Hun Sen 'undermining' court

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN premier Hun Sen's calls to limit prosecutions at the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal bring into question the independence of the war crimes court, a leading rights group said on Thursday.
New York-based Human Rights Watch alleged Mr Hun Sen has attempted to control the court by asserting war could return to Cambodia if cases are brought against additional members of the late 1970s regime.
'Hun Sen has no role in this court, yet he keeps trying to use his hold over its Cambodian personnel to interfere,' Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
The lobby group demanded the court's judges, who are expected to soon rule whether to pursue additional former Khmer Rouge cadres, show independence in their decision. 'The UN and international donors need to put their foot down so that the court can get on with its work in an independent and impartial manner,' Mr Adams said.
The prime minister said in a March speech that he would prefer the tribunal fail than have war return to Cambodia as a result of additional trials. Last week Mr Hun Sen reportedly also told French President Nicolas Sarkozy that the court should limit trials to five former leaders.
The court is currently hearing its first trial. Former Khmer Rouge prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known by the alias Duch, has accepted responsibility for overseeing the torture and execution of over 15,000 people.
Four more former leaders from the 1975-79 regime are currently in detention awaiting trial, but the tribunal's Cambodian prosecutor has resisted efforts to pursue six additional suspects.
The Cambodian government has been accused of trying to scupper further trials out of fear that prosecutors might target former Khmer Rouge members currently in top posts in Mr Hun Sen's administration.
The Cambodian side of the international court has also been hit by a scandal in which local staff were allegedly forced to pay kickbacks for their jobs.
Up to two million people died of starvation and overwork, or were executed, as the hardline Khmer Rouge emptied Cambodia's cities in its drive to create a communist utopia. -- AFP

North Korea insult Hillary

Hillary's terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day

And Hillary Clinton thought she was having a bad day when she broke her elbow ...
Today, a meeting of Asian leaders in Thailand turned into the set of "Mean Girls": North Korea called the Secretary of State a "funny lady" who "looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going shopping." Ouch. To be fair, Clinton stirred it up earlier this week when she compared North Korea to "unruly teenagers."
For the Secretary of State, this latest scrap must feel like the cherry on top of a big fat banana peel of a month.
This is Clinton's first trip abroad since she fell and broke her elbow in the White House basement last month. (Does the White House offer workman's comp?) Clinton's duties, naturally, were curtailed somewhat during her recuperation, but political pundits quickly jumped on the fact that while she was laid up, President Obama was gallivanting around the globe sans his Secretary of State. Read more................

FLU EPIDEMIC - Too many details causing panic: Ammar

Govt just telling the truth, minister says

Prominent economist and social critic Ammar Siamwalla urged the government yesterday to stop creating panic over the new flu pandemic, and said its efforts to curb with the outbreak were unclear.
"Personally, I think Thailand has disseminated too much information about the new flu virus and caused panic among people, which is unbalanced," he said.
Ammar gave a speech entitled "Economic development on a biological base" at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office.
The move comes after a jump in the number of infections and deaths, which the Health Ministry announced on Wednesday. Thailand has had 6,776 confirmed cases of the new flu, with 44 fatalities.
But Ammar thought the Health Ministry's latest report scared people.
While reports on about the spread of the virus did not affect the economy and only slightly reduced the number of tourists, he feared serious outcomes in the future if people panicked too much.
Instead of reporting the number of people who caught the bug and increasing number of deaths, the government should focus on what people knew and understood about the disease.
"The government should inform the public that this new flu virus is easy to spread but it is not dangerous if people receive the appropriate medication immediately," he said.
He advised the government to focus on prevention and provide information to people, especially those in crowded places such as schools, or public space with airconditioners.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said he conceded some failings in moves to tackle with the pandemic, including the provision of medication to patients with severe flulike symptoms.
Witthaya, who was stuck in a blockade of people during a visit to Angthong, Ayutthaya and Chai Nat, he said the ministry had not concealed any information over the influenza pandemic and condemned people for trying to distort information and politicise the issue.
"These were real figures that we reported to the public. There was no reason for us to lie to people because if we do not tell the truth to people hospitals would be pushed to breaking point," he said.
Asked if the ministry had pondered panic concern caused by the surge in infections and deaths, he said Thais knew more about the virus now, and that people all over the world did not have immunity against it, so they were equally at risk and needed to avoided getting the flu.
He urged medical workers to provide drugs faster to patients with severe flulike symptom to reduce the number of deaths.
"Most patients die because of delayed treatment," he said. "They go to hospital too late after developing a severe flulike illness."
All provinces must reserve a sufficient stockpile of the antiviral drug oseltamivir and provide it immediately to patients with severe flulike symptoms.
"Patients who have flulike symptom for two days must be given oseltamivir immediately when admitted hospital," he stressed.
Pregnant women with flulike symptoms also must be given special care.
Clinics and drug stores should not let patients who have high fever and develop severe flulike symptoms to take a fever reducer by themselves for week. They should be advised to go to hospital instead.
The Health Ministry was trying to control the spread of disease in areas where there have been a high number of infections or deaths, he said.

The Nation

Hwang-DBS opens bank in Cambodia

HWANG-DBS (Malaysia) Bhd has opened its first bank in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Hwang-DBS Commercial Bank plc, to capitalise on the country’s position as an attractive international destination for business and foreign direct investment. The wholly-owned subsidiary was set up with a paid-up capital of US$20 million (RM70.8 million). Hwang-DBS CB is starting its banking activities on July 27 against the competitive local backdrop of more than 27 local and foreign commercial banks.

