Chairman of Cambodian parliament told chairman of Thai parliament to withdraw troops from Cambodian territories

Mr. Heng Samrin, the chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly, has told the visiting chairman of the Thai parliament to tell the Thai government to withdraw Thai troops from the Cambodian territories.

Mr. Chai Chidchob (pictured), the chairman of the Thai parliament, is on a two-day visit to Cambodia from 23rd to 24th July where he had met King Sihamoni, National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin, Senate President Chea Sim and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Mr. Korm Kosal, advisor Mr. Heng Samrin, told reporters that during the meeting between Mr. Heng Samrin and Mr. Chai Chidchob on the afternoon of Thursday 23rd, Mr. Heng Samrin told Mr. Chai to withdraw Thai troops from Cambodian territories. In response, Mr. Chai promised told convey the message to the Thai government.

Mr. Chai Chidchob (L) greeted Mr. Heng Samrin on his arrival for the meeting at Parliament House.

But during a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen on the same afternoon, the subject of Thai troop withdrawals have not been brought up. Mr. Ieng Sophalleth, spokesman for Prime Minister Hun Sen, told reporters that the pair only discussed about easing the military tensions along the borders. Mr. Sophalleth quoted Mr. Chi Chidchob as saying: "The Thai government will make efforts to ease the military tensions along the Khmer-Thai borders and he also proposed for strengthening of good cooperations between the two countries."

Mr. Sophalleth also quoted Mr. Hun Sen as responding that Cambodia will also make great efforts to avoid armed clashes along the borders.

At the same time as leaders from the two countries are discussing about easing border tensions, news from Preah Vihear indicated that the Thai military had sent more weaponry and troop reinforcements to Hill 500 while the Cambodian military responded by sending more troops to the area as well. The situations have been tense in the area.

Mr. Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, told reporters that what Cambodia wants to see is the Thai parliament ratifying all agreements about border delimitation and demarcations signed by the Thai parliament. He said in the spirit of the agreements Thailand should have withdrawn its troops a long time ago.

Mr. Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association who had staged severals protests against Thai violations of Cambodian territories, said he is unable to organise a protest this time because he is on mission to the provinces.

READ MORE - Chairman of Cambodian parliament told chairman of Thai parliament to withdraw troops from Cambodian territories

Workshop and Exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", in Kamport province

Villagers look at a painting by artist Chan Pisey about the Khmer Rouge genocide during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Artist Vann Nath (2nd L), a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, explains a painting to villagers during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Villagers look at a painting by artist Vann Nath, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Artist Chan Pisey explains her painting about the Khmer Rouge genocide to villagers during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Villagers visit an exhibition titled "The Art of Survival" by artist Vann Nath, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Artist Vann Nath, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, explains a painting to villagers during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Artist Vann Nath (2nd R), a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, speaks to Cambodian Buddhist monks during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", at a pagoda in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea



A Cambodian Buddhist monk draws a picture depicting the arrest of a Cambodian civilian by Khmer Rouge soldiers, during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", at a pagoda in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Artist Vann Nath, who spoke at the workshop, was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Artist Vann Nath (R), a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, gives drawing tips to a villager during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", at a pagoda in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea


Artist Vann Nath (L), a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, speaks during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", at a pagoda in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Artist Vann Nath (L), a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, gives drawing tips to Cambodian Buddhist monks during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", at a pagoda in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Artist Vann Nath (C), a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, gives drawing tips to young artists during an art workshop and exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", at a pagoda in Kamport province, 146 km (91 miles) west of Phnom Penh, July 25, 2009. Nath was detained during the regime at the S-21 interrogation centre, where more than 14,000 people died, and said his life was only spared because chief torturer Duch liked his paintings of "Brother Number One", Pol Pot.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

READ MORE - Workshop and Exhibition project titled "The Art of Survival", in Kamport province

To List or Not to List?

The ancient city of Dresden, a delicate baroque confection lovingly reconstructed after the Second World War, has thrilled visitors with its skyline, best viewed from the banks of the River Elbe. Not for much longer. To the outrage of conservationists, work is underway on a new bridge to carry a four-lane highway across the valley, marring the vista forever. In a potent gesture of protest, UNESCO recently stripped the city of its status as a World Heritage site.

Some might consider that a harsh penalty. After all, the World Heritage ranking placed Dresden alongside the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal as a monument of "outstanding universal value." But to the locals, ridding the city of choking traffic was more important than any accolade. In two referendums, they supported the bridge plan. As city councilor Jan Mücke said, "In a democracy, we cannot have a dictatorship of a minority that, acting out of esthetic grounds, thinks they know more than the overwhelming majority of citizens."

