Virak Kchao seeks to unite Cambodian American soccer community

via CAAI

by John Haydon

Virak Kchao fell in love with the game of soccer while growing up in American. Now the Northern Virginia native wants to share that passion to unite the Cambodia community in the United States.

Born into a Cambodian family that fled the war-torn Southeast Asian nation, Kchao is seeking out soccer players of Cambodian heritage in the Washington Metropolitan region. His goal is to one day take a team to play in Cambodia. He also wants to set up a game against the Cambodian national team in the D.C. region in December. Cambodia is currently ranked 166th in the FIFA rankings.

"I aim to create a network where Cambodian soccer players from around the country can come together to unite for the love of soccer and our culture," Kchao said. "We have a good core of players now but need more. There are Cambodian soccer players out there, but it is difficult for us to connect since we are so scattered."

Thousands of Cambodian refugees fled to America during the bloody Cambodian civil war to escape the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s.

"They were scattered all across the U.S.," Kchoa said. "My parents decided to reside in Northern Virginia and call it their new home. My father connected with other Cambodians in the area. They played soccer back in Cambodia and continued to play in America. They kept both their culture and love for soccer strong after enduring such turmoil."

Kchao also wants to go back to Cambodia one day with a team of skilled players to help promote soccer in the developing country where many still live in poverty.

"As the years passed, I, along with the sons of other Cambodian soccer players grew up together falling in love with soccer as well," Kchao said. "We have been given all the opportunities and potential in the world to succeed. We have a roof over our heads, plentiful food to eat, and the resources to become strong soccer players. In Cambodia, many children dreaming to play soccer don’t even have shoes. Before that, they have to worry about finding enough food to eat first."

You can call Mr. Kchao at 703-901-1917 or email him at vhchao@gmail.com or visit him a on Facebook.

Are Thailand and Cambodia Heading to War?

http://blogs.cfr.org/

via CAAI

Posted on Wednesday, February 9, 2011

by Joshua Kurlantzick

A Cambodian soldier smokes a cigarette at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 9, 2011. (Damir Sagolj/Courtesy Reuters)

Over the past week, fighting between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed Preah Vihear border temple has left its bloodiest toll in at least a decade. At least seven people have been killed in recent days and dozens of soldiers on both sides wounded, as the Thai and Cambodian militaries trade rifle and artillery fire.

Now, the fact that people are getting killed over a small amount of disputed territory and an (admittedly beautiful) temple does, to many observers, seem absurd. But the conflict also points to a bigger problem: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva seems to have diminishing control over the Thai military, which is largely responsible for his place in office. On the Thai side, the conflict is being pushed by nationalists linked to the People’s Alliance for Democracy, but the military men taking action along the border often seem to be doing so either without informing Abhisit or informing his office well after the fact.

This is part of a disturbing and growing trend. It’s widely known in Thailand that the military helped broker the coalition government, with Abhisit at the head, bringing down several pro-Thaksin governments that followed Thaksin’s exile. But how much control does Abhisit have now over his armed forces? To take one example, the Thai military budget has roughly doubled in the past five years, yet the army is spending its money on seemingly useless projects like a new division based in the Northeast – a project long pushed by the military’s godfather, Prem Tinsulonanda, but which has relatively little real use today. (After all, the money could easily be used in the south, home to a serious insurgency, or on the border with Burma.)

Abhisit also appeared to have little control over the military’s actions during the violence in Bangkok during last April and May. And Abhisit seems unable to control the security forces’ meddling in, or denying help to, the investigations into the killings in Bangkok last April and May.

Where might this all lead? It’s not hard to imagine, particularly as the question of royal succession becomes more evident and the military increasingly feels it alone can defend the crown. Recently, army chief Prayuth chan-Ocha has been publicly denying that the military plans to stage a coup, as rumors of the possibility swirl in Bangkok. But, remember that only days before the last coup, in 2006, the military was denying it had any such intentions. Don’t bet against it this year either.

OHCHR to be asked to intervene for two Thais held in Cambodia

via CAAI

The Nation

OHCHR to be asked to intervene for two Thais held in Cambodia

"The trial and verdict for Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipapatanapaiboon were unjust," he said, explaining why the defence wants to involve the OHCHR.

Natthaporn said the petition will be submitted to the OHCHR next week.

He said the defence will take a two-tracked strategy - involving the OHCHR and appealing to overturn the verdict and sentencing.

In regard its next step in the litigation, the defence was waiting to obtain the official copy of the verdict before filing for a bail review and launching the appellate review.

Last week, the Phnom Penh Court of First Instance found Veera and Ratree guilty and sentenced them to serve eight and six years in jail respectively.

