More markers built on Vietnam-Cambodia borderline [... are they independently verified?]

05/31/2009
VNA/VOVNews (Hanoi)

Vietnam’s southern Kien Giang province and its Cambodian neighbour, Kampot province, have put into use 13 new border markers built on their common borderline.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony on May 29, Kampot’s President Khuoi Khunhua said the event marked a new step in the development of the bilateral relations between the two provinces.

The event also showed the unceasingly efforts at the two countries’ border areas in building a borderline of peace, stability and development.

At the ceremony, the two sides agreed to upgrade a couple of border gates – Ton Hon (Kampot) and Giang Than (Kien Giang), in order to facilitate trade and travel between people of the two provinces.

Cambodian PM Hun Sen to visit RoK

05/31/2009
VNA/VOVNews

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will pay an official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from June 3-5, according to news reports.

During the official visit, Cambodia and the RoK will sign several cooperation agreements including the grant to Cambodia, loans for Cambodia's road rehabilitation, waste water treatment, Siem Reap River's development and cooperation in the fields of construction, energy, mines and communications.

The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Senior Minister and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Im Chhun Lim and other members of the royal government.

The RoK became the largest foreign investor in Cambodia in 2007.

Mekong body starts evaluating mainstream dams

The Mekong River Commission Secretariat is located by the river in the Lao capital of Vientiane (Photo: Tuong Thuy)

Sunday, May 31,2009
Saigon Gia Phong

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has emphasized the need to proceed carefully in considering dam projects on the mainstream Mekong River, as a wide ranging assessment of Mekong hydropower development begins this week.

“The Mekong River system is a highly productive and valuable, but at the same time, fragile resource,” Jeremy Bird, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat, said in an MRC statement issued May 28.

He added, “Before any decisions are made to implement mainstream hydropower schemes in the lower Mekong basin, the four lower Mekong countries have agreed to work together to cultivate a better scientific understanding of the wider development impact and to ensure that private sector proposals for new dams are guided by principles of economic, environmental and social sustainability.”

His words came as the MRC launched a strategic assessment of the proposed mainstream developments in Laos, Cambodia and on the Lao-Thai border. The influence of upstream dams in China on the Lancang-Mekong River will also be included in the strategic environmental assessment, according to the MRC announcement.

The MRC said it will use information presented by the study to improve its ability to guide member states in their decision processes and dialogue.

The MRC is the intergovernmental body responsible for cooperation on the sustainable management of the Mekong Basin whose members are Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. China and Myanmar are dialogue partners

The body said in that statement that the effect of the global financial crisis in Southeast Asia has provided a “breathing space,” allowing the four lower Mekong countries (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam) to take time to better assess how mainstream projects will affect the interests of all people in the Mekong River basin.

“The MRC is faced with perhaps its most important strategic challenge since the Mekong Agreement was signed in 1995 because of increased interest in building hydropower dams in the mainstream of the lower Mekong River Basin,” said Mr. Bird.

While there are already 3,235 MW of electricity being generated by hydropower on Mekong tributaries – and dams with an operational capacity of 3,209 MW are under construction, what is new is the interest of the private sector in seriously considering developing hydropower schemes on the mainstream.

The Mekong is one of the most active regions in the world for hydropower with eight existing or planned Mekong mainstream dams in Yunnan Province in China, where the Mekong is called the Lancang River, and 11 proposed by Cambodia, Laos and Thailand – all in various stages of investigation or feasibility study.

As set out in the 1995 Mekong Agreement, MRC member countries are committed to undergoing a formal approval process prior to any decision on building dams on the river.

The MRC says the process must balance the interests of people’s livelihoods, as well as the energy, fisheries, tourism, and navigation industries. Projects being studied for development in the lower Mekong Basin come to the commission for consultation, with a view to assisting member countries to reach consensus on the critical and sensitive issues of their shared water resources and the balanced development of the river.

Past studies undertaken by the MRC have shown that dams can have both a positive and negative impact. For example, MRC analysis shows that large storage dams in the upper Mekong basin can increase dry season flows and reduce flood levels, which can benefit water users.

But at the same time the changed flow patterns can reduce fisheries yield. The largest impacts of the proposed mainstream dams in the lower Mekong Basin apart from local resettlement issues are likely to be significant changes in fish passage and migration, aquatic habitats, sediment flow leading to erosion and loss of nutrients, according to the studies.

More than 60 million people in the lower Mekong basin depend on the river system for food, transport and economic activity, according to the MRC.

The MRC statement also said that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) recently announced it has reduced the amount of power it plans to import over the next 15 years, to about 5,000 Megawatts from an earlier estimated figure of 13,000 which reflects the impact of the global economic downturn.

By Tuong Thuy

Cambodia women in health battle

Cambodian villagers are encouraged to give birth in the local health centre
Most Cambodians live in rural areas, where the health system is not strong

Sunday, 31 May 2009
By Jill McGivering
BBC News, Cambodia

In Cambodia , five women die every day because of inadequate health care during childbirth - making it a leading cause of death among women of child-bearing age.

The government is trying to improve health services but it is proving a long slow process.

Lvea village, in north-western Cambodia, is a collection of wooden stilt-houses along a dirt track, hectic with dogs, piglets and chickens.

Most of the women here have been told to have their babies in the local health centre.

So when one woman, Low't, went into labour recently with her ninth child, she made her way there too.

Sad but common story

Her neighbour, Ron, told me what happened:

"The delivery went well - but afterwards Low't started to feel faint. She was losing blood.

"The health centre didn't have the right medicine - so they went eight kilometres (5 miles) by trailer to a larger one.

"The midwife there couldn't stop the bleeding either, and sent them to the hospital in the nearest town.

"They were still travelling, heading downriver by boat, when Low't died."

It's a sad but common story.

Eighty per cent of Cambodia 's population live in rural areas and the public health system is weak.

In recent years, the government has made it a priority to strengthen its network of trained midwives.

They now attend more than half of all births - a significant increase.

Many local clinics function better, even if they're still poorly equipped.

But midwives are paid very little - and can be distracted by running private businesses too.

In Lvea village, the women were cautious about criticising the midwives who tried but failed to save Low't's life.

But one woman made this plea to her government: "Please supply good quality medicine to the health centre so that it can help us."

Progress is being made.

But for women like Low't, it's simply too little, too late.

[S.Korea] Lee uses event to push ‘New Asia Initiative’

Korean President Lee Myung-bak had bilateral meetings yesterday with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, left, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, center, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Saturday and yesterday ahead of the Asean-Korea Commemorative Summit, which starts today in Jeju. [YONHAP]

President hopes to increase political, economic ties with Asean members in bid to enhance Korea’s role in region

June 01, 2009
JoongAng Daily (S. Korea)

SEOGWIPO, Jeju - On the eve of a special summit of leaders from Korea and Southeast Asia, President Lee Myung-bak promoted his “New Asia Initiative” through a series of bilateral summits.

