khmer news, Khmer hot news and world,Vi-media , khmer news today

Reduced coverage between 07 and 10 August 2010

2010-08-09T03:40:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,

Because several of our team members will be traveling to remote areas where Internet access is rather inexistent (read Cambodia’s remote countryside), news updates on KI-Media will be reduced between Saturday 07 August and Tuesday 10 August 2010. A few of us will be back after 10 August and we expect to update the news regularly again by 11 August (Phnom Penh time).

We apologize for this inconvenience and we hope to see you back on Wednesday 11 August 2010.

Thank you again for your constant support!

KI-Media team

PM: Thailand to clarify its stance to UN after Cambodian PM tells UN Thailand threatens force

2010-08-09T03:39:00.002-07:00

BANGKOK, Aug 9 (MCOT)- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) on Monday affirmed the country's peaceful principles and intentions, saying Thailand is sending a letter to the United Nations to clarify its position regarding its border dispute after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told the world body Thailand is threatening to use force to settle the wrangle.

Mr Abhisit said the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is not yet settled and Thailand is exploring existing and possible measures to find
the best solution for both sides to stay together peacefully.

He said Thailand adheres to peaceful means and is trying to settle bilateral disputes under the law and agreements in place [such as the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding with Cambodia].

Thailand will inform the UN how Cambodia encroached upon Thai territory, he said, strongly affirming that Thailand had to protect its national interests.

The Thai premier's comment came after Mr Hun Sen sent a letter to the UN General Assembly and Security Council in which he accused Thailand of threatening to use its forces to settle the dispute.

Mr Hun Sen's letter, which was also sent to the media, said statements by Mr Abhisit when he addressed the civil society groups on Saturday represented "a clear threat to use military force" to settle the border problem and therefore in violation of UN rules.

The Cambodian premier reaffirmed his country's policy not to use military means to settle disputes with its neighbours but that it reserved its
legitimate right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in case of deliberate acts of aggression.

Thai civil society groups led by the so-called Thailand Patriot Network demanded clarification regarding the government's position on the Preah Vihear disputes.

Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Panithan Wattanayagorn said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was discussing the matter with experts in international law and related issues. The results are expected to be reported to the premier later today.

However, Dr Panithan -- who is also acting government spokesman -- said Thailand's standpoint would not change, that it would cooperate with neighbouring countries for mutual benefit.

The government is planning to inform the UN regarding three issues -- the legal aspect that Cambodia questioned, how Thailand's territory was intruded upon and Thailand's affirmation on the use of peaceful means and accepted international law, he said.

He said the government is worried that Cambodia was trying to draw a third party into the disputes but affirmed that Thailand would stick to the principle of finding a solution through talks.

Dr Panithan added that resolving a border dispute is normally a matter between the two nations themselves to find a solution and believed that the international community would understand and respect.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reaffirmed on Monday that the Thai government has not yet ordered the closure of its border despite the verbal spat with Cambodia, but conceded that troops are on standby to protect the country's sovereignty.

Mr Suthep, who oversees national security, also commented on Mr Hun Sen's letter to UN that the Thai foreign ministry is now considering the issue, while reiterating that Thailand upholds to live with its neighbour peacefully.

The Thai deputy premier said that Thai troops are on alert along the Thai-Cambodian border, but they will not intrude into Cambodian territory.

He said the neighbouring country has its right to prepare its armed forces as long as they do not invade Thai soil.

Mr Suthep also gave assurances that the ongoing tension will not lead to the closure of the Thai-Cambodian border.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia arose after the Thai government delegation objected to Cambodia's unilateral management plan for the historic Preah Vihear temple as the neighbours could find no common ground to settle the disputed 4.6 sq km of land adjacent to the temple which was granted world heritage status in 2008.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) through its World Heritage Commission (WHC) consequently early this month postponed its discussion of the plan until next year when it meets in Bahrain.

The International Court of Justice in 1962 ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia.

The ancient Hindu temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Under the terms of the listing, Cambodia is required to submit a management plan for WHC approval. (MCOT online news)

PM Hun Sen complained to UN after Thai PM threatened to use force to settle Preah Vihear dispute

2010-08-09T03:39:00.001-07:00

Click on text to read the letter.

By Khmerization

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has sought UN's help by writing a letter to the UN Security Council after Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva threatened to use force to settle the Preah Vihear dispute if diplomacy does not yield a satisfactory result for Thailand.

In an address to Thai protesters on 7th August, Mr. Abhisit was alleged to have said that Thailand is prepared to use force to take control over a plot of land surrounding the temple complex claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia. "About the land encroachment, we will cancel the MOU if the problem can't be settled. We will use both democratic and military means," Mr. Abhisit was quoted by The Nation newspaper as telling the protesters. The Cambodian Foreign Ministry swiftly issued a strong statement in response to Abhisit's threats.

In the letter, Mr. Hun Sen had drawn the attention of the UNSC to the fact that Preah Vihear temple issue had been settled once and for all by the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904, the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 and the verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of 1962 and the 1908 maps which were accepted by the then Siamese king.

Mr. Hun Sen's letter had also drawn the UNSC's attention to the verdict of the ICJ which stated that "...the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignt of Cambodia;"
and that "Thailand is under an obligation to withdraw any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity within Cambodian territory."

The letter accused Thailand of violating articles 2.3 and 2.4 of the UN Charter. The letter also stressed that Cambodia re-affirms its policy not to use force to settle any disputes, but said it reserves its "legitimate rights" to defend its "sovereignty and territorial integrity" in the face of aggression by Thailand.

Mr. Hun Sen had also requested the UNSC to widely circulate the letter to all members of the UNSC for information.

Sacravatoons no 1802 : " Preah Vihear Temple "

2010-08-09T03:38:00.002-07:00

"Kall L'bech Hanoi neung Kamsoy Roboss Khmer" a Poem in Khmer by Hin Sithan

2010-08-09T03:38:00.001-07:00

"Chum-vinh Kar Batt-bang Teuk Dei Khmer" Op.Ed. by Cheath Hangsa

2010-08-09T03:37:00.002-07:00

Politiktoons no 116 : " WikiLeak " by Sacrava

2010-08-09T03:37:00.001-07:00

Sacravatoons No 1801 : " Honey Sam "

2010-08-09T03:36:00.002-07:00

“Reconciliation for me is easy, I want all the leaders to answer for the deeds they committed”: Sum Rithy

2010-08-09T03:36:00.001-07:00

From left to right: Mr. Sum Rithy, civil party complainant for case #002, and Mr. Lat Ky, tribunal monitor chief of ADHOC, on 'Hello VOA". (Photo: by Heng Reaksmey)

Government Can Help in Tribunal Reconciliation: Monitor

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Friday, 06 August 2010

Compensation for victims of the Khmer Rouge is in part a responsibility of the government, a tribunal monitor said Thursday.

“Because the state has an obligation to take responsibility for all kinds of people's suffering,” said Lat Ky, a court monitor for the rights group Adhoc, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

Many victims were disappointed with the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal's sentencing of prison chief Duch last week. He received a commuted sentence of 19 years for supervising the torture and execution of more than 12,000 people.

Victims who lost family in the infamous prison say they want a stupa erected with the names of the dead. Lat Ky said a stupa would help.

“Even if the verdict is a [court] order, how do we make the victims mentally reconcile, fix their suffering, and find justice for them?” he said. “That's more important than the complexities that the judges are thinking.”

Sum Rithy, a 57-year-old who has filed grievances in both the Duch case and the upcoming Case No. 002, said he was disappointed he saw no compensation in the Duch verdict.

“Reconciliation for me is easy,” he said. “I want all the leaders to answer for the deeds they committed.”

Cambodia Preps for Oil Agreement With Iran

2010-08-09T03:35:00.004-07:00

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Friday, 06 August 2010

“We want Iranian companies to invest in Cambodia, boosting economic growth and development for poverty reduction.”

Cambodia is preparing a high-level delegation to visit Iran next week, where they expect to sign an agreement on petroleum cooperation, among others.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong told VOA Khmer Friday the petroleum agreement would allow Iranian oil experts to provide technical assitance to Cambodia.

The delegation will be led by Foreign Minisgter Hor Namhong and will include Ho Vichit, vice chairman of the National Petroleum Authority, a ministry statement said.

Cambodia expects to see oil flowing from offshore blocs in 2012, Koy Kuong said, and Iran is one of the largest producers of oil in the world.

The visit will improve diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as promoting trade, tourism and investment, he said.

The trip, scheduled for Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, could also mean positive developments for Cambodia's Muslim community, said Sman Teath, a Muslim and deputy director of the National Assembly's finance committee.

Cambodia has a population of nearly half a million Muslims, many of whom remain in poverty after devastating treatment at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

Sos Mos Sin, head of the Cambodian-Muslim Student Association, said the community needs trade and investment opportunities as well as humanitarian assistance from Iran.

“We want Iranian companies to invest in Cambodia, boosting economic growth and development for poverty reduction,” he said.

There are so far no plans for Iranian businesses to come here, Koy Kuong said.

Cambodia has had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1992, but it communicates with the country through its embassy in Hanoi.

Mohsen Kohkan, head of the Iran-Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group, who visited Cambodia in June, asked Cambodia to establish an Embassy in Iran. The Iranian Assembly has been encouraging its government to appoint an ambassador to Cambodia.

Cambodia Issues More Warnings to Thais Over Temple

2010-08-09T03:35:00.003-07:00

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Friday, 06 August 2010

Cambodian officials responsed to strong rhetoric in the Thai media on Friday, claiming that increased political pressure over the border near Preah Vihear temple could mean an end to a bilateral solution to the problem.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong told reporters Friday Cambodia would consider filing a grievance with the UN Secretary General over the border issue if Thai officials did not stop making public claims to a stretch of land along the border.

Thailand and Cambodia are at odds over a 4.6-kilometer stretch of land that each side claims for itself. Cambodian officials maintain that the land, west of Preah Vihear temple, does not belong to Thailand.

Both sides have had troops amassed on the border since July 2008, when Preah Vihear temple was listed as a World Heritage Site under Cambodia.

Cambodia issued a management plan to Unesco's World Heritage committee last week, but Thailand says the plan would eat into Thai soil. Cambodian officials have denied the the claim.

Hor Namhong said Friday he was responding to recent Thai media reports that quoted Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva saying border problems only started after the Unesco World Heritage listing.

Thailand's "yellow shirts" agree to change rally venue

2010-08-09T03:35:00.001-07:00

BANGKOK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's "yellow shirts" have agreed to shift their rally venue from the Government House to the Kilawes Stadium in central Bangkok on Saturday, the Thai News Agency (TNA) reported quoting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying Friday.

The decision to stage the rally at the Kilawes Stadium of the Thailand-Japan Youth Center in the Din Daeng area was made after an over two-hour meeting between Abhisit and representatives of the "yellow shirts" network.

The "yellow shirts" rally is aimed to demand the government to revoke the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on boundary demarcation signed with Cambodia in 2000.

The MOU, which recognizes the Siam-French demarcation map, is feared to allow neighboring Cambodia to claim the Thai territory, the "yellow-shirt" group said.

In a related development, the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has declared a ban on traveling on four routes surrounding the Government House in central Bangkok, effective from 08:00 p.m. local time, on Friday.

Also, the CRES said none is allowed to enter into the Government House compound.

Any who breaks the CRES rules will face a maximum two-year jail term and a fine worth upto 40,000 baht (1,247.68 U.S. dollars).

"Bandit Chor" a Poem in Khmer by Diep Champa & Sék Serei

2010-08-09T03:34:00.001-07:00

Cambodia to sign oil deal with Iran

2010-08-09T03:33:00.002-07:00

Sat, 07 Aug 2010
Press TV (Iran)

Asked why Cambodia had chosen Iran for such agreements, he said, "We are a non-partisan country. We are friends with everyone in the world." [including rogue states?]

Officials from Cambodia will travel to Iran next week willing to sign agreements on cooperation in the oil sector, the foreign minister of the Southeast Asian state said on Friday.

Hor Namhong, who is to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his delegation's August 10-11 visit, gave no details on the agreements but told a press conference that Cambodia could benefit from Iranian expertise.

Koy Kuong, the undersecretary of state at the Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry, told Reuters the memorandums of understanding would involve the exchange of experience and knowledge on “petroleum cooperation” and Iran would also provide technical support for the Cambodian oil industry.

Kuong said it would be the first official Cambodian delegation to visit the Islamic Republic since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

He added, “Iran could provide technical assistance, training courses and other experience to the Kingdom.”

Cambodia has attempted to build on its relationship with the Islamic Republic in recent months.

In May, two of Cambodia's lawmakers -- Try Chheang Huot and Chhith Kim Yath -- attended an Asian Parliamentary Assembly in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Asked why Cambodia had chosen Iran for such agreements, he said, "We are a non-partisan country. We are friends with everyone in the world."

Sacravatoons no 1800 : " Pen Puthsphea "

2010-08-09T03:33:00.001-07:00

Khmer duo offer heartfelt thanks to LB supporters

2010-08-09T03:31:00.000-07:00

Phin Ken, and his daughter, Socheat Nha during the the Cambodian New Year Parade in Long Beach, Calif. on April 4, 2010. (Jeff Gritchen / Press-Telegram)

08/06/2010
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - Socheat Nha and Davik Teng, two Cambodian girls given second chances at normal lives, will be saying their "arkun charans," or "thank you" to residents tonight at Sophy's Restaurant.

Residents will get a chance to see the two girls who underwent successful heart surgeries at one last fundraising dinner.

Although the girls don't depart for Cambodia until Oct.18, this is the last time they will attend public functions.

Socheat, the 3-year-old daughter of a Cambodian farmer, was brought to the U.S. by Long Beach nonprofit Hearts Without Boundaries for surgery not available in her home country.

Las Vegas Childrens Hospital, which had agreed to perform the procedure, backed out when it appeared too risky. However, Hearts Without Boundaries was able to broker a deal with the International Children's Heart Foundation, which performed the surgery in the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Rodrigo Soto performed a tricky four-hour procedure to close a hole in Socheat's heart. The defect, called a ventricular septal defect, was repaired along with part of an artery.

Davik was the first child saved by Hearts Without Boundaries. Dr. Vaughn Starnes at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles repaired a quarter-sized hole in her heart two years ago.

Davik returned to Cambodia but is back in the U.S. for a visit supported by Hearts Without Boundaries.

A fourth patient, Bunlak Song, is scheduled to come to Long Beach later this year.

greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1291 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 562-499-1291

[Thai] Civil groups start gathering at Thai-Japanese Sports Complex and Government House

2010-08-09T03:30:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK, Aug 7 (MCOT online news) - The yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement gathering began at Thai-Japanese Sports Complex in Din Daeng, but activist Veera Sonkwamkid led his 'Thailand Patriot Network' demonstrated at Government House, defying rally prohibition ordered by the the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a PAD core leader who led supporters to rally at Keelawes Stadium 1 in the Thai-Japanese Sports Complex in Din Daeng said the people's movement today was not the political gathering but to exercise pubic rights.

Gen Chamlong said he would not definitely led people to join the demonstration at the Government House as he wanted to see demonstration run orderly and peacefully.

He also invited the people who planned to join the rally at the Government House to join the gathering at the Thai-Japanese Sports Complex instead.

Meanwhile, Veera and Chaiwat Sinsuwong led civil society group - 'Thailand Patriot Network' to Gate number 4 of the Government House. They said the gathering at Thai-Japanese Sports Complex was not the network's consensus.

The police had closed Phitsanulok Road in front of the Government House but opened way for the demonstrators.

The PAD movement on Friday announced it would join a planned gathering of a network of civil groups at Government House on Saturday, their actions designed to seek clarifications from the government over the dispute regarding the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

However the PAD have agreed to move their rally from Government House to Keelawes Stadium 1 in the Thai-Japanese Sports Complex in Din Daeng.

Prime Minster Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday had hold talks with representatives, including PAD spokesman Parnthep Wongpuapan and 2nd Lt Samdin Lertbutr, an aide to Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang.

The premier said the government did not want the groups to rally at Government House, as it could violate the law as the capital is still under an Emergency Decree and risks becoming a disorderly event incited by the thrid party.

The premier himself promised to join the rally to listen to the views of the group over Preah Vihear disputes after he finished his engagement at Hua Hin.

The premier's move followed the airing of differing views over a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Cambodia in 2000, the civil groups and the PAD urged the government to revoke the MoU and should push the Cambodians out of the disputed 4.6 sq km overlapping area.

The prime minister also pledged to provide channels for the government and the public to express their views, pro and con, regarding the government's actions and plans about the Preah Vihear disputes and the event would be televised on NBT television network on Sunday to let the public to get full information on the matter.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) announced on Friday that Thailand's seat of government, the Government House, is an 'off limits' area, and that four roads around the complex were closed from 8pm Friday.

Violators could face two years imprisonment and Bt40,000 fines.

Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanon said that security would be stepped up with six companies of metropolitan police and three companies of army soldiers will be deployed to maintain law and order at and around Government House and roads leading to it.

The CRES also resolved to ban PAD's Saturday gathering at the seat of government as the move is considered as violating the Emergency Decree, saying the civil groups and the PAD should send their representatives to discuss the issue with the government.

CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd added that some parties also accused the government of what they termed its practice of double standards, which is a vulnerable point.

Col Sansern said the authorities will not allow any group to demonstrate while the state of emergency is still in force and police and soldiers will work together to enforce the law.

Thai right-wing group protests in capital against temple policy despite government warning

2010-08-09T03:29:00.000-07:00

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong makes a point during a press conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. Namhong on Friday, criticized Thai authorities for continuing to challenge Cambodia's rights to administer a landmark temple on their border. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Saturday, August 07, 2010
By Kinan Suchaovanich (CP)

BANGKOK — About 1,500 members of a right-wing group ignored an emergency decree by demonstrating in the Thai capital Saturday, but heeded a government warning not to rally outside the prime minister's office, police said.

The number of demonstrators at the Thai-Japanese Sports Stadium was expected to swell to 3,000, but no violence was expected, said police Maj. Gen. Piya Uthayo.

The Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation said Friday that the Thailand Patriot Network's plan to protest government policy over a land dispute with neighbouring Cambodia was not allowed under a state of emergency governing Bangkok. It broadcast a specific ban on the action in a statement read over Thai television Friday night.

The state of emergency was declared in April after anti-government protesters broke into the Parliament building to press their demands for early elections. About 90 people died and more than 1,400 were injured during two months of protests, which the army quashed by force on May 19.

The Thailand Patriot Network claims that the government is failing to aggressively pursue Thai claims to disputed land along the border with Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia both claim land around the Preah Vihear temple, named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2008 after Cambodia applied for the status. There have been small and sometimes deadly armed clashes in the area during the past few years.

Last week, Cambodia submitted a management plan for the temple, reviving the issue. The Thailand Patriot Network and other right-wing groups charge that the government should work harder to block the management plan.

In Cambodia Friday, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters that Thai attempts to claim Preah Vihear were pointless. One Thai suggestion is that that the two countries list Preah Vihear as a joint landmark with UNESCO.

"It is too late now to oppose the Preah Vihear temple being listed as a World Heritage site and also too late to ask for a joint listing of the temple," he said. "All of these demands are just dreaming, please, prime minister of Thailand, stop dreaming like this."
___
AP correspondent Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh contributed to this report.

Bilateral talk with Cambodia may be held to resolve border conflict: Thai minister

2010-08-02T06:06:00.002-07:00

August 02, 2010
Xinhua

A bilateral talk with Cambodia may be held in a bid to seek solution to the ongoing conflict over the Preah Vihear Temple, Thailand's Natural and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti said on Monday.

The Thai News Agency (TNA) reported that the natural and environment minister was speaking in Thailand's capital Bangkok shortly after he returned from Brazil, where he attended the annual 34th meeting of the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (WHC).

It is expected that next month the WHC panel will present Cambodia's management plan for the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple to Thailand, Suvit said.

After obtaining the Cambodian management plan for Preah Vihear Temple, Thailand will look into details of the plan in a bid to protect the country's sovereignty, he said.

However, the Thai side will keep abiding by international laws to find the solution to the conflict, the Thai minister said.

The Thai people and concerned organizations will be informed of the development to be made on the Preah Vihear Temple, Suvit said.

During the meeting on July 29, the WHC decided to reschedule its discussion on Cambodia's management plan to its annual meeting in Bahrain in 2011.

Prior to the WHC decision to postpone its discussion, Thailand threatened to walk out of the WHC meeting if the panel considered the Cambodian plan since the Thai side had not yet looked into details of the plan, which was handed in by Cambodia to the WHC panel just shortly before the meeting.

Thailand and Cambodia have historically laid claim to the site, which is located on a mountain top on the Thai-Cambodia border. The disputed area of 4.6 square kilometers has not been demarcated.

In 1962 the International Court of Justice ruled that the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia. But, the 11th-century temple can only be easily accessed from Thailand.

[Thai] Minister Suwit: Thailand may receive Cambodia's temple management plan in September

2010-08-02T06:06:00.001-07:00

BANGKOK, Aug 2 (MCOT online news) - Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti on Monday said Cambodia will send its management plan for the ancient Preah Vihear temple to Thailand in September and concerned agencies will have to study it thoroughly.

Mr Suwit commented as he and the Thai delegation returned from Brazil and the 34th annual meeting of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Commission (WHC) which ends Tuesday. They were in Brasilia to oppose Cambodia's unilaterally proposed management plan for the historic Hindu temple and its environs.

The World Heritage Commission on Thursday agreed to postpone reviewing the Cambodian plan until next year when the WHC meets in Bahrain after Thailand, led by Mr Suwit, threatened to review its membership. At the same time a number of Thais rallied at the UNESCO regional headquarters in Bangkok last week, calling on the commission to hold off on its consideration of the issue.

Mr Suwit thanked the Thai public for expressing their objection to Cambodia's move, as well as members of his team for their work in Brazil despite pressure and tension, especially when negotiating with the Cambodian representatives.

The Thai delegation head reaffirmed what he termed as that the stance of Thailand on the issue is clear and creative. Thailand is not seen as a villain in the eyes of other countries and many countries have congratulated the kingdom's success at Brazil.

The Thai minister said the officials are now preparing to look through documents of the Cambodian management plan which is expected to be sent to them in September, to see the map details and conditions or attachment which may lead to further conflict.

Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. UNESCO named the temple a World Heritage site in 2008, after Cambodia applied for the status while dispute over 4.6 sq km contested land between the two countries remains unsolved.

