Group condemns treatment of Khmer Krom

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:04 David Boyle and Tharum Bun

A STATEMENT issued Monday by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) condemned the treatment of Khmer Krom, Uighur and Hmong refugees by several nations, including Cambodia, after a conference on refugees in Rome last week.

The statement expressed “deep concern at the total disregard” for the principle of non-refoulement – which protects refugees seeking asylum from being returned to their home countries – by the governments of Cambodia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Myanmar and Nepal.

Maggie Murphy, programme coordinator for the UNPO Secretariat, expressed specific concerns on Monday about the conduct of Cambodian authorities in dealing with Khmer Krom refugees who have been unable to secure identity documents since arriving in Cambodia on December 5.

“The Khmer Krom case is extremely complex due to Cambodia’s gesture of granting asylum seekers citizenship without granting full citizen rights. Indeed, names must be changed or adapted, and places of birth modified,” she said.

“The granting of an identity document often only occurs once a bribe has been secured from the asylum seeker,” she said, adding that the Khmer Krom Federation, which attended the Rome conference, had received numerous complaints that authorities had requested prohibitively large sums of money for identity documents.

Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said Tuesday that it was standard practice to require a small fee for legal documents.

“It’s normal that the authorities might ask for a little fee to buy cigarettes or for breakfast. In Western countries or the United States, if you want to see a doctor, you need to pay a lot of money,” he said.

Thach Soong, a Khmer Krom representative who has previously argued that the refugees need legal documents to secure housing and employment, said they could not afford to pay any sum.

“I’m sure they will not provide us any legal documents because we don’t have any money,” he said.

The UNPO statement also criticised what it described as the “weak response” of the broader international community and called on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to reverse its decision to hand over responsibility for refugees to state authorities.

Reporter for Radio Free Asia speaks in disinformation suit

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Radio Free Asia reporter Sok Serey has been charged with disinformation in Takeo provincial court. The charge stems from an October 2008 broadcast. A verdict is expected on February 19.

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:04 Meas Sokchea

Takeo Province

RADIO Free Asia reporter Sok Serey and four other men stood trial on Tuesday for disinformation charges, and judges said they would hand down a verdict on February 19.

The charges against the five men stem from an November 2008 radio report by Sok Serey about a dispute between Cham Muslim community leader Rim Math and 206 members of his mosque.

The report featured comments from the four other accused – including two activists from the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights and two representatives of the mosque – concerning allegations that Rim Math misspent 10 million riels (US$2,406) that had been earmarked for a local community project.

In court on Tuesday, Sok Serey said he had merely been reporting information provided to him by his sources, adding that he had passed on the story two times before finally airing it because he considered it to be in the public interest.

“I received this information three times,” he said. “The first and second times I did not broadcast it. But the third time, the sources told me that it was a big story that would affect many people in their community.”

Prosecutor Say Nora seemed sympathetic to this argument, telling the court that he believed Sok Serey had “done his job right”.

But he said the October 2008 broadcast included incorrect references to a “demonstration” that had never occurred.

“Sok Serey aired a report about a demonstration, but there was no source talking about the demonstration. In fact, the demonstration did not happen. I told Sok Serey to correct this broadcast, but Sok Serey did not correct it. That means he wanted to broadcast something bad about someone,” Say Nora said.

Rim Math, who filed the complaint against the five men, said Tuesday that he now believes only two of them had been in the wrong, and that Sok Serey was not one of them.

He demanded 10 million riels in compensation from the two mosque representatives, who he maintained were guilty.

Four of the five accused appeared in court, including one who has been held in pretrial detention.

Muong Sokun, Sok Serey’s lawyer, said he hoped that the court would find his client not guilty “because my client has enough witnesses and evidence in his broadcasts to prove that he is not guilty”.

Am Sam Ath, technical superviser for the rights group Licadho, said he believed that the hearing had been conducted in accordance with proper court procedure, but he said the charges against the five men were baseless.

“The disinformation charges should never have been brought,” he said.

“Journalists and human rights activists should not be accused of this, even if there was no demonstration, because it was an important conflict that was happening as well,” he said.

Media treads fine line in border row

Photo by: Heng CHivoan

Prime Minister Hun Sen greets children dressed in military fatigues during his visit to Preah Vihear temple last weekend.

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:03 Irwin Loy

Coverage, rather than rhetoric, can lead in igniting Thai-Cambodian tensions, analysts warn

THERE was no shortage of border rhetoric this weekend. Knowing the media would scrutinise a high-profile visit to Preah Vihear temple, Cambodian officials threw jabs at Thailand’s leader, its claims to contested land and the Thai press.

In an unusual move, the government attacked one of Thailand’s English-language newspapers, accusing the Bangkok Post of publishing a “distorted” view of the weekend visit.

When the newspaper reported that a Thai army official led a delegation that welcomed the premier to the temple – it was Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian officials said, who welcomed the Thai officer – the reaction was swift.

“Such [an] untrustworthy report clearly shows that the Bangkok Post is perfidious and falsely reporting to blindly mislead the public,” a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release stated.

Moeun Chhean Nariddh, director of the Cambodia Institute for Media Studies, said the volley had been unexpected.

“This is a very rare instance in which the Cambodian prime minister has attacked the Thai media directly,” he said.

“I think the media plays an important role in bringing the message to the public. Maybe he thinks that by attacking the media, he can also at the same time attack the Thai government.”

Heightened media attention

Meanwhile, Thai media reports have been heavily fixated on Hun Sen’s various jabs at Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

There were several to choose from during Hun Sen’s speech on Monday, delivered after he skipped a visit to the disputed Tamone Thom temple in Oddar Meanchey province.

“Do you dare to swear on magic that could break your neck, on a plane crash or a dissolution of the countries, that your soldiers did not invade Cambodia’s territory on July 15, 2008?” Hun Sen said before accusing Abhisit of having “no family honour”.