Lee arrived on this southern resort island yesterday morning for the commemorative summit to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the dialogue relationship between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Leaders of the organization’s 10 member nations - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - will attend the two-day summit, which starts today.

Most of the summit will focus on discussing climate change, energy security and cooperative measures to counter the global financial crisis. Leaders also are expected to express concerns about the escalated threats posed by North Korea, including its recent nuclear test.

The summit is seen as a key opportunity for the Lee administration to further progress its New Asia Initiative.

Announced in March this year following successful visits to Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, the diplomatic campaign seeks to upgrade Korea’s role as a power player in Asia by engaging the region and attempting to create stronger ties. The initiative also represents a shift in Korea’s foreign policy focus from the global superpowers of the United States, Japan and China to regional neighbors.

Lee met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand yesterday afternoon, expressing his hope that Korean companies will participate in government-led infrastructure projects in the country. Additionally, Lee and Vejjajiva welcomed the upcoming signing of an investment accord between Korea and Asean. The accord, to be signed at a ceremony tomorrow, will remove the investment barriers between the two sides and is part of a larger bilateral free trade agreement.

The two leaders expressed concerns about North Korea’s latest nuclear test, calling it a step backward for global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. The Thai leader said he will discuss the issue at the upcoming Asean Regional Forum.

During the evening, Lee and Asean leaders attended a performance by the Korea-Asean Traditional Orchestra.

Lee’s presidential diplomacy to engage South Asian leaders began before he even left for Jeju. The president held bilateral meetings in Seoul on Saturday with leaders of the Philippines and Vietnam.

Lee and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo agreed to expand economic and trade cooperation, according to the Blue House. At the same time, the two leaders agreed to look collaborate on finding and nurturing engines of sustainable growth in the 21st century.

Lee requested that Arroyo improve the foreign investment climate to allow Korean companies’ continuous investment in the Philippines, and the foreign leader replied positively, the Blue House said.

Arroyo also expressed appreciation for Korea’s support to develop the Philippines’ agricultural industry. A series of agreements on agriculture, labor and power generation were signed following the summit.

On Saturday, Lee met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and discussed pending issues between the two nations.

The leaders pledged to use diplomatic efforts to urge the North’s return to the stalled six-nation nuclear disarmament talks, criticizing Pyongyang for harming the peace and stability in the region and the world with the recent nuclear test.

Lee also expressed his wish that Korean companies had more opportunities to participate in construction projects in Vietnam, and Dung promised active cooperation. The Vietnamese leader thanked Korea’s economic development cooperation and Lee promised continuous supports, the Blue House said.

By Ser Myo-ja [myoja@joongang.co.kr]

First meeting of the newly elected municipal concil

The municipal team (Photo: NS, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

30 May 2009
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

The team elected on the 17 May 2009 election held its first working session. Sar Kheng, the minister of Interior, took opportunity of the occasion to launch a barb at Sam Rainsy.

The new Phnom Penh municipal council was shooed in on Saturday morning, at the city hall, and it was presided by Sar Kheng, the deputy-PM and minister of Interior. The new council team was elected on 17 May through a non-universal election. The results o fthe election was announced on 27 May by the NEC. The council counts 21 councilors, 7 of whom belong to the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP). Mab Sarin, Phnom Penh city vice-governor, was the CPP candidate who was chosen as the president of the municipal council. As usual, the power transfer ceremony will be held 14 days after the announcement of the results.

Sar Kheng also replied to Sam Rainsy’s accusation. The latter declared that “the CPP did not want to decentralize, i.e. the CPP wants absolute power.” “I confirm that this is not possible. In reality, we are already two political parties that work inside the same institution. If the CPP wants to occupy the power by itself only, there is no need to organize elections, all that it needed to do are nominations, that’s it,” Sar Kheng noted.

Political Debate between Cambodian and Vietnamese on "Invading or Saving?"

First, your argument has some weigh. Many foreign scholars have called current ongoing trial of Khmer Rouge leaders as "travesty of justice". They have commented the same thing like what you are telling me here. But I am really disturbed by this low class analysis and alien approaches to describe the situation in Cambodia.

Post at: http://cambodianbrightfuture.blogspot.com/

4:33 AM and for Main Link of this Debate

I am aware that Khmer Rouge brutality is unacceptable. Now I am insulted as too ignorant, simplistic and cocky to understand the current Cambodia position. You can say whatever you can express your personal opinion. But be aware that your personal opinion is just yours. It cannot be ours. Thus, I am not in the imagination world or in the world of opinion. I would like to allow you to understand that I am in the real world and empirical opinion.

I am young Cambodian. I lost my parents, siblings and other several relatives. This loss has trembled me ever since. But I have never lost to call for fair treatment from others, particularly Vietnam who should not use hegemonic policy over Cambodia through the expense of our relatives' suffering in their great westward march. They should stop try to legitimize their invasion.

First, your argument has some weigh. Many foreign scholars have called current ongoing trial of Khmer Rouge leaders as "travesty of justice". They have commented the same thing like what you are telling me here. But I am really disturbed by this low class analysis and alien approaches to describe the situation in Cambodia.

For Cambodia, if we don't have the UNs and international communities, we don't have present Cambodia. But what is worse is that "present Cambodia has not yet been well solved by the UNs". Cambodia still has imperialistic legacy of Vietnam. I know your word is logical and sweat, but I can say your word is good to keep Vietnam's "status quo" of hegemony and domination over Cambodia.

Secondly, many other countries like Germany or Japan experienced brutality or genocide or race elimination, but after the war, these countries have stopped to debate about right and wrong, legitimate or illegitimate to what was happening in the past of their countries. Only Cambodia who is using Khmer Rouge brutality as the pretext to seek justice, healing, and strengthening the rule of laws. Actually, it is only serving the "status quo" of Vietnam inside Cambodia. I know your word here is really logical and reasonable to current Cambodian political leaders. They are drunk of power and sometime feasibly brainwashed by Vietnam. The present Cambodian political leaders inside the government, most of them are working for personal fame, money and power, they don't care what is going to happen in the future.

These two things might help you to understand more about "real world and empirical opinion" of younger Cambodians.

KY
---------------------------
Le
Well said, the young generation in Cambodia NEVER understood what had happened to their parents' generation, instead only looking at present issues like land annexing or ideological difference, or political diversion. It's true that although we are very close neighbours, we are totally different in every senses, unlike Vietnam and China. Vietnam was under Chinese domination for thousands of years and most Vietnam tradition, language and rituals are from China. But nothing like that seen in Vietnam - Cambodia perspectives. I could imagine Cambodia opposition to Vietnam is much like Vietnam's opposition to China, but causes must be clearly distinguished.

