Khmers complicit in Vietnamization

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth

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By A. Gaffar Peang-Meth

March 10, 2010

Next Page1| 2| 3Previous PageMy apologies. It's impossible to answer all e-mails on or related to any week's topic. But be assured that I read every one and even retrieve some that my ISP sends to a spam folder. My answers will sooner or later find their way to my columns.

To some who urge that I translate my writing into Khmer, I respond that God never meant a day to exceed 24 hours. Can't someone translate them?

A few days ago, the Hun Sen military test-fired 100 miles from the disputed border with Thailand, some 200 Russian-made Katyusha rockets, a Stalin-era weapon known today as BM21. A bank of 40 launch tubes mounted on a truck can fire in 20 seconds, with a range of about 20 miles and more.

Sen's military spokesman said the test was to strengthen Cambodia's abilities for "national defense against invaders." The test firing helped keep people intimidated and Sen in power.

Did it sidetrack the issue of Vietnamization of Cambodia? It seems only retired Johns Hopkins professor Naranhkiri Tith keeps a focus on the issue on his Web site. http://cambodiana.org/default.aspx. His proposed "roadmap," is a path he describes as "necessary but not sufficient," to save the Cambodian people.

His schematic should have been translated into Khmer long ago, because, if I rephrase a common saying to relate to Tith: "I know that you believe you understand what you think Tith said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what he meant."

A reader e-mailed me George Santayana's quote -- "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it" -- but I am reminded of Karl Marx's, "History does nothing; it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men, real, living, who do all this." I like Thomas Jefferson's "I like dreams of the future better than the history of the past" and American poet and champion of individualism Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said, "Make the most of yourself for that is all there is of you."

Today, let me examine the 25-year "Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation" that effectively integrated Cambodia into a greater Vietnam.

As people educated in the culture of Confucianism, Vietnamese leaders' actions are, generally, carefully thought-out and calculated to maximize Vietnam's interests. They know what they want, what their national interests are and they move methodically to attain them.

Unfortunately for Khmers and their country, King Sihamoni, son of King Father Sihanouk, signed the supplements to the treaty, giving Vietnamese full access to colonize and Vietnamize Cambodia. The treaty cites "the traditions of Vietnam-Kampuchea militant solidarity and fraternal friendship."

Recall the Vietnamese revolutionary activities in Cambodia, described in my earlier column: Among them, in 1949, Hanoi's Canvassing Committee created the Revolutionary Kampuchean People's Party and, in 1950, Hanoi created the Kampuchean People's Liberation Army. That was the near 30 years of "great revolutionary gains" for Cambodia?

In its preamble, the treaty cites the "closely interrelated" independence, freedom, peace and security of Vietnam and Cambodia -- what affects one affects the other -- and that both countries are "duty-bound to help each other wholeheartedly and with all their might" safeguard and consolidate the products of their "revolution." It cites both countries' "militant solidarity" and "long-term and all-round cooperation and friendship" as representing their "vital interests."

In the treaty's first three articles, the Cambodians hand Ho Chi Minh the goal he had dreamed about.

In Article 1, the two countries pledge to "do all they can" to maintain their "traditions of militant solidarity" and to develop "mutual trust and assistance in all fields." In Article 2, they pledge to "wholeheartedly support and assist each other in all domains and in all necessary forms," as well as to take "effective measures to implement this commitment whenever one of them requires."

Cambodian leader Hun Sen can "require" Vietnamese intervention and Sen will be assisted "in all domains and in all necessary forms," and vice versa.

In Article 3, both countries pledge "mutual fraternal exchanges and cooperation" and mutual assistance in the economic, cultural, educational, public health, scientific, and technological fields, as well as the training of cadres and the exchange of "specialists and experience in all fields of national construction."

Article 4 stipulates a border agreement based on the "present border line." In Article 5, both parties pledge a "long-standing tradition of militant solidarity and fraternal friendship" to which they "attach great importance." Article 6 requires that the parties "frequently exchange views" on all questions concerning both countries' relationships and on "international matters of mutual interest." Articles 7, 8, 9, speak of the right and obligation of each party to any bilateral and multilateral agreements.

The treaty opens the door for Vietnam to operate in Cambodia. For example, Vietnam always has been short of food, and Cambodia is historically rich in fertile land and fish and natural resources.

In 1962, Prince Sihanouk wrote: "Whether he is called Gia Long, Ho Chi Minh, or Ngo Dinh Diem, no (Vietnamese) will sleep soundly until he succeeds in pushing the Khmer toward annihilation, after having made them go through the stage of slavery."

Pol Pot and his French-trained Marxists handed Cambodia to Vietnam. Then Heng Samrin and company agreed to a Vietnamized Cambodia. Now the King has ratified it.

Why blame the Vietnamese for expansionism when Khmers have acquiesced to it?

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.

Helping communities in Cambodia save for change

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09 Mar 2010 16:08:00 GMT

Written by: Oxfam

Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.

This blog is written by Soleak Seang, Regional Communications Officer with Oxfam America's East Asia Regional Office.

When Sean Ing first heard of "Saving for Change" in January 2009, she was skeptical. But Ing had a big expense coming up - her daughter's wedding, which she wasn't sure how to fund. Ing owns 1.5 hectares of farm land, but it takes her half a year to harvest the rice and she had limited access to banking services. So she decided to listen.

"First I decided to just listen to what the trainer had to say about saving money. Then it got more interesting, and I thought I would want to give it a try," the 53-year-old thin, jovial farmer said.

Then Ing found out Saving for Change allows members loans not only to solve short-term credit needs, but also to expand their income sources such as by raising livestock and growing vegetables.

She decided to join a savings group to help address her family's financial difficulty.

Ing lives in Bantoat Bos, a village some 400 km from the Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. People in Ing's village depend heavily on rain-fed agriculture for their living. The majority grow wet-season rice. During the dry season, some migrate to other provinces and some cross the border to look for work in Thailand.

