By Soy Sophea
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has apologized to the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, following an incident in which the Thai minister referred to the Cambodian Premier in unflattering terms during a Thai parliamentary debate session.
“I have the honor to refer to recent news in which you were described as being concerned with the terms that I used to describe you during the parliamentary debate session in Thailand,” Kasit said in a letter dated on April 1. A copy of this letter was in the possession of The Cambodia Weekly a day later.
Kasit said in the Thai language the word “Nak Leng” which he used during the debate means a person who is lion-hearted, a courageous and magnanimous gentleman, and it is in this sense of the word that the Minister was referring to Samdech Hun Sen.
“Please do rest assured that nothing will be allowed to come in the way of making of our friendship warm, cordial, and mutually beneficial,” he said. “Do kindly accept my deep apology for such an unfortunate incident and let it not be a cause for intentional misunderstanding.
The apology was made after the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had called for the Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s apology.
"He has insulted me and called me a gangster," Hun Sen said at the opening ceremony of the Industrial Zone in Sihanouk province on March 31. "What if I insult your king? What would you say if I insulted your prime minister and your ancestors? I'm not angry with you, but please use more dignified words," he added.
Prime Minister Hun Sen made this statement in the context of the border conflict and he warned Thai troops not to invade Cambodia's territory any more. However, Cambodian officials said recently some 100 Thai troops briefly entered areas adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear where border skirmish erupted in October 15 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. "I am the leader of Cambodia who was elected by the will of the people, not by seizing power."
As Hun Sen called for the apology, he warned that he will not shake hands with the Thai Foreign Minister at the upcoming ASEAN Submit in Thailand this April without the apology first. Moreover, he would not shake hands when Kasit would accompany the Thai Prime Minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva during a one-day official visit to Cambodia on April 18.
Koy Kuong, spokesperson at Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told The Cambodia Weekly on April 2 that the Thai’s apology to the Cambodian Prime Minister was an act of high responsibility, as expected from a political leader of a neighboring country.
Kuong added that the Cambodian Prime Minister had sent a letter to the Thai Foreign Minister assuring him that he accepted the apology in a display of mutual understanding. He believed bilateral cooperation had been strengthened and improved.
He also said that during the upcoming official visit of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to Cambodia, both leaders would be committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially in the case of the border dispute.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thai Delegation to Visit Cambodia and Discuss Border
By Soy Sophea
Thai soldiers currently stationed in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear territory will withdraw, following the visit of Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya to Cambodia. This is an illustration of greater political stability in Thailand, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
An optimistic Koy Kuong said that the Thai army will leave the area after the visit of the Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. He and his delegation will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen during the official visit.
The Thai delegation will also pay a courtesy call on His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, and Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya will hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during a two-day visit scheduled from January 25.
“I believe that there will be a positive step forward in tackling the disputed border and the Thai army will retreat as the current Thai government follows the French-Siem convention and treaty, and MoU of 2000,” Koy Kuong told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on January 23. “Everything seems to be clear as the new Thai government follows international law,” he added.
The spokesman said that officials including Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will talk with Kasit over the remaining documents generated during discussions with the previous Thai government and reach am agreement.
"We expect Kasit to be flexible and positive over the border issue," Koy Kuong said, adding that the new Thai Foreign Affairs Minister had promised a peaceful solution in a call made to his Cambodian counterpart last month.
Phay Siphan, Spokesman to the Council of Ministers, has told the Cambodia Weekly that he believed the new Thai Foreign Affairs Minister will follow agreements hammered out between former Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornwiwat and the Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister during border negotiations in November 2008 in Siem Reap province, Cambodia.
“I am optimistic that Kasit will follow previous agreements when he visits Cambodia,” Siphan said. “The current Thai government has demonstrated a polite and diplomatic attitude when discussing the border dispute,” he added. “Redeployment of Thai troops will take place upon or after the Thai Foreign Minister’s visit.”
Siphan said that the current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has demonstrated his willingness to find a peaceful resolution to the border dispute and behave like a good neighbor and member of the ASEAN family. “I note that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen have respect for each other and this is the best foundation for building peace.”The Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya was one of the most controversial appointments when the new Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva named his cabinet on December 20. He played a pivotal role in the protests that closed Bangkok's airports in November and December.
The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with land mines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.The most recent tensions began in July when the Khmer temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over the ownership of the surrounding land.
Thai soldiers currently stationed in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear territory will withdraw, following the visit of Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya to Cambodia. This is an illustration of greater political stability in Thailand, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
An optimistic Koy Kuong said that the Thai army will leave the area after the visit of the Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. He and his delegation will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen during the official visit.
The Thai delegation will also pay a courtesy call on His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, and Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya will hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during a two-day visit scheduled from January 25.
“I believe that there will be a positive step forward in tackling the disputed border and the Thai army will retreat as the current Thai government follows the French-Siem convention and treaty, and MoU of 2000,” Koy Kuong told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on January 23. “Everything seems to be clear as the new Thai government follows international law,” he added.
The spokesman said that officials including Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will talk with Kasit over the remaining documents generated during discussions with the previous Thai government and reach am agreement.
"We expect Kasit to be flexible and positive over the border issue," Koy Kuong said, adding that the new Thai Foreign Affairs Minister had promised a peaceful solution in a call made to his Cambodian counterpart last month.
