Strongman father dreams of glory for 'heroic' son

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Published: 10/02/2011 

Hun Manet is no stranger to the Thai military. Even ordinary Thais know about the eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen from the border conflicts near Preah Vihear temple. The Thai military top brass has kept a close watch on Hun Manet since he went to West Point in the United States more than a decade ago.

The Cambodian strongman attended the graduation ceremony of his son at the famous US military school in 1999. Since then the Thai army has known that Hun Sen has a long-term plan to place his son in control of the Cambodian armed forces and succeed him in the top job of the Cambodian government.

The first step was fulfilled when Hun Sen defied criticism from opponents to promote Hun Manet to the rank of a two-star general, as deputy chief of the unit assigned to specifically protect Hun Sen.

Senior Thai military officers noted that Hun Sen was also using his son as a military link between Phnom Penh and Washington - as seen in the increased military aid and training, including US anti-terrorism tactics, given to the Cambodian forces.

After graduating from West Point, now-Maj Gen Hun Manet pursued a Master's degree in economics in the United Kingdom, where he started building contacts with Thai students and officers studying there. His connections with Thailand expanded when he had several chances to attend military conferences in Thailand and made numerous trips to Bangkok.

"Hun Manet is down-to-earth even though he is the prime minister's son. He is an easy-going guy and very friendly," one of his Thai friends in the army said. "We all know that he is destined to be the next Cambodian prime minister.

"Hun Sen loves his son, always listens to him and sometimes gives his son some advice," the same officer added.

It is believed that Thai army officers used their personal contacts with Maj Gen Hun Manet to convince his father to help the 7 Thais, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, after they were arrested by Cambodian security authorities on Dec 29.

His name is now well-known among the Thai people after he was given his new assignment: commander of the Cambodian forces fighting Thailand in the present conflict over the 4.6 square kilometre area. The Cambodian media reported his participation - with Lt Gen Chea Mon, chief of the Cambodian army's fourth region, and Lt Gen Srey Duek, who is in charge of the Cambodian province of Preah Vihear - on Jan 28 after the Thai army pressured Cambodia to demolish a stone tablet bearing the statement "Here is Cambodia" at Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda two days earlier, followed by a call from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that Phnom Penh remove the Cambodian national flag at Wat Keo Sikha Kiri Savara, which is situated in an area also claimed by Thailand as part of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province. The tablet was destroyed but Mr Abhisit's counterpart, Hun Sen, refused to remove the flag. Instead, he ordered his son to be stationed at Preah Vihear to lead the Cambodian army in the border clashes instead of ordering him to return to Phnom Penh.

"Since then Thai intelligence officers who monitor Cambodia's military communication lines have heard his voice commanding Cambodian soldiers", including the communique on Feb 4 when the first clash took place, a Thai intelligence officer said.

After the second clash on Feb 6, the Thai army has not heard his voice, and there has been speculation that he has been injured. That rumour turned out to be false.

Another rumour was that his younger brother, Col Hun Mani, was injured on Feb 4 when his tank was hit by a Thai artillery shell which, according to the Thai army's claim, killed 64 Cambodian soldiers, damaged 15 other tanks, six artilleries and four BM 21 multi-rocket launchers.

But even this could not be confirmed.

Maj Gen Hun Manet took the leading role in the fighting on the night of Feb 6, in what the Thai army believes was in retaliation for the loss of Cambodian forces and the slight damage to Preah Vihear temple. The target of that raid were the Thai soldiers based at Phu Ma Khua, and he decided to launch the attack at night because he realised that timing and experience would give his troops an advantage. One thing gave the Thai army the upper hand: superior weapons.

There has been no report of any losses among the Cambodian soldiers as they were aware that radio communications had been intercepted by Thailand. On the Thai side, 14 Thai soldiers and two villagers were injured. One of the troops later died.

Thai army officers believe that Hun Sen's decision to send his son to lead Cambodian soldiers in the border clash was intentional. "Hun Sen wanted his son to get credit and recognition from the Cambodian people, to pave the way for him to be promoted in the army," one Thai army source noted.

Leading the fight against "Siam" has already put his name in the Cambodian history books, the source added.

After the latest clash on Feb 6, Maj Gen Hun Manet "approached" Thai army leaders including chief of the 2nd Army, Thawatchai Samutsakhon, and army C-in-C Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. "I have been in contact with Hun Manet. Both Thai and Cambodian commanders have already reached an understanding," Lt Gen Thawatchai said.

"I can confirm that Thai soldiers did not start the war. We got shot first. We never started any invasion and were on the defensive. But let me assure everybody that we are not the underdog," he said, speaking of the Thai position.

Whatever the outcome of the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, one sure thing is that Maj Gen Hun Manet has become a hero to his Cambodian countrymen.

Wassana Nanuam reports on military affairs for the Bangkok Post.

Much more can be gained with a third party's help

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Published: 14/02/2011 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

Following the border clashes with Cambodia which erupted two weeks ago and ensuing attempts to reach a peaceful resolution, Thailand now finds itself playing on two diplomatic chessboards. Later tonight (Monday night, Bangkok time) we will know the results of the first face-off between Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong as they present their cases to the United Nations Security Council.

The Asean chair, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, will also be there, playing a pivotal role in game one, as well as game two - the "urgent" meeting of Asean foreign ministers on Feb 22 in Jakarta, aimed at facilitating a resolution.