Under the terms of the listing, Cambodia is required to submit a management plan for WHC approval, but Thailand insisted that the matter should not be discussed unless the two neighbours first resolve their dispute over the zone adjacent to the temple.

Meanwhile, the Thailand's First Army Area Commander Lt-Gen Kanit Sapithak said Monday that the army is ready to protect the country's sovereignty but there has been no movement of Cambodian troops.

Gen Kanit however said the military ties between the two neighbours remains good and both agreed at the last month's regional Border Committee (RBC) that they will not use force against each other if any problem arises, but will solve it through talks at a local level first.

The Thai army first area commander said he hoped the good military ties between Thailand and Cambodia will help ease the tensed situation and conflict.

Letter from Gao Hongying on comment posted on KI-Media

2010-08-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

KI-Media Note: Dear Readers, we just received the following email from Gao Hongying regarding a comment posted by a former employee of the Vietnamese company Sacombank. Gao Hongying did not indicate in his email his relationship with Sacombank, only to warn us to pay attention to his email which we have reproduced below. In our opinion, there is no reason for us to revise somebody else's article content or remove it unless a gross error has been made which we do not believe that was the case.
Firstly, if the Sacombank feels that it has been slighted by our comment, this bank should have sent us an official letter asking to clarify the situation and we would have gladly obliged.
Secondly, Gao Honying did not provide any indication of his relationship to this bank either, furthermore, the email address he uses (webmaster@chasoft.net) to send the email below to us does not provide any clue that Gao Hongying is related in anyway to Sacombank.
Thirdly, the anonymous author who posted the original comment did not use the words "illegal and unethical" in his/her statement, we at KI-Media take responsibility for using these words as the header to the comment. Should Gao Hongying himself reads the explanation in that article, then Gao Hongying would be able to understand where, in our mind, these words would come from.
Fourthly, we believe that, logically, if we were to remove this article, why then should we make revision to the article as suggested by Gao Hongying (you MUST make a revision on the content of that article and remove it immediately) in the first place?
Sincerely,

KI-Media team

Dear KI-Media TEAM,

Please pay attention to my email because this is really a very serious issue!!!

Two days ago, i read an article on your website with the title "Illegal and unethical employment practive against Khmer employees at the Viet Sacombank in Cambodia?". I think you MUST make a revision on the content of that article and remove it immediately.

In this article, a man who resigned from a company with a reason "the company decrease his salary after probationary period", then he accused the company for Illegal and unethical", more than that, he hurt all vietnamese company in Cambodia, especially all Vietnamese! After probationary period, anything can happen. The company can terminate his contract, increase or decrease this sallary. And any other companies will do the same! So what is "Illegal and unethical" here. If he don't accept the offer, he can resign as he did. But he did accuse the company is completely wrong. And I can see that all readers, they don't pay attention to the core problem of that man, they seem only care about the title only and then there are many unsuitable comments.

I just want the KI-Media TEAM read the article carefully and do the appopriate action. Thank you very much!

Best regards,
hongying

Thomico's Open letter to Thai PM ... But, Prince, where is your open letter to the Viet leaders on Viet encroachments?

2010-08-02T06:04:00.000-07:00

Click on the letters in English and French to zoom in
Cliquez sur les letters en anglais et français pour aggrandir

Beijing
August 2, 2010

His Excellency Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Care of the Royal Thai Embassy
Phnom Penh
Kingdom of Cambodia

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

Please convey to His Majesty the King of Thailand my very respectful homages and my wishes for a long life, good health and a long and prosperous reign.

I present to Your Excellency and to the eminent members of the Royal Thai Government as well my compliments.

I feel great admiration for the impressive economic, social and cultural development that the Kingdom of Thailand has achieved in recent decades, and particularly for the strong commitment to education that has underpinned the country’s rise. And I feel particularly grateful to the Kingdom of Thailand for the important role it played in the recent past to help Cambodia recover her sovereignty and put an end to two decades of conflict and suffering.

The Khmer people have no other desire than to heal the wounds of the past and live peacefully. As a member of the international community, of global and regional organizations, Cambodia wishes to achieve its development in harmony with every country, to nurture and reinforce relationships of friendship and cooperation with every nation, and above all with our direct neighbors.

The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand have a long history together, marked indeed by conflicts but also by periods of peace during which exchanges between the two countries have greatly benefited both. We share a common civilization, culture, and religion. Whatever may separate us is not as strong as that which binds us together.

For these reasons it has been especially painful to witness the fast deterioration of relations between our two countries over the last two years. Both our populations are easily stirred by the ultra-nationalistic rhetoric of a minority. But a calm appraisal of history should make it clear that the territorial claims that have so animated the recent popular and political discourse in Thailand have no basis.

That history, in fact, is not a pretty one. The borders between our two countries have indeed been imposed on us by colonial powers who respected nothing but their own interests. While the Kingdom of Thailand was not colonized by Western powers, Khmers and Thais both can rightfully consider themselves victims of this colonial past. I understand the feeling of injustice borne by the Thai people against the impositions made on them by foreign powers. As a Cambodian, I cannot forget that the Governor of Cochinchina, Charles Thomson, arrayed guns in front of the Royal Palace to force HM King Norodom to sign the infamous 1884 Convention. Neither do I forget that the 1896 Convention was adopted by the United Kingdom and France in contempt of both Cambodia and Thailand.

The current Thai territorial claims, just like the 1954 fait accompli against Preah Vihear, use geographical criteria as justification, and as demonstration of how unjust the 1904 Border Treaty was. Natural features such as streams, watershed boundaries, mountain ridges, and escarpment lines, are indeed used to demarcate borders between countries. Bear in mind, however, that ethnic and linguistic considerations are also important criteria. From this point of view, it is undeniable that the 1904 Border Treaty left millions of Khmers separated from their motherland. Cambodia has been torn apart and left in pieces by foreign powers in full contempt of the aspirations of its people. If our two nations have a claim to historical injustice, it should be clear that Cambodia bears the greater burden.

In that era, it must be noted, a people’s right to self-determination was not yet part of international law. Nonetheless, the result today is that more Khmers are living outside of Cambodia, including in Thailand, than on Cambodian soil. Should ethnic and linguistic criteria have been used to demarcate the borders between Cambodia and Thailand, the outcome would have been completely different.

The example of ex-Yugoslavia, artificially created by the superpowers in full contempt of the regional historical, cultural, religious and ethnic realities, the ensuing conflicts of Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo show how fragile those manipulations are and how evil their consequences have been.

In this regard, and as far as nationalistic overbidding is concerned, Cambodia could rightfully be in a position to denounce the 1904 Treaty in order to take into consideration the ethnic and linguistic criteria. Then there would be no Preah Vihear issue as the temple and its surroundings would consequently be located deep inside Cambodia -- where they belong.

But ever since full independence in 1953, under the leadership of then-Prince Sihanouk, Cambodia has only demanded the de jure recognition by its neighbors and by the international community of its borders in accordance with treaties imposed in the 20th century. This is still true today: Cambodia has no other claim.

Our two nations are fated to live side by side. We are both members of ASEAN, a regional organization which aspires, as the European Union has done, to open borders among nations to free the creative energies that are the source of sustainable development. Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our peoples by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development and the fight against poverty on both sides of our shared border.

As a Cambodian - and I am convinced that millions of Khmers do share my feeling - my dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between two neighbors.

Please accept, Mr. Prime Minister, the assurances of my very high consideration.

(signed) Sisowath Thomico

Letter to Unesco on Preah Vihear

2010-08-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

To:
1) Susan Williams, Chief, Media Section: Bureau of Public Info.
Email: s.williams@unesco.org
Tel: 33(0)145 68 17 06

2) Isabelle LE FOURNIS, Press Attache: Bureau of Public Info.
Email: i.le-fournis@unesco.org
Tel: 33(0) 145 68 1748

3) Djibril KEBE, Press Attache:
Bureau of Public Info.
Email: d.kebe@unesco.org
Tele: 33(0) 145 68 1741

Dear Sir/Madams,

I am writing to express my disappointment over Unesco's capitulation to Thai bully over Preah Vihear that lead to the delay of the implementation of the temple's management plans put forward by Cambodia at a meeting in Brazil recently.

Unesco is well aware that Preah Vihear is a Cambodian temple and the temple surrounding areas are Cambodian territories under the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty, the 1908 map accepted by the then Thai king and the 1962 judgement of the International Court of Justice. As such Cambodia is well within its right to list the temple as a world heritage site and then to manage the temple as it sees fit. However, Thailand has bullied Unesco to delay the inscription of the temple for at least three times and then now delayed the implementation of the temple's management again.

I am convinced that Unesco is well within its right to approve the temple's listing and the temple's management plans regardless of Thailand's objections by following international laws and the verdict of the International Court of Justice. We Cambodians hope that Unesco would not allow Thailand hold Preah Vihear hostage any longer due to its hegemonic ambitions.

Yours sincerely,

(signed)
Khmerization

Thailand couldn't even properly maintain the Ayutthaya World Heritage site: How can it dream of co-managing Preah Vihear?

2010-08-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Vendor eyesore imperils heritage

SPECIAL REPORT: Government needs to clean things up in ancient city if it is to keep its world standing.

2/08/2010
Lamphai Intathep and Saritdet Marukatat from Ayutthaya
Bangkok Post

Thailand has a new world heritage worry, in addition to the Preah Vihear temple.

In the old capital of Ayutthaya, which holds world heritage status, unlicensed vendors cause an eyesore and resist attempts by authorities to move them.

Officials fear that unless the problem is solved in the next few months, Thailand could end up losing world heritage status over the historic city.

The government's management of Ayutthaya will come under scrutiny when the 21-member World Heritage Committee (WHC) meets in Bahrain next year.

The panel confers world heritage status - and can take it away if a country fails to take care of a listed site.

Thailand has to present a report on how it is managing its five world heritage sites, including Ayutthaya.

At stake is millions of baht in tourist earnings and hundreds of local jobs.

At the WHC meeting now in progress in Brazil, it postponed a decision last week on Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple, after furious protests by Thailand.

The government was upset that the plan included part of a disputed area on the border between the countries.

Thailand hopes to make progress with Cambodia on the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area before the next meeting in Bahrain.

However, it will have to face up to another world heritage challenge by then as well.

Ayutthaya was awarded world heritage status by the WHC - part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation - in 1991.

Every six years each continent has to submit a report to the WHC to show members whether it is taking good care of its world heritage sites.

Any site failing to impress the committee will receive a warning. The host country has three to five years to clean up its act.

If there is no improvement, the WHC can put the site on its danger list. The final punishment is removing the site from the list.

Next time it is Asia's turn to report on world heritage sites under its care.

The kingdom's five world heritage sites are Ayutthaya, the Thung Yai-Huay Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuaries, the Dong Phayayen forest complex, Ban Chiang archaeological site and the Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet historical parks.

In Ayutthaya, authorities are racing against time to find a solution to illegal vendors. The WHC meets again in 12 months.

"If the periodic report on Ayutthaya was submitted this year, it would fail," said deputy permanent secretary for culture Somsuda Leyavanija, who sits on the WHC for Thailand.

"It will be an embarrassment for Thais if Ayutthaya is put on the danger list."

The nature of the Ayutthaya site makes the conservation effort difficult as it is the only "living monument" in Thailand where the old compound and town are close to each other.

Local authorities and the Fine Arts Department have to make sure any structures which go up will not damage or obstruct the historical sites.

But the real problem for Ayutthaya, which puts the old capital in danger of being taken off of the list, is at Wat Mongkol Borpitr.

The temple is the Ayutthaya historic park's main tourist attraction, visited by millions a year. It is also a magnet for vendors selling souvenirs.

The Fine Arts Department built the area about 300 metres from the temple for 146 licensed souvenir sellers.

But about 400 illegal souvenir sellers have set up business about 50 metres from the temple.

The ministry and department tried to move the unlicensed sellers out but they refused to do so.

The vendors are reluctant to move, partly because the local administrative organisation has built makeshift areas for the sellers which are closer to the temple.

The Culture Ministry and Fine Arts Department say the makeshift areas are too close to the temple and diminish its aesthetic appeal.

Officials have tried to evict the traders for years, without success. Local politicians take sides with the vendors, which prolongs the problem, officials said.

Officials from Bangkok find it hard to talk to the vendors. "If the traders get a tip-off that an official car is in town, they quickly close the stalls and disperse," Ms Somsuda said.

"I used to drive to the site and talk to those vendors. But now they remember my face and know who I am," she said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to supervise attempts to end the eyesore at Wat Mongkol Borpitr.

The government has given 141 million baht to the department to end makeshift stalls at the temple by building another souvenir area for unlicensed sellers.

Tourist buses, another eyesore, will be banned from the site as the department will provide visitors with trams to tour the area. The plan is expected to be complete in November.

The department also plans to create a conservation zone for the old capital, which will include a core zone of 1,810 rai on Ayutthaya island to help the department manage the area, said Methadol Wichakana, head of the Ayutthaya historic park.

The island alone has 99 ancient temples and more than 500 historic sites in the surrounding area.

Officials hope that when the new souvenir area is complete, vendors will move out and end their defiance of authority. "All parties involved have to enter talks in the right spirit, by leaving behind personal interests," Ms Somsuda said. "People have to focus on how to protect the ancient site and make it sustainable rather than plundering it for advantage."

Chalermpol Polmuk, of the humanities and social sciences faculty at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University, said Thais were keener on taking advantage of Ayutthaya's world heritage status than trying to preserve it for future generations.

"Traders think only about how to make money," said Mr Chalermpol.

"Local politicians think about how to keep good relations with the traders rather than preserving the place's historic value."

Politiktoons No. 113: General Than Shwe

2010-08-02T06:01:00.002-07:00

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

Cambodian Defence Ministry to introduce military conscription soon Monday, 2 August 2010

2010-08-02T06:01:00.001-07:00

By Khmerization
Source: Yun Samean, Radio Free Asia

A senior Cambodian Defence Ministry official said on 1st August that the ministry is poised to introduce a military conscription soon after the military reservist conscription sub-decree was signed by the king , reports Radio Free Asia.

Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said the conscription is necessary to prepare the military force for the defence of the country. He said the conscription will start as soon as the sub-decree was signed by King Sihamoni.

He said the military reserve conscription will include recalling of contracted soldiers, professional retired soldiers or those who retired from the military before retiring age. The new conscripts will be required to perform military duties between 3 to 4 months.

Gen. Chhum Socheat said there is no decision of how many reservists will be conscripted or recruited, saying it all depends on the budget approved by the parliament.

He said the military reserves are established in accordance with article 5 of the Military Duty Act which requires that all Cambodian citizens aged 18 to 30 years to enter a compulsory military service. Gen. Chhum Socheat said the ministry will not fully implement the Military Duty Act yet, saying that the recruitment will be based on voluntary basis at this stage because the Defence Ministry did not have enough budget yet.

Mr. Cheam Yeap, chairman of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, said despite the government planning to increase the national budget, the government did not yet have any plan to increase defence budget. He said the 2010 national defence budget will be $500 million. And because the government wants to reduce military expenditures, the government had introduced the controversial Army-Business Partnership Scheme which would allow private businesses to fund certain military units. Mr. Cheam Yeap said Cambodia must prepare itself for war to defence its territory, but it does not means that Cambodia wants to cause a war with any nation.

Gen. Chhum Socheat said the new conscription is not done in response to the current border dispute with Thailand, saying that Cambodia currently has enough troops to defend the nation.

There is a military imbalance between Cambodia and Thailand. According to the U.S Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) website, Cambodia has only 6 million military age population, while Thailand has 35 million military age population.

Mr. Yim Sovan, spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said military reservists must be recruited based on a voluntary basis rather than a forced conscription. He said he is concerned that there will be corruption in the conscription process whereby only poor people will be conscripted while the rich and the powerful will be exempted.

Illegal Viet loggers go free ... Illegal Cambodian loggers go to jail: Life in the CPP kingdoom?

2010-08-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Three illegal Vietnamese loggers arrested and released

Monday, 2 August 2010
By Khmerization
Source: Kong Yuthnea, Radio Free Asia

Three Vietnamese illegal loggers, along with 2 motorbikes and two electric saws, had been arrested on 29th July while illegally logging inside Cambodian territory in O'Thmor Da village of Keo Seima district in Mondulkiri province, but were immediately released, reports Radio Free Asia.

Officials from the Conservation Department denied that there were any arrests of the Vietnamese illegal loggers, but confirmed the confiscations of 2 motorbikes and 2 electric saws. However, villagers said everybody had seen with their own eyes that the trio were being handcuffed by the military police. "Three Vietnamese, 2 electric saws and 2 motorbikes. Officials from the Conservation Department went down to the area and arrested them on the spot. There were plenty of villagers along the road witnessing the arrests. They saw the trio being arrested and bundled into a police car and saw the military police transporting them on motorbikes with their hand cuffed, most people saw it. According to the information, conservation officials fined them $1,000 each", he said.

A local official had also confirmed the arrests of the three Vietnamese.

However, Mr. Peth Peaktra, Deputy Director of Conservation Department of Keo Seima district, denied that there were any arrests of any Vietnamese. But official who was sent to conduct investigation at Keo Seima district had confirmed that three Vietnamese were in fact arrested, but immediately released after they paid $3,000 in bribes for the release. "Officials from Keo Seima Conservation Department had arrested the three (Vietnamese) loggers and they were paid $3,000 in bribes by those Vietnamese for their release. This is very true. Why did the conservation officials did like this? But for our Khmer people who didn't even log any trees, but just used their tractors to transport some timbers for other people, they, along with their tractors, were arrested and detained without food until today?", he said.

Mr. Song Pheang, director of Mondulkiri Forestry Department, said he had received a report from conservation officials that no Vietnamese were arrested. Only 2 electric saws and 2 motorbikes were seized. "The report didn't say that any people were arrested, but according to laws, any people who were arrested must be sent to court for prosecutions", he said.

In the past, there were reports that many Vietnamese illegal loggers were arrested for illegally logging inside Cambodian territory, but were often released without charge.

All Cambodians must lobby Unesco for Preah Vihear

2010-08-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

By Mora Mao

Our Cambodian government and people must not let our guard down, this is the second time that UNESCO committee members have delayed or postponed the final consideration whether to approve our plan or to reject our plan. Now the Unesco's World Heritage Commission is now expected to reach a decision on the Preah Vihear temple during its meeting in Bahrain next year, and no body know what decision the UNESCO members will be rendered next year. Now, we must discuss among ourselves and consult with the experts of how to pursue this matter to a true victory resolution. Our Cambodian government must present every documents and arguments to influence the decision makers, to show why they should approve our plan, and why the Thai made illegitimate claim. Our Cambodian people inside the country and all over the world must unite together to call, email, send letter to UNESCO Members and to rally all over the world to protest against the Thai that they falsified this claim and to influence and support UNESCO members to ultimately approve our Preah Vihear Temple Management Plan. Below are some members at the UNESCO Bureau.

1) Susan Williams, Chief, Media Section: Bureau of Public Info.
Email: s.williams@unesco.org
Tel: 33(0)145 68 17 06

2) Isabelle LE FOURNIS, Press Attache: Bureau of Public Info.
Email: i.le-fournis@unesco.org
Tel: 33(0) 145 68 1748

3) Djibril KEBE, Press Attache:
Bureau of Public Info.
Email: d.kebe@unesco.org
Tele: 33(0) 145 68 1741

OR log on to: UNESCO.ORG to express your feeling, please use proper wordings. Thanks to everyone and congratulation to our fellow Cambodians all over the world.

The Khmer Rouge tribunal

2010-08-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

Mon, 08/02/2010
Pokpong Lawansiri, London
Opinion
The Jakarta Post (Indonesia)

The UN-Cambodia hybrid Khmer Rouge Tribunal, known formally as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), delivered its first verdict of the Kaing Guek Eav or “Duch” on July 26.

Duch was the torturer-in-chief of the S-21 prison during the rule of the Khmer Rouge (KR) regime, which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979.

An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians were believed to have been killed or died from hard labor and starvation during this period.

The ECCC is also in the process of investigating four senior KR members on the charge of crime against humanity.

They are Nuon Chea (KR Second-in-command after Pol Pot), Ieng Sary (KR Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs), Ieng Thirith (KR Minister of Social Affairs and Education), and Khieu Samphan (KR Head-of-State).

Has the progress of the ECCC, which started its trial in March of 2009 been up to the expectation of the political observers? Here is criticism and concern underlying the ECCC.

First, the ECCC is believed to have been suffering from political interference from Phnom Penh. Early this month, the New York-based Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) issued a report highlighting the impediment facing the ECCC after the UN prosecutor wanted to extend the investigation to include five more suspects, apart from the existing five that are being investigated by the ECCC.

PM Hun Sen’s response was that: “If the court wants to charge more senior Khmer Rouge cadres, the court must show the reasons to Prime Minister Hun Sen…Hun Sen only protects the peace of the nation.”

The agreement, which established the ECCC that was made between the UN and Cambodia, underlines the responsibility of Phnom Penh to give full assistance to the ECCC.

With the recent decision by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appoint a UN special expert on the ECCC, we shall see whether the issue of political interference will be thoroughly addressed.

Second, the mandate of the ECCC has been much politicized and is limited to trying the atrocities committed during the KR period of April 1975 to January 1979.

In his interview with the Phnom Penh Post, Noam Chomsky, the emeritus professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pointed out that “the leading US political establishment like Henry Kissinger, a member of the late president Richard Nixon’s administration…should also be held accountable for creating the conditions that paved the way for the rise of the [KR]”.

While acknowledging the mass atrocities committed by the KR regime, we shall never forget the level of atrocities committed during the US secretive bombing of Cambodia from 1968-1973.

The map of US bombing points released by Yale University’s Cambodian Genocide Program (CGP) shows that more than half of the country was affected by the indiscriminate bombings.

Professor Ben Kierman, director of the program, puts the casualties figure from the bombing at 150,000 deaths, while Edward Herman, the professor of Wharton School, and Noam Chomsky put the figure at 600,000 using the figure provided by the Finnish Commission of Inquiry.

Based on this, we can never naively claim that US bombing led to the mass executions by the KR or refuted the mass atrocities by the KR regime.

But, to a certain extent, the blanket bombing, which directly led to the destruction of livestock and food planting areas, could definitely play a role in the mass starvations due to the lack of food due to follow during KR’s rules.

Last, what is the implication that the ECCC and the atrocious history of Cambodia will have on the region of Southeast Asia? Can we learn any lesson from Cambodia and prevent such atrocities from happening again?