A story published Tuesday in the Bangkok Post dealt almost exclusively with the remarks, declaring: “A fresh onslaught of insults by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen directed at Abhisit Vejjajiva is widening the diplomatic gulf between the two countries.”

The story featured a graphic listing English translations of Hun Sen’s comments.

“Diplomatic tensions did not ease despite Hun Sen not turning up at the temple,” the story concluded.

This was a more severe approach than the one adopted by the state-run Thai News Agency, which ran a headline Monday that read: “Thai-Cambodian border tension eases as Hun Sen returns to Phnom Penh.”

Regional media have a history of igniting controversy, said Chris Roberts, a lecturer of international relations and Asian studies at the University of Canberra.

When it comes to hot-button issues that define national identity, reporters may find themselves balancing patriotism with journalistic objectivity, he said. And sometimes the line is crossed.

“It can almost have a snowball effect, where the media responds on each side,” said Roberts, who was speaking generally. “Sometimes it’s hard to know whether the politicians themselves are leading the debate.”

Cambodian media, including the Post, have also reported extensively on Hun Sen’s remarks. A Tuesday report by Deum Ampil, a Khmer media organisation, cited an unnamed Cambodian military source suggesting that Thai troops planned on “invading” a disputed border area.

“The Cambodian army is prepared to face any invaders who want to swallow Khmer land,” the story stated.

Given the sensitivity of the issue, said Moeun Chhean Nariddh, media outlets must reconsider how they cover the border conflict.

When Hun Sen speaks, local TV stations broadcast and rebroadcast his messages largely unedited, he said.

“By reporting on these kinds of attacks, I don’t think that helps solve the problem. It may just be like pouring gasoline into a fire,” Moeun Chhean Nariddh said.

In 2003, a mob burned down the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh after a Cambodian media reported – falsely – that a Thai actress had said Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.

The border “is a very delicate issue in terms of national pride and professionalism. Sometimes Cambodians maybe have crossed the line”, Moeun Chhean Nariddh said.

“So far there has not been a big problem yet. But if we continue to report on the situation the way we have done so far, we may in the end make the situation get worse instead of better.”

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY PHAK SEANGLY

Loggers say they were promised impunity

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:03 Mom Kunthear

TEN men facing charges of illegal logging in Preah Sihanouk provincial court say they were hired to do the work by businessmen, a local human rights group official said Tuesday.

Se Raksmey, prison researcher for the rights group Licadho in Preah Sihanouk province, said the 10 workers were officially charged on Friday with illegally cutting down trees in Stung Hav district.

They were arrested on February 3.

He said on Tuesday that the loggers were impoverished and had no choice but to accept the job offer.

“Prak Rith, a 23-year-old logger who was among those arrested, told me at the prison that they were arrested even though they were hired to do the work by two people,” he said.

He added that the loggers had agreed to do the work only because they had been assured they would not be arrested.

“They said, ‘No one will be arrested because you have been hired, don’t worry,’” Se Raksmey said.

He said the loggers had been offered a rate of 150,000 riels (US$36) per cleared hectare.

“I think they are victims because they were hired and they worked for money,” he said.

Bou Bunhand, the court’s chief prosecutor, said the loggers had been placed in pre-trial detention, adding that an investigation into the case was ongoing and that a hearing had not yet been scheduled.

Victim of alleged acid attack appears in court

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:03 Mom Kunthear

A 22-YEAR-OLD man who was doused in a liquid that may or may not have been acid appeared for questioning on Monday at Phnom Penh Municipal Court, where he demanded that criminal charges be brought against his assailant, and that he receive US$30,000 in compensation along with $1,000 to cover his medical expenses.

Hor Tin had previously failed to appear for a series of court appearances since the January 4 incident. Lim Soma, a 41-year-old dentist, has acknowledged pouring a liquid on Hor Tin but has repeatedly said that it was a tooth whitener used in her dental practice and not acid, a claim she reiterated Tuesday.

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I don’t believe the court will drop the case ... and I will try my best to punish her.

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The court has not brought any charges against her in the case, and Ek Chheng Huot, the deputy prosecutor who questioned Hor Tin, declined to comment when reached by phone on Tuesday.

Hor Tin and Lim Soma had previously been asked to reach an out-of-court settlement, but Lim Soma rejected the $10,000 compensation suggested by Hor Tin’s employer, Kea Sokheang, whose personal dispute with Lim Soma prompted the attack.

Kea Sokheang said Tuesday that Hor Tin was accompanied by two lawyers in the courtroom, but he declined to elaborate on his testimony.

Last week, he said the lawyers would “bring video footage and photographs taken after the attack as well as doctor’s prescriptions” in order to prove the veracity of Hor Tin’s claims.

He said on Tuesday that he hoped the court would pursue criminal charges against Lim Soma.

“I don’t believe the court will drop the case this time, and I still try my best to punish her,” he said.

Lim Soma said Tuesday that the ever-increasing compensation and other demands from Hor Tin were becoming unreasonable, and stood by her original assertion that she had not done anything wrong.

She has said that she poured the liquid on Hor Tin to break up an argument between him and her sister. The attack took place in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district.

“How can I pay them? I did not do anything wrong. I think they keep accusing me because they want to see me sleeping in prison,” she said.

National bank grants AMK deposit licence

Photo by: Svoan Philong

An employee of AMK at the entrance to a Phnom Penh branch of the microfinance institution last month.

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:01 Nguon Sovan

MFI says it plans to begin accepting deposits later this month

MICRO-FINANCE institution (MFI) AMK was granted a licence to take deposits by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) on Friday, a year and a half after it first applied.

It is now the third MFI to be granted a deposit-taking permit. The first two were Amret and Sathapana, which were both granted licences last year.

