A Change of Guard

សូមស្តាប់វិទ្យុសង្គ្រោះជាតិ Please read more Khmer news and listen to CNRP Radio at National Rescue Party. សូមស្តាប់វីទ្យុខ្មែរប៉ុស្តិ៍/Khmer Post Radio.
Follow Khmerization on Facebook/តាមដានខ្មែរូបនីយកម្មតាម Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khmerization.khmerican

Monday 28 February 2011

Imelda [Marcos] seeks court OK for Cambodia trip

Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos in 1979.

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 02/28/2011

MANILA, Philippines - Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez-Marcos on Monday asked the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to allow her to go on an official 5-day trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia next month.

Defense lawyer Robert Sison said the 81-year-old widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos is part of the country’s three-member delegation to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Seminar on “Accelerating the Achievement of MDG-5, through the Role of Women Parliamentarians” to be held on March 9 to 12, 2011 at the Inter-continental Hotel in Phnom Penh.

The former First Lady is required to secure a travel permit each time she has to leave the country because of her 10 remaining active graft cases before the Sandiganbayan.

The cases involve allegations that she held financial interests in secret foundations and private enterprises while she was a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984.

Marcos has complained that years of litigation have drained her resources so that she now has to withdraw from her husband’s pension at Veterans Bank to be able to put up the P750,00 travel bond required by the graft court.

For this trip however, it is the House of Representatives that will pay for the airfare and daily allowances of the country’s delegation. The host country, on the other hand, will cover their hotel accommodations.

Mrs. Marcos is serving a new three-year term as a member of the Lower House having previously served a single-term as congresswoman of her native province Leyte in 1995.

Opposition claims merger progress

Kem Sokha (L) shook hand with Sam Rainsy during a talk to form a Democratic Movement of Change on 15th January, 2009.

Monday, 28 February 2011
Meas Sokchea
Phnom Penh Post

Leader from the Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties said they have achieved progress towards a negotiated merger in the latest round of talks between party leaders, according to a joint statement issued on Friday.

The statement follows three meetings this month between working groups from both parties to negotiate a union that aims to bolster opposition candidates’ chances against ruling Cambodian People’s Party members in commune elections next year and national polls in 2013.

Leaders from both parties said the two sides have agreed to a framework for the merger that is moving in the right direction.

“In merging the parties, the first step requires us to have confidence in each other,” SRP lawmaker Mu Sochua said yesterday.


“We have the will to merge. Importantly, if we have the will, I believe that step-by-step we will move forward towards [a merger].”

Human Rights Party parliamentarian Kiet Sokun expressed similar optimism that both sides had found common ground for a lasting unification of the parties.

“We do not [seek a merger] for only one election but for the future and to rule our country,” he said. “The general framework of the merger has been agreed.”

However, negotiations have been contentious despite recent claims of progress. HRP President Khem Sokha said earlier this month that a proposed union of the parties would dissolve his party by bringing it under the control of the SRP.

Both sides have also previously sparred over the unified opposition party’s name.


Kiet Sokun refused to give specific details about the status of a name for the unified party but said that according to the framework for the merger, the party would not be called the Sam Rainsy Party.

Cheam Yeap, a senior Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker, said the ruling party did not fear the union of opposition parties, and chided Sam Rainsy and Khem Sokha for not being able to live in the same house.

“We are not scared of the SRP and HRP merger. I know the vision of both parties’ leaders is not the same.”

Bike marathon changes course across borders

110211_sr10Phnom Penh Post

BIG changes are planned for this year’s bike marathon organised by former Australian iron man, 57-year-old Norm Clark, on behalf of the Siem Reap NGO Kampuchea House.

The marathon itself has been extended in duration.

It will be held in September and will span two countries – Vietnam and Cambodia – rather than just Cambodia as in earlier events.

A second mini-marathon has also been scheduled for May or June.

Record numbers of riders have prompted the reorganisation of the marathon, which has come a long way since 2008, when two riders took part.

Last year it had increased to 10 riders, who raised a whopping $56,000.

In 2010 the marathon started in Siem Reap, weaving its way through Cambodia for a stamina-testing 1200-kilometre trek.

This year, Clark said the trip was planned to start at Da Nang in Vietnam before heading down the coast and crossing the Cambodian border.

The marathon will be extended to 10 days because of the vigorous course spanning two countries.

“Last year, some days we had eight to nine hours riding,” he said. “Other days we had four hours. Many

of the people were quite surprised how tough it was with the heat and roads. Last year we used 1500 litres of water in eight days, and that didn’t include water riders bought themselves.”

Clark said the shorter trip, for three or four days, was being organised for May or June this year because several people last year requested a less challenging journey. The trip will encompass the temples around the Angkor area, plus further north near the Cambodian-Thai border.

Clark said the riders of the longer marathon must raise $3000 to participate, while riders of the shorter marathon will need to raise $2000. Last year one rider raised $10,000 which included a $5000 sponsorship from JB Hi-Fi, a major Australian electronic goods retailer.

“This year we are hoping for more corporate sponsors,” Clark said.

Money raised during the bike trips this year will be spent upgrading many of Kampuchea House’s amenities.

JBC meet 'could help ease row'

28th February, 2011
By King-oua Laohong
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva hopes a meeting being planned for Indonesia will help Thailand and Cambodia settle their differences over the border dispute.

The Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on the Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) will hold a meeting on March 7 and 8, Mr Abhisit said yesterday.

The Foreign Ministry has prepared information needed for the discussions at the JBC meeting, which will also discuss a Thai proposal for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to postpone its consideration of Phnom Penh's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to hold the JBC meeting in Indonesia at a meeting last Tuesday in Jakarta of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers to push forward negotiations and maintain security along the border.

In another development, the Thai Patriots Network and an executive from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been given permission to visit TPN coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, today in Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.

The visit follows a report the two had signed petitions seeking royal pardons after they were convicted for spying and entering Cambodia illegally, but the TPN does not believe the report because their families have not confirmed it, said TPN legal adviser ML Wanwipa Charoonroj. The TPN opposes the submissions for a pardon.

Could China’s Influence Split Asean in Two?

By Geoff Wade
The Jakarta Globe
February 28, 2011

Last year, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations celebrated its 43rd anniversary with fanfare, but cracks were visible in the organization. Thanks to the lopsided development of the Greater Mekong Subregion, propelled by China with the help of the Asian Development Bank, the area along China’s border has been transforming into a bloc of its own — a trend that could permanently divide Asean.

The GMS nominally comprises Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Vietnam, as well as Thailand and two of China’s southern provinces, Yunnan and Guangxi. However, in reality, China as a whole is a member with national-level technocrats engaging in GMS initiatives. And through this massive membership imbalance, the country of 1.3 billion overwhelms the polities and economies of mainland Southeast Asia.

About $11 billion has been injected into infrastructure investment in the GMS over the last decade with one-third coming from the ADB. This aid has been channeled into three so-called economic corridors — transport arteries being built to link multiple countries across mainland Southeast Asia.

The North-South Economic Corridor connects Kunming, China, to Bangkok, while the East-West Corridor ties the Indian Ocean coast of Burma with the South China Sea ports of Vietnam. The Southern Economic Corridor connects Bangkok with Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City and the nearby port of Vung Tau.

China has openly declared that the GMS is the most effective economic mechanism in Southeast Asia.

Under a new initiative launched by Chinese President Hu Jintao in July 2009, Yunnan has been designated as the bridgehead to mainland Southeast Asia, connecting the countries through transportation routes, mines, energy infrastructure and foreign trade production bases in the subregion. And the China-Asean Free Trade Agreement, initiated on Jan. 1, 2010, has greatly increased Chinese trade and investment in the mainland Southeast Asia states.

Funding for the economic development of the GMS derives from both ADB coffers and Chinese loans and investment, often difficult to distinguish. China is establishing a $10 billion China-Asean Fund on Investment Cooperation to support regional infrastructure development.

