The Commission of Foreign Affair, International Cooperation, and Information of the Cambodian National Assembly (NA) on Monday rejected and dismissed remarks made by Mu Sochua, a Sam Rainsy Party Lawmaker (SRP), at the Human Commission of Tom Lantos in the US recently. This NA rejection came following Mu Sochua’s claim that human rights and democracy in Cambodia is worsening. She alleged that the kingdom’s court system is not just, as she lost a defamation case against Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Removing the parliamentary immunity of Mu Sochua and Ho Vann followed by Article 80 and 88 of the Cambodian Constitution and Article 8 to 12 of the 2006 Lawmaker Statute,” noted the NA statement which DAP News Cambodia obtained. “We reject and dismiss the remarks of Mu Sochua,” the statement said. “Sam Rainsy himself did not acknowledge election result and refused to attend 9 commissions of the NA.” The NA disagreed with Human Right Commission of Tom Lantos, which apparently only invited Cambodian opposition officials, not allowing members of the Camb-odian Government to attend. This action, said the NA, showed that the event was undemocratic and unbalanced. It could put strain on the relationship between Cambodia and US. “We condemn Mu Sochua’s sayings as they are to cheat the national and international view,” the statement iterated. Meanwhile, the NA welcomed and supported US Assembly Foreign Affair Commission Director Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, saying he knew the real democracy of Cambodia. After she lost her case against premier Hun Sen at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Mu Sochua filed with the Appeal Court, and then travelled to the US to try to publicize the situation in Cambodia.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Cambodian Sends Diplomatic Note to Thai Embassy over Iinhumane Acts’
The Cambodian Foreign Affair and International Cooperation Minis- try (MFA) on Monday sent a diplomatic note to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, complaining about “inhumane acts,” a reference to the alleged burning to death of one Cambodian citizen, according to the MFA diplomatic note. According to a report from the Provincial Authority of Oddor Meanchey province in Cambodia, on September 11, 2009 at noon, Thai black-uniformed forces of Unit 2608 fired at a group of Cambodian villagers while they were allegedly cutting down trees illegally at the border area between boundary pillars 12 and 13. “Two teenagers from the group were badly wounded in the shooting. One of them, named Mao Kleung, managed to escape the scene, while the other injured boy, named Yon Rith, who was 16 years old, was arrested and burned alive by the Thai forces,” said the diplomatic note which DAP News Cambodia obtained. “The Royal Government of Cambodia considered these reported acts as a serious breach of internationally accepted humanitarian principle, which should not be committed by any agent of a civilized State in official capacity, and contrary to the spirit of Point 11 of the record of Discussion of the 6th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia on 4-5 August, 2009 in Bangkok,” the diplomatic note said. The Royal Government of Camb- odia requested “the Authorities concerned of Thailand to take appropriated measures to prevent such an atrocity from happening again and conduct a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident to bring to justice those who committed the above acts of cruelty.”
Chevron, Mitsui Seek Oil Exploration Rights from Cambodia
U.S. energy giant Chevron Corp. and Japan's Mitsui Oil Exploration Company are seeking exploration rights in a maritime area that is disputed between Cambodia and Thailand, a Cambodian official said Wednesday.
Officials from both companies told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in meetings on Tuesday that they had submitted their applications for bids to the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority, a spokesman for the premier said.
"The prime minister welcomes both companies and the government will make a transparent bid and bring benefits to both sides, especially a lot of benefits to the Cambodian people," said spokesman Eang Sophalleth.
Thailand made a similar agreement on exploration rights with the two firms in 2001.
Talks between Cambodia and Thailand over how to divide up the offshore energy resources along their disputed sea border in the Gulf of Thailand opened in 1995 but have since stalled.
Cambodia has been seeking a 50-50 split of the disputed area while Thailand wants a larger share of the fields.
Following the discovery of oil in 2005 by Chevron, Cambodia was quickly feted as the region's next potential petro-state, sitting on an estimated hundreds of millions of barrels of crude, and three times as much natural gas.
But it remains unclear how much can actually be recovered, or whether any potential revenue would be used to benefit Cambodia, ranked among the world's most corrupt countries.