Paul Luchtenburg, chief executive officer of AMK, said Tuesday that it will begin to put the deposit service into effect in Phnom Penh and the other five main provinces in mid-February.

In May, AMK will formally launch the service across its entire network and will set up a money-transfer system. He said that the licence comes at an ideal time, since many banks have excess liquidity and have lowered, or are set to lower, interest rates.

Interest rates at AMK will be much higher than commercial banks, he added, because of the current high costs of gaining funds from international lenders.

“We will offer very attractive rates for term deposits: 11 percent for riel currency and 8 percent for dollars. Current account rates will be lower but competitive,” he said. “This creates a win-win situation where we can afford to give high rates to our clients and at the same time reduce our cost of borrowing.”

He said that the primary reason AMK applied for the licence is that people, especially the poor, need to have safe access to savings services.

“This allows them to have funds available for emergencies and to accumulate funds to expand their businesses. Accepting local deposits also gives us an affordable source of local currency, which in turn allows us to offer small loans in rural areas.”

The positive outlook comes despite AMK’s recording a 53 percent drop in profits last year, to US$423,897 from $903,929 in 2008. Luchtenburg put this down to increases in tax provision due to changes in the law. He added that loan disbursements were down slightly to $30.5 million in 2009 from $31.5 million in 2008, while non-performing loans rose to 2.8 percent from 0.36 percent.

Chea Phalarin, general manager of Amret, said Tuesday that customers’ confidence to deposit in MFIs has increased gradually because of higher interest rates.

“Deposits at our MFI rose to $3 million last year, from just $700,000 in 2008,” he said, adding that he expects deposits will double this year thanks to increased promotion.

He said that his MFI offers interest rates of 10 percent and 8.5 percent for riel currency and US dollars respectively on one-year deposits.

To gain a licence, an MFI must prove it has carried out operations for more than three years, is in good financial condition and has capital of at least 10 billion riels (US$2.4 millon), among other requirements.

Trade with Malaysia fell 6.4pc last year

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:01 May Kunmakara

BILATERAL trade between Cambodia and Malaysia declined more than 6 percent in the first 11 months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, figures released by the Malaysian Embassy showed Tuesday.

Recorded trade from January to November 2009 was US$156.1 million, down from $166.8 million in 2008 – a decline of 6.4 percent. Of this, Malaysia’s exports to Cambodia fell by 8 percent, to $142.1 million in 2009 from $154.4 million in 2008. Cambodia’s exports to Malaysia rose 22.8 percent, to $14 million from $11.4 million, representing a 10.4 percent decline in Cambodia’s trade deficit with its ASEAN partner.

Syed Farizal Aminy Syed Mohamad, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Malaysia in Phnom Penh, said: “The main reason for the drop is the economic crisis. Secondly, I think the decline is because Cambodia trades in US dollars. When the economic crisis arrived, the dollar became very expensive.”

He said that Malaysia’s main exports to Cambodia were chemical products, machinery, appliances and electrical products. Malaysia imports textiles, clothing, raw rubber, and logs from the Kingdom.

The Republic of Korea’s Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) also released its annual figures. Bilateral trade between Cambodia and South Korea declined 5.51 percent year on year in 2009, to $291 million from $308 million in 2008.

Exports to South Korea rose 28.6 percent to $18 million from $14 million, while South Korean exports declined 7.2 percent to $273 million last year from $294 million.

Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (KOCHAM), Nam-Shik Kang, said Tuesday that trade barriers between the two countries include the cost of electricity and the expense of importing and exporting in Cambodia.

Koh Pich project set for $3.6m expansion

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:01 Soeun Say

FOLLOWING its opening in October, Koh Pich Island’s wedding and exhibition centre will be expanded with a further US$3.6 million investment, the developer Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC) told the Post on Tuesday.

Touch Samnang, project manager and architect for the sight under construction by OCIC, whose owners are the same as those of Canadia Bank, said demand had been strong at the wedding centre.

“A lot of customers have come to book our centre, but we don’t have much space,” he said. “So, we decided to build one more wedding centre to respond to demand from our clients.”

The second centre is to open in May, said Touch Samnang, adding that the site has already hosted 200 ceremonies since opening at the end of October. Construction began on the latest project at the end of last month.

A separate exhibition centre on Koh Pich, with stands for 300 people, will be ready even sooner – in two months, according to its General Manager Prak Chan Long. The site will include parking for 2,000 cars.

The 6-hectare Diamond Island Convention Exhibition Centre is part of a much larger $200 million OCIC development that will occupy 75 hectares next to the Bassac River, he added.

The Koh Pich development was slated for completion by 2016 when it was approved by the government in 2006, ahead of the subsequent economic crisis that has halted or delayed a considerable number of construction projects in Phnom Penh.

Use your language

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:01 Touch Yin Vannith

While a majority of people in Cambodia say that Khmer literature is in a bad way, few people are doing anything to stop its demise.

In order to fill this void, the Nou Hach Literary Association, the Association of Nagn Sab Brus and the Association of Vocational Training of Rural Poets have created the “Competition Poetry Programme” to strengthen literature and literacy in the Kingdom.

Khem Chan So Ah Haing, director of the Nou Hach Literary Association, said that the number of entrants in the annual competition has been increasing, and that entries are diverging from traditional styles of poetry.

“Old poets liked to write only about love. In contrast, today’s generation of poets write more about theory and innovative methods to resolving societal problems,” he said.

Por Savorng, who has won second prize in both the poetry and short story writing contests, is now a coordinator of New Sun Printing House.

“I entered my poem in the competition because I wanted to show my great achievement to humanity and reveal to young people the social impact they can have through poetry,” he said.

Khem Chan So Ah Haing said that the competition receives 400 poems and 200 short stories each year, adding that entries should expose personal views, show a strong vision and have an effective conclusion.