World Heritage status sure isn't what it used to be. Plenty of countries still strive to earn a place on UNESCO's list and reap the benefits of the tourism boom that normally follows, but some are beginning to question the honor's long-term value. In the developed world, there's sometimes resentment at outside interference; elsewhere there's deepening concern that the scheme, intended to preserve the world's greatest treasures, may actually be contributing to their demise. Underfunded and armed with little more than moral authority, UNESCO can't do much to help the swelling number of sites—the tally now approaches 900—it singles out for distinction. "Among conservationists there is sometimes a feeling that if conservation is the goal, then we should leave these places alone," says Peter Fowler, a British archeologist who has worked with UNESCO.

Trouble is, conservation is not always the goal. For national governments and local traders, a World Heritage listing represents a marketing tool that can turn obscure sites into must-see destinations. The repercussions are hard to prevent. In the ancient western Chinese city of Lijiang, the number of annual visitors climbed from 1.7 million to 4.6 million in the 10 years since it was listed in 1997. In the words of a UNESCO mission last year, "Commercial interests have driven measures to facilitate large numbers of tourists, compromising the authentic heritage values which attracted visitors to the property in the first place.''

The same is true of Angkor Wat, the vast temple complex that is now Cambodia's leading tourist draw. Since the site gained World Heritage status in 1992, the number of visitors has leapt from fewer than 10,000 to more than 1 million a year. Now a sprawling town has grown up to serve the hordes of tourists that arrive daily. Worse, local hotels have been extracting water from underground reserves, threatening to undermine the temples themselves. "Being a World Heritage site can contribute [to visitor numbers] between 10 times and 500 times over five years," says Jeff Morgan of the World Heritage Fund. "Instead of a small paragraph in Frommer's, it suddenly gets three pages. And if a site is not ready, you can get thousands of people crawling over it."

There is no question that UNESCO can exert a positive influence. The organization can be "discreetly effective" in preventing the worst depredations, says Francesco Bandarin, director of the Paris-based World Heritage Center, which runs the list. If the Great Pyramids of Giza can be seen against the sunset without a highway marring the view, tourists can thank pressure from UNESCO. Still, Bandarin concedes, "We can provide one more layer of protection, but it's far from perfect."

Resources are severely stretched. The World Heritage Center employs fewer than 100 people, and its annual revenue of some $20 million, including donations, leave nothing to help poor countries struggling to save sites. "It needs 10 times as much money," says Morgan.

Some national authorities resent UNESCO's meddling. UNESCO can place listed sites that it believes are being compromised on an endangered list and, in extreme cases, scratch them altogether—a punishment applied only twice in the program's 37-year history. In addition to Dresden, an oryx sanctuary in Oman was struck off in 2007 after the government reduced the park's size by 90 percent to allow for oil drilling. UNESCO's decision to place Yellowstone National Park on its endangered list in 1995 after a private company proposed mining for gold nearby fortified American mistrust of U.N. interference—and helps explain why the U.S. has since failed to propose any new sites.

One option might be to restrict the list and focus resources on those most in need. In the past five years UNESCO has added more than 100 sites—including 13 this year alone—which only undermines the concept, say critics. "The longer [the list] becomes, the more it dilutes the brand," says Jonathan Foyle of the World Monuments Fund. Already it's hard to see what unites, say, a volcanic island off Iceland, Namibian rock paintings, and the Sydney Opera House.

Competition between countries—Italy and Spain have long vied for the largest number of sites—has already forced UNESCO to limit the number of new nominations per country to just two a year. Yet the organization is keen to encourage more applications from outside Europe and North America—home to more than half the sites—to correct what's been seen as a Western bias. At fault may be the very idea of highlighting a site's particular merits. In the end, the best hope for saving the legacy of the past may be a future of obscurity.

READ MORE - To List or Not to List?

MP Mu Sochua answered her cases in PP court

SRP MP Mu Sochua showed up in Phnom Penh Court without defense lawyer and she chose to use her right to remain silent during the trial on July 24, 2009.

READ MORE - MP Mu Sochua answered her cases in PP court

SRPs candle vigil in front of the PPenh Municipal Court

At 07:55AM on Friday morning, in front of the Phnom Penh municipal court, opposition leader Sam Rainsy and SRP MP Mu Sochua, whose parliamentary immunity was suspended by the [CPP-controlled National Assembly], as well as numerous other SRP members held a candle vigil in order to seek justice for their representative. Mrs. Mu Sochua will show up in court on Friday morning to clarify in the lawsuit case brought up by Hun Xen who is accusing her of defamation. Mu Sochua will defend herself in court without any legal defense lawyer. Outside the court, numerous cops can be seen tightening up security.

READ MORE - SRPs candle vigil in front of the PPenh Municipal Court

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Tries Oposition MP Mu Sochua

The Cambodia's Phnom Penh Municipal Court tried the opposition Sam Rainsy Party Parliamentarian Mrs. Mu Sochua on Friday 24 July 2009 over the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's defamation lawsuit,

READ MORE - Phnom Penh Municipal Court Tries Oposition MP Mu Sochua

News In pictures: Mu Sochua's court hearing (24th July)

Mrs. Mu Sochua's court hearing today (24th July) ended at 11 am without a verdict, with the judge reserving his judgement for 4th August.

