Cambodian judges delay genocide trial

taipeitimes.com
AFP, PHNOM PENH
Tuesday, Feb 05, 2008

Cambodia's genocide tribunal postponed Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea's first public court hearing yesterday amid a row over his legal team, raising concerns for further delays to the UN-backed proceedings.

The tribunal was scheduled to hear an appeal against Nuon Chea's pre-trial detention.

But a key member of his defense, Dutch attorney Victor Koppe, has yet to be admitted to Cambodia's Bar Association, a requirement for foreign lawyers wishing to represent defendants in a tribunal.

"The pre-trial chamber decided to adjourn the hearing to a later date and ordered the lawyers of the charged person to submit a written report about the presence of the international lawyer," the judges said.

STANDARDS

Nuon Chea, the senior-most of the five Khmer Rouge cadres to be arrested so far, argued earlier in the day that going ahead without Koppe would violate international standards of justice.
"It is not consistent with international standards. I believe that if these proceedings go ahead, it is not fair to me," the 81-year-old regime ideologue told the judges.

Nuon Chea, who was Khmer Rouge supreme leader Pol Pot's closest deputy and the alleged architect of the regime's execution policies during its 1975 to 1979 rule, was arrested in September and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

No new date has been set for his appeal, the judges said.

"It's regrettable that it's been postponed," co-prosecutor Robert Petit said. "Any delay in this court is regrettable. Any delay in getting at the truth in this matter and justice for the victims is regrettable."

Had the hearing been held, it would have been only the second public hearing since the tribunal was convened 18 months ago.

"The delay does not satisfy us," said Cambodian villager Huy Chhum, one of hundreds of spectators who gathered in the courtroom to watch the hearing.

"So many delays will make villagers lose faith in the court and then it is meaningless," said Chhum, a 75-year-old whose wife, brother and son perished under the regime.

Up to two million people died of starvation and overwork, or were executed by the Khmer Rouge, which dismantled modern Cambodian society in its effort to forge a radical agrarian utopia in what became one of the 20th century's worst atrocities.

CLOCK TICKING

All of the former Khmer Rouge leaders in custody are elderly and ill, and there are fears they could die before being put in the dock.

Cambodia's genocide tribunal was convened in 2006 after nearly a decade of fractious talks between the government and UN.

But it has been badly hampered by delays amid infighting among judges as well as attempts by the Cambodian Bar Association to assert its authority over foreign defense lawyers.

The conflict over Koppe arose last week when the bar refused to admit him after he signed a motion seeking the dismissal of one of the pre-trial chamber judges, Ney Thol.

In his motion, Koppe accused Ney Thol, president of Cambodia's military court, of being "neither independent nor impartial."

Bar officials said Koppe had signed the court documents before they swore him in, violating the rule that foreign lawyers wishing to represent tribunal defendants must be accepted by them before conducting court business.

Baker recounts awe-inspiring visit to Cambodia's Angkor Wat

World traveler Stanley Baker's talk on Angkor Wat attracted a full house last Wednesday. Photo: Martin C. Barry

westmountexaminer.com

By Martin C. Barry
Article online since February 4th 2008

Stanley Baker has visited some of the most famous spots in the world, including Stonehenge in England, the Pyramids of Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Tikal in Guatemala.

However, none proved more inspiring than the long-forgotten medieval Cambodian city of Angkor Wat. Baker, who is semi-retired from a career as an international trader, had ample opportunity over the years to travel the globe extensively.

Based on a trip he took to Indochina nine years ago, he recounted the experience during a talk he delivered in the Westmount Room of the public library last Wednesday, attracting a room full of residents with a shared interest in travel. His presentation also included a video of footage he recorded on his voyage, showing the architecture, fine carvings, markets and way of life.

Angkor Wat, which covers one square mile, is considered the most impressive religious edifice in the world. It was the largest city by size and population of the Khmer empire during its heyday between the years 800 and 1410. Angkor Wat was built by thousands of slaves, with Khmer kings trying to outdo each other.

The planning was elaborate, with canals for peasants' rice fields and scores of schools and hospitals. Although it withstood a Thai attack in 1431, over-population, deforestation and sediment from canals contributed to the city's collapse. It was abandoned completely in the 1500s when the Cambodian capital moved to Pnom Penh.

At that point, the jungle took over, with tigers, panthers, monkeys and snakes. In the following centuries, reports of this lost city were treated with skepticism. In the late 19th century, an adventurous American named Frank Vincent rediscovered Angkor Wat and it was back on the world map.

The enormous impact the Buddhist faith has had on Cambodian society is made clear through the country's present-day motto: 'Nation, Religion, King.' While Cambodia went through a notoriously brutal period in the 1970s and 1980s under the regime of the communist Khmer Rouge, Angkor Wat has gone on to be designated a World Heritage Centre and is undergoing restoration.

Today, however, Baker added, the countries of Indochina remain nominally communist, while adapting to the reality of capitalism. At the same time, religion is not being suppressed as it was under the communist system of the former Soviet Union, but is treated as an important part in people's lives. Thailand, another nearby country Baker visited, has recently been having its own problems.

There was a military coup there in 2006 and it also has economically-booming Asia's slowest growing economy. In recent elections, the deposed Thai premier's party received the most votes, "but if he returns from exile he faces arrest for corruption," said Baker. "His wife, who is also being charged, has said he will return to dispute the charges."

Local impact in Cambodia

David Cooper, Chris Durant, Hilary James, Heidi Hindmarsh and Claire Durant in Cambodia.

victorharbor
05 February 2008
By AMIE BROKENSHIRE

VICTOR HARBOR - In starting the new year, Victor Harbor locals Hilary James, Chris Durant and Claire Durant, can be satisfied knowing that they have been able to make a difference in the lives of many Cambodian people.

Last November, together with Hilary's son David (also of Victor Harbor) and daughter Heidi (of Woodcroft), the three women spent 16 days doing missionary work in Cambodia.

Hilary has already visited Cambodia twice before and was instrumental in raising $20,000 to build a church and an orphanage there.

But for the others, who had never been to the impoverished country before, it was an eye opening experience.

On their first afternoon, the group was taken to a smelly rubbish dump to initiate them on exactly what it is like in Cambodia and how the people live.

They would carry medical packs with them wherever they went and tend to people who had injuries, cuts, sores and infections.

"Everywhere we went we were cleaning up infections and sores, and we would suss out who needed to go to hospital," Hilary said.

Claire's main task was teaching English to a small class aged between 13 and 21, which she said was challenging but also very rewarding.

She couldn't believe that it only costs $1 a month for them to learn English, which for Australians seems like a drop in the ocean but for them is quite a significant amount.

"It was hot and you just sweat, it's hard trying to teach to them and make them understand and then having to understand them," she said.

David's forte was the medical side of things, he is a volunteer with SA Ambulance at Goolwa, and he was always patching people up, tending to broken bones and assessing horrible infections, hence he was quickly given the name Dr Dave.

Hilary's daughter Heidi just loved looking after the little babies and always had a baby in her arms.

A memorable moment for the group was when they met a little girl who badly needed to go to hospital but had no money.

They were able to use some of the money they had raised to send her to hospital and her life was saved, had she been left for only a couple more days she would have died.

"To think that about $10 saved a life, that really struck us, these things are just so rewarding," Chris said.

"It's so cheap to save a life there," Hilary said.

"And yet it's so expensive for them," Chris added.

The community raised $6000, which the group took over to spend on the people in Cambodia and they said it really did go a long way.

They would like to thank everyone on the Fleurieu Peninsula who donated time, money or items to the cause and are pleased to be able to tell you that your contribution did make a difference.

The three women are now on a mission to continue raising money for Cambodia and the next garage sale will be held on February 9.

Hilary's next project is to raise enough money for 600 cakes of medicated soap for children in a village north of Phnom Penh who have scabies.