This year’s competition will be open for poetry and short story entries until March 1. Stories should be brought to the second floor of the Buddhist Institute, which is located next to NagaWorld Casino. Each candidate can submit one short story and one poem. Short stories should be limited to five pages and poems should be under 15 pages.

Cup quarterfinals set to begin

Wat Phnom’s Khieu Vibol charges during their match against Mekong Kampuchea University.Photos by Nick Sells (www.nicksellsphotography.com)

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 15:00 Ung Chamroeun

The weekend will see teams face off at Olympic Stadium for the chance to play in the Samdech Hun Sen Cup semifinals, with intriguing matchups on offer

TWO of the eight teams that have qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2010 Samdech Hun Sen Cup are in uncharted territory, with the remaining six sides – unsurprisingly, all Cambodian Premier League clubs – having previously made the grade.

Wat Phnom, who last year plied their trade as Spark FC and successfully avoided relegation from the top tier, made the quarterfinals for the first time in their history, and Kampong Chhnang outfit Rithi Sen also broke new ground and surprised everyone by beating the favoured Kirivong Sok Sen Chey 4-2 in the last-16 knockout stage.

Spectators at Olympic Stadium over the past two weeks have also been treated to fine displays by provincial sides Chhma Khmao (Svay Rieng), Koh Kong and Oddar Meanchey, who couldn’t quite handle the quality of their experienced opponents. Here is a breakdown of quarterfinal matches to be played this Saturday.

Phnom Penh Crown’s Srey Veasna hits a half volley during their match against Phouchung Neak.

Phnom Penh Crown v Wat Phnom

A late solitary strike from substitute Heng Sok Ly against his former team Phouchung Neak on January 30 helped the two-time winners Phnom Penh Crown advance to the last eight of the tournament. They now face Wat Phnom, who the same day destroyed Mekong Kampuchea University 10-1. Though both teams have met in the CPL, this will be their first Cup tie against each other.

Last year, Wat Phnom were knocked out in the preliminary round, but this year’s tournament saw them finish second after Koh Kong in group F, played in Kep. Fortune was clearly on their side, as they were drawn against a shell-shocked college team who were easily dispatched to make the next round.

Vann Dara, Wat Phnom’s manager, knows his team has their work cut out in the quarterfinals. “Phnom Penh Crown will be our big challenge,” he said. “We need to strengthen our squad. However, I’m so happy with the results from the previous matches. My players did their job well; they had good communication between each other to manage the ball.”

In last year’s CPL season, Phnom Penh Crown took all six points from Wat Phnom, winning 2-1 and 6-3.

“On the basis of history, we have better results than Wat Phnom,” stated Crown manager Be Makara. “But what they did against Mekong Kampuchea University in the knockout stage impressed me too much. Their players gave a great performance with a good one-to-one passing network. So we need to be careful for the upcoming match.”

However, the Crown boss was not satisfied with their game against Phouchung Neak. “We might have scored more than one goal if my players had shown good cooperation,” he opined. “Some of them liked keeping the ball without passing to other teammates. I want them to avoid this attitude.”

Build Bright United’s Hy Sok Veng plays during their match against Prey Veng January 31.Photos by Pha Lina

Naga Corp v Build Bright Utd

Current CPL champions Naga Corp have failed at the final hurdle in two previous Cup campaigns. In the inaugural cup in 2007, they lost to Khemara 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. In 2008, they were knocked out by Phnom Penh Crown in the last-16 stage, but reached the final once more last year, where Crown again beat them 1-0.

Build Bright United (BBU) also boast a promising Cup record, having qualified from the preliminary rounds of all three previous tournaments and making the semifinal stage twice. In 2007, they won the fair play award after losing 4-1 to Phnom Penh Crown in the third-place playoff. They went one better in 2008 to claim third after beating Khemara Keila. However, in 2009 they came up against Crown in the last-16 round, losing 1-0.

In five CPL meetings between the sides, the tally stands at 3-2 in favour of Naga. Last year, Naga thrashed BBU 5-2, but the university-backed side took revenge in the reverse fixture, winning 3-2.

In the knockout stage, BBU trounced provincial side Prey Veng 7-0, while Naga ploughed in four in the last 14 minutes to win 6-2 over Chhma Khmao.

“I respect the opponents who reached this step,” expressed BBU coach Meas Sam Oeurn. “The only thing that we must do is train up our squad. I believe in my young boys, they will try their best for victory.”

However, the coach revealed some injury troubles. “Now we have problems with two midfielders, Oum Chandara and Chhun Sothearath. I hope Chandara will recover quickly because he has only a small ankle injury, but Sothearath, who is also a midfielder for the national team, may be absent because he has a severe problem with his ankle and knee. Doctors have recommended he stay home for a few months. Maybe I’ll use striker Prum Puthsethy to play in the central position, but it’ll be a big problem for us in attack.”

Nov Vuthy, newly-appointed coach of Naga Corp, said he hoped his team could go all the way this year, but showed respect for his opponents. “We have many experienced players. I think that everything will be okay for us. However, we must learn our weakness, and we will reinforce ahead of the upcoming match. BBU is not an easy team – we were beaten by them in the past.”

DAP News ; Breaking News by Soy Sopheap

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Cambodia Ready to Bring Border Dispute to international Level: Hun Sen

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 02:52 DAP-NEWS

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday reaffirmed the Cambodian government’s willingness to resolve the ongoing border dispute with Thailand at the international level, using such arbiters as the International Court of Justice or the UN Security Council.

Tuesday was the fourth day of the premier’s historical visit to border areas, including Preah Vihear Temple. The PM again blasted Thai Prime Minister Abhisit over his claims that 4.6 squares kilometers of territory around the temple belong to Thailand. Hun Sen strongly stated that Cambodia will never accept this territory is a ‘disputed area’, saying it belongs to Cambodia.