In New York today, the UNSC will hear two key messages - apart from statements from both sides that "they shot first". Thailand will state that the Cambodian attacks indiscriminately damaged civilian property and killed one civilian while Cambodian troops used Preah Vihear temple and its immediate surroundings as a military base to fire into Thai troops and civilians and as shelter, which exposed the temple to grave danger and destruction. Cambodia, on the other hand, will insist that "this is a war" that cannot be resolved bilaterally but that a resolution can be achieved with the presence of a third party.

Like it or not, Cambodia has managed to internationalise the dispute. From an Asean perspective, Phnom Penh can cite Article 28 of the Asean Charter which allows it to seek "the right of recourse to modes of peaceful settlement" contained in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter. Under this UN article, the UNSC shall call on the parties to first settle their dispute and seek a solution "by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice". The Security Council has already called on Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their differences through these means.

But given the two differing positions of Thailand and Cambodia on the prospects of bilateral talks resolving the dispute, and the Asean chair's proactive role in offering assistance, the UNSC can today rely on the UN Charter's Article 52 and 53 which opens the door for "regional arrangements and agencies" to play a role in dispute settlements.

Since Thailand and Cambodia are members of Asean, the UNSC today could urge both parties to, according to the UN Charter, "make every effort to achieve pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before referring them to the Security Council". Or the UNSC, after listening to ministers Kasit and Hor Namhong, could (again under the UN Charter) suggest that the "regional arrangement and agencies", that is Asean, assist in resolving the dispute.

The key question is what decision will the UNSC adopt today? It is likely that the UNSC will recognise that the dispute is a threat to regional peace (not international as Cambodia has portrayed things) and that both countries find a peaceful and amicable solution soon. But at the same time, the UNSC could suggest that any unresolved issue be open to a third party's good offices, conciliation and mediation while adhering to the UN and Asean charters. In other words: go back and sort out your problems peacefully and if you have problems, consult Mr Marty (and Asean) who should report back when progress is made.

If this is the gist of the UNSC decision, unlike other decisions of UN bodies, it is binding and must be respected and implemented by the disputing parties. Therefore Thailand needs to think ahead and hard, not only of how it will react to the results of chess game one but how it can manage in chess game number two - the urgent Asean meeting of foreign ministers in Jakarta on Feb 22.

An Asean role in assisting to resolve disputes among member states in not really new. In 1997 when the dual premiership arrangement in Cambodia fell apart the Asean Troika was formed comprising Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. The Troika was assisted by participants of the Asean Regional Forum, including the United Nations, which formed a Friends of Cambodia Group, which played a supporting role, in overcoming the problem.

There is no doubt that Thailand and Cambodia have their national interests to protect. But at the same time, in this period of change, they are also members of Asean and must have the interests of Asean at heart. An effective Asean - with the means and an effective and accepted mechanism to resolve disputes, especially political disputes that erupt into violence - is good for its individual members and the region as a whole. Such a mechanism will help boost confidence in the region because it can sort out problems in its own backyard among members. This can only help boost its competitiveness in the medium and long terms.

Clearly this is a difficult challenge, not only for Thailand and Cambodia, but all its members because it involves balancing national and regional interests. Ironically, the current dispute provides a golden opportunity for its individual members to chart the course in open terrain and build this dispute mechanism.

Already the role played by the Indonesian foreign minister as the Asean chair is a proactive and positive one. But how can the role of the Asean chair - and even that of the Asean secretary-general - be truly enhanced and taken further as a mechanism of "conciliation and mediation" according to Article 22-24 of the Asean Charter? If such a mechanism can be forged, the next question is what is the relationship between this mechanism and the United Nations Security Council or the United Nations secretary-general?

Thailand needs to look ahead at these issues and - as it has in the past - play a key role in shaping this process or mechanism that will help shape and forge the future of Asean. Like it or not, the ball will be in Thailand's court as chess game two commences in a week's time. Of course, the current dispute, the meeting of the UNSC and the meeting in Jakarta next week, is more than a game.

Thailand must adopt a more meaningful and proactive role. It needs to be more forward-thinking as it is in the country's national interest in order to achieve peace and prosperity along its borders and within the region.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pichai Chuensuksawadi is Editor-in-Chief of Post Publishing Plc. He can be reached at: pichai@bangkokpost.co.th.

Asean's expanding role in conflict settlement

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By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
Published on February 14, 2011

 

Asean's often claimed political utopia, that its members had never fought an open war was shattered to smithereens during the three-day (February 4-6) fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Prime Minister Hun Sen even went as far as to declare it a real war, which has unwittingly placed the Asean leaders and their organisation under the world's microscope. He has opened a Pandora's box for Asean. Now, all together, they have to find ways to smooth out these troubled relations. Otherwise, the grouping's creditability in the global arena will be severely undermined.

The attention this week will be focused on briefings at UN Headquarters in New York by foreign ministers of the warring parties, Kasit Piromya and Hor Nam Hong, and their results. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, current Asean rotating Chair, will be there as well to provide Asean views and to ensure after the meeting there would emerge a consensus or two, which the Asean chair can later utilise to facilitate further the peace process to end hostilities.

Obviously, it is rare for Asean warring parties to appear so readily at the UNSC. The last time Asean involved at the UN was on the burning issue of East Timor in 1999. Burma, although an Asean member, has been an "international issue" of longer standing. Since 2008, Cambodia has always wanted to raise the border fighting with the UN platform, but they were not successful. However, this time, with intense fighting and heavy artillery exchanges, quite a few UNSC members expressed concerns over renewed hostilities and decided to call for a meeting. The current composition of the UNSC, comprising new emerging powers, allows a new dynamism that permits the Thai-Cambodian clashes to be discussed. However, the outcome of UNSC briefings and deliberations—possibly through a presidential statement-- are non-binding.

