Border meeting 'better than expected', says Vasin

Vasin: Avoid political games

Bangkok Post
Sunday November 23, 2008

Vasin Teeravechyan, chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), talks to THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL about the latest attempts to resolve the border spat and the challenges ahead.

What were your impressions before and after the JBC meeting on Nov 10-12 in Siem Reap?

Before the meeting, I thought there would be many problems and I didn't expect much would be achieved, but the results were quite good. I thought Cambodia understood Thailand well enough and the meeting avoided sensitive issues, for example whether to call the temple Preah Vihear or Phra Viharn. Each side knew each other's weaknesses and sought a compromise. The meeting was good but I don't know how long both countries can avoid touching on the sensitive issues.

If the pending issues [the name of the temple and reduction of troops] are not approved by parliament in this session, will it affect the negotiations?

I think it will pass parliament in this session. Other issues which were already agreed by both countries should have no problem moving forward. For example, the issue on the start of an immediate field survey and border demarcation at Preah Vihear temple or the setting up of a coordinating group to take care of future problems could begin immediately because they are explainable. If parliament does not agree, we could tackle these issues with Cambodia.
What would the result be if there was no Article 190 in the constitution?

Certainly, negotiations would be much easier. We used to do bilateral negotiations informally before requesting parliamentary approval when everything has been settled. Things are a little different now because we are required to consult parliament first for an approved framework for negotiation.

The point is we are handling these negotiations with the best intentions. But when people [who are opposed to the ministry's position] refuse to listen to our explanations, they close themselves off from the other sides of the issue.

I have met former deputy foreign minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra and asked him to tell the Democrat party about the Preah Vihear temple issue. I also plan to meet many people to talk about this issue. If issues like this are pulled into a political game, the country cannot survive.

Should the JBC conduct border surveys and demarcation in other areas concurrently with the area near Preah Vihear temple?

Yes, I think so, otherwise the border demarcation process will be delayed. The two survey and demarcation teams should start together. Both sides have agreed on this but have not yet decided on other areas apart from Preah Vihear.

Do you see a change in position by Phnom Penh after finishing the first round of talks?

Yes. The Phnom Penh government showed its commitment to resolving the border problems. It cannot be rushed. If either side tries to rush, it will be at a disadvantage, because they are lots of details to discuss.

Compared to other borders Thailand shares with its neighbours, does the Thai-Cambodian border have more problems?

It does have more problems than the Thai-Lao border. But in fact, all borders have problems because the agreements which Thailand has had with France and the UK in the past were quite rough. When we pointed to the watershed on the map, it was not precise. Sometimes we could not find the names in the new maps, so we have to survey the areas physically to verify the locations before demarcation can be finalised.

When will we use the maps for the discussions?
We hope to do that once the survey teams have completed their work. But the more we touch on the maps, the more problems will arise [because Thailand and Cambodia use different maps as their references].

When you decided to accept this position (Chairman of JBC), what were you most concerned about?

It was the different ideas of people around the country. I was quite stressed because I had to think of people first before doing anything. I also reaffirmed with Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat and everyone I met that I would not get involved in politics.

Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open returns to Phokeethra Country Club

Asia Golf Online

Nov 23rd, 2008 By admin
Category: Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will mark its return to the Phokeethra Country Club from December 11 to 14 with a promise of continuing the growth of golf in Cambodia.

Organisers are confident that the US$300,000 Asian Tour event will once again provide the platform for aspiring amateurs to make an impact at the highly rated Phokheetra Country Club and continue to place Cambodia firmly on the international golfing map.

Asian Tour’s Senior Vice President Gerry Norquist believes that the staging of Cambodia’s national championship bodes well for the future of golf in such developing countries and will act as a launch pad for exciting talents to emerge.

“We are truly excited about the return of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open as this event will not only provide the inspiration for Cambodians to learn more about the game but also allow them follow in the footsteps of our Asian Tour professionals,” said Norquist.

As the second from last ranking event on the 2008 Asian Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will also shape the race for the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit title which is currently led by Mark Brown of New Zealand.

Defending champion Bryan Saltus of the United States who secured his maiden triumph at last year’s inaugural event will undoubtedly be amongst the contenders again.

The colorful American celebrated his victory by jumping into the lake next to the 18th green after his final putt last year.

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open is the only international golf tournament to be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia and is part of a record 2008 Asian Tour schedule where an unprecedented 30 tournaments with nearly US$40 million are on offer.

Didier Lamoot, General Manger of Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort & Phokeethra Country Club said: “We truly enjoyed being a part of history last year with the staging of the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open and will continue to assist in laying the concerted effort to push the game to continue its growth in our country.”

Cambodia to hold 13th international marathon near Angkor Wat

balita-dot-ph
November 23, 2008

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 23 — Cambodia Tourism Ministry will hold 13th international marathon championship on Dec. 7 in Siem Reap province, where the centuries-old Angkor Wat is situated, local media reported on Sunday.

The race is expected to promote tourism there amid the world economic crisis, Chinese-language newspaper the Jian Hua Daily quoted Tourism Minister Thong Khon as saying.

"Around 2,100 runners will participate in the activity, with over 800 from 30 foreign countries," he said. "In addition, the Asia Golf Tour will also be started in Siem Reap on Dec. 11 in the province."

"These sports events may help Cambodia counter the negative effects posed by the financial recession and the current border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand over the kingdom's tourism industry," he added.

The ministry has lowered it expectation of foreign tourists for 2008 to 2.1 million from the original 2.7 million.

Tourism is one of the pillar industries of the country and the Angkor Wat the hottest sight-seeing spot. (PNA/Xinhua)

Animal rights group slams Cambodia monkey trade

An undated handout picture taken recently by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) shows a recently caught wild infant monkey in a forest in Cambodia.
REUTERS/BUAV/Handout

Sun Nov 23, 2008

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - An animal rights group says Cambodia is flouting international conventions by allowing the cruel capture of monkeys for research in the United States and China.

A report to be released on Monday by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) says thousands of long-tailed macaque monkeys are taken from the wild each year and kept in cruel conditions before being exported.

Thousands more are raised on monkey farms in conditions so far removed from nature that they are traumatized for life, it says.

While the long-tailed macaque is not endangered, the group says the unregulated trade is already having an effect on population numbers and leading to a degrading of Cambodia's jungles.

"People around the world will be shocked by the findings of the BUAV investigation and to learn of the suffering inflicted on Cambodia's monkeys," said Michelle Thew, chief executive of the organization.

"At a time when there is growing international concern over the plight of primates, we urge the Cambodian government to protect its indigenous macaque population."

