Asian political parties gather in Cambodia

12/03/2010
VNA/VOV News (Hanoi)

The 6th International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP6) themed, “Asia’s Quest for a Better Tomorrow” has been held in the Cambodian capital city of Phnom Penh.

Participants in the three-day conference included representatives of 89 political parties from 36 countries, 150 observers and environmental experts from international organisations and the United Nations.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Hoang Binh Quan, Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, attended the event.

In his opening speech on December 1, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen emphasised the need to improve mutual understanding and trust, promote cooperation through the unique role and channel of political parties, and create an environment for sustainable peace and shared prosperity in the region, he said.

Also under discussion are measures to achieve economic recovery from the global financial crisis and ensure energy security and environmental safety against the backdrop of climate change, the PM said.

Over the past two days, participants joined in drafting the “Phnom Penh Declaration” with a focus on main topics such as reaffirming ICAPP’s role as an open forum for Asian political parties, recognising the huge risk of environmental damage and poverty and the pressing need to increase trade relations in the region through lifting tax and non-tax barriers, coping with climate change, targeting production towards renewable resources and promoting the role of women and young people.

This is the first time Cambodia has hosted ICAPP, after it was organised in the Philippines, Thailand, China, the Republic of Korea and Kazakhstan.

With Cambodia's weak productivity problem, how could Economic Dr. Hun Xen dream of closing the trade imbalance gap?

Cambodia's Strongman: All talk no action?

Hun Sen Wants Trade Balance With Neighbors

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 February 2010

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday urged a balance of imports and exports to countries like China, Thailand and Vietnam.

In 2009, imports from Vietnam and Thailand reached $2 billion each, and $1 billion from China. However, exports to those countries were far lower, creating a wide deficit, Hun Sen said at the inauguration of a new building for the Ministry of Commerce in Phnom Penh.

“At this point, we must push our efforts to encourage investment for export to Asean markets and other important markets like the US, Europe, China, Korea and Japan,” he said.

Cambodia has the capacity to export $4 billion in goods on the world market, Hun Sen said. Cambodia’s economy is led by the garment industry, which accounts for nearly half its exports, followed by agricultural goods such as rubber and corn. The garment industry has been hard hit by the economic downturn, with fewer orders coming in from lucrative markets like the US and Europe.

According to government figures, Cambodia exported $3.6 billion in goods in 2009, down $807 million from the previous year. Its imports reached of total of $5.2 billion in 2009, down $1 billion from the year before.

Nov Sieha, a researcher for the Economic Institute of Cambodia, said Cambodia’s export problems were due to “weak” productivity.

“We lack competitiveness,” he said.

PM tells France he will not fuel tension at Thai border [-Hun Xen's all bark, no action when it comes to border issues]

PM tells France he will not fuel tension at Thai border

Monday, 20 July 2009
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

In lunch meeting with President Sarkozy, Hun Sen said he will not allow border issue to expand 'into other areas', official says.

PRIME Minister Hun Sen has promised French President Nicolas Sarkozy that he will not provoke tension at the Thai-Cambodian border, a Council of Ministers official said Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at the airport upon the premier's return, Prak Sokhon, secretary of state at the Council of Ministers, said Hun Sen had promised the French government that he would not provoke "civil war or tension" or "allow for an enlargement [of the dispute] into other areas" as he sought to bring "justice" to the Cambodian people in the matter of the Preah Vihear temple dispute.

Prak Sokhon said Hun Sen also told Sarkozy during an official lunch that he considered the start of the trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders to be a positive development, though he said the country should also focus on issues of peace.

"It was the highest level of lunch discussion between the leaders of the two countries that we have ever had in France," Prak Sokhon said. "The French president, prime minister and minister of foreign affairs ... agreed to increase cooperation."

A few dozen government ministers and secretaries of state were present at Phnom Penh International Airport to welcome Hun Sen and his wife, Bun Rany.

Though Prak Sokhon was tight-lipped about details of the trip, he said Hun Sen had attended the opening of the Bastille Day military parade on Tuesday.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Post Sunday that officials hope bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and France will grow stronger following the visit.

"Our foreign policy is to promote bilateral cooperation in order to bring development to our country," he said.

Fabyene Mansencal, first secretary at the French Embassy in Phnom Penh, could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Cambodia's national police: Role model of supreme corruption under Hun Sen's regime?

Cambodian PM calls on national police to be role model of protector of people's interest

PHNOM PENH, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen called on police force to be a role model in order to protect the interest of the people, the official Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP)reported on Monday.

"Police force needs to be a role model and right implementer just, sincere and unbiased in order to protect righteous interest of the people and assist people facing difficulties at all time and every where," AKP quoted premier's recent message as saying.