Phay Siphan, Spokesman to the Council of Ministers, has told the Cambodia Weekly that he believed the new Thai Foreign Affairs Minister will follow agreements hammered out between former Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornwiwat and the Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister during border negotiations in November 2008 in Siem Reap province, Cambodia.
“I am optimistic that Kasit will follow previous agreements when he visits Cambodia,” Siphan said. “The current Thai government has demonstrated a polite and diplomatic attitude when discussing the border dispute,” he added. “Redeployment of Thai troops will take place upon or after the Thai Foreign Minister’s visit.”
Siphan said that the current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has demonstrated his willingness to find a peaceful resolution to the border dispute and behave like a good neighbor and member of the ASEAN family. “I note that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen have respect for each other and this is the best foundation for building peace.”The Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya was one of the most controversial appointments when the new Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva named his cabinet on December 20. He played a pivotal role in the protests that closed Bangkok's airports in November and December.
The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with land mines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.The most recent tensions began in July when the Khmer temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over the ownership of the surrounding land.
Senate Marks Its 10th Year Anniversary
By Soy Sophea
Marking the 10-year anniversary of the Cambodian Senate, Senate President Chea Sim gave a positive evaluation, noting its contribution to peace and political stability throughout the nation.
The remarks were made at a one-day seminar on “10-year Achievement, Challenges and Vision of the Senate” on March 20.
He said since the Senate’s establishment on March 25, 1999, it has walked an honorable path toward many achievements, including contributions to national development as
well as encouraging the integration of Cambodia into a regional and global framework during globalization era.
The Senate President said the Senate attained prestige in national and international arenas and contributed to strengthening peace, political stability and national reconciliation, which remain crucial to Cambodia’s future.
“The Senate has responded to all compulsory and long-term needs of the Royal Government as it has been working tremendously to encourage reforms in all spheres of state, social, and economic development. It hopes to accelerate the development with transparency, justice, fairness and responsible,” he said. “The quality and effectiveness of the state’s laws and the representation of all national interests, as well as the interests of commune councils across the country, is a main priority that the Senate has concentrated on and prepared for thoroughly through its work activities, particularly the representation function, legislation function and oversight function.”
He said that it also played a role in providing recommendations and guidelines in strengthening state leadership toward rule of law and good governance and made an invaluable contribution to the success of the commune councils. As a bridge between the people and the state, as well as a representative of the commune council, the senate has to push for the implementation of decentralized and deconcentrated policy and rural development with the aim of alleviating poverty.
“We have been working to the concurrent progress of the democratization process within both the local and national levels in order to lead our society towards harmonization,”he said.
Oum Sarith, Secretary General of the Senate, said that from 1999 to 2005 was a period that the first legislature of the Senate kicked off its journey. Members of the Senate in the first legislature were appointed by the King at the request of the Senate President and the President of the National Assembly. He added that the mandate was postponed two times in the first legislature.
Since 2006, the second legislature of the Senate has been in office, Sarith added. It emerged through a non-universal election on January 22, 2006, with all incumbent members of the National Assembly and members of the commune councils from eight regions across the country taking part.
“This second step is considered as an evolution step of the Senate as it has a clear identity, especially the representation of the entire commune councils and the Khmer people as a whole,” he said.
Marking the 10-year anniversary of the Cambodian Senate, Senate President Chea Sim gave a positive evaluation, noting its contribution to peace and political stability throughout the nation.
The remarks were made at a one-day seminar on “10-year Achievement, Challenges and Vision of the Senate” on March 20.
He said since the Senate’s establishment on March 25, 1999, it has walked an honorable path toward many achievements, including contributions to national development as
well as encouraging the integration of Cambodia into a regional and global framework during globalization era.
The Senate President said the Senate attained prestige in national and international arenas and contributed to strengthening peace, political stability and national reconciliation, which remain crucial to Cambodia’s future.
“The Senate has responded to all compulsory and long-term needs of the Royal Government as it has been working tremendously to encourage reforms in all spheres of state, social, and economic development. It hopes to accelerate the development with transparency, justice, fairness and responsible,” he said. “The quality and effectiveness of the state’s laws and the representation of all national interests, as well as the interests of commune councils across the country, is a main priority that the Senate has concentrated on and prepared for thoroughly through its work activities, particularly the representation function, legislation function and oversight function.”
He said that it also played a role in providing recommendations and guidelines in strengthening state leadership toward rule of law and good governance and made an invaluable contribution to the success of the commune councils. As a bridge between the people and the state, as well as a representative of the commune council, the senate has to push for the implementation of decentralized and deconcentrated policy and rural development with the aim of alleviating poverty.
“We have been working to the concurrent progress of the democratization process within both the local and national levels in order to lead our society towards harmonization,”he said.
Oum Sarith, Secretary General of the Senate, said that from 1999 to 2005 was a period that the first legislature of the Senate kicked off its journey. Members of the Senate in the first legislature were appointed by the King at the request of the Senate President and the President of the National Assembly. He added that the mandate was postponed two times in the first legislature.
Since 2006, the second legislature of the Senate has been in office, Sarith added. It emerged through a non-universal election on January 22, 2006, with all incumbent members of the National Assembly and members of the commune councils from eight regions across the country taking part.