Supporters of Ms. Mu Sochua held a candlelight vigil in front of the Phnom Penh Court since the morning to support her. They cheered as she exited the court.

Even the judge did not pass his judgement, Mrs. Mu Sochua and her supporters anticipated a guilty verdict as the court is under the influence of the plaintiff, Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Mr. Sam Rainsy, president of the Sam Rainsy Party to which Ms. Mu Sochua belongs, told the Cambodia Daily yesterday that his party will pay the fine for her if she is found guilty. He added that his party will not appeal the court's decision because he considers it a waste of time.

READ MORE - News In pictures: Mu Sochua's court hearing (24th July)

Vietnam invests into Cambodia in banking and airline

BIDV chairman Bac Ha and Vietnam Airlines General Director Ngoc Minh (two in the middle) declare their investment in Cambodia at the press conference.

Nhan Dan Online- The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) will start its operation in Cambodia from July 26. In the meantime, Vietnam Airlines will also announce its co-operation in establishing Cambodia Ankor Airlines.

Speaking at a press conference held in Hanoi on July 23, Chairman of the BIDV’s Boards of Directors, Tran Bac Ha said BIDV has invested to establish the Investment and Development Company (IDCC), Bank for Investment and Development of Cambodia (BIDC), the Cambodia – Vietnam Insurance Company and BIDV representative office in Cambodia.

With an initial capital of US $100 million, the company’s activities cover the banking and finance, trade and insurance sectors.

IDCC is finishing all procedure for the purchase of the Prosperity Investment Bank, a private bank of Cambodia as well as for the establishment of Cambodia – Vietnam Insurance company.

The bank, after being purchased will be renamed the Bank for Investment and Development of Cambodia. “Cambodia now has only 24 commercial banks with not many services, so this is an opportunity for Vietnam to penetrate the market. Around 400 Vietnamese businesses which are now investing in Cambodia are the potential customers of BIDC,” said Ha.

“In the future, BIDC will open its branch in Ho Chi Minh City and later in Hanoi,” Ha added.

The BIDV chairman also revealed that BIDV has got the agreement from the Cambodia National Bank on opening BIDV representative office in Phnom Penh. The representative office is expected to officially open early next month with the aim of providing information for Vietnamese businesses which desire to invest in Cambodia.

Also in the press conference, Vietnam Airlines announced its co-operation in setting up the Cambodia Ankor Airlines.

Vietnam Airlines General Director Vu Ngoc Minh said Cambodia Ankor Airlines will have the initial capital of US $ 100 million. Cambodia Ankor Airlines will launch its inauguration on July 27.

READ MORE - Vietnam invests into Cambodia in banking and airline

Mu Sochua remains silent in front of the judges

Pen Bona
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French

The defamation trial opposing Hun Sen to SRP MP Mu Sochua took place in the morning of Friday 24 July in the Phnom Penh municipal court.

The Kampot MP showed up in court without defense lawyer and she chose to use her right to remain silent during the trial. She did not answer to the judge’s questions. Ky Tech, Hun Sen’s lawyer, who was present during the hearing, asked the tribunal to sentence Mu Sochua according to the law while asking 10 million riels ($2,500) in damage compensation. At the end of the hearing, Mu Sochua asked the tribunal to judge the case according to the spirit of the law and not based on the court’s concerns about men in power.

With Mu Sochua refusing to answer questions, the trial was essentially based on the report provided by each party during the court process. There was no argument in the case. After two hours of hearing, the judges announced that the verdict will be delivered on 04 August.

The trial was followed up closely by the news media: several reporters – local and foreign – shoved each other in front of the court on Friday morning at 07AM. Several of them had to remain outside of the courtroom. Mu Sochua, accompanied by Sam Rainsy, SRP MPs and about 30 or so party activists arrived to the court at 08AM. Before entering the courtroom, they lighted red candles to ask for justice.

The SRP indicated that it is ready to pay the damage compensation to close this affair should Mu Sochua is found guilty.

READ MORE - Mu Sochua remains silent in front of the judges

Delay in Cambodia defamation case

Cambodian Opposition MP Mu Sochua is surrounded as she leaves court on July 24, 2009. A court as delayed judgement in the defamation case brought against her by Cambodian PM Hun Sen until August 4. [ABC/Robert Carmichael]

Robert Carmichael, Phnom Penh
ABC Radio Australia

A Cambodian parliamentarian has urged the judge presiding over her defamation case to give her justice, and deliver an historic ruling for the country's women.

But Opposition MP Mu Sochua won't know the outcome of the case - brought against her by Prime Minister Hun Sen - until next month.

A Cambodian court on Friday delayed judgement in the high-profile case.

A verdict is now expected August 4.

Dozens of supporters cheered Mu Sochua as she left the court.

Hun Sen sued Mu Sochua, a former minister of women's affairs, after she filed a legal case against him earlier this year.

Her case against the Prime Minister was dismissed several weeks ago.

