Employers' group calls for better negotiating

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:01 Chun Sophal

Training of CAMFEBA members will help end industrial labour disputes, business union says

A MAJOR employers group called on members Monday to improve negotiation to help open communication channels with labour unions and improve industrial relations.

Som Chamnan, executive manager of the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA), told the Post on the sidelines of a two-day training session for members that it would not be possible for employers to reach agreement with unions if they were not prepared for negotiations.

"We are training them now because we want them to be capable of negotiating effectively on a collective bargaining agreement with unions," he said, referring to an initiative aimed at bringing the more than 1,500 unions in the country under one umbrella.

Under the Kingdom's 1997 Labour Law, employers are required only to negotiate with the union that represents the most workers in the workplace, at least 33 percent of whom pay dues, but the requirement is usually ignored.

However, just three people are required to form a union under the law. According to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, Cambodia has 1,596 unions, most of which operate in the garment sector.

Some factories have as many as 14 unions advocating separately on behalf of workers.

Cheat Khemara, a Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia labour official, said Monday that employers had been "victimised" by union-led demonstrations and strikes during negotiations.

"I think the government should make unions respect the law properly for the sake of peace in the garment sector because ... forcing or putting pressure on employers can negatively affect entrepreneurs' productivity and make buyers lose confidence," he said.

However, Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said it was employers who did not respect the law. They also frequently bribe officials to decide matters in their favour, he added.

"I think that negotiations about the collective-bargaining agreement would not be meaningful even if employers are well-trained because they have not abided by existing laws," Chea Mony said.

A labour court called for in the Kingdom's labour laws has not yet been established.

Govt consults telcos again on draft law

Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN
A girl uses a mobile phone in Phnom Penh. Mobile companies are scheduled to submit by Friday feedback on the draft telecommunications law which will eventually regulate the sector.

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We'll be looking to put together comments on the draft as it stands.
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The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:01 Steve Finch

Mobile-phone operators to submit feedback in light of new entrants, changes to market

CAMBODIA'S mobile phone companies have said they will give feedback on a draft telecommunications law by Friday after the government agreed to receive comments by the private sector.

Marae Ciantar, a partner at Phnom Penh law firm Allens Arthur Robinson who is chairing the private-sector sub-committee considering the draft, told the Post Monday that not all operators had given feedback yet following an August 27 meeting in Phnom Penh that included a "brief discussion" on the issue.

"We'll be looking to put together comments on the draft as it stands ... on key elements," he said, adding that these would be collated and presented to the government.

The private sector had not been consulted on the latest version of the draft, which had been adjusted by the government during a period in which, Ciantar said, "the market has changed" with the introduction of new companies.

Viettel, Smart Mobile and Beeline have all set up in Cambodia this year.

The government agreed to reopen the consultation process to the private sector at the beginning of last month, said Ciantar, who led the meeting on August 27.

Some companies expressed concern at a number of points in the draft that they said were unclear or went against their commercial interests.

Hello CEO Simon Perkins told the Post Monday it had raised four points in its feedback to the working group, which it had already submitted.

These included rules on foreign ownership, separation of networks, universal service obligations and the transition period once the law has been passed by the government.

Perkins said that in regard to universal coverage, the draft was unclear as to how companies would ensure all geographic areas would be covered - particularly given the lack of mains electricity in remote regions - and whether mobile companies "may be required to put in funds" as part of a pool to cover infrastructure costs.

Other options might include agreements between companies to establish infrastructure in different areas so that overall coverage could be achieved, he said.

Thomas Hundt, the CEO of Smart Mobile, said his company was "more or less OK" with the draft as it stands.
"[There are] no major changes from our side," he said.

Beeline General Director Gael Campan was unavailable for comment Monday, as was market leader Mobitel.

Ciantar said it still remained unclear how long it would take for the draft telecommunications law to be passed.

"[We are] still seeking to confirm with the government their timetable," he said.

Perkins said he has requested the government outline when the draft might be passed but has yet to receive a response.

Regulation and legal recourse has recently come under the spotlight in Cambodia's increasingly competitive mobile-phone sector, with a dispute between Mobitel and Beeline still unresolved.

Mobitel has accused the Russian-owned operator of price-dumping and of "illegally" using its prefixes, while Beeline has countered that the market leader has deliberately blocked interconnectivity between their two networks.

Hello says it will focus on 3G BlackBerry sales

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:01 Steve Finch

HELLO, the mobile phone network operated by Kuala Lumpur-based Axiata, will discontinue sales of its 2G BlackBerry handsets to focus on sales of its 3G model Bold, CEO Simon Perkins said Monday.

The company has sold nearly 1,000 Pearl 8120 and Curve 8320 2G handsets, which are made by Canada-based firm Research in Motion (RIM), since launching at the end of April, Perkins said.

"Sales have been strong," he said, adding that Hello would not ship any more 2G models.

Perkins said Hello imported 200 Bold handsets for the end-of-July launch of its 3G BlackBerry service, and that another 1,000 were passing through Cambodian customs following importation from Canada.

"This model is very popular worldwide, if not the most popular of the BlackBerry smart phone range of products," Hello Brand manager Gary Foo said Monday.

The company sells the Bold handset for US$68 a month as part of a two-year BlackBerry service contract, he said.

Further stock orders on 3G handsets would be placed in the future, Perkins said, but he ruled out the introduction of the Storm model, a touch-screen RIM 3G handset, citing disappointing sales elsewhere in the region.

Credit Suisse last week raised its rating for RIM from "neutral" to "outperform" based on analysts' forecasts on growing demand for BlackBerry handsets.

Creating a glamorous Web tribute to the world of Khmer celebrities

Photo by: Roth Meas and Photo Supplied
Chem Vuth Sovin, above, co-founder of Khmer Celebrity Community, and a screenshot of khmercelb.org.

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:00 Roth Meas

A collective of enterprising Cambodian new-media disciples has created a beautifully produced, regularly updated online magazine devoted to the emerging scene of Khmer celebrities

RUN a Web search on "Khmerceleb" and a modern, well-designed Web site is first up in the results.

This Web page, with its plethora of features and photographs concerned with Cambodian celebrities, belongs to the Khmer Celebrity Community (KCC), which was founded by five people: Chem Vuth Sovin and Alex T, both of whom live in Cambodia; Rattanak Tee Leang and Veasna Pors, who live in the US; and New Zealand resident Akong.

Sovin and Alex T got to know their three colleagues by chance, when they chatted on the Internet. As a group, they began building their relationship and sharing personal interests.

They soon landed on common ground and decided to found the KCC, before launching Khmer Celeb, an online magazine, on March 8.

Chem Vuth Sovin explains the reasons behind creating the online magazine were that "we all love art and entertainment, and many people aren't aware of how this scene is developing in Cambodia. We want to support this, so we created a Web page to showcase this newfound confidence and creative upsurge."

Sovin is a former Cambodian student who studied law in Lyon, France, for almost three years. He is also a photographer and owns a shop called SPK Plus Digital Photography. Yet in order to create the Web site, he needed the help of his friend in New Zealand.

Each month on Khmer Celeb, the homepage is designated as a shrine to a different celebrity. That celebrity is the site's "artist of the month" and takes part in a detailed interview, as well as having a fact file composed about him or her, and a number of photographs added.

Khmer Celeb strives to include celebrities from a variety of disciplines, from film stars and singers to painters and boxers.

Sovin is usually the point of contact for the celebrities featured on the site and often arranges the interviews and photo shoots himself.

The staff of KCC generally communicate with one another by Internet or phone because of their great geographical diversity. After all, they do live across three different continents.

The process usually flows as thus: Sovin gathers the information and photos in Cambodia and sends them to his colleagues in the US for editing.

After editing, the articles will be sent on again to Akong, the webmaster, who lives in New Zealand and controls the whole site, He publishes the articles on khmerceleb.org.

