Sunday, 13 September 2009

Cambodians pray in front during a blessing by Buddhist monks in front of skulls of Khmer rouge victims

Cambodians pray in front during a blessing by Buddhist monks in front of skulls of Khmer rouge victims near a temple in Phnom Batheay village, Kampong Cham province, north of Phnom Penh during the eighth day of the 'Pchum Ben' festival September 13, 2009. Cambodians visit temples during the "Pchum Ben" 15-day festival, festival of the dead, to offer prayers to loved ones who have passed away

Buddhists monks bless skulls of Khmer rouge victims with water near a temple in Phnom Batheay village, Kampong Cham province, north of Phnom Penh during the eighth day of the 'Pchum Ben' festival September 13, 2009. Cambodians visit temples during the "Pchum Ben" 15-day festival, festival of the dead, to offer prayers to loved ones who have passed away.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

A man sweeps in front of skulls of Khmer rouge victims near a temple in Phnom Batheay village, Kampong Cham province, north of Phnom Penh during the eighth day of the 'Pchum Ben' festival September 13, 2009. Cambodians visit temples during the "Pchum Ben" 15-day festival, festival of the dead, to offer prayers to loved ones who have passed away.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Buddhists monks bless skulls of Khmer rouge victims with water near a temple in Phnom Batheay village, Kampong Cham province, north of Phnom Penh during the eighth day of the 'Pchum Ben' festival September 13, 2009. Cambodians visit temples during the "Pchum Ben" 15-day festival, festival of the dead, to offer prayers to loved ones who have passed away. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Oakmont man establishes Christian global community

Children study at Rongko school in Cambodia. The school was established by the South East Asia Prayer Center of Oakmont. The nation's leaders are impressed with the Christian-based educational system, rooted in academic excellence and high morals the center is establishing in this country where Buddhism is the official religion.
Mark Geppert of the South East Asia Prayer Center of Oakmont baptizes a young girl in a river in Cambodia. Geppert spends about 75 per cent of the year away from the Alle-Kiski Valley, traveling in Asia and Latin America as he oversees an organization that he founded in 1991 -- the South East Asia Prayer Center -- which is changing lives and giving hope to many.

Mark Geppert, of Oakmont, talks with children at the school in Cambodia that was established by the South East Asia Prayer Center of Oakmont. As president of the Center, Geppert logs more than 150,000 miles in visits to at least 10 countries each year, intent on demonstrating that the power of prayer is more than just a theoretical exercise. South East Asia Prayer Center

The efforts of South East Asia Prayer Center of Oakmont helped to establish this school --Rongko Christian University in Cambodia. The center responded to the minister of education's invitation to reform the educational system by creating a model school in the rural area.

These young girls take advantage of a beautiful day to study outside near a school in Cambodia that was established by the South East Asia Prayer Center of Oakmont. The center's educational efforts are lauded at the parliamentary and prime minister level as a "model organization for cooperation in Cambodia."

By Rex Rutkoski, VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Sunday, September 13, 2009

In many ways, Oakmont resident Mark Geppert's life has been a literal leap of faith.

After active military duty in 1970, he sold insurance and owned Cosmo's Pizza in Murrysville, then took that first springboard into uncharted spiritual waters, responding to a call to ministry.

After completing Bible school and licensing, he and his young family left Oakmont to begin mission work in Guatemala in 1976 with the support of Oakmont Baptist Church.

Today Geppert spends about 75 per cent of the year away from the Alle-Kiski Valley, traveling in Asia and Latin America as he oversees an organization that he founded in 1991 -- the South East Asia Prayer Center -- which is changing lives and giving hope to many.

This veteran of 35 years in international mission work has authored four religious books -- including "The Attack Lambs," which has been translated in to 10 languages.

As president of the Center, Geppert logs more than 150,000 miles in visits to at least 10 countries each year, intent on demonstrating that the power of prayer is more than just a theoretical exercise.