“This second step is considered as an evolution step of the Senate as it has a clear identity, especially the representation of the entire commune councils and the Khmer people as a whole,” he said.
One Village One Product Markets Need more time to open nationwide
By Soy Sophea
Cambodian officers have said that the concept of One Village One Product (OVOP) is under consideration and moves underway to educate villagers on branding their productions to serve as symbols for their villages.
Son Koun Thor, Secretary General of the Cambodian OVOP National Committee, told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone that the vision is to open OVOP nationwide, and the time is right to turn vision into reality.
However, the secretary general refused to say how long it would take. He did say that he wanted Cambodian people to understand the concept of the OVOP. He added that potential problems to confront in future include the lack of understanding of OVOP among Cambodians and the remoteness of many of the target villages.
Since the creation of the movement in 1979, this movement is now promoted globally in China, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and the United States, he added. OVOP is seen as a viable option for Cambodia with products such as baskets, pottery, silk and food being manufactured in regional concentrations.
Sun Kuon Thor, said that the movement accords with general economic guidelines, so authorities are able to promote the movement as part of wider economic development drives, especially with regard to agricultural plantations, livestock feed and farm produce processing.
Under this framework, he said, the government would continue to push the OVOP movement to foster innovative ideas and strengthen the self-confidence of rural people based on four important principles.The principles are to "find the production method that is suitable to the village's conditions and meet the market demand; enable and encourage people to produce by improving market access, providing credit, transferring technology and supplying seeds; build management capacity and human resources; and enable the people to establish agricultural communities to ensure price stability of the product," Koun Thor added.
The Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon told the Cambodia Weekly that he believed that if the OVOP markets are to be opened throughout the country, they can also attract foreign tourists who look forward to experiencing a variety of vacation activities.
“Now, we have launched and promoted many tourism programs to attract more tourists to visit Cambodia, for She is truly a wonderful country,” said Thong Khon. He added that the Cambodian tourism industry needs access to more and improved infrastructure facilities and trained and qualified hospitality workers.
Speaking by telephone to the Cambodia Weekly recently, Kep Chutema, Phnom Penh Municipality Governor said the main challenges facing the Municipality would be overcome during the fourth mandate of the Royal Cambodian Government. These activities will include One Village One Product market, rehabilitation work, environmental protection and traffic calming innovations.
“In the future, we plan to beautify many more gardens, make roads safer for all users, make night markets brighter and introduce new entertainment outlets to the city,” he said.
Chuktema added that recently, to attract tourists and promote progress in Phnom Penh, the Municipality had been paying attention to infrastructure development in Phnom Penh with support for OVOP programs as well as the introduction of improved roads, traffic lights and signs, gardens, supermarkets and tourist destinations.
Chhay Khoeun, Director of the Tourism Department in Kep city, said his office is also paying attention to the matter of improved hospitality, in line with government directives. Part of this includes establishing modern and exciting tourist destinations on the 12 islands off the province’s coast. Local people are expected to make an essential contribution to these plans.
He said that he wanted to see the establishment of an OVOP market in his city and he believed that more local and international tourists would thus be encouraged to visit the city.
To increase the number of visitors, which in 2007 stood at 150,000, his office is expected to bring in 200,000 tourists by 2009 and more than that if the OVOP project comes to fruition.
“We want our people to join us and gain all the benefits that an enlivened tourist industry can bring,” Khoeun said. “Without them we cannot achieve our goals.”
Cambodian officers have said that the concept of One Village One Product (OVOP) is under consideration and moves underway to educate villagers on branding their productions to serve as symbols for their villages.
Son Koun Thor, Secretary General of the Cambodian OVOP National Committee, told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone that the vision is to open OVOP nationwide, and the time is right to turn vision into reality.
However, the secretary general refused to say how long it would take. He did say that he wanted Cambodian people to understand the concept of the OVOP. He added that potential problems to confront in future include the lack of understanding of OVOP among Cambodians and the remoteness of many of the target villages.
Since the creation of the movement in 1979, this movement is now promoted globally in China, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and the United States, he added. OVOP is seen as a viable option for Cambodia with products such as baskets, pottery, silk and food being manufactured in regional concentrations.
Sun Kuon Thor, said that the movement accords with general economic guidelines, so authorities are able to promote the movement as part of wider economic development drives, especially with regard to agricultural plantations, livestock feed and farm produce processing.
Under this framework, he said, the government would continue to push the OVOP movement to foster innovative ideas and strengthen the self-confidence of rural people based on four important principles.The principles are to "find the production method that is suitable to the village's conditions and meet the market demand; enable and encourage people to produce by improving market access, providing credit, transferring technology and supplying seeds; build management capacity and human resources; and enable the people to establish agricultural communities to ensure price stability of the product," Koun Thor added.
The Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon told the Cambodia Weekly that he believed that if the OVOP markets are to be opened throughout the country, they can also attract foreign tourists who look forward to experiencing a variety of vacation activities.
“Now, we have launched and promoted many tourism programs to attract more tourists to visit Cambodia, for She is truly a wonderful country,” said Thong Khon. He added that the Cambodian tourism industry needs access to more and improved infrastructure facilities and trained and qualified hospitality workers.