She also plans to start up her own foundation so donations can be tax deductible, for more information contact Hilary on 8552 5532.

Khmer Rouge Victims Participate In 'Historic Day'

scoop.co.nz
Tuesday, 5 February 2008,
Release: United Nations

Khmer Rouge victims participate in 'historic day' at UN-backed tribunal
4 February 2008 - Cambodians who suffered under the rule of the Khmer Rouge participated for the first time today in the United Nations-backed tribunal trying the movement's leaders.

Their participation, through their lawyers, was described by the tribunal's Victims Unit as "a historical day in international criminal law."

"To date, no international or hybrid tribunal mandated to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide has involved victims as civil parties, giving them full procedural rights," the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) Victims Unit said.

Under the tribunal's rules, victims of crimes committed under the rule of the Khmer Rouge can play an active role in the court's proceedings as civil parties, with rights including participation in investigations, representation by a lawyer, the ability to call witnesses and question the accused, and to claim reparations for the harm they suffered.

Today's hearing on the appeal by former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea (aka Brother Number Two) against his provisional detention was adjourned in response to a request by a defence lawyer. A decision on the date of its resumption will be announced on 6 February.

Nuon Chea faces charges of having planned and ordered the murder, torture and enslavement of civilians in the late 1970s.

Under an agreement signed by the UN and Cambodia, the ECCC was set up as an independent court using a mixture of Cambodian staff and judges and foreign personnel. It is designated to try those deemed most responsible for crimes and serious violations of Cambodian and international law between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979.

Detained former Khmer Rouge leader hospitalised

gulfnews.com
Agencies
February 05, 2008

Phnom Penh: One of the five former Khmer Rouge leaders being held for trial by Cambodia's UN-backed genocide tribunal has been hospitalised for the treatment of a urinary tract problem, officials said on Tuesday.

Leng Sary, former Khmer Rouge foreign minister, was rushed from his detention cell at the tribunal to a hospital Monday after urinating blood, his lawyer said. It was the second time in the past 10 days that the 82-year-old Sary, who has a history of heart trouble, has been taken to a hospital, said tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath.

"We try our best to take care of all the defendants without thinking about the costs ... so that they remain healthy to confront the law," Reach Sambath said.

Sary was taken to hospital just hours after another former Khmer Rouge leader demanded "international standards" of justice and asked for release on bail in his first appearance before the tribunal on Monday.

Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's former ideological leader, has been detained since September 19 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Banker: Trust in Finance Growing

By Sok Khemara,
VOA Khmer Washington
04 February 2008

Many Cambodians still misunderstand the benefits of banking and finance, preferring the dollar to the riel and avoiding savings accounts to their detriment, a bank official said Monday.

Channy Ung, director of Acleda Bank, the third largest in bank in Cambodia, said that putting just a little money in the country’s banks would increase their ability to distribute credit. At the same time, people would earn interest, he said, something they cannot get from money stashed at home.

The Khmer Rouge abolished banks and money, in an era that saw several regime and currency changes, leading to a deep-rooted distrust of banks.

But a large increase in the number of people making deposits meant trust was returning, Channy Ung said, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

About 90 percent of the money deposited in 2007 was in US dollars, however, he said, showing that people still did not trust the national currency.

The riel had not lost its value, he said, and inflation has been steady for a long time. But the national bank still does not require the sole use of the riel.

Channy Ung said the banks existed as a place for financial safety, which could include freezing assets of criminals at the behest of the national bank and courts.

“But so far there is no money freezing against any company without reason and without proper authorization from the Central Bank,” he said.

US Group: Tribunal Needs Adviser

By Sok Khemara,
VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
04 February 2008

Audio in Khmer - Listen (MP3)

A US-based monitor said Saturday donors need to pressure the Khmer Rouge tribunal to select an independent adviser to ensure the trials of former regime leaders meet international standards.

The Open Society Justice Initiative, which has rankled officials in the past with accusations of corruption within the courts, made its recommendation as US officials weigh whether to give direct funding to the tribunal.

Robert Varenik, acting excecutive director of OSJI, told VOA Khmer from New York that the tribunal, known officially as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, needed funding, but that funding should have conditions.

“States should insist that the United Nations and the Cambodian government appoint an independent special adviser to help address the ECCC’s administrative and operational problems, and demand an investigation into long-standing corruption allegations, which, if left unchecked, could undermine the possibility for fair trials,” Varenik said.

Critics worry the tribunal will run out of money before it is able to try all the leaders who stand accused of atrocity crimes, but UN spokesman Farhan Haq told VOA Khmer recently the tribunal should have enough funds to continue.

“The Extraordinary Chambers need more money if they are to fulfill their historic task of trying Khmer Rouge leaders fairly,” Varenik said. “But the ECCC can achieve this only if the institution as a whole operates transparently.”

US officials have denied pushing for an advisory role in exchange for tribunal funding.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Scot Marciel said on a recent visit that an adviser would make it easier for the US to offer funding, but was not a requirement.

Trafficking Task Forces Debated

By Pich Samnang,
VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
04 February 2008

Audio in Khmer - Listen (MP3)

While trafficking in persons, especially women and children, remains a big challenge facing Cambodia today, authorities and other agencies are debating whether the addition of a new task force to combat the crime is working.

The National Task Force was created last year, together with a senior task force led by the Ministry of Interior, in a bid to prevent the human trafficking, protect the victims and prosecute traffickers.

Ten Borano, deputy director of the Interior Ministry’s Anti-Trafficking Department, told a training seminar in Phnom Penh recently that the two task forces are involved from top national officials to local authorities.

The trafficking problem has been reduced as a result, he said.

Bith Kimhong, director of the ministry’s Anti-Trafficking Department, said the setup of the task forces is crucial in fighting human trafficking.

“The creation of the mechanism involving levels from the top to the bottom is essential for police, as well as local authorities, to prevent and crack down on human trafficking because, as [Deputy Prime Minister] Sar Kheng instructed, there has to be a leading force at not just district but commune level.”

“I think the problem of human trafficking takes root with locals,” he said. “If the local authorities can create their own task force, that’s really good. At least they can understand what human trafficking is.”

However, Adhoc President Thun Saray, said the creation of the additional task forces is unnecessary and serves mainly to expose the inability of the existing authority.

“The most important thing to do is to strengthen the existing authority,” Thun Saray, “If it can’t be strengthened, we have to find out why its performance is ineffective.”

Regarding the creation of the new task forces to fight human trafficking, Marielle Sander Lindstrom, who heads a counter-trafficking program at the Asia Foundation, said she believes the task forces will make improvements.

“One of the problems up until now has been that many agency organizations have not been working together,” she said. “They’ve not followed the same agenda; everyone has had their own project to implement. Now that we have a national task force that’s led by the government, in collaboration with the NGOs, we have a much, much better chance of having a coordinated action that would translate into more effective protection for victims.”

In addition to the setup of the task forces, Cambodia has also just created a new law on the human trafficking.

The new law, which consists of nine chapters divided into 52 articles, recognizes all forms of trafficking, including forced begging.

Lawyer Liv Sovanna, from the Khmer Lawyer Office, said the new law is better than the old one but added that a good law alone is insufficient without widespread implementation.

“The newly approved law is good, but the mechanism of its implementation is vital,” Liv Sovanna said. “So there must be participation of all organizations involved as well as of the people themselves to ensure that the problem of human trafficking in Cambodia can be solved.”
The new law still needs the King’s ratification, which is expected soon.

Although no accurate and reliable figure is available, a remarkable number of Cambodian women, men and children become victims of human trafficking. The victims, most of them women and children, are sent to neighboring countries such as Thailand and Malaysia for sexual exploitation or into forced labor in factories or as domestic servants. Some children are forced into begging rings. Meanwhile, male victims are trafficked for forced labor in fishing or construction.

Some 30,000 Cambodians were deported from Thailand over the past two years for illegal entry into the country. Most of them were victims of sex trafficking, according to the Thai Department of Immigration.