However, Khmer Celeb is always keen to diversify its media content and has begun to show video clips about stars, clothes and hairstyles. This is where Alex T comes in, the production director of the site, who produces all of the video content.

Yet there is more, as Sovin explains.

"Khmer Celeb also works as a social networking site, much like Facebook or Myspace, where people can join and then create their own personal page, post their photos or comments and chat with friends," he says.

New sections such as lifestyle, Cambodian food, and tourism are making sure the Web site continues to diversify, and there are other topics in the pipeline which are not yet live.

According to Sovin, the main target audience of Khmer Celeb is people who live outside of Cambodia, including foreigners.

The KCC is certain that many Cambodians overseas regularly access the Internet; it's somewhat odd that the site is more likely to reach those people, rather than residents of its country of origin.

However, Sovin has seen a rising number of Cambodian students using the Internet, and some are already regular visitors to Khmer Celeb. The group hopes to take advantage of this soon and plans to target Cambodian teenagers at the end of this year.

Thus far, the founders have run the group using their own money.

"When we first created the online mag, we were only interested in exposing Khmer entertainment," Sovin explained.

"We never even thought about money, but now, after half a year, some companies are beginning to ask us to advertise their products."

Sovin plans to extend his staff to 14 to help make Khmer Celeb bigger and better than ever.

Seducing youth through style and song

Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN
The karaoke hit-maker prepares to deliver a vocal take.

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:00 May Titthara

Cambodia's most celebrated karaoke crooner appreciates that style is more than skin-deep

IT would be no exaggeration to say that Preap Sovath has taken Cambodia by storm over almost two decades in the public eye.

Widely hailed as one of the most famous Cambodian singers of his generation, Preap Sovath's personal styling has also made him a fashion icon for today's Cambodian youth.

The 37-year-old started his career in the early '90s, working for Rasmey Hang Meas, perhaps the country's most progressive production company, and has recorded over 2,000 nontraditional Khmer karaoke-style songs to date.

Yet it is perhaps his fashion sense which has left an indelible mark on Cambodian pop culture.

Preap Sovath smiles with pride when he discusses his influence over youths.

"I am so happy. When I see people follow my fashion ideas, it is a great compliment, and they may not know it, but their support encourages me to work even harder," he claims.

Clad in jeans and a black corduroy cap, Preap Sovath details his latest venture.

"I have opened a tailor's shop [at Preap Sovath Beauty Center, 56AB Russian Blvd], which I hope will help me come up with new looks and also do the same for my clients.

"My style has always been largely influenced by my wife, with some ideas from me as well.

"In my profession, I have to feel confident in the clothes I wear, and I think that when you get things right in fashion terms, it gives a great impression," said the Khmer superstar.

Yet life has not always been so easy for Preap Sovath.

Before his musical career took off, there were periods of great difficulty, those times make him appreciate his current success even more.

"Before I was famous, I had a lot of struggles to endure. In 1992, I worked as a soldier during the day and sang at nightclubs in the evening.

"Everyone must push themselves and try their hardest in life, but I know there are many people who have greater struggles than me."

It is this awareness and compassion which marks Preap Sovath out as a true star in the eyes of Chan Kunthear, a 22-year-old student, who proudly proclaims herself one of his biggest fans.

"He is my favourite singer. I like his voice; it is so sweet and romantic.

"I have never heard of or seen him look down on others, even though he is so famous," Chan Kunthear said.

"He always respects people, both young and old, and that is what makes him so special to so many people."

Will Cambodia cut the mustard?

Photo by: SOVAN PHILONG
With a plethora of top-class restaurants in Cambodia, such as Le Wok in Phnom Penh, it will be interesting to see how many make it into The Miele Guide.

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:00 Peter Olszewski

The second annual edition of The Miele Guide, featuring reviews of leading restaurants in Asia, including Cambodia, will be launched in Singapore on September 30 at a gala dinner at The Fullerton Hotel.

"We are very much looking forward to unveiling our second edition," said Pauline Ooi, the guide's associate publisher.

"Over the past year, from the moment the inaugural edition was launched, we have resolutely worked towards making The Miele Guide an even more credible and independent system through which restaurants throughout Asia are evaluated.

"This second edition is a strong and diverse showcase of our region's top chefs and restaurateurs, and it is an honest, practical guide to the best of dining in Asia."

As well as featuring 450 restaurants from 16 Asian countries, the new 2009-10 guide rates Asia's top 25 restaurants - last year's rating included only the top 20 Asian restaurants.

This year there will also be a listing of the top five restaurants in each country, with the exception of those with only a very small number of entries under them.

Readers, diners and culinary experts were asked to vote for their top Asian restaurants via a Web site for inclusion in this year's guide.

The Miele Guide Web site was made available in English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean to reach a wider pool of Asian voters. Voters came from 98 countries this year, up from 40 last year, with over 19,000 registered voters casting over 98,000 votes.

Last year, no Cambodian restaurant made it into the top 20 rankings, but three Cambodian restaurants were listed: FCC Phnom Penh Kitchen, FCC Angkor Kitchen in Siem Reap, and Hotel de la Paix's Meric restaurant in Siem Reap.

The Miele Guide is published by Ate Media and sponsored by Miele, a German manufacturer of home appliances.

In a statement, Ate Media said: "As an independent guide, The Miele Guide does not accept any advertising, sponsorship or free meals from the restaurants reviewed."

The statement added that while Miele is a sponsor of the guide, it "does not exert any influence over the selection and judging process that determines which restaurants appear" in the guide.

NagaWorld plans gala

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:00 Ou Mom and Mark Roy

NagaWorld is celebrating the once-in-a-thousand-year date of 9/9/09, with a series of concerts and cultural dances.

In a press release which promotes NagaWorld as "the ideal location for families", the hotel and casino says Wednesday's events will "create unforgettable experiences that people of all ages could enjoy".

However, a spokesperson for NagaWorld said it had no daycare centre, special facilities or playgrounds for children.

The celebrations will feature performances Wednesday and Thursday from top artists such as Sokun Nisa, Nobaya Rith, Sokun Kagna and Chorn Sovanna Reach, alongside international events from around 5pm until midnight.

From Wednesday to Sunday, dancers will feature Angkorian style performances of the traditional Apsara dance, the Royal Peacock Dance and the fast-paced Milk Churning Dance.

There are also food and beverage specials and promotions on spa treatments.

"Cambodia has never seen so much entertainment under one roof," said Steve Cheng, NagaWorld's chief operating officer, in a statement.

The statement also said patrons had the chance to "win up to $20,000 in the 9-9-09 Lucky Draw".

However, it was not clear how patrons could do this, given the total prize money in the first, second and third prize categories added up to $17,558, with $1,588 in cash and the rest in "play value".

The 9-9-09 celebration is organised by NagaWorld, the Ministry of Tourism and Raksmey Hang Meas Production.

Kao Roomchang, Long Sophy tie up with just three fights left

Photo by: Robert Starkweather
Kao Roomchang (left), a favourite to win the CTN lightweight tournament and take Lao Sinath’s 60-kilogram title, remains undefeated in four fights

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:00 Robert Starkweather

Kao Roomchang outpoints Nuon Mony on Sunday at the CTN boxing arena to move into a share of first place with Long Sophy in the lightweight tournament

NO cuts, no blood, no knockout - the expected destruction of Nuon Mony at the hands of Kao Roomchang failed to happen Sunday at the CTN boxing arena.

Absent were Kao Roomchang's hallmark vicious elbows and knee-buckling haymakers. Instead, the 21-year-old Battambang southpaw led with his boxing game, banging away at Nuon Mony's brass chin for five rounds with uppercuts and hooks.

Though Kao Roomchang easily did enough to earn a decision victory, he never came close to scoring a knockout, which would have put him alone in first place in the lightweight tournament.