Speaking by telephone to the Cambodia Weekly recently, Kep Chutema, Phnom Penh Municipality Governor said the main challenges facing the Municipality would be overcome during the fourth mandate of the Royal Cambodian Government. These activities will include One Village One Product market, rehabilitation work, environmental protection and traffic calming innovations.
“In the future, we plan to beautify many more gardens, make roads safer for all users, make night markets brighter and introduce new entertainment outlets to the city,” he said.
Chuktema added that recently, to attract tourists and promote progress in Phnom Penh, the Municipality had been paying attention to infrastructure development in Phnom Penh with support for OVOP programs as well as the introduction of improved roads, traffic lights and signs, gardens, supermarkets and tourist destinations.
Chhay Khoeun, Director of the Tourism Department in Kep city, said his office is also paying attention to the matter of improved hospitality, in line with government directives. Part of this includes establishing modern and exciting tourist destinations on the 12 islands off the province’s coast. Local people are expected to make an essential contribution to these plans.
He said that he wanted to see the establishment of an OVOP market in his city and he believed that more local and international tourists would thus be encouraged to visit the city.
To increase the number of visitors, which in 2007 stood at 150,000, his office is expected to bring in 200,000 tourists by 2009 and more than that if the OVOP project comes to fruition.
“We want our people to join us and gain all the benefits that an enlivened tourist industry can bring,” Khoeun said. “Without them we cannot achieve our goals.”
Government to Shut Down Gambling
By Soy Sophea
The Phnom Penh Municipality has taken strong measures following the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent orders to shut down Cambo-Six, the popular soccer betting company. He acknowledged that it makes trouble for society.
The betting franchise will no longer have a valid license with the government, Minister Keat Chhon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance said on
February 25, putting an end to its operation and making a major dent in Cambodia’s gambling industry.
“I was in a hurry to void Cambo-Six’s contract,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after a special meeting with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) at the Council for Development of Cambodia (CDC) in Phnom Penh. “Now I’ve decided to shut it down,” he said.
The measure comes on the heels of a speech by the Prime Minister Hun Sen this week ending the company’s contract with the government. The Deputy Prime Minister assured those who lost their jobs as a result of the closure that they would have to find other employment.
The government will now target other forms of gambling in the country, he said, including slot machines, lotteries and other forms of gambling.
Nuth Puthdara, Deputy Governor of Russei Keo district of Phnom Penh, said that two Cambo-six branches in his district had been shut down. He said the crack-down was a response to Hun Sen’s orders.
To date, 29 Cambo-Six branch offices have been closed down in cities and provinces throughout the country, according to Puthdara. He said that in Phnom Penh alone, there are 20 outlets.
“We respect the Prime Minister’s order,” Puthdara told reporters at the scene. “Washington hotel’s slot machine club was also shut down,” he said. “They allowed Cambodian clients in to gamble in violation of our laws.”
Ith Sovannak, a Master’s student of the University of Cambodia (UC), supported closure of the soccer betting company. His close friend is a keen sports gambler and has lost
much money over the years.
“He ruined his family, spending thousands of US dollars, and he was forced to leave his home,” Sovannak said. “Gambling is a serious addiction.”
He believed the actions will reduce street crime and domestic violence. “I don’t want to see anyone become addicted to gambling. The measure has been introduced just in
time,” he added.
Sen Navy, a Phnom Penh resident, welcomed the prime minister’s measure against gambling. Navy’s son is a gambling addict and he too stole her money. She said that it was good to shut down Cambo-Six.
“I lost thousands of dollars, he ruined my family,” the widow said. I hate gambling - it has destroyed my son’s future,” she said.
Chea Pengchheang, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Economy and Finance said the Cambodian government earned about $20 million in gambling taxes in 2008. He was
speaking to reporters on February 19 at the opening of a bank conference in Phnom Penh.
The Phnom Penh Municipality has taken strong measures following the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent orders to shut down Cambo-Six, the popular soccer betting company. He acknowledged that it makes trouble for society.
The betting franchise will no longer have a valid license with the government, Minister Keat Chhon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance said on
February 25, putting an end to its operation and making a major dent in Cambodia’s gambling industry.
“I was in a hurry to void Cambo-Six’s contract,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after a special meeting with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) at the Council for Development of Cambodia (CDC) in Phnom Penh. “Now I’ve decided to shut it down,” he said.
The measure comes on the heels of a speech by the Prime Minister Hun Sen this week ending the company’s contract with the government. The Deputy Prime Minister assured those who lost their jobs as a result of the closure that they would have to find other employment.
The government will now target other forms of gambling in the country, he said, including slot machines, lotteries and other forms of gambling.
Nuth Puthdara, Deputy Governor of Russei Keo district of Phnom Penh, said that two Cambo-six branches in his district had been shut down. He said the crack-down was a response to Hun Sen’s orders.
To date, 29 Cambo-Six branch offices have been closed down in cities and provinces throughout the country, according to Puthdara. He said that in Phnom Penh alone, there are 20 outlets.
“We respect the Prime Minister’s order,” Puthdara told reporters at the scene. “Washington hotel’s slot machine club was also shut down,” he said. “They allowed Cambodian clients in to gamble in violation of our laws.”
Ith Sovannak, a Master’s student of the University of Cambodia (UC), supported closure of the soccer betting company. His close friend is a keen sports gambler and has lost
much money over the years.