With regard to the presence of Vietnam in Cambodia in late 70s to 80s, I bet most Cambodians weren't tauched how their past generations had gone thru the murderous regime of Polpot. The current generation in Cambodia is simply too young and ignorant, too preoccupied by other issues so as to jump conclusion rather than look at historical context and why they should have been grateful of the Viet, including my dad serving there for 3 years. Without the Viet intervention, Cambodia was just a another sad story like North Korea under the Chineses' chessboard.

By the way, UN is NOT a standard for anyone to take stand. If you look at the impotency of UN, the ignorance of big powers, the filthy politics all together, I would suggest you that Cambodia is just a mockery of UN failure. Although Polpot was convited of the massacre of more than 1 million Cambodians from 75-79, he DID it with the support of Beijing, and arms from US, UK and many other countries simply because they wanted to stop the Soviet expansion in Southeast Asia, regardless of how many human lives lost. Even after the collapse of the Polpot regime, such countries still RECOGNISED the Polpot's seat at UN. What? And now, they made up their mind by asking INTERNATIONAL COURT to try Polpot regime, so basically outlawing that regime and REVERSING their own position. WTF? If you look at the latest example of Iraq, you would know why UN was, and is, a mere tool for some countries to manipulate the whole world.

There is no gain or loss for both our countries, as we are too small and often being taken as a pawn on the chessboard of big countries, we were ALL LOSERS. Vietnam has learnt a lot from its history and I think we have a pretty good government in presence. Be soft to deal with contentious issues, but tough when it comes to national soveignty. Many young generations are just too ignorant, simplistic, cocky to understand the position we are now.

Emotional plea by Ms. Somalin Thach, a courageous Khmer Krom representative

Somalin Thach’s emotional speech at the UNPFII attracts the attention to Khmer Krom plight

29 May 2009
By San Suwith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

In a speech given at the forum for Indigenous People held at the UN headquarters in New York City yesterday, a Khmer Krom woman indicated that all that Khmer Krom people want is to be able to live with their Khmer identity preserved and be able to practice their cultural Khmer heritage.

Somalin Thach, a representative of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), broke down with emotion during her speech given at the United Nation of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York yesterday, while reminiscing about her parents’ flight from Kampuchea Krom (current South Vietnam) because of the discrimination of Khmer Krom people by the Hanoi regime, and also because of their unique Khmer cultural heritage.

Somalin Thach told the audience, that in her name as a Khmer Krom people, her hope is to live in her homeland and to practice her unique cultural heritage. It was time for Viet Nam to move beyond preventing her people from speaking at this Forum. She declared: “I want nothing more but to live in my homeland, as my ancestors have been speaking our indigenous language and practicing our cultural heritage. Madam Chair, we strongly believe that it is time that Vietnam move beyond the denial of our rights to speak at this permanent forum and put into practice our rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the very own constitution of the UN…”

RFA was not able to obtain Ms. Somalin Thach’s comment on her speech because she is currently flying back to her home in Seattle, Washington.

Nevertheless, Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach, KKF executive director who is still leading the Khmer Krom delegation in the meeting in New York, indicated that Ms. Somalin Thach’s speech caught the attention of the foreign forum participants.

Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach said: “The chairwoman of the forum was attracted [by the speech] and she shared Khmer Krom sufferings. She said that the identity of each nationality is very important around the world, and this is the reason why security of indigenous people is protected here. Furthermore, we noted that a number of countries also got the attention and they came to shake hand and encourage Ms. Somalin Thach, even NGOs came to ask for copies of her speech. Therefore, I am calling on all Khmer Krom people who live outside of the country, as well as all Khmer Krom people who now live in countries with freedom, to join in. Only us who live overseas have a voice to represent our voiceless people who are victimized both in Kampuchea Krom and in Cambodia.”

Ampoeu Cham-ork Sdach Ta - "Sdach Ta's mockery": A Poem in Khmer by KC

Khmer Poem by KC

Aksor Sastr Khmer - "Khmer literature": A Poem in Khmer by Sam Vichea

(Kamnap Kakateh Choan Torng)

Poem in Khmer by Sam Vichea (on the web at http://kamnapkumnou.blogspot.com)

Tukh Khmer - "Cambodian sufferings": A Poem in Khmer by Serey Uddom

Poem in Khmer by Serey Uddom

Kaun Khmer - "Khmer Children": A Poem in Khmer by Srey Sra'em

Click on each page of the poem to zoom in

Poem in Khmer by Srey Sra'em

SKorea hosts ASEAN leaders amid NKorea tensions

Sunday, May 31, 2009
By KELLY OLSEN

SEOGWIPO, South Korea (AP) — South Korea imposed heavy security Sunday for a summit with Southeast Asian leaders following North Korean nuclear and missile tests that frayed nerves across the region.

The summit venue of Seogwipo — on the island of Jeju off the southern coast — is the farthest city away from the North. Still, a nervous South Korean government is taking no chances, positioning a surface-to-air missile outside the venue aimed toward the north.

Some 5,000 police officers, including approximately 200 commandos, and special vehicles that can analyze sarin gas and other chemicals have been deployed nearby, said Kim Soo-byung, a presidential security spokesman.

Leaders of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations began arriving for the two-day summit, which officially begins Monday. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak planned to use Sunday to hold individual meetings, including with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan.

The summit, which is being held to commemorate 20 years of relations between South Korea and the bloc, has been in the works for months. South Korea says it sees the meeting as an opportunity to raise its diplomatic profile and solidify economic ties with the region.

But North Korea's bout of saber-rattling, including last week's underground nuclear test and a subsequent series of short-range missile launches off its eastern coast, threatens to steal the limelight.

South Korean officials said Saturday that spy satellites had spotted signs that the North may be preparing to transport a long-range missile to a launch site.

The U.N. Security Council is still weighing how to react to the North's belligerent moves that have earned Pyongyang criticism from the U.S., Europe, Russia and even the North's closest ally, China.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Saturday that North Korea's progress on nuclear weapons and long-range missiles is "a harbinger of a dark future" and has created an urgent need for more pressure on the reclusive communist government to change.

Gates, speaking at an annual meeting of defense and security officials in Singapore, said Pyongyang's efforts pose the potential for an arms race in Asia that could spread beyond the region.

ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In addition to the summit, a gathering of South Korean and Southeast Asian business leaders was set to begin Sunday.

Associated Press writers Lara Jakes and Vijay Joshi in Singapore, Hyung-jin Kim and Kwang-tae Kim in Seoul, and AP photographer Bullit Marquez in Seogwipo contributed to this report.

