US Congress not interested in hearing the Phnom Penh dictatorial regime?

Let me talk also! It's unfair that the US Congress is not under my thumb like the Phnom Penh Municipal court! (Photo: AFP)

US hearing 'absolutely unfair': govt

Wednesday, 02 September 2009
James O'toole
The Phnom Penh Post

Foreign ministry says speakers ought to include CPP officials.

A US congressional hearing to discuss human rights in Cambodia is "absolutely unfair", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the hearing by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a congressional body that monitors human rights norms around the world, is "biased", as no one from the Cambodian government has been invited to testify.

A statement released by US Congressman Frank Wolf, the co-chair of the commission, said the purpose of the hearing, scheduled for September 10, is to discuss land evictions, labour laws and the prosecution of opposition figures. "These issues are part of a concerning trend in the Cambodian government's overall human rights record," the statement read.

The commission has invited three Cambodians to participate on a panel as official witnesses: Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian Mu Sochua, Licadho rights group president Kek Galabru (Pung Chiv Kek), and Community Legal Education Centre labour programme head Moeun Tola. The US State Department will also invite witnesses who have not yet been announced.

Koy Kuong expressed concern that the commission had invited "only opposition groups", likening the congressional proceedings to "the referee at a boxing match calling only one corner".

"[The invited witnesses] can criticise the government, they can say whatever they want, with no one to testify or to clarify against them," he said.

Naly Pilorge, director of Licadho, said it was wrong to characterise the gathering as an exclusion of government representatives, however, emphasising that it will be open to all interested parties.

"This hearing is not a secretive process. It's a very open and public process," she said, adding that she expects to see the Cambodian ambassador to the United States, students and representatives of other NGOs in attendance.

SRP spokesman Yim Sovann said that as a donor of foreign aid to Cambodia, the US "wants to see progress in the development of democracy and human rights". In order to ensure that aid is distributed effectively, he said, American policymakers must "ensure that this country respects the rule of law".

Naly Pilorge said Kek Galabru plans to raise "human rights issues relating to social, economic, political and civil rights" at the hearing. Koy Kuong, however, was sceptical that the event would generate meaningful discussion or action.

"The hearing will not improve the human rights situation overall," he said.

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The Free Press Magazine Online

FPM is a Biweekly 0nline Magazine
The Free Press is dedicated to Freedom of Expression and the Press
http://www.fpmonline.net/
Vol. 1, Issue #10, Tuesday 1 - Tuesday 15, September 2009
E-mail: info@fpmonline.net

The Free Press Magazine Online is established to bring the fact about the level of human right respect, freedom of expression and the press in Cambodia for Cambodians and all in the international community to read.

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Over US$10,000 Lost in Jewelry Stickup

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

Two Cambodian jewelry vendors on Monday lost over US$ 10,000 in robbery, a local authority said. The main victim was identified as Ly Sam Oeun, 42.

“Around 7 o’clock, there was a case of robbery in front of Cambodian two jewelry vendors when as they left for Pochentong market near the airport,” the local authority added.

The victims live in Kakap commune, Dangkar district of Phnom Penh.

“We are usually leave home to market, but today, there were two suspicious people who drove a Honda Dream 125 moped stopped in front of us then they brought out two guns and threatened us … and they took over US$10,000 and suddenly drove away,” one of the victims complained.

There were no injuries in the case, the local authority said. Though the victims claimed to have lost over US$10,000, there has so far been little evidence presented to prove the scale of the robbery.

Jewelry robberies seem to be on the increase, though few of the perpetrators have yet been brought to justice.

“We will arrest them to convict soon,” the local police stressed. “Now we are finding the place where they are hidden.”

READ MORE - Over US$10,000 Lost in Jewelry Stickup

Ethanol Manufacturing Banned after over 23 Tons of Fish Found Dead

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) announced on Monday it would temporarily ban the production of ethanol after byproducts drained from a factory into river, a MIME officer said.

MIME officers made the announ- cement with a letter signed by MIME Secretary of State of Minister Ith Praing.