Apart from humans, the macaque is the world's most widespread primate and includes 22 species ranging from Africa to Japan.

They are highly intelligent and adapt well to living in urban areas where they frequently earn a love-hate relationship with locals on account of their mischievous ways.

The report says nearly 10,000 monkeys were exported from Cambodia last year -- mostly to laboratories and primate dealers in the U.S. and China.

International conventions discourage the use of captured wild animals for research, preferring second-generation breeding stock instead, but BUAV says this is widely ignored in Cambodia.

The report said as many as eight out of 10 macaques trapped in the wild died before reaching the laboratory as a result of poor treatment, handling or trauma.

The BUAV has called on the Cambodian government to better regulate the industry and to ban the capture of wild animals.

It also urges the U.S. and European Union to prohibit imports of captured wild animals and to press for better conditions at monkey breeding centers.

(Writing by David Fox; Editing by Bill Tarrant)

MTV EXIT concert tour kicks off Saturday in Sihanoukville

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by MELANIE BREW
Friday, 21 November 2008

BRITISH rock sensation Placebo will play Angkor Wat's first rock concert in what is expected to be the highlight of an MTV EXIT campaign against human trafficking that kicks off Saturday in Sihanoukville.

The 18-month tour will touch down in Kampong Cham on November 29 before the December 7 Placebo gig, which will also feature Grammy Award winner Duncan Sheik and Australian pop-star Kate Miller-Heidke.

The US band Click Five will also join the tour, which wraps up at Phnom Penh's Olympic Stadium on December 12.

"It's just one of the most breathtaking and unique places I have ever spent time in really," Placebo's 35-year-old lead singer Brian Molko said of the Angkor Wat, which he visited three years ago as a tourist.

Since its beginnings in 2004 in Eastern Europe, MTV EXIT has developed as a full-blown concert series with stops across Asia.

This tour is the second phase of a two-year project funded by USAID in Asia, organisers say.

The first phase was a 30-minute documentary about human trafficking. Presented by actress Angelina Jolie, the film tells the stories of people who work in the trafficking industry and its victims.

It was widely circulated around Asia in nine languages and played on CNTV in Cambodia.

"We chose Cambodia as a testing ground [for the concerts] because our documentary was received really well here," said Matt Love, EXIT's campaign manager.

After the Cambodia concerts, the tour will continue on to the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal and Indonesia, with special guest acts to be announced for each country.

A number of local groups will play throughout the Cambodian tour, including special recording artists, Pou Klaing.

The MTV EXIT campaign is fully sponsored by the US government and locally supported by QB, making the concerts free.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AFP

Prime minister says garment sector will survive market crisis

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Nguon Sovan
Friday, 21 November 2008

Factories should target low-end market, PM says, but figures suggest the industry faces a slowdown as demand for exports shrinks

THE garment sector will not be seriously impacted by the global financial crisis, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday at a summit of trade leaders from the world's poorest countries held in Siem Reap.

"Expensive clothes are rarely produced in our poor countries, but they are produced in other countries. So we may focus on cheaper garments," Hun Sen said, adding that garments made in Cambodia will continue to sell if they are marketed properly.

"At this point, I think that there has been no serious impact on the garment sector," he added.

The prime minister's comments come despite industry figures that suggest a general sector slowdown and expected lay-offs in coming months.

At least 20,000 workers have been laid off this year, say officials with the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, adding that 35 factories employing up to 5,000 workers each were facing closure.

GMAC chairman Van Sou Ieng said earlier this week that 30 factories have already been closed this year.

"They closed because there were no purchase orders," he said.

Clothing demand has fallen sharply in the US as economic woes force consumers to cut back on nonessential purchases.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, garment exports plummeted 46 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007, capping off a dismal year.

Export growth for all of 2007 stood at only 2.4 percent, representing US$2.9 billion.

Hun Sen said that Cambodia's export garment market is worth approximately $3.6 billion a year.

According to data from the US Department of Commerce, Cambodia garment exports to the US, the Kingdom's biggest textile market, totalled $1.8 billion in the first nine months of 2008, slightly down from the same period the previous year.

The sector is Cambodia's largest source of export income, providing 80 percent of its foreign exchange and employing more than 300,000 people.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY HOR HAB

Govt pressured to protect garment workers' salaries

Photo by: TOUCH BUNLY

A garment factory worker in Phnom Penh. A union leader is demanding assurances that bankrupt owners will pay salaries.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Chun Sophal and Hor Hab
Friday, 21 November 2008

A new wage-protection proposal aims to cushion employees from the threat of unemployment amid rising factory closures

AUNION official on Thursday urged the government to implement new salary protections for garment workers amid fears of more factory closures in coming months.

Som Aun, president of the National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia, said garment factories should be required to deposit four months' worth of salaries in a bank account for all employees before they are allowed to operate.

"I think these deposits will better ensure the security of workers in the wake of garment factory bankruptcies," he said.

Several garment factories in Cambodia have used bankruptcy as an excuse not to pay their workers, and there should be effective legislation in place to deal with the problem, he said.

"I think if my suggestion is acceptable, many problems will be solved, disputes will be cut down and factory operations will be better than before," he said.

Some 10 factories that closed this year left more than 10,000 workers without pay, according to the union.

Proposal under review

Oum Mean, a secretary of state at the Labour Ministry, said Thursday that he had received the union's suggestion and was considering how best to serve both labour groups and factories.

"We welcome the union's suggestion, and we think it is good to enforce worker security when factories get into trouble," he said.

But he added that it will take time for both sides to determine the best approach before making any decisions.

The deposit program drew mixed reactions from garment industry officials and factory owners.

Fodsay Yong, managing director of the Supreme Garment Factory, said the deposit requirement was excessive.

"How can we deposit if we don't make enough money," she asked.

But Cheath Khemara, a senior labour officer with the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, did not dismiss the idea of a deposit requirement.

He said, however, that factory owners must be treated justly.

Protections for everyone

"It is everyone's responsibility when a factory goes bankrupt, but we have to negotiate better solutions for the garment sector to ensure job security for workers and lower costs for factories," Cheath Khemara said.

"If the unions demand deposits from factories to protect against bankruptcy, the factories should be able to demand that unions deposit money to protect against losses due to illegal strikes," he added.

Som Aun responded that any such demand for union deposits was spurious and overlooked the fact that factories often abandon workers, not the reverse.

"We have endured many cases in which factory owners ran off without paying workers, and we want legal protection to prevent this," he said.

