Thomson Reuters' map has shrunk Cambodian territory by 4,515 sq. km

By Khmerization
Source: Kampuchea Thmey

The Cambodian government is furious that Thomson Reuters Foundation, an international news service, had shrunk Cambodia's land mass by 4,515 sq. kilometres, reports Kampuchea Thmey.

Thomson Reuters Foundation had listed in its official website the total Cambodian territory as 176,520 sq. kilometres, instead of the official total area of 181,035 sq. kilometres recorded in all official documents.

The Cambodian Council of Ministers (CoM) had written a letter since 12th April requesting Thomson Reuters for a correction, but up until now it said it had not received any correspondences from Thomson Reuters yet.

Mr. Tith Sothea, spokesman for the CoM's Press and Quick Reaction Unit, said the Cambodian government had requested Thomson Reuters to correct the mistake as a matter of urgency. However, up until now the CoM had not received any official reply from Thomson Reuters yet, he said.

During the 22nd SEA Games hosted by Vietnam in Hanoi in 2003, the Games official website listed Cambodia's total area as 176,520 sq. kilometres. The website only change Cambodia's land mass to 181,035 sq. km after Khmer overseas strongly protested.

READ MORE - Thomson Reuters' map has shrunk Cambodian territory by 4,515 sq. km

Foreign war reporters arrived in Cambodia

Foreign and local reporters taking notes in Cambodia during the 70s (Photo: DC-Cam)

20 April 2010
By Leang Delux
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

As planned, foreign reporters who survived the war in Cambodia at the beginning of the 70s have returned back to Cambodia to commemorate their colleagues who died or disappeared between 1970 and 1975.

27 veteran reporters have arrived in Cambodia. They will be greeted by Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information during a dinner meeting. Now, all these reporters are in their 60s or older. The majority of them are US citizens, followed by Australians, and Brits. All of them are reporters for major news agencies in the world, such as AP, Reuters, UPI, the Washington Post, Newsweek etc…

This gathering will span over a period of 4 days, starting form Tuesday afternoon. They will meet with Cambodian reporters during dinner. There will be 3 main events that will take place on Thursday 22 April: in the morning, they will be taken to Wat Po Pagoda, located in Borset district, Kampong Speu province. The Wat Po area was the location where 9 reporters were ambushed and killed by Pol Pot soldiers on 31 May 1970. Therefore, at this pagoda, the reporters will pay respect to the memory of their fallen colleagues there.

In the afternoon of the same day, they will return back to Phnom Penh to hold the second major event: paying respect to the memory of all reporters who died or disappeared between 1970 and 1975. This major event will be held at the park located in front of Le Royal Hotel where a stupa will be built to commemorate these reporters. The stupa will be built there because these reporters used to meet each other at that location in the beginning of the 70s.

The 3rd major event will take place in the evening of 22 April: it will be discussion forum among the reporters’ community and the exposition of old photos showing the activities of reporters during the 70s war.

Furthermore, for the majority of reporters who never returned back to Cambodia after their stint in the 70s, they will be taken to visit the Tuol Sleng museum, the Choeung Ek memorial and the royal palace.

Regarding the goal of the meeting with these foreign reporters, Khieu Kanharith said that it is only held to allow the opportunity for current reporters to meet with old reporters and to connect with each other. However, it will also allow these old reporters to have the opportunity to see Cambodia’s current situation which is quite different from what it used to be in the 70s.

READ MORE - Foreign war reporters arrived in Cambodia

Hang Chakra to maintain his stance

Hang Chakra, Editor-in-chief of The Khmer Machas Srok newspaper

19 April 2010
Free Press Magazine online
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Hang Chakra, the Editor-in-chief of the Khmer Machas Srok newspaper who was released from jail on 13 April, i.e. just ahead of the Cambodian New Year celebration, declared that the he will continue to maintain his original conscience in the criticism of the government.

Yesterday, Hang Chakra declared that he will thrive to publish The Khmer Machas Srok newspaper by next week after its publication was suspended since the beginning of April due to financial issue, and he said that he will continue to criticize the government in order to push for progress in national development and to fight against corruption.