Over the past few days, many fish have died, said locals, mystifying everyone in the area. One fish farmer claimed that 20 tons of fish were found dead in the river on Sunday. Around 23.4 tons of fish have been found dead in 37 fish farms, an official said. A team inspectors from the Administrative Fishery Committee headed by Khlaing Van Thol has already headed to the affected area, though an official report obtained by DAP News Cambodia claimed that “There was no source or evidence clearly yet.”

“We will investigate on this case, but near a pump into the river, we saw a black line spread out and our member took samples of that dirty water,” said Khlaing Van Thol.

The fish farmer complained that the remaining fish would be at risk unless something was doe about pollution levels.

READ MORE - Ethanol Manufacturing Banned after over 23 Tons of Fish Found Dead

World Bank Holds Reform Discussions

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

Visiting World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region James W. Adams has discussed and reviewed the status of the World Bank’s support program in Cambodia, particularly in the areas of land reform, decentralization and deconcentration, public financial management, and private sector development, according to WB press statement on Monday.

“A major focus of the visit was Cambodia’s urban land sector and the increasing numbers of disputes and evictions of poor people in urban settlements,” the statement read. “This included discussion of the report from the enhanced review of the Land Management and Administration Project (LMAP), which was undertaken in response to questions raised about a possible link between the project and these disputes.” The discussions on land reform were constructive and it was agreed to continue these discussions over the coming week to agree next steps.

He was in Phnom Penh on Thursday, August 27 and Friday, August 28 for meetings with senior government officials, development partners, and representatives from NGOs, research institutes and the private sector.

This was part of a regional visit that takes in Cambodia, Timor-Leste and China.

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Cambodia Third Role Trading Market: Vietnam

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

Cambodia has an extremely important role to play in Vietnamese trade, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia said on Sunday.

Ngo Anh Dung said on the Cambodia Television Network (CTN) talk show that “Cambodia is the third role of trading market of Vietnam and are cooperating with other biggest companies in the world.”

“We have over 100 companies are investing and more than US$700 million in Cambodia, but uncounted the big companies as well,” he stressed.

Ngo Anh Dung said that some are involved in big projects such as a fertilizer factory, rice cultivation and export, agricultural improvement and the Se San II hydropower project in Stung Treng province.

Vietnam has also cooperated with Cambodia closely on rubber growing, he added. Cambodia-Vietnam are closely linked so it is easy to transport by ships or trucks through Mekong River and by National Highway, “so we have some plans to cooperate with Cambodia to invest in mine research, communication, and develop all sectors.”

“Recently, Cambodia-Vietnam closely to on the tourist sector with Angkor Airlines, so it can say that all business, Vietnam and Cambodia, are in good communication and terms for sustainable trading,” said Ngo Anh Dung. “Cambodia’s tourist sector will be better than before, because both countries cooperate together.”

A railway from Preah Sihanouk province to Ho Chi Minh City, linking ASEAN with China will also boost links, he added, as will a reciprocal visa waiver for citizens of both countries.

“In 2009, Cambodian tourists increased about 88 percent to visit in Vietnam,” he stressed.

If we compared in 2008 to 2009 all increasing investment amount US$1.6 billion between Cambodia and Vietnam.

“Cambodian, Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries gave the agro landing of 50,000 ha to 8 companies to plant the rubbers, now we have 20,000 rubber trees since 2007-2009,” Mony added.
He continued that “We have a plan to plant them [rubbers] more about 20 thousand ha in 2010 and in 2015; we have 10,000 ha.”

Sam Rainsy Party Kampong Cham Parliamentarian Mao Mony Van of said that “Cambodian government had rent in contract till 90 years, so it maybe loses Cambodian lands of ha; we are worry about this consideration.”

“Cambodia has many agricultural investors, why not give a chance them to hold this task, however, give the chance to Vietnam, it Cambodian investors responded on this, it is good,” Van added.

Vietnamese Ambassador said that “Vietnam had four various projects included first, Cambodia-Vietnam are neighbors, second, both countries are friendly, third, we all cooperated sectors together, and the fourth, we are long live in business.”

We have over 1,200 kms linked with and Vietnam has 10 provinces for Cambodia also has 9 provinces are closely borders between communication of us, ANH stressed.

Cambodian Ambassador in Vietnam and Commercial officer Yiv Kimhan said that “Cambodia is a potential country of marketing trade, and all Cambodian people will consider on Vietnam instead of Thailand goods importing.”