Many are poor, earning less than a dollar a day. And like many poor Cambodians, most villagers in Bantoat Bos consider themselves too poor to save money.

The Saving for Change program aims to address this misconception.

Never too poor to save Five men and five women in Ing's village started their Saving for Change group in mid January 2010. With the support of a trainer, they established group rules, selected group leaders, and named their group Bantoat Bos Prosperity.

This group meets and saves three times a month, and members can borrow money at the second meeting of every month. When the group meets, each member puts in savings ranging from 5,000 Riels ($1.25) to 15,000 Riels ($3.60) into the group's savings box.

In January, Bantoat Bos Prosperity saved 305,000 Riels ($75) and Ing was the first beneficiary. She borrowed 300,000 Riels to prepare meals - buying chickens, pork, and vegetables - for her daughter's wedding.

According to the group's rules, Ing will pay a two percent interest per month, and she has three months to pay back the loan. That will give her enough time to harvest and sell her rice.

The Saving for Change program shows poor, rural communities how to save their money as a group and make small but important loans to each other. Members of Ing's group act as their own community bank - they save, lend, and pay each other interest.

This approach has helped Ing and thousands of other Cambodian families to reduce dependency on credit providers, moneylenders, and intermediaries who would demand collateral like land titles and charge high interest.

From small savings to big changes During an Oxfam's recent visit, all 10 members of Bantoat Bos Prosperity gathered under the shade of some banana, coconut and mango trees. They sat in a circle on a blue plastic sheet and began their group meeting.

Everybody had some money to save. Ing handed over 10,000 Riels ($2.50) for savings and 6,000 Riels ($1.50) to cover the interest on her loan.

These savings are tiny amounts but they add up over time, and in return, can help people like Ing overcome financial difficulty and bring changes in their lives.

They also teach Bantoat Bos Prosperity members basic skills in managing financial resources.

In Cambodia, the Saving for Change program has been helping people in Banteay Meanchey and Preh Vihear provinces since 2009 to work their own way out of poverty.

Since Oxfam America launched the program in Mali in 2005, it has spread to three other countries - Senegal, El Salvador, and Cambodia - and is reaching 351,000 families who have mobilized savings of more than $6 million.

Working with local organizations in Cambodia such as RACHA and Save Cambodia's Wildlife, Oxfam America has formed Saving for Change groups for 41,000 people and about 80 percent of them are female. The organization expects to reach 91,000 Cambodians in the next three years.

Reuters AlertNet is not responsible for the content of external websites.

ASEAN chief clarifies statement on Cambodia issues

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March 09, 2010

The Secretary-General of ASEAN clarified that media reports quoting him over a military exercise in Cambodia on March 4, 2010 were taken totally out of context, a statement released by the ASEAN Secretariat said here on Tuesday.

Dr Surin Pitsuwan said his comments were with specific reference to the prevailing situation along the Cambodian-Thai border and not to any particular military exercise in Cambodia.

"The question directed at me was of a general nature, and my responses were with specific reference to the prevailing situation along the Cambodian-Thai border which I have expressed on many occasions before to all ASEAN Foreign Ministers and to the ASEAN Leaders," said Dr Surin in response to media reports on his comments.

Dr Surin was quoted by a news agency on March 5 as saying, "We are very concerned with such development," in response to a question from the media after attending a conference in Bangkok.

Dr Surin added that his concerns on the border situation had been publicly expressed on numerous occasions and were a routine response to media enquires.

He stressed that no other media, foreign or Thai, had reported on his statements made following the Bangkok conference.

Expressing his deep regret that the issue has caused much misunderstanding and discomfort and had "a very unfortunate and unwarranted effect", Dr Surin said he had no intention nor was he referring to any particular military exercise in Cambodia which he had no knowledge of at that point in time.

Source: Xinhua

My comments are taken out of context : Asean Chief

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/

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By The Nation

Asean's chief Surin Pitsuwan on Tuesday insisted that media reports quoting him over a military exercise in Cambodia were taken totally out of context.

His comments were with specific reference to the prevailing situation along the Cambodian-Thai border and not to any particular military exercise in Cambodia.

Cambodia had conducted a military exercise on March 4 during which Khmer troops tested equipment and fired some 200 rockets at an airfield 180 kilometres from the Thai border.

Malaysia's Bernama news agency recently quoted Surin as saying that "Cambodia might have signaled as though the region was unstable" by firing rockets last week during a border dispute with Thailand.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen lambasted on Monday that Surin was unsuitable for the job, accusing him of "crazy work" for reportedly questioning a recent rocket drill.

In his statement issued on Tuesday, Surin said, "The question directed at me was of a general nature, and my responses were with specific reference to the prevailing situation along the Cambodian-Thai border which I have expressed on many occasions before to all Asean Foreign Ministers and to the Asean leaders.

Surin added that his concerns on the border situation had been publicly expressed on numerous occasions and were a routine response to media enquires. He stressed that no other media, foreign or Thai, had reported on his statements made following the Bangkok conference.

Expressing his deep regret that the issue has caused much misunderstanding and discomfort and had "a very unfortunate and unwarranted effect", Surin said.

He insisted he had no intention nor was he referring to any particular military exercise in Cambodia which he had no knowledge of at that point in time.

CAMBODIA: Rape Victims Need Better Protection from New Penal Code

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By Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK, Mar 9, 2010 (IPS) - Cambodia’s new penal code, which comes into force later this year, should be accompanied by stronger law enforcement measures if the country’s women and girls are to be better protected from rape, says the global rights lobby Amnesty International (AI).

"The introduction of the new penal code is an ideal opportunity to change the culture and improve the criminal justice system," revealed Brittis Edman, Cambodia researcher for AI. "The problem has always been law enforcement rather than the law itself."

"Rape has to be seen as a criminal issue," she added during a telephone interview from Phnom Penh.

The new law will replace the 1992 law introduced by the United Nations after the country returned to peace following over two decades of brutal conflict, including the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s that was responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million people and destruction of the South-east Asian country’s social structures.