In fact, the South East Asia Prayer Center, whose support includes Alle-Kiski Valley residents and churches of various denominations, is committed to changing lives through prayer, channeling resources into humanitarian projects, establishing prayer teams that take the message of Christian faith to those who have not had the opportunity to hear it and nurturing new ministries worldwide.

"We are a Christian global community presenting the love of Christ on the platforms of health, education, parenting and micro-economics," Geppert says.

Those goals translate into very real, very human terms, including experimental farms in Laos, impacting hundreds of families, to lessons in marketing and how to use money wisely.

In Cambodia, where the center has its largest human resources, it is winning respect and encouragement even from the government. The nation's leaders are impressed with the Christian-based educational system, rooted in academic excellence and high morals the center is establishing in this country where Buddhism is the official religion.

The center responded to the minister of education's invitation to reform the educational system by creating a model school in the rural area. "(Former Valley High and Riverview High principal) Rick Rosenberger (of New Kensington) stepped up and designed the program and we instituted it with the help of people from our Singapore Church," Geppert szys. It has been a learning and growing process each year.

"Rick's educational program has lifted national standards. There are not sufficient words to express how very much we appreciate his hard work," Geppert says. (Rosenberger now works with Light of Life rescue mission.)

"We have been consistently number one in academic achievement, and the government wants us to replicate that school in 24 provinces."

Geppert very much would like to do that if the money can be raised. "That is our greatest need. There is a tremendous sense of urgency, as the girls who do not get an education and proper moral training will end up in the flesh trade in Thailand, and also are shipped to other nations for prostitution," he says.

The center subsidizes teachers, making them accountable for lesson plans, academic performance, ongoing education and bible training.

Education also is crucial for a "very serious AIDS situation" in Cambodia, he says.

In addition, the prayer center cares for orphans.

The sponsorship is $40 per month, with the full amount going to the ministry to care for the child, says Tina Tomes of New Kensington, who is the center's United States/Cambodia coordinator. (Those who would like to help the cause can find more information at www.seapc.us).

"These children are orphaned, abandoned or have parents who are disabled or too poor to care for their child," she says.

It all is an uphill battle, Geppert says. "But we have learned to be happy in what we can do and not get frustrated with the remaining enormous task," he adds.

Tomes admires Geppert's "great passion for people" and his desire to see them embrace faith in their lives. "He has an ability to connect with and inspire people and a willingness to adapt to many different situations," she adds. "It is a privilege to be a small part of this wonderful ministry."

The center's educational efforts are lauded at the parliamentary and prime minister level as a "model organization for cooperation in Cambodia."

After success with a kindergarten (starting at age 3) through 12th grade program -- 3,500 students on seven campuses -- the center is chartered to establish two technical universities, using Penn State University programs as models.

The center's largest financial expenditure is in Tibet, funding the Touching Hearts health care project, which surveys and treats children with congenital heart disease.

Geppert describes it as an environmental rather than genetic problem resulting from living at 14,000 to 18,000 feet. The center has funded the first pediatric cardio-care facility in the region, providing on-site care. The organization has spent more than $4 million in a 10-year period successfully treating 300 children and surveying 14,000, he says.

"No matter what I do, the greatest feel-good moment for me is when the job is done; a building is built, a class is taught, a sermon is delivered," he says. "Knowing you bring help to someone who otherwise had no chance is the most satisfying. Heart procedures were just performed on seven children in Tibet in June. Each one was going to die. Now they will live. "

He is awed by the sense of teamwork exhibited by people from diverse backgrounds and nations who come together to save the life of a child. That is just one example, he says, of the power of prayer.

Geppert: "We are sent to a nation to pray. Then we ask the Lord how do we reach this nation. He opens up an avenue: health care in Tibet, microeconomics in Laos, education in Cambodia, etc. The projects come out of prayer."