“He ruined his family, spending thousands of US dollars, and he was forced to leave his home,” Sovannak said. “Gambling is a serious addiction.”
He believed the actions will reduce street crime and domestic violence. “I don’t want to see anyone become addicted to gambling. The measure has been introduced just in
time,” he added.
Sen Navy, a Phnom Penh resident, welcomed the prime minister’s measure against gambling. Navy’s son is a gambling addict and he too stole her money. She said that it was good to shut down Cambo-Six.
“I lost thousands of dollars, he ruined my family,” the widow said. I hate gambling - it has destroyed my son’s future,” she said.
Chea Pengchheang, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Economy and Finance said the Cambodian government earned about $20 million in gambling taxes in 2008. He was
speaking to reporters on February 19 at the opening of a bank conference in Phnom Penh.
Government Not To Revise Internet News
By Soy Sophea
The Royal Government of Cambodia does not have any intentions to revise news published on the Internet in response to media, Khieu Kanharith, Cambodian government
spokesperson.
The Cambodian government will not make changes to news reported by foreign media reported because it supports the freedom of press, he said in response to unmentioned foreign news agencies that accused the Cambodian of reviewing their content.
“Those foreign news media might be referring to a draft of a law related to audio being processed in the Ministry of Information,” Kanharith said.
Explaining the meaning of terms presented in the draft, he said the ministry would be able to revise all Internet news, amounting to nearly 200 million pages per day.
He said he met with Cambodian press associations in order to find a resolution and to pass a code of ethnics for working journalists. The Minister of Information Kanharith
announced that after the meeting with the heads of press associations, the ministry will issue eight press cards for each media organization.
The press cards will put and end to unauthorized media content. He said press card holders have been using their cards illegally, threatening for money. Those of whom who don’t have media pass issued by the Ministry of Information can be authorized by the
attainment of a pass from their media organization. He assured that the value of the both cards are the same.
Pen Samthy, President of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, welcomed the Ministry of Information’s commitment.
“It is an appropriate measure to reduce the misunderstanding of the use of the press cards,” he said.
However, he urged the Ministry of Information to monitor media licenses. He said that there are many newspapers and magazines that do not publish regularly.
“What we want, we want to have quality of press media not the quantity,” he said. “The ministry should take away their licenses,” he said. “Otherwise the mistakes will be repeated.”
The Royal Government of Cambodia does not have any intentions to revise news published on the Internet in response to media, Khieu Kanharith, Cambodian government
spokesperson.
The Cambodian government will not make changes to news reported by foreign media reported because it supports the freedom of press, he said in response to unmentioned foreign news agencies that accused the Cambodian of reviewing their content.
“Those foreign news media might be referring to a draft of a law related to audio being processed in the Ministry of Information,” Kanharith said.
Explaining the meaning of terms presented in the draft, he said the ministry would be able to revise all Internet news, amounting to nearly 200 million pages per day.
He said he met with Cambodian press associations in order to find a resolution and to pass a code of ethnics for working journalists. The Minister of Information Kanharith
announced that after the meeting with the heads of press associations, the ministry will issue eight press cards for each media organization.
The press cards will put and end to unauthorized media content. He said press card holders have been using their cards illegally, threatening for money. Those of whom who don’t have media pass issued by the Ministry of Information can be authorized by the
attainment of a pass from their media organization. He assured that the value of the both cards are the same.
Pen Samthy, President of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, welcomed the Ministry of Information’s commitment.
“It is an appropriate measure to reduce the misunderstanding of the use of the press cards,” he said.
However, he urged the Ministry of Information to monitor media licenses. He said that there are many newspapers and magazines that do not publish regularly.
“What we want, we want to have quality of press media not the quantity,” he said. “The ministry should take away their licenses,” he said. “Otherwise the mistakes will be repeated.”
Experts Meet Over Resettlement Ideas
By Soy Sophea
About 100 National and regional resettlement experts from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos
and Vietnam have gathered in Phnom Penh to construct a legal resolution and policy for the thousands of Cambodians left without property in the wake of giant development projects.
The five-day conference started on February 23 and was organized by the Asia Development Bank with participation from non-governmental agencies, development partners and World Bank resettlement experts. Topics for discussion included Involuntary Resettlement Implementation and Management, with a view to exchanging
experience between authorities when dealing with such delicate matters.
Arjun Goswami, Director of the Asian Development Bank’s Cambodia Resident Mission, said the workshop will provide an opportunity to learn from other’s experience in project-induced resettlement in the region. He advised delegates to take the event seriously as it provided an opportunity to learn and increase their capacity in ensuring trouble-free resettlement and development activities in future.
The Country Director said current Development thinking views as unacceptable, the creation of additional problems as a byproduct of development.
Additional problems are also unnecessary since development brings a wealth of new opportunities. He believed that good resettlement policies should increase economic
activity and provide opportunities for better living conditions for all.
He added that the affected sector of the population should also share in the benefits of development. A basic resettlement of the population en masse without thought given to the welfare of the resettled often proved challenging and difficult.
“To date, our experiences with resettlement implementation, particularly in the Great Mekong Sub-Region (GMS), have not been satisfactory,” he said. “In Cambodia, the
resettlement situation is slowly but steadily improving under the leadership of the Inter-Ministerial Resettlement Committee.”