Amnesty International’s call for the Cambodian government to address "extrajudicial settlements, weak prosecution and widespread corruption in cases of sexual violence" comes with the London-based body’s launch this week of a report about "rapes of women and girls appear to be increasing."

"From November 2008 to November 2009, police had recorded 468 cases of rape, attempted rape and sexual harassment, a 2.4 percent increase over the previous year," revealed the 60-page report launched Monday in the Cambodian capital. "Data of cases reported to both police and NGOs (non-governmental organisation) indicate that an increasing number of victims are children."

"In 2009, 78 percent of rape victims turning to (a) human rights (NGO) were children, compared to 67 percent in 2008," noted the report, ‘Breaking the Silence – Sexual Violence in Cambodia’. "It is not known if this increase accurately reflects the real situation, or the fact that rape of under-18s is more likely to be reported."

Vanna was among the 30 victims Amnesty researchers interviewed. In 2009, the 15-year-old was raped by a fellow villager. "Her parents reported the crime to the police, who arrested the man," added the report. "However, after court officials and police had negotiated an extrajudicial settlement whereby the perpetrator paid money to the family, he was released."

Her freedom meant that Vanna had to take refuge in a shelter for victims. "I don’t dare to go home. The perpetrator was released because he paid a bribe and that’s not right," she was quoted as having told AI.

Mom was another victim. Two men raped her five times in 2005, when she was 11 years old. "Her mother went to the district police, where the police chief asked her for a 10 U.S.-dollar bribe to pay for ‘the investigation and stationery’," reported AI. "When she did not have the money he requested, the police chief asked her to meet him at a hotel room, suggesting that sex in lieu of money would facilitate the investigation of the rape of the daughter."

"Police initially didn’t help us at all. They are very hard to trust, and you really need NGO assistance to get proper police assistance," the victim’s mother told AI. "We were afraid to turn to the police: we know they harass, intimidate and torture people and extort weak and poor families."

Rape in Cambodia exposes a darker side of the country where "society is still matriarchal, culturally speaking," remarked Chea Vannath, former president of the Centre for Social Development, a Phnom Penh-based think tank. "In majority of families, women are the bosses."

But sexual violence is driven by specific factors, she said during an IPS interview. "Drinking alcohol, pornography, which is widespread, drugs and even poverty are responsible for the violence against women."

Victims from poor families are often unable to get justice, she added, echoing a view maintained by AI, which stated, "Protection of the rights of rape victims in poverty is particularly weak. As the Cambodian justice system displays a bias against the poor, poor women and girls appear to have disproportionately limited access to justice."

AI’s push for stronger laws and enforcement to protect women in Cambodia is also echoed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a region-wide assessment to mark International Women’s Day, celebrated on Mar. 8. "While Asia and the Pacific can take pride in the region’s vibrant economic transformation in recent decades, this has not translated into progress on gender equality," the U.N. agency’s assessment said.

"In South Asia, almost half the countries have no laws at all on domestic violence. In the Pacific the picture is even worse, with more than 60 percent of the countries without domestic violence legislation," said Cherie Hart, UNDP’s regional communications advisor.

"In East Asia, the situation is better with more than three-quarters of the countries with drafted legislation on domestic abuse," she explained. "Some of the countries which have drafted legislation within the past few years include Indonesia, Laos, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Vietnam."

"However, the Asia and Pacific region as a whole falls far behind where it should be on basic issues like protecting women from violence or upholding entitlements to property," she added. "One barrier is from the laws themselves, which may be discriminatory. A second barrier is restricted access to the legal system."

200 Families Homeless After Phnom Penh Fire

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By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer

Original report from Phnom Penh

09 March 2010

More than 200 families lost their homes to a fire Monday night in Phnom Penh, with many forced to stay on the grounds of a pagoda nearby.

The fire began at 6:30 pm Monday evening and was extinguished by 10 pm, Phnom Penh officials said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but residents say it started in one house where a grandson had been fighting with his grandmother, knocking over a kerosene lantern.

No one was killed in the blaze, which brought in 26 fire trucks and destroyed 158 houses and eight units of monk housing from Wat Neak Kavorn, in Tuol Kork district.

Some of the homeless from 217 families were staying under trees and amid the stupas of Wat Neak Kavorn, calling for emergency food, shelter and medical care.

“I lost everything. It caused about more than $300 [in damge], including my house and my assets in the house,” Phat Yeour, 35, as he carried a woven mat through the pagoda. “I need the Cambodian government to help me get my life back.”

Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chutema said the muncipalitiy had not yet decided how to compensate the victims but had already provided some emergency provisions.

Tribunal Complainant Urges Healing

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By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer

Washington

09 March 2010

A Cambodian-American lawyer and civil party for the Khmer Rogue tribunal recommended that people participate in the legal process as leaders of the regime head to trial, rather than resorting to violent rhetoric.

Seng Theary, founder of the Center for Justice and Reconciliation, spoke on “Hello VOA” from a studio in Washington, where she marked International Women’s Day.

“I wish to encourage and ask our brothers and sisters to release their anger through monitoring, expressing their opinion from the bottoms of their hearts,” she said. “Don’t use violence, but turn our violence into release through legal protests, as the existing right of people living in a society moving toward democracy.”

Seng Theary was responding to a caller who asked whether Khmer Rouge leaders would be punished the same way they punished those under them when they rose to power.

She said she was facing the same feeling as other victims, but said people should allow anger and the psychological impact of the regime dominate their thinking.

“If there is anger in our minds, there will not be development,” she said, adding that healing was a worthwhile, if difficult, goal to pursue.

Seng Theary, who lost family members to the Khmer Rogue and is a civil party complainant at the UN-backed court, said not all leaders of the regime would be tried, due to limited resources of the court, but those now under arrest were symbolic of justice.

Were all Khmer Rouge involved in killings to be tried, the country could see instability, she said, echoing concerns of Prime Minister Hun Sen and other Cambodian court officials.

Meanwhile, women need a greater role in politics, Seng Theary said.

