Cambodia Ready to Respond to Thailand’s Challenge Over Preah Vihear Temple

By Soy Sophea

Royal Government of Cambodia officials said the government is ready to respond to Thailand’s challenge to Cambodia when the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) meet for the 33^rd session in Seville, Spain, from 22 to 30 June 2009.

Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister with the Council of Ministers and Chairman of APSARA authority, told reporters at the National Assembly on June 19 that Thailand will use the meeting to suggest a reconsideration of the decision giving the ancient temple to Cam

bodia. Previous Thai objections revolved around Cambodian attempts to have the site included on the World Heritage List

The Deputy Prime Minister referred directly to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who told his Council of Ministers that Thailand would send delegates to push UNESCO to reconsider its previous decision.

Abhisit’s cabinet endorsed the stance and assigned Suwit Khunkitti, Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment to ask the World Heritage Committee to review its decision when it met in Seville. This is according to the Bangkok Post published on June 17. The listing of Preah Vihear, announced last July, was contrary to UNESCO’s regulations and spirit since it had created a dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, he said.

However, the Cambodian deputy Prime Minister said that the Cambodian government isn’t worried. “This is a new trick and the Thais have had the courtesy to announce it before the opening of the 33^rd UNESCO session. It is a variation on a theme previously heard at the 31^st UNESCO meeting at Christchurch, New Zealand, and the 32^nd meeting in Quebec of Canada.”

However, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation that he was disappointed with the Thai Prime Minister’s initiative.

Hun Sen said, “I believe they were the words of a Prime Minister of a country that disturbs the sovereignty of another country. I regret his comments and his goals. During his visit to Cambodia, he did not raise this issue with me and I think that his goal will not be successful.”
“The main issue involves the decision handed down by The Hague [International] Court of Justice which gave Preah Vihear temple and the surrounding land to Cambodia,” he said. “This is the first point: the second point involves objections to the fact that UNESCO has listed Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.”

He added, “Whatever, it is his decision for a review and I hope UNESCO is not so misguided as to follow his ambitions.”

According to a UNESCO press statement dated May 26, 2009, the World Heritage Committee will consider requests for the inclusion of new sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List when it meets for its 33rd session in Seville, Spain, from 22 to 30 June.

To date, the World Heritage List recognizes 878 examples of "outstanding universal value," including 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties in 145 national entities. The Convention encourages international cooperation to safeguard the common heritage of humanity. With 186 signatories, it is one of the most widely ratified international legal instruments. When signing the Convention, States commit to identifying sites for potential inscription and to preserve sites already on the World Heritage List. This is achieved within an appropriate legal and regulatory framework, said the statement.

The statement added that The World Heritage Committee, responsible for the implementation of the 1972 Convention, comprises representatives from 21 countries, elected by the signatory nations. Committee members serve for up to six years. Each year, the Committee adds new sites to the List. Applications are then reviewed by two advisory bodies: cultural sites are examined by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and natural sites by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Theses bodies report their recommendations to the Committee. The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM) provides expert advice on conservation and training in restoration techniques.

The World Heritage Committee also examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and asks State Parties to take appropriate conservation and preservation measures when necessary. The Committee supervises the disbursement of over $4 million annually from the World Heritage Fund to cover emergency action, training and technical cooperation.

Cambodia Marks Anniversary of Preah Vihear’s World Heritage Status

By Soy Sophea

At 11:00 am on July 7, Cambodian people and foreign visitors will hear the sound of bells from all pagodas, schools and universities. They will be rung to mark the first anniversary of Preah Vihear’s inclusion on the World Heritage Site List.

Prime Minister Hun Sen recently advised all Cambodia’s pagodas and schools to ring the bells
to commemorate the inclusion. He added however that the celebrations were not to be considered a snub to Thailand. “Cambodia is cheering; if Thailand is upset, that’s a Thai matter and I couldn’t not care less about it,” he said. “The celebrations are contained within our national
boundary and we include Preah Vihear within those boundaries.”
The Premier said he wants to see a complete demilitarization of the border area before July 15, 2008. He added that Thailand should not turn its internal affairs outwards to create hostility with neighbors. “I tell you that Cambodia is the builder of the Angkor and Preah Vihear temples,” the Premier said during a graduation ceremony at the National Institute of Education.

“Cambodians are Angkor-blooded builders but not Angkor invaders.” A concert is scheduled for
7:00pm at the National Olympic Stadium that will be presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, Minister of Council of Ministers.