The Country Director Goswami believed that in attending the resettlement workshops, agency officials would gain a better understanding of best resettlement policies and practices.
He noted that lack of timely and appropriate attention to resettlement issues is often counter-productive. For instance, he said there may be costly delays in project implementation and in civil engineering workflows if unresolved land acquisition
and resettlement issues remain.
“There may be social and economic costs in terms of lost production, dislocation, loss of socioeconomic networks and increased economic hardship for the resettled. Failed resettlement projects in other countries have always resulted in poverty,” he said. “In addition, poorly conducted resettlement programs may cause increased difficulty in mobilizing further resources from development partners for future projects,” he added.
Chhorn Sopheap, Director of the Resettlement Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said that during recent years, involuntary resettlement has become a central
feature of physical infrastructure development. Nevertheless, both the Cambodian government and development partners have paid attention to conducting development under just and transparent procedures, rational resettlement policies and the Rule of
Law.
Chhorn Sopheap who is also the Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme National Economic Council, said that in practice there were often conflicts between the rights of the general public and individuals affected by development policies. The challenge is to strike a balance between these two parties.
“Development projects serving the greater public interest must inevitably be implemented,” he said.
However, he said that in the current context is one that lacks properly defined legal precedents and legislation to support resettlement implementation. He noted limited
awareness of Land Laws and other regulations, adding to the challenge for authorities.
About 100 National and regional resettlement experts from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos
and Vietnam have gathered in Phnom Penh to construct a legal resolution and policy for the thousands of Cambodians left without property in the wake of giant development projects.
The five-day conference started on February 23 and was organized by the Asia Development Bank with participation from non-governmental agencies, development partners and World Bank resettlement experts. Topics for discussion included Involuntary Resettlement Implementation and Management, with a view to exchanging
experience between authorities when dealing with such delicate matters.
Arjun Goswami, Director of the Asian Development Bank’s Cambodia Resident Mission, said the workshop will provide an opportunity to learn from other’s experience in project-induced resettlement in the region. He advised delegates to take the event seriously as it provided an opportunity to learn and increase their capacity in ensuring trouble-free resettlement and development activities in future.
The Country Director said current Development thinking views as unacceptable, the creation of additional problems as a byproduct of development.
Additional problems are also unnecessary since development brings a wealth of new opportunities. He believed that good resettlement policies should increase economic
activity and provide opportunities for better living conditions for all.
He added that the affected sector of the population should also share in the benefits of development. A basic resettlement of the population en masse without thought given to the welfare of the resettled often proved challenging and difficult.
“To date, our experiences with resettlement implementation, particularly in the Great Mekong Sub-Region (GMS), have not been satisfactory,” he said. “In Cambodia, the
resettlement situation is slowly but steadily improving under the leadership of the Inter-Ministerial Resettlement Committee.”
The Country Director Goswami believed that in attending the resettlement workshops, agency officials would gain a better understanding of best resettlement policies and practices.
He noted that lack of timely and appropriate attention to resettlement issues is often counter-productive. For instance, he said there may be costly delays in project implementation and in civil engineering workflows if unresolved land acquisition
and resettlement issues remain.
“There may be social and economic costs in terms of lost production, dislocation, loss of socioeconomic networks and increased economic hardship for the resettled. Failed resettlement projects in other countries have always resulted in poverty,” he said. “In addition, poorly conducted resettlement programs may cause increased difficulty in mobilizing further resources from development partners for future projects,” he added.
Chhorn Sopheap, Director of the Resettlement Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said that during recent years, involuntary resettlement has become a central
feature of physical infrastructure development. Nevertheless, both the Cambodian government and development partners have paid attention to conducting development under just and transparent procedures, rational resettlement policies and the Rule of
Law.
Chhorn Sopheap who is also the Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme National Economic Council, said that in practice there were often conflicts between the rights of the general public and individuals affected by development policies. The challenge is to strike a balance between these two parties.
“Development projects serving the greater public interest must inevitably be implemented,” he said.
However, he said that in the current context is one that lacks properly defined legal precedents and legislation to support resettlement implementation. He noted limited
awareness of Land Laws and other regulations, adding to the challenge for authorities.
Court To Try Duch
By Soy Sophea
The Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT) announced that a three-day hearing for the Khmer Rouge Prison Chief Kaing Kek Iev, alias Duch, will start at 10 a.m. on March 30.
Discussions will center on the creation of Tuol Sleng, known as S-21. Iev, 66, faces charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and murder for his role as the
Chief of Tuol Sleng and other sites, where at least 12,000 Cambodians were tortured and killed.
His trial will be the first of five jailed leaders of the regime in a tribunal that has been more than 10 years in the making. The courtroom is expected to receive an audience of 500 people.
More than 500 people have registered so far to watch, including aid and development workers, diplomats, students and Cambodians citizens, according to Mao Vutha, who is in charge of registering people at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
He added that the court aims to provide access and information on its activities to media representatives, both local and international. Within the week, ECCC set a pretrial for Ieng Sary, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Khmer Rouge regime, for April 2 addressing his appeal against the temporarily detention.