China pledges $712 million in concessional loans to Cambodia

Source: Deum Ampil newspaper
Reported in English by Khmerization

China has pledged $712 million in concessional loans to Cambodia for the developments of 11 projects, reports Deum Ampil.

The Chinese pledges were announced by Cambodia's Minister of Finance after the return trip from China on 29th May.

Cambodia had originally applied for $1,300 million ($1.3 billion) in concessional loans to develop and upgrade 11 projects, but China had only agreed to lend only $712 million.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Finance said that the Chinese loans were pledged during a visit of Mr. Aun Pornmonirath, Cambodia's Secretary of State of the Ministry of Finance, to China recently.

Presenting the Sophear Riem Foundation to help young children find a way to express themselves through music

Source: http://www.sophearriem.com

The Sophear Riem Foundation was set up in memory of Sophear Riem, a young Cambodian-American man whose life was cut short by tragedy. We encourage KI-Media readers to visit the foundation website to learn more about this foundation, as well as the life story of Sophear.

Thank you!

------------

The Goal of the Sophear Riem Foundation

The Sophear Riem Foundation is an organization with high hopes of allocating donated funds to many different areas of importance. The Foundation’s main goal is to help young children find a way to express themselves through music.

Music is a self esteem builder. It gives you free reign over your creative mind, as well as giving you a sense of who you are. Sophear Riem always felt music was his saving grace and it was what not only enriched but touched his life.

The Foundation ultimately has a goal to raise funds in order to build a music center to ensure that any child would be able to learn to play a musical instrument if they so choose to. Ideally it would allow people to have a safe haven to play musical instruments, listen to different musical influences, become engrossed in all that is music and above all else, to have a safe environment free of negativity and violence for all music lovers alike. With this music center we hope that children and people of all ages can feel comfortable enough to express themselves freely and creatively.

Although musical education is not the only goal that the Foundation supports, it is high on the list of things we hope to achieve one day.

As previously stated, the Foundation does not only support musical education, we also believe it is necessary to reward researchers, humanitarian and environmental groups with the funds that are donated through this site for their efforts in trying to better the world and our future.

If it were not for the hard work and important information environmental groups have been able to provide us with throughout the years, we never would have known of the damaging affects of global warming.

With that mindset, the Foundation finds it imperative that these types of groups continue with their important research work. In which, we hope they find ways of salvaging our slowly diminishing planet.

Due to the time and efforts of researchers, society as a whole can now benefit from an Earth that will continue to live on to welcome many generations to come, and so with that, we find it necessary to help fund the research and studies. We will be able to do so by offering the option to donate to the environmental and humanitarian efforts with funds collected through this site.

We will also be working with various different groups such as the Boys and Girls clubs, different Elementary, Junior High and High Schools as well as peace groups with and in surrounding areas to ensure that we are reaching local communities as well as cities from afar.

With your help, The Sophear Riem Foundation will be able to help not only the children of tomorrow but our future on Earth as well. Thank you for taking the time to find out more about the Sophear Riem Foundation, we appreciate your interest in our endeavors and we thank you for generosity.

Siblings arrested in land disputes because of injustices

Mrs. Leng Sok Heng and her siblings were manhandled by police during the violent eviction on 27th May, 2009.

Sources: Deum Ampil and Koh Santepheap newspapers
Reported in English by Khmerization

A long land disputes between two related-families in Phnom Penh have resulted in the violent arrests of the losing party who refused to abide by the court verdict because they say it's very unjust, reports Deum Ampil.

According to reports, the land disputes between Mrs. Leng Sophal, 35 and Pak Phally, 33 centred on a plot of lands in Reussey Keo district which saw Mrs. Leng Phally and her sibblings being violently evicted by about 50 policemen and court officials.


Mrs. Leng Sok Heng and her siblings were manhandled by police during the violent eviction on 27th May, 2009.

Mrs. Leng Sok Heng, 42 said that she and her sister Leng Sophal had moved to live in the plot of the disputed land measuring 16.60 m by 13.70 m since 1983. She said that in 1994, Pak Phally bought a plot of land behind her house. 5-6 years later he asked to buy her land for $3000-4000 but she refused to sell. Later he offered to pay $30,000 but she again refused the offer. At this point she claims that Pak Phally staked a claim to the ownership of the land by lodging a legal complaint against her and her sisters to take their land. According to the sisters, because Pak Phally is rich, he had bribed the judges with a large substantial sum of money and he won the case and the violent eviction followed suit, reports Koh Santepheap.

On the other hand, Pak Phally claimed that Mrs. Leng Sok Heng and her sisters had illegally lived on a block of land he legally owned since 1996. He took legal action against them in 1997 and won, but the sisters refused to vacate the lands until now that the court began to implement its verdict by evicting Mrs. Leng Sok Heng and her sisters.

According to media reports, the two sides of the legal battle are related to each other.

Mrs. Leng Sok Heng and her sisters are appealing to Prime Minister Hun Sen to intervene in their case because they said that corrupt judge and court officials have connived with Mr. Pak Phally to lake their land which they rightfully owned since 1983.

Kingdoom Odd news: Cambodian Prime Minister and his wife study “umbrella dance, small candle dance and model catwalk”?

Model catwalk and Mao Tse Tung are among the many topics that Hun Sen and his wife are studying, as confessed in the following letter:

In a letter sent to King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia wrote:

To His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk, the Hero-King, the Father of Khmer Independence, Territorial Integrity and National Unity

Your highly revered Majesty!

I already received the 4 DVDs titled:

1- Umbrella dance, Small candle dance, Model catwalk
2- Music and songs by Norodom Sihanouk, Choreography by H.M. Norodom Sihamoni Gothavary Nostalgia, Complain
Long Life President Mao Tse Tung! Long life the Chinese People! Choreography by the P.R.C.
3- November Breeze, Music by Norodom Sihanouk, Choreography by H.M. King Norodom Sihanouk
4- Phnom Penh 2009, Music by Norodom Sihanouk, a film by Norodom Buppha Devi, Cambodia, April 2009

that your Majesty sent to me and my wife to watch for entertainment and to study and understand.

In the name of my wife, I am asking your authorization to thank you with deepest joy for your donation of these extremely useful DVDs to me and my wife.

In conclusion, I am bowing my body and mind to wish Your revered Majesty and revered Samdech Mother with the four Buddhist wishes.

May the highly grateful King-Father receive my highest respect and gratitude.