Most victims of the human trafficking are from poor rural areas where their communities understand very little about the true intention of traffickers, who use various methods to acquire victims. In many cases, they lure the victims by promising them high-paying jobs in other countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Korea or Taiwan.

Sometimes acquaintances, friends or even family members sell the victims or are paid by traffickers for help in deceit.

You Ay, secretary of state for the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, said traffickers use different ways to get the victims.

“There is another form of trafficking: fake marriages, which happen a lot. Another form is a request for child adoption,” she said.

Those trafficked for sexual purposes in particular face the risk of contracting disease like HIV and AIDS.

According to UN estimates, more than 5 million people were living with HIV in the Asia Pacific region in 2006, with 140, 000 to 610,000 dying from AIDS-related illnesses.

In Cambodia, a lack of information, low education and the lack of family income are seen as the most common reasons why Cambodians are so vulnerable to physical and sexual exploitation.
You Ay, who is also the head of the National Task Force To Fight Human Trafficking, said the government is trying to raise awareness of the issue so that the people do not fall prey to human trafficking.

“We see that a huge number of the people are well aware of the problem,” she said. “For emergencies, we have a telephone hotline. But we’ve noticed that some people are still being cheated, so the Royal Government is striving for safe migration for them, no matter where they go. Thus, everyone, including the media, has to get involved, to make sure our people can no longer be cheated.”

Lawyer Glitch Postpones Nuon Chea Hearing

By Heng Reaksmey,
VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
04 February 2008

Audio in Khmer - Listen (MP3)

Jailed Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea successfully argued for the delay of the first tribunal hearing against him Monday, convincing judges he did not have a foreign lawyer legally qualified to represent him.

“May I respect the ECCC,” Nuon Chea said, addressing the tribunal by its official acronym, for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. “I am Nuon Chea, a defendant. My opinion is that, why is there a hearing today, when I only have one Cambodian co-lawyer, not in line with international standards? Therefore, I think that there is no justice. I need to have two lawyers, according to the law of this court. If there is only one Cambodian lawyer, and there is no foreign lawyer, [he] cannot defend me at this time. I ask the court to postpone.”

The judges agreed, along with other court jurists and outside observers.

Dutch lawyer Victor Koppe has not been admitted to the Cambodian bar, making him ineligible under tribunal regulations, which requires a defense team of at least one Cambodian and foreign lawyer.

Koppe violated the rules of the courts when he petitioned for the removal of a tribunal judge ahead of the hearing, without having been sworn in by the Cambodian Bar Association, the Associated Press reported.

Pre-trial co-prosecutor Chea Leang said the postponement decision was “very appropriate,” adding that the prosecutors “respect the rights of the accused, as stated in the law.”

No new hearing date was set, but pre-trial judge Prak Kimsan said he would expect communication from Nuon Chea’s primary foreign defense attorney, Michiel Pestman, who has not yet arrived in Cambodia.

“Please, guards, take the defendant to the detention center,” Prak Kimsan ordered after the decision.

Prior to the hearing, victims of the Khmer Rouge regime gathered outside the tribunal facilities, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Um Pum, 77, from Kampong Speu province, said the delay would not change the ultimate outcome of Nuon Chea’s trial.

“Go ahead with the procedure,” said Um Pum, who lost 16 family members to the regime.

“When he can find a lawyer, even 20 of them, he will still be sentenced. His lawyers cannot defend him.”

Cambodian PM to join swearing-in ceremony of elected S Korean president

www.chinaview.cn
2008-02-04

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday that he will lead a senior delegation to join the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected South Korean President Lee Myung Bak.

"I will lead a senior Cambodian delegation to join the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected South Korean president on February 24," he told a school inauguration ceremony in Kampong Speu province.

I will take the chance to ask for more aid from the South Korean side for our country, he was quoted by national television as saying.

"The newly elected president is my former economic advisor," said Hun Sen, adding that he will invite him to visit Phnom Penh soon.

South Korea surpassed China in 2006 to become the largest investing country for Cambodia.

Editor: Du Guodong

Overseas Vietnamese meet for Tet celebrations

VietnamNet
05/02/2008

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Chien Thang on February 4 paid a Tet visit to overseas Vietnamese in Dangcao district in Phnom Penh city.

Earlier, on Feb. 3, the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh organised a get-together to welcome the nation’s biggest traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival in the presence of overseas Vietnamese and local officials.

On the same day, thousands of overseas Vietnamese in Germany gathered at a meeting that was held in Magdeburg city of Germany’s Sachsen Anhalt State on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

Addressing the get-together, Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Duc Mau spoke highly of the activities of the Overseas Vietnamese Association and other associations in the State in teaching native language for young Vietnamese generations and helping them to understand the nation’s traditions and cultural values.

Also on the day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Panama hosted a meeting for the embassy staff, overseas Vietnamese, Vietnamese students and workers for the same purpose.

On Feb. 2, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands organised a meeting for the embassy staff and overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese students in the country to celebrate Tet.

Vietnamese Ambassador Ha Huy Thong took the occasion to hand over the certificates of merit of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry of three Vietnamese in the Netherlands for their contributions to the homeland over the past year.

(Source: VNA)

Local native takes command

Capt. Brent Canady assumes command of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a change of command ceremony. Essex change of command happened just prior to the kick-off for Super Bowl XLII. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.(Navy photo by Mass Comm. Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez)

Monday, February 4, 2008
By MCC(SW/AW) Ty Swartz, USS Essex Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea -- Capt. Kerry Brent Canady relieved Capt. Brian T. Donegan today as commanding officer of the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, USS Essex (LHD 2).

The change-of-command ceremony took place in the ship's hangar bay right before the live broadcast of the Super Bowl. It was already Monday at the ship's location.

Prior to turning over command to Canady, Donegan told the crew it was a privilege for him to have been part of the Essex winning team.

"If you have to pick a day that is significant, a day that is symbolic, I think today is the day.

Today is the day in the minds of Americans that we identify champions. I believe that you are and have proven over and over again that you are champions; you are a championship team," said Donegan.

"Throughout the area of responsibility you have earned a reputation that is significant and enduring. You've earned a reputation through your actions and have displayed the attributes of a championship team. Like true champions you set the standards while others try to meet your standards; few succeed and that's the hallmark of champions," he added. "And you've done that in every single endeavor across the spectrum. On one hand you excel and set the standard for promoting peace and strategic partnership throughout the Pacific and on the other hand you have set the standard for preparing for combat."

Donegan assumed command of Essex in August 2006. Under his leadership, the ship participated in numerous joint and multi-national amphibious exercises in the Pacific area of operations, which included the second visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia by a U.S. Navy vessel in more than 30 years.

Canady reported to Essex as executive officer in August 2006. This is his first tour as a commanding officer of a naval vessel.

"Today it is truly my honor and privilege to become the commanding officer of this great warship," Canady told the crew after assuming command.

He thanked Donegan for his leadership and guidance over the past 18 months and for providing a perfect situation for an aviator "fleeting up" to command.

A native of Shelbyville, Canady graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Economics.

Designated as a naval aviator in April 1986, Canady's tours have included three other ships including USS Coral Sea (CV 43), USS Nashville (LPD 13), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), as well as serving in numerous Helicopter Anti-submarine (HS) squadrons and commanding the Dragonslayers of HS-11 from 2001 to 2002.

Canady's decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, with two bronze oak leaf clusters, signifying two awards, the Air Medal, two awards, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, seven awards.

Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for Commander, Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. Essex Expeditionary Strike Group includes the transport dock ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), and the dock landing ship USS Juneau (LPD 10), both forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan.

Essex departed Sasebo, Japan on Jan. 24 for its spring patrol throughout the Western Pacific region.
During spring patrol Essex will participate in a series of bilateral maritime training exercises designed to build relationships and enhance operational readiness of partner Asian-Pacific nations. Essex will continue to make a positive difference in the Western Pacific through continued friendship building engagements, while remaining a vigilant force for security, stability and prosperity.