Although the projects receive all the attention, he says, the center, at its heart, is a prayer ministry dedicated to creating new and networking existing prayer groups. "Through books and teachings and our Web site, we resource thousands of more people," he says.

Its goal is one million people praying daily for the nations of the world.

"I think we are past the halfway point of that goal," he says.

"When we pray, we invite God into our situation. We begin to think that, even though a task seems enormous, maybe there is a way to do it," Geppert says. "Only projects born in prayer and sustained in prayer will succeed."

More information about Geppert, the programs of the South East Asia Prayer Center and how to get involved is available at: www.seapc.us

Luxury Travel to Discuss at Tourism Investment Conference at ITE Ho Chi Minh City

Tony Pham Ha, a keynote speaker at TIC The Tourism Investment Conference 2009.

Hanoi, Vietnam, September 13, 2009 --(PR.com)-- HCM City’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will work with tourist agencies to hold an international tourism investment conference, which will present Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam as destinations, on September 30 and October 1.

The Tourism Investment Conference 2009 (TIC) will be a chance for cities and provinces in the country to introduce their major tourism projects to more than 100 international investors.

Pham Ha has been invited for being a keynote speaker at TIC The Tourism Investment Conference 2009 (TIC) about the luxury tourism marketing. Luxury Travel’s founder Ha Pham has been interviewed by a number of newspapers and magazines published at the event.

The exposition will focus on developing tourism for the three countries, presenting tourism investment opportunities in “Three Countries, One Destination,” and creating a stable tourism development strategy.

The organizers hope the conference will open effective cooperation opportunities between the state and private travel firms.

Luxury Travel, a premier luxury travel company in Indochina, has a numerous travel awards nationally and internationally. The company has been most nominated so far for Inbound Tour Operator of The Year Award for Tourism Alliance Awards 2009.

For more information, visit www.luxurytravelvietnam.com

Kasit still friend with PAD

Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 13/09/2009

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya insisted he and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were not in conflict.

Earlier, the yellow-shirt PAD accused the foreign minister of failing to protect the country's terrority adjacent to Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Kasit said before visiting the area around the disputed Thai-Cambodian border near the ancient temple on Sunday morning that he had invited PAD core members for a meeting so he could explain his work an the border situation to them.

On the yellow-shirt supporters' plan to gather near Preah Vihear on Sept 19, he said they have the right to do so, and believed police and military forces would be able to maintain peace and order during the demonstration.

"The purpose of this visit is to meet people in Si Sa Ket. I will give moral support to the soldiers at the disputed border area," the minister said.

The government will continue to follow the framework agreement with all neighbouring countries to bring about peace, he said.

PM: No sovereignty loss

Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 13/09/2009

Thailand has not lost any territory in the disputed Thai-Cambodian border area near Preah Vihear temple, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted.

The premier said in his weekly broadcast programme on Sunday that the joint statement between Thailand and Cambodia on the listing of the ancient temple as a World Heritage site had been revoked by then foreign minister Tej Bunnag.

"As a result, both countries have no treaty on this issue," Mr Abhisit said.

He said the government will not do anything to make Thailand lose its sovereignty.

"The government does not want misunderstandings and conflicts to erupt as they would damage both sides. The continuing disputed border problem will be solved through peaceful means to prevent it from affecting the bilateral ties between the two countries," he said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen also understood the situation, Mr Abhisit said.

Since there were communities, markets and roads in the disputed border area, both Thai and Cambodian people had been residing there peacefully for a long time, he said.

Tension mounted after military forces from both sides were dispatched to the area, and the situation should be restored to normal, he said.

PM probing soldiers gaining from Thai-Cambodian temple dispute


MCOT English News
13 September 2009

BANGKOK, Sept 13 (TNA) -- Just six days before the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rallies at the area contested by both Thailand and Cambodia near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday he is probing reports that Thai soldiers are making personal profits from the area.