Done in Phnom Penh on 21 May 2009

(Signed) Samdach Akko Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Xen

3,000-euro-fountain-pen that is worth a royal story of bounced check

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

"I was almost judged and sentenced by a tribunal in France for a “bounced check” because I own 28,000 euros in a bank in Paris, and I sent a 3,000 euros check to this bank for the purchase of fountain pens!!!" By N. Sihanouk

One believes that it was a bizarre, crazy dream. However, it was real, a fact that was real!

“My” bank in Paris started to send me, to my address in Beijing, “serious” “papers” (not joke!!), accusing me of committing a “bounced check” crime, no more no less. This check of N. Sihanouk included the number and the letters indicating clearly: 3,000 euros (three thousand euros). And I owned 28,000 (twenty eight thousand euros) in this bank. How can this bank accuse me of “giving out” a “bounced check” (sic!!!) when this check was only drafted for an amount of 3,000 (three thousand) euros when I own 28,000 (twenty eight thousand) euros in this bank (Now, as of May 2009, I own 25,000 – twenty five thousand euros)??

Finally, the bank in Paris confesses that its “computer” made “a mistake” –(sic!) –. It (the bank) apologized to me (Norodom Sihanouk) in writing. My check was not and is not a bounced check!

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk

Hungary write off half of Cambodia's debt

State Secretary László Várkonyi signs Hungarian-Cambodian agreements in Phnom Penh

May 28, 2009
Source: Hungary Min. of Foreign Affairs

On the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh on May 28, Mr Várkonyi and Mrs. Sun Saphoeun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia had bilateral talks.

After the meeting two Agreements were signed: one on the consolidation and settlement of Cambodia’s outstanding debt towards Hungary with Mr. Ouk Rabun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the other on development co-operation with Mrs. Sun Saphoeun.

According to the first document half of the debt will be written off by Hungary whereas the other half will be paid back by Cambodia within two months after the signing of the Agreement.

In the context of the debt settlement, the Parties have come to the agreement that Hungary undertakes to finance a Cambodian development project in the amount of at least 40 million HUF which corresponds to the paid back amount.

In the course of their consultation State Secretary László Várkonyi and Mrs. Sun Saphoeun agreed that this project will be a reception centre for the victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups. This project is actually an expansion of an already existing orphanage built with Hungarian help in the eighties.

S-21 called worst prison

Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, during his trial at Cambodia's war crimes tribunal in this file photo. (Photo by: AFP/ECCC pool)

Friday, 29 May 2009
Written by Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Expert tells court 'techniques' more brutal than other centres.

AMERICAN specialist Craig Etcheson sought to dispute defence arguments that Duch was a scapegoat for the wrongs of the Khmer Rouge regime, telling the UN-backed war crimes court Thursday that the torture techniques used at S-21 were more horrendous than those at other security offices throughout the country.

Speaking at the trial of former S-21 chief Kaing Guek Eav, Etcheson, who is currently an investigator with the co-prosecutors, said that at zone-level security offices and the security offices situated in the regime's lower echelons, the main torture techniques were "whipping, suffocation with a plastic bag and electrocution".

However at S-21, methods such as "burning, removing fingernails and toenails, putting salt or saltwater on wounds, tormenting people with poisonous insects", were used.

"There was a difference in the torture practices at S-21 and the torture practices at other security offices," Craig Etcheson told the chamber.

Etcheson, who is the author of The Rise and Demise of Democratic Kampuchea, was called on to provide expert testimony on the implementation of regime policy at S-21 prison.

Answering questions put by civil party lawyer Alain Werner about the policy of "smashing" cadres, Etcheson emphasised that the policy meant more than just a bullet to the head.

"Smash means something more than killing," Etcheson explained. "It was to smash into little pieces."

He said that starvation could also be considered a form of smashing.

"Starvation of prisoners in the security offices appeared to be a very widespread policy throughout Democratic Kampuchea."

Cambodian defence lawyer Kar Savuth disputed claims made by Etcheson that the S-21 prison was the regime's largest torture facility.

[Caritas Cambodia] Rice bank helps poor families

May 29 2009
UCAN

KANDAL, Cambodia : Caritas Cambodia is seeing positive results four years after establishing its rice bank program to help poor rural families.

In Lavear Em and Kandal Steung districts in Kandal province, for instance, the program has significantly benefited impoverished households, says Chhay Meng, Caritas Cambodia's program manager in this province.

The program here is just one of the many rice bank schemes that Caritas is involved in across the country. Caritas is the Catholic Church's social service agency.

"Confronted by immense poverty and suffering, our most fundamental response has been supporting marginalized communities by sharing resources, supplying seeds for farmers, increasing their output and supplies, and helping to reduce their dependence on high interest loans," he said.

Meng said that Caritas has managed to help six communes and 13 villages in the province, directly benefiting up to 250 of the poorest families.

The good thing about the program, he said, is that although Caritas is the principle sponsor, it is the local people who are mainly responsible for the day-to-day running of the rice bank.

Farmers contribute 20 kilograms of rice to the bank on joining the scheme.

Participants wishing to borrow rice to feed their families will have to pay 20 percent interest on what they borrow. However, the interest rate goes up to 50 percent on rice seed for planting, which they pay back at harvest time. If they default on a repayment, then it can affect their ability to borrow in the future.

The scheme also allows farmers to save rice, said Meng.

Rice bank officials are elected by rice bank members in the villages and staff from Caritas Cambodia. There are three main officials per district: director, deputy-director, and cashier.

According to Yem Nuon, 54, cashier in Kandal's Stueng district, Caritas Cambodia in 2005 provided 250 kilograms of rice to poor families in her district. Since then the rice bank has grown significantly so that there is now a reserve of about three tons.

"I'm very thankful to Caritas Cambodia for assisting the poor families in our village," she said "If our crops fail, we can borrow seed from the bank. If we borrow from other sources, we have to pay double the interest (almost 100 percent)," she said.

Hem Pring, 60, director of the rice bank in the same village, said her village has 26 families already registered as members of the program and 56 other people are about to join. "The members are living better lives now," she added.

In Asia, Women Workers Hit Hard by Economic Slump

Garment workers in Cambodia (Photo: Reuters)

By Ron Corben
Voice of America
Bangkok
29 May 2009

Across Asia women are bearing the brunt of the global economic downturn as export manufacturers shed workers. The United Nation's International Labor Organization and labor rights groups say Asian governments need to boost social protection programs for women and workers vulnerable to the global recession.

Asia's export-driven growth over the past 30 years has drawn millions of women into the work force, making consumer goods for the world. The work lifted families out of poverty and gave women greater independence and opportunities.

Now the global economic downturn means tens of thousands of women are losing their jobs, as slow demand forces factories making everything from clothes to electronics to shut down.

Kee Beom Kim, an economist with the United Nation's International Labour Organization, says women in export industries the region are especially vulnerable to the current economic climate. Kim says the consequences are wide ranging.