As the ECCC’s trials are being conducted, very little attention has been given by Southeast Asia governments to learn from this. Beside, the historical understanding of this period of history in Cambodia remains a mystery and are kept out of the school textbooks.

Many scholars argue that ASEAN states do not want to talk about the ECCC so much for fearing that its role in relation to the atrocity could be exposed.

“ASEAN has been largely silent on the issue of the KR” said Dr. Lee Jones, a Southeast Asia expert from the Department of Politics at Queen Mary University of London “[It] also reflects the often-ignored fact that ASEAN also backed the [KR], materially and diplomatically, once they had been overthrown by Vietnam….They sheltered, re-armed and helped rebuild the [KR], and helped them retain Cambodia’s seat at the UN, so they could form a buffer against Vietnam, fueling a decade-long civil war.

Just like China and the US…regional governments would prefer their grisly collaboration with the [KR] to be quietly forgotten rather than exposed to scrutiny.”

With all these issues and concerns in mind, we shall await and see if the ECCC can improve and develop into a tribunal where it will offer to Cambodians the genuine justice that is not based on selectivity and discrimination.

And whether it can shed light on finding truth in the roles of different actors in a conflict, which is still affecting one of the poorest countries in the world to this day.

With the recent decision by Ban Ki-moon to appoint a special expert, we shall see whether the issue of political interference will be thoroughly addressed.

The writer is a World Bank scholar at the Department of Political Science, University College London. Views here are the author’s own.

A hand up for Cambodia’s poor

2010-08-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

August 2, 2010
Catholic News Asia

This Catholic Relief Services video features a microfinance project being carried out in Cambodia called “Thanakea Phum Cambodia” (TPC) - which means Village Bank Cambodia.

TPC gives small loans to motivated, hardworking people who want to support their families. This video, uploaded to YouTube in May, looks at how three beneficiaries changed their lives with help from the project.

Only balding ole boys and ole gals in this "ole Boy" Scouts group?

2010-08-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

Xok An (2nd from left) presenting the scout's scarf to Phay Siphan, his mouthpiece, on 01 June 2010. It's interesting to note that no pictures of children/youths who were presented with scarfs were shown in the youth-oriented event, only that of the chief and his indian. (Photo: PQRU)

OUR SINCERE APOLOGIES TO Reader Wattanak:

Yes, Sir, you are right, we erred. So ladies and gentlemen, please read the correct caption as follows:

Xok An (2nd from left) presenting the scout's scarf to Phay Siphan, his mouthpiece, on 01 June 2010. It's interesting to note that no pictures of children/youths who were presented with scarfs were shown in the youth-oriented event, only that of the ~~thief and his thief~~ (oops another mistake, we meant: "of the chief and his mischief")

Illegal and unethical employment practice against Khmer employees at the Viet Sacombank in Cambodia?

2010-07-29T23:28:00.000-07:00

"After crossing the bridge, then destroy the bridge": The Viet style of employment in Cambodia

KI-Media note: The following message was provided by an anonymous KI-Media reader regarding illegal and unethical employment practice against Khmer employees of the Viet Sacombank in Cambodia

To all Khmer employees to consider of this Vietnamese Company Called " SACOMBANK " + SBJ or whatever all in one relation.

I am currently working for this Vietnamese Gold Company Sacombank SBJ Cambodia as a Sales position. I started with this company from a very beginning. This company signing a Probationary Labour Contract for 3 months period with a salary of $200 net per month. I have worked for them since their company has no presence in Cambodia yet until recently they establish their network and Office here at 58 Norodom Blvd, Sangkat Chey Chumneas, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh. Also my probationary period has come to an end and I have perform my duties exceptionally in Labour contract.

Once the probationary period contract ended, they started to sign a fixed contract with me for One Year, however, they decreased my salary down to $180 per month and included all the job related expenses as sales person must use our own motorbike and petrol. [This contract is] Even worse than my probationary contract and when I speak to the Director of Sacombank SBJ Cambodia, Mr. Pham Anh Tai, he was making an excuse that because I can not speak Vietnamese. This is a ridiculous excuse, I wonder whether our Cambodian Labour laws protect our Khmer laborer. This foreign company is bullying our Khmer laborer and exploiting us because we need a job from them. Even more shameful and pressure from this foreign company is that even we work for them one year after that they only sign contract with us for 6 months or 1 year again.

Normally, after 3 months probationary then there will be a fixed contract without ending for a normal position like us for any other local company here in Cambodia. But this Sacombank SBJ Cambodia and their other companies such as Bank exploiting on Cambodian laborer. After probationary then sign one year contract. Even worse is after one year they can decrease our salary and sign another 6 months contract or one year again or decrease our salary. This is their practice on Cambodian employees.

Now I can not stand with their treatment to our Khmer people like me. I have submitted my resignation letter since I can not accept this insult. I hope Ministry of Labor should look into such a practice to protect Khmer laborers in our own homeland from being exploited by Vietnamese Company. Khmer need jobs that is why we labor for them but we want dignity in our home ground too.

"After crossing the bridge, then destroy the bridge," this is the Vietnamese Style!

Yours Sincerely,

Name not provided

Mu Sochua versus the bestial prime minister

2010-07-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

Mu Sochua’s valuable heroism in her quest for justice

29 July 2010
By Pech Bandol
Free Press Magazine Online
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

With her high convictions, her courage and her sharp conscience, a woman-MP from the opposition SRP party was able to awaken Cambodians from all walk of life and throughout the world to stand up in unison to defend and raise the value of justice which has been trampled by Hun Xen, the current dictator of the Phnom Penh regime.

The movement to demand justice, which, by the way, even includes sex workers, has contributed their income and put it to the disposal of Mrs. Mu Sochua after she was sentenced to lose her case to Hun Xen by the dirty Cambodian tribunal, and she was unfairly ordered to pay 16.5 million riels in fine. However, the general Cambodian public clearly knows the situation of the Cambodia court, a court that is not an institution to protect justice at all. This court is merely a tool for those who hold power. Therefore, any decision delivered by this kangaroo court in the case of Mrs. Mu Sochua is meaningless for the current human society.

To the contrary, the value of the 10 million riels is a valuable donation by the generous donors and even sex workers women have contributed to this fund as well. This shows the solidarity force to defend justice for Mrs. Mu Sochua who is now turned into a giant hammer symbol pounding on the Phnom Penh regime so that the latter learns that the conscientious Cambodian people is aware of what is right and what is wrong, and the value of honesty. At the same time, it also shows that the way Hun Xen governs right now is likened to the animal kingdom and it does not fit the image of a leader of a civilized country in the world.

In general, people observe through animal programs shown on TV that large animals, i.e. powerful animals like tigers and lions, catch smaller preys to eat. The reason these large animals can behave this way is due to the lack of unity among the smaller and weaker preys. Nevertheless, such behavior only exists in the animal kingdom, but not in the human society.

Documents produced by fossil scientists indicate that humans have evolved from apes through a period of several million years. Furthermore, in the past several tens of thousands years, the human society had relied on the law to protect social justice and the sovereignty of each individual so as to avoid rights violations, i.e. humans are equal to each other in front of the law.

If that is the case, why is Hun Xen still governing as if he is living in an animal kingdom instead?

One can still remember that during a speech given in Chhouk district, Kampot province, in April 2009, Hun Xen claimed: “There was a “cheung khlang” (thug) woman who ran to hug another person, but she accused that person of unbuttoning her blouse…”

Regarding this rude insult, anybody can understand that Hun Xen was aiming at Mrs. Mu Sochua, the Kampot SRP MP.

The use of such language affects strongly the honor of Mrs. Mu Sochua who is a Khmer woman belonging to a race that has noble behavior and culture, therefore Hun Xen should be responsible for the use of his words in this case. However, it turned out to be a very coward case when the Cambodian prime minister turns around and applies additional pressure on Mrs. Mu Sochua, the victim, instead.

Nevertheless, Mrs. Mu Sochua is still standing up with courage, refusing to kneel down to what she perceives as injustice toward her. Her heroic bravery has turned into a conviction that shook all Cambodians from all walk of life to stand up to demand justice for Mrs. Mu Sochua whose rights have been savagely violated by this powerful prime minister. Unity among the Cambodians to demand justice is also a factor that distinguishes the Cambodian society from the animal society. Common sense led us to wonder whether we should continue to preserve such bestial leader or not?

Le verdict de Dux, feuille de vigne ou doigt du sage

2010-07-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

KI-Media Note: We are currently working with our team in Europe to obtain an English translation of the following Op-Ed in French by Dr. Hoc Pheng Chhay regarding Duch's verdict. Merci!

LE COMITE DES VICTIMES DES KHMERS-ROUGES
Siège social : 19, rue de l’Etang de la Tour 78120 Rambouillet (FRANCE)
e-mail:cvkr@wanadoo.fr - mobile :+33 (0)6 22 67 41 14 - tél/fax:+33 (0) 1 46 82 28 43
(Association Loi 1901 : J.O du 31 juillet 1999)

Le verdict de Dux, feuille de vigne ou doigt du sage

Dux a été accusé et traduit devant les CETC (Tribunal Khmer Rouge ou Chambres Extraordinaires au sein des Tribunaux Cambodgiens) pour crimes contre l’humanité et violations graves des Conventions de Genève de 1949, ainsi que pour homicide et torture, crimes prévus et réprimés par le Code pénal cambodgien de 1956. (Voir aussi les articles 3, 5, 6, 29 et 39 de la loi du 27 octobre 2004 relative à la création des CETC).

Après une audience préparatoire des 17 et 18 février 2009, le procès a eu lieu du 30 mars 2009 au 27 novembre de la même année. Durant les 77 jours de procès, 55 personnes ont été entendues par les CETC dont 9 témoins experts, 17 témoins des faits, 7 témoins de moralité et 22 parties civiles.

Né le 17 novembre 1942 dans le village de Poevveuy, province de Kompong Thom, l’accusé Dux a choisi in fine et de fait, l’unique avocat cambodgien, Me Kar Savuth (qui a plaidé « non coupable ») comme défenseur après avoir désavoué au dernier moment la ligne de défense (coupable en tant qu’exécutant d’Angkar ) de l’avocat français, Me François Roux.

Lors du procès, les Co-procureurs ont requis la peine de 40 ans de réclusion. Aujourd’hui, pour les 15 000 morts de S-21, Dux est reconnu coupable en sa qualité de Directeur du Centre de torture de Tuol Slèng (S-21) et condamné à la peine de réclusion criminelle de 30 ans.

Le verdict de Dux est une feuille de vigne

C’est une feuille de vigne de l’Humanité. Elle cache tant bien que mal les 31 années de l’impunité khmère rouge. Elle apaise bon gré mal gré la colère des victimes. Elle contribue peu ou prou à réconcilier victimes et bourreaux.

Ce verdict est une leçon pour le procès numéro 2 (Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary et Ieng Thirith). C’est une petite partie de la vérité khmère rouge qui est jugée. C’est effectivement cette vérité qui devra être au centre du débat, dans le procès suivant, au cours duquel, tous les acteurs devraient être en mesure de localiser le centre de gravité de la boule de vérité sinon elle ne cesse de rouler sans que personne ne l’appréhende.

Au XVIIe siècle, Newton démontra la trajectoire de la terre à partir de deux éléments interactifs, la terre et le soleil. Deux siècles plus tard, Poincaré révéla que si l’on introduit la lune dans le calcul, la théorie de Newton comporte une erreur. Il en va de même pour déterminer le centre de gravité de la vérité dans un procès. L’accusation (procureur) et la défense (l’accusé) ne sont pas à eux seuls des éléments suffisants pour cela. Les plaignants, eux, aideront incontestablement le tribunal à mieux appréhender la vérité. Il serait sage de prendre l’avis de tout le monde.

Le verdict, le doigt du sage

Quand le sage lui montre la lune, l’imbécile ne voit que le doigt. Cependant, quand le tribunal donne le verdict, nous sommes obligés de nous arrêter sur le chiffre 30.

Le 22 juin 2005, un ancien lieutenant SS, Gerhard Sommer, fut condamné à la prison à vie pour le massacre de Saint ‘Anna (560 morts) le 12 août 1944. Il est sage de ne pas comparer les chiffres. On ne saura jamais ce qui s’est passé dans la tête des juges pour ne condamner Dux qu’à une toute petite peine de 30 ans en tant que responsable et coupable des 15 000 morts de Tuol Slèng. Les victimes ont été, peut-être, moins convaincantes dans leur explication. Les « experts » de personnalité et « témoins » de moralité de Dux ont été probablement mieux écoutés par le tribunal que les victimes dans leur démonstration.

Ces victimes, pour revenir à celles de la seconde guerre mondiale, ont fait dire à Patton (général américain) à la vue du camp de concentration nazi de Buchenwald : « vous êtes par l’horreur que vous avez vécue l’évite de l’Humanité ».

Ce matin, à l’aube, sur le site de l’AFP, il y a à la rubrique Internationale, le bandeau d’annonce du verdict de Dux et la séquence vidéo de Chum Mey, l’un des rescapés de S-21, qui a déclaré : « je veux qu’il (Dux) soit condamné à la prison à vie pour que le mot ‘réconciliation’ ait un sens ». Cette déclaration a été enregistrée avant la tombée du verdict. Vers midi, tout ce qui rapporte au procès Khmer rouge disparaît de l’écran pour faire place à un événement tragique, l’assassinat d’un otage français…

Rambouillet, le 26 juillet 2010

Le Président du CVKR
Dr. Hoc Phéng CHHAY
(Magistrat)

«Douch» s'en tire avec 19 ans de prison

2010-07-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

Des parents des victimes, comme Hong Sa Vath, ci-dessus, ont dénoncé une sentence trop clémente. (Photo : Agence Reuters Chor Sokunthea)

Procès de l'ex-tortionnaire khmer rouge de la prison S-21

27 juillet 2010
Agence Reuters

«Je suis choqué comme tout le monde, a déclaré Theary Seng, un avocat des droits de l'Homme qui a perdu ses deux parents. C'est inacceptable qu'un homme qui a tué des milliers de personnes ne soit emprisonné que 19 ans.» «Je ne peux pas l'accepter, a commenté Saodi Ouch, 46 ans, en sanglots. Ma famille est morte [...] ma soeur aînée, mon grand frère. Je suis la seule toujours vivante.»

Phnom Penh — «Douch» échappe à la perpétuité. Le tribunal spécial de Phnom Penh chargé de juger les anciens dirigeants khmers rouges a condamné hier à 35 ans de détention l'ex-tortionnaire de la prison S-21. Kaing Guek Eav, alias «Douch», 67 ans, ne devrait toutefois passer que 19 ans derrière les barreaux, le tribunal ayant notamment pris en compte le fait qu'il est détenu depuis onze ans.

Kaing Guek Eav est le premier responsable traduit devant ce tribunal international soutenu par les Nations unies. Quarante ans de réclusion avaient été requis contre lui pour crimes de guerre et crimes contre l'humanité.

L'accusé, qui a reconnu son rôle dans l'organisation de la prison de Tuol Sleng (S-21) et demandé pardon aux familles des victimes, est resté impassible, le regard lointain en écoutant la sentence, qui signifie qu'il pourrait un jour sortir de prison.

«Je suis choqué comme tout le monde, a déclaré Theary Seng, un avocat des droits de l'Homme qui a perdu ses deux parents. C'est inacceptable qu'un homme qui a tué des milliers de personnes ne soit emprisonné que 19 ans.» «Je ne peux pas l'accepter, a commenté Saodi Ouch, 46 ans, en sanglots. Ma famille est morte [...] ma soeur aînée, mon grand frère. Je suis la seule toujours vivante.»

Tuol Sleng était une école élémentaire transformée en prison par les Khmers rouges pour ceux qu'ils considéraient comme les pires ennemis d'État, espions, traîtres et saboteurs.

Nombre des 16 000 personnes qui y sont passées ont été torturées. Les bourreaux les ont électrocutées, leur ont arraché les ongles des orteils ou les ont quasiment noyées afin de leur soutirer des aveux. Aujourd'hui, S-21 est devenue un musée. Ses murs de béton sont recouverts des images d'hommes, de femmes et d'enfants, photographiés juste avant leur exécution.

Sous le régime khmer rouge de 1975 à 1979, plus de 1,7 million de Cambodgiens, soit environ un quart de la population, sont morts exécutés ou épuisés par le travail forcé, ou encore victimes de la famine ou du manque de soins médicaux.

Ancien professeur de mathématiques, Douch avait rejoint le mouvement de Pol Pot, le chef des Khmers rouges, en 1967, trois ans avant que les États-Unis ne commencent à pilonner le Cambodge pour essayer d'anéantir les troupes nord-vietnamiennes et Viet Cong qui s'y trouvaient. A partir de 1976, Duch était devenu le chef de S-21.

Disparu pendant 20 ans

Après l'intervention vietnamienne qui a contraint les Khmers rouges à quitter le pouvoir en 1979, Douch a disparu pendant près de 20 ans, vivant sous de fausses identités dans le nord-ouest du Cambodge, où il s'était converti au christianisme. Identifié par un journaliste britannique, il avait été arrêté il y a onze ans.

Douch est pour l'instant le seul Khmer rouge à avoir été jugé. Pol Pot est mort en 1998 et quatre autres hauts dirigeants khmers rouges sont en attente d'un jugement.

Le tribunal dit avoir pris en considération le contexte historique des atrocités commises à l'époque, celui de la Guerre froide. Il a aussi reconnu que Douch n'était pas membre du premier cercle des dirigeants du régime et qu'il avait coopéré avec le tribunal, reconnaissant sa responsabilité et exprimant des remords «limités».

Au cours des 77 jours du procès, Douch a reconnu avoir supervisé la mort de quelque 16 000 personnes qui sont passées dans cette prison.

Une des juges du tribunal international, Silvia Cartwright, a dit comprendre que les personnes qui subissaient le règne de terreur des Khmers rouges puissent être bouleversées par le verdict.

«C'est une des raisons pour lesquelles nous avons un tribunal objectif [...] prononçant une condamnation aussi équilibrée que possible, a-t-elle déclaré. Si on laissait aux victimes décider de la manière de punir une personne, alors ce serait peut-être le règne de la foule furieuse.»

«Il faut avoir à l'esprit que les victimes sont profondément blessées et traumatisées, a-t-elle ajouté. «On ne pourra jamais leur donner ce qu'elles ont perdu [...] donc, d'une certaine manière, une condamnation ne peut être que symbolique».

L'accusation et la défense disposent d'un mois pour faire appel du verdict.

Dance Troupe Prepares for Smithsonian Perfomance

2010-07-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

Madame Tes Sam Oeun, (left) along with her husband Tes Saroeum on 'Hello VOA' on Thursday July 22nd, 2010. (Photo: by Men Kimseng)

Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Wednesday, 28 July 2010

“This story is very popular in Cambodia.”

A US-Cambodian dance troupe under a renowned director is set to perform in Washington. The Dance Troupe of Cambodian American Heritage will perform classic stories of Hinduism and Buddhism Aug. 7 as part of the ongoing “Gods of Angkor” bronze exhibit at the Smithsonian's Free and Sackler galleries.

The dance troupe will be guided by its director, Tes Sam Oeun, a National Endowment for the Arts heritage fellow.

“Under her direction, the dance troupe has performed in numerous venues, including events of the Smithsonian Institution, the White House, the Kennedy Center, the World Monument Fund, and numerous folk festivals,” Tes Saroeum, president of the Cambodian American Heritage, told “Hello VOA” Thursday.

Tes Saroeum, who is also Tes Sam Oeun's husband, said the troupe will perform scenes from the mythical Vessantara Jataka, a Buddhist story.

“This story is very popular in Cambodia,” he said.

The story depicts the travails of a prince, Vessantara, who gives away his possessions and even his family in service to charity.

The troupe will also perform scenes from the Ramayana, Tes Saroeum said. All the performances will match the dual influences of both Buddhism and Hinduism in the “Gods of Angkor” exhibition.

Khmer classical dancing can be called Apsara dancing, he said, reflecting a belief that the style stems from the dance practiced in the courts of Angkorian kings.

“So when the Smithsonian asked us to perform something related to the ‘Gods of Angkor’...we decided to perform the story of Prince Vessantara, which is close to the exhibit’s crowned Buddha, and the story of Ramayana, which is related to the Hindu bronze sculptures.”

In Chicago, US-Cambodians Seek Political Voice

2010-07-28T21:27:00.002-07:00

A group of Cambodians met in Chicago over the weekend to discuss ways their community might receive more attention. (Photo: by Men Kimseng)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Chicago Wednesday, 28 July 2010

“Essentially, Cambodians should register to vote and go vote, all the time, from local to presidential elections.”

Although they face a raft of problems from health to education, US-Cambodians say they remain underrepresented by policy makers. A group of Cambodians met in Chicago over the weekend to discuss ways their community might receive more attention.

Participants told VOA Khmer they want better representation, but that requires a stronger, more unified voice within their communities.

“There are two reasons why Cambodian community don't get much support and understanding,” said Van Sar, an organizer of the Chicago forum. “This is because, first, we don't have representatives within the US leadership. Secondly, we don't have a strong, joint voice from our civil society organizations to influence US policy.”

The forum, the first of its kind, was organized by the Cambodian Association in Illinois and the Khmer Alliance Foundation, in conjunction with the National Cambodian American Health Initiative.

A low percentage of Cambodians take advantage of opportunities in the US. Just more than 10 percent of Cambodian high schoolers graduate, according to statistics at the forum.

“Those who know the real need of our children's education are we the parents,” said Boeuy Te, a member of the National Education Association.

Of the Cambodians who do graduate with advanced degrees, he said, few work in government institutions where they might push to improve the lives of fellow Cambodians.

Low political participation in general was also discussed at the forum.

“Essentially, Cambodians should register to vote and go vote, all the time, from local to presidential elections,” Siv Sichan, a former US ambassador to the UN, said. “Here if we want our voice heard, we have to be active. And if we just stay home, our voice won't be heard.”

There are approximately 270,000 Cambodians living in the US. Only 60,000 have become full US citizens. That means a wide majority do not have the right to vote, an important part of gaining political attention.

That said, the Chicago forum did draw Mike Quigley, a Democrat for Illinois in the US House of Representatives.

“It's not one act,” he told VOA Khmer. “I think it's a relationship that builds from here. We've been in DC for a year now. We've learned a little bit about how to get things done. So I think working with my district office here and in Washington, DC, we'll sit down as often as we need to to work out individual cases and broader issues. It's not one thing; it's a series of things.”