Chinese State Councilor visits former Cambodian King

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan visited former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk on Monday, before the upcoming Chinese lunar new year.(Xinhua Photo)

www.chinaview.cn
2008-02-04

BEIJING, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan visited former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk on Monday, before the upcoming Chinese lunar new year.

Tang conveyed the new year greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, and praised Sihanouk's historic contributions to promoting China-Cambodia friendship.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and is a Year of China-Cambodia Friendship. China was ready to work with Cambodia to grasp this opportunity to advance the all-round cooperative partnership, and to pass on the traditional friendship from generation to generation," Tang said.

Sihanouk said Cambodia would as always hold friendly policies to China and adhere to one-China policy, and would make efforts to cement and promote the traditional good-neighborly friendship with China.

Sihanouk has made donations to China for disasters relief in snow stricken areas, and Tang expressed thanks for it.

Sihanouk told Tang he believed the Chinese people would definitely win the fight against the heavy snow.

Former Khmer Rouge foreign minister, detained for trial, taken to hospital

AP - Tuesday, February 5

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Ieng Sary, the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister detained for trial by Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal, has been hospitalized for a urinary tract problem, his lawyer said Monday

The lawyer, Ang Udom, said 78-year-old Ieng Sary was rushed to Calmette Hospital _ widely considered Cambodia's best medical facility _ after urinating blood.

Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath confirmed that Ieng Sary, who has a history of heart trouble, was being treated in a hospital. The spokesman declined to discuss any details.

Ex Khmer Rouge Leader Calls "International Standards" of Justice

By KER MUNTHIT/AP WRITER/PHNOM PENH
Monday, February 4, 2008

A former Khmer Rouge leader demanded "international standards" of justice in his first appearance before Cambodia's UN-backed genocide tribunal Monday, but the hearing on his appeal for bail was adjourned after his lawyer asked for a delay.

Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's former ideologist, has been detained since September 19 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his involvement in the group's brutal 1975-79 rule, which caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people.

Nuon Chea's Cambodian lawyer, Son Arun, asked the court to postpone the hearing so a foreign lawyer could join him in appealing for his client to be released from pre-trial detention, claiming the tribunal's investigating judges did not have sufficient grounds to detain him.

Dressed in a long-sleeved, checkered gray shirt, the 81-year-old Nuon Chea stood up to address the judges. He demanded "international standard" treatment of his case, saying it would be unfair to him if the proceeding went ahead without the full participation of both his Cambodian and foreign lawyers.

He said his Cambodian lawyer alone could not adequately make his appeal.

"I need to have two lawyers according to the law of this tribunal," Nuon Chea said, appearing firm and composed.

Prak Kimsan, head of the five-judge panel, adjourned the hearing and gave the defense until Wednesday to explain how much time they needed.

The judges took into account Nuon Chea's "basic right" to have Cambodian and foreign lawyers in deciding to postpone the hearing, Prak Kimsan said, ordering security personnel to take the defendant back to his cell.

Robert Petit, a co-prosecutor of the tribunal, said the adjournment was "regrettable," but that it would not have any impact on the investigation or change the fact that "Nuon Chea stays where he is at"—behind bars pending trial.

Nuon Chea's Dutch lawyer, Michiel Pestman, was absent, with his countryman, Victor Koppe, standing in for him.

Koppe attended the hearing but did not have the right to speak during the proceedings. Cambodia's bar association last week refused to swear him in because he had breached its rules by acting as a defense lawyer before taking an oath.

Nuon Chea is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders detained by the tribunal, which is expected to hold trial later this year. He is the second former Khmer Rouge leader to appear before the judges.

In a detention order last year, the tribunal charged Nuon Chea with involvement in crimes including "murder, torture, imprisonment, persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer, enslavement and other inhumane acts."

The tribunal says detention is necessary to prevent him from pressuring witnesses, destroying evidence and escaping. The judges said Nuon Chea's own safety could also be at risk if he was released.

Nuon Chea has denied any guilt, saying he is not a "cruel" man. He has also called himself "a patriot and not a coward" trying to run away.

"He deserves to be locked up because of his sin. His revolution killed so many people like animals," said Sok Suor, 68, who was among 400 people attending the hearing. She said her husband was executed and her son died from illness under Khmer Rouge rule.

In December, the pretrial chamber judges ruled against a similar appeal for release by Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison and torture center.

Nuon Chea's appearance at court hearing

Judges and court officers with the U.N.-backed genocide tribunal attend during a hearing Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. A Cambodian court adjourned a hearing Monday over former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea's appeal against his detention by Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal tasked with seeking justice in the communist movement's atrocities in late 1970s. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, POOL)

Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right hand man of the Khmer Rouge regime, sits in a dock during his first public appearance at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) in the outskirts of Phnom Penh February 4, 2008. Cambodia's U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal adjourned a bail hearing on Monday for "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea after his Dutch defense lawyer failed to show up. An estimated 1.7 million people were executed or died of torture, disease or starvation under Pol Pot's 1975-79 reign.REUTERS/Heng Sinith/Pool (CAMBODIA)

Chum Mey, left, one of the few survivors who was imprisoned at Tuol Sleng prison by the Khmer Rouge looks on prior to a U.N.-back genocide tribunal Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for Nuon Chea. Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right hand man in the Khmer Rouge, was to attend a hearing on his detention.(AP Photo/David Longstreath)

Cambodian woman Sok Soul, 68, front, and others wait in line to attend a U.N.-back genocide tribunal Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea. Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right hand man, was arrested for crimes against humanity in 2007 and has been in detention ever since.(AP Photo/David Longstreath)

Cambodian police look on during a U.N.-back genocide tribunal hearing for former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.(AP Photo/David Longstreath)

A vehicle transports former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea to a hearing Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at the U.N.-back genocide tribunal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was the first time since being arrested on charges of crimes against humanity that Nuon Chea has faced the tribunal.(AP Photo/David Longstreath)

Cambodian police and soldiers look on outside during a hearing at the U.N.-back genocide tribunal Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea.(AP Photo/David Longstreath

Noun Chea, left, a former Khmer Rouge leader and right hand man to Pol Pot, takes a seat during a hearing Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at the U.N.-back genocide tribunal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Cambodian court adjourned a hearing Monday over former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea's appeal against his detention by Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal tasked with seeking justice in the communist movement's atrocities in late 1970s.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith, POOL)

Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right hand man of the Khmer Rouge regime, sits in the dock during his first public appearance at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh February 4, 2008. Noun Chea stood before the U.N.-backed "Killing Fields" tribunal on Monday in the second public appearance by a senior Pol Pot cadre. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea's (C) first public hearing before Cambodia's genocide tribunal was postponed Monday amid a row over his legal team, court judges said(AFP/Pool/Tang Chhin Sothy)

KRouge's leader's detention hearing postponed

Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea's (C) first public hearing before Cambodia's genocide tribunal was postponed Monday amid a row over his legal team, court judges said(AFP/Pool/Tang Chhin Sothy)

by Suy Se Mon Feb 4

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodia's genocide tribunal postponed Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea's first public court hearing Monday amid a row over his legal team, raising concerns for further delays to the UN-backed proceedings.

The tribunal was scheduled to hear an appeal against Nuon Chea's pre-trial detention.
But a key member of his defence, Dutch attorney Victor Koppe, has yet to be admitted to Cambodia's Bar Association, a requirement for foreign lawyers wishing to represent tribunal defendants.

"The pre-trial chamber decided to adjourn the hearing to a later date and ordered the lawyers of the charged person to submit a written report about the presence of the international lawyer," the judges said.

Nuon Chea, the senior-most of the five Khmer Rouge cadres to be arrested so far, argued earlier in the day that going ahead without Koppe would violate international standards of justice.