Source: Bussiness Times

Viettel becomes sole sponsor of Cambodia’s Football Federation

Metfone Company under Vietnam’s Military Telecom Corporation (Viettel) signed a sponsorship contract with the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) in Phnom Penh on July 22.
Under the sponsorship contract, Metfone will become the main sponsor for most tournaments in the FFC framework and its football squads from 2010-2012 with a total donation of US$1.5 million.
Addressing the signing ceremony, FFC President Sao Sokha expressed his belief that even more favourable conditions for FFC’s operations will be created, thanks to teaming with an experienced, effective and faithful partner like Metfone. Together with Metfone, the FFC hopes to develop Cambodian football, contributing to boosting sports activities of all kinds throughout the country.
Metfone Director Nguyen Duy Tho affirmed that his company is willing to continue providing long-term sponsorship for football in the Kingdom.
Licensed in July 2007, Viettel Cambodia has about 500,000 subscribers in the country.(VNA)

Sam Rainsy Party held candle lighting

Mr.Sam Rainsy and Mrs. Mu Sok Hua, as well as Sam Rainsy Party's members, held candle lighting on Friday morning in front of Phnom Penh Municipal Court before it opened hearing on the case suied by Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen against Mrs. Mu Sok Hua of spoiling his reputation.

COULD YOU SURVIVE WITHOUT MONEY?MEET THE GUY WHO DOES

By Yahoo

DANIEL SUELO LIVES IN A CAVE. UNLIKE THE average American—wallowing in credit-card debt, clinging to a mortgage, terrified of the next downsizing at the office—he isn't worried about the economic crisis. That's because he figured out that the best way to stay solvent is to never be solvent in the first place. Nine years ago, in the autumn of 2000, Suelo decided to stop using money. He just quit it, like a bad drug habit. His dwelling, hidden high in a canyon lined with waterfalls, is an hour by foot from the desert town of Moab, Utah, where people who know him are of two minds: He's either a latter-day prophet or an irredeemable hobo. Suelo's blog, which he maintains free at the Moab Public Library, suggests that he's both. "When I lived with money, I was always lacking," he writes. "Money represents lack. Money represents things in the past (debt) and things in the future (credit), but money never represents what is present." Read more................

FLU PANDEMIC - 440,000 people said to have had the bug

The number of people in Thailand who have caught the new flu virus is getting close to half a million, the Public Health Ministry announced yesterday.

Dr Kamnuan Ungchusak, spokesperson for the Disease Control Department, said the ministry estimated the "real" number of people who had caught the typeA (H1N1) flu strain in the three months since the outbreak hit the country in early May was about 440,000. This was based on a ratio of about 10 deaths per 100,000 people infected with the new virus. Thailand has had 44 deaths attributed to the new flu. That meant about 440,000 people had had the virus. Kamnuan spoke at the first weekly press conference at the ministry yesterday, when it announced there had been 20 more deaths over the past week.The number of cases confirmed by laboratory tests is 6,776. At present, only 35 patients were in hospital. But seven were in a critical condition. Previously, Professor Prasert Thongcharoen, a leading virologist and chairman of the ministry's advisory committee on strategy for public health and medicine, had predicted the number of patients would jump because the virus was spreading more easily among people, especially in urban areas. Its spread through rural areas was also seen as rising, but over a period of months, not weeks. Prof Prasert said most did not have immunity against the new flu virus and the H1N1 pandemic was spreading faster among humans than the seasonal flu virus. Disease Control Department spokesperson Dr Suppamit Chunsutiwat estimated that between 6 to 30 million people would get the new flu virus with about 600 to 1,200 people likeฌly to die because most people do not have immunity. To reduce the mortality rate, Kamnuan said the ministry would try to control the spread of the virus by asking people with flulike symptoms to stay at home and avoid public places. Dr Somchai Chakrabhand, directorgeneral of the Disease Control Department, said his agency had sent 1.2 million antiviral oseltamivir tablets to rural hospitals nationwide in bid to boost the stockpile of essential medication in case of a surge in patients with severe symptoms. The department had earlier sent one million tablets of oseltamivir to rural hospitals. Dr Paijit Warachit, deputy permanent secretary of the health ministry, said medical schools nationwide had been asked to boost the number of higherlevel graduates available to treat patients. He said this measure would be effective in four weeks. Meanwhile, Chulalongkorn University virologist Dr Yong Pooworawan said he has studied the genetic code of the new A(H1N1) flu strain, collected from patients over the past three months. He found there were only slight changes in two proteins on the surface of the virus: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). This meant the virus was not mutating yet. Thailand may use a lot of oseltamivir to treat patients with new flu virus, but he said the lab results showed the virus was not showing resistance to the antiviral drug.

Source: The Nation

ASEAN TALKS - Suu Kyi must be freed : Clinton

North Korea urged to drop nuclear plans and return to six-party talks
Phuket - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday called on Burma to release pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi as a precondition for the normalisation of ties with the United States. "It is important" for the world community, particularly Asean member countries, to "encourage the Burmese leadership to open up", she said.
The US hopes for a positive change in Burma but in the end it would be up to Asean to bring that about, she said.
Suu Kyi is now standing trial for allegedly sheltering a foreigner. She had been on house arrest for many years.
Clinton praised Asean collectively for its progress on human rights, saying the development of human rights within the regional grouping was "very welcomed" by the US government.
"Asean is moving in a very positive direction," she said.
But more attempts should be made to pressure Burma to "change their direction", she said.
The secretary of state also announced a return of the superpower to the region, which has a population of almost 600 million.
"The United States is back in Southeast Asia. President Obama and I believe that this region is vital to the global progress, peace and prosperity," she told the media at the Sheraton Grande Laguna hotel.
Clinton spent much of the press conference attempting to persuade North Korea to return to the discussion table on the Korean Peninsula's nuclear crisis.
She said only "irreversible denuclearisation" by North Korea would pave the way for a normalisation of ties with the US and prevent the country from facing global sanctions.
The goal was the betterment of North Korean citizens, she said.
All the five other countries in the six-party talks - the US, Russia, China, South Korea and Japan - were adamant that North Korea would have to halt its nuclear programme.
"We are willing to discuss the future of North Korea only if they agree to talk about denuclearisation," she said.
Clinton came to this resort island to attend the security-related Asean Regional Forum today. She also represented the US at the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with Asean.
Security was tight before and during the press briefing, with all journalists and cameramen covering the event required to pass through a metal detector.