Duch Victims Want Stupa in Remembrance of the Dead

2010-07-28T21:27:00.001-07:00

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Wednesday, 28 July 2010

“That means we recall those who died, especially family members of the victims, who want to see the names of the deceased, because there might be a place to commemorate the souls of the victims.”

Victims of the Khmer Rouge say they should be granted more compensation than was handed over by the Khmer Rouge tribunal on Monday.

The court sentenced Khmer Rouge torture chief Duch, whose real name is Kaing Kek Iev, to a further 19 years in prison, and it read the names of some victims as part of its judgement.

Now, a number of victims say a stupa should be erected to commemorate the more than 12,000 people who died within Tuol Sleng prison under Duch's supervision.

The tribunal is meant to include the needs of victims, as part of national reconciliation under a scheme called “collective compensation.” As part of the compensation, tribunal judges ordered the names of victims be listed on the tribunal website.

But Chum Sirath, a civil party complainant in the Duch trial, said few people will be able to see the website, and that a stupa erected in a public place would be better compensation.

Chum Sarith lost four members of his family, including a baby, at Tuol Sleng. He said the 35-year sentence, commuted to a remaining 19 years, sent the wrong message to the public. The murderer of a single person can receive a similar sentence, he said.

Chum Mey, who survived the torture center, said even perpetrators of crimes at Tuol Sleng lost family members, making a stupa an important part of reconciliation. “So when we all together commemorate a ceremony at a temple again and again, then we know each other and become mutual friends,” he said. “Then reconciliation will be done.”

Long Panhavuth, a tribunal monitor for the Cambodian Justice Initiative, said he agreed with the stupa proposal.

“That means we recall those who died, especially family members of the victims, who want to see the names of the deceased, because there might be a place to commemorate the souls of the victims,” he said.

The Duch verdict was a landmark for the UN-backed court, as it seeks to try those most responsible for the mass atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.

In a press briefing in Washington Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley applauded “the commitment of the national and international judges for their comprehensive and independent work to uphold an international standard of justice and due process in this case.”

The verdict provided relief for some victims. Van Nath, who also survived Tuol Sleng, told VOA Khmer he felt better after Monday's announcement.

The tribunal will now move forward with its second case, against senior leaders of the regime now in detention, including Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith.

[Thai sore losers] Govt issues temple ultimatum

2010-07-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Thais will quit heritage body if plans are passed

29/07/2010
Bangkok Post

Thailand is threatening to resign its membership of the World Heritage Committee if it goes ahead and approves Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday sent a strong message to the committee, meeting in Brazil, that approval of the plan proposed by Phnom Penh could mean the end of Thai membership of the body.

Thailand's main concern is that the plan could include part or all of a disputed 4.6 square kilometre area buffer zone claimed by the two countries.

Thai PBS television quoted Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti as saying in Brazil that the plan to manage the ~~Hindu~~ Khmer temple and surrounding areas included a square kilometre of the disputed land.

Mr Suwit, who heads the Thai delegation in Brasilia, told the prime minister he believed Cambodia had won the backing of several committee members for its plan.

"If the WHC takes into consideration the matter, we will veto it and would consider withdrawing as a world heritage member," the prime minister said after the cabinet meeting.

But Thailand will cooperate with the WHC if its decision on Cambodia's management plan for the temple and its surrounding areas does not affect the country's sovereignty.

The prime minister's warning came hours before the 21-member committee planned to discuss the issue. The issue was expected to go on the agenda for talks last night.

Cambodia was asked to submit the plan for approval after the Hindu temple was listed as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 2008.

Mr Abhisit said the WHC could stop helping oversee management of Thailand's world heritage sites if Bangkok withdrew its membership.

Thailand could also lose the chance of asking the committee to inscribe new ones.

But he stressed that Thailand had to send a message to the WHC as Thailand and Cambodia have yet to demarcate the overlapping area.

If the committee endorsed the plan, it would show the panel did not respect Unesco's will in protecting cultural heritage and building peace, he said.

He also warned that approval could lead to simmering conflicts and violence between the two countries.

The People's Alliance for Democracy against Dictatorship protested in front of Unesco's Bangkok office on Tuesday. Two more protests took place yesterday, in Hat Yai district in Songkhla and Muang district in Kanchanaburi.

The Bangkok protest prompted Unesco director-general Irina Bokova to issue a statement from Brazil yesterday calling for dialogue in safeguarding the temple.

Ms Bokova said she had met the Thai and Cambodian representatives to stress the committee's mission, which was to promote heritage "with full respect and without prejudice to the sovereignty of member states or to any territorial claims".

"Protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural heritage, means building the peace, respect and solidarity which lies at the heart of Unesco's mission. It is our common responsibility to make these sites emblems of peace, dialogue and reconciliation," she said.

A senior Thai official working on the issue considered the Thai move as "serious action" which would put Unesco under pressure to drop the Cambodian plan.

"I don't think the government's decision will result in any difficulty for the country," the official said.

Adul Wichiancharoen, former president of the WHC, backed the government's decision to consider withdrawing Thailand's membership if the WHC did not delay consideration of Cambodia's management plan.

He said the move might be necessary because Unesco had apparently acted in favour of Cambodia. This included delays in releasing Cambodia's management plan, which put Thailand at a disadvantage.

Mr Adul said the government would have to justify any decision to quit by showing the international community how Cambodia's management plan would affect Thai sovereignty.

He saw no drawbacks if Thailand withdrew its WHC membership.

"We don't have to stick to the body's principles or rules if they compromise the national interest," he said.

"I don't think there will be any affect on the world heritage sites in Thailand. There is no rule saying world heritage status will be revoked if we quit."

Meanwhile, Thailand has closed the Khao Phra Viharn National Park in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district temporarily for safety reasons.

Theerayuth Wongpongprai, chief of the park, said the 2nd Army Region ordered him not to open the park until the security situation returned to normal.

"Although there is no sign of violence at the time being, we have been told to keep the park closed for security reasons," he said.

The park opened for public visits in April. But it was ordered to close again during the red shirt rallies, which ended in May.

Preah Vihear's borders 'must come first'[: Sore Thai losers]

2010-07-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

Mr Suwit told me that it is likely that Thailand will lose [and Cambodia’s plan will be accepted]. - ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA

29/07/2010
Pradit Ruangdit
Bangkok Post

Concern that the World Heritage committee will back Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple overshadowed the cabinet meeting yesterday.

Ministers spent 40 minutes discussing countermeasures after being told by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti in Brasilia that Cambodia had gained the upper hand over the temple.

"Mr Suwit told me that it is likely that Thailand will lose [and Cambodia's plan will be accepted]," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was quoted as saying by a source to the other ministers.

The plan submitted by Cambodia includes a map involving the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area.

Thailand's main concern is that the plan could include part or all of the disputed area.

Thai PBS television quoted Mr Suwit as saying in Brazil that the plan to manage the Hindu temple and surrounding areas included a square kilometre of the disputed land.

Cambodia plans to ask for Thai cooperation to manage any area still claimed by the two countries, Mr Suwit said.

The lead Thai delegate admitted to the prime minister that the Cambodian delegation had lobbied for support from other committee members, the source said.

Mr Abhisit spelled out the government's position to cabinet.

"It is not the time for talks about world heritage because the two countries should talk about demarcation first," the source quoted the prime minister as saying.

Mr Suwit also complained about Cambodia not sending the plan to Thailand to inspect six months ahead of the meeting, as required.

Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga and Deputy Education Minister Chaiyot Jiramethakorn said Thai sovereignty must come first.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said the process of discussing the Cambodian plan had not been transparent and Thailand had not been treated fairly.

The debate at the cabinet meeting led to a decision by Thailand to warn the meeting in Brazil that Thailand would consider withdrawing from the World Heritage Committee.

Public figures weigh in on prison term

2010-07-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Cheang Sokha and Jame O'Tools
The Phnom Penh Post

AS coverage of Monday’s verdict at the Khmer Rouge tribunal was beamed across the world, some of the Kingdom’s most prominent political figures weighed in on the landmark ruling.

Speaking at Phnom Penh International Airport upon his return from Singapore with a delegation led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong called the judgment “inappropriate”.

“Thousands and thousands of Cambodian people were tortured at Tuol Sleng and brought to be killed at Choeung Ek,” Hor Namhong said. “This sentence seems light and unsuitable compared with the number of people who have been killed.”

He added that he was only expressing his personal view, as the government’s official stance was to respect the independent judgment of the court.

The opposition Sam Rainsy Party agreed that the sentence was lighter than expected, but praised the court’s achievement nonetheless.

“Although falling short of what many survivors and families had hoped for, the verdict today is a first step toward accountability and healing,” the SRP said in a statement. It also said that it supported further prosecutions of Khmer Rouge leaders. Hun Sen has publicly expressed his opposition to prosecutions beyond the court’s second case, warning that they could plunge the country back into “civil war”.

Prince Sisowath Thomico, assistant to King Father Norodom Sihanouk, called the proceedings at the court “politically biased” and “a masquerade”.

“I … would like to warmly praise all the participants, most of all the foreign participants in that media show,” he said in an email. “I just can’t wait to watch the next episode of that prime-time political series.”

Hun Sen himself has not yet commented publicly on the verdict, but Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan called it “a historical point”. He did not comment on the substance of the judgment, but said that the tribunal is “an independent body [that] we have to respect”.

Public figures weigh in on prison term

2010-07-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Cheang Sokha and Jame O'Tools
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia's Teflon Tribunal

2010-07-28T21:15:00.002-07:00

28 Jul 2010
By Simon Roughneen
for ISN Security Watch (Zurich, Switzerland)

The first conviction against one of the lead perpetrators of mass murder under the Khmer Rouge was issued on Monday, but questions remain about the tribunal process, Simon Roughneen writes for ISN Security Watch.
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The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), a hybrid UN-Cambodian war crimes tribunal, sentenced 'Comrade Duch', a former Khmer Rouge chief jailer and executioner to 35 years in prison Monday for overseeing the deaths of thousands of people in the gristly 'S-21' detention and torture center during the height of the Pol Pot regime.

An estimated 1.7 million people, a quarter of the country's population, were killed during the Communist Khmer Rouge era, as Pol Pot and his lieutenants sought to return the country to 'Year Zero', abolishing money and property and herding people out of cities and into massive labor camps. Across the country, an estimated 5 million survivors of the Khmer Rouge era remain, alongside thousands of Khmer Rouge officers and foot soldiers.

Small time for big crime

Relatives of victims wept as the verdict was handed out, but for some, the catharsis turned to anger and disappointment as it became apparent that Kaing Guek Eav, to give his real name, may serve no more than 18-19 years, by which time he will be 85-86 years old. He has already spent 11 years in jail, since Irish journalist Nic Dunlop discovered the executioner living quietly under a pseudonym in rural Cambodia. The sentence took into account time already served, meaning that Comrade Duch could one day leave jail as a free albeit elderly man.

Dr Sophal Ear is a Cambodian-American political economist and a survivor of the genocide. He is now a TED Fellow based in Monterey, California, and, stressing that these were his views alone, told ISN Security Watch that "No sentence can be sufficient in this lifetime or the next. How do you sentence someone responsible for a place that killed up to 16,000 people?"

Speaking to media after the sentence was announced, prosecutor Chea Leang said that the prosecution team could "reserve our right to review," after they had sought a 45-year term for Comrade Duch, but added that "This sentence is a clear message to those who commit crimes - those who took many lives cannot avoid justice."

One judge, Jean-Marc Lavergne, issued a dissenting statement after the sentence, which concluded that "I am therefore of the opinion that in this case, the law does not allow the Chamber to sentence Kiang Guek Eav to more than 30 years imprisonment.”

During his 77-day proceedings, Duch admitted to heading S-21 - now a genocide museum - where the worst ‘enemies’ of the paranoid and murderous Khmer Rouge state were held and brutalized. More than 16,000 people passed through its gates before they were killed. Torture used to extract confessions included pulling out prisoners' toenails and electrocution. Duch personally signed off on the executions, which he usually documented beforehand by photographing the accused before having them taken to a nearby orchard, one of Cambodia's Killing Fields, to be murdered.

According to the indictment against Duch, executioners threw victims to their deaths, bludgeoned them and then slit their bellies, or slowly bled inmates to death. Duch himself allegedly oversaw the atrocities, which included dropping children from the third floor of the building.

Unlike the other four defendants whose trials are due to take place next year, Duch was not part of the Khmer Rouge leadership and is the only major figure of the regime to have expressed remorse, even offering at one point to face a public stoning and to allow victims to visit him in jail. But he made a surprising request on the final day of his trial in November 2009, asking to be acquitted and freed, which left many wondering if his contrition was sincere.

Politics of justice

The sentencing will likely bolster the view that the tribunal has been a slow, politicized process.

Andrew Cayley, who was appointed international prosecutor late in 2009, has said that the court will move to bring the other four other defendants to trial by 2011. The accused are some of the most notorious figures from the Khmer Rouge leadership - Khieu Samphan, former head of state; Nuon Chea, known as 'Brother Number Two' and the regime's chief ideologist; Ieng Sary, the regime's foreign minister; and Khieu Thirith, Ieng Sary's wife and minister for social affairs under Pol Pot, who died in 1998 without ever facing trial. All are aged between 78 and 86, and are reportedly in poor health.

The possibility that the four will not see a day in court is real, and underscores some of the problems inherent to the tribunal throughout its existence, with allegations of political interference and kickbacks compounding the sheer slowness of the proceedings and the limited number of indictees in a country where tens of thousands of former Khmer Rouge members are at large over 30 years after the regime was felled by the invading Vietnamese Army.

Attempts to have the caseload doubled to 10 were dismissed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, himself a former Khmer Rouge member, who said "If the court wants to charge more senior Khmer Rouge cadres, the court must show the reasons to Prime Minister Hun Sen."

The tribunal has been criticized in some quarters for failing to account for the role of US bombing runs in Cambodia during the years leading up to the Khmer Rouge takeover in 1975, which some historians allege facilitated the rise of Pol Pot, who was supported at various times by the North Vietnamese and by China.

Sophal Eal summed up the court so far as "the Teflon tribunal," saying that "nothing sticks to it." He described the verdict as "the first down-payment for the international community's failure to deal with the Khmer Rouge in the first place," with the tribunal likely to limp on, dependent on the financial backing of donor states.

In the hours after the first verdict was handed down, one of the three known survivors of Comrade Duch's murder-camp stood on the steps outside the court and let his feelings be known. Chum Mey was tortured in S-21, while his wife and children were killed by the Khmer Rouge. "I ask if Cambodians are happy and the world is happy that millions of people died, a lot of money has been spent on the court - and the perpetrator is free in 19 years? I am not happy with that," he said.

Chum Mey's dismay may be deepened by an announcement on Tuesday by Duch's lawyer, Kar Savuth, who told the AFP news agency: "We will appeal against the decision."
--------
Simon Roughneen is an ISN Security Watch senior correspondent, currently in Southeast Asia. His website is www.simonroughneen.com.

Cambodia's Troubled Tribunal

2010-07-28T21:15:00.001-07:00

July 28, 2010
I.H.T. Op-Ed Contributor
By PETER MAGUIRE
International Herald Tribune (Paris, France)

Cambodia’s war crimes court, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, or ECCC, deserves credit for convicting Kaing Guek Eav, better known as “Duch,” for war crimes and sentencing him to 35 years in prison. But Duch was the legal equivalent of a “tomato can” in boxing — an unskilled opponent used to pad a win-loss record. His conviction was an easy knockout.

Now that that legal mismatch is over, the long delayed main event — the trial of the aging Khmer Rouge political leaders — Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan, Nuon Chea and Ieng Thirith — can begin.

Unlike Duch, a functionary who admitted he was “responsible for the crimes committed” and expressed “deep regret and heartfelt sorrow,” the regime’s top leaders will mount aggressive defenses and maintain their innocence until the end.

None of the four defendants were hands-on killers like Duch — they simply issued orders from on high. Thus their cases will require the tribunal to take a much broader view of their legal mandate. Unlike Duch, these defendants were careful to distance themselves from the atrocities.

Their cases will rely heavily on the court’s reading of the conspiracy charge because while the accused were architects of Khmer Rouge policy and issued the orders, they did not carry them out.

Their cases were further complicated in December when charges of genocide were added to the indictments. Many scholars have argued that adding genocide, a narrowly defined legal concept, will only increase the burden on the prosecution. Why, they ask, should this war crimes court be turned into a venue for an unresolved debate over academic definitions?

As if the legal difficulties facing the court were not enough, Hun Sen, Cambodia’s all-powerful ruler, soured on the ECCC when it tried to open additional investigations and indict more suspects last September. The prime minister said such a move could rekindle civil war.

Ever since Hun Sen forced his way to power after the country’s U.N.-sponsored elections in 1993, he has outfoxed generations of U.N. bureaucrats and Western diplomats. He is quick to remind the U.N.’s legal specialists that he calls the shots. “If the court wants to charge more former senior Khmer Rouge cadres, [it] must show the reasons to Prime Minister Hun Sen,” he said. “Hun Sen only protects the peace of the nation.”

He has stated openly that he hopes the ECCC fails and that his government can try the Khmer Rouge leaders on its own. As long as the ECCC was willing to play by Hun Sen’s rules, the court was tolerated. Once it began to act with greater autonomy, the court started to break down along national/international lines. The Cambodian prosecutor, Chea Leang, refused to investigate new cases, and Judge You Bunleng “unsigned” his letter authorizing new investigations. When the court’s international co-investigating judge, Marcel Lemonde of France, tried to summon six high-ranking Cambodian government officials to give testimony, they all refused. The Cambodian government took the position that no one was compelled to testify before the ECCC.

Earlier this month, foreign defense lawyers for Nuon Chea accused the Cambodian government of implementing a “concerted policy” to undermine new investigations and called for a U.N. inquiry. They asserted that “recent developments have confirmed longstanding suspicions that certain members of the Royal Government of Cambodia are interfering with the administration of justice at the ECCC.”

The U.N. secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has appointed a special expert to examine the allegations of political interference, but, given its past record, the organization is unlikely to press its case.

Although the court has clearly lost the support of the Cambodian government, the trials are scheduled to drag on until 2015. Despite allegations of corruption, massive budget overruns and a conspicuously slow pace, the court’s donors, including the United States, continue to fund it. Originally expected to cost $20 million a year and to take three years, the court has already spent at least $70 million and convicted only one suspect.

The biggest problem facing the ECCC is living up to it’s own hype. Claims that such trials lead to healing, closure, truth and reconciliation are speculative at best. How does one measure “healing, closure and reconciliation”?

While most Cambodians would like to see the Khmer Rouge leaders punished, they’ve grown used to seeing common thieves and their government’s political opponents suffer far worse punishment than that meted out to Duch. Bou Meng, a survivor of the Tuol Sleng prison, described Duch’s sentence to reporters as “a slap in the face.”

The U.N. legal experts and their cheerleaders in the human rights industry have lost sight of a basic fact: No matter how procedurally perfect the ECCC is, if it outlives the people it was supposed to try, it cannot be judged a success.

Peter Maguire is the author of “Facing Death in Cambodia” and “Law and War: International Law and American History.” He has taught the law and theory of war at Bard College and Columbia University.

Khmer Rouge Leader's Sentence Gets Mixed Reaction

2010-07-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

Robert Carmichael, VOA
Phnom Penh 28 July 2010

On Monday, a United Nations-backed tribunal convicted Kaing Guek Eav, known as Comrade Duch, of war crimes and crimes against humanity - the first major Khmer Rouge figure to be tried since the regime was overthrown. He has already spent 16 years in prison, and the tribunal sentenced him to another 19 years.

Eight months after his trial concluded, Comrade Duch was sentenced to 35 years by the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal in Phnom Penh.

The court deducted 11 years for time already spent in pre-trial detention for Duch, who headed the movement's main torture and execution center known as S-21. And it granted a further five-year credit because Duch was held illegally for some of that time.

The end result is that Duch will likely serve just 19 more years.

His sentence surprised and angered many people, including Bou Meng and Chum Mey, two of the survivors of S-21 prison. They felt it was unduly lenient for a man who had overseen the torture and execution of more than 12,000 people.

Speaking outside the court Theary Seng, a Cambodian-American lawyer who lost members of her family to the Khmer Rouge, said 19 years was insufficient for the horrific acts the 67-year-old defendant had overseen while head of S-21.

"That is not acceptable," Seng said. "What is unacceptable is to envision him as a free man even for one minute in the public sphere."

But the reaction was mixed. While some welcomed the verdict, including a third S-21 survivor, the artist Vann Nath, others felt Duch should have been executed.

The reaction from Cambodians living overseas was also mixed.

Professor Leakhena Nou, a Cambodian-American sociologist, was in court on Monday along with three Cambodian-Americans who have applied to be civil parties in the court's second case, which should start next year.

"As you heard from one of our civil parties in today's meeting, she was not very happy with the verdict, having lost one of her parents and her siblings. But from our older survivor, who is in his late 70s, he felt that one positive thing that came out of the trial was the transparent process on how the rule of law was implemented," Nou said. "Although he was not happy with the number of years, he felt the court did make a concerted effort to find justice."

Speaking on Wednesday, Theary Seng said civil society must now focus on the second case involving four senior Khmer Rouge leaders who will be tried for their alleged roles in the deaths of around 1.7 million Cambodians.

"That responsibility rests with the senior Khmer Rouge leaders, and that's case 002," Seng said. "So we need to shift our anger now and our energy from anger toward energy in lobbying and advocating and demanding that case 002 involving the senior Khmer Rouge leaders take place, and take place soon before these old men die of ill health and of old age.”

Beyond case two, the court's international investigating judge said he wants to look at another five suspects.

The court has faced complaints of political interference as well as a series of cash crunches over the years.

Anne Heindel is a legal adviser at the Documentation Center of Cambodia, an archive of papers on the Khmer Rouge period. She says there is a risk that donors simply won't pay for any further prosecutions.

"In many ways, I think funding might be the greater issue actually," Heindel stated. "It could very well be that when it comes to it, it will be the donors that aren't willing to pay for cases 3 and 4 rather than the government saying we aren't willing to let these cases move forward. And that's actually my greatest concern right now, because Japan is not putting forward as much support as it has in the past and thus far there's been no other state willing to take its place."

Sociologist Leakhena Nou notes that a successful tribunal process would have huge benefits for Cambodian society and for Cambodians living overseas.