Political pressure

A number of Mu Sochua party MPs attended the hearing, along with human rights observers and diplomats.

After making her appeal to the judge, she told the court she would remain silent as she had been unable to find a lawyer to represent her.

Her previous lawyer was forced to quit after coming under intense political pressure.

The court case against her is the latest in a series brought by the government against the opposition, the media and NGOs.

Human rights groups have decried the crackdown as an abuse of Cambodia's young democracy.

READ MORE - Delay in Cambodia defamation case

Cambodian Church shares Laotian Catholics’ sorrow over bishop's death

PHNOM PENH : Thousands of Catholics attended the funeral of Bishop Jean Sommeng Vorachak in Thakhet, Laos, on July 18, according to Cambodian Church leaders who were at the service.

The funeral Mass for the late apostolic vicar of Savannakhet was held at the Thakhet cathedral. His body was later buried at Ban Sian Vangtha, his hometown, about 30 kilometers away.

During the service, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Bangkok-based apostolic nuncio to Cambodia, read a letter of condolence from Pope Benedict XVI.

The nuncio also prayed with the people and asked them to continue their mission of bringing God’s love to all.

Bishop Sommeng died on July 14 at St. Louis Hospital in Bangkok, where he was being treated for bone marrow cancer. He was 76.

“The Catholics were extremely sad” at the loss their bishop, said Father Jean Un Son, a Cambodian priest who was at the funeral. Many had praised the late bishop for continuing to serve the poor despite his illness, he said.

Bishop Emile Destombes, president of the Episcopal Conference of Laos and Cambodia president and apostolic vicar of Phnom Penh told UCAN News Bishop Sommeng was well-loved by many because of his kindness.

He set a good example for the people, noted the prelate.

Bishop Sommeng was ordained a priest in 1963, appointed pro-vicar of the Savannakhet apostolic vicariate in 1975 and ordained bishop in 1997. He was also a vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Laos and Cambodia. No successor to the vicariate has yet been named.

There are about 43,000 Catholics in Laos, out of a total population of about 6 million, most of whom are Buddhists, according to a Church source in Laos. The Catholics are served by 13 priests and 89 nuns in the four Church jurisdictions -- Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet and Vientiane apostolic vicariates.

READ MORE - Cambodian Church shares Laotian Catholics’ sorrow over bishop's death

Free expression deteriorating in Cambodia

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and its members and allies working for the promotion and protection of free expression in Southeast Asia have issued an open letter to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, denouncing a "rapidly and palpably deteriorating environment for free expression in Cambodia."

The groups and advocates have noted a rash of attacks against journalists, lawyers, advocates, and parliamentarians over the past year that has severely restricted the space for press freedom and political speech in Cambodia. SEAPA says Cambodia’s leaders must be taken to task for the situation, stressing that violations of people’s rights to free expression are ultimately a regional problem and concern.

The open letter calls attention to Cambodia in the context not only of its constitutional guarantees for free expression, but also in light of the current 42nd Ministerial Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is taking place in Phuket, Thailand. The ASEAN’s task this week to adopt Terms of Reference for the formation of an ASEAN Human Rights Body, SEAPA said, takes on significance and urgency precisely because of situations such as those unfolding for the free expression environment in Cambodia.

READ MORE - Free expression deteriorating in Cambodia

Vietnam, Cambodia to sign energy agreement

Officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Mining and Energy reached an accord on the content of a draft agreement during their working sessions between July 21-22.

The 8-article agreement is designed to boost investment cooperation on hydro-electric power plants and the building of power grids connecting the two countries.

It is also aimed at increasing cross-border power sales, promoting mineral exploration and exploitation and encouraging businesses in the two countries to cooperate and implement sustainable development projects to protect the environment and the ecosystem.

READ MORE - Vietnam, Cambodia to sign energy agreement

Civil society to monitor Mu Sochua’s trial

By Kim Pov
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Chao Chet

Several civil society officials will monitor the 24 July 2009 hearing of the lawsuit brought up by Hun Sen against SRP MP Mu Sochua.

Several officials from human right groups and civil society organizations in Cambodia plan to monitor the trial brought up by Cambodia’s top politician Hun Sen against Mrs. Mu Sochua. In this lawsuit, Hun Sen accused Mu Sochua of defamation, and the latter will show up in court by herself without the representation of any legal defense lawyer.

Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), said that he is concerned about this case because he is worried that the court will not provide justice for Mrs. Mu Sochua. “We are concerned about any injustice that affects the people, whether it is Mrs. Mu Sochua or not,” Rong Chhun said.

Chan Saveth, an official of the Adhoc human rights group, added that there will be several human rights monitors present during the trial day, and he hopes that the county will provide a fair trial. “Because the law is the law for all, and lawsuits constitute the freedom for all in the use of the rule of law,” Chan Saveth said.