Cambodia Thailand Preah Vihear Conflict Pictures

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/

via CAAI

By James Wray
Feb 9, 2011

Cambodian soldiers gather near Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, 09 February 2011. Cambodia said its northern border with Thailand was quiet but tense after calls for calm from Beijing and Washington following four days of clashes there that left at least seven dead and dozens injured. Thousands of civilians on both sides of the border near the 11th-century Preah Vihear Hindu temple have fled the fighting. Each side has blamed the other for instigating the violence, which was sparked by the countries competing claims to land near the temple. EPA/STR

A Cambodian soldier carries his gun as troops gather near Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, 09 February 2011. Cambodia said its northern border with Thailand was quiet but tense after calls for calm from Beijing and Washington following four days of clashes there that left at least seven dead and dozens injured. Thousands of civilians on both sides of the border near the 11th-century Preah Vihear Hindu temple have fled the fighting. Each side has blamed the other for instigating the violence, which was sparked by the countries competing claims to land near the temple. EPA/STR

Cambodian soldiers guard at Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, 08 February 2011. The Cambodian government earlier returned arrested Thai soldier Song Gan Tong Chompoo to the Thai government. Song Gan Tong Chompoo was arrested on 05 February 2011 during fighting between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in the disputed area on the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear temple. EPA/STR

A Cambodian Buddhist monk walks next to his damaged house at Keo Sekha Kirisvara pagoda near Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, 08 February 2011. The Cambodian government earlier returned arrested Thai soldier Song Gan Tong Chompoo to the Thai government. Song Gan Tong Chompoo was arrested on 05 February 2011 during fighting between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in the disputed area on the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear temple. EPA/STR 

Cambodian soldiers stand on a military truck as they travel near the Preah Vhear temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, 08 February 2011. The Cambodian government earlier returned arrested Thai soldier Song Gan Tong Chompoo to the Thai government. Song Gan Tong Chompoo was arrested on 05 February 2011 during fighting between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in the disputed area on the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear temple. EPA/STR

Four gopuras of landmark Shiva temple on Thai-Cambodia border damaged: Hindus concerned

via CAAI

2011-02-09

"Very serious" damage has been caused to four gopuras (towered gateways found at the entrances to temples) of landmark Preah Vihear Shiva temple, according to a Cambodian Government communique.

The communique from the Cambodian Government's National Committee for the World Heritage mentions about: very serious damages to the Gopura I, III, IV, and V of the Temple of Preah Vihear.

Hindus have expressed serious concern at the reported damage. Notable Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that international community, UNESCO, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) should immediately provide funding to bring back this Lord Shiva temple to its original shape as it was before Thai-Cambodia clashes began February four. These organizations should not shy away to shoulder their responsibility of saving the important heritage of the world and respecting the feelings of Hindus worldwide, Zed added.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, welcomed UNESCO statement of sending a mission to the area as soon as possible to "assess the state of the temple". It was a good "first step", Zed said of the UNESCO assessment team, and added that it should dispatch another "repair team" also soon. Besides temple repairs, some infrastructure in the area should also be provided for devotees and other visitors.

Rajan Zed stressed that this landmark age-old and revered Preah Vihear Hindu Shiva temple complex was important to Hindu heritage and must be preserved to pass it on to the future generations. Damage to 11th century Shiva temple was shocking and hurtful to the Hindu community world over. Lord Shiva, one of the major deities in Hinduism forming great triad with Brahma and Vishnu, was focus of worship of the Hindus, and it was important for them that Preah Vihear Hindu Shiva temple be protected. It was a world heritage and it was moral duty of the world to keep it intact for the coming generations.

Known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand, this remote temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, which had reportedly not been clearly demarcated, had been a source of tension for generations. Preah Vihear was said to even predate Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple complex by about 100 years and its stunning setting made it finest of all the ruins left from the mighty Khmer civilization, Zed stated.

Rajan Zed pointed out that world should not let this sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva (situated where Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia touched Sisaket province of eastern Thailand) be further damaged to advance political agendas of some as there appeared to be a no clear solution to settle the long-standing territorial dispute surrounding the temple, which was already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and whose history could be traced to 9th century when the hermitage was founded.

Moreover, Temple of Preah Vihear, an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture mostly created by Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II, was a unique architectural complex of a series of sanctuaries and was said to be exceptional for the quality of its architecture and carved stone ornamentation. It was reportedly dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva in his manifestations as Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara. It was also said to be marking representation of sacred Mount Meru, the abode of the gods, and showing a depiction of Churning of the Ocean, a Hindu scriptural episode, Zed said.

Cambodian Government's Committee describes Preah Vihear as: The site serves as a sacred place worshipping to the Hindu god Shiva manifesting as Sikharesvara (the Lord of Peak) and his figures are depicted on pediments and lintels.(ANI)

Thailand's political upheaval feeds border conflict

http://www.vancouversun.com/

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Skirmishes with nearby Cambodia are the result of attempts by the elitist Yellow Shirts to shame their prime minister

By Jonathan Manthorpe, Vancouver Sun
February 9, 2011

A member of the Thai Patriot Network, an offshoot of the nationalist Yellow Shirts movement, takes part in an anti-government demonstration outside the Royal Palace in Bangkok on January 18, 2011. Hundreds of protestors marched in downtown Bangkok to submit a petition to the Thai King, asking the government to step down after failing to secure the release of seven Thais arrested in Cambodia on December 29 for illegal entry and trespassing on a military area.