Not only would it help survivors get recognition of their suffering and provide a sense of closure, she says, it would also leave a beneficial legacy for current and future generations.

Two days after his verdict was handed down, many are looking to a brighter future in which the catastrophe that Duch and others wrought on Cambodia is - in some small way - repaired.

Utah, Cambodian Soldiers guard children's safety

2010-07-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

Jul 27, 2010
By Capt. Choli Ence, 128th MPAD, UTNG
www.Army.mil (USA)

Story Highlights
Utah National Guard Soldiers worked alongside Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Soldiers to complete construction of a local school
The school-building project broke ground April 4
Prior to construction of this school, many of the local children had to cross a busy two-lane road to get to school
Many of the local school children have frequented the construction site

KAMPONG SPEU, Cambodia -- Utah National Guard Soldiers from the 197th Special Troops Company (Airborne) worked alongside Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Soldiers to complete construction of a local school during the humanitarian and civic assistance project for Angkor Sentinel 2010 here, July 12 - 30.

The Global Peace Operations Initiative, Angkor Sentinel 2010, co-sponsored by U.S. Army, Pacific, is a multi-national program and is the latest in a continuing series of regional exercises designed to promote peacekeeping capabilities of securities forces in both Cambodia and other countries. It has included a command-post exercise, a field-training exercise, and an HCA project.

The school-building project broke ground April 4 with the majority of the U.S. Soldiers arriving in Cambodia to assist with the construction on June 12.

Lt. Col. Holly Ottesen, operations officer with the 97th Troop Command said, "This is the first exercise that we as the 97th TC have participated in where we have been able to do a HCA project in conjunction with the exercise."

According to 1st Lt. Thomas Ashton, platoon leader of the base support platoon, 197th STC (Airborne), the school was designed by the RCAF in consultation with local education officials and contains three classrooms that will hold up to 120 students along with a separate building for restrooms.

The project has not been without its share of growing pains as both the Americans and Cambodians learned to adapt to each others different construction methods.

"We come in with our American know-how and it doesn't necessarily fit in with their Cambodian way of building structures," said Ashton.

Both the U.S. and RCAF Soldiers are working tirelessly together, however, to have the school completed by the dedication ceremony scheduled for July 29.

The U.S. and RCAF Soldiers were also assisted by Navy Seabees who were in the area drilling wells.

Prior to the construction of this school, the nearest school, Makara 7, required many of the local school children to cross a busy two-lane road.

Throughout the construction of the school, many of the local school children have frequented the construction site.

Ashton said that the best part of being involved in the HCA project is becoming a member of the community. "It's cool that the kids we know now have a school in their neighborhood and they don't have to go and risk their lives to go to school."

Spc. Paul Morrison, a supply logistical specialist with the 197th STC (Airborne) agreed, "These kids come out every day and seeing the smile of their faces is very rewarding."

No Real Justice for the Killing Fields

2010-07-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Written by Bruce Walker
New American

Reuters reported that a United Nations tribunal has tried and sentenced Kaing Guek Eav, the first Khmer Rouge commander to face charges of crimes against humanity for murder, rape, and similar horrific crimes.

When Kaing ran Toul Sleng prison during the years following the communist takeover of Cambodia, he oversaw the murder of 14,000. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison, but his sentenced was reduced by 19 years for time served, and he might be released earlier if he shows signs of rehabilitation. Kaing Guek Eav is 67 years old, so he has an excellent chance of dying in prison before his sentence ends.

There is absolutely no doubt that the Khmer Rouge committed those deeds that have come to be called “crimes against humanity.” Communism was responsible for the brutal extermination of 100 million people in the 20th century, making it the most murderous ideology in the history of the world. Surely no one will shed tears for Kaing, a sadist who has shown no remorse for the murder, mayhem, torture, and rape committed under his supervision. But the extra-legal process of trying and sentencing this thug cannot be condoned by decent men and women. Why?

First, international law is not really “law” at all. Who creates this legal system? Unelected bureaucrats in nongovernmental organizations do, for the most part. The normal process of passing laws is utterly ignored in the making of international law. If Cambodia had formed a government and chosen to try Kaing, that would be one thing. But that has not happened. Instead, an imaginary system of justice has been invented to supersede normal justice.

Second, the application of this international law is wildly uneven. The Nuremberg Trials, for example, took place before the Second World War had even ended. The trial of Kaing, by contrast, took place 35 years after the horrors of the Killing Fields began. The presumed prosecutor of “crimes against humanity” is us, “humanity.” But even in the nonsensical legal system of international law, the underlying principle of justice for the murder of millions means nothing if it is not uniformly applied. So, while the “judges” at Nuremberg were trying the devilish Nazi leaders, why were the Soviet judges themselves not also on trial? The Soviet government had been, in practice, an ally of the Nazis from August 1939 to June 1941. The Soviets gave Rudolph Hess a guided tour of the Gulag and helped teach the Nazis how to run a system of concentration camps. The Soviet government by 1939 had murdered as many innocent Soviet citizens as Nazis murdered in the Holocaust.

When the Soviet Union fell, why were there no Nuremberg Trials? Mao Tse Tung may well have murdered more people than anyone in history. If it is possible for the human imagination and conscience to grasp this ugly fact, Mao may have been even more inhuman and even more sociopathic in his murders than Hitler or Stalin. Has the Communist Party of China or that nation’s government ever proposed trials for the flacks of Mao who committee megacide? No, there has not even been a hint of justice for these victims.

Third, selective prosecution of savage and murderous regimes that lose wars or which are overthrown in revolution ensures that injustice, not justice, will prevail. When Roosevelt, for example, demanded “unconditional surrender,” the impact, as we now know, crippled those honorable and decent Germans who were appalled by the evil of Nazism and by its mass murder of millions of Jews, Poles, Russians, Gypsies and other innocent victims of Nazi malice.

What should be done to prevent the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust, the Gulag, and the Killing Fields? Individuals should speak out when the men, women, and children are being killed and records of the outrages should be made and disseminated (like Armin Wegener did with the Armenian genocide — Wegener, by the way, spoke out very early against Stalinism and then against Nazism, for which he paid a price.) Governments can express disapproval, deny diplomatic recognition, and so forth — America, to its great credit, acted alone and without pressure to help Jews in Europe and Asia even when America was a very young nation. The governments of nations in which genocide and other diabolical evil has occurred — such as those that occurred under Communism, Nazism, or any similar totalitarian system — should undertake, under their own laws, justice and remedial action. If the governments of nations that devour their own are not willing to do that — and the failure to prosecute communist murderers in Russia and in China are glaring examples — then how can anyone say that justice is being done?

Historically speaking, the only true protection against evil has been trust in God and following His will. This is not politically correct, but it is historical fact. The cure for the Killing Fields, the Holocaust, and the Gulag is the restoration of the morally serious faith of Christians and of Jews.

Cambodia alarmed at illegal import of pigs from Vietnam

2010-07-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

July 28, 2010
Xinhua

Cambodia is alarmed at the illegal import of pigs from the neighboring country of Vietnam.

Srun Pov, president of Association of Pigs Raising in Cambodia, said Wednesday that about 1,000 pigs are illegally imported from Vietnam into Cambodia every day, and some of them are ill.

He said if such situation continued, the pig raising industry in Cambodia will be dead, adding that the pigs imported from Vietnam are priced at just over 6,000 riel (about 1.42 U.S. dollars) per kilogram, about 3,000 riel cheaper than pigs raised in Cambodia.

Srun Pov, however, acknowledged that throughout Cambodia, a total of more than 4,000 pigs are needed for daily consumption, and in Phnom Penh alone it needs between 1,200 to 1,300 pigs, but the domestic pigs in Cambodia is not sufficient.

He said the country lacks about 700 to 800 pigs per day, but farmers are discouraged to raise pigs because of those imported ones from neighboring countries.

Cambodia allowed to import 800 pigs per day from Thailand, but as their price is higher than those imported from Vietnam, Thai pigs import have been stalled over the past months, said Srun Pov.

In May this year, Curtis Hundley, chairman of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the USAID said Cambodia had imported about one million pigs per year from Thailand alone and that had lost about 45 million U.S. dollars a year to the farmers' pockets.

Cambodia is an agrarian country and rich in natural resources, while it still imports pigs, chicken and fish from neighboring countries as well as other household stuff and products for daily consumption.

Cambodian strike unlinked to wage dispute

2010-07-28T20:49:00.001-07:00

28 July 2010
By Ngo Tuan Just-Style

This week's garment worker clashes in Cambodia were caused by internal frictions rather than wage demands, a local manufacturing body told just-style.

Around 100 policemen armed with electric batons and riot shields clashed with some 3,000 - mostly female - workers who were on strike against the suspension of a local union official working at their factory.

Ken Loo, Secretary General of Garment Manufacturer's Association in Cambodia (GMAC) said there was no relation between the local Free Trade Union’s threat of national strike and the strike at the Malaysian-owned factory, in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, yesterday (27 July).

"This strike is totally unrelated to the minimum wage issue," he said. "It is a dispute within the factory."

A union official named Mon Chana was dismissed for unknown reasons. Nine workers were initially reported injured in the clashes but this remains unconfirmed.

"About the workers being injured, I do not have confirmation as to whether workers were actually injured or not," Ken Loon added.

The Cambodian factory, called Berry Apparel (Cambodia) Co, produces apparel products for Western brands including Adidas, Gap, Puma and Benetton.

Abhisit intent on provoking war with Cambodia?

2010-07-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Thai army to reinforce Cambodian border if needed

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
By KINAN SUCHAOVANICH (AP)

BANGKOK — Thailand's army is prepared to defend its border with Cambodia if a territorial dispute heats up, the prime minister said Wednesday, as the two nations were set to tussle on the diplomatic front at a U.N. meeting in Brazil.

Deadly clashes have flared in the past over the Preah Vihear temple, which the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization named a World Heritage site in 2008, over Thailand's objections.

Two Thai soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in April 2009 after troops exchanged fire with assault rifles and rocket launchers along Cambodia's northern border near the temple, one of several clashes in recent years.

Cambodia will present a management plan in Brazil on the disputed territory at a UNESCO meeting this week.

The International Court of Justice in 1962 ruled the 10th-century border temple belongs to Cambodia, rejecting Thai claims. Cambodia's World Heritage bid reignited Thai resentment over the ruling, and there have been small armed clashes in the area during the past few years.

Thailand claims the management plan would infringe on a small area of undemarcated territory around the temple, of which both sides stake a claim. It has called on UNESCO to reject the plan, and said it will walk out of the meeting if it is accepted. It also said it would consider withdrawing from UNESCO's membership if Cambodia's plan is accepted.

Leaders of both countries have used the issue to stir up nationalist sentiment and shore up domestic political support.

Abhisit met Wednesday with Defense Minister Pravit Wongsuwan, who told him that, pending Cabinet approval, the army is ready to deploy more troops to the already heavily defended border if Cambodian forces intrude into Thai territory.

"The army is now ready to defend our sovereignty if breached," said Abhisit after his weekly Cabinet meeting. He said he was appealing to members of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee "to remember the very purpose this committee was set up for. It should be a purveyor of peace and culture, not of tension and conflicts."

A Thai delegation, led by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti, is in Brasilia to attend the UNESCO meeting.

"We must make it clear that Thailand cannot and will not accept the proposal," said Abhisit. "And if the committee will not listen to our objection, we will not take part in the voting process."

[Thai] Cabinet firm on Thailand's stance on Preah Vihear

2010-07-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

28/07/2010
Bangkok Post

Cabinet has instructed Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to walk out of the meeting if the World Heritage Committee (WHC) discusses Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple without taking Thailand's protest into consideration, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

Mr Suwit is in Brasilia, Brazil's capital, to attend the WHC meeting, which is due to discuss Cambodia's management plan for the 1,000-year-old Hindu temple.

Mr Abhisit said the cabinet on Wednesday agreed that if the WHC went ahead with consideration of Cambodia's proposal, Mr Suwit should walk out and boycott the vote.

Mr Suwit should also review Thailand's WHC membership if it looked likely to endorse the management plan.

The prime minister stressed that even if the WHC endorses Cambodian management of the site, it would not have any effect on the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

Cambodia would not be able to use the WHC endorsement to manage the overlapping territory of 4.6 square kilometres which is still in dispute and has not been demarcated, Mr Abhisit said.

He said Thailand would try to solve this problem without the use of force, but the Thai army was ready to protect Thai sovereignty over its territory.

It might take as long as a year to withdraw WHC membership, because the matter would require approval from the House of Representatives.

But if Thailand withdrew from the WHC, the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site would not be able to proceed, Mr Abhisit said.

Therefore, Thailand would persist in its attempt to delay the WHC's consideration of the Cambodian proposal and ask the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to adhere to its intention of promoting peace, not conflict, the prime minister said.

Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the cabinet resolution followed a fax from Mr Suwit on Wednesday morning asking that it confirm Thailand's stance.

Thailand has made clear that it will not cooperate with the WHC if it agrees to the management plan for the Preah Vihear temple, because it infringes on the disputed border area.

[Thai] Cabinet firm on Thailand's stance on Preah Vihear

2010-07-28T20:43:00.002-07:00

28/07/2010
Bangkok Post

Thailand ready to go to war with Cambodia over Preah Vihear temple?

2010-07-28T20:43:00.001-07:00

OUTRAGE: Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) hold Thai national flags and placards during a rally to oppose the Cambodian plan on administering Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage Site, at Unesco's local office in Bangkok on Tuesday 27 July 2010. Thailand and Cambodia have been locked in nationalist tensions and a troop standoff at their disputed border since July 2008, when Unesco approved Cambodia's request to grant the 11th century Preah Vihear temple the World Heritage status. -- AFP

Thailand to defend rights over land dispute with Cambodia

Bangkok, Wednesday 28 July 2010
By WATTANA KHAMCHU and PIYANART SRIVALO
The Nation

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has vowed on 27 July 2010 to protect Thailand's rights and interests, as Cambodia makes moves to submit its management plan for Preah Vihear Temple and its adjacent areas at the Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil.

The Thai delegation, led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, is at the forum to lobby against the plan. The meeting runs until August 3.

"We think the World Heritage Committee should not consider this plan until Thailand and Cambodia have agreed upon the demarcation line," Abhisit said, after discussing the issue on Tuesday with some leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

He met the yellow-shirt leaders for two hours after about 1,000 PAD supporters rallied outside the Unesco office on Sukhumvit Road despite the emergency decree.

Unesco recognised the ancient temple as a World Heritage Site in 2008. Preah Vihear, perched on a mountain on the Thai-Cambodian border, has been the source of a sovereignty dispute between the two nations for decades. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but failed to make a decision on the land adjacent the complex, giving rise to constant spats between the two nations.

According to PAD co-founder Chamlong Srimuang, Thailand would lose more than 1.8 million rai of land to Cambodia if this management plan were to go ahead. Chamlong threatened to unseat Abhisit if he failed to protect Thailand's sovereignty.

However, after meeting the PAD leaders, Abhisit admitted that he and PAD view the issue from different perspectives. "But our intention is the same. We are committed to protecting our country's sovereignty and rights," the premier reiterated.

Abhisit promised that his government would not accept a resolution from the Unesco World Heritage Committee that could hurt the Kingdom's interests in any way.

"The resolution must not interfere with Thailand's territory or sovereignty," he said. "We will not cooperate if the management plan encroaches on our soil."

Abhisit also revealed that the Cabinet would discuss the issue today.

When asked if Thailand would withdraw from the Unesco World Heritage Committee if Cambodia's management plan were to be approved, Abhisit said: "There are many options. We may consider harsh measures."

He added that Unesco had already been told about his government's stance on the plan.

"The United Nations and its related agencies were established to promote peace. The Unesco World Heritage Committee needs to review why its world-heritage inscription often turns tourism zones into areas of conflict," he said.

Abhisit said Cambodia and Thailand had built up a military presence along the border to declare their rights without confrontation for a while now, and though he agreed to discuss the issue with PAD leaders yesterday, he would not bow to their pressure about what his government should do.

PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan told the ASTV that Abhisit did not agree with the PAD suggestion that the government cancel the memorandum of understanding on demarcation signed with Cambodia in 2000.

He said the PM also rejected the PAD suggestion that Thailand force Cambodian soldiers and people out of the disputed area.

"The prime minister said his government would exercise its right to protest, and did not want to see the dispute develop into a war," Panthep said.

He said Abhisit also disagreed with the idea of not sending a team to the Unesco World Heritage meeting, even though the PAD believes a boycott would be more effective.

However, Panthep admitted that the PAD agreed with Abhisit's plan to not accept Cambodia's map.

"It would be a violation of Thailand's sovereignty," he said.

After learning of the meeting results, the PAD protesters dispersed peacefully.

Theary Seng's Comment on Duch's Verdict Posted on the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights

2010-07-28T20:35:00.001-07:00

U.N. BACKED COURT CONVICTS KHMER ROUGE PRISON COMMANDANT

7/27/2010
Originally Posted at: http://www.rfkcenter.org/node/530

The RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights recognizes the significance of the guilty verdict by the UN-backed court in Cambodia against Duch, the commandant of Toul Sleng prison. We consider it as one step closer to recovery and reconciliation of a society traumatized by the horrors of war. Duch was convicted of crimes against humanity for overseeing the killing and torture of more than 14,000 people at the notorious Khmer Rouge prison.

However, the sentence of 35 years and its subsequent reduction to 19 years for such unspeakable crimes may not adequately hold accountable someone who was most responsible for what has come to be known as "the killing fields." RFK Center's partner in Cambodia, Theary Seng, reacted to the decision with mixed emotions. Here is what she said:

On 26 July 2010, the Extraordinary Chambers (informally, the Khmer Rouge Tribunal) convicted the former director of the notorious Tuol Sleng torture center, Comrade Duch, for crimes against humanity in the sadistic murders of at least 14,000 Cambodians including a handful of foreigners and sentenced him to 35 years of imprisonment. The conviction marked a milestone for Cambodians after having waited some 30 years for some form of credible justice.

However, many Cambodian survivors, including myself, viewed the sentencing to be too lenient and incompehensible in light of the enormity of his crimes. After the Extraordinary Chambers deducted 5 years for his cooperation and 11 years for the illegal pre-Extraordinary Chambers detention in a military prison from the 35 years, the victims are left with Comrade Duch effectively receiving 11 hours of imprisonment for each live he brutally murdered.

Up until this puzzling verdict, we Cambodians have been viewing the Extraordinary Chambers as a very powerful catalyst in breaking the silence of our past 30 years and transitioning us into a culture of dialogue and memorializing. However, this lenient verdict has taken the air out of us and broken the momentum in our stride toward a more fuller justice of both legal accountability and just peace. We will need to regain our composure and faith very quickly from this setback in order to concentrate on the larger picture, which is the demand for the quick start of the "senior Khmer Rouge leaders" in Case 002. Case 001 regarding Comrade Duch is significant in familiarizing us Cambodians with the Extraordinary Chambers and in this regards, it was a test-run for the heart of the matter - the trial of the Senior Khmer Rouge leaders. Duch was only one director of one Khmer Rouge detention center. During the Khmer Rouge regime, there existed at least 200 other detention centers and thousands of "killiing fields"; he was not a "senior" Khmer Rouge leader and should not be the sole scapegoat of this murderous, genocidal regime.

His conviction on 26 July 2010 is a very good start, even if disappointing in terms of the light sentencing; but it is only a start in the legal process as well as the journey of healing. The heart of the Extraordinary Chambers is the anticipated trial of the Senior Khmer Rouge leaders in Case 002, which we must advocate for it to happen quickly before they die of old age, ill health and/or from more invidious political interests.

History reminder for a forgetful reader

2010-07-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

មានខ្មែរមួយចំនួន មិនដែលគិតអំពីពួកអាសៀម វាចង់យកដីខ្មែរនោះទេ គឺគិតតែអំពីយួនទៅវិញ។ យួនវាបានជួយក្បាលម៉ែឪវា ពួកវាមិនដែលគិតទេ។ ចុះអាសៀមវាយកដីខ្មែរតាំងពី ឆ្នាំ ១៣៥០មកម្តេចក៏ អាពួកវង្វេងប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ វាមិនយកមកនិយាយផង? អាពួកទាំងនេះបើ បានកាន់កាប់ ស្រុកខ្មែរច្បាស់ ជាដូចអាឌុចទៀតហើយ។
A number of Khmer people never thought about Ah Siem wanting Khmer lands at all, they only think about the Yuons taking Khmer lands instead. The Yuons came to save their parent’ heads, they never think about it. How about Ah Siem taking Khmer lands since 1350, why these history-confused people do not talk about them? These people if they govern Cambodia, it will surely be like Ah Duch all over again.

The irate and forgetful reader probably did not follow the news closely enough to notice that:

In November 2009, Mr. Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA) organized a protest against the Thai troops presence in Cambodia. His group was prohibited from holding such public protest by the very same puppet regime that was installed by the Yuon invading troops in 1979.

Cops preventing Rong Chhun from holding a protest against the Siamese

On July 15, 2010, CITA again organized a day of anger against the Siamese troop invasion of Cambodia in Preah Vihear, again CITA was prevented by cops of Hun Xen’s regime from holding such public protest against the Siamese.

Cops preventing Rong Chhun and CITA from holding a protest against the Siamese during the day of anger against Thai troop invasion of Cambodia in Preah Vihear

Now, who is protecting the Siamese interest? The Cambodian people protesting against the Siamese or the puppet regime installed by Hanoi whose leader is a good friend of Thaksin?

Hun Xen embracing his best friend and Siamese advisor Thaksin

Sam Rainsy to all Cambodians: The major national issues are borders and Yuon immigrants

2010-07-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy (Photo: Sovannara, RFI)

27 July 2010
By Pech Bandol
Free Press Magazine Online
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

In response to questions asked by Cambodians living throughout the world, including those who live in the American continent and in Europe (Austria, Finland, France, Norway), opposition leader Sam Rainsy – who is currently living in self-exile – told them that Cambodia is currently at the edge of a dangerous abyss due to border problems with Vietnam, as well as due to the illegal Viet immigrants.

You Saravuth, the former editor-in-chief of the pro-opposition Sralanh Khmer newspaper who had to flee Cambodia in 2006 stemming from a lawsuit initiated by Hun Xen’s nephew and who is currently living in Norway, indicated that during the video-conference meeting with Sam Rainsy on 25 July, the latter responded to numerous questions filed by overseas Cambodians on his personal situation, as well as the situation faced by Cambodia vis-à-vis her neighbors.