"It is not consistent with international standards. I believe that if these proceedings go ahead, it is not fair to me," the 81-year-old regime ideologue told tribunal judges.

Nuon Chea, who was Khmer Rouge supreme leader Pol Pot's closest deputy and the alleged architect of the regime's devastating execution policies during its 1975-1979 rule, was arrested in September and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

No new date has been set for his appeal, the judges said.

"It's regrettable that it's been postponed," said co-prosecutor Robert Petit.

"Any delay in this court is regrettable. Any delay in getting at the truth in this matter and justice for the victims is regrettable," he added.

Had the hearing been held, it would have marked only the second public hearing since the tribunal was convened 18 months ago.

"The delay does not satisfy us," said Cambodian villager Huy Chhum, one of the hundreds of spectators who gathered in the tribunal's main courtroom to watch the hearing.

"So many delays will make villagers lose faith in the court and then it is meaningless," said the 75-year-old whose wife, brother and son perished under the regime.

Up to two million people died of starvation and overwork, or were executed by the Khmer Rouge, which dismantled modern Cambodian society in its effort to forge a radical agrarian utopia.

Cities were emptied, their populations exiled onto vast collective farms, while schools were closed, religion banned and the educated classes targeted for extermination in one of the 20th century's worst atrocities.

All of the former Khmer Rouge leaders currently in custody are elderly and ill, and there are fears they could die before being put in the dock.

Cambodia's genocide tribunal was convened in 2006 after nearly a decade of fractious talks between the government and United Nations.

But it has been badly hampered by delays amid infighting among foreign and Cambodian judges as well as attempts by the Cambodian Bar Association to assert its authority over foreign defence lawyers.

The conflict over Koppe arose last week when the Bar refused to admit him after he signed a court motion seeking the dismissal of one of the pre-trial chamber judges, Ney Thol.

In his motion, Koppe accused Ney Thol, who is president of Cambodia's military court, of being "neither independent nor impartial."

Bar officials said Koppe had signed the court documents before they swore him in, violating the rule that foreign lawyers wishing to represent tribunal defendants must be accepted by them before conducting court business.

Koppe said following the adjournment that he felt that there was "a relation between the motion for (Ney Thol's) disqualification and the sudden stopping of the swearing-in ceremony."

Khmer Rouge 'Brother No 2' in court

Nuon Chea, former deputy leader of the Khmer Rouge, is appealing against his detention [AFP]

Born in 1923, Nuon Chea is the most senior surviving Khmer Rouge leader
Served as deputy to Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot, and was group's top ideologue for more than 30 years.
Played a key role in carrying out Khmer Rouge plan to relocate millions of Cambodians to vast collective farms, which later became the notorious "killing fields"
Arrested in September 2007, at his home in Pailin near the Thai border
Facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2008
Al Jazeera English

The most senior surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge leader has appeared for the first time before a United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia.

Monday's court appearance by Nuon Chea, the so-called "Brother Number Two" of the Khmer Rouge, was to have heard an appeal against his detention a request for bail.

But a dispute over the 81-year-old's legal team and the accreditation of two Dutch defence lawyers meant the tribunal adjourned the hearing to an unspecified later date.

"Why are we having the hearing today since I have only one Cambodian lawyer," Nuon Chea asked the panel of judges, adding that the situation was "not consistent with international standards".

"If the hearing goes ahead, I don't believe it will be fair to me," he said.

A key member of Nuon Chea's defence, Dutch attorney Victor Koppe, has yet to be admitted to Cambodia's Bar Association, a requirement for foreign lawyers wishing to represent tribunal defendants.

No new date has been set for his appeal, raising fears of yet further delays to the tribunal process more than a quarter of a century after the Khmer Rouge were forced from power.

"It's regrettable that it's been postponed," co-prosecutor Robert Petit told AFP.

"Any delay in this court is regrettable. Any delay in getting at the truth in this matter and justice for the victims is regrettable," he added.

Arrest

The former deputy to Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot - who died in 1998 – Nuon Chea was arrested last September and faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

He is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders awaiting trial, expected to start later this year.

Nuon Chea is the second Khmer Rouge senior official to appeal his detention, following a similar move by Kang Kek Iew, also known as Duch, who headed the group's notorious Tuol Sleng prison and interrogation centre.

Duch's appeal was rejected by the court, which said he could attempt to flee the country or interfere with witnesses if he was freed.

Speaking before Monday's court appearance, Son Arun, Nuon Chea's lawyer, said his client "feels an absence of freedom in his detention, where all he does is eat and sleep".

However, the panel of Cambodian and international investigating judges has said it sees Nuon Chea's continued detention as necessary to prevent him from pressuring witnesses or destroying evidence, as well as for his own safety.

The former Khmer Rouge second-in-command is accused of playing a key role in the deaths of some 1.7 million people during the group's 1975-79 rule.

During that period, the Khmer Rouge emptied Cambodia's cities, exiling millions to rural areas in a bid to forge an agrarian utopia, outlawing schools, religion and currency.

The tribunal, convened in 2006, has charged Nuon Chea with "murder, torture, imprisonment, persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer, enslavement and other inhumane acts".

The tribunal is expected to hear documentary evidence that Nuon Chea personally ordered the murder of 14,000 people held at the Tuol Sleng prison, a former Phnom Penh high school.

Nuon Chea surrendered to the Cambodian government in 1998 after the final remnants of the Khmer Rouge collapsed in 1998 and he was given a formal pardon.

In an apology of sorts after the surrender he told reporters: "Naturally, we are sorry, not only for the lives of the people, but also for the animals. They all died because we wanted to win the war."

Cambodian government postpones meeting for officials to celebrate Spring Festival

Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2008

Government meeting scheduled during the Chinese Spring Festival is postponed to spare time for some officials to join the season celebration, Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday.

"The secretariat of our government has to inform the officials about the postponement, because some of them are relatives of Cambodian-Chinese families and they have to join celebration of the Spring Festival," Hun Sen told a school inauguration ceremony in Kampong Speu province.

However, all the Cambodian-Chinese citizens shouldn't drink too much during the festival, he joked and the attendees laughed.

"During this year's Spring Festival, we don't worry about bird flu like the previous years, because our officials have worked well in containing it and educating people about its hazard," he was quoted by national television as saying.

Chinese Spring Festival isn't official holiday in Cambodia, but some government officials take break during the season and students enjoy free time in most towns.

Cambodian-Chinese people account for around 5 percent of the kingdom's total 14 million strong population.

Former Khmer Rouge leader appears before UN genocide tribunal

The Associated Press
February 4, 2008

Former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea demanded "international standards" of justice in his first appearance before Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal Monday, but the hearing was adjourned after his defense lawyer asked for a delay.

Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's former ideologist, has been detained since Sept. 19 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his involvement in the group's brutal 1975-79 rule, which caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people.

Nuon Chea's Cambodian lawyer, Son Arun, asked the court to postpone the hearing so a foreign lawyer could join him in appealing for his client to be released on bail, claiming the tribunal's investigating judges did not have sufficient grounds to detain him.

Dressed in a long-sleeved, checkered gray shirt, the 81-year-old Nuon Chea stood up to address the judges. He demanded "international standard" treatment of his case, saying it would be unfair to him if the proceeding went ahead without the full participation of both his Cambodian and foreign lawyers.

He said his Cambodian lawyer alone could not adequately defend his appeal.

"I need to have two lawyers according to the law of this tribunal," Nuon Chea said, appearing firm and composed.

Prak Kimsan, head of the five-judge panel, adjourned the hearing and gave the defense until Wednesday to explain how much time they needed.

The judges took into account Nuon Chea's "basic right" to have Cambodian and foreign lawyers in deciding to postpone the hearing, Prak Kimsan said, ordering security personnel to take the defendant back to his cell.