Opposition MP Mu Sochua claimed that she will show up by herself to clarify the court hearing in this lawsuit, following an unsuccessful last minute intensive search for a defense lawyer, after Kong Sam Onn, her former lawyer, decided to drop her defense because Hun Sen’s lawyer sued him.

Sok Sam Oeun, the director of the Legal Defense Group in Cambodia, declared that there are several cases in the world where the defendant refuses to have a defense lawyer representation, but in these cases, the defendants are provided the same rights as those of a lawyer. However, in the case of Cambodia, Sok Sam Oeun said that he is concerned that the court will not provide proper rights to Mu Sochua, as is usually done in other countries.

Sok Sam Oeun commented that in the case of Mu Sochua where no lawyers are willing to defend her, this situation shows that there is no safety for the legal community in Cambodia. “This means that there is no safety for the legal community in Cambodia,” Sok Sam Oeun said.

In the past, Mrs. Mu Sochua tried to sue Hun Sen for defaming her, after Hun Sen said without naming her directly that there is a “Cheung Khlang” (Strong foot, equivalent to “thug”) in Kampot who tore her blouse by herself, and she went to hug someone else, then she turned around and accused the other person of unbuttoning her blouse. Hun Sen also called her: “This woman is a thick-skinned woman”.

In her attempt to sue Hun Sen, the latter turned around and sued her back for defamation because he said that he did not name her.

Mrs. Mu Sochua’s lawsuit was dropped by the court which claimed that there is no proof to her case, however, the court still considers Hun Sen’s lawsuit against her, and the National Assembly [controlled by the CPP] voted to lift her parliamentary immunity on 02 June.

READ MORE - Civil society to monitor Mu Sochua’s trial

SRP’s candle vigil in front of the PPenh Municipal Court

Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media

At 07:55AM on Friday morning, in front of the Phnom Penh municipal court, opposition leader Sam Rainsy and SRP MP Mu Sochua, whose parliamentary immunity was suspended by the [CPP-controlled National Assembly], as well as numerous other SRP members held a candle vigil in order to seek justice for their representative. Mrs. Mu Sochua will show up in court on Friday morning to clarify in the lawsuit case brought up by Hun Xen who is accusing her of defamation. Mu Sochua will defend herself in court without any legal defense lawyer. Outside the court, numerous cops can be seen tightening up security.

READ MORE - SRP’s candle vigil in front of the PPenh Municipal Court

CPP Nguon Nhel irritated by IPU's monitoring of Hun Sen's lawsuit case against Mu Sochua

Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

THE Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is interfering in Cambodia's internal affairs by sending an observer to the upcoming trial of Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker Mu Sochua, a senior official said Tuesday.

"Although the IPU is an international parliamentary body, it should not interfere in Cambodia's legislature, executive or judiciary. If they interfere in this issue, it will be a violation of Cambodian sovereignty," Nguon Nhel, first deputy president of the National Assembly, told the Post Tuesday.

The Geneva-based IPU announced this week that it would send former Philippines Senate president Franklin Drilon to sit in on Mu Sochua's case at Municipal Court on Friday, during which she will face defamation charges filed by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"[The] IPU is coming to observe my case because it is a big story," Mu Sochua said Tuesday. "They are coming to investigate my story because they have written several letters to National Assembly President [Heng Samrin], but [he] has not responded."

Ingeborg Schwartz, programme manager for human tights at the IPU, said Wednesday that "an observer" would come to Cambodia to "examine" the case. She declined to comment on whether the IPU would conduct an investigation, saying the case was confidential.

READ MORE - CPP Nguon Nhel irritated by IPU's monitoring of Hun Sen's lawsuit case against Mu Sochua

"CPP Brother of Sangkum Reas nis Yum" a Poem by Yim Guechse and Sam Vichea with Sacrava Toon

READ MORE - "CPP Brother of Sangkum Reas nis Yum" a Poem by Yim Guechse and Sam Vichea with Sacrava Toon

"The Wildest Animal" a Cartoon by Sacrava

READ MORE - "The Wildest Animal" a Cartoon by Sacrava

BIDV allowed to open Cambodia representative office

The State Bank of Vietnam said Tuesday it gave approval to the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) to open a representative office in Cambodia.


The office, to be located in Phnom Penh, will be open for a four-year term, the central bank said in a statement on its website.

“This will be our first office abroad,” Tran Phuong, Hanoi-based BIDV’s deputy chief executive officer told Bloomberg Tuesday.

The Vietnam news agency said earlier this month that BIDV, the country’s second-biggest bank by assets, plans to invest US$50 million in Cambodia.

The agency quoted BIDV Chairman Tran Bac Ha as saying the Vietnamese bank was negotiating to acquire a Cambodian bank and the purchase would likely be completed this month.

BIDV also planned to invest in property and other businesses in Cambodia, Ha said.

He was also quoted as saying that BIDV was investing $15 million in Laos and Singapore.

Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (Sacombank), Vietnam’s second-largest listed bank, last month opened a branch in Cambodia, which plans to open a stock market this year.