Source: The Nation

International phone fraud ring busted in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai - Police in the northern provincial city of Chiang Mai have arrested 94 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals believed to have been operating an international money transfer fraud ring on Tuesday.
Thaivisa.com reported about 100 police from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), along with tourist police and highway police, executed warrants at 11 houses at several well-known Chiang Mai housing estates Tuesday as part of a concerted effort to close the gang's operation down.
According to police, most of the suspects taken into custody were good-looking females who would use prepared scripts to trick people into making online money transfers.
Police said the raids netted telephones, computers, communication equipment and the scripts used by the gang, as well as a safe belonging to a core Taiwanese leader of the gang containing Thai and Chinese currency totaling Bt50 million (about $US1.47 million).

The Nation

Cambodia and France Sign Conventions on Further Military Cooperation

As the Cambodian Ministry of Defence reported today, three conventions on defence cooperation between France and Cambodia were signed formally on Thursday July 15, 2009 by General Moeng Samphan, Secretary of State for National Defence, and Mr. Lemachand Laurent, First Secretary of French Embassy to the Kingdom of Cambodia at the office of national defence ministry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.Under the 1994 agreement between Cambodian and French governments, the Cambodia Defence Ministry has signed a series of conventions on defence cooperation, said Gen. Moeng Samphan. He also stated that France and Cambodia have a long traditional relationship. A recent formal visit by Cambodian Prime minister to France is to increasingly strengthen ties, cooperation and solidarity between the two countries.In response, Mr. Lemachand Laurent praised for Cambodian Defence Ministry’s effort and cooperation with the French military mission. He said the three new conventions signed on Thursday are added to the previous conventions aiming at continuing to train and build up military skills, especially in gendarmeries skills and the knowledge of the French language for CRAF, among them some of whom will be sent to the training schools and military academy in France.

Source: defpro.news

K.Rouge prisoners were 'considered animals'

PHNOM PENH (AFP) – A former Khmer Rouge interrogator told Cambodia's war crimes court Wednesday that his boss at the regime's main torture centre indoctrinated staff to consider their prisoners as animals.
Prak Khan, 58, was testifying at the UN-backed court against prison chief Duch, who is accused of overseeing the torture and execution of around 15,000 people held at Tuol Sleng prison, known as S-21, in the late 1970s.

"At S-21, it was only Duch who indoctrinated our stance, our absolute stance against the enemies (prisoners) and that we had to take it seriously. We had to consider the enemies as animals," he told the tribunal.
Prak Khan's statements represent some of the trial's most damning testimony against Duch, whom he described as an enthusiastic leader who terrified staff.
In testimony Tuesday, Prak Khan told the court that Duch taught staff how to torture prisoners by using electric shocks, suffocation and inserting needles under their nails.
The witness Wednesday admitted his own involvement in crimes at S-21, after the prosecution showed a video in which he told prison survivor Vann Nath that he beat a young female prisoner with branches until she urinated herself.
Prak Khan never saw Duch torture any prisoners but said he did see the S-21 chief once enter an interrogation room while staff were abusing an inmate.
Duch, however, disputed some of Prak Khan's account, calling the witness "minor staff" at the prison and denying he participated in an interrogation with his subordinates.
"I think (this testimony) came out as a result of fear. At that time you were afraid, you were fearful of being arrested by me. But now you are afraid that you might be faced with the court as I am facing now," Duch said.
The 66-year-old Duch, whose real name is Kaing Guek Eav, has accepted responsibility for his role governing the jail and begged forgiveness for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
But the defendant has consistently rejected claims by prosecutors that he held a central leadership role in the Khmer Rouge, and says he never personally killed anyone.
Led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge emptied Cambodia's cities in a bid to forge a communist utopia. Up to two million people died of starvation, overwork and torture or were executed during the 1975-1979 regime.
The tribunal was formed in 2006 after nearly a decade of wrangling between the UN and the Cambodian government. The court aims to complete Duch's trial by October, said a spokesman on Wednesday.
Four more former Khmer Rouge leaders currently in detention are expected to face trial next year at the court, and judges are expected to soon rule whether investigators should pursue six more regime cadres for prosecution.
However, the troubled tribunal faces accusations of Cambodian government interference and claims that local staff were forced to pay kickbacks for their jobs.

K.Rouge prisoners were 'considered animals'

PHNOM PENH (AFP) – A former Khmer Rouge interrogator told Cambodia's war crimes court Wednesday that his boss at the regime's main torture centre indoctrinated staff to consider their prisoners as animals.
Prak Khan, 58, was testifying at the UN-backed court against prison chief Duch, who is accused of overseeing the torture and execution of around 15,000 people held at Tuol Sleng prison, known as S-21, in the late 1970s.

"At S-21, it was only Duch who indoctrinated our stance, our absolute stance against the enemies (prisoners) and that we had to take it seriously. We had to consider the enemies as animals," he told the tribunal.
Prak Khan's statements represent some of the trial's most damning testimony against Duch, whom he described as an enthusiastic leader who terrified staff.
In testimony Tuesday, Prak Khan told the court that Duch taught staff how to torture prisoners by using electric shocks, suffocation and inserting needles under their nails.
The witness Wednesday admitted his own involvement in crimes at S-21, after the prosecution showed a video in which he told prison survivor Vann Nath that he beat a young female prisoner with branches until she urinated herself.
Prak Khan never saw Duch torture any prisoners but said he did see the S-21 chief once enter an interrogation room while staff were abusing an inmate.
Duch, however, disputed some of Prak Khan's account, calling the witness "minor staff" at the prison and denying he participated in an interrogation with his subordinates.
"I think (this testimony) came out as a result of fear. At that time you were afraid, you were fearful of being arrested by me. But now you are afraid that you might be faced with the court as I am facing now," Duch said.
The 66-year-old Duch, whose real name is Kaing Guek Eav, has accepted responsibility for his role governing the jail and begged forgiveness for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
But the defendant has consistently rejected claims by prosecutors that he held a central leadership role in the Khmer Rouge, and says he never personally killed anyone.
Led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge emptied Cambodia's cities in a bid to forge a communist utopia. Up to two million people died of starvation, overwork and torture or were executed during the 1975-1979 regime.
The tribunal was formed in 2006 after nearly a decade of wrangling between the UN and the Cambodian government. The court aims to complete Duch's trial by October, said a spokesman on Wednesday.
Four more former Khmer Rouge leaders currently in detention are expected to face trial next year at the court, and judges are expected to soon rule whether investigators should pursue six more regime cadres for prosecution.
However, the troubled tribunal faces accusations of Cambodian government interference and claims that local staff were forced to pay kickbacks for their jobs.