Robert Petit, a co-prosecutor of the tribunal, said the adjournment was "regrettable," but that it would not have any impact on the investigation or change the fact that "Nuon Chea stays where he is at" — behind bars pending trial.

Nuon Chea's Dutch lawyer, Michiel Pestman, was absent and substituted by his fellow countryman, Victor Koppe.

Koppe attended the hearing but did not have the right to conduct any discussion during the proceedings. Cambodia's bar association last week refused to swear him in because he had breached its rules by acting as a defense lawyer before taking an oath.

Nuon Chea is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders detained by the tribunal, which is expected to hold trial later this year. He is the second former Khmer Rouge leader to appear before the judges.

In a detention order last year, the tribunal charged Nuon Chea with involvement in crimes including "murder, torture, imprisonment, persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer, enslavement and other inhumane acts."

The tribunal says detention is necessary to prevent him from pressuring witnesses, destroying evidence and escaping. The judges said Nuon Chea's own safety could also be at risk if he was released.

Nuon Chea has denied any guilt, saying he is not a "cruel" man. He has also called himself "a patriot and not a coward" trying to run away.

Son Arun said Sunday his client was requesting bail because he felt "an absence of freedom in his detention, where all he does is eat and sleep."

In December, the pretrial chamber judges ruled against a similar appeal for release by Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison.

Thousands of the movement's perceived enemies were tortured at the prison — now a genocide museum — before being executed at "killing fields" outside the capital, Phnom Penh.

Duch, who has been charged with crimes against humanity, implicated Nuon Chea in the atrocities.

Victims seek answers

Trial nears for Khmer Rouge leaders, 30 years after reign of terror that still haunts Cambodia

By Annie Linskey Sun reporter
February 4, 2008

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - The fears and profound losses still grip Chum Mei even now, three decades after the brutal Khmer Rouge regime terrorized him and millions of other Cambodians.
One of only 10 people known to have survived Toul Sleng prison, where 14,000 died, Chum recalls how the Khmer Rouge arrived in this city in April 1975.

Intent on abolishing religion and education, private property and money, the Communist militants ordered everyone to march into the countryside. Chum's infant son died for lack of medical attention on the trek.

Later, the Khmer Rouge would shoot and kill his wife and another son - they were among 1.7 million who died during four years. The fate of his two daughters remains a mystery.

Today, at 79, Chum still lives in Phnom Penh but won't say where exactly, worried that what's left of the Khmer Rouge might yet come looking for him. Such is the perceived power held by the group's surviving leaders, now elderly themselves and finally about to stand trial.

Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot died in 1998, but five former leaders of the regime are about to face an international tribunal that has been years in the planning by Cambodian officials and the United Nations. The most senior living leader, 82-year-old Nuon Chea, makes his first appearance in court today. Each defendant could be sentenced to life in prison.

Like many of the victims, Chum has tried unsuccessfully to forget the atrocities. It is answers, not revenge, he seeks from the trials.

"I just want the leaders to stand up and tell the truth," he said. "If they stand up and tell the truth, they can go free."

But as Cambodia begins a national dialogue about the Khmer Rouge, the truth is hard to find.
The regime did not simply disappear when it was swept from power by the Vietnamese army in 1979. Pol Pot and his men retreated to the jungle and fought unsuccessfully to regain power over the next 20 years.

Slowly, through defections and amnesty deals, the Cambodian government co-opted remaining Khmer Rouge forces, bringing many into the police and army. The arrangement encouraged an end to the conflict, but gave victims grounds for continued distrust of Cambodian authorities.

Over the years, most of the country chose an uneasy peace over eye-for-an-eye retribution.

Talking about the crimes became taboo, and schools barely deal with the topic. Many Cambodians know only of their family experiences, with little understanding of the breadth of the atrocities or who was responsible.

"There is a lot of confusion, but we need to go through this murky, dark period before we are given clarity," said Theary C. Seng, the director of a human rights organization here and a victim of the Khmer Rouge. "We are in the midst of a conversation. That is part of the process."
Pailin, a small, dusty province near the Thai border that is home to four of the five now-imprisoned Khmer Rouge leaders, is filled with people who know the truth.

The Cambodian government granted the Khmer Rouge administrative control over the town and surrounding land as part of an amnesty deal in 1996, and hundreds of former members still live here.

"These people who live here know a lot, but they will not talk," said Kong Duong, an information minister who was once the voice of Khmer Rouge radio. Most, he says, are afraid that public comments could help prosecutors build their case. Though the court is limited in its jurisdiction to the most senior regime leaders, second- and third-tier leaders say they worry that the court's reach could expand.

Former Khmer Rouge leaders gather for breakfast every morning at the Hans Meas hotel, slurping noodle soup and lingering over iced coffee. They are eager to talk about the secret American bombing campaign in Cambodia in the early 1970s. The daily terror of those bombs caused thousands of rural peasants to support the Khmer Rouge, and faulty bombs from that time still kill and maim Cambodians today.

But, when asked about the years between 1975 and 1979, most quickly leave the table.
Those who do talk about the past are guarded.

Thong Thon was a videographer for the Khmer Rouge, traveling the country making propaganda films. He is now a deputy governor in Ota Vao, a hamlet near Pailin.

At his home, a traditional Khmer house on stilts, he squatted on a bamboo daybed in the shade and painted a rosy picture of Pol Pot's reign.

During a time when hundreds of thousands of Cambodians were starving to death, he insists that the people were well fed. He saw no one who was unhappy, and no forced labor, he says.

He admits that he did not look for the truth.

"If I was assigned to go to the left, I went to the left," he said. "If I refused, I would be punished severely." He was part of the Khmer Rouge's second group of videographers - Pol Pot executed the first group, he says.

"They were foreign-trained, so they were not trusted," he said.

The leaders who are still alive do not deny the deaths, but neither do they accept responsibility, often blaming foreign influences.

Over a plate of steamed rice and roasted beef at one of Pailin's outdoor eateries, Lath Lina, a former Khmer Rouge guerrilla, explained his view of history - a perspective shared by many.

"The Khmer Rouge soldiers were uneducated," the 41-year-old Lina said. 'That made it very easy for outside people - the CIA and the KGB - to influence what happened." Later, he leaned close and in a conspiratorial voice said: "The Chinese know a lot."

The words are not supported by facts, but they demonstrate the delicate ground that the Khmer Rouge and their underlings occupy as the trials begin.

Cambodians' expectations of the tribunal vary. Some say they hope for financial reparations. (One man in Mondulkiri asked if the court could return the pair of elephants that the Khmer Rouge took from him.)

Others want the court to reach further and indict others from the regime. And some want foreign leaders who supplied the Khmer Rouge with guns to be held accountable.

According to an unscientific survey commissioned by the Documentation Center of Cambodia in 2002, 73 percent of the respondents said they wanted to learn the facts about the Khmer Rouge.

Chum Mei was working in Phnom Penh as a mechanic when the Khmer Rouge ordered the city to evacuate in 1975. Tears streak his face as he describes the forced march and the death of his infant son, who was suffering from diarrhea.

The regime targeted intellectuals - killing off the educated class that they believed had corrupted society.

Chum is not well educated and ended up back in the capital, recruited by soldiers to repair the sewing machines used to make uniforms.

In 1978, soldiers told him that he would be sent to Vietnam to repair sewing machines there. Instead, they took him to prison.

Toul Sleng was once a high school, and the compound includes four buildings where prisoners, including Chum, were tortured.

During a visit to the former prison, now preserved as a genocide museum, he described the 12 days of torture he endured there, pointing to various rooms.

In one, men administered electric shocks to his temples. He shows scars where a toenail was yanked out by an interrogator.

"The only question they asked was, 'Do you have any relationships with the CIA and KGB?'" he said. Succumbing to pain, Chum finally told the Khmer Rouge the lie they wanted to hear - that he was a spy.

"I put blame on other people," he said. "I didn't mean it. I just wanted the torture to stop."