Marty knows the trend. His call for a "brief, urgent and informal" meeting with his Asean counterparts on February 22 in Jakarta is indeed an anticipation of a mandate for the UNSC for Asean, under his leadership, to take up the same "regional" responsibility. It was an open secret that during his "shuttle diplomacy" he had been in close touch with both members of the UNSC and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In a nutshell, the informal gathering will follow up on the UNSC meeting and what Asean can do next to mitigate further conflict and salvage the grouping's reputation. A more systematic approach to conflict resolution and dispute settlements as outlined in the Asean Charter, as well as those contained in the Asean Political and Security Community blueprint, will be discussed and put into practice.

Indeed, Marty is well in position to take up this formidable challenge. He knows the UN system like the back of his hands, having served there before taking up the current ministerial position. He is a respectable and world-class diplomat with friends aplenty at the UN top echelon, especially the current president UNSC Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti from Brazil. With abundant UN experience, connections and diplomatic skills, he can speak on behalf of Asean and the UNSC will listen. He will certainly win support from all the council members to bring the matter back to existing regional mechanisms. Despite their confrontation, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to use the MOU 2000 and Joint Border Committee as a basis of their negotiations. Now with the ball in Asean's court, its members need to find common solutions that augur well with the Asean norms and practices.

Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan understood the situation well when he released a statement early last week that the discussion at the UN represents an evolution in Asean's efforts to resolve bilateral disputes among members under the Asean Charter. He reiterated that the meeting would set a precedent for future Asean dispute settlement mechanisms.

As such, it is the most ironic development in Asean history to have Cambodia as the catalyst. Both Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong have been engaging with the UN authorities at all levels—both as friends and foes—for more than three decades. Throughout the 1980's, Asean fought hard with them to push out foreign troops to attain peace in the war-torn country. Asean dispatched its tripartite team to Phnom Penh in 1998 to help work out a political stand-off before its admission into Asean a year later.

Indeed, modern Cambodia is the product of longstanding UN peace efforts and dividends—the most cited UN success - during the 1990's followed the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991. UN sponsored elections in 1993 saw the unstoppable rise of Hun Sen and his Cambodian People's Party as well as other opposition leaders. As of today, however, these opposition leaders are all living in exile including Sam Rainsey. The only credible voice to monitor the government and its ruling party these days are the burgeoning civil society organisations, which are currently under threat by a new NGO law.

What will be the perceived future role of Asean in peace and conflict issues? As chair, Indonesia is in a delicate situation. If previous efforts to mediate and end conflict within Asean were any guide, Asean members would remain extremely cautious. Jakarta did not succeed when it tried to mediate the Burmese crisis in 2008 even at the leaders' level. Bangkok encountered a similar problem when its proposal on the amnesty of Dawn Aung San Suu Kyi was backed by only half the members during its chair in 2009.

In recent international security issues, the UNSC often makes use of its Article 52 of the UN Charter to share burdens and delegate responsibility to existing "regional arrangements"--for instance, the African Union in Sudan, NATO in Kosovo and Afghanistan, the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Haiti. Ironically, a long standing common aversion for anything UN and anything collective within Asean has to be revised by the requirement of the Asean Charter, which cross-references itself to the UN Charter. In particular, Article 22-23 and 28 of the Asean Charter must be read in light of, or in conjunction with Article 52-53 of the UN Charter, in which the 1945 founding document clearly calls for the world body to work in collaborating "existing regional arrangements" in the maintenance of peace and security.

In the final analysis, Asean has been brought to this "reality show" by its mercurial member, who would force Asean to measure up to what Marty calls "the expectation of the international community." One big question is in order: Is Asean ready to become a pro-active, forward-looking organisation which could expose individual members to outside scrutiny and eventually erode the principle of non-interference and consensus making?

UN should get Cambodia to hold bilateral talks: Abhisit

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By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation
Published on February 14, 2011

United Nations likely to ask Asean to mediate in border row between two countries: diplomatic sources

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expected the meeting of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York today could convince Cambodia to get back to bilateral channel with Thailand to settle border conflict at the areas adjacent to the Preah Vihear.

"The way to solve (border) problem should be based on bilateral negotiation, rather than bringing other third party to get involved in this matter," Abhisit said in his weekly television program yesterday.

The UNSC agreed with request from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to convene an urgent meeting on the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia but it remained unclear what would be an outcome of the meeting. Diplomatic sources said it was possible that the UN would throw the issue to regional forum Asean, whose current chair and Indonesia Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa was also at the UN meeting.

Hun Sen requested the UN forces to create buffer zone at the Preah Vihear's vicinity to ensure peace for the world heritage inscribed 900 years old temple.

Abhisit said Thai delegation to the UN meeting led by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya would explain to the 15 member body that it was Cambodia who ignited the military clash at the border which claimed at least eight of lives including a Thai civilian on February 4-7.

"It is not true as Cambodia claimed that we are the invader," he said. "The call for the third party or the UN peacekeeping forces is not relevant."

Thailand's real intention is to have the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to suspend the Preah Viehar's management plan proposed by Cambodia until the two countries could settle the boundary conflict.

Abhisit said he had evidence to prove that Cambodia used the world heritage for military purpose during the clash with Thailand.

Abhisit also rejected Cambodia's call for demilitarisation at the Preah Vihear in order to move forward the process of world heritage inscription. Thailand could not agree with any idea to make peace for the benefit of word heritage as long as the border dispute was not settled, he said.