TYPE A (H1N1) VIRUS - Ministry urged to get ready for patient influx

Flu infections will increase drastically next month; flu jabs encouraged; Flu patients can't watch Liverpool

The Public Health Ministry yesterday was urged to prepare sufficient medical resources - including intensive care units, respirators and health experts - to handle the peak period of the type-A (H1N1) outbreak expected next month. Professor Prasert Thongcharoen, a leading virologist and chairman of the ministry's advisory committee on strategy for public health and medicine, said the ministry has learnt that number of patients would rise drastically in the next two to eight weeks as the virus is spreading more easily among people, especially in urban areas. Patients in rural areas would also increase over the next two to four months.The elderly and those with underlying diseases should receive the seasonal flu jab to protect them, he said.Patients with the 2009 flu virus will be crowding hospitals seeking medication over the next few months, especially those suffering from severe flu symptoms and those with critical conditions that could lead to death. "During the past three months we learnt that some patients infected with the new flu virus had died because they had gone to see a doctor too late and also suffered from underlying diseases. Patients in critical condition also had pneumonia," he said. According to the ministry's statement released last Wednesday, the new strain has claimed 24 lives in Thailand over the past three months and infected more than 4,469. Most patients made a full recovery within two or three days and most fatalities were among people who had put off treatment until it was too late.Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed great concern over the flu pandemic after the ministry's health experts reported the situation to the Cabinet at Government House. He looked worried upon hearing that the ministry will today issue its first weekly report on total morbidity and mortality from type-A (H1N1).He said he was afraid that people would panic after being informed about the increasing number of new flu cases.According to the epidemiological principal, the health experts' presentation to the Cabinet showed that the number of patients with type-A (H1N1) virus would more than double from 20,000 cases per week to 50,000 cases per week. This was based on the ratio of one death per 10,000 people infected with the new flu virus. "The most important thing we have to do is cut this cycle before it reaches its peak period," said a health expert, who wished to remain unnamed.Dr Somchai Chakrabhand, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said his agency has sent 1.2 million tablets of the antiviral oseltamivir to rural hospitals nationwide in bid to reverse the surge in patients with severe symptoms.Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, the department's spokesman, said patients with mild symptoms should stay home for seven weeks and wear a face mask. Those who have high fever and find it difficult to breathe for more than two days should report to hospital immediately.
Flu patients can't watch LiverpoolFootball lovers wanting to watch the Liverpool-Thailand friendly match will have to pass through thermal scanners to prove that they are free of type-A (H1N1) influenza. Chief of the Disease Control Department, Dr Somchai Chakrapan, said yesterday the Public Health Ministry would set up three scanners at the entrance of the Rajamangala National Stadium where the match will be held today. "We want to scan audience members to make sure they don't infect anyone else," he said. Those who have a fever will not be allowed in and their tickets would be refunded, he added. In addition, the ministry will also distribute face masks, though visitors are advised to bring their own.An informed source said PM Abhishit Vejjajiva agreed with the installation of thermal scanners and distribution of face masks, and has instructed Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai to work with match organisers to come up with more intensive measures. Asked if such moves would affect Thailand's image, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said tourists might be scared away if they believed there was a new outbreak in the country. In addition, the government has been informed that no other country was using thermal scanners because they are not effective in detecting people infected with the virus.

Source: The Nation

Thaksin marks birthday with scholarships

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will award 6,000 scholarships in Thailand to celebrate his 60th birthday in what is seen as a direct challenge to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's popularity.

"I doubt of Abhisit has the brains to keep up with my moves," Thaksin was quoted by his aide as saying.
Students can apply by submitting a personal essay on the topic of "Thailand as I Dream to See" to Thaksin's Thaicom Foundation.
Thaksin called his red-shirt supporters yesterday from Dubai to reveal what he described as presents to Thai citizens to mark his birthday on Sunday.
He said he had allowed the red shirts to hold a merit-making ceremony with nine monks giving him their blessings. No details of the event or its location were given.
As part of the "Bridging Thailand to the World" project, the D-television station will also start airing courses within three months for students preparing to enrol in universities, he said.
To ensure world-class education, each instructor would be paid Bt10,000 per hour and foreign tutors would also be hired, he said.
Plus he is putting down his turbulent experiences on paper, and will share his life lessons with fellow citizens in due course.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declined to comment on Thaksin's project, saying, "I've not acknowledged the issue yet."

Source: The Nation

Mekong region ministers to meet Clinton Thursday

Phuket - Foreign Ministers from Lower Mekong region Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam will meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday and will mostly discuss economic development with her, Lao minister said Tuesday.It was an initiative from Clinton to have the meeting on the sideline of the Asean annual meeting in the resort island of Phuket to boost US role in the region.It would be an open-agenda meeting allowing ministers to raise various issues of interest to the meeting, said Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.The discussion would mostly cover the economic, infrastructure development, education, public health cooperation, he said.