Private sector gears up for biannual meet

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by GEORGE MCLEOD
Friday, 21 November 2008

SIX hundred representatives from the government, private sector, nongovernmental organisations and the diplomatic service will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen today in the twice-annual Government-Private Sector Forum.

Industry leaders will be pushing for changes they say will prepare for the economic crisis, increase export competitiveness and improve the business climate.

The forum functions as a de facto Cabinet meeting,k and its decisions are legally binding, said a statement by the International Finance Corp - part of the World Bank Group.

The meeting will be led by representatives from eight sectoral working groups: agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, tax and governance, banking, energy, infrastructure and transport, and exports and industrial relations.

The tourist sector hopes to see the passage of the tourism law and the establishment of a marketing board.

Manufacturers will urge a VAT cut on imported food and machinery and better access to preservative chemicals.

For land, tax and good governance, the industry will press for legalisation of land titles for condominiums.

Banking is encouraging more flexible policies for the sector, while the energy and infrastructure sector is pushing for lower internet costs and better interconnections.

Export and trade delegates will urge better labour relations, lower customs clearance charges and a 20 percent cut in export management fees.

Industrial relations requests include a drive for collective bargaining agreements and the establishment of a labour court. Agriculture hopes for better cooperation between farmers and the government.

Poor countries need access to global markets: ministers

Photo by: AFP

A man carries rice in Phnom Penh. Ministers in Siem Reap pressed for open markets.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by ERICA GOLDBERG AND GEORGE MCLEOD
Friday, 21 November 2008

SIEM REAP

WTO chief Pascal Lamy praises Cambodia's progress in economic reforms as leaders from world's poorest countries call for more trade partnerships

CAMBODIA is "ahead of the curve" in fulfilling the requirements of its World Trade Organisation membership and has made strong progress in economic reforms, WTO chief Pascal Lamy said in an interview with the Post Thursday.

The comments were made following a meeting of trade officials from 49 of the world's poorest countries, organised in Siem Reap by the WTO and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido).

Lamy said progress has been made on "synergising WTO accession, trade openings, economic reform and production capacity in industry, services, or even agriculture, as you can see in the example of rice exports".

He added that Cambodia has been successful growing its economy with a "uniform economic strategy brought together under the relatively strong political hand of [Commerce Minister] Cham Prasidh".

"Cambodians are hardworking people. They are accustomed to adversity and do not have a fatalistic attitude," he said.

The remarks followed a speech by Prime Minister Hun Sen Wednesday that sharply criticised Western countries' reluctance to open their markets to Third World goods, as well as their refusal to scrap agricultural subsidies.

Joint declaration

Participants at the end of the two-day talks produced a declaration on trade and the financial crisis that included 12 resolutions calling for inter-agency cooperation in the UN and more strategic partnerships.

"We strongly urge our development partners to implement all internationally agreed measures in favour of LDCs, and to adopt new ones, to enable our economies to benefit more from the existing opportunities provided by the international trading system," said a draft of the text.

The talks were in part meant to shore up Third World support for the Doha Round of WTO trade talks, which have stalled amid friction.

Trade deal needed

Lamy told officials at the meeting Wednesday that a trade deal was now more important than ever to help poor countries. "There is a strong sense that we are all on the same boat and that we must act and coordinate together if we are to lift ourselves," he said, according to an official transcript of his remarks.

He said the international community needed to keep in mind "the interests of its poorest and weakest members and deliver on the promises" of more and better development aid.

The financial crisis will "no doubt have profound, and possibly prolonged, effects" on poor countries, he added.

A statement from Unido and the WTO said the talks should focus on speeding up trade reform in poor countries, as developing countries press for greater access to agricultural markets in the industrialised world.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AGENCIES

LICADHO's Latest Report; Attacks & Threats Against Human Rights Defenders in Cambodia

Denmark warns against new trade barriers

Fri 21 Nov 2008

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Developed nations must not use the global financial crisis to tighten trade barriers as free trade is the best way to boost economic growth, Denmark said late on Thursday.

World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries come close to a new global trade deal in July but faltered on differences over measures to protect subsistence farmers in poor countries from a surge in imports.

There are moves to revive the talks and ministers from the world's poorest countries are pushing for a quick deal because they fear protectionist groups might use the economic slump to push their agenda.

"The financial crisis must not be used as an excuse to expedite protectionist measures," said Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

"It is hypocritical of developed countries to give development aid with one hand and raise trade barriers with the other," he said in Ethiopia at the second meeting of the Africa Commission, a Danish-led drive to boost African development.

The Doha round was launched in the Qatari capital seven years ago to free world trade and help developing countries by cutting farm subsidies and tariffs on agricultural and industrial goods.

"One of the most effective means of stimulating economic growth is to open up our markets to free trade," he said. "We strongly regret the failure of negotiations in the Doha round."

Top Chinese political advisor leaves for Asian visit

www.chinaview.cn

2008-11-23

BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin left here on Sunday for official good-will visits to Jordan, Turkey, Laos and Cambodia from November 23 to December 6.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), makes the visits at the invitations of Zaid Al Rifaee, president of Jordan's Senate, Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan, Sisavat Keobounphan, chairman of Lao Front for National Reconstruction and member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim.

Editor: Jiang Yuxia

Noppadon Pattama Discloses Interna in Negotiations about the Preah Vihear Temple Leading to Border Disputes - Saturday, 22.11.2008

Posted on 23 November 2008

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 587

“Five months after losing his position, the former Siamese [Thai] Minister of Foreign Affairs Noppadon Pattama [นพดล ปัทมะ], had to sleep with sorrow, before deciding to retire from politics and become a businessman, running an Italian restaurant at the Chao Praya riverside in Bangkok. Because he wanted to explain his recent pain, Mr. Noppadon Pattama wrote and published a book with the title “I Am No Traitor” to respond to different accusations against him.

“The following is an interview by local journalists in Siam with Mr. Noppadon Pattama, after he had published a book about the time when he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was in charge of the dispute with Cambodia:

“Question: Why did the Preah Vihear Temple become a point that politicians attacked you?

“Noppadon: I took office in February 2008, but the UNESCO [World Heritage Committee] made its decision over the Preah Vihear Temple only in July 2008. At that time, we had only five months left to protest. I know that Siamese people from all levels would worry about a loss.

“In fact I took over this work from previous minister who has not finished the problem, because Cambodia sent a request to the UNESCO, including a 4.6 square/km disputed region. The government of Mr. Surayud Chulanont [สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ - prime minister from 1 October 2006 to 29 January 2008, after the ouster of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra] always opposed to move [in 2007], until Cambodia agreed to postpone, but [Cambodia] put pressure on Siam to agree with a new request next year. What was more important was that UNESCO found that the Preah Vihear Temple was really marvelous and well qualified to be listed, and the UNESCO World Heritage Committee just waited for an agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on some points.

