thai side in order to lead negotiations”.

The Government Leader was more optimistic regarding the funding of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, revealing that the United States are soon likely to make a declaration concerning this subject. In reality, Joseph A. Mussomeli had spread the news, declaring on the day of his departure that Washington would accept funding this mixed tribunal after a long period of distrust.

Finally, less than 10 days before the swearing-in of the deputies of the next National Assembly, Hun Sen noted that “although the opposition still doesn’t accept the election results, it’s still keeping its seats”. Faking surprise, he reminded that Cambodia doesn’t have two Assemblies, before notifying the SRP and the HRP: “If they don’t take the oath on the 24th of September, the opposition deputies won’t be recognised”. They have now been warned.

Hun Sen: The Government Will be Formed on 25 September 2008

Posted on 17 September 2008
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 578

“Phnom Penh: Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said on 15 September 2008 that the fourth term government will be announced officially on 25 September 2008, a day after the first session of the fourth term National Assembly.

“The head of the Cambodian Government and the vice-president of the winning party told journalists in the evening of 15 September 2008 that the date for the creation the government and for the session of the National Assembly will not be changed. In the morning of 24 September 2008, the first session [of the National Assemly] will be held under the presidency of the King. In the evening of 24 September 2008, the members of the National Assembly will swear in the Royal Palace. As for the morning of 25 September 2008, the National Assembly will hold a meeting to create the new government. The Council of Ministers of the new government will hold its first meeting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 September 2008.

“Besides talking about the formation the government and about the first session of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen also emphasized that wheter or not all will attend the session is their problem, because in Cambodia, the winning party does not become hostage of the losing parties. Without caring about the announcement of a boycot by the Sam Rainsy Party and by the Human Rights Party, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said that he had told Mr. Say Chhum, the head of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party, to sugggest slates of candidates for the nine committee of the National Assembly. He said, ‘We will not wait for them.’

Furthermore, the head of the Cambodian People’s Party that won the elections, warned that if the recently elected members of the National Assembly from the Sam Rainsy Party and from the Human Rights Party will not attend the swearing-in ceremony to establish their validity as members of the Natinal Assembly, they will not receive salaries; this time, there is no exception.

“The Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party had jointly announced their position again on 15 September 2008 that the 29 newly elected parliamentarians, 26 from the Sam Rainsy Party and 3 from the Human Rights Party, will not attend the first session and the swearing-in ceremony together with the Cambodian People’s Party. This position was raised by the presidents of both opposition party leaders also during a meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of State, and both of them hope that he might be able to coordinate between the opposition parties and the ruling party.

Mr. Sam Rainsy and Mr. Kem Sokha Meet … to Ask for Support

“During a closed door meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. John Negroponte, in the evening of 15 September 2008, Mr. Sam Rainsy, the president of the Sam Rainsy Party, and Mr. Kem Sokha, the president of the Human Rights Party, jointly spoke about the recent elections, and about the distribution of positions in the National Assembly, to secure what these opposition parities’ leaders claim: a balance of power…

“Related to what was mentioned about the elections during the meeting between the opposition party leaders and the US Assistant Secretary of State, a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party, Mr. Cheam Yeap, said that what the opposition parties’ leaders had stated is just a traditional strategy of opposition parties: they put up some obstacles in order to finally get some positions in the National Assembly. However he believes that although the US Assistant Secretary of State meets also with leaders of the Cambodian People’s Party, it will be the same. There will be no change made by the Cambodian People’s Party that won the elections. The Parliamentarian Cheam Yeap said that now, the time for the opposition parties to protest is over, because the Cambodian People’s Party is prepared for marching. He said, ‘We will work alone in the National Assembly, both president and vice president of the National Assembly, and all positions to chair the nine committees of the National Assembly, belong to the Cambodian People’s Party.’

“During the fourth term parliamentary elections on 27 July 2008, the Cambodian People’s Party won 90 seats of the 123 seats in the National Assembly, the Sam Rainsy Party won 26 seats, the Human Rights Party won 3 seats, Funcinpec won 2 seats, and the Norodom Ranariddh Party won also 2 seats. Because of these results, Mr. Sam Rainsy and Mr. Kem Sokha had announced to reject results, while many national and international observers, amog them from the United States and from Japan, had claimed that some irregularities could not affect the election results.