With seven weeks left in the eight-man round-robin competition, each fighter has fought four times, with three fights to go. The winner, as determined by victories and knockouts, will earn a title shot against lightweight champion Lao Sinath.

Kao Roomchang and Long Sophy are now tied for first place, both 4-0 with one knockout.

Nuon Mony, 25, entered the ring Sunday winless in three tournament fights, and locked in a tie for last place with Bheut Bunthoeun. He knew well that his first victory was unlikely to come against Kao Roomchang.

"I've got a very small chance of winning," Nuon Mony said before the fight. "I have fought him twice before and lost both times."

Although the outcome of the fight was never in doubt, Nuon Mony surprised many with his durability. He shrugged off dozens of head-snapping uppercuts and largely held his own in toe-to-toe exchanges. He looked as fresh after five rounds as he did before one.

With his hands high and his chin low, Kao Roomchang came charging forward from the opening bell, winding up with uppercuts and hooks, and largely forgetting other techniques.

A nimble counter-puncher, Nuon Mony from Kampong Thom is among the best defensive fighters in the division. He frustrated Kao Roomchang's advance with jabs and busy feet, fighting nearly every second of the bout while moving backward.

But he could not run forever, and Kao Roomchang inevitably started trapping him in the corners. With few options, Nuon Mony had little choice but to stand and fight or get painted.

In those exchanges, Nuon Mony held up remarkably well, and he managed to escape every time without suffering any major damage. Kao Roomchang may have worn him out, but in five rounds against one of the most fearsome fighters in the division, Nuon Mony never got cut, and he never went down.

"By round five I was pretty worn out," Nuon Mony said afterwards. It could have been much worse.

Vung Noy KOs Song Saruth
In the second of two lightweight tournament fights Sunday at the CTN boxing arena, Vung Noy stopped Song Saruth in the second round with an elbow.

With about a minute gone in the second round, Vung Noy, 20, from Pailin, faked with a right knee and then stepped through with the left elbow, catching Song Saruth on his left eyebrow.

As Song Saruth grasped at his eye, Vung Noy blasted him with a knee to the ribs, and Song Saruth collapsed in a heap on the canvas.

Referee Sok Vichay counted to three before waving the fight over.

With the victory, Vung Noy remains at No 4 in the tournament rankings, still behind co-leaders Kao Roomchang and Long Sophy. The loss keeps Song Saruth at No 6.

Long Sophy and Van Chanvey, in first and second place respectively, are scheduled to fight Sunday, September 13. Also on the card, Naem Chenda will face Bheut Bunthoeun, in what will likely turn out to be a battle for fifth place.

Police Blotter: 8 Sep 2009

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:02 Mom Kunthear

INFANT KILLED WHEN FATHER BURNS HOME
Twenty-four-year-old Lorn Ling was arrested Saturday in Kampong Thom province on suspicion of killing his 2-month-old daughter by setting their house on fire. His wife, 23-year-old Roeun You, was also severely injured in the blaze, which police said Lorn Ling started after he had been arguing with his wife. The incident occurred Thursday in Sandan district.
KOH SANTEPHEAP

PENURIOUS DRUNK KILLS FRIEND
Twenty-two-year-old Pei Sopheak died at hospital after his friend, 26-year-old Chroeng Khen, stabbed him with a knife while they were drinking together in Kampong Cham province's Kraleng Koet village, in Chamkar Leu district, on Wednesday night, police said. The attack happened after the two argued because Pei Sopheak refused to lend Chroeung Khen 1,000 riels (US$0.24). Police said that the suspect escaped to his hometown following his friend's killing, although he has yet to be located.
KOH SANTEPHEAP

SISTERS ATTACKED IN BANTEAY MEANCHEY
Two sisters, aged 16 and 18 years old, were abducted and raped by three men while they were walking to a market in Mongkol Borei district, Banteay Meanchey province, on Thursday. Police said the pair left their home in the evening in order to buy food. As the pair were walking near a dam in Mongkol Borei, a group of three men riding motorbikes drove up, seized the pair and assaulted them. The suspects remain at large, police added.
KOH SANTEPHEAP

WIFE-BEATER THREATEN SUICIDE
A drunkard in Banteay Meanchey province's Poipet town threatened to kill himself after police arrived at his home in response to a domestic dispute. Thirty-four-year-old Tep Moeun's wife complained to authorities that he had bludgeoned her with a stick. He then held a sickle to his neck as police surrounded him. Officers were eventually able to calm the man down and arrest him.
KAMPUCHEA THMEY

The Phnom Penh Post News in Brief

In Brief: Anticlimatic CPL finish

Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:00 DAN RILEY

The final game of the regular Cambodian Premier League season will play out today at 3pm at Olympic Stadium. League leaders Phnom Penh Crown face league losers Phouchung Neak in a match devoid of significance. Crown will presumably rest their top players ahead of the Super 4 playoffs semifinal Saturday and allow some youngsters to stretch their legs, while the Navy side will hope to grab a last consolation and take their only win of a woeful season.

In Brief: Homeless World Cup

Tuesday, 08 September 2009 15:00 DAN RILEY

MILAN, Italy - The seventh Homeless World Cup of football kicked off in Milan on Sunday, with the Cambodian team getting off to a sweet start thanks to a 5-4 victory over Sweden. Cambodia came 43rd in last year's competition in Melbourne, Australia, and hopes are high this year for an improved ranking. The tournament lasts September 6-13 and features 48 nations. Players must be 16 years or older, and must have been homeless for at least one year - in accordance with the national definition of homelessness - and not played in previous Homeless World Cups. Games are four-a-side (one goalkeeper, three outfield players) and consist of two seven-minute halves. Other notable results Sunday include a 14-0 mauling of Japan by Wales, a 6-4 win for Ghana over the hosts Italy, and a 6-3 thriller in favour of England against current homeless world No 1 Russia. Cambodia's team were sent to Italy by charity organisations Happy Football Cambodia Australia and Riverkids.

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Cambodia in Pictures

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen gestures at a ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Sep. 7, 2009. Hun Sen renewed his criticism of the country's U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal Monday, warning that arresting more suspects could spark civil war. (AP Photo/Khem Sovannara)

Srey Leak, 10, a member of one of many evicted families, stands in her house in Toul Sambo, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh September 7, 2009, while her parents work as garbage collectors near the capital. Cambodia said on Monday it had pulled out of a World Bank project aimed at settling land disputes, raising further concern about forced evictions in the impoverished Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Hun Sen said the World Bank's administrative procedures were too complicated and Cambodia no longer wished to be part of the project. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Dang Saren, 12, a member of one of many evicted families, plays with his neighbour in Toul Sambo, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh September 7, 2009, while his father works as a taxi driver in the capital. Cambodia said on Monday it had pulled out of a World Bank project aimed at settling land disputes, raising further concern about forced evictions in the impoverished Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Hun Sen said the World Bank's administrative procedures were too complicated and Cambodia no longer wished to be part of the project.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Pich Sak, 53, a member of one of many evicted families, looks after her grandson at her house in Toul Sambo, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, September 7, 2009, while her children work as labourers in the capital. Cambodia said on Monday it had pulled out of a World Bank project aimed at settling land disputes, raising further concern about forced evictions in the impoverished Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Hun Sen said the World Bank's administrative procedures were too complicated and Cambodia no longer wished to be part of the project. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

French co-investigating Judge Marcel Lemonde (L) speaks with Trial Chamber Judge Jean-Marc Lavergne (R) during the opening of the 6th plenary session of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh September 7, 2009. This plenary session, which will take place from September 7 to 11, will discuss proposed amendments to the rules and general conduct of ECCC proceedings, according to a media release. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodian co-prosecutor Chea Leng (R) and International co-prosecutor William Smith (L) attend the opening of the 6th plenary session of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh September 7, 2009. This plenary session, which will take place from September 7 to 11, will discuss proposed amendments to the rules and general conduct of ECCC proceedings, according to a media release. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodian plenary President Kong Srim (2nd L) and plenary International Vice-President Judge Silvia Cartwright (2nd R) attend the opening of the 6th plenary session of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh September 7, 2009. This plenary session, which will take place from September 7 to 11, will discuss proposed amendments to the rules and general conduct of ECCC proceedings, according to a media release. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

A general view of the opening of the 6th plenary session of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh September 7, 2009. This plenary session, which will take place between September 7 to 11, will discuss proposed amendments to the rules and general conduct of ECCC proceedings, according to a media release. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Witness - Deacon of Death

Witness - Deacon of Death - Part 1


Witness - Deacon of Death - Part 2


Witness - Deacon of Death - Part 3


Witness - Deacon of Death - Part 4

A Cambodian woman confronts the man whom she holds responsible for the death of her family and other villagers under Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime when she was a child.