Thailand and Cambodia have a joint boundary committee (JBC) and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed since 2000 to handle land boundary demarcation.

However the JBC has not worked properly for a period of time since its previous meeting in April 2009 as Thai parliament has not yet approved its minutes of three previous meetings to give nod to the body to go ahead the survey and demarcation tasks.

Having JBC to settle the boundary conflict with Cambodia is an uphill task for Abhisit's government as nationalists protesting on streets and working in the parliament would not allow the government to implement the 2000 MOU as they feared Thailand could lose territory to Cambodia.

Abhisit-once friendly People's Alliance for Democracy, which has been camping near Prime Minister Office since last month, wanted the government to scrap the MOU and used armed forces to remove Cambodian people, troops and property out of the disputed area.

Cambodia's JBC chief Var Kimhong rejected a Thai proposal to call a JBC meeting later this month saying the bilateral mechanism cannot resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, Thailand's JBC chief Asda Jayanama did not focus on boundary work but was busy with lobbying the Unesco in Paris to have the UN cultural body stayed away from the Preah Vihear.

As the bilateral mechanism was difficult to work, many multilateral forums stayed open for the issue of boundary conflict between the two countries. After the UNSC, the Asean would open a meeting in Jakarta on February 22 over the boundary conflict of the two members, Thailand and Cambodia. Abhisit said he would send his foreign minister Kasit to attend the meeting in Jakarta.

The Hindu temple of Preah Vihear has been sitting at the core conflict between Thailand and Cambodia since last century. It ignited military clashes over the past years since Phnom Penh managed to list it as a world heritage site in 2008 with Thailand's disagreement.

The four-day border skirmish early this month left local residents in Si Sa Ket province in fear. Many villagers were in panic as sound of loud explosion took place in border area late Saturday night. Hundreds of them rushed to seek refuge in down town of Kanthalalak district early morning yesterday before going back home around mid day when authority informed there was no more clash in the border area.

Opposition protesters back on streets of Bangkok

Thai anti-government 'Red Shirts' protesters ride a pick-up truck during a rally outside Bangkok's criminal court

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BANGKOK — Thousands of anti-government protesters massed in the Thai capital Sunday for the latest in a series of rallies by rival political factions ahead of elections expected this year.

Police estimated that up to 25,000 "Red Shirts" -- the movement behind violent mass protests in the heart of Bangkok last year -- gathered near Democracy Monument at the peak of the latest demonstration.

Thousands of police were deployed for the event, which the Reds' hero, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, addressed in a phone-in from an undisclosed location.

Thaksin remains a controversial figure in Thailand. He draws support among the mainly poor and working class Red Shirts but is loathed by the urban elite, who see him as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy.

"We don't want anything but peace and hope the country returns to normal," said the tycoon-turned-premier, who lives overseas -- mostly in Dubai -- to avoid a jail sentence for corruption imposed in absentia.

"We want free and fair elections. We want to see an elected government," he told the red-clad crowd. "I believe an election will be held but not soon because they (the current government) benefit from corruption."

Thaksin again brushed aside rumours that his health is ailing.

Mass protests in April and May of last year by the Red Shirts left 90 people dead in a series of street clashes between demonstrators and the army, which broke up the demonstration.

The Reds, who were campaigning for immediate elections, have held a series of peaceful one-day rallies in the capital in recent weeks calling for the release of key leaders held in prison on terrorism charges.

Red Shirt supporters on Sunday laid red roses in front of Bangkok's Criminal Court where a letter from detained leaders was read out.

Rival "Yellow Shirt" nationalist activists meanwhile have been rallying recently near Government House calling for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down over his handling of a deadly border dispute with Cambodia.

The "Yellow Shirts" were once allies of the establishment-backed Abhisit, but relations have soured recently and the movement's political party has emerged as a rival force to the ruling Democrats.

Abhisit said last week he would call a general election in the first half of this year if there was no fresh political violence.

The government recently invoked the Internal Security Act in Bangkok to cope with the renewed political rallies.

Thai "reds," "yellows" rally on Bangkok's streets

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By Manunphattr Dhanananphorn

BANGKOK | Sun Feb 13, 2011

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of Thais held color-coded "red" and "yellow" protests in Bangkok on Sunday, underlining persistent anti-government sentiment and deep political divisions ahead of an election planned this year.

The "red shirts" called for the release of 18 of their detained leaders and their rival "yellow shirts" demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's resignation over his handling of a long-running border dispute with Cambodia.

The rallies were staged ahead of an election that Abhisit says could take place in the first half of the year. On-off anti-government campaigns since 2005 by two groups with a history of, at times, violent protests point to a rocky road for Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.

The two rallies also took place in defiance of the Internal Security Act (ISA) invoked last Tuesday and banning protests in main government and commercial areas.

There was a heavy presence of riot police, but no attempt was made to block the demonstrators, who protested peacefully.

Last year saw some of the worst political violence in modern Thai history during a 10-week protest and sit-in in Bangkok by "red-shirts," most of whom support ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Gunmen clashed with soldiers on the streets and eventually the military crushed the protest. Ninety-one people were killed and more than 1,800 wounded.

Eighteen "red shirt" leaders have been detained since then and their supporters massed on Sunday outside the Criminal Court, which will make a ruling on a bail appeal on February 21.

"We are here to call for justice," 'red shirt' leader Thida Thavornseth told reporters outside the court.

"We're not planning to break into the court. We just want to show our support to all the leaders who are still in prison."