Source: Rigzone
Cambodia protests alleged Thai brutality at border
(AP) — PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodia sought an explanation from Thailand on Wednesday for an incident in which a Cambodian youth was allegedly shot, then burned alive by Thai paramilitary troops in a disputed border area.
Ouch Borith, a senior Cambodian Foreign Ministry official, said Thailand had yet to reply to a diplomatic letter sent Tuesday requesting an investigation into the incident.
The Cambodian letter said Thai rangers shot at a group of Cambodian villagers who were allegedly cutting down trees illegally in the border area of Oddar Meancheay Province last Friday.
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It said two teenage boys from the group were badly wounded. One of them, identified as Mao Kheung, escaped, while the other, 16-year-old Yon Rith, was arrested and burned alive by Thai forces, it claimed.
"The boy was our compatriot and he has received very cruel and inhumane treatment from the Thai forces, such as should not occur in the 21st century," Ouch Borith said.
Thai foreign ministry spokeswoman Wimon Kidchob told reporters in Bangkok on Wednesday that the Cambodian villagers had crossed into Thai territory and were simply sent back.
"According to the military, there was no arrest. They were given a warning and pushed back without any incident," she said.
Ouch Borith said Cambodia officials had collected the boys remains-a rope used to tie his hands and a pile of ashes-from the scene of the incident.
He urged the Thai government to seriously investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
Tensions going back centuries between the neighboring countries flared in 2003, when a mob burned down the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh after a Thai actress allegedly made an insulting remark. Tensions soared again last year over the disputed border territory.
Source: AP
Monday, September 14, 2009
Abhisit looks to have numbers in police chief poll
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has scheduled a meeting of the Royal Thai Police board tomorrow to consider the nomination of a new police commissioner-general, a source said. The meeting will be held at Parliament at 3pm.
Abhisit has indicated he will re-nominate Pol General Patheep Tanprasert for the new police chief job. During the last board meeting, Patheep and Pol General Jumpol Manmai were candidates. Patheep lost 5:4 to Jumpol, the candidate proposed by outgoing police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan.
Since Pol General Suthep Thammarak, one of the committees who voted against Patheep, has resigned from the board, it is likely Abhisit will call the new meeting without appointing anyone to replace Suthep.
"It is not necessary to wait for a new committee to be appointed. We can continue the meeting," Abhisit said. The premier said Suthep resigned because he often travels abroad.
However, it was still uncertain who would win the board's vote. Without Suthep, the board will have ten committees. Votes against Patheep will now be reduced from five to three, as outgoing police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan is also out of the board. But Jumpol may receive one more vote from Noppadon Inna, who abstained from voting in the last meeting.
Abhisit would get one more vote from acting police chief Thanee Somboonsap, who replaced Patcharawat in the board.
But a source said it was likely permanent-secretary of the Justice Ministry, Kittipong Kitayarak, who earlier supported Patheep, had changed his mind and would vote for Jumpol. But Kittipong is now on an official trip abroad, so Chanchao Chaiyanukij, his deputy and acting permanent-secretary would attend the meeting on behalf of him. Chanchao is a classmate of Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who voted for Patheep.
If no one changes their mind it is likely Abhisit's nomination, Patheep, will win appointment as the new police chief.