“I used the negotiations in Koh Kong and in Paris [22 May 2008], until Cambodia agreed to withdraw [the claim for the 4.6 square km disputed region], and cut out the disputed region [see the Joint Communique of 18 June 2008, which says: “...the Kingdom of Cambodia accepts that the Temple of Preah Vihear be nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List without at this stage a buffer zone on the northern and western areas of the Temple”]. It was a significant success, but people accused me of selling the nation; it is not true at all. Previously, even Major-General Denmichoak [? - phonetic], the head of the Military Map Department, who just passed away, said that there was no invasion into Thai territory [sanctioned by the Joint Communique], and he claimed this, based on the border line in Map L7071.

“Question: Did Cambodia agree to exclude the disputed region because of pressure or because we negotiated?

“Noppadon: First, it was because we negotiated while Cambodia disagreed, because the Preah Vihear Temple waited to be listed on the World Heritage Site list. Moreover, Cambodia had issued currency with images of the Preah Vihear Temple. One year before [in 2007], Cambodia missed the chance once, so before the elections [27 July 2008], the Cambodian government urgently wanted to have the temple listed; therefore, when we opposed to include the disputed region, Cambodia was concerned that it could not get it listed in time, and they agreed to exclude the disputed region.

“Question: What was negotiated in Koh Kong?

“Noppadon: On that day, I flew in a helicopter to Koh Kong to inaugurate the Siamese-Cambodian Friendship Road, and I took the opportunity to talk to Deputy Prime Minister Sok An. Mr. Sok An disagreed with me immediately, ‘Mr. Noppadon Pattama, that area is not in the buffer zone, because the International Court had decided [in 1962] that the area belongs to Cambodia.’ I explained to Mr. Sok An that the International Court only decided that the Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia, but did not decide on the territory. We argued with each other, and at that time, I suggested whether it was possible or not to include the Preah Vihear Temple only. Then, Mr. Sok An took it for a discussions with the leaders of the Cambodian government. At that moment, I felt that Cambodia simply agreed, because there were only two months left before the elections, and they were unsure whether it could be listed or not.

“After that, we agreed that there was need for a trustworthy document to assure to list the temple only. Cambodia withdrew the old maps they had sent, and replaced them with a new one. At last, we met in Paris [on 22 May 2008] and finally agreed at 11:30 p.m. I looked at the new map and signed it, saying that it was usable, if it would be adopted by the cabinet, but the president of the opposition party, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva [อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ]​​, accused me later of secretly signing something with Cambodia.

“Afterwards, I brought it back and reported it during a meeting of the parliament on 26 May 2008. Can I carry the problem of the whole nation alone? Officials must understand this. I took this problem to the Council for National Security, where General Winai Phatthiyakul, who was National Security Council secretary-general at that time, praised me very much. General Anupong Paochinda [อนุพงษ์ เผ่าจินดา], the army commander-in-chief, told me that it was good to have made these achievements through the negotiations, because it was a long lasting problem.

“Finally, I was told to be guilty. I thought that I became a political hostage, because of a small number of demonstrators who use the law of the jungle, and because of some politicians in Thailand.

“They see the Preah Vihear Temple as a delicious bait to destroy our government, because through territorial and ethnic problems, they can agitate the citizens easily.

“Question: There has been stronger opposition since you returned from Paris [22 May 2008]. What do you think about it?

“Noppadon: I think about it too, but I think that if I had let Cambodia list also the disputed 4.6 square km area, I would have been cursed much stronger than I was.

“Question: Is Noppadon’s success related to the former prime minister, Mr. Thaksin, or not?

“Noppadon: There is no involvement at all. Mr. Thaksin did not call Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen by phone. I used to be Mr. Thaksin’s advisor, and Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister [Sok An] knew it, but I never asked Mr. Thaksin to call and give advise. Cambodian leaders know this and Cambodia and Siam are neighboring countries.

“Question: Have you ever felt that your mistake led to the death of soldiers at the Cambodian-Thai border dispute?

“Noppadon: I feel pity, but it is not me that made it happen. I dare to say that if one had followed me, those problems would not have happened, and it would not have led to soldiers to confront each other. There is no need to shed blood. Officials of the government would not need to negotiate again and again and have replacements for three or four Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and the relations with Mr. Hun Sen’s government would still be good.”

Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3443, 22.11.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Saturday, 22 November 2008

Prime Minister to attend 5th meeting of PMs of Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia

November 22, 2008

Nhan Dan - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the 5th Meeting of Prime Ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia on the Development Triangle in the capital city of Vientiane, Laos from November 26-27.

According to an official announcement on November 21 by the Foreign Ministry, the attendance is to be made at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh.

Grenade attack kills Thai protestor, injures seven

Security staffs of the anti-government protesters examine the site where a bomb exploded at their protesting ground of government house in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008. A grenade attack on anti-government protesters occupying the Thai prime minister's office killed one person and wounded at least 23 early Thursday, an army official and protesters said.(AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

An injured man is carried away after a pre-dawn bomb blast inside a demonstration site at the Government House in Bangkok. A grenade attack on demonstrators occupying the Thai premier's offices killed one person and wounded 29 Thursday, prompting protest leaders to call for a new march against the government.(AFP)

An injured anti-government protester is wheeled on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance after a bomb attack at their protesting ground of government house in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008. A grenade attack on protesters occupying the Thai prime minister's office wounded eight people early Saturday, officials said.(AP Photo)

The Cambodia News.Net

Saturday 22nd November, 2008 (IANS)

Bangkok, Nov 22 (DPA) Unknown assailants launched a grenade at anti-government protesters Saturday, killing one person and injuring seven people, fanning worries that Thailand was heading for more political street violence this weekend, media reports said.

Witnesses said two young men fired the device from an M-79 grenade launcher at guards for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) outside Government House, the seat of the Thai government.

One of the eight victims died in hospital from shrapnel wounds to his body and neck, the Bangkok Post newspaper's online news service said.

On Thursday, a similar early morning attack on the PAD killed one man and injured 24 other people.

The attacks on the PAD, a loose coalition of groups adamantly opposed to the return to power of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have intensified in recent weeks.

The PAD seized Government House Aug 26 and have occupied it since, demanding the resignation of the cabinet, which is now led by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, and packed with Thaksin nominees and political allies.