READ MORE - Cambodia Third Role Trading Market: Vietnam

NGOs Appreciate Withdrawal of Chea Mony Suit

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

A legal complainst against Chea Mony, brother of slain Chea Vichea, has been withdrawn with welcomes from NOG representatives

A legal complaint against Chea Mony, head of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), has been withdrawn much to the relief of NGOs and factory workers. Those who praised Hun Sen’s move called it a good lead to pave the way to a lawful and democratic kingdom. The move could also help improve Cambodia’s international image, which has recently been tarnished by controversial lawsuits against critics of the Government.

A complaint about Chea Mony was filed after a speech on August 17 at the Appeal Court where he criticized Government officials over his brother, Chea Vichea’s assassination in January 2004. Chea Vichea’s had been a vocal FTUWKC member and vociferous critic of the Cambodian Government.

“The Premier supposed that [Chea Mony] always says bad thing because he lost a close relative, therefore, the premier asked the Government’s lawyer to withdraw the complaint,” said Khieu Kahanarith, Government spokesman and Information Minister.

Asked if the Government should withdraw the complaints in other cases like Hang Chakra, Khmer Machas Srok editor, Khieu Kahnarith told DAP News Cambodia on Monday that “It is a personal story of Hang Chakra himself.” He declined to comment further on Hang Chakra’s case, referring questions to Deputy Cambodian Prime Minister Sok An, the man who filed the original compliant against Hang Chakra.

Chea Mony showed his appreciation Hun Sen’s dropping of the lawsuit against him. He said he still has concerns over the Government’s investigation of the his brother’s death. He also raised queries over the independence of the Cambodia legal system.

“The premier’s policy is very good, but some of his officials are very bad who always give wrong and bad reports and misinformation to him,” he claimed. “If all officials followed the premier’s policy, our country would gain support from the international community.”

Koul Pahna, COMFREL director, on Monday said that when Chea Mony’s angry remarks should be seen as a serious offense.

“Withdrawal the filed complaint … is a very good … but the government should check and investigate other stories like Hang Chakra’s case,” said Koul Pahna. “The Government thinks that it is not good as many stories took place related to this case.”

Koul Pahna claimed that the premier’s actions could be a lesson for fellow Government officials to follow.

Chear Vannath, a Cambodian analyst, also appreciated the premier’s ruling to withdraw the filing complaint from Chea Mony. “We applaud it—it is a good decision as the Cambodian defamation law has to be implemented.”

“While we do not have good mechanism, we cannot reduce the filed complaints related to defamation,” she added.

However, NGOs called on the Government release Hang Chakra and reverse the decisions in other high profile cases.

“Filing complaint is not benefits, it affects both government and NGOs,” Ou Virak told DAP News Cambodia. “We should be together to build and develop the nation,” he claimed.

“It is a personal story and case that I cannot say as it is related to personal decision, if it the speeches affects them, they will react,” Khieu Kahnarith said of the other high profile cases of defamation.

The Human Rights Center in Cambodian issued a statement over the premier’s decision.

“The Cambodian Center for Human Right (CCHR) welcomes the decision by the Royal Government of Cambodia to refrain from taking legal action against Chea Mony, the president of the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC),” said the statement.

“This reversal is a positive sign for freedom of expression in Cambodia and represents tolerance and maturity on behalf of the RGC. The CCHR commends the RGC and Prime Minister Hun Sen and is hopeful that this decision reflects a new approach to freedom of expression and democratization in Cambodia,” the statement added.

The Cambodia Daily article headlined “Gov’t Seek Lawsuit Against Union Leader (August 31, 2009) quoted the Royal Government of Cambodia spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanhrith as stating that the RGC has dropped its plans to file a complaint against Chea Mony. This reversal follows a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen to call off the lawsuit. The union leader had said that RGC officials could have been involved in the assassination of his older brother and former FTUWC president Chea Vichea.

READ MORE - NGOs Appreciate Withdrawal of Chea Mony Suit

Singapore Donates Third Scanner

Written by DAP NEWS

http://www.dap-news.com/

Tuesday, 01 September 2009

The Singaporean Government on Tuesday donated a third scanner to Cambodia’s Health Ministry in order to curb the spread of A/H1N1, commonly called swine flu.