Source: Thanh Nien

READ MORE - BIDV allowed to open Cambodia representative office

Thailand, Cambodia to shun violence at Preah Vihear, border areas

BANGKOK, July 23 (TNA) – Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to try to avoid border clashes, foster close relations and cooperation, and would meet more often.

Representatives from the Thai and Cambodian militaries made the agreement Wednesday at the preparation meeting for the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC).

A joint secretariat meeting co-chaired by Thai Border Affairs Department Director Lt-Gen. Nipat Thonglek and Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister Gen. Neang Phat was held in Bangkok to prepare for the forthcoming border meeting, set for September in Thailand.

At a press conference after the meeting, Gen. Nipat expressed satisfaction with the willingness of both parties to cooperate in solving outstanding problems between the two neighbours, which could lead to the development and prosperity.

Khmer and thai

Gen. Neang Phat said both parties would try to avoid further border clashes by boosting good relations between local Thai and Khmer authorities.

"Local authorities are set to meet twice a week, having a meal together," he said, adding that the military have good relations as well as local residents on both sides of the border.

Regarding troop re-deployment in the border areas, the Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister said discussions have continued, with both governmental and military officials, and that Cambodia was ready to act in accordance with agreements with Thailand.

Gen Nipat, meanwhile, said the meeting would eventually help reduce conflicts and build mutual understanding between the two countries.

Thai Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan and his Cambodian counterpart, Gen. Tea Banh, will head the delegates to the seventh border meeting which will cover three topics comprising 17 issues including survey and demarcation of land boundary; prevention and suppression of drug trafficking, and cooperation on border trade.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. Clashes have occurred frequently near the 11th-century temple after it was listed as a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Site as both countries maintain their claims on the area adjoining the temple. (TNA)

READ MORE - Thailand, Cambodia to shun violence at Preah Vihear, border areas

Free expression deteriorating in Cambodia

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and its members and allies working for the promotion and protection of free expression in Southeast Asia have issued an open letter to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, denouncing a "rapidly and palpably deteriorating environment for free expression in Cambodia."

The groups and advocates have noted a rash of attacks against journalists, lawyers, advocates, and parliamentarians over the past year that has severely restricted the space for press freedom and political speech in Cambodia. SEAPA says Cambodia’s leaders must be taken to task for the situation, stressing that violations of people’s rights to free expression are ultimately a regional problem and concern.

The open letter calls attention to Cambodia in the context not only of its constitutional guarantees for free expression, but also in light of the current 42nd Ministerial Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is taking place in Phuket, Thailand. The ASEAN’s task this week to adopt Terms of Reference for the formation of an ASEAN Human Rights Body, SEAPA said, takes on significance and urgency precisely because of situations such as those unfolding for the free expression environment in Cambodia.

READ MORE - Free expression deteriorating in Cambodia

"Hyena-Law" a Cartoon bt Sacrava

READ MORE - "Hyena-Law" a Cartoon bt Sacrava

Cambodian PM calls for help on ASEAN rail

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday called for other countries to provide assistance for the construction of the missing link in Cambodia of the ASEAN railroad which connects from Singapore to China.

"We need help from other countries to construct the missing link in Cambodia of the ASEAN railway," he announced in the workshop of Khmer Art performing at Chaktumok Theater hall in Phnom Penh.

"The ASEAN railway will also provide the huge benefit for other countries," he added. "Therefore we need the help for that project," he said, adding that so far only china has provided the assistance including research study of the project. "China alone will not be enough," he said.

Missing link is distance about the 225-kilometer between Phnom Penh and Loc Ninh, a provincial capital in southern Vietnam. ASEAN ministers have agreed to build a modern railway from Singapore through Thailand and ending in Kunming, China, which will enter Cambodia at Poipet and follow the existing line along the southern shore of the Tonle Sap lake into Phnom Penh.

Sun Chanthol, former Cambodian minister of public work and transport said in 2008 that Cambodia need about 500 million U.S. dollars to build and upgrade Cambodia's stretch of a proposed railway of the ASEAN and it depends on the price of materials. The proposed Trans-Asia Rail Link will be completed by 2015.

Railroad conditions across Cambodia have eroded greatly in the past 30 years so much money is needed for reconstruction and upgrade.

From:

READ MORE - Cambodian PM calls for help on ASEAN rail

Preah Vihear, Plov Chbabb Reu Plov Chbaing

READ MORE - Preah Vihear, Plov Chbabb Reu Plov Chbaing

More women in Cambodia turning to sex trade amid financial crisis – UN report

The global financial crisis has led to signs of an increase in Cambodian women entering the sex trade, says a new United Nations report, which recommends strengthening social safety nets and improving job training and placement to help women avoid such dangerous and exploitative work.

The report, prepared by the UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP), is based on research conducted in April and May involving 357 women and girls aged between 15 and 49 currently working in the entertainment sector of the capital, Phnom Penh, including in brothels, karaoke bars and massage parlours.