“If women played roles as politicians and celebrities, they could provide a model to the entire society,” she said. “Especially young women who are thinking of the choices for their lives.

Groups Want Debate Delayed for Graft Law

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By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer

Original report from Phnom Penh

09 March 2010

A committee of rights organizations is recommending that the National Assembly delay debate on an anti-corruption bill for at least a month, allowing time for the long-awaited draft to be studied before it is passed into law.

“Our recommendations will help promote the effectiveness of the fight against corruption,” Sok Samoeun, director of Cambodian Defenders Project, told reporters Tuesday. “If the National Assembly denies our recommendations, the situation of corruption in Cambodiawill remain unsolved.”

The draft law creates an independent Anti-Corruption Council and an anti-corruption unit under the Council of Ministers. The 11-seat council will consist of political appointees, as an oversight body. The draft also requires public officials to disclose their assets and empowers the courts to seize property and assets.

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee on Tuesday forwarded its request to the National Assembly, requesting a one-month delay for debate on the bill, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

The coalition requested that the National Assembly open the draft for public debate.

It also suggested that the Anti-Corruption Council to be independent, rather than comprised of political appointees, and for the head of the anti-corruption unit under the Council of Ministers to be separate from the council. The head of the unit should be required to disclose his or her assets, the committee said in a statement Tuesday.

The law needs to be stronger in its protection of witnesses and informants who come forward against corruption, the group said.

“Our recommendation is the main step in fighting corruption,” Ny Chakrya, chief investigator for the rights group Adhoc, told reporters Tuesday. “If the National Assembly passes the anti-corruption law without the NGOs’ recommendations and participation in discussions, this anti-corruption law will be a very weak law, will not have international standards, and will not prevent corruption.”

Meanwhile, 15 opposition lawmakers from the Sam Rainsy Party issued a letter to National Assembly President Heng Samrin requesting a delay for debate until April, after the Khmer New Year.

“We all understand that to solve the high responsibility of the legislature in the anti-corruption law, the National Assembly should delay the special session to debate the draft law,” the lawmakers wrote. The lawmakers requested enough time to study the draft in order to ensure “effective implantation” of the law after it passes.

Cheam Yiep, a lawmaker for the Cambodian People’s Party, said the request for delayed debate had come “too late,” but he promised effective implementation of the law after it is passed.

“This law is under the honor and reputation of the CPP,” he said. “We won’t destroy our honor, prestige and reputation.”

Cambodian NGOs slam anti-graft bill before debate

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By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Rights groups in Cambodia on Tuesday deplored an anti-corruption law that parliament will debate this week, saying it would not stop graft and offered no protection to whistle-blowers who uncovered corruption.

A coalition representing about 245 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) told a news conference that debate on the anti-graft law -- in the works for 15 years but put quickly before parliament after being published on March 4 -- should be delayed for a month so the public could be consulted.

In particular, the groups wanted officials' assets to be declared publicly and whistle-blowers protected.

"If witnesses can't have protection, no one is going to come forward and report," said Pung Chhiv Kek, president of rights group Licadho, adding that witnesses could lay themselves open to defamation suits.

The debate is due to start on Wednesday.

Phay Siphan, a Cambodian government spokesman, rejected the criticism.

"The anti-corruption law will make the country an equitable society. The country will provide better public services and become a moral society," he said.

The main opposition Sam Rainsy Party said it joined the civil society groups in asking for a delay to the parliamentary debate.

"The draft is not good enough and was sent to parliament hurriedly," said party spokesman and lawmaker Yim Sovann.

"This law is not good, both in terms of the mechanism and the legal means to prevent corruption. There is not enough political will to fight corruption," he added.

(Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Alan Raybould)

The cyclo tour : A special activities feature in Phnom Penh Cambodia

http://www.prlog.org/

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Cyclo tour is one among other famous tours in Phnom Penh that provide economically the best way to view the landscape in the city and contribute to the poor in urban area.

PR Log (Press Release) – Mar 09, 2010 – Cyclo tour is one among other famous tours in Phnom Penh that provide economically the best way to view the landscape in the city and contribute to the poor in urban area.

Cyclo is the common name for tricycle rickshaws and is a common form of public transport in Cambodia, consisting of a tricycle with the passenger compartment up front. Cyclos (pronounced see-cloe) are an integral part of the Phnom Penh landscape.

These iconic vehicles, first introduced in 1936, remain one of the best and most economical ways to see the city. Cyclo drivers, however, is among the poorest of the urban poor in Cambodia. The exact number of cyclo drivers in Phnom Penh is not known because of the transient nature of the work, but there are nearly 1,400 registered members in Cyclo centre, a local NGO providing basic support and social services to the drivers.

The tourists will be recommended to the tourist site in Phnom Penh where the cyclo drivers can meet. To view the landscape of Phnom Penh, cyclo tour can be a better choice. Cyclo tour not only immerse you the real situation in the busy city of Phnom Penh but also help enhance living standard for cyclo drivers through economical contribution. This form of economic contribution helps the poor and plays role in sustainable tourism development by providing opportunity to local residents to get involved in business tourism.

Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and country’s commercial, economical and political hub. It is also a gateway to an exotic land. Phnom Penh City has several cultural and historical attractions including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, and the Killing Fields. If you travel to Phnom, DO NOT miss cyclo tour, which is a rare and special activities feature in Phnom Penh. This tour will make you experience the real Cambodia in the city and it won’t disappoint you!

Cambodians Pray For Peace In Temple Standoff

http://www.prlog.org/

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PREAH VIHEAR Cambodia Buddhist monks and government officials held a peace vigil Friday at an ancient temple near disputed border land, lighting incense and praying in the shadow of armed troops from Cambodia and Thailand.

PR Log (Press Release) – Mar 09, 2010 – PREAH VIHEAR Cambodia Buddhist monks and government officials held a peace vigil Friday at an ancient temple near disputed border land, lighting incense and praying in the shadow of armed troops from Cambodia and Thailand. Mist hovered over the mountaintop Preah Vihear temple as some 1,000 people prayed for an end to the tense standoff that started July 15 and has fueled nationalist passions in both countries.