"They have lost their jobs and without a job, in some cases for those who are poor - their food consumption decreases, their health consumption; we see that children are being withdrawn from school," said Kim. "In the garment industries reduced working hours basically means less take home pay - of course a detrimental effect on consumption."

China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia are some of the countries where exports account for a large proportion of national output. A slowdown in foreign investment and a decline in remittances from overseas workers worsen the poor economic climate for women workers.

The ILO warns that unemployment across the Asia-Pacific region could rise by over 25 million this year, to more than 110 million across the region.

United Nations data show the region accounts for around two-thirds of the world's total employment. China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Bangladesh, Japan and Pakistan make up the bulk of that work force.

Lucia Victor Jayaseelan, executive coordinator with the Committee for Asian Women, says in Cambodia she recently met women from the hard-hit garment industry, who face uncertain futures.

"They were working without pay because they couldn't go home," said Jayaseelan. "And they were so used to working and hoping and believing that the industries, the factories would be giving them some money at some point. Three months no salary; which meant they had to live, pay their rent, school for their children, remit money back to rural areas - all that went."

The ILO and labor rights workers are calling on regional governments to boost social protection programs, especially those that can help women laid off from work. They also say government economic stimulus packages need to focus on building up rural infrastructure that would most benefit women and children.

US Senators introduce bill to grant duty free import of apparels from least-developed countries, incl. Cambodia

US bill tailors duty-free textile access to LDCS

Saturday, May 30, 2009
APP (Pakistan)

Karachi—Two US Senators Dianne Feinstein, and Kit Bond have introduced a bill that would grant duty-free access (upto a limit) for textile and apparel goods, to 14 least-developed countries (LDCS) that are not currently beneficiaries under any U.S. preference program.

According to information reaching Pakistan, they are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon Islands, East Timor, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Yemen. The same benefits would be made available to Sri Lanka as well.

A large number of textile exporters and industrialists, while expressing concern over this development, have said that this move will further shrink Pakistan’s share in US textile market.

Chairman F B Area Association of Trade and Industry M Idress Gigi said that this is alarming. Pakistan is an important ally of USA in war on terror and we have been trying to get duty free access in American market. But we did not get the access and our competitors Bangladesh and Sri Lanka got it, he said.

Former chairman Towel Manufacturers Association of Pakistan S M Obaid said that the government must take up this matter with US government and get a market access for Pakistani exporters. Pakistan has sustained huge losses on account of terrorism. We are the strong ally of USA and we have a valid case for this access, he noted.

If this bill is passed it will be a disaster for our textile exports, he added.

Chairman North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry Muhammad Younus Khamisani said that the cost of Pakistani textile is already high due to high mark up and utilities rates. Duty free access to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will shunt out Pakistani textile products from USA, he observed.

The goal of the legislation is to help promote democracy while sustaining vital export industries and creating employment opportunities in LDCs.

Cambodia to have first airplane taxiway next month

May 29, 2009
Xinhua

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia will have its first taxiway next month in Phnom Penh International Airport, a path that connects the runway to where airplanes park to increase the flight capacity of the airport, local media reported on Friday.

The US$9 million taxiway, which is 1,250 meters long by 44 meters wide, roughly the same size as the existing runway, will allow for more takeoffs and landings each day, Khek Norinda, communications and marketing manager for Societe Concessionaire des Aeroports (SCA), was quoted by English newspaper the Cambodia Daily as saying.

SCA, which is financing construction, is a French-owned company and manages Phnon Penh International Airport, as well as the airport in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, under a contract with the government that runs until 2040.

The construction began in May of last year and will be finished in June of this year.

Currently, only 10 passenger planes can land or take off in an hour from the airfield at Phnom Penh's airport, said Sok Puth Thoeun, director of the airport's engineering department. That will jump to at least 16 planes with the planned taxiway.

"It is the first parallel taxiway for Phnom Penh International Airport," he added. The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation also has a master plan to build a parallel taxiway at Siem Reap International Airport, said Sok Puth Thoeun.

Opposition Editor Summoned to City Court

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 May 2009

Phnom Penh Municipal Court called an opposition journalist in for questioning Friday over articles he published on corruption and the cabinet minister.

Hang Chakra, director of the Khmer Mchas Srok newspaper, ran two stories alleging that Council Minister Sok An was involved in corruption.

One article praised Prime Minister Hun Sen for “destroying” corrupt officials surrounding Sok An.

Sok An is a deputy prime minister and one of the most powerful officials in government. He oversees matters concerning the Khmer Rouge tribunal and oil exploration, among others.

Rights workers and monitors maintain that Cambodia’s media environment, while technically free, remains fettered by political influence.

Last year, the editor of opposition newspaper Moneaksekar Khmer, Dam Sith, was jailed in a suit brought by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Later, a journalist for Moneaksekar Khmer, Khim Sambor, was murdered. No one has been arrested for the killing.

Assembly Passes Disability Legislation

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 May 2009

The National Assembly unanimously passed legislation on Friday to protect and promote the rights of the disabled, even though the opposition boycotted the session.

Cambodia has a high rate of disability, an estimated 4.5 percent of a population of more than 14 million.

Ruling party parliamentarian Chheang Vun told VOA Khmer the new law would help “resolve social problems.”

“This law sets up all conditions to help persons with disabilities receive various social services and rights,” Chheang Vun said. “This law provides much interest for the disabled, and this law is implemented in conformity with international standards.”

Heng Chantha, whose legs were disabled by polio and who is a rights protection officer for the Cambodian Disabled People organization, welcomed the law.

“This law serves the interests of persons with disabilities, particularly to receive equal rights before the law, non-discrimination, participation of rights in society, the protection and promotion of rights, proper living standards and proper health and education,” she said.

The law passed with 75 votes, after 19 Sam Rainsy Party and three Human Rights Party parliamentarians walked out of the session.

SRP parliamentarian Mu Sochua told reporters Friday the opposition had walked out on procedural complaints, not because its lawmakers disagreed with the law.

Opposition proposals to strengthen the law were not distributed in the full session of the National Assembly, she said.

“Our proposal would have strengthened the law and was aimed at providing special quotas, food, understanding and legal ownership of lands and rights to proper housing,” she said.

Government Plans Public Investment Budget

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 May 2009

The government hopes to spend nearly $3 billion over the next three years on public investment projects, but opposition lawmakers worry the funds could find their way into the pockets of corrupt officials.

The budget, which was approved by the Council of Ministers Friday, will fund 536 projects mostly aimed at public investment.

The Council of Ministers approved $2.83 billion for three years, marking 303 projects as top priorities.

"The Ministry of Economy and Finance will play a crucial role in controlling this budget," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said.

