Wednesday, May 25, 2011

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Speak Truth To Power (Courage Without Borders) Series in KI-Media - Anonymous (Sudan) "Political Freedom"

Posted: 25 May 2011 05:12 PM PDT

Speak Truth To Power (Courage Without Borders) Series in KI-Media - Anonymous (Sudan) "Political Freedom"
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/56275844?access_key=key-1gkn0yec6aaolrtaiick

If you are in S'pore this weekend, don't miss: "Khmer Rock 'N' Roll from the 60s and 70s"

Posted: 25 May 2011 12:36 PM PDT

Singapore Arts Festival 2011:
I want to remember



Khmer Rock 'N' Roll from the 60s and 70s

28/29 may
Main Stage, Festival Village

John Pirozzi/ The Drakhar
  • 8pm (30mins) Film screening of excepts from Don't Think I've Forgotten
  • 8.45pm (60mins) Panel discussion with John Pirozzi, Linda Saphan, Jason Jones & The Drakhar
  • 10.15pm (60mins) Performance by The Drakhar
  • 11.30pm (70mins) Film screening of Sleepwalking Through The Mekong
Free


Cambodia's independence from France in 1953 ushered in a powerful period of growth and prosperity for the Kingdom. Lasting from independence in 1953 to the Khmer Rouge takeover in 1975, this period saw a blossoming of a new post-colonial Khmer identity that, in addition to its political manifestations, was readily expressed in a range of creative media including architecture, dance, film, theatre and popular music.

Join us on a weekend of psychedelic discoveries, as we unveil popular music of that era which was influenced by western rock & roll music, re-cast using Khmer lyrics and melodies. Get seduced by the hypnotic music of seminal Khmer rock & roll group The Drakhar as they reunite after more than 3 decades for this special occasion. Catch unseen footage from filmmaker John Pirozzi's upcoming film on the history of Khmer rock, Don't Think I've Forgotten, as well as his full-length documentary Sleepwalking Through The Mekong. The Festival also convenes a panel of exciting speakers, including Pirozzi, Linda Saphan PhD, researcher Jason Jones and members of The Drakhar, who will uncover and discuss personal and research experience on the subject of Cambodian rock music – from its beginnings in the Twist era of the early 1960's to the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge in 1975.

Bochan - Chnam Oun 16

Posted: 25 May 2011 12:29 PM PDT


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HohyllfineM

Chhneah Mukh Khlanh-Chanh Mukh Sess - "The winner with the oily face, the loser with a horse face": Poem in Khmer by Kaun Khmer

Posted: 25 May 2011 12:26 PM PDT

Click on the poem to zoom in

Foolproof method to check a CPP dog (sent over by a KI-Media reader)

Posted: 25 May 2011 11:50 AM PDT


Unless you can pass this test, then you are a real one. All others are just fake.

Brain Food

Posted: 25 May 2011 10:09 AM PDT

If we just worry about the big picture, we are powerless. So my secret is to start right away doing whatever little work I can do. I try to give joy to one person in the morning, and remove the suffering of one person in the afternoon. If you and your friends do not despise the small work, a million people will remove a lot of suffering. That is the secret. Start right now.

- Sister Chän Khöng

ECCC Law

Posted: 25 May 2011 10:03 AM PDT

Law on the Establishment of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed During the Period of Democratic Kampuchea

("ECCC Law")

with inclusion of amendments as promulgated on 27 October 2004


CHAPTER VII: INVESTIGATIONS

Article 23 new


All investigations shall be the joint responsibility of two investigating judges, one Cambodian and another foreign, hereinafter referred to as Co-Investigating Judges, and shall follow existing procedures in force. If these existing procedures do not deal with a particular matter, or if there is uncertainty regarding their interpretation or application or if there is a question regarding their consistency with international standards, the Co-Investigating Judges may seek guidance in procedural rules established at the international level.

In the event of disagreement between the Co-Investigating Judges the following shall apply:


The investigation shall proceed unless the Co-Investigating Judges or one of them requests within thirty days that the difference shall be settled in accordance with the following provisions.

The Co-Investigating Judges shall submit written statements of facts and the reasons for their different positions to the Director of the Office of Administration. The difference shall be settled forthwith by the Pre-Trial Chamber referred to in Article 20.

Upon receipt of the statements referred to in the third paragraph, the Director of the Office of Administration shall immediately convene the Pre-Trial Chamber and communicate the statements to its members.

A decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber, against which there is no appeal, requires the affirmative vote of at least four judges. The decision shall be communicated to the Director of the Office of Administration, who shall publish it and communicate it to the Co-Investigating Judges. They shall immediately proceed in accordance with the decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber. If there is no majority as required for a decision, the investigation shall proceed.

The Co-Investigating Judges shall conduct investigations on the basis of information obtained from any institution, including the Government, United Nations organs, or non-governmental organizations.

The Co-Investigating Judges shall have the power to question suspects and victims, to hear witnesses, and to collect evidence, in accordance with existing procedures in force. In the event the Co-Investigating Judges consider it necessary to do so, they may issue an order requesting the Co-Prosecutors also to interrogate the witnesses.


In carrying out the investigations, the Co-Investigating Judges may seek the assistance of the Royal Government of Cambodia, if such assistance would be useful to the investigation, and such assistance shall be provided.

Brain Food

Posted: 25 May 2011 09:59 AM PDT

The Holy Prophet Mohammed came into this world and taught us: "That man is a Muslim who never hurts anyone by word or deed, but who works for the benefit and happiness of God's creatures. Belief in God is to love one's fellow men."

- Abdul Ghaffar Khan

My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series

Posted: 25 May 2011 09:57 AM PDT

Cambodian Constitution (Sept. 1993)

CHAPTER XIV: THE NATIONAL CONGRESS

Article 147- New (Previously Article 128)

The National Congress shall enable the people to be directly informed on various matters of national interests and to raise issues and requests for the State authority to solve.

Khmer citizens of both sexes shall have the right to participate in the National Congress.

Khmer Guardian: EVA Air II

Posted: 25 May 2011 07:58 AM PDT

Khmer Guardian: EVA Air II
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/56242746?access_key=key-2jjo0nqskaaytnth40oh

Congressional hearing after FOX Undercover report on illegal immigrants

Posted: 25 May 2011 07:53 AM PDT


Congress Trying To Close Immigration Loophole

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - A loophole exposed by FOX Undercover is in the national spotlight today as lawmakers in Washington, DC hold a congressional hearing.

It comes after our investigative team discovered the federal government releasing illegal immigrants with violent criminal records, even though it wants to deport them.

Fox Undercover's local example of the national problem was front and center at the hearing before the Immigration Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee.

The subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Elton Gallegly, cited the example in the Fox Undercover report as he kicked off the hearing.

"Mrs. Hutchinson's son was attacked while walking home from a football game in Suffolk County just outside of Boston," said Rep. Gallegly.

Gallegly is referring to the murder of 16 year old Ashton Cline-McMurray who was killed by four teenagers in Revere 11 years ago.

Loeun Heng, an illegal immigrant who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, received a 10 to 12 year sentence.


In March 2010, Heng was released into the custody of ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which planned to deport him to his homeland of Cambodia.

But the federal government eventually let Heng go, saying it had no choice because of a Supreme Court ruling.

With few exceptions, ICE can only detain illegal immigrants for six months while trying to deport them.

"The consequence is that under current law, the government is compelled to release into our communities murderers, child molesters and other predators who pose a clear and direct threat to public safety and national security," said Thomas Dupree, an attorney who testified at the hearing.
The Keep Our Communities Safe Act would allow ICE to hold illegal immigrants like Heng as long as necessary.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith is sponsoring the bill.

He says ICE has released nearly 4,000 dangerous criminal immigrants every year since 2008.
"Just because a criminal immigrant can not be returned to their home country does not mean they should be freed into our communities," said Chairman Smith. "Dangerous criminal immigrants need to be detained."

"I think it's wonderful. I just wish they'd name it after my son. Like Ashton's Law or something," said Sandra Hutchinson, the Revere murder victim's mother.

Hutchinson blew the whistle on the loophole by calling Fox Undercover after learning her son's killer was released.

"I'm sure if I hadn't said anything and Fox hadn't gotten involved, God knows how many other people would be out there right along with him," said Hutchinson.


But before anything changes, the bill must pass Congress.


The ACLU is against it. "Of course we should deport people if they flout immigration laws, we should. But if you can't, the constitution doesn't allow you to lock the person up forever," said Ahilan Arulanantham of the ACLU of Southern California.

Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn supports the bill.

"I've read about the case in Boston and my heart goes out to this family and to this mother," said Rep. Blackburn.

The law has finally caught up with the killer of Hutchinson's son.

