US plans to pledge funds for KRouge court

Mon, 25 Aug 2008

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — The United States will give its first donation to Cambodia's cash-strapped Khmer Rouge genocide trial as soon as the UN-backed court resolves corruption allegations, the US ambassador said Monday.

The tribunal faces a funding shortfall of more than 40 million dollars. Officials travelled to New York in June to petition UN members for more funds.

"The United States government is right now on the threshold of making its decision to directly fund the tribunal," outgoing Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli told reporters at his farewell press conference at the US embassy.

"I think in Washington now everyone is very much looking forward to finding funding to help directly assist the tribunal if we can just work this last thing out," he said.

The Khmer Rouge tribunal this month launched a new ethics monitor to grapple with ongoing claims of corruption within the court after the UN Development Programme made fresh allegations of kickbacks on the Cambodian side of the court, forcing international donors to withhold funding for July.

International backers have appeared hesitant to pledge more money to the process after earlier allegations of political interference and mismanagement, including that Cambodian staff paid money in exchange for their jobs.

But tribunal officials have said the allegations last year were "unspecific, unsourced and unsubstantiated."

The court is preparing for its first trial against Kaing Guek Eav, better known as "Duch," who ran a notorious torture centre in Phnom Penh.

He is expected in the dock in October, once the court has dealt with the prosecution's appeal of his indictment, which it said failed to present a "full and truthful account" of his crimes.

In all, five top Khmer Rouge leaders are now facing charges before the tribunal for crimes committed by the regime.

Up to two million people died of starvation, overwork and execution as the communist Khmer Rouge dismantled modern Cambodian society in a bid to forge an agrarian utopia during its 1975-1979 rule.

US envoy urges Asean to take up temple issue

Monday, August 25, 2008

Phnom Penh (dpa) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations could play a key role in resolving an ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, outgoing US ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli said at a press conference Monday.

Mussomeli, who is ending a three-year mission, said the US favoured a bilateral solution between the two neighbours over disputed territory on the northern Cambodian border.

"Cambodia and Thailand are neighbours and they will stay with each other forever," he told reporters. "Thailand needs Cambodia and Cambodia needs Thailand.

"But if bilateral negotiations fail, if after every effort you cannot find a solution, it is time to consider the option of the United Nations Security Council."

He also said one step that had been overlooked in the negotiation process which could help ensure the dispute was solved within Asian parameters was the 10-member Asean, of which both sides are members.

"That is one thing Asean could do to make itself really effective," he said.

Tensions arose last month shortly after UNESCO declared the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, around 300 kilometres from the capital, a World Heritage site over Thai objections.

Thailand sent troops into what it says is disputed territory near the temple and Cambodia says is sovereign territory.

At the end of July, Cambodia made fresh claims that Thai troops had also moved into the Ta Moan temple complex, 150 kilometres west, but Thailand disputed that, saying it had held the area for years.

US trade representative lauds Cambodian reforms

Thursday, 14 August 2008
Sam Campbell
The Mekong Times

With many hoping Cambodia’s mushrooming private sector will become the driving force of development, the relationship between the private sector and the government has become pivotal.

Deputy US Trade Representative Christina Sevilla and Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasith yesterday discussed mechanisms for the private-public sector dialogue necessary for trade development during a forum held at Phnom Penh’s Hotel Le Royal.

Both speakers lauded the progress made and conceded that further reform is needed.

Sevilla, head of office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison at the office of the US Trade Representative Office, told reporters she was here primarily to discuss the US model for stakeholder consultations but her visit was also to “build up on the US-Cambodia relationship, [and] find ways to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relationship through the trade and investment framework.”

Her appraisal of Cambodian reform was generally favorable, and she encouraged further progress.

“We commend the Cambodian government for the impressive strides it has taken to increase transparency and dialogue with the private sector,” Sevilla said.

Trade between the US and Cambodia, which rose to US$2.6 billion last year and is expected to top US$3 billion in 2008, is a US priority, she stressed.

“We have a very robust trade relationship, building on the Bilateral Trade Agreement as well as the US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement,” she said, listing garments, shoes, wood and fish products as major Cambodian exports to the US.

The US places “a great deal of importance on strengthening and deepening our bilateral relationship,” she added, revealing that last November’s visit from US Trade Representative Susan Schwab, the first visit by a US Trade Representative to the Kingdom, is to be followed by a visit from Ambassador John Veroneau, a deputy US trade representative.

But “implementing WTO commitments, strengthening the IPR [Intellectual Property Rights] regime and improving the business climate” remain priority concerns.