"We are gathering here to pray to the souls of our ancestors asking for peace," said Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon, referring to Khmer kings who built the temple from the 9th to 11th centuries. "We also pray for success in our defense of our territory."

Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife, Bun Rany, also attended the ceremony."Her presence gave a moral booster to our people and soldiers to keep up their bravery in defending our territory and the temple," Thong Khon said, adding that she distributed food and sleeping gear to Cambodian villagers and soldiers.

Thailand and Cambodia both have long-standing claims to 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) of land near the temple. The dispute flared earlier this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage site. Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations near the temple.

Both sides have stationed soldiers near the site.About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand remain at a pagoda near the temple complex, despite a tentative agreement reached by foreign ministers Monday to redeploy them in an effort to ease tension."There is no order to redeploy our troops yet," said Lt. Gen. Chea Saran, a Cambodian deputy commander of the army."As long as Thailand is not redeploying its troops, why should we?" he added.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has said his government was ready to go along with a proposed redeployment of Cambodian troops but will not act without Thailand taking the same step. Thailand's government says the matter is being handled by the National Security Council.Cambodian soldiers stood guard with weapons in their hands during Friday's ceremony, which included 67 Buddhist monks who chanted blessings along the stone path leading to the temple.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia. The decision still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex.

Diesel fumes kill Cambodian villagers

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March 09 2010

Six villagers died one after another after entering a well filled with diesel fumes in east-central Cambodia, national media reported on Tuesday.

The villagers had decided to use a diesel pump rather than buckets for the annual task of removing contaminated water from the well, the Cambodia Daily newspaper said.

Commune chief Men Sarun was quoted as saying the first man climbed into the well and installed the diesel pump above the waterline, about 2 metres below the top of the 9-metre-deep well. However, he succumbed to the fumes shortly after starting the motor, Men Sarun said.

Another two men then climbed into the well and managed to stop the engine but died too. As the others descended one after another to investigate, they were also overcome, the commune chief said.

The last to die managed to call out a warning before falling unconscious. His action prevented a seventh villager from going into the well.

"Due to these deaths caused by the old well, many villagers who currently use water from the well will never use it again," Men Sarun told the newspaper.

The incident happened in Kampong Cham province, east of Phnom Penh. Cambodia has limited infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, where the majority of its people live, and many Cambodians source water from wells and rivers. - Sapa-dpa

High-quality product fair promotes consumption in Cambodia

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03/09/2010

A high-quality product fair was held at the An Giang University on March 9 to promote the consumption of Vietnamese products in the Cambodian market.

The fair, which marks the 10th anniversary of cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and An Giang province, is part of the promotion activities that include a meeting with distributors from Cambodia’s provinces of Takeo and Kadal and a forum to help Cambodian consumers get access to Vietnamese milk products.

The fair is part of the preparations for a fair of high-quality Vietnamese products to be held in Phnom Penh in April.

Surin blasted over military drill remarks

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Published: 9/03/2010 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

Cambodia has criticised Surin Pitsuwan for comments he made about its recent military exercise, accusing the Asean secretary-general of interfering in its internal affairs.

Hor Namhong: Concerned

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said in a letter sent on Sunday to the Asean secretariat that Mr Surin should not be concerned with the Cambodian army exercise, "which would in no way send wrong signals that the region is unstable".

The letter was in response to comments attributed to Mr Surin by the Malaysian national news agency Bernama that the Cambodian army's exercise on Thursday in Kompong Chhnang province, about 90km from Phnom Penh, "might have signalled as though the region was unstable" and that "we are very concerned with such developments".

Hor Namhong said in his letter that Cambodia had chosen to conduct the exercise far from the border with Thailand to avoid misunderstanding and comments from the Thai side.

"As a former foreign minister of Thailand [Mr Surin was foreign minister from 1997 to 2001], you know very well that the conduct of army exercises by any country anywhere in the world is absolutely a normal practice," the veteran Cambodian minister said.

"Even Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had said that Thailand had no problem with the exercise as 'we also had our own drills recently'."

Hor Namhong reminded Mr Surin the Thai army had, not long ago, conducted military exercises near the Cambodian border and "even overshot its artillery into Cambodian territory". Cambodia, however, had not reacted or made any comment.

The Cambodian armed forces, the minister said, would never undertake any action against any country, adding "their job is solely to protect Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

"I strongly believe that in your capacity as secretary-general of Asean, you should not make any wrong statement which may bring about a bad image to an Asean member country, and thus to Asean as a whole," Hor Namhong said.

Mr Surin should not make any statement "which could be considered as interference in the internal affairs of Cambodia, a member of Asean. Normally, and in principle, an Asean secretary-general should exercise some self-restraint while making any comments or statements concerning an Asean member country."

The letter was sent to all Asean foreign ministers and Cambodian media outlets, a copy of which was seen by the Bangkok Post. The Asean secretary-general could not be reached for comment.

DAP News ; Breaking News by Soy Sopheap

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U.N. First Trains IT for Cambodian Officials to Support the Economic Developments

Tuesday, 09 March 2010 10:36 DAP-NEWS/ Ek Madra

PHNOM PENH, March 9 - The United Nations experts began four-day training on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Tuesday for the Cambodian officials to improve their capacities for the contribution of the country's economic developments, said the officials.

An estimated 50 officials, who are senior government officials responsible for ICT and or e-government projects from 20 ministries, attended the workshop to learn about the important role of the ICT and poverty reduction, education, Gender Equality, health and management of natural resources.

The 9- 12 March event is co-organized by APCICT and the National Information Communications Technology Development Authority (NiDA) of Cambodia is to increase ICT human resource capacity at various levels of the Cambodian government as well as enhance e-governance capabilities.

Speaking to reporters at the meeting Dr. Hyeun-Suk Rhee, Director of the United Nations APCICT-ESCAP, said that such workshop will enhance the government's employees to better shape in making decisions for the benefits of the nation especially pertaining to the sectors of foreign direct investment and tourism, the country's key backbone economy.