Loeun Heng is once again in ICE custody and finally being deported back to Cambodia.
"It seems like time and again when you come to addressing some of these issues it takes media attention or it takes the attention of the voter," said Rep. Blackburn.

'It remains to be seen whether that attention will pressure lawmakers to pass the Keep Our Communities Safe Act.

Choreographer Emmanuèle Phuon breathes new life into ancient dance steps

Posted: 25 May 2011 07:48 AM PDT

"Blending two styles is dangerous and rarely works," Phuon concedes. "What I tried to bring to this project was to view this ancient dance with a modern and Western approach — to search for what it could become." (Courtesy of Esplanade Singapore)
In cambodian dance, women play male or female roles or Giants

May 25, 2011
Eastern Promises
By Patrick Sharbaugh
Charleston City Paper

In Pnomh Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, or in Siem Reap, the doorstep of the famous Angkor temple complex, tourists can drop anywhere from a few riel to a Franklin to watch reenactments — some more authentic than others — of the traditional Khmer dances that were an integral part of court life. The Khmer court ruled all of what is Southeast Asia today and luxuriated in the miraculous carved-stone metropolis known as the City of Temples.

Young girls — only girls — from every corner and social stratum of the empire were recruited for the hundreds-strong Khmer Royal Ballet, trained from the age of six for a repertoire of romances, myths, pieces about the Buddha's life, and ubiquitous South Asian epics such as the story of Sita and Rama known as The Ramayana. In elaborate, bejeweled costumes with improbable headdresses, temple dancers took on roles as the earthly representations of the heavenly apsaras and devatas, entertainers of the gods, whose figures Khmer artists portrayed on temple walls. Their highly stylized, graceful movements resembled a mercurial mashup of tai chi and American sign language, where each gesture, or kbach, has a specific meaning.


This ancient form of expression mostly disappeared centuries ago, when the Khmer empire and its Royal Ballet were swallowed up by the jungle just as the Italian Renaissance was about to flower on the other side of the globe. What remained of it, in the Thai-influenced steps that characterized Kampuchian traditional dance in the early 20th century, was very nearly wiped from human memory by the systematized butchery of the Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s, when every intellectual, artist, and educated Cambodian in Pol Pot's agrarian communist utopia was targeted for death.

Yet it was to these ancient styles that world-traveled French choreographer Emmanuèle Phuon found herself drawn two years ago. That these dance styles were all but lost in their pure forms mattered not at all to her, for Phuon was more interested in reinvention than in mimicry. After years of dancing with and for artists as varied as Elisa Monte, Martha Clarke, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Shen Wei (whose Cambodian-infused work also appears in this year's festival), the Cambodian-born emigré had begun wondering whether she might apply modern Western techniques to the traditional Khmer styles of her homeland.

After all, Phuon observes, the two styles have more in common than what might be immediately apparent. "In the West, modern dance is derived from ballet, and in many aspects Khmer dance resembles ballet. They both were court dances, required many years of training to achieve unnatural positions, and in both cases they were essentially narrative, called for elaborate costumes, and were extremely codified."

So the question arose for Phuon: Could Khmer dance take a similar path, or could it not at least be inspired by "new" ideas from the West? "I wanted to see if stylistically we could use the traditional vocabulary as a base, but then transform it, cut it apart, mix it with floor work. In short, push it as far as possible away from its original form and yet keep it recognizable."

But tinkering with what's considered a national cultural treasure is frowned upon in some quarters, and many Cambodians wondered what needed "fixing" about such a seemingly perfect expressive form, as much a part of the national culture as the Angkor temples. For Phuon, the purpose was not to erase or edit the past — the Khmer Rouge had achieved that quite well enough 35 years before — but rather to build upon it. Her intent was not to preserve the art form, as most previous efforts had attempted, but to develop this unique cultural heritage into a more contemporary direction. With help from Fred Frumberg, an American who started an NGO to sup­port the Cambodian Perform­ing Arts, and Phnom Penh-based Amrita Performing Arts, Phuon spent three weeks in 2008 at the Gilman Foundation's White Oak Plantation in Florida, workshopping her idea with a team of dancers.

The result, which premiered in Phnom Penh in 2009, was a solo work entitled Khmeropédies I, based upon the traditional character of the Apsara, a celestial dancer whose task is to transmit the prayers of the common people to the gods. On her knees, crawling and rolling upon the floor, she prays, telling the gods stories. She experiences frustration when confronted with the lack of a godly response, only to resume her prayers. The set and costumes are minimal: in the background is a black-and-white picture, a close-up of an eye of the Buddha. The dancer wears a white top and white pants to symbolize purity.