Photograph by: CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT, AFP/Getty Images

The border clashes in which seven people have been killed in fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops in recent days have their roots in nearly five years of political upheaval in Thailand and uncertainty about what happens when ailing, 83-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies.

Thailand's politics have been in turmoil since the September 2006 bloodless coup by royalist military leaders ousted the democratically elected government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

As the country approaches promised new elections this year, nationalist instincts have been stirred among royalists of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), known by their trademark yellow shirts.

Expression of that nationalism has focused on the 11thcentury Hindu temple on the border with Cambodia which is known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand.

Ownership of the temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962 by the International Court of Justice. But it resurfaced as an issue in Thai politics in 2008 when Cambodia successfully lobbied for the temple to be designated a World Heritage site by the United Nations cultural organization UNESCO.

There have been regular skirmishes between the two militaries since then, but the latest intense fighting comes from an incident on Dec. 29 when seven Yellow Shirts, including a government party MP, walked across the disputed border.

Their aim was to shame current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who although levered into power by royalists through a tailor-made Constitutional Court ruling in 2008, has become a target of the Yellow Shirts, who believe he's abandoned the royalist counterrevolution against unbridled democracy.

Five of the seven were released immediately, but two Yellow Shirts have been sentenced to prison terms by a Cambodian court for illegal entry and spying.

Thailand remains a country where the transition to a fully operation constitutional monarchy is incomplete.

Elites expressing strong royalist sympathies continue to hold a great deal of power and have no compunction at bending the rule of law or election formalities to ensure that the social hierarchy is not disturbed.

The PAD Yellow Shirts believe the votes of the elites should count for more than those of the urban and rural poor.

This entrenched class system met its most serious challenge in 2001 with the election of billionaire businessman Thaksin Shinawatra, the first Thai prime minister who came to office with genuine public support. Thai elections are, however, a commercial enterprise and Thaksin's personal wealth was undoubtedly a great advantage.

Thaksin's independent power base and his evident republican instincts outraged the Yellow Shirts who mounted a series of increasingly disruptive demonstrations that gave political justification for the 2006 coup.

The depth of involvement of the palace in the coup remains a matter of speculation. There has been no suggestion that King Bhumibol himself had prior knowledge, but there are credible allegations the coup was engineered by Queen Sirikit, who subsequently has publicly supported the Yellow Shirts, and the king's chief personal adviser, former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda.

Thaksin fled into exile, though with money and webcam appearances at mass rallies he spurred a movement of supporters known by their trademark red shirts.

And when, after a year of military rule, new elections were held a party supporting Thaksin was elected to power.

In late 2008 the military and the royalists got a Constitutional Court ruling ousting the Thaksin-supporting government for election fraud. Abhisit and his pro-palace followers were installed without an election being necessary.

Outraged Red Shirts took to the streets and for days last year occupied several blocks of central Bangkok before their barricaded encampment was stormed by the military with the loss of nearly 100 lives. Since he came to the throne in June 1946, King Bhumibol has been a steadying hand on Thai politics and has on occasion intervened to prevent coups or restore harmony.

But a good deal of the current turmoil and uncertainty revolves around lack of confidence that his son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, will show the same skills when he comes to the throne.

Among the WikiLeaks documents published last year are cables from the American ambassador reporting that even senior courtiers such as chief adviser Prem are worried about the crown prince, who spends much time in Munich, Germany, with his main mistress and who has indulged in such eccentricities as appointing his dog Foo Foo as air chief marshal of the Thai Royal Air Force.

jmanthorpe@vancouversun.com

IMF Urges Cambodia To Boost Revenue, by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

http://www.tax-news.com/

via CAAI

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the end of the 2010 Article IV Consultation with Cambodia, has agreed that enhancing revenue collection and administration procedures were essential to ensure internal fiscal sustainability, while also providing room for the country to meet its medium-term development objectives.

It was reported that, following a significant easing in 2009, it is probable that Cambodia’s 2010 budget target will be bettered and a gradual fiscal consolidation is on track. The rebound in tax revenue is broadening, with a rise in both direct and indirect cumulative tax revenue. In particular, profit tax collection has gained momentum, supported by the ongoing economic recovery. Continued efforts to strengthen revenue administration, and reduced incentives for smuggling due to diminishing regional disparities in gasoline and diesel prices, have also helped contain tax evasion.

The Cambodian government is committed to further improving revenue administration. It concurred with the IMF that gains in tax collection offer the best hope for Cambodia to meet the dual objective of securing fiscal sustainability and mobilizing resources for its large development needs. Specifically, there was agreement that the scope to improve the productivity of the tax system is significant.