Mr. Abhisit said during his weekly television and radio address that his government does not recognise all structures built in the disputed area and the army and government agencies are moving in to make the “environment like before through peaceful measure.”

“We can discuss it if anybody still doesn’t understand. However, it must be made cautiously because if any clashes take place, the repercussions would be at a large-scale,” said Mr. Abhisit.

Thai media reports showed that Cambodian villagers had built shops and homes in the disputed area amid rumours that Thai soldiers had benefited from the Cambodians by allowing them to stay.

Mr. Abhisit said he wanted to see the proof and investigate as his government does not permit such actions.

His remarks were made as the PAD plans a demonstration at the 4.6-square kilometre disputed area Saturday, and have demanded that Thailand push the Cambodians into their homeland.

Reiterating that his government would protect Thai sovereignty around Phra Vihear temple, Mr. Abhisit said he had assigned Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to closely monitor the temple so that Thai territory in the area would not be affected.

Tensions first flared along the border in July 2008 over the granting of a UN heritage site to the temple, although the countries have been at loggerheads over the site for decades. Subsequent talks between officials of the two countries have not resolved the dispute. (TNA)

FM: Thailand's stance on Preah Vihear temple unchanged


MCOT English News
http://enews.mcot.net

BANGKOK, Sept 13 (TNA) - Urging activists of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who plan to gather at the ancient Preah Vihear temple Saturday to demand Cambodian civilians and military to leave the contested area around the temple to not approach the issue emotionally, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya said Sunday that the border problem between the two countries must be solved through “peaceful means.”

Reiterating that the Thai government’s stance regarding the ancient temple remains unchanged, Mr. Kasit said the problem must be solved at the negotiating table by strictly following agreements made by the two countries and the United Nations charter.

“It is not proper to use emotions, feelings or excessive patriotism,” said Mr. Kasit, adding that the two countries are brothers.

PAD supporters earlier urged the Thai government to push back Khmer soldiers and civilians from occupying the contested 4.6 square kilometre contested zone surrounding the 11th-century temple. Mr. Kasit said the group has a right to express its opinion, while the government has a duty to promote positive international relations and reasserted that the border issue must be solved by peaceful means.

Mr. Kasit said before leaving to inspect areas around the temple that if the PAD gathers at the contested area, Thai police or military would provide security for them.

The ruins of the temple belong to Cambodia, but the most practical entrance begins at the foot of a mountain in Thailand, and both sides claim portions of the surrounding territory.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear itself belongs to Cambodia. Tensions flared along the border in July 2008 after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted Cambodia’s ancient temple status as a World Heritage Site status. (TNA)

Cambodia KRouge court leaves victims disappointed

A survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime's Tuol Sleng prison at the former detention centre in Phnom Penh

A visitor at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum in Phnom Penh

The former chief of Khmer Rouge prison, S-21, Kaing Guek Eav, in the court room of the Cambodian war crimes tribunal

By Patrick Falby (AFP)

PHNOM PENH — Hav Sophea hoped for a sense of closure after telling Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes tribunal how her father was killed in the late 1970s at the Khmer Rouge's Tuol Sleng prison.

But after testifying at the ongoing trial of former prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, she is worried she was not allowed to properly put her father's memory to rest.

"The court does not treat civil parties like me, who are victims of the Khmer Rouge regime, well enough. They don't give us enough privileges to speak up about our pain," the 33-year-old told AFP.

Hav Sophea is one of 93 regime victims known as civil parties participating in the unique initiative at Duch's trial in which they have brought parallel civil cases against him.

The process has allowed them the right to be represented by lawyers, be part of investigations, call witnesses and ask questions during trial proceedings.

Most observers, however, conclude the well-intentioned experiment in victim participation, once touted as a possible model for future international criminal proceedings, has gone very badly.

Duch began his trial in March by accepting responsibility and apologising for overseeing the torture and execution of more than than 15,000 people at the regime's main prison, Tuol Sleng.