According to You Saravuth, Sam Rainsy discussed about his personal situation with the audience, including the restriction of freedom rights on regular citizens and opposition MPs by the government, the use of the court system to serve the interest of the rich and powerful so that these people can violate human rights and democracy. Sam Rainsy said that he is struggling to resolve these hot issues with the International communities, in particular with countries that are signatories to the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia.

Regarding the border issue, the situation is tense due to the encroachments from neighboring countries, in particular along the eastern borders with Vietnam. Because the Yuon government knows that the Phnom Penh regime is its puppet, the encroachments are still taking place. Cambodian territories where blatant encroachments can be observed are found in Svay Rieng, Takeo and Kanpong Cham provinces. Because the villagers dare to rise up to protest against the loss of their rice fields, Hun Xen’s regime went on to send them to jail, such was the case of Mr. Prum Chea and Mrs. Meas Srey. This situation creates fear among several Cambodian villagers living along the border who no longer dare to protest even though they know that the Yuons are encroaching on their rice fields, their only source of income. Sam Rainsy said that, up to now, he collected numerous map documents and testimonials which indicated that the Yuon indeed encroached on Cambodian territories through a blind eye by the Phnom Penh regime.

Regarding the illegal flow of Yuon immigrants to Cambodia, this is also a dangerous problem for Cambodia. Currently, there are more than 3 million Yuons living illegally in Cambodia. These Yuon communities receive close attention and support from the Yuon leaders, and they also being spoiled by the Phnom Penh regime as well.

This situation brings shame and major losses to the Cambodian interest, it is an act of national treason, of betrayal of the Cambodian people by the ruling CPP party. According to Sam Rainsy, the resolution of these problems can only be done through unity of the Cambodian people, the rightful owners of the country, and through an election change to salvage the country.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy left Cambodia in 2009 following the uprooting of border stakes along the Yuon border. These stakes were planted as part of Yuon encroachments on rice fields belonging to Cambodian farmers in Koh Kban Kandal village, Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. Because of this case, Sam Rainsy was sentenced in absentia by the Svay Rieng provincial court to 2-year of jail time in January 2010.

Regarding his return to Cambodia, opposition leader Sam Rainsy told overseas Cambodians that it will depend on the resolution from the International community and he hoped that democratic countries in the world will not allow Hun Xen to go on with his misdeeds.

The “Cambodian Women’s Movement” is valueless … enough to attract the attention of the government?

2010-07-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

Tith Sothea claimed that the the Grassroots Cambodian Women’s Movement is valueless in terms of national development, yet, this government mouthpiece still couldn't resist but being attracted by the issues raised by the Women's Movement. So is the Women's Movement valueless as Tith Sothea claimed or is it time for Hun Xen and Xok An to replace this clueless flatulent windpipe?

Gov’t official: Cambodian Women’s Movement is valueless for national development

27 July 2010
By Son Sopheak
DAP news
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Phnom Penh – A government official declared that the Cambodian Women Movement – which expressed its concerns over the freedom of expression and the respect of women rights in Cambodia – has no value for the national development because this group was set up to support only one individual.

The claim was made by this [stupid] official after the Grassroots Cambodian Women’s Movement issued a joint statement supporting and defending SRP MP Mu Sochua. The Women’s Movement indicated that it represents the Cambodian people, including human rights advocates, garment workers, sex workers, beer-promotion women, community members, motor-taxi drivers, university students, vendors, farmers, union members, teachers, government officials, and NGO representatives, and it is concerned about the freedom of expression and the respect of women’s rights in Cambodia.

Tith Sothea, government advisor and mouthpiece of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers, said on 27 July that this women’s group was formed to serve the ambition of an individual only and that it does not represent all the women in the country. Tith Sothea claimed that the extreme demands made the group have no value for national development at a time when Cambodia is abiding by the rule of law (sic!).

During a meeting of about 15 people, most of whom were women, at the Baitong Restaurant on Tuesday morning, the Women’s Movement declared in its joint statement that they call on the government to show strong commitment and take more visible responsibility in putting in practice the promotion of: (1) Women’s roles and participation in politics, (2) Women’s rights; (3) Freedom of expression; and (4) A fair judicial system.

Tith Sothea, the (stupid) government mouthpiece, stressed that the formation of this Women’s Movement was done to set up a foundation for political and popularity gain for an opposition MP so that she can compete with the opposition party leader (sic!). Tith Sothea voiced the government’s mantra, claiming that freedom of expression and the respect of democracy is widely accepted in Cambodia, unlike what the Women’s Movement claimed.

Heavy rain sparks massive landslide in China on Tuesday

2010-07-27T18:36:00.002-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Cambodia's Precedent for Humanity

2010-07-27T18:36:00.001-07:00

JULY 27, 2010
By DAVID J. SCHEFFER
The Wall Street Journal

The first Khmer Rouge genocide conviction lays the legal groundwork for bringing other offenders to justice.

One might think that the conviction Monday of Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, for crimes against humanity was a foregone conclusion. During his 72-day trial before a U.N.-backed tribunal in Phnom Penh, Duch confessed his role as head of the notorious Tuol Sleng Prison in the torture and killing of at least 12,272 individuals between 1975 and '79. But in fact many observers in the courtroom and around the world were eagerly waiting to read the verdict. That's because the legal reasoning behind Duch's conviction will shape the tribunal's upcoming effort to bring senior Khmer Rouge leaders to justice.

The co-prosecutors largely won the legal battle over Duch's criminal liability, and set the stage for vigorous prosecution of the four senior-most Khmer Rouge leaders who next stand trial. The trial chamber discovered the big idea behind the Khmer Rouge atrocities: The criminal persecution of an unprecedented proportion of a nation's citizens because leaders had the specific intent to discriminate against them on political grounds. During the regime of Pol Pot, under which an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians perished, or one-quarter of the population, anyone could be accused of being an "enemy" of the Khmer Rouge.

The tools used for the persecution were murder, unjust imprisonment, enslavement and torture (including rape), but on a scale that was so widespread and systematic that these particular crimes against humanity fed into the master plan of persecution. The co-prosecutors now have the means to show why senior leaders used various crimes against humanity to advance their evil intent to discriminate against and extinguish so many politically inconvenient people.

Significantly, the judges ruled that such systematic attacks against the civilian population of Cambodia were illegal under international law during the 1970s. This conclusion was by no means certain as the trial started. The verdict depended on when crimes against humanity became part of the uncodified realm of customary international law, thus prohibiting such egregious conduct by all nations and their leaders. The ruling paves the way for such crimes to be vigorously prosecuted against the surviving senior Khmer Rouge leaders. This is especially important because Duch avoided any conviction under Cambodia's 1956 Penal Code. The international judges refused to recognize an extension of the Code's statute of limitations.

The trial chamber also confirmed Duch's role in war crimes against Vietnamese prisoners of war and civilians. He refused all of them protected status under the Geneva Conventions and executed them. The judges found that an armed conflict between the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese forces clearly existed and that Duch supervised torture and inhumane treatment, including water boarding.

One potent theory emerging from the international war crimes tribunals is that a defendant's individual responsibility can be discovered by searching for his or her participation in a "joint criminal enterprise" of like-minded people set on committing an atrocity. No one knew whether the judges would embrace this theory, which has the potential to impact future trials.

The trial chamber held that Duch knew of the criminal character of Tuol Sleng, acted with the intent to further its purpose, and so participated in a joint criminal enterprise. The judges also tagged Duch with superior responsibility for what transpired at Tuol Sleng. Like many other architects of atrocities, Duch's leadership skills proved to be his undoing. The trial chamber's holdings on joint criminal enterprise and superior responsibility spell more trouble for other defendants.

Drawing upon precedents of other war crimes tribunals, the trial chamber rejected Duch's defense that he had been acting on orders from superiors, because such orders simply do not matter when international crimes, such as crimes against humanity and war crimes, are committed. Duch also claimed that toward the end of his reign of terror, he acted under duress because he feared that he and his close relatives would be killed. But the trial chamber found that he continued to participate willingly and with zeal. He earned some mitigation points for his sentence due to the coercive environment of the Pol Pot regime. But future defendants, those who led the atrocities, will not prevail with any nonsense about acting under duress.

Duch's 35-year sentence for such heinous crimes is the real shocker in this verdict. This was further reduced to only 19 years for good behavior, time served, and the Cambodian military's unjust imprisonment of Duch for eight years without trial. Atrocity crimes of this magnitude cannot be seriously prosecuted if the punishment is so disconnected from reality.

Bringing the masterminds of such crimes to justice is serious business that demands serious punishments. The co-prosecutors should appeal the sentence to seek punishment reflecting the gravity of Tuol Sleng. If the precedent of Duch's sentence stands, then the gains made in his trial to establishing the criminal liability of Khmer Rouge leaders may be washed away with pathetically short sentences.

Mr. Scheffer, a former U.S. Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues (1997-2001), is director of the Center for International Human Rights at the Northwestern University School of Law and co-edits the Cambodia Tribunal Monitor (www.cambodiatribunal.org).

US army gear used in repression of Cambodian factory workers?

2010-07-27T18:35:00.001-07:00

The Kevlar helmets used by some of these riot cops are standard issues for US soldiers, they are most likely provided by the US as military aid to Cambodia, but they have been used as tools for repression of the Cambodian workers rights to free expression! (Photos: Reuters)

Cambodian women rally behind condemned opposition MP Mu Sochua

2010-07-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Philip Skoczkowski on June 2, the day of Mu Sochua's third hearing in Phnom Penh.

Mu Sochua (centre) heads to her third hearing. Photo by Philip Skoczkowski.

27/07/2010
The Observers

Mu Sochua, a female MP of Cambodia's opposition Sam Rainsy Party, faces jail for refusing to pay 4,000 dollars in fines and compensation on a conviction last year for allegedly defaming prime minister Hun Sen. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called the proceedings against her an example of the "alarming erosion" of Cambodia's free speech and judicial independence.

Victoria Petitjean works for a women's rights NGO in Phnom Penh. She tells us how a nationwide network of women rallied in Cambodia in support of Sochua. This account has not been edited by FRANCE 24.

"A network of women has been created to support Mu Sochua and her cause"

Mu Sochua is considered the most prominent woman MP in Cambodia's leading political opposition, the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP). A New York Times article on February 21 described Mu Sochua as "part of a new generation of women who are working their way into the political systems of countries across Asia and elsewhere, from local councils to national assemblies and cabinet positions."

For more than twenty-five years, Mu Sochua has been a leading human rights advocate, working forcefully to prioritize women's issues after years of unrest and tragedy. As Minister for Women's Affairs (1998-2004), she joined with local and international actors, working to stop human trafficking, child abuse, domestic violence, worker exploitation and corruption. During her six years in office, she authored the Domestic Violence Law that was finally passed in 2005. Today, she is also battling governmental abuse of power in her own case as the Cambodian Supreme Court - a tool of the party in power - upholds her criminal defamation conviction for accusing the Prime Minister of gender discrimination during a political meeting a year ago. Her case has been denounced nationally and internationally as a politically motivated prosecution that violates principles of the rule of law and freedom of expression. Nationally, she has found herself being supported by a newly growing movement of Cambodian women. In this, Mu Sochua herself has never changed her line, "Be loud, be fearless, be united".

In April 2009, during a political meeting in Kampot Province, Prime Minister Hun Sen called Mu Sochua "strong leg" (a "gangster/thug"). He then further insinuated that the MP had unbuttoned her blouse in front of an officer. Mu Sochua filed a complaint against Premier Hun Sen and sued him for defamation, not only in defence of her own right to dignity and non-discrimination but for that of all Cambodians, including most particularly women. However, her lawsuit was followed by Hun Sen's counter-lawsuit alleging that Mu Sochua had defamed him. In June 2009, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court dismissed Mu Sochua's suit for lack of evidence, and in August, found her guilty, ordering her to pay a total of 16.5 million riels (approximately $4000) in fines to the court and compensation to the premier for "psychological trauma". In October, the Court of Appeals upheld the Municipal Court's ruling. Yet, Mu Sochua did not abandon her stand and this, despite political pressures including on her own lawyer. Indeed, he resigned after enduring political and personal pressures from the accusing party.

On June 2, 2010, Mu Sochua, without a lawyer of her own choosing, was summoned to appear by the Supreme Court, for the third and final ruling. The hearing took place in front of a full audience of SRP members, local and international journalists, as well as human rights advocates and EU representatives and diplomats. During the trial, Mu Sochua maintained the line she has relentlessly taken: this case is driven by the principles of fair trial, freedom of speech and gender justice. Yet, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict from the previous rulings, declaring it could not accept Mu Sochua's defence. She was ordered to pay the fine by 4th July, or else would have to face a prison sentence. On 5th July, Mu Sochua, as required by law, was given a final ten days to pay the defamation fine.

In this time, since the Supreme Court's ruling on 2nd June to uphold her conviction, Mu Sochua and her supporters gathered forces, raising awareness about her case within national and international public authorities, civil society and the media. A petition was circulated and signed in Cambodia and around the world, and was presented earlier in June to the US President, Barack Obama. Further, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay made a public statement, expressing "'serious' concerns about legal proceedings against opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua"

In Cambodia itself, a network of women has been created to support MP Mu Sochua and her cause. This movement, including garment workers, sex workers, university students and teachers, sellers, NGO staff, public officials and farmers, has been organizing a group of citizens who refuse to see MP Mu Sochua unjustly imprisoned for exercising her right to free speech and promoting women's rights in Cambodia. The group has been collecting donations whilst also circulating a petition across the country. Close to 2000 signatures were collected in just a few days, $6000, and broad-ranging national and international media implicated (including Radio Free Asia and Voice of America). As Arun Reaksmey, the movement's spokesperson, declared at a press conference, "Allowing Mu Sochua to be imprisoned will not only take away one of Cambodia's most important political figures and human rights advocates, but will also symbolically undermine the voice of all Cambodian women."

The 15th July was the final deadline for her fine to be paid to the National Treasury. With a resolute passion, Mu Sochua tirelessly maintained her never-changing stand: in the name of human rights, she would not pay the fine. However, rather than sending her to jail, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court ordered the National Assembly, on Tuesday 20th July, to take approximately 4.2 million riel, or $1,000, from MP Mu Sochua's pay check for two months. Today, in the eyes of MP Mu Sochua and the newly created Cambodian women's movement, if this is the end of her trial, this does not terminate the fight for justice and women's rights. As she stated in an interview, she is supportive of the women's movement created behind her and her cause, and would now like to join and work together. The movement's representatives are organizing a roundtable discussion this week, at which MP Mu Sochua along representatives of various women's associations and networks, have been invited. As declared by the movement, "Showing solidarity among us women is our way of expressing our freedom of expression as well as our strong willingness and support, and thereby increase the protection of women's rights."

If there are many uncertainties and barriers still to be faced, it is at least certain that, today, the foundations for a strong women's movement are being set in Cambodia."

[Thai] PM accepts Preah Vihear petition

2010-07-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

27/07/2010
Bangkok Post

Leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Tuesday led a demonstration against the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a Unesco World Heritage site and presented a protest petition to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Mr Abhisit and Mr Kasit went to Baan Phisanulok to accept the petition from PAD leaders Pibhop Thongchai, Panthep Puapongpan and Kamnoon Sitthisaman.

In the morning, PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang led about 700 people to the Unesco building on Sukhumvit Road to protest against Cambodia being given management control of the ancient temple despite the territorial dispute over the border area around it.

Maj-Gen Chamlong told reporters later that Unesco Bangkok's chief administration officer Edgar Sharuk had informed him the PAD's petition had been forwarded to the Unesco World Heritage Committee, which is meeting in Brazil this week. The committee had acknowledged receipt of the petition.

The PAD leaders would meet again to discuss what to do next, he said.

The demonstration caused a severe traffic jam during the morning.

Thailand and Cambodia tussle over World Heritage Site Preah Vihear Temple

2010-07-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Preah Vihear Temple

As Cambodia prepares a management plan that will give it the sole rights to the popular tourist destination of Preah Vihear Temple, Thailand weighs in with its own claim

27 July, 2010
By Virginia Lau
CNNGo

Antagonism between Cambodia and Thailand is intensifying in the run up to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil this weekend, over the management of World Heritage Site Preah Vihear Temple. Led by Thai government supporters Chamlong Srimuang and Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, about 1,000 protestors arrived at UNESCO’s Bangkok office this morning to oppose Cambodia’s unilateral management plan that will be submitted during the meeting.

In 2008, UNESCO approved the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site in Cambodia. Opposition to Cambodia’s management plan comes from a murky resolution by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962. While the ICJ granted the temple to Cambodia, it did not settle the ownership of a 4.6 square kilometer piece of land next to the structure.

Tul Sitthisomwong from the Thai position was quoted in the Bangkok Post as saying, "It is the right direction for the government not to accept the Cambodian-made plan until the process of the land demarcation is complete."

From January to June this year, the Preah Vihear Temple attracted 46,400 visitors. “In the future, Preah Vihear Temple will become the second-largest tourist destination after Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat -- as roads and infrastructures around the temple have been developed,” Hang Soth, director general of the Preah Vihear National Authority (PVNA), told the Phnom Penh Post.

Tul notes the necessity of the two nations to develop the World Heritage Site together, but Cambodia is not expected to let go of its sole proprietorship to the major tourist attraction easily.

Thailand and Cambodia tussle over World Heritage Site Preah Vihear Temple

2010-07-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Preah Vihear Temple

Sore loser Abhisit, did you forget again that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia?

2010-07-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Click on the timeline graphic to zoom in

PM firm on temple plan [Abhisit was a softie before?]

'No Thai cooperation' on Preah Vihear area

28/07/2010
By Pradit Ruangdit, Sirikul Bunnag and Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post

Thailand will not cooperate with the World Heritage Committee if it agrees to a management plan for the Preah Vihear temple that infringes upon the disputed border area, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

The prime minister is sending a message to the WHC meeting which is expected to discuss Cambodia's management plan for the Hindu temple and its surrounding areas before the gathering, which began on Sunday in Brasilia, Brazil's capital, ends next Tuesday .

The Cambodian-sponsored plan is on the WHC agenda for its 21-member committee to discuss.

Phnom Penh is required to submit the management plan for WHC approval after the temple was placed on the world heritage listing of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 2008.

Thailand's main concern is that the overlapping territory of 4.6 square kilometres, which has not been demarcated, could be included in the plan and jeopardise negotiations to sort out the area, which has been the main source of border conflicts between the two countries.

Thailand last year successfully blocked the plan at the meeting of the WHC in Seville, Spain.

This time, Mr Abhisit is refusing to cooperate with the WHC on the issue as the conflict over sovereignty of the area remains unsettled.

He reiterated yesterday Thailand's stance on opposing the management plan, which he says should not be brought up for discussion until the two countries resolve their dispute over the territory.

If the WHC's resolution on the management plan affects Thai sovereignty, the government will make it clear that it will not accept it, he said after talks with key leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at Ban Phitsanulok.

The prime minister met with the PAD's co-leader Pibhop Dhongchai, the movement's spokesman Panthep Puapongpan, Senator Kamnoon Sitthisamarn and historian ML Walwipha Charoonroj, who leads the Preah Vihear listing monitoring network.

With the Brasilia meeting scheduled to discuss the issue, the PAD, led by Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, and 1,000 supporters converged on Unesco's Sukhumvit office yesterday in an effort to derail the Cambodian effort and call for a review of the registration of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site.

The rally broke up after officials from the UN agency agreed to forward the demands to the WHC meeting.

The 21 members of the serving WHC committee are Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, China, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti is leading the Thai delegation to Brasilia to try to stifle Cambodia's management plan.

Mr Kamnoon said the PAD and the government shared a similar view on protecting the country's sovereignty.

He said he felt "relieved" since the government had prepared measures to be taken against the UN agency if it ignores Thailand's stance.

But Maj Gen Chamlong apparently did not feel that way. He said it would be difficult for the Thai delegation to support its objection to the management plan for the temple and its surrounding area, but warned the PAD would not give up its rallies to block it.

"We need to reaffirm our position because we don't believe that the Thai representatives will be able to oppose Cambodia's plan," he said.

"But we still have time to protest until the decision is made. Another series of protests will be definitely arranged to have our voices heard."

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia.

The disputed area near the temple is claimed by Thailand as part of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket.

Hun Xen wraps up golf playing in Singapore?

2010-07-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong (L) with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen

Cambodian PM wraps up 3-day visit to S'pore

27 July 2010
By Hoe Yeen Nie
Channel News Asia

SINGAPORE : Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has wrapped up his three-day official visit to Singapore, with leaders from the two countries agreeing to strengthen mutual ties.

The Cambodian PM started Tuesday with a golf game with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, followed by lunch.

The two leaders last met in November 2009, when Mr Goh visited Cambodia.

Cambodia is Singapore's eighth largest foreign investor.

Bilateral trade reached S$1.3 billion between January and June, up 60 per cent over the same period last year.

Convicted Khmer Rouge prison chief to appeal: lawyer

2010-07-27T18:28:00.000-07:00

(Photo: Reuters)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AFP) - – Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch will appeal against his conviction by Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes tribunal, which sentenced him to 30 years in jail, his defence lawyer said Tuesday.

Duch, whose real name is Kaing Guek Eav, was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the court on Monday in a ruling that has been hailed as a "historic milestone" in tackling impunity in the country.

He is the first Khmer Rouge cadre to face an international tribunal over crimes committed under the 1975-1979 hardline communist regime.

The 67-year-old was initially handed 35 years but the court reduced the jail sentence on the grounds that he had been detained illegally for years before the UN-backed tribunal was established.

"We will appeal against the (court's) decision," Duch's lawyer Kar Savuth told AFP by telephone, without elaborating.

Many survivors and relatives of victims were dismayed by the verdict, which also took into account the years Duch has served since his arrest in 1999, meaning that he could walk free in about 19 years.

"He only apologised to the judges. Duch didn't apologise to the victims," said Chum Mey, 79, one of the handful who survived the prison because his mechanical skills were put to use repairing sewing machines and water pumps.

Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Tuesday told reporters: "From my own point of view, not that of the government... the sentence is not suitable.

"Tens of thousands of people were tortured at Tuol Sleng and killed at Choeung Ek (a former orchard) -- it appears that the sentencing is too light."

But UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia Surya Subedi welcomed the verdict against Duch as a "historic milestone".

"I hope that this landmark conviction will serve as a catalyst for the government to address impunity and accelerate its legal and judicial reforms," Subedi said in a statement.