The IMF estimated that, based on its experience in similar countries, Cambodia’s tax revenue to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio is about 5%-7% below its potential. Since the mid-1990s, the tax revenue to GDP ratio has doubled, but at 12%, it is still the second lowest among Asian low-income countries (LICs) that average 17%. According to the IMF, bringing the productivity of the value-added tax alone to a level comparable with other Asian low-income countries would yield an additional 1.5% of GDP.

The IMF, therefore, supported the government’s target of improving the tax revenue to GDP ratio through better administration by 0.5% per year, which means that about one-third to one-half of the revenue enhancing potential would be realized over the medium-term.

There was also agreement that much will depend on following through with detailed action plans of the revenue collecting agencies, including: the enhancement of taxpayer compliance through auditing; information sharing among revenue-collecting and law-enforcement agencies; taxpayer education; and improved governance within the agencies (notably through better protection of enforcement officers and disclosure requirements under the recently adopted anti-corruption law).

The IMF recommended that a comprehensive strategy to enable a more aggressive collection of tax arrears, which rose 20% in the year ending July 2010, be put in place.

It was suggested that reducing the scope for evasion will also critically enhance the effectiveness of tax policy changes that are currently considered with a view to raise revenue. For example, the IMF estimated that replacing the reference price for taxes on petroleum imports to the current transactions price level would yield about 1% of GDP, and higher “sin” taxes on alcohol and tobacco could generate an additional 0.2% of GDP.

However, it was pointed out that these calculations assume that the resulting increase in domestic retail prices over those in neighbouring countries does not erode the tax base. This requires that greater incentives for smuggling are effectively curbed by the envisaged improvements to customs control. It was agreed that better information sharing and transfer of know-how in the fight against tax evasion from the General Customs and Excise Department to the General Tax Department will also be needed in light of trade liberalization commitments and the growing reliance on domestic taxes relative to trade taxes.

PM : Thailand did not invade Cambodia but only retaliated to protect Thai sovereignty

via CAAI

On February 8, 2011, 5.50 P.M., at the National Security Council, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva remarked after the meeting of the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) that he would call the United Nations Secretary General Mr Ban Ki Moon on the phone in order to clarify the letter Cambodia sent to the United Nations (UN).

The Prime Minister said that he would give a factual account of what happened and state to the UN Secretary General that Thailand did certainly not invade any country nor target civilians and that Thailand only retaliated to the aggression from the Cambodian side in order to protect the Kingdom’s sovereignty. The Prime Minister said he would make it a point that Thai civilians have been severely affected by the violence that Thailand did not cause. Another point the Prime Minister stated that he would make it to the UN is that there has been progress in bilateral discussions since the ASEAN chair has met with the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

The Prime Minister said ASEAN does not oppose the two countries resolving the dispute through bilateral diplomatic channels. Noting that the clarification to UN would block the attempt to internationalise the dispute, the Prime Minister said that Thailand does not see any need for international intervention and that ASEAN supported bilateral negotiations.Responding to the question whether bilateral negotiation would be able to resolve the dispute, the Prime Minister said Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya has noted that the date for the next JBC meeting has been set. The Government has been evaluating the situation closely and has been prepared for every scenario, said the premier. The situation on the border at the moment, the Prime Minister, remains calm.

On the possibility of one of the two sides withdrawing troops from the area, the Prime Minister said there has been no such discussion and reiterated that the Thai position is clear, that is, Thailand does not invade anyone, but, if attacked, it would retaliate. The Prime Minister said that there is no reason to be paranoid and that there have not been any discussions on halting aid to Cambodia. As for when the Government would visit the people in the area, the Prime Minister said there would be Cabinet ministers visiting on February 8, and later on, other Cabinet ministers would visit on rotation basis.

The Prime Minister then remarked that the many border disputes, especially the one at Phra Viharn Temple, have been caused by the issue of World Heritage Site and that he has warned before that the situation could get out of hand. Until recently, the situation could be contained to a certain extent, but it must be accepted that the tension on the Cambodian side has been caused by the World Heritage Committee.Regarding the Minister of Environment and Natural Resource Suwit Khunkitti’s prospective attendance at the World Heritage Convention in Bahrain, the Prime Minister said the minister would present factual accounts and evidences indicating Cambodian military forces stationed at the Phra Viharn Temple, an action that is a clear violation of the objective of the World Heritage Site. Thailand insists that such practice must end entirely, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister stated that the issue has consistently been discussed with relevant agencies since it is clear that the area has been at risk of military clash, caused by the Cambodian attempts to submit its unilateral management plan and to elevate the conflict to an international level. So far, the Thai Government has been responding to these attempts, and how long the current tension would last depends on whether or not UNESCO has realised the problems. At this moment, the Thai ambassadors stationed around the world are presenting facts to the international community, and relevant agencies are contacting diplomatic channels to hold a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

As for the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who expressed their desire to travel to the site on February 11, 2011, which causes concern that there might be a clash between the PAD and the local residents who do not want the PAD to go there, the Prime Minister said he has reiterated to the local security agencies and officials that Thais must be united. If the PAD would like to help, they should come up with a better way to express their good intention, so that there will not be any problem with the local people, noting that this issue can be settled.