Thaksin, a former billionaire telecommunications tycoon who used his personal fortune and populist policies to dominate Thai politics during his premierships from 2001 to 2006, was toppled by a coup two years ago.

He has been living in self-imposed exile since August, and is a fugitive from Thai justice.

The PAD has vowed to stage a mass rally of 100,000 people Sunday, when parliament convenes, to demand the resignation of the cabinet.

At its last mass protest on October 7, police opened fire with tear-gas canisters, leading to a melee that left two PAD followers dead and hundreds injured.

More than 1,700 police have been assigned to keep the peace at Sunday's rally.

Xinhua added: Thailand's army commander Lt. Gen. Kanit Sapitak Saturday dismissed speculation that the army could stage a coup amid the political turmoil.'Coup is not on our mind.

We have duties to protect the country and to protect the border,' he was quoted by The Nation daily as saying. The army would act only when ordered, he said.

Look Good Great Tasty Foods at Siem Riap, Cambodia

http://www.stevengoh.com/food/great-tasty-foods-siem-riap-cambodia/

Before I visited Cambodia, I have done some research on their food, accommodation and also the culture. Mostly of the information that I found in terms of culture and food are very similar from one to another. However the accommodation and spending vary. Some really spent thousands of USD while some only spent hundreds USD over the same trip and places of visits. For me I have only spent few hundreds USD. This is acceptable for most budget travelers.

After my previous post on tips and things to do in Cambodia, this round is about the great food in Cambodia.

Firstly is the welcome drink from The Golden Temple Villa. This drink is FREE for the guests who stay in the hotel on their first day of arrival. It is just an ordinary lime juice but the nice part is that the container used really looks traditional Khmer style.

Khmer’s banana, tasted a bit sour and biting tongue. It not as nice as our local bananas. Maybe because it belongs to the lower grade. Anyhow it’s free.

Khmer Coffee, there is some signature aroma that tells you it is Khmer Coffee, like what you get the signature smell from Coffee Bean or Starbucks. This Khmer coffee is something that will keep you awake while you still feel sleepy. By the way the coffee is FREE during our entire stay at the guest house.

We usually had American Breakfast at Golden Temple Villa for breakfast. Such as Omelettes and Scrambled Eggs with bread, nothing too special about it. However the great part is the price per set starts from only USD 1.75.

For alcohol lovers, this place is a heaven. No matter what type of beers in Siem Reap is cheap. Be it Angkor Beer or Anchor beer, Thai beer or Chang beer, they are all at the same price range from USD 0.70 to USD 0.75 per can.

If you are looking for great food while traveling, there is a nice food court located opposite Neak Pean Wat. You can stop by for some nice food to fill your stomach. The stall that I had my meal was Stall No 5.

One fresh coconut with juicy coconut water is sufficient for 2 people, with each cost USD1. I am a bit regret of ordering one for myself instead of sharing. I have wasted nearly 1/2 of the coconut water.

Dishes that I have ordered for lunch. It will be best for each of you to order a dish and share among each other. For 4 people who travel in a group you might consider 3 dishes which will be more than enough for 4 people. As for the rice is FOC even for refill. Average of each dish is around USD 3.

Pineapple fried pork/ Beef/ Chicken, is a Thai dish but very famous in Cambodia. I ordered pork which I find a bit stinky. Maybe the way they cook is different. If you don’t like the smell of pork, chicken or beef will be better alternatives for you.

Amok, is a must try in Cambodia. If you haven’t tasted this food you are considered as never been to Cambodia. Amok is actually the name of the great chef who cooked for Khmer’s King last time. This dish is one of the signatory of the chef and the taste is so great that Khmer used his name for this dish. This dish is cooked with coconut cream, spicy paste, long beans, onion, Green leaves and egg whites and they come with choices of Chicken, Pork or Beef. However I was told by our tour guide that Amok is best served with fish meat.

Chicken/ Pork/ Beef fried with lemon grass. Very nice dish with strong aroma of lemongrass. I have a very strong feeling that this dish originated from Thailand as I remember I did triy that dish before when I was in Phuket.

If you would like to go for more decent restaurants in Siem Reap, Khmer Kitchen Restaurant could be the one. It is located along the pub street /old market place of Siem Reap. This is a very famous place where any Tuk tuk driver will be able to bring you there. Again each of the dish here costs USD 3 per and the rice is FOC.

One of the great food that I tasted here is the Khmer Style Soup. It is cooked with lemon grass, lime leaves, garlic, ginger, chili, Galangal, lemon, herbs with the choice of Fish/ Chicken/ Pork/ Beef/ Tafu/ Mix Vege.

Khmer Curry, is cooked with coconut cream, spicy paste, chili, potato, yam, pumpkin and carrot and again with the option of Fish/ Chicken/ Pork/ Beef/ Tafu/ Mix Vege.

If you wanted to try out something different than hotel or restaurant food, there is a good place for you to hang out which is the street beside the old market place. If you know how to get to the only convenience stall here in old market place, it is just located opposite the shop.

This lady is very aggressive in inviting customers and promoting her stall. JWithin 10 minutes, she has managed to pull in 10 customers. I wonder how much she earns per night. Anyway the food here are cheap compared to the one we had in hotels or restaurants. Average cost per plate is USD 1.

Traditional Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup with Beef (Pho). The soup base is sweet and cooked with beef, rice noodle, bean curd and vagetable. It is simple and nice.

Fried noodle (MA MA) with chicken, the typical fried “maggi” mee that we used to order at Indian mamak stalls. The noodle is thinner compared to our maggi mee here. The thickness and the size is very similar to Thai style instant noodle.

Overall, these food are very nice and presentable. If there are any Khmer food served in Penang, I feel that the business will be very good just like Miss Saigon’s Restaurant in Penang. Anyway, on my next post will be the street snack and the food that I will never try for the second time.

Stay tuned!

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Economic turmoil begins collecting toll

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

November 22, 2008 (Cambodia)

The global economic turmoil has started taking its toll worldwide and it is the smaller and under developed economies of the world who are the first to face the brunt of the development. Cambodia which has a very small garment sector but on which it is economically dependent has been badly hit by the crisis.

The recessionary trends prevailing mainly in its main markets of the US has brought with it a fear of closures and mass lay offs in the export oriented sector. The garment sector of Cambodia, which is the leading export earner and employment generator for the country, is presently collapsing under the pressure built up by falling US orders.

Slowdown of the US economy has immensely hurt the revenues flowing into Cambodia as well as the profit of the exporters. More so because unlike other competing countries like Thailand, the Cambodian garment manufacturers cum exporters failed to diversify its markets in to Europe, Russia and the thriving Middle East.