But civil party lawyers have often bogged down the process, taking individual turns posing often repetitive and irrelevant questions.

Furthermore, the defence has sought to dismiss 24 out of the 93 civil parties from the case against Duch after a number of them were gave dubious testimony in court.

Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, which gathers details of Khmer Rouge crimes, said many victim applications had not been properly vetted because the initiative was understaffed and lacked funds.

"The affected civil parties have no doubt been traumatised to some extent by these events," he said.

A number of court observers have also raised concerns about the June appointment of the head of the victims unit, Helen Jarvis, for her lack of experience and for her membership of Australia's Leninist Party Faction (LPF).

Jarvis signed a 2006 LPF statement which proclaimed: "Against the bourgeoisie and their state agencies we don't respect their laws and their fake moral principles."

The court recognised many shortcomings in the process when it announced earlier this month it would streamline victim participation for its next case against four more senior Khmer Rouge leaders.

Former Khmer Rouge "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, ex-head of state Khieu Samphan, former foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife Ieng Thirith, who was minister of social affairs, are also awaiting trial at the war crimes court.

Analysts say the victims unit will require an overhaul so it is not overwhelmed by applications in a country that lost a quarter of its population to overwork, starvation, execution and torture under the Khmer Rouge.

Yet while future proceedings could be smoother, judges' efforts to rein in the role of civil parties has stoked the emotions of many who were worst affected by Cambodia's tragedy.

Chum Mey, one of the handful who survived imprisonment at Tuol Sleng, boycotted with some two dozen other victims after civil party lawyers were not allowed to ask Duch questions about his character and personality.

"I am very disappointed and that's why I had boycotted the court. The court the decision was very unjust," the 79-year-old said.

"Since the very beginning, the court has allowed us to participate in every proceeding but as the trial nears its end the court banned us."

Many of the victims are also frustrated that they have not been granted financial compensation for their suffering, as civil claimants would be in a normal trial.

"For the accused person, he can now live well enough...(but) what about us victims? We have been left traumatised. Who should look after us?," said Neth Phally, 52, who testified that his brother was killed at Tuol Sleng.

Peter Maguire, historian of international justice and author of "Facing Death in Cambodia", says the civil parties have been a distracting social agenda when the court's main purpose ought to be weighing criminal evidence.

"Some new details have been revealed, but the salient facts remain the same," Maguire said. "There's nothing earth-shattering. We know who Duch is. We know what he did."

Cambodia In Picture














America Suspects Four Products in Cambodia Related to the Use of Child Labor – Saturday, 12.9.2009

Posted on 13 September 2009
The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 629

“Phnom Penh: A report of the Department of Labor of the United States of America suspects that four products from Cambodia are produced with child labor.

“According to a statement of the US Embassy to Cambodia, the four products are bricks and roof tiles, shrimps, rubber, and salt. Therefore, the United States of America cooperates actively with the government of Cambodia to reduce child labor at the places of those productions and in the whole economy. The government of Cambodia has made improvements in this work, for example by organizing a national level activity plan about the most serious cases of child labor (2008-2012).

“The national activity plan aims at reducing the number of children between the ages of 5 and 17 who are doing work in Cambodia to only 10.6% in 2010, and to 8% in 2015. Also, the Royal Government of Cambodia has joined in some programs led by the USA to stop the most serious forms of child labor in different sectors, as stated by the US Department of Labor.

“The USA hopes that continued cooperation to solve this problem will totally eliminate child labor in Cambodia, and they hope that all forms of exploitation and human trafficking are being reduced.

“According to the statement, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the US Department of Labor released three reports about child labor and forced labor at some countries around the world on 10 September 2009. Those documents include ‘List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor’ which is prohibited by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (TVPRA List).