The premier made the message to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the creation of Cambodian national police force which was formed on May 16, 1945.

In his message, the prime minister acknowledged the national police force at all levels for their hard work and sacrifice to bring about national security both inside Cambodian territory and along its border.

Hun Sen also prayed for and deeply thanked to the souls of the fallen police forces and expressed his respect to their children, spouses and parents who had allowed those heroic forces to serve the country and continue to support all government's activities to achieve the present development.

Though Cambodia is now peaceful, he said, all police forces should keep up with the good practice to ensure the country's sustainable and dynamic poverty reduction measure and to bring more physical and emotional peace for Cambodians.

"...he has called me a gangster": Hun Sen's all talk but no action with Kasit Piromya

The "gangster" shaking hand with his "insulter"

Cambodian PM warns Thailand on border dispute

2009/03/31
AFP

PHNOM PENH, Tues.: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen today warned neighbouring Thailand that it would face fighting if its troops again crossed their disputed border.

The premier made the remarks a week after Cambodian officials said some 100 Thai troops briefly entered contested territory near an ancient temple where a deadly gun battle broke out last year.

“I tell you first, if you enter (Cambodian territory) again, we will fight.

The troops at the border have already received the order,” Hun Sen said at a ceremony to open a road named after him in the seaside resort of Sihanoukville.

“I am the leader of Cambodia who was elected by the will of the people, not by robbing power,” he added, in an apparent reference to Thailand’s current political instability.

Hun Sen also told his audience that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will visit Cambodia on April 18, but blasted the Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya for allegedly insulting him.

“He insults me — he has called me a gangster,” he said of the foreign minister.

“What if I insult your king? What would you say if insulted your prime minister and your ancestors? I’m not angry with you, but please use dignified words.”

Tensions over the long-disputed territory flared in July last year after the 11th century temple was granted United Nations world heritage status.

Soldiers clashed in the area in October, leaving four troops dead.

Subsequent talks between Cambodia and Thailand have not resolved the dispute. Thai officials denied that any of their troops had crossed the border last week.

A spokesman for the Thai foreign ministry, Tharit Charungwat, said it had not received an official report on Hun Sen’s speech, but added that there had been a “misinterpretation” of earlier comments made by Kasit regarding Hun Sen.

“Thailand wants to avoid using force and supports using border mechanisms to solve problems. The border mechanism is working well,” Tharit said.

The border between the two countries has never been fully demarcated, in part because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

Increasing Cambodia’s Competitiveness [-All grandiose talk but no real action?]

Saturday, 7 February 2009
Press Release: UNDP
Cambodia Economic Forum

• Increasing Cambodia’s Competitiveness
• For Growth and Poverty Reduction in the Face of the Global Financial Crisis

PHNOM PENH, 5 FEBRUARY 2009: Despite remarkable recent economic growth and steady progress towards reducing poverty, the effects of the global financial crisis are now being felt in Phnom Penh. The question of what Cambodia can do to mitigate the effects of this crisis is becoming increasingly urgent as tourism numbers taper off and garment factory orders dwindle. Key Cambodian policymakers, development partners and private sector stakeholders met today at the Third Cambodia Economic Forum (CEF), hosted by The Supreme National Economic Council (SNEC), to debate possible rapid policy responses that could prevent Cambodia’s recent gains from being eroded.

This year’s forum focused on “Increasing Cambodia’s Competitiveness for Growth and Poverty Reduction in the Face of the Global Financial Crisis” and was presided over by Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen. A range of policy perspectives and options on how to improve Cambodia’s competitiveness and sustain its rapid economic growth in the context of the worldwide economic situation were today presented to the Royal Government of Cambodia, the private sector and development partners. Discussion focused on policies to firmly regain macroeconomic stability, diversify sources of growth, increase productivity, expand market access, and enhance trade while continuing to reduce poverty.

“The Government is fully committed to systemic measures to limit the impacts of the global financial crisis on Cambodia’s financial system and its economy”, said Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen in his keynote address at the forum as he elaborated key measures taken by the government covering different aspects of macroeconomic, structural and sectoral policies.

“As Cambodia takes its place on the international stage – with its accession to the World Trade Organisation, taking a stronger role in the UN and sending peacekeepers to Sudan – it also grows more susceptible to the economic shocks affecting the rest of the world,” said UNDP Resident Representative Douglas Broderick at the event. “Integration with regional and global economies exposes Cambodia to new risks along with new opportunities.”