“Officials of the Cambodian government, leaders of the opposition parties, as well as officials of civil society organizations, consider the visit by the US Assistant Secretary of State to be a sign of stronger bilateral ties between Cambodia and the United States, and also, the visit strengthens future democracy in Cambodia. Before leaving Cambodia, Mr. John Negroponte will hold a press conference in the morning of 16 September 2008 regarding his three-day visit in Cambodia.”

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4695, 16.9.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Official protest handed to Cambodia

The Phnom Penh Post
Wednesday September 17, 2008

THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL

Thailand yesterday denied a Cambodian accusation its troops had moved closer to Ta Kwai temple, saying that was unneeded as the ruins were inside Thai territory.

Bangkok also hit back at Phnom Penh, protesting through Cambodian ambassador Ung Sean that Cambodian troops had violated Thailand's sovereignty.

The Foreign Ministry said on its website that the temple, called Ta Kabey in Cambodia, is located in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province. It is 13km east of Ta Muen temple in the same district and 150km west of Preah Vihear.

The ministry's was responding to Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith, who claimed on Monday that Thai troops had moved into the area.

Instead, the ministry said, Phnom Penh sent ''a Cambodian armed unit'' into Ta Kwai on Saturday and it withdrew only after repeated calls by Thai authorities.

The ministry yesterday lodged an official protest with Cambodia.

Foreign affairs permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul handed the ambassador a letter saying:

''These acts constituted a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand,'' and urged the Cambodian government not to do it again.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to closely cooperate with Cambodia to end the border demarcation disputes.

Judge hands down victory for embattled Cambodian Buddhist temple in Oakland

By Paul T. Rosynsk
Oakland Tribune
09/16/2008

OAKLAND — For the city's Cambodian Buddhists, the past three years have been filled with everything but love, joy and compassion.

Instead, about 600 refugees and immigrants have found themselves battling "outsiders" in court for control of an East Oakland temple they successfully argued was illegally taken from them.

The battle, which some described as a "civil war," began in March 2005 when a Massachusetts-based Cambodian Buddhist organization took control of the local temple and its assets in an election the local group said was illegal.

The local group argued in court that the International Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks Center — through intimidation and a smear campaign — gained control of the board of directors and then voted to transfer all assets, more than $400,000 worth of property and cash, to the Massachusetts nonprofit organization.

Once the transfer was complete, the International Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks Center locked the Oakland group out its own temple and refused to give it about $100,000 that the group had saved in hopes of building a new temple in the city.

Although the Oakland group won its court claim in January, it wasn't until last week that an Alameda County Superior Court Judge made a ruling that set guidelines on how the group could win back its temple and about $100,000 in cash.

"It has been a long struggle to get to where we are," said David Sternfeld, an attorney representing the Oakland Cambodian Buddhist Society Temple. "Our clients are, thankfully, very patient people. We are just hoping that by this point in time, we can get our temple back."

The three-year ordeal was caused, in part, by the Buddhists' lack of a central religious organization. Instead, various communities throughout the world create their own local "parishes" or temples.

The International Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks Center wanted to change that, and according to Sternfeld and court documents, began taking over local Buddhist temples throughout the United States.

The way in which the group tried to secure a national organization angered many local residents, Sternfeld and court documents said.

In Oakland, the group brought in outsiders and preyed on internal disputes between temple members to create climate in which temple members began to argue with each other over the future of the organization.

They posted notes on red paper or written in red ink, a threatening color in Cambodia, warning others not to argue against them, documents say. They also accused elder monks of inappropriate activities and eventually forced the election of a new board of directors. That board voted to merge the Oakland temple with the Massachusetts organization.

Now, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jon Tigar has ruled that a new election must take place and be witnessed by a "special master."

Only members of the Oakland temple before it merged can vote in the new election, Tigar ruled.
The new board of directors will then decide who gets control of the assets.