He managed to slip away from his captors about the time the Vietnamese were liberating Phnom Penh. By then, his two daughters had disappeared - one taken into Pol Pot's army.

He briefly reunited with his wife and son after his escape, but as the family tried to find safety in the chaos of the crumbling regime, they were discovered by a group of roving Khmer Rouge soldiers. Chum heard the shots that killed his wife and son.

The regime was toppled before the Khmer Rouge could kill him.

Others claim to forget the horrors, but they are just trying to survive and move on, says Hisham Mousour, a human rights advocate who has recently organized hundreds of forums for victims around the country.

"If you lose a family member, it is not human to forget," he said. "But if you talk to a victim for an hour, he will start to cry.

"The victims may seem to forget, but they have not forgotten."

Freedom of Speech improved in Cambodia, report

ABC, Radio Australia
04/02/2008

A Cambodian local Human Rights organisation says that the freedom of speech and expressions in the Cambodian media environment was improved in 2007 compared to the previous years.

In its 2007 annual human rights report released last week, Adhoc says the media freedom situations in Cambodia has been improved and Cambodia now ranks 85 as compared to 108 in the previous years.

Raksmey Kampuchea Newsapers says Cambodia now has 22 radio stations and seven TV stations in operation.

Nevertheless, Adhoc says civil society organisations are not given enough air time to use the national radio station to dissiminate information on human rights violations in Cambodia.

Adhoc also says civil organisations promoting and campaigning for the improved human rights situations aren't permitted to use TV's and Radios at all to educate people about human rights understanding.

Meanwhile, a Paris based organisation, Reporters without Border says in 2007 it observed implementation of media freedom policy in Cambodia outperformed other South East Asian nations.

"Killing Fields" court adjourns bail hearing

Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right hand man of the Khmer Rouge regime, sits in the dock during his first public appearance at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh February 4, 2008. Noun Chea stood before the U.N.-backed "Killing Fields" tribunal on Monday in the second public appearance by a senior Pol Pot cadre. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Monday, February 04, 2008

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia's U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal adjourned a bail hearing on Monday for "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea after his Dutch lawyer failed to show up.

Making his first court appearance since being charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, the white-haired and toothless 82-year-old Nuon Chea, who was Pol Pot's right hand man, spoke only to ask that his request for bail be delayed.

"Why are we having the hearing today since I have only one Cambodian lawyer and it is not consistent with international standards?" he asked the courtroom packed with nearly 500 people and reporters.

"If the hearing goes ahead, I don't believe it will be fair to me," he said.

An estimated 1.7 million people were executed or died of torture, disease or starvation under Pol Pot's 1975-79 reign of terror as his dream of creating an agrarian peasant utopia descended into the nightmare of the "Killing Fields."

Nuon Chea is accused of playing a central role in the atrocities and has been implicated directly in the mass slaughter of regime opponents by Duch, head of Phnom Penh's S-21, or Tuol Sleng, interrogation and torture centre.

Duch who is also accused of atrocities, is expected to be a key witness at the long-awaited $56 million tribunal.

The court did not set a new date to hear Nuon Chea's request that he be released on bail for lack of evidence. He is unlikely to be freed.

(Reporting by Ek Madra; Editing by Ed Cropley)

Khmer Rouge second-in-command to request release on bail at ECCC hearing

PAPER CHASE NEWSBURST
Sunday, February 03, 2008

Eric Firkel

[JURIST] Former Khmer Rouge official Nuon Chea [GenocideWatch profile] will request release on bail when he appears in front of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) [official website; JURIST news archive] Monday for a pre-trial hearing relating to war crimes and crimes against humanity charges [statement, PDF], Nuon Chea's lawyers said Sunday. Nuon Chea, known as Brother Number Two in the Khmer Rouge [BBC backgrounder], was arrested and charged [JURIST report] in September and has since been held by the ECCC.

His family has expressed concern over his health and urged the tribunal to release him into their custody. Prosecutors have said that Nuon Chea's detention is necessary to prevent him from pressuring witnesses and destroying evidence. He has disputed [JURIST report] the charges against him.

The Khmer Rouge is generally held responsible for the genocide of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians [PPU backgrounder] between 1975 and 1979 during the communist movement led by Pol Pot [BBC profile], who died in 1998 having never been prosecuted for alleged war crimes. The ECCC was established by a 2001 law [text as amended 2005, PDF] to investigate and try surviving Khmer Rouge officials, but to date, no top officials have faced trials. The first trials are expected to begin this year. AP has more.

Eath Sao

By Russell Contreras
Globe Staff / February 3, 2008

Before the war, before the murders and the mass exodus, Eath Sao remembers, there were elections in Cambodia.

The process seemed no different from what goes on in Lowell, she said. People lined up, went to booths, and cast votes for candidates - similar, with one exception: Corrupt candidates tried to buy votes from residents.

"Voting is so different here," said Sao, who became a citizen four months ago and voted for the first time in Lowell's election in November. "There's no bribing."

The 53-year-old Sao is gearing up for Tuesday's primary, her first federal election since registering to vote. The event in this state is part of the nation's Super Tuesday primaries and could all but decide the Democratic and Republican nominees for president.

Sao would not say what party or whom she is supporting. She would say only that she is excited to be voting and proud to be an American citizen.

"I was happy to become a citizen," Sao said as her daughter, Sophy Theam, 31, translated from Khmer. "I was also happy to see so many other immigrants [at the swearing-in ceremony] and Cambodians there, too."

Asked if she also plans to vote in the general election, Sao looked confused. "She doesn't know the difference yet," Theam explained.

Following an explanation of the differences, Sao then confirmed that, yes, she plans to vote in that election, too.

Born in Cambodia, Sao fled with three daughters from the war-torn country in 1984 and settled in Connecticut. At the time, Cambodia was run by the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that was responsible for the deaths of about 1 million people through torture, mass murders, and starvation.

Like thousands of refugees, Sao came to the United States to start over, or at least to be safe. The years that followed saw her struggling to learn English and trying to navigate around American culture. She picked up the language, somewhat, and began traveling around the country, a little.

But it wasn't until Cambodia began opening its doors to former refugees that Sao decided to become a citizen. With US citizenship, Sao could go back to visit family in Cambodia and not go through all of the bureaucratic paperwork. She also could obtain a dual-citizenship status now that the old regime is gone.

"As a citizen, it would be easier to travel" to Cambodia, she said. And she could also register to vote.

Sao registered to vote in Lowell after moving there to be close to her daughter.

Lowell, though "very cold," is a city that has grown on her and might be a place where she could live "for a long time." Lowell also has a large Cambodian population that makes Sao feel comfortable, she said.

By some estimates, around 30,000 Cambodians live in Lowell. The city has the second-largest Cambodian population in the United States, behind only Long Beach, Calif.

Registering to vote had always had been a goal, Sao said, but it had not happened because it took so long to do all the paperwork for her citizenship. So, for many years, Sao merely observed US elections without taking part.

Now that she can vote, Sao said she believes that other Cambodians should register.

She acknowledged that she knows "some" things about the presidential candidates and has been following the election. By the time she gets in the booth, Sao said, she will know enough.

Salem Church to ordain Asian pastor

By Carole Johnston

DAKOTA CITY -- "Come and see!" Soriya Roeun heard these three words every Sunday morning from his wife. But he preferred to stay home and watch TV. So Kay Roeun took his three children and went to church without him.

DAKOTA CITY -- "Come and see!" Soriya Roeun heard these three words every Sunday morning from his wife. But he preferred to stay home and watch TV. So Kay Roeun took his three children and went to church without him.

It took 20 years, but the native of Cambodia, joined his wife Kay in the new faith called Christianity in 1997. Then he was the one going out in the community knocking on doors and saying, "Come and see, come and see!"

Up until now the response to his call to come to church has often been met with suspicion and questions. He seemed to be an ordinary man with no authority and no credentials.