ELECTION BY JUNE?

They later moved to the Democracy Monument in the city's old quarter, just over a kilometre (half a mile) from a small, two-week protest held by the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The government agreed to use the ISA following concerns the PAD might try to take over its offices. However, its support appears to be dwindling.

The PAD was once an ally of Abhisit's ruling Democrat Party but has turned against him in the past few months over what they see as his failure to act decisively, in particular over a border dispute with Cambodia.

Four days of clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces erupted on the border early this month.

The "red shirts" are angered by the slow progress of an investigation into last year's violence and they have submitted a petition to the International Criminal Court asking for it to intervene, concerned the inquiry will be a "whitewash.

Abhisit, whose term comes to an end in December, said last week he planned to dissolve parliament and hold elections by June, if the country was peaceful.

Analysts say financial markets would welcome polls which could restore stability in Thailand and its $265 billion economy.

But a big risk is that one or both of the rival main parties rejects the result and turbulence returns, bringing the possibility of more violence or even military intervention.

(Additional reporting by Ploy Ten Kate; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Robert Birsel and Ron Popeski)

Global review: world runs a bit wild

via CAAI

English.news.cn

2011-02-13

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The past week saw the unpeaceful side of world events, amid a backdrop of general stability.

Catching many by surprise, the first armed clash of substantial scale in 2011 happened near a temple between Cambodia and Thailand -- two ASEAN members, and left at least eight people dead and 67 others injured.

In fact, border dispute between the two countries is nothing new, and the situation would not have run out of control, should the event happen at another time. As pointed out by analysts, the escalation of conflicts this time is connected to the internal situation of the two countries.

Therefore, for the solidarity within the ASEAN and the fundamental interests of the two countries, at present the immediate task is to prevent conflicts from further escalating.

And these two countries are not alone stuck in territorial disputes, the most touchy disputes between countries.

Japan and Russia have been bickering along over the sovereignty of four Pacific islands, which are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, since Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit there last November, a move termed by Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan as a "outrage".

According to the Japanese media, the two sides continued to lock horns during Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's two-day visit to Moscow last week, and the tone of the closed-door meeting between Maehara and his Russian counterpart reflected both sides' inherently resolute stance on the issue, and analysts see the impasse as insurmountable.

Nevertheless, the two foreign ministers said that their countries were keen to boost cooperation, and another agenda of Maehara's visit was to boost bilateral trade and energy cooperation, as peace and cooperation remain to be the mainstream of world relations despite the conflicts.

On the Korean peninsular, though the two-day colonel-level military talks held on Feb. 8-9 ended without breakthrough, the fact that the two sides are talking itself means a good beginning, and it is hoped that the two sides could move toward the same direction of maintaining the stability of the Korean Peninsula.

In Sudan, President Omar al-Bashir last week declared acceptance of the final results of south Sudan referendum which supports the region's separation, and said he wanted to be the first to congratulate the south on their new state, which is to be established on July 9, with Juba as its capital.

Now that the north and south separate with grace after two decades of war, and the southerners are jubilant to have their own country at last. However, it remains a great challenge that how the two sides should live and thrive alongside one another.

Also facing with an enormous challenge is the army of Egypt, which just took over power from resigned president Hosni Mubarak and is tasked with maintaining stability and creating a better future for the most populous Arab country.

And the world is watching, especially the people and leaders in the Middle East region which has witnessed two political upheavals recently, and no one is to tell whether the unrest will spread further.

Editor: Deng Shasha

Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute Could Portend Greater Dangers for Asia

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Sunday, 13 February 2011 15:09 DAP-NEWS

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 12, Kyodo - Even as much of the world's attention focuses on Tunisia and Egypt in the first weeks of 2011, at least one Asian diplomat believes a new front for global concern is emerging on the Thai-Cambodian border.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Kyodo News in Phnom Penh that four days of heavy artillery salvos across the border that left at least ten dead, almost 100 wounded and tens of thousands of civilians displaced early this month may be the heating-up of an emerging U.S.-China rivalry for influence in Southeast Asia, rather than a simple land dispute between neighboring countries.

On the surface, the dispute near the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Preah Vihear Temple that has been festering since July 2008 is a clash of nationalisms exacerbated by Thai internal politics.

But the diplomat suggested the recent clashes are also a sign the United States may be ''stirring the waters'' and taking renewed interest in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

''The United States, in recent years, has come to destabilize ASEAN,'' the diplomat said.

''The U.S. came to divide ASEAN through a new approach by cutting the region apart and that is why the U.S. is choosing close ties with four lower Mekong countries, as well as an expression of interest in the South China Sea and engaging in military exercises in the region.''

''The U.S. war game concerning the border conflict is to put pressure on (Cambodian Prime Minister) Hun Sen, to reduce Hun Sen's power, to get Hun Sen out of China's firm hold and to force him to turn to the U.S. for help rather than just depending on China alone,'' he said.

Partly, it seems, the diplomat's view has been somewhat colored by a recent visit to Cambodia by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who told Cambodian students in November their country's leaders should seek balance in international relations.

''You look for balance. You don't want to get too dependent on any one country. You want to be able to have partnerships that cut across regional

geographic lines,'' she said.

Some, it seems, see her stressing of ''balance'' as having an undertone of pressing Cambodia to become less reliant on China and on ASEAN.

Others suggest the longstanding U.S. relationship with Thailand means it is on one side in the region, China is on the other and ASEAN is being shown to be an ineffectual pawn somewhere in the middle.