Sternfeld said he is hopeful that the Massachusetts group will give up its fight for control of the local temple and return the property and money it took. However, he said, he thinks the group will argue that it already spent the cash.

If both sides are unable to agree on the selection of a special master and how the election will take place, each must submit competing plans to Tigar, who said he will demand a progress report next month.

G. Robert Woofin, an attorney representing the International Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks Center, did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Human rights, development should be balanced

Guampnd.com

September 17, 2008

Cambodia under Hun Sen is definitely better than Cambodia under Pol Pot, whose loyalists killed an estimated two million of their countrymen. Premier at age 33, Sen has been credited for Cambodia's economic growth of more than 10 percent a year since 2000. It's in vogue to describe Cambodia today as "a lot better" than before.

The Economist.com of London says Sen "looks as strong as ever" following his victory in the July national election, and "looks set to continue comfortably unchallenged for the foreseeable future."

Foreign officials and diplomats applaud Cambodia's economic "progress" and "decline" in politically motivated violence.

Last month, in "Giving up freedoms to settle for 'peace'" in this space, I wrote that economic development and rights and freedom of men are not mutually exclusive. In a free society, they should be in balance.

Cambodia's physical appearance has changed. "A decade ago, Phnom Penh lacked even a single traffic light," wrote Business Week. "Today ... all over (Phnom Penh), shanty towns and old villas are being sold and razed to make way for high-rise apartments, office buildings, shopping malls, and new villas."

But the head of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights stated, "You have a GDP increase, but look at the gap between rich and poor. More than 40 percent (of the total population of 14 million) live below the standard income."

Britain's The Guardian's 11-page "Country far Sale" (April 26) reported "Almost half of Cambodia has been sold to foreign speculators in the past 18 months -- and hundreds of thousands who fled the Khmer Rouge are homeless again." It described "foreigners" buying up a series of Cambodia's islands and public beaches since 2006, and engaged in "outright" purchase of land and real estate.

If lands are bought, residents have to be forcibly removed, all in the name of economic development.

Abhorrent violations of the rights of the Cambodian poor, through forced evictions from homes and land were the catalyst for the "End Land Grabbing in Cambodia" petition in June initiated by the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission.

In August, Amnesty International USA and the Center on Housing Rights and Evictions called on the Cambodian authorities to stop filling Boeung Kak Lake as between 3,000 and 4,000 families may be affected.

In its press release, Amnesty's Brittis Edman declared, "the filling of the lake should be immediately halted. Otherwise, this may be the beginning of the biggest forced eviction in post-war Cambodia."

The Sept. 3 "Stop the Illegal Filling of Boeung Kak" petition (www.petitionspot.com/petitions/SaveBoeungKakLake) appears to be picking up momentum. Having signed the AHRC petition to stop land grabbing in Cambodia, I also signed the petition to stop the "illegal filling" of the Boeung Kak Lake.

Today, somebody else's families are evicted from homes and land. Tomorrow misfortune may hit my relatives and friends.

Amnesty's press release indicates "development plans for Boeung Kak Lake emerged in 2007." A 99-year lease agreement between the Municipality of Phnom Penh and "a private developer, Shukaku Ltd," included the "handing over management of 133 hectares of land, including 90 percent of the lake," and Shukaku will transform the area into "pleasant, trade, and services places for domestic and international tourists."

Amnesty cited Cambodia's "2001 Land Law" that should make Boeung Kak Lake "inalienable state land (so-called state public property), so its ownership cannot be transferred for longer than 15 years."

AHRC's Lao Mong Hay's Sept. 10 "U.N. mandate necessary in Cambodia" in United Press International Asia Online quoted United Nations special representative Professor Yash Ghai's observation: "State authorities, as well as companies and politically well-connected individuals, show scant respect for the rule of law," and that Cambodia's courts and the legal profession "have failed the people of Cambodia woefully."

Mong Hay also cited Ghai's observation of Cambodians who risk forced evictions from their homes and land for development or city beautification, as living in "fear of the state, fear of political and economic saboteurs, fear of greedy individuals and corporations, fear of the police and the courts."