Reactions to the Sentences on Three Young People to Serve One Year in Prison on the Accusation of Being ‘Gambling Agents’ – Monday, 7.9.2009

Posted on 8 September 2009.
The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 629
http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com/

“Phnom Penh: On 1 September 2009, the Phnom Penh Court heard and sentenced three persons, who were hired to write football betting receipts and lottery papers, and to take care of game machines for children, to serve one year in prison each – the sentencing was accompanied with noisy crying from their relatives.

“A judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Ms. Sem Sakola, convicted Sok Vy – 28, Ms. Phat Linda – 23, and Ms. Suon Sreymuoy – 22, to serve one year in prison, starting from the day they were arrested on 29 August 2009, and ordered them to pay Riel 7 million [approx. US$1,700] each in fines under the accusation of being ‘gambling agents.’

“Journalists from Rasmei Kampuchea went to the workplace of the above mentioned persons at House 50E0, at the corner of Streets 109 and 140, Monorom, Prampi Makara district, in Phnom Penh, around the Dumex market on Saturday. Witnesses, who are neighbors, said that the House 50E0 runs football betting, lottery, and game machines for children since long ago. There are around two to three houses running similar businesses there, like game machines for children.

“Witnesses added that Sok Vy came from a province to live in Phnom Penh, renting a house, and she had worked for that house for many years, responsibly controlling the game machines for children, collecting money, and repairing the machines. Ms. Phat Linda was responsible for writing lottery receipts, where previously many companies were allowed to run this business, but now, it is not clear whether it is illegal or legal. Ms. Suon Sreymuoy was responsible for writing football betting receipts, a business that the Royal government had regularly suppressed, and there had been an order to officially close down the CamboSix football betting company. Ms. Sreymuoy lives with her mother at an upper floor of a house next to her workplace, under difficult living conditions. The three persons work there, earning about US$80 to US$100 per month, to support the needs of their everyday living themselves; they had kept on working and did not know that they were commiting such a serious offense.

“Thus, their sentences led to strong sympathy, and to sadness among their relatives and friends.

“A lawyer expressed his view that the above decision is in response to an order from higher levels. The Royal government had recently announced to crack down on and to close all kinds of gambling.

“The three persons had worked for a gambling site, which is against the law. He added that therefore, all citizens should find jobs that are legal, in order to avoid being affected by such offenses, adding that gambling offenses are controlled in different ways. Prosecution depends on the analysis of each judge. He went on to say, ‘Previously, I had seen similar cases, but judges had decided to suspend convictions, or to impose the payment of fines only, but they did not send persons to jail like in this case, and convictions by some judges did not insist on follow-up strategies with those who had committed serious offenses.

“A lecturer on criminology at the Royal University of Law and Economics, Mr. Run Punnarith, said that the government is concentrating on closing gambling places. ‘Thus, anyone who takes part in the offense is against the order.’ He added that because of the downturn of education and of morals, some people do things against the law. He continued to say, ‘As educators, we have to try to educate the citizens to be afraid of the law and to respect it.’

“The lecturer Punnarith added that the aims of the above convictions is to make it clear: first, the three persons abused the law whether they agree or not; second, a one-year imprisonment is a warning for all young people to be careful in choosing their jobs, not to choose jobs related to gambling. The implementation of the rule of law should also be observed in choosing a job. He said, ‘However, we, as educators, regret to see the future of these three persons ruined. The above verdict ruins their future, because their names will be listed in the criminal records.

“A lecturer of history and culture at the Royal University of Law and Economics, Mr. In Omsameng, said that the three persons above had decided to work in their job because they did not know that it is an offense. However, they have a chance to seek justice by appealing to the Appeals Court and the Supreme Court.

“However, Phnom Penh municipal judges do not make fair hearings and prosecutions compared to other cases like the above one. On 13 July 2009 a judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Ms. Chang Sinat, sentenced 38 men and women, arrested from a gambling site owned by a Taiwanese man to serve 18 months in prison, but their sentences were all suspended for five years, and each of them was ordered to pay Riel 5 million [approx. US$1,250] in fines, accused as ‘gabling agents’ like in the above case.

“Regarding this case, the lecturer Run Punnarith said that any conviction is made according to the discretions of each judge. Thus, the three convicts have the right to appeal to the Appeals Court and to the Supreme Court to find justice. He added that the above case is a model case for our citizens, so that they are careful in seeking jobs.”

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.17, #4992, 6-7.9.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 7 September 2009

Hun Sen, Researcher in Row Over Indictments

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 September 2009

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday warned a leading Khmer Rouge researcher not to implicate him as an obstacle to further indictments of former regime leaders at the UN-backed tribunal.

Hun Sen called on Youk Chhang, a prominent researcher and head of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, to send a letter of explanation, following media reports where the researcher called on the tribunal to make a decision counter to Hun Sen’s political wishes.

The Pre-Trial Chamber of the tribunal announced last week it would allow investigations of more suspects to continue, ending a nine-month decision-making process that put the international and national prosecutors at odds.

Hun Sen has warned more indictments could plunge the country back into war. Critics say the Cambodian judges at the tribunal have followed this political logic in decision-making outside the purview of the law.

The chamber allowed the possibility of indictments to move forward after it failed to reach a super-majority—a provision under the rules of the court—to disallow the international prosecution’s motion. The potential indictments will now be forwarded to the investigating judges.

“We have allowed the court to decide on the additional former Khmer Rouge cadre following the majority,” Hun Sen said Monday.

“If the court wants to charge more former senior Khmer Rouge cadres, the court must show the reasons to Prime Minister Hun Sen,” the premier said referring to himself in the third person. “Hun Sen only protects the peace of the nation. I do not affect to the court issue.”

“Now, if you try the former Khmer Rouge leaders without thinking of peace and national reconciliation, war will happen again, killing 200,000 to 300,000 more, and who will be responsible for this?” he said. “I changed my life for the whole Cambodia. I will not allow anyone to destroy it, and this nation and people also will not allow anyone to bring instability, not only Cambodian, but also foreigner.”

Youk Chhang said in a letter to Hun Sen Monday he had “no intention” of pushing for more charges in statements he made at a seminar. The Documentation Center of Cambodia has spent years collecting evidence of Khmer Rouge atrocities, and is the repository of much of the nation’s history during the period.

School Fights Language Loss in US

By Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
07 September 2009

Buddhist monks and educators in San Jose, Calif., have noted a growing concern in Khmer communities regarding the loss of the Khmer language in the US and the linkage it offers to Cambodian culture and traditions.

A community of Cambodian volunteers has been running the Cambodian Literacy School of San Jose for 20 years to prevent this.

The school aims to bring Cambodian children back to their cultural roots and encourage them towards education and better communication with their parents, through language lessons and cultural programs.

