Thai, Cambodian Soldiers Clash in Fresh Border Skirmish

Daniel Schearf, VOA
Bangkok Tuesday, 15 February 2011

via CAAI

Photo: AP

A Cambodian military policeman stands watch during the ground breaking ceremony of a Chinese funded road at Koun Damrey village, Banteay Meanchey province, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Cambodia's border with Thailand, February 15, 2011.

"Last night from 10:30, I mean in the evening, to 5:20 in the morning, 11 grenades have been thrown by Thai (soldiers)."

Thai and Cambodian authorities say fresh fighting broke out between their soldiers, with each side once again blaming the other. The new skirmish came shortly after the United Nations Security Council urged the two countries to impose a ceasefire around the disputed border, which saw heavy fighting earlier this month.

The Thai military on Tuesday said Cambodian soldiers in the early morning attacked a border post, injuring five soldiers - one of them seriously.

Thai military spokesman Colonel Werachon Sukondhapatipak said at least one grenade was thrown at the post and Thai soldiers fired back with rifles. He said they were expecting attacks after the United Nations Security Council declined Cambodia's request to send peacekeeping troops to the area.

"We believe that the leadership of the Cambodia were not happy with that result and they will try to do anything that [is] provocative in order to have the Thai soldier retaliate," said Werachon.

However, Phay Siphan, a spokesman for Cambodia’s Council of Ministers, denies his country’s troops fired first. He said Thai soldiers attacked first.

"Last night from 10:30, I mean in the evening, to 5:20 in the morning, 11 grenades have been thrown by Thai (soldiers)," said Phay.

Phay said no Cambodian soldiers were injured and they did not retaliate.

Fighting broke out two weeks ago in a disputed border area near a 900-year-old Khmer Hindu temple called Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Phra Viharn in Thailand.

Thai and Cambodian militaries exchanged heavy artillery and machine gun fire, killing several people and sending thousands fleeing the border.

Both sides blame the other for starting the fighting. Cambodia wants international help to prevent further fighting, while Thailand says the issue should be resolved bilaterally.

On Monday, the foreign ministers of the two countries met with the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council urged them to implement a permanent ceasefire and to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to end the dispute.

ASEAN foreign ministers are to discuss the issue next week in Jakarta.

Tensions first erupted in 2008 when the temple, which is in Cambodia - but with its main entrance in Thailand - was listed as a U.N. World Heritage site.

Thai nationalists objected, some of them claiming the temple is in Thailand, and both sides began building up military forces in the area, leading to occasional skirmishes.

Cambodian PM talks peace

via CAAI

Associated Press

2011-02-15

Cambodia's leader has offered words of peace to Thailand, a day after the United Nations rebuffed his request to intervene in his country's sporadic armed border conflict with its bigger neighbor.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday that his country needs peace with its neighbors to foster development. He urged that the deadly border issue be quickly solved and that fighting not be allowed to spread, calling for "a border of peace, friendship and cooperation."

The U.N. Security Council expressed "grave concern" Monday at the clashes and called for a permanent cease-fire to resolve the conflict in the disputed land surrounding Preah Vihear temple, a U.N. World Heritage site. At least eight people have died in fighting that began Feb. 4.

In Preah Vihear Temple, 50 Years of Conflict

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 15 February 2011

via CAAI

Photo: AP

The stone remains of Preah Vihear, built nearly 1,000 years ago, are supposed to be a protected U.N. World Heritage site. Instead they are at the heart of a dangerous tug-of-war between Cambodia and Thailand.

“The roots of this conflict go back to 1962, when the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia.”

In the past 46 years, Cambodia and Thailand have clashed off and on over Preah Vihear temple. But the border dispute has been increasingly motivated by nationalism in both countries.

Tensions spilled over into intense fighting along the border between Feb. 4 and Feb. 7, leading the foreign ministers to the UN Security Council on Monday.

Experts say the heart of the matter is Preah Vihear temple itself, an 11th-Century structure built when the Khmer empire spread far outside the borders of today’s Cambodia but which some Thai political groups have said belongs to Thailand.

“The roots of this conflict go back to 1962, when the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia,” according to Vinita Ramani Mohan, a researcher at the University of Management of Singapore.

That court decision stemmed from a request by then prince Norodom Sihanouk, who wanted Thai forces to leave the temple after a long occupation. The court declared the temple as Cambodian, paving the way for its 2008 Unesco World Heritage listing.

However, the listing ignited a fresh wave of Thai nationalism and protests in Bangkok and on the border and led to a build-up of troops and intermittent fighting by both sides.

“The July 2008 listing of the temple as a Unesco World Heritage site is likely to have angered Thailand, which has continued to claim the temple as sovereign property,” Homan told VOA Khmer in an email.

Moreover, Cambodia’s submission to Unesco of a development plan for the temple and 4.6 kilometers of disputed land nearby in August 2010 likely escalated the situation further, she said.

Cambodia claims the land west of the temple following treaties between what was then Siam and the French at the turn of the 20th Century. Thailand claims the same land under a map it says is more modern.

Asean has sought to intervene in the dispute, but Homan told VOA Khmer the regional body has traditionally “lacked teeth.”

Meanwhile, the Thai People’s Alliance for Democracy, whose heavy protests unseated a Thai administration in 2009, has taken a strong stance on the temple and is now pressuring the current Thai administration on its handling of the border issue.

Thai claims to the land near the temple, or even the temple itself, have run afoul of Cambodia’s claims to legal ownership of the land. Both sides have claimed the other instigated the fighting earlier this month. Cambodia reported seven people, including two civilians, killed in the fighting and petitioned to address the Security Council.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told the Security Council Thailand had instigated the latest round of violence and used munitions like cluster bombs that were endangering the population.

And while Thailand has said it is still seeking a bilateral solution to the dispute, Cambodian officials have said they no longer feel two-way talks will help.

Meanwhile, the dispute drags on, leaving people displaced from the area of the fighting and costing both countries in lost trade.

“Fifty years later, there is a repetitive story,” said Chhang Youk, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia.

Thai FM: 'Ball in Cambodian court' on bilateral talks, permanent ceasefire

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Feb 15 - Thailand is ready to hold bilateral talks to settle the Thai-Cambodian border dispute and to sign a ceasefire agreement but it depends on the Cambodian decision on its commitment to the United Nations, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Tuesday.

Interviewed by telephone on state-run television NBT after a meeting of the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thai-Cambodia border clash near Preah Vihear temple that all UNSC members wanted to see Thailand and Cambodia hold bilateral talks while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in which Thailand and Cambodia are members to be a mentor.

He said the ASEAN foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Jakarta, Indonesia on Feb 22.

Thailand would inform the meeting that Thailand and Cambodia have bilateral talks framwork including the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

Thailand proposed hosting the JBC on Feb 27 and it is up to Cambodia's decision whether to attend the meeting or not, he said.

"Thailand has proposed to Cambodia for the next joint border committee to be held at the end of this month. I hope that the invitation would be accepted to demonstrate to the world our commitment to the international community that the bilateral negotiation must go on to bring about [resolution], I think, not only of the border issue, but overall peace and security," Mr Kasit told reporters after the Security Council meeting.

As for the permanent ceasefire recommended by the Security Council, Mr Kasit said on state television that it could be possible with talks between Thai and Cambodian defence ministers. Thailand has clearly stated that it wants peace and expressed a sincere desire to hold talks but it depended on Cambodia's decision.

Thailand also proposed to delay the management plan for Preah Vihear temple as it was considered a flash point that could ignite military clashes until the border demarcation is completed.

The council on Monday expressed "grave concern" at recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia between Feb 4-7 and called on the two sides to establish a permanent ceasefire and settle the dispute peacefully.

The council gave strong backing to the efforts of the 10-member ASEAN to help resolve the conflict in the disputed border region surrounding Preah Vihear temple, a protected UN World Heritage site.

Council president Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil made the call after a closed-door session with Thai Foreign Minister Kasit, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in his capacity as the current chair of ASEAN.

"The members of the Security Council called on the two sides to display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation. The members of the Security Council further urged the parties to establish a permanent ceasefire and to implement it fully and resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue," she said at the press briefing after the meeting.

Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for recent clashes near the ancient Preah Vihear temple that killed at least three Thais and eight Cambodians.

Cambodia had asked the council for an emergency meeting on the issue. Council members initially resisted allowing the dispute to come to New York but eventually agreed to Monday's meeting.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the 11th century Preah Vihear temple belongs to Phnom Penh. UNESCO named it a World Heritage site in 2008 after Cambodia had applied for the status. The country submitted a management plan for the temple to UNESCO’s World Heritage Commission in 2010, which deferred a decision until this year. (MCOT online news, agencies)

Cambodian child, 5, dies of bird flu

Katy Light

Cherokee County Backyard Poultry Examiner
 
http://www.examiner.com/
 

via CAAI

 

February 15th, 2011

 

The World Health Organization has confirmed that a five year old child from Phnom Penh in Cambodia died from bird flu in early February.

According to an investigation, she had been exposed to sick poultry a week before she became ill.

Her death brings the Cambodian total of fatalities due to the disease to 9.

So far in 2011, only Egypt and Cambodia have reported deaths due to H5N1.

A comprehensive list of reported cases and fatalities from the World Health Organization (WHO) can be found here.

What can you do you keep your farm safe?

There are shows, swaps, sales and auctions regularly throughout the North Georgia, Atlanta and Cherokee County areas. If you choose to visit one of these, practice good biosecurity by ensuring that the clothes and boots you wear are thoroughly disinfected and do not come into contact with your own birds at home, and any birds you purchase from these places must be adequately quarantined to check for illess or disease.

Thai army confirms one injury in fresh border clash

via CAAI

February 15, 2011 

The Thai Army confirmed only one injury in the border clash Tuesday morning, after an earlier report said five soldiers was wounded in the latest skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia over an disputed land.

Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman of Thai Royal Army, told Xinhua that the clash occurred at 05:00 a.m. local time after Cambodian troops started it by throwing grenades to Thai side. The crossfire only lasted for a few minutes, he said.

Local media reported earlier that five Thai soldiers were wounded, one seriously, in a clash Monday night with Cambodian soldiers. The clash took place just hours after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened a meeting in New York to mediate the disputes between the two countries, calling for ending the conflicts by negotiation. The foreign ministers from both Thailand and Cambodia attended the meeting.

The fresh crossfire between Thai and Cambodian troops came after the border area resumed temporary peace for about a week.

The Thai-Cambodian border area near Preah Vihear temple had seen a serial clashes from Feb. 4 to 7.

Source: Xinhua

AKP - The Agence Kampuchea Press

via CAAI

Latest Thai Allegation that Cambodian Army Started Firing First Denied

Phnom Penh, February 15, 2011, AKP–Latest Thai Allegation that Cambodian Army Started Firing First Denied

______

Security Council Press Statement On Cambodia-Thailand Border Situation

Phnom Penh, February 15, 2011 AKP – The following Security Council press statement was issued on Feb. 14 by Council President Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti (Brazil) and posted on the website of the Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia:

“The members of the Security Council were briefed by Under-Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe and by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and Chair of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Marty Natalegawa, on the situation on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.

The members of the Security Council also heard from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, Hor Namhong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Kasit Piromya.

The members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern about the recent armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand.

The members of the Security Council called on the two sides to display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation. The members of the Security Council further urged the parties to establish a permanent ceasefire, and to implement it fully and resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue.

The members of the Security Council expressed support for ASEAN’s active efforts in this matter and encouraged the parties to continue to cooperate with the organization in this regard. They welcomed the upcoming Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of ASEAN on 22 February.” –AKP

______

PM Meets CPV Secretary General’s Special Envoy

Phnom Penh, February 15, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen received here on Feb. 14 H.E. Hoang Binh Quan, special envoy of H.E. Nguyen Phu Trong, new secretary general of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

In the meeting, H.E. Hoang Binh Quan, also chairman of CPV Commission for External Relations informed the Cambodian prime minister of the results of the 11th CPV Congress.

He further thanked the Cambodian government and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) for the congratulatory messages for the CPV Congress and invited Samdech Techo Hun Sen to pay a visit to Vietnam in an appropriate time.

In reply, the Cambodian premier congratulated the results of the CPV Congress and expressed profound thanks to the party for maintaining the friendship and good cooperation spirit with Cambodia.

During his visit in the Kingdom, H.E. Hoang Binh Quan has also met with H.E. Say Chhum, chairman of the Standing Committee of CPP Central Committee.

According to the schedule, he will be received in a royal audience by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, pay courtesy calls on Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim and National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, and meet with leaders of FUNCINPEC Party. –AKP

By LIM Nary

______

Cambodia Supports China’s Stance on Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute Resolution

Phnom Penh, February 15, 2011 AKP – Cambodia supported Chinese government’s stance on an effort in seeking a resolution to end the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

Cambodia welcomed and thanked the Chinese government for a statement about its stance which coincides with that of Cambodia, said H.E. Koy Kuong, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia in reply to China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu saying on Feb. 14 that China supports the mediation efforts of ASEAN to ease the tension between Cambodia and Thailand, and is willing to play a constructive role for the proper settlement of relevant issues together with the international community including ASEAN.

China called for both sides to keep calm, exercise utmost restraint and end the military confrontation as soon as possible so as to avoid further escalation of the situation and made efforts to solve dispute through consultation.

H.E. Koy Kuong also reaffirmed Cambodia’s stance, saying that all the talks on Cambodian-Thai border dispute have to be held with the participation from the third party. –AKP

By THOU Peou

______

Cambodia Signs Agreements with World Bank and IFC

Phnom Penh, February 15, 2011 AKP – Cambodia and two financial institutions reached the Financing Agreement and Risk Sharing Framework Agreement for the Agribusiness Access to Finance Project in Phnom Penh late last week.

The agreements were signed by H.E. Keat Chhon, deputy prime minister and minister of Economy and Finance with Ms. Annette Dixon, country director of World Bank and Mr. Simon Andrews, regional manager of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Under the agreements, World Bank will finance US$5 million while IFC agree to provide a loan of US$20 million to Cambodia to support the eight-year (2011-2018) project, which helps encourage the commercial banks to provide loans or credits to small and medium enterprises in the field of agro-industry, especially the rice production for export, H.E. Keat Chhon said. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

______

Six Senior Cambodian Police Officers Leave for ILEA

Phnom Penh, February 15, 2011 AKP – Six senior Cambodian police officers departed here on Feb. 13 for study at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to a police officer, the six police officers will attend a six-week training course on international law against cross border crimes.

The course is aimed to increase the effectiveness of the regional cooperation, so as to combat cross border crimes including drug trafficking and financial crimes, etc., according to another police officer.

The six-week training course is sponsored by the American government. –AKP

By CHEA Vannak

______

Editorial: Thai Claims Outrageous

Phnom Penh, February 15, 2011 AKP – Thailand claimed that Cambodia attacked first when hostilities broke out 10 days ago at the Preah Vihear temple region.

Thailand also claimed, via its premier, that Cambodia positioned troops at the world heritage of Preah Vihear.

Facts or fiction?

Thailand’s GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) for 2010 at constant prices was estimated at $580.3 billion USD. The population of Thailand in 2010 was estimated at 67,764 million. Land mass of 513,120 sq km. And armed forces, including paramilitary, as of 2008 at 665,000, including modern main battle tanks, F 16 fighter jets, and attack helicopters as well as naval units.

Cambodia’s GDP (Purchasing Power Parity was USD29.5 billion. Cambodia had 14 million people. Land area: 181,035 sq kms and armed forces of approximately 100,000, a virtually non existent air force and naval units.

Given the above, would anyone of a sane and rational mind ever belief what Thai premier Abihisit alleged – that Cambodia attacked Thai military and civilian units across the tenacious border of Preah Vihear over four consecutive days early February?

Is this logical for Cambodia to actually mount an offensive against Thailand as claimed and foolishly alleged by Thailand? Cambodia is a vastly smaller neighbor, struggling to build its economy, build infrastructure and bring basic amenities to her people.

On the contrary, it would be outrageous, ridiculous and even outright stupid for Cambodia to launch any offensive against Thailand in the battle field as it is outnumbered in every single aspect of the armed forces – from the military to the air force, to the navy and to the paramilitary and even the civilian police force.

In the absence of an air force, attack helicopters, modern main battle tanks, inadequate supply base and nightmarish logistics, no one ever believe Cambodia is capable of mounting any form of attack against Thailand.

Cambodia, which emerged from three decades of civil war 1970- 1998 during which her infrastructures were devastated and tens of thousands of people were killed, is tired of fighting.

It is clear and evident that Thai Premier Abhisit, fearing an international public relations nightmare and a highly likely scenario of being sanctioned by the UNSC, ASEAN, UNESCO and other international institutions, has embarked on a much maligned public relations campaign to say that the victim has been the aggressor. The above facts speak volumes of this, including Thai threat to unleash its mighty air force on Cambodia if Cambodia did not withdraw from its own territory!

Surely the international community and ASEAN are matured enough and have within them, the capability of rational thinking based on the facts on the grounds to judge or conclude who is the aggressor and who is the victim!

Furthermore Abhisit also alleged that Cambodia used the world heritage of Preah Vihear to house troops and launch attacks on Thai territory. This is another outrageous lie and false propaganda designed to pull wool over the international community’s eyes and reasoning.

Cambodia has to defense the vicinity of Preah Vihear Temple given the fact that Thai has tried on several occasions by military means to occupy the Temple’s surrounding area, which is under the Cambodia’s territory.

This is the opening Thailand is seeking, yearning and even prepared to die for. Thailand wants to walk into the Preah Vihear temple unopposed, unchallenged and plant its flag on sovereign Cambodian soil. Thailand intended and intends to do this unopposed and by masking its intentions by alleging that Cambodia is using the world heritage as a military base.

This lies and malicious rumors are precisely the reason why Cambodia has invited United Nations military observers to take up positions in the Preah Vihear temple region and its vicinity, sovereign Cambodian territory so that the international community can see up close and in person, that Cambodia is indeed a victim of Thailand’s grand scheme of annexing Cambodian soil, seizing Cambodia’s and the world cultural heritage from right under the nose of Cambodia and the world community!

This would indeed be the case if Cambodia left the temple unguarded as history and the ICJ has proven that Thais have looted the Preah Vihear temple for centuries and will continue to do so, even if they have no legal, cultural, historical and or moral right to the temple or its vicinity.

Cambodia, by appealing to the UNSC and the world community, including UNESCO to take up its just cause, has done the right thing as an intransigent Thailand has proven time and again in decades that it cannot be trusted or depended upon to accept internationally binding verdicts not bilateral agreements as it harbors territorial ambitions and to claim as its own, what it does not own or understand in the first place!

(Ek Madra, a Cambodian roaming journalist)

(The comments are solely the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Royal Government of Cambodia.)

Tycoon’s wife gets 20 years

Photo by: Pha Lina

Seng Chenda enters Phnom Penh Municipal Court today.

via CAAI

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 22:25 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Seng Chenda, wife of prominent businessman Khaou Chuly, was sentenced to 20 years in prison today by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for her role in an attempted plot to kill her husband’s daughter from his previous marriage.

Judge Sin Visal said that confessions and testimony given by Seng Chenda’s accomplices proved that she had masterminded a scheme to kill Suv Chantha as well as her daughter in June last year.

Suv Chantha is the daughter of tycoon Khaou Chuly and the wife of Sun Chanthol, vice chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia and a former minister of public works and transport.

“According to the answers and confessions of the accomplices during their questioning … in front of police and the investigating judge … they have said that Seng Chenda ordered them to kill Sun Chanthol’s family,” Sin Visal said in court today.

“Therefore, the court decided to sentence her to a 20-year imprisonment.”

The accomplices – Khorn Lak, 30, Chan Sokha, 38, and Neang Sinath, 25 – were also sentenced for their roles in the plot.

Khorn Lak, a security guard employed by Khaou Chuly, received a 20-year sentence.

Chan Sokha, a maid at Khaou Chuly’s house, and Neang Sinath, a maid at Suv Chanthol’s house, were both given sentences of 18 years.

The court ruled that a fourth suspected accomplice, Yin Sophearith, 25, also a security guard employed by Khaou Chuly, was not involved in the plot and released him.

He testified that he had been at home the night of the murder plot, recovering from injuries from a traffic accident.

Seng Chenda and her four suspected accomplices were arrested in June and charged with attempted murder under the Law on Aggravating Circumstances for Felonies, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

All pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lim Vanna, Seng Chenda’s lawyer, said the court’s verdict was wrong.

“I think that this verdict does not deliver justice to my client because she is innocent and is also a victim.”

Seng Chenda said the verdict was a “mistake”.

“I have not been involved in, nor have I committed this accused crime; but the court has made a mistake about me. I think that the court is very cheap and its verdict is very unjust for me,” she said.

“There is no justice in Cambodia.”

The verdict brought to close a dramatic trial with more than a dozen witnesses and five hearings that saw several accused recount testimony to police and claim they had been forced to confess under threats from police and Sun Chantol.

Chan Sokha and Neang Sinath both said police forced them to meet with Sun Chantol, who they said threatened them and their families.

Khaou Phallaboth, a son of Khaou Chuly, said the charges were merely an extension of a family dispute.

“I don’t believe that Seng Chenda has committed this crime, it is just a drama prepared by Sun Chantol.”

Ministry denies blocking website

via CAAI

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 22:23 Thomas Miller

The government today denied reports that it has asked internet service providers to block an opposition-aligned website, which continued to be unavailable to users through at least four ISPs.

“We didn’t make any order to block KI-Media,” So Khun, the minister of posts and telecommunications, said today. “I deny that the government allowed the order to block any website.”

Mao Chakrya, the ministry’s director general, also said there had been no such directive, backing up comments by Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith on Monday saying the government would not block “any website”.

However, So Khun presided over a meeting on February 10 with mobile operators, during which he apparently asked for cooperation in blocking traffic to unspecified websites, according to official minutes from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

“In the meeting, His Excellency said that the Royal Government did not have a principle of blocking some websites, but His Excellency made a request to all operators to cooperate in curbing some websites that affect Khmer morality and tradition and the government through using the internet,” say the minutes, a copy of which was obtained today by The Post.

“He suggested that all operators help to cooperate and report on time so that the Ministry is able to offer its report to the government.”

Internet users have reported to The Post that they were unable to access the website KI-Media through four ISPs: Online, WiCam, Metfone, and Ezecom.

However, MekongNet, and Chuan Wei have not blocked access to the site, which was also available by cell phone through provider Mobitel today.

Two other sites, Khmerization and Sacrava, which carry content that overlaps with KI-Media, could not be accessed through Ezecom.

Though there were just 29,589 internet subscribers in 2009, that number jumped to 173,675 in 2010, coinciding with the introduction of 3G towers and mobile internet access, according to data obtained last month from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

There are also an estimated 239,560 Facebook users in the Kingdom.

Paul Blanche-Horgan, CEO of Ezecom, has said the issue was merely a “technical problem”, while a Metfone representative did not respond to requests for comment.

Alan Sinfield, CEO of qb, said he didn’t know anything about a government request to restrict internet access.

On Monday, people trying to access KI-Media through ISP WiCam received a message stating that the site had been “blocked as ordered by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia”.

A WiCam employee told The Post that the ministry had sent an email to the company several weeks ago ordering them to block access to the site because it “impacts the government”.

The WiCam error message was changed today, and said only that the “requested URL could not be retrieved”.

KI-Media is maintained by several domestic and overseas bloggers who aggregate Cambodia-related news articles with a mix of political commentary, satirical cartoons, Khmer poetry and inspirational quotations.

Some of the government criticism is vitriolic.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior officials are listed as “traitors”, while opposition leader Sam Rainsy and other activists are labelled “heroes”.

The Cambodian Centre for Human Rights slammed the reported blocked access, saying “censorship” would only instill discontent.

“By extending its censorship to the internet, the government is likely to create further discontent amongst the people,” Ou Virak, president of CCHR, said in a statement today.

“It is only by joining the online dialogue and by responding to criticisms with reasoned argument that the government can hope to avoid the criticisms it seems so intent on suppressing.”

Meanwhile, in what the United States has billed a major address pushing internet freedom after uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on governments worldwide to support an open internet, according to excerpts released ahead of the speech.

“History has shown us that repression often sows the seeds for revolution down the road,” she said.

“Those who clamp down on Internet freedom may be able to hold back the full impact of their people’s yearnings for a while, but not forever.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SAM RITH AND REUTERS

Refugee centre closes

via CAAI

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 19:21 Sebastian Strangio and Cheang Sokha

A United Nations refugee centre in Cambodia that housed Vietnamese Montagnards was closed down today, prompting fears from rights groups about the fate of future Montagnard asylum seekers.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong confirmed today that the Sen Sok district site would be closed according to the government’s schedule.

“As I have said, the temporary camp would be closed by the 15th.

Today is the deadline of the closing down,” he said.

The closure of the site, ordered by the ministry in November, signals the end of a 2005 agreement between Cambodia, Vietnam and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees governing the processing of Montagnard asylum seekers.

Since the passage of a December 2009 sub-decree, all other asylum requests have been processed by the Cambodian Refugee Office under the Ministry of Interior.

In a statement issued on Monday, Human Rights Watch stated that continuing persecution of Montagnard Christians in Vietnam made it “imperative” that Cambodia continues to guarantee their right to seek asylum.

The Kingdom is one of only two countries in Southeast Asia to have signed the 1951 Refugee Convention.

“Cambodia has a clear obligation to ensure that future Montagnard asylum seekers are permitted to enter a refugee screening process that is fair and based on international standards,” HRW’s deputy Asia director Phil Robertson said in the statement.

“Closing the Montagnard refugee centre doesn’t change those obligations.”

In its statement, HRW expressed concerns the refugee sub-decree, which was passed just days before the government forcibly deported 20 ethnic Uighurs to China, failed to protect the rights of asylum seekers.

The group stated that the sub-decree “provides Cambodian authorities great leeway to reject and expel asylum seekers, with insufficient procedural protections in place to prevent unlawful forced returns”.

Mom Sophannarith, the head of the refugee office, said the government would handle future Montagnards cases alone.

“We set up our own refugee office in 2008, so the government will examine the status of those people,” he said, adding that it would not discriminate on any basis.

“We don’t care whether they are Montagnard or not, we do not discriminate against any nationalities,” he said.

Koy Kuong added that in future cases, the government would implement both the refugee sub-decree and its immigration laws. Immigration rules would be given precedence, he added.

Denise Coughlan, director of Jesuit Refugee Services, said the closure of the site marked the “end of an era”, but added that members of “any group” should continue to have the right to seek asylum in Cambodia.

UNHCR officials said on Monday that 50 registered refugees from the site have already departed the country, while 10 who are eligible to emigrate will be housed temporarily pending their departure.

A further 10 will be returned to Vietnam at an undetermined date after having their asylum claims rejected.

Stock exchange hitch

via CAAI

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 20:36 May Kunmakara

Shares in one of three state-run companies set to list on Cambodia’s twice-delayed stock exchange, due to launch in July, might not be traded until the end of 2011, with an official mooting the idea of a “soft launch” to the new bourse.

The comments, made by the director general of Telecom Cambodia today, came as the underwriter in charge of its initial public offering warned of a possible “few months” in bourse delays.

The Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) is set to launch this July “at any cost”, according to the government.

Officials contacted by The Post today said that date was still in place.

Telecom Cambodia has been confirmed as one of three companies to be listed.

It is set to float shares worth 15 percent of its overall asset value of about US$102 million, under the government’s requirements.

But while TC director general Lao Saroeun said the company was following the government’s guidelines and was “on progress”, he believed more time was needed to issue tradable shares.

“We need at least three months after the launch or until year-end to be ready for trading,” he said.

“I think the government will probably do a ‘soft launch’ first.

“We have a lot of work to do – such as choosing an independent accounting firm and law firms to evaluate our performance.”

Tong Yang Securities (Cambodia) Plc is one of seven underwriters licensed to operate.

It is preparing IPOs for two state-owned enterprises, Telecom Cambodia and Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority.

A third and as yet unconfirmed state company is also due to list.

But the managing director of Tong Yang has highlighted timing issues, stating that an IPO could take between six to nine months to complete.

“So far as the timeline for CSX launching is concerned, I would say it is possible to be somewhat delayed,” wrote Han Kyung Tae, who believes that it isn’t right to be “too obsessed” with deadlines.

“Since all the relevant parties are working very hard to launch the new market as soon as possible, the possible delay of a couple of months won’t be a big problem," he said.

While government officials remain convinced the exchange will begin on time, director general of Cambodia Securities and Exchange Commission (SECC) Ming Bankosal hinted that the CSX may have a two-stage launch.

“Of course, we will be on time. The IPOs will be ready for the bourse because we have two kinds of markets—firstly it can be at primary market and then it goes to secondary market.”

A primary market deals with the issuance of new securities. A secondary market is where issuances can be bought or sold.

“I think that at the middle of the year we can have primary market for the IPO and one or two weeks later [shares] can be traded in the bourse,” he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of underwriter Phnom Penh Securities, which is an underwriter being assisted technically by China and Taiwan, highlighted the potential importance of launching on time.

“The government should launch on deadline. We want to show that we have this market paving the way for securities firms to push progress,” said Kuy Vat.

Diong King Kuang, chief executive officer of OSK Indochina Securities limited, another underwriter in Cambodia which actively exploring listing options with corporations, remained “confident that the relevant authorities can meet the July dateline for its first IPO”.

The long-term future of the stock market is also being considered by those on which a successful launch hinges.

Han Kyung Tae said that a more important matter was “how well the market is prepared”.

“We are at the starting-line of a long race of the capital market development and I believe it is far different from a 100-metre sprint,” he said.

“We are laying down the foundation for the future of Cambodia's capital market. What we should focus on is to set up a good market practice and a competitive investment environment for both domestic and foreign investors, as well as issuing companies. In this way, CSX will become a competitive market in the region and even become the regional financial hub in the future.”

Hun Sen ‘bomb’ plot

via CAAI

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 20:37 Mom Kunthear

A villager in Banteay Meanchey province was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of plotting a bomb attack on Prime Minister Hun Sen after he was caught in possession of an old anti-personnel mine that his wife unearthed in the area.

The arrest came ahead of the premier’s appearance at a groundbreaking ceremony for National Road 59 in Poipet commune yesterday.

Banteay Meanchey police arrested Kim Sath, 42, two hours after he and others discovered a Russian made PMN2 anti-personnel mine, identified by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre today.

The suspect’s wife Chan Thorn said she and her son discovered the mine on Sunday evening. “We called my husband and the villagers to help, at which point my husband placed it near a tree and said we would call the police the next day,” she said.

Police accused him of planting a bomb near today’s groundbreaking ceremony, saying they would release him after the ceremony had finished.

However, Chan Thorn said her husband has been detained at the provincial police station pending a court hearing.

Chan Kosal, Banteay Meanchey provincial deputy police chief, said today they arrested and detained the man for finding the “real thing”.

Rath Pottana, a CMAC officer based in Banteay Meanchey province, confirmed today CMAC received a mine from police officials.

“Our professional officers found the mine is in good condition and that it will explode if someone steps on its hook,” he said.

Chan Thorn said she has filed a request with rights groups Adhoc and Lichado to intervene on her husband’s behalf.

She said villagers will gather at the provincial police station and court if they do not release Kim Sath.

During today’s groundbreaking ceremony, Hun Sen took the opportunity to appeal to his wayward nephew Hun Chea.

In an address to a large crowd in Poipet commune, he asked his nephew to change his ways, airing some of his personal habits.

“Hun Chea comes home very late at night, and often sleeps in his car in front of his house,” he said.

Hun Sen made his first public appeal to his nephew in December, when he accused him of cheating on his wife and involvement with drugs.

Banteay Meanchey provincial court officials could not be reached today.

Security Council urges restraint

Photo by: Reuters

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to reporters during a press briefing following a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Monday.

via CAAI

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 18:53 Cheang Sokha

The United Nations Security Council voiced “grave concern” on Monday about the recent border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, but said the issue should be dealt with at the bilateral and regional levels.

Cambodia had asked the council to order the deployment of UN observers to the border in order to halt Thailand’s “war of aggression” against Cambodia.

But the 15-nation body made clear in a statement its role would be limited to supporting “bilateral efforts and regional efforts” to negotiate an end to the conflict.

At least 10 people were killed during four days of clashes earlier this month in disputed areas close to Preah Vihear temple.

At least 34 Thais and 55 Cambodians were wounded, according to the two sides. Tensions first erupted in July 2008, when Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site over Thai objections.

During the closed-door meeting, council members were briefed on the border situation by UN Undersecretary General B Lynn Pascoe and by Indonesian Foreign Minister Mary Natalegawa. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong also addressed the chamber along with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya.

In a statement following the meeting, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil’s ambassador to the UN and current UNSC president, said council members urged both sides to “display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation”, while continuing to cooperate with ASEAN mediators to resolve the dispute peacefully.

“The members of the Security Council further urged the parties to establish a permanent ceasefire and to implement it fully and resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue,” the statement added.

During his address to the council, Hor Namhong decried Thailand’s “war of aggression” against Cambodia and called for an international solution to the stand-off.

He repeated earlier allegations that Thai forces deployed cluster munitions during the skirmishes, in addition to a range of conventional artillery that fell up to 20 kilometres inside Cambodian territory.

He said six Cambodians were killed and 71 injured in the clashes, adding that two of the dead fell victim to a cluster munition blast, which also injured eight people.

“Even though there were two de facto agreements on a ceasefire, the current situation, however, remains extremely fragile. Fresh fighting may breakout again at any time without forewarning, while heavily armed Thai soldiers, artilleries and tanks have been positioned along the border, posing constant pressure on Cambodia,” Hor Namhong said in his speech to the UNSC.

He said Cambodia supported a “peaceful solution” to the conflict via ASEAN mediation or, failing that, a deployment of UN observers to the area.

In a press briefing following the meeting he said it was regretful that the UNSC would not send observers to guarantee a permanent ceasefire.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said today that the outcome of the UNSC meeting meant Cambodia would not be able to avoid bilateral talks.

“It shows that the international community wants both sides to use bilateral talks to end the conflict,” Thai state media quoted Abhisit as saying.

“Therefore Cambodia has no reason to reject [the talks]. We should return to the talks.”

The ceasefire reportedly got off to a shaky start, however, with Thai army officials claiming one of their soldiers was injured in clashes before dawn today. Cambodian officials denied the report.

“It was a minor clash at the frontline with pistols, wounding one soldier on the Thai side,” said Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, adding that the soldier was wounded by a grenade.

A spokesman at a Thai hospital in the border area said the wounded soldier appeared to have stepped on a landmine.

The Cambodian government, however, said it was unaware of any clash between the two countries.

One Cambodian soldier based close to Preah Vihear said there had been no fighting.

“I’m staying here 24 hours [a day] but there is no fighting,” said the soldier, who gave his name only as Chamroeun.

“Only Thai soldiers are throwing grenades and Cambodian soldiers do not respond.”

He said the Thai soldier may have been injured by one of his own grenades.

ASEAN foreign ministers are set to address the conflict during a meeting in Jakarta next Tuesday.

Hor Namhong is set to return to Cambodia tomorrow.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY REUTERS

The UNSC Meeting is a waste of time

By Khmerization

15th February 2011

I have suspected all along that Cambodia's complaint to the UN Security Council about the "Thai invasion" would fail and is a waste of time. My suspicion have proved correct after the UNSC rejected Cambodia's request of a troop deployment as a buffer zone between Cambodian and Thai troops and referred the Cambodian-Thai conflict to the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), a spineless and toothless organisation.

The Thais have won a diplomatic victory by achieving its wish of a bilateral or regional approach to the conflict and successfully lobbying the UNSC from not taking on the case further. This would leave Cambodia at a severe disadvantage as after 2 and a half years of bilateral talks have produced nothing, but have caused for more tensions and armed clashes. The UNSC should be taking into account the damages to Preah Vihear temple, the Thai troops' use of cluster bombs and alleged use of poison gas/chemical weapons into considerations when making a decision to wash its hand off the conflict.

The meeting of the 10 members of Asean scheduled for 22nd February will result in disappointment for Cambodia, for the 10 members will recommend the two parties, Cambodia and Thailand, return to the bilateral negotiating table.

I can confidently predict that there will be more armed clashes as Cambodia would not budge on giving the 4.6 sq. km of land demanded by Thailand and Thailand will continually attempt to get it by force as has been happened that resulted in at least 4 deadly armed clashes so far.

It is not clear what evidences Cambodia had shown the UNSC members or what angle of argument or cases it had presented to the UNSC meeting. The request for a "UN buffer zone" is not a strong case as UN peace-keeping force is overstretched. The claim for "war" with Thailand from 4-7 February is not very convincing because it only happened sporadically for 4 days and at the time of the UNSC meeting, the fighting had stopped for 7 days already.

Cambodia, in my opinion, should present a case of the"Thai invasion" of Cambodian territory to the UNSC by presenting maps showing that the fighting had occurred inside Cambodia and that Thai troops had encroached 1.2 to 1.6 km inside Cambodian territory.

From a Cambodian perspective, the Preah Vihear case is a lost cause for Cambodia. I can predict that the 4.6 sq. km will have to be ceded to Thailand or at least shared with Thailand in exchange for peace in the area.

Cambodia must bring the case to the International Court of Justice to request it to re-interpret the 1962 verdict. If the case is successful, then Thailand is under the obligation to withdraw its troops from the area like in 1962. But for now, the Thais can have reasons to celebrate on the streets of Bangkok.

Thailand Satisfied With UNSC Outcome

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Thailand believes the Asean informal Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jakarta next week will toe the line set by the United Nations Security in dealing with the Thai-Cambodia conflict over the disputed border.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said today he believed the other Asean countries would encourage Thailand and Cambodia to settle the matter through dialogue.

"We are satisfied with the outcome of the United Nations Security Council meeting last night which asked for the conflict to be settled through dialogue," he told reporters after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting here.

UNSC has urged the two parties to establish a permanent ceasefire and resolve the situation peacefully and through dialogue.

Foreign Ministers Kasit Piromya of Thailand, Hor Namhong of Cambodia and Dr Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia, the current Asean Chair, attended the meeting in New York.

Kasit and Hor presented their respective case of the four-day clashes with heavy weapons starting Feb 4 at the border which claimed 10 lives from both sides.

Both countries are claiming an area of 4.6 square kilometers surrounding the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear Hindu Temple, located in Cambodia as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962 and listed as a world heritage site by Unesco in 2008.

Abhisit said Thailand had no objection to Asean facilitating the two sides to come to the negotiation table.

"We believed it could be resolved at the bilateral level, something we can resolve together as it involves a bilateral problem," Abhisit said.

Bangkok had planned to hold the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Border Committee meeting in this capital to iron out the border demarcation process late this month.

Asked about the Phnom Penh's response as initial news reports from Phnom Penh indicated reluctance to attend the meeting, Abhisit said:

"Give them some time (to respond). No deadline has been set for them to respond."

Five Thai soldiers injured in fresh border clash

via CAAI

February 15, 2011

Five Thai soldiers were wounded, one seriously, in a fresh clash Monday night with Cambodian soldiers along the border while a mediating meeting was going on at UN in New York, an army commander said on Tuesday.

Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, commander of Thailand's 2nd Army which is deployed in the Thai-Cambodian border area, said the Cambodian troops launched an attack on their base in Phu Ma Khua area near the disputed area on Monday night. Tawatchai said that the Cambodian attack took place shortly after 10 p.m. while representatives of Thailand and Cambodia were presenting their accounts of the territorial dispute to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The attack was followed by a clash, he said.

The fresh crossfire between Thai and Cambodian troops took place after the border area resumed temporary peace for about a week.

The Thai-Cambodian border area near Preah Vihear temple had seen a serial clashes from Feb. 4th to 7th, the fiercest in years between the two neighboring countries in an age-long dispute over the ownership of a land plot around that temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The strip of a 4.6-sq-km land was claimed by both countries.

Source: Xinhua

Thai-Cambodia trade fair in Phnom Penh will go ahead : Hun Sen

via CAAI

By Xinhua

People's Daily online

A joint trade fair to be held in Cambodia this week will go ahead as scheduled despite military clashes at the border near Preah Vihear Temple, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday said Tuesday.

"Trades with Thailand are still normal," he said during opening the construction of a 144-km road in Banteay Meanchey province which is adjacent to Sa Kaew province of Thailand.

He said that a Thai deputy prime minister will come to Phnom Penh to open the trade fair to be held between Thursday and Sunday.

"We have to continue cooperation on all other sectors with Thailand. The area that has disputed, we resolve at that area and contain it from spreading further," he said.

"We have a policy to turn all Cambodian borders with neighboring countries to be a border of peace, friendship and cooperation."

Meanwhile Jiranan Wongmongkol, director of the Thai embassy's Foreign Trade Promotion Office in Phnom Penh, confirmed Tuesday that Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankiri, will make a one-day visit to Phnom Penh to attend the event on Thursday.

He is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, she said.

"We have already prepared for the exhibition--everything is on schedule," she said.

The fair is expected about 150 Thai companies and about 25 Cambodian companies will display their products in the event.

Bilateral trades between Cambodia and Thailand mounted to US2.54 million in 2010, up 54 percent from Bt1.65 billion in a year earlier, according to the statistics from Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

Of the sum, Cambodia exported to Thailand was only US$214.7 million and Thailand exported to Cambodia worth up to Bt2.34 billion last year.

Cambodian and Thai troops clashed on February 1 near Preah Vihear Temple. The fighting killed three and injured many others.

Cambodia brought the dispute to the UN Security Council in a meeting on Monday. The UNSC resolved that both countries to display maximum restraint and to establish a permanent cease-fire.

It also expressed support for the active efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in this matter and encouraged the parties to continue their cooperation with the organization.

Summonses out for 10 PAD leaders

via CAAI

Published: 15/02/2011 

Summonses have been issued for 10 co-leaders of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), requiring them to report to police for violating an order of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Amnuay Nimmano said on Tuesday.

Under the Internal Security Act, CAPO has issued an order prohibiting use of certain roads around Government House and the parliament. These roads have been occupied by PAD protesters as they mount pressure on the government to comply with their demands on the handling of border issues with Cambodia. They are required to reopen them to traffic.

Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay Nimmano

Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said those found violating Article 18 of the ISA are liable to a jail term of up to one year and a fine of 20,000 baht.

Those summonsed are required to report the Metropolitan Police Division 1 headquarters within seven days, by Feb 22, he said.

The 10 who have been summonsed are: Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Prapan Khoonmee, Panthep Puapongphan, Rak Rakpong (Samana Pothirak, leader of the Santi Asoke sect), Suriyasai Katasila, Terdphum Jaidee, Pibhop Dhongchai, Amorn Amornrattananond and Tossapol Kaewthima.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang said earlier the yellow-shirt group would cooperate and answer the summonses, and would not move the protest to put pressure on the police, the court or the prison system.

Maj-Gen Chamlong also said he would not object if police want to search the PAD protest site for weapons and alcohol.

On the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, he said the PAD would be glad to provide information about the issue if a forum were set up for this purpose, but would definitely not negotiate or debate with the government on the matter.

PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongphan said a condition should be set that Cambodians staying in the disputed border area must move out before Thailand and Cambodia agree on a permanent ceasefire, as called for by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

If this condition was not met first, then they would continue to occupy the area and trespass on more Thai territory, including Kaeo Sikkha Khiri Savara temple and Phu Ma Khua.

If this was allowed to happen, Cambodia might win the management of the area around Preah Vihear temple and Thailand might end up losing the disputed area permanently, Mr Panthep said.

Meanwhile, police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri announced that no replacement would be appointed for assistant police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang, who has resigned as chief investigator handling the cases against the PAD, since the investigation has been completed.

Pol Lt-Gen Somyot was handling the cases against the PAD for the blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in late 2008.

Pol Lt-Gen Somyot said he had been severely criticised and his family put under immense pressure, and he asked to be relieved of the job.

Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang

Pol Maj-Gen Prawut said It is not necessary to replace Pol Lt-Gen Somyot as chief investigator, since he had finished the job. the investigation of PAD suspects in the case was completed.

All that remains to be done is for police to forward their investigation report to the prosecutors for indictment, he said.

Asked about Maj-Gen Chamlong's civil lawsuit demanding 220 million baht compensation for damages from Pol Lt-Gen Somyot, on grounds the terrorism charge levied against him was too harsh and unreasonable, Pol Maj-Gen Prawut said the officer is protected by an act of 1996 regarding responsibilities of authorities in performing their duties.

The spokesman said Pol Lt-Gen Somyot will be looked after by the Royal Thai Police Office.