Of course the Sen government wanted Ghai fired, but the U.N. refused; so the government in turn refused to cooperate with Ghai and threatened to close down the U.N. field office.

The problem is, as the Aug. 6 London Economist.com puts it, "Foreign governments moan about (Sen's) government's corruption, ineptitude and abuses, but he knows they are itching to spend their aid budgets and they lack the guts to turn their tough words into action. With ... China and Vietnam keen to invest in Cambodia, and Western ones like America and France keen to maintain their presence, Mr. Hun Sen can cheerfully play them off against each other, while collecting goodies from all."

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years.

Thailand protest Cambodia over troop intrusion

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Published on September 17, 2008

Thailand protested to Cambodia on Tuesday over an intrusion of troops into the border area at the temple of Ta Kwai in Surin province.

It was the third Khmer sanctuary since July to create conflict between the two neighbours after the disputes over the Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temples.

The Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul summoned Cambodia's ambassador Ung Sean to take an aide-memoire at the ministry yesterday.

The memoire said some 70 Cambodian armed forces had intruded into the temple on September 6. It was the second intrusion since some 30 Cambodian troops were seen earlier at the temple between August 3 and 6.

"These acts constituted a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand," the memoire said.

Thailand asked Cambodia to do its utmost to avoid a recurrence of the incident in the future, it said. Ung Sean did not talk to reporters after the meeting with Virasakdi at the ministry.

The ministry's acting spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said there was no longer a military stand off in the area since both sides had redeployed their respective armed forces elsewhere.

The withdrawal of Cambodian troops from the site and vicinity came only after repeated protests from local Thai authorities.

Cambodia's government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said earlier that Thai troops had moved into an area close to the temple also known in Cambodian as Ta Krabey. Cambodia was preparing to appeal to a "third international party" to intervene, he said.

Thani said the dispute could be solved bilaterally. Thailand is committed to cooperation with Cambodia within the framework of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) with a view to resolving the boundary issue in a just and peaceful manner, he said.

The issue might be discussed when Thai and Cambodian delegations meet in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly later this month, he said.

In a separate issue, Thailand has dismissed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's doubts over its ability to host the upcoming Asean summit due to the ongoing political crisis.

The Foreign Ministry's acting spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said Thailand, as the chair of the group, is ready for the summit. Preparation for the Asean summit and other endeavours by Thailand are on track, he said.

"Recent political developments in Thailand have not in any way affected the preparations which are in line with the announced timelines," he said.

To show its commitment, the Thai Senate yesterday approved the bill on protection for the operation of the Asean, enabling Thailand to ratify the Asean charter, he said.

SoftBrands Expands Presence in Cambodia With Appointment of Business Partner

CNN Money
September 16, 2008

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SoftBrands, Inc. (Amex: SBN), a global supplier of enterprise application software, has today reinforced its commitment to its customers and the hospitality market in Cambodia with the appointment of Campura Systems Corporation as its local distributor to support the fast growing demand for hospitality solutions and services in the country. Under the agreement, Campura Systems Corporation will become SoftBrands’ business partner by providing sales, implementation and support services for a range of solutions throughout Cambodia.

"We are very encouraged by the growth potential the fast expanding Cambodia hospitality market has to offer," said Harbans Singh, president, SoftBrands Hospitality, Asia Pacific. "The appointment of Campura Systems Corporation as our distributor allows us to fully focus on developing this largely untapped market to accelerate our regional growth plan. This formalized business relationship will also enable us to leverage Campura’s business acumen and support expertise in this marketplace. This further reinforces SoftBrands’ commitment to existing customers as well as the local hospitality market."

SoftBrands provides hospitality solutions to the independent and boutique hotel as well as larger groups and chains. Solutions include Property Management, Central Reservation Management, Customer Relationship Management, Business Intelligence, Club Management, Spa Management and Point-of-Sales systems. The suite of solutions is designed specifically to enable hoteliers to centralize multi-property operations, improve guest loyalty, increase profitability and improve revenue management.