"In Cambodian dancing there are essentially four characters," Phuon explains. "The male role, the female role, the giant, and the monkey. Gender and body structure determine how a dancer is given a part: males can play giants or monkeys only; females play giants, male, or female roles; 'bigger' women play the giants or the male role."

Phuon followed up with Khmeropédies II, a piece for four dancers that levels a more postmodern eye on its subject. In it, three young dancers experiment with their respective roles, performing them to Western music and adding elements of ballet and contemporary dance. In this piece, says Phuon, "When the monkey tries to be a man and wants to dance with a woman, when the women do not want to display the required smile anymore, and when all three dance to Cambodian rap music, they are scorned by their teacher and master who reminds them of their duty to uphold and respect tradition."

If Khmeropédies II sounds didactic, that's no accident. "It was meant for an audience in Cambodia, where the debate of tradition versus innovation is still very relevant and linked to questions of identity and nationalism. Innovation in this case tries to find its source in Western dance and theatrical processes, with or without success." But the approach, she says, is not merely an intellectual one. It attempts to remain within the realm of entertainment and popular art.

The recorded score relies upon traditional Khmer music, songs from the Cambodian rap group Tiny Toones, as well as works by Ravel, Debussy, and their French avant garde contemporary Erik Satie's early ambient compositions Trois Gymnopédies, from which the dances take their name.

"The goal was not to erase this beautiful dance and to 'move on,' but, on the contrary, to make it coexist with many different styles and make it relevant again, to draw the Cambodian youth to many dance concerts and once again give dance the importance it has had for many centuries."

For the arts, relevance is a fraught term in Cambodia today, even more so perhaps than in the developed world where smartphones, social networks, Angry Birds, tablet computers, a universe of adumbrated online content and humanities-targeted budget cuts conspire to sap modern youths of any germ of interest in artistic expression beyond the confines of YouTube and the local cineplex. Cambodian kids are as distracted as the rest of us, to say nothing of being immeasurably poorer, but their gaze is also deliberately fixed on the present and future instead of on the horrors of that nation's recent past.

"We have stayed away from the Khmer Rouge story, for a simple reason: The dancers were not interested in going there. Most of them are young and want to look into the future. They are interested in what they can become. I've seen many [dance] pieces on the subject and there have been countless books on it. Maybe it's not a bad thing to look forward now."

Phuon herself was born and lived in Phnom Penh until 1975. She and her mother Yvette Pierpaoli — the real-life French humanitarian upon whom John Le Carre based his novel The Constant Gardener — managed to leave the country at the last moment with a French passport, yet her father and two sisters were captured and killed by the Khmer Rouge. Today a single sister survives the family on her father's side.

And those "traditional" dance performances in Pnomh Penh and Siem Reap? "Most classical dance in Cambodia is performed for tourists and is suffering from that. The performances are short, designed for short attention spans. They are a mere caricature of what Cambodian dance used to be.

"To make the decision to be a dancer in such a poor country can only be motivated by passion and faith in art," she continues. "There are not many opportunities for dancers in Cambodia to dance, outside of the three main companies or for tourist shows. This incredible heritage must be preserved — and it must also evolve in order to thrive. The challenge is to shift its context from court dance, religious dance, and instrument of power to an independent art form for a new space and mindset: the stage."

Patrick Sharbaugh is the City Paper's former arts editor. He currently teaches in Vietnam at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Saigon.

Thailand unperturbed by Cambodian charges on Preah Vihear shooting: [Thai] PM

Posted: 25 May 2011 07:31 AM PDT

BANGKOK, May 25 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday downplayed allegations by Phnom Penh that the ancient Preah Vihear Hindu temple was attacked by Thai troops in the recent border skirmishes, asserting that Indonesian observers would not be allowed to enter disputed area unless the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting is held.

The Thai prime minister made his remarks following reports that Cambodia will file a complaint with the World Heritage Committee (WHC) accusing Thai troops of firing about 400 rounds of ammunition targeting the ancient temple ruin.

Mr Abhisit said he is unworried about the latest move of the Cambodian government as it is clear that Cambodia breached the WHC agreement by allowing its troops to enter Preah Vihear temple.

"We also stand firm that the sole management of Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding area by Cambodia will intensify the conflict and every country concerned should help ease the problem, not creating the new ones," according to Mr Abhisit.


