Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen visit to flood-affected Kampot province

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen rides a motorbike during his visit to flood-affected Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen greets the crowd as he visits flood-affected Kamport province in Cambodia September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen examines a flood-affected house during his visit to Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/stringer

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is greeted by flood-affected villagers during his visit to Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) questions a gasoline vendor during his visit to flood-affected Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) walks through flood-waters during his visit to Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen talks to flood-affected villagers during his visit to Kamport province, Cambodia, September 8, 2009. Two men were killed when trying to flee flooding in the province caused by torrential rain which affected almost 5,000 families and damaged 330 hectares of crops over the weekend. REUTERS/Stringer

8 killed, 3 missing in flash floods in Turkey

People work to clean their property after flash floods left them swamped out with debris piled high, in Selimpasa, a suburb of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Flash floods were triggered by torrential rains in the region have caused deaths, washed away a bridge and caused massive damage to many hundreds of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)

Damaged cars and boats, seen in Selimpasa, a suburb of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Flash floods triggered by torrential rains killed six people and left swaths of lands in northwestern Turkey awash. At least three people were reported missing. Heavy rains caused floods in the Silivri and Catalca suburbs of Istanbul, as well, immersing homes and roads, officials said. Heavy rains that began late Monday washed away one bridge and inundated hundreds of homes in the Saray region. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)

People survey the area with roadways washed away following flash floods in Selimpasa, a suburb of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Flash floods were triggered by torrential rains in the region and have caused deaths, washed away a bridge and caused massive damage to many hundreds of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)

Cars lay abandoned following flash floods near the sea in Selimpasa, a suburb of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Flash floods were triggered by torrential rains in the region and have caused deaths, washed away a bridge and caused massive damage to many hundreds of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)

A rescue helicopter flies over a flooded area in Selimpasa, a suburb of Istanbul, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Flash floods triggered by torrential rains killed six people and left swaths of lands in northwestern Turkey awash. At least three people were reported missing. Heavy rains caused floods in the Silivri and Catalca suburbs of Istanbul, as well, immersing homes and roads, officials said. Heavy rains that began late Monday washed away one bridge and inundated hundreds of homes in the Saray region. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)

Cars are partially submerged near the sea, following flash floods in Selimpasa, a suburb of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Flash floods were triggered by torrential rains in the region and have caused deaths, washed away a bridge and caused massive damage to many hundreds of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)

ANKARA, Turkey — Flash floods triggered by torrential rains killed eight people and left swaths of land in northwestern Turkey awash Tuesday. At least three people were reported missing.

Nazmi Coban, the mayor of the town of Saray, said rescue workers there recovered the bodies of a mother and her three daughters, and were still searching for the father who was swept away by floods.

Rescuers also found the bodies of an elderly couple whose house collapsed in the floods, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported. Saray is in Tekirdag province, close to the border with Greece.

Two bodies were discovered in the Istanbul suburb of Catalca, local Mayor Yuksel Ayhan told private NTV television.

Heavy rains that began late Monday washed away bridges and roads, and inundated hundreds of homes in the region. Dozens of farm animals were swept away by gushing waters.

Heavy rains caused floods in Istanbul's seaside Silivri suburb, as well, and two people were reported missing. One was a girl whose mother and sister managed to get out of a car safely before the girl was dragged away by the floods, Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler said.

In Silivri, police and military helicopters were sent to rescue people confined to their homes, according to television footage. Dozens of cars were swept away, some ending up in the sea. A fire truck could be seen lying on its side.

People climbed on top of rooftops waiting to be rescued, NTV reported.

Two international highways linking Istanbul to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria were closed temporarily, Anatolia reported.

On Monday, a Cambodia-flagged freighter broke into two and sank in heavy storms off the Black Sea coast of Istanbul. All 12 crew members were rescued.

More rain was forecast for the area Wednesday.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Flash floods triggered by torrential rains killed six people and left swaths of lands in northwestern Turkey awash Tuesday. At least three people were reported missing.

Nazmi Coban, the mayor of the town of Saray, said rescue workers there recovered the bodies of four people, including a 6-year-old girl, and were searching for another member of the family who was swept away by floods.

