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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yours Sincerely,

Name not provided

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

Mu Sochua versus the bestial prime minister

Mu Sochua’s valuable heroism in her quest for justice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ MORE - Mu Sochua versus the bestial prime minister

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Le verdict de Dux est une feuille de vigne

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

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

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

Le verdict, le doigt du sage

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

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

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

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

Rambouillet, le 26 juillet 2010

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

READ MORE - Le verdict de Dux, feuille de vigne ou doigt du sage

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

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

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

27 juillet 2010
Agence Reuters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disparu pendant 20 ans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dance Troupe Prepares for Smithsonian Perfomance

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

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

“This story is very popular in Cambodia.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ MORE - Dance Troupe Prepares for Smithsonian Perfomance

In Chicago, US-Cambodians Seek Political Voice

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

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Chicago Wednesday, 28 July 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ MORE - In Chicago, US-Cambodians Seek Political Voice

Duch Victims Want Stupa in Remembrance of the Dead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ MORE - Duch Victims Want Stupa in Remembrance of the Dead

[Thai sore losers] Govt issues temple ultimatum

Thais will quit heritage body if plans are passed

29/07/2010
Bangkok Post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He saw no drawbacks if Thailand withdrew its WHC membership.

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ MORE - [Thai sore losers] Govt issues temple ultimatum

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

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

29/07/2010
Pradit Ruangdit
Bangkok Post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Public figures weigh in on prison term

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ MORE - Public figures weigh in on prison term