“The list required by the TVPRA details 122 types of products from 58 countries which are believed by the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, which is part of the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the US Department of Labor, to be produced using also child labor and forced labor, violating international standards. Furthermore, the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking of the US Department of Labor released recent information, as it is required to put it into the ‘List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor’ and its annual ‘findings … to eliminate the worst forms of child labor,’ as required by the Trade and Development Act of 2000, about efforts of local authorities of 141 countries in their fight against child labor exploitation.

“The major intention of the TVPRA list is to promote understanding among the public about child labor and forced labor in producing goods, in the countries listed, and to boost efforts to eliminate such practices.

“This report mentioned four products in Cambodia that are suspected to being made with child labor: bricks and roof tiles, shrimps, rubber, and salt. The USA has closely has cooperated with the Royal Government to reduce child labor at those places of production, and in the whole economy. The Royal Government of Cambodia has made improvements in this work by creating a national level activity plan about the most serious forms of child labor (2008-2012).”

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.17, #4997, 12.9.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Saturday, 12 September 2009

Vietnam to hand over more US MIA remains


Sunday, September 13, 2009

The remains of what are believed to be US servicemen who died in the Vietnam War will be handed over to the US government on September 12 in the 111th repatriation ceremony held by the two nations.

The remains to be handed over at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport include those recovered by a

Vietnamese excavation team in central Vietnam, as well as remains turned over by Vietnamese citizens. The exact number of persons the remains account for will be released at the ceremony, according to the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak and US Army Lieutenant Colonel Todd G. Emoto will represent the US government at the ceremony.

So far, the remains of 909 Americans have been identified in and around Indochina since US troops officially left Vietnam in 1973: 645 in Vietnam, 230 in Laos, 31 in Cambodia and three in China, according to the US Embassy in Hanoi.

There are 1,737 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, including 1,322 in Vietnam, the embassy said in a statement.

Source: Thanh Nien

Thai PAD to Protest at Cambodia Border

Written by DAP NEWS -- Saturday, 12 September 2009

Thais living near the Cambodian-Thai border are to be paid THB1,000 to join a People Alliance’s Democratic (PAD) demonstration, , a Cambodian Army officer told DAP News Cambodia on Saturday. The PAD wrongly claims that Thailand lost 4.6 square kilometers of land A\around Cambdia’s Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia.

“My plan is to visit troops stationed there as well as to inspect the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple,” the Bangkok Post quoted the PAD Kasit Phiromya as saying. “Army Region 2 Chief, Gen. Chavalit and other senior Thai army officials will company Kasit to the border,” Kasit added.

The PAD recently held a protest urging the Thai Government to solve problems over the alleged lost territory. However, Cambodian army officers claimed that PAD protesters are paid THB1,000 per day. “But, Thais at the border will protest back and stop this demonstration if PAD will act,” the army official added. The PAD’s protests come before a meeting between Kasit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, also Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in New York. Both will be attending the UN Security Council Summit over the next two weeks.

There was “no official information sent to the ministry,” Koy Kuoung told DAP News Cambodia on Friday.

Meanwhile, Bun Rany Hun Sen, head of the Cambodian Red Cross and wife of the PM, visited to Preah Vihear to donate 13,000 rain coats and 7,000 water boxes to Cambodian soldiers stationing at Region 4.

According to one army officer, the situation at the border is still normal, but all soldiers remain ready.

US Releases List of Child or Forced Labor Products

Written by Administrator -- Saturday, 12 September 2009

The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) released three reports on child labor and/or forced labor in countries around the globe on September 10. The documents include the initial “List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor” required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (TVPRA List), according to a Friday press release of US Embassy in Cambodia.

“The TVPRA List provides details on 122 goods from 58 countries that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by forced labor, child labor or both in violation of international standards,” said the press release. The ILAB has also released a proposed update to the “List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor” (EO List) and its 8th annual “Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor” as mandated by the Trade and Develo-pment Act of 2000 on the efforts of 141 countries and territories to combat exploitive child labor.
“The primary purpose of the TVPRA List is to raise public awareness about the incidence of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods in the countries listed and to promote efforts to eliminate such practices,” the press release claimed. “The report lists four items in Cambodia which are suspected of being produced through the use of child labor including bricks, shrimp, rubber and salt. The US is actively engaged with the Cambodian Government in an effort to reduce the use of child labor in these sectors and throughout the economy.”