“At the moment, Cambodia will solve this matter by international justice and courts, and if it is necessary, Cambodia will bring this matter to solve at the UN Security Council,” the premier said during the inauguration of a new building for soldiers in Oddor Meanchey province.

“This (disputed) area (claim) was made by Thailand itself to invade Cam-bodian territory, and Kesekha Kirisvarak pagoda absolutely belongs to Cambodia, inside in Cambodian land,” the premier said.

Concerning the 10 Thai soldiers stationed at Kesakha Kirisvarak pagoda, the PM said that the soldiers will not be authorized to sleep at Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak at night. In the daytime, they are allowed to enter, but are not allowed to carry weapons.

The premier urged all soldiers stationed at the border to defend their territory, stressing Cambodia’s readiness to repel any enemy.

He also praised the ancient Cambo-dian kings who build the temples that are now at the centre of the territorial dispute. “They never stole anybody’s land, but it was the others who came to rob from Khmer kings,” he said. “The Khmers never demand (the return) of Khmer lands which were lost in the past.”

Opposition back international border solution.

As the government stated its readiness to take an ongoing border dispute with Thailand to the international community, Cambodian opposition party members backed the suggestion.

“This stance is very good as we do not waste time and avoid a war,” Yem Ponhrith, Human Rights Party secretary-general, told DAP News Cambodia on Tuesday.

“We want to do like this with border areas,” said Ho Vann, Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker.

Rumored Thai plans to invade 4.6 sq km ‘disputed area’.

As the PM Hun Sen blasted the Thai government, Thai soldiers in Zone 2 and Zone 4 near Preah Vihear temple have allegedly declared their desire to invade the 4.6 square kilometers they say is disputed territory.

The Thai troops made a declaration boasting that they want to fight to take the area, zoned as Thai territory only on the Thai’s own unilateral map. The information was reported by a Cambodian troop source stationed in the Veal Entry area on February 9. The sourced claimed that the Thai troops made their declaration after Hun Sen’s 3-day visit to the border zone.

Nevertheless, the Cambodian source indicated that, currently, the Cambodian army is prepared to face any invaders. Cambodian troops will wait to see what action the Thai troops dare to take today or tomorrow, the source said. However, right now the situation in this zone still remains normal.

Thai yellow shirts destroy border markers

The People’s Alliance of Democracy (PAD) or ‘yellow shirts’ destroyed Cambodia-Thailand border markers at Ta Moan Toich temple located in Cambodia’s Banteay Ompel district, Oddor Meanchey province.

The yellow shirt protesters confirmed that they damaged one border marker they insisted is in Thai territory.

The protest and criminal damage comes during Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s historical visit to the border area.

Nak Vong, Ta Moan Toich sub-commander, told DAP News Cambodia he demanded Thai soldiers station nearby re-post the border markers after they were removed.

Var Kimhong, Cambodian Border Joint Committee president, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Germany Gives Another US$1.37 Million for Cambodia's Mine Clearance

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 08:33 DAP-NEWS/ Ek Madra

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 10 - German announced $1.37 million on Wednesday for the Cambodia's demining project in two provinces for this year, the release said of the signing note.

It was singed by Cambodia's deputy minister for foreign affairs Ouch Borith and German ambassador Frank M. Mann.

The money will be managed by Cambodia Mine Action Group (CMAG), which has been financed by Germany since 1999, to demine the explosive materials in Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey, said the release.

The German commitment to humanitarian demining has been demonstrated by approximately US$214 million which the Federal Government has granted to 42 mine affected countries so far, said the release by the German embassy.

In total German tax payers have supported demining worldwide by granting more than US$ 300 million since 1992 which brings Germany on the top of the list of donors for mine action, it said.

In view of the magnitude of the problem of mines and unexploded ordnances left over from decades of civil war and armed conflicts Cambodia has always been of high priority for Germany.

Since 1994 some US$17.5 million have been granted thus far, exclusively for the support of local demining activities.

Germany will continue to support the demining platoons through this year to support the Cambodian mobile teams to respond to emergency requests and three Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams.

Last December, Belgium gave 550,360 euros for Cambodia's landmine clearance.

A UK-based Mines Advisory Group (MAG) announced late Friday to provide 550,360 euros for Cambodia to clear mines in two provinces for period of two years.

MAG, which has been helped Cambodia to clear the explosive devices since 1992, said the money will be spent for the clearing mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in northwestern provinces of Battambang and Pailin where reporting the highest numbers of mine/UXO casualties in this former war-torn nation.

Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily landmines and unexploded ordnance buried of between 4-6 million, which remained from its 30 years of civil war and killed an estimated 60,000 people since 1992 many of them are children.

Cambodia continues to have one of the highest landmine casualty rates in the world, as a result of heavy mine laid over almost three decades of conflict.

Belgium has long taken an interest in dealing with landmines and other ordnance, becoming the first country to ban anti-personnel landmines in 1995 and also the first country to ban cluster munitions in 2006.

Belgium started supporting landmine clearance in the 1990's and is now also funding physical rehabilitation centers and prevention activities in Cambodia.

This financial support and previous development activities supported by Belgium in the sectors of health and education, showed the commitment of the Belgian government towards development in Cambodia.

The Belgian government also supports MAG's work in Iraq, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cambodians Winning More Foreign Scholarships

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 02:52 DAP-NEWS

The Education Ministry said on Tuesday that Cambodian students now can compete with foreign students to win scholarships to foreign countries.

Students have upped their ability and improved their knowledge, especially in foreign languages like English, said Yong Yano, director of the Education Ministry’s Scholarship Department.

He said that in 2009, nearly 500 Cambodian students got scholarships to study abroad and with support from development partners and host countries. This represents an increase of about 50 students over last year.

“It is good that our students have more ability to go to foreign countries, and they catch up in foreign languages like English,” he said, adding the ministry is seeking more scholarships.