“The Singaporean Government on Tuesday will donate an A/H1N1 scanner at Phnom Penh International Airport to curb and prevent the spreading of A/H1N1,” said Sok Touch, director of the Department of Disease and Communicable Control of the Health Ministry.

This is the third scanner that the Singaporean Government has provided to the Cambodian Health Ministry, Sok Touch told DAP News Cambodia on Monday.

According to the official, the number of A/H1N1 infections currently stands at 26 cases.

Cambodia began scanning passengers for fever at its two international airports on April 28, 2009 to stem the spread of swine flu. Staff at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports began screening passengers with thermal-imaging equipment then.

The onset of Cambodia’s cool season, rather optimistically termed a ‘winter’ by many locals, has prom- pted the Health Ministry to ramp up measures to prevent the spread of A/H1N1, a Health Ministry official told DAP News Cambodia on Friday. “It is to more strengthen and take measures in the upcoming season in all hospitals as many new kinds of flu could spread,” said Sok Touch.

Cambodia’s Health Ministry and the World Health Organization issued a statement on June 24, 2009 to document the kingdom’s first case.

The first infected person was a 16-year-old US citizen visiting Cambodia as part of a student group, arrived in Phnom Penh on June 19. She developed symptoms the following days.

The Cambodian Ministry of Health, in cooperation with World Health Organization (WHO), is striving to control the A/H1N1 situation, working to curb the spread of the virus and keeping the public well informed with updates.

Cambodia is the latest nation to be hit by A/H1N1 virus epidemic, after neighboring Thailand, Vietnam and Laos all confirmed cases.

The ministry again called on the public to practice good personal hygiene at all times to prevent the spread of Influenza A/H1N1.

Although the Influenza A/H1N1 epidemic wanes, many countries still remain alert as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a new wave of the deadly virus, according to Xinhua news agency.

WHO Director General Margaret Chan warned of second and third waves in previous epidemics, adding that “we need to be prepared for whatever surprises this capricious new virus delivers next,” Xihua reported.

While the seasonal flu disappears with warm weather, A/H1N1 is continuing to spread during the summer, which proves the new flu is more durable and infectious.

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The Challenge of Extracting Oil from Cambodia

http://www.pbs.org/

Monday, August 31, 2009

SUSIE GHARIB: China is the world's second largest oil consumer and until the recession hit, its appetite for fuel was driving economies around the globe, including Cambodia. As Rian Maelzer reports, the global slowdown has raised doubts about Cambodia's plans to tap recent finds of oil and gas.

RIAN MAELZER, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: strong demand from the U.S. and EU had been keeping Cambodia's sewing machines working at full tilt. But in the past year, garment exports to those markets have slumped, costing thousands of workers their jobs. Arjun Goswami of the Asian Development Bank says it's a huge blow for a country that still relies on foreign aid for close to half the government's budget.

ARJUN GOSWAMI, COUNTRY DIRECTOR, ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK: This is an open economy, it's a small economy and it's not very diversified, so there have been serious impacts.

MAELZER: With tourism also hit hard, Cambodia had hoped it would start to see revenues this year from the country's first ever oil and gas finds. The waters off Cambodia's coast are estimated to contain about two billion barrels of oil -- small by global standards, but significant for one of the world's least developed countries. Subbu Bettadapura of consultancy Frost and Sullivan warns that extracting Cambodia's reserves will be challenging.

SUBBU BETTADAPURA, ENERGY ANALYST, FROST AND SULLIVAN: They are not in a big reservoir where you can go in and tap them. They are in various pools, so there is a technical challenge for the oil companies to go in and try to monetize these reserves.

MAELZER: Chevron has been the most active company in exploring Cambodia's oil potential. Chevron isn't saying how much oil it thinks might be in its offshore block or when it might start commercial operations. A company spokesman said Chevron still has to hammer out legal and financial frameworks with the Cambodian government and those are serious shortcomings cited by multilateral agencies and aide donors working in what is one of the most corrupt countries in Asia. Eleanor Nichol of the watchdog group Global Witness has studied Cambodia's nascent energy and mineral sectors.