Investment funds have also flowed into these countries from China in much greater volumes. More than $8 billion of Chinese funds have been invested in Burma since March 2010 in hydropower, oil and gas and mining. By July 2010, Cambodia had 360 Chinese investment projects, with the value of the agreements totaling $80 billion. The degree to which Chinese interests are gaining control over most of the upstream industrial sectors in Vietnam is evident from the official estimate that about 90 percent of engineering, procurement and construction contracts are won by Chinese firms.

The number of Chinese people moving into these countries is growing. Laos, a country of seven million, estimates 400,000 illegal immigrants from China are in the country. Countries have also reported increased Chinese-language teaching, with Cambodia claiming to have the best language program in Southeast Asia and its schools staffed with hundreds of Chinese teachers.

But this flurry of development along its border and China’s growing engagement with the countries of mainland Southeast Asia — in effect dividing Asean — have not gone unnoticed by regional powers.

Japan has met with Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam, without including China, to assure them of assistance. South Korea has also declared its intention to participate in the development of the GMS, particularly in terms of transforming transport corridors into full-fledged economic corridors and addressing environmental issues.

In a July 2010 speech while in Hanoi, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke of US interests in the South China Sea and noted that Washington saw its relationship with Vietnam “not only as important on its own merits, but as part of a strategy aimed at enhancing American engagement in the Asia Pacific, and in particular Southeast Asia.” The recent inclusion on the United States in the East Asia Summit partially aims at countering perceived Chinese hegemony in mainland Southeast Asia.

The idea of “Asean centrality” in regional architecture, being widely promoted by Western interests, is premised on two conditions: That Asean will develop sufficient weight to constitute a bloc, and that members will adopt a common stand on key issues.

Neither condition is likely to be realized, much less maintained, in the near future. Asean states show an unwillingness to surrender any sovereignty to a central administration and the seems unable to take unified positions on international issues.

In turn, new physical infrastructure connections, economic interactions and intimate political and military engagements with China increasingly divide mainland Southeast Asian states from the maritime Asean countries. Burma, Cambodia and Laos are already virtual client states of China, while Vietnam and Thailand are economically beholden to the economic behemoth.

Asean’s most recent response to the threat of division was to call for more connectivity among its members. A master plan — announced at the 17th Asean Summit in Hanoi in October, for physical, institutional and people-to-people connections — openly recognized emerging division: “This is not likely to be smooth sailing, especially since the two programs [Asean and GMS] have been pursuing parallel efforts and have sunk substantial investments in certain areas of cooperation.”

With growing distance between the mainland and maritime states, the likelihood of an Asean community coming into being by 2015 is slim. Together with China, the mainland states are now entrenched in the GMS, and the links being developed will override those existing and planned among Asean states. Asean is indeed dividing.

These changes may simply reflect the mainland states’ geographic proximity to China or could be a manifestation of a long Chinese tradition to either divide neighboring polities or incorporate them within the Chinese polity. In either case, revival of a hierarchy is underway in mainland Asia, a phenomenon that some perceive as an indication of the Westphalian system’s irrelevance to Asia.

Geoff Wade is a historian with interests in Sino-Southeast Asian relations over time and comparative historiography.

Indonesian officers visit disputed Thai-Cambodia area

Thai tanks head to the frontlines during the heights of the fighting from 4-7 February.

Voice of Vietnam

A five-member Indonesian military team visited the disputed Thai-Cambodian border area on February 26 to pave the way for deployment of Indonesian observers in the region, a senior Cambodian defence official said.

Gen. Neang Phat, Deputy Minister of the National Defense of Cambodia, told Kyodo News by telephone that the Indonesian advance team visited the ancient temple of Preah Vihear and the surrounding area to find a suitable location for deployment of observers who will monitor the implementation of a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.

He expressed his hope that the Indonesian observers will start their work soon.

At an ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta on February 22, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to invite Indonesia, which is the current ASEAN Chair, to send observers to monitor the long-term ceasefire agreement between the two neighbours.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Indonesia will dispatch two separate teams to Cambodia and Thailand, each consisting of 15 to 20 military personnel and civilians.

In related news, the Cambodian news agency AKP quoted Prime Minister Hun Sen at a annual meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs on February 25 saying that he suggested Indonesia maintain its role as an observer until Cambodia takes over the rotating ASEAN Chair in 2012.

UNESCO to send experts to evaluate, repair damaged temple: special envoy

Mr. Koichiro Matsuura met Prime Minister Hun Sen just before he met Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.

People's Daily Online
February 28, 2011

Koichiro Matsuura, the special envoy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said Monday Cambodia' s Preah Vihear temple needs to be restored urgently following the damages by the military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand over the border disputed area on Feb. 4-7.

During a meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, Chairman of the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO, on Monday, Matsuura said that as soon as Indonesian observers arrive at the border disputed area, UNESCO will send its experts to evaluate the damages.

"Urgent restoration on the temple will be conducted after the evaluation of the damages and UNESCO will send repair-experts to restore the temple," Matsuura said, adding that "UNESCO will not involve in the border issue, but the temple."

Meanwhile, Sok An, also the minister of the Council of Ministers, presented Matsuura with internationally recognized maps about Cambodian border with Thailand, and also showed him about the maps used unilaterally by Thailand, not international recognition.

Sok An also informed him about the serious damages of Preah Vihear temple caused by about 414 mortar and artillery shells falling on the temple. "So, Cambodia has to publicize this information to the international communities."

Matsuura, a former director-general of UNESCO (1999-2009) and a former Chair of the World Heritage Committee, was named by Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, on Feb. 11 as the special envoy to mediate the issue of Preah Vihear temple following a deadly clash from Feb. 4-7 between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border disputed area next to the temple. He arrived here on Sunday for a three-day visit.

The clash unleashed a barrage of artillery shells on both sides of the border, killed and wounded some soldiers and people of both sides, as well as caused serious damages to Preah Vihear temple.

Preah Vihear Temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.

The conflict has occurred just a week after the inscription due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, since then periodic clashes have happened between the two nations' troops.

Source: Xinhua

Meeting decides on border demarcation with Cambodia


Vietnam News

PHNOM PENH — The fifth round of the Viet Nam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Border Demarcation in Phnom Penh on Thursday and Friday resolved to complete land border demarcation and landmark erection by 2012, pursuant to prior agreements between the two countries' leaders.

The meeting was co-chaired by Vietnamese deputy foreign minister Ho Xuan Son and Cambodian senior minister Var Kimhong (pictured). Key officials from relevant ministries, agencies and border provinces of both countries also attended.

The officials agreed to increase co-operative efforts to reach six major goals this year, include the definition of at least 100 landmark positions, delineating 500km of border, and completing a switch from the 1:100,000-scale Bone map to the 1:50,000-scale UTM map on the scale – along with the identification of landmark positions on the map – by next month.

The two sides also agreed to jointly publish a set of land-border terrain maps, as well as hasten drafting of a protocol on land border demarcation.

In 2010, the two sides identified 72 positions, built 73 border markers and demarcated 155km of borderline. — VNS

De-listing of Preah Vihear Temple Impossible: UNESCO


UNESCO chief Koichiro Matsuura, left, talks with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, during a meeting in Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. Matsuura, on a three-day visit to the Asian country, on Monday met with the Cambodian prime minister to try resolve the border dispute near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, between Cambodia and Thailand.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

28th February, 2011
Xinhua Web Editor: Guo

Koichiro Matsuura, special envoy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on Monday that it is impossible to de-list Preah Vihear temple from the World Heritage List.

Matsuura made the remarks during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"Thailand has intention to ask UNESCO to de-list the temple, but I had informed Abhisit Vejjajiva (Thai prime minister) and Kasit Piromya (Thai foreign minister) that de-listing of Preah Vihear temple from the World Heritage List is impossible by all means because Preah Vihear temple is the outstanding universal value,"the Prime Minister's spokesman Eang Sophalleth quoted Matsuura as saying.