The ECCC also scheduled to hear the appeal against the temporary detention of Khieu Samphon, former Head of State of the Khmer Rouge regime, for April 3, according to Reach Sambath, a press officer at ECCC. He said the hearing is very important no only for Cambodia but also the world justice.
The Office of Co-Investigating Judges (OCIJ) announced they would publish an increased number of documents with regard to the ongoing judicial investigation, as authorized by Rule 56(2) of the ECCC Internal Rules, with the aim of improving public information while respecting the protection of privacy and the presumption of innocence, and ensuring the effectiveness of investigations, according to a statement of ECCC on March 26.
Since then, the statement continued, OCIJ has been carefully examining case file documents to determine which of them may be placed on the ECCC website.
Accordingly, as a first step, OCIJ decided to make public all documents relating to the whether Joint Criminal Enterprise may be applied before the ECCC. The documents include the original request by a defense team that the concept be declared inapplicable, dated July 28, 2008; the response by the Co-Prosecutors, dated August 11, 2008; the order by the Co-Investigating Judges requesting comments from all the parties, September 16, 2008; and the briefs filed by the parties under our Order, dated November 24, and December 24, 30 and 31, 2008, said the statement.
“Of course, once the Judges have reached a decision with respect to this issue, it will also be published,” the statement said.
The Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT) announced that a three-day hearing for the Khmer Rouge Prison Chief Kaing Kek Iev, alias Duch, will start at 10 a.m. on March 30.
Discussions will center on the creation of Tuol Sleng, known as S-21. Iev, 66, faces charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and murder for his role as the
Chief of Tuol Sleng and other sites, where at least 12,000 Cambodians were tortured and killed.
His trial will be the first of five jailed leaders of the regime in a tribunal that has been more than 10 years in the making. The courtroom is expected to receive an audience of 500 people.
More than 500 people have registered so far to watch, including aid and development workers, diplomats, students and Cambodians citizens, according to Mao Vutha, who is in charge of registering people at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
He added that the court aims to provide access and information on its activities to media representatives, both local and international. Within the week, ECCC set a pretrial for Ieng Sary, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Khmer Rouge regime, for April 2 addressing his appeal against the temporarily detention.
The ECCC also scheduled to hear the appeal against the temporary detention of Khieu Samphon, former Head of State of the Khmer Rouge regime, for April 3, according to Reach Sambath, a press officer at ECCC. He said the hearing is very important no only for Cambodia but also the world justice.
The Office of Co-Investigating Judges (OCIJ) announced they would publish an increased number of documents with regard to the ongoing judicial investigation, as authorized by Rule 56(2) of the ECCC Internal Rules, with the aim of improving public information while respecting the protection of privacy and the presumption of innocence, and ensuring the effectiveness of investigations, according to a statement of ECCC on March 26.
Since then, the statement continued, OCIJ has been carefully examining case file documents to determine which of them may be placed on the ECCC website.
Accordingly, as a first step, OCIJ decided to make public all documents relating to the whether Joint Criminal Enterprise may be applied before the ECCC. The documents include the original request by a defense team that the concept be declared inapplicable, dated July 28, 2008; the response by the Co-Prosecutors, dated August 11, 2008; the order by the Co-Investigating Judges requesting comments from all the parties, September 16, 2008; and the briefs filed by the parties under our Order, dated November 24, and December 24, 30 and 31, 2008, said the statement.
“Of course, once the Judges have reached a decision with respect to this issue, it will also be published,” the statement said.
China Inks $215 Million Deal with Cambodia for Infrastructure Development
By Soy Sophea
The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have signed on four agreements. These understandings were created during an official visit to strengthen bilateral relations and commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic links between the two nations - 1958-2008.
Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over the signing ceremony that was held December 3, in Phnom Penh.
The agreements promise effective exchanges and cooperation in the political arena, the economy and trade, cultural exchanges and a range of other bilateral activities, according to Cambodian Government Spokesman Khieu Kanharith, speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony.
China and Cambodia are the friendliest of neighbors, a relationship made stronger by the passage of time, according to Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and Cambodian Government spokesman. These sentiments were a repeat of those expressed to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen by the leader of the Chinese delegation.
The Information Minister Kanharith said, “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Cambodia friendship has grown from strength to strength, adding China intends to increase their stake in the Cambodian Investment Industry by $1,000 million by 2010 or earlier”.
He quoted the Prime Minister Hun Sen as saying the Cambodian government attaches great importance to its friendly relations with China and will work with the Chinese side to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields and strengthen coordination and support in international affairs.
The Prime Minister said that China's development will not only benefit itself, but also contribute to peace and development of the region and the world at large, said the Premier. He added that the Chinese delegation’s visit marks a conclusion to Chairman Jia's four-nation visit which has taken him to Jordan, Turkey and Laos.
Responding to the Cambodian Prime Minister, Jia said that China will work with Cambodia to promote bilateral good-neighborliness, friendship and reciprocal cooperation to a new stage. He made a three-point proposal for furthering bilateral cooperation.
The first is to expand economic and trade cooperation to bring mutual benefit. The two sides should make a joint effort if early realization of an annual bilateral trade volume of one billion U.S. dollars is to be reached by 2010. The Chinese side supports cooperation in its various forms between enterprises of both sides and hopes the Cambodian side will provide facilities for bilateral cooperation.The second is to strengthen cooperation in other fields such as culture, education, tourism and health, and expand exchanges between young people of the two countries.