Rescuers also found the bodies of an elderly couple whose house collapsed in the floods, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported. Saray is in Tekirdag province, close to the border with Greece.

Heavy rains that began late Monday washed away one bridge and inundated hundreds of homes in the Saray region. Dozens of farm animals were swept away by gushing waters.

Heavy rains caused floods in the Silivri and Catalca suburbs of Istanbul, as well, immersing homes and roads, officials said. Two people were reported missing. One was a girl, whose mother and sister managed to get out of a car safely before the girl was dragged away by the floods, Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler said.

In Silivri, police and military helicopters were sent to rescue people confined to their homes, according to television footage. Dozens of cars were swept away. A fire truck could be seen lying on its side.

Two international highways linking Istanbul to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria were closed temporarily, Anatolia reported.

On Monday, a Cambodia-flagged freighter broke into two and sank in heavy storms off the coast of Istanbul. All 12 crew members were rescued.

More rain was forecast for the area Wednesday.

Hun Sen: Cambodia Stopped the Partnership in Land Titling with the World Bank First – Tuesday, 8.9.2009

Posted on 8 September 2009
The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 629
http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com/

“The partnership in the Land Management and Administration Project [LMAP] between the World Bank and the Royal Government of Cambodia has been completely terminated by a declaration of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akkak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen, as stated on 7 September 2009. He claimed that it was done because the World Bank set many complicated conditions which would make it difficult to cooperate.

“During a public announcement of the results of the general census of the Cambodian population in 2008, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said, ‘I ended the partnership with the World Bank in land titling, and the World Bank can take back all the remaining resources, because their conditions are complicated, making it difficult to cooperate. Formerly, we did not do it like this, but now, we have to continue with our own national resources. Do not try to be bossy.’

Note:

The following two documents give details about developments before the termination of the Land Management and Administration Project:

16 July 2009: Development Partners Call for Halt to Evictions of Cambodia’s Urban Poor

29 August 2009: World Bank Holds Discussions on Reforms

“Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen added that Cambodia ended the contract fist, but not the World Bank. He confirmed, ‘We declared to end it first. Do not be tricky. Cambodia stopped it first. Do not act like a prestigious one by confirming to terminate the project first. Do not act as a big brother to control other partners.’

Note:

Actually, the World Bank release, “Statement from the World Bank on Termination by Royal Government of Cambodia of the Land Management and Administration Project” speaks clearly about which side declared the cooperation to be ended: “Following a decision by the Council of Ministers on Friday, 4 September 2009, to terminate World Bank financing of the Land Management and Administration Project (LMAP), World Bank Country Director for South-East Asia, Annette Dixon, made the following statement…”

Together with this announcement, there is also a document Related Content: Enhanced Review Report of LMAP (size 657kb, PDF format) at the same web site, offered for download.

“Regarding the Prime Minister’s statement about the ending of the partnership, officials of the Sam Rainsy Party expressed regret, saying that it leads to a loss of benefits for all Khmer citizens. Speaking via telephone on Monday evening, the spokesperson of the Sam Rainsy Party, Mr. Yim Sovann, said, ‘The conditions of the World Bank benefit Khmer citizens by protecting the land ownership of Khmer citizens. Therefore, I really regret the ending of the above contract.’

“Mr. Yim Sovann added that the World Bank brings money to help us and to benefit us, but we ourselves do not help ourselves, but care only about partisan benefits.

“However, the Sam Rainsy Party spokesperson suggested to the Royal Government to reconsider the ties with the World Bank, saying, in short, ‘Otherwise, citizens will condemn this decision.’

“Furthermore, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said, ‘They are still not modest, sometimes they demand this condition, sometimes they suspend that. Now there need to be no more suspensions, let it end due to too many conditions. Though there will be some quarrel to be addressed later, it still will be halted – but to provide aid is your obligation.’

“Regarding the discontinuation of the partnership in land titling, some economists in Cambodia could not offer detailed comments on Monday, when they were asked about the positive and the negative impact of this decision on the economy. Both the president of the Cambodian Economic Association, Mr. Chan Sophal, and a Cambodian independent economist, Mr. Kang Chandara, said, ‘I cannot comment on this case, but wait until I study this case in detail first.’