The meeting between Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia on the renewed border dispute has been held during the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) early this month, with the conclusion that the observers from Indonesia could come to inspect the border areas after agreeing to withdraw Cambodian troops from the 4.6 sq km area is signed as a result from the GBC meeting between both neighbours.

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh did not adhere to the agreement we made at the ASEAN summit, Mr Abhisit said.

As Cambodia charged that Thailand has cancelled the planned GBC meeting, Mr Abhisit denied the allegation, saying the GBC meeting can still be held.

Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti is now in Paris to meet with WHC and his Cambodian counterpart, prior to the meeting of the UNESCO the World Heritage Committee scheduled to be held in June.

The premier said he can assess the situation regarding the UNESCO posigion only when Minister Suwit returns from the Paris meeting, but said he always believed that Thailand and Cambodia could still solve the border dispute by dialogue.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled 49 years ago that the 11th-century Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia, although its primary entrance lies in Thailand. However both countries claim ownership of the 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.

Last month Cambodia asked the World Court to clarify a 1962 ruling about the ancient temple on its disputed border with Thailand following the latest armed clashes between the two neighbouring countries.

Cambodian 'Avatars' call for forests to be saved [-Prey Lang]

Posted: 25 May 2011 07:20 AM PDT

People with painted faces attend a protest at the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 25. (Samrang Pring / Reuters)

According to Reuters, about 100 Cambodian activists attended a demonstration in Phnom Penh today appealing to the government to save the Prey Lang forest. They demanded the government stop granting economic land concessions and suspend all those already granted. The protesters, who call themselves Cambodia's "Avatars", had their bodies painted in green and blue and wore traditional ethnic Kuy clothes, including hats made from tree materials.

Watch a short film about the Prey Lang forest below. According to the filmmakers, up to 700,000 people rely on the forest for survival, as well as a number of endangered animals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJHEiYmleVo&feature=player_embedded

Cambodian activist says UN risks failing Khmer Rouge victims

Posted: 25 May 2011 07:13 AM PDT

CCHR's Ou Virak (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post) 
Bandit You Buleng (L) and Herr Doktor Siegfried Blunk (R)
May 25, 2011
DPA
Both the tribunal and UN headquarters have refused to answer questions about the controversial cases. When asked earlier this month whether the court was trying to bury cases three and four, Blunk, who took up his post in December, responded with a threat.

'The use of the word 'bury' is insolent, for which you are given leave to apologize within two days,' Blunk wrote in an email without specifying a penalty.

Blunk has since refused to answer any questions from the German Press Agency dpa.
Phnom Penh - A Cambodian rights activist warned the United Nations on Wednesday it would fail the victims of the Khmer Rouge unless it ensured that two controversial cases at the war crimes tribunal were properly investigated.

Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, made his comments in a public letter to Clint Williamson, who acts as liaison between UN headquarters and the government, during his trip to Phnom Penh.

Ou Virak's comments come amid fears the UN is working to shut down the third and fourth cases at the behest of the government. Prime Minister Hun Sen has long said he would not permit either case to go to trial, citing a risk of civil war.

Ou Virak, whose father was killed by the Khmer Rouge, warned against any decision to close the UN-backed tribunal at the conclusion of its second case, which is due to start on June 27.

'If such a decision is indeed effected, it will fatally undermine the integrity of the (tribunal) and the justice which it seeks to dispense in all cases, including Cases 001 and 002,' he wrote.


In its first case, the tribunal last year convicted the Khmer Rouge's head of security, Comrade Duch, of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court's second case is against four senior surviving leaders of the movement.

The next two cases reportedly involve five former members thought responsible for tens of thousands of deaths during 1975-79.

But observers have said political opposition and UN inaction mean they have little chance of getting to trial.

Ou Virak singled out the tribunal's international investigating judge, Siegfried Blunk, a German national, whose office closed the file in the third case last month without interviewing the suspects or investigating alleged crime sites.

Subsequent public comments by the international prosecutor, Andrew Cayley, seemed to confirm long-standing rumours that Blunk's office had done little work on the case.

Ou Virak said that while the government's opposition to cases three and four was well-known, Blunk's role as the international investigating judge 'is a matter of utmost concern.'

'(Blunk's) actions raise the question of whether the United Nations has conceded to the demands of the (Cambodian government) and is now acting to prevent any further cases from going to trial and to ensure the closure of the (tribunal) with the conclusion of Case 002,' he wrote.

Both the tribunal and UN headquarters have refused to answer questions about the controversial cases. When asked earlier this month whether the court was trying to bury cases three and four, Blunk, who took up his post in December, responded with a threat.