“The objective of this research was to measure increases in human trafficking and exploitation in Cambodia as a result of the financial crisis, specifically, the trafficking of women and girls into the entertainment sector,” UNIAP says in a news release issued yesterday.

The report shows that during the crisis, women have entered the sex trade coming from situations where there have been declining working conditions, such as in the garment sector, where they experienced long working hours and low pay.

The most common reason given by the women and girls for entering the sex trade was “difficult family circumstances,” followed by “easily earn a lot of money, in good working conditions.”

Most massage parlour workers, 57 per cent, found their jobs independently, while 46 per cent of karaoke workers found theirs through friends. Nearly 80 per cent of direct sex workers also found their jobs on their own.

The report also found that 58 per cent of women who entered the entertainment sector before the crisis were in debt, while the same was true of 42 per cent who entered after the crisis.

“It could be assumed that the shift in women turning from money lenders to sex establishment bosses for loans may lead to more women being vulnerable to the control tactics and violence that are often thought to be associated with debt bondage,” states UNIAP.

However, it was debts to money lenders, and not debt bondage, that was found to be significantly associated with the worst violence and worst restrictions on freedoms among those surveyed.

The report recommends strengthening social safety nets, designed to meet the needs of families with women who are vulnerable to exploitation and degrading working conditions, as well as linking women who want jobs featuring better working conditions with alternative livelihood training and job placement assistance.

Also recommended is the use of targeted awareness raising and outreach to provide specific, clear information to people who may be vulnerable, for example on how to access social services and training that will lead to jobs, the risks of using moneylenders, and how to qualify for and access safer sources of loans and credit.

From:

READ MORE - More women in Cambodia turning to sex trade amid financial crisis – UN report

Leading [Pro-CPP] Editor Cautiously Lauds Media Environment

A leading newspaper editor cautiously praised Cambodia’s media environment Monday, saying the press is faced with “legal action” but not “violence” as in other countries.

Pen Samithy, editor-in-chief of the Reaksmey Kampuchea, a leading daily newspaper, was reacting to the closing of Moneaksekar Khmer, an opposition paper, after its editor was charged with defamation.

“The situation today is that some newspapers are getting sued and some journalists are in jail, and some are solving their own issues,” he said, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

While Dam Sith, editor of Moneaksekar Khmer, was able to avoid potential jail time by closing his opposition-aligned newspaper, following defamation and incitement accusations by the government, one of his colleagues, Hang Chakra, chief of the Khmer Mchas Srok newspaper, is serving a 12-month prison sentence on similar charges.

Pen Samithy, editor of the pro-CPP Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper

Pen Samithy said that all countries, including the US, have defamation cases, so a journalist must be independent and cautious with the dignity of people.

The editor acknowledged regret that the murderers of another opposition journalist, Khim Sambo, who was gunned down ahead of the 2008 general election, have not been caught—the 11th killing of a journalist to go unsolved since 1994.

Meanwhile, Cambodian media suffers a ranking of “not free,” according to the global media monitor Freedom House.

From:

READ MORE - Leading [Pro-CPP] Editor Cautiously Lauds Media Environment

RCAF: Thailand requests join patrol in disputed border zone

A high ranking RCAF commander based near the Preah Vihear temple area indicated that, recently, Thai army commanders asked their Cambodian counterpart for joint patrol along a number of border areas that are illegally occupied by Thai soldiers.

On Monday 20 July, General Ek Dara, the RCAF commander along the regions illegally occupied by Thai soldiers, said that during the recent meeting held between RCAF commanders and Thai Suranaree Batallion No. 6, Thailand requested for joint patrol between Khmer and Thai soldiers in the areas where Thai soldiers illegally occupied near Preah Vihear temple, from Ta Sim pass all the way to the Chak Chreng hill.

General Ek Dara also said that RCAF commanders in the region accepted the Thai request, but under one condition: the joint patrol will not cross into Thai territory, nor will it cross into Cambodian territory, i.e. the joint patrol can only take place in the mid-zone, and no definite areas of joint patrol have been set yet.

General Ek Dara said: “We are waiting to see the limitation of the patrol, where it will take place, from where to where, but we did not receive a reply yet…”

Nevertheless, as of Monday, no Thai commanders can be reached to explain this situation.

The border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, next to the Preah Vihear temple, took place when Thailand sent in several hundreds of their soldiers to the Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda on 15 July 2008. Through diplomatic channels, Cambodian officials attempted hard to find a resolution through multiple negotiation meetings with Thailand, however, no good resolution came out of these meetings up to now.

Var Kim Hong, the chairman of the Cambodian committee for border resolution, said that, up to now, Khmer-Thai officials have no plan to negotiate the border dispute with Thailand anymore, because Cambodia is waiting for Thailand’s conformation: “Up to now, these’s nothing yet, we are waiting for the Thai confirmation.”

Since Thailand sent its troop to the Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda on 15 July 2008 and up to now (20 July 2009), one year and five days already took place. During that time, three armed clashes too place and soldiers from both sides sustained injuries and deaths.