"We are truly pleased to be the business partner of SoftBrands and representing their best-of-breed hospitality solutions in Cambodia," said Volak Sao, chief executive, Campura Systems Corporation. "This partnership brings together our industry experience and SoftBrands’ technology to give us the ability to offer hotels in Cambodia a complete range of fully integrated solutions. More importantly, we have full confidence in SoftBrands’ corporate philosophy and strategic technological directives that makes them the leading provider of hospitality solutions today."

"We are pleased with the appointment of Campura to strengthen our position in the Cambodian market. This will give us the ability to service and support our existing customers, and to further expand our market base," commented Kenneth Toh, Director of Sales, SoftBrands Singapore.

Japanese firm funds produce project

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Chun Sophal and Hor Hab
Wednesday, 17 September 2008

A JAPANESE company has invested US$2 million in a farming project in Kampong Cham province to grow high-quality vegetables for Cambodia's hotel industry, which is forced to import much of its produce from abroad.

Kobe Busan Co Ltd will grow a variety of produce, including ginger, cabbage and pumpkin, on 2,000 hectares of land, said Yin Buntith, who heads up a provincial investment committee. He added that the project would provide about 250 new jobs.

"We hope the company will help upgrade the quality of Cambodian produce for world markets," Yin Buntith said.

Kobe officials could not be reached for comment. Despite its broad agriculture sector, Cambodia imports a significant percentage of vegetables from Vietnam and Thailand, according to Yang Saing Koma, president of the agricultural NGO CEDAC.

"Investing in vegetables is good because it will help increase local production and reduce our reliance on imported vegetables," he told the Post.

A booming tourism sector has significantly increased demand for produce, particularly at high-end hotels.

Cambodian Hotel Association President Luu Meng said about 30 percent of produce used in hotels is imported, and that figure would drop if Cambodian farmers offered better quality goods. "We will reduce the amount of vegetables we buy from other countries if local producers can secure a high quality vegetable supply," Luu Meng said.

Textile factory closures rising this year: GMAC

AFP; A garment worker sews clothing at a factory in Phnom Penh.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Hor Hab and Chun Sophal
Wednesday, 17 September 2008

Govt, union officials downplay threat to garment sector

ARISE in garment factory closures could threaten the viability of one of the Kingdom's key economic sectors, a labour official told the Post.

Cheat Khemara, of the Garment Manufacturer's Association of Cambodia (GMAC), said closures so far this year have nearly eclipsed those of 2007.

Kaing Monika, external affairs manager at GMAC, said a total of 25 factories have been shuttered, with 16 new ones coming online - leaving a total net closure of nine, compared to 10 during 2007.

About 2,000 workers have been put out of work due to the closures, according to Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union, Cambodia's largest workers group.

Too many trade unions

Kaing Monika said the influence of trade unions have hurt the industry by unsettling potential new investors.

"The country gives too much freedom to the trade unions," he said.

"There are about 1,000 different unions operating in more than 33 factories.

"Cheat Khemara said a government policy of not locating factories in large cities has also created problems for some workers."

The factories need to be located in larger population centres. They agree to cover the costs of transportation or risk losing their most skilled workers," he said.

Fears overblown

Oum Mean, undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said, however, that the closures do not pose a threat to the industry.

"Some factories have closed because the number of orders has dropped," he said. "But others are simply relocating."

He added that the nation's economy continues to be stable.

Chea Mony estimated that in addition to those workers affected by the closures, some 27,000 have left their jobs for employment elsewhere. Cambodia has about 350,000 garment workers nationwide.

"The factories in Cambodia will never go bankrupt," Chea Mony said. But he did admit there is cause for concern.

"The number of workers has declined because they are less able to make their living on factory wages as inflation continues to rise."

Buddhist bowls at P'Chum Ben

HENG CHIVOAN

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Heng Chivoan
Wednesday, 17 September 2008

A family at Phnom Penh's Wat Ang Pothinhean fill monks' bowls with rice on Monday, the first day of the15-day celebration of P'Chum Ben. Festivities will culminate at the end of the month with many Cambodians travelling to their home provices. HENG CHIVOAN

Cambodia pioneering world's first carbon trading cooperative

Vandy Rattana; A man examines environmentally friendly cook stoves in Phnom Penh's O'Russey market Monday.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Anne-Laure Porée
Wednesday, 17 September 2008

With the global carbon trade booming, environmental projects in developing countries have joined forces to finance their poverty reduction efforts by selling carbon credits collectively

AS a rule, the world of carbon credits is dominated by large-scale industrial projects backed by international companies with deep pockets.