'The use of the word 'bury' is insolent, for which you are given leave to apologize within two days,' Blunk wrote in an email without specifying a penalty.

Blunk has since refused to answer any questions from the German Press Agency dpa.

The UN has also repeatedly refused to answer any questions on the next cases.

Case Four is still with the investigating judges' office, which is led jointly by Blunk and Cambodian judge You Bunleng.

More than 2 million people are thought to have died during the Khmer Rouge's rule of Cambodia.

Lawyers want 003 case file

Posted: 25 May 2011 01:43 AM PDT

Anne Heindel, a legal adviser at the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, said she believed all 318 people who have applied to be civil parties in Case 003 will ultimately be rejected, as the judges have no intention of sending the case to trial.

Rob Hamill
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
James O'Toole
The Phnom Penh Post

Lawers for former Olympic rower Rob Hamill have called for access to the case file in the Khmer Rouge tribunal's third case as they prepare to appeal the controversial rejection of his civil party application.

In a request dated May 12 and made public on the court's website yesterday, the New Zealander's lawyers argued that their continued lack of access to the case file would prevent them from effectively defending Hamill's right to participate.

"This request is made in the interests of justice and on grounds of procedural fairness," the lawyers wrote, noting that in Case 002, in which Hamill has already been accepted as a civil party, lawyers received access to the case file ahead of decisions on their clients' admissibility.

"Civil Party applicants cannot form meaningful legal and/or factual grounds of appeal without knowledge of basic matters pertaining to the case file," they said.


Hamill's brother Kerry was captured by the Khmer Rouge in 1978 while sailing with friends in the Gulf of Thailand before being taken to S-21 prison in Phnom Penh and executed. Rob Hamill was present to testify about the ordeal in 2009 during the tribunal's first trial, that of former S-21 prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch.

The suspects in Case 003 remain officially confidential, though court documents reveal them as former KR navy commander Meas Muth and air force commander Sou Met.

Hamill says Meas Muth in particular played a "pivotal role" in his brother's capture, and in a statement earlier this month, tribunal co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley confirmed that the "capture of foreign nationals off the coast of Cambodia and their unlawful imprisonment" figures in the Case 003 investigation. In view of this information, Hamill called the rejection of his application earlier this month by the court's co-investigating judges "outrageous and unfounded".

Anne Heindel, a legal adviser at the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, said she believed all 318 people who have applied to be civil parties in Case 003 will ultimately be rejected, as the judges have no intention of sending the case to trial.

"The co-investigating judges are clearly doing everything in their power to limit public information and public knowledge of what's going on," she said.

15 more RCAF officers sent for brainwashing in Hanoi

Posted: 25 May 2011 01:08 AM PDT

Plan to send 15 high ranking RCAF officers to study in Vietnam

25 May 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

15 high-ranking RCAF officers will be sent for education in Vietnam in the future. This is what General Phan Nguon, the secretary of state at the Ministry of Defense, indicated on 24 May 2011 during a meeting with defense science delegates of the People's army of Vietnam led by Viet General Tru Duc Que, the chairman of the national defense science of Vietnam, which came for a friendship visit to Cambodia. It should be noted that a large number of high ranking Cambodian officers have completed their PhD degree in strategy and political science at the national defense science institute of the Viet People's army.

The liberation of Cambodia and the de-colonization of Kampuchea Krom (in Khmer, French and English)

Posted: 24 May 2011 11:56 PM PDT

Communist China donates books to "reactionary" Confucius Institute in the Dictatorship of Cambodia: Go figure!

Posted: 24 May 2011 11:47 PM PDT

China Donates More than 200 Chinese Books to Cambodia

2011-05-25
Xinhua

The Embassy of China here on Wednesday donated more than 200 Chinese language books to the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

The hand-over ceremony was held at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) between Chinese ambassador Pan Guangxue and the RAC ' s president, Khlot Thyda.

The books include Chinese dictionaries, cultures, traditions, economics, politics, stories, sciences, poetries and so on, said Pan Guangxue.

"We hope that the books will help Cambodian students and researchers to learn and understand broadly about China," he said.


"Besides helping Cambodia in social and economic development, China wishes to see flourishing cooperation with Cambodia on education and culture."

Meanwhile, Khlot Thyda thanked China for both financial and technical supports to the RAC and said the book donation was a progressive step of cooperation between Cambodia and China on education.