"Preah Vihear temple, the World Heritage site, is under the responsibility of UNESCO, so UNESCO experts will come to evaluate and restore Preah Vihear temple in the future,"Matsuura told the premier.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen informed Matsuura that Thai troops had fired more than 400 shells of mortars and artillery at the temple which caused serious damages to the World Heritage site. The premier also asked the World Heritage Committee (WHC) not to halt the temple's management plan during its annual meeting in Bahrain in June.

"The management plan of the temple by UNESCO on the World Heritage site should not be abandoned due to the threat of Thailand,"Hun Sen said, adding "if we don't do urgent repair, Preah Vihear temple will be in danger. Moreover, it will set a bad precedent that big country's threat made UNESCO unable to manage and preserve the world heritage site."

The Bangkok Post, on Feb. 26, quoted Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying that Matsuura supported Thai stance to put off Cambodia's management plan of Preah Vihear temple.

Matsuura told reporters after the meeting that"UNESCO is not sided with any country, it is neutral."

Matsuura, a former director-general of UNESCO (1999-2009) and a former Chair of the World Heritage Committee, was named by Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, on Feb. 11 as the special envoy to mediate the issue of Preah Vihear temple following a deadly clash from Feb. 4 to 7 between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border disputed area next to the temple. He arrived here on Sunday to pay a three-day visit.

The clash unleashed a barrage of artillery shells on both sides of the border, killed and wounded some soldiers and people of both sides, as well as caused serious damages to Preah Vihear temple.

Preah Vihear Temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.

The conflict has occurred just a week after the inscription due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, since then periodic clashes have happened between the two countries' troops resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

ASEAN flexes mediating muscle

By Clifford McCoy
Asia Times Online

Indonesian observers have arrived on the Thai-Cambodian border in a multilateral bid to monitor the implementation of a tentative ceasefire between the two sides. The fight has called into question the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) core "no-war" policy and caused the regional grouping to rethink its long held policy of non-interference in member states' internal affairs.

Armed hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia in February resulted in the deaths of at least 11 and displacement of thousands of villagers in the area. Preah Vihear, the 11th century temple at the center of the territorial dispute, as well as another nearby temple, suffered significant damage from shellfire and small arms.

The fighting was the heaviest since border tensions escalated in 2008, and this time threatened to spread beyond the contested 4.6 kilometer area around the temple into a full-scale border war. Thai and Cambodian military and government officials claimed they acted only in self-defense and accused each other of starting the shooting, which involved small arms, rocket propelled grenades and exchanges of artillery fire.

A 1962 decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the temple to Cambodia, but did not stipulate who owns the land adjacent to the temple. The issue largely remained dormant until 2008 when Phnom Penh applied to the United Nation's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for World Heritage status for the temple, a move that stoked nationalist sentiment in Thailand.

ASEAN aims to settle disputes before they spiral and maintains a no war policy among its members. True to that credo, there here have been no open wars between ASEAN members since its founding in 1967 and all member countries are signatories to the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which has been adopted as the region's code of conduct. The grouping has in the past helped to diffuse a series of border disputes and other bilateral issues.

Some analysts believe ASEAN's mediation of the current dispute between Thailand and Cambodia could set a precedent for future conflict resolution in the region. The grouping is not known for taking proactive measures on security and political issues and has often swept nettlesome issues under the carpet in the interest of group harmony. Although this stance has helped the grouping to mature, become more cohesive and a relatively respected international player, it has failed to establish structures to deal with issues when they go beyond bilateral arrangements.

If allowed to spiral into open war, the dispute between Bangkok and Phnom Penh not only threatened to destabilize the region but could also have lead to a breakdown in ASEAN as a security community. Rather than work through ASEAN's perceived as ineffectual security mechanisms, member nations could decide to resort to force to settle issues or seek solutions outside the ASEAN framework.

On the other hand, a successful mediation of the dispute would provide ASEAN with enhanced credibility on issues that affect the peace and stability of the region. It would also further cement ASEAN as the key linchpin in several security structures, including the ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, Asia-Europe Meeting, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Forum (ADMM) and the ADMM Plus Eight.

The United Nations gave ASEAN its implicit support following a February 14 meeting on the dispute at the UN Security Council (UNSC). While the council was willing to hear both countries' versions of the dispute and urged a bilateral ceasefire, it made no binding statements. Instead it gave its backing to the efforts of Indonesian foreign minister and current ASEAN chairman Marty Natalegawa. Closed door discussions between Thailand's and Cambodia's foreign ministers, Natalegawa and UNSC president Maria Luiza Ribiero Viotti of Brazil were held on the sidelines of the UNSC meeting.

Natalegawa had already earned praise for his quick initiative in travelling to Bangkok and Phnom Penh to push for talks between the two countries to end the conflict and his participation at the UNSC. Throughout his negotiations, Natalegawa has made clear that the issue should be settled bilaterally, but "at the same time, there is always space for ASEAN and members of ASEAN to support the bilateral effort".

Natalegawa followed up by calling a meeting of foreign ministers from all 10 ASEAN nations in Jakarta on February 22. An agreement was reached that built on a ceasefire agreed between military commanders on February 20 and acted on Thailand's suggestion the next day of embedding Indonesian observers with units on both sides to monitor the ceasefire. While no permanent ceasefire has been signed, ASEAN observers are seen as a first step and a sign of commitment to the ceasefire. It was also agreed that further bilateral talks with Indonesian participation will be held in the near future.

Up to 40 Indonesian military and civilian observers are scheduled to "embed" with Thai and Cambodian military forces stationed at the border. The arrangement does not create a buffer zone, but provides for monitors to report back to the ASEAN chairman as well as to Bangkok and Phnom Penh. Natalegawa has made it clear that the observers are "not a peace-keeping or a peace enforcement team". At the same time, he has characterized the intervention as a "seminal development in ASEAN's capacity to deal with a conflict situation."

Significantly, ASEAN's maneuvers have received the backing of both the United States and China. Beijing's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular press briefing, "China appreciates and supports Indonesia's active mediation efforts to tackle the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict under the ASEAN framework."

US State Department spokesman P J Crowley said during a regular press briefing on February 23 that the US welcomed "ASEAN's efforts under the leadership of Indonesia" and supported the call of ASEAN foreign ministers for Cambodia and Thailand to resume bilateral negotiations "at the earliest opportunity".

That said, there is still the potential for Thai and Cambodian domestic politics - widely viewed as the driving force behind the ramped up dispute - to undermine ASEAN's mediation efforts towards a permanent solution. But with ASEAN observers present and the recognition that peaceful resolution of the issue is not only in the best interest of Thailand and Cambodia, but also ASEAN as a whole, there is powerful multilateral incentive to avoid further armed conflict.

Clifford McCoy is a freelance journalist.

Cambodia returns to industrial evolution [Japanese firms flocking to Cambodia?]

110228_8
Yamaha has committed to a Cambodian manufacturing plant, along with fellow Japanese firms Minebea and Sumitomo Electric. Bloomberg
Phnom Penh Post

ONE effect of the global economic crisis seldom discussed amid reports of a liquidity crisis and garment sector meltdown was the impact on Cambodia’s manufacturing progress.

In 2008, Cambodia was on the brink of attracting large multinational companies looking for new sources of cheap labour and the latest frontiers of market growth. But these firms subsequently “stayed at home”, in the words of Sok Chenda, secretary general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, as CEOs looked to damage limitation rather than expansion overseas.

In Cambodia’s case, the economic crisis looks to have only stalled – rather than aborted – the start of a long-awaited transition from labour-intensive industry towards more complex manufacturing. And increasingly, it is Japan that is driving this industrial evolution.

Confirmation at the weekend that Sumitomo Electric Industries, a Fortune-500 company, plans to become the latest Japanese firm to build a plant here provides the most recent evidence Cambodia is finally expanding manufacturing beyond the confines of the garment industry.

Sumitomo follows Minebea, Ajinomoto and Yamaha – all Japanese firms that have in recent months either opened or committed to manufacturing plants in the Kingdom.

Chinese firms have long had a manufacturing presence here, but most have limited themselves to the garment industry. Instead, China’s industrial base has had a more indirect impact on the stuttering manufacturing progress starting to take shape in Cambodia.

If China’s entry into Cambodian garments was partly due to the United States initiating quotas on Chinese clothing and apparel in 2005, according to some analysts, then the recent entry of more international complex industry into Cambodia can also be traced back to the mainland to an extent.

Masayoshi Matsumoto, president of Sumitomo Electric, told Kyodo News the firm’s decision to expand manufacturing to Cambodia and the Philippines later this year was due to a labour shortage and wage rises in China.

Minebea’s announcement at the end of last year that it would set up a production facility in Cambodia represents the first time the company would have opened a large-scale manufacturing plant in a new country since it did so in Shanghai 17 years ago.

The firm begins its first production in Cambodia in April at a leased factory before relocating to a US$61 million facility in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone next year, a plant that will rank second only in volume to Minebea’s China operation. This represents a significant moment for Cambodia.

While cynics will note these companies are coming here for the cheap labour, tax breaks and access to a new, untapped market, the benefits for the country will likely be substantial.

Minebea alone plans to hire 5,000 people in the longer term, workers that would otherwise have been hired at minimum-wage garment factories, or worse. These are employees that will be trained to assemble small electric motors for office and household electronic equipment, goods that have never been manufactured in the Kingdom previously.

Similarly, Sumitomo plans to make automotive wire harnesses, the latest sign the vehicle industry is starting to look at Cambodia as a production base following recent interest by Hyundai and Yamaha.

Within the long, arduous cycle of industrial evolution this marks solid progress for the country, not least because Japanese firms have over the past half a century represented the pinnacle of manufacturing.

For Cambodia, learning from companies like Sumitomo and Minebea is perhaps the most significant benefit that can be drawn from these new relationships. Cambodia’s manufacturing progress is as much about keeping multinationals here to gain increased expertise as it is about the revenues that can be generated from them. Just ask China.

If Japan is the master of developing technology then China is surely the more recent master of co-opting innovation for maximum gain. Now the economic crisis is over, Cambodia can get back to following their example.

Essex Amphibious Ready Group Arrives in Cambodia for Maritime Exercise


Click for a closer look.

GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 17, 2011) - Marines assigned to 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) Force Reconnaissance Platoon conduct a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) rehearsal on board USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011), as a part of exercise Cobra Gold 2011. 31st MEU is currently participating in exercise Cobra Gold, a U.S. and Thai cosponsored multinational exercise designed to improve interoperability between participating nations. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran

Posted: February 27, 2011

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia – The The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrive off the coast of Sihanoukville, Cambodia for Maritime Exercise (MAREX) 11 on Feb. 26.

MAREX 11 is a theater security cooperation visit designed to enhance interoperability and improve capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).

“The U. S. Navy is always honored to have the opportunity to visit the Kingdom of Cambodia,” said Capt. Bradley Lee, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11. “Visits such as this help to further strengthen the relationship between our two governments.”

This port visit provides USS Essex (LHD 2) crew members a chance to serve as goodwill ambassadors for the U.S., promoting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. It also demonstrates commitment to regional partnerships and fosters growing relationships with the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The ARG will embark 60 RCAF personnel to introduce them to humanitarian assistance disaster relief procedures and Essex shipboard operations.

“Essex will conduct shipboard operations such as damage control, navigation and engineering operations with the Royal Cambodian Navy,” said Lt. Justin Jomoto, PHIBRON 11 future operations officer. “By teaching and showing their navy what we do, we give them a perspective of how another navy operates.”

Beachmaster Unit 1 and Assault Craft Unit 1 will be conducting a beach survey to make sure the beach is suitable for landing craft to storm the beach.

ARG Sailors will conduct two community service projects, one at the Goodwill School and the other at Villiage d’enfant de Sihanoukville, an orphanage in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The Sailors will be able to read and play with the kids.

“Cambodia has also demonstrated a willingness to cooperate closely on counterterrorism, peacekeeping, disaster response, and medical and health related activities,” said Lee.

The 31st MEU medical team and Cambodian medical personnel will provide primary care services, dental care, optometry and ophthalmology for three days at the Al-Mujarharine Islamic Center in Kampong Som. They will be treating medical problems such as hypertension, skin infection, dental problems, vision problems, asthma and more.

Marines will also conduct jungle warfare training, aviation demonstrations, visit, board, search and seizure training while in Cambodia.

Towards the end of the exercise, Essex ARG and 31st MEU will participate in a sports day with local Cambodian citizens and play soccer and volleyball.

Essex ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) and guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106).

The Essex ARG reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, who is forward deployed to Okinawa, Japan.

Nhiek Bunchhay to become executive president of Funcinpec Party

Nhiek Bunchhay (L) and Mr. Keo Put Rasmy (R).

By Khmerization
Source: DAP News

Under the party reform to be undertaken at a party congress on 2nd May 2011, party Secretary General Nhiek Bunchhay will become Funcinpec executive president and party president Keo Put Rasmy will become legislative president (sort of a powerless honourary president) of the party.

The reform was scheduled to be voted and approved by 3098 of party national council members at the party congress scheduled for 2nd May.

Mr. Nhiek Bunchhay told Deum Ampil on 27th February that the reform, including creating a new Permanent and Steering Committee comprising of 12 members and a party national council which will serve a 5-year term.

He said under the reform, he will stand as a candidate of the executive president which has the executive power to manage and lead the party similar to the power held by the executive head of the government. And the legislative president, which will be held by Mr. Keo Put Rasmy, will be similar to that of the power of the chairman of the National Assembly (parliament).

The new reform was seen as an attempt by the powerful Mr. Nhiek Bunchhay to wrestle executive powers from Mr. Keo Put Rasmy, who already had limited power since Mr. Nhiek Bunchhay became party secretary general in 2006.

The UK to strip aid to Cambodia


The inquiry was ordered by International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell

Britain freezes millions in aid to 16 countries after inquiry discovers they are actually no longer in poverty

27th February 2011
By Daniel Martin

Britain is to stop giving aid to 16 countries after a major review found they were no longer in poverty.

Countries such as Russia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Moldova and Serbia will be stripped of millions of pounds a year, following the inquiry ordered by International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell.

Aid to India - which can afford its own space programme - will also be frozen.

But vast amounts of extra money - 30 per cent of the entire aid budget - will be pumped into unstable terrorist hotspots such as Yemen and Somalia, in a bid to help them to crack down on citizens exporting violence.

Critics will ask whether that is a wise plan, seeing there will be no way for Britain to check whether the money being poured in is spent wisely, rather than being embezzled by corrupt officials.

Britain's aid budget is one of the few areas, that is protected from cuts, unlike defence, education and the police which are having to make deep savings.

The total amount being spent on aid will soar from £7billion to £11billion in 2015 - at the same time as front-line public services here at home are being slashed.

In an interview at the weekend, Mr Mitchell admitted that many of his constituents 'go ballistic' about the amount of British cash spent on overseas aid at a time of belt-tightening at home.

His aid review into Britain's aid spending will report later that week. Mr Mitchell said the plan was to 'buy results' rather than 'lob money at problems' - that is setting targets and stopping aid if they are not met.

And he is also likely to order the removal of funding from international organisations which have not delivered. For example, the £12million given to UN cultural body Unesco is likely to be axed.

'From now on we will only give aid where we can follow the money and ensure that the British taxpayer is getting value for money,' he said.

'Most international organisations are doing a decent job but some need to be shown the yellow card; others will frankly get the bullet. It's the mission of my department to focus ruthlessly on results, on delivering 100 pence of development value for every hard-earned pound of taxpayers' money.

'If one of my constituents is watching television and hears these [aid] announcements, particularly now, they go ballistic because they think about how the money could be spent here.
'But if you determine it by results, about how you're going to get 200,000 more children cleaner water, people are up for that.'

Mr Mitchell will also announce the first 'cash-on delivery' aid scheme in the world, with a scheme to get more Ethiopian girls into school.

'We will only release funds once firm evidence of results has been seen,' he said.

The International Development Secretary defended the huge amount spent on international aid at a time of stringency at home.

'The reason why at this time of a dreadful economic inheritance, we made it clear that we won't balance the books at the expense of the poorest people in the world is because it is morally right to do so,' he said.

'It's part of the British DNA to be there for those in desperate straits. But it's also very much in our national interest to tackle these effects of dysfunctionality and poverty, such as piracy, migration, terrorism and disease in Somalia. Tackling the causes of poverty upstream is much less expensive than sending in the troops.'

Other countries which will lose their aid money are Bosnia, Iraq and Kosovo.

Resources will be concentrated on the 27 countries that account for three-quarters of the world's maternal mortality and malaria deaths, such as Ghana and Afghanistan.

By 2014, 30 per cent of UK aid is expected to go to war-torn and unstable countries such as Somalia and Yemen. And the UN children's charity Unicef will also see its UK funding double to £40million.

But the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the UN Industrial Development Organisation and Unesco will all lose out.

A source at the Department for International Development said: 'It's been very hard to find out what they spend our money on.'

Cambodia: Who Ordered the Blocking of Opposition Websites?

Global Voices
By Mong Palatino
Posted 27 February 2011

Last month, an anti-government website was blocked by some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Cambodia. The ISPs later denied that it received an order from the government to ban the critical website. The government also insisted that it is not a policy to block the website of opposition groups. Fortunately, access to the website was restored immediately.

But the issue of web censorship in Cambodia continued to sizzle this month as media groups leaked a letter by government information authorities asking ISPs to censor websites that allegedly harm Cambodian morality and tradition.

Sieng Sithy, deputy director of the Directorate of Telecommunications Policy Regulation at the MPTC, wrote an email to Ezecom, Metfone, Citylink, Digi, AngkorNet, WiCam, TC, Camnet, Online and Camintel thanking them for “cooperation” in blocking access to several websites, including KI-Media, Khmerization and a site featuring the art of political cartoonist Sacrava.

The government gave conflicting statements on the veracity of the letter. The Ministry continues to assert that web censorship is not being pursued by the government. Here are some parts of the controversial letter:

The e-mail, which was electronically signed by Sieng Sithy, deputy director of the ministry’s policy regulation, addresses service providers WiCam, Telesurf and Hello.

“We found that you are not yet taken an action, so please kindly take immediate action”

“Here below [are the] websites.”

“Again and again, In case of not well cooperation is your own responsibility”

Internet users in Cambodia complained that the mentioned websites have been inaccessible for many times this month. The ISPs blamed it on technical problems.

Cartoon by Sacrava

The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) condemns the reported blocking of critical websites

…the Internet was the only audio or visual media not fully controlled by the government. The censoring of controversial Web sites marks a significant milestone in the march toward a more oppressive media environment

The group also wants ISPs to explain to their customers why they agreed to comply with the government request to censor the websites

Did the government simply make a “request” that ISP providers block certain sites? If so, ISPs owe their customers an honest explanation as to why they have chosen to comply. Hiding behind excuses simply makes them complicit in the censorship campaign. Concerned customers should call their ISPs and demand a legitimate explanation for the ongoing outage of political opposition Web sites. Better yet, all ISPs should decline the government's request and restore full Internet access immediately.

Customers deserve to know whether they are giving their money to a company that is helping to enable a government censorship campaign.

The Committee to Protect Journalists is also worried about the intensifying media censorship in Cambodia.

According to media reports, internet use in Cambodia increased by 500 percent in the past year.

Written by Mong Palatino

Cambodia outlaws nukes


Sunday, 27 February 2011
By Thet Sambath
Phnom Penh Post

The Council of Ministers on Friday approved a draft sub-decree barring the production of materials used in the making of chemical, nuclear or biological weapons.

Cambodia’s constitution already prohibits the manufacture, use or storage of chemical, nuclear and biological weapons under articles 9 and 54.

The sub-decree was prepared by the Defence Ministry’s Chemical Weapon National Authority as a mechanism to control the production and use of chemicals in line with international treaty obligations.

It follows a draft law introduced in 2009 that similarly barred the use, manufacture or storage of such weapons.

“Our constitution has prohibited the use of chemical, nuclear, biological and radioactive [weapons], but we have prepared this sub-decree as an addition,” said government spokesman Phay Siphan today.

Chum Sambath, an undersecretary of state at the Defence Ministry, said Cambodia has no chemical or nuclear weapons and would never produce them.

“We don’t need to produce chemical weapons because we have no intention to invade any country,” he said.

Minister of Defence Tea Banh could not be reached for comment today.

In 2005 Cambodia signed the Chemical Weapons Convention, a global initiative by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

UNESCO envoy arrives [in Cambodia]


Sunday, 27 February 2011
By Cheang Sokha
Phnom Penh Post

A special envoy from UNESCO arrived in the Kingdom today to discuss the preservation of Preah Vihear temple following deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border near the 11th-century site earlier this month.

Koichiro Matsuura, formerly the head of UNESCO, will be in Cambodia until Tuesday to hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen, Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and other senior officials.

Matsuura was originally scheduled to travel to Preah Vihear on Tuesday to assess the damage sustained by the temple over four days of fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops that left at least 10 people dead and displaced thousands of civilians.

The envoy said today, however, that this visit had been delayed.

Chuch Phoeurn, chairman of the Preah Vihear National Authority, said the trip had been postponed for two weeks to allow Cambodia to prepare for the arrival of military observers from Indonesia who will be monitoring the situation along the border as a result of an agreement reached between Thailand and Cambodia last week.

On Saturday, an advance team of five Indonesians visited the border area to plan for the observers’ arrival, Chuch Phoeurn said.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said UNESCO’s role in the dispute was not to determine “who is right and who is wrong”, but to “ease tension” and “seek cooperation to effectively protect the temple of Preah Vihear”.

The temple sustained damage to its staircases and exterior during this month’s clashes, though early claims from the Cambodian government that a whole wing had collapsed later proved exaggerated.

Matsuura came to the Kingdom from Thailand, where he met officials including Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva in relation to the dispute.

Thai state media reported that Bangkok had stressed the importance of resolving the countries’ border dispute before UNESCO approves Cambodia’s management plan for the temple.

Tensions along the border have been heightened since 2008, when UNESCO inscribed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site for Cambodia.

Chum Puy, governor of Kulen district in Preah Vihear province, said today that of the 2,678 families living near the border who had been evacuated to temporary shelters in the midst of the fighting, all but 30 had returned to their homes.

“We see that the situation is now safe for them to return,” he said.

Cambodia's deadly virus: 85% mortality rate


27th February, 2011
Pravda, Russia

Ladies and Gentlemen, the next Black Death, a global pandemic of catastrophic proportions, has reared its ugly head in the Far East, home to many pandemic viruses. This time it is not a 30 per cent death rate, it is an 85 per cent death rate. It is called the Cambodian Avian Flu virus.

Avian Flu has been around for centuries. So have other pandemics. But an 85 per cent mortality rate?

Let us not invent, let us use the World Health Organization's communications:

Avian influenza - situation in Cambodia

9 February 2011 - The Ministry of Health of Cambodia has announced a new confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The 5 year old female, from Prek Leap village, Sangkat Prek Leap, Khan Reussey Keo, Phnom Penh, developed symptoms on 29 January, was admitted to a hospital on 3 February and died 12 hours following admission. The presence of H5N1 virus in nasopharyngeal specimens was confirmed by Institut Pasteur, the National Influenza Centre in Cambodia. The case had been in contact with sick poultry during the 7 days before onset of symptoms.