According to the press release, the Cambodian Government has made progress in this area, including by the development of a National Plan of Action (NPA) on the Worst Forms of Child Labor (2008-2012). The NPA aims to reduce the number of children aged 5-17 working in Cambodia to 10.6 percent in 2010 and 8 percent by 2015.

It has also participated in a number of US-led programs designed to end the worst forms of child labor in the sectors mentioned in the report issued by the Department of Labor.

The US hopes that continued cooperation in this area will eventually end the use of child labor in Cambodia and to a decrease in all forms of human trafficking and exploitation.

Robber Arrests Give Cambodian Vendors Hope

Written by DAP NEWS -- Saturday, 12 September 2009

A total of 18 robbers have recently been arrested, including robbers of an ACLEDA Bank customer, vendors at Prek Leap jewelry market and other cases, local police said on Saturday.
Phnom Penh Municipality Vice Police Chief Pol Pithey called the arrests “a victory for our police.”

“All our officers netted them and covered everywhere, so we got a positive result.” Two robbers who killed one jewelry vendor at Kandal market were nabbed and identified as Heng Paris and his associate Hun Samnang, he added.

At least 6 robberies have taken place in Phnom Penh over the past two weeks, resulting in the deaths of two jewelry vendors and another seriously injured. Robbers got awat many tens of thousands of dollars, many ounces of gold, as well as other valuable metals, Pol Pithey said.
Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Kep Chuktema instructed all authorities to protect businesses and ensure safety.

Daun Penh District Governor Sok Sambath said that he and staff, together with Cambodian vendors, held a meeting to find a good resolution to the issue.

“All Cambodian vendors expressed hope about the authorities’ measures and said they can manage by themselves in case no security guards are nearby.”

following good cooperation between authorities and vendors, there have been no robberies.

Some of the robbers were arrested three weeks ago making Cambodian vendors happier to run their businesses.

One jewelry vendors said he admired “the struggles and efforts by the local authorities to destroy and arrest robbery teams.”

Some also thanked the local polices.

Pol Pithey added that, “We are searching to arrest others. He said some of the offenders could be involved in drugs trafficking as well.

“We will continue to strengthen security daily,” he vowed. “There will be no more cause for concern for Cambodian vendors.”

UNESCO Registers Toul Sleng

Written by Administrator -- Saturday, 12 September 2009

The Tuol Sleng Museum of Cambodian Genocide, well-known all over the world for its grim exhibits relating to torture and thousands of killings at a former school during the brutal Pol Pot regime, was registered by UNESCO as Global Documentary Heritage on Friday.

Toul Sleng, used as a detention centre 1975-79 and designated as S-21, holds 4,186 prisoner ‘confessions’, 6,226 biographies of prisoners and 6,147 photographic prints, according to an archive officer.

Secretary of UNESCO for Cam-bodia Tann Theany told DAP News Cambodia that the new Cambodian generation should be educated about the sorrows inflicted upon Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge years, as well as make sure the world never forgets the tragedy.

“All archives are kept in the museum,” she stressed. Director General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura announced the inscription of documentary heritage on the recommendation of experts during a three day meeting of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program in on July 31, 2009 in Bridgetown.

Cambodia’s Toul Sleng Museum Archives, the Royal Archives of Thailand and Madagascar, Anne Frank’s Diaries in the Netherlands and the Santa Fe Capitulations in Spain were also added to the register, Koichiro added.

“This bring the total number of inscriptions to 193 items since 1997.”

S-21 imprisoned over 15,000 people in the 1975-79 Pol Pot regime, according to the Toul Sleng archives.