The Nation

Vietnam Central Bank: BIDV Can Open Cambodia Representative Office

HANOI -(Dow Jones)- The State Bank of Vietnam said Tuesday it gave approval to the Bank for Investment & Development of Vietnam, or BIDV, to open a representative office in Cambodia.
The office, to be located in Phnom Penh, will be open for a four-year term, the central bank said.
State media said earlier this month BIDV plans to invest $50 million in Cambodia.
BIDV is in talks to buy a bank in the country, reported Vietnam News Agency, adding that the purchase will likely be completed this month.
It said BIDV also plans to invest in real estate and other businesses in Cambodia.

Japanese appointed as spokeswoman for Khmer Rouge tribunal

TOKYO —
A Japanese national who once served with the U.N. Mission in Liberia has been appointed as spokeswoman for the U.N.-assisted tribunal in Cambodia set up to try former Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. Yuko Maeda, 45, has been appointed by the United Nations as public affairs officer for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the ministry said, adding that Tokyo “heartily welcomes” the appointment that will take effect Friday.
Maeda, a former Kobe Shimbun reporter who served as spokeswoman for the world body’s Liberia mission between 2005 and 2006, is expected to provide information about court proceedings to media. She lived in Cambodia between 1998 and 2001, during which time she worked with the Cambodia Daily newspaper and represented ‘‘Women Against Silence,’’ a nongovernmental organization set up to help rape victims.

Source: Japan Today

Thousands gather across India to watch eclipse

TAREGNA, India – The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century created near darkness soon after dawn in a swath of India stretching from the west coast to the northern plains where millions gathered in the open to watch.
But millions more shuttered themselves in, gripped by fearful myths in a country that abounds in Hindu mythology-based superstitions and fables, one of which says an eclipse is caused when a dragon-demon swallows the sun.
A thick cloud cover over India that had obscured the sun when the eclipse began at dawn parted in several cities, minutes before the total eclipse — caused when the moon covers the sun completely to cast a shadow on earth — at 6.24 a.m. (0054 GMT). Read more.........

Mysterious, Glowing Clouds Appear Across America’s Night Skies

Mysterious, glowing clouds previously seen almost exclusively in Earth’s polar regions have appeared in the skies over the United States and Europe over the past several days.
Photographers and other sky watchers in Omaha, Paris, Seattle, and other locations have run outside to capture images of what scientists call noctilucent (”night shining”) clouds. Formed by ice literally at the boundary where the earth’s atmosphere meets space 50 miles up, they shine because they are so high that they remain lit by the sun even after our star is below the horizon. Read more.........

ASEAN RIGHTS BODY - Fears it might be a 'toothless tiger'

Phuket - Advocates voice concerns that the commission will not be able to control abuse in member countries like Burma.

Phuket - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that in the initial stages, the Asean human-rights commission will focus on promotion rather than protection of rights."Progress will first be made on the front of promotion, but the protection side will not be ignored. It is better to make a start than to leave it hanging with no progress at all," Abhisit explained. Protection would be achieved through a roadmap and an evolutionary process among the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he said.In response to concerns about it "lacking teeth" to protect Asean citizens against human-rights violations in their countries, Abhisit said: "We want to establish a body that promotes the issue. Once that is put into place, there will be more teeth for the body in terms of protection." Human-rights advocates have expressed concerns that the new body will fall short of international standards and lack the power to deal with problematic Asean countries like military-ruled Burma. In addition, civil society groups campaigning in Phuket during the regional meetings say they don't want an Asean human-rights body that is a "toothless paper tiger"."The body has two purposes - promotion and protection - and three principles: credibility, realistic and evolutionary," Abhisit said, referring to possible obstacles posed by undemocratic governments of certain member countries, particularly Burma.The prime minister was speaking at the Sheraton Grande Laguna hotel in the resort island of Phuket following the opening ceremony of the 42nd Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting yesterday morning.Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, as chair of the Asean meetings, said on Sunday night that more effort would be made to promote and protect human rights in the region. Asean foreign ministers met with the High-Level Panel, which presented them with draft terms of reference on the body's establishment. The body, expected to be officially called the Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, as suggested by the panel, is required under the Asean Charter, which came into effect last December.When the terms of reference are finalised by the foreign ministers in Phuket, the rights body will be set up at the summit of Asean leaders in October, again in Phuket. Thailand is actively pushing for the body to be created during its rotating chairmanship, which expires at the end of this year.

Source: The Nation

TYPE A (H1N1) - Virus attacks lungs

The type-A (H1N1) virus directly attacks the lung, developing severe symptoms that can lead to death, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday. "We found that most patients with severe influenza symptoms also had pneumonia," said Dr Rewat Wisarutwej, director-general of the Medical Service Department. The finding was revealed by health experts meeting to examine the characteristics of the virus and its severity when infecting humans, based on patient's medical records, laboratory tests, and x-ray results."The virus has been found in the bottom of the lungs," Rewat said, adding that most patients developed the symptoms after contracting the virus from other infected patients. The Public Health Ministry will reveal details from its first autopsy on a swine-flu patient today. Rewat has urged patients with mild flu symptoms to not do any exercise, as heavy breathing would help the virus attack the lungs.According to the Public Health Ministry, the new strain of flu has claimed 24 lives in Thailand and infected more than 4,469. Most patients make a full recovery within two or three days - and most fatalities were among people who had gone to hospital too late.However, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said the number of patients admitted to Bangkok hospitals with the virus had dropped as people were no longer panicking."The situation will normalise as people understand and follow ministry's recommendations that anyone with mild flu symptoms should stay home - or see the doctor when their condition worsens - helping reduce the spread of the disease," he said. Rajavithi Hospital's director, Dr Varunee Jinarat, reported that the number of patients seeking treatment for flu had dropped from 500 cases a day to 150; and admissions were down to four or five a day. Total patients seeking hospital treatment for flu symptoms over the past three months was over 7,000. However, Varunee remained concerned about the spread of the disease in public spaces and in hospitals, infecting people with underlying diseases. She said the hospital urged all admitted patients to wear face masks, but some were reluctant to do so. "Even though the number of patients with flu-like symptoms has decreased, we are not confident [in controlling the situation] as many infected people still don't wear masks," she said. Rewat said the number of suspected flu patients had also dropped at the Nopparat and Bangkok Children's hospitals. "I think patient admissions will drop by 50 per cent if we send out clear messages," he said.Witthaya said the Health Ministry had distributed 4 million name-card-sized manuals with information about self-care for people with flu-like symptoms. It has also distributed 60,000 clinical practice guidelines for medical workers on the appropriate approach to treating flu patients.