“On 6 September 2009, the World Bank, through Ms. Annette Dickson, the World Bank Country Director for South-East Asia, released a statement regarding the above case. She said in the statement, ‘Land security and a fair, transparent approach to resolving land disputes and resettlement are among the greatest challenges facing Cambodia today.’

“The statement also pointed out that the project had issued more than 1.1 million land titles, mostly to poor people in rural areas, and the World Bank provided finance for the land administration, and that the Land Management and Administration Project had achieved success in rural areas, but failed to achieve the agreed goals in urban areas where land disputes are on the rise.

“Nevertheless, the director of the World Bank said, ‘We are encouraged by the Government’s statement of its commitment to continuing reforms in the land sector and working towards an improved policy and legal framework for resettlement that reflects their commitment to international treaties.’

“She added in the statement, ‘We remain committed to working with Government and other development partners through the Technical Working Group on Land to support Cambodia’s efforts to secure land tenure, reduce poverty, and improve economic opportunity for all of its people.”

Deum Ampil, Vol.3, #283, 8.9.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Acid Attack Victim To Appeal Suspects’ Release

Ya Soknim, a victim of an acid attack

By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington
08 September 2009

The family of an acid attack victim has vowed to fight on in court, despite living in fear and hiding since a recent court decision to release the alleged perpetrators.

Ya Soknim, 39, who was assaulted in May 2008, said Monday that her whole family has limited its movement since the Phnom Penh court dropped charges against a former military police officer, Chea Ratha, and six alleged accomplices.

“For fear of our family’s safety, we regularly change our hiding place,” Ya Soknim said, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

The family has decided to appeal the release, despite the appearance of strangers who seem to be watching them following last week’s decision.

Ya Soknim took burn damage to nearly half her body, after her niece, In Soklyda, a former beauty queen, broke off a love affair with Chea Ratha, a former military police deputy chief of staff.

In Soklyda, who also appeared on “Hello VOA,” said that since she left Chea Ratha, most of her family has not been able to work, as they continue to move around to stay safe.

In Soklyda (L) and her aunt, Ya Soknim, appeal for help in their court case against a Cambodian military police officer.

“We will continue to take our case to the Appeal Court, even though we know that we have little hope,” she said. “Our lives are in the hands of the perpetrators. We now live in fear. Our lives are meaningless. We are only waiting for our dying day.”

Chea Ratha was reportedly on a trip overseas for a medical check-up when the attack took place and has herself been in hiding for fear of arrest. However, In Soklyda said the female officer had made threatening phone calls to her relatives.

“She threatened and mocked at my aunt’s suffering,” In Soklyda said. “It was the same threats as before I left her.”

A Move to Register Sex Offenders Globally

An US national accused of having sex with minors is taken into custody in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
TANG CHHIN SOTHY / AFP / Getty

TIME/CNN
http://www.time.com

By Deena Guzder Monday, Sep. 07, 2009

While the world's attention was focused on Phillip Garrido, who is accused of abducting 11-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard in 1991 and holding her hostage for 18 years as a sex slave, three other alleged sexual predators were quietly brought back to the United States to face prosecution for abusing countless children in Cambodia. The horrifying ordeal of Garrido's victim is now well documented; however, the stories of an estimated 1.8 million other children worldwide who are forced into the multi-billion dollar commercial sex trade every year remain largely unheard.

One of the men arrested in Cambodia, Jack Sporich, 75, spent nine years in a California prison for molesting as many as 500 boys during camping trips. Although Sporich was placed on a public registry and barred from living or working within 1,000 feet of a school or a child-care center anywhere in the U.S., Cambodian authorities were not notified when Sporich relocated to Phnom Penh in 2006. Sporich was arrested after an investigation by a local agency — Action Pour Les Enfants-Cambodia — alleged that he had lured three Cambodian boys aged 9 to 12 to his home with toys and candies. Court documents state that Sporich also enticed them by dropping Cambodian currency in the street as he rode along on a motorbike.