The US remains committed to helping Cambodia to improve the business and investment climate, she said.

“We in the US also dialogue very closely between the government and the private sector … we value transparency and the ability of the public and the private sector to provide comment on trade policy,” Sevilla concluded, expressing hopes that the US and Cambodia could “learn from each other’s experiences.”

The Cambodian government has prioritized trade reforms since 1999, Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh said, encouraging transparency and building confidence through legislative reform, increasing export capacity and fostering better human resources. He called these the “three pillars” of the government’s strategy.

Cham Prasidh claimed governmental reforms had already saved the private sector an estimated US$69.2 million, and the government would continue to “guide the private sector for best interests.”

He conceded that “the system is not perfect,” and that “there is still work to be done,” vowing that the government would continue improvements until all private sector concerns had been allayed.

US Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli said that “there are certainly problems” in Cambodia’s labor sector but the Kingdom is “doing much better than its neighbors.”

“Part of the problem in the labor field is that in some ways there’s too much freedom – too many labor unions, not enough consolidation, not enough communication with garment factories themselves,” he said. “But, by-an-large, the Cambodian workforce is doing very well in garment factories. There’s room for improvement, but while we’re concerned, we still think there’s progress being made.”

US Censures Release of Russian Pedophile

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
31 July 2008

The US Embassy expressed strong disapproval Wednesday of the release of a Russian pedophile by Sihanoukville Court after a short sentence.

"Harsh sentencing is the most effective way to send a message to pedophiles that these crimes will not be tolerated," he said. "In this case the court has done a great disservice to Cambodia and its people by sending a confused message to those who would abuse the children of this country."

The US took Cambodia off a human trafficking "watch list" in an annual report earlier this year, for its efforts combating the crime.

"This case threatens to undo the hard work of the Royal Government of Cambodia in its efforts to crackdown on abuse and trafficking in persons in the country," Mussomeli said.

Cambodia Pushes for Solution to Standoff

Villagers near Preah Vihear temple carry away goods donated by the Royal Palace Tuesday.

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
22 July 2008

Cambodia continued diplomatic efforts to end a tense military build-up on the Thai border Tuesday, calling a meeting with around 50 diplomats in Phnom Penh and pushing the UN's cultural body for assistance.

Addressing a meeting of foreign ambassadors, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Tuesday that "Thailand, by using their own map, drawn by themselves very recently, [claimed] many parts of the border between the two countries."

"This [is] a very serious threat to our independence and territorial integrity," he said. "We have an obligation to resort to the UN Security Council."

At least 4,000 troops from both sides have amassed near the border at Preah Vihear temple, along with armored vehicles and artillery. The Royal Palace sent donations of foodstuffs and
tarpaulin shelters to villagers and soldiers near Preah Vihear Tuesday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday invoked Preah Vihear temple's minted Unesco World Heritage status in a bid to resolve what he called an "unwarranted act of aggression" by Thailand.

"As of 21 July 2008, the situation has escalated further due to the movement of Thai artillery and armored combat vehicles into the area and the continuing increase of heavily armed Thai soldiers inside and around the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda…near the Temple of Preah Vihear," Hun Sen wrote in a letter asking assistance of Unesco Director General Koichiro Matsuura.

The US, meanwhile, called on both sides "to act in a very restrained and responsible manner."

"What is clear is that both sides need to resolve this in a peaceful and legal manner, and so far they are doing so," US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli told reporters after the diplomatic meeting with Hor Namhong.

Thai and Cambodian commanders have said their soldiers are under control and the situation is stable, but Mussomeli called the build-up of troops along the border "very worrisome."

"We have suggested to both sides that the troops should not be augmented, that more troops are always a dangerous thing, that when you have that many young men with that many weapons in that close a proximity, there's always a danger of violence, and so it would be better for the troops to not be so close to each other," he said. "That just makes common sense."

Promoting Cambodian Journalism

13 July 2008
VOA Editorials
The following is an editorial reflecting the views of US Gov't

Click here to listen to the audio program

Five Cambodian journalists were recently honored by their professional colleagues for outstanding investigative reporting. The five top winners of the Club of Cambodian Journalists’ “Investigative Journalism Awards Competition”, received their awards at a ceremony in Phnom Penh. The competition was organized with the support of the U.S. Embassy, in order to encourage the Cambodian press to play a stronger watchdog role in the country’s nascent democracy and advocate for greater transparency.