Kas Thon, a senior teacher and adviser, has helped transform the Khmer Literacy School with a new structure. He said the projects are now designed to provide services that bridge the intergenerational gap between Cambodian parents and their children.

“Since early 1989, we have been serving hundreds of Cambodian and non-Cambodian students, aged 7 to late twenties, throughout the county of Santa Clara. When we first started, we had 300 students, and we did not have enough rooms for them. We opened another location. Parents, with continuous support, kept bringing children to classes regularly.”

The program begins with speaking and listening activities based on experiences with which children are familiar. Reading is introduced through simple stories that feature familiar situations. Exploring words and letters leads to the beginnings of writing.

The school is run by a team of Cambodian teachers, parents and volunteers and offers free literacy classes every Saturday, from 10 am to noon for children, and 10 am to 1 pm for adults. The school is located at the Tull Community Branch Library and at the Khmer Buddhist Temple of Khemara Rangsey in San Jose.

Srey Tha came to the US in 1989 at the age of 16. She did not know how to read or write Khmer when she lived in Cambodia. Srey Tha now brings her 17-year-old daughter to the Khmer Literacy School every Saturday, and she has learned to read and write herself.

“I have come to this school for more than four years,” she said. “Now I can read and write Khmer. I want my daughter to speak and read Khmer and learn Khmer culture and traditions.”

Sambun Boun, a volunteer teacher, said his class has three different levels. Some students can read and write, some can only spell words, and others have just begun.

“I want the students to make more progress in learning Khmer,” he said. “We, the teachers, will have a program to meet the parents of students. We will explain to them that they to be involved; they can make a difference. If children see the mother and father reading and writing Khmer on a daily basis, they tend to do that, too.”

Many Cambodian children transition to using English and attain only limited skills in Khmer, becoming less interested in traditional activities. Many children and young adults are beginning to lose their mother tongue.

Meanwhile, generational differences and conflict in language use often develop in the homes, as children use English and their parents and grandparents speak Khmer, diminishing their ability to communicate with each other.

A Quarter of Adults Suffer Lasting Trauma: Doctor

By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington
07 September 2009

Around 23 percent of Cambodian adults suffer from stress disorders related to trauma experienced under the Khmer Rouge, a psychiatrist told “Hello VOA” Thursday.

Muny Sothara, a technical advisor at the Transcultural Psycho-social Organization, said the Khmer Rouge continues to have an impact on Cambodian society, families and individuals.

“The impacts either directly or indirectly still exist until the present,” he said.

A number of factors can help, he said, including receiving a sense of justice, finding employment, education, and living in an environment free from fear. Social support networks too can help survivors recover from their trauma, he said.

Asked whether the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal might bring justice to survivors, Muny Sothara said if the court “ultimately finds justice… subsequently the justice will help in the healing process.”

Judges Find Difficulty in Tribunal’s Second Case

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 September 2009

Judges at the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal said Monday they face a number of complications in preparation of the court’s second trial, the combined indictment of four senior leaders, which has stalled investigations.

The trial of Case No. 002 pits the court against alleged atrocity crimes suspects Nuon Chea, the chief ideologue of the regime; Khieu Samphan, its nominal president; Ieng Sary, foreign minister; and his wife, Ieng Thirith, social affairs minister.

“The investigation is not yet finished due to the complicities of the crime and difficulties for the crime which happened decades ago,” said Judge Kong Srim, president of the Plenary Session of the tribunal, in his opening remarks.

The tribunal is currently undertaking the relatively straightforward trial of Kaing Kek Iev, also known as Duch, the former head of the regime’s lethal Tuol Sleng prison.

Judges and prosecutors are meeting for the full session, their sixth, every day this week, and are expected to discuss civil party status, procedures for the Supreme Court and participation of civil parties in Case No. 002.

“The co-investigating judges are interviewing, investigating and delegating to experts to report on the demography, and they are considering the request for some more investigations,” said Judge Silvia Cartwright, deputy chairwoman of the Plenary Session.

Former Khmer Rouge Questions Indictments

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
07 September 2009

A day after the Khmer Rouge tribunal announced the possibility of more suspects to be investigated under the UN-backed court, a former rebel commander said he would face the court if called but denied any wrongdoing and questioned the value of such a procedure.

In a phone interview with VOA Khmer, the commander, Meas Muth, 70, who led the regime’s Division 164, said he was already growing old and his role was many years ago.

Meas Muth has been named by historians as a possible suspect for atrocity crimes indictments if the tribunal expands its scope beyond five former Khmer Rouge currently in custody. He currently lives in a remote village in Samlot district, Battambang province, having reintegrated into the government in 1996.

The Pre-Trial Chamber of the court allowed the possibility of more indictments to move to investigating judges, failing to reach a super-majority of disagreement on a motion by international prosecution. The prosecution will now send its submission to the investigating judges.

Meas Muth denied any wrongdoing in an interview the following day, Friday, saying there had been deaths under his watch “of sickness, fever, lightning drowning.”

“It’s normal,” he said. “But for someone to arrest and shoot dead for no reason, in my area this seemed not to exist.”

Former leaders like Meas Muth are at the center of a debate for the court, with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other Cambodian officials and judges warning that further indictments could lead to instability or war.

Thursday’s Pre-Trial Chamber decision may not be in line with the wishes of Hun Sen and others, an observer said Friday, but provides some political cover for Cambodian officials, who made amnesty deals with some Khmer Rouge commanders in the late 1990s to end the war.

It remains to be seen how the investigating judges will proceed with the prosecution’s list.

“We do not know whether there will be submissions for more suspects and charged persons,” Lars Olsen, a spokesman for the tribunal, told reporters.

Court observers say six more suspects are likely to be named as additional suspects, including Van Rith, 70, a close aid to Pol Pot, as well as Meas Muth.

Meas Muth said charges against him were not acceptable, as he was defending the country from foreign invasion.

“I have never opposed or attacked anyone except those who violated and invaded my own country,” he said. “And if they accuse me of any war crimes whatsoever, then I understand that anyone who defends their territory….they are just war criminals?”

The US bombed Cambodia and Vietnam, he said. “Why is that not a war crime? Why is it a war crime when Cambodia defends its own territory?”

Stung Treng Farmers Choosing Rubber

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 September 2009

Farmers in the eastern province of Stung Treng have begun replacing fruits and nuts, once thought profitable, with old-fashioned rubber. The trees grow well, and government aid is available for their cultivation.

Koh Muon, a 57-year-old farmer in Sre Krasaing commune, said he began planting rubber trees on four hectares of land last year after he was told by Kampong Cham province farmers the trees could earn him more money and the resin could be tapped nearly every day.

He spent about $500 for a hectare of rubber saplings bought from nurseries in Kampong Cham.

Ly Phalla, director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture’s rubber department, said rubber trees were planted only in Kampong Cham, Kratie and Rattanakiri provinces in until recently, but they are appearing now Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear.

Farmers who want to plant rubber tress can use local seed, though private companies with larger plantations use seed from Vietnam and Malaysia.

Cambodian rubber resin is sometimes bought by private companies for export to Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and countries in Europe, he said.

Thirteen companies are currently running rubber plantations, seven of them foreign, for a total export of 50,000 tons of latex in 2008. Through August this year, Cambodia exported 30,000 tons of latex, he said.

No Sign of Recovery in Construction Sector

By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 September 2009

One year after an economic crisis swept across the globe, experts say Cambodia’s key construction sector—which had been booming—is showing no signs of recovery.

The crisis, which spread in August last year and eventually engulfed world markets and economies, shuttered several major construction projects in Cambodia, while delaying others.

A $400-million Korean project to build a mini-city on four hectares of land was dashed. Another project, to build a 53-story building, never got off the ground. Other projects, big and small followed, as the price of land tumbled as much as 50 percent.