Cambodian FM to attend UNSC meeting over Cambodia-Thai border dispute

via CAAI

February 09, 2011

The United Nations Security Council will hold its meeting on Feb. 14 to discuss over the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday afternoon.

Cambodia will send Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, to explain the meeting about Thai aggression into Cambodian territory near the 11th century temple, said Hun Sen while closing the annual conference of the Ministry of Commerce.

"Now the United Nations Security Council decided to hold the meeting on Monday, the minister Hor Namhong is preparing documents to explain to the UNSC meeting," he said. "We will meet each other at the UNSC."

He said the Thai side will send its Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to the meeting and Indonesia, as the chair of ASEAN, will also be invited to the meeting.

"Now you (Thailand) can deny in front of the UNSC and deny in front of the ASEAN," he said.

The spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Koy Kuong said Wednesday that the schedule of Hor Namhong's departure for New York is not yet set, "but he will arrive in New York before the next Monday meeting."

Source: Xinhua

France offers old maps to help resolve Thai-Cambodia spat

via CAAI

Feb 9, 2011

PARIS - FRANCE offered on Wednesday to help resolve a festering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia by providing maps it made at the start of the last century when it ruled Indo-China.

French officials made the maps in preparation for the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907, which delimited the area over which the two countries are squabbling.

Foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters that Paris was happy to provide the documents 'to any country that asks us to consult them or to make a copy of these documents'. At least eight people have been killed in four days of cross-border violence between Thailand and Cambodia around the ancient temple of Preah Vihear, which forced thousands of families to flee on both sides of the frontier. -- AFP

Cambodia's Hun Sen terms border dispute with Thailand 'war'

http://www.japantoday.com/

via CAAI

Wednesday 09th February

PHNOM PENH —

Cambodia’s border dispute with Thailand has escalated into war, Prime Minister Hun Sen told a meeting of business leaders in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.

He also said Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should be brought before international courts for war crimes.

‘‘This is not an ‘armed clash,’ but it was a war because it lasted four days and not only small but heavy weapons were used. I used this word with (U.N. Secretary General) Ban Ki Moon, Hun Sen told the annual meeting of the country’s Commerce Ministry.

‘‘Cambodia is not staging this war, but Thailand, and Prime Minister Abhisit (Vejjajiva), as a leader of the country, must be accountable for war crime. The shooting and destroying the (Preah Vihear) temple and (Buddhist) pagoda is a war crime.

‘‘They even used cluster bombs and heavy weapons for hours. It was a real war,’’ Hun Sen continued.

And he reiterated the need for intervention by outside parties.

‘‘From now on, we must go with the third party, but through peaceful means.

‘‘We cannot delay any further and Cambodia will use all international mechanisms…I told Ban Ki Moon that Abhisit is cheating. Abhisit always says Cambodia is invading Thailand, but why he is afraid of international participation or third party? My question is who invades whom? In order to resolve this border conflict, we can no longer use bilateral means.’‘

‘‘We can no longer trust bilateral mechanisms,’’ he said.

Hun Sen said Cambodia will ask the International Court of Justice in the Hague to rule on the border demarcation at the heart of the conflict and said Thailand must be prepared to attend and stand by any ruling.

‘‘I would like to tell Prime Minister Abhisit that if you are not a thief don’t be afraid of a judge, (and have Thailand appear at the court,’’ he added.

Unesco should not send its team to Preah Vihear temple : Thai FM

via CAAI

By The Nation

Unesco has to ask permission from the Thai side

Thai Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it was not proper for Unesco to send its mission to visit the disputed Preah Vihear Temple.

Ministry's spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said the present situations at the border was still tense.

"It is not an appropriate time for the Unesco's World Heritage Committee to dispatch its mission to visit the temple. The situation along the border is still tense," he said in a press briefing.

Moreover the UN agency has to ask permission from the Thai side to go there, he said.

Unesco planned to a team to visit the disputed Preah Vihear temple along the border between Cambodia and Thailand, where fighting has led to deaths and reportedly damage to the site in recent days.

Cambodia claimed that the temple was damaged by the artillery shells fired by Thai troops.

The temple has been designated a World Heritage site by Unesco.

Unesco Director General Irina Bokova earlier said heritage should unite people and serve as an instrument of dialogue and mutual understanding and not of conflict.

In 1962 the International Court of Justice decided the temple belonged to Cambodia, but failed to rule on a 4.6-square-kilometre plot of land nearby that both countries claim.