That is all changing at 3 p.m. Feb. 9 when Roeun will be ordained as a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The service will be at Salem Lutheran Church at Dakota City where Roeun has been an active participant in the church's Asian ministry.

A former pastor of the rural church, the Rev. Nathan Houfek, who was involved in the Asian ministry, will deliver the message.

At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, Roeun will be installed during the Asian worship service at the Salem Lutheran Church, one of 10,700 congregations in the ELCA.

That number will be increased by one on that date as a new church called the United Asian Evangelical Lutheran Church will be formed at Roeun's installation.

The church will be housed in the Salem church but will operate separately.

From the time the Asian ministry began in 1997 until now, both communities were considered one church. But church officials found that establishing a new church and giving the new pastor mission developer status would generate more resources from the Lutheran church.

Roeun is ready to take on the responsibility of his own church."I am so happy. My dream has come true.

The yoke is on my neck and I am ready to go. Now they will listen to me and God is behind me."Completing a Lutheran program called TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministry) brought Roeun's dream of sharing God's love to reality.

Through the program at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkley, Calif., he completed the same requirements to be ordained as other Lutheran pastors.

"It took me four years, but it took Moses 40," says Roeun of the normally three-year program. "Through TEEM I feel like Jesus is calling fishermen again, calling people with no high school or college degrees to work for him."

"To complete the program was hard for him. He is a quiet man and there is a language barrier. But he has a deep love for the people of Cambodia.

I really questioned it at first, but then I realized he was supposed to do it," says the Rev. Karen Kaye, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church since 1999.

The whole church pitched in to help financially and through volunteer tutors who helped him with the English language and his studies.

The tutors will play a part in his installation service."They prayerfully wrapped arms around him.

They were a team of eight to 10 people supporting him," says Kaye. "This is the first time we have ordained someone into the ministry from our own church."As a pastor, the South Sioux City man has more in mind than worship, teaching and preaching.

The former Buddhist explained that in his home country, people didn't help others outside the family and culture.

He wants to show to others the love he has received from God and the church."I am thankful for Salem and all the support with all my heart.

I don't know how to pay them back. I am asking God to pay them," says Roeun.During the week he will be an outreach worker helping individuals with whatever difficulties they may have.

"I'll be telling people to come, worship and love each other and solve problems," says Roeun, who has been active in the Asian ministry at Salem since his conversion to Christianity.

"He has the gifts to fill the role that a traditional pastor would not. There's a trust level and people relate to him. They feel God's love through Soriya," says Kaye.

Roeun knows he can depend on his wife, Kay, for much help and support to face challenges along the way.

One challenge is to increase attendance in the church of 18 to 20 people. Another is teaching the basics of a new religion, for instance, learning to use the hymnal and basic worship styles.

For the times his new ministry seems overwhelming, Roeun knows he can rely on God and especially on John 3:16, his favorite verse.

"We will keep our focus on God and love one another," he says.

The new church meets on Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11 for Bible study.

The worship service in Cambodian and Laotian is from 11:30 to 12:30, followed immediately by an English language class. Since they know English, Asian children have Sunday school with the Salem Church. Asian potlucks are held every other month.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Meets with Yang Jiechi

2008/02/02

On February 1, 2008, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Phnom Penh. Both sides hoped to take the 50th anniversary of the China-Cambodia diplomatic relations and "China-Cambodia Year of Friendship" as an opportunity to push bilateral all-round friendly cooperative relations to a higher level.

Hun Sen said that under the careful cultivation of the generations of leaders of the two countries, Cambodia-China friendship and mutual trust have been strengthened in an all-round manner and the bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results with bilateral relations reaching one new level after another. China's rapid development has offered favorable opportunities to this region and China's support and help has played an important role for Cambodia to improve its capability of independent development and safeguard national independence and sovereignty. Hun Sen said as an inheritor and promoter of Cambodia-China friendly relations, he himself and the Cambodian government will remain committed to pushing forward bilateral relations.

Yang made positive comments on the friendly cooperative relations between China and Cambodia, as well as the results of the cooperation in all areas. He said the two countries are friendly neighbors. Over the past half a century since the forging of diplomatic relations, the China-Cambodia friendship created and cultivated by leaders of the two countries has withstood the tests of changeable international situation and has been consolidated and developed continuously. Yang said bilateral relations have entered a new stage for development with increasing political trust, dynamic exchanges in all areas and fruitful cooperation on economy and trade. Both sides have also maintained close communication and coordination on such international and regional issues as China-ASEAN relations, East Asia cooperation, and development of Great Mekong Sub-region.

Yang highly appreciated the Cambodian government's adherence to the one-China policy, firm opposition to "Taiwan independence", condemnation of Taiwan's "referendum on U.N. membership" and support of China's peaceful reunification. Yang said China hopes to take the 50th anniversary of the China-Cambodia diplomatic relations and "China-Cambodia Year of Friendship" as an opportunity and work with Cambodia to push bilateral all-round cooperative partnership to a higher level.

On the same day, Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, held talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Both sides during their meeting reached consensus in the following four aspects to further expand bilateral friendly cooperation. First, maintain high-level exchanges and consolidate the political basis of bilateral ties. They vowed to well hold activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between both countries and "China-Cambodia Year of Friendship". Second, further tap potential for cooperation, give play to complementary advantages and expand economic and trade cooperation for mutual benefit and a win-win situation. Cambodia supports Chinese businesses to actively participate in hydroelectric power stations, roads and other infrastructure construction in Cambodia. Third, improve exchanges and cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, culture, sports, public health, tourism and protection of cultural relics, and between localities, expand cooperation area and enrich China-Cambodia comprehensive cooperative partnership. Fourth, strengthen coordination and cooperation on such international and regional affairs as the reform of the UN Security Council, as well as ASEAN-China, ASEAN plus China, Japan and ROK and Great Mekong Sub-region cooperation to safeguard common interests of both sides.

With regard to the Taiwan question, the Cambodian side reaffirmed firm adherence to the one-China policy, holding that the separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence" pose severe threats to peace and stability of this region and any separatist attempts to split Taiwan from China are doomed to failure. The Cambodian side also expressed sincere sympathy and solicitude for Chinese people in snow stricken areas.

Yang arrived in Phnom Penh on January 31 for a three-day official visit to Cambodia.

Ex-Khmer Rouge leader ready for hearing

Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea looks out from his Pailin, Cambodia, border home in this July 26, 2003 file photo. Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's second in command from 1975 to 1979, is scheduled to appear Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at a hearing at the U.N.-backed genocide tribunal in Phnom Penh. Chea, along with several other top Khmer Rouge leaders, is in a U.N. detention center in Phnom Penh awaiting trial on crimes against humanity. More than 1.7 million Cambodians were killed, starved or worked to death while the Khmer Rouge was in power. (AP Photo/David Longstreath, File)

February 3, 2008

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea will ask to be released on bail when he makes his first appearance before Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal on Monday, his lawyer said.

Nuon Chea, a Khmer Rouge ideologist and a top leader of the murderous movement, is scheduled to appear before the tribunal's pre-trial chamber.

The tribunal has detained Nuon Chea since last year on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the Khmer Rouge atrocities that led to the deaths of some 1.7 million people when the communist movement held power in Cambodia in 1975-79.

The 81-year-old is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders pending trial, which is expected to start later this year.

Son Arun, Nuon Chea's lawyer, said his client would appeal his detention and ask that he be released on bail because he "feels an absence of freedom in his detention, where all he does is eat and sleep."

"It is not like when he used to live with his family," Son Arun said, adding his client was in normal health and ready to appear before the hearing.

The tribunal investigating judges have charged Nuon Chea with "murder, torture, imprisonment, persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer, enslavement and other inhumane acts."

The tribunal says the detention was necessary to prevent him from pressuring witnesses or destroying evidence. They say Nuon Chea's own safety could also be at risk if he was at large.