"China is a country with glorious civilization and is the globe ' s second largest economy, so the study and research on Chinese cultures and scientific development are necessary to broaden knowledge for learners and researchers," she said.

Closing Order of Case 002 (Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith)

Posted: 24 May 2011 11:12 PM PDT

In preparation for the start of trial hearings beginning on 27 June 2011 of Case 002 against the surviving Khmer Rouge senior leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith, KI Media is starting a new series in posting installations of the public document of the Closing Order of Case 002.  The Closing Order of the Co-Investigating Judges forms the basic document from which all the parties (Co-Prosecutors, Co-Lead Lawyers for all civil parties, Defense Lawyers) will be making their arguments before the Trial Chamber judges (one Cambodian President, 2 Cambodian Judges, 2 UN judges).  Up until now, the hearings involving these four surviving senior Khmer Rouge leaders have been in the Pre-Trial Chamber over issues of pre-trial detention and jurisdictional issues.  Beginning in June 2011, the Trial Chamber will hear the substantive arguments over the criminal charges (e.g. genocide, crimes against humanity, penal code of 1956).

. . .

CLOSING ORDER
of Co-Investigating Judges You Bunleng and Marcel Lemonde, 15 September 2010
 

II. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES (CENTRE)
A. THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF KAMPUCHEA (CPK)
33. As of 17 April 1975, the CPK was governed by a Statute which had been initially adopted at the Party's first Congress, in September 1960.74 In January 1976, a new Statute75 was adopted at the Party's Fourth Congress76 that outlined the ideology, membership, structure and organization of the Party. Within the Statute a number of state bodies were particularized: the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea,77 the national system of Party Committees,78 the Party Central Committee,79 and "various offices and ministries surrounding the Central Committee".80 The Party itself was governed by a Central Committee and a Standing Committee.81
34.               The Statute further states that the CPK was to be lead by the system of "collective leadership"82 based on the principle of "democratic centralism".83 Applied to the Committee system, this meant that individual members could not make decisions by themselves, but only in concert with other members,84 with specific persons holding specific thematic responsibilities. This is echoed in a Standing Committee Meeting dated 9 October 1975: "When a telegram comes in, immediately when it is received the office must hand it to the responsible section immediately, so they can examine and consider it and make proposals to the Standing Committee".85
35.               Both the Central Committee and the Standing Committee were comprised of "full-rights" and "candidate" (or "reserve" members). Candidate status was a lower ranking than full-rights.86 Being a full-rights member meant having the rights "to consider and discuss and join in decision making" with regard to all matters.87 A candidate member was allowed to participate in meetings, without the right of decision-making.88 At the Central Committee level, not being a full-rights member meant not having "the decision-making power to eliminate people,"89 a power stated by Duch to be officially enjoyed only by certain members of the Central Committee.90 "Assistants" to the Central Committee, although not members as such, enjoyed a status similar to some form of membership, to the extent that they could participate alongside full-rights and candidate members in political training organized at the Party Centre
level.91
36.               Other bodies characterized by the Central Committee as totally belonging to the Party were the People's Representative Assembly (see the section of the Closing Order regarding the Roles and Function of Nuon Chea, said to have been elected on 20 March 1976)92, the State Presidium (see the section of the Closing Order regarding the Roles and Functions Khieu Samphan), and the Organization Committee of the Party Central Committee (headed by Nuon Chea) which was empowered to monitor and inspect Party members and oversee their integration in offices and ministries.93
B. CENTRAL COMMITTEE
37. The Central Committee was given responsibility in the Statute of the CPK to "implement the Party political line and Statute throughout the Party", as well as to "instruct all the Zone and Sector" and to "Govern and arrange cadres and Party members throughout the entire
Party".94