About 70 percent of the garment exports of Cambodia are directed to the US while only 24 percent go to the EU. Experts believe that slowdown in US will lead to further drop in the sales of clothing.

There is an expectation of nearly 35-40 garment exporting units closing in the next two months as new orders have trickled down or have totally stopped coming in. Already it seems nearly 20,000 employees have been laid off and if these other companies close down it will add nearly 25,000-30,000 to that number.

Most of the other garment export companies are working between 50-70 percent capacities due to lack of orders and according to some exporters they do not expect the situation to improve even in 2009.

But labour unions counter the observations made by these garment companies by saying that those companies which have closed down, have done so due to labour related issues and have shifted their operations elsewhere, but do accept the gravity of the situation created by the crisis.

Date for Cambodian infant's surgery is set

Soksamnang Vy

Press-Telegram Long Beach
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/21/2008

LONG BEACH - Soksamnang Vy, an 11-month old boy from an impoverished village in Cambodia who was brought to the United States for life-altering heart surgery, has had a date set for the procedure.

The Children's Heart Center in Las Vegas, which is donating its staff and facilities for the surgery, has scheduled Vy for an appointment on Dec. 1, with surgery on Dec. 4 or 5.

Vy and his mother, Ratha Pang, arrived in Long Beach on Sunday, accompanied by Peter Chhun, the founder of nonprofit Hearts Without Boundaries, which is sponsoring the trip.

The boy suffers from a ventricular septal defect or hole in his heart.

Although the surgery to fix it is relatively routine in the United States, it requires use of a heart-lung machine and expertise not readily available in Cambodia.

"The baby has a congenital heart defect that without surgery will shorten his life," said Dr. Paul Grossfeld of San Diego, a cardiologist familiar with Vy's condition.

Vy is the second child Chhun has brought out of Cambodia for the open-heart procedure. The first, 9-year-old Davik Teng, had surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles in March and has since returned to her village outside of Battambang in northwest Cambodia.

After surgery, Vy will likely remain in the hospital for three or four days to recover and will stay in Las Vegas another week or two for checkups.

If all goes to plan, Chhun says Vy should be well enough to return home by the end of January.

greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1291

THE SIN: Who committed sin will receive sin

Piyachar (L), the wife of Janekit Kratsakhon, her son Sirachat (C) and her daughter Lipikar cry in front of the coffin of Janekit Kratsakhon who died after a grenade attack on protesters outside the metropolitan police headquarters in Bangkok November 20, 2008. The leader of a long-running anti-government street movement in Thailand called for a major rally on Sunday to oust the "murderous" administration after one of its supporters was killed in a grenade attack.REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)

Soldiers near Government House in Bangkok. Eight Thai anti-government protesters were wounded, one critically, in a pre-dawn grenade attack in Bangkok Saturday, ramping up tensions a day ahead of a major rally, officials said(AFP/File/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)

Thai Buddhist monks take part in a protest against Thai Beverage's plan to list on the Thai bourse outside the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) building Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and civilians staged a noisy protest opposing the listing plan and claiming that it would encourage Thais to drink alcohol and was counter to the beliefs of the kingdom's Buddhist majority.(AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

A Thai Buddhist monk holds banners 'Stop beer and whisky in the stock market' as he joins a protest against Thai Beverage's plan to list on the Thai bourse outside the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) building Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and civilians staged a noisy protest opposing the listing plan and claiming that it would encourage Thais to drink alcohol and was counter to the beliefs of the kingdom's Buddhist majority.(AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

An injured anti-government protester is wheeled to an ambulance after a bomb attack at their protesting ground of government house in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008. A grenade attack on protesters occupying the Thai prime minister's office wounded eight people early Saturday, officials said.(AP Photo)

Sacravatoons : " The Open Door "

Courtesy of Sacravatoon

Sacravatoons : " The Bird Flu "

Courtesy of Sacravatoon

Cambodian PM predicts 7 pct GDP growth for 2009

www.chinaview.cn

2008-11-22

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen predicted that the economic growth of the country could be 7 percent next year, despite a recent IMF growth forecast of under 5percent, national media reported Saturday.

A heavy rainy season, which boosts rice crops, could help bolster GDP growth to 7 percent, Hun Sen said at the 14th Government-Private Sector Forum, according to the Cambodia Daily newspaper.

However, dropping demand and international financial turmoil have darkened the country's economic horizon, Hun Sen said.

Hun Sen also agreed to suggestions that farmers be offered contract farming to help assure reasonable prices for their products.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen said that he had ordered a 100 U.S. dollars reduction to the price of passports issued to Cambodian migrant workers, which will now cost only 24 U.S. dollars including the price of photographs.

Editor: Wang Hongjiang

Fallen leader mourned; Saukam Khoy

VICTOR. J. BLUE/The Record

Vanarith Saukam, son of former Cambodian President Saukam Khoy'light incense as family and friend mound during his father's funeral thursday at the buddhist temple in Stockton.

Saukam Khoy, who led Cambodia for 11 days in 1975, died at 93

By Jennifer Torres
Record Staff Writer

November 21, 2008

STOCKTON - Funeral services began Thursday for the last man to serve as Cambodia's president before Khmer Rouge forces took control of his country and launched a devastating campaign of persecution.

Saukam Khoy, who had been living in Stockton since 1984, died last Friday. He was 93.
The former lieutenant general served as acting president of the Khmer Republic from April 1 to April 12, 1975.

Those 11 days marked the end of five years of war between the U.S.-backed Cambodian republic and the Khmer Rouge insurgents who went on to embark on a genocide that killed nearly 2 million people and led thousands of others to flee.

Even during that upheaval and throughout the rest of his life, Saukam's children said, he remained deeply committed to his family and homeland.

"He loved his country. He sacrificed for his country," his daughter Bophasy Saukam said. "He taught us to be brave, to be courageous."

Saukam Khoy was born in 1915 to parents Kam Siv and Uy Sinn Loeung, and enlisted in the Royal Khmer army when he was 25. In 1972, he served as president of Cambodia's Senate. Then on April 1, 1975, he was appointed acting president, taking over for Lon Nol, who fled into exile.

Saukam said at the time that he maintained hopes to negotiate a cease-fire and establish a coalition government.

"I shall go to the soldiers and the people to find out the situation and inspire them with confidence," he told a correspondent for Time magazine in 1975.

But by then, Phnom Penh was under siege, most of Cambodia's other major cities had fallen and American aid had been withdrawn.