Sok An is also the special envoy to UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recent meeting in Seville, Spain, June 23-30. He is scheduled to deliver a report on his successful mission to the audience. It will also be broadcast live via Bayon Television.

According to Prime Minister Hun Sen, Srey Doek, Military Commander at Preah Vihear will also join the concert and make a report on the military situation on the border. Rith Chettra, Deputy Director of Bayon Television, said that his station is authorized to hold the concertto celebrate the anniversary. He told The Southeast Asia Weekly on July 2, “We are to cooperate with the Phnom Penh municipality to hold the concert,” adding that the program will contain modern and traditional song and dance routines. Chettra said that he would use the televised
opportunity to seek fi nancial assistance for Cambodian troops on the borders. “I believe that overseas Cambodians will contribute their support to our program,” he said.

“As a Khmer, I believe the concert should be conducted in the spirit of Cambodian unity.”
Bayon Television, which is managed by Hun Mana, elder daughter of Prime Minister Hun Sen, has launched a fundraising drive to help repair roads connecting to Preah Vihear temple. According to Chettra, this fund has raised more than one million US dollars for road
construction and rest halls along the road to the top of the cliff.

The University of Cambodia (UC) is going to celebrate the Anniversary. Chheng Sovannka, UC Student Senate President, told The Southeast Asia Weekly, “We will sing a national song altogether to celebrate the anniversary.” Sovannka added that about 200 UC students are expected to join the program. She said that she too would initiate a fundraising scheme to assist soldiers stationed on the border. “I believe that all kind people will join our program in support of our soldiers,” she said. Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple was given world heritage status on July 7, 2008 in Quebec, Canada at the 32nd UNESCO meeting. This was in spite of Thailand’s request for joint stewardship of the area.

From 23-30 June 2009, at the 33rd UNESCO meeting in Seville, Spain, Thailand renewed objections by asking UNESCO to withdraw Preah Vihear’s world heritage status under the protection of Cambodia. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva irritated Cambodia earlier last June, suggesting Cambodia and Thailand share Preah Vihear temple. The rationale for this was explained on June 27, 2009 when Deputy Thai Prime Minister Suthep met the Cambodian
Prime Minister.

Bun Rany Hun Sen Receives Honorary Doctorate

By Soy Sophea

The Cambodian Red Cross President, Bun Rany Hun Sen has been presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cambodia, in recognition of Her tireless support for this humanitarian organization. The award ceremony took place on October 16, with Prime Minister Hun Sen in attendance to witness Her acceptance of the degree.

“We have achieved economic and social stability, but that does not mean that we have lifted all our peoples above the poverty line,” Bun Rany said after receiving the honor.



The First Lady continued, “We still face many issues that must be settled, and a priorities include poverty reduction, reducing the impact of climate change and combating deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS. These challenges cannot be confronted by any individual, community or single charitable institution.”

“What we should do is to strengthen the unity of humanity, work with the spirit of solidarity in our hearts and share the unity we find there to create a truly caring human culture. You see, a humane action is not preceded by scientific examination of the facts, nor a feasibility study into the technical aspects of generosity. For me, it is a simple act of enhancing the quality of life for the people of Cambodia.”

Bun Rany, a survivor of the worst ravages of the Khmer Rouge regime, was visibly moved as she knew that the intense pain in her heart was shared by many other Cambodians.

She added that the award recognized the work of the Cambodian Red Cross, a proactive and effective organization that strengthens all humanity by supporting its victims and weakest members.

The First Lady drew the clearest connection between a nation’s humanitarian drives and its claims to be truly civilized. In her work for the Cambodian Red Cross she said she found joy in interacting with intelligent people to strengthen the foundations of Cambodian culture and society; and in focusing on these goals, issues such as poverty, disease and inequality would necessarily fall away.

She stressed that encouraging the Cambodian’s natural tendency towards generosity, especially in these days of progress and stability was vital.

The ceremony also recognized two other recipients of honorary degrees from the University of Cambodia. They were Dr. Horst Posdorf, parliamentarian member of European Union and Jose. De Venecia, former president of Philippino Parliamentary, and Dr. Katsunari Nishihara. The three received honorary doctorate of International Relation.

Dr. Kao Kim Huorn, president of University of Cambodia and Dr. Haruhisa Handa, chancellor of University of Cambodia expressed his congratulations to the three new honorary doctors, all of whom are active in tackling social issues.