Source: The Nation

Cambodia welcomes ASEAN single visa

Cambodia welcomes the creation of ASEAN single visa to attract more tourists and facilitate other travelers to visit the region, government officials said on Monday."When we exercise this plan, it also affect to the national revenue because we lost money on visa. But we hoped that tourists also expand their expenditure when they visit and stay here and that is our earning," Koy Khoung, spokesman and undersecretary of state for Foreign Ministry, told Xinhua."Local people will benefit from the tourists directly and it also helps to reduce the poverty in the country and other travelers feel good because they could access for many countries in the region by one single visa. It is a good idea," he said.The proposal was put forward by Thai Prime Minister at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phuket. He said that Cambodia and Thailand already agreed to use one single visa."We, all private sector, also welcome the idea of one visa in ASEAN," Ang Kim Eang, president of Cambodian Association of Travel Agencies. "We all will follow the Cambodian government."The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must be visa-free within the region and offer an ASEAN Single Visa for those outside the region, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday in his opening remarks at the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phuket."ASEAN must be able to act decisively and in a timely manner to address both internal and external threats and challenges to the security and welfare of its member states and peoples," said Abhisit.

Source: Xinhua

Type-A (H1N1) virus zeroes in on lungs

The type-A (H1N1) influenza virus directly attacks the human lung, developing severe symptoms that can lead to death, the Public Health Ministry said Monday. " We found that most patients with severe type-A (H1N1) influenza symptoms also suffered severe pneumonia," said the director-general of the Medical Service Department, Dr Rewat Wisarutwej. The finding was revealed by health experts meeting at the department to examine the character of the new influenza virus and its severity when infecting humans - based on patient's medical records, laboratory tests, and x-ray results." The virus has been found deep in the bottom of the lungs," Rawat said, adding that most patients developed the symptoms after contracting the virus in large amounts from other infected patients. The Public Health Ministry will reveal details from its first autopsy on a swine flu patient this Wednesday.
The Nation

Cambodia Awards Total Oil Search Rights in Gulf of Thailand

PHNOM PENH (AFP), Jul. 20, 2009
Cambodia has granted French company Total S.A. oil exploration rights in one of its offshore blocks in the Gulf of Thailand, a senior government official said Monday.
Prime Minister Hun Sen told French leaders of the decision to allow Total to drill "block III" during a visit to Paris earlier this month, said Prak Sokhon, secretary of state for the Council of Ministers.
"The government decided to grant Total the rights after lengthy consideration of requests from four big companies," Prak Sokhon said after he accompanied the Cambodian premier to the French capital.
He said Prime Minister Francois Fillon had thanked his Cambodian counterpart for the award.
Cambodia expects to begin oil production in 2011, a senior energy official has said.
Oil was discovered in 2005 by U.S. energy giant Chevron Corp., the most active of several firms exploring in six blocks off the country's coast.
But Prime Minister Hun Sen warned that it was "highly premature" to estimate how much oil Cambodia might hold in undersea reserves.

Solar eclipse pits superstition against science

MUMBAI (AFP) – Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom.
But astronomers, scientists and secularists are trying to play down claims of evil portent in connection with Wednesday's natural spectacle, when the moon will come between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.
In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.
Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged. Read more

Drilon to observe Cambodia case for IPU

MANILA, Philippines -- Former Senate President Franklin Drilon said he was chosen by the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) as an observer in the defamation trial of a Cambodian opposition member of the parliament.
Drilon said the IPU, a worldwide organization of parliamentarians, designated designated him as its representative and observer in next week's trial of Cambodian opposition MP Mu Soncha for a defamation suit filed by strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Drilon, in a statement sent to media outfits on Sunday afternoon, said he was informed of his designation by Anders Johnson, IPU secretary general, and Ingeborg Schwarz, secretary of the IPU Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians.
The IPU is monitoring the celebrated trial of Mu Soncha, a member of the Cambodian National Assembly and a known advocate of women and children’s rights.
Mu Soncha, a one-time Nobel Prize nominee and a former minister of women affairs, was in the forefront of the campaign against sex and human trafficking in Cambodia and was vocal against the Hun Sen government’s alleged failure to crack down on offenders.
She will stand trial on Friday in Phnom Penh on a defamation countersuit filed by Hun Sen in retaliation to an earlier suit she filed against the prime minister, according to Drilon’s press statement.
The case against Hun Sen was earlier dismissed by the courts.
Mu Soncha claimed the courts were biased and that no lawyer in Cambodia was courageous enough to represent her for fear of reprisal from government.
“I intend to put the (Cambodian) justice system on trial,” she was quoted as saying recently.
Phay Siphan, a Cambodian government spokesman, dismissed Mu Soncha’s claims that the courts were biased.
But the accusations have gained traction among international human rights groups, as well as donor countries, which pledged almost $1 billion in foreign aid to Cambodian in 2008.
Reports said the Cambodian government launched at least nine criminal cases against politicians, journalists and activists recently.
Critics such as Human Rights Watch accuse the ruling Cambodia People’s Party of using the legal system to silence opposition voices.
Johnson and Ingeborg informed Drilon that he was chosen as IPU trial observer and representative in his capacity as former chairman of the IPU Human Rights for Parliementarians Committee and as a former justice secretary in the Philippines.
In July 2006, Drilon was elected chairman of the IPU committee, a prestigious international body that investigates violations of human rights of lawmakers.
He is the first Filipino legislator to be elected to the position since the IPU was established in 1889.
The IPU, the oldest multilateral political organization, brings together 146 affiliated parliaments and seven associated regional assemblies. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland. It serves as a Permanent Observer at the United Nations.
The IPU Committee of Human Rights of Parliamentarians was established in 1976 and was created to ensure that the human rights of the world's parliamentary community - composed of more than 40,000 members - are respected.
In 2005, Drilon was elected assembly president of the 112th General Assembly which was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila and was attended by over 1,500 parliamentarians from over 45 countries.
Prior to his election as president of the IPU assembly, Drilon was also a member of the IPU Executive Committee.
Drilon is the current chairman of the Liberal Party.