The NAtion
Thailand-Govt to impose ISA today
Suthep put in charge of security, though violent clashes not expected
The Cabinet will invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) today to prepare for demonstrations the red shirts are planning to hold on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the 2006 coup, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.He said it was up to Cabinet to decide what time and area the law would be enforced.Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, will once again be overseeing the enforcement of the ISA, the premier said.Late last month, the red shirts cancelled a rally after the government invoked the ISA, which gives authorities the power to deploy troops, ban gatherings and impose a curfew. However, red-shirt leaders have said the Saturday rally would be held despite the imposition of the ISA.Abhisit said yesterday he believed the authorities would be able to keep the situation under control, and in response to rumours of a coup, he said he had not heard any convincing arguments for such a change at this time. "I am confident that most people in the country want peace to be maintained. Those who have different political views can express themselves by lawful means. If they exceed legal limits, law enforcers will have to step in," the PM said.Abhisit also said he would be kept updated about the situation while he is in the US attending the annual United Nations Assembly and the Group of 20 conference between September 20 and 26. Meanwhile, caretaker national police chief General Thanee Somboonsap yesterday called a meeting with senior police commanders to discuss preparations for the rally. Among the participants were Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Wora- pong Chiewpreecha, his deputies and commanders of all Bangkok police divisions.After the meeting, Thanee told reporters he believed there would be no violent clashes during the protest. "There have been no indicators pointing in that direction," he said.The caretaker police chief said the Metropolitan Police commissioner would be solely in charge of dealing with the situation and that all police officers involved in the operation would have to follow his orders. Thanee explained that the goal was to avoid the mistakes made during the October 7 crackdown, which ended up with several senior police officers being indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission for malfeasance.In a related development, the National Human Rights Commission's sub-committee on civil and political rights yesterday suggested that the government only impose the ISA when necessary.NHRC member Dr Nirun Pitakwatchara told a press conference that the panel had reached this decision after considering a petition filed by Somyos Phruksakasemsuk, a representative of the Group of June 24.Nirun said government officials testifying with the subcommittee had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation as to why the ISA was imposed ahead of the red-shirt rally scheduled for August 30."The government should impose the law when the necessity arises. Imposing it beforehand is unnecessary, though it is not an offence if the government imposes the law without enforcing it," he said.Meanwhile, politicians associated with the red shirts said yesterday that they did not expect any violent clashes during the Saturday rally.Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who has regularly been joining anti-government protests, called on the prime minister to dissolve the House and call a snap election, which he said would allow Abhisit to make a "graceful comeback" should his Democrat Party win the elections. Somchai noted that when his government was faced with the yellow-shirt rally last year, Abhisit had made similar demands.Chaturon Chaisang, a banned executive of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, said he was not concerned about the rally but urged the government to prevent possible interference by "a third party" that could lead to violence.
The Nation
Cambodia PM lauds China's aid
'They are quiet, but at the same time they build bridges and roads, and there are no complicated conditions,' Prime Minister Hun Sen at a ceremony for the construction of a new bridge built with US$128 million (S$182.6 million) of Chinese aid.
Mr Hun Sen recently rejected World Bank aid intended for settling land disputes after the Washington-based institution and rights groups accused Cambodian authorities of forcibly evicting tens of thousands of people from their homes.
Speaking to about 1,000 villagers and China's ambassador in Prek Kdam, about 50 km (30 miles) north of the capital Phnom Phen, Mr Hun Sen said Beijing's aid had helped Cambodia become more independent while fostering social and economic development.
'China respects the political decisions of Cambodia,' he said. 'We have a mutual understanding and respect each other.' Cambodia's government has come under fire recently, accused of corruption and undermining the judiciary, although analysts say the investment environment is stable after decades of poverty, brutalilty and instability.
China is Cambodia's biggest aid donor, providing US$600 million in 2007 and about US$260 million in 2008. It also leads the country's foreign direct investment, with about US$1 billion spent in the war-scarred South-east Asian nation this year.
Mr Hun Sen added he also supported China's multimillion dollar investments in hydroelectric power. Western environmentalists have accused Cambodia of failing to provide adequate environmental safeguards for such projects. -- REUTERS
Cambodia joins rubber association
PHNOM PENH (AFP) - – Cambodia has joined the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries in the hope of further developing the nation's rubber industry, a government official said Monday.
Ly Phalla, director-general of Cambodia's directorate of rubber, said the ascension to the inter-governmental organisation will bring its burgeoning industry new technology and help with production and marketing.
The Cambodian government had privatised some 41,600 hectares (102,800 acres) of state-owned rubber plantations in recent years, Ly Phalla said.
The country now has some 120,000 hectares of land under rubber cultivation and the government plans to expand this to 150,000 hectares by 2015, he added.
Cambodia is the 10th country to join the rubber association, which includes China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
But while Cambodia hopes to boost its industry, researchers writing in the journal Science in May warned that the expansion of rubber plantations in southeast Asia could have a devastating environmental impact.