Prime Minister Hun Sen Proposes More Layman Schools

By Soy Sophea

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked the Ministry of Cults and Religions to set
up more layman schools in order to meet ever increasing demands.

The Premier made the proposal while attending an inauguration ceremony in Ang Snoul district, Kandal province. In his opinion, the situation is about to become critical. “It is a real shortfall, so the Ministry of Cults and Religions has to take the problem into account,” he added.

The Prime Minister Hun Sen added that there are shortages of laymen who customarily attend weddings and Buddhist ceremonies. Some of them are not really properly qualified to play a meaningful role in the ceremonies.

“What I am saying does not to look down on monks or Buddhism; on the contrary, it promotes religion,” he said. The Premier said that the lack of laymen was unusual for Cambodia. However,
he was not slow to declare it as an “emergency throughout the country”.

He said that the obligations of fullest extent as they are connected to important occasions in an individual’s life such as weddings or cremations. He said that some laymen are overstretched with work and like everybody else, they sometimes fall foul of traffic jams, leaving the ceremony’s host in trouble.

Dork Narin, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Cults and Religions, said that the ministry will study the possibility of creating more layman schools. He said that there are two kinds of laymen; ones who are responsible for pagodas, weddings and cremations; others are responsible for teaching monks at Buddhist schools.

Referring to laymen teaching monks, he said, “We need at least 1,000 laymen. This puts the current problem into perspective as currently we have less than a hundred of them.”

He said that although Cambodia does not have any specific schools for laymen as yet, the existing laymen are sufficiently knowledgeable to practice Cambodian traditions and customs appropriately. He added that usually the layman learns from the previous generation and the position has thus become largely hereditary. He said that a layman can earn a healthy living
given the increase of marriages.

But he refused to mention how much those marriage laymen earn. Cambodia has 4,000 pagodas
with at least six laymen attached to each.

Cambodia, FBI Wraps Up Post Blast Training

By Soy Sophea

The U.S. legal attaché and representatives from the Cambodian Government have attended a closing ceremony for the Post Blast Crime Scene School at the 70th Brigade’s headquarters located on National Road No.3 about 15 kilometers from Phnom Penh.

Men Sam An, Director of the National Counterterrorism Bureau in the Ministry of the Interior said the Bureau’s training programs will produce 50 counterterrorism police officers with the ability to confront any terrorist threat to national security.

“This process has been much like learning how to drive. We have the car, but the car itself isn’t going to teach how to drive safely” Sam An told reporters after the closing ceremony on May 15.
The Director said that the training will help firm up Cambodia’s response to terrorism and thanked the FBI. He pointed to the recent arrest of terrorists in the case of the explosive devices found at the Cambodia-Vietnam statue and the Ministry of De-antiterrorism operation.

Laro Tan, the legal attaché from the American Embassy, told reporters that the training covered both theoretical and practical approaches to counterterrorism. “It has been a useful exchange experience between the two countries,” Tan said.

“In the past U.S. prosecutors have been unable to obtain solid convictions due in part to the mishandling of evidence and intelligence at the scene of the crime”, according to a U.S. Embassy statement obtained by The Cambodia Weekly on May 15.

The statement continued “This training initiative provided participants with evidence and intelligence gathering techniques which will better meet the standards of the U.S. courts and allow them to better assist U.S. prosecutors.”

“It is also another sign of the increasing cooperation between the law enforcement services of the United States and Cambodia as we work to maintain security in the region,” the statement said.
The Post Blast Crime Scene School was designed to instruct Cambodian investigators to properly process a crime scene involving bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Representatives from the Cambodian National Police (CNP), National Counterterrorism
Committee (NCTC) and the National Counterterrorism Special Forces (NCTSF) participated in the five day course.

Cambodia to Respond to Thailand’s Challenge over Preah Vihear Temple

By Soy Sophea

Royal Government of Cambodia officials said the government is ready to respond to Thailand’s challenge to Cambodia when the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) meet for the 33rd session in Seville, Spain, from 22 to 30 June 2009.

Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister with the Council of Ministers and Chairman of APSARA authority, told reporters outside the National Assembly on June 19 that

Thailand will use the meeting to suggest a reconsideration of the decision giving the ancient temple to Cambodia. Previous Thai objections revolved around Cambodian attempts

to have the site included on the World Heritage List The Deputy Prime Minister referred

directly to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who told his Council of Ministers that Thailand would send delegates to push UNESCO to reconsider its previous decision.