“The land and housing markets have remained silent,” said Sung Bunna, head of a self-named real estate group. “Up to now, everything is still quiet. There are not yet potential investments that could make the real estate market warm.”

Only private housing construction remained active, he said.

Seng Sopheak, a real estate evaluator for CPL, said customers had fallen off 70 percent since the crisis began.

“People who buy land or houses now are only those who wish they could do some business, which is different from previous times, when a buyer didn’t care what he bought,” he said. “What was important was to buy and then to sell for a benefit.”

One project that was not halted by the downturn was Gold Tower 42, an investment by South Korean company Yun Woo.

However, Nov Ratana, marketing manager for the project, said the number of clientele for the high-rise had diminished over the past year, and now the company has had a hard time selling one unit per month.

The construction sector started a major upswing in 2007, one that lasted until the middle of 2008, creating jobs for more than 200,000 workers, said Sov Sovandeth, president of the Cambodian Federation of Building and Wood Workers. The slowdown has put 40,000 laborers out of work, he said.

Other ongoing projects include the $1-billion mini-city of Diamond Island, an investment of the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation, and the Grand Phnom Penh, a $600-million joint project between Cambodia and Ciputra of Indonesia.

And though the slowdown has been evident in real estate investment, construction investment has started to climb, up 30 percent in mid-2009 compared to the same period last year.

The Ministry of Land and Labor Construction reported more than 1,000 new projects totaling $1.1 billion have been approved by the government. However, the director of the ministry’s construction department, Im Chamrong, said only six high-rises among all the new projects were seeing work done, and there are no city construction projects.

There are signs in other countries, such as China, USA and Britain, of real estate recovery, but Lan Sinara, president of Land Property, said this had little influence on Cambodia’s own sector.

Bad Loans on the Rise, Central Bank Warns

By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 September 2009

Cambodia’s banking sector will not be able to avoid further consequences from the global economic downturn, with non-performing loans increasing, the National Bank’s director- told a workshop last week.

“For us, the economic crisis affected garment export, tourism, construction and real estate,” said Director-General Tal Nay Im said at a workshop on the nation’s banking system. “So the banks’ borrowers are facing a hard time paying back [loans] when they can’t earn from their businesses. That will cause [non-performing loans] to increase, and that’s a second-round affect that the national bank is worried about.”

The National Bank reported in June bad loans in 24 commercial banks had risen to 3.7 percent, about $2.4 billion, in 2008, up from 3.4 percent the year before.

But Tal Nay Im said the news was even worse through May, 2009, when non-performing loan figures reached 5.2 percent. The rate could reach as high as 10 percent by the end of the year, she warned.

The Foreign Trade Bank’s bad loan rate went from 30.7 percent in 2007 to 32 percent in 2008. Canadia Bank saw its number rise from 6.8 percent to 11.1 percent in that period. ANZ Royal Bank saw an increase from 0.4 percent to 2.6 percent in that period.

The National Bank report echoed annual reports of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which warned of rising rates of non-performing loans in major banks.

Credit disbursement has also slowed, from a growth rate of 50 percent in 2008 to just 1 percent through the middle of this year.

“The banking systems are under threat,” Robert van Zwieten, director of the capital markets and financial sectors division for the Asian Development Bank, told VOA Khmer in a phone interview from his office in Singapore. “Marginally speaking, it is slightly weaker than it used to be. That’s what you would expect and that is not certainly usual.”

Van Zwieten said economic recovery will increase loan disbursement and lower the rate of bad loans. Meanwhile, the National Bank can play a key role, keeping an eye on banking operations, while banks themselves should be more careful in providing loans.

“Our bank works with big companies, and we have collateral,” said Gui Anvanith, managing director of the Foreign Trade Bank, which has the highest rate of non-performing loans in the country. “We will continue to be cautious and to strengthen the banking system.”

Tal Nay Im said the National Bank had followed up on an international evaluation to improve regulation and supervision.

More Than 200 Deported, as US Policy Continues

By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
07 September 2009

Chhan Chhoeuth is waiting to be deported to Cambodia by US immigration authorities in Washington state, one of an increasing number of Cambodian-Americans being sent back after committing crimes in America.

The 33-year-old was convicted in 2000 of aggravated assault in a domestic dispute and served 12 months in prison, according to documents provided by his family. After his release, Chhan Chhoeuth had to report to a probation officer every month. It was on one of these visits he learned he would be deported.

Earlier this year, he was detained by immigration authorities who said they had documentation to deport him, according to his girlfriend, Dork Roeung.

“Chhoeuth, he hasn’t received an answer when the exact date for him to be deported is,” she said. “He wants to have an answer whether they will send him back. If they don’t send him, please let him come out.”

If he is deported, she said, she will be visiting him.

“You know, I need to meet him, to see what his situation is over there,” she said. “And then early next year, I will visit him again.”

Chhan Chhoeuth and others like him have been sent back under a 2002 agreement between Cambodian and the US, to send back Cambodians convicted of aggravated felonies or through direct court order. More than 200 have been sent so far, with varying results.

But families of deportees have expressed concerns that they don’t know the culture, traditions, politics and, in some cases, language of Cambodia. They fear their relatives will meet trouble after being expelled from the US.

Human rights monitors, meanwhile, have criticized the practice as inhumane, saying it breaks families apart, separating husbands and wives, parents and children.

Chhan Chhoeuth’s 61-year-old mother, Chhan Ya, does not have a plan to ever visit her son once he is returned to Cambodia.

“May the world please help me,” she said, weeping, in a recent interview with VOA Khmer. “There is no mother who wants to live apart from her own children.”

Chan Ya lost three of her six children to the Khmer Rouge, before fleeing to the US in 1986, after living in the Khao-I-Dang refugee camp on the Thai border. Disabled when she came to the US and undergoing continuous treatment there, she said, she has no money left to travel.

“This is the end of life,” she said.

The Returnee Integration Support Program in Cambodia, or Risp, helps people like Chhan Chhoeuth adjust to life in Cambodia. He will be one of 25 deportees the organization is preparing for, the organization’s program manager, Kloeung Aun, said.

Since June 2002, 212 deportees have been sent from the US, according to Risp. Many do not have goals when they arrive, and though some have fair living conditions, others struggle. Some sink into depression.

Kloeung Aun said the US should not sent anyone with mental problems. “Honestly, we don’t have the medical treatment centers in Cambodia,” he said.

Some find work, in hotel reception, as security guards, or running small businesses. Others, many of them in Battambang province, are farming.

Battambang Governor Prach Chan said the community has accepted the deportees.

“As you know, our Khmer people all over the place always welcome those returnees to integrate with Cambodian society,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the constitution provides citizenship for Cambodians, no matter where they are from. Many of the deportees are doing well, he said.

"So far, some have changed a lot,” he said. “Some are becoming famous. Some have become English teachers and actors.”

Some, however, have not changed.

“They’ve committed some bad things,” Khieu Sopheak said. “They could have a bad future if they continue doing like this. As you know, some are still using drugs. But our authorities have educated and advise them already. Most of them are good.”

Cambodia offers the deportees a chance for freedom and employment, he said. “If they want to live in Cambodia, they can live here. If they don’t, they can go somewhere else, as they want. This is their right and their freedom. But their homeland is welcoming them first.”

Welcoming or not, many deportees experience a social shock when they arrive, said Keat Chantharith, a spokesman for the national police.

“There are difficulties for them as well,” he said. “Most of them do not have relatives here, because all their relatives and parents are in the US. Secondly, they were raised in America, so they are American. So when they come to Cambodia, it is difficult for them, because they meet a different culture. As you know, the social atmosphere is different.”

Advocates for more rights of immigrants say most deportees sent back to Cambodia have already struggled most of their lives. Many have lived in the US since they were children, after fleeing the Khmer Rouge with their parents after living in refugee camps.