During his trial, Duch repeatedly apologised for overseeing the mass murder of 15,000 men, women and children at Tuol Sleng prison -- also known as S-21 -- but shocked the court in November by finally asking to be acquitted.

Kar Savuth in November said Duch wanted to be acquitted on the grounds that he was not a senior member of the Khmer Rouge hierarchy, while his other defence lawyer Francois Roux had argued for leniency based on his contrition.

Duch then sacked Roux for "loss of confidence", just weeks before a verdict.

Roux in November the about-face was a "bad surprise" and apparently linked to political interference in the trial, noting that premier Hun Sen -- himself a former Khmer Rouge cadre before turning against the movement -- had previously said he hoped the tribunal would fail.

Duch's appeal for release "calls into question Duch's plea of culpability, but also the competence of the court," the French lawyer told AFP at the time.

But after the verdict Roux, who is now head of the defence section for the UN special tribunal for Lebanon, said he hoped it helped reconciliation with Duch.

"I express my hopes that this trial, including the cooperation of the accused to justice, has provided an initial response to the Cambodian people about the tragedy he has lived," Roux said in a statement.

Prosecutors have said they are considering whether to appeal against the sentence. They had sought a 40-year prison term from the tribunal, which did not have the power to impose the death penalty.

But international co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley told AFP Tuesday he thought it was a "logical, well-reasoned judgment".

"You must recall that this is a man who actually acknowledged responsibility and pleaded guilty but still received a sentence of 35 years, which is actually on the high side as far as guilty pleas are concerned," Cayley said.

Led by "Brother Number One" Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge wiped out nearly a quarter of Cambodia's population through starvation, overwork and execution.

Sochua may yet be tipping point

2010-07-27T18:27:00.002-07:00

King Baby Hun

Sochua vs Sen

July 28, 2010
By A. Gaffar Peang-Meth
Pacific Daily News (Guam)

Supporters of Cambodian premier Hun Sen wished lawmaker Mu Sochua had been arrested and sent to rot in jail. Sochua's supporters cheered her refusal to pay court-ordered fines and the regime's backtracking from arresting Sochua by the July 15 deadline.

With Sochua free, they asserted, "justice has prevailed!"

But wait! A new round of Khmer political Ramvong has begun. Ramvong is a popular, slow-circle dance with men and women continuously moving in the same circle, with graceful hand movements and simple footwork, as long as the drumbeats continue.

It has been said that premier Sen bows to no man or law.

Counselors and therapists characterize similar behavior as a "king baby," a person who "wants what he wants and when he wants" and has insatiable thirst for control.

It was extraordinary for lawmaker Sochua, a woman in a male-dominated society, to declare at a press conference with her lawyer in April 2009 a defamation lawsuit against autocratic ruler Sen.

That Sen slammed Sochua with a counter-lawsuit for defaming him should have come as no surprise. The courts lacked the fortitude to deal justly with Sochua's suit and Sen ran the woman's lawyer out of court with threats.

The courts ruled that Sochua had until July 15 to pay the fines to Sen, for "mental damage," and fines to the state. Sochua's stance that she would go to jail rather than pay the fines for a crime she has never committed challenged the king baby.

I wrote earlier about the late Khmer pundit Krom Ngoy's advice, "Never to fight a woman." Some may be upset thinking I placed women in an "inferior" role, but I see a "woman" as one's grandmother, mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, one's own flesh and blood -- to be adored.

It must be a source of considerable frustration to Sen that Sochua never wavered from her stance: She has rights. But not even Sochua herself believed she would not be behind bars after July 15. Her husband had nudged her to pack a bag before Sen's police showed up.

Sochua's crisis gave life to a Cambodian women's grassroots network. The group raised funds to support one they view as a women's rights icon. The group asked Sochua's consent for it to pay the fines to keep her out of jail. No payment, replied Sochua.

The network grew into a movement, and it broke Khmer women's silence. A petition inside and outside the country calling for more rights from the Sen regime picked up speed. Fundraising brought money for the movement's activities to further promote women's rights and freedom of expression.

Washington invited Sochua to join in the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Cambodia relations.

It would take a regime in deep denial not to see what's happening. I wrote the societal tipping point described by Malcolm Gladwell might be in the making in Cambodia, and Sochua might just be Gladwell's "right kind of impetus" to the tipping point -- her cause is contagious. You don't need a July 14 storming of the Bastille to create big effects.

The sight of Sen's ruthless police arresting Sochua would have unleashed a series of reactions.

A tipping point is an action that leads to a door that opens many other doors. In Niccolo Machiavelli's words, "One change leaves the way open for the introduction of others."

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy chooses to remain in Paris facing Sen's jail threat; Sochua says she hates jail, but will fight those trampling her rights.

No king baby would find a woman's refusal to submit tolerable. His ego must be assuaged by a victim's suffering.

On July 15, Municipal Court Judge Chea Sok Heang wrote prosecutor Sok Roeun to ask the national assembly to impound Sochua's salary (as requested by Sen's lawyer, Ky Tech) to pay about $2,000 in compensation to Sen for causing mental damage.

On July 16, Roeun wrote Sochua that her "detention by force" was postponed; she needed time to compensate Sen. Both letters are available on the Internet.
Impounding Sochua's parliamentary salary ought to satisfy Sen's ego -- if Sochua agreed.

She doesn't. She said, "I do not agree to have my salary impounded. ... If my salary is taken without my agreement, it's a violation of my rights."

On July 16, Sochua told a press conference: "Today I would like to declare war, ... as a democrat, against the loss of morality and justice. I would like to tell people that the CPP must be held accountable before the nation."

And she thanked her financial contributors, but, no, she couldn't accept their funds to help pay the fines.

"Let the court take action," she said.

As Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said, "The police are waiting for the court's citation." Sochua's statement: "The Cambodian People Deserve an Independent Judiciary," reads: "I wish to make it clear that the decision of the Courts (to dock her salary), if carried out, will be against my will."

On July 19, the Phnom Penh Post reported CPP senior lawmaker Cheam Yeap, head of the national assembly's finance and banking commission, said the assembly may not be able to dock Sochua's salary without her consent. She could sue the assembly.

On July 20, the court ordered the national assembly's finance director to impound Sochua's salary.

Meanwhile Sochua told the nation that the "struggle for an independent judiciary begins now. ... Let's get to work!"

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.

Fighting for a regime that sends you begging in the street for survival?

2010-07-27T18:27:00.001-07:00

Former soldier Porn Pean, 48, who lost his left leg during a land mine explosion in 1986 near the Cambodia-Thailand border, counts money as he begs around the streets in Phnom Penh 27 July, 2010. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Like the regime dictator, Hun Xen's cops like to use violence against women workers

2010-07-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd protest outside their factory in Phnom Phenh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end a week-long strike over the suspension of a local union official. The placard (C) reads: "We all garment workers demand our representative to be back to work". REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Riot police try to force workers of PCCS Garments Ltd, who were protesting against the suspension of a local union official, back into their factory in Phnom Penh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with Cambodian riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end the week-long strike. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Riot police try to force workers of PCCS Garments Ltd, who were protesting against the suspension of a local union official, back into their factory in Phnom Penh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with Cambodian riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end the week-long strike. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Riot police try to force workers of PCCS Garments Ltd, who were protesting against the suspension of a local union official, back into their factory in Phnom Penh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with Cambodian riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end the week-long strike. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd protest outside their factory in Phnom Phenh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end a week-long strike over the suspension of a local union official. The placard reads: "Ty, the factory administrator, gave us permission to hold the strike inside the PCCS factory compound". REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd protest at their factory in Phnom Phenh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end a week-long strike over the suspension of a local union official. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd protest outside their factory in Phnom Phenh while a security personnel stands guard, July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end a week-long strike over the suspension of a local union official. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Riot police try to force workers of PCCS Garments Ltd, who were protesting against the suspension of a local union official, back into their factory in Phnom Penh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with Cambodian riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end the week-long strike. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd protest outside their factory in Phnom Phenh July 27, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end a week-long strike over the suspension of a local union official. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Thais protest against UNESCO temple listing [-The thieves claim they are robbed?]

2010-07-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of Thai nationalists led by a leader of the "yellow shirt" movement, Chamlong Srimuang (not pictured), gather outside the UNESCO office in Bangkok July 27, 2010, to voice opposition to Cambodia's plan to administer Preah Vihear Temple, an ancient border temple and a World Heritage Site. Some Thais said the plan would compromise Thailand's claim to land in a disputed border territory with Cambodia. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang
Hundreds of Thai nationalists led by a leader of the "yellow shirt" movement, Chamlong Srimuang (not pictured), gather outside the UNESCO office in Bangkok July 27, 2010, to voice opposition to Cambodia's plan to administer Preah Vihear Temple, an ancient border temple and a World Heritage Site. Some Thais said the plan would compromise Thailand's claim to land in a disputed border territory with Cambodia. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

Tue, 27 Jul 2010
DPA

Bangkok - Protestors in Bangkok Tuesday defied emergency law to campaign against the listing of the Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia as a World Heritage site.

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also known as yellow shirts, led some 700 followers to the UNESCO building to protest Cambodia's efforts to secure management control over temple despite an ongoing territorial dispute over land adjacent to the Hindu site.

The Preah Vihear demonstration brought traffic to a standstill on Sukhumvit Road, the main commuter artery between Bangkok's eastern suburbs and the inner city.

The protest was held in defiance of the government's emergency decree. It bans political gatherings of more than five people and allows authorities to make arrests without filing charges. The decree has been in place since anti-government protests in April.

More than 400 members of the red-shirt anti-government protestors, a movement opposed to the yellow shirts, who held protests in Bangkok between March and May, are currently in jail under the decree.

Police were not ordered to arrest Chamlong or his followers in front of the UNESCO building for violating the decree.

"We all know there are double standards in Thailand," said Police Senior Sergeant Kawiwong Yoryingyos, one of 300 officers sent to control the protest. In November 2008, the PAD led yellow-shirted followers to seize Bangkok's Don Muaeng and Suvarnabhumi airports.

Chamlong and other yellow-shirt leaders have yet to be fined or jailed for the incident, which sullied Thailand's reputation as a tourist destination and lost the country billions of dollars in income.

At the annual UNESCO meeting on heritage sites this week in Brazil, Cambodia is expected to win management control over the Preah Vehear temple and adjacent areas, a proposal Thailand is to oppose.

In July 2008, UNESCO named Preah Vehear a World Heritage Site, although Thailand first agreed to and then disputed the listing.

Then-foreign minister Noppodon Pattama, was forced to resign after he endorsed the listing in the face of widespread Thai opposition.

The 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, perched on a mountain range on the Thai-Cambodian border, has been the source of a sovereignty dispute between the two countries for decades.

The International Court of Justice in 1962 ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but failed to pass judgement on land adjacent to the complex, giving rise to ongoing disputes between the two countries that led to border clashes in late 2008.

Update on Mu Sochua court trial and Women's Movement

2010-07-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Today, Tuesday 27th July, a roundtable discussion was organized here in Phnom Penh by the Grassroot Cambodian Women Movement. Several women representatives including Mu Sochua along with garment workers, teachers, university students and political leaders were invited to discuss the future of the movement as well as the use of the fund raised within the context of her court trial (as now the fine will be taken directly from her parliamentary salary).

Speakers and the audience exchanged their views on the importance of strenghtening women's rights in Cambodia, especially through more proactive advocacy. Further, Mu Sochua and the movement proposed to use the money raised as a "Justice Fund" for women facing discrimination and unfair trials. This will be proposed to the various donor groups.

Additionally, a formal committee will be selected as representative of the movement, and elections held, this in the coming weeks.

Please find attached (below) the Joint Statement released by the movement, a Press Release by KI Media is available here.
--
Orkun neng kdey rick reay,
Best regards,

Khmer Citizens on behalf of the Grassroot Cambodian Women's Movement.

JOINT STATEMENT

CAMBODIAN WOMEN

“Supporting and Protecting Women Representatives”

We, a group of Khmer women citizens including human rights advocates, garment workers, sex workers, beer-promotion women, community members, motor-taxi drivers, university students, vendors, farmers, union members, teachers, government officials, and NGO representatives, believe in the potential that Cambodia has to become a great nation respecting equality and rights for all. However, we share an urgent concern regarding the respect of freedom of speech, human rights, and an equitable judicial system in our country.

The Grassroots Cambodian Women’s Movement was formed in view of serious concerns it holds regarding the criminal charges upheld against Member of Parliament H.E. Ms. Mu Sochua relating to the defamation of Prime Minister Hun Sen. On July 10th, 2010, the Movement organized a conference, entitled “Should Women Remain Silent?”, aimed at sharing and encouraging women's perspectives and solutions on their participation in politics as well as to raise support for H.E. Ms. Mu Sochua. A press conference was held later, on Wednesday July 14th, 2010, under the topic “Will H.E. Ms. Mu Sochua keep on her will?” and with the objective to support and protect women representatives, regardless of their political party. Throughout these meetings, we gave our physical and mental support whilst also discussing the importance of women participation in politics. Showing solidarity among us women is our way of expressing our freedom of expression as well as our strong willingness and support, and thereby increasing the protection of women's rights.

We would like to express our gratitude to H.E. Ms. Mu Sochua for her presence today, thereby showing her solidarity to our movement. This is to our national benefit, in particular in serving the needs of Cambodian women and in bringing social changes in justice, democracy, and peace.

However, earlier this month, a report was written and published by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights providing a legal analysis of the Cambodian courts within the context of H.E. Ms. Mu Sochua case. This report introduces and gives recommendations for reforming Cambodia's justice system. We support this initiative and we further call on the Royal Government of Cambodia to show strong commitment and take more visible responsibility in putting in practice the promotion of:

Women’s roles and participation in politics
Women’s rights
Freedom of expression
A fair judicial system

We believe in the need to promote Cambodia as a prosperous country fully respectful of democracy and encouraging women leaders at all levels, especially politics. Women leaders have the capacity to provide an important model and source of hope for all women - today and for generations to come. We pray the guardian spirits of our ancestors to help our respected nation to become a country where the judicial system truly respects justice and women's rights.

For more information please contact:

Ms. Chrek Sophea 092 293 257
Ms. Arun Reaksmey 012 236 653
Ms. Neang Sovathana 092 663 062 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 092 663 062

Mu Sochua accepts the collected money from the women movement … to serve the common interest of women in legal proceedings

2010-07-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

Mu Sochua during her meeting the women movement at the Baitong Restaurant (Photo: Kim Peou, RFA)

27 July 2010
By Kim Peou
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Mrs. Mu Sochua, a famous SRP MP, declared in the morning of 27 July that she will use the fund package collected by the women movement to serve the common interest of women in legal proceedings.

Mrs. Mu Sochua’s declaration took place during her meeting with students, farmers and various women networks which announced that, as of today, the funds they have collected from 4,141 donors amount to 13.8 million riels.

(Additional information are forthcoming)

Derisory sentence for Khmer Rouge killer highlights the impotence of liberalism

2010-07-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

Noam Chomsky

July 27th, 2010
By Gerald Warner
The Telegraph (UK)

The derisory sentence imposed upon a monster testifies to the institutionalised impotence of liberal-controlled societies confronted by evil. Former Cambodian prison governor Comrade Duch (real name Kaing Guek Eav), who under the Pol Pot regime murdered around 17,000 innocent people, besides employing electric shock torture and tearing out victims’ toenails, has been sentenced by a UN-sponsored court to a nominal 30 years in prison, of which he will actually serve 19. There are people in British prisons serving longer sentences for a fraction of the number of murders he committed.

The only penalty that could remotely have matched his crimes was death. In so-called “democratic” countries however, under the aegis of the EU and UN bien-pensant doctrines of clemency, capital punishment is deemed “barbaric”. That is why Western pseudo-civilisation is doomed to extinction at the hands of more ruthless elements. Sparing the life of a creature like Duch is not civilised, it is effete. It does not testify to our regard for the sanctity of human life, but to our rulers’ contempt for it.

A society that hangs a man for stealing a loaf of bread, as ours used to do, has disregard for the sanctity of human life; but a system that does not punish murder with death displays even more indifference to the rights of innocent life, giving sententious liberal cant precedence over the duty to testify to the value of life by insisting that murderers forfeit their own continued existence. Nor, as the inane liberal mantra intones, would it reduce us to the same level as murderers: that is claptrap.

Liberal democracy has consistently sent out a signal to its enemies that they may destroy it with impunity. The derisory number of executions in post-war Germany, after the mass murder of millions, signalled that genocide would be condemned verbally, rather than effectively punished. The crimes of the Soviet Union have never been punished: the last generation of lords of the Gulag is ruling Russia today, sometimes in public office, sometimes in crime syndicates. Between 1917 and 1990 Communism worldwide slaughtered more than 100 million people: how many of the perpetrators have been punished?

Then there is the fashion for international courts, valued as a step towards world government but wholly ineffectual in exacting retribution from mass murderers. The trial of the tiny number of Khmer Rouge leaders in captivity was delayed by years of wrangling over international jurisdictions. Similarly, Serbia should have been forced to try its own criminals, to prove to the world whether or not it had renounced its past and was genuinely fit to join the international community.

At present, a grand total of four senior Khmer Rouge tyrants are awaiting trial – for the murders of 1.7 million people. It is said that to arrest any more might provoke civil war: the population, apparently, would rise up en masse to demand a return to Communist rule. Or it might have something to do with the fact that Prime Minister Hun Sen is himself a former Khmer Rouge cadre. The Western media will now hail the pathetic sentence imposed on Comrade Duch in headlines such as “Justice catches up with Cambodian killer…” What justice? We have forgotten the meaning of the word.

By chance, I was in a British student union on the day in 1975 when the television news showed the red-scarfed Khmer Rouge marching into Phnom Penh, a spectacle greeted by undergraduates with cheers and much punching of the air. Those useful idiots now occupy key positions across our country. They were not the most senior apologists for the genocidal regime: the academic jacquerie led by such peddlers of delusion as Malcolm Caldwell at SOAS, Edward Herman, Laura Summers, Gareth Porter, George C Hildebrand and, above all, Noam Chomsky made a massive and largely effective effort to disguise the fate of Cambodia from the West.

Adulation of “Democratic Kampuchea” was de rigueur in academic circles: had not the regime’s leaders been educated at the Sorbonne? Porter and Hildebrand described Western criticism of the Khmer Rouge’s enforced evacuation of the cities of Cambodia as “an inexcusable distortion of reality”. Chomsky, writing in collaboration with Edward Herman as late as 1979, claimed that “the evacuation of Phnom Penh, widely denounced at the time and since for its undoubted brutality, may actually have saved many lives”.

Saving lives, as we know, was what the Khmer Rouge was all about. Chomsky, the progressive establishment’s leading comic singer and millionaire socialist, and his co-author claimed: “allegations of genocide are being used to whitewash Western imperialism…” George Orwell would have relished them. Meanwhile, the word continues to go out to the world’s totalitarian torturers and killers that they may pursue their crimes without fear of any future retribution. It will be different, of course, when we are under Sharia law.

Cambodian garment workers clash with police

2010-07-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Tue Jul 27, 2010
By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with Cambodian riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end a week-long strike over the suspension of a local union official.

More than 100 police, at least 50 in riot gear and carrying assault rifles, tried to force an estimated 3,000 female workers back into their factory, pushing several to the ground and stunning them with batons, a Reuters witness said.

The clashes were the latest setback for an industry that was badly hurt by the global economic slump from 2008 and more recently has been plagued by strikes over low pay and working conditions.

The factory on the outskirts of the capital, Phnom Penh, is owned by a Malaysian firm and produces garments for companies including Gap, Benetton, Adidas and Puma.

Srey Kimheng, a secretary-general of the Free Trade Union (FTU), told Reuters at least nine workers were injured when police with a court order tried to clear roads and force them back to work.

The demonstration was brought to an end, and union leaders were talking to the workers about calling off their action aimed at forcing the company to give the union official his job back.

Local police chief Mok Hong insisted there had been no injuries and told Reuters the operation had gone smoothly.

The sector, Cambodia's number three currency earner behind agriculture and tourism, shed almost 30,000 jobs in 2009 after a drop in sales to the United States and Europe.

Industry data showed the country exported garments, textiles and shoes to the value of $2.3 billion last year, down from $2.9 billion in 2008. More than half go to the United States.

An estimated 300,000 of Cambodia's 13.4 million people work in the garment manufacturing sector and send vital cash to impoverished rural villages where many people live on less than $1 a day.

(Additional reporting by Chor Sokunthea; Editing by Martin Pet

“He’s killed many people; why does he only get 19 years?”

2010-07-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

In a landmark ruling Monday, an UN-backed tribunal convicted a former Khmer Rouge official of war crimes and crimes against humanity. While the verdict was widely received as a triumph of international justice, many Cambodians were angered by a sentence they felt was far too lenient.

27 July 2010
By Jared Ferrie, Phnom Penh
Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Kain Guek Eav, better known by his nom de guerre, “Duch”, was sentenced to 35 years incarceration for overseeing a prison where as many as 17,000 people were tortured before being killed during the regime’s reign from 1975 to 1979. But judges at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) reduced that by 16 years, giving him credit for time served as well as his illegal detention in a Cambodian military prison before he was handed over to the tribunal.

Duch now has 19 years left to serve, raising the possibility that the 67-year-old could one day be released – a prospect that enraged victims of the regime who were hoping judges would sentence him to prison for the rest of his life.

“What is unacceptable is to envision him as a free man even for one minute in the public sphere. He should be receiving many life sentences,” said Theary Seng, whose family members were murdered by the regime, including an uncle who may have been tortured at Duch’s Tuol Sleng or S-21 prison.

Ms. Seng spoke to reporters outside the court in Phnom Penh, but Cambodians throughout the country had similar reactions after watching the judgment on television or listening on the radio. The Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam) held public screenings in seven provinces and organisers said many villagers reacted in shock to the verdict.

“Even 35 years, some people do not agree (with the sentence). They want to put Duch away for life,” said Sovanndany Kim, of DC-Cam, who spoke by telephone after a screening in Banteay Meanchey province.

She said villagers pointed out that a rapist in Cambodia is often sentenced to seven years, and asked about Duch: “He’s killed many people; why does he only get 19 years?”

Their concerns were seemingly underscored by a Phnom Penh municipal court ruling handed down the same day: a man convicted of drug trafficking was fined $10,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Others hailed the tribunal’s first verdict as a milestone for Cambodians who have waited three decades to bring to justice leaders of the regime that killed as many as 2 million people.