From:

READ MORE - RCAF: Thailand requests join patrol in disputed border zone

Hanoi begets the CPP which is the SRN’s younger brother, who begets the SRN: Sihanouk or Hanoi?

King Norodom Sihanouk, the former monarch of Cambodia showed his face on TVK, the national TV station, in the evening of 15 July and he said that the CPP is the direct younger brother of the Sangkum Reastr Niyum [Sihanouk’s party in the 50s and 60s] because it developed the country in all fields up until now.

King-Father, who is currently staying with Queen-Mother at their palace in Siem Reap province after they returned from their medical care in China on 04 July, said, during the inauguration of royal constructions through photo display and the distribution of royal gifts to poor people, that following his royal cruisade that made France return full independence to Cambodia in 1953, he led the country to progress in all fields during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum (SRN) regime, and now, the true younger of the SRN is led by the 3 Samdachs who are famous leaders and they can be considered as the lineage continuation of their true older brother, the SRN led by Sihanouk in the 60s which made our nation prosperous and free.

King-Father heaped praises on the new generation which is the CPP that continued the true lineage of the SRN. He said that the CPP is the true younger brother of the SRN and he also heaped praises on the leadership of the current government also. The ex-king said: “We support our government, and our government also provides me with funding to build the country by myself, and my personal constructions will continue on every single year.”

DESCRIPTION HERE

King-Father also said that he is very happy to meet with his people at his palace in Siem Reap, a palace he considers as a historical place during his cruisade to demand Cambodia’s full independence from France in 1953. It was after that that he left Siem Reap province to return back to Phnom Penh.

King-Father said: “I am very happy to receive Kaun Chao [children and grandchildren] inside my village which is a famous historical place … Since then, we built our nation together to bring progress and that is the government led by Samdach Hun Xen, the famous royal leader, the Senate led by Samdech Chea Xim, the famous royal leader, the National Assembly led by Samdach Heng Xamrin, the famous royal leader, and all the civil servants, the soldiers, and the entire population… If we know how to unite, we will win, we have the strength to do anything with victory, therefore, we can defend independence with victory, we can protect our territorial integrity with victory, we can defend peace with victory and we can keep on building the nation forward in all fields with victory also.”

From:

READ MORE - Hanoi begets the CPP which is the SRN’s younger brother, who begets the SRN: Sihanouk or Hanoi?

Ilovekhmer.org controversial policy

While accessing the ilovekhmer website recently, we noticed that the website has posted its policy and we couldn’t help but notice the following caveat:

“We also remove this website if requested to do so by Cambodian authorities.”

The first question that comes to mind after reading such policy is whether this website is set up to serve Khmer interest, in general, or Hun Sen’s regime propaganda, in particular? If the website’s goal is to provide factual information, such information should be independent of any government influence, and it cannot allow itself to be dictated by any current regime in power.

While we laud the site’s attempt to “provide internationally accepted facts” on Cambodia and her history, we also urge ilovekhmer.org to operate independently of any government in place. In other words: “The truth shall set you free” of any government influence, only Khmer interest counts in this case.

Let the government take care of the politicking while ilovekhmer.org takes care of factual historical facts!

From:

READ MORE - Ilovekhmer.org controversial policy

Border Committees To Meet in Bangkok [-Another useless bilateral talk?]

Border committees from Cambodia and Thailand will hold a meeting in Bangkok Tuesday to seek a solution to a long-running border dispute near Preah Vihear temple, defense officials said Monday.

Cambodia’s border committee will leave Tuesday morning, led by Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh, who will meet his Thai counterpart, Prawit Wongsowon.

Both sides have added more troops to their entrenched positions along the northern border in recent weeks, following escalating rhetoric over Preah Vihear temple. Unesco added the temple to its World Heritage listing, under Cambodia, in July 2008, but Thai officials have recently requested it be jointly run.

The 2008 listing sparked demonstrations in Thailand and led to the occupation of a pagoda by Thai troops in a disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple on July 15, 2008. Both sides amassed troops in the days that followed, and neither side has backed down in subsequent months. At least seven soldiers have died in skirmishes over the past year.

“The Cambodia-Thailand general border committee will hold a meeting in Bangkok from 21 to 22 July aimed at strengthening cooperation between Cambodian and Thai soldiers along the border,” Chhum Socheath, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, told VOA Khmer on Monday.

“The meeting is intended to make an effort to reduce the tense situation on the battlefield,” he said. “The meeting, however, will not provide a quick result, but I hope it can reduce this on the battlefield and will also build confidence between the two countries.”

On the agenda are means to reduce the numbers of soldiers deployed on the border and to begin the installation of border demarcation, he said.

Border cooperation is important to prevent cross-border terrorism and crime, such as the trafficking of drugs, weapons, artifacts and people, he said.

From:

READ MORE - Border Committees To Meet in Bangkok [-Another useless bilateral talk?]