Opposition officials warn that public investment schemes could be open to graft.

"I am not opposed public investment with proper expenditure," said Yim Sovann, a lawmaker for the Sam Rainsy Party. "What I'm concerned about is that government officials will commit corruption through these projects."

A senior economist for the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, who asked not to be named, said the budget would not be enough to build up the country's infrastructure, following decades of war, but it could help the country's impoverished.

Khmer Krom Federation met officials from the U.S State Department

Source: Radio Free Asia
Reported in English by Khmerization
Originally posted at: www.khmerization.blogspot.com

Members of the Khmer Krom Federation have met with the U.S State Department officials to discuss about the human right situations of Khmer Krom people living in Vietnam, reports radio Free Asia.

The Khmer Krom delegation comprising of 5 members was led by Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach, president of Khmer Krom Federation. They met with a group of 8 U.S State Department officials led by Mr. Bratt Blackshaw, head of the Vietnam Affairs at the State Department.

Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach said: "There were 8 officials from the State Department who met us. They come from the Religious Affairs, Refugee Affairs, Educational Affairs and the Human Right Affairs of the State Department."

Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach said that the meeting resulted in three positive outcomes which give hope to the Khmer Krom's non-violent struggle for self-determination. He said: "We achieved three important outcomes from the meeting. First, all officials are committed to our proposals that the Khmer Krom Buddhist affairs be separated from and independent of the control of the Vietnamese authority. They said that they will continue their efforts to address this issue. Secondly, they are committed to helping Khmer Krom refugees/asylum-seekers. We want them to help Mr. Tim Sakhorn and other 6 Buddhist monks to come to America. The U.S pays more attention to those regugees/asylum-seekers who are recognised by UNHCR and Thai auhtority and they said that when the status of those asylum-seekers are clearer, they are happy to help facilitate their cases. Thirdly, we proposed that America provides scholarships to Khmer Krom students, even a few of them per year is enough, because we wanted to encourage Khmer Krom students to study harder."

Vietnam's Hegemonic Policy over CPP is Intellectually and Successfully

The puzzling question for us now is how effective Vietnamese people can work to achieve their expanding plan in the Champa land, Khmer Prey Norkor and Khmer Krom, and how this plan has presently been undertaken in Lao and Cambodia?

From the barbaric politics of ancient tribal system, to industrialization, world wars, cold war and current capitalism, Vietnam has kept the same strategy is to expand their territorial land or obtain hegemony/domination over their neighboring countries. One effective traditional policy and plan Vietnam has used is to utilize their population/people as the special agent to achieve their expanding goal. Their instrumental mechanism is to secure that their neighboring countries are intuitively aware of friendship rather than enemy, cooperation rather than separation, and to mutually paying respect via long lasting and comprehensive friendship agreement.

The puzzling question for us now is how effective Vietnamese people can work to achieve their expanding plan in the Champa land, Khmer Prey Norkor and Khmer Krom, and how this plan has presently been undertaken in Lao and Cambodia?

Investigating present movement of Vietnam's hegemonic policy is impressive. Ho Vann's opinion regarding those 22 PhD in military from Hanoi is properly sued in the felony court? What is the role of court of Cambodia to ensure the verdict? Those 22 so-called PhD in military are endorsed by the neo-colonialist Vietnam to take advantage over Cambodia while we are facing with Thailand. They are the ideological agent to legitimize Vietnam's domination over Cambodia.

Current Cambodian government have succumbed to the power of Vietnam hegemony. All activities and policies operated by the CPP is embodying closer to the total hegemonic achievement of Vietnam over Cambodia. They are considered:

1. Using public to pay attention to the goodness (propaganda) of Vietnam in Cambodia such as this court verdict regarding 22 so-called PhD of military from Hanoi, using TV media to legitimize Vietnam's hegemony through CTN and other TV channels. So-called H.E. Chhum Kosal has relentlessly promoted the goodness of Vietnam of 7 January 1979 day by not contrasting the bad and good from this period. If he is really working to serve Cambodian interests, why he deliberated only the freedom from Khmer Rouge brutality without giving proper weighing argument on Vietnam invasion over Cambodia? Of course, if Vietnam had no economic embargo and pressures from the international arena, Vietnam will not withdraw its troops in Cambodia. No free lunch exist in this world, Mr. H.E. Chhum Kosal. However, Vietnam withdrew only uniform troops but civilian troops and administrative networks throughout Cambodia was well organized.
Watch below movie clip:


2. While Cambodia is facing conflict with Thailand about border encroachment, Cambodian government particularly Hun Sen a top leader, turn their face to smile and plead support from Vietnam. Cambodia's history has been repeated again and again until our land is totally disappeared. Hun Sen is trying to promote himself as the hero of the nation. He is comparing himself as the second Norodom Sihanouk who was enthusiastically loved by his people during Independence Crusade and Victory over Preah Vihea scheme with Thailand. Hun Sen is uplifting his goodness because he can achieve to name Preah Vihea as the Cultural Heritage Site. How pride of Hun Sen at the expense of losing integrity to Vietnam from this tiny pride? The piling rock of Khmer ancient temples will make a survival or death for Cambodia?
Watch below movie clip:


3. It is very dangerous. Hun Sen is committing self-suicide and self-destruction for Cambodia. He and his colleagues have never realized the Ho's dream of using his people as his special agent to hegemonize Cambodia. Ho's plan has been derived from their ancestors which could annex Champa and Khmer Prey Norkor successfully. Firstly, they tried to make trust to these regions. Secondly, sent their people to live their. Thirdly, arranged village and municipal and local administration. Finally, the high rate of Vietnamese citizens and nationalism can achieve this plan.

4. In current situation, Cambodian government or the Office of Immigration Affair can not rightly disclose the exact number of Vietnamese immigration. We can say at least government should concern to know about how many Vietnamese immigrations have been naturalized, and how many have not? How many Vietnamese traveled across border to Cambodia last few years, present year, and predictive future?

5. As border-pole installation is publicly spread through the media,Vietnamese immigration amount to Cambodia is simultaneously closed to the public by the Cambodian government.

6. The agreement to waive visa fee for Vietnamese citizens to travel to Cambodia is dangerous to Cambodia and it is the self-suiciding decision of Hun Sen.

7. The intractable corruption and culture of nepotism of present Cambodian government will easily allow the fast growing of Vietnamese population inside Cambodian land. Vietnamese immigration can come to Cambodia and apply for Cambodian citizenship easily.

8. Regarding Vietnamese population, Hun Sen's administration is committing self-destruction and Cambodia will be totally dominated by Vietnam. Ho's dream is coming true. His people are working like the virus destroying our health from internal cells . They will finally can kill Lao and Cambodia like they had once killed Champa, Prey Norkor and Khmer Krom Land.