Abhisit’s cabinet endorsed the stance and assigned Suwit Khunkitti, Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment to ask the World Heritage Committee to review its decision when it met in Seville. This is according to the Bangkok Post published on June 17. The listing of Preah Vihear, announced last July, was contrary to UNESCO’s regulations and spirit since it had created a dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, he said.

However, the Cambodian deputy Prime Minister said that the Cambodian government isn’t worried.

“This is a new trick and the Thais have had the courtesy to announce it before the opening of the 33^rd UNESCO session. It is a variation on a theme previously heard at the 31^st UNESCO meeting at Christchurch, New Zealand, and the 32nd meeting in Quebec of Canada.”

However, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation that he was disappointed with the Thai Prime Minister’s initiative.

Hun Sen said, “I believe they were the words of a Prime Minister of a country that disturbs the sovereignty of another country. I regret his comments and his goals. During his visit to Cambodia, he did not raise this issue with me and I think that his goal will not be successful.”

“The main issue involves the decision handed down by The Hague [International] Court of Justice which gave Preah Vihear temple and the surrounding land to Cambodia,” he said.

“This is the fi rst point: the second point involves objections to the fact that UNESCO has listed Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.”

He added, “Whatever, it is his decision for a review and I hope UNESCO is not so misguided as to follow his ambitions.” According to a UNESCO press statement dated May 26, 2009, the

World Heritage Committee will consider requests for the inclusion of new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List when it meets for its 33rd session in Seville, Spain, from 22 to 30 June. To date, the World Heritage List recognizes 878 examples of “outstanding universal value,” including 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties in 145 national entities.

The Convention encourages international cooperation to safeguard the common heritage of humanity. With 186 signatories, it is one of the most widely ratified international legal

instruments. When signing the Convention, States commit to identifying sites for potential inscription and to preserve sites already on the World Heritage List. This is achieved within an appropriate legal and regulatory framework, said the statement.

The statement added that The World Heritage Committee, responsible for the implementation of the 1972 Convention, comprises representatives from 21 countries, elected by the signatory nations. Committee members serve for up to six years. Each year, the Committee adds new sites to the List. Applications are then reviewed by two advisory bodies: cultural ites are examined by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and natural sites by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Theses bodies report their recommendations to the Committee. The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM) provides expert advice on conservation and training in restoration techniques.

The World Heritage Committee also examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and asks State Parties to take appropriate conservation and preservation measures when necessary. The Committee supervises the disbursement of over US$4 million annually from the

World Heritage Fund to cover emergency action, training and technical cooperation.

ADB Pledges to Provide $48 Million to Improve Cambodia’s Railway

By Soy Sophea

A Visiting Asian Development Bank (ADB) High Officer has pledged supplementary funding for Cambodia’s railway restoration projects.

Lawrence C. Greenwood, Vice President of the ADB, told the Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon, Minister of Economy and Finance, June 16, that his bank’s board members will review and approve the supplementary funding.

Chhun Samrith,

Director of the ADB office at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, told reporters that the ADB board member meeting to examine the funding will be held in October 2009 at ADB headquarters. He added that Greenwood is visiting Cambodia to assess current ADB funded projects and to help Cambodia improve her economic prospects and infrastructure.

According to Samrith, Keat Chhon said, “I believe that the ADB Board Member’s meeting would approve the supplementary funding to Cambodia to accelerate its social reforms.” He added that

the Vice President was also pleased to hear of the Government’s Memorandum of Understanding signed with Australia’s Tool Holdings Limited to operate the railway after renovation of the track.

Greenwood also told the deputy prime minister that the ADB has noted increasing traffic between Cambodia and Vietnam with up to 150 vehicles per day crossing the border points.

The Vice President also paid a courtesy call to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

According to Ieng Sophallet, spokesperson for the meeting, the Asian Development Bank will provide $59.4 million to Cambodia for infrastructure improvement (irrigation systems, and public transport) stimulating cross border trade, marketing Cambodian agricultural goods and deals on the global financial crisis.

He added that the additional budget would cover the next two years from year 2009. It will also be in addition to the 194 million U.S. dollars already pledged.

The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) comprises Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. In 1992, with ADB assistance, the six countries entered into a program of sub-regional economic cooperation, designed to enhance economic relations among the countries.

The program contributed to the development of infrastructure to enable the development and sharing of resources, and promote the free flow of goods and people in the sub-region. It has also led to international recognition of the sub-region as a growth area.

With financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a number of other international development partners, February 18 2008 saw the ground breaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of the two railways. They run from Poipet to Phnom Penh and from Phnom Penh to Sihanouk province.