Mr. Oum Layum, of Rasmei Kampuchea Newspaper, took first place for his reporting on land disputes and land management issues in Cambodia’s O’Chrov area. Mr. Leang Delux, Miss Ung Chan Sophea, Mr. Hang Sokmony, and Mr. Neth Pheaktra took second through fifth place honors for reporting dealing with issues ranging from the efficiency of public services to charges of medical malpractice.

In his remarks at the awards ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli told the journalists, “By bringing the issues you have written about to the attention of the Cambodian public, you are helping Cambodia to achieve the promise of democracy.”

“It certainly isn’t easy for a journalist to stand up against the authority of a government and the power of the wealthy to tell the people the truths others would seek to keep hidden,” said Ambassador Mussomeli. “Holding government and politicians to account is one of the most important roles the press plays in a vibrant democracy,” he said. Ambassador Mussomeli paid tribute to those journalists who work, often in great danger, to uncover corruption and mismanagement by government officials.

He noted also that “journalists have a responsibility too: to be fair and balanced; to not engage in corruption by accepting bribes or engaging in self-censorship; and of course to always consider accuracy the touchstone of their profession.”

Ambassador Mussomeli said Cambodia has made progress in press freedom. But arrests and intimidation of journalists continue. And lawsuits brought by high government officials restrict free speech and inhibit the watchdog role of the media. Cambodia’s media, said Ambassador Mussomeli, “are the custodians of conscience” for their country.

On Eve of Campaigns, an Absent Leader [: Ranariddh]

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
25 June 2008

Click here to listen to the Khmer audio program

As 11 political parties finish final preparations for a one-month campaign period that starts Thursday, one leader, and former prime minister, is missing. Prince Norodom Ranariddh remains in exile, leading his eponymous party from Malaysia.

Prince Ranariddh, who left the country in early 2007, faces an 18-month prison sentence and a fine of $150,000 if he returns to Cambodia, on charges related to embezzlement. He has not been pardoned, and his case remains at the Supreme Court.

You Hockry, secretary-general of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, said the absence of the prince is due to political intentions, by "the chief of government" and Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay, who have tried to prevent Prince Ranariddh from election participation.

Prince Ranariddh is a candidate for his party in Kampong Cham, the most-populated province, with 18 parliamentary seats up for grabs, and is his party's candidate for prime minister. Several months before the campaign, he was forced to address supporters by telephone from abroad.

"We regret fundamentally that Samdech Krom Preah [Prince Ranariddh], president of the NRP, cannot participate equally with other parties," You Hockry said. "It will impact the result of the vote and especially the campaign."

Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, called the exile of Prince Ranariddh a type of irregularity.

"For transparency in the campaign, all the parties' leaders must be present," he said.

The party plans to use speeches of the prince, via telephone, to campaign in each province, in order to overcome his absence.

Hang Puthea said this kind of campaign may be good, as voters could have "pity" for the prince.

But Mar Sophal, chief investigator for the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, said a campaign by telephone would not allow voters to get direct information from the party leader.

In Pailin earlier this week US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli called for the return of Prince Ranariddh. Officials will work together to find justice for him, Mussomeli said.

Mussomeli: Election likely to be peaceful and orderly ... Kem Sokha: CPP continues to buy off activists and buy votes

US Ambassador Expects Peaceful Elections

By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
13 June 2008

Click here to listen to the audio program in Khmer

US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli expects a peaceful transition of power following free and fair elections in July.

Critics maintain that the ruling party continues to buy off or otherwise persuade activists from competing parties and to buy votes through gifts to the poor.

Mussomeli told VOA Khmer in Washington the election was likely to be peaceful and orderly.

That may be true, but the ruling party continues to buy off activists and buy votes through gifts to the poor, Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party said.

"The ruling party is buying or persuading the other political parties’ activists or offering gifts to poor people in the rural countryside in order to get their ballots,” he said. "Since my Human Rights Party was established, I've received so many threatening cases and more than 200 party signs were abolished."

Om Yintieng, a senior advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, said Cambodia's political environment had gotten "better and better" since elections in 1993.

"I don't think it can satisfy everybody in the world, but we are proud for our country to be able to improve the election process," he said.

Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, said he was concerned for the election process, which has already seen eight murders and 20 cases of intimidation.

Carol Rodley: New US Ambassador Announced

By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
10 June 2008

The US has nominated a new ambassador for Cambodia, who will take the place of Joseph Mussomeli.

Carol Rodley was chief of mission in Phnom Penh between 1997 and 2000. Following that, she worked in the US State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

Mussomeli told VOA Khmer Rodley's experience in Cambodia gave her a "better sense of the country and the culture."

Members of Cambodia's main political parties welcomed the new ambassador.