Cambodia face bold Macau in qualifier

via CAAI

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:00 H S Manjunath

Macau is among the lowest ranked emerging footballing nations involved in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, but the tiny former Portuguese colony, which reverted to Chinese rule in the late 1990s, was brimming with confidence on the eve of today’s clash with Cambodia at Olympic Stadium.

Macau team manager Daniel Sousa told media yesterday that his team was eager and ready to make a match of it. “We know away games are tough, but we will give our best,” he said at a joint press conference attended by Macau head coach Leung Sui Wing and team captain Geofredo Cheung, as well as Cambodia’s national head coach Lee Tae Hoon.

“We are well aware of Cambodia’s strengths and the unbeaten record it enjoys against us. But every game is different and statistics does not really matter.”

Leung Sui Wing added that he was happy with the way the team had been training and the formation had a settled look about it.

However, for skipper Geofredo Cheung, who was not in the line up when Cambodia beat Macau two years ago, the crucial element would be the climate. “It is too hot for us here and I hope it doesn’t influence our performance,” he said.

Cambodia’s South Korean tactician Lee Tae Hoon said preparations for the tie had been going well. “It all boils down to how well we combine,” he said.

“We have some good players but they need to blend as a team. No match can be considered as easy. We have to be at our best to get an advantage from the home game.”

The game kicks off at 3:30pm today, with the away leg in Macau slated for February 16. The winner of this home-and-away series will enter the group phase of the competition which is to be held from March 20-31.

The Phnom Penh Post News in Brief

via CAAI

Man charged with rape of 8-year-old girl

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:01 Mom Kunthear

Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged a 29-year-old man yesterday with raping an 8-year-old girl after his arrest on Tuesday in Meanchey district. Kong Sam Orn, Meanchey deputy district police chief, said yesterday that the man is suspected of repeatedly raping the young girl since August last year. The girl’s family filed a complaint with police officers after the victim told her mother the suspect had been abusing her. Kong Sam Orn said that cooperation between Meanchey district police and Boeung Tompun commune police officers led to the suspect’s arrest.

King Sihamoni visits Kampong Thom

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:01 Kim Yuthana

King Norodom Sihamoni on Tuesday travelled to Kampong Thom’s Stoang district to distribute gifts to nearly 600 area villagers. Kampong Thom Governor Chun Chorn said yesterday that citizens and civil servants welcomed the monarch warmly during his visit, adding that the King’s visit was an important part of the Royal family’s humanitarian work. “The King always pays close attention to the hardships suffered by citizens across the country,” Chun Chorn said.

Ex-police officer held in shooting

via CAAI

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:01 Mom Kunthear

A former police officer in Oddar Meanchey’s Anlong Veng district was arrested on Sunday after shooting and killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring two others, according to Pen An, Anlung Veng’s O’Chhin Chhean village chief.

Pen An said the suspect was intoxicated and seized a district police officer’s gun before firing into a group of vendors selling food and wine, killing 11-year-old Vong Sochea instantly and injuring his father and a woman standing nearby.

He added that the woman was the intended target because she did not love the suspect and was engaged to be married to another man. The suspect will be sent to provincial court on Wednesday.

Former abbot denies rape charge in court

via CAAI

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:01 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

The former abbot of Wat Thala Borivath in Stung Treng province stood trial yesterday in Phnom Penh Municipal Court on suspicion of raping a 23-year-old student in Phnom Penh.

Men Tum, 39, was arrested on July 16 at his house in Stung Treng province’s Thala Borivath village and held in pre-trial detention after his alleged victim, a student at Pannasastra University, filed a complaint to police.

Municipal Court presiding judge Duch Kimsorn said that questioning of the suspect and other witnesses suggested that the former abbot and his alleged victim had been in a loving relationship since 2005, a time spanning his tenure as abbot at Wat Thala Borivath.

“According to the hearing and the testimony of witnesses, as well as answers given by Men Tum, the relationship between the suspect and the victim was very close, and they loved each other for many years,” Duch Kimsorn said.

According to the complaint filed with police, the victim said she had known Men Tum since 2005, when she met him at the pagoda during a visit to relatives in Stung Treng province.

She said the two remained in contact by telephone after she returned to Phnom Penh and that the relationship was cordial.

“On December 22, 2009, Men Tum as a Buddhist monk asked me to meet him at house number 28 in Ounalom pagoda in Phnom Penh and forced me to have sex. He raped me in the house,” the victim said in her complaint, adding that a week later Men Tum asked her to return to the house and raped her again.

She said that after the rape when she discovered that she was five months pregnant, she accompanied Men Tum to Vietnam for an abortion.

Men Tum has denied the rape and told the court that he and the alleged victim had consensual sex several times in guesthouses in Phnom Penh after he gave up his vows at the pagoda.

“Since I quit being a monk, I had sex with her at least 30 times in guesthouses, and each time I never forced her but we agreed about it together, and from that time I considered that she was my wife,” he said.

Duch Kimsorn said a verdict in the case was expected on February 16.

