UN Envoy To Myanmar Says Aung San Suu Kyi Should Be Released

2007-11-30
By KER MUNTHIT
AP

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: Myanmar's ruling military junta must release detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi if it is serious about making the democratic reforms demanded by the international community, a U.N. envoy said Friday (30 Nov).

The envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, made the comments at the end of a two-day visit to Cambodia, shortly after Myanmar Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Sein arrived in the country. The two did not cross paths and officials said the timing of the visits was coincidental.

Gambari also said he will return to Myanmar next month on his third mission to nudge the junta toward reconciliation talks with the opposition since the government's September crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for the release of Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate under detention for 12 of the past 18 years, and for the junta to hold reconciliation talks with her opposition party.

"Now we are saying very clearly that if Aung San Suu Kyi is to become part of the solution and a partner in dialogue, then it is very essential that she should be released from detention," Gambari told reporters.

He urged the junta to halt its ongoing arrests of people who participated in the September protests.

"Any further arrests of people will run counter to the spirit of national reconciliation and ... to the efforts to promote dialogue between the opposition and the government," he said.

Amnesty International says several dissidents and Buddhist monks were arrested this month, despite assurances from the junta that arrests have stopped.

Myanmar sparked global outrage in September when the junta crushed protests led by Buddhist monks, killing at least 15 people. Nearly 3,000 were arrested, although the military insists most have been released.

Gambari's visit is part of a tour through Southeast Asia to encourage Myanmar's neighbors to play a bigger role in resolving the crisis.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Friday that his country supports the "steps taken by Myanmar in cooperation with the United Nations to seek reconciliation and democracy in Myanmar."

Cambodia has ruled out supporting sanctions against the junta.

"We should not talk about sanctions, but we'd better talk about how to take the momentum forward and prevent the situation from sliding backward," Hor Namhong said earlier.

Gambari, who met with Hor Namhong on Thursday (29 Nov), said the two agreed the "best way to avoid sanctions or more sanctions is actually more cooperation by the government of Myanmar with the United Nations, not less."

The U.N. envoy visited Vietnam earlier this week and is to travel to Laos after leaving Cambodia.

Envoy denies UN being too soft on Myanmar, expresses hope

U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari speaks to the media during a news conference at the UNDP headquarters in Phnom Penh November 30, 2007. Gambari said he wanted to return to Myanmar by the end of the year as part of efforts to secure the release of political prisoners and prod the country toward democracy. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Nov 30, 2007
DPA

Phnom Penh - UN special envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari said he believed a peaceful solution with the military junta was achievable, as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Cambodia Friday.

He also rejected criticism that the UN and ASEAN had not conveyed the importance of freeing Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners strongly enough to the Myanmar government, saying it was difficult to be more forceful in a diplomatic context.

'We are saying very clearly that if Ang San Suu Kyi is to become part of the solution and a partner in dialogue that it is very, very essential that she be released from detention,' he said. 'Part of my consultation with the government is to make that point very clearly.'

Gambari appealed for calm on both sides in Myanmar, asking for trust in the diplomatic process, which he said was making progress.

He also expressed his belief in the Cambodian government's important diplomatic role and said he understood its reluctance to impose sanctions.

'Cambodia is not alone in terms of Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries who have reservations about sanctions,' he told a press conference in the capital. 'You will notice that even some of the countries that approve of sanctions are suggesting that sanctions alone may not be enough.

'Beyond sanctions what we can seek (from Cambodia) is their support and I think we have got that,' he said. 'As a neighbouring country with close relations with Myanmar, they have a privileged position to help us and convey key messages to the authorities in Myanmar, and I think they will do that.

Gambari visited Vietnam before Phnom Penh, and will wrap up his current tour of the region with a trip to Communist-led Laos.

He said his meetings with Vietnamese and Cambodian officials had raised hopes that those countries could operate bilaterally to support UN initiatives and 'offer some advice quietly.'

"Now there is no more crisis": Hor Nam Hong's delusion on the current Burma crisis?

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) and welcomes his Myanmar counterpart Thein Sein (R) to Phnom Penh

Myanmar PM visits Cambodia amid pressure over protest crackdown

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein arrived in Cambodia Friday, a day after the government rejected sanctions against the military-ruled state in talks with the United Nations.

About 1,000 students and government workers waving Myanmar flags greeted the premier as he started his three-day official visit, during which he will hold discussions with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.

Thein Sein's visit overlaps that of UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who is in Cambodia as part of a regional trip to assess the positions of Myanmar's neighbours after the junta's suppression of pro-democracy protests there.

The two are unlikely to meet, said Cambodian foreign minister Hor Namhong, adding that the situation in Myanmar had been improving since the junta's bloody crackdown in September.

Troops killed at least 15 people and arrested about 3,000, drawing international condemnation and pressure for increased sanctions.

"We are not going to raise anything. We think the situation is moving ahead ... what happened is in the past," Hor Namhong told reporters as Thein Sein arrived.

Hor Namhong said on Thursday following talks with Gambari, the UN secretary general's special representative to Myanmar, that sanctions against Myanmar's ruling generals would not force the country towards democracy.

He said that the international community should instead offer more aid to the impoverished nation.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Cambodia is a member, has come under increasing pressure to deal with its most unruly member since the unrest broke out two months ago.

"All the ASEAN countries will support the mission of the United Nations and will push the Myanmar government to move forward," Hor Namhong said.

"Now there is no more crisis," he added.

Myanmar prime minister begins bilateral discussions in Cambodia

Fri, 30 Nov 2007
DPA

Phnom Penh - Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein arrived in Cambodia Friday to a fanfare reception and a personal greeting by Prime Minister Hun Sen before a series of talks with top Cambodian leaders. Children waving the Myanmar flag lined the road and Prime Minister Hun Sen personally greeted Sien in a sign that Cambodia was determined to retain cordial relations with its fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member.

He arrived one day after Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong declared his government would not support economic sanctions against Myanmar but was in favour of diplomatic negotiations.

Besides Hun Sen, Sien is scheduled to meet with several top leaders. Although Cambodian officials played down the visit as routine, analysts speculate it is an attempt by the beleaguered ruling military junta to gauge and garner support.

Cambodia has maintained warm relations with Myanmar, unlike many others in the 10-member ASEAN bloc, with members like Malaysia and the Philippines taking a tough stance on the group's recalcitrant black sheep and its dismal human rights record.

For that reason, and because many top Cambodian leaders share a military background, Cambodia is seen as a possible mediator as international pressure grows for the junta to ease its grip and accept the pro-democracy movement, after it violently quashed peaceful protests in September.

Sein's three-day visit to Cambodia overlaps with a two-day trip by the UN special envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, but although Gambari's aides say they have not ruled out a meeting, Cambodian Foreign Ministry officials called it unlikely and said the timing was a coincidence.

Hun Sen does not understand Prince Ranariddh’s letter

Friday, November 30, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A letter sent by Prince Norodom Ranariddh to Prime minister Hun Sen dated 27 November 2007 was annotated by Hun Sen saying that he does not know what the prince is talking about and he does not understand it. The Kampuchea Thmei newspaper published the content of a letter from Prince Ranairddh which bears the following content:

“To Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen, Prime minister of the royal government of Cambodia,

Highly respected Samdach prime minister,

I want to inform Samdach prime minister that I, Norodom Ranariddh, President of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, have designated H.E. You Hockry, the NRP secretary-general, as my representative to meet with a representative of Samdach prime minister, to discuss the work which has been pre-determined already.

Please Samdach prime minister accepts my deepest thanks and cordiality.”

Hun Sen wrote a short annotation on the prince’s letter saying: “What is this pre-determined thing? I don’t understand.”

Inflation rises to 6.5% in Sept

By Kang Chan Amrak
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 24, November 30 – December 13, 2007

While the complaints about gas prices soaring to 4,450 riels per liter continue, another crescendo of worries is coming from consumers about hikes in the cost of food and other commodities.

"Now everything is so expensive! Before one kilo of pork is 10,000 riel but now it's 16,000 riel," said Kang Ling Hua, who runs a small food shop O'Russey market. She had just added 1,000 riel per meal on her previous price of $1 for a plate of food, because she said inflation had eroded all of her profit.

"What is even more terrible is the price of gas," she said.

As businesspeople like Hua complained about "no profit," vulnerable salaried workers were worrying about how to stretch their wages to cover their needs.

"It's getting hard for me now because the price of goods keeps on increasing but not much my salary," said Chay Ty Hui, a worker who earns $80 per month.

According to statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, the inflation rate in Cambodia this year has risen to 6.5% in September. At the end of 2006, it was 2.8%.

Among the 200 items in Cambodia's Consumer Price Index, the price increases in the Food, Beverage and Tobacco category saw the most dramatic increases. That category was up 13% in September, compared with 6.4% in September 2006.

Several economists said Cambodia's increased inflation is being caused by high international food prices, currency inflation as well as the sharp increase in oil prices.

"The main factor is higher international food prices, including, importantly, China where food price inflation rose to 18% in August," John Nelmes, IMF Resident Representative in Cambodia, told the Post.

Nelmes said the effect of the weak U.S. dollar is hard to separate from other factors, but it is also a factor that affects inflation because it make goods imported from neighboring countries more expensive for Cambodians.

"Another factor is the recent sharp increase in international price of oil, which has recently fed through to higher fuel prices in Cambodia."

Another view came from Neou Seiha, Economic Researcher of the Economic Institute of Cambodia, who said the limited local supply of food contributes to inflation because the agricultural sector in Cambodia increased only about 2-3% this year, not enough to meet increased demand.

Some local suppliers are choosing to export agricultural products to other countries due to the higher international food prices, making domestic food prices increase even more sharply.

Tal Nay Im, Director General of the National Bank of Cambodia, said the depreciation of the dollar affects inflation in Cambodia because Cambodia is a dollarized economy. But she put the greater blame on the appreciation of Thai Baht in relation to the riel and the dollar.

"Cambodia imports a lot of things from Thailand, so when the Baht appreciates, even if the value of the goods stays the same we still need to pay more riel or dollar for that same product. We don't produce so much stuff, not even daily products, so we need imported goods. Inflation is inevitable."

Nay Im said inflation wouldn't affect the garment industry because the transactions are done in dollars.

Nay Im said with inflation still in single digits, no monetary policy changes are needed.

Nelmes reiterated that, "The appropriate policy response is to allow the economy to adjust to those higher prices by its own accord," he said.

The National Institute of Statistics projected inflation in 2008 at 5.5% and said it will stay at about that level for the next few years depending on international oil supply and the U.S economy.

Meanwhile, for the average Cambodian, the situation is tough.

"I hope the goods prices will not increase anymore. I can't afford to pay for food that gets expensive month by month with the same money my children give me," said Liang Phalla, 56, negotiating a price for some dried fish at O'Russey market.

National Budget to rise by $300 million next year

By Cheang Sokha
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 24, November 30 – December 13, 2007

The National Assembly will debate a draft National Budget Law for 2008 that provides for funding of $1.5 billion, an increase of $300 million from this year's $1.2 billion budget. Cheam Yeap, chairman of Finance and Banking commission of the National Assembly, said the draft budget lowers spending on police and defense by reducing the budgets of the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense by 4%.

The actual budgets for each ministry are not released until the debate is held in December.

"Unless calamity happens the budget estimation is correct," Yeap told reporters at the National Stakeholder Workshop on Budget Law 2008 conducted by the NGO Forum on Cambodia and the Economic Institute of Cambodia on November 27.

Yeap said that the new budget adds the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Water Resources and Meteorology to those ministries considered to be high priority spending areas. The existing four high priority spending areas are Agriculture, Rural Development, Health and Education.

"We tried to shorten the largest gap between the staff of the state and simple people," he said. "Step by step we all will have enough."

Yim Sovann, chairman of the Home Affairs, National Defense, Investigation and Anti-Corruption Commission of the National Assembly, said he supported the addition of the two new priority spending areas although he said the budgets for the existing priority spending areas are insufficient.

"Each ministry should use the budget effectively," Sovann said, "Some powerful ministries receive more than what the budget approves and use it improperly."

Sovann said that the 2008 draft budget includes $130 million not designated for expenditure and he is concerns it will be used without transparency.

Ngy San, deputy executive director of NGO Forum on Cambodia, said the workshop was aimed at encouraging budget debate.

"Debate on the budget is very necessary for the government to succeed in its national strategic development plan," San said. "We noticed that some priority ministries did not get a budget increase," he said, although the Ministry of Health did get an increase.

Sok Hach, director of the Economic Institute of Cambodia, said the government did not provide enough means for the public and civil society to play an important role in helping to develop society.

"We never have the chance to sit at the same table to discuss the National Budget," Hach said. "This is the first time that parliamentarians and civil society discussed the National Budget."

What is love but to know and to be known by another.

Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 24, November 30 – December 13, 2007

There are different types and degrees of love. There is the universal love we have for society and mankind (humanity); there is love we have for our friends (amity); there is love we have for our parents, siblings and relatives (familial); there is romantic love which is jealous and possessive as it should be; and for those of us who hold religious beliefs, there is perfect, unconditional love (agape love of God).

We know love is fundamental to survival, as one study tells us of a twin raised separately-the one raised without love died quickly and grimly, the other nurtured by love lived on in health.

We find everyone in every nation in every language singing about love; love is truly what makes the world go round.

Romantic love: Arranged marriages

Here, I am interested in focusing on one of the loves-romantic love, particularly on the rapid changes of Cambodian culture on one expression of romantic love, arranged marriages. As we know, culture is not static. It changes with time and the needs driving society.

I find sublime beauty behind the ideal of bringing two people together into a union based not on external love or appearance (more commonly known as lust), but rather an internal love that burns with the passage of time. Herein exists complete safety, for love casts out all fear. I have witnessed the wonderful working of this arrangement in the relationships of my aunts and uncles.

But notice it is the 'ideal' of arranged marriages that I admire. This custom suits a society where the parents of the couple know each other's background because of the close-knit community they live in. There is truth in the rebuttable presumption that the parents know best.

However, that assumption resonates but faintly in a situation where the individual's world is no longer limited by village life but extends to life away from the parents. The greater the experiences of the parents and the children diverge, the less convincing is the argument for arranged marriages.

Moreover, the ethereal ideal of arranged marriages is more likely than not tainted by practical calculations, for we are after all rational beings. The arranged union of two individuals can and often does turn into business deals. My maternal grandfather Kuy shrewdly broke off an engagement for my father when a richer, well-established suitor came along.

Additionally, in an arranged marriage, the dowry given by man is often viewed as a bride price. This in turn establishes a mentality of property that can lead to abuse of the woman, either physically or emotionally whereby the man engages in profligacy.

My dear, dear family. I believe now they have given up all hope of ever arranging anything for me. But only after I have had to suffer an earful many times over their fear of me evolving into an old maid, kramome chah.

"A woman is like a flower," so begins their parable. "She blooms and many choice men are attracted toward her like many bees are attracted to a flower. But then the flower wilts; so too a woman. Men desire youth. If you wait too long, you will no longer be desirable. You don't want to settle."

Alright. My aunts did not exactly use an original metaphor for I am certain other daughters across the myriad of cultures have heard similar doomed prognosis.

Correspondingly, I am frequently asked the qualities I look for in a man. But I believe this is the wrong question to ask. I can list all the traits in the world, but my listing them has little power to affect or alter another's character.

I find it more instructive to ask instead: what are the qualities I want to develop within myself? In preparation for a future mate. In preparation for life in general. Here, I possess the power to affect the change.

Love actually, love universally

But let us come back and frame the example above of romantic love within the larger context of the universal elements and definition of love and what it means for the development of our society. For if love is so fundamental, so universal, and necessary for survival, does it not make perfect sense that we should do everything as a society to foster and encourage love? If we are to look around in current Cambodian society, are we?

Let us be reminded of what love looks like:

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(I Corinthians 13, the Holy Bible)
Theary C. SENG
Executive Director

Past columns can be found at www.csdcambodia.org

Keeping an eye on Culture [- An interview with Veng Sereyvuth, the former husband of Princess "La Phalla"]

Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 24, November 30 – December 13, 2007

Veng Sereyvuth, Cambodia's new Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, has been active in Cambodian public affairs since the late 1980s when he became a senior official in Funcinpec. Infectiously youthful and positive, he appears completely passionate about Khmer culture, both ancient and new. He served 11 years as Minister of Tourism from 1993-2004 and has been a member of parliament for nearly 15 years. His youth was spent in the turmoil of the 60s and 70s. He explained: "I was born on 31 May 1960 in Prey Veng where I experienced a lot of US bombing. My village in Prey Veng was 'liberated' by the Khmer Rouge in 1970, and in 1971 I escaped to Phnom Penh. From 1971 to 1975 I was a cyclo-driver - as well as selling noodles." After the fall of Phnom Penh, he was sent back to Prey Veng for one year and then on to Battambang. "I was just waiting to die during this time. I lived under the Vietnamese for one year as a smuggler - fishing nets and hooks, sarongs etc." He finally escaped across the Thai border in 1980. His family resettled in New Zealand where he received a degree in 1987 from Victoria University in Wellington. In 2002, he studied economic reform at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Sereyvuth spoke to reporter Dan Poynton about his philosophy of simplification and preserving Cambodia's arts and culture.

Tell us about your experience as Minister of Tourism and head of the National Tourism Authority.
I was 11 years as minister. In 1993 there were only 120,000 tourists per year in Cambodia. Now we have two million, which isn't too bad! We have an average growth rate of 20 percent plus, and I foresee that this growth rate will continue. The prime minister had a very clear vision at that time: we adopted an open sky policy, visa on arrival, and we gave every Cambodian who was born here or had parents who were born here a permanent life visa. We got the ball rolling in the worldwide promotion of the country. We embarked on massive tourism investment and construction of infrastructure such as airports and roads.
Is being Minister of Culture and Fine Arts your "dream job"?
For a long time I have had a habit of loving my work. I just get along, and I have a burning desire to get the job done effectively. I am very proud that the prime minister has entrusted me to work in this ministry. We Khmers do not like to openly express our ambitions, and it is not for me to say which area I should be working in. That is for those above me to decide.

What does "culture" mean to you?
I see culture as instilling spirit in people. Through this spirit people become aware of their cultural codes, ways of proper behavior, and good and bad. Culture is not just dance shows, it's education. It teaches you about life, society and ways of living. Culture is also identity. For example in a crowd you should be able to immediately see that a person is Khmer. I am not conservative but I would like to see a return to more traditional dress, especially at official functions. We are in a mess in terms of resources in Cambodia. A challenge working in this ministry is to learn how to use those resources for the benefit of society. The richness of Khmer culture can mobilize the country for years to come. We will try to get people to participate in training programs - from schools upwards.
Does the CPP give enough important cabinet positions to FUNCINPEC members?
This is a very important job. What's more important than culture for a society? After all we are here for a short time and human life is all about culture, custom, education, humanity and these things. Life needs more than material things. Can you imagine human life without culture? But the society that Pol Pot tried to destroy came rushing back. The sharing of political positions is above me, and not for me to comment on.

Does the government have the will to put enough money into culture and the arts?
The government is getting richer every year and they're already pumping more money into different departments. They've already increased their budget for cultural activities but we can certainly ask for more. The government is fully aware of the value of the arts.

How are the arts doing in Cambodia today?
For example just look at how many more Cambodian movies are now being produced, even compared with just a few years ago. Cambodians are now watching their own movies. If sometimes they get a bit sexy, well that's only a detail that can be addressed, but the main thing is that movies are being made.

How is globalization affecting Khmer arts and culture?
You cannot try to prevent globalization in the 21st century, because it brings economic power with it. Pol Pot threw everything away in a short period, but Angkor civilization had developed to a great extent and today it has come back vibrantly and quickly. It shows our culture is rich and very, very strong. To conserve our culture and counter globalization we are going to have to find out how to train people, and teach the cultural values of this society in all areas.

Does Cambodia run risk of being "culturally swamped" by its larger neighbors?
In fact the countries around us are also being swamped by our culture. Angkor civilization is in the blood. We're talking about "those dark Khmers" - you see their expression in the faces of Bayon. They're very peaceful and self-confident. It is a special Khmer character formed 2000 years ago with the coming of Indian influences. This produced the real Khmer culture. Our civilization is going to be here forever - I'm not that panicked about the impact of other cultures.

Can you keep alive the Royal University of Fine Arts, Dey Krahorm and the Bassac Theatre ?
The government has put in a lot of effort to preserve these living arts but it's never enough. I'm very positive that'll we get more from the government to undertake different programs. I know the government's economic power is getting stronger and the trickle-down effect will benefit the arts.
Can Cambodia provide better protection for the Angkor antiquities?
We have to transform the people into being their own guards. They must see that whatever is around their village or district is a treasure, and they can turn this treasure into economic prosperity.

How do you cope with the pressures of your work?
Keep it humble and simple. My father taught me to be honest and to preserve your dignity and honor at all costs. If you have to eat noodles on the street tomorrow so be it. Nothing is permanent. My job is busy, but at the same time it's similar to any other job. I believe in the simple equation. There is a solution to every issue. I tend to simplify this whole business of government. You should be able to laugh when you work. It's not a matter of life and death. You will then find plenty of time to do your job. Worry is a terrible disease. Do not worry, worry gives you nothing.

Go back to the faces of Bayon - serene, above everything else.

Koh Ker gears up for tourism

Koh Ker temple (Photo: Tales of Asia)

By Tracey Shelton and Kang Chan Amrak
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 24, November 30 — December 13, 2007

On a dusty deserted road edged with landmine warning signs, 100 km from the tourist hub of Siem Reap, the ruins of the Koh Ker temples are getting ready for visitors.

The temples have been hidden in the jungle, too far off the beaten track for most tourists, for years.

Archaeological preservation group Heritage Watch estimates that only about 2,200 visitors a year, mostly locals, come to see the secluded ruins.

But since the Apsara Authority took over control of the Koh Ker temple area this year, the dirt road to the temples has been undergoing an upgrade and preservation work on the 42 temples has begun.

The first phase of the restoration is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

The land mines are being removed by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).

According to Seung Kong, deputy director of Apsara Authority, workers have cleared away the vegetation and stagnant water surrounding the temple walls.

"I cannot estimate the tourist increase," Kong said, "but I am sure it will be dramatic once the area is properly renovated."

Koh Ker is located about midway between the temples of Angkor Wat and the Preah Vihear temple located near the Thai border to the north east.

Apsara's conservation boundary for the Koh Ker temple preservation area is 9km by 4km. A nearby village is also being upgraded with hotel construction, new restaurants and a large market area.

Koh Ker became the capital of the Khmer empire under Jayavarman IV from 928 to 944 AD.

The area's largest structure is Prasat Thom, a 7-tier pyramid, 40 meters high. From the top there is a striking view of surrounding jungle and the nearby mountain range of Kulen. Many smaller towers are scattered throughout the area.

The temples were first reported to the modern world by Lunet de Lajonquiere in his 1902 book Inventaire Descriptif des Monuments du Cambodge. De Lajonquiere gave vivid descriptions of the hidden temples with their imposing sculptures.

Today few sculptures remain intact, but evidence of their former glory still lies in broken pieces among the ruins.

Dougald O'Reilly, director of Heritage Watch, said almost every temple in the area has been looted.

"Up until the 1960's a fabulous Ganesha statue sat in situ at one of the temples," he said. "This has now disappeared into a private collection."

The temple area is still surrounded by scattered landmines. CMAC has been demining in the area since 2002, but the scale of the work carried out is subject to funding. The area designated for clearance is 81 hectares. CMAC manager for the area, Pring Pha Narith, said the deminers concentrate on local roads and the temple sights and expect to have those areas cleared by the end of the year.

So far 56 mine fields have been located with 1,382 mines cleared. Most were within the temple grounds. In addition 1,447,212 pieces of exploded and unexploded ordnances (UXO's) have been removed.

Landmine risk has kept most travelers away from Koh Ker for years.

Lee Baer, ultralight pilot for Wings Over Cambodia, visited the temples in 2003 by motorcycle. He said at the time there was no road to the temples, so he and his riding companion used a GPS to guide them through dense bush.

"Somewhere under the vegetation there was a pile of rocks someone built over 1,000 years ago," Baer said. "It was wild. You know you're out there. You hear a rumor about this temple - after a day of riding you stumble upon it and there's nobody there. It feels like you're the first person out there. Only a handful of Westerners knew about it."

Baer revisited the site in February 2006 when he flew over the area in his ultralight plane. He said the area was still isolated and the temples barely visible amidst the foliage.

O'Reilly said Heritage Watch is working to ensure that the anticipated influx of tourists to the temples will be good for the local community. People from surrounding villages are being trained in small business management, craft production, tourism and foreign languages. They expect to set up ox cart rides and traditional craft sales for the tourists.

Confident that a tourism increase will not spoil the appeal of the Koh Ker temples, O'Reilly said, "Undoubtedly people like to fantasize that they are discovering a spot first, but the monuments themselves are such powerful architectural statements that they will continue to draw attention as Angkor does."

Although increased tourism will pose some risks to the site, there will be increased security at the temples, he said.

Meeting of the 100 per-Sein dictators: Sen & Sein

Women wave Cambodia and Myanmar flags during a welcome ceremony for Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein at Phnom Penh international airport November 30, 2007. Thein Sein is in Cambodia on a three-day official visit. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein (L) walks down an airplane upon his arrival at Phnom Penh international airport November 30, 2007. Thein Sein in Cambodia for three-day official visit. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein (L) stands next to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen upon his arrival at Phnom Penh international airport November 30, 2007. Thein Sein in Cambodia for three-day official visit. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, greets Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein on arrival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. Myanmar's prime minister visited Cambodia on Friday, a day after the host country assured its neighbor that it would not support sanctions against the military junta as punishment for its recent crackdown. (AP Photo/Khem Sovannara)

Cambodia Ranks Fifth In Garment Exports: Institute

PHNOM PENH, Nov 30 Asia Pulse - Cambodia is emerging as one of the worlds largest garment and textile exporters after China, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Viet Nam, according to the Economic Institute of Cambodia.

The institute said Cambodias export earnings in garments and textiles are estimated to increase by 12 per cent in 2007 and 2008, compared with the figure in 2006.

The sector is also expected to inject more than US$3 billion to Cambodias annual national budget, against its US$2.6 billion contribution two years ago.

One of many reasons attributed to a success of Cambodia's garment and textile sector is that the country has a large workforce with reasonable costs, Cambodian Trade Minister Cham Prasith said.

The sector has created over 337,000 jobs for locals.

Cambodia’s agony is felt in the Bronx

NOV 30, 2007
By Amy Zimmer
Metro New York (USA)

FORDHAM. In Cambodia, Khmer Rouge leaders are being brought to trial for wiping out nearly 3 million people in the mid-1970s. In the Bronx, Sary Sophuok plans to watch the hearings on TV.

Sophuok, who moved here through a refugee resettlement program 20 years ago, still has nightmares of the killing fields where she was sent when she was a teenager.

“I still see army men in the shadows,” said Sophuok, 53, through her niece, Chhaya Chhoum, 29.

Sophouk is among those featured in an oral history exhibit that will open on Saturday at the Fordham Library. It was created by an organization of young Southeast Asians who are trying to learn the history their parents have kept silent.

“The community at large doesn’t understand our history, and even the social services don’t understand the specific needs and history of trauma of the Southeast Asian refugee community,” Chhoum said.

The suffering many endured in war-torn Cambodia has eroded their health, Chhoum said. Many have chronic pain, and diabetes is rampant, but treatment has to be culturally sensitive. For instance, telling a diabetic Cambodian not to eat rice recalls their experience of forced starvation.