Source: Inquirer.net

Nordic Aviation looks to Cambodia

DENMARK-based Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), an aircraft-leasing company, said Thursday it was looking to expand its business into Cambodia before the end of the year having recently opened its first office in the region in Singapore.The world's largest lessor of turboprop aircraft said that it planned to visit the Kingdom in September or October this year to look for clients."We're certainly interested in Cambodia," Mats Ericson, the head of the new NAC Singapore office and vice president of sales and acquisitions, said by telephone. "We'll be seeing how we can assist [Cambodia's aviation industry]."With Siem Reap Airways currently grounded, the Kingdom does not have any airlines flying but will launch new national carrier Cambodia Angkor Air on July 27 at Phnom Penh International Airport.Explaining the decision to open its Singapore office, NAC's first permanent presence outside of Europe, Ericson said that having first entered the Southeast Asian region 10 years ago, the company felt the increasing potential here required stronger representation."We think Southeast Asia is a growth market," he said, adding that NAC has already leased aircraft to companies in Indonesia and Vietnam.NAC, which is based in Billund, Denmark, mainly leases ATRs and Bombardiers, according to the company's Web site, and has over 100 aircraft, including a number of jets.

Source: The PP Post

Australian Embassy caught in Cambodian shantytown dispute

In Cambodia, human rights advocates are outraged at the forced eviction of slum dwellers from a waterfront area steps away from where a new Australian Embassy is under construction.
The city wants to develop the prime land. Lawyers say that military police and workers armed with axes were brought in to evict the last handful of families.
For the last two decades more than 60 families have lived in a small shanty town on the doorstep of the Australian embassy in Phnom Penh.
But now the land, once considered worthless, is in demand, with valuations setting its worth at $US15 million.
This week progress caught up with the families and they were forcibly evicted.
Daniel King is a human rights lawyer working on behalf of the families, known as Group 78.
"On Friday morning the police gathered, 150 police and 150 community breakers who have axes and tools to break up the community," he said.
The Cambodian authorities say the land is needed for a public road as well as for development by a private company.
Ownership rights are hard to prove in Cambodia, where many records were destroyed during the Pol Pot regime.
The United Nations has said it recognises their claim to the land.
Daniel King says the city of Phnom Penh did offer the families small payouts but it also waged a campaign of intimidation.
"Three families agreed to the $8,000 compensation policy, four families who had larger homes they found it an insult to be offered an $8,000 compensation package and held out and negotiated for a $20,000 compensation package," he said.
"However, the city hall decided that one of the families shouldn't receive the $20,000 because he had negotiated aggressively."
The nearby Australian Embassy has been drawn into the controversy.
It has rejected suggestions that the construction of its new Embassy building in Phnom Penh was in any way connected to the decision to evict Group 78.
Sarah Marland from Amnesty International says the Australian Government could have done more to help the families.
"Really their embassy is sitting right across the road from this site and it's just happened right under their noses," she said.
"So I think the Australian Government should be doing more for some of our poorest neighbours."

Source: ABC

VN-Cambodia ties keep growing: NA

HA NOI — Viet Nam-Cambodia ties are still growing, contributing to the achievements of both peoples, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said yesterday to a visiting Cambodian delegation.
The delegation of the Cambodian National Assembly’s Commission for Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation, Information and Media was led by its head, Cheang Vun.
During their nine-day visit, starting from Thursday, the Cambodian officials will also attend the conference on the role of the National Assembly in enhancing friendly relations and co-operation for development in border areas of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia to be held in Kon Tum.
Trong said the traditional relations and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries was a valuable asset of the two nations and should be improved to bring more successes to the national construction and development of each country.
He said the two sides needed to enhance co-ordination to finish work on border demarcation and border marker planting in 2012 as agreed upon. Both also needed to better implement co-operation projects and work more closely together on multilateral forums.
Trong thanked the Cambodian people and Government for their support in searching for the remains of Vietnamese volunteers who died in Cambodia, as well as their care for Vietnamese people living there.
Cheavang Vun conveyed regards from Cambodian high-ranking leaders to Trong and other Vietnamese Party, State and Government leaders.
He said Cambodia’s successes, both past and present, came hand in hand with assistance from the Vietnamese people.
The guest also briefed Trong on the results of his talks with the Vietnamese NA Committee for External Affairs.
He said it was vital to educate the young generations of the two countries about their traditional ties.
Cheang Vun also stressed the importance of strengthening co-operation among external affairs committees in three national assemblies of Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos. The teamwork would help spur development in border areas, where a large number of ethnic minority people live.
Earlier, the delegation met with Vietnamese counterpart led by its head, Nguyen Van Son.
The two sides agreed to enhance co-operation between the two committees, intensify Government’s supervision on execution of signed programmes and projects and try to mitigate negative impacts of global financial crisis and economic downturn.