The case has reinvigorated support for H.R. 1623, the "International Megan's law," which Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, introduced in March 2009. If passed, the bill would alert officials abroad when U.S. sex offenders intend to travel, and likewise encourage other countries to keep sex offender lists and to notify the U.S. about offenders' travel plans to the United States. U.S. law can grab American predators overseas. Sporich, along with Ronald Boyajian, 49, and Erik Peeters, 41, were charged under the PROTECT Act, which was enacted six years ago to strengthen federal laws related to predatory crimes committed outside the U.S. (A federal magistrate ordered the three held in custody until their arraignment on Sept. 21. Each could face up to 30 years in prison per victim if convicted.)

(The Czech Republic's extreme solution to sexual predators.)

But human rights organizations say their alleged crimes never should have occurred because all three men were previously convicted of sex offenses in the U.S. and listed in the domestic sex offender registry. "Sex offenders still think they can come to East Asia and commit new crimes with impunity," says Giorgio Berardi, Program Officer for Combating Child-Sex Tourism at ECPAT International, an organization working to eliminate child pornography, prostitution and trafficking. "We need far better collaboration between countries to prevent sexual exploitation of children."

(Read about Iraq's unspeakable crime: Mothers pimping daughters.)

Human rights organizations say an International Megan's Law would be a step in the right direction. "If we know someone is committing serious crimes at home or overseas, we want to accurately identify them," says Karen Stauss of the Polaris Project, an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking. Amanda Bissex, UNICEF Thailand's Chief of Child Protection, agrees H.R. 1623 would benefit vulnerable children. "We need to improve law enforcement and the economic welfare of children," says Bissex, "but we also need to address people's attitudes and create an environment where there is zero tolerance for abuse of children whether in their home country or oversees."

Commercial sexual exploitation of children is booming, and governments are not doing enough to protect young people, according to a global report released by ECPAT-International in August 2009. "The recent economic downturn is set to drive more vulnerable children and young people to be exploited by the global sex trade," says Carmen Madrinan, Executive Director of ECPAT International. "The indifference that sustains the criminality, greed and perverse demands of adults for sex with children and young people needs to end."

UNICEF surveys indicate that 30% to 35% of all sex workers in the Mekong sub-region of Southeast Asia are between 12 and 17 years of age. Women and girls from poor rural families make up the majority of sex workers in Southeast Asian countries, says Bissex. "Even in situations where a child knowingly goes into this, it's not a choice a child can make, or ever would make if they had other [economic] options."

Rep. Smith is one of the few prominent U.S. politicians who has proposed legislation to curb America's role in the international sex industry, an industry that he notes is intimately linked to child prostitution and human trafficking. "The buyers of commercial sex must be sensitized to the harm they cause women and girls and to the fact their money fuels modern day slavery," Smith said at a joint briefing of the Congressional Caucus on Human Trafficking and the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus in July 2009. "A cultural shift that recognizes the link between commercial sex and the trafficking of women and girls would starve the modern-day slaveholders. If potential buyers knew of the unspeakable lives of servitude and degradation these victims suffer, I think they would think twice before laying down their money."

Earlier this year, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) stated in "Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 2009" that 79% of all global trafficking is for sexual exploitation, which is one of the world's fastest growing criminal activities. The report said the proportion of minors involved in all forms of human trafficking has increased between 2003 and 2007 from about 15% to nearly 22%. In June 2009, the Obama administration expanded the U.S. watch-list of countries suspected of not doing enough to combat human trafficking, putting more than four dozen nations — including Cambodia and the Philippines — on notice that they might face sanctions unless their records improve.

Sex tourism, whether targeting children or adults, creates huge monetary incentives for human traffickers, according to Siddharth Kara, a board member of the Washington D.C.-based NGO Free the Slaves and author of the 2008 book Even within the exploding human trafficking industry, which according to Kara generated $152.3 billion in revenues in 2007, trafficked sex workers are by far the most profitable of slaves — although they constitute only 4.2% of the world's slave population, trafficked sex workers contribute 39.1% of slaveholders' profits. Destination countries often turn a blind eye to sex tourism because of these enormous revenues. The International Labor Organization estimates that sex tourism contributes 2% to 14% of the gross domestic product of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

This article was reported with a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.