The researchers predicted land dedicated to rubber and other farming systems in the region could more than double or triple by 2050, resulting in the drying out of water systems and increased risk of landslides through erosion.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Cambodia KRouge court leaves victims disappointed
PHNOM PENH (AFP) – Hav Sophea hoped for a sense of closure after telling Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes tribunal how her father was killed in the late 1970s at the Khmer Rouge's Tuol Sleng prison.
But after testifying at the ongoing trial of former prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, she is worried she was not allowed to properly put her father's memory to rest.
"The court does not treat civil parties like me, who are victims of the Khmer Rouge regime, well enough. They don't give us enough privileges to speak up about our pain," the 33-year-old told AFP.
Hav Sophea is one of 93 regime victims known as civil parties participating in the unique initiative at Duch's trial in which they have brought parallel civil cases against him.
The process has allowed them the right to be represented by lawyers, be part of investigations, call witnesses and ask questions during trial proceedings.
Most observers, however, conclude the well-intentioned experiment in victim participation, once touted as a possible model for future international criminal proceedings, has gone very badly.
Duch began his trial in March by accepting responsibility and apologising for overseeing the torture and execution of more than than 15,000 people at the regime's main prison, Tuol Sleng.
But civil party lawyers have often bogged down the process, taking individual turns posing often repetitive and irrelevant questions.
Furthermore, the defence has sought to dismiss 24 out of the 93 civil parties from the case against Duch after a number of them were gave dubious testimony in court.
Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, which gathers details of Khmer Rouge crimes, said many victim applications had not been properly vetted because the initiative was understaffed and lacked funds.
"The affected civil parties have no doubt been traumatised to some extent by these events," he said.
A number of court observers have also raised concerns about the June appointment of the head of the victims unit, Helen Jarvis, for her lack of experience and for her membership of Australia's Leninist Party Faction (LPF).
Jarvis signed a 2006 LPF statement which proclaimed: "Against the bourgeoisie and their state agencies we don't respect their laws and their fake moral principles."
The court recognised many shortcomings in the process when it announced earlier this month it would streamline victim participation for its next case against four more senior Khmer Rouge leaders.
Former Khmer Rouge "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, ex-head of state Khieu Samphan, former foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife Ieng Thirith, who was minister of social affairs, are also awaiting trial at the war crimes court.
Analysts say the victims unit will require an overhaul so it is not overwhelmed by applications in a country that lost a quarter of its population to overwork, starvation, execution and torture under the Khmer Rouge.
Yet while future proceedings could be smoother, judges' efforts to rein in the role of civil parties has stoked the emotions of many who were worst affected by Cambodia's tragedy.
Chum Mey, one of the handful who survived imprisonment at Tuol Sleng, boycotted with some two dozen other victims after civil party lawyers were not allowed to ask Duch questions about his character and personality.
"I am very disappointed and that's why I had boycotted the court. The court the decision was very unjust," the 79-year-old said.
"Since the very beginning, the court has allowed us to participate in every proceeding but as the trial nears its end the court banned us."
Many of the victims are also frustrated that they have not been granted financial compensation for their suffering, as civil claimants would be in a normal trial.
"For the accused person, he can now live well enough...(but) what about us victims? We have been left traumatised. Who should look after us?," said Neth Phally, 52, who testified that his brother was killed at Tuol Sleng.
Peter Maguire, historian of international justice and author of "Facing Death in Cambodia", says the civil parties have been a distracting social agenda when the court's main purpose ought to be weighing criminal evidence.
"Some new details have been revealed, but the salient facts remain the same," Maguire said. "There's nothing earth-shattering. We know who Duch is. We know what he did."
Thai foreign minister visits disputed area near Cambodia's temple
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 13 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya visited a disputed border area near Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple on Sunday and pledged his government would try its best to avoid further clashes there.
Gen. Chea Dara, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces who is based at Preah Vihear Temple, told Kyodo News by telephone that Kasit visited three places in the 4.6 square kilometer disputed area for about an hour.
One of the places was a Cambodian market that was burned down by Thai forces during the last border clash between the two countries' armed forces on April 3.
Cambodia and Thailand first came to blows along the border after Preah Vihear was inscribed as a World Heritage site in July last year.