“We have always encouraged them to apply for the scholarship because they can share view and ideas and learn new things … to help construct the country,” he added.

Uch Mey, another Education Ministry official, said that most students who graduate abroad command higher salaries than local graduates.

Cambodia sends most students to Thailand, France, Vietnam, Australia, the US and Arabic countries.

Seang Soleak, a former Fulbright scholarship students in the US, said that study in developed countries helps increase knowledge.

Hun Sen's rant is 'proof that ties will remain shaky'

via CAAI News Media

Published: 10/02/2010

Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says the personal attacks on him by his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen are proof of why the shaky ties between the two countries cannot return to normal.

But Mr Abhisit said yesterday he would not react to the abuse from the Cambodian leader.

Matters involving Thailand's sovereignty would be handled by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

''We will not let any country violate our territory and sovereignty,'' he said.

Hun Sen wrapped up his three-day visit to the Thai-Cambodia border on Monday by launching a blistering attack on Mr Abhisit on a website.

He accused Mr Abhisit of coming to power undemocratically and of causing trouble with neighbouring countries.

He also said, among other things, that Thai soldiers had entered Cambodian territory.

Hun Sen launched the attack after visiting a military office about six kilometres inside Cambodian territory across from Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak.

The Cambodian premier had planned to visit the temple ruins but he was advised by Bangkok to abandon the trip for fear the People's Alliance for Democracy would stage a protest against the visit.

Mr Abhisit said Hun Sen's attack had showed how sour the relations between the two countries had become.

The outburst demonstrated that Thailand had not initiated the decline in diplomatic relations, he said.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government would not react harshly to Hun Sen's words. Bangkok could opt for a softer approach by having the Foreign Ministry send a letter to Phnom Penh refuting Hun Sen's allegations. The international community would take a dim view of Hun Sen's remarks, Mr Panitan said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said it was unnecessary for the government to react to the outburst.

Mr Suthep, who oversees national security, said he believed Hun Sen made his remarks in a fit of anger after he was unable to visit Ta Muan Thom temple.

Relations with Cambodia soured after Bangkok reversed its position to support Cambodia's application to unilaterally list the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Ownership of the land around the temple is disputed by the two countries.

Ties plunged to a new low when Hun Sen appointed fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and as an economic adviser to his government.

Thailand asked Cambodia to extradite Thaksin when he visited Phnom Penh last November, but the request was denied.

US Voices Concern Over Border Dispute

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer

Original report from Phnom Penh

09 February 2010

via CAAI News Media

The US is concerned about an ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia and is seeking a quick, peaceful solution to tensions between the two countries, a US State Department official said Tuesday.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel, who is the US ambassador to Asean, told reporters he planned next to stop in Thailand to encourage resolution to a 19-month military standoff that has left at least eight soldiers dead and dampened tourism and trade between both countries.

“We are good friends with both Cambodian and Thailand, and like most countries we’re concerned about the tension between the two countries,” Marciel told reporters in Phnom Penh, following three days of talks with leaders. “What we have said is that we hope that both governments, both leaders, will do what they can to try to reduce tensions to begin with and then to work to try to find a peaceful and rapid solution to this problem.”

Marciel’s visit coincided with a four-day trip by Prime Minister Hun Sen to the northern border region, where he encouraged soldiers to continue vigilance against a Thai “invasion.”

In the former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng Tuesday, Hun Sen told soldiers he was considering filing an official complaint to the International Court of Justice at the Hague against Thai encroachment in Cambodia.

Cambodia and Thailand have failed on multiple occasions to bilaterally diffuse the border standoff, which began in July 2008 after Preah Vihear temple was given Unesco World Heritage status under Cambodian ownership.

Bangkok officially disputes a small strip of land near the border temple, while protesters have called for the 11th-Century temple to be handed over to Thailand. The temple has meanwhile become a source of national pride for Cambodians.

The dispute has added to Thailand’s political instability, which saw massive protests in 2008 and the ouster of a democratically elected regime.

Compounding the problem is an ongoing diplomatic row between the two neighbors over the appointment of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to Hun Sen.

Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in 2006, is wanted on corruption charges in Thailand, and his appointment and subsequent appearances in Phnom Penh have rankled Bangkok.

Radio Journalist Faces Defamation Charges

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer

Original report from Phnom Penh

09 February 2010

via CAAI News Media

One journalist and three of his sources went on trial for defamation in Takeo province on Tuesday, with the court scheduling a verdict for Feb. 19.

To Serey, a radio journalist for Radio Free Asia, is accused of broadcasting a report alleging corruption by a local official in the province.

Two human rights workers and a villager who were interviewed by the reporter are also accused of defamation.

All four appeared in court Tuesday, where a five-hour hearing ensued. Evidence against the accused was based on testimony of 12 witnesses, who denied the broadcast report, which said members of the Muslim community had demonstrated against corruption.

Cambodia’s courts have come under increasing criticism for criminal trials of defamation and disinformation, allowed under a recently passed media law.

Critics say the law promotes retributive suits against government dissenters, the opposition and the media.

Tribunal Limits Civil Party Participation

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer

Original report from Phnom Penh

09 February 2010

via CAAI News Media

The Khmer Rouge tribunal will officially limit the participation of civil parties in upcoming trials, in an effort to streamline court procedures.

"In future trials, civil parties will form a consolidated group and pursue a single claim for reparations," the UN-backed court said in a statement Tuesday, at the end of a plenary session for court judges, prosecutors and other officials.

The decision was made to address "shortcomings" of the court's first trial, of prison chief Kaing Kek Iev, where the participation of multiple civil parties made procedures unwieldy.

The tribunal was designed to add victim participation in the form of civil parties, which participate alongside the defense and prosecution.

The new rules create two lead lawyers to coordinate with all civil party lawyers and victims themselves ahead of trials.