Source: VNS

Catch the solar eclipse

Telescopes will be provided for stargazers and those interested in watching the solar eclipse on Wednesday at a major observation site in Pathum Thani and eight other locations around Thailand.
National Science Museum scientists will also explain at the site about the natural phenomenon, which will occur from 7am to 9.30am. A thousand tinted pairs of spectacles will be provided for free.
A total solar eclipse cannot be observed within entire Thailand, and the time it begins will vary depending from where it is observed. Call 02 577 9999 extension 2102 or 1835 for more information.
The National Astronomical Institute of Thailand (NAIT) said the duration of the eclipse will be exactly from 7am to 9.19am. Countries and areas where a full eclipse can be seen are India, China, Japan and the South Pacific.
After the total eclipse in Thailand in 1995, this solar ecplise will set a record as the longest so far in the 21st Century, with a duration time of six minutes and 39 seconds. It will last the longest in Chiang Mai - two hours and 12 minutes - as well as be the largest eclipse, with 69 per cent of the moon's shadow covering the Sun.
Bangkokians can see it from 7.06am to 9.08am and can view the moon's shadow at a coverage percentage of 42.2 at 8.03am.
The NAIT is cooperating with Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and eight universities and colleges in other parts of the country to arrange observation sites from which people can view the eclipse.

Source: The Nation

Increase in flu patients force delays in surgery

Medical services for patients with diseases who need to undergo surgery at the country's top hospitals are being interrupted by the increasing number of patients with flulike illness seeking medical treatment.
Dean of Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, clinical professor Dr Teerawat Kulthanan said hospitals were postponing for up to two weeks general operations for patients who could delay treatment.
According to the Public Health Ministry, the new strain of typeA(H1N1) flu has already claimed 24 lives in Thailand and infected more than 4,469 cases.
Teerawat said because of the outbreak, the hospital had to reserve some intensive care units for patients with the influenza - which could delay some patients with other illnesses. However, he said, this should not affect general operations as doctors would diagnose and continue to provide close care for patients.
Siriraj Hospital's deputy director, Dr Sanan Wisuthisakchai said 3,000 patients with flulike symptoms had been admitted during the five day holiday period early this month.
But now the number of patients with the symptoms had decreased drastically to 300 cases per day. Only 60 of these cases tested positive to the TypeA (H1N1) of influenza,while the rest had seasonal flu.
The number of patients with flu symptoms admitted to Chulalongkorn Hospital, one of the country's top medical schools, also increased drastically, prompting the hospital to rearrange its medical services for patients.
Chulalongkorn Hospital's director, Dr Adisorn Phattaradul said at least 100 patients with flu symptoms had applied each day for admission as inpatients and outpatients.
In the first three months of the flu outbreak, only two cases per day attended the hospital; but now at least 20 patients were seeking medication each day. Of this number, two or three were found suffering from severe flu symptoms.
The hospital has isolated flu victims from other patients and services for outpatients would be available at Chakkraphong Building.
If the pandemic is prolonged throughout the year, Adisorn worries tmedical workers will be overtaxed providing treatment as many are now are tired and some have been infected with the new flu virus from outside sources.
Meanwhile, the increasing of number of patients with flulike symptoms has also affected medical services at Ramathibhodi Hospital.
Dr Surasak LeelaUdomlipi, the hospital's director, said on average it receives 300 to 400 flu patients with flulike symptoms per day. Half have the new flu virus but only 2 3 per cent were admitted for observation. Most make a full recovery and go home within two days.

Rights panel set to take off

Asean foreign ministers will today endorse the terms of reference for the Asean Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights, a body widely criticised for lacking teeth. The High-Level Panel on the Asean Human-Rights Body yesterday presented its final draft on setting up the commission to the ministers for consideration.
The ministers will adopt the terms of reference and report to the 15th Asean Summit in October. The leader of the summit would issue "the political declaration on human rights" to officially establish the commission, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said.
'The political declaration would reflect some of the major elements of human rights questions," the ministers told a press conference.
The terms of reference could be reviewed five years after the commission starts operation to strengthen the mandate and function of the body in promoting and protecting human rights, he said.
"It is important to make this human-rights commission credible but at the same time take into account the real situation in Asean member countries," Kasit said. "So the terms of reference to set up the commission is the beginning of an evolving process."
Each of the 10 Asean member nations would appoint one representative to sit on the commission for a three-year term, he said.
The 10 representatives will be impartial and not need to come from the public sector, he added.
For Thailand, the government would set up a committee to pick candidates in a process that would be open for all to apply, he said.
The human-rights commission was criticised for overemphasising rights promotion rather than protection.
Human-rights advocacy groups submitted an open letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as the chair of Asean, urging him to put more elements into the commission.
The letter, signed by Yap Swee Seng, executive director of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, and Rafendi Djamin, convenor of the Sapa Task Force on Asean and Human Rights, wanted the commission to conduct country visits, look into complaints and perform periodic reviews on the human- rights situation.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, chairman of the High-Level Panel, said his board has included some of the civic groups' inputs in the terms of reference.
The terms of reference might not directly mention the reporting of the situation, but it says the commission has the mandate and function to obtain information from member states on the promotion and protection of human rights, he said.
Public awareness of human rights among the people of Asean, as promoted by the commission, in some sense would help them protect their rights, he said.
Kasit said that besides human rights, the Asean ministerial meeting and the Asean Regional Forum would discuss and condemn terrorism following the bombing of two luxury hotels in Jakarta.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, before departing India for Thailand, asked for global cooperation to fight terrorism.
Clinton will meet Abhisit tomorrow before heading to Phuket for the Asean meeting.
Security in Phuket will be very tight during the summit. There was no report of terrorist movements on the resort island, but the security measures were mostly aimed at preventing protests by groups sympathetic to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
More than 10,000 troops were present in the city. The military set up many checkpoints around summit venues and screened all vehicles travelling on the island.

Source: The Nation

Asean to discuss terrorist issue after Jakarta bombs

Phuket - The Asean ministerial meeting and the Asean Regional Forum would discuss and condemn terrorism act after bombs in two luxury hotels in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Sunday."We would issue a condemnation to the violence which killed innocent people. We try to make people in different faith, cultures and civilizations to live together in peace," Kasit told reporters upon arrival in Phuket where the foreign ministers and dialogue partner would meet this week.The Asean foreign ministers are considering drafted statement on the matter, he said.The Nation