Cambodian gov't orders probe into Global Witness logging allegations
The Cambodian government has ordered an investigation into a Global Witness report which alleges high-ranking government officials and relatives of Prime Minister Hun Sen are involved in illegal logging syndicates, local media said on Thursday.
Information Minister and Government Spokesman Khieu Kanharith said that the probe will be carried out by forestry watchdog Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), reported French language newspaper the Cambodge Soir.
"I think that SGS, which is a partner of the Cambodian government, should organize clear reports regarding the deforestation in Cambodia and send them to the government," he said, adding that the Global Witness report has ruined Cambodia's international reputation.
Bob Tennent, a former forestry project manager at SGS, said the organization has received the order but not any further information.
SGS was contracted as an independent forestry monitor by the Cambodian government in early 2005, following the closure of the Global Witness office and its officials barred from entry to the country.
But SGS faced allegations from international observers and the opposition that it was shirking its observer duties and had been given a weak mandate by backer the World Bank, which in late 2005 withdrew its forest concession management and control projects, effectively leaving the nation with no independent watchdog, said the Cambodge Soir.
Global Witness last week released Cambodia's Family Trees, a 95-page document claiming Cambodia's forests are being systematically ransacked of their natural resources by a highly organized family of upper-level officials and relatives of the premier.
The report was subsequently banned by the government, with Khieu Kanharith asking Ministry of Interior to locate and remove all copies of it from the nation.
Source: Xinhua
Information Minister and Government Spokesman Khieu Kanharith said that the probe will be carried out by forestry watchdog Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), reported French language newspaper the Cambodge Soir.
"I think that SGS, which is a partner of the Cambodian government, should organize clear reports regarding the deforestation in Cambodia and send them to the government," he said, adding that the Global Witness report has ruined Cambodia's international reputation.
Bob Tennent, a former forestry project manager at SGS, said the organization has received the order but not any further information.
SGS was contracted as an independent forestry monitor by the Cambodian government in early 2005, following the closure of the Global Witness office and its officials barred from entry to the country.
But SGS faced allegations from international observers and the opposition that it was shirking its observer duties and had been given a weak mandate by backer the World Bank, which in late 2005 withdrew its forest concession management and control projects, effectively leaving the nation with no independent watchdog, said the Cambodge Soir.
Global Witness last week released Cambodia's Family Trees, a 95-page document claiming Cambodia's forests are being systematically ransacked of their natural resources by a highly organized family of upper-level officials and relatives of the premier.
The report was subsequently banned by the government, with Khieu Kanharith asking Ministry of Interior to locate and remove all copies of it from the nation.
Source: Xinhua
10 comments:
Has the Global Witness report ruined Cambodia's international reputation or simply that of the people the report has cited?
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
It didn't ruin their reputations. It reinforced their reputations - for "smashing" those who challenge them.
During WWII, The Swiss robbed the victims of the Jewish Holocaust of their riches. Sixty years later, another Swiss Company (SGS) will help the Cambodian mafia (i.e. the Hun Sen mafia) to rob the people of Cambodia.
Dr. Lao, what happened to your
stupid "Assumption of innocent"?
Why did SGS shirk its observer?
"Did this SGS take the bribery from Hun Sen Mafia? that is the question.
those who replied to Dr. Lao comment have never had proper education, and have lived in a country controll by thugs with no law and order.
. . . and therefore, the conclusion of the investigation about the illegal logging syndicates will be forswear.
Mr.5:51PM
My presumption of innocence is still alive and kicking. It is still enshrined in our constitution. And our Prime Minister, our Commander-in-Chief, and our Chief of General Staffs, all have been on the record as saying that they would use all their might to defend the constitution. If our top leaders are not liars and you deny the presumption of innocence and violate the constitution, you could be in danger indeed. Lucky you! You're so clever,you keep your anonymity and you are a faceless person, and they cannot recognise you, can they? Perhaps I could be in danger in your stead.
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
It is a joke for the CPP to ask SGS to investigate. It is conflict of interest. Since SGS suppose to be the guard, would it highlight its failure? If the govtmt is serious, they would get an independence group involves.
The SGS is a CPP's servant, paid by the CPP government. It a shame for Switzeland!
The Swiss concept "Money has no smell" is out of date for the Swiss people.But it's still a good taste for the SGS.
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