New TV, Radio Broadcasts for Siem Reap Soon: Information Minister

Written by DAP NEWS -- Saturday, 12 September 2009

The Information Ministry plans to open a new TV and radio stations in Siem Reap province soon to offer a wider choice of quality media in the Kingdom.

“We will open a television station with 2KW broadcasting power and an FM radio station with 5 KW power in Siem Reap province to expand the information field in the areas and serve the needs of information for the local residents,” Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanarith said at the ceremony inaugurating the new director and deputy of Information Office of Siem Reap province. “The broadcasts will cover on whole area of Siem Reap province, and some parts of Pursat, Battamb-ang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Kampong Thom provinces” he said. “We have to urge our officials to process the broadcasting smoothly.”

“We have to develop our information field for serving the people’s interests,” he added.

Siem Reap, home of the world famous temples of Angkor, will have a now have television stations besides Cable TV and TVK for the first time.

PM Hun Sen to Join Prek Kdam Bridge Ceremony on September 14

Written by Administrator -- Saturday, 12 September 2009

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will join a ceremony to refurbish the Preak Kdam concrete bridge linking the East and West parts of Tonle Sap River on September 14, a Government press release obtained on Saturday said.

PM Hun Sen will ceremonially finish the Prek Kdam Bridge using cement to link the two parts as one, the release said. The bridge will soon be open to traffic as it is now 90 percent complete.
“This bridge has been constructed before the project schedule which needs 21 months to finish the bridge construction,” the statement said.

The bridge has a 981 meter span and is 13 meters wide. It was constructed with financial support from the Chinese Government and with funds from the Cambodian Govern-ment.

The bridge is located about 40 km north of Phnom Penh and it will be key in reducing traffic jams from National Road 6A and Phnom Penh, and drive poverty reduction for local people, the Government said.

One Killed, Three Injured by Drug User

Written by DAP NEWS -- Saturday, 12 September 2009

One girl, aged 18, was killed and her family and younger sister were injured seriously by a resident when the victims did not agree to give US$ 70 to pay off a debt incurred buying narcotics. The suspect was arrested by Phnom Penh military police.

The incident took place at 6:30 am on Saturday at St 272, behind Chhuk Leap restaurant, Toeuk Thla Commune, Sen Sok District, Phnom Penh.

The drug dealer was identified as Sok Pitou, 25, living with the family, Ket Sophat, Phnom Penh Municipal Armed Forces Chief, told DAP News Cambodia.

The female victim killed was identified as Ou Chan Thou, aged 18, and her father, Ou Kong, 60, and sister, Ou Sreypov, 9, were also injured.

An official statement said that drugs sellers called Sok Pitou about a debt of US$200, saying that if he did not come up with the money, they would kill him. Then, Sok Pitou went into the house to kill his victims, but the father and sister of the family were only injured.

The statement added that, when the father came out of the room to help, Sok Pitou continued to attack family members. With the help of victim’s brother, the killed was eventually overpowered. Soon after he was arrested.

Ya Kim I, Phnom Penh Armed Forces Chief, on Saturday told DAP News Cambodia he will send Sok Pitou to the court on this Sunday morning to be put on trial.

“Sok Pitou wanted to kill all the family members to rob property and money. It is related to drugs use that it makes him to brazen and careless,” Ya Kim I added.

Chea Vannath, a social analyst, on Saturday urged authorities to take action over places where young miscreants commit immoral acts together that damage the fabric of society.

“The Government now is making effort to take measure crack down on drug use and trafficking, but there are still negatives points, such as the flow of drugs to schools that causes some boys to use drugs sold by their friends,” said Chea Vannath. “Autho- rities must cooperate with their parents, urging them to give advice not to use drugs any more.”

Chan Soveth, senior investigator of rights group Adhoc, also urged the authorities and the courts to make more convictions. “The authority mostly arrests drug users, while the main drug traffickers are not arrested at all,” he claimed.