Chea Vannath, an independent analyst in Phnom Penh, said the conflict between the two ASEAN members cannot help but have serious impact on the association.

''It shows that ASEAN is not mature enough to solve the issue in a more civilized manner. ASEAN needs to have another principle -- motto -- about the 'ballot' and not the 'bullet.' To put down the gun, take up the Dharma,'' she said.

And Chheang Vannarith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for International Cooperation, said ASEAN's image has already been damaged

by the border war.

''It demonstrates the limitations of ASEAN in dealing with regional conflict. However, it is also an opportunity for ASEAN to reflect and rethink about creating an effective conflict resolution mechanism which gives a breakthrough for future development.

ASEAN needs to create ASEAN peace keeping forces ready to cooperate with the U.N. and ready to deploy to prevent war and conflict. It is a significant turning point for ASEAN. All ASEAN members should move forward with this,'' he said.

One question is, however, is ASEAN able to act effectively at all with China and the United States somewhere in the shadows?

Several analysts say the dispute is local -- Thailand using Preah Vihear to get voter support, stir up the spirit of nationalism and show off.

Thai military supremacy while Cambodia is showing off an upgraded military able to counter attacks, stirring up solidarity with the ruling party and for the ruling party to be ''recognized as a defender of Cambodian sovereignty and integrity.''

Others, such as the Asian diplomat, see more sinister motives.

The latest armed clashes broke out, essentially, over Chinese New Year and while thousands of U.S. troops are engaged in annual military exercises with the Thai military in some areas a just a few hundred kilometers from the border clash point.

The questions in Phnom Penh at least are whose nose is being tweaked and whose might is being showcased?

Next week, the dispute moves to the U.N. Security Council where both China and the United States hold vetoes.

How those two powers react to the Cambodian desire to have international intervention in its dispute with Thailand may offer some indication of whether the Phnom Penh diplomat's concerns about Chinese-U.S. rivalry emerging in Southeast Asia are prescient, or paranoid.

Their reactions may also offer some indication of how ASEAN will fare Feb. 22 in Jakarta when its foreign ministers meet to discuss the increasingly hostile relations between two of its 10 members.

Hundreds protest market move

via CAAI

Sunday, 13 February 2011 20:59 Mom Kunthear

Hundreds of vendors at Siem Reap’s Phsar Krom market protested on Friday against their impending move to a new private market, where many fear they will be charged steep stall rental prices.

Ros Pisey, a noodle seller from the market, said today that the protesters went to protest at the provincial hall to get answers about a proposed move from Phsar Krom.

“The provincial governor said that all the vendors who are selling at Phsar Krom market have moved into the private market nearby, but they did not inform us about the date yet,” she said.

She said that vendors were surprised by the announcement, saying they feared they would be pressured to do business in the private market.

“They want us to move to the private market so that we will spend more money for renting stalls and we will get pressure from the market owner,” she said.

Ros Pisey said provincial officials told protesters that the new market’s owner would not charge any stall rental prices for four years, but that sellers did not believe the owner, “because they can change their mind every minute, since it is their market”.

Phsar Krom market was founded in 2003 by vendors, who rented the land and built it themselves with the permission of former provincial governor Ong Oeun, who is now the governor of Banteay Meanchey province.

Ros Pisey said, “We won’t move to the new market, even if the authorities force or arrest us or take any measure...we will all come to ask for intervention from Prime Minister Hun Sen to help us, because we consider him like our parents.”

Another vendor, who only gave her name as Nary, said the authorities did not give any more details about the date for the proposed move, nor about their plans for the old market.

She also threatened that protestors were ready to take their grievances to the prime minister.

Tep Bunchhay, the governor of Siem Reap town, said today that officials had informed the vendors about the proposed move to the new market.

“We want them to move to the new market because we want to develop the old market by building a pipe system and a creek to make it look good for the environment,” he said.

He added that the old market has no garbage disposal facilities and insufficient parking space, but that the new market – to be situated about 200 metres away from Phsar Krom – would be better equipped.

“We will pay them for their stalls… but I don’t know how much they will get,” Tep Bunchhay said.

Garment strike threatened

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

A woman walks past the June Textiles company in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district today.

via CAAI

Sunday, 13 February 2011 21:07 Mom Kunthear

More than 3,000 garment workers at the June Textile Company have threatened to go on strike next week if demands to fire two high-ranking factory managers are not met in a letter addressed to the company on Saturday.

Chea Vanneath, a representative of the workers, said today that employees had affixed their thumbprint to the letter, which was sent to the company and Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The letter accuses Meng Try, administrative director, and Ung Sokret Sothea, information technology manager, of firing workers without cause, altering workers’ union affiliations and creating forged documents to claim a percentage of workers’ salaries.

“If [the company doesn’t] fire the officials, we will have a big protest next Saturday,” Chea Vanneath said.

Chea Mony said today that he had urged the workers to suspend their protest in order to give the company time to find a solution.

“I have not set a date for a meeting with the company yet, because they are busy. The company should suggest a date, but if it ignores us, we will send another letter setting a meeting date,” Chea Mony said.

Meng Try and Ung Sokret Sothea could not be reached for comment today.

Cigarette advertising ban

Photo by: Sovan Philong

Phun An, 65, smokes a cigarette next to her grandson at their home in Phnom Penh.

via CAAI

Sunday, 13 February 2011 19:44 Chhay Channyda

Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Council of Ministers on Friday approved a draft sub-decree prohibiting the advertisement of tobacco products.