"By having understanding the ICT development as tools so that they can develop and implement more effectively and they can monitor the progress of the implementations," said Rhee.

"We help the government to bring more information and to provide easier access to the people the necessary information," she said.

ICT also play a key role in trade facilitations as well as in contributing to boost tourism in an addition the already country's high potential in the sector, she said.

"ICT can provide such information gateway for investors and with that more investments would flow in the country," said Rhee.

"Through the webpage and sharing mechanism, the people will be able to know more about Cambodia and more tourists will visit here."

She noticed that Cambodia's information technology has been progress over the last ten years given Phnom Penh has used the South Korean-funded the National Information Communications Technology Development Authority (NiDA) of Cambodia as tool to facilitate the government's works.

Cambodian Dr. Phu Leewood, Secretary General for National Information and Communication Technology Development Authority (NiDA), said this workshop is useful to improve Cambodian human resources for the country's development.

"This is another effort by the government under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen to rebuild our human resource for our country's developments," he said.

Leewood said the UN-backed training brought more know-how for the officials to deal with the growing demands of the country's developments.

"ICT can be used to enhance aid efforts to reduce poverty, increase educational opportunities at all levels," he told the platform.

"The ICT also provided empowerment to traditionally disadvantaged groups and promoting the global collaborative partnership that fuels sustainable socio-economic development," he said.

The academy of ICT has been adopted by more than a dozen countries in the region after some series of fields tested and peer reviewed.

Cambodia also signed with U.N. the country's NiDA and APCICT-ESCAP.

NiDA is the National Information Communications Technology Development Authority (NiDA) of Cambodia.

The APCICT, a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), was set up in the Republic of Korea in 2006.

The role of APCICT is to strengthen the efforts of the 62 ESCAP member and associate member countries to use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in their socio-economic development, through human resource and institutional capacity building.

Hun Sen Blasts Pitsuwan over Exercise Criticism

Tuesday, 09 March 2010 04:41 DAP-NEWS

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday reacted strongly to a statement made by Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN secretary-general, who said that a recent Cambodian military exercise is a threat to stability in the region. PM said that Surin Pitsuwan should not be the ASEAN secretary-general, the PM retorted.

During a meeting with disabled veterans in their development village in Taken Kosla commune, Chouk District, Kampot province, the premier stressed that Cambodia’s military exercise was conducted far from the borders with its three neighbours. The PM said he will raise this issue at the next ASEAN meeting.

The premier noted that three rocket shells fell into Cambodian territory during a past Thai military exercise; yet, Surin Pitsuwan never raised any queries.

“I think that Surin Pitsuwan should not be ASEAN secretary-general as he interferes in the internal affairs of nations when the role of the secretary-general is neutral… I will criticize him during the next ASEAN meeting if he does not replies to Hor Namhong, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister,” the premier said at a ceremony.

Surin Pitsuwan’s claims seem to be contrary to the remarks of Thia leaders, including Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, both of whom said that such exercise are a Cambodian internal affair.

“I don’t think Cambodia wants to intimidate us, as we have sent them a clear signal that we don’t want the dispute to go out of control and affect people in both countries,” Suthep Thaugsuban, deputy Thai prime minister, was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post.

The Cambodian Foreign Ministry on Sunday sent a letter to Surin Pitsuwan over his claim as saying that Cambodia might have signalled the region is unstable.

“As a former Foreign Minister of Thailand, you know very well that that the conduct of army exercise by any country anywhere in the world is absolutely a normal practice,” the statement said. “Therefore, you should not be concerned as all with the Cambodian army’s exercise, which would, in no way, send wrong signals that the region is unstable. Moreover, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces will never undertake any action against any country. Their job is solely to protect Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Cambodian exercise in Kampong Chhnang Province on March 4, 2010 fired some 200 rockets from truck-mounted launchers and was declared a success.

Pedal power pair

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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 15:03 Heng Chivoan

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Cyclos transport plastic bottles on Russian Boulevard in front of the Ministry of Defence on Monday.

Blaze engulfs Tuol Kork homes

Photo by: Nick Sells (http://www.nicksellsphotography.com/)

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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 15:06 Sam Rith and Tha Piseth

A fire in Tuol Kork district’s Boeung Kak 2 commune completely destroyed 158 houses and five monks’ rooms near Neak Von pagoda Monday night, said Net Vantha, director of City Hall’s police and fire brigade. Net Vantha said 26 fire trucks had been dispatched to fight the blaze, which started at 7pm and was out by 9:30pm. Tuol Kork district governor Seng Ratanak said officials had not determined the cause of the fire and could not say whether there had been any casualties.

Injustice for victims of rape

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Pung Chhiv Kek, founder of the rights group Licadho, speaks at a press conference Monday marking the release of an Amnesty International report on rape in Cambodia.

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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 15:05 Brooke Lewis and Chhay Channyda

Women do not receive proper legal and medical support, Amnesty reports.

MOST perpetrators of sexual violence never face trial in Cambodian courts, and victims – particularly the poor – are routinely denied access to legal and medical services, according to a report released Monday by international human rights group Amnesty International.

The 60-page report, titled Breaking the silence: Sexual violence in Cambodia, draws from interviews conducted last year with 30 women and girls between the ages of 10 and 40. The attacks they described occurred in 10 provinces between early 2006 and December 2009.

Their accounts paint a picture of a criminal justice system that offers little assistance to women and girls coping with sexual violence and its concomitant effects.

“Dozens of survivors told us that they face extortion, ignorance and disbelief from officials whose job it should be to assist them and protect their rights,” Donna Guest, Amnesty’s Asia-Pacific deputy director, said in a statement accompanying the report, which was released to mark International Women’s Day, an official government holiday.

“For too many survivors of rape, the pursuit of justice and medical support adds further distress to the initial abuse.”