At the same time, Hang Chakra denied the rumors claiming that he joined the CPP and that he will stop criticizing the government. Hang Chakra said: “There is no institution that can pressure me to change my conscience when I am using my own funds to publish my newspaper, and when my newspaper is still alive through the support of the readers.”

Nevertheless, prior to his pardon, Hang Chakra wrote a letter of apology to Hun Xen, and he promised that, should he be released, he will not write any article pointing to corruption without proof.

READ MORE - Hang Chakra to maintain his stance

Thai troops still refused to withdraw from Phnom Trop

Monday, 19 April 2010
By Khmerization
Source: RFI

14 Thai troops who moved in to occupy a strip of Phnom Trop Mountain on Friday, the 16th, had steadfastly refused to withdraw from the area, despite strong protest from Cambodian troops, reports Radio France Internationale.

Those 14 Thai troops had sneaked in to occupy the area when Cambodian troops were preparing to celebrate the Khmer New Year.

Gen. Chum Socheat, spokesman for the Cambodian Defence Ministry, said local commanders from both sides were holding talks, but up to Sunday afternoon those Thai troops still refused to withdraw. Local Cambodian commanders said they will resolve the issue locally first before sending the case to the national level. Gen. Chum Socheat said those 14 Thai soldiers said they are ready to withdraw if given orders by their top commanders. However, experience in the past show that this is just a ploy, he said.

On another development, the situation at O'Smach has eased after two heavy firefights on Saturday between Cambodian troops and about 20 Thai troops. According to the Bangkok Post, the situations had eased because Cambodian troops agreed to withdraw from the "disputed area".

On Saturday, 17th, two clashes occurred near O'Smach border town in Oddar Meanchey province. Some Thai soldiers are suspected to be wounded or killed because after the clashes, Cambodian soldiers had found two riffles, a helmet with blood stains, a two-way radio and a knapsack containing many rounds of bullets were left behind. However, the Thai military said all their soldiers have been all accounted for and that its side had not suffered any casualty.

READ MORE - Thai troops still refused to withdraw from Phnom Trop

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: ASEAN

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

READ MORE - Sacrava's Political Cartoon: ASEAN

579 dead and injured from traffic accidents during New Year

19 April 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The number of traffic accidents during the 2010 Cambodian New Year in the entire country is increasing when compared to 2009: the number of injured people is increasing whereas the number of deaths decreased. General Him Yan, director of the police department for the ministry of Interior, told Koh Santepheap newspaper that during the New Year, i.e. between 13 and 17 April 2010, in the entire country, there were 254 accidents causing 49 deaths, 296 people sustained severe injuries and 234 people sustained light injuries. In comparison to 2009, the number of accidents and the number of people injured have increased, but the number of death from traffic accidents decreased. In 2009, there were 240 accidents causing 52 deaths, 233 people sustaining severe injuries and 224 sustaining light injuries. The majority of the accidents occurred from speeding.

READ MORE - 579 dead and injured from traffic accidents during New Year

Thai troops still refused to withdraw from Phnom Trop

Monday, 19 April 2010
By Khmerization
Source: RFI

14 Thai troops who moved in to occupy a strip of Phnom Trop Mountain on Friday, the 16th, had steadfastly refused to withdraw from the area, despite strong protest from Cambodian troops, reports Radio France Internationale.

Those 14 Thai troops had sneaked in to occupy the area when Cambodian troops were preparing to celebrate the Khmer New Year.

Gen. Chum Socheat, spokesman for the Cambodian Defence Ministry, said local commanders from both sides were holding talks, but up to Sunday afternoon those Thai troops still refused to withdraw. Local Cambodian commanders said they will resolve the issue locally first before sending the case to the national level. Gen. Chum Socheat said those 14 Thai soldiers said they are ready to withdraw if given orders by their top commanders. However, experience in the past show that this is just a ploy, he said.

On another development, the situation at O'Smach has eased after two heavy firefights on Saturday between Cambodian troops and about 20 Thai troops. According to the Bangkok Post, the situations had eased because Cambodian troops agreed to withdraw from the "disputed area".