Battambang blast: Forest fire detonates landmines

via CAAI

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:01 Phak Seangly

Battambang blast

Two landmines exploded on Sunday evening in Battambang province’s Samlot district when they were inadvertently set off by a farmer using fire to clear his field. Ki Sokha, deputy chief of the Pailin province police, said the fire spread from the farmer’s land to nearby forests. The explosions, which happened about 10 kilometres from the Cambodian-Thai border, caused Thai soldiers to place calls to Ki Sokha’s office. “The blast astonished Thai soldiers and they called us,” he said. “We told them that it was caused by forest fire.” Landmine explosions are a common occurrence in Samlot district and Pailin province during the dry season, he said, especially with villagers clearing farmland. He said there were no casualties in Sunday’s incident. Ki Sokha added that many villagers in the area clear landmines themselves, because “some residents are former troops, so they know how to demine”. Net Nath, deputy manager for a Cambodian Mine Action Centre’s demining unit, said he was unaware of Sunday’s explosions but landmines were in “almost every place” in Samlot district.

Land spats top 200 last year: Adhoc

Photo by: Will Baxter

A man looks on as Shukaku Inc employees use an excavator to direct the flow of sand and water, which inundated local residents’ homes as the company filled in part of Boeung Kak lake in December.

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Farmers need rice fields and if they lose land, they lose what the depend on for living.

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via CAAI

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:02 May Titthara

Two hundred-and-two land dispute cases affecting 25,796 families were recorded in Cambodia last year, according to human rights group Adhoc.

Adhoc Land Programme Officer Ouch Leng said yesterday that 23 cases involved forced evictions affecting 12,389 families and 14 cases involved 8,025 hectares in land concessions for private companies.

“The government’s mechanism to solve the land disputes does not pay attention or take measures to stop the spread of disputes that make the communities hopeless,” he said.

Ouch Leng said that in land disputes, companies did not discuss development plans with the people, instead working with the authorities and armed forces to announce that the land belonged to them.

Ouch Leng added that last year 14,316 people protested 168 times against land disputes with 23 cases dispersed by armed forces.

“The authorities accused the protesters of incitement and turmoil,” he said. “If they did not lose land, they would not spend time and money protesting.”

Ouch Leng said that in 2010, 14 companies involved in land disputes were not registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and another 28 companies were unregistered but listed in government sub-decrees.

“The presence of the private companies made the villagers worry a lot because they did not improve their standard of living, but made them lose their land.”

According to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries data, between 1993 and June 2010, the government signed contracts with 142 private companies, conceding more than 1,385,555 hectares of land.

Among the 142 companies, 43 companies have been shut down and 99 companies are operating across 17 provinces.

Community Legal Education Center director Yeng Virak said that the government should recheck the offering of land for private companies because it affects citizens.

“Farmers need rice fields and if they lose land, they lose what they depend on for living,” he said.

Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction spokesman Nun Pheany said that specialist officials always evaluate the effect before making a request to the government.

“We always evaluate the effect before allowing the companies to invest,” she said.

Tussle over Bayon comment

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:02 Meas Sokchea

Son Soubert, the president of the Son Sann Foundation, has threatened popular news anchor Soy Sopheap with legal action if he does not retract comments to the effect that Son Sann – Son Soubert’s father and a leading nationalist figure – sold land to Thailand in concert with former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan.

In a statement on Monday, Son Soubert said the comments, allegedly made during a broadcast on Bayon TV on Friday, were potentially defamatory.

“I therefore challenge Mr Soy Sopheap to produce evidence and to retract what he has falsely declared, or otherwise face legal actions for defamation,” Son Soubert wrote.

In 1978, Son Sann, who died in 2000, formed the Khmer People’s National Liberation Front to unite anti-communist refugees along the Thai-Cambodian border following the 1979 overthrow of the Khmer Rouge regime.

The Cold War calculus of the age, however, made strange associations. In June 1982, Son Sann entered into a coalition – the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea – with the royalist Funcinpec and remnants of the Khmer Rouge, an association that still prompts controversy.

But Son Soubert wrote that Soy Sopheap’s accusation not only affected Son Sann’s reputation but has also besmirched the reputation of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, the founder of Funcinpec.

“This gratuitous, grave and unfounded accusation goes as far as involving the reputation of His Majesty the King Father and that of Samdech Son Sann, recognised by the great majority of the Member States of the United Nations as the sole legitimate government,” the statement read.

“I have duty to condemn with extreme severity, the unfounded and gratuitous assertion unworthy of a real, genuine and conscientious journalist, [because of] his declaration accusing Samdech Bovor Setha Thipdei Son Sann of selling the land to the Thais with Mr Khieu Samphan in a signed document,” the statement read.

When contacted yesterday, Soy Sopheap dismissed the allegations, saying he has never accused Son Sann of selling land to the Thais. He said the comments were quotes from former leaders living along the Cambodian-Thai border.