Heather Ryan, of the Open Society Justice Institute, which has been outspoken about alleged political interference and corruption at the tribunal, said the Duch trial proved to Cambodians that their leaders could not commit atrocities with impunity.

“In the long run I think that the recognition that the judgment gives to the suffering of people in Cambodia generally will be what is left as the legacy,” she said.

Prosecution lawyers also said they were satisfied with the verdict.

“The most important thing is that the judgment meets international standards of justice,” said deputy prosecutor William Smith, adding that his team would consider appealing for a stiffer sentence.

The prosecution had asked for 45 years, but judges granted a degree of leniency based on “mitigating factors” including Duch’s cooperation with the court, expressions of remorse and his admission of individual responsibility for crimes committed at S-21.

Under court rules, Duch has 30 days to file notice that he will appeal the verdict. His lawyer, Kar Savuth, told the Cambodia Daily newspaper that he plans to appeal.

Four more suspects have been charged with atrocities carried out under Khmer Rouge reign. Unlike Duch, they were members of the regime’s ruling clique. Some observers worry that they may not live to face justice, as all are elderly and have health problems. Court officials have indicated that their trial will begin sometime next year, but a specific date has not yet been announced.

Awaiting trial are: Nuon Chea (82) the highest-ranking Khmer Rouge leader still living; Ieng Sary (84) the regime’s foreign minister; Ieng Thirith (78) minister for social affairs and wife of Ieng Sary; and Khieu Samphan (77) who was head of state while the regime was in power.

Unesco receives [PAD Thai] protest note against temple listing

2010-07-27T01:07:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Nation

Protesters on Tuesday submit a protest note to UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) against Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear Temple as World Heritage Site.

The protest of about 1,000 people, in front of Unesco's Bangkok regional office started at 10am and was led by yellow shirts leaders; Chamlong Srimuang and Chaiwat Sinsuwongse. They vowed to stay on until 3pm.

The gathering has worsened the traffic congestion.

Chamlong said the protest is aimed at opposing Cambodia's listing of the temple as Unesco World Heritage Site and condemning the Unesco.

The ~~Hindu~~ Khmer temple near the Thai-Cambodian border was listed in July 2008 as a World Heritage Site, but Thailand has been lobbying member countries to delay Phnom Penh's management plan owing to disputes in areas adjacent to the temple.

The Thai authorities want Cambodia's management plan to be delayed until the border dispute is settled. Unsco's World Heritage panel is meeting in Brazil to discuss the list. Both countries have sent their ministers to the meeting.

The rally on Tuesday is an act in defiant of the state of emergency which has been imposed in Bangkok and other provinces.

Chamlong told reporters earlier that Thai patriots and he rallied because we are not certain that the government will succeed in opposing the temple administrative plan," Chamlong said.

[Pad Thai] Chamlong to rally on Preah Vihear despite emergency rule

2010-07-27T01:06:00.002-07:00

Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Nation

People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Chamlong Srimuang will today rally to oppose the Cambodian plan on administering Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage Site, which he deems in violation of Thai territorial integrity.

The rally is to take place at the Unesco's local office on Sukhumvit Road, an act in defiant of the state of emergency.

"Thai patriots and I will rally because we are not certain that the government will succeed in opposing the temple administrative plan," Chamlong said.

Who’s your daddy?

2010-07-27T01:06:00.001-07:00

Pen Sovann (Photo: AP)

Pen Sovann: I am the father of 02 December and 07 January

27 July 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Once again, Pen Sovann, the former prime minister of Cambodia at the beginning of the 80s and currently vice-president of the Human Rights Party, told his party members on Sunday that he was the one who led the army to liberate Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge regime. According to The Phnom Penh Post, Pen Sovann told about 200 HRP party members at the party headquarters that: “I am telling you that I am the father of 02 December and 07 January. I was the true president of the CPP.” He added: “I formed the People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK).” He said that when he formed the 1979 government, he nominated Heng Xamrin, the current president of the National Assembly, to the position of chairman of the council of the revolutionary people of Kampuchea, and Chea Xim, the current president of the Senate, to the position of minister of Interior. Pen Sovann was nominated as the PRK prime minister in 1981, but he was subsequently arrested [by Hun Xen] and jailed in Vietnam for 10 years because he opposed the Vietnamese leaders’ policy of sending Viet immigrants to settle in Cambodia, as well as other Viet plans.

Hun Xen visits Jurong Island

2010-07-27T01:03:00.000-07:00

Hun Xen's left eye looks kind of funny?
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (front) inspects an honour guard as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong walks behind him at the Istana in Singapore. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Jul 27, 2010
By Janice Heng
The Straits Times (Singapore)

CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen wrapped up his official visit to Singapore with a visit to Jurong Island on Tuesday morning.

He was also hosted to a golf game and lunch by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

This is Mr Hun Sen's first official visit to Singapore since 2000. On Monday, the Cambodian leader called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.

Both men reaffirmed their countries' close ties and agreed that both sides could explore new areas of cooperation, including tourism.

Mr Hun Sen also called on President SR Nathan and Mrs Nathan, visited the Marina Barrage, and attended a dinner hosted in his honour by PM Lee and his wife Ho Ching.

The official visit, which focused on economic ties, also saw Mr Hun Sen attending a luncheon hosted by Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang on Monday.

Addressing Singaporean businessmen at the event, Mr Hun Sen said Cambodia was eager to welcome investors from the Republic, and highlighted his government's efforts to encourage foreign investment.

Singapore's investments in Cambodia last year were US$278 million (S$378 million), an eight-fold increase from the year before.

Victims' reaction to Duch's verdict: RFA call in show

2010-07-27T01:02:00.002-07:00

Seng Theary (L) and RFA's Leng Maly (R)

Following Duch’s verdict, RFA organized a call-in talk show interviewing former victims of the KR regime.

Host:
Leng Maly, RFA

Guests:
Seng Theary
Vann Nath
Chum Mey
Lath Ky, facilitator for Adhoc
Hong Kim Suon, a lawyer in Case 001

Click here to listen to the audio program in Khmer (MP3)

How America is helping to whitewash the Cambodian genocide

2010-07-27T01:02:00.001-07:00

Accommodation ... accommodation: The US foreign policy with Cambodia's dictator?

Mock Trial

July 26, 2010
Stephen Morris
The New Republic (USA)

Yesterday, in Cambodia, a perpetrator of one of the twentieth century’s great crimes was sentenced. Kang Kek Iev, also known as Comrade Duch, was the head of the infamous Tuol Sleng prison during the reign of the Khmer Rouge, and was at least partly responsible for the murder of more than 12,000 people. Now he will serve 19 years in jail.

But, after the West spent nearly a hundred million dollars to create a tribunal in Cambodia, this is all we have to show for it, at least so far: a solitary conviction of a man who was involved in less than one percent of the 1.5 to 2 million murders that took place in the country from 1975 to 1978. No one knows for sure if the next phase of the tribunal—the trial of the four highest ranking Khmer Rouge leaders still alive—will occur in 2011, 2012, or even at all. Some of the accused are elderly and frail, and may die before their trial begins, as another arrested leader, Ta Mok, did in 2006.

Even if the other trials do go forward, it will be difficult to argue that justice has been served. Authority at the tribunal is divided between international and Cambodian officials, and the two sides cannot agree on how many people to prosecute. International prosecutors want to charge at least five more individuals for their role in the mass killings. But Cambodia’s current leader, Hun Sen, has said that he does not want any more trials, and the Cambodian team has argued against further indictments. Moreover, even if those additional trials were to take place, it would still leave the vast majority of the guilty unpunished. It took more than ten people to murder up to 2 million Cambodians. It is now certain that none of the thousands of lower-level murderers will ever stand trial.

How did the matter of justice in Cambodia go so badly awry? The answer begins with the fact that the current Cambodian regime is riddled with former members of the Khmer Rouge. But part of the fault also lies with the United States.

In December 1978, Vietnam, reacting to unprovoked attacks on its own territory and civilians, invaded Cambodia and deposed the Khmer Rouge regime headed by Pol Pot. The invaders installed a puppet regime that was staffed at the highest levels by former mid-level Khmer Rouge political and military cadres. The cadres had fled Cambodia to Vietnam not out of revulsion at the holocaust, but out of fear of Pol Pot’s executioners who were conducting purges. The new regime was led first by Heng Samrin and later by Hun Sen.

The Heng Samrin-Hun Sen government was obviously a substantial improvement over the Khmer Rouge, but it was still a brutal authoritarian regime. For the next 30 years, it would murder its political opponents and preside over a politicized and corrupt judiciary. It would open Cambodia to various criminal syndicates, including drug traffickers, human traffickers, and illegal loggers. And even after the Vietnamese ended their occupation of Cambodia in 1989, and Soviet aid dried up, the government would find ways to cling to power.

In 1991, Hun Sen reluctantly accepted a U.N. plan to occupy the country and pave the way for elections. Unfortunately, the United Nations was not prepared to use its 22,000-strong military and police contingents to enforce its written mandate. Discerning this, Hun Sen’s army and Pol Pot’s guerrillas refused to disarm. The non-communists won the May 1993 elections, despite the campaign of terror waged by both Hun Sen and Pol Pot. But the heavily armed Hun Sen was able to bully his way into an ostensible coalition government with the unarmed election winners—the non-communists, led by Prince Norodom Ranariddh. Four years later, Hun Sen ousted Ranariddh in a bloody coup, in which more than 100 non-communist political leaders and military officials were murdered.

Meanwhile, the Clinton State Department, at least at first, pursued a policy of engagement with Hun Sen, whose son was invited to attend West Point. Stability was the watchword of this policy. Following the 1997 coup, Clinton did impose a ten-year ban on U.S. government aid to Cambodia. But the Bush administration allowed the aid ban to lapse in 2007, and, more broadly, revived the policy of engagement. At one point, the administration invited then-Chief of National Police Hok Lundy—a known torturer, murderer, and human trafficker—to Washington to become a partner in the war on terror.

Hovering over Cambodian politics during all this time was the question of whether, and how, to prosecute the leaders of the Khmer Rouge holocaust. For two decades after taking power, the government did call for prosecution of Pol Pot’s circle. Yet it was noteworthy that the proposed targets of these prosecutions never included members of the new regime. For Hun Sen, the purpose of the tribunals was not justice; it was to delegitimize his armed opponents who were still holding out in remote rural areas.

In June 1997, Hun Sen and Ranariddh had signed a letter requesting U.N. assistance to establish a tribunal. And, even after ousting Ranariddh in a coup, Hun Sen continued to agree to a dominant role for the United Nations in the proposed tribunal. Meanwhile, a committee appointed by the U.N. Secretary General, noting Cambodia’s lack of a technically competent and politically independent judiciary, recommended that the tribunal be held in a foreign country and staffed by international judges and prosecutors.

By late 1998, however, Hun Sen had flipped his position. What had changed was Cambodian politics. During the mid-’90s, many of Pol Pot’s political and military commanders had defected with their units to the government side, where they were given a chance to share in the spoils of power. By 1997, the Pol Pot-led rump had begun to disintegrate in internal disputes. “Brother Number One,” Pol Pot, died in July 1998. When “Brother Number Two,” Nuon Chea, as well as the nominal president of the former regime, Khieu Samphan, defected in December 1998, the armed opposition to Hun Sen’s regime was finished. Suddenly, Hun Sen announced that it was time to “dig a hole and bury the past.” Within a matter of weeks, he told the United Nations that he no longer needed its help, and that any tribunal would be held in Cambodia under the country’s judicial processes.

In the end, the United States and the United Nations mostly backed down. They accepted Hun Sen’s demand that the tribunal be held in Cambodia. And John Kerry—whose interest in southeast Asian issues dated to his days as an antiwar activist—proposed a compromise under which a majority of judges would be Cambodian (though the international judges would have veto power should the Cambodians try to block indictments).

In theory, it might have worked, but in practice it has turned out to be disastrous. Hun Sen, whose government contains many former Khmer Rouge functionaries, remains reluctant to see many people put on trial. And because the trials are being conducted in Cambodia, with such heavy involvement by people who are appointed by Hun Sen’s government, it appears that he might just get his way.

No U.S. security interest is at stake in the events in Cambodia. The question of justice for this poor and ravaged nation remains significant only as a moral issue. Yet, perhaps because engagement, even with nasty regimes, has long been the default operating principle of the State Department, both the Clinton and Bush administrations were frequently content to cater to Hun Sen. Given that Barack Obama is preoccupied with so many other pressing issues, it seems unlikely that the United States—which is still helping to fund the tribunal—will reverse course anytime soon. And so, more than three decades after the end of the Cambodian killings, it is possible that yesterday’s sentencing of a sole murderer is all that the Khmer Rouge’s victims are going to get in the way of justice.

Stephen Morris is a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of Why Vietnam Invaded Cambodia.

[Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen] Smith hails Duch's 30-year sentence

2010-07-27T01:01:00.000-07:00

July 27, 2010
LLOYD JONES
AAP (Australia)

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has welcomed the decision of a Cambodian court to jail for 30 years one of the architects of atrocities carried out by the Khmer Rouge regime.

The UN-backed extraordinary court chamber in Phnom Penh on Monday sentenced former Khmer Rouge prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, to the 30-year sentence for the execution of about 15,000 people during Cambodia's "killing fields" era.

Mr Smith told reporters in Perth on Tuesday he welcomed the bringing to account of one of the principal architects of the Khmer Rouge regime atrocities for the first time,.

"Australia has supported Cambodia's return to democracy, we have supported financially the establishment and maintenance of the extraordinary chamber and we welcome, very much, the decision yesterday," he said.

Khmer Rouge prison boss 'likely' to appeal sentence

2010-07-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

Comrade Duch is unhappy? (Photo: Reuters)

27 July 2010
Radio New Zealand News

A Khmer Rouge prison boss found guilty of murder, torture and crimes against humanity is likely to appeal against his 35-year jail term.

A United Nations-backed tribunal on Monday jailed Kaing Guek Eav, known as Comrade Duch, in its first verdict on the Killing Fields revolution blamed for 1.7 million deaths in Cambodia three decades ago.

Duch has admitted overseeing the torture and deaths of up to 15,000 people in 1978. However, he will serve only 19 years after the court subtracted 16 years for time already served.

Former New Zealand governor-general Dame Silvia Cartwright was one of two international judges who, along with three Cambodian judges, decided Comrade Duch's fate.

Dame Silvia says one of Duch's lawyers argues that the Extraordinary Chamber of the Courts of Cambodia had no authority to conduct the trial.
Brother of NZ victim wants to meet Duch

New Zealander Rob Hamill says he wants to meet the man responsible for the prison where his brother was tortured and killed.

Kerry Hamill ended up in Duch's notorious Phnom Penh prison after the yacht he was sailing on with two friends strayed into Cambodian waters in 1978.

One of the men was shot immediately, but Mr Hamill and Briton John Dewhirst were tortured and interrogated at the prison for two months before they died.

Rob Hamill says he is waiting to hear if it is possible to meet Duch.

Australian Cambodians say 35-years for Duch 'not enough'

2010-07-26T22:14:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Connor Duffy, Phnom Penh
Australia Network News

Cambodians in Australia say a 35-year jail sentence given to a former Khymer Rouge prison chief, was not enough.

Kaing Guek Eav, otherwise known as Comrade Duch, was jailed by a court in Cambodia on Monday.

He ran the notorious S-21 prison, where more than 12,000 people were tortured.

The president of Victoria's Cambodian Association, Youhorn Chea, says Duch should have received a longer sentence.

"We believe that he must stay in prison for whole life," he said.

"Myself as a buddhist, I don't want to kill anyone, but we cannot forgive and forget about Comrade Duch."

International and Cambodian judges sentenced Comrade Duch to 35 years in jail, but the judges reduced the term to 30 years because Duch was held illegally in prison by the Cambodian military.

He has already served 11 years in jail and that time will count towards the sentence.

Duch is the first of five surviving Khmer Rouge leaders to face trial at the court for atrocities committed during the late 1970s' regime. ill anyone, but we cannot forgive and forget about Comrade Duch."

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Cambodian visitors! By the way, it used to belong to your ancestors

2010-07-26T22:13:00.001-07:00

Cambodian visitors drawn to tourism industry

July, 27 2010
VNA (Hanoi)

With the aim of serving 4.5 million foreign tourists in 2010, the tourism industry is giving priority to the top ten markets boasting the highest numbers of visitors to Vietnam, including Cambodia.

Statistics released by the General Statistics Office show the number of Cambodian holidaymakers to Vietnam grew steadily during the first six months of the year, reaching 117,000, a year-on-year rise of 36 percent.

The tourism sector predicts the number of Cambodian tourists would surge by 30 percent in 2010 from 118,000 last year.

Ho Chi Minh City leads the nation in terms of attracting Cambodian visitors, making up 60-70 percent of the total number, followed by the Central Highland province of Lam Dong, the Mekong Delta province of An Giang and the southern province of Binh Duong.

Industry insiders said visa exemptions, high quality goods, attractive tourist destinations and convenient travel are the main factors after an increasing number of holidaymakers from Cambodia.

Transport firms such as Mai Linh and the Saigon Passenger Transportation Company (Sapaco) have highly valued the development of tourist transport services between the two neighbours. Every day, almost 80 bus trips full of passengers operate on the route.

In a recent interview, the Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, He So Somara, said Cambodians used to prefer travelling to Thailand, but now they choose Vietnam for their holidays due to short distance, the availability of border gates, similar foods, low expenses, and diverse tourism forms, including resort and health tourism.

Dr Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City-based Medic centre, said an average of more than 100 Cambodian patients have come to the centre for medical checks-up each day, accounting for 10 percent of the total number. Other hospitals such as Cho Ray, Traditional Medicine and Vu Anh have become popular destinations of Cambodians.

What the Viet couldn't achieve thru armed invasion, they are now doing with money and the CPP's help

2010-07-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

VN businesses increase interest in Cambodia

July, 27 2010
VNS (Hanoi)

HA NOI — In the past year ,Vietnamese business groups have revved up investment in Cambodia and actively contributed to the country's social security programmes, said the Association of Vietnamese Investors in Cambodia (AVIC).
At a review meeting in Siem Reap on Sunday, AVIC said Viet Nam had become the third largest foreign investor in Cambodia, after China and the Republic of Korea.

Addressing the meeting, Tran Bac Ha, general director of the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), which helped pave the way for Vietnamese businesses to set up representative offices in Cambodia, said Vietnamese investment to Cambodia had grown rapidly in the past year. Vietnamese businesses were granted licences for 63 projects with a combined investment capital of US$900 million.

Various Vietnamese economic groups and corporations have entered the Cambodian market, investing in different areas including telecommunications, finance and banking, air transport, agriculture, light industry, rubber and industrial tree planting, mining, energy and healthcare.

Aside from trade and investment activities, Vietnamese businesses have also pledged $6 million in funding to local social welfare schemes.

As part of the move to promote Vietnamese investment in the country, the Bank for Investment and Development of Cambodia (BIDC), a Cambodia-based affiliate of BIDV, opened a new branch in Siem Reap.

The BIDC earlier set up branches in HCM City and Phnom Penh in order to create a link between the financial markets of Cambodia and Viet Nam, and provide financial service packages for Vietnamese enterprises wishing to invest in Cambodia.

Vietnamese investors in Cambodia include the Viet Nam Military Telecom Corporation (Viettel), BIDV, the Viet Nam Coal and Minerals Corporation (Vinacomin), Viet Nam Airlines and Hoang Anh Gia Lai group.

Anger in Cambodia follows Khmer Rouge sentence

2010-07-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

07/26/2010
By Seth Mydans
New York Times

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — For 30 years since the brutal Khmer Rouge regime was driven from power, Cambodians have lived with unresolved trauma, with skulls and bones from some killing fields still lying in the open and with parents hiding the pain of their past from their children.

Monday, Cambodia took a significant step toward addressing its harsh past with the first conviction of a major Khmer Rouge figure in connection with the deaths of 1.7 million people from 1975 to 1979.

But some survivors were distraught over what they saw as a lenient sentence, one that could allow the defendant — Kaing Guek Eav, 67, the commandant of the central Khmer Rouge prison and torture house — to possibly walk free one day, despite being convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity for overseeing the torture and killing of more than 14,000 people.

A U.N.-backed court sentenced the commandant, known as Duch, to 35 years in prison, a term that was reduced to 19 years because of time already served and in compensation for a period of illegal military detention. His term could be reduced for good behavior.

One of the few survivors of Duch's prison shouted in agitation in the muddy courtyard outside the tribunal building. "I am not satisfied!" cried the survivor, Chum Mey, 79, who had testified in excruciating detail about his 12 days of torture. "We are victims two times, once in the Khmer Rouge time and now once again."

"His prison is comfortable, with air conditioning, food three times a day, fans and everything," he said. "I sat on the floor with filth and excrement all around."

It was the first time in Cambodia's modern history that a senior government official had been made accountable for serious human rights violations and the first time such a trial had been held that met international standards of justice.

The verdict took into account mitigating circumstances, which a court spokesman, Lars Olsen, said included Duch's cooperation, his admission of responsibility and limited expressions of remorse, the coercive environment of the Khmer Rouge period and the possibility of his rehabilitation.

There is no death penalty in Cambodia. Prosecutors had sought a 40-year sentence, but many people had said they would accept nothing less than a life sentence for the man who presided over the Tuol Sleng prison, where people were tortured for confessions and then trucked to killing fields.

"People lost their relatives — their wives, their husbands, their sons and daughters — and they won't be able to spend any time with any of them because they are dead now," said Nina You, 40, who works for a private development agency. "So why should he be able to get out in 19 years and spend time with his grandchildren?"

But Huy Vannak, a TV news director, said it was enough simply to have justice in a court, 30 years after the killing stopped. No sentence could measure up to the atrocities Duch committed, he said.

"Even if we chop him up into 2 million pieces it will not bring our family members back," he said. "We have to move on now."

Others still needed more time. Sopheap Pich, 29, a sculptor, said, "Actually, I'm kind of shaking inside at the moment. I'm not sure how I should feel. I'm not happy, not sad, just kind of numb."

For its symbolism, he said, a life sentence would seem most appropriate. "To come up with a number doesn't seem to make sense," he said. "I'm not sure how you come up with a number."

CCHR Press Release in Khmer - The Duch Trial, A Good Example for the Cambodian Courts

2010-07-26T22:10:00.002-07:00

Click on the press release in Khmer to zoom in

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: From S21 to the Killing Field

2010-07-26T22:10:00.001-07:00

Click on the cartoon to zoom in

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