All victims interviewed by Amnesty described themselves as “poor” or “very poor”, and the report emphasises that, although people from all socioeconomic backgrounds are vulnerable to sexual violence, those living in poverty face higher risks and fewer avenues for recourse.

A “clear majority” of interviewees reported that they had either paid or been asked to pay bribes for police to investigate their claims. Bribes were typically between US$5 and $10, but one family reported paying police around $45.

The mother of one victim said that police, upon learning she could not afford a monetary bribe, suggested she pay with sex.

The parents of a 19-year-old woman with a learning disability who was raped in late 2009 told Amnesty that their daughter still lived in constant fear of the perpetrator, who remained at large because the family had been unable to afford legal help.

“The police only work if you have money, if you can pay,” said her father. “With around 100,000 riels (about US$24), perhaps we could have secured an arrest, but we don’t have that.”

Recent interviews conducted by the Post also pointed to the importance of money in pursuing rape complaints.

Nov Him, a 39-year-old construction worker from Prey Veng province’s Preah Sdech district, said last week that her 11-year-old daughter was raped by a relative in 2008, but that the crime had gone unpunished because she could not afford legal assistance.

She said the provincial court had issued an arrest warrant for the suspect after the attack was reported, but that police had not made any effort to detain him.

“My arrest warrant has been ignored because I am poor and do not have money to give to police to find the perpetrator for us,” she said.

The authors of the Amnesty report also lambasted what they described as the common practice of police and court officials arranging for rape victims to receive illegal out-of-court settlement payments rather than bringing perpetrators to trial.

Speaking at a press conference marking the release of the report on Monday, Pung Chhiv Kek, founder of the rights group Licadho, whose Women’s Rights Office has long investigated the prevalence of rape in Cambodia, said that even when such payments are as little as $100, many victims view them as preferable to public – and potentially shame-inducing – court proceedings.

“And it’s encouraged by the police and by the court because they got also their commission” from out-of-court settlements, Pung Chhiv Kek said.

“When the perpetrator sends their family to see the family of the victim, and proposes some money, the family of the victim withdraws the complaint, and the court drops the charge,” she said. “It is completely illegal, but it is done all the time.”

She said that, in accordance with Cambodian law, prosecutors should bring criminal cases to trial even without the cooperation of the victim.

Bith Kimhong, director of the Interior Ministry’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Bureau, said Monday that the Amnesty report did not accurately represent police policy.

“Rape is a criminal case – even if victims do not report it, we still work to arrest the suspects,” he said. “In the name of the National Police, we instruct local police officials not to mediate between rapists and victims, but to send the case to court for trial.”

Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana hung up the phone when contacted by a reporter on Monday, and National Police spokesman Kirt Chantharith could not be reached.

However, Chou Bun Heng, a secretary of state at the Interior Ministry, said officials were working with NGOs and police to increase the number of prosecutions.

“We always remind police to take consideration for rape cases, especially for minors ... We have to send cases to court, and the court has to prosecute,” she said.

She added that the ministry was working with court officials to clarify the definition of rape, a point of confusion that was highlighted both by the Amnesty report and by Pung Chhiv Kek.

“We have many cases of misinterpretation – maybe because the court receives some bribe, we don’t know – but misinterpretation of the law by the court, saying that there is no rape because there is no sign of violence,” Pung Chhiv Kek said. “If there is no consent and no sign of violence, it is still a rape.”

The new penal code, which is set to come into force later this year, states: “All acts of sexual penetration, of any kind whatsoever, or an act of penetrating by an object into the sexual organs of a person of either the same sex or different sexes by violence, coercion, threat or surprise constitutes rape.”

The Amnesty report criticised the code for failing “to incorporate language to demonstrate clearly that rape signifies an absence of truly and freely given agreement to engage in sexual acts”.

“This shortcoming is particularly serious, as it may increase prejudice towards rape victims and could serve judges who only focus on tangible attempts by the victim to resist an attack, rather than the lack of consent,” the report said.

Cases on the rise?

Amnesty noted that, although no comprehensive data has been compiled, reports from police, media and NGOs indicate that the number of rape cases – especially those involving underage victims – is on the rise.

“NGO workers and police as well at rural and the national level were all in agreement that the increasing reports in fact mirror an increase in reality – although that’s something we cannot corroborate or that we can’t really know about,” Brittis Edman, Southeast Asia researcher for Amnesty, said at Monday’s press conference.

She acknowledged that the government has launched a national data-collection process to compile information about rape cases, but said that out-of-court settlements, which the report indicated could make up half of the total, would not be included in these figures.

The Amnesty report calls on the government to combat sexual violence by adopting more effective prevention and investigation policies; mitigating the stigmatisation of victims by publicly condemning acts of sexual violence, and addressing current failures to provide support to victims.

Police fire on Kraya evictees

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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 15:05 May Titthara

POLICE guarding a rubber plantation in Kampong Thom province’s Santuk district opened fire on a small group of villagers who tried to cultivate their old farms inside the concession area on Sunday, villagers said.

Three villagers – part of a group of about 40 – were shot by police in the afternoon as they attempted to enter concession land in the district’s Kraya commune, from which they were forcibly evicted in December.

Luon Bunthy, 39, who brought the three victims to Santuk district hospital, said that the shootings took place at around 1pm, when villagers approached a police post guarding the 8,100-hectare rubber concession owned by the Vietnam-based Tin Bien Company.

“Two disabled veterans were shot in the legs, and one farmer was shot in the belly while they tried to go back to farmland in their old village,” he said. “Police said that they received new orders to shoot at us.”

Although villagers have been granted replacement land in Thmor Samleang commune, also in Santuk district, they say government promises of 1-hectare plots of arable land remain unfulfilled. Luon Bunthy said the group had intended to ask police if they could temporarily cultivate their former land, adding that they lacked any alternative.

“The reason we want to cultivate our old village land temporarily is because we are afraid that next season we won’t have any food to eat,” he said.

“When the authorities provide a new farm, we will go back to work back [there], but they did not listen to us, they only started shooting.”

The three victims have since been moved to Kampong Cham provincial hospital amid fears the Santuk district authorities will come and arrest them, he said.

Prum Roth, a former Kraya commune villager, said the police guarding the Tin Bien concession had “looked down on [the villagers] like dogs”.

“Why did they need to open fire on us? Even though we did not listen to them and still tried to enter our old village, they should have found another way to settle our problem rather then shooting at us. We are human beings, not animals.”

Last month, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that social land concessions are “intended for former veterans who are truly landless, not only those who served in the armed forces, but also people affected by natural disasters or family resettlement”.

Villagers, including disabled military veterans, began settling in Kraya commune in 2004 and received official recognition for their community in 2005. In 2007, however, their land was granted as an economic land concession to Tin Bien, culminating in their forced eviction from the site on December 15.

Local officials said Monday that police had opened fire in self-defence. “Our police shot them to protect their individual safety, because they had knives and were fighting with the police,” said Santuk district governor Pich Sophea.

“We told villagers at the new relocation site not to go to their old village, and that if they go our police will shoot them.”

He also accused most of the villagers of not being former Kraya residents, saying the remainder were seeking to cash in on the government’s promised compensation.

Uch Sam On, Kampong Thom’s deputy governor, said the villagers did not listen to the police, who fired warning shots into the ground that accidentally ricocheted towards the villagers. He added: “We really want to provide farmland to them… but we are looking for them and we will let them know next week.”

Chan Soveth, senior investigator for the rights group Adhoc, said he was “very sorry” about the shootings, saying the villagers’ return to their old land was unsurprising since they had received no word from the government about the replacement plots. “I really don’t understand the government… Why don’t they care about the people, and only protect the land for businessmen?” he said.

Santuk district police chief Ek Mat Muoly declined to comment Monday.

ASEAN chief ‘not suitable’ for office: PM

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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 15:05 Cheang Sokha

PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Monday said ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan’s decision to express concern about highly publicised military exercises held in Kampong Chhnang province last week indicated he was “not suitable” for his position, and vowed to confront him if the statement was not retracted.

On Friday, Malaysia’s Bernama news agency said ASEAN “fears that Cambodia may send a wrong signal to the world” with the exercises, citing an interview with Surin, a former Thai foreign minister.

“We are very concerned with such development,” Surin was quoted as saying.

“I think Surin Pitsuwan is not suitable to be secretary general of ASEAN,” Hun Sen said during a speech before 300 disabled former soldiers in Kampot province. “The secretary general of ASEAN abused the role by interfering in internal affairs.”

Hun Sen threatened to raise the issue at ASEAN meetings scheduled for next month in Vietnam.

“As the head of a country and member of ASEAN, I would like to send a message,” he said. “If you do not correct [your comments] at the ASEAN meeting I will excoriate you. I will raise this issue to criticise the secretary general of ASEAN.”

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[SURIN] HAS TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO BE SEEN AS TAKING SIDES.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bernama report noted that Surin had declined to elaborate on his concerns, saying: “I have no details. I have to look into the details first.”

However, the comment enraged Cambodian officials nevertheless. On Sunday, Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong also criticised the ASEAN leader.

“I strongly believe that in your capacity as secretary general of ASEAN, you should not make any wrong statement which may bring about a bad image to an ASEAN member country,” Hor Namhong wrote in a letter to Surin.

The government has maintained that the military exercise was not intended as a show of force related to border tensions with Thailand. Thai officials, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, have downplayed the issue in the Bangkok press, calling the exercises “normal”.

ASEAN officials could not be reached for comment on Monday.

A ‘sensitive issue’

Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said Monday that he believed both Surin and Hun Sen had erred in their recent comments.

Though Surin is entitled in his role to comment on regional issues, as a former Thai foreign affairs minister, he should also have realised his comments would undergo great scrutiny in Cambodia, he said.

“It’s such a sensitive issue.... He has to be extremely careful not to be seen as taking sides,” Ou Virak said.

Surin also did not mention that Thai authorities have conducted multiple military exercises close to the border area, he said.

“He should have come out and spoken against Thailand’s testing as well, to be fair,” Ou Virak said.

At the same time, Hun Sen should have left the issue to his subordinates, he said.

“It would benefit Cambodia and the image of the Cambodian government if Hun Sen allowed other people to speak on his behalf and not always respond to every event or every opinion out there,” he said, adding that Hun Sen’s comments will only add to a regional perception that the Cambodian government and Hun Sen in particular don’t take well to criticism. “I don’t think it’s helpful to Cambodia,” he said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY IRWIN LOY

More troops to aid in African peacekeeping

Photo by: Tracey Shelton

Government officials greet Royal Cambodian Armed Forces deminers with garlands on their return from peacekeeping duties in Sudan last year.

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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 15:05 Sam Rith

MORE than 200 troops from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are to depart for Chad and the Central African Republic next month to supplement a contingent of peacekeepers who deployed to the two countries last November, Defence Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat said late Sunday.

“The group of engineers will leave Cambodia in April,” Chhum Socheat said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen announced in January that more peacekeepers would be sent to the two countries, but officials at the time noted that a memorandum of understanding had yet to be finalised with the United Nations, which was set to observe the troops in March.

Suong Khunny, deputy director general of the government’s Institute for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and ERW (explosive remnants of war) Clearance, said Monday that the number of soldiers – originally pegged at just over 100 – had increased to more than 200, including 10 deminers, since Hun Sen’s announcement.

Seang Sene, commander of RCAF Engineering Unit 513, which is participating in the mission, said he had visited Chad and the Central African Republic in January.

“The weather is hotter there than in Cambodia, but it is OK for us,” he said.

Last November, 42 Cambodian peacekeepers travelled to the region to assist in the relocation of UN personnel and logistics assets, among other projects.

Prak Sokhon, chairman of the National Coordination Committee of UN Peacekeeping Operations, said earlier this month that the government plans to send a military attache to New York in order to strengthen its ability to lobby the UN for a greater role in peacekeeping operations.