Minister of Health Mam Bunheng said the sub-decree prohibits the advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products via media, billboards and live events, adding that businesses will be given a six-month grace period to pull their ads once the sub-decree is formally adopted.

This decision is in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, ratified by Cambodia in November 2005. Signatories to this treaty agree to prohibit the advertisement, promotion and sponsoring of tobacco companies within five years from the date of signing.

The sub-decree aims to restrict ads attracting people to tobacco products to reduce tobacco’s impact on the environment, public health and the economy, according to Friday’s announcement from the Council of Ministers.

Yel Daravuth, tobacco health adviser at the WHO, characterised the sub-decree’s approval as important for prevention and public health.

“These measures will help to prevent children from using tobacco products and encourage current smokers to reduce their use.”

A 2002 survey conducted by WHO and the World Bank found that in countries where advertising is banned, the rate of smokers can be reduced by as much as seven to eight percent over 10 years, while countries that allowed tobacco advertisements saw a reduction of only 1 percent in the same period.

Kun Lim, head of corporate and regulatory affairs at British American Tobacco Cambodia, said the law seems sensible and practical.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JEREMY MULLINS

UN to meet over Preah Vihear

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before departing for New York on Friday.

via CAAI

Sunday, 13 February 2011 21:02 Cheang Sokha and Chhay Channyda

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong is set to appear tomorrow alongside his Thai counterpart before the United Nations Security Council as the body addresses the outbreak of fighting between the two countries earlier this month.

Cambodian and Thai troops stationed at the border near Preah Vihear temple engaged in four consecutive days of clashes earlier this month, leaving at least 10 people dead and displacing thousands of civilians from both nations.

Speaking at the Phnom Penh International Airport prior to his departure for New York on Friday, Hor Namhong said he planned to brief the Security Council about Thailand’s “invasion”.

“I will inform the UN about the reasons that Thailand is making war against Cambodia and I will request that the UN guarantee an end to the fighting,” he said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen called last week for the UN to deploy peacekeepers along the border in a bid to stem the hostilities.

Thailand, however, has consistently argued that the conflict would be best resolved under the auspices of the countries’ bilateral Joint Border Committee.

In his weekly television address today, Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva reportedly said Thailand would use the UN meeting to refute Cambodia’s claims about Thai aggression and press for a bilateral resolution to the conflict.

“We’re confident that we can explain that [Cambodia’s claims] are wrong,” Abhisit said.

“Cambodia is calling for [intervention by] a third country, the UN and peacekeeping forces.

“Thailand will call for a return to bilateral talks on demarcation.”

Thai officials including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya are prepared to present evidence to the UN showing that Cambodia used Preah Vihear as a military base in violation of its international obligations.

Tensions between the two countries have been heightened since 2008, when the 11th century temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for Cambodia over Thai objections.

At least seven troops had been killed in periodic skirmishes in the area prior to the most recent round of clashes.

UNESCO said in a statement on Friday that former UNESCO head Koichiro Matsuura of Japan had been appointed as Special Envoy to address the Preah Vihear issue with Cambodia and Thailand.

“Mr Matsuura … will visit Bangkok and Phnom Penh to discuss how the World Heritage site can be safeguarded.

“He will examine with both sides how to lessen tension and promote dialogue around the preservation of the temple, within the organisation’s mandate,” UNESCO said.

No date has yet been announced for Matsuura’s visit.

The temple sustained surface-level damage to its staircases and exterior during the fighting from bullet and artillery fire, while Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvara, a nearby pagoda, was also hit.

Thailand and Cambodia clashed at a UNESCO meeting last year in Brazil at which the Kingdom submitted management plans for the temple.

Thailand has called for the site’s World Heritage registration to be delayed pending a resolution of the countries’ border disagreement.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has also offered assistance in resolving the dispute.

Indonesia, which holds the ASEAN chair, has invited foreign ministers from all 10 members of the regional bloc to a meeting in Jakarta on February 22 to discuss the issue, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said.

Thailand has also agreed to attend the ASEAN meeting, which Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has said will aim to facilitate a bilateral solution to the dispute.

Natalegawa met with senior Cambodian and Thai officials last week to discuss the issue.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit said four Cambodian soldiers, one policeman and two civilians had been killed in the clashes.

Some 31 people were injured and 2,956 families were displaced by the fighting, the statement added.

“Although there have been no major attacks since 7 February, there remains a high risk that renewed attacks may be mounted at any time, particularly as Thailand continues to increase its forces and weaponry along the Cambodian-Thai border,” the statement said.

Men Sophea, a Cambodian solider stationed at the border, said today that the situation at the border was quiet, though he claimed Thai troops had attempted over the weekend to provoke their Cambodian counterparts by setting off grenades near the frontline.

The Bangkok Post reported on Saturday that Thai commanders had ordered an additional 20,000 troops to the area.

Chum Poy, governor of Kulen district in Preah Vihear province, said today that roughly 500 of the 2,956 families evacuated in the fighting had returned to their homes.

Local officials will consider allowing the remaining families to return home after learning the result of the UN meeting today, he said.

Groups including the National Committee for Disaster Management and the Cambodian Red Cross are providing aid to the displaced, and on Friday, Hun Sen ordered government officials to provide further assistance in accommodation and sanitation at the temporary shelters.

Ambassador from Cambodia: Who is Heng Hem?

http://www.allgov.com/

via CAAI

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Cambodia’s ambassador to the United States is Heng Hem, a diplomat with more than 30 years of experience working in foreign affairs.

