Dung urges expanded choking coop with Nambodia

Comrade Nguyen Tan Dung greets visiting Xmer minister, Comrade Hor Namhong. — VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan

PM Dung urges expanded co-operation with Cambodia

August, 24 2011
VNS (Hanoi)

HA NOI — The Vietnamese Government would do its best to work with the Cambodian Government to raise bilateral ties to a more effective and fruitful level, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Ha Noi yesterday. 

Dung told the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Hor Namhong there was huge potential for further co-operation between the two nations, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, education and training and cross-border links.

He also proposed the two sides work more actively within ASEAN forums to make the ASEAN community more prosperous.

Additionally, the two nations should co-operate with the Mekong River Commission to use the river's water resources sustainably and effectively.

Hor 5 Hong on kowtow visit to Hanoi

Cambodian, Vietnamese FMs to hold talks for bilateral tie boost

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The 12th meeting of the Cambodia-Vietnam Joint Commission will be held next week in Ha Noi, Vietnam, in order to boost the two neighboring countries' cooperation on a wide range of sectors, according to a press release from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

The statement said that Cambodia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong will lead a delegation to participate in the meeting on Aug. 22-23 at the invitation of Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh.

"The meeting will discuss on the bilateral cooperation on economics, cultures, sciences and technologies," it said, adding that at the end of the meeting, both sides will sign the agreed minutes of the meeting.

During the two-day stay in Vietnam, Hor Namhong will also pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung.

AKP's Ouk Kimseng on kowtow visit to Hoi An

Cambodian news agency delegation visits Hoi An

04/08/2011
VNA

A high-ranking delegation of the Cambodia news agency (AKP), led by its Deputy General Director Ouk Kimseng, paid a working visit to Hoi An city in the central province of Quang Nam on August 3.

At the session with the delegation, Vice Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Truong Van Bay introduced the history, culture, tradition and socio-economic situation.

Hoi An, a locality recognised as a world cultural heritage site, is actively engaged in promoting its traditional values to successfully build a model cultural-tourism-ecological city by 2030.

Further Viet ingerence in AKP

VN, Cambodia news agencies boost ties 

August, 02 2011
VNS (Hanoi)

HA NOI — The Vietnamese Party and Government has said that it fully supports the comprehensive co-operation between the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Cambodian News Agency (AKP).

Receiving an AKP delegation led by Vice General Director Ouk Kimseng in Ha Noi yesterday, the Deputy Head of the Central Commission for Publicity and Education, Nguyen The Ky, praised the relationship between the two agencies, calling for continued bi-lateral development and assistance.

Vice General Director Ouk Kimseng expressed his admiration at Viet Nam's development, saying that he looked forward to working with the VNA on information exchange and human resource training.

Xmer military on kowtow visit to Hanoi

Cambodian military visits Vietnam

12/07/2011
VOVNews/VNA

Vietnam always attaches importance to developing solidarity and friendship with the Government, people and the Royal Army of Cambodia, said a Vietnamese military official.

Deputy Defence Minister, Lieu. Gen. Do Ba Ty, who is also Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, made this statement at a July 11 reception for General Kham Chia Sa-khuon, Deputy Infantry Commander-in-Chief in the Cambodian Royal Army, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam also remembers the valuable support of the Cambodian Government, army and people during the past war, as well as at present, Ty said.

CPP Comrade Men Xam An visits her masters in Hanoi

Deputy PM receives Cambodian counterpart

17/03/2011
VOV News

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung has received his Cambodian counterpart Men Sam On, President of the Cambodia- Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Group.

At a reception on March 16 in Hanoi, Deputy PM Hung affirmed that Vietnam is willing to exchange experiences and promote cooperation with Cambodia.

He said that future generations will inherit and promote the traditional solidarity and friendship between the two nations, especially the bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, and poverty reduction to improve the people’s lives.

Touring the crocodiles pond - 1970 vintage

25 May 1970, Hanoi, North Vietnam --- Hanoi, North Vietnam: A fifteen member delegation of the National United Government of royal Kampuchea arrived in Hanoi. From left: North Vietnamese premier Pham Van Dong; royal Kampuchea's Premier Penn Nouth; North Vietnamese president Ton Duc Thang; and Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Kampuchea inspect the honor guard upon arrival. --- Image by Bettmann/CORBIS
25 May 1970, Hanoi, North Vietnam --- Hanoi, North Vietnam: Prince Norodom Sihanouk waves his hand during his arrival in Hanoi. At his right is North Vietnamese premier Pham Van Dong. Also seen is Premier Penn Nouth and North Vietnamese defense minister Vo Nguyen Giap (wearing helmet). --- Image by Bettmann/CORBIS

CPP Ang Vong Vathana's kowtow visit to Hanoi to receive Dung's marching order

PM welcomes Cambodian Justice Minister

08/31/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received visiting Cambodian Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathana in Hanoi on August 30.