The rehabilitation project will provide 652 km of refurbished railway track in Banteay Meanchey province’s Sisophon district. The 266 km railway from Phnom Penh to Sihanouk province was built in 1960; the 338-kilometer long railway from Phnom Penh to Sisophon was built in 1929.

Commerce Minister Urges Reform of Business Environment as Defense against Recession

By Soy Sophea

Cham Prasidh, Cambodia’s Commerce Minister has urged all governmental institutions and provincial governors to take active measures to improve the business environment, warning

that the worst of the global economic downturn was yet to hit the country. When it does arrive, it will require the concerted effort of every stakeholder to ride out the storm, according to the Minister.

The Minister stressed at the launch of a World Bank Business Report said it would demand the complete commitment of government officials to improve public services, increase transparency, promote effectives and encourage value for money.

The Minister said when doing business with developing countries, investors will go straight to those that can claim a stable society free of riots and demonstration

s. “If we can improve our current business environment, it means that we secure our country and our local enterprises,” he said.

“I urge you all [provincial governors and rep

resentatives of government institutions] to strengthen your efforts to implement the report’s findings. Think of them as a compass to help you negotiate the uncertain economic times ahead,” he added.

To cope with the global economic crisis, Cambodia urgently needs to improve its business environment at both the national and local levels, according to studies jointly released on May 25, 2009 at the Cambodiana Hotel by the World Bank (WB), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Asia Foundation.

Making it easier, cheaper and less confusing to start a new businesses could help Cambodia compete in both the international and domestic markets. This is according to the World Bank/IFC Second Investment Climate Assessment and the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES), published by IFC and The Asia Foundation.

The Minister Prasidh praised the two studies for offering a wide range of information about factors which help and hinder the development of Cambodia’s private sector.

“As these two publications show, Cambodia has made great economic progress in just a few short years, but we still face important challenges,” he said. “Private companies, and especially small and medium enterprises, need better access to finance, information on regulations and procedures, export opportunities, reliable dispute resolution and efficient and transparent government services.”

Qimiao Fan, World Bank Country Manager stressed the importance of addressing chronic business environment problems. “Cambodia’s dynamic private sector has enormous potential to create jobs, improve income, and help reduce poverty,” Fan said. “But business environment problems are holding entrepreneurs back seem as serious as they do now.”

He added, “But now with the global economic crisis impacting Cambodia in significant ways, continued problems in the business environment may force firms to go out of business and investors may choose to postpone investment or move to more business friendly countries.”

Julia Brickell, IFC’s Resident Representative in Cambodia, noted that both the PBES and ICA studies show that reform efforts succeed.

“The ICA discusses how government, private sector and donor collaboration has cut processing times for imports almost in half from 6.5 days in 2003 to 3.7 days in 2007. Automating customs procedures is expected to further reduce import/export times and costs in Cambodia,” Brickell said.

She also stated that giving provincial authorities comprehensive information on entrepreneur perceptions of the business environment is a strong motivator for reform. “For example, Siem Reap Province, with technical assistance from IFC, reduced the time required to register a business and obtain necessary licenses,” she added.

Veronique Salze-Lozac’h, Regional Director of Economic Programs for the Asia Foundation also stressed the importance of regularly surveying business owners about their challenges.

“Widely-publicizing PBES results help government officials identify where they should concentrate their efforts to help businesses thrive. Over the next two months, when PBES results are presented in a number of provinces, entrepreneurs will be able to compare their province with others and engage government on reform,” she said.

The 2009 PBES, which surveyed business owners in the capitals of all 24 provinces and selected urban areas, shows that Kampong Cham Province has a better business environment than other provinces, as was the case in the 2006 PBES. Also both Sihanoukville and Siem Reap moved up from near the bottom in 2006, to the higher ranks on the 2009 PBES, by making significant advances in four out of the ten areas.

According to Gavin Tritt, Country Representative-Designate for the Asia Foundation, “Nationwide, indicators showing the most improvement described those related to the cost of starting a business. Another area of distinct improvement related to the time spent complying with government regulations and tax administration.

Indicators which deteriorated in the 2009 PBES, in comparison with 2006 related to property rights, informal charges, transparency and dispute resolution.” Julia Brickell said, “Overall, PBES 2009 results show that firms are more likely to expand their businesses if provincial administrators reduce informal charges, prevent crime more effectively, make it easier for entrepreneurs to start businesses, and also make it easier for business owners to pay their taxes.”