The third is to enhance contacts between political parties of the two countries.Jia, who arrived in Cambodia on December 2 to make an official goodwill visit, said the invitation was made by the Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim. He said in the statement upon in his arrival that Sino-Cambodian friendship was based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and conforms to the aspirations and fundamental interests of the two peoples.He said that China's policy on the development of bilateral friendship, which is part of China's foreign policy, will not change. He also added that China appreciates Cambodia's adherence to the one-China policy.
The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have signed on four agreements. These understandings were created during an official visit to strengthen bilateral relations and commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic links between the two nations - 1958-2008.
Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over the signing ceremony that was held December 3, in Phnom Penh.
The agreements promise effective exchanges and cooperation in the political arena, the economy and trade, cultural exchanges and a range of other bilateral activities, according to Cambodian Government Spokesman Khieu Kanharith, speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony.
China and Cambodia are the friendliest of neighbors, a relationship made stronger by the passage of time, according to Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and Cambodian Government spokesman. These sentiments were a repeat of those expressed to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen by the leader of the Chinese delegation.
The Information Minister Kanharith said, “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Cambodia friendship has grown from strength to strength, adding China intends to increase their stake in the Cambodian Investment Industry by $1,000 million by 2010 or earlier”.
He quoted the Prime Minister Hun Sen as saying the Cambodian government attaches great importance to its friendly relations with China and will work with the Chinese side to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields and strengthen coordination and support in international affairs.
The Prime Minister said that China's development will not only benefit itself, but also contribute to peace and development of the region and the world at large, said the Premier. He added that the Chinese delegation’s visit marks a conclusion to Chairman Jia's four-nation visit which has taken him to Jordan, Turkey and Laos.
Responding to the Cambodian Prime Minister, Jia said that China will work with Cambodia to promote bilateral good-neighborliness, friendship and reciprocal cooperation to a new stage. He made a three-point proposal for furthering bilateral cooperation.
The first is to expand economic and trade cooperation to bring mutual benefit. The two sides should make a joint effort if early realization of an annual bilateral trade volume of one billion U.S. dollars is to be reached by 2010. The Chinese side supports cooperation in its various forms between enterprises of both sides and hopes the Cambodian side will provide facilities for bilateral cooperation.The second is to strengthen cooperation in other fields such as culture, education, tourism and health, and expand exchanges between young people of the two countries.
The third is to enhance contacts between political parties of the two countries.Jia, who arrived in Cambodia on December 2 to make an official goodwill visit, said the invitation was made by the Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim. He said in the statement upon in his arrival that Sino-Cambodian friendship was based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and conforms to the aspirations and fundamental interests of the two peoples.He said that China's policy on the development of bilateral friendship, which is part of China's foreign policy, will not change. He also added that China appreciates Cambodia's adherence to the one-China policy.
Thai Soldiers Raised a White Flag to Surrender to the Cambodian Troops
By Soy Sophea
Cambodian government officers said that Cambodian and Thai troops started exchanging gunfire after Thai troop entered Cambodian territory near Preah Vihear temple, known as Veal Entry, at 7:15 a.m. on April 3. It repeated again around 1:30 p.m.
Koy Kuong, spokesperson at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said shots took place at three diffrenrent places: Veal Entry (Eagle Field), Phnom Troap (Troap Mountain) and in front of the Preah Vihear temple.
Kuong said that Cambodia considered Thailand’s claimed ownership of the disputed territories belonged completedly unacceptable and an abuse of international law.
“The claim is intentional abuse,” Kuong said. “The claim does not have legal evidence and is illegitimate as Thailand is violating the French-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the International Court of Justice claim in 1962 that assured the territory belongs to Cambodia.”
He added that Cambodia’s Army Region 4 met with Thailand’s Region 2 after army clashes to figure out a peaceful means to end the border dispute after a nearly 20-minute-long fight.
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Srey Doek, Cambodian Army Commander at Preah Vihear, said he told the Thai army commander that he followed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen advice to be ready to fight even within one millimeter of Cambodia’s territory.He added that if Thai troops dared to across Cambodia’s restricted area, Cambodian soldiers would start to fire. However, Cambodian military officials said that Cambodian troops have taken over altillery at Cambodia’s Bihiver Temple next to Preah Vihear Temple.
Meanhwile, Phay Siphan, spokesman for Cambodia’s Council of Ministers, said the crossfire occurred around 7:15 a.m. local time, after a number of Thai soldiers trespassed on the Eagle Field, a piece of Cambodian soil.
At 4:00pm, two Thai helicopters landed to retrieve the Thai casualities and injured soldiers. The number of casuality was not confirmed.
Moreover, it is reported that Thai soldiers at battlefield raised a white flag to surrender to the Cambodian soldiers as many as their soldiers left the fighting scene.On Thursday, a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine and lost a leg at Veal Entry area. In July of last year, the tension over the long-disputed territory of the two countries started after the 11th century Preah Vihear temple at the border was granted UNESCO World Heritage status.The two countries' troops clashed in the area in October 15.
The border dispute has not been resolved during subsequent talks by the two countries. The two neighboring countries have never fully demarcated their disputed border, due partly to landmines left over from decades before.
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