"Civil Party Lawyers may agree to support the Lead Co-Lawyers in the representation of the interests of the consolidated group," the tribunal statement said. "Such support, which will be coordinated by the Lead Co-Lawyers, may include oral and written submissions by Civil Party Lawyers, as well as examination in court of witnesses and their clients."

Hun Sen to Abhisit, the Valentine's version

via CAAI News Media

By Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation

Published on February 10, 2010

NOW, this is what happens when you come from an environment where even lame critics are sent into oblivion. Cambodian leader Hun Sen obviously has nobody in Phnom Penh to remind him that he can express his fetish fantasy involving his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva in nicer ways. That task, I suppose, has to fall on me.

The devil is in the details, remember. Hun Sen can use love language and at the same time keep his key messages - that he wants Abhisit to be shot, electrocuted, run over by a truck, and have his neck broken by spirits - intact. Here's how it can be done:

My dearest Abhisit,

You hurt me. That we are drifting further and further apart doesn't mean that you have to lie about us. I have been truthful about the Preah Vihear Temple, about my feelings toward poor Thaksin Shinawatra, but all you have done is try to destroy me with your lies.

I may not be a great speaker like you, but I've been sincere, you know. I always speak from my heart, but you always use your Oxford tongue to cleverly discredit Cambodia. You know that if you push me smartly enough, I will break down and you will score political points. You know that if you pretend to act passively, people will buy it and the joke will be on me.

Shame on you, Mr Manipulator. You steer people away from the truth and let them focus on me crying over my wounds. With a deadpan face, you lied that Thai troops never encroached into Cambodia on July 15. You know whose side the public will take - a cute, young leader talking "principles", or an over-the-hill veteran whose credit you have undermined.

Since I have no other way to expose your lies, I'm praying to all sacred things in the world to help me, to be on my side. May the liar be in a plane that crashes. May he be electrocuted. May he be run over by a car. May he be shot. How does that sound, Mr Handsome?

Before I sign off, let me just say how you totally deserve the Valentine's Day gift thrown into your house the other day.

I will haunt you forever,

Hun Sen.

There. It fits the festival of love nicely, doesn't it? At least it won't make the Cambodian leader sound like a sadistic maniac hurling abuse and curses at somone he doesn't even know personally.

Anyway, how should Abhisit reply to this kind of message? I'm not his adviser, but why not shock everyone with some un-Abhisit-like jibe like this?:

Hi, Whiner,

Instead of resorting to superstitution, why don't you just run to your mommy and cry your heart out? After all, your behaviour indicates you have regressed to a time when "You swear? On your mother's name?" was the only way to catch a liar. And talking about liars, yeah, let them all burn in hell and be reborn as total losers who are never taken seriously.

That should be it. What? Why don't I say anything more? Well, this is a big waste of time already.

Abhisit Vejjajiva

P.S. This is odd, but I feel compelled to thank you for, well, being you. Every time you open your mouth, my domestic rating jumps.

Writer's note: To keep with the Valentine's Day spirit, I'd like to convey my love and sympathy to the staff at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok, who always send protest letters to the newspapers at the slightest criticism of Hun Sen and his government. Their job is a bit more complicated now for obvious reasons.

The big boss has turned diplomacy upside down, which means the embassy's "polite" approach may need to be reviewed. For example, it used to be easy to invoke diplomatically acceptable words like "imbecile", "absurd" and "vulgar" to criticize newspapers; the embassy may have to find something harsher so as to not to lose touch with Hun Sen.

So, deploring Thai newspapers for "a complete lack of decent politeness, professional journalism, and truth" is surely too courteous. This is a new ball game and new tactics are required. It's no longer about Preah Vihear Temple exclusively. The row has gone from a "Khmer" temple that Thailand "claims" to a Thai fugitive that the Cambodians want to adopt, to one side challenging the other to an old-fashioned spitting contest.

How far will this go? I can only hope this is diplomacy's version of American wrestling. You know, some real blood but a big charade. But that's optimistically talking, by the way.

Cambodia wants World Court to rule on Thai border

via CAAI News Media

Cambodian leader Hun Sen wants World Court to settle border dispute with Thailand

On Tuesday February 9, 2010

O SVAY, Cambodia (AP) -- Cambodia will complain to the World Court that Thailand is occupying its land, the prime minister said Tuesday while visiting the territory at the heart of a bitter border dispute.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thailand has encroached on land around the landmark Preah Vihear temple, in northern Cambodia, which the court awarded Phnom Penh in 1962.

Thailand acknowledges Cambodian sovereignty over the temple, but both claim 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) of nearby land. The countries' troops have clashed there several times.

"Cambodia has reached the limits of its patience," Hun Sen said in a speech Tuesday. He said he also would ask the United Nations to help solve the border issue.

Nationalist passions have run high at the border since 2008, after Thailand first backed, then opposed Cambodia's bid to name the 11th-century temple a U.N. World Heritage site.

Cambodia and Thailand share a 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border, part of which has never been clearly demarcated because each country relies on different maps.

Cambodian-Thai relations worsened late last year when Cambodia named former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra an adviser on economic affairs.

A Thai court in 2008 sentenced Thaksin in absentia to two years imprisonment for corruption, but Cambodia rejected a formal request for his extradition.

Cambodia, Thailand to Peaceful Solve Border Issue: U.S. Official

http://english.cri.cn/

via CAAI News Media

2010-02-10

Xinhua

Web Editor: Cao

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of States Scot Marciel said on Tuesday that Washington wanted to see Phnom Penh and Bangkok to solve their border disputes through peaceful talks for the benefits of the two nations.

Speaking to reporters at a press briefing, Scot Marciel said " we are good friends with Cambodia and Thailand. And likes most other countries are concerned the tension between the two countries, we have said and hoped that both governments and leaders will do what they can to try to reduce tension and then to work trying to find a peaceful and rapid solution to these problems."