But Cambodia is proving to be the exception by playing host to the first-ever carbon cooperative of NGOs and other small groups hoping to increase their clout over climate change reform.

It has taken more than three years for the French NGO Geres (Groupement Énergies Renouvelables, Environnement et Solidarité) to prove that it could be an actor on the carbon credit market.

At first, many observers thought it was impossible.

Yet today, various Geres projects offset approximately 140,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, the most of any NGO operating in the carbon market.

It is also the only NGO that funds its programs in their entirety by selling carbon credits, which they accumulate through their projects like low-carbon cook stoves - affordable clay grills that burn less charcoal and are popular among Cambodians.

The Geres Climate Change Unit says it is an example of how a small-scale, not-for-profit project can break into the carbon credit market.

It has won the backing of ethical buyers, public development agencies, academic institutions and governments, including that of Cambodia.

From these successes, the idea of a cooperative, Carbon Solidarity Asia (CSA), was born last year.The CSA aims to provide the technical support needed by groups who want to develop carbon offset projects. This could include, for example, energy-efficient stoves, bio-gas or forest conservation.

The CSA will also work with individual projects to help them sell their carbon credits on the global carbon markets.

Why trade carbon credits?

For Geres, entering the carbon market and off-loading the carbon credits generated by their environmentally friendly projects was key to maintaining the funding that kept the group going.

" We decided to be actors on [carbon] markets in order to have an impact on it. "

"When we began in 2004, the carbon credit was estimated at US$3 per tonne. Today the same credit is worth around $30," said Minh Cuong Le Quan, manager of Geres' Climate Change Unit.

"This is a huge incentive for organisations that are traditionally reliant on donors and continually struggling to find funding for their successful projects."

Secondly, the global carbon trading market is a means for NGOs to gain the clout they need to influence international climate policy.

HENG CHIVOAN; Factory chimneys belch out smoke in Phnom Penh’s industrial zone, on the fringes of the city.

"We are very small in this market dominated by industries, banks, pension funds, audit offices, which have a logic of profit," said Minh.

"But the originality of our message makes our voice heard. It is no secret that the international carbon markets do not do enough for developing countries, [so] we decided to be actors on this market in order to have an impact on it and in order to finance clean development."

Moreover, she said runaway demand in Western countries far outstrips supply in the carbon credit market, giving NGOs a foot into an otherwise closed world of industrial dealings."Until now the supply of carbon credit is insufficient," Minh said.

"NGOs have to turn towards the carbon market," she added.

What is the carbon collective?

The idea of the carbon collective is to help small NGOs to better access the carbon credit market, its backers say.

"To break into this market there are many challenges. It would be difficult for one NGO alone to overcome the challenges," said Nanda Ram Baidya, director of the Centre for Rural Technology in Nepal, explaining why her organisation supports the coalition.

Feri Lumampao, director of the Asian Alliance of Appropriate Technology Practitioners Inc (APPROTECH ASIA), said the CSA will help small organisations to join the carbon market "with confidence and integrity".

Last April, the inaugural meeting of the coalition took place in Phnom Penh, where a dozen organisations adopted a founding charter and formally created the CSA.

Since then, they have decided to base the cooperative in Singapore, but both local or international NGOs from across the region can be accepted as members, as well as eco/social-enterprises or governmental projects if they accept the CSA's charter.

"The CSA will help projects which have a direct impact on employment, on living conditions and quality of life for people," Minh said.

"Industrial projects or those with no impact on the poor can find scores of consultants elsewhere to help them," he added.

In the interest of transparency, members commit themselves to channelling their carbon credits through a common gateway, operated by CSA.

This system guarantees that all carbon credits are registered and can be sold only once.

"We also want to follow up the value of the credits and to push them, not to let 80 percent of the value evaporate in the hands of intermediaries," said Minh.