"I think it's fair to say that, by the end of March, the writing was on the wall," said John Ciociari, a researcher with Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He has assisted in the work of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. "One doubts that the senior leadership remaining could have done much to save the country."

U.S. officials sent letters to Cambodian leaders, offering to evacuate them. Saukam and his family were flown to Thailand and then to the United States.

Sara Kun, who was at the Wat Dharmararam Buddhist Temple on Carpenter Road this week to help monks repair a broken screen door, said he remembers the day Saukam departed: April 12, five days before Phnom Penh fell.

"I remember, it was right before Cambodian New Year," Kun said. "We did not know how bad it would be."

After about nine years in Houston, Saukam and his wife, Vom Tep Saukam, moved to Stockton, where they lived relatively quiet lives among the thousands of other Cambodians who also were resettled here.

"We asked him about his background because we wanted more information," said Nim Ros, who helps coordinate social services at the Park Village Apartment community, where many Cambodian refugees settled. "He turned away. He didn't want to talk about it."

Vanna Prasit is assistant director of the Asian Pacific Self-development and Residential Association, which oversees Park Village. Her family escaped Cambodia before the forced labor, starvation and executions that killed an estimated 20 percent of the country's population. She said she grew up listening to her mother talk to other women who saw their babies die.

"They're still afraid," Prasit said. "Talking about politics, in Cambodia, is usually not done."

More important, Ros said, " is preserving the culture."

Vanrith Saukam, Saukam Khoy's son, said his parents agreed that Cambodian traditions should be maintained. "He was very faithful to his country, generous and devoted," Vanrith Saukam said.

He said his parents were active members of the Buddhist Temple. His mother formed dance troupes to teach children about their country's artistic heritage.

Bophasy Saukam said her family lent out her wedding dress to refugee families who wanted a traditional Cambodian ceremony.

She said her father, who was reading the work of French philosophers in the days before he died, hoped eventually to return to a peaceful Cambodia.

At the temple Thursday, his casket was draped with a Cambodian flag his wife had made for him about 15 years ago. Monks led prayers, and family members lit incense in front of Saukam's portrait.

He is survived by his children, Bopharin Saukam and Sophala Saukam of France; Vanan Saukam, Vanchan Saukam and Vanrith Saukam of Houston; and Bophasy Saukam of Stockton.

He also is survived by 21 grandchildren, three of whom live in Stockton: Sytana Dany Khloth, Bonaka Dean Khloth and Boramy Tina Khloth.

Funeral services continue today.

Contact reporter Jennifer Torres at (209) 546-8252 or jtorres@recordnet.com.

Cambodia: Langrabbing and hybrid rice

GRAIN

21 November 2008

Cambodia is a major target of the global landgrabbing surge that began in March this year when the world food crisis was at its peak. High-ranking foreign delegations have regularly been visiting Phnom Penh, looking to strike deals for access to land to produce food for export back to their countries. Overall, as much as $3 billion in agricultural investments are currently being negotiated with the Cambodian government in return for millions of hectares in land concessions. The largest deal so far is a bilateral deal with Kuwait involving a $546 million loan in exchange for a 70-90 year lease covering a "large area" of rice lands, where Kuwait will organise production for export back home. Meanwhile, over 100,000 Cambodian families lack food and many more are directly at risk from the escalating government-backed land evictions happening across the country.

As documented by GRAIN in an October 2008 briefing, Seized: The 2008 land grab for food and financial security, such land grab investments in Cambodia and elsewhere may be negotiated by governments, but it is the private sector that is explicitly expected to step in and deliver-- taking control of the production and distribution. This kind of agricultural investment is really all about agribusiness development-- from the seed to the market, and it is only natural then that the projects involving rice often involve hybrid rice seeds.

As Cambodian rice farmers are dispalced from their lands to make way for export production, so too their traditional rice seeds will be displaced by imported hybrids. This was confirmed this past week when national media in Cambodia reported that a Cambodia-based joint venture hybrid rice company was in negotiations with foreign investors from the Middle East and Singapore to grow its hybrid rice on 50,000 hectares in the central province of Kampong Thom.

The hybrid rice company, Kasekor Khmer Rongroeung Co Ltd, is a partnership between Singapore-based Sunland Agritech, a well-known player on the hybrid rice scene with tie-ups in Malaysia and the Philippines, and Malaynesia Resources, a Singapore-based company providing consultancy services to foreigners investing in Southeast Asia. The company currently only operates a 2-hectare test plot but it plans to increase its seed production area in the province to 200 hectares in the next growing season.

This past season the company distributed seeds and fertiliser to farmers free of charge in return for a share of the crop - a strategy it plans to expand upon. At present, the provincial governor estimates that Kasekor Khmer Rongroeung' s hybrid rice is grown on around 5,000 hectares in the province.

"We are ready for large-scale implementation," said Louis Kek, director of Malaynesia Resources.

Kek told the Cambodia Daily that their hybrid seeds will triple rice yields in the province, from 2.5 tonnes per hectare to 7- 8 tonnes per hectare. But similar promises were also made by this company in Malaysia, where high yields have not materialised. In trials conducted by the Malaysian Agriculture and Research Development Institute (MARDI), the hybrid rice of SunLand's Malaysian joint venture, RB Biotech, was devastated by panicle blast and, even when not exposed to disease, its yield was still considerably below that of the check variety.

The main appeal of hybrid rice for private investors, however, is not its performance but the control it offers over farming. Farmers who plant hybrid rice have to return to the company every year to buy new seed, so it is ideal for locking them into contract production. Hybrid rice is also best suited to the kind of large-scale, high-tech, plantation-style agriculture that the foreign investors moving in on Cambodia's rice lands are likely interested in pursuing. Landgrabbing and hybrid rice are indeed a perfect match.

WB Chief warns financial crisis has blocked global trade

AFP, Frankfurt

The global financial crisis has hit international trade because banks have become wary of financing deals, World Bank president Robert Zoellick said yesterday.

"Trade is largely financed by credit" which has become tighter as banks retrenched following the collapse of the US market for high risk, or subprime mortgages, and the failure of US investment bank Lehman Brothers, Zoellick said at the 10th German World Bank Forum.

Dow Jones Newswires reported Zoellick as saying that the World Bank was in discussion with the United States and China as well as other partners to work out how to finance trade. "This will be critical" in fighting the global economic slowdown, Zoellick said. Lars Thunell, head of the World Bank's private sector lending arm the International Finance Corp., said the IFC was providing banks with guarantee facilities to back loans for trade.