38.               Members of the Central Committee95 included Pol Pot (referred to in official media as the Secretary of the Central Committee96), Nuon Chea (Deputy Secretary of the Central Committee97), Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan, Koy Thuon (later arrested and executed98), Ta Mok, Ney Saran alias Ya (later arrested and executed99), Soeung and Ke Pork. In addition, Soeu Vasy alias Doeun, Chairman of Political Office 870 (later arrested and executed100) was a member of the Central Committee.101 Chhim Sam Aok alias Pang was described as either a member of the Central Committee or as assistant to the Committee.102 Furthermore, other zone secretaries and at least some sector secretaries were also members of the Central Committee, along with some additional military cadres.103 Some witnesses also state that Ieng Thirith would attend Central Committee meetings.104
39.               Furthermore, there was a "Specialist Military Committee",105 or "High-Level Military Committee",106 of the Central Committee originally comprised of Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Son Sen,107 Sao Phim, and Ta Mok.108 Vorn Vet109 and Ke Pork became members of the Military Committee at a later date.110 Duch states that also attached to the Central Committee were assistants with military responsibilities, namely [REDACTED], [REDACTED], Sam Bit and Soeung.111 The Central Committee and Military Committee would sometimes meet jointly to discuss military matters.112 Ultimately, the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea, and all local military units were subordinated to the Military Committee and the Central Committee, the army being described in one edition of Revolutionary Flag as the "pure dictatorial instrument of the Party". 113
40. In total, though membership evolved over the course of the DK regime, the Central Committee was comprised of over 30 members, whose statutory obligation was to lead the close implementation of CPK policies down through all levels of society and to report back up the hierarchy to the Central Committee, meeting in accordance with the Statute with a frequency of approximately once every six months.114
C. STANDING COMMITTEE
41. The Standing Committee was a smaller body than the Central Committee comprised of the highest tier of CPK cadre. According to Khieu Samphan, whilst the Central Committee was, in principle, statutorily the highest decision making body, it was within the Standing Committee where effective power was exercised and the day-to-day affairs of the CPK were conducted.115 For example, one aspect of the Standing Committee's superior position was that it had the authority to order the arrest of Central Committee members.116
42. Khieu Samphan confirms in an interview that POL Pot was the highest authority in the CPK as Secretary of the Standing Committee, stating that "When we talk to Pol Pot it was the same as talking to the party because he was the party secretary".111 He further states, "All the decisions were circulated to the level of the standing committee so that they could be implemented at the local level".1118
43. This primacy of the Standing Committee is corroborated by Duch who further confirms that after Pol Pot, Nuon Chea was second in the Standing Committee hierarchy followed by Ta Mok.119 A meeting minutes suggests that in Pol Pot's absence, Nuon Chea would preside over meetings of the Standing Committee.120 Other members of the Standing Committee included Sao Yann alias Sao Phim (committed suicide 1978),121 Ieng Sary, Vorn Vet (later
122                                                                123                    124
arrested and executed ), Ruos Nheum (later arrested and executed ) and Son Sen. Of these seven members, five were based permanently in Phnom Penh, namely: Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Vorn Vet and Son Sen (until his relocation in August 1977 to the East Zone to oversee the conflict with Vietnam).125
44. In addition to Pol Pot, Nuon Chea and Ta Mok, Ieng Sary enjoyed full-rights status as a member of the Standing Committee.126 Vorn Vet and Son Sen were likely either full-right or candidate members of the Standing Committee.127
45. Although it is clear from the evidence that Khieu Samphan was not a formal member of the Standing Committee whilst the CPK was in power, there is evidence of Khieu Samphan contributing to or assisting in the work of the Standing Committee, as outlined in the section of the Closing Order regarding Khieu Samphan.128

47.               The Standing Committee would meet frequently; Khieu Samphan stating approximately every seven to ten days.131 In addition, one witness states that whenever there was an important matter requiring discussion, a meeting of the Standing Committee would be called immediately in order to make a decision.132
D. OFFICES OF "870"
48.               Existing at the CPK Party Centre level were a series of entities associated with the number "870"; a code which alluded to the highest level of the CPK Centre,133 including sometimes as a reference individually to Pol Pot.134 They are generally described as servicing or supporting the Standing Committee with regard to various political, administrative, communications, security and military tasks; answering in particular to the members of the Standing Committee located in Phnom Penh.135 
49.               The official names of the two most important of these entities were the "Political Office of 870"136 and the "Government Office",137 also designated by the Standing Committeee as "Office S-71" or "Ministry S-71".138 Minutes of meetings of the Standing Committee also refer to an entity called "Bureau 870" headed by Sim Son alias Yem, which the minutes suggest is endowed with responsibility for the taking of minutes during Standing and Central Committee meetings.139
50.               The first Chairman of Political Office 870 was Soeu Vasy alias Doeun, who remained in this position until his arrest in 1977.140 Khieu Samphan was also assigned to work in this office, but has categorically denied having been, at any time, the chairmam.141 The Government Office (Office S-71) was chaired by Chhim Sam Aok alias Pang142 from 17 April 1975 until 1978, when he was arrested.143 He was replaced by Ken alias Lin,144 who remained in charge through to 6 January 1979. Although one witness states that Pang's office was controlled by Pol Pot himself, with Pang