“The words I said are the words that I quoted from the former leaders along the border. If they told me a lie, I followed what they said,” Soy Sopheap said.

“I have not accused anyone – I have quoted what they told me. Grandfather Son Sann, I have always valued him.”

Pictures From Preah Vihear

Cambodian frontline commander Gen. Chea Tara talks with reporters Cambodia's famed Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Preah Vihear province,about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Cambodia angrily rejected Thailand's accusation that Cambodian troops used a centuries-old Hindu temple along their disputed border as a military base, revving up a war of words Wednesday amid a fragile truce. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)  

A Cambodian army soldier burns incense stick as he makes prayers next to a Buddhist monk at Cambodia's 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple, which wasenlisted as UNESCO's World Heritage, in Preah Vihear province, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Hundreds of Cambodian soldiers were camped Wednesday at a cliff-top Khmer temple and World Heritage site in the line of fire in deadly border skirmishes with Thailand. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)  

A Cambodian Buddhist monk, right, cooks meals together with army soldiers at Cambodia's 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple, which was enlisted as UNESCO'sWorld Heritage, in Preah Vihear province, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. A Cambodian army soldiers through the Cambodia's 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple, which was enlisted as UNESCO's World Heritage site in Preah Vihear province, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Cambodia angrily rejected Thailand's accusation that Cambodian troops used a centuries-old temple along their disputed border as a military base, revving up a war of words Wednesday amid a fragile truce. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

 

Cambodian army soldiers walk around Cambodia's 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple, which was enlisted as UNESCO's World Heritage in Preah Vihear province,about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Hundreds of Cambodian soldiers were camped Wednesday at a cliff-top Khmer temple and World Heritage site in the line of fire in deadly border skirmishes with Thailand. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)  

A Cambodian army soldier stands near a crater on the compounds of Cambodia's famed Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Preah Vihear province,about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Cambodia angrily rejected Thailand's accusation that Cambodian troops used a centuries-old Hindu temple along their disputed border as a military base, revving up a war of words Wednesday amid a fragile truce. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)  

A Cambodian army soldier points at the damaged section of Cambodia's famed Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Preah Vihear province,about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Cambodia angrily rejected Thailand's accusation that Cambodian troops used a centuries-old Hindu temple along their disputed border as a military base, revving up a war of words Wednesday amid a fragile truce. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)  

A sign is seen under Cambodian and UNESCO flags at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 9, 2011. Thailandand Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding the 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj  

An overview of Cambodia's 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple, UNESCO's World Heritage, is seen in Preah Vihear province, about 245 kilometers (152miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Hundreds of Cambodian soldiers were camped Wednesday at a cliff-top Khmer temple and World Heritage site in the line of fire in deadly border skirmishes with Thailand. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Pictures by Radio Free Asia

Pictures From Preah Vihear

Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong (R) shakes hands with his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh February 7, 2011. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) dispatched Natalegawa to Cambodia on Monday in a bid to defuse the Thai-Cambodian border crisis. REUTERS/Samrang Pring  

A Cambodian woman carries her children after fleeing her home near the Preah Vhear temple on February 7. Cambodian and Thai troops held fire on their tense border on Tuesday as the world heritage body UNESCO prepared a mission to inspect an ancient temple reportedly damaged in the deadly standoff.(AFP)  

Cambodian army soldiers eat lunch Cambodia's famed Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Preah Vihear province, about 245 kilometers (152miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Cambodia angrily rejected Thailand's accusation that Cambodian troops used a centuries-old Hindu temple along their disputed border as a military base, revving up a war of words Wednesday amid a fragile truce. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) 

 

A Cambodian army soldier takes photographs of the damaged section of Cambodia's famed Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Preah Vihearprovince, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Cambodia angrily rejected Thailand's accusation that Cambodian troops used a centuries-old Hindu temple along their disputed border as a military base, revving up a war of words Wednesday amid a fragile truce. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) 

 

A Cambodian soldier talks on a phone from his position at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 9,2011. Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding the 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj  

Phat Lin (L), a Cambodian boy who stays with soldiers and monks, sits at a window of the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailandand Cambodia February 9, 2011. Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding the 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj  

Phat Lin (L) and Ol Pros, Cambodian children who stay with soldiers and monks, rest at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailandand Cambodia February 9, 2011. Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding the 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj 

Buddhist monks, who stay with Cambodian soldiers, sit outside their shrine at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and CambodiaFebruary 9, 2011. Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding the 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj  

Ol Pros, a Cambodian boy who stays with soldiers and monks, rests at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia February9, 2011. Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding the 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj  

A Cambodian soldier smokes a cigarette at his unit's position in the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia February9, 2011. Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding the 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day.REUTERS/Damir Sagolj  

A Buddhist monk and a Cambodian soldier prepare food at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 9, 2011.Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure on Wednesday to end an armed standoff on a stretch of border surrounding a 900-year-old clifftop temple as guns held silent for a second day. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj