UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Calls for Moratorium on Evictions – Thursday, 28.5.2009

Posted on 28 May 2009

The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 614
http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com/

nda"In its first review of the compliance by Cambodia with a principal human rights treaty, an independent UN panel calls for a moratorium on evictions in Cambodia. UN human rights officials ask the Cambodian government to make more efforts to stop the abuses and evictions of sick, poor, and powerless people.

“Many recommendations of the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights call on Cambodia to ensure that its courts really protect human rights, end the culture of violence and impunity in Cambodia, and spend more time on social services for housing, food, and education. According to an advance copy of the recommendations released on Monday 25 May 2009 – the final document had not yet been released – Cambodia fails to observe the most important parts of the International Covenant of 1976 on economic, social, and cultural rights, which are considered to be an important part of the International Bill of Human Rights.

Note:

The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the following:

-Universal Declaration of Human Rights
-International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
-International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
-Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
-Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty

“It is assumed that the committee of 18 legal experts expressed their position with strong words on Cambodia because of the general documented criticism by different human rights organizations, and the decision of the Cambodian government not to send expert representatives to attend the review panel of the UN committee on 11 and 12 May 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland. Cambodia sent only two people to meet with the UN committee, including the Cambodian ambassador to Switzerland Sun Suon. The difficult man Om Yentieng, the chairperson of the government’s Cambodian Committee on Human Rights, could not yet be reached for comment about the voice of the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

“It should be noted that the first report of Cambodia sent to the UN committee was in 1994. Moreover, regular reports of donor countries about the progress of the recommendations of the UN committee said that that Cambodians are insecure in their homes, health, and education. Also thousands of powerless people have been evicted.

“The review report said, ‘The committee is gravely concerned over reports that since the year 2000, over 100,000 people were evicted in Phnom Penh alone; that at least 150,000 Cambodians continue to live under the threat of forced eviction; and that authorities of the state party are actively involved in land-grabbing.’ The committee urges the state party to implement a moratorium on all evictions until the proper legal framework is in place, and the process of land titling is completed, in order to ensure the protection of human rights of all Cambodians, including indigenous people” [quoted from The Cambodia Daily].

“Regarding the above recommendations, the parliamentarian Cheam Yeap from the Cambodian People’s Party from Prey Veng, said that the call for a moratorium is an intervention by foreigners into Cambodian affairs. The much talking man Cheam Yeap explained the eviction measures of the government, ‘They are part of the plan to develop the country and the cities.’ Moreover, he accused some villagers of exaggerating their numbers in order to receive compensation.

“Cambodia has signed the nine so-called core human rights treaties and ratified or acceded to six of them. However, like many other countries, Cambodia has often delayed or disregarded the requirements of reporting on its observance of the treaties. The Human Rights Committee, which monitors observance of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, reviewed Cambodia in 1999 but has not heard from the government since.

Note:

There are eight human rights treaty bodies that monitor implementation of the core international human rights treaties:

Human Rights Committee (CCPR)
-Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
-Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
-Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
-Committee Against Torture (CAT) & Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) – Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
-Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
-Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)
-Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

There are nine core international human rights treaties , one of which – on enforced disappearance – has not yet entered into force.

“The UN committee’s concluding observations welcomed what it called positive developments, such as the 2007 findings by the Constitutional Council, saying that ratified human rights treaties have to be observed by Cambodian courts, and the adoption in the same year of a new Penal Code, as well as plans to increase the share of women in the civil service. The committee, however, called for the creation of an independent Cambodian human rights body, the adoption of the 14-year-old draft anti-corruption law, and that social impact assessments should be carried out when economic concessions are granted within Cambodia’s protected areas.


“In a global study of the observance of the treaties, law professors Christof Heyns and Frans Vijoen of the University of Pretoria in South Africa, found that because of criticism from treaties bodies, Russia had significantly reduced the number of crimes punishable by death, Egypt had released prisoners held under emergency legislation, and the Colombian government abolished the use of armed civilian militias in its ongoing civil war.

“‘The unfortunate result is that the countries that most often end up being singled out as human rights violators are those where there is also active engagement. Within the system, more criticism seems to be the response for a higher level of engagement,’ according to the study. Jan Klabbers, deputy director of the Erik Castrén Institute of International Law and Human Rights in Helsinki/Finland, said the public should temper what it expects of the UN human rights treaties [the four paragraphs above are also quoted from The Cambodia Daily]

“Human rights observers in Cambodia said that the call of the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights for a moratorium on evictions to the Khmer government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen is in line with the obvious situation, since in recent years, hundreds of Khmer families have been evicted violently and unjustly by the Hun Sen government, colluding with dishonest merchants. Obviously, more than 4,000 families in the Boeng Kak Lake area are facing eviction, because the Hun Sen government already handed over the land in that area to the Shukaku company for construction development, without caring about the impact on the life of the residents. Therefore, the UN committee has to observe the activities of the Hun Sen government carefully in order to prevent high ranking officials of the government from colluding with dishonest merchants to mistreat poor citizens as they like.”

Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.16, #3769, 28.5.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 28 May 2009

Evidence of Fourth Mineralised Zone Discovered Near "French Pit" on Elray's Porphyry Creek Project in Cambodia

Marketwire
http://www.marketwire.com

May 28, 2009

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA--(Marketwire - May 28, 2009) - Elray Resources, Inc.(OTCBB:ELRA), a technically-driven mining and exploration company today confirmed that a fourth mineralised zone has been discovered near what is known as "The French Pit" on the Company's 100% owned, 9,000 hectare Porphyry Creek Project in Cambodia.

The "French Pit" and surrounding area was examined in detail and strong evidence was gathered to demonstrate the occurrence of a 4th mineralised zone in that area. A drainage ditch was excavated at the eastern end of the pit to enable future investigations.

The Porphyry Creek prospect area has been the subject of sporadic exploration activity for the last 50-years. All work to date has focussed on a small area of known outcrop originally discovered in the bed of Porphyry Creek. The most comprehensive exploration work was carried out by the French in the 1950's when they completed a large excavation locally known as "French Pit" on the east bank of Porphyry Creek, approximately 50m downstream of the original outcrop.

"The data gathered so far supports the conclusion that our Porphyry Creek property is heavily mineralised and worth further exploration," commented Mr. Barry J. Lucas, Executive Chairman of Elray Resources.

About Elray Resources, Inc.

Elray Resources, Inc. is a junior exploration and development Corporation which has successfully accumulated a portfolio of highly prospective, heavily mineralized mining tenements in South East Asia. Elray Resources, Inc.'s, primary objective is to source projects, conduct geological assessments and seek Joint Venture partners to develop the properties.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks associated with gold & precious mineral exploration risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, government regulation and taxation. More information about factors that potentially could affect the Company's financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Judicial Academy Students Address Bribery Claims

http://www.voanews.com

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
28 May 2009

[Editor’s note: This month, VOA Khmer broadcast a series of stories looking at bribery charges from within the elite Royal Academy for Judicial Professions. Four current students said they expected to pay bribes of between $20,000 and $150,000 to sit as judges in the national court system. VOA Khmer also reported that the sibling of a prospective student wrote Phnom Penh Municipal Court to retrieve $35,000 in bribes paid to a student who promised to help the prospect enter the academy. The government and the academy have strongly denied the charges and held a press conference in which four students of the academy also refuted the charges. VOA Khmer contacted these students, all from the now-graduated Class Three, by telephone after the press conference for additional comment. Below are excerpts of the interviews.]

VOA Khmer:My name is Khemara, from VOA. I would like to clarify some charges that some students took money, and bribe some officials, for them to pass (examination) as student judges. Was there any investigation into this matter in the school after the press conference?

Chea Meth: About this matter, I don’t know. I finished the press conference.

VOA Khmer:From your class…

Chea Meth:From my class?

VOA Khmer: From your class, has there been any investigation in the school about the charges?

Chea Meth: For this issue, I don’t know. I finished my studies in April.

VOA Khmer: The distribution of the positions, like you would go to a place, to what province, what place, have they clarified about this, or were there any results yet, in your class?

Chea Meth: About the distribution of the work places, there have not been any results yet.

VOA Khmer: It looks like it is later than usual.

Chea Meth: Later than usual, I see this time, like an examination for court clerks. After the examination for court clerks, there was a long holiday, one week.

VOA Khmer: As has been clarified at the press conference, [students] passed with their own capability, without any money to bribe any official.

Chea Meth: For me, this is true. I have not spent money to bribe any excellencies; it is my own capability.

VOA Khmer: Have you heard of any accusation where the later classes have got in touch with the [students] from the previous classes? [Students] who went to meet some officials and bribed them? Have you heard about this story involving this issue, or have you helped someone?

Chea Meth: About this issue, I don’t know, and I did not get in touch with anybody.

VOA Khmer:I have heard there was a case. I have heard that, in Class Three, there was someone who took someone’s money, $35,000, in the school, and he finished the school. For this issue, [I have heard] there was no measure taken by the court, and that all the students agreed that this student should continue his or her studies, is it true?

Chea Meth: This issue is a personal issue for the student. About this issue, I don’t know.

VOA Khmer: The students let him continue his studies, and he did not quit school. He was not expelled from school.

Chea Meth: I have seen anything at all happen.

VOA Khmer: There was nothing contrary to internal regulations, in the school. According to what you know, if such a case happened, about cheating, and there was a complaint case submitted to the court, he took someone’s money for a liaison.

Chea Meth: I don’t know.

VOA Khmer: The school internal regulations did not state about this?

Chea Meth: I don’t know about school internal regulations.

VOA Khmer: Can you clarify that the Class Three students agreed to plead the teacher or the school board to let him continue his studies—Long Sitha?

(Telephone line was abruptly disconnected.)

[Editor’s note: Conversation ends. To listen to the full interview, click here]

VOA Khmer: My name is Khemara, from VOA. I would like to ask you about some students being accused of bribing officials so they can get into school, and ask your own opinions. Did this really happen, in the past examinations, have you heard about such cases?

Hok Pov: I have not heard about them. My answers are like the ones I gave at the press conference.

VOA Khmer: You are in Class Three. This means that the examination might be over, and that there are distributions of positions up to now.

Hok Pov: Not yet. The committee is looking at this matter. We have a committee that looks into the matter.

VOA Khmer: In the past, there were distributions of positions. Were these being conducted according to the students’ capability, their grade points, whatever, according to your past knowledge?

Hok Pov: According to grade points, the level.

VOA Khmer: There were charges that the grade points have never been revealed for many years now, so how can we believe about those grade points?

Hok Pov: I don’t know about other people.I believe in the school that works according to grade points from the students’ examinations.

VOA Khmer: Were the students who failed disappointed and broken-hearted? Was there any violence in the school, or demonstrations?

Hok Pov: There was no violence, reaction, or demonstration. There are two things in an examination: you pass or you fail.Normally, those who pass are happy, because they do it because they are capable of it, and those who fail are unhappy.

VOA Khmer: I would like for you to clarify the news about briberies; there are many charges involving students, from previous classes, who looked for a way for backing them up, for support, or for help, to bribe for them. Have you ever been asked to do a favor, or have you denied [a proposition]; what do you think about this matter?

Hok Pov: I have never heard about this matter. I don’t have a back [to lean on], a connection; there is no big shot in my family.

VOA Khmer: You clarify that the students did not have violence, or protest against making someone pass or fail [an exam], then they passed because they are educated. This issue can be solved or should there be any problem?

Hok Pov: There has never been any issue. In my school, there has never been any reaction. Everyone respects the rules, the internal regulations of the school.

VOA Khmer: This year, did they indicate who will go where yet?

Hok Pov: We don’t know yet.

VOA Khmer: Did you choose the judge position or the prosecutor position?

Hok Pov: They draw those judge or prosecutor positions. The lotteries were put in a barrel. They were drawn. Some had the judge and others had prosecutor positions.

VOA Khmer: Can you clarify that you are a Class Three student, because I am not sure.

Hok Pov: I am in Class Three.

VOA Khmer: Those who participated in the press conference are all Class Three students?

Hok Pov: Yes, all of them.

VOA Khmer: I heard about the case of one student, from among Class Three students. This student took someone’s money, and asked someone for a favor. There was a complaint case submitted to the court.All the students in that class asked the teacher to let him stay in the class and finish it. Is it true?

Hok Pov: I don’t know. I just study, and don’t know there were some issues. I have not heard about this case.

VOA Khmer: Class Three has no issue?

Hok Pov: I have not heard about it, I don’t know about it.

VOA Khmer: I would like to know the reason for you to be a judge, to study to become a judge, about your initial idea.

Hok Pov: You ask me this, and it is a personal matter. Previously, I was a court clerk. When there was an examination for a judge, I submitted my application [to study] to be one. When you ask me the reason why I want to be a judge, it is a personal matter, and I cannot answer it.

VOA Khmer: Thankyou. I want to ask many people for clarification.

Hok Pov: I listen to VOA news. I follow the news because they are neutral. When I heard only one side of the story defaming my school, and the story was broadcast, my side interpreted it, and it was not broadcast, this made the news not neutral. There was only one side of the story. It is good that you ask.

[Editor’s note: Conversation ends. To hear the full interview, click here.]

VOA Khmer: I received news about a press conference, and I have not participated to the end. I would like to ask you about past issues, involving charges against corruption, and the distribution of positions for student judges. Did the school conduct any investigations about this up to now?

Yet Molin: I don’t know anything about this issue. I don’t want to answer either, because I have participated in the press conference with the newspapers. I also participated the day of the conference.

VOA Khmer: School ends: How about the distribution of positions, who goes where, have they done that yet?

Yet Molin: I don’t have any information about this at all up to now. I cannot answer that.

VOA Khmer: There was a student, in Class Three, who received money from someone, and there was a complaint filed at the court. All the students in the class agreed to plead with the teacher to allow him to continue his studies. I don’t know whether or not the story is true.

Yet Molin: I don’t know about this story. I don’t know how or where they got the story from. But for me, I don’t know about this story.

VOA Khmer: So no one raised the issue in the classroom, and no one pleaded with the teacher? You don’t know?

Yet Molin: I don’t know.

VOA Khmer: This means, the distribution of positions, according to the students’ capability, ma’am, there was no one? I ask you because in the past, there were charges against previous classes that those students led others to bribe officials, to be taken to get to know those officials, so that the later classes get to know them, so they know what [department] they should bribe. I would like to get some clarifications from the students’ side, that during the time of study, was there any proposition, did anyone ask for a favor? Have you heard anything about this?

Yet Molin: I have never heard or known about this story. I went to school, and I just studied. Whatever the story that was being passed around, I don’t know. I have talked about it at the press conference. Whatever you ask me, you intend to broadcast?

VOA Khmer: I want to interpret the story and get clarification. Because in the past, there were some charges levied against a number of students. [I do this] so that those students who are now studying in school, [they don’t] have any opinions, or whatever. I heard some officials clarify that you are an excellent student at this school. Did you study some lessons [hard and well], and how did you come to this point. Can you impart your experiences to other people, some later class students?

Yet Molin: For me, I studied, and I prepared myself for the examinations. I studied hard myself. That is all. I don’t know about any experiences, about what we study, we must study what the teachers taught [us].

[Editor's note: Conversation ends. To listen to the full interview, click here.]

VOA Khmer: I would like to ask you something about Class Three. After the news conference, the day before you participated in it, up to now, has there been any distribution of positions at the school for student judges?

Kim Heng: No, there has not been. Right now, I am busy with some friends.

[Editor’s note: Conversation ends. To listen to the full interview, click here.]

Lake Residents Want Development Canceled

http://www.voanews.com/

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
28 May 2009

Residents being pushed out by a lake development in Phnom Penh called on the National Assembly and two government ministries to intervene.

Thousands of residents living near Boeung Kak lake, in the north of the city, have not reached an agreement for compensation from a developer to move from their homes.

The city signed a 99-year, $79 million lease agreement with Shukaku, Inc., in February 2007, for the development of 133 hectares of the lake area.

Shukaku, which is owned by a ruling party senator, began filling the lake in July 2008, having reached agreements with many homeowners in the ramshackle area.

Remaining residents said Thursday they would not leave, and they called on the government to cancel the deal.

“We submitted our complaint to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior, for intervention in the termination of the land deal…following no compensation solution for Boeung Kak residents,” Be Pharum, a representative of the citizens, told reporters Thursday.

More than 4,200 families living around the lake are facing eviction, having refused to accept what they see as unfair compensation from the government, Choung Chu Ngy, a legal representative for the residents, said.

Shukaku is now filling in the lake, with plans to build a modern hotel, commercial buildings, hospital, university and entertainment complex on the site.

Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Man Choeun referred questions to the city’s cabinet director, Noun Sameth, who declined comment.

US Urges Better Care for Women

http://www.voanews.com

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
28 May 2009

The US called on Cambodia to take measures to better provide health to women, an average five of whom die each day while giving birth.

The high maternal mortality rate goes with a high infant mortality rate, and the US called for serious action from the government and NGOs to help women.

“The Government of the United States of America takes great interest in women’s health and the Embassy commends all health organizations in Cambodia that are working to further women’s health in the country,” the embassy said in a statement, marking International Day of Action for Women’s Health.

“We believe that combining women’s empowerment with access to health services strengthens the individual and the family,” the embassy said.

Cambodia’s maternal mortality rates rank among the highest in Southeast Asia, resulting in about 2,000 deaths each year, the embassy said.

But midwives trained in recent years had helped reduce the rate.

“We take the today’s ‘call to action’ seriously and look forward to working with our partners in the Royal Government and in the NGO sector to continue helping women and their families in Cambodia,” the embassy said.

Khmer Krom Group Meets With US State Officials

http://www.voanews.com

By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
28 May 2009

Representatives of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom community in the United States met Tuesday with officials at the US State Department Wednesday to report on rights violations of ethnic Khmer living in southern Vietnam.

The group is also seeking intervention for a number of refugees, including Tim Sakorn, the former head monk of a Takeo province pagoda who has fled to Thailand after being forcibly defrocked in Cambodia and jailed in Vietnam.

Many Cambodians still refer to the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam as Kampuchea Krom, or Lower Cambodia, which once belonged to a former Cambodian regime.

“We informed [the State Department] that Buddhism in Kampuchea Krom is being controlled by the Vietnamese government, and we want its independence from this communist control,” Thach Ngoc Thach, president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation told VOA Khmer after the meeting.

The group also discussed “land eviction by the government via sending Khmer Krom people away and replacing them with the Vietnamese…and refugees in Thailand now being taken care of by the UN High Commissioner for Refugee so that they can be resettled to the US once they pass the interview,” he said.

Thach Ngoc Thach added that the meeting also discussed how to encourage Khmer Krom students from poor families to have better chances to study overseas.

No official at the State Department was available for comment about the meeting on Wednesday.

Former monk Tim Sakhorn is now living under UN protection in Thailand. His application to resettle in a third country, possibly the United State, is being processed and the result is expected in June 20, he said by phone from Bangkok.

Tim Sakhorn fled to Thailand earlier this year. He spent nearly one year in a Vietnamese jail after he was defrocked in Takeo province, for allegedly fomenting unrest between the two countries.

He spent time in Cambodia in April to attend a death ceremony for his mother, but refuses to return to Vietnam, where he claims he is under constant surveillance and virtual house arrest.

“I would like to make an appeal to international organizations and UNHCR to please process my case as soon as possible so that I can get away from fear and live in peace,” he said by phone. “This is the same with many Khmer Krom people and monks who have escaped from Cambodia to stay here. There are a number of them and they live in fear, so please process their cases as soon as possible.”

Purges, the result of a regime's paranoia... and a methodology developed by Duch?

Kambol (Phnom Penh, Cambodia). 27/05/2009: Duch on day 22 of his trial at the ECCC
©John Vink/ Magnum

Ka-set
http://cambodia.ka-set.info

By Stéphanie Gée
27-05-2009

While his international co-lawyer suggested that the trial may turn his client into a “scapegoat”, Duch again referred, on Wednesday May 27th, to the demands of a vertical communication system in which he only obeyed the orders of his superiors in the Khmer Rouge regime. However, U.S. expert, Craig Etcheson, who was able to testify at last in the afternoon, put forth other elements that qualify this stance markedly and, on the contrary, did not relieve the accused of his responsibilities.

All communication went through the higher echelon
After presenting on the previous day nine letters sent to the accused by Sou Meth, former commandant of division 502 of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea, international co-Prosecutor Alex Bates sought to establish whether Duch and Sou Meth communicated directly. Duch invariably replied that following the principle of absolute verticality that prevailed under the Khmer Rouge, all communication had to go through the higher echelons, in this case, through Son Sen, chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea and deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security. Duch sent lists of names of individuals to be arrested to Sou Meth, who referred them to Son Sen, who, on the basis of their discussions, made a final selection of names. However, if the documents systematically passed through the hierarchy, the rule required that the names of high-ranking officials be concealed, under the name of “Respected Brother” or “Angkar”, like in this instance, Son Sen, then Brother nº2, Nuon Chea.

François Roux, Duch's co-lawyer, then intervened to point out to his colleague of the prosecution that his last question was repetitive, and invited him to listen more carefully to the answers given by the accused. He remarked that Duch knew more than him and would do a better prosecutor against himself than Alex Bates. The president agreed and invited the accused to keep silence. “Thank you for your kind encouragement,” the international co-Prosecutor replied, before pursuing his examination of the accused.

Shortly afterwards, judge Lavergne asked Duch why the names of high-ranking officials were concealed in these confidential documents, while their only addressee was perfectly aware of their identity and risks of leaks seemed non-existent. The accused explained the operating mode also amounted to a sign of respect to the superiors, but did not answer the question, although it was repeated to him until the French judge gave up.

If Duch admitted that the way he reported to Son Sen could have influenced his decisions – he specified earlier that he talked on the phone with Son Sen every two or three days, when it was not every night –, he again insisted that he was the one who had to answer the questions of his superiors and, in the end, he was only receiving their instructions.

Is Duch a scapegoat?
François Roux struck again, echoing his comments made at the end of the previous day, Tuesday May 26th: “I note that we have spent the whole morning interrogating Duch on letters he received from Sou Meth. Yet, [to counterbalance] there are no letters from Duch to Sou Meth and Sou Meth was not called for interrogation. Why is Duch here today on his own? Is Duch not being used as a scapegoat? I leave this question with you.” It was also another morning without hearing expert Craig Etcheson, whom the president thanked for his “patience”...

Ministries only in name
The U.S. professor, whose examination resumed in the afternoon, explained that “the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kampuchea [CPK] was the supreme body in charge, but this was the theory rather than the practice, as real power and authority rested with the Standing Committee of the Central Committee.” He then commented on the ministries of the Democratic Kampuchea government, which were only a façade, as they resembled “more a committee of the wider party to which authority was conferred to deal with a specific policy area.” Thereby deprived of the characteristics of ministries as they exist in a modern State, these structures were simply “members of the party who were given responsibilities in a particular policy area.”

S-21 unique in Democratic Kampuchea
Craig Etcheson returned to the “unique nature” of S-21, in comparison with other security centres in Democratic Kampuchea. He listed the reasons for this specificity: “S-21 was the security centre designated to smash people at the central echelon of Democratic Kampuchea and within the CPK structure […]. S-21 was therefore the only security office of Democratic Kampuchea that had the authority to detain, torture and execute individuals coming from the entire territory of Democratic Kampuchea. […] As part of my research into these issues over the last thirty years, I could observe that at the district level, a typical security centre had a staff of 10 to 15 people, at the sector level, the staff was a little bigger – 20 to 30 people – and at the zone level, the staff of security centres could have as many as 50 people or more. According to the document 'Combined statistics on the armed forces dated March 1977', S-21 featured in a unique category in terms of staff. It can be read that in March 1977, there were 2,327 people who worked at S-21. In my opinion, this indicates that S-21 was indeed a unique organ within Democratic Kampuchea.”

Between paranoia of a regime and zeal of its cadres
A few problems of translation and word clarifications later, Craig Etcheson was asked about the reasons for the important purges within the Ministry of Economy. He said the question was tricky but “at the heart of what this Chamber must rule on”: “On the one hand, it can be said that the purges carried out in the Ministry of Economy resulted from the paranoia of the CPK Standing Committee; on the other hand, it can be said that the purges resulted from the method used to weed out the enemies, as a methodology had been developed by the accused. Maybe both of these ingredients played a little role.”

On the issue of the constant purges that were rife within all the structures and throughout the country, he later added: “In light of a constantly changing direction and a very high degree of uncertainty, a significant degree of operational malfunctioning could be expected. To be clearer, it was very difficult to know what was happening and people were very scared. That being said, the CPK established as a priority obedience and discipline, as well as the strict implementation of the party line as defined by the party's supreme body. So, I would put forward that, in most places, most of the time, cadres did their best to implement the party line, at least to the extent they could understand it.”

The limits of Son Sen's supervision
“I would like to recall that Son Sen was a member of the CPK Standing Committee, that he was deputy Prime Minister in charge of national defence, that he was the chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea, so he was invested with many responsibilities,” Craig Echeson commented. “He must have been an extremely busy man. Today, the accused told us: 'My superior verified the interrogations of important individuals.' This is completely plausible. It would have been quite legitimate for Son Sen, in charge of domestic security, to be interested in the interrogation of some important prisoners and he would have made sure they were then eliminated. However, a look at the combined list of prisoners of S-21 established by the office of the co-Prosecutors reveals that many individuals who went through S-21 could not be considered as prisoners said to be important, in light of their responsibilities or ranks in the hierarchy. For instance, at the Ministry of Social Action, many female farmers, who were illiterate, had received a few hours of training to learn how to make injections, before being considered nurses and assigned in hospitals. An important number of them ended up in the torture chambers of S-21, on the basis of accusations that they were part of the CIA or KGB. It seems difficult to me to believe that someone with such heavy national responsibilities as Son Sen would devote time to the interrogation or execution of such staff...”

It was mandatory for communications to go through Son Sen: before the hearing was adjourned, the expert acknowledged this claim was only based on the words of the accused and reflected an inference made in light of the Khmer Rouge organisational functioning, but supported by no document.

Kambol (Phnom Penh, Cambodia). 27/05/2009: Co-Investigating Judges You Bun Leng and Marcel Lemonde, during a press conference on day 22 of Duch's trial at the ECCC©John Vink/ Magnum

The co-Investigating Judges in front of the journalists
At lunch break, following a new communication ritual at the court, a press conference was given by the co-Investigating Judges, this time. They announced that, further to having already interviewed 453 witnesses and 61 civil parties for case file 2, they had fixed an objective to wrap up the initial investigation phase of case 2 by the end of 2009. Judge Marcel Lemonde stressed it was an “ambitious” goal. It will then be followed by a series of “unavoidable procedural steps that do not depend on the co-Investigating Judges.” Indeed, parties can refuse to accept the investigation, request supplementary investigations, and if the judges refuse, file an appeal. “Only after this procedure of requests for actions is over will we be able to close the investigation phase and decide to refer the case.” For now, the four persons charged (Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith and Khieu Samphan) continue to take advantage of their right to remain silent, the judges specified. As for the question of a possible separation of their case files, the judges have not made their decision yet, saying they must strike a balance between the need to reach the trial stage as soon as possible, and respect for the rights of the parties, the defence in particular. They must therefore weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such a decision. Also in the pipelines is the decision whether to retain joint criminal enterprise as a form of criminal responsibility. The arguments of the various parties on this issue were posted on the website of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia. In conclusion, judge Lemonde recalled that while there were lots of talks here and there about corruption and interferences in the court, he had come here to work as a judge and he had been always been able to do so until now. “I have already said that the day I cannot do it anymore, I will leave, and I repeat that. As French poet Boileau said: 'Criticism is easy but art is difficult.'” A word to the wise...

Prince arrives in Cambodia

HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah is greeted on arrival in Phnom Penh. - INFOFOTO

Brunei Online
http://www.brunei-online.com

May 28, 2009

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah yesterday arrived in Phnom Penh, Cam-bodia.

His Royal Highness will be attending the two-day 17th Asean-European Union Ministerial Meeting.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport by Mr Chan Kysim, under-secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia.

Vietnamese goods promoted in Cambodia

VOV News
http://english.vovnews.vn

05/28/2009

The HCMC Investment and Trade Promotion Centre is studying distribution channels and conducting a market survey of the Cambodian market to help enterprises sell goods in the market.

The Centre has submitted a programme to promote the country’s image and Vietnamese goods in Cambodia to the HCM City People’s Committee for approval. Vietnamese goods now have many competitive advantages in the Cambodian market, which has a purchasing power of 14 million people.

To help enterprises to sell goods in the market, the Centre also provides training courses for them regarding product designs for export and organizes exhibitions and trade fairs to display high-quality Vietnamese goods in Cambodia’s major cities.

Man tries to poison wife's lover, kills own father instead

NEWKERALA
http://www.newkerala.com/

Phnom Penh, May 28 : A Cambodian man accidentally killed his father while trying to poison his wife's lover with a tainted bottle of alcohol, national media reported Thursday.

Police said Chhouy Chhim gave the poisoned alcohol as a gift to Chan Sarith, who he accused of having an affair with his wife, the Cambodia Daily reported.

But Chan Sarith shared the bottle with Chhouy Chhim's father, who later died in hospital.

Three other men were hospitalised after tasting the deadly drink.

Police said Chhouy Chhim was being held for questioning and his wife planned to file for divorce.

--- IANS

Cambodian PM calls for more ASEAN-EU partnership, cooperation

Philstar
http://www.philstar.com

May 28, 2009

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Senon today called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) to continue strengthening partnership and cooperation in response to the global challenges.

"I strongly believe that ASEAN and the EU can play a more active and more forceful role in the world," the premier said in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) at Chaktomuk Conference Hall.

"There is no room for a passive role for us, and we - ASEAN and the EU collectively - need to take on the global challenges with head on," he added.

The 17th AEMM which opened here Thursday will focus on ASEAN-EU's enhanced partnership and cooperation, as well as the world economic and financial crisis and other regional and international issues.

The meeting under the theme of "ASEAN-EU Partnership for Peace, Economic Growth and Development" is also scheduled to address issues of ASEAN integration, food and energy security, and the environment.

Hun Sen, in his speech, reviewed and spoke highly of the ASEAN-EU cooperation, saying "our close relations at present are becoming ever stronger and covering a wide range of areas."

The premier also underlined six areas for further enhancing the cooperation and partnership between the ASEAN and EU, such as continuing implementing the ASEAN-EU Action Plan, moving quickly to realize the EU/EC's accession to the TAC (the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia), supporting each other in the areas of integration and the community building process, and strengthening ASEAN-EU cooperation in the regional and international forum.

On the issue of the global economic and financial crisis, Hun Sen said "the current crisis presents both the danger and the opportunity for some countries, particularly those in the developing world."

But he warned that "the danger is that some countries may resort to protectionism." He asked to "reform the international financial institutions" to serve the interests of all.

This biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting were attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as the delegates from ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and Jan Kohout, Czech deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs whose country is current EU president, are co-presidents of the meeting.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting between ASEAN and EU was held in Germany in 2007.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

ASEAN, EU sign two agreements about EU's accession to TAC

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) speaks during the opening ceremony of the 17th ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and European Union (EU) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 28, 2009. The 17th ministerial meeting of the ASEAN and EU opened here Thursday, focusing on ASEAN-EU's enhanced partnership and cooperation, as well as the world economic and financial crisis and other regional and international issues. (Xinhua/Lei Bosong)

www.chinaview.cn

2009-05-28

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the EU (European Union) signed two declarations here on Thursday afternoon to enable the EU to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia.

The two declarations, one is the "ASEAN Declaration of Consent to the Accession to TAC" and the other is "Declaration on Accession to the TAC", were signed by Kasit Piromya, Thailand foreign minister, and Jan Kohout, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic during the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) held here on Thursday.

Representatives pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 17th ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and European Union (EU) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 28, 2009. (Xinhua/Lei Bosong)

"The European Union and European Community declares its intent to accede to the Treaty, on the basis of the letter of application of December 6, 2006," EU's declaration said. While the ASEAN said it declares the consent of all the states in Southeast Asia to the accession to the Treaty by the EU and EC.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said in his earlier keynote address that "the signing of these documents represents another significant step forward in ASEAN-EU relations."

Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister and co-president of the meeting, said that "this accession will certainly contribute to peace, security and stability in the region."

This biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting was attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as delegates from the ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and Jan Kohout, Czech deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs whose country is current EU president, are co-presidents of the meeting.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting between the ASEAN and EU was held in Germany in 2007.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Editor: Bi Mingxin

Cambodia girls play first-ever game

Photo by: SAM SCHWEINGRUBER
The Cambodian U16 Girls national team line up for a team photo before their game against Laos at the Laos Football Federation training centre in Vientiane, Laos, Friday.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by SAM SCHWEINGRUBER
Thursday, 28 May 2009

After a successful women’s football seminar organised by FIFA, Cambodia’s U16 national girls team played their first-ever international friendly against Laos in Vientiane Friday losing 2-1

FOLLOWING on from FIFA's Com-Unity Women's Football Seminar held in Phnom Penh in March, the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) were invited to participate in a U16 friendly match against the Laos national team Friday May 22 in the Laos capital of Vientiane.

Women's football competitions have been held in Laos for almost 2 years already, and the senior team competed in the Asian Football Confederation Competition in Vietnam last year, finishing fourth, and currently ranked 15 in Asia and 74 in the world. For Cambodia, this was the first time a team has competed at international level.

The Laos team, with full time coach Volker Hofferbert from Germany and newly appointed senior female football coach from the Republic of Korea, are setting their sights high and will hope to maintain their strong preparation for December's SEA games in Vientiane. They will also compete in the ASEAN Football Federation Championships in Myanmar in October.

Samuel Schweingruber of Switzerland was appointed as Cambodia head coach just three weeks prior to the game and faced the challenging task of finding the best players in Cambodia, inviting a total of 30 players from around Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Phnom Penh for a week's training. While some players came from schools - two girls featured in the side from Banteay Meanchey which won the High School Competition in Battambang in April - many of the girls are from NGO's and orphanages either working with SALT Academy in Battambang or Indochina Starfish Foundation in Phnom Penh.

The players showed fantastic attitude and worked hard, but the short training was by no means enough to sufficiently prepare a team, but acted more as a chance to get to know each other and explain the basics of football.

After 5 days of training twice a day, 22 girls made the cut, sending 8 home in tears.

Friday's match, held at the Laos Football Federation's Sports Training Centre in Vientiane, was officially opened with a kickoff by FIFA Women's Football delegate Michele Cox.

The Laos girls controlled the game well in the early stages to fend off Cambodian advances and create chances of their own, but Cambodia keeper Chou Phally from Kampong Speu showed good skill and bravery to keep the game on even turns. The physically stronger Laos girls dealt well with the Cambodian counterattacks, diverting attacks away from their goalie.

In the 27th minute, Huot Kimhong from Battambang lost the ball off a dribble, and a long ball towards goal caused Chou Phally to clash with the Laos striker allowing an easy tap in to give Laos the lead.

Then, just 8 minutes later, a short goal kick was exploited by the Laotians with Cambodia's central defender Loung Srey Hong unable to clear and, after some hard luck rebounds, the ball somehow ended up in the net.

Laos were pressurising well to make it impossible for Cambodia to build up their play, and the teams went into the break with Laos two goals up.

During the interval, coach Schweingruber advised his players to try to keep danger away from their own goal, which they duly attempted to apply. Both coaches changed frequently to give all players a chance, and the second half seemed more open with both sides making chances with Cambodia having the woodwork and keeper Chou Phally to thank and for maintaining the scoreline.

With 17 minutes left to play, the Laos defence failed a Banteay Meanchey's Tean Nith cross from a corner, allowing Mao Sokhoeurn to pass the cleverly pass back to Tean Nith who curled it over the goalie. The Cambodia girls celebrated their first ever competitive goal like they have just won a tournament.

The last quarter hour was filled with excitement and tension, as Cambodia pushed to equalize while Laos failed to take advantage of their chances on the break, and the game ended 2-1.

Laos coach Hofferbert praised the efforts of both teams and the intensity of the game, despite the hot conditions, adding that his team had been training for the last few months with players selected from an existing league.

For Schweingruber, the game was a highly positive experience with the girls doing him proud. "After such a short time of preparation they really did well and have showing the passion and commitment to work hard," he said. "The physical deficit was obvious and some of the Laos players played technically much better then us, but as a team we showed that there is potential for woman's football in Cambodia."

Schweingruber expressed his hope for more chances for the girls to train together and gain experience by competing in international friendly games. "With some focus, the future of woman's football in Cambodia could look bright."

Ministers confront Myanmar

Photo by: SEBASTIAN STRANGIO
Protesters call for release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the Myanmar embassy Wednesday in Phnom Penh.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Sebastian Strangio and Vong Sokheng
Thursday, 28 May 2009

ASEAN leaders say treatment of Suu Kyi hurting bloc's image.

SOUTHEAST Asian ministers Wednesday called out Myanmar over its treatment of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a senior regional minister said at the start of a meeting of ASEAN and EU foreign ministers at Chaktomuk Conference Hall.

The confrontation came as activists made fresh demands for the release of the democracy icon, whose trial for violating the conditions of her house arrest has sparked international outrage.

"The discussion in the room back there was that [the issue of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners]... affects ASEAN's image and ASEAN's collective interests," said Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the 10-member group.

"Yesterday, they issued a joint statement referring to the issue - I don't think it will be left at that tomorrow," he added, referring to a statement issued Tuesday in Hanoi by Asian and European Union (EU) ministers.

Meanwhile, students, civil society activists and Myanmar expatriates protested Wednesday morning in front of the Myanmar embassy in Phnom Penh, urging EU and ASEAN ministers to pressure the junta over the Nobel laureate.

"We hope that ... with all the mobilisation of the rest of the world and all the international statements calling for her release, the government of Myanmar will finally release her," said Kek Galabru, president of Cambodian rights group Licadho.

"This is a small action from civil society to support her and show her our solidarity."

The spokesman for a small group of Myanmar protesters, who declined to be named, said EU and ASEAN leaders were in a good position to pressure Myanmar's leaders for reform.

"I feel that the Burmese government is abusing the law [in] trying to put Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on trial," the spokesman said. "That's why we are coming out, to ask for her release and the immediate cessation of the trial."

In addition to the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, Win Kyaw - another Myanmar protester - called for the amnesty of other political dissidents languishing in Myanmar jails.

The protest, which began at 7:30am in front of the embassy on Norodom Boulevard, was attended by a strong police presence, and a black-clad security guard from the embassy roamed the crowd snapping photos of the participants.

"It's always the way they react," said the Myanmar protesters' spokesman. "They are underhanded and they will try to crack down on opposition activists."

The event came as delegations from 37 European and Asian countries arrived in Phnom Penh for the 17th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, which winds up today.

The summit is scheduled to address climate change, counterterrorism and the global financial crisis, but has been used to focus attentions on other issues.

The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, a local rights group, issued calls Wednesday for EU and ASEAN delegates to discuss human rights violations against Vietnam's Khmer minority.

The meeting, however, has become a lightning rod for international protests against Myanmar's ruling junta, which has kept Aung San Suu Kyi in detention for 13 of the last 19 years.

She now faces up to five years in prison on charges she broke the terms of her house arrest, following an incident in which an American man swam to her lakeside home in Yangon. Her previous term of house arrest was due to expire Wednesday.

Mounting pressure
Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the Aung San Suu Kyi issue may again be raised on the sidelines of the summit today, but remains off the official agenda.

"I can't speculate on what is going to happen [today]."

But one delegate said that the issue would indeed come up in discussions.

"We will be emphasising human rights at the meetings, especially on collectively putting pressure on the [Myanmar] government," Bill Rammell, a British parliamentarian and minister of state at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, told the Post. "We welcome Thailand's recent statements on Suu Kyi's release," he said.

David Mathieson, a Human Rights Watch researcher based in northern Thailand, said, however, that ASEAN's track record on dealing with Myanmar's human rights abuses did not give him much hope of a positive outcome.

"We've been here so many times," he said by phone from the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sot.

"I'd like to think that given the current situation, ASEAN would act appropriately and with conviction. [But] looking at the history of ASEAN's engagement with Burma, there's very little hope it will get its act together."

But he said that international criticism of the Aung San Suu Kyi trial - just the latest in a "litany of embarrassments" the country has brought on ASEAN - could encourage it to apply the neglected human rights provisions in the organisation's charter.

"With Suu Kyi, you have an issue that is not just an issue for Southeast Asia - it's a global issue. ASEAN's international reputation also depends on how they deal with this," he said.

Yettaw takes the stand
In Yangon, American John Yettaw, taking the stand Wednesday for the first time, told the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi that he swam to the Myanmar democracy icon's home to warn her of a divine vision about a "terrorist" plot to assassinate her, her party said.

"Yettaw said he came here because God asked him to," said Nyan Win, who is also on her legal team and was in court Wednesday for the closed hearing at Insein prison in Yangon.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MEAS SOKCHEA, GEORGE MCLEOD AND AFP

ECCC judge says he would quit if job compromised

Photo by: AFP
A tourist looks at a photograph at Tuol Sleng prison on Tuesday.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Georgia Wilkins and Cheang Sokha
Thursday, 28 May 2009

Foreign co-investigating judge also appeals for understanding as war crimes court grapples with corruption claims.

AN INVESTIGATING judge at Cambodia's war crimes court told reporters on Wednesday that he would leave his job if he believed it was compromised by political interference or corruption.

"When I came here to work as a judge ... I said, ‘The day I will not be able to do this job anymore, I will leave'," Co-investigating Judge Marcel Lemonde said in relation to the two issues.

"That's something I would like to repeat here today," he added.

Lemonde also appealed to the media to understand the challenges both issues presented. "I would like to recite the saying, ‘criticism is easy, art is hard'," he said.

Speaking at a new weekly press conference at the UN-backed court, judges also revealed Wednesday that their investigation into four other senior leaders awaiting trial at the court was aiming to finish by year's end.

The detainees, which include Pol Pot's 84-year-old "Brother No 2" Nuon Chea, are all charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes.

"Our goal is to complete [these investigations] by the end of the year. This goal ... is a very ambitious one given the complexity of the file," Lemonde told reporters.

"We would also emphasise that even if investigations are completed this year it doesn't mean that the other parties have agreed with our conclusions," he added.

Judges also indicated Wednesday that as of the end of May, more than 450 people will have been interviewed in the case as witnesses, around 10 of whom are foreigners.

"Our investigators are now in France interviewing some people there," Lemonde added.

Duch tells of party secrecy
As the trial of Kaing Guek Eav continued on Wednesday, the former S-21 chief told the court how the names of the regime's senior leaders were kept off documents to uphold party secrecy.

"It was to show my respect not to reveal my superior's name. I myself dared not to reveal the name of Son Sen, I dared not reveal the name of Nuon Chea, and Son Sen himself dared not to reveal the name of Pol Pot,"

"That was the method we used in the party at that time," he added.

Genocide expert Craig Etcheson also continued his testimony Wednesday, telling judges that Tuol Sleng prison was the heart of the regime's vast prison system. "S-21 was unique. It was... considered an organ of the government or the communist committee."

Three bomb plot suspects questioned on ties to terror group

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Chrann Chamroeun
Thursday, 28 May 2009

Suspects have been detained for nearly 5 months in connection with foiled January plot that targeted Defence Ministry and TV3.

THREE men currently being held in connection with a January bomb plot in the capital were brought to Municipal Court for questioning Wednesday, during which the judge tried to resolve competing claims about whether two of the men had ties to a mysterious terrorist group.

The three men - Som Ek, Reach Samnang and Phy Savong - were arrested after police foiled the January 2 plot, in which three bombs were placed outside the Defence Ministry and the state television station TV3.

Police said in January that Som Ek had confessed to masterminding the plot, as well as a foiled attempt to bomb the Cambodia-Vietnamese Friendship Monument in July 2007.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have finished... allowing [the three suspects] to confront each other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They said he also accused Reach Samnang and Phy Savong of involvement in the Khmer National Unity Front (KNUF), also known as the Tiger Liberation Movement, which employs as its symbol the image of a tiger head.

Courtroom showdown
Reach Samnang, former deputy police chief for Mondulkiri province, and Phy Savong, a former resistance fighter, have both denied involvement in the bomb plot and the group.

Ke Sakhorn, the judge investigating the case, told the Post on Wednesday that he wanted to give Reach Samnang and Phy Savoeung the opportunity to answer to Som Ek's claims.

"I have finished questioning the three men and allowing them to confront each other," he said. "Som Ek continued making his incriminating claims that Reach Samnang and Phy Savong are members of the Tiger Head movement, while the two men tried to clear themselves and say they were not involved in Som Ek's activities."

After the interrogation, which was closed to reporters, Ke Sakhorn did not say whether he had reached a decision as to who was involved in the group. He said he had not scheduled a formal hearing in which the three men - as well as three others who have also been detained in connection with the case - would be able to answer to the charges levelled against them.

When charges were filed against the men in January, Municipal Court Prosecutor Hing Bun Chea said they faced up to 30 years in prison if convicted on charges of delivering, placing, discharging or detonating an explosive or lethal device in a public place, as well as recruiting and training terrorists.

Sam Sokong, a lawyer for the Cambodian Defenders Project who is representing Som Ek, said Wednesday that he believed a hearing would be held in July.

He said he was informed on Wednesday that a robbery charge had been filed against his client, although he said he did not know whether this charge was related to the January 2 bomb plot.

Boeung Kak residents set to go public with grievances

Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN
A Boeung Kak resident protesting the loss of her home earlier this year.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by May Titthara
Thursday, 28 May 2009

Angered that their complaints are being ignored by officials, those losing their homes say they hope to force a response.

FRUSTRATED by the lack of government response, Boeung Kak Lake residents are set to hold a press conference today explaining to the public why the land deal between the Municipality of Phnom Penh and a local developer should be terminated, they said.

"We have complained to the National Assembly, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Land Management to revoke a lease agreement between Phnom Penh and Shukaku Inc, signed in 2007," said Be Pharom, a Boeung Kak resident.

Noun Thun, another lakeside resident, said that after filing complaints at four ministries, he has heard nothing from the government, but he has received threats.

"Yesterday, I got an anonymous letter. They wrote that if we did not agree to move, they would arrest us and put us in jail from one year to five years, and fine each of us 5 million riels (US$1,250). But I don't care; they just want to threaten us," he said.

In February 2007, the municipality signed a 99-year-lease with local developer Shukaku Inc, whose director is Cambodian People's Party Senator Lau Meng Khin.

Shukaku started filling the lake in August 2008, forcing hundreds from them homes.

The lawyer for the Boeung Kak residents, Choung Chou Ngy, said that the aim of the conference was to highlight the illegal nature of the contract between the city and the developer and to finally prompt a government response.

"Our goal is to cancel the lease between the company and the municipality, because the contract is illegal. State property can only be leased for 15 years, but they have a contract 99 years," he said. "The Royal Government's subdecree turning Boeung Kak lake from state public property to the state private property is also against the Land Law."

Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun could not be reached for comment.

Japanese tourists test negative for swine flu

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Vong Sokheng
Thursday, 28 May 2009

TWO JAPANESE tourists who landed at Siem Reap International Airport on Sunday with high fevers tested negative for influenza A(H1N1), commonly known as swine flu, a health official said Wednesday.

"The results came out today and they were negative," said Ly Sovann, deputy director of the Health Ministry's Communicable Diseases and Control Department. "So far there are no people with swine flu in Cambodia."

The tourists - a married couple who had temperature readings of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) when their flight from Ho Chi Minh City landed - were taken Sunday night to Siem Reap Provincial Hospital and released on Monday, Iem Pon, the hospital's deputy director, told the Post on Monday.

He said the husband had a fever before travelling to Vietnam, where he underwent five days of medical treatment. During that time, he said, the wife "got diarrhoea because she ate the wrong food".

"When she got diarrhoea, this likely caused her temperature to rise," he said. "But there is no sign of the flu because there is no cough."

No reported cases
Health officials announced on Sunday that three Cambodian-Americans believed to have been exposed to AH1N1 while flying from the US also tested negative for the virus.

As of Wednesday, Cambodia has no reported cases of the virus, a fact for which health officials have credited, among other things, increased monitoring at points of entry.

SRP demands probe of land concession

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Khouth Sophak Chakrya
Thursday, 28 May 2009

SAM Rainsy Party lawmaker Yim Sovann said Wednesday he will send a letter to the National Assembly demanding answers about an economic land concession to a Chinese state-owned company that he says may violate the Cambodian constitution.

"We do not agree with the government if they have provided tens of thousands of hectares of land to one company for nearly 100 years," he said.

In April 2008, Prime Minister Hun Sen granted a 36,000 hectare land concession in the middle of the Botum Sarkor National Park to China's state-owned Union Development Co for 99 years, according to both the deputy governor of Koh Kong, Son Dara, and the park's director Nhil Thun.

"The government plans to develop Koh Kong into an ecotourism hub, second in tourists only to Angkor Wat," Son Dara said.

But Yeng Virak, executive director of the Community Legal Education Centre, said that according to the 2001 Land Law, "an economic land concession provided to one owner cannot be over 10,000 hectares. If the economic land concession to the Union Development Group is really 36,000 hectares, then it is a violation of the law".

Koh Kong Governor Yuth Pouthan released a comprehensive zoning and regulation plan last week that places the 36,000 hectares inside an area of the park designated for ecotourism, which would not ban construction in the area.

But the director of the Environmental Watch and Protection in Cambodia, Chea Hean, said the Union Development Co is a major threat to the park.

"This company continues to cut down many thousands of hectares in the forest," he said.

Nhil Thun said that none of the forest had been harvested by Union Development and that 10 National Park officials had even accompanied company employees in a replanting effort.

Union Development's new ecotourism site will include "an airport, seaport, hotel, golf course, supermarket and other pieces of infrastructure", Nhil Thun said.

Phnom Penh's first skyway unveiled

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
People look at an artist's rendition of the proposed skyway during the inauguration of the new Monivong Bridge on Wednesday.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by May Kunmakara
Thursday, 28 May 2009

City governor calls new elevated highway a ‘Phnom Penh landmark' that will aid development .

PRIME Minister Hun Sen unveiled plans Wednesday for Phnom Penh's first skyway, saying the elevated road was only the first of several new throughways and bridges that will be constructed in order to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

"This is only our starting point. We will continuously build more bridges," he said at the inauguration of the new Monivong Bridge.

The 380-metre-long-by-14-metre-wide skyway will be built along Norodom Boulevard above the Kbal Thnol traffic circle, which will be removed when construction is complete - at an estimated cost of US$6 million.

"Why is it necessary to build this skyway? Because we need to ease traffic on Norodom Boulevard and National Road 2," Hun Sen said.

He added that the government has approved a plan to find funding for several more bridges, including a second span running parallel to the Japanese Friendship Bridge and a bridge across the Mekong River in Neak Leung.

Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema called the skyway project a "Phnom Penh landmark".

"Building a core transportation system will foster the city's development and help to eliminate poverty," Kep Chuktema said.

As the capital grows, traffic on its roads has become increasingly chaotic, with an estimated four people being killed each day in accidents, according to municipal figures.

Traffic accident fatalities rose 1.8 percent in 2008 to 1,572 nationwide, compared with the previous year.

"I recommend that ... you all respect the traffic laws, because this means that you respect your life," Hun Sen said.

Kampong Chhnang court issues another summons in land row

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Chrann Chamroeun
Thursday, 28 May 2009

KAMPONG Chhnang Provincial Court has issued another summons in connection with a three-year-old land dispute, though the court has yet to accept a complaint that rights groups say could help determine whether villagers or a development company are the rightful owners of the land in question.

Om Sophy, 32, was summonsed to answer to charges of inciting violence in connection with the dispute, she said. She is to appear in court on Friday, just one week after her mother-in-law, 60-year-old Un Tum, was released after serving 18 months in prison for trespassing on the 145-hectare plot of land that KDC, a development group, claims to have purchased.

KDC first laid claim to the land in 2006, prompting villagers to file their initial complaint in provincial court, which was rejected. Villagers and rights groups officials involved in the case say KDC bought part of a 512-hectare plot of land in 2006. KDC claims to have purchased the entire plot, including the disputed 145 hectares, and produced legal titles for it in August 2007.

KDC bulldozed some houses on one section of the land in January 2008. The following month, Un Tum, and Sor Sung, 55, were convicted of trespassing. Sor Sung was also convicted of attempting to kill a Cham labourer hired by KDC to clear the land. He received an 11-year sentence.

Lawyer Sam Sokong, who represents Om Sophy, said that court officials had yet to accept any complaints filed by the villagers. He said they attempted to file a complaint last week claiming ownership of the 145-hectare plot, but that court officials told him they would accept the complaint only if they received an upfront payment of 12 million riels (US$2,908).

Court officials could not be reached for comment.

Sam Sokong criticised the court for having only accepted criminal complaints filed in relation to the dispute, while ignoring the ownership issue.

Om Sophy said the court had also rejected villagers' complaints alleging that KDC officials had forged documents and illegally destroyed villagers' houses.

"This clearly shows that the court is biased and on the side of the company," she said.

Tot Kimsroy, from the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, said provincial officials had not responded to a request that villagers be allowed to farm on the land until the dispute is resolved.

Weather: Rains wash out bridge in R'kiri

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Sam Rith
Thursday, 28 May 2009

Weather

Heavy rains and flooding caused the collapse of a bridge in Ratanakkiri's Veun Sai district, leaving thousands of villagers without access to the district town, to which they travel each day for goods and services, including medical care, rights groups officials and affected villagers said Wednesday. The 30-metre wooden bridge linked Veun Sai town to five villages, said Khum Samrith, an Adhoc officer. Khum Samrith said the bridge had been replaced just last year. The director of the Department of Meteorology said rains and flooding had been particularly devastating this year. Seth Vannareth called the bridge the latest casualty of abnormally heavy downpours that have ravaged Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri provinces since mid-April. Ratanakkiri Deputy Governor Sim You Song expressed concern about villagers who remained stranded. He said he was "raising money from provincial officials" to build bridges in both Lumpat and Veun Sai districts, adding that he hoped the bridges would be completed "as soon as possible".

Angkor lights stir controversy

Photo by: Photo Supplied
Lights are recessed into holes that tourism officials maintain were not drilled into the temple structure.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Ros Dina
Thursday, 28 May 2009

A heritage specialist has requested intervention from the prime minister in a disagreement over light fixtures on temples at the Angkor Wat complex.

AHERITAGE advocate has sent a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen urging him to stop an ongoing light installation project at the Angkor Wat temple, saying equipping the 11-century World Heritage site with lights will have a negative effect on its ambiance.

"The illumination will disturb tourists and badly affect the beauty of the temples. By the law of the Apsara Authority, even villagers are not allowed to build new houses in the Angkor area, but it is regrettable that the area is now equipped with lights," Moeung Son, president of the Khmer Civilisation Foundation Organisation (KCF), said at a press conference Tuesday.

The project, which began late last year, was designed to encourage "night lighting" tours and prolong the stay of tourists in the area.

However, Moeung Son said it would also fail to do that.

"According my experience in the tourism sector, cultural tourists never watch temples at night. They are particularly interested in Khmer ancient building styles."

Ho Vandy, head of the permanent committee of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, also said that the lights would not increase tourist traffic to the site.

"Only about 20 or 30 tourists come to visit the temple or performances at night," Ho Vandy said.

Details of fixtures vague
Tourism officials have been vague about how the lights have been fixed to structures, saying they were put into "existing" holes in the temples.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Apsara Authority have maintained that the arrangement would help attract more visitors and consequently raise income in the tourism sector.

"I hope that the illumination will increase the number of tourists, and the Angkor Wat temple will become productive, bringing more income for Cambodia's economy. Moreover, the Angkor Wat area will look more active and lively," So Mara, a secretary of state at the Tourism Ministry, said Tuesday.

"Now we always tell visitors to get out when it's dark because we are afraid that they may fall down while walking in the dark. But when there are lights, visitors will have more time to walk around," he added.

Malaria taking toll on troops at border

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Thet Sambath
Thursday, 28 May 2009

MALARIA is plaguing RCAF soldiers stationed along the border at Ta Krabey temple, a military commander said Tuesday, adding that 60 percent of his troops had become ill in the last month.

"The number has increased sharply in this short period because there is more rain and more mosquitoes," said the commander who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the press.

Previously, only around 5 percent of soldiers stationed in the area were sick with malaria, he said.

Sao Socheat, deputy commander of Military Region 4, says the soldiers stationed in the thick forests are getting sick right now.

Prime minister calls on govt to address 'laymen shortage'

Photo by: Tracey Shelton
A layman prepares for a ceremony at a pagoda in Kandal province earlier this year.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/

Written by Sam Rith
Thursday, 28 May 2009

Citing a rise in weddings and other Buddhist ceremonies, Minister of Religion Min Khin says his ministry will train more people.

PRIME Minister Hun Sen has expressed alarm at the nation's "serious shortage" of laymen, despite a perceived increase in weddings, funerals and other ceremonial celebrations across the country.

"Due to an increased number of weddings ... per day, the shortage of laymen is now a serious crisis," he said last week.

"Before we had a crisis on the shortage of teachers and physicians ... now we have a crisis on the shortage of laymen."

He ordered Minister of Cults and Religions Min Khin to discuss how to train people to be professional laymen, saying that some did not follow the Buddhist cultural and traditional rule.

"It's true that the Ministry of Cults and Religions must pay attention to the crisis ... Min Khin has to train laymen on what to do at weddings, age ceremonies, funerals," he said.

Hun Sen added that as laymen attended many ceremonies each day, some of them forgot to uphold certain rules, while others did not know what to do for certain occasions.

Ministry commits to training
Min Khin recognised that Cambodia was currently in need of more laymen, and said that he had organised a meeting at the end of the month to train people in different pagodas throughout Cambodia.

"We are going to train people in order to have more laymen in each pagoda to meet the demands of people living in each area," he said.

Min Khin said that the required number of laymen could be three or 10 per pagoda, depending on the number of people living near it.

He said Cambodia currently has more than 4,300 pagodas.

Min Khin confirmed that Cambodia had previously required no training of laymen and that they were usually just selected by people living near pagodas.

Opposition parliamentarian Son Chhay said Cambodia lacked the human resources to have good laymen and that many people who were knowledgeable of Buddhist traditions were able to be laymen, but they had never been chosen due to partisanship existing in the pagoda.

"Not only is the state's administration corrupt, but the state's pagodas are corrupt too," he said.

"There will be no progress at all unless they stop making partisanship and money the priority," he added.

Taking the long view

Photo by: Michael Hayes
Nayan Chanda in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by Michael Hayes
Thursday, 28 May 2009

Nayan Chanda discusses his path from war reporter to expert on globalisation, the state of Asia's media and his ECCC role.

Veteran scribe Nayan Chanda, the former editor-in-chief of the Far Eastern Economic Review, was in town this week to testify at the ECCC as an expert witness. Chanda, 63, spent 31 years at the Review. He covered the fall of Saigon in 1975, wrote a must-read book for Cambodia watchers called Brother Enemy: the War After the War, and since 2001 has been the director of publications at the Yale Center for the Study of Globalisation as well as Editor of YaleGlobal Online (www.yaleglobal.yale.edu), a web publication that receives about 1.5 million visits a week. He spoke with Post Editor-in-Chief Michael Hayes about a range of issues.

Looking back, do you think the demise of the weekly Far Eastern Economic Review was inevitable?

I'm certainly very sad because it's almost half my life I spent at the Review. ... But I don't know that it was inevitable. When I left the Review in 2001, I knew there were problems because advertisement which fell off after '97 crisis, it never returned fully, despite the economy taking off again. And then in the meantime, the economic landscape in the region had changed.

Regional publications from Jakarta Post to Bangkok Post to Korea Herald - all these local newspapers had become more independent, more objective and actually were cutting into the Review market - the Review was the only credible publication in the region, and so that was no longer the case. These papers were doing a pretty good job.... Secondly, television had emerged much stronger, and so for advertisers trying to reach local markets rather than regional markets, it made more sense to advertise in local newspapers.

That was something that made it much more difficult for a journal publication.

Do you think there is a replacement go-to publication for news on Asia now?
I do not know of any. I think now, in order to get a full sense of what's happening in Asia, you have to surf widely, several newspapers you have to look at, and then you have to assess how credible is the author, how credible is the publication. All that could be avoided with the Review. With the Review, you knew you could read something that was authoritative.

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WHAT STRIKES ME IS THIS IS THE MOST PROSPEROUS PHNOM PENH I'VE EVER SEEN.
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What have you been doing since you left the Review?

I went to Yale University ... Yale University was celebrating its 300th anniversary and the university president, Richard Levin, wanted to do something to bring Yale to the world. The idea was to set up a centre for the study of globalisation ... and I was invited to be one of the founding members of the centre and start an online magazine on globalisation.

So Strobe Talbot, who had just finished his tenure as a deputy secretary of state in the Clinton administration, was the director of the centre and I was director of publications.... Our centre was founded with the concept that globalisation has to be understood from an inter-disciplinary perspective. It is wrong to look at the evaluation only in terms of economics, only in terms of sociology or politics, or environment or health.

All this had a role in globalisation, and one needs to look at globalisation in a holistic manner, and one way of doing it is to have a centre for a platform for interdisciplinary conversations, conferences, workshops and publications.

Of course, our centre's work was somewhat hijacked by Osama bin Laden because our [first] staff meeting was going on when our assistant rushed into the room to inform us that, according to some reports, a small plane had gone into the World Trade Centre.

And so that event, of course, happening on the first day of the opening of the Centre for the Study of Globalisation, was very poignant. We started organising workshops, teachings and ended up editing a book, Strobe Talbott and I, titled The Age of Terror: America and the World after September 11. It was a collection of essays by Yale luminaries, including historian Paul Kennedy, John Gaddis, Harold Koh and several other non-Yale scholars.

And then I started working on organising the online magazine, which went live in 2002.... It's a free site and everything we've published in the last seven years can be found.

So you‘ve made the jump from hard copy print to digital. Are you comfortable with that?

Very comfortable. And in fact looking back, I think it was a very, very wise decision.

I understand you also have a new book out. What is that?

The book is titled Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers and Warriors Shaped Globalisation. ... The thesis of the book is in some ways very simple. Globalisation, which I define as a growing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world, is possible because of people moving, people leaving home and going somewhere. If everybody stayed where they were born, there'd be no globalisation.

So I tried to understand why people left home, what motivated them to leave home and go somewhere ... and when this journey began and how this journey has evolved and how it has created connections that didn't exist before.

Ever since our ancestors left Africa 60,000 years ago, they occupied different spaces of the earth and civilisations developed against a river, early, in the Indus River Valley, in India, in Mesopotamia, and those civilisations initially were isolated from each other, and they started becoming connected by individuals taking risks, riding camels, taking a boat and walking, and going long distances.

So globalisation, we think, is a new phenomenon, but I argue in my book that it has been with us for over 10,000 years.

Have you come up with any conclusions, thoughts, on where we are headed? Are you worried?
Yes, I am very worried. Because of technological advances that we have made, we have now enormous capacity to consume the resources that we have and in the process create environmental disaster[s]. Our ability to cause havoc has expanded exponentially over the last 30, 40 years.

The point is that globalisation has always had positive and negative consequences. It is nothing new.... The difference between the past and the present now is in the scale and the immediacy of the consequences.

So what should people be prepared to do? Consume less or pay more?

Both. ... The issue is that environmental degradation is not calculated on a per capita basis. And that disaster will affect everybody.

How did you get picked to testify at the ECCC?

I was puzzled, too. Because ... of the five detained, I have only met one (Ieng Sary).

So, I was surprised, but I was told they wanted me to provide expert witness about the Vietnam-Cambodia conflict that I had covered as a reporter. So it's kind of piecing together what happened and why and how.

We were asking ourselves at the trial how your testimony fit in with Duch's trial.

I think it was made clear by the defence lawyer Francois Roux. He spoke today, and he said the purpose of my testimony was that the prosecutors wanted to be certain that there was an international war going on between April 1975 and January '79. And because the war was going on, the prisoners of the war brought to S-21 would have been treated under the Geneva Convention. So the prisoners were maltreated and one of the charges against Duch is for war crimes ... so that was the connection.

So Monsieur Roux was saying that since the war was not declared until December 31, 1977, my answer to him was that I'm not a lawyer, and I do not know what is the legal definition of war. But what I witnessed ... was war and that started straight after the liberation of Saigon and Phnom Penh in '75. I have no doubt that there was an international war going on.

Had you been following this trial, was it making big news in the US?

Not at all. A couple of stories in The New York Times.

You haven't been here in about a decade. What strikes you as you spend a few days in Phnom Penh?

What strikes me is this is the most prosperous Phnom Penh I've ever seen. My first visit was in 1971 ... and things were already falling apart.

And my first trip to Cambodia after the overthrow of the KR was in 1979. Then, Cambodia was the only country on earth which didn't have a currency. I went to the market and found people selling fish and vegetables with a little can of rice (as payment).

So it's a little different now?

It's a little different (laughing). There are ATMs now.