This our worry! But is it too late for Cambodian government to handle with this issue? Or Cambodian government understand Hun Sen's administration cannot make any better to deal with Vietnamese immigration?

KY

Government rejects charges of political manipulation at ECCC

Friday, 29 May 2009
Written by Georgia Wilkins
The Phnom Penh Post

Denies claims of political interference following report by court watchdog that accuses officials of manipulating investigations at the tribunal.

A SENIOR government official has rejected allegations that the government is preventing judges at Cambodia's war crimes court from interviewing witnesses who are currently serving as members of the government.

"We aren't interfering in anything," Council of Ministers spokesperson Phay Siphan said Thursday.

"It's up to the prosecutors who they want to speak to."

He added: "The government has no power or responsibility in this issue."

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith said Thursday that deciding who to call as a witness was an issue for court officials, not the government, but refused to comment further.

The most recent allegation of political interference was made by the Open Society Justice Initiative, a US-based international watchdog that said in a report Wednesday that there were "ominous signs of political manipulation" at the UN-backed court.

"Recent public warnings by senior officials against additional indictments have added to fears of political meddling," a press statement said.

"It appears that the government of Cambodia is attempting to block the investigating judges from interviewing certain insider witnesses who hold current positions of power," it added.

In April, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that he would "prefer to see this court fail than for war to come back to Cambodia".

"That is my absolute position ... just focus on these few people," Hun Sen said.

"If they try another 20 people and war erupts, who will take responsibility? ... I would pray for this court to run out of money and for the foreign judges and prosecutors to walk out. That would allow for Cambodia to finish the trial by itself," he added.

Citing the comments and others made by senior officials, OSJI said the government was blatantly interfering in prosecutorial decisions.

"The Cambodian government risks undermining the Khmer Rouge tribunal," said James Goldston, executive director of OSJI, in the press statement.

"Political direction about whom to prosecute and whom not to prosecute directly flouts the court's promise of independence," the report further stated.

However, Phay Siphan claimed that the prime minister's comments were "unofficial" and that if the monitoring group wanted to know what the official line of the government was on the issue, it should request it in writing.

Donors must also act

Clint Williamson, the US ambassador-at-large for war crimes, said during a visit last week that officials must address the issue of graft at the court but did not express concern over political interference.

The OSJI report also criticised donor countries' unwillingness to demand proper oversight mechanisms. "Donors are in a position to insist that adequate protections against improper practices are put in place to protect the integrity of their contributions," it said.

Cambodia buys over 1 billion kwh of electricity from VN per year

Power group sells more to Cambodia

29-05-2009
VNS (Hanoi)

HA NOI — Viet Nam will sell more than 1 billion kWh of electricity per year to Cambodia, according to the Electricity of Viet Nam Group.

The latest electricity purchase amends a contract between the EVN and Cambodian utility Electricite Du Cambodge first signed in July 2000.

The amended agreement also calls for Viet Nam to build a transformer in Chau Doc in An Giang Province and more than 26km of line to deliver power from there to the Cambodian border. Cambodia, meanwhile, will lay more than 50km of line from the border to a 220kV transformer in Takeo Province, and another 46km to a 220kV transformer in the capital city of Phnom Penh.

Slow construction progress on the Cambodian side has delayed the completion of the project from 2003 to 2009, according to the group.

Dr. Etcheson: the creativity and zeal of Pol Pot's cadres contributed to the scope of the disaster

Kambol (Phnom Penh, Cambodia). 28/05/2009: Alain Werner, civil party lawyer, on day 23 of Duch's trial at the ECCC (Photo: John Vink/ Magnum)

28-05-2009
By Stéphanie Gée
Ka-set

Following a pertinent review of torture and the practice of confessions, among others, with expert Craig Etcheson, the hearing of May 28th gave rise to an intense exchange between the international lawyer of Duch and the U.S. expert. During the whole afternoon, François Roux put forth his arguments with method, sketching the main characteristics of the Khmer Rouge regime and making sure to request Craig Etcheson's agreement on each new point raised: Democratic Kampuchea was a “regime of terror” that relied on the obligation of secrecy, an extremely centralised power, the systematic indoctrination of party members, a vertical communication system, a policy of spying and denunciation, a police State that practised mass purges... The lawyer thus pulled the expert towards his conclusions...

The practice of torture, an “oral tradition” that was encouraged

Returning to the meaning to give to the Khmer word “smashing”, which often featured in the Khmer Rouge terminology, expert Craig Etcheson, following the accused, recognised that it meant more than killing and was often translated by “crushing.” He explained this was in line with a long process aimed not only to smash physically but also psychologically. He said that the practice in S-21 was ideally adapted to the dehumanisation of the individual psyche. Alain Werner, co-lawyer for civil party group 1, then asked him if a torture policy was clearly formulated. “I have never seen an order or directive of the Central Committee that explicitly ordered torture,” the American replied, stressing, on the basis of various statements, that the Khmer Rouge explicitly leaders wanted great sufferings to be inflicted upon their enemies.

“Who designed these torture techniques?”, the lawyer asked him. “That is something we wondered about for a long time. Most of the time, they were developed through practice and were inherited from those used by the Vietnamese communists. It was like some kind of oral tradition.” For the expert, Duch was the main trainer in those techniques. “In security centres at the zone, sector and district levels, the range of torture practices seemed to be limited to beating, whipping, suffocation by plastic bag and electrocution. In S-21, there were supplementary techniques, like burning, ripping off fingernails, […], pouring salt on open wounds, using poisonous insects, various forms of water torture and hanging by the hands tied in the back until the shoulders dislocated, etc.”

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Hanoi PhDs lawsuit against opposition MP: Biased court summons the MP

The Phnom Penh municipal court issued a summon for SRP MP Ho Vann for 05 June 2008 for questioning in regards to the lawsuit on “defamation, incitation to successfully perpetrate medium crime and incitation to unsuccessfully perpetrate medium crime” brought up by the defense lawyer and the representative of 22 high-ranking army officials who received their degrees [from Hanoi] on 20 April 2009. Mr. Ho Vann criticized these degrees and he now receives the ire of the 22 Hanoi PhDs.

Khmer Surin need your help to preserve Khmer heritage

Click on the text in Khmer to zoom in

Khmer people living in Surin (Srin in Khmer) are trying to raise $1,000 to purchase a large size scanner (A3 size capable) to scan all Khmer documents hidden from the Siamese destruction in Khmer pagodas. For additional information on the project, please click on the following link:

http://www.KhmerSurin.org

or contact the following email: khmersurin@gmail.com
or call: 0875815514 (Thailand phone number)

Thank you!