At the reception, PM Dung said he was pleased with the fine judiciary cooperation between the two countries’ Ministries of Justice and affirmed that Vietnam wants to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all aspects, especially in politics-diplomacy, economics, socio-culture and justice.

The Government leader suggested both sides make greater efforts to sign an agreement on judicial assistance which helps boost the economic-commercial cooperation between the two countries.

The signing of the agreement would create a legal foundation for Vietnamese and Cambodian people and businesses to exchange cooperative programmes and projects and strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the two nations, he noted.

For his part, Minister Ang Vong Vathana emphasised that Vietnam-Cambodia relations have constantly been consolidated over the years.

He added that during their talks, his ministry and the Vietnamese counterpart agreed on necessary contents for the signing of the judicial assistance agreement between the two countries.

RCAF Xmer officers' kowtow visit to Vietnam

Cambodian Royal Army Guards visit Vietnam

08/25/2010
VNA/VOV News (Hanoi)

A delegation of the High Command of the Cambodian Royal Army Guards led by deputy commander General Dieng Sarun, has paid a working visit to the High Command of Military Zone 7.

During a session with the Cambodian delegation, Lieutenant General Trieu Xuan Hoa, Commander of Military Zone 7, briefed the guests on the armed forces’ contribution to socio-economic development in the region.

General Dieng Sarun, who is also deputy chief of the Cambodian Infantry High Command and Prime Minister Hun Sen’s adviser, said he wished his visit to Military Zone 7 would be a good opportunity for the delegation of the Cambodia High Command of Guards to learn and share experiences with the Vietnamese armed forces.

The visit was made under a protocol on bilateral cooperation between the defence ministries of Vietnam and Cambodia.

CPP MPs' kowtow visit to Hanoi

Cambodian National Assembly delegation visits Vietnam

08/03/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)

The Party, State and people of Vietnam attach great importance to developing the relationship of fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability with Cambodia.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Duc Kien made the statement while receiving in Hanoi on August 3 Try Chheang Huot, Chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment and Water Resources (Commission 3).

Mr Kien noted with satisfaction the fine development of the cooperative relations between Vietnam and Cambodia bilaterally and multilaterally, especially between their big cities and border localities.

He said the legislative bodies of the two countries have maintained regular visit exchanges to share experience and increase cooperation in line with signed agreements.

Mr Kien expressed his belief that bilateral relations will further develop to bring practical benefits to the two nations.

He hailed Cambodia’s incentives to Vietnamese businesses operating in the country and thanked the Cambodia National Assembly and government for creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals to live stable lives and for seeking remains of volunteer Vietnamese soldiers in their country to be repatriated to Vietnam.

Try Chheang Huot briefed his host on the situation in Cambodia and said his country welcomes more Vietnamese businesses and tourists.

He proposed that Vietnam assist Cambodia to develop export-oriented agriculture and that both countries work closely to complete border demarcation and landmark planting as scheduled.

The Cambodian Commission delegation began a six-day visit to Vietnam on August 2.

Sihanouk’s Vietnam Visit Disappoints Khmer Krom

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Monday, 28 June 2010

“That’s what [Sihanouk] should do, and if he doesn’t do it, it’s not only me who is disappointed, but millions of people in Kampuchea Krom who are really disappointed,” he said.

A US advocate for the Khmer minority in Vietnam said he was disappointed former king Norodom Sihanouk did not discuss alleged rights violations in a visit to Hanoi last week.

The Khmer Kampuchea Krom inhabit parts of the Mekong Delta ceded to Vietnam by the French in 1949. Members say they are restricted in the practice of their Buddhist faith, which differs from the majority of the Vietnamese, and suffer other rights abuses.

Thach Ngoc Thach, president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation in US, said issues such as reported border encroachments, the treatment of Khmer Krom, and the loss of “Lower Cambodia” to Vietnam were all issues that need addressed.

“That’s what [Sihanouk] should do, and if he doesn’t do it, it’s not only me who is disappointed, but millions of people in Kampuchea Krom who are really disappointed,” he said.

The former king visited Hanoi with his wife and the current king, his son, Norodom Sihamoni. Palace officials say the visit was of a personal nature and not political.

Sihanouk’s four-day visit did include meetings with Nong Duc Manh, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and President Nguyen Minh Triet, along with other senior officials.

For such a delegation to visit Vietnam and not discuss national affairs was regretful, Thach Ngoc Thach said.

Rather than the former monarch thanking Vietnam, Vietnam should thank Sihanouk for helping make North and South Vietnam one country, he said.

As the US war in Vietnam escalated, Sihanouk struggled to keep Cambodia neutral. He allowed US advisers in Phnom Penh and Viet Cong weapons to route through Cambodian ports. The policy ultimately failed, leading to US bombardment of Viet Cong sanctuaries in eastern Cambodia and destabilizing the country. After the Khmer Rouge took power, they were ousted by Vietnamese forces.