On Saturday, 17th, two clashes occurred near O'Smach border town in Oddar Meanchey province. Some Thai soldiers are suspected to be wounded or killed because after the clashes, Cambodian soldiers had found two riffles, a helmet with blood stains, a two-way radio and a knapsack containing many rounds of bullets were left behind. However, the Thai military said all their soldiers have been all accounted for and that its side had not suffered any casualty.

READ MORE - Thai troops still refused to withdraw from Phnom Trop

579 dead and injured from traffic accidents during New Year

19 April 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The number of traffic accidents during the 2010 Cambodian New Year in the entire country is increasing when compared to 2009: the number of injured people is increasing whereas the number of deaths decreased. General Him Yan, director of the police department for the ministry of Interior, told Koh Santepheap newspaper that during the New Year, i.e. between 13 and 17 April 2010, in the entire country, there were 254 accidents causing 49 deaths, 296 people sustained severe injuries and 234 people sustained light injuries. In comparison to 2009, the number of accidents and the number of people injured have increased, but the number of death from traffic accidents decreased. In 2009, there were 240 accidents causing 52 deaths, 233 people sustaining severe injuries and 224 sustaining light injuries. The majority of the accidents occurred from speeding.

READ MORE - 579 dead and injured from traffic accidents during New Year

The fall-out of the Thai political crisis

Monday April 19, 2010
By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN
The Nation/ANN

Quite a few countries wanted a strong statement from the chair to express concern about the current conditions in Thailand but Vietnam, as the Asean chair, refused to do so.

The ongoing political conflict on Bangkok’s streets and the bloody clashes on April 10 have already rattled the nerves of Asean leaders as they ponder their grouping’s future political landscape.

Last week, Vietnam was quick in wanting to issue a statement on behalf of Asean on the violence. On the same day, Cambodia immediately stepped in, calling for a special Asean summit to discuss the crisis in its eastern neighbour – unprecedented moves. Both plans were aborted.

Naturally, Thailand blocked the chair’s statement. Bangkok felt it was not necessary as the Abhisit government is still in power and continues to handle the crisis in a transparent manner.

Most importantly, Thailand is an open society and the local and foreign media are free to report on the unfolding events on a daily basis. In responding to numerous enquiries, the government reiterated the non-use of forces during the confrontation.

Finally, Vietnam, on it own issued a short statement saying:

“As a neighbouring country of Thailand, a member of Asean and concurrently the chair of Asean, Vietnam follows with great attention the current complicated developments in Thailand. Vietnam wants to see the parties concerned exercise restraint, refrain from violence, and peacefully settle issues through dialogue so as to bring about early stability for Thailand.”

That much was clear.

Within hours, Vietnam also responded to Phnom Penh’s request with a short and crispy message: it is not practical to have such a summit.

Putting the two diplomatic moves together, one wonders the reasons why Vietnam and Cambodia were so eager to highlight the Thai political uncertainty.

Throughout the political quagmire in Myanmar, since its admission in 1997, the two members have yet to play any pro-active role at all.

For instance, at the Hanoi summit, the Asean leaders discussed the situation inside Myanmar, especially the upcoming farcical election. Quite a few countries, including Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, wanted a strong statement from the chair to express “concern” about the current conditions there. But Vietnam as the Asean chair refused to do so.

Therefore, the final statement by the chair contained the lowest denominator of Asean’s positions on Myanmar in a decade.

The statement “underscored” the importance of national reconciliation in Myanmar and the holding of a general election in a free, fair and inclusive manner.

The previous Asean chair’s statement on Myanmar included the call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners (2003).

During the bloodshed in September 2007, Asean expressed revulsion at the violence in Myanmar and the use of weapons in the crackdown against monks and students.

At the Hanoi summit, the leaders told Myanmar that Asean was ready to share its electoral experience to help the country; they could also send observers. But there was no response from Myanmar.

Deep down, Asean would like to see Mynamar carry out a decent election that is acceptable internationally as it would be a boon to the grouping’s credibility as a whole. For the past 13 years, Asean has been suffocating from the family’s rogue member, who is not willing to listen or consider opinions and requests of peers.

Last October, Vietnam and Cambodia (along with Laos and Brunei) did not back Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s initiative calling for the pardon and release of Aung San Suu Kyi. After months of lobbying, the planned joint Asean appeal finally fumbled.