ELEANOR NICHOL, RESEARCHER, GLOBAL WITNESS: What you have is two sectors operating in what is effectively a regulatory vacuum with no public or parliamentary oversight. Also, what we've seen happen previously in the forestry sector is that money generated from logging and extraction of that resource never reached the state coffers and we want to try and avoid is a duplication of the same patterns occurring in the oil and mineral sectors.

MAELZER: Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh rejects those concerns.

CHAM PRASIDH, CAMBODIAN MINISTER OF COMMERCE: We are not going to use this money to pump corruption or to encourage corruption, but the money properly managed, properly monitored and properly spent in the right places.

MAELZER: Cambodia is still hoping the oil will start flowing by 2012. Analyst Bettadapura says the timing could end up being a blessing.

BETTADAPURA: If they wait for a little while longer until oil prices pick up, then they are going to get much higher returns and you need to consider the fact that the lifespan of this field is only 10 years.

MAELZER: The government estimates it should reap at least half a billion dollars a year from oil and gas, a huge boost to its revenues, which barely topped $1 billion last year. Rian Maelzer, Cambodia.

READ MORE - The Challenge of Extracting Oil from Cambodia

FEDERAL WAY WOMAN SENTENCED FOR CONSPIRACY, VISA FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING AND CONCEALING AN ILLEGAL ALIEN

http://media-newswire.com

VUTHY SIM, 35, of Federal Way, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 33 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, three counts of Visa Fraud, Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering, three counts of Money Laundering, and Concealing an Illegal Alien. SIM was convicted January 23, 2009, following a twelve-day jury trial.

(Media-Newswire.com) - VUTHY SIM, 35, of Federal Way, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 33 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, three counts of Visa Fraud, Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering, three counts of Money Laundering, and Concealing an Illegal Alien. SIM was convicted January 23, 2009, following a twelve-day jury trial. The jury deliberated for one day before finding SIM guilty. At sentencing U.S. District Judge James L. Robart called the scheme “troublesome and serious,” saying “The victims in this kind of visa fraud ... are our community... our society, and the people who could not come here, whose spots were being taken by those engaging in the fraud.”

According to testimony at trial and court documents, beginning in approximately June 2002, SIM recruited U.S. citizens to participate in sham marriages with Cambodian nationals. The purpose of the fake marriages was for the Cambodian national to receive a visa to come to the United States and a “green card” to stay here. In furtherance of the scheme, and as directed by SIM, the U.S. citizen would travel to Cambodia and pose in staged engagement or wedding photos with a Cambodian national. SIM typically would prepare the immigration paperwork and have the U.S. citizen sign it, and then would submit the immigration paperwork to Citizenship and Immigration Services. After the Cambodian national arrived in the United States, the Cambodian national and the U.S. citizen would have a civil wedding ceremony, with SIM and members of her family typically acting as the witnesses at the wedding. SIM would pay the U.S. citizen $20,000 in exchange for the citizen’s participation in the scheme, with the money being paid over time, and the final payment not made until the Cambodian citizen was in the U.S. and had a green card. SIM would pay the U.S. citizen with money that SIM received from the Cambodian national. The evidence at trial showed that SIM profited in excess of $160,000.

The evidence at trial proved that SIM and coconspirators wired money from Cambodia to SIM’s U.S. bank accounts. SIM then used that money to pay U.S. coconspirators for their participation in the fake marriages.

SIM also illegally concealed an illegal alien. The evidence showed that SIM sponsored her “mother” to come to the U.S., but the person who used the visa issued to SIM’s mother was, in fact, SIM’s sister. According to a witness at trial, SIM’s sister has fled to Cambodia, rather than risk being arrested by immigration authorities.

In asking for a significant sentence, federal prosecutors wrote to the court that this type of fraud harms other immigrants. “Vuthy Sim showed a complete disregard for the immigration laws of the United States. By facilitating sham marriages, Vuthy Sim caused participants in her scheme to gain unfair advantages over those aliens who were lawfully and truthfully seeking U.S. visas,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division ( IRS-CID ).

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karyn Johnson and Ye-Ting Woo.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at ( 206 ) 553-4110.

READ MORE - FEDERAL WAY WOMAN SENTENCED FOR CONSPIRACY, VISA FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING AND CONCEALING AN ILLEGAL ALIEN