The CSA also hopes to give members access to affordable consulting services that will equip them with the skills they need to negotiate the carbon market on their own, according to Minh.

Joining forces

Cooperative members say one of the unique aspects of the CSA is the wealth of internal expertise that they will be able to share in order to level the carbon market playing field.

"In the Philippines, I see that my experience will enrich the CSA," said APPROTECH's Lumampao."While the CSA helps me to help others ... move efficiently to the carbon market and make use of carbon finance to create greater impact in poverty reduction and climate change mitigation."

The next phase for the cooperative is to review all the projects that come under the group and identify best practices in Asia.

From this, the CSA will define standard procedures that similar cooperatives will be able to use elsewhere for more efficient, larger-scale projects.

The problems are the same for the Philippines, for Indonesia or Cambodia, cooperative members say.

CSA members said they are preparing to role out the same carbon market model in Africa.

Exactly What is a carbon credit?
A carbon credit is a financial instrument representing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. One carbon credit represents the reduction of one metric tonne of carbon dioxide. The Kyoto protocol obliges states and companies to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide – or to “cap” their emissions. If they are below their authorised cap of emissions, they receive carbon credits which they can sell. There are two primary markets for carbon offsets. In the larger compliance market, companies, governments or other entities buy carbon offsets in order to comply with their emissions caps. In the smaller voluntary market companies sell carbon credits to commercial and individual customers who are interested in lowering their carbon footprint. Carbon offsetters purchase carbon credits from a carbon development company that has aggregated the credits from individual projects. The quality of the credits is based partly on the validation process of the company that acted as the sponsor to the carbon project.

New sub-decree will rein in trigger-happy bodyguards: police

NOT FOR THE THAIS
While the draft sub-decree encompasses evacuations in cases of general life-threatening situations that could arise, it does not encompass evacuations during border confrontations with Thai soldiers, said the Defense Ministry's Nem Sowath.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Cheang Sokha and Thet Sambath
Wednesday, 17 September 2008

The Council of Ministers has passed a new order on firearms and explosives that could help limit personal use of weapons

The Council of Ministers Friday adopted a new sub-decree on weapons use that police say is a response to the rising number of shootings, particularly in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth said the order clearly differentiates between official use of firearms by security personnel and the unsanctioned carrying of weapons.

Bodyguards, operating in a large gray area between professional and private capacities, have been especially problematic.

"The subdecree will ensure that [bodyguards] will be able to use their guns only on missions and not at beer gardens," Touch Naruth said.

"At night gunfire is out of control and it makes a headache for the police," Touch Naruth told the Post Monday. "It is necessary to have this sub-decree because previously we could not control the illegal use of weapons.

"Once the police begin enforcing this sub-decree, we expect to see an 80-percent reduction in illegal gun fire and gun fights at night in Phnom Penh," he added.

Opposition Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Son Chhay said many weapons kept by government officials and members of the military were not properly registered.

"Now the sub-decree may force them to register their guns, and it will help police to investigate and apprehend perpetrators when shootings occur," he said.

"The important thing now is the capacity of the police and their willingness to crack down on illegal gun use," Son Chhay said, adding that he did not think the order in itself would help to improve the current situation.

Speedy evacuation

The Council of Ministers on Friday also approved a draft sub-decree outlining procedures to evacuate the public from life threatening situations.

" At night gunfire is out of control and it makes a headache for the police. "

Written by the ministries of Interior and Defence, the sub-decree governs all evacuations from both public and private spaces across Cambodia. Details, however, were not available.

"This sub-decree will help us to evacuate people from dangerous places in cases of war, use of explosives or firearms. It is to prevent danger and protect people's lives," Ros Chhorm, deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Defence, told the Post.

"Before we would just use force to help take people away from dangerous places," Ros Chhorm said.

"From now on we will have this sub-decree to implement [evacuation orders] with relevant ministry and local authorities," he added.

The subdecree does not apply to natural disasters, he said.

Nem Sowath, chief of cabinet at the Defence Ministry, said Sunday that the sub-decree will help the authorities better coordinate their response to dangerous situations or eruptions of violence.