Obviously as the Asean chair, Hanoi can take an initiative to reflect on any issue as it sees fit. It must be noted that most of the past Asean joint statements made were mainly on common crisis such as food security, financial crisis and recovery, pandemics, among others.

Such is the dilemma of the 43-year-old rule-based organisation. Political division remains as stark as ever. South-East Asia, now under a single Asean roof, remains the world’s only region that comprises all forms of political systems. They range from absolute to constitutional monarchies, one-party dictatorship to one-party cronyism including various shades of socialism-cum-capitalism.

Whenever a consensus is needed, Asean members take an extraordinary amount of time to decide, especially on sensitive issues.

Amid all these inconsistencies within Asean, there is one bright spot – Indonesia’s democracy, and its further consolidation. The New York-based Freedom House picked Indonesia as the only free country in the region.

On the day Vietnam rejected Cambodia’s request for a summit on the Thai crisis, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was speaking in front of an international gathering of the Sixth Assembly of World Movement for Democracy with over 600 participants from 110 countries in a downtown hotel. It was a vote of confidence for the 12-year-old democracy, the world’s third largest.

In his keynote speech, Susilo declared proudly that democracy in Indonesia is irreversible and a daily fact of life. The home-grown democracy in his country, the president reiterated, showed that democracy and economic development can go hand in hand as it was no longer a zero-sum game.

With the third highest economic growth among G-20 countries, after China and India, Indonesia is confident that its democratic development is on the right track.

Susilo pointed out that the desire to get rid of corruption, collusion and nepotism came wholly from within.

Thailand’s democracy, despite its long 78-year history, is still not taking root and the Philippines continues to struggle to find its own democratic formula.

The Filipino public are hoping that the next election would enable a respectable leader offering good governance to emerge. Just imagine the implications on the Asean political landscape if Thailand and the Philippines overcome their political instability and attain a certain degree of democratic maturity.

Together with Indonesia, they would represent nearly 70% of the Asean population of 595 million. It could be a new benchmark.

It is extremely significant that Jakarta is taking up the Asean chair next year, changing places with Brunei.

First of all, Indonesia’s chair automatically pre-empts Myanmar from resuming its skipped chair in 2005.

The earlier fear was that after the scheduled election and a new government in Myanmar this year, the regime might request Asean to return its chair.

For 2012, Cambodia has already reaffirmed that it would surely stick to the original schedule as the general election is slated for 2013.

Finally, this would allow the grouping’s biggest member to pursue its broad global agenda as the Asean chair. It remains to be seen how Indonesia can balance its global and regional roles.

Jakarta has told Asean that as a member of G-20 it would not be able to speak for Asean, but it can convey the Asean input. Susilo’s second five-year term would witness Indonesia’s enthusiasm on issues pertaining to democracy, international peace-keeping and building, climate change, responsibility to protect and the anti-terrorism campaign.

If Jakarta succeeds, the prestige of Asean will be further augmented worldwide.

READ MORE - The fall-out of the Thai political crisis

Thai troops on Bangkok streets to protect financial hub

04/19/2010
Agence France-Presse

BANGKOK, Thailand—Hundreds of Thai troops, many of them armed, were deployed on the streets of Bangkok early Monday to protect the city's financial heart from anti-government rallies, witnesses said.

AFP reporters saw military and riot police station themselves in the central financial district, known as Silom, close to the Reds' current rally base in the capital's commercial heartland.

"There are several units currently armed to prevent themselves from attacks from terrorists who are hiding among protesters," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

A soldier, asking not to be named, said the troops were there to block the Reds if they came up Silom Road. "We will not attack them, we are blocking them," he told AFP.

The security personnel had stacked uncoiled barbed wire at the roadside. Many were seen armed with assault rifles and shotguns while some had only riot shields.

The Reds began their demonstration demanding immediate elections more than a month ago, and it remained largely peaceful until a failed army crackdown nine days ago led to clashes that left 25 people dead and more than 800 injured.

The government has asked the police's special investigation unit to probe the bloodshed, blaming "terrorists" for inciting violence.

Embattled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva handed broader powers to his army chief Anupong Paojinda Friday after a bungled operation to arrest senior protesters.

READ MORE - Thai troops on Bangkok streets to protect financial hub