The World Bank meanwhile, forecast a decline of about 0.1 percent in economic activity in the developed world next year while the developing world's growth rate will slow to about 4.5 percent, down from the previous estimate of 6.5 percent.

Global growth will therefore be only "modest," Zoellick said.

In Siem Reap, Cambodia, the world's poorest countries called on rich nations Thursday to continue giving aid despite the global financial crisis.

The appeal from trade ministers and representatives from nearly 50 Least Developed Countries ended two days of talks in Cambodia's tourist hub to discuss trade and the credit crunch.

Group plans celebration for Buddha-shaped wasp nest

11/21/2008

By Matt Russell
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

The Cambodian Buddhist community in Rochester has scheduled a two-day celebration to commemorate what members believe is an apparition of the Buddha on temple grounds.

The Dec. 6 and 7 events will celebrate a wasp nest shaped like a seated Buddha that is tucked into the eaves over the entrance to a temple building. Monks and others in the Cambodian Buddhist community have called the nest a miracle, leading to national media attention.

The Dec. 6 event will begin at 6 p.m.; festivities start at 8 a.m. Dec. 7 and continue into the afternoon.

"It's just a celebration for the Buddha," said community member Tracy Sam. "We want everybody to know they are invited to the temple to help us celebrate."

The wasp nest, which members of the community have been calling a beehive, was noticed early this month. Beehives appear to have a special significance in Cambodian Buddhism: Honey collecting is a common activity in Cambodia, where Buddhist temples feature honeycomb-shaped towers.

Monk Moeun Ngop, 76, pointed to a colorful painting on the temple grounds of a monkey giving a honeycomb. He says the painting is a sign that the Buddha-shaped nest isn't a coincidence.

Experts who have examined photos of the nest say that the temple's eaves are an ideal place for a wasp nest to be located. There is nothing extraordinary about the nest's shape, they said.

The Buddhist Support Society's temple is at 4462 29th St. S.E. in Rochester.

Rare Otter Cub Found in Cambodia

IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund

November 21, 2008 - Press Dispensary - A biological research team has just returned from a coastal survey trip in Southwest Cambodia where it discovered Oshi, a four month old otter cub of the extremely rare hairy-nosed otter breed, living in a village house. Apparently, he had been enjoying the hospitality of a fisherman’s family for about two months. This discovery is welcome news to the International Otter Survival Fund ( IOSF ), which works to protect endangered otter species.

Hairy-nosed otters were considered extinct in 1998. Since then, however, small populations have been found in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Sumatra. Very little is known about the hairy nosed otter and its habits, and the breed was previously thought to be restricted to freshwater swamp areas. The arrival of Oshi proves that the hairy nosed otter is, indeed, living in coastal areas of Cambodia.

Despite this discovery, the news for hairy nosed otters isn't all happy: their greatest threat is from the fur trade, with the majority of furs going to Tibet and China. For every tiger skin found, at least 10 otter skins exist, while one haul in Lhasa revealed 778 otter skins. IOSF has launched a campaign called Furget-Me-Not, as otters are the forgotten victims of wildlife crime.

Besides Oshi, one other hairy-nosed otter exists in captivity – another male called Dara, who is in Phnom Tamao Zoo in Phnom Penh. Dara, which means “star” or “precious” in Cambodian, has become a real “star” to the local people. He is raising awareness of the plight of otters in Cambodia and their importance to the environment.

IOSF is working with Conservation International Cambodia, carrying out community education work around Tonle Sap Lake, and training a national team of biology students and villagers. This is having a positive effect and local rangers and fishermen are now reporting illegal nets.

Fisherman Soun Sareun sometimes swaps his fishing nets for a compass and GPS to take part in the otter project – he wants to be a role model in his community. Paul Yoxon said: “This is the real way forward to counter the fur trade - by getting the community involved and providing a way for people to make a living without killing otters. The Cambodian people are seeing Dara and now don’t want to kill otters."

Oshi will go to Phnom Tamau where he'll stay in the quarantine area for a while then, hopefully, he can join Dara and together they can act as ambassadors for other otters.

Find out more at http://www.furgetmenot.org.uk or http://www.otter.org

Some Children Labor, Far From Home

By Pich Samnang, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
21 November 2008

Pale-faced and thin, Chhim Mao sits outside a three-story building in Phnom Penh, guarding cars. Born in Takeo province, the 16-year-old boy has been living for four years with the building owner, a man he’d never known before.

“My grandmother brought me here to help with her housecleaning,” Chhim Mao says. “I help her clean the rooms, and I guard the parked vehicles, as she is getting old and has a lot of work to do.”

In fact, Chhim Mao’s grandmother no longer stays here. She has moved to another house, leaving all her tasks to Chhim Mao. The young boy waters the flowers and the plants. He cleans the stairs. He opens the gate for residents and workers. Often, he dares not sleep until late at night, waiting for the building owner to return.

“I wait for him until one o’clock, when he comes home,” the boy says. “If he has not come, I have to wait for him.”

Chhim Mao is one of more than 20,000 children who leave their hometowns to work in other people's houses in major urban centers like Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampong Cham and Siem Reap, according to research compiled by World Vision Cambodia and Licadho.

“Some of them are also at high risk of being sexually harassed or even abused by male employers or house owners because of a lack of protection,” says Lor Monirith, World Vision’s manager for the a project to combat child labor.

Children working in private homes like this, often with long hours, lose an opportunity for education, he says.

According to a study by the International Labor Organization, child servants like these work between 12 hours to 18 hours a day, often with little or no pay. They wash dishes and clothes, iron, polish shoes, cook, look after children, care for the infirm. They are the first to rise, the last to sleep and serve at the bidding of their employer. Some are beaten, some scolded, and some are asked to take the wife’s place in the bed of the boss.

Poverty drives the children to the work, Lor Monith says.

“Some parents send their children to work here in the city to earn some money to support the family or pay back debts,” he says.

According to the International Labor Organization’s Convention on the Prevention and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor, the government, as a signatory, must eliminate severe child labor, such as slavery, forced labor or any work affecting a child’s health, safety or morality.

Labor Ministry officials were unavailable or declined to comment.

Licadho spokesman Vann Sophat says his organization has received six cases of domestic child labor abuse this year, but not a single case has been heard by the courts.

“One of the cases was rape, but the perpetrator is walking free,” he says.

A specific law on child domestic workers is needed to protect these child servants, he says. But more than that, parents must understand that it is not a child’s duty to support the family.

“What a child needs to do,” he says, “is go to school and gain knowledge to become a well-educated citizen for the country in the future.”