Four groundbreaking studies were presented by SNEC with the support of UNDP, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Cambodia: Key Aspects of Competitiveness, identifies sectors where Cambodia has the potential to gain competitive advantages. Cambodia: Sustaining Rapid Growth in a Challenging Environment identifies the main sources of growth, the key binding constraints to growth, and strategies to alleviate those constraints and to manage rapid growth. The Financial Crisis and its Impact on Cambodia’s Sustainable Economic Development and Explaining Inflation in Cambodia provide the context essential for related research and analysis aimed at addressing the impacts of the crisis on Cambodia and improving lives in the country.

“Today’s [forum] provides a useful spotlight on the current economic challenges facing Cambodia, and on ways to counter the worsening impact of the global financial crisis and ensure long-term sustainable and equitable growth that results in a better life for all Cambodians," said World Bank Country Manager Qimiao Fan

"A rigorous assessment of the vulnerabilities the Cambodian economy experienced as a result of the economic shocks of 2008 can help provide a sharper focus on the priorities which need to be addressed for Cambodia's future competitiveness and sustainable growth," said Arjun Goswami, ADB Country Director.

The CEF is an annual conference organised by SNEC with support from UNDP and aims to present concrete, well-researched policy perspectives, to discuss Cambodian economic policy options with the Royal Government of Cambodia and to open dialogue with key experts and stakeholders on specific and practical recommendations for policy formulation and implementation. The CEF provides an opportunity to collect feedback and input from partners and experts, enriching the analysis and policy making process.

Today’s participants included senior government officials from both ministerial and provincial levels, diplomats, development partners, and representatives from the private sector, national and international NGOs, civil society and academia.

The first CEF, held in January 2006 and presided over by the Prime Minister, focused on an analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of the Cambodian Economy and on sharing international experiences for emerging petroleum and mining producing countries. In May 2007, the second CEF focused on Agriculture and Rural Development, specifically on pro-poor growth policies for the improvement of rural livelihoods.

Hun Sen should start by urging his own family (Tela) and crony (Sokimex) first to stop gasoline price gouging in Cambodia

Hun Sen has pressured petroleum companies to lower prices as a way of reducing economic pressure on the poor. Cambodia’s pump prices are higher than in both Thailand and Vietnam. (Photo: Tracey Shelton)

PM urges local petroleum firms to stop price gouging

Friday, 03 October 2008
Written by Kay Kimsong
The Phnom Penh Post

Hun Sen has attacked local petroleum companies, saying they are using the global financial crisis as an excuse to rip off consumers

THE prime minister has lashed out at the Kingdom's petroleum companies, accusing them of price gouging and strongly urging they lower the price of petrol at the pump immediately.

"Push [the prices] down [because] when fuel prices increase, it affects everything," Hun Sen said during a scholarship award ceremony for 500 students in Phnom Penh on Thursday.

The prime minister warned companies that global financial turmoil was no excuse to raise prices.
"It is an American financial crisis and some American banks face problems, but it shouldn't be pumping up the price of fuel here," he said. He added that they cannot blame international market turmoil.

After a period of hikes, local fuel prices have stabilised at around 5,000 riel a litre, but have not decreased even as international crude prices dropped to around US$100 per barrel from a record high in mid-July of around $145 a barrel for crude.

Order, don't ask

Union leader Rong Chhun said he welcomed Hun Sen's efforts to push down petrol prices but said the prime minister needed to go further.

"He is the prime minister, he should not just make the same request [to lower petrol prices] again and again, he must use his power to order the petroleum companies to lower prices," he said.

Rong Chhun urged the prime mnister to use price caps to reduce the price of petrol. Companies should be allowed to make a reasonable profit but not to price gouge, he said, adding that skyrocketing fuel prices have dealt a major blow to already cash-strapped civil servants.

Rong Chhun said the price of fuel in Cambodia should be a maximum of 3,800 riel or 4,000 per liter and warned that gas prices were one of the key issues voters would use to assess the performance of the new government.

"I think all voters are watching [Hun Sen] who is leading a country alone, for good or bad, we will see," Rong Chhun said.

He also warned that the some 400-plus members of the Council of Ministers should be forced to reduce the percentage of the national budget spent on subsidised fuel for government officials.

"If the government can reduce how much it spends subsidising petrol for officials, the country will have enough money to increase salaries of teachers," Rong Chhun said.

Pump prices in Phnom Penh on Thursday stood at 4,900 riel per litre (Sokimex) and 5,050 per litre (Caltex and Total).

Seng Chung Ly, network manager for Total, declined comment on whether the company would be reducing prices in accordance with the prime minister's request. An official at Sokimex was too busy to comment on Thursday.

Hun Sen's gov't plan targets corruption: Another one of his false promises

Govt plan targets corruption

Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Written by Vong Sokheng and Sebastian Strangio The Phnom Penh Post

But opposition politicians, civil society predict more of the same

PRIME Minister Hun Sen has announced the official five-year plan for his government's coming mandate, highlighting human rights, corruption and the rule of law as key concerns. But opposition spokesmen say the new CPP-dominated government, voted in by the National Assembly Thursday, will have little impact on the Kingdom's endemic corruption.