War of words between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai' s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has escalated since last week over Hun Sen's first tour of the Khmer 11th built Temple of Preah Vihear and Cambodian military forces who beefed up security near the Thai's border.

Relations between the two countries turned rocky in November after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives abroad to escape a jail term for corruption, as economic advisor of him and his government. Both nations have recalled their ambassadors since.

Cambodia said that the Thais claimed the land of 4.6 square km near the Temple is baseless given the U.N. court of International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 ruled out that the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

Scot Marciel arrived in the Kingdom on Feb. 8. He held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

The visit is aimed at strengthening the relationship between Washington and Phnom Penh, said an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Hun Sen strews political banana skins before him

via CAAI News Media

By The Nation

Published on February 10, 2010

Bizarre actions of the Cambodian leader must be designed to distract his public from other issues

One does not need to consult Wikipedia to understand Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ulterior motive in his latest foray to the Thai-Cambodian border. It was a trip full of symbolism and can-do spirit. Clad in military fatigues, along with his wife, Hun Sen wanted to portray himself as his country's commander-in-chief, or, to be more specific, the guardian of Cambodia's territorial integrity on its western border, like the Cambodian kings before him.

But once he arrived back in Phnom Penh, he suddenly changed back into a fouled-mouth rabble-rouser. He was very rude in his broadside routine, this time using curses - unprecedented in the annals of Asean history - against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was not at all perturbed.

Hun Sen's diatribes are getting meaner and weirder by the day. It is possible that if Abhisit remains as the Thai leader in the foreseeable future - which is very likely - Hun Sen could suffer from a haemorrhage, because his vitriol reveals an extreme dislike for the Thai leader. Indeed, the Cambodian prime minister may have to be accountable for his "hate" speeches if they lead to violence. There are such precedents in Burundi and Sierra Leone.

Hun Sen must be happy with his latest political manipulation because he continues to score high points on the domestic front. Never mind Cambodia's ongoing border problem with Vietnam, it is the Thais that Hun Sen has tried to portray as invaders, and his own countrymen as "victims."

Without such convenient nationalistic side-issues, the Cambodian public's attention might instead focus on his performance and governance. After three decades in politics, he has total control of Cambodia, and there is no real opposition. Literally everybody, including the opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, has been silenced. The feisty Cambodian press behaves differently when it comes to issues related to Hun Sen and his coterie of supporters.

During his visit to the border, he wanted to gauge Thai sentiments toward Cambodia. Absent this time were the usual protests by various Thai civil society groups. Provocative reaction from the Thai side would only help Hun Sen's position. Somehow, the Thai side managed the controversial visit very well. The Foreign Ministry and the Second Army did an excellent job in handling the situation by following strict protocol. The Cambodian representatives wanted to visit the disputed areas, and they were welcome to do so if they asked permission from the Thai side. In the end, they did not, and returned to Phnom Penh.

Cambodia is a country that enjoys playing global politics, something that Thailand is not so adept at. Hun Sen's trip was also aimed at an international audience, especially those who are following the ongoing dispute over the disputed Preah Vihear Temple complex.

During the reign of King Sihanouk, the former monarch won international prominence for his country. And he did it with style. His talents and versatility are well known, including music, film-making and writing. Under Hun Sen, Cambodia has retained its prominence, but as a fragile democracy within Asean. In the past few months, the Cambodian premier has acted ever more irrationally, collaborating with the fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra in an effort to topple the Abhisit government. Certainly, it will take a long time before normalcy is restored in Thai-Cambodian relations.

But when the dust settles, the region and the world will know full well who were the good guys, the bad guys, and the stooges in between.

We cannot eat electricity’

via CAAI News Media

The adverse impacts of climate change on the Mekong Delta in Vietnam will be amplified several times if hydropower dams planned upstream by other countries are built, experts say.

Land erosion on the Mekong River in Dong Thap Province

Both local and international experts said at a forum on the Mekong River environment organized by the Can Tho University on Wednesday that the dams will seriously threaten food security in riparian countries.

Dao Trong Tu, former Vietnam country coordinator for the Mekong River Commission, said three hydropower dams are already under construction in China, and another 11 were planned in Laos and Cambodia.

La Chhuon, an expert of Oxfam Australia in Cambodia, said fishermen in the country had told him they wanted to eat fish and would not be able to eat electricity generated by hydropower dams.

Without exception, every resident was unhappy with the building of dams and did not care for the compensation they would get when they are displaced by such projects, he added.

Carl Middleton, Mekong Program Coordinator of International Rivers, an INGO, that seeks to protect rivers and defend the rights of communities that depend on them, stressed that the projects threatened food security in the region.

He estimated that Mekong riparian countries would lose 700,000 to 1.6 million tons of fish a year to the dams, while this has been the main food for millions people there.

Who benefits?

Chuenchom Sangarasri Greacen of Palang Thai, a Thailand-based non-profit organization, said the predicted electricity consumption in Thailand was always higher than actual demand.

According to the Palang Thai website, it “works to ensure that the transformations that occur in the region's energy sector are economically rational, and that they augment, rather than undermine, social and environmental justice and sustainability.”

Sangarasri accused companies investing in hydropower projects of being motivated solely by economic benefit rather than helping fight power shortages. She said such motivations should be eliminated and more accurate assessments made of power needs.

Natural resources can meet genuine demand but cannot satisfy human greed for profit, she said.

Nguyen Huu Thien, a Vietnamese wetlands expert, said the river flows would be controlled by the managers of hydropower dams to the detriment of other people’s interests.

He said there would be less silt supplied by the river and farmers would have to spend more on fertilizers. The losses caused to farmers and other residents would outweigh by far the total benefits generated by dams, he added.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff