Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sacrava Political Cartoon: The Hyena Clan
Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)
Cambodian 'jungle woman' starts speaking: father
Rochom P’nhieng, known as the jungle girl, is shown waiting for treatment at a hospital in Ratanakkiri last month. (Photo: AFP)AFP
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's "jungle woman", whose story gripped the country after she apparently spent 18 years living in a forest, has begun speaking normally instead of making animal-type noises, her father said.
Rochom P'ngieng, now 28, went missing as a little girl in 1989 while herding water buffalo in Ratanakkiri province around 600 kilometres (400 miles) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh.
In early 2007 the woman was brought from the jungle, naked and dirty, after being caught trying to steal food from a farmer. She was hunched over like a monkey, scavenging on the ground for pieces of dried rice.
She could not utter a word of any intelligible language, instead making what Sal Lou, the man who says he is her father, calls "animal noises."
Cambodians described her as "jungle woman" and "half-animal girl" and since rejoining society Rochom P'ngieng has battled bouts of illness and was hospitalised in October after refusing food.
But Sal Lou said late Wednesday that this month his daughter had started to understand Cambodia's Khmer language and could even speak the language of his ethnic Phnong tribe.
"She is becoming a normal human being like others. She has been starting to speak out now -- she speaks the language of Phnong," Sal Lou told AFP by telephone.
"She can ask for food, water and so on when she feels hungry," he said.
The apparent breakthrough happened after Rochom P'ngieng's hospitalization, when doctors gave her injections to treat a nervous illness for a few days, Sal Lou said.
"She is very gentle and I am very happy with her progress," he said adding that her condition appears to be improving from day to day.
Sal Lou said his daughter had stopped trying to flee into the jungle as she had in the past.
"Even though we tried to take her into jungle, she wanted to stay at home," he said, adding that she is able to eat food now.
The jungles of Ratanakkiri -- some of the most isolated and wild in Cambodia -- are known to have held hidden groups of hill tribes in the recent past.
In November 2004, 34 people from four hill tribe families emerged from the dense forest where they had fled in 1979 after the fall of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, which they supported.
Rochom P'ngieng, now 28, went missing as a little girl in 1989 while herding water buffalo in Ratanakkiri province around 600 kilometres (400 miles) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh.
In early 2007 the woman was brought from the jungle, naked and dirty, after being caught trying to steal food from a farmer. She was hunched over like a monkey, scavenging on the ground for pieces of dried rice.
She could not utter a word of any intelligible language, instead making what Sal Lou, the man who says he is her father, calls "animal noises."
Cambodians described her as "jungle woman" and "half-animal girl" and since rejoining society Rochom P'ngieng has battled bouts of illness and was hospitalised in October after refusing food.
But Sal Lou said late Wednesday that this month his daughter had started to understand Cambodia's Khmer language and could even speak the language of his ethnic Phnong tribe.
"She is becoming a normal human being like others. She has been starting to speak out now -- she speaks the language of Phnong," Sal Lou told AFP by telephone.
"She can ask for food, water and so on when she feels hungry," he said.
The apparent breakthrough happened after Rochom P'ngieng's hospitalization, when doctors gave her injections to treat a nervous illness for a few days, Sal Lou said.
"She is very gentle and I am very happy with her progress," he said adding that her condition appears to be improving from day to day.
Sal Lou said his daughter had stopped trying to flee into the jungle as she had in the past.
"Even though we tried to take her into jungle, she wanted to stay at home," he said, adding that she is able to eat food now.
The jungles of Ratanakkiri -- some of the most isolated and wild in Cambodia -- are known to have held hidden groups of hill tribes in the recent past.
In November 2004, 34 people from four hill tribe families emerged from the dense forest where they had fled in 1979 after the fall of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, which they supported.
Poor Cambodians face eviction under new law: report
Families who were evicted from Dey Krahorm (Photo: John Vink/Magnum)Thursday, December 31, 2009
AFP
PHNOM PENH — Hundreds of poor communities in the Cambodian capital face potential forced evictions after parliament this week passed a controversial law, rights groups warned Thursday.
Lawmakers on Tuesday voted through a law on expropriations which will give the authorities legal grounds to seize private property for public development projects in Cambodia.
The law still needs to be approved by the senate and promulgated by King Norodom Sihamoni, but it has raised concerns from rights groups about a surge in forced evictions.
"The existence of a law on expropriation which was just recently passed... will create more negative effects on the poor people in the city," the rights groups said in a joint statement.
The statement said there were 410 vulnerable communities of urban poor in Phnom Penh, with 74 of them threatened with eviction.
"These (74) communities have already received notifications from the government authorities that ordered them to voluntarily move away from their homes with little compensations, the groups said.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, the Housing Rights Task Force, and the NGO Forum on Cambodia also said they had "deep concern about potential forced evictions of urban poor people from their communities in the near future".
The Cambodian government has faced mounting criticism for a spate of forced evictions throughout the country over the past few years at the hands of the army and police as land prices have risen.
Cambodia in September ended a World Bank-financed land-titling programme amid increasing property disputes and allegations of land-grabbing.
Land ownership is a controversial problem in Cambodia, where legal documents were destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and civil war that ended in 1998.
Lawmakers on Tuesday voted through a law on expropriations which will give the authorities legal grounds to seize private property for public development projects in Cambodia.
The law still needs to be approved by the senate and promulgated by King Norodom Sihamoni, but it has raised concerns from rights groups about a surge in forced evictions.
"The existence of a law on expropriation which was just recently passed... will create more negative effects on the poor people in the city," the rights groups said in a joint statement.
The statement said there were 410 vulnerable communities of urban poor in Phnom Penh, with 74 of them threatened with eviction.
"These (74) communities have already received notifications from the government authorities that ordered them to voluntarily move away from their homes with little compensations, the groups said.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, the Housing Rights Task Force, and the NGO Forum on Cambodia also said they had "deep concern about potential forced evictions of urban poor people from their communities in the near future".
The Cambodian government has faced mounting criticism for a spate of forced evictions throughout the country over the past few years at the hands of the army and police as land prices have risen.
Cambodia in September ended a World Bank-financed land-titling programme amid increasing property disputes and allegations of land-grabbing.
Land ownership is a controversial problem in Cambodia, where legal documents were destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and civil war that ended in 1998.
Cambodia's dengue fever death toll sharply falls this year
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The number of reported cases of dengue fever rose in 2009, but fatalities significantly fell from 2008 due to improved public awareness, local media reported on Thursday, citing health officials.
Ngan Chantha, director of dengue control at the Health Ministry, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that there were 11,625 cases of dengue fever and 36 deaths from the disease this year, compared to 9,245 cases and 65 deaths last year.
"We intervened by disseminating information through the media, spraying mosquito insecticide and training doctors and nurses to help dengue victims properly."
"People understand the disease and how dangerous it is, but they still don't change their behavior," he said, referring to the need to keep homes free of places where mosquitoes can breed.
Most of this year's dengue infections occurred in high-density areas in provinces including Kompong Cham, Kandal, Siem Reap and Kampot, as well as the capital Phnom Penh, Chantha added.
Doung Socheat, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, agreed with Ngan Chantha that this year's decrease in fatalities was due to improved awareness and public health education on how to treat the disease.
Public health authorities will concentrate on decreasing further the number of both dengue infections and fatalities in the coming year, Socheat said.
Ngan Chantha, director of dengue control at the Health Ministry, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that there were 11,625 cases of dengue fever and 36 deaths from the disease this year, compared to 9,245 cases and 65 deaths last year.
"We intervened by disseminating information through the media, spraying mosquito insecticide and training doctors and nurses to help dengue victims properly."
"People understand the disease and how dangerous it is, but they still don't change their behavior," he said, referring to the need to keep homes free of places where mosquitoes can breed.
Most of this year's dengue infections occurred in high-density areas in provinces including Kompong Cham, Kandal, Siem Reap and Kampot, as well as the capital Phnom Penh, Chantha added.
Doung Socheat, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, agreed with Ngan Chantha that this year's decrease in fatalities was due to improved awareness and public health education on how to treat the disease.
Public health authorities will concentrate on decreasing further the number of both dengue infections and fatalities in the coming year, Socheat said.
China-Asean Trade Deal Takes Hold, Spares Popcorn, Toilet Paper
By Daniel Ten Kate
Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) -- A free-trade agreement between China and Southeast Asia comes into force tomorrow, consolidating a sixfold surge in economic activity over the past decade between countries representing a quarter of the world’s population.
The agreement expands a limited 2005 trade area between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, scrapping tariffs on about 90 percent of goods. By 2015, duties must be cut to no more than 50 percent on “highly sensitive” items, including ambulances in Brunei, popcorn in Indonesia, snowboard boots in Thailand and toilet paper in China.
China’s economic clout in Southeast Asian countries has risen over the past decade as policy makers slashed tariffs on electronics, automobile parts and computer chips. Japan, India, Europe and the U.S. have followed China in courting Asean, home to investments from Intel Corp., the world’s largest maker of computer chips, and Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest carmaker.
“This FTA is going to make a difference at the margin to some Asean countries but not others,” said Razeen Sally, a director of the Brussels-based European Centre for International Political Economy, a trade-policy research group. “Basically it takes down the tariffs but does little on all the non-tariff barriers where you would have much bigger gains to trade.”
China’s trade with Asean has jumped sixfold since 2000 to $193 billion last year, surpassing that of the U.S. China’s share of Southeast Asia’s total commerce has increased to 11.3 percent from 4 percent in that time, whereas the U.S.’s portion of trade with the bloc fell to 10.6 percent from 15 percent, Asean statistics show.
Deficit Widens
During that time, Asean’s trade deficit with China widened by five times to $21.6 billion. The bloc reported a $21.2 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last year, down 12 percent from 2000.
The trade agreement would hit high-tariff industries in Indonesia and the Philippines more than other Asean countries, Sally said. Trade in parts and components, the “central artery” of China-Asean economic ties, won’t be affected much because most of those tariffs are already near zero, he said.
Opposition to the trade agreement has been loudest in Indonesia, where the government has sought to placate concerns that industries including textiles, food and electronics will suffer. Indonesia should renegotiate the deal because the textile industry may see its domestic market share decline by 50 percent as cheaper Chinese goods enter the market, said Ade Sudradjat, vice chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association.
The government is setting up a team to monitor trade practices, Hatta Rajasa, coordinating minister for the economy, told reporters in Jakarta yesterday.
“When a nation has cheap products, we must see whether there’s unfair trade in it, such as unfair subsidies,” he said. “We must be proactive.”
Port Inspection
Indonesia, Asean’s biggest economy and home to about 40 percent of the bloc’s 584 million people, has required Chinese exports of garments, electronics, shoes, toys and food to be shipped from designated ports with every container inspected upon arrival. China, poised to overtake Germany as the world’s largest exporter this year, faces 101 trade investigations in 19 countries, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported this month.
To help its exporters, China has halted the yuan’s gains against the dollar from July last year. In 2009 the yuan has remained largely unchanged against the dollar while Indonesia’s rupiah climbed 15.5 percent, Thailand’s baht advanced 4.2 percent and the Philippine peso increased 2.3 percent.
Asean includes Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Wide economic disparity has hindered the group’s efforts to form a single market, as the purchasing power of the group’s four richest countries was 10 times greater than that of the other members last year, according to statistics on the bloc’s Web site.
--With assistance from Agus Suhana in Jakarta. Editors: Ben Richardson, Dirk Beveridge
To contact the reporters on this story: Daniel Ten Kate in Bangkok at +66-2-654-7318 or dtenkate@bloomberg.net.
The agreement expands a limited 2005 trade area between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, scrapping tariffs on about 90 percent of goods. By 2015, duties must be cut to no more than 50 percent on “highly sensitive” items, including ambulances in Brunei, popcorn in Indonesia, snowboard boots in Thailand and toilet paper in China.
China’s economic clout in Southeast Asian countries has risen over the past decade as policy makers slashed tariffs on electronics, automobile parts and computer chips. Japan, India, Europe and the U.S. have followed China in courting Asean, home to investments from Intel Corp., the world’s largest maker of computer chips, and Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest carmaker.
“This FTA is going to make a difference at the margin to some Asean countries but not others,” said Razeen Sally, a director of the Brussels-based European Centre for International Political Economy, a trade-policy research group. “Basically it takes down the tariffs but does little on all the non-tariff barriers where you would have much bigger gains to trade.”
China’s trade with Asean has jumped sixfold since 2000 to $193 billion last year, surpassing that of the U.S. China’s share of Southeast Asia’s total commerce has increased to 11.3 percent from 4 percent in that time, whereas the U.S.’s portion of trade with the bloc fell to 10.6 percent from 15 percent, Asean statistics show.
Deficit Widens
During that time, Asean’s trade deficit with China widened by five times to $21.6 billion. The bloc reported a $21.2 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last year, down 12 percent from 2000.
The trade agreement would hit high-tariff industries in Indonesia and the Philippines more than other Asean countries, Sally said. Trade in parts and components, the “central artery” of China-Asean economic ties, won’t be affected much because most of those tariffs are already near zero, he said.
Opposition to the trade agreement has been loudest in Indonesia, where the government has sought to placate concerns that industries including textiles, food and electronics will suffer. Indonesia should renegotiate the deal because the textile industry may see its domestic market share decline by 50 percent as cheaper Chinese goods enter the market, said Ade Sudradjat, vice chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association.
The government is setting up a team to monitor trade practices, Hatta Rajasa, coordinating minister for the economy, told reporters in Jakarta yesterday.
“When a nation has cheap products, we must see whether there’s unfair trade in it, such as unfair subsidies,” he said. “We must be proactive.”
Port Inspection
Indonesia, Asean’s biggest economy and home to about 40 percent of the bloc’s 584 million people, has required Chinese exports of garments, electronics, shoes, toys and food to be shipped from designated ports with every container inspected upon arrival. China, poised to overtake Germany as the world’s largest exporter this year, faces 101 trade investigations in 19 countries, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported this month.
To help its exporters, China has halted the yuan’s gains against the dollar from July last year. In 2009 the yuan has remained largely unchanged against the dollar while Indonesia’s rupiah climbed 15.5 percent, Thailand’s baht advanced 4.2 percent and the Philippine peso increased 2.3 percent.
Asean includes Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Wide economic disparity has hindered the group’s efforts to form a single market, as the purchasing power of the group’s four richest countries was 10 times greater than that of the other members last year, according to statistics on the bloc’s Web site.
--With assistance from Agus Suhana in Jakarta. Editors: Ben Richardson, Dirk Beveridge
To contact the reporters on this story: Daniel Ten Kate in Bangkok at +66-2-654-7318 or dtenkate@bloomberg.net.
Sri Lanka not aware of plan to appoint Thaksin as adviser
December 31, 2009
The Nation
The Nation
Sri Lanka on Thursday denied a report that the government planned to appoint fugitive ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.
Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat claimed on Wednesday that Colombo will name Thaksin as an adviser to the government.
Colombo-based Daily Mirror online quoted Sri Lanka's Deputy Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama as saying that he is not aware of any such move.
Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat claimed on Wednesday that Colombo will name Thaksin as an adviser to the government.
Colombo-based Daily Mirror online quoted Sri Lanka's Deputy Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama as saying that he is not aware of any such move.
Arrest warrant issued for Cambodian opposition leader
Dec 31, 2009
DPA
Phnom Penh - A Cambodian court has issued an arrest warrant for the leader of the main opposition party after he failed to appear in court earlier this week, a government spokesman confirmed Thursday.
The move follows an incident in October in which opposition leader Sam Rainsy was accused of removing border markers between Cambodia and Vietnam, an act that riled Hanoi.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan said the Svay Rieng provincial court issued the arrest warrant after Sam Rainsy missed the hearing to answer charges of racial incitement and destruction of property.
'He was meant to show up in court on the 28th [of December],' Phay Siphan told the German Press Agency dpa. 'He is out of the country so they issued a warrant on the 29th.'
Sam Rainsy was charged after he had joined villagers in Svay Rieng province and uprooted several wooden posts marking the border.He was stripped of his parliamentary immunity the following month in a vote that was boycotted by the opposition.
Opposition party spokesman Yim Sovann said Sam Rainsy, who is currently in France, would not return to Cambodia until a political solution to the court case was in place.
'We do not trust the court because it is a political tool of the ruling party to crack down on the opposition,' he said, adding that the opposition would petition the king to resolve the issue.
'Sam Rainsy has done nothing wrong - as a member of parliament he has to represent the people,' he said. 'This is a political problem and [it] must be solved by a political solution.'
Yim Sovann blamed the authorities for planting the demarcation poles without consulting local farmers, who object to losing land to Vietnam.
'So now [the farmers] are losing land because of these demarcation poles - the people do not agree with that because they have only a few hectares of land to feed their families, and now they are losing everything,' he said.
The two nations are currently demarcating their 1,270-kilometre long common border in a process that is scheduled to be completed by 2012.
Vietnam is a key investor in Cambodia with significant interests in agribusiness, aviation, telecoms and banking. In December the two nations signed an agreement that could result in investments worth billions of US dollars, including a deal to look for bauxite in Cambodia's border province of Mondulkiri.
Three opposition parliamentarians were stripped of their parliamentary immunity in 2009. Critics charge that the ruling Cambodian People's Party is using the courts to move against its perceived opponents in politics, the media and civil society.
The move follows an incident in October in which opposition leader Sam Rainsy was accused of removing border markers between Cambodia and Vietnam, an act that riled Hanoi.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan said the Svay Rieng provincial court issued the arrest warrant after Sam Rainsy missed the hearing to answer charges of racial incitement and destruction of property.
'He was meant to show up in court on the 28th [of December],' Phay Siphan told the German Press Agency dpa. 'He is out of the country so they issued a warrant on the 29th.'
Sam Rainsy was charged after he had joined villagers in Svay Rieng province and uprooted several wooden posts marking the border.He was stripped of his parliamentary immunity the following month in a vote that was boycotted by the opposition.
Opposition party spokesman Yim Sovann said Sam Rainsy, who is currently in France, would not return to Cambodia until a political solution to the court case was in place.
'We do not trust the court because it is a political tool of the ruling party to crack down on the opposition,' he said, adding that the opposition would petition the king to resolve the issue.
'Sam Rainsy has done nothing wrong - as a member of parliament he has to represent the people,' he said. 'This is a political problem and [it] must be solved by a political solution.'
Yim Sovann blamed the authorities for planting the demarcation poles without consulting local farmers, who object to losing land to Vietnam.
'So now [the farmers] are losing land because of these demarcation poles - the people do not agree with that because they have only a few hectares of land to feed their families, and now they are losing everything,' he said.
The two nations are currently demarcating their 1,270-kilometre long common border in a process that is scheduled to be completed by 2012.
Vietnam is a key investor in Cambodia with significant interests in agribusiness, aviation, telecoms and banking. In December the two nations signed an agreement that could result in investments worth billions of US dollars, including a deal to look for bauxite in Cambodia's border province of Mondulkiri.
Three opposition parliamentarians were stripped of their parliamentary immunity in 2009. Critics charge that the ruling Cambodian People's Party is using the courts to move against its perceived opponents in politics, the media and civil society.
Groups Continue Opposition of Seizure Law
Forced eviction in Dey Krahorm (Photo: John Vink/Magnum)By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 December 2009
Rights and housing advocates on Wednesday continued to rail against a new law on imminent domain that they say will make it easier for people to lose their land.
The Law on Expropriations passed through the National Assembly on Tuesday, allowing for authorities to move people from their land in the name of national development, such as the construction of an airport or the widening of a road.
The bill had the support of 76 lawmakers from the Cambodian People’s Party and was opposed by members of the opposition Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties.
“When the law on expropriation is enforced, it will allow the government and the authorities, in the capital and in the provinces, the full ability to easily expropriate real estate of citizens, under a pretext for the sake of fundamental infrastructure,” Ny Chakrya, lead investigator for the rights group Adhoc, told reporters in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia’s poor have faced increasing pressure, from both legitimate authorities and unscrupulous officials and businessmen, in recent years, as the country experienced a boom in land prices. Some people have been evicted by the government or had their land taken, creating a source of unease for many and, critics warn, potential unrest.
“There was the confiscation before the draft law passed without reasonable compensation,” said Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party. “And because of this law, the government will have more ability to confiscate the land of citizens.”
However, Ouk Rabun, secretary of state for the Ministry of Economy and Finance, who defended the bill in the National Assembly this week, said the law was suffering from “negative interpretations.”
“In this case, the government will do the expropriation,” he said. “We must distinguish between legal expropriation and violence and abuse” in land disputes.
The law, which has eight chapters and 39 articles, allows the state to seize land for development in the national interest. That can mean for ports, power structures or an energy network, but it can also mean for security or national sovereignty.
Opponents of the law say it is not clear enough and could allow the government to evict people from their land before a case has been arbitrated. They also warn the law makes no provision for fair market values; instead, compensation will rely on a decision by a national committee.
Ny Chakrya said rights and housing groups sent recommendations for the law to the National Assembly and the government, but they were not heeded.
Cheam Yiep, a CPP lawmaker, said some of the recommendations may find their way into subdecrees when the law is promulgated.
The Law on Expropriations passed through the National Assembly on Tuesday, allowing for authorities to move people from their land in the name of national development, such as the construction of an airport or the widening of a road.
The bill had the support of 76 lawmakers from the Cambodian People’s Party and was opposed by members of the opposition Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties.
“When the law on expropriation is enforced, it will allow the government and the authorities, in the capital and in the provinces, the full ability to easily expropriate real estate of citizens, under a pretext for the sake of fundamental infrastructure,” Ny Chakrya, lead investigator for the rights group Adhoc, told reporters in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia’s poor have faced increasing pressure, from both legitimate authorities and unscrupulous officials and businessmen, in recent years, as the country experienced a boom in land prices. Some people have been evicted by the government or had their land taken, creating a source of unease for many and, critics warn, potential unrest.
“There was the confiscation before the draft law passed without reasonable compensation,” said Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party. “And because of this law, the government will have more ability to confiscate the land of citizens.”
However, Ouk Rabun, secretary of state for the Ministry of Economy and Finance, who defended the bill in the National Assembly this week, said the law was suffering from “negative interpretations.”
“In this case, the government will do the expropriation,” he said. “We must distinguish between legal expropriation and violence and abuse” in land disputes.
The law, which has eight chapters and 39 articles, allows the state to seize land for development in the national interest. That can mean for ports, power structures or an energy network, but it can also mean for security or national sovereignty.
Opponents of the law say it is not clear enough and could allow the government to evict people from their land before a case has been arbitrated. They also warn the law makes no provision for fair market values; instead, compensation will rely on a decision by a national committee.
Ny Chakrya said rights and housing groups sent recommendations for the law to the National Assembly and the government, but they were not heeded.
Cheam Yiep, a CPP lawmaker, said some of the recommendations may find their way into subdecrees when the law is promulgated.
Many Forced Evictions on Horizon: Groups
Forced eviction in Dey Krahorm (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 December 2009
Man Chhouen, a deputy governor of Phnom Penh, denied families were unhappy when evicted from their homes, saying they are generally glad to move to a new area. (sic!) [KI-Media Note: Let's evict Mr. Man Chhoeun out of his house and let's see if he is glad!]Dozens of urban poor communities in the capital are facing the prospect of evictions with little compensation, a broad coalition of rights groups and housing advocates said Wednesday.
Phnom Penh has approximately 410 communities of poor families inside its eight districts, and of those, 74 are facing imminent eviction, the coalition told reporters.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, the Housing Rights Task Force and the NGO Forum jointly expressed deep concern that the communities, which have already received notification from the government, will not be properly paid for moving.
The coalition said it worried that notified families will not be able to find jobs, afford new homes or properly educate their children when they are removed from the city.
The municipality often gives reasons of development when evicting families, Ny Chakrya, a lead investigator for the rights group Adhoc, told reporters.
The problem will be exacerbated with the passage of the Law on Expropriation, which passed through the National Assembly on Tuesday, because it tightens controls on people who occupy land without title, he said.
Man Chhouen, a deputy governor of Phnom Penh, denied families were unhappy when evicted from their homes, saying they are generally glad to move to a new area.
“The government guarantees that all legal possessors will have equal access to the titling system,” he said.
Genocide Charge Could Delay Trial: Observers
By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
30 December 2009
Original report from Washington
30 December 2009
New charges of genocide for four jailed Khmer Rouge leaders could create a delay in bringing them to trial, court observers say.
Genocide was added to the war crimes and crimes against humanity charges brought against Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith earlier this month, as the UN-backed court prepares for their trial.
But the new charges create an opportunity for opposition by defense attorneys or disagreement among civil party victims, which could turn the case back to the Pre-Trial Chamber.
If those parties disagree with the new charges, they will file for explanation from the investigating judges or complaints to the Pre-Trial Chamber, said Long Panhavuth, a tribunal monitor for the Cambodia Justice Initiative.
“In this situation, whether it is slowed or not depends on whether the parties file complaints to the Pre-Trial Chamber or not,” he said.
Tribunal procedures require time for review of cases following the work of investigating judges, who in this case, No. 002, have said they wanted to complete by the end of the year.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said the new charge would not delay the legal process.
“The work is normally moving as planned,” he said.
The investigating judges have already notified the other parties that their investigation is complete, “so there is nothing delayed.”
Even if the new charges slightly delay the court, the genocide charges are in the interest of seeking justice, said Latt Ky, a tribunal monitor for Adhoc.
“So I think endeavoring to search for any evidence to charge the suspects is based on practical truth and arguments based on reality,” he said. “It’s deeply meaningful for justice. So if it’s a little bit late, I agree with the action of the [tribunal].”
Genocide was added to the war crimes and crimes against humanity charges brought against Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith earlier this month, as the UN-backed court prepares for their trial.
But the new charges create an opportunity for opposition by defense attorneys or disagreement among civil party victims, which could turn the case back to the Pre-Trial Chamber.
If those parties disagree with the new charges, they will file for explanation from the investigating judges or complaints to the Pre-Trial Chamber, said Long Panhavuth, a tribunal monitor for the Cambodia Justice Initiative.
“In this situation, whether it is slowed or not depends on whether the parties file complaints to the Pre-Trial Chamber or not,” he said.
Tribunal procedures require time for review of cases following the work of investigating judges, who in this case, No. 002, have said they wanted to complete by the end of the year.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said the new charge would not delay the legal process.
“The work is normally moving as planned,” he said.
The investigating judges have already notified the other parties that their investigation is complete, “so there is nothing delayed.”
Even if the new charges slightly delay the court, the genocide charges are in the interest of seeking justice, said Latt Ky, a tribunal monitor for Adhoc.
“So I think endeavoring to search for any evidence to charge the suspects is based on practical truth and arguments based on reality,” he said. “It’s deeply meaningful for justice. So if it’s a little bit late, I agree with the action of the [tribunal].”
Judge Orders Reinvestigation in Bomb Plot Case
Som Ek seen taken to the court on 20 December 2009 (Photo: Sok Serey, RFA)By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 December 2009
Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday ordered a reinvestigation of five bombing suspects, citing incomplete evidence by investigating judges.
The five suspects—Som Ek, 49; Loek Bun Nhien, 48; Hy Savoeung, 49; Poa Vannara, 59; and Chea Kimyan, 45—have undergone three hearings since Nov. 25.
They were arrested in January, following the discovery of two explosive devices outside of government buildings and were later additionally charged for detonating a device at the Vietnamese Friendship Monument in 2007.
The men are charged with forming a militant wing of a political movement, called the Tiger Head, “to plant bombs in order to create unrest and to oppose the government,” Phnom Penh prosecutor Hoeung Bunchea told the court Tuesday.
Phnom Penh judge Chay Kong ordered further investigation at Wednesday’s hearing, where all five suspects were present. No re-trial date was given.
Sam Sok Kong, defense for Sam Ek, called on the court to “speed up its reinvestigation and to open a case hearing as soon as possible.”
The court order showed a “weakness” in the investigation’s case, he said. “The investigation of the case has had one year. Why did the court announce that the case does not have enough evidence against the suspects?”
Defense for the suspects contend they had collaborated to form a political movement, called the Cambodian United Front, and had not engaged in military action.
Sam Sok Kong said Wednesday the case against his client was aimed against “the freedom to establish a political party.”
The five suspects—Som Ek, 49; Loek Bun Nhien, 48; Hy Savoeung, 49; Poa Vannara, 59; and Chea Kimyan, 45—have undergone three hearings since Nov. 25.
They were arrested in January, following the discovery of two explosive devices outside of government buildings and were later additionally charged for detonating a device at the Vietnamese Friendship Monument in 2007.
The men are charged with forming a militant wing of a political movement, called the Tiger Head, “to plant bombs in order to create unrest and to oppose the government,” Phnom Penh prosecutor Hoeung Bunchea told the court Tuesday.
Phnom Penh judge Chay Kong ordered further investigation at Wednesday’s hearing, where all five suspects were present. No re-trial date was given.
Sam Sok Kong, defense for Sam Ek, called on the court to “speed up its reinvestigation and to open a case hearing as soon as possible.”
The court order showed a “weakness” in the investigation’s case, he said. “The investigation of the case has had one year. Why did the court announce that the case does not have enough evidence against the suspects?”
Defense for the suspects contend they had collaborated to form a political movement, called the Cambodian United Front, and had not engaged in military action.
Sam Sok Kong said Wednesday the case against his client was aimed against “the freedom to establish a political party.”
South Korea Suspends Immigration Permits
By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 December 2009
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 December 2009
South Korea has temporarily suspended labor contracts for Cambodian workers, claiming they will have to wait until April 2010 before they can renew work there.
South Korea supplies a limited number of contracts for Cambodian workers each year, but the country has been hard hit by the global financial crisis and has sought to limit the number of foreign workers coming in.
More than 2,000 Cambodians will go on a waiting list until South Korea decides how it will approach migrant labor in 2010.
None of the fifteen countries with so-called migration quotas for South Korea will be able to send workers, “from this month until March,” said Heng Sour, head of the Ministry of Labor’s administration department.
South Korea accepted 17,500 workers from 15 countries in 2009, a reduction of 46,500 from the year before. In 2009, Cambodia sent 1,800 workers, down 3,000 from the year before, a drop of 40 percent.
Cambodia will send workers to South Korea after a new quota is decided by Seoul in April, Heng Sour said.
The two nations signed a labor agreement in 2006, and since then Cambodia has sent nearly 5,000 workers to South Korea, making that country the third-largest receiver of Cambodian migrants, behind Malaysia and, in a typical year, Thailand.
The majority of Cambodian migrant workers go into garment manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and domestic service.
Malaysia and Thailand usually annually accept 10,000 Cambodian workers between them. But the continued diplomatic row with Thailand, combined with the economic downturn and an ongoing border dispute, has lowered that number.
“This year we sent between 2,500 and 3,000 people [to Thailand], only because we’ve seen the bilateral relationship get worse and we are careful,” said An Bun Hak, president of the Cambodian Labor Agency.
However, he said, more household servants have been going to Malaysia recently, a jump from 3,000 last year to 12,000 this year, following a suspension of immigrant labor by Indonesia.
South Korea is the best destination for Cambodian workers, said Touch Sophoan, the national coordinator of immigration safety for the International Labor Organization.
“Cambodian laborers, even in Thailand, in Malaysia, are facing discrimination in gender, facing unlimited working time, are under pressure for liberties and are facing reductions in salary,” she said. “We are noticing that they receive a high salary and with good working conditions in South Korea.”
Experience in South Korea can be a boon to Cambodia. High salaries mean good remittances, while professional jobs mean experience, said Bruni Maltoni, an immigration expert at the International Organization for Migration.
“The Cambodian government has to make efforts then to cooperate in sending out Cambodian laborers with good working conditions, and especially when local workers lose jobs,” he said.
The government estimates job losses of around 70,000 since the economic downturn hit here in October 2008, with 70 garment factories closing.
“The government has to enlarge international employment for job losers,” said Anne Ziebarth, a factory adviser for the ILO.
Government officials say they are trying to extend Cambodian labor to Japan, Hong Kong and Kuwait.
But Cambodian workers are still weak in competitiveness compared with Vietnamese workers,” Heng Sour said. “And they are too slow in productivity.”
South Korea supplies a limited number of contracts for Cambodian workers each year, but the country has been hard hit by the global financial crisis and has sought to limit the number of foreign workers coming in.
More than 2,000 Cambodians will go on a waiting list until South Korea decides how it will approach migrant labor in 2010.
None of the fifteen countries with so-called migration quotas for South Korea will be able to send workers, “from this month until March,” said Heng Sour, head of the Ministry of Labor’s administration department.
South Korea accepted 17,500 workers from 15 countries in 2009, a reduction of 46,500 from the year before. In 2009, Cambodia sent 1,800 workers, down 3,000 from the year before, a drop of 40 percent.
Cambodia will send workers to South Korea after a new quota is decided by Seoul in April, Heng Sour said.
The two nations signed a labor agreement in 2006, and since then Cambodia has sent nearly 5,000 workers to South Korea, making that country the third-largest receiver of Cambodian migrants, behind Malaysia and, in a typical year, Thailand.
The majority of Cambodian migrant workers go into garment manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and domestic service.
Malaysia and Thailand usually annually accept 10,000 Cambodian workers between them. But the continued diplomatic row with Thailand, combined with the economic downturn and an ongoing border dispute, has lowered that number.
“This year we sent between 2,500 and 3,000 people [to Thailand], only because we’ve seen the bilateral relationship get worse and we are careful,” said An Bun Hak, president of the Cambodian Labor Agency.
However, he said, more household servants have been going to Malaysia recently, a jump from 3,000 last year to 12,000 this year, following a suspension of immigrant labor by Indonesia.
South Korea is the best destination for Cambodian workers, said Touch Sophoan, the national coordinator of immigration safety for the International Labor Organization.
“Cambodian laborers, even in Thailand, in Malaysia, are facing discrimination in gender, facing unlimited working time, are under pressure for liberties and are facing reductions in salary,” she said. “We are noticing that they receive a high salary and with good working conditions in South Korea.”
Experience in South Korea can be a boon to Cambodia. High salaries mean good remittances, while professional jobs mean experience, said Bruni Maltoni, an immigration expert at the International Organization for Migration.
“The Cambodian government has to make efforts then to cooperate in sending out Cambodian laborers with good working conditions, and especially when local workers lose jobs,” he said.
The government estimates job losses of around 70,000 since the economic downturn hit here in October 2008, with 70 garment factories closing.
“The government has to enlarge international employment for job losers,” said Anne Ziebarth, a factory adviser for the ILO.
Government officials say they are trying to extend Cambodian labor to Japan, Hong Kong and Kuwait.
But Cambodian workers are still weak in competitiveness compared with Vietnamese workers,” Heng Sour said. “And they are too slow in productivity.”
New Year Greetings to Khmer Soldiers from D. Chum
*** HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR KHMER SOLDIERS ****
At the Front Lines, Long Life, Good Health & Buddha Protect You All
I Loved You All Very Much , (Very Respected)- From Bottom of My Heart
- D. Chum
I Loved You All Very Much , (Very Respected)- From Bottom of My Heart
- D. Chum
Dams, mines fouling water, say villagers in Stung Treng
Villagers fish on the Srepok River in Stung Treng province. A report this week says dams and mining are polluting the river. (Photo by: Daniel Lanctot)Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post
SEVERAL thousand villagers living along the Sesan and Srepok rivers in Stung Treng province are facing a severe shortage of rice and clean water as a result of polluted runoff from hydropower dam developments and mine explorations, local representatives and environmental activists warned Tuesday.
“We think there are about 50,000 residents in the area, and many of them have already complained about the water becoming muddy, with red, white and blue colours,” said Tek Vannara, programme manager for the Culture and Environment Preservation Association.
A report released by the Sesan-Srepok-Sekong (3S) Rivers Protection Network on Sunday attributed the water’s pollution to hydropower dams located on the upper reaches of the Sesan, both on the Vietnamese and Cambodian sides, and added that mining activities could also be responsible for the recent spike in pollution.
“The closing and opening of the existing hydro-dams in Vietnam, the ongoing construction of other dams, together with gold-mining explorations and other mining activities of companies upstream, both in Vietnam and Cambodia, have caused the current pollutions of the Sesan and Srepok rivers,” the report stated.
Bai Thong Nhuth, a representative of communities living along the two rivers, said the Sesan has been muddy since October, whereas the Srepok’s waters started getting dirty last November. He said he has already submitted an appeal for intervention to local authorities.
“There could be serious consequences for communities along the rivers because they use the water for drinking and cooking. We are worried that epidemic diseases may spread,” he said, and added that at least three communes in the area face imminent relocation because they cannot access clean water.
Nou Savath, a 48-year-old villager from Bangbong village along the Sesan River, said that residents and environmental groups have noticed negative effects downstream from the Yali Falls dam, on the Vietnamese side of the border, since at least 2002.
“I have faced difficulties and uncertainties for almost seven years now. Floods of muddy water kill pigs, cows and damage rice fields every day. No one is taking responsibility for this,” Nou Savath said, adding that this year he could harvest only 30 percent of what used to be an average rice yield on his 2 hectares of land.
Hak Vimean, deputy director of the Stung Treng provincial Department of Environment, said that he has submitted a report on the matter to higher authorities.
“The muddy waters are not caused by development projects in our provincial territory. The pollution may be coming from projects upstream. We are conducting an investigation on the issue, but there is no result yet,” he said.
“We think there are about 50,000 residents in the area, and many of them have already complained about the water becoming muddy, with red, white and blue colours,” said Tek Vannara, programme manager for the Culture and Environment Preservation Association.
A report released by the Sesan-Srepok-Sekong (3S) Rivers Protection Network on Sunday attributed the water’s pollution to hydropower dams located on the upper reaches of the Sesan, both on the Vietnamese and Cambodian sides, and added that mining activities could also be responsible for the recent spike in pollution.
“The closing and opening of the existing hydro-dams in Vietnam, the ongoing construction of other dams, together with gold-mining explorations and other mining activities of companies upstream, both in Vietnam and Cambodia, have caused the current pollutions of the Sesan and Srepok rivers,” the report stated.
Bai Thong Nhuth, a representative of communities living along the two rivers, said the Sesan has been muddy since October, whereas the Srepok’s waters started getting dirty last November. He said he has already submitted an appeal for intervention to local authorities.
“There could be serious consequences for communities along the rivers because they use the water for drinking and cooking. We are worried that epidemic diseases may spread,” he said, and added that at least three communes in the area face imminent relocation because they cannot access clean water.
Nou Savath, a 48-year-old villager from Bangbong village along the Sesan River, said that residents and environmental groups have noticed negative effects downstream from the Yali Falls dam, on the Vietnamese side of the border, since at least 2002.
“I have faced difficulties and uncertainties for almost seven years now. Floods of muddy water kill pigs, cows and damage rice fields every day. No one is taking responsibility for this,” Nou Savath said, adding that this year he could harvest only 30 percent of what used to be an average rice yield on his 2 hectares of land.
Hak Vimean, deputy director of the Stung Treng provincial Department of Environment, said that he has submitted a report on the matter to higher authorities.
“The muddy waters are not caused by development projects in our provincial territory. The pollution may be coming from projects upstream. We are conducting an investigation on the issue, but there is no result yet,” he said.
Sam Rainsy to Take Part in Call-in Show Broadcast Live in Cambodia
30 December 2009
SAM RAINSY TO TAKE PART IN CALL-IN SHOW BROADCAST LIVE IN CAMBODIA
On Thursday, 31 December 2009, SRP President Sam Rainsy, who is currently in Paris, will take part in a radio call-in show broadcast live in Cambodia from 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm Phnom Penh time.
The call-in show is part of a one-hour-daily Candle Light radio program run by the SRP which buys air time from a private radio station broadcasting from Phnom Penh on 93.5 MHz.
SRP Cabinet
The call-in show is part of a one-hour-daily Candle Light radio program run by the SRP which buys air time from a private radio station broadcasting from Phnom Penh on 93.5 MHz.
SRP Cabinet
FM Kasit urges PM Hun Sen to consider Thai-Cambodian relations as priority
BANGKOK, Dec 30 (TNA) - Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya on Wednesday urged Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to show concern for better long term relations between the two kingdoms by not getting involved with convicted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Kasit said as long as PM Hun Sen has cordial relations with the fugitive ex-premier and sets this amicable relationship as his standpoint in bilateral relations, Thailand cannot accept the condition.
"Neither I nor Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva have any personal conflict with Mr Hun Sen and Mr Thaksin," said the Thai foreign minister, "I have known Mr Hun Sen for over 20 years and know his style of working very well, so I don't want Mr Hun Sen to get involved with the convicted ex-premier for the sake of good bilateral relations."
Mr Kasit reiterated that Mr Thaksin is a fugitive, wanted by the Thai authorities, and that he has undermined Thai society and continues even now.
Ousted by a bloodless coup d'etat on September 19, 2006, Mr Thaksin fled the country over one year ago before the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced him to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in regard to the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase case.
The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after the Cambodian government appointed the fugitive ex-Thai premier as its economic adviser and personal adviser to Mr Hun Sen.
The Thai government recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh in retaliation, while Cambodia then withdrew its ambassador to Bangkok.
The Cambodian government also refused to extradite Mr Thaksin as requested by Thailand and arrested a Thai engineer working at Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS) on charges of passing privileged information on the flight details of Mr Thaksin during his first visit as advisor to Cambodia to a Thai diplomat.
The Thai employee was sentenced to seven years jail and fined Bt100,000 (US$3,000) but later was released following a royal pardon granted by the Cambodian king.
The Cambodian premier was recently quoted in foreign media as saying he is unhappy as long as Thai premier Abhisit and Mr Kasit are still in their posts.
Mr Kasit said as long as PM Hun Sen has cordial relations with the fugitive ex-premier and sets this amicable relationship as his standpoint in bilateral relations, Thailand cannot accept the condition.
"Neither I nor Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva have any personal conflict with Mr Hun Sen and Mr Thaksin," said the Thai foreign minister, "I have known Mr Hun Sen for over 20 years and know his style of working very well, so I don't want Mr Hun Sen to get involved with the convicted ex-premier for the sake of good bilateral relations."
Mr Kasit reiterated that Mr Thaksin is a fugitive, wanted by the Thai authorities, and that he has undermined Thai society and continues even now.
Ousted by a bloodless coup d'etat on September 19, 2006, Mr Thaksin fled the country over one year ago before the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced him to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in regard to the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase case.
The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after the Cambodian government appointed the fugitive ex-Thai premier as its economic adviser and personal adviser to Mr Hun Sen.
The Thai government recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh in retaliation, while Cambodia then withdrew its ambassador to Bangkok.
The Cambodian government also refused to extradite Mr Thaksin as requested by Thailand and arrested a Thai engineer working at Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS) on charges of passing privileged information on the flight details of Mr Thaksin during his first visit as advisor to Cambodia to a Thai diplomat.
The Thai employee was sentenced to seven years jail and fined Bt100,000 (US$3,000) but later was released following a royal pardon granted by the Cambodian king.
The Cambodian premier was recently quoted in foreign media as saying he is unhappy as long as Thai premier Abhisit and Mr Kasit are still in their posts.
Court orders revocation of Preah Vihear joint communique
30/12/2009
Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
The Central Administrative Court on Wednesday ordered the revocation of a resolution passed by the Samak Sundaravej cabinet approving the Thai-Cambodian joint communique supporting Phnom Penh's bid to list Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
The joint communique was issued on May 22, 2008 and the cabinet under the late PM Samak passed the resolution approving it on June 17 of the same year.
The case was filed on June 24 last year by 13 people including senators, academics and human rights activists.
In their complaint, they asked the court to revoke the June 17 cabinet resolution supporting the joint communique because it was not given parliamentary approval as required under Section 190 of the constitution.
The joint declaration was signed by Mr Noppadon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 last year, a day after the Samak administration gave it the green light.
On June 28 last year, the Administrative Court issued an injunction ordering the suspension of the joint communique. The Supreme Administrative Court later upheld the ruling.
The Central Administrative Court ruled that the communique was a form of agreement that involved Thailand's boundary. The communique, therefore, required prior approval from parliament, it said.
The court ordered the revocation of the communique as requested by the petitioners.
Mr Nitithorn Lamlua, a lawyer of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said he would send the court verdict in this case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and ask the anti-graft agency to take legal action against Mr Noppadon for malfeasance.
Mr Noppadon earlier argued that the joint communique did not require parliament's approval because it was not an international treaty. He said the document would not lead to the loss of Thai territory to Cambodia as it made clear to Phnom Penh there would be no change regarding the disputed area near Preah Vihear.
The joint communique was issued on May 22, 2008 and the cabinet under the late PM Samak passed the resolution approving it on June 17 of the same year.
The case was filed on June 24 last year by 13 people including senators, academics and human rights activists.
In their complaint, they asked the court to revoke the June 17 cabinet resolution supporting the joint communique because it was not given parliamentary approval as required under Section 190 of the constitution.
The joint declaration was signed by Mr Noppadon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 last year, a day after the Samak administration gave it the green light.
On June 28 last year, the Administrative Court issued an injunction ordering the suspension of the joint communique. The Supreme Administrative Court later upheld the ruling.
The Central Administrative Court ruled that the communique was a form of agreement that involved Thailand's boundary. The communique, therefore, required prior approval from parliament, it said.
The court ordered the revocation of the communique as requested by the petitioners.
Mr Nitithorn Lamlua, a lawyer of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said he would send the court verdict in this case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and ask the anti-graft agency to take legal action against Mr Noppadon for malfeasance.
Mr Noppadon earlier argued that the joint communique did not require parliament's approval because it was not an international treaty. He said the document would not lead to the loss of Thai territory to Cambodia as it made clear to Phnom Penh there would be no change regarding the disputed area near Preah Vihear.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Cambodia’s Lightning Deaths Up 50% This Year Over 2008
PHNOM PENH, Dec 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — Lightning has killed 140 people this year in Cambodia, a more than 50 percent increase over the number of people killed by lightning in 2008, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the figures from the National Commiltee for Disaster Management (NCDM).
According to Keo Vy, deputy director of the department of information for the NCDM, lightning killed 140 and injured 59. In 2008, 95 were killed and 22 iujured.
“This year the number of lighting deaths increased to 140 …. In some cases, two or three people died at once,” the Cambodia Daily quoted Keo Vy as saying.
The year-end figures were finalized this month, following the end of the rainy season in November and the last death in September.
Although there is no official stance on the reason for the increased death toll, some have speculated that climate change may be to blame, the daily reported.
Another possibility floated earlier this year by meteorology experts was the spread of electronic technologies in rural Cambodia.
Tin Ponlok, national project coordinator for the Ministry of Environment’s climate change office, said Tuesday he had heard speculation that the increase in lightning deaths and injuries could be tied to climate change but no studies have been done to support the theory.
A lightning safety education pamphlet that had been distributed in years past by the government was cut this year due to a lack of funds, Keo Vy noted.
“We educated the people on how to protect themselves from lighting, such as not turning on radios or talking on phones when it rains. NCDM wanted to make the booklet to distribute to the people but we didn’t have the funds,” he said.
According to Keo Vy, deputy director of the department of information for the NCDM, lightning killed 140 and injured 59. In 2008, 95 were killed and 22 iujured.
“This year the number of lighting deaths increased to 140 …. In some cases, two or three people died at once,” the Cambodia Daily quoted Keo Vy as saying.
The year-end figures were finalized this month, following the end of the rainy season in November and the last death in September.
Although there is no official stance on the reason for the increased death toll, some have speculated that climate change may be to blame, the daily reported.
Another possibility floated earlier this year by meteorology experts was the spread of electronic technologies in rural Cambodia.
Tin Ponlok, national project coordinator for the Ministry of Environment’s climate change office, said Tuesday he had heard speculation that the increase in lightning deaths and injuries could be tied to climate change but no studies have been done to support the theory.
A lightning safety education pamphlet that had been distributed in years past by the government was cut this year due to a lack of funds, Keo Vy noted.
“We educated the people on how to protect themselves from lighting, such as not turning on radios or talking on phones when it rains. NCDM wanted to make the booklet to distribute to the people but we didn’t have the funds,” he said.
Thaksin poised to become adviser for Sri Lanka: Somchai
December 30, 2009
The Nation
The Nation
The Sri Lankan government is expected to name ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as adviser, his brother-in-law and former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said on Wednesday.
Somchai called on the government not to be overly concerned about the move, alluding to the retaliatory measures when Thaksin became the adviser to Cambodia last month.
He said Thaksin working for Cambodian and Sri Lanka should not be seen as harmful to the security of Thailand.
In the past couple of months, Thaksin revealed he made two trips to Sri Lanka.
Somchai called on the government not to be overly concerned about the move, alluding to the retaliatory measures when Thaksin became the adviser to Cambodia last month.
He said Thaksin working for Cambodian and Sri Lanka should not be seen as harmful to the security of Thailand.
In the past couple of months, Thaksin revealed he made two trips to Sri Lanka.
Sam Rainsy and 3 other farmers are on the arrest warrant
30 December 2009
By Rithipol
Free Press Magazine
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
As pointed out by Hanoi’s government leader, Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy and three other Cambodian farmers – the latter were summoned by the court to show up as witnesses, but fled – now have their names listed on an arrest warrant.
Even though there is no public announcement for the arrest warrant, an official of the Svay Rieng provincial court indicated that the court had issued an arrest warrant on 29 December against those who were involved in the uprooting of stakes along the Khmer-Yuon border on 25 October. The warrant ordered the arrest of opposition leader Sam Rainsy and 3 other villagers as they are accused of willfully destroying public properties and inciting racial discrimination.
The arrest warrant against Cambodia’s opposition leader is taking place only one day after the court rejected Sam Rainsy’s request to delay his court appearance on 28 December because he is currently busy with his overseas mission. Choung Chou Ngy, Sam Rainsy’s defense lawyer, indicated that the uprooting of border stakes is not a criminal case, but it is in fact truly a political case.
Sam Rainsy indicated that the recent arrest of two Cambodian farmers, Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea, was an intimidation so that these farmers lose their courage to protect their rice fields encroached by Vietnam. Sam Rainsy said that the real court is not the Svay Rieng court, nor a court in Cambodia, but rather it is in the Hanoi court that he wants to see his case put on trial.
Even though there is no public announcement for the arrest warrant, an official of the Svay Rieng provincial court indicated that the court had issued an arrest warrant on 29 December against those who were involved in the uprooting of stakes along the Khmer-Yuon border on 25 October. The warrant ordered the arrest of opposition leader Sam Rainsy and 3 other villagers as they are accused of willfully destroying public properties and inciting racial discrimination.
The arrest warrant against Cambodia’s opposition leader is taking place only one day after the court rejected Sam Rainsy’s request to delay his court appearance on 28 December because he is currently busy with his overseas mission. Choung Chou Ngy, Sam Rainsy’s defense lawyer, indicated that the uprooting of border stakes is not a criminal case, but it is in fact truly a political case.
Sam Rainsy indicated that the recent arrest of two Cambodian farmers, Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea, was an intimidation so that these farmers lose their courage to protect their rice fields encroached by Vietnam. Sam Rainsy said that the real court is not the Svay Rieng court, nor a court in Cambodia, but rather it is in the Hanoi court that he wants to see his case put on trial.
Opposition MP: Japan freezes Neak Loeung bridge funding (on National Road No. 1)
SRP MP Ly Srey Vina30 December 2009
By Botum Roth
Free Press Magazine
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
An opposition MP indicated that, lately, following the National Assembly (NA) debate on the expropriation law yesterday, Japan decided to freeze its $74 million grant for the construction of a bridge crossing the Mekong river in Neak Loeung, along National Road No. 1.
The reason MP Ly Srey Vina raised this issue was because Cambodia declined to pay compensations to the families who live in the area where the bridge will be built.
Ms. Ly Srey Vina claimed during the NA debate that: “We went all the way to Japan, but Japan refused to release this grant, they told us to resolve the eviction by providing appropriate compensation, then Japan will provide the grant.”
Nevertheless, CPP MP Chheang Vun rejected this claim. He said that the Cambodian delegation to Japan did include SRP MP Ly Srey Vina, “they (the Cambodian delegation) met with the Japanese opposition committee in charge of Foreign Affairs, and the Japanese opposition committee surely does not support the Japanese government [decision].”
However, MP Ly Srey Vina said that the chairman of the Japanese Foreign Affairs committee [from the ruling party] “indicated that Japan will not support the development [project] as long as people are being affected. The Cambodian delegation requested [aid] for the construction on this bridge because it will be very useful, but Japan said that it will not provide any aid that will hurt people in any country.”
The term development should be viewed as progress, however, for the Cambodian people, this term is turned into concerns as developments bring on destruction of their houses, and they cannot receive proper market value compensation for their losses. This issue is a long and contentious case between the victimized people and the government,
However, following the ratification of the controversial expropriation law on 29 December, this law is providing the right to the government to confiscate houses and other properties from the people under the pretense of development and it will also likely cut down the number of future confrontations against the government. On the other hand, the suffering and pain inflicted on the people will likely be increased with the adoption of this law.
The reason MP Ly Srey Vina raised this issue was because Cambodia declined to pay compensations to the families who live in the area where the bridge will be built.
Ms. Ly Srey Vina claimed during the NA debate that: “We went all the way to Japan, but Japan refused to release this grant, they told us to resolve the eviction by providing appropriate compensation, then Japan will provide the grant.”
Nevertheless, CPP MP Chheang Vun rejected this claim. He said that the Cambodian delegation to Japan did include SRP MP Ly Srey Vina, “they (the Cambodian delegation) met with the Japanese opposition committee in charge of Foreign Affairs, and the Japanese opposition committee surely does not support the Japanese government [decision].”
However, MP Ly Srey Vina said that the chairman of the Japanese Foreign Affairs committee [from the ruling party] “indicated that Japan will not support the development [project] as long as people are being affected. The Cambodian delegation requested [aid] for the construction on this bridge because it will be very useful, but Japan said that it will not provide any aid that will hurt people in any country.”
The term development should be viewed as progress, however, for the Cambodian people, this term is turned into concerns as developments bring on destruction of their houses, and they cannot receive proper market value compensation for their losses. This issue is a long and contentious case between the victimized people and the government,
However, following the ratification of the controversial expropriation law on 29 December, this law is providing the right to the government to confiscate houses and other properties from the people under the pretense of development and it will also likely cut down the number of future confrontations against the government. On the other hand, the suffering and pain inflicted on the people will likely be increased with the adoption of this law.
The Son promotes, the Father devotes: A tale from the Banana Kingdom?
Translated from Khmer by Tola EkNorodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
To Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal Chea Sim, Senate President/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey Heng Samrin, National Assembly President/Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen, leader of the Royal Government of Cambodia
Highly regarded and beloved Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey Heng Samrin/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho
I and Queen-Mother are very pleased to learn about the promotion of Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho to the topmost rank of 5-star RCAF general from King Norodom Sihamoni.
I and Queen-Mother are warmly praising this promotion which is befitting your renown as you are a supreme nationalist, and an extremely good, clever and able leader who received major successes in every field for your participation in the edification of numerous buildings all over the kingdom of Cambodia, for the supreme interest of the population, the nation and the Cambodian people, as all as for raising the international prestige of our nation on the international level.
I am wishing with all the blessings, may you receive additional major successes forever, and may you be blessed with the four Buddhist blessings.
Please accept, Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey and the Chumteav Thom/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho and the Chunteav Thom, my highest regards and my deepest love, as well as those from Queen-Mother.
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing 23 December 2009
Highly regarded and beloved Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey Heng Samrin/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho
I and Queen-Mother are very pleased to learn about the promotion of Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho to the topmost rank of 5-star RCAF general from King Norodom Sihamoni.
I and Queen-Mother are warmly praising this promotion which is befitting your renown as you are a supreme nationalist, and an extremely good, clever and able leader who received major successes in every field for your participation in the edification of numerous buildings all over the kingdom of Cambodia, for the supreme interest of the population, the nation and the Cambodian people, as all as for raising the international prestige of our nation on the international level.
I am wishing with all the blessings, may you receive additional major successes forever, and may you be blessed with the four Buddhist blessings.
Please accept, Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey and the Chumteav Thom/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho and the Chunteav Thom, my highest regards and my deepest love, as well as those from Queen-Mother.
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing 23 December 2009
Don't like my website, don't read it!: No violent criticism accepted by King-Father
Translated from French by Tola EkCommuniqué from
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
Beijing, P.R. of China, 27 December 2009
Recently, I received a letter from the US (the author of which does not bear an Anglo-Saxon name) criticizing me very violently about my Internet website (which includes daily: (a) vocabulary, (b) cooking (c) music and song, (d) the national edification of Cambodia under the Sangkum Reastr Niyum between 1955 and 1969).
I am telling all “concerned” individuals that nobody is obliged to learn about my daily Internet website. If they don’t like it, they should just stop reading it.
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
I am telling all “concerned” individuals that nobody is obliged to learn about my daily Internet website. If they don’t like it, they should just stop reading it.
(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Please hep sign the online petition for the right of self-determnation for Khmer Krom people
The right to self-determination of the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples
(United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1541(XV) of 15 December 1960 and United Nations General Assembly Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 13 September 2007 )
(United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1541(XV) of 15 December 1960 and United Nations General Assembly Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 13 September 2007 )
By virtue of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1541(XV) of 15 December 1960, the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples have three options to choose for their right of self-determination or self-government as follows:
Now, Therefore the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples who are the legitimate and rightful owners of their ancestral homeland, Kampuchea Krom territory or southern Vietnam, formerly French Cochin China, have their full and legitimate right to freely choose one of the above forms or models of self-determination for their self-government in accordance with the international laws.
This petition will serve as taking a survey of all Khmer Krom people’s political status or models of self-determination or forms of self-government where all Khmer Krom people inside Kampuchea Krom territory, all overseas Khmer Krom people, all Khmer Krom people in Cambodia and everywhere around the world, and all Khmer people in general can vote for either option number 1, option number 2 or option number 3(independence) for their self-government in strict conformity with the above UN GA Resolution of 15 December 1960 and UN GA Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 13 September 2007. This petition-survey will be sent to the United Nations to urge them to honor the will of the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples regarding their free choice for their self-government option in accordance with the international laws.
We urge all Khmer Krom people everywhere in the world to sign this petition-survey with their full name accompanied by either option number 1, option number 2 or option number 3 at their own freewill without external compulsion.
Made in Saint Paul, the Capital of the State of Minnesota this 28th day of October in the year of our Lord, two thousand nine.
Sincerely,
- Free association with Viet Nam, the administering Power that means to self-govern in free association with Viet Nam and thus to become Vietnamese citizens;
- Integration with Viet Nam, the administering Power that means to integrate into Viet Nam and thus to become also Vietnamese citizens; and
- Independence that means want to become fully sovereign and fully independent people from Viet Nam.
Now, Therefore the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples who are the legitimate and rightful owners of their ancestral homeland, Kampuchea Krom territory or southern Vietnam, formerly French Cochin China, have their full and legitimate right to freely choose one of the above forms or models of self-determination for their self-government in accordance with the international laws.
This petition will serve as taking a survey of all Khmer Krom people’s political status or models of self-determination or forms of self-government where all Khmer Krom people inside Kampuchea Krom territory, all overseas Khmer Krom people, all Khmer Krom people in Cambodia and everywhere around the world, and all Khmer people in general can vote for either option number 1, option number 2 or option number 3(independence) for their self-government in strict conformity with the above UN GA Resolution of 15 December 1960 and UN GA Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 13 September 2007. This petition-survey will be sent to the United Nations to urge them to honor the will of the Indigenous Khmer Krom Peoples regarding their free choice for their self-government option in accordance with the international laws.
We urge all Khmer Krom people everywhere in the world to sign this petition-survey with their full name accompanied by either option number 1, option number 2 or option number 3 at their own freewill without external compulsion.
Made in Saint Paul, the Capital of the State of Minnesota this 28th day of October in the year of our Lord, two thousand nine.
Sincerely,
Phnom Penh street scene
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - A Cambodian man pedals his three-wheeled pedicab on a road as he carries a foreign tourist in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. AP Photo/Heng Sinith.The convicted spy who can't get away from his spying job?
Sivarak to return to work in P.Penh
30/12/2009
Bangkok Post
30/12/2009
Bangkok Post
Sivarak Chutipong, the Thai engineer convicted of spying in Cambodia and then pardoned, said on Wednesday that he plans to return to work at Cambodia Air Traffic Services in Phnom Penh.
He entered the monkhood after his ordeal and return to Thailand, and spent eight days at Satthatham forest temple in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, returning home on Monday.
Mr Sivarak and his mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, yesterday went to Nakhon Phanom to pay homage to the Buddha’s relics at Phra That Phanom temple and to thank Puea Thai MPs ffrom the province for helping obtain his release.
Mrs Simarak also thanked former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra via his younger sister, Yingluck, for his assistance. She also plans to visit the Puea Thai Party to thank the opposition camp for helping her son.
Mrs Simarak said she was not worried about her son’s plan to return to work in Phnom Penh because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had assured her that Mr Sivarak could stay happily in Cambodia.
He entered the monkhood after his ordeal and return to Thailand, and spent eight days at Satthatham forest temple in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, returning home on Monday.
Mr Sivarak and his mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, yesterday went to Nakhon Phanom to pay homage to the Buddha’s relics at Phra That Phanom temple and to thank Puea Thai MPs ffrom the province for helping obtain his release.
Mrs Simarak also thanked former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra via his younger sister, Yingluck, for his assistance. She also plans to visit the Puea Thai Party to thank the opposition camp for helping her son.
Mrs Simarak said she was not worried about her son’s plan to return to work in Phnom Penh because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had assured her that Mr Sivarak could stay happily in Cambodia.
Cambodia - Restricting pork imports
30 Dec 2009
Source: 5mpublishing
Source: 5mpublishing
Surging pig imports from Thailand have pushed down prices and led to the closure of hundreds of pig farms, sector representatives said Friday as they called for the government to slash import quotas, according to Phnom Penh Post.
Curtis Hundley, chief of party for USAID's Cambodia MSME Strengthening Project, told a forum last week that authorised imports had surged over the last two years as importers filled a daily import quota of 800 pigs.
He said: "This surge, from an estimated 2,000 Thai pigs in 2007 to 300,000 in 2008 and 2009 has caused the closure of hundreds of swine businesses in Cambodia.
"These imports cost an estimated $35 million, which was sent to Thai producers. This is value that leaves Cambodia every year." Estimates did not include unregulated imports from Thailand and Vietnam.
Pig farmers attending the one-day pig-industry forum in Phnom Penh on 18 December called for the government to cut import quotas by up to 50 percent to lower supply and raise pork prices, though the director general of Cambodia’s Animal Health and Production Department raised concerns over whether local producers could meet domestic supply.
"Why do we allow imports?" he asked. "Because we recognised a daily shortage of pigs in the market when we were relying on local raisers, who don’t have the ability to raise enough pigs to meet current demand."
He also said a lack of competition from abroad could force pig prices beyond the means of ordinary consumers.
"Pig raisers want to sell their pigs for a high price, and buyers want low prices. We have to import pigs to keep prices stable on the market," he told Phnom Penh Post.
Kampong Speu province pig farmer, Prak Chandara, called for the government to slash the daily quota in half to 400, saying current prices at market are higher than the costs incurred raising the pigs.
He said: "If the government cuts the quota to 400 pigs per day, I think farmers will be happy to increase their production and we will have the ability to meet current demand."
Pork was retailing for 15,400 riels (US$3.69) per kilo in and around Phnom Penh on 17 December, according to Ministry of Commerce data, down 3.75 per cent from January 1.
Hem Kosal, who has been raising pigs in Kampong Cham province since 1995, acknowledged that imports are needed but said the government needs to develop a flexible quota system and set import limits daily or weekly to meet temporary shortfalls.
He said: "Imports have forced pig prices very low, and some family-run businesses have had to give up because they no longer earn enough to maintain their businesses. If the government does not solve the problem for us, small pig-raisers like me will die. I don't mean that we shouldn't import at all, but we need to consider quotas more carefully."
He acknowledged that imports outside the official quota system are a bigger concern.
Kampong Cham province slaughterhouse trader, Ting Vothy, called for the government to develop a province-by-province system of duties on pig imports that would take into account local supply and demand issues.
He also drew attention to the practice of charging unofficial fees to people transporting pigs at checkpoints set up along the road and called for government action to stamp out the practice.
Curtis Hundley, chief of party for USAID's Cambodia MSME Strengthening Project, told a forum last week that authorised imports had surged over the last two years as importers filled a daily import quota of 800 pigs.
He said: "This surge, from an estimated 2,000 Thai pigs in 2007 to 300,000 in 2008 and 2009 has caused the closure of hundreds of swine businesses in Cambodia.
"These imports cost an estimated $35 million, which was sent to Thai producers. This is value that leaves Cambodia every year." Estimates did not include unregulated imports from Thailand and Vietnam.
Pig farmers attending the one-day pig-industry forum in Phnom Penh on 18 December called for the government to cut import quotas by up to 50 percent to lower supply and raise pork prices, though the director general of Cambodia’s Animal Health and Production Department raised concerns over whether local producers could meet domestic supply.
"Why do we allow imports?" he asked. "Because we recognised a daily shortage of pigs in the market when we were relying on local raisers, who don’t have the ability to raise enough pigs to meet current demand."
He also said a lack of competition from abroad could force pig prices beyond the means of ordinary consumers.
"Pig raisers want to sell their pigs for a high price, and buyers want low prices. We have to import pigs to keep prices stable on the market," he told Phnom Penh Post.
Kampong Speu province pig farmer, Prak Chandara, called for the government to slash the daily quota in half to 400, saying current prices at market are higher than the costs incurred raising the pigs.
He said: "If the government cuts the quota to 400 pigs per day, I think farmers will be happy to increase their production and we will have the ability to meet current demand."
Pork was retailing for 15,400 riels (US$3.69) per kilo in and around Phnom Penh on 17 December, according to Ministry of Commerce data, down 3.75 per cent from January 1.
Hem Kosal, who has been raising pigs in Kampong Cham province since 1995, acknowledged that imports are needed but said the government needs to develop a flexible quota system and set import limits daily or weekly to meet temporary shortfalls.
He said: "Imports have forced pig prices very low, and some family-run businesses have had to give up because they no longer earn enough to maintain their businesses. If the government does not solve the problem for us, small pig-raisers like me will die. I don't mean that we shouldn't import at all, but we need to consider quotas more carefully."
He acknowledged that imports outside the official quota system are a bigger concern.
Kampong Cham province slaughterhouse trader, Ting Vothy, called for the government to develop a province-by-province system of duties on pig imports that would take into account local supply and demand issues.
He also drew attention to the practice of charging unofficial fees to people transporting pigs at checkpoints set up along the road and called for government action to stamp out the practice.
[Thai] Judge calls for [Preah Vihear joint communique] case to be dismissed
30/12/2009
Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
An Administrative Court judge has recommended that the case involving a joint communique supporting Cambodia's listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site be dismissed.
Prasak Siripanich made his recommendation yesterday before other judges during the case's first hearing.
The case has lost its validity, he said.
The court is scheduled to deliver its official verdict on the case today.
The case was filed on June 24 last year by 13 people including senators, academics and human rights activists.
In their complaint, they asked the court to revoke the June 17 cabinet resolution supporting the joint communique.
They also accused then foreign minister Noppadon Pattama and the Samak Sundaravej administration of violating the law by endorsing the communique.
The joint declaration was signed by Mr Noppadon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18, a day after the Samak administration gave it the green light.
Mr Prasak said the joint communique was no longer valid because the Administrative Court, on June 28 last year, issued an injunction ordering its suspension. The Supreme Administrative Court later upheld the ruling.
In addition, the Constitutional Court ruled the joint communique was unconstitutional because it was not given parliamentary approval as required under Section 190 of the charter.
After the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the injunction, Mr Noppadon sent letters asking Cambodian officials, the Unesco World Heritage Committee (WHC) and related organisations to disregard the joint communique during a meeting on world heritage sites held in Quebec, Canada.
The Unesco director-general then sent a letter on July 8 last year stating that the WHC had not used the joint declaration as a basis for approving the listing of Preah Vihear.
In November 2008, the Somchai Wongsawat administration revoked the June 17 resolution approving the communique.
As such, the June 17 cabinet resolution supporting the communique was no longer legally binding and there were no grounds for the case to proceed, Mr Prasak said.
Prasak Siripanich made his recommendation yesterday before other judges during the case's first hearing.
The case has lost its validity, he said.
The court is scheduled to deliver its official verdict on the case today.
The case was filed on June 24 last year by 13 people including senators, academics and human rights activists.
In their complaint, they asked the court to revoke the June 17 cabinet resolution supporting the joint communique.
They also accused then foreign minister Noppadon Pattama and the Samak Sundaravej administration of violating the law by endorsing the communique.
The joint declaration was signed by Mr Noppadon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18, a day after the Samak administration gave it the green light.
Mr Prasak said the joint communique was no longer valid because the Administrative Court, on June 28 last year, issued an injunction ordering its suspension. The Supreme Administrative Court later upheld the ruling.
In addition, the Constitutional Court ruled the joint communique was unconstitutional because it was not given parliamentary approval as required under Section 190 of the charter.
After the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the injunction, Mr Noppadon sent letters asking Cambodian officials, the Unesco World Heritage Committee (WHC) and related organisations to disregard the joint communique during a meeting on world heritage sites held in Quebec, Canada.
The Unesco director-general then sent a letter on July 8 last year stating that the WHC had not used the joint declaration as a basis for approving the listing of Preah Vihear.
In November 2008, the Somchai Wongsawat administration revoked the June 17 resolution approving the communique.
As such, the June 17 cabinet resolution supporting the communique was no longer legally binding and there were no grounds for the case to proceed, Mr Prasak said.
Time will bring wanted changes
December 30, 2009A. Gaffar Peang-Meth
Pacific Daily News (Guam)
Tomorrow evening's sunset will end the old year, and the new year of 2010 will be upon us, with its 365 new days for us to do what we desire: Building a new future with our creative and productive thinking; or continuing the old past, repeating old thoughts and actions.
Welcome to the New Year's new opportunity!
As some busily perfect a new set of resolutions, some are more focused on figuring what went wrong in the year that's ending. Like most of you, I have spent some time reflecting on the highs and lows of 2009. Some memories are worth a replay; others I would just as soon forget.
University of Scranton psychology professor John C. Norcross reminds us that "Obsessive rumination about past events can trap patients in a self-defeating cycle from which they cannot extricate themselves. It can actually retard healing."
But I don't think most of us obsess. So I prefer a more energizing reminder from the Sanskrit: "Look to this day, for it is life, the very life of life ... today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day. Such is the salutation to the dawn."
I recall telling my politics students at the University of Guam: "This moment is the only moment you have. Respect its possibilities. ... If today seems shrouded in hopelessness, pray. ... Regardless of what this day brings, thank God. An untouched day awaits you tomorrow."
I'd like to take credit for the expression of those sentiments, but truth be told, I scribbled this quote from a book at an airport bookstore as I awaited my next flight.
Thus, earlier this December I seized my moment and braved the cold and windy winter day in America's northeastern region, and took a trip to the nation's capital to visit someone I had met by chance some 36 years ago: a Khmer-born former international civil servant with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and retired professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Naranhkiri Tith.
A specialist in country analysis, Tith manages a controversial Web site on which he calls for a "progressive and systematic overhaul" of Cambodian society as the only way to gradually resolve Cambodia's current economic, institutional, legal, political and social problems.
Former Czech dissident-turned-president Vaclav Havel termed a person like Tith "an irritant wherever he is," because as "the chief doubter of systems" he constantly disturbs, bears witness, provokes, rebels against pressures and manipulations because it's an intellectual's role. And Burmese human rights icon Aung San Suu Kyi termed such a person, one with "a questing mind" that always questions and always seek answers.
I found Tith, now "76-and-a-half," he told me, to fit what Havel and Suu Kyi described. Tith says what he thinks, and he thinks deeply. He knows Khmer society so well and Khmer personalities in particular. I was privileged to be shown his scholarly works and rare collection of documents about our shared homeland. It confirmed what he said to those who know him that they can be sure to find him making a stand wherever human rights and freedom of choice are at risk.
His PowerPoint presentation at SAIS earlier this year, "Khmer Empire: Implications from its Organizational and Operational System on Present Day Events in Cambodia," contains a comparative study of Sinicized Vietnamese and Indianized Khmer administrative and political organizations.
Briefly, Vietnam's "pyramid" model places the ruler at the apex of power, with clearly defined links flowing down to the lowest officials at the base, governed by written code and a system of meritocracy for every rank and role of officials.
Cambodia's model consists of "a series of concentric circles," with the ruler with absolute power at the center. The system is lacking in clearly defined authority as well as in "close linkage" between the center and outer circles, and yet, "petty centers of power" exist. Qualification for employment or promotion is based on "quasi-hereditary family, ability and opportunity to gain the ruler's notice."
While Vietnam embraces "clearly defined borders," Cambodia embraces the "porous concept of hinterland or buffer zone."
Tith said, "Not much has changed since the Angkor time for the majority of Cambodians."
Tith's presentation reveals his philosophy, backed by selected documented literature, which he summarized in two sentences: "Cambodia needs a total change in personal and social behavior, modus operandi, and institutions, especially the leadership. Nothing short of totally reinventing a new Cambodian society and individual."
I was conscious that for the few precious hours that Tith and I spent together -- this time out of choice -- the only "light" time was a brief opportunity to exchange greetings with the gracious Mrs. Tith.
As we parted, we acknowledged that time will certainly bring the change we want to see and it would be a miracle if either one of us will see the fruits of our efforts.
But miracles happen. God works in mysterious ways.
Though the Chinese proverb, "One generation plants trees, the next generation gets shade," flashed in my head, I reminded myself that I have this moment, with its possibilities, I have this day to live well to make yesterday a dream of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope, and God's promise of strength, comfort and light.
Happy New Year!
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.
Welcome to the New Year's new opportunity!
As some busily perfect a new set of resolutions, some are more focused on figuring what went wrong in the year that's ending. Like most of you, I have spent some time reflecting on the highs and lows of 2009. Some memories are worth a replay; others I would just as soon forget.
University of Scranton psychology professor John C. Norcross reminds us that "Obsessive rumination about past events can trap patients in a self-defeating cycle from which they cannot extricate themselves. It can actually retard healing."
But I don't think most of us obsess. So I prefer a more energizing reminder from the Sanskrit: "Look to this day, for it is life, the very life of life ... today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day. Such is the salutation to the dawn."
I recall telling my politics students at the University of Guam: "This moment is the only moment you have. Respect its possibilities. ... If today seems shrouded in hopelessness, pray. ... Regardless of what this day brings, thank God. An untouched day awaits you tomorrow."
I'd like to take credit for the expression of those sentiments, but truth be told, I scribbled this quote from a book at an airport bookstore as I awaited my next flight.
Thus, earlier this December I seized my moment and braved the cold and windy winter day in America's northeastern region, and took a trip to the nation's capital to visit someone I had met by chance some 36 years ago: a Khmer-born former international civil servant with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and retired professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Naranhkiri Tith.
A specialist in country analysis, Tith manages a controversial Web site on which he calls for a "progressive and systematic overhaul" of Cambodian society as the only way to gradually resolve Cambodia's current economic, institutional, legal, political and social problems.
Former Czech dissident-turned-president Vaclav Havel termed a person like Tith "an irritant wherever he is," because as "the chief doubter of systems" he constantly disturbs, bears witness, provokes, rebels against pressures and manipulations because it's an intellectual's role. And Burmese human rights icon Aung San Suu Kyi termed such a person, one with "a questing mind" that always questions and always seek answers.
I found Tith, now "76-and-a-half," he told me, to fit what Havel and Suu Kyi described. Tith says what he thinks, and he thinks deeply. He knows Khmer society so well and Khmer personalities in particular. I was privileged to be shown his scholarly works and rare collection of documents about our shared homeland. It confirmed what he said to those who know him that they can be sure to find him making a stand wherever human rights and freedom of choice are at risk.
His PowerPoint presentation at SAIS earlier this year, "Khmer Empire: Implications from its Organizational and Operational System on Present Day Events in Cambodia," contains a comparative study of Sinicized Vietnamese and Indianized Khmer administrative and political organizations.
Briefly, Vietnam's "pyramid" model places the ruler at the apex of power, with clearly defined links flowing down to the lowest officials at the base, governed by written code and a system of meritocracy for every rank and role of officials.
Cambodia's model consists of "a series of concentric circles," with the ruler with absolute power at the center. The system is lacking in clearly defined authority as well as in "close linkage" between the center and outer circles, and yet, "petty centers of power" exist. Qualification for employment or promotion is based on "quasi-hereditary family, ability and opportunity to gain the ruler's notice."
While Vietnam embraces "clearly defined borders," Cambodia embraces the "porous concept of hinterland or buffer zone."
Tith said, "Not much has changed since the Angkor time for the majority of Cambodians."
Tith's presentation reveals his philosophy, backed by selected documented literature, which he summarized in two sentences: "Cambodia needs a total change in personal and social behavior, modus operandi, and institutions, especially the leadership. Nothing short of totally reinventing a new Cambodian society and individual."
I was conscious that for the few precious hours that Tith and I spent together -- this time out of choice -- the only "light" time was a brief opportunity to exchange greetings with the gracious Mrs. Tith.
As we parted, we acknowledged that time will certainly bring the change we want to see and it would be a miracle if either one of us will see the fruits of our efforts.
But miracles happen. God works in mysterious ways.
Though the Chinese proverb, "One generation plants trees, the next generation gets shade," flashed in my head, I reminded myself that I have this moment, with its possibilities, I have this day to live well to make yesterday a dream of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope, and God's promise of strength, comfort and light.
Happy New Year!
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.
China executes Briton despite UK, family pleas
Monday, Dec. 28, 2009
By NG HAN GUAN
Associated Press Writer
By NG HAN GUAN
Associated Press Writer
URUMQI, China — China brushed aside international appeals Tuesday and executed by lethal injection a British drug smuggler who relatives say was mentally unstable and unwittingly lured into crime.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "appalled" at the execution of 53-year old Akmal Shaikh - China's first of a European citizen in nearly 60 years. His government summoned the Chinese ambassador in London to express its anger.
China defended its handling of the case, saying there had not been documentary proof Shaikh was mentally ill. Beijing also criticized Brown's comments, but said it hoped the case would not harm bilateral relations. The Foreign Ministry called on London not to create any "obstacles" to better ties.
Shaikh's daughter Leilla Horsnell was quoted by the BBC and other British media outlets as saying she was "shocked and disappointed that the execution went ahead with no regards to my dad's mental health problems, and I struggle to understand how this is justice."
The execution is the latest sign of how China's communist government, with its rising global economic and political clout, is increasingly willing to defy Western complaints over its justice system and human rights record.
Last week, a court sentenced the co-author of a political reform manifesto to 11 years in prison in what rights groups called a direct rebuff to international pressure. Diplomats from more than a dozen countries were shut out of Liu Xiaobo's trial on subversion charges. The United States called for his immediate release.
Earlier in the month, China urged Cambodia to interrupt a U.N. refugee screening process and subsequently Phnom Penh repatriated 20 ethnic Uighur asylum seekers accused of involvement in ethnic unrest in western China.
Shaikh, a Briton of Pakistani descent, was arrested in 2007 for carrying a suitcase with almost 9 pounds (4 kilograms) of heroin into China on a flight from Tajikistan. He told Chinese officials he didn't know about the drugs and that the suitcase wasn't his, according to Reprieve, a London-based prisoner advocacy group that is helping with his case.
He was convicted in 2008 after a half-hour trial.
He first learned he was about to be executed Monday from his visiting cousins, who made a last-minute plea for his life. They say he is mentally unstable and was lured to China from a life on the street in Poland by men playing on his dreams to record a pop song for world peace.
The press office of the Xinjiang region where Shaikh had been held confirmed the execution in a statement handed to journalists.
In his statement issued by the Foreign Office, Brown said he condemned the execution "in the strongest terms, and am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted."
"I am particularly concerned that no mental health assessment was undertaken," Brown said.
The Foreign Office said Foreign Minister Ivan Lewis on Tuesday had reiterated to China's ambassador, Fu Ying, statements by Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband condemning Shaikh's execution.
Brown had spoken personally to China's prime minister about the case. Miliband had earlier condemned the execution and said there were unanswered questions about the trial - including over whether there was adequate interpretation during the trial.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu responded that drug smuggling was a serious crime.
"We express our strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the British accusation," Jiang told a regularly scheduled news conference in Beijing.
The official Xinhua News Agency quoted China's Supreme Court as saying Tuesday that although officials from the British Embassy and a British aid organization called for a mental health examination for Shaikh, "the documents they provided could not prove he had a mental disorder nor did members of his family have a history of mental disease."
"There is no reason to cast doubt on Akmal Shaikh's mental status," the Supreme Court was quoted as saying.
Xinhua said Shaikh was put to death by lethal injection. China, which executes more people than any other country, is increasingly doing so by lethal injection, although some death sentences are still carried out by a shot in the head.
The Beijing-based lawyer for Shaikh's death sentence review, Zhang Qingsong, said Tuesday he never got to meet with Shaikh despite asking the judge and the detention center for access. He said China's highest court never evaluated Shaikh's mental status.
According to Reprieve, the last European executed in China was Antonio Riva, an Italian pilot who was shot by a firing squad in 1951 after being convicted of involvement in what China said was a plot to assassinate Mao Zedong and other high-ranking communist officials.
"The death of Akmal Shaikh is a sad indictment of today's world, and particularly of China's legal system. ... We at Reprieve are sickened by what we have seen during our work on this case," said Sally Rowen, legal director of Reprieve's death penalty team.
Reprieve issued a statement from Shaikh's family members saying they expressed "their grief at the Chinese decision to refuse mercy."
The statement thanked supporters, including those who attended a vigil for Shaikh outside the Chinese Embassy in London on Monday night, along with members of a Facebook group that drew 5,000 members in just a few days.
The statement asked the media and public to respect the family's privacy as they "come to terms with what has happened to someone they loved."
Gareth Saunders, a British teacher who knew Shaikh in Warsaw, said his friend was cheerful but obviously very mentally ill. He said the last time they met in an underpass, Shaikh said he was traveling to Central Asia but would return in two weeks.
"I tried to contact after two weeks, no reply. that was the last time I tried to contact him," Saunders told The Associated Press.
Associated Press reporters Alexa Olesen and Cara Anna in Beijing contributed to this story.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "appalled" at the execution of 53-year old Akmal Shaikh - China's first of a European citizen in nearly 60 years. His government summoned the Chinese ambassador in London to express its anger.
China defended its handling of the case, saying there had not been documentary proof Shaikh was mentally ill. Beijing also criticized Brown's comments, but said it hoped the case would not harm bilateral relations. The Foreign Ministry called on London not to create any "obstacles" to better ties.
Shaikh's daughter Leilla Horsnell was quoted by the BBC and other British media outlets as saying she was "shocked and disappointed that the execution went ahead with no regards to my dad's mental health problems, and I struggle to understand how this is justice."
The execution is the latest sign of how China's communist government, with its rising global economic and political clout, is increasingly willing to defy Western complaints over its justice system and human rights record.
Last week, a court sentenced the co-author of a political reform manifesto to 11 years in prison in what rights groups called a direct rebuff to international pressure. Diplomats from more than a dozen countries were shut out of Liu Xiaobo's trial on subversion charges. The United States called for his immediate release.
Earlier in the month, China urged Cambodia to interrupt a U.N. refugee screening process and subsequently Phnom Penh repatriated 20 ethnic Uighur asylum seekers accused of involvement in ethnic unrest in western China.
Shaikh, a Briton of Pakistani descent, was arrested in 2007 for carrying a suitcase with almost 9 pounds (4 kilograms) of heroin into China on a flight from Tajikistan. He told Chinese officials he didn't know about the drugs and that the suitcase wasn't his, according to Reprieve, a London-based prisoner advocacy group that is helping with his case.
He was convicted in 2008 after a half-hour trial.
He first learned he was about to be executed Monday from his visiting cousins, who made a last-minute plea for his life. They say he is mentally unstable and was lured to China from a life on the street in Poland by men playing on his dreams to record a pop song for world peace.
The press office of the Xinjiang region where Shaikh had been held confirmed the execution in a statement handed to journalists.
In his statement issued by the Foreign Office, Brown said he condemned the execution "in the strongest terms, and am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted."
"I am particularly concerned that no mental health assessment was undertaken," Brown said.
The Foreign Office said Foreign Minister Ivan Lewis on Tuesday had reiterated to China's ambassador, Fu Ying, statements by Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband condemning Shaikh's execution.
Brown had spoken personally to China's prime minister about the case. Miliband had earlier condemned the execution and said there were unanswered questions about the trial - including over whether there was adequate interpretation during the trial.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu responded that drug smuggling was a serious crime.
"We express our strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the British accusation," Jiang told a regularly scheduled news conference in Beijing.
The official Xinhua News Agency quoted China's Supreme Court as saying Tuesday that although officials from the British Embassy and a British aid organization called for a mental health examination for Shaikh, "the documents they provided could not prove he had a mental disorder nor did members of his family have a history of mental disease."
"There is no reason to cast doubt on Akmal Shaikh's mental status," the Supreme Court was quoted as saying.
Xinhua said Shaikh was put to death by lethal injection. China, which executes more people than any other country, is increasingly doing so by lethal injection, although some death sentences are still carried out by a shot in the head.
The Beijing-based lawyer for Shaikh's death sentence review, Zhang Qingsong, said Tuesday he never got to meet with Shaikh despite asking the judge and the detention center for access. He said China's highest court never evaluated Shaikh's mental status.
According to Reprieve, the last European executed in China was Antonio Riva, an Italian pilot who was shot by a firing squad in 1951 after being convicted of involvement in what China said was a plot to assassinate Mao Zedong and other high-ranking communist officials.
"The death of Akmal Shaikh is a sad indictment of today's world, and particularly of China's legal system. ... We at Reprieve are sickened by what we have seen during our work on this case," said Sally Rowen, legal director of Reprieve's death penalty team.
Reprieve issued a statement from Shaikh's family members saying they expressed "their grief at the Chinese decision to refuse mercy."
The statement thanked supporters, including those who attended a vigil for Shaikh outside the Chinese Embassy in London on Monday night, along with members of a Facebook group that drew 5,000 members in just a few days.
The statement asked the media and public to respect the family's privacy as they "come to terms with what has happened to someone they loved."
Gareth Saunders, a British teacher who knew Shaikh in Warsaw, said his friend was cheerful but obviously very mentally ill. He said the last time they met in an underpass, Shaikh said he was traveling to Central Asia but would return in two weeks.
"I tried to contact after two weeks, no reply. that was the last time I tried to contact him," Saunders told The Associated Press.
Associated Press reporters Alexa Olesen and Cara Anna in Beijing contributed to this story.
China shows no tolerance for dissidence
BEIJING, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- China may have deservedly earned all the international accolades for its dazzling economic achievements, but two recent developments show its Communist regime is nowhere near winning similar praise for tolerating political dissidence or challenge to its authority in any form.
In the first instance, China, going against pleas and urgings from around the world, handed an 11-year prison sentence to Liu Xiaobo, the country's widely respected ardent supporter of democracy and freedom of speech.
In an equally disturbing move, China convinced Cambodia to deport 20 Uighurs who had fled to that country for political asylum to escape the crackdown on their fellow Turkic-speaking minority members by Chinese authorities for the ethnic riots last July in the far northwest Xinjiang-Uighur region.
The 53-year-old Liu's trial in a Beijing people's court last week on subversion charges lasted only about three hours. His wife and foreign diplomats were not allowed to attend the proceedings, which preceded his Friday sentencing on charges of "inciting subversion of state power."
The charges against Liu, who has been politically active since the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protest in Beijing, resulted from articles posted on the Internet and jointly authoring the "Charter 08" petition against one-party rule and urging human rights and free speech.
The Washington Post, quoting a relative, reported that at the trial, Liu's lawyers were allowed only 14 minutes of speaking time.
"Liu has been engaged in agitation activities, such as spreading of rumors and defaming of the government, aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialism system in recent years," according to a police statement reported by China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
Human Rights Watch in New York said Liu, a prolific writer, has been detained, arrested and sentenced repeatedly for peaceful political activities since the late 1980s.
HRW's Sophie Richardson, calling the trial a "travesty of justice," said its only purpose was "to dress up naked political repression in the trappings of legal proceedings" against non-existent crimes.
China's response was that the international calls for Liu's release were "gross interference" in its internal affairs. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said those expressing such concerns should respect the country's judicial sovereignty.
Commenting on the former university lecturer's prison sentence, Rebecca MacKinnon, a fellow at the Open Society Institute and co-founder of GlobalVoicesOnline.org, told the Post: "It certainly seems to reflect a high level of sensitivity and very low level of tolerance."
There had been expectations among other Chinese dissidents that some of the reforms in recent years would lead to political modernization in step with the country's economic modernization, the Post report said.
U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley was quoted as saying: "As far as we can tell, this man's crime was simply signing a piece of paper that aspires to a more open and participatory form of government. That is not a crime."
In the incident relating to the Uighurs' deportation from Cambodia, China also said it was an internal matter as the 20 Uighurs were suspected of committing criminal offences, and urged the outside world not to make irresponsible remarks, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the "Chinese citizens" had broken the laws of both China and Cambodia by illegally crossing the border and that Cambodia had acted according to its immigration law.
"China is a country under the rule of law. Judicial authorities will deal with these people's illegal criminal activities in accordance with the law and safeguard their legitimate rights," Jiang said.
It is not clear what fate awaits the deported Uighurs, but last Friday a Chinese court sentenced five more people to death, bringing to 22 the total condemned to die for the July ethnic riots. The five were part of a new group of 22 suspects tried by a court in Urumqi, capital of the region where the July riots killed about 200 people. The others were sentenced from 10 years to life in prison.
The July riots involved the minority Muslims Uighurs and the majority Han Chinese. Chinese officials have said most of the victims were Han Chinese. Tensions between the two groups have been simmering for a long time as the Uighurs resent being ruled by the Hans.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang, commenting on whether the deportation of Uighurs was linked to China's assistance to Cambodia, said both countries have maintained a comprehensive and cooperative partnership. "We provide assistance to Cambodia in line with our own capacity and without any strings attached," Xinhua quoted her as saying.
However, two days after the 20 Uighurs were deported, China signed 14 business deals with the Cambodian government worth about $1 billion, The New York Times reported.
In the first instance, China, going against pleas and urgings from around the world, handed an 11-year prison sentence to Liu Xiaobo, the country's widely respected ardent supporter of democracy and freedom of speech.
In an equally disturbing move, China convinced Cambodia to deport 20 Uighurs who had fled to that country for political asylum to escape the crackdown on their fellow Turkic-speaking minority members by Chinese authorities for the ethnic riots last July in the far northwest Xinjiang-Uighur region.
The 53-year-old Liu's trial in a Beijing people's court last week on subversion charges lasted only about three hours. His wife and foreign diplomats were not allowed to attend the proceedings, which preceded his Friday sentencing on charges of "inciting subversion of state power."
The charges against Liu, who has been politically active since the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protest in Beijing, resulted from articles posted on the Internet and jointly authoring the "Charter 08" petition against one-party rule and urging human rights and free speech.
The Washington Post, quoting a relative, reported that at the trial, Liu's lawyers were allowed only 14 minutes of speaking time.
"Liu has been engaged in agitation activities, such as spreading of rumors and defaming of the government, aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialism system in recent years," according to a police statement reported by China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
Human Rights Watch in New York said Liu, a prolific writer, has been detained, arrested and sentenced repeatedly for peaceful political activities since the late 1980s.
HRW's Sophie Richardson, calling the trial a "travesty of justice," said its only purpose was "to dress up naked political repression in the trappings of legal proceedings" against non-existent crimes.
China's response was that the international calls for Liu's release were "gross interference" in its internal affairs. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said those expressing such concerns should respect the country's judicial sovereignty.
Commenting on the former university lecturer's prison sentence, Rebecca MacKinnon, a fellow at the Open Society Institute and co-founder of GlobalVoicesOnline.org, told the Post: "It certainly seems to reflect a high level of sensitivity and very low level of tolerance."
There had been expectations among other Chinese dissidents that some of the reforms in recent years would lead to political modernization in step with the country's economic modernization, the Post report said.
U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley was quoted as saying: "As far as we can tell, this man's crime was simply signing a piece of paper that aspires to a more open and participatory form of government. That is not a crime."
In the incident relating to the Uighurs' deportation from Cambodia, China also said it was an internal matter as the 20 Uighurs were suspected of committing criminal offences, and urged the outside world not to make irresponsible remarks, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the "Chinese citizens" had broken the laws of both China and Cambodia by illegally crossing the border and that Cambodia had acted according to its immigration law.
"China is a country under the rule of law. Judicial authorities will deal with these people's illegal criminal activities in accordance with the law and safeguard their legitimate rights," Jiang said.
It is not clear what fate awaits the deported Uighurs, but last Friday a Chinese court sentenced five more people to death, bringing to 22 the total condemned to die for the July ethnic riots. The five were part of a new group of 22 suspects tried by a court in Urumqi, capital of the region where the July riots killed about 200 people. The others were sentenced from 10 years to life in prison.
The July riots involved the minority Muslims Uighurs and the majority Han Chinese. Chinese officials have said most of the victims were Han Chinese. Tensions between the two groups have been simmering for a long time as the Uighurs resent being ruled by the Hans.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang, commenting on whether the deportation of Uighurs was linked to China's assistance to Cambodia, said both countries have maintained a comprehensive and cooperative partnership. "We provide assistance to Cambodia in line with our own capacity and without any strings attached," Xinhua quoted her as saying.
However, two days after the 20 Uighurs were deported, China signed 14 business deals with the Cambodian government worth about $1 billion, The New York Times reported.
Comrade Chea Xim preaches communist "religious" peace?
Comrade Chea Xim bowing to Hochimonk Tep Vong, Hochimong Nuon Nget can be seen on the rightAt Monk Congress, Chea Sim Urges Peace
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 December 2009
Chea Sim, the president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, appealed to all Cambodians on Tuesday to embrace Buddhism and let go of jealousy and violence in favor of peace, political stability, social order and development.
Chea Sim, who is also the president of the Senate, spoke at the opening of the 18th annual conference for Buddhist monks.
“Buddhism is virtuous and a leading power to make all of Cambodian society promote social morals and to abandon violence,” he said.
“All Buddhists, please join in conducting good deeds for the [national] interest and the protection of peace, stability, solidarity, hope and national construction toward sustainable prosperity,” he said.
While the government respects the freedom of religion, Buddhism remains the state religion, he said.
With or without religion, Cambodia’s civil society “still worries about violence, jealousy and discrimination,” said Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Licadho, “because the implementation of law is still weakening.”
In 2009, Licadho recorded 815 cases of violence relating to human rights violations made by powerful officials or law enforcement authorities, he said. The cases involved shooting deaths and injuries, torture, domestic violence, rape, land grabs and the trafficking of women and children, he said.
“Cambodia still faces many problems which must be solved by standing on the concepts of Buddhism,” Chea Sim said in his address. “Patriots must clear out bad things, to [create] good things through the dharma of cleanliness, strong force, the build up of civilization, culture and a plural democracy in conformity with the rule of law.”
Chea Sim, who is also the president of the Senate, spoke at the opening of the 18th annual conference for Buddhist monks.
“Buddhism is virtuous and a leading power to make all of Cambodian society promote social morals and to abandon violence,” he said.
“All Buddhists, please join in conducting good deeds for the [national] interest and the protection of peace, stability, solidarity, hope and national construction toward sustainable prosperity,” he said.
While the government respects the freedom of religion, Buddhism remains the state religion, he said.
With or without religion, Cambodia’s civil society “still worries about violence, jealousy and discrimination,” said Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Licadho, “because the implementation of law is still weakening.”
In 2009, Licadho recorded 815 cases of violence relating to human rights violations made by powerful officials or law enforcement authorities, he said. The cases involved shooting deaths and injuries, torture, domestic violence, rape, land grabs and the trafficking of women and children, he said.
“Cambodia still faces many problems which must be solved by standing on the concepts of Buddhism,” Chea Sim said in his address. “Patriots must clear out bad things, to [create] good things through the dharma of cleanliness, strong force, the build up of civilization, culture and a plural democracy in conformity with the rule of law.”
Tribunal Throws Out Civil Party Appeal
By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 December 2009
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 December 2009
The Supreme Court Chamber of the Khmer Rouge tribunal has announced it will take no action in a motion by civil parties who wanted a greater role in the closing sessions of the trial of prison chief Kaing Kek Iev.
The tribunal allows participation by victims of the regime in certain aspects of trial proceedings, though civil party lawyers.
At the close of the trial of Kaing Kek Iev, or Duch, in September, civil parties had appealed for the right to pose questions related to the defendant’s character and to have a say in his sentencing.
Duch’s trial ended in October, with a verdict and sentencing expected early in 2010, but as part of their appeal, civil parties had requested a Supreme Court Chamber review.
“The Supreme Court finds the appeal inadmissible,” said judge Kong Srim, the head of the chamber, in a Dec. 24 decision that was posted on the tribunal’s Web site Monday.
By weakening the impact on sentencing, the decision would diminish the credibility of the tribunal in the eyes of Khmer Rouge victims, said Kim Meng Khy, a civil party lawyer.
“This refusal is like a reduction in participation in finding truth and the fulfillment of justice for the victims,” he said.
The tribunal allows participation by victims of the regime in certain aspects of trial proceedings, though civil party lawyers.
At the close of the trial of Kaing Kek Iev, or Duch, in September, civil parties had appealed for the right to pose questions related to the defendant’s character and to have a say in his sentencing.
Duch’s trial ended in October, with a verdict and sentencing expected early in 2010, but as part of their appeal, civil parties had requested a Supreme Court Chamber review.
“The Supreme Court finds the appeal inadmissible,” said judge Kong Srim, the head of the chamber, in a Dec. 24 decision that was posted on the tribunal’s Web site Monday.
By weakening the impact on sentencing, the decision would diminish the credibility of the tribunal in the eyes of Khmer Rouge victims, said Kim Meng Khy, a civil party lawyer.
“This refusal is like a reduction in participation in finding truth and the fulfillment of justice for the victims,” he said.
Cambodia can't attract investors from Japan, the US and the EU ... Is it due to Hun Xen's gov't bureaucracy, ineptitude and corruption?
Cambodia Draws Asian Investors: Analyst
By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington
29 December 2009
By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington
29 December 2009
Cambodia has so far been unable to court long-term investors from the West and is instead looking toward Asia and neighboring countries, a leading economist said Monday.
“It seems we have not attracted big, developed countries, such as Japan, the US and the EU,” said Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association. “They may not have clear confidence in putting capital in for long-term investment.”
China, South Korea and Vietnam have shown more trust, he said. “In Vietnam, there is a imilar situation—climate, land, labor management—so they are confident that if they can do it in Vietnam, they can do it in our country,” he said.
Cambodia and Vietnam signed $6 billion in agreements and contracts at an investment conference in Ho Chi Minh City this weekend, in deals covering power generation, food processing, fertilizer production, rubber plantations and bauxite mining.
Vietnam has invested in more than 60 projects in Cambodia, spending nearly $1 million, and is the nation’s top agricultural investor. Trade between the two has also increased in recent years, reaching $1.7 billion in 2008, a 40 percent increase from the year before.
Investment in rubber plantations has increased rapidly, mostly along the border, where the government grants forestry concessions good for 99 years. The concessions have led to a number of clashes between companies and villagers who say they need to land for their livelihoods.
“It seems we have not attracted big, developed countries, such as Japan, the US and the EU,” said Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association. “They may not have clear confidence in putting capital in for long-term investment.”
China, South Korea and Vietnam have shown more trust, he said. “In Vietnam, there is a imilar situation—climate, land, labor management—so they are confident that if they can do it in Vietnam, they can do it in our country,” he said.
Cambodia and Vietnam signed $6 billion in agreements and contracts at an investment conference in Ho Chi Minh City this weekend, in deals covering power generation, food processing, fertilizer production, rubber plantations and bauxite mining.
Vietnam has invested in more than 60 projects in Cambodia, spending nearly $1 million, and is the nation’s top agricultural investor. Trade between the two has also increased in recent years, reaching $1.7 billion in 2008, a 40 percent increase from the year before.
Investment in rubber plantations has increased rapidly, mostly along the border, where the government grants forestry concessions good for 99 years. The concessions have led to a number of clashes between companies and villagers who say they need to land for their livelihoods.
Hun Xen warned his kin not to perform misdeeds
The Hun clan29 Dec 2009
By Leang Delux
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Tola Ek
Hun Xen took the opportunity of the Hun clan family reunion that was held in the evening of 27 December to give a lecture to his children, nephews and nieces, telling them not to perform misdeeds in order to avoid backlash when he quits power.
In a discussion during the Hun clan reunion on Sunday evening, Hun Xen used severe words to lecture his children, nephew and nieces and he told them not to perform misdeeds to the society by using their uncle’s power as PM.
Four generations of the Hun clan, including more than 100 members organized a reunion at the Intercontinental Hotel in the evening of 27 December. The huge gathering is the first of its kind for Hun Xen’s family and it was broadcasted on television networks throughout the country.
In a discussion with his kin, Hun Xen warned them, especially his nephews, that he will use the law against them should they take advantage of being the relative of a PM to act illegally. On the other hand, Hun Xen lectured them to help poor people according to their means.
Hun Xen indicated that the day he leaves power, his kin and his nephews and nieces will become attack targets. Hun Xen reminded his kin about the historical event that took place during the fall of the Lon Nol regime where sons and daughters of powerful officials of the Lon Nol regime were pointed out by the people to the Pol Pot soldiers. However, some children of government officials received help from the people and their identity was hidden because of the good deeds they performed.
Kem Sokha, President of the Human Rights Party, believed that it is the opposite of what Hun Xen claimed. Kem Sokha said that according to his personal experience, love or hate for relatives of a country leader by the people depends on the action of that leader when he was still in power.
In a discussion during the Hun clan reunion on Sunday evening, Hun Xen used severe words to lecture his children, nephew and nieces and he told them not to perform misdeeds to the society by using their uncle’s power as PM.
Four generations of the Hun clan, including more than 100 members organized a reunion at the Intercontinental Hotel in the evening of 27 December. The huge gathering is the first of its kind for Hun Xen’s family and it was broadcasted on television networks throughout the country.
In a discussion with his kin, Hun Xen warned them, especially his nephews, that he will use the law against them should they take advantage of being the relative of a PM to act illegally. On the other hand, Hun Xen lectured them to help poor people according to their means.
Hun Xen indicated that the day he leaves power, his kin and his nephews and nieces will become attack targets. Hun Xen reminded his kin about the historical event that took place during the fall of the Lon Nol regime where sons and daughters of powerful officials of the Lon Nol regime were pointed out by the people to the Pol Pot soldiers. However, some children of government officials received help from the people and their identity was hidden because of the good deeds they performed.
Kem Sokha, President of the Human Rights Party, believed that it is the opposite of what Hun Xen claimed. Kem Sokha said that according to his personal experience, love or hate for relatives of a country leader by the people depends on the action of that leader when he was still in power.
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