"The government is determined to guarantee peace and political stability and improve the state of law in order to generate respect for human rights and democracy," Hun Sen said at the first meeting of his newly-appointed cabinet Friday. He also promised to maintain economic growth and reduce poverty by one percent per year.

Hun Sen added that the behaviour of politicians and their families was vital to building trust in government services. "The powerful and rich have to be educated not to buy vehicles and motorbikes for their children to race in the streets," he said, calling on civil servants to carry out their duties with "good morality".

"If you commit a bad deed, you will receive a bad deed, like [Khmer Republic president] Lon Nol, whose stroke paralysed half his body," he warned. "When you die, you cannot bring money [and] houses along with you."

However, Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Ke Sovannroth said the continuities between the old government and the new were more striking than the differences. "It is the fourth mandate of a new government, but the officials holding power are not new," she said. "It doesn't mean that they will work with a conscience to serve the nation."

Mar Sophal, head of the monitoring unit at election watchdog Comfrel, agreed that the new government's promises could not be taken at face value. "Every political announcement was good, but the individual officials have no real commitment to following up all these programs," he said.

Cambodia takes steps to rein in infaltion

Saturday, April 26, 2008
Asia Pulse

Phnom Penh, Apr 25, 2008 -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his government is taking appropriate measures to hold back fast price rises, including raising salary and reducing import tariffs on some of the consumer goods.

He told the 13th Government Private Sector Forum (GPSF) opening on April 23 in Phnom Penh that salary levels of government officers will be increased by 20 percent while those for teachers will enjoy a 10 percent rise. The allowances for families of government officers and army servicemen will be doubled.

The Cambodian government has also called on the public sector to curb oil and gas expenses and announced a ban on rice exports for two months in order to stabilise domestic food prices.

PM Hun Sen said he had asked the Finance Committee to cut down import taxes on some of the consumer goods and consider maintaining or raising tariffs on luxury goods such as automobiles, motorbikes and cigarettes to ensure a healthy state budget.

PM Hun Sen said the current price rises in Cambodia are mainly attributed to increasing domestic demand on goods, food, houses and construction due to robust economic growth, a surge in world oil and gas prices and strong economic development in China, India and other Asia.

The US dollar depreciation is also an inflation-causing factor, he added.

The GPSF is annual forum funded by the International Finance Corporation and the Government of Australia through AusAid, its official development assistance agency.

PM chides private sector over land

Thursday, 24 April 2008
By Craig Guthrie The Mekong Times

Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday warned the country’s buoyant private sector to tread carefully when investing in land – whether privately or state owned.

Speaking at the packed 13th Government-Private Sector Forum, Hun Sen said listening to local radio gave him “headaches” when it reported on land disputes involving private firms, demanding the government’s investment body review controversial investments.

“Companies; please have pity on the people. You cannot force people to sell their land and we cannot let companies abuse their land,” said the premier. “The CDC [Council for the Development of Cambodia] must monitor these companies and revoke their licenses if they encroach on land owned by the people. I will give incentives only to the private sector for investments which benefit the people.”

Hun Sen is Chairman of the CDC.

The prime minister warned he would attend court cases himself with disgruntled villagers in tow should courts erroneously rule in favor of private firms in land
disputes.

State land must also be respected, Hun Sen cautioned. He cited a recent US$400,000 bill the state received from a Thai firm for a collapsed electricity pole – raised as part of a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) project to import Thai electricity – as an example. Such actions were “incomprehensible,” he said.

“I do not understand this. One of the poles collapsed and this company complained to the court in Banteay Meanchey that the state should pay US$400,000. This is public land but they won. The private sector put in the posts, but they complain to the court that the state must pay,” he said.

“[The company] comes to our house, destroys it and then punishes us,” complained Hun Sen.

The premier asked Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathna to explain why the nation’s courts were deciding in favor of the private sector. “I do not put pressure on the court, but it is now abusing the rights of the Royal Government,” he added.

Ang Vong Vathna said by phone that Hun Sen was not attacking the courts as a whole. “He was defending the people against the companies, and asking that the courts look at these cases two or three times before making any decision.”

“I understand the premier’s sense of dissatisfaction with the court order,” said ADB Country Director Arjun Goswami. He added that a review would have to be carried out among the various government agencies to determine if the electricity poles Hun Sen mentioned are indeed on state land.

Local human rights group Lichado recorded 98 new cases of land encroachment affecting more than 5,242 families in 2007. The group claimed many cases involve “powerful individuals and companies … often acting with the complicity of government and state officials.”