The Ministry of Health has been coordinating the response. Actions have included contact tracing, collecting specimens from suspected cases, and providing oseltamivir prophylaxis to close contacts; active surveillance and joint investigation with animal health authorities; community education; and public communications coordination with the assistance of WHO.

Of the 11 cases of human H5N1 virus infection confirmed since 2005 in Cambodia, 9 have been fatal.

Avian influenza - situation in Cambodia - update

25 February 2011 - The Ministry of Health of Cambodia has announced 2 new confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

A 19-year-old female, from Takong village, Ta Kong commune, Malay district, Banteay Meanchey Province, developed symptoms on early hours of 5 February, was admitted to a private clinic on 9 February, referred to a hospital on 12 February, and died on 12 February without avian influenza being considered as a diagnosis. She had travelled from her home with her husband, her 11-month old son, her mother in law and her sister in law to Rokar Chor village, Bantey Chakrey commune, Prash Sdach district, Prey Veng Province on 3 January. She had multiple exposures to sick and dead poultry between the second half of January and early February. A blood specimen collected at hospital on 12 February was transferred to Institut Pasteur du Cambodge on 22 February and tested positive by (polymerase chain reaction) PCR.

The 11-month-old son developed symptoms on 5 February, was admitted to hospital 15 February and died on 17 February. He also had multiple exposures to sick and dead poultry in the same time frame. The presence of H5N1 virus in nasopharyngeal specimens was confirmed by Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, the National Influenza Centre on 20 February.

The Ministry of Health has been coordinating the response with assistance from WHO. To date no other symptomatic contacts have been found.

Of the 13 cases of human H5N1 virus infection confirmed since 2005 in Cambodia, 11 have been fatal.

Konstantin Karpov

Pravda.Ru

Even birds of a feather from both sides flock together


Thais and Cambodians watch a cockfight at Chong Sa-ngam market in Si Sa Ket’s Phu Sing district yesterday. Cockfights are popular among Thai and Cambodian people living along the border. JETJARAS NA RANONG

Markets and the excitement of cockfighting unite Thais and Cambodians every Sunday

Writer: Wassana Nanuam
Published: 28/02/2011
Bangkok Post

Sunday remains a day of fun at Chong Sa-ngam market for civilians and soldiers from both sides of the Cambodian border despite the continuing tensions.

The market, in tambon Phrai Phattan of Si Sa Ket's Phu Sing district, opposite Cambodia's Anlong Veng district in Oddar Meanchey province, traditionally hosts a day of socialising, shopping and cockfighting tournaments between the two countries every Sunday.

Chong Sa-ngam market is open every day but is most popular on Sunday, as that is when most people are off work.

Hundreds of Cambodians cross into Thailand from early in the morning, mostly to go shopping at the market. Among their number are Cambodian soldiers.

"Cambodian soldiers are welcome at the market but they must be unarmed," said an unnamed military ranger standing guard at the Chong Sa-ngam Pass border crossing.

"At this point, Thai and Cambodian soldiers are still good friends. We are not shooting at each other, nor are we enemies," said Mon Ni, a 25-year-old Cambodian soldier who visited the market yesterday with his wife.

"I don't want us to fight at all and I want both sides to be the same," the young Cambodian soldier said through a Thai-speaking friend.

Many Cambodians visit the market on Sunday because of the cockfighting.

"I came here to compete in the cockfighting and we're friends, not enemies. But let's see whose birds will win," said Mahatthi Chiam, a 40-year-old resident of Anlong Veng who owns a number of fighting roosters.

The cockfighting ring at Chong Sa-ngam market reopened yesterday after a break because of the violent skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops.

"I am pretty confident my birds will win," said Sommai Latdachot, a 53-year-old Thai cockfighting entrant from Si Sa Ket.

He said he had just returned from a tournament in Anlong Veng in Cambodia.

"The Khmer soldiers there were the same; they are friends of Thai soldiers and [both sides] know each other well. Troop reinforcement is nothing unusual," Mr Sommai said.

There were a number of cockfighting matches yesterday but the one which garnered the most attention was between a Thai rooster named Puen Kon (machine gun) and a Cambodian cock named BM (short for the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher), owned by Mr Mahatthi.

The significance was not lost on the crowd, as BM-21 launchers were reportedly used by Cambodian troops during clashes with Thai troops on Feb4 and a number of the rockets landed in Si Sa Ket.

However, the crowd watched the match in good spirits and ultimately BM was defeated by Puen Kon.

"I told you _ the BM-21's fire is not really accurate," joked Jack, the 32-year-old owner of the winning Thai cock, as he teased his Cambodian counterparts.

"All right, my rooster is not 100 percent fit ... but no matter who won, we're still friends," said Mr Mahatthi.

Exiled Cambodian leader speaks to local compatriots


By Steve Huffman
The Dispatch
Published: Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sam Rainsy (pictured middle), a member of Cambodia's parliament, brought a message from his native land to Davidson County Saturday night.

Unless you spoke Cambodian, it was impossible to understand what Rainsy was saying, but he drew the rapt attention of about 200 Davidson County residents who are of Cambodian descent. Rainsy spoke at the Lexington Buddhist Temple off Pinelodge Road.

In a brief interview where he spoke English, Rainsy, 63, said he had been forced into exile from Cambodia, but still travels frequently to the country. He remains a member of the country's parliament, Rainsy said. "It's not the first time," he said of his forced exile. "I'm used to it."

Rainsy was accompanied by his wife, Tioulong Saumura. Like her husband, she's a member of the Cambodian parliament, but living in exile. Saumura said the couple lives in Paris. She said the last time they returned to Cambodia was about a month ago.

Officially, the country is a constitutional monarchy, but Saumura said its rule is a dictatorship. "When we go to Cambodia, we don't sleep well at night," Saumura said. She said there have been recent assassination attempts against other Cambodian political leaders. Saumura said she and her husband flew Saturday to Greensboro from New York City where she had been addressing members of the United Nations concerning problems in Cambodia. She is,

Saumura said, head of international relations for the Sam Rainsy Party. The party, Saumura said, was formerly the Khmer Nation Party, but members changed the name due to harassment by the Cambodian government The Sam Rainsy Party is Cambodia's second-most popular, having garnered 1.3 million votes in the 2008 national election, the nation's most recent. The Cambodian People's Party is the nation's most popular, garnering 3.5 million votes in that same election. Of the 123 members of the nation's parliament, 26 are from the Sam Rainsy Party while 90 are from the Cambodian People's Party. Parliament's remaining members come from smaller parties.

Judging by reaction to Rainsy's appearance in Davidson County, he is wildly popular among Cambodians. He was treated with the type reverence Americans typically reserve for professional athletes or rock stars.

Many flocked to have their pictures taken with him Saturday night. The show of respect transcended cultures. Sam Bour served as an interpreter for Rainsy on occasions Saturday. He said Rainsy spoke about border wars between Cambodia and Vietnam, and warned that Vietnam is trying to swallow Cambodia. Saumura said the respect the people of Cambodian descent showed her husband Saturday is indicative of that he attracts when he speaks at any number of locations around the world. Native Cambodians, she said, continue to worry about and seek information about their homeland, regardless of their years of separation. "They have found a new motherland here," Saumura said, motioning to those who waited to speak to her husband. "They still care for their (native) country."

Rainsy's Saturday night address was interrupted often by shouts and applause. Rainsy was born in Phnom Penh in 1949. His father [Sam Sary] was a member of the Cambodian government in the 1950s. Rainsy was the nation's minister of finance in the early 1990s. He founded the Khmer Nation Party in 1995 and has served as president of the Sam Rainsy Party since 1998. Rainsy's political fortunes have in recent years alternated between exile and a desire expressed by many Cambodians that he return and lead the nation through its problems.

According to Rainsy's own website, "Sam Rainsy is the architect and founder of the Sam Rainsy Party. He leads the party through many elections. No doubt, Sam Rainsy is the second-largest party in the country. Sam Rainsy used to enjoy financial support from within the country and abroad. But 13 years in opposition is a long time. Some have even started to predict the next election will be the last for Sam Rainsy, if there is no dramatic change in the current structure." Rainsy's most recent exile stems from an incident in October 2009 where he led residents at the Cambodia/Vietnam border in a protest against alleged Vietnamese encroachment on Cambodian territory. Rainsy is alleged to have encouraged villagers to uproot border markings that he claimed were illegally placed by Vietnam. Rainsy was charged with racial incitement and destruction of property, charges he said are politically motivated.

Cambodia is best known for the genocide of 1975-1979 that took place under the Khmer Rouge regime. It's estimated that of the nation's 8 million inhabitants, as many as 2.5 million died.

Khmer Rouge victims in U.S. to get their day in court

Dr. Leakhena Nou giving lectures to her students.

By John Boudreau
Mercury News
jboudreau@mercurynews.com
Posted: 02/26/2011

Many Cambodians have lived the lives of ghosts in Silicon Valley, not seen or heard from much, quietly tormented every day and every night with unbearable memories of the genocide that wiped out entire families -- parents, spouses, children, extended relatives.

Now, finally, some of them will have their day in international court. When the second trial of alleged perpetrators of the Khmer Rouge genocide begins in a few months, members of the Cambodian community in the United States will be represented by attorneys at the proceedings.

On Saturday, about 50 members of Silicon Valley's 10,000 strong Cambodian community gathered at the Wat Khemara Rangsey Buddhist temple in East San Jose to hear about the upcoming trial of four senior Khmer Rouge leaders charged in connection with the deaths of 1.7 million people from execution, torture, starvation and disease from 1975 to 1979.

"For our clients, who have waited so long for this, it can be overwhelming to revisit the past," said Andrea Evans, legal director at the Center for Justice and Accountability, a San Francisco human rights legal group that will represent scores of Cambodians living in the U.S. before the United Nations-backed tribunal.

Sophany Bay, a 65-year-old San Jose counselor, is providing written testimony.

"For more than three decades, I waited to see justice," she said in a statement to the international court. "We are getting old. We want to see justice before we
Advertisement
die."

The reason, Bay said Saturday, is that the nightmares never stop.

"I lost all my family," said Bay, whose three children died. One of them, a baby girl named Pom, died after a Khmer Rouge soldier injected something into her head.

"I don't have any siblings," she said. "I don't have any nephews. They killed my whole family."

Bay said she hasn't dreamed in the present ever since. All her dreams, she said, are of the past horrors in her homeland.

The once-powerful Khmer Rouge leaders who will stand before the tribunal as early as June are now in their late 70s and mid-80s. The complex trial could last as long as two to three years.

The defendants are Ieng Sary, who was foreign minister; his wife, Ieng Thirith, minister of social welfare; Khieu Samphan, head of state; and Nuon Chea, known as Brother No 2. The top leader, Pol Pot, died in 1998. In the earlier trial, Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, was sentenced to 19 years in prison for the torture and death of at least 14,000 people in the Tuol Sleng prison in the capital of Phnom Penh.

The regime took control in 1975 after the war in next-door Vietnam spread to Cambodia. Khmer Rouge leaders believed they could create a utopian communist society by purging the country of intellectuals, business leaders, government officials and anyone else considered a threat to their revolution.

Approximately 157,500 Cambodians resettled in the U.S. from 1975 to 1994, the vast majority as refugees. Many still suffer serious mental health problems as a result of experiencing torture and witnessing killings of their family members.

In 2009, researcher Leakhena Nou, a medical sociologist at Cal State Long Beach, began documenting the stories of genocide survivors in the United States. She discovered that Cambodian-Americans, like their countrymen, could offer testimony and have legal representation at the tribunal proceedings.

During her research, she discovered that many Cambodians in America experienced the same symptoms of young people living in Cambodia.

"I found the same hopelessness, helplessness and lack of trust in themselves, family and government leaders," Nou said.

Nou's research is deeply personal. Her family escaped the reign of terror because her father, a Cambodian military officer who had been living in Thailand with his family when the Khmer Rouge took over, sensed grave danger when he and others were asked to return. Those who answered the call were executed immediately upon their return or taken to prison and tortured to death.

"The instinct my dad had saved our lives," she said.

The process of retelling stories can, at least in the short run, cause substantial emotional trauma for survivors, said Dr. Daryn Reicherter, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine who treats many Cambodian emigres in San Jose.

"They had this rough patch," he said. But, Reicherter added, "Not one of them had a regret" about their decision to retell their experiences in excruciating detail.

Contact John Boudreau at 408-278-3496.

Sunday 27 February 2011

Cambodia, U.S. hold maritime exercise off Cambodian coast

U.S marines get ready for a drill at Sihanoukville Seaport.

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 27 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Cambodia and the United States began a four-day maritime drill off the Cambodian coast on Sunday aimed at building capacity to deal with regional humanitarian disasters.

Lt. Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman of Cambodia's National Defense Ministry, said the exercise, which will last until Wednesday, involves 500 troops from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and U.S. Marines.

The U.S. military said elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are participating in the exercise, which includes a port call, English engagement exchanges and community relations projects.

The exercise "ensures that the region is adequately prepared for regional humanitarian disasters, such as the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, by allowing partner nations to work together and build relationships before a critical need develops," the public affairs office of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit said.

Just divide the 4.6sq.km land into half-half

By Anonymous

I applaud the Indonesian government for playing an active role in reassuring a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. I would like to see the Indonesian military positioning themselves inside the so-called 4.6sq.km "disputed" territory claimed by Thailand. The spineless ASEAN must create a peace keeping force as a referee to stop any two member nations from beating the living craps out of each other. This is not just pertaining to Thailand and Cambodia, but any ASEAN members who in future may have to face border issue between neighbors that might result in armed clashes.

There is no way in hell that Thailand will get all that piece of 4.6km land to itself. At the same time, there is no way in hell Cambodia would allow itself to lose every inch of that 4.6km to Thailand, after all, it was part of Cambodia land. This "disputed" land was something made up by Thailand as a bargaining chip in order to have closer access to Preah Vihear temple for the future invasion of the temple. My suggestion is, just divide up that land into half-half. Thailand and Cambodia would get 2.3km each side. This way everyone should be happy. No fighting over who is getting what. As far as Preah Vihear temple is concerned, Cambodia has every damn right to do what she wants, after all, ICJ had rewarded it to Cambodia in 1962. Thailand need to understand that it had failed to prove that Preah Vihear is Thailand's property. Preah Vihear temple is in Cambodia's possession. So Thailand needs to stay off the subject of Preah Vihear forever.

I know the ICJ's decision in 1962 greatly upset Thailand, so 2 years later in 1964, Thailand stirred up a fight with Cambodia just to keep Cambodia away from having Preah Vihear to herself. I know one thing for sure, Thailand does not like to lose anything to little Cambodia. It will not compromise with Cambodia. It wants everything, the 4.6km2 and Preah Vihear temple. That is why it did what it had done, to get what it wants, even invading Preah Vihear which Thailand had attempted unsuccessfully, at least for now.

Time is not ripe for a Cambodian revolution

The following article is a Google translation of the original French text with some Khmerization's editing:

By Anonymous

The Khmerization article is well eloquent [The article is not written by Khmerization, but by Mr. Joel Brinkley]! But are you sure that the Khmers are ready to make a revolution?
We always compare Cambodia with other countries, Tunisia, Egypt, ... But I think the Cambodians are too poor to start the revolution again!

Let us look back:

Dictatorship existed since the days of Sihanouk and Lon Nol ... (1970-75) and Pol Pot's Year Zero, with 90% corruption!

Now that the economic situation is a little better, but the corruption is eating away the country and our history aw well. Unless, that is normal, Corruption is in the blood of the Khmer?

Take a trip to Cambodia, you see it now! We always say ''SY TAUCH TAM TAUCH, SY THOM TAM THOM'' [small eat small, big eat big], during the Lon Nol period, until we lost everything!
Now the KR history has repeated itself!

In my opinion, this disease, corruption, poverty comes from Cambodia. In this country, 90% of the people are poor, except Oknhas [the lords] and the families of those in power!
If employees earn a good salary, the corruption and discontent are also falling down. In life, you do not ask for more: to live in peace, there's plenty to eat properly, kids can go to school, proper care ...

Anyway, inequality still exists in the world! We must not dream, you can never see an American president, a Chinese president, a president of the North Korean, Arabic and a chairman at the time of Pol Pot, the Kanak and Angkar ... eat, sleep the same thing as every everybody.
But what we want is the gap of rich and poor to be reduced is a good thing.

Far too many poor in Cambodia. What we must improve is the economy! The economy is good, the country is fine.
We should not seek to destroy ourselves once again like during the Pol Pot era.
Problems with the Thais, it is likely that this is the political exploitation of the 2 leaders, but a revolution is still poor Khmer's blood that will flow again.
It should be done gradually, there is the election! ... So stay alert, you must not do anything!
---------------------------------------
L'article de Khmerization est bien éloquent ! Mais êtes-vous sûr que les Khmers sont prêts à faire la révolution ?
On compare toujours avec d'autres pays , Tunisie , Egypte , ...Mais , je pense que les cambodgiens sont trop pauvres , pour se lancer encore dans La révolution !
Regardons un peu en arrière ,
la dictature existait depuis l'époque de Sihanouk...et Lon Nol (1970-75) avec la corruption à 90 % , et l'année zéro de Pol Pot !
Maintenant que la situation économique va un peu mieux , mais la CORRUPTION ronge le pays comme dans notre histoire .
A moins que , c'est normal , La Corruption , c'est dans le sang des Khmers ?
Allez faire un tour au Cambodge , vous verrez tout de suite ! On dit toujours '' SY TAUCH TAM TAUCH SY THOM TAM THOM '' , comme l'époque Lon Nol , jusque on a tout perdu !
jusqu'a manger le '' Bâr Bâr '' chez les KR , l'histoire se répète !
A mon avis , cette maladie , la Corruption , provient de la pauvreté des cambodgiens .Dans ce pays ! 90 % du peuple sont pauvres , sauf les Okgnas et la famille de ceux qui sont au pouvoir !
Si , les fonctionnaires gagnent un bon salaire , Les corruptions baissent aussi et les mécontentements diminuent . Dans la vie on ne demande par plus : vivre en paix , il y a de quoi à manger correctement , les enfants peuvent aller à l'école , les soins corrects ...
De toute façon l'inégalité existe toujours dans le Monde ! il faut pas rêver , vous ne pouvez jamais voir un président américain , un président chinois , un président coreen du Nord , un président arabe et à l'époque de Pol Pot , les Kanaks et les Angkars ... manger , dormir la même chose que le Monsieur tout le monde .
Mais ce qu'on souhaite , c'est l'écart des riches et des pauvres réduit , c'est déjà une bonne chose .
Beaucoup trop de pauvres au Cambodge . Ce qu'on doit améliorer , c'est l'économie ! L'économie va bien , le pays va bien .
Il faut pas chercher à nous détruire encore une fois comme à l'époque Pol Pot.
Les problèmes avec le Thais , c'est probable , que c'est de l'exploitation politique des 2 gouvernants , mais une révolution
c'est encore du sangs des pauvres khmers couler de nouveau .
Il faut faire petit à petit , il existe l'élection ! ...Restez donc vigilant , il faut pas faire n'importe quoi !!

Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda after the destruction by Thai artillery shells


Scene of the pagoda after the 4-7 February fighting.


By Khmerization
Source: Koh Santepheap

Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda has been a flash point that have caused several deadly armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops since July 2008. The pagoda was built in 1998 in the so-called "disputed zone", 2 years before the signing of the 2000 MOU between Cambodia and Thailand which prohibited the construction of any buildings inside the zone. However, Thailand has consistenly demanded that it be dismantled after Unesco had inscribed Preah Vihear temple on 7th July 2008 and after the Thai invasion of the area a week later on 15th July of the same year.

Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda suffered substantial damages by Thai artillery shells during the fighting from 4-7 February. Up to now there is no repair works being done on the pagoda due to opposition from Thailand who warned Cambodia not to repair the damages and due to dangers posed by unexploded Thai artillery shells.

Visitors to the pagoda after the fighting will see a very quiet and sad environment around the pagoda. Visitors will see the damages to the roof of the pagoda caused by Thai bullets or shrapnel from rockets or cluster bombs. The images and statues of the Buddha inside the temple, which had suffered substantial damages, look so sad. The scene of the temple ground look sad and eerie, full of craters left by rockets and potholes left by cluster bombs and unexploded rockets are still littered around the temple compound.

Currently, there are 6 monks still residing at the pagoda, 3 of them are senior monks and 3 are novices plus 6 temple boys. There are no nuns residing at the pagoda because all of them had fled during the fighting of 4-7 February.

Ven. Sun Saing, Abbot of Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda, said the monks have to cook their own food (normally nuns cook for them). Food supplies are donated by generous people from faraway places and from troops based in the areas (normally laypeople around the temple supported the monks with daily food ration). The damages, rubbish and rubble left by the burning from Thai shells have not been cleared because unexploded Thai artillery shells are still littered the temple ground. The abbot said the Preah Vihear National Authority has come to inspect and assess the damages, but he does not know when they will come to repair the damages.

However, Cambodian authority said that they cannot do the repair works around the pagoda straight away because the military situations in the areas are still unstable and because Cambodia wants to the leave the evidences for national and international tourists to see for themselves of the destruction caused by Thai troops.

Sam Rainsy warned of a new revolution in Cambodia

Sam Rainsy speaking to supporters in Falls Church, Virginia, USA, on 24th February 2011.

By Khmerization
Source: RFA

Mr. Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, in a meeting with Khmer-Americans in Virginia on 24th February, has warned that an Arab-style revolution could erupt in Cambodia any time due to unemployment, corruption and land crisis.

He said revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and the current uprising in Libya have inspired the people around the world to view revolution as a necessary mean to change the dictatorial regimes. "Why the people in these countries have rebelled? What do they want? What causes the people to suffer these days? It is the same. First, it is poverty. When they said the country has developed, but developed for whom? For the powerful? For the millionaires to get richer? The people don't want these sorts of developments. They only want the developments that benefits the general population, especially the poor to be able to benefit from these developments. If the poor are still poor then there will definitely be protests....", he said.

Mr. Sam Rainsy, who was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and was forced to live in exile for over a year for his role in uprooting six border stakes on the Khmer-Vietnamese border on 25th October 2009, said he supports the government's efforts to bring the Khmer-Thai border conflict to the international stage, but he does not support the Asean's mechanisms because Thailand still can exert tremendous influences over the Asean as a whole. He also said that he has no regret for his role in the uprooting of the six border stakes along the Khmer-Vietnamese border because Cambodia had really lost lands to Vietnam through the plantings of these border stakes. He said the reason the court sentenced him to jail term was because the government does not want to see his presence in the 2013 election. "The people who served the foreigners, the people who abused the people, have persecuted us. This means that what we have done was right. If the bad people supported us, helped us, said good about us, then it meant that we have done the wrong thing. If bad people said bad about us, persecuted us, then it meant that we have done the right thing. So, what we have to do next? We must not be afraid in helping the people to the end", he said.

Mr. Hun Sen has warned that he will use force to suppress any people power against him. "I'm warning you, If you can gather enough people (to cause a revolution), please come. What will happen if the prime minister will not lead (the troops) to defend the constitution and allowed other people to cause anarchy throughout the country?", he declared publicly last month.