Chhoum has been in talks with the Montefiore Family Health Center about expanding its program for Southeast Asians, and Zach Rosen, its medical director, said he was committed to doing so.

Improving Montefiore’s program is critical, Chhoum believes, because the upcoming trial may be difficult for many refugees.

“Knowing we’re prosecuting these five or six people is fine, but is that going to bring [the victims’] children back or heal their cancers or stop their nightmares?” Chhoum asked. “For us, justice is about taking care of the people.”

Dictators of the same feathers flock together: Thein Sein visits Hun Sen to garner support against sanctions

Myanmar's prime minister visits Cambodia to garner support against sanctions

Thursday, November 29, 2007
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Myanmar's prime minister visited Cambodia on Friday, a day after the host country assured its neighbor that it would not support sanctions against the military junta as punishment for its recent crackdown.

Hundreds of school children and civil servants were part of the welcoming committee at Phnom Penh's airport, where Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Sein was greeted by his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen.

Thein Sein's visit to Cambodia overlaps with a two-day trip by the U.N.'s special envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari.

Officials have said the timing of the two visits was coincidental.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told Gambari during a meeting Thursday that Myanmar's ruling junta should be given incentives instead of being slapped with sanctions to find a democratic solution to its political crisis.

"We should not talk about sanctions, but we'd better talk about how to take the momentum forward and prevent the situation from sliding backward," Hor Namhong told reporters.

Gambari has been allowed to visit Myanmar twice since the military's violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in September. He said he had a frank discussion with the foreign minister, but did not elaborate.

The U.N. envoy visited Vietnam earlier this week and is scheduled to travel to Laos after leaving Cambodia.

Myanmar sparked global outrage in September when the country's ruling junta crushed protests led by Buddhist monks, killing at least 15 people. Nearly 3,000 were arrested, though the military insists most have been released.

Cambodian sea patrol boats used mainly for decoration purpose?

Cambodian sea patrol boats are not for threatening other countries

29 November 2007
By Keo Nimol
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prime minister Hun Sen of Cambodia said that the fact that Cambodia now owns more sea patrol boats than before does not mean that Cambodia wants to threaten any neighboring countries.

During a speech given at a seminar dealing with high sea safety, on 28 November, in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said that the fact that the Cambodian Navy owns new patrol boats, recently bought from China, was to protect the oil exploration in Cambodia sea, and to fight against naval crimes only.

Hun Sen said: “Therefore, when sea bandits or criminals think that Cambodian seas make a safe refuge for them, this kind of thought led me to travel to China to search to acquire additional ships for our navy, in addition to the ships provided by the former Soviet Union which are old. Now all these equipments (ships) have all arrived, our naval capacity is now boosted. The boosting of the naval forces does not mean that Cambodia is threatening neighboring countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, to the contrary, we are participating with our partners to prevent and destroy trans-border terrorism and crimes, and we (want to) guarantee the safety for business, such as oil which is being explored currently, and which is moving toward being a trade (sector).”

Recently, Cambodia bought 9 patrol ships from China at a cost of $60 million.

(SRP MP) Son Chhay, a member of the National Assembly permanent committee, said that, even though Cambodia owns a number of patrol ships, he believes that Cambodia seas are very vast, and these Chinese ships are gas guzzlers, therefore they may hamper the ability of these patrol ships at sea.

Son Chhay said: “Regarding the ships we bought from China, from what we know, they use a lot of gasoline, therefore, they cannot guarantee intensive patrol operations conducted on our seas, based on the number of ships we just received recently.”

In the past, patrol and observation in Cambodia seas were very weak, and information about maritime border violation are usually not publicized too much.

The sea safety issue raised by Hun Sen coincides with the visit of a US warship docked in Sihanoukville. The visiting USS Essex holds 2,000 Marine soldiers, and it also carries several planes and tanks.

IRI: Cambodia's top 3 problems are corruption, drugs, and crimes

IRI: Cambodia faced with 3 major problems

29 November 2007
By Ouk Sav Borey Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Based on opinion survey conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) among people of voting age, Cambodia is faced with 3 major problems: (1) corruption, (2) drugs and (3) crimes. IRI director John Willis made this declaration during a press conference at noon on Thursday 29 November 2007.

He said that the results of the opinion survey collected from 2,000 eligible voters from 22 provinces and municipalities. The survey was conducted between 27 August and 31 September(?) 2007 by the IRI to learn about the level of understanding of democracy in Cambodia. He said that among those who were questioned, Cambodia is facing three major problems.

John Willis said: “Therefore, if we compare to the impact on daily living condition and the secondary impact in Cambodia, the No. 1 problem is corruption …”

He added that, based on the results of the opinion survey of eligible voters aged between 18 and 24-year-old, this group of voters said that the top problem is drug, followed by corruption and poverty and debt. For those older than 25-year-old, they mainly talk about corruption being the main problem in Cambodia, followed by crime, and the drug problem comes last, along with environmental problems, and land evictions.

Regarding this opinion surveys among eligible voters, (CPP MP) Cheam Yiep, said that all these problems are (dealt with) in the government’s rectangular strategy. Currently, Cambodia still does not have an anti-corruption law yet, but the government was able to curb down a number of corruption cases, Cheam Yiep claimed. Regarding the drug problems, the government is actively fighting against this issue also, Cheam Yiep added.

Cheam Yiep said: “Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen, prime minister of the kingdom of Cambodia is paying attention on these problems.”

(SRP MP) Eng Chhay Eang said about this opinion survey: “There is a number of information which made these results credible, however, a number of other information is still unclear.”

Nov Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, said that the IRI report is not completely perfect, the government can accept only 50 to 65% of its results only. He said that countries under development will meet poverty, corruption, drugs, crimes and debts.

Nov Sovathero said: “And, we can consider this (IRI report) as an opinion, as a basic document which we can use to set our policy in the near future.”

John Willis said that, nevertheless, this opinion survey was conducted to learn about the IRI work and to learn about the level of knowledge of the population on democracy. IRI also wants to gather voters’ opinion on what they want and what they demand as far as reform is concerned in their country. It can also be used by political parties to set up their strategy for the upcoming election campaign – should they want to use this opinion survey.

Pizza Hut matches homicide reward

11/29/2007
By Karl Fischer
STAFF WRITER
San Jose Mercury News (Calif., USA)

The company that employed a pizza delivery driver shot this week in Richmond will match a $10,000 police reward offer for information leading to the conviction of his killer.

Thanh Thach, 38, died about 9 p.m. Monday in a shooting on the 800 block of South 45th Street while trying to deliver a pizza. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Richmond police have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Pizza Hut offers an additional $10,000, a company spokesman said Thursday.

The company and Thach's family each have set up funds for the family. Those wishing to donate can take checks to the Thanh Thach Memorial Fund, account number 0478766625, to any Bank of America branch or any Richmond-area Pizza Hut.

The victim's family also set up a separate fund at Washington Mutual Bank, account number 3573511091.

Police ask anyone with information to call Richmond police Detective Eric Haupt at 510-620-6622 or the anonymous tip line at 510-232-TIPS.

Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@bayareanewsgroup.com.

Couple jailed for bilking millions from Cambodians in a pyramid scheme

November 29, 2007

BOSTON (AP) - A federal judge sentences a couple convicted of running a $27 million pyramid scheme targeting immigrants.

James Bunchan will spend 35 years behind bars for running the scheme that took money from about 500 victims, most from the Cambodian-American community.

The 57-year-old had homes in Attleboro and Quincy as well as Florida.

His 61-year-old wife, Seng Tan, was sentenced to 20 years.

The couple had homes in Attleboro, Quincy, Florida and Minnesota. They were convicted in June.

Prosecutors say the victims of the scheme were told they would receive $300 a month for the rest of their lives -- and the lives of their children -- for every $26,000 they invested.

But prosecutors say the payments eventually stopped, and that Bunchan spent investors' money on gambling, fancy cars and trips to the Bahamas.

Leaders of 3 parties pledge to abide by the election results

29 November 2007
By Mondul Keo
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

The leaders of the 3 parties holding seats at the National Assembly have agreed to abide by the election results for the upcoming July 2008 general election.

This agreement took place when the leaders of the 3 parties met each other during the departure of King-Father, Queen-Monther, and the king to Beijing.

Keo Puth Rasmei, Funcinpec president, said that during the meeting which took place this morning, prime minister Hun Sen, who is also the CPP vice-president, said that the CPP will abide by the results of the election, irrespective of the party which will win the election.

Keo Puth Rasmei said: “Samdach prime minister clearly said, just like H.E. Sam Rainsy (did also), I heard them saying that if H.E. Sam Rainsy’s party win the election, Samdach prime minister will respect the democracy and he will turn over the helm of the country to the election winner. H.E. Sam Rainsy also said that regardless of the winner, all the Cambodian parties will still assist one another.”

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy also said that the discussion was done in the name of a single Cambodian family, and it shows that democracy in Cambodia has reached maturity.

Sam Rainsy said: “We greeted each other among us Cambodians, among people who are responsible to the nation. This shows that democracy in our country has reached a maturity level where we can talk to each other.”

On 28 November, during the accompanying of the king and his parents to the airport where they are departing to Beijing, the 3 party leaders met and talked with each other for a long period of time under the scorching sun at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

Keo Puth Rasmei indicated that the departure of the king and his parents to Beijing was for their medical checkup and health care, as prescribed by their Chinese doctors.

Keo Puth Rasmei added: “The real goal of the Chinese is to check the health condition of King-Father. The king takes this opportunity, during his stay in China, to have his health checked also.”

In the past, following each election, the losing parties always held demonstration to protest the election results, accusing the election of being rigged and unfair. Furthermore, all party leaders asked for the presence of the king and the Hero-King in the country so that they serve as a cool shade for the nation, especially during the election period.

Four Arrested, Two Wounded in Strike Break-Up

By VOA Khmer, Reporters
Original reports from Phnom Penh & Washington
29 November 2007

Police with rifles, tear gas, shields and electric batons put down a strike of 2,000 workers from a garment factory in Kandal province Thursday, leading to two serious injuries and the arrest of four protesters, workers and rights investigators said.

"The police accused us of disturbing public order or causing a traffic jam," said Yang Sarann, vice-president of Cambodian Garment Workers Democratic Union.

When police seized a microphone from workers demonstrating with a list of demands for the Fortune Garment and Woolen Knitting Company, a group of workers fought to take the microphone back, he said.

"It was probably a dozen who were snatching around with the authorities," he said. "So, [police] came over to fight, shock and handcuff."

Saang District Police Chief Moam Pich declined comment Thursday, as did Kandal Province Police Chief Iev Chamroeun.

Chheng Sophos, a rights worker for Licadho, said the workers had conducted a "peaceful strike."

"So, we are so sorry to see the authorities use violence to quell the strike, leading to some arrests," he said.

Striking workers and other protesters often clash with riot police, who use tear gas, electrical prods and, sometimes, water cannons to disburse assemblies.

This use of force to break up demonstrations is a serious rights violation, said Chan Saveth, an investigator for the rights group Adhoc who observed the strike.

"A crackdown by authorities on workers is very cruel, and it's imbalanced, as [demonstrators] have empty hands," he said.

Police seemed to have taken the side of Fortune Garment on Thursday, he said, speaking later as a guest on "Hello VOA."

Workers had been trying to push 12 demands, five of which had been solved at the time of the crackdown, he said. Instead of a resolution, workers were met with violence and a breech of their constitutional right to peaceable assembly, he said.

One caller to "Hello VOA" Thursday urged wider censure of "those who commit brutalities and just wait for orders like an automaton."

Many AIDS Victims Suffer From Hunger, Discrimination

By Seng Ratana, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 November 2007

Sufferers of HIV and AIDS often go hungry or without work, as discrimination against them continues, health workers say.

Medicine and proper nutrition have become crucial to the survival of many.

"Food is difficult and making a living is also difficult, because sick people cannot work properly," said Kou Sina, director of the group Urban Poor Women's Development. "If they know she is an AIDS victim, they do not give her an opportunity. And some victims just do domestic work for others, like washing clothes, while others collect garbage."

"Sometimes there is nothing to eat," she said. "They have to wait until their kids come back from collecting garbage at 1 pm or 2 pm with 500 riel to 600 riel each. They then add this up together to buy rice and low-quality or spoiled fish."

Some patients say even if they are provided with life-sustaining medicine, they won't survive the lack of nutrition.

"When it's time to go get medicine, we barely have money to get it, and very often we are blamed for that," said one patient. "We earn just enough for daily survival."

Cambodia's Golfers Tee Off in Tournament

By Vong Dara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Siem Reap
29 November 2007

The Johnnie Walker Cambodia Open golf tournament got underway Thursday, after a tee off from Prime Minister Hun Sen in what he called a "historic event."

The 150-player, $300,000 Asian Tour tournament is being held in Siem Reap, near Angkor Wat.

"On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Cambodian people, I would like to express my warmest welcome to all 150 professionals from 25 countries, and Phokheetra Country Club, which has organized this historic event," Hun Sen said.

"Our organizing of the event is to show our pride, honor and ability, as, for one, golf is quite a new sport in Cambodia, and, second, we don't have professional athletes," said Nim Sowath, an amateur golfer.

US Troops Take Health Care to Preah Vihear

US Marines doctors from the USS Essex providing medical care to villagers in Kampong Cham (Photo: Huy Vannak, RFA)

By Kong Soth, VOA Khmer
Original report from Preah Vihear province
29 November 2007

US medical personnel from the warship Essex were in Preah Vihear province Thursday, giving eye and dental care to villagers, as the US military tour continues.

About 300 villagers came for checkups from medical staff of the USS Essex, the largest US ship to visit Cambodia in 30 years, docked in Sihanoukville.

"In a remote district like this, there are many people coming for medical checkups," said Kulen District Governor Kong Vuthy.

"We'll do all we can to help," said Col. John Mayer, commanding officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was deployed from the ship.

TV footage of the departure of the royal family to Beijing

TV footage of the meeting between Sam Rainsy, Hun Sen and Keo Puth Rasmei at the Phnom Penh airport

UN Envoy Ibrahim Gambari in Cambodia to discuss Burma's political crisis

Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N. secretary general's envoy to Myanmar, emerges from a meeting with Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, unseen, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007. The U.N. special envoy to Myanmar and the Cambodian foreign minister met Thursday to discuss Myanmar's political crisis, officials said. (AP Photo/Khem Sovannara)

U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari (L) walks out from the ministry of foreign affairs after meeting Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in Phnom Penh November 29, 2007. U.N. Envoy Gambari arrived in Cambodia to expected positive results from talks with Cambodian leaders over Myanmar's political crisis. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Hor Nam Hong: "We should not talk about sanctions [against the Myanmar Junta]"

UN envoy and Cambodian foreign minister discuss Myanmar's political crisis

Friday, November 30, 2007
AP

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Myanmar's ruling military junta should be given incentives to find a democratic solution to its political crisis, Cambodia's foreign minister said Thursday after meeting a U.N. special envoy to the country.

"We should not talk about sanctions but we'd better talk about how to take the momentum forward and prevent the situation from sliding backward," Hor Namhong told reporters after his meeting with Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N. secretary general's envoy to Myanmar.

Hor Namhong said Cambodia supports Gambari, who has been allowed to visit Myanmar twice since the military's crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in September.

The international community should encourage Myanmar's rulers to continue holding talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Hor Namhong said.

Gambari said he had a frank and useful discussion with the foreign minister, but did not elaborate.

Gambari's visit is part of his tour through Southeast Asia to encourage Myanmar's neighbors to promote reconciliation between the junta and the pro-democracy movement.

After Myanmar's September crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, Cambodia joined countries around the world in calling for the junta to halt its violence and embrace democracy. Prime Minister Hun Sen also called for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations - which includes Myanmar and Cambodia - to play a more active role in resolving the crisis.

Gambari was scheduled to leave Cambodia on Friday.

On the same day, Myanmar Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Sein is to arrive to hold talks with Hun Sen and leaders of Cambodia's parliament.

Hor Namhong said the timing of the two visits to Cambodia was coincidental.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, sparked global outrage in September when the country's ruling military junta crushed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks, killing at least 15 people. Nearly 3,000 were arrested, most of whom have been released, according to the junta.

During Gambari's visit to Myanmar, the junta assured him that political arrests would stop, but more were reported after he left.

Amnesty International said the junta has arrested a dozen activists and Buddhist monks this month.

The U.N. envoy visited Vietnam earlier this week and is scheduled to travel to Laos after leaving Cambodia.

Cambodian FM: Myanmr, UN push forward democracy

2007-11-29
Xinhua

PHNOM PENH -- Both the Myanmar government and the United Nations have to go ahead with the process of democracy, said Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong on Thursday.

He made these remarks after meeting with UN special envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari, who arrived here on Thursday morning for a two-day visit.

"Cambodia proposes that UN and Myanmar should go forward step by step with the process of democracy" and the international community should also have to encourage the Myanmar government to do more with the process, Hor told reporters.

This is the request of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said, adding that Cambodia supports the engagement between UN and Myanmar as well as that between the Myanmar government and Aung San Suu Kyi.

"I told Gamabari that we don't have to talk about the sanction on Myanmar any more from now on, but we have to provide humanitarian aid for the Myanmar government and the Myanmar people as the French foreign minister proposed before," he said.

"Gambari told me that the UN involvement with Myanmar's issues doesn't mean to oppose the Myanmar government, but to cooperate with it and help solve the problems there," Hor said.

Before departing the meeting, Gambari told reporters that his discussion with Hor on Myanmar's situation is very useful, but didn't elaborate on it.

"You all will know about this full discussion tomorrow in my press conference," he said.

Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein will pay a goodwill visit to Cambodia on Friday, which will be his introductory trip to another member country of ASEAN following those to Laos and Vietnam earlier this month.

Adoption law overshadows anti-corruption law?

Cambodia promises US that adoption law is inching forward

Thu, 29 Nov 2007
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's long-awaited new legislation on inter-country adoption was yet to be drafted but was still expected to be passed by the end of next year, Cambodian media quoted a senior Foreign Affairs Ministry official as saying Thursday. Secretary of State for the Foreign Ministry Long Visalo made the promise to US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty Wednesday, Khmer-language daily Koh Santepheap reported.

"We are passing a law relating to adoptions but in drafting it we must consider all the benefits," the paper quoted Visalo as saying.

He said most importantly the law must be in line with other international and individual nations' legislation and ensure "the reasons behind the adoptions are beneficial to the children and not just the individual who comes to take them."

"Children are not some sort of goods to be sold at markets," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

The US announced an immediate suspension of the processing of adoptions from Cambodia in December 2001 citing fraud and a lack of legal framework to ensure the children were protected. Other countries, including France, Canada and Australia, quickly followed.

In June 2004, a US court convicted one of Cambodia's most prominent international adoption agents, Lauryn Galindo, and her sister Lynn Devin on a range of charges including falsely representing some of their adoption candidates as orphans.

Since then the US and others have accused the Cambodian government of dragging its feet on drawing up effective adoption legislation and warned the adoption moratorium will remain in place until it is passed.

Nuon Chea’s lawyer asks for conditional bail for his client

29 November 2007
By Khim Sarang
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Nuon Chea’s defense lawyer asked the ECCC to annul the decision to temporarily detain Nuon Chea and to release him immediately from jail under conditions.

Son Arun, Nuon Chea’s defense lawyer, indicated in a 36-page petition to the KR Tribunal that his request was done according to Nuon Chea’s basic rights and according to the law.

The lawyer included in his petition Nuon Chea’s pledge which includes among others: “Nuon Chea will present himself daily to the local police station of the location where he will live. He will not participate in any political activities, he will not maintain contact with all types of media, and he will be present in all legal involvements.”

Nuon Chea is the former second topmost KR leader who is currently detained while waiting for his judgment regarding his involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Cambodia faces immediate threats from climate change

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia faces immediate threats to its agricultural production and food security from climate change in rainfall, temperatures and availability of water, said the UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) 2007 released here on Thursday.

For most Cambodians live in rural areas and are reliant on agriculture, long-term risks associated with climate change include water insecurity, increased sea level, cyclones and disruption or collapse of Cambodia's critical ecosystems, said the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the report.

Climate change may increase occurrence of drought and flood while increasing the vulnerability of Cambodia's poor people to their effects, it said.

Increase of disease with climate change may have an adverse impact on people's health, particularly the most vulnerable poor, it said.

However, it said, climate change presents Cambodia many opportunities.

For example, it said, Cambodia can seek technical assistance and financial resources to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation, and mobilize private sector partnerships to transfer appropriate technologies to promote renewable energy in order to support the development of other sectors such as health, education, and transport.

With 0.2 percent of world's population, Cambodia accounts for a negligible percentage of global emissions, it said.

The country has signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol and as a developing country, Cambodia has no obligation to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, but can contribute to emission reduction on a voluntary basis, including through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), it said.

Cambodia ranks 131 out of 177 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI) with its HDI value moving up from 0.543 to0.598 in the last five years, according to the report.

EC helps Cambodia implement development projects [with $33.3 million]

2007/11/29

Phnom Penh (VNA) – The European Commission (EC) has pledged to grant a non-refundable aid of 23.1 million euro (roughly 33.3 million USD) for socio-economic development projects in Cambodia.

An agreement on the aid package was signed on November 28 by Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon and EC’s representative Rafael Dochao Moreno.

Under the agreement, the sum will be used to socio-economic development programmes in the 2006-2010 period, especially those in poverty reduction.

Over the past few years, these projects have been received financial support from international organisations, among them were 15 million USD from the World Bank and 1 billion Japanese Yen from the Japanese Government, Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance said.

Sam Rainsy: Even the sons of killers can enter politics

Hun Sen (L), Hun Manet (C) and Sam Rainsy (R) (Photo: Sralanh Khmer newspaper)

HRP: The CPP uses the same strategy as the Khmer Rouge to cling on to power

Thursday, November 29, 2007
By Savery
Sralanh Khmer
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prime minister Hun Sen declared that the sons and daughters of the CPP officials will enter politics in the near future. A HRP official said that the CPP uses the same strategy to cling on to power just like the Khmer Rouge leaders also, meanwhile, opposition leader Sam Rainsy claimed that in Cambodia, the sons and daughters of the killers and those who destroyed the nation can also enter politics as well. Sam Rainsy added that these offspring have studied and are even more knowledgeable than their own parents.

Hun Sen declared one more time that he will remain as prime minister until his death, as long as the people vote for him. He is also angry at Sam Rainsy for proposing a draft law to the National Assembly (NA) to limit the term of the prime minister to only one mandate, in order to provide the opportunity to future generations of Cambodian youth to participate in leading the country.

The prime minister was also angry at those who criticized him for preventing his son, Hun Manet, from entering politics. Hun Sen said that this prevention was against the constitution, but various opinions indicated that this is Hun Sen’s grooming of his son so he can take over power, and be able to protect him from being prosecuted once he gets out of power, just like what his jailed Big Brother Khmer Rouge have been doing.

During a speech given at a students’ certificate distribution ceremony at the Education Institute on Tuesday, Hun Sen declared that there is nothing to worry about, his son and the sons of CPP officials will enter politics in group, but that there is no set time table yet for these youngsters to be involved in politics.

Hun Sen said: “In Siem Reap, my goal was to reject the story (about Hun Manet presenting his MP candidacy) as untrue. But, I couldn’t predict that some younger or older brothers would say that ‘Mr. Hun Sen, you shouldn’t prevent political freedom which is stipulated in the Constitution, and this goes to your own son also.’ How sad, but I tell them back: ‘You just wait, they (CPP sons) are not going to enter politics one at a time, if they enter politics, they will enter as a team, all the sons of the CPP officials, if they want to enter politics, I let them enter as a big team.”

The popular and brave opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, welcomed this declaration by Hun Sen, he said: “I welcome this because even the sons of the killers, the sons of those who destroyed the nation, the sons of the dictators, if these sons are educated then they will be more progressive than their fathers. At that time, our country will be much better than now.”

It should be noted that Ieng Sary, the former vice-prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs of the KR regime, and his wife, the minister of social affairs of the KR regime also, have a son by the name of Ieng Vuth, the current deputy provincial governor of Pailin city. However, Ieng Vuth could not protect his parents from being incarcerated by the KR Tribunal at all.

Therefore, it is expected that Hun Manet and the sons of the CPP officials will not be able to protect their parents when the latter lose their power, and if the law will find that Hun Sen and his gang would be involved in criminal activities.

Keat Sokun, HRP Vice-president, said that the strategy to cling to power was prepared since long ago through intermarriage between major high-ranking officials in order to form a solid base to lead the country. However, Keat Sokun compared the method adopted by the CPP to be similar to the rule instituted by the former KR leaders in the past.

Keat Sokun declared: “First, they form family unions by marrying off children from one family to those of another one … But, at the same time, we can see already that all government officials have made arrangements … to see who would join the CPP or not. Therefore, those who join the CPP will see a lot of fame and fortune, that is why more people will join the CPP. On the other hand, they have installed the parents as group leaders. From then on, the children (of these group leaders) can continue to hold on to power. We saw this (phenomenon) during the Pol Pot era also: if the husband is the group leader for the men, his wife would be the group leader for women, and their children becomes the group leaders for children. The same is happening now.”

Families of the CPP officials have set solid alliances through intermarriages, and this is a method to cling on to power by Cambodian politicians.

In the past, Hun Sen declared that he will continue to hold on to power for 10 more years only if the people will continue to vote for him. However, when the KR Tribunal started to arrest his Big (KR) Brothers and Sister, and send them to jail, just like Kaing Kek Iev aka Comrade Duch, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary and his wife Ieng Thirith, and Khieu Samphan, Hun Sen had a change of mind, he now wants to become PM for life, if people keep on voting for him.

Nevertheless, opposition leader Sam Rainsy welcomed Hun Sen’s declaration saying that new generations of Cambodians, in particular CPP officials’ offspring, should participate in politics, because these offspring have learnt more than their fathers who are merely killers and destroyers of the nation.

It should be noted that Hun Sen was a former pagoda boy, and he used to confess that when he was a pagoda boy, he used to give a hard time to monks, he used to collect chewed tobacco spat out by nuns to make cigarettes to smoke, and he had very little education. His first position in life was as a Khmer Rouge spy, and at the time, these spies were directly involved in the killing of people. Later on, following the Vietnamese soldiers transfer of power from the Chinese-leaning Khmer Rouge leaders (including Pol Pot, Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan, Nuon Chea) to the Vietnamese-leaning KR leaders (Hun Sen, Chea Sim, Heng Samrin) on 17 January 1979, the Vietnamese installed Hun Sen as the Foreign Affairs minister.

Because he was a good follower of the Vietnamese orders – such as ordering the drafting and sending several tens of thousands of people to their death to fulfill the K-5 plan, and his participation in the arrest and jailing of Pen Sovann (Hun Sen’s former boss) in Vietnam, his help to the Vietnamese to kill Chan Sy – he was pushed by the Vietnamese to become the prime minister in 1985. Since then, Hun Sen allowed the Vietnamese to come and live in Cambodia any way they want. In particular, he ordered local officials to issue official documents stating that all these Vietnamese people living in Cambodia are in fact Cambodian citizens.

The reason the Vietnamese praised and elevated Hun Sen to the prime minister position was because he lacks education, and therefore easily pliable by the Vietnamese, such as drafting Cambodian youths to fight with other Cambodian people, thereby creating several tens of thousands deaths among those who survived the KR regime.

This is the reason why Sam Rainsy claimed that the fact that the CPP offspring jump into the political fray is a good thing, even though their fathers were killers, because the new generations have studied and they are more knowledgeable than their fathers.