Chea Dara said that during his brief meeting with Kasit, the Thai foreign minister pledged his government would try its best to avoid further clashes with Cambodia and agreed that the border issue should be resolved through peaceful means.
Source: AP
Army uneasy about PAD's Preah Vihear protest plan
The Army yesterday urged restraint when the People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrates on Saturday at Preah Vihear Temple for the eviction of Cambodian troops and villagers occupying a disputed area near the ancient site.
"Shall we be careful about the protest since such an activity, despite good intentions, could affect operating strategy on the ground?" Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaeowkamnerd said.
People should be confident in the Army's ability to secure Thai sovereignty over the territory, he said.
The conflict should be solved peacefully through talks, not by force, he said, adding that it could be settled by the joint border commission.
The PAD led by Veera Somkwamkid plans to call a rally this week to demand the removal of Cambodian troops and communities from the area.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya inspected the overlapping zone adjacent to the temple.
He met Cambodian commander Cheat Dara and some Thai field commanders. He told the commanders that his government wants to maintain good relations with Cambodia and would employ peaceful means to resolve the claims over the area.
He also visited military and border police outposts in the area including Phu Ma Khua, where military skirmishes last October and in April killed seven soldiers on both sides.
Kasit, who is a former PAD member, also questioned the group's motives.
"I have explained several times via both the PAD's ASTV network and the national network of Channel 11 that the best way to solve the problem is through negotiation," Kasit said.
"We cannot use the military to take over the contested area," he said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government would not do any thing that could concede sovereign rights over the territory.
"We will do our best for the national interest but we should prevent misunderstandings that could lead to clashes and losses," he said.
Source: The Nation
Thaksin planning violence to destroy govt: PAD
Acting police chief 'reassures' PM there won't be trouble
The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday warned that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would resort to violence to try to destroy the government.
Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the PAD's New Politics Party, said Thaksin was expected to mobilise all of his men, including those in uniform, to try to topple the government not long after the red shirts start their rally on Saturday, the third anniversary of the coup that ousted Thaksin.
Security agencies would also need to monitor the situation outside the rally ground, as Thaksin would use his network to stage a disturbance near the rally so that the violence could escalate until the government collapses.
The pro-Thaksin movement is expected to gather at the Royal Plaza, Government House and possibly the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, he said.
Thaksin apparently realises that Saturday's rally would be his last chance to overthrow the government, he said.
If Thaksin fails this time, it will be harder to force out the Democrat-led government and it might complete its term. Thaksin could be convicted in other cases and his network could eventually disintegrate, he said.
Thaksin would have to use his network to carry out underground operations to try to oust the government because it is expected that the people joining the rally would not be enough to depose the government, he said.
The rifts among the red-shirt leaders would result in a low turnout, he said.
The red shirts were divided into two groups - the three buddies or Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua and Jatuporn Prompan on one side, and Jakrapob Penkair and his allies on the other, he said.
The three buddies want to take revenge for Thaksin while Jakrapob is seeking change to the ruling system, he said.
Thaksin is now a fugitive in exile.
Senator Prasarn Marukhapithak expressed confidence that no coup would happen because of the rally on Saturday.
He said there would be no justification for a putsch as the government could control the situation and no violence would arise.
Thaksin could not manoeuvre much abroad because his host countries, including the United Arab Emirates, would restrict his political movements, he said.
No more than 20,000 people would join the rally in front of Prem's house and they would disperse peacefully, he said.
The rally would be held just to try to extend the life of the red-shirt movement, he said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said it was weird that coup speculation sprang up.
"Actually, nobody should have talked about a coup again because they have been calling for democracy. Now, why has it changed into a call for a change through a coup?" he said.
On Saturday, former supreme commander General Chaisit Shinawatra, a cousin of Thaksin, said he supported a coup if it would improve the country's situation. If one does take place, politics would have to start anew so that the conflicts in the country could end, he said.
Abhisit said he had talked to acting police chief Thanee Sombunsap, who reassured him that there should be no violence on Saturday, as most people want to protest peacefully.
But the government would try to prevent any untoward incident, the prime minister said.
Source: The Nation