Hem was born in Kampong Cham province on November 8, 1951. He graduated from the Agricultural School of Prek Leap in Phnom Penh in 1970.

His diplomatic career started in June 1979, following the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

From 1983 to 1985, he worked as the bureau chief in the ministry’s Protocol Department. Following this duty, his first foreign assignment took him to Hanoi, Vietnam, where he served as second secretary in the Cambodian embassy.

He returned to the Protocol Department in 1989, and then shifted to the Department of Information (bureau chief) from 1990-1992.

He was made deputy director of the Economic Cooperation Department in 1992 and served in this role for four years. During this period he attended the Royal School of Administration in Phnom Penh, earning a Certificate in Public Administration (1993).

In 1996, Hem was promoted to deputy director general of the ASEAN Directorate for the foreign ministry.

Two years later, he was posted to India, serving as minister counselor in the Cambodian embassy. While in New Delhi, he attended the Indian Academy of International Law and Diplomacy, earning a degree in 1999 in international law, international organizations and diplomacy. He also received his Master of Arts in political science from the University of Delhi (2001).

He returned to Cambodia in 2001 to serve as director of the Asia 2 Department.

From 2004 to 2006, Hem was Director of Information and Documentation for the foreign ministry and concurrently was an advisor to the deputy prime minister until October 2008, when he was appointed ambassador to the United States.

Hem speaks English and French. He is married and has three sons.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

PM: No surprise that Cambodia not attending JBC meeting

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Feb 13 -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday he was not surprised that Cambodia planned not to attend a Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), scheduled for later this month aimed at solving border dispute between the two neighbouring countries.

Mr Abhisit said refusal by Phnom Penh to attend the planned JBC upcoming meeting did not surprise him because it could be an excuse for Cambodia to inform the UN Security Council meeting that it is impossible to adopt bilateral mechanisms in solving the border dispute with Thailand.

Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya, along with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are scheduled to attend a UN Security Council meeting to be held in New York on Monday.

The New York meeting will help Thailand clarify to the international community about bloody fighting between troops of the two countries at the disputed border near the ancient Preah Vihear temple from February 4 to 7.

Stressing that he has not yet received an official letter from the Phnom Penh government that it would not attend the JBC meeting, Mr Abhisit said the Thai government’s stance remains unchanged that the border problem with Cambodia must be resolved through bilateral talks and this would be possible if every (concerned) agencies agree to it.

Cambodia's plans to boycott the JBC meeting became clear after Var Kimhong, president of Cambodia’s JBC, reportedly told the Chinese Xinhua News Agency on Saturday that there would be no meeting of the JBC later this month and that bilateral mechanisms cannot resolve the issue.

On UNESCO officials planning to inspect area around Preah Vihear temple, Mr Abhisit said the agency had not yet sent him a letter requesting its officials to travel to the area.

He said the Thai government is prepared to inform all the facts surrounding the disputed temple to every platform but situation could become deteriorated if they (UNESCO officials) insist on travelling to the area.

Mr Abhisit had earlier in the day said during his weekly TV and radio address that both UNESCO and its World Heritage Commission should cease considering a management plan for Preah Vihear temple, submitted by Phnom Penh and scheduled to be considered in the middle of this year, in order to help cool tensions. (MCOT online news)

1288 families living around Preah Vihear temple has been evacuated in case of new clash between Cambodia and Thai

Photo by DAP News

Read news in Khmer

http://www.dap-news.com/typography/the-news/18451-rbcablrdae-cmnyn-1288rkysar-rtuvancemoosecjbitmbnekr-smrpumi-rbhvihar.html

West Seattle/White Center protest highlights Cambodia/Thailand dispute

Armored personnel carriers of Cambodian Army drive through a road at Kampong Thom town, about 168 kilometers (104 mikes) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. Kampong Thom is the neighboring province to Preah Vihear of the disputed 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple near the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The battle over a hilly patch of land in this remote countryside is rooted in a decades-old border dispute that has fueled nationalist passions and been driven by domestic politics on both sides. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Armored personnel carriers of Cambodian Army are refueled at Kampong Thom town, about 168 kilometers (104 mikes) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday,Feb. 12, 2011. Kampong Thom is the neighboring province to Preah Vihear of the disputed 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple near the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The battle over a hilly patch of land in this remote countryside is rooted in a decades-old border dispute that has fueled nationalist passions and been driven by domestic politics on both sides. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

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February 12, 2011

In West Seattle news, White Center

You’ve heard a lot about what’s going on in the Middle East – but have you heard about what’s going on in Southeast Asia? A border clash between Cambodia and Thailand is about to come to a head in front of the United Nations, and today Cambodian-Americans came to West Seattle and White Center for a demonstration aimed at bringing it to your attention and demanding the U.S. government get involved. West Seattle Blog/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz noticed the protest, took these photos and talked to spokesperson Sokmakara Hang, who explained that the demonstrators came from all over the state, and came here because this area has the state’s highest concentration of Cambodian-Americans. They stood on corners all around 16th/Roxbury:

Also on hand was Meach Sovannara from the Khmer Post Media Center in Long Beach (Calif.). The dispute is over a border area near the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is more than a millennium old. The Cambodian-Americans say the most recent skirmishes killed Cambodian soldiers, and are demanding that the Thai government stop what they call an “invasion.” They want United Nations intervention as well as President Obama and the rest of the international community. According to this story from the Bangkok Post, this issue will be brought to the UN Security Council on Monday, and reportedly Cambodia will claim it’s at war with Thailand. There’s more background on the century-long conflict over the temple in this Jakarta Post story.