When they came to the US, their parents did not speak, read or write English, and lacked a basic understanding of US immigration procedures. They lived in poor conditions, and may parents thought they had achieved legal residence.

Seng Theary, a member of the American Bar Association and former director of the Center for Social Development, was an advocate on the deportation issue and has continued to criticize US immigration law.

“We see this deportation procedure as immoral and unjust,” she said. “They should not send them back when they don’t think Cambodia is their country. We know that any country can create such a law, but this kind of law contradicts morality and justice.”

One flaw, she said, is a retroactive component of the policy, which gives authorities the power to deport a person who committed a felony both before and after 1996, when the US amended its immigration law.

“It is not fair for them,” she said. “This law contradicts the creation of other laws.”

A senior Cambodian official said Cambodians are protected by the constitution if they have not changed their citizenship, whether they live at home or abroad.

Critics say the deportation policy is an unfair application of the law, providing a bias for “green card” holders.

“I’d like to think that we are a fair country,” said Helly Lee, a policy director of the Washington-based South East Asia Resource Action Center. “And we want to be fair in that way, you know, so that the punishment for their crimes is proportional or fair. Not that you are getting punished just because you are a green card holder and not a citizen.”

Deportation laws are also applied differently in each US state. Some deport immigrants after two or three convictions. Others send convicted criminals back after their first offense.

Paranoid

Cambodia: Details are Sketchy

http://detailsaresketchy.wordpress.com/

September 7, 2009

Prime Minister Hun Sen is frightened of another civil war, and he wants you to be frightened too.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen renewed his criticism of the country’s U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal Monday, warning that arresting more suspects could spark civil war.

Hun Sen spoke in response to last week’s ruling by the tribunal allowing prosecutors to pursue further arrests. The matter had been in contention because the Cambodian co-prosecutor opposed the idea, while his international counterpart supported it. …

“I would like to tell you that if you prosecute (more leaders) without thinking beforehand about national reconciliation and peace, and if war breaks out again and kills 20,000 or 30,000 people, who will responsible?” Hun Sen said.

The arrest of Ieng Sary did not spark an uprising, so the specter of troops amassing for a commander of lesser rank seems a bit paranoid, really. Or manufactured. Considering the source, though, it’s hard to say which.

Posted by DAS

Senior CPC official meets Cambodian guest

www.chinaview.cn
2009-09-07

Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- China would work with Cambodia to deepen bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit, a senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official said here on Monday.

Liu Qi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Sim Ka, member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

Liu, also secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, said China regarded Cambodia a good neighbor, good friend, good brother and good partner.

The amities between the two peoples were of long standing, and the two countries enjoyed mutual political trust, economic cooperation of mutual benefits, and close coordination on international and regional issues, he said.

Sim Ka agreed to make efforts to strengthen inter-party ties with the CPC, and said the CPP would like to contribute to the Cambodia-China relations.

Sim Ka began his visit to China on Monday. He is scheduled to visit Xi'an, capital of northwestern China's Shaanxi Province.


Editor: Yan

Cambodian PM opposes more Khmer Rouge arrests

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen renewed his criticism of the country's U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal Monday, warning that arresting more suspects could spark civil war.

Hun Sen spoke in response to last week's ruling by the tribunal allowing prosecutors to pursue further arrests. The matter had been in contention because the Cambodian co-prosecutor opposed the idea, while his international counterpart supported it.

The tribunal is seeking justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died in Cambodia from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition as a result of the communist regime's radical policies while in power between 1975-79.

Critics allege that Hun Sen has sought to limit the tribunal's scope because other potential defendants are now his political allies. Hun Sen served as a Khmer Rouge officer, before changing sides, and many of his major political allies are also former members of the group.

Brad Adams, Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, said he believed Hun Sen was seeking to protect members of his own Cambodian People's Party, who could be targets for prosecution. But he said it was unlikely more arrests would be made.

"(Hun Sen) has been saying the same thing for 10 years, since before the court was set up," Adams said. "It's never happened, and it's not going to happen."

He pointed out that the Khmer Rouge have been defunct for a decade, and that its former leaders are more interested in business than war, and even if they sought to fight, they would be unable to recruit anyone to their side.

The tribunal's long-awaited first trial -- of the Khmer Rouge's chief jailer, for war crimes and crimes against humanity -- opened in March. A joint trial with four other senior officials -- the only others currently in detention -- is expected in the next year or two.

Hun Sen said that if foreign aid donors stopped funding the tribunal, Cambodia would carry on the proceedings on its own, without the international participation it now has. The tribunal employs joint teams of Cambodian and international court personnel.

"I would like to tell you that if you prosecute (more leaders) without thinking beforehand about national reconciliation and peace, and if war breaks out again and kills 20,000 or 30,000 people, who will responsible?" Hun Sen said. He said he was not trying to use his influence against the court, but only stating the situation.

There was no immediate reaction to Hun Sen's comment by representatives of the tribunal.

The Khmer Rouge came to power after a bitter 1970-75 civil war, and after being ousted from power in 1979, carried out an insurgency from the jungle until 1999.

Hun Sen said that he had devoted several years of his life to persuading Khmer Rouge leaders and their soldiers to end their fighting, so he could not allow anyone to drag the country back into a new civil war.

"I will not allow anyone to destroy what I have achieved,' Hun Sen said. "The value of peace here is huge."

Hun Sen has dominated Cambodian politics for more than two decades. He ousted his former co-prime minister in a 1997 coup and has since ruled virtually unchallenged.

Cambodian landmine relief talk set at ESR

EDUCATION NOTEBOOK
BRIAN ZIMMERMAN

September 7, 2009

Bill Morse, who helped establish the Landmine Relief Fund to clear landmines in Cambodia, will visit the Earlham School of Religion at 228 College Ave. in Richmond from Sept. 12-18.

Morse, of Palm Springs, Calif., will speak at the school's common meal at noon Sept. 15 and the college's peace forum at noon Sept. 17.

He will tell the story of Aki Ra, the founder of the Cambodia Landmine Museum, who has spent years clearing thousands of landmines in Cambodia -- at one time by hand.

For more information on Morse's appearance, call the college at (765) 983-1423.

For more information on the Landmine Relief Fund, visit www.landmine-relief-fund.com or www.cambodianselfhelpdemining. org.

Seton Oktoberfest set for Oct. 3

The Seton Catholic High School Parent/Teacher Guild's Oktoberfest, which raises funds for scholarships and other high school needs, is set for Oct. 3.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the parking lot north of YMI Club, 320 S. Fifth St.

The event will have German food like cabbage rolls, bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad and desserts. Non-German fare is also available.

Live music will be provided by the German band Die Freudemacher.

Items, including theme baskets, will be raffled. Organizers hope to raise about $2,500.

Grants offered to combat childhood obesity

UnitedHealth Group is offering grants up to $1,000 to schools and youth-focused, community center-based programs in Indiana.

Grants will be awarded to programs that demonstrate a clear understanding of the health programs associated with childhood obesity.

The former Starr Elementary School, now the Elizabeth Starr Academy for Young Entrepreneurs, was awarded funding last year to organize an evening health and fitness event.

Applications are available by visiting www.ysa.org.

Reporter Brian Zimmerman: (765) 973-4478 or bxzimmer@pal-item.com

Cambodian PM asks U.S. to cancel Cambodian debts

www.chinaview.cn
2009-09-07

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday asked the United States to remit Cambodia's debts which the country has owed since 1970s by Lon Nol's regime.

"The U.S. should cancel the debts for Cambodia because the U.S. dropped large amount of bombs on Cambodia and many people suffered from it," he said at a ceremony of releasing final result of 2008 Population census at Chuktumok Theater Hall in Phnom Penh.

Hun Sen put forwards the requirement directly to Carol A. Rodley, U.S. ambassador to Cambodia who also attended the ceremony.

"The U.S. should pay compensation for Cambodians but the U.S. side has always asked us to pay debt back," he said.

Cheam Yeap, a lawmaker and chairman of the committee of finance, banking, economy and audition of Cambodian National Assembly, said that "we have been urging U.S. side to cancel debts for several times but they said they need decision from top level."

He added that Cambodia has owed the United State in a total of over 300 million U.S. dollars by Lon Nol regime.


Editor: Li Xianzhi

MP flies out to help victims of Khmer Rouge

Sep 7 2009 by Katy Simpson, Evening Chronicle

A NORTH East MP is swapping her creature comforts for a taste of life in the Third World.

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Gateshead East and Washington West, jetted out to south east Asia on Saturday to spend two weeks volunteering in poverty-stricken Cambodia.

She is hoping to pass on some of her Westminster expertise to politicians and campaigners working to improve disability rights in the country.

Cambodia was ravaged by civil war and the genocide of the Khmer Rouge era, leaving a tragic legacy of landmines which has left the country with one amputee for every 290 people.

Mrs Hodgson’s trip, which takes place during the last few weeks of the Parliamentary summer recess, has been organised and funded by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).

VSO has placed her with the charity Disability Action Cambodia, and she will be living in basic accommodation alongside the volunteers who live there.

At the end of her stay, Mrs Hodgson will meet with the Cambodian minister of social affairs, veterans and youth rehabilitation, as well as the president of the national assembly.

Mrs Hodgson said: “The idea is that I go there and give them as much advice as I can.

“When I meet with the minister, I will talk to him about the two most important points I have gathered from working with the charity.

“I’ll try and impress upon him the things he could do to help, obviously in the most humble and respectful way.”

Mrs Hodgson, who has teenage children, has been abroad on several exotic parliamentary delegations, including visiting Israel and Palestine last year.

But this is the first time she has set off on her own, living as the locals do.

She said: “It will be very different from the parliamentary delegations where you are with a group of MPs in nice hotels, and you could be anywhere.

“I’m probably most apprehensive about the food because when you are in people’s homes it would be rude not to eat whatever they offer you.

“I’m not sure how up close and personal I will get with people who have lost arms or legs because of the landmines.

“But I imagine there will be some involvement for me to appreciate how important it is. So I’m preparing myself.’’

Mrs Hodgson said she aims to complete some form of personal development challenge every year, to keep learning new skills.

She said: “Everyone always says you get that huge recess and do nothing. I can reassure them that’s not the case.

“I spend a couple of weeks with my children like most people, and the rest of the time I use it to be in the constituency.’’

:: To find out more about VSO, call 0208 780 7500 or log on to www.vso.org.uk.

:: You can follow the MP’s progress on her blog on our website www.chroniclelive.co.uk

Dane loses Cambodian appeal against drug sentence

http://www.cphpost.dk/

Monday, 07 September 2009
KM News

Johanne Vinther Axelsen is facing a further 13 years in a Cambodian jail after her appeal was denied

A Danish woman’s appeal against her 15 year sentence for drug smuggling in Cambodia was rejected earlier today.

Johanne Vinther Axelsen, 55, was given the initial sentence by the city court in the capital of Phnom Penh in January after being found guilty of trying to export pain medication to the US on behalf of her son.

Axelsen delivered a package to a local post office in 2007 for her son that contained more than 10,000 codeine and Valium pills. At the time her family said she had no idea what she did was illegal.
In today’s appeal hearing, evidence provided by the defence lawyer showing Axelsen’s lack of knowledge about the illegal activity was disregarded. Instead, the hearing centred on whether the amount of pills was fewer than she had been originally sentenced for.

Axelsen’s lawyer Henrik Hasseris Olesen said his client was ‘shaken, shocked and deeply confused’ by the ruling and now faces another 13 years in a Cambodian correctional facility where she and 45 other woman share a 60sqm cell.

Olesen said he has contacted the Foreign Ministry to see if her living conditions can be improved until their appeal to the Supreme Court is heard.

Cambodian PM opposes more Khmer Rouge arrests

http://www.thenewstribune.com

The Associated Press
Published: 09/07/09

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen renewed his criticism of the country's U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal Monday, warning that arresting more suspects could spark civil war.

Hun Sen spoke in response to last week's ruling by the tribunal allowing prosecutors to pursue further arrests. The matter had been in contention because the Cambodian co-prosecutor opposed the idea, while his international counterpart supported it.

The tribunal is seeking justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died in Cambodia from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition as a result of the communist regime's radical policies while in power between 1975-79.

Critics allege that Hun Sen has sought to limit the tribunal's scope because other potential defendants are now his political allies. Hun Sen served as a Khmer Rouge officer, before changing sides, and many of his major political allies are also former members of the group.

Brad Adams, Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, said he believed Hun Sen was seeking to protect members of his own Cambodian People's Party, who could be targets for prosecution. But he said it was unlikely more arrests would be made.

"(Hun Sen) has been saying the same thing for 10 years, since before the court was set up," Adams said. "It's never happened, and it's not going to happen."

He pointed out that the Khmer Rouge have been defunct for a decade, and that its former leaders are more interested in business than war, and even if they sought to fight, they would be unable to recruit anyone to their side.

The tribunal's long-awaited first trial - of the Khmer Rouge's chief jailer, for war crimes and crimes against humanity - opened in March. A joint trial with four other senior officials - the only others currently in detention - is expected in the next year or two.

Hun Sen said that if foreign aid donors stopped funding the tribunal, Cambodia would carry on the proceedings on its own, without the international participation it now has. The tribunal employs joint teams of Cambodian and international court personnel.

"I would like to tell you that if you prosecute (more leaders) without thinking beforehand about national reconciliation and peace, and if war breaks out again and kills 20,000 or 30,000 people, who will responsible?" Hun Sen said. He said he was not trying to use his influence against the court, but only stating the situation.

There was no immediate reaction to Hun Sen's comment by representatives of the tribunal.

The Khmer Rouge came to power after a bitter 1970-75 civil war, and after being ousted from power in 1979, carried out an insurgency from the jungle until 1999.

Hun Sen said that he had devoted several years of his life to persuading Khmer Rouge leaders and their soldiers to end their fighting, so he could not allow anyone to drag the country back into a new civil war.

"I will not allow anyone to destroy what I have achieved,' Hun Sen said. "The value of peace here is huge."

Hun Sen has dominated Cambodian politics for more than two decades. He ousted his former co-prime minister in a 1997 coup and has since ruled virtually unchallenged.

Trip to Cambodia opens eyes of Chicago native

http://www.examiner.com

September 7
Chicago Asian Community Examiner
Sara Lugardo

Christine Robinson grew up in the Chicago area and attended the University of Iowa with a Bachelors’ in International Studies. Her recent visit to Cambodia opened her eyes to their economic situation.

While staying at a hotel in Phnom Penh Christine witnessed the forced evacuation of the slum, Dey Krahorn, by the Cambodian military. Trucks hauled out the few possessions people were allowed to take from their homes.

The evacuation of the slum was in collaboration with the Cambodian Peoples’ Party and a development company named 7NG. The 150 families living in the slum had been offered compensation by 7NG to relocate to Cham Chao before the evictions.

However, by relocating, the families would lose their income and so they refused. Once negotiations failed, the police and the Cambodian military forcefully evacuated the families.

Christine wrote on WIP that according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia, “The eviction was carried out in the middle of the night, with bulldozers, tear gas, rubber bullets, batons, and workers equipped with sticks and axes contracted to demolish the houses… The residents were thrown onto the street to watch their homes being destroyed.”

Cambodia has a long history of battling with property rights and this situation is very common to its’ people. Check out Christine’s full story on Property Rights for the Urban Poor in Cambodia.

Photo by: Albeiror24 / Wikimedia Commons