Thach Ngoc Thach said Cambodia’s relationship since has been one of unnecessary “everlasting gratitude,” while issues such as illegal immigration by Vietnamese in Cambodia go untouched.

Prince Sisowath Thomico, Sihanouk’s cabinet chief, said such reactions were confusing and skeptical and the views of a single individual.

Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said the visit marked a new level in region diplomacy, but he acknowledged it could cause worry among some Cambodians, especially during reports of border encroachment.

The former king’s trip coincided with increased allegations by the opposition Sam Rainsy Party that current border demarcation was surrendering Cambodian land to Vietnam, a charge government border officials say is false.

The Prey Nokor News No. 18 Vol. 1 now available: "Royal visit over Khmer Kampuchea Krom tears!"

Click here to read The Prey Nokor News

Som Niyeay Phorng - Op-Ed by Angkor Borei News

Click on the article in Khmer to zoom in

Cambodia's former King returns home from friendship visit to Vietnam

June 25, 2010
Xinhua

Cambodia's former King Norodom Sihanouk on Friday returned home from a four-day friendship visit to Hanoi at the invitation of Vietnamese president.

Sihanouk was accompanied by his wife and son King Norodom Sihamoni. Prime Minister Hun Sen, the National Assembly President Heng Samrin and the Senate President Chea Sim and other government officials and royal family members met them at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

During his stay in Hanoi, King Father Norodom Sihanouk met with Vietnamese President Nguen Ninh Triet, focusing on the topic of further strengthening the traditional relations between the two countries.

Triet said Sihanouk's visit demonstrated the friendly relations and fine cooperation between the two countries. The former King also thanked Vietnam for supporting Cambodia in the cause of the national protection and construction.

Before the former king's visit, his adviser Prince Sisowath Thomico said that the former king's Vietnamese trip will not address political issues. "I think that the visit will be aimed to boost good relations between the governments of Cambodia and Vietnam and between the peoples of the two countries."

"Being retired and no longer doing politics nor diplomacy, my trip to the glorious Socialist Republic of Vietnam will have a strictly private character," the former King said in a statement dated June 14.

The former king made the first visit to Vietnam in 1995 in his capacity as a king of Cambodia. Sihanouk abdicated in October 2004 and was succeeded by his son King Norodom Sihamoni.

Your Majesties, welcome back to … Nam Vang, the capital of Champa II

25 June 2010
DAP news
Translated from Khmer by Sujata

Phnom Penh – At 10:30AM on 25 June 2010, the king father of the Khmer nation, his wife and son, King Norodom Sihamoni, arrived back at their kingdoom after completing a 4-day visit in Vietnam.

During the return of King-Father, Queen-Mother and King-Son, several Cambodian leaders came to greet the royals, they are Samdach Chea Xim, Samdach Heng Xamrin, and Samdach Hun Xen (aka, the trio Xim, Xam, Xen) and Chumteav Dr. Bun Rany Hun Xen, as well as numerous palace and embassy officials.

It should be reminded that during their 4-day visit, King-Father, Queen-Mother and King-Son were warmly welcomed by Nguyen Minh Triet, Hanoi’s regime president, and Nong Duc Manh, the Viet communist party secretary general.

Trouble in The East

Former monarch Sihanouk and his family on their private visit to Hanoi (Photo: Vietnam News)

"This, there will be one day and we will turn into Champa No. 2!
Cambodia will be Champa No. 2!
All your children, yes you all, [will live under] Champa No. 2!
... But now, I am freeing myself up!" - Ponhea Krek villager who lost his lands to Vietnamese encroachment

Friday, June 25, 2010
Op-Ed by MP

SO much for fraternity and territorial integrity, heh?

If one could tame tigers and turn them into pillows to rest on, warned Khmer forefathers, then one could consider having the Vietnamese as one’s friends!

Where is Cambodia now, after all the recent turmoil and grief?

The violation of Cambodian sovereignty by way of the Ho Chi Minh Trail across the eastern provinces with Sihanouk's connivance was a crucial factor in the coup against him. Lon Nol and his associates have been universally blamed for plunging the nation into the abyss, but the most tragic error surely must rest with those individuals who thought (and evidently still believe) they had the tiger tamed enough to gamble the nation and its survival on their conviction.

So Hanoi won the war against US imperialism and 'liberated' the Khmer people from the clutches of Pol Pot and his radicalism. But where was this radicalism fermented in the first instance if not through the collective psyche of a people who have for centuries been at the receiving end of humiliation and oppression at the hands of foreign yoke and traitors in their midst?

Are the Khmer people easily given to paranoia or do they have legitimate causes for their anxiety and concerns as regards their dominant, scheming neighbours to the East? What has Hanoi done to remove the causes of those negative emotions that the Khmer people have towards its empirical repression of their nation and its persistent disregard for their dignity, beside removing one murderous regime and replacing it with a not so murderous one?

At present, Khmer people everywhere may not share the same universal experience of a people completely submerged as the ancient nation of Champa had once done, but for those Khmer folk living along the border whose lands and livelihoods have been robbed by the Vietnamese and their compliant Cambodian authorities, there is only utter pain and anguish of not being able to live and die on their ancestral soil.

Some of us accustomed to urban environments may find it difficult to imagine the emotional attachment rural people have towards their farms or villages - every tree, lake, stream, wat and prasat is embedded in their very soul and consciousness constituting in their inextricable total a self-contained universe from which separation does but refutes their existence as a community and denies them as living humans.

One elderly villager's warning about his country facing the grave risk of following Champa's example comes as an echo of an imprisoned heart that clearly discerns truth and danger through its bitter experience of realities. Clearly, this gentleman is not a politician, an actor, an orator of great speeches, and appears oblivious of the potential punishment that his outspoken protestations may bring upon himself vis-à-vis the local authority. Such is the courage of someone who has lost all that was dear to him and his community; for this gentleman and his immediate world Champa is no projectable scenario or realisable nightmare, but a fait accompli.

Other villages, towns and districts will come to terms with his message when their turn arrives. For now though the King and his entourage on their private visit to the land of our fraternal neighbours on public expense offer the nation far better diversion on state controlled TV channels than does any visit to dreary border markers in the country’s rural backwaters.

Enjoy the weekend!

Me luv u v'ry mutt, but me luv ur land v'ry mutt more!

Party leader meets with King

06/24/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has described Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni’s visit to Vietnam as a rare and particularly important event.

At a reception on June 23, the Party leader congratulated the achievements made by the Cambodian people over the years and wished them further success in building a peaceful, independent and democratic country (sic!).

Mr. Manh also expressed his deep gratitude to the King, former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk, and the Cambodian people for their support to Vietnam during the country’s past struggle for national liberation and unification and current process of national construction and defence.

He also affirmed Vietnam’s policy of giving priority to building and developing relations with Cambodia based on the motto of “fine neighbourhood, traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-lasting cooperation”.

Cambodia King Norodom Sihamoni reaffirmed Cambodia’s determination to preserve and develop the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The same day, Mr. Manh also met with former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk, also on a friendship visit to Vietnam along with King Norodom Sihamoni.

Vietnam and Cambodia to further tighten relations [... of course, it was not a political discussion, right?]

Mutual confidence: Will Cambodians need to get used doing this?

Cambodia's current and former kings discussing with Nguyen Minh Triet on a lot of subject that are not political, such as ... friendship, cooperation and mutual confidence. Should we now blindly trust all the border posts planted inside Cambodian territories?

June 23, 2010
Nhan Dan (Hanoi)

President Nguyen Minh Triet and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni said on June 23 that they believed the friendship, co-operation and mutual confidence between leaders and people of the two nations will be further tightened.

The statements were made during a reception the same day for Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni who is in Vietnam for a four-day visit.

President Triet hailed the friendship visit of the Cambodian royal family members, former King Norodom Sihanouk, his wife Norodom Moninieth Shihanouk and King Norodom Sihamoni, saying that the visit demonstrates the friendship and traditional co-operation between the two countries.

He stressed that Vietnamese people and generations of Vietnamese leaders always bore in mind, respected and were thankful for the profound sentiments and support of Cambodian people to Vietnam in the past and during the present.

King Norodom Sihamoni expressed his respect for the sentiments and the warm welcome that Vietnamese people and leaders gave to his delegation as well as their great support for Cambodian people in the past struggle for national defence and during the current national construction.

The King asserted Cambodia’s commitments to strengthening and further promoting its friendship and the all-sided, long-term co-operation with Vietnam.

No political discussion during Sihanouk's visit to Hanoi, just discussions on how to consolidate the cooperation with the Yuon land thieves

President Triet receives Cambodian King

06/23/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)

Vietnam treasures the profound sentiments, great support and assistance that former King Norodom Sihanouk and the people of Cambodia have extended to Vietnam in the past and at present, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet while receiving the visiting Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Hanoi on June 23.

Mr Triet praised the visit by former King Norodom Sihanouk, King Norodom Sihamoni and his wife, saying this visit demonstrates the time-honoured friendship and fine cooperation between the two countries.

King Norodom Sihamoni expressed his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese people and leaders for their fine sentiment and huge support to the people of Cambodia in the past and current process of national construction and defense.

He said he would do his best to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

The two leaders believed that their friendly relations and cooperation will continue to develop to a higher plane for the prosperity of each nation, and for peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Chhay Yam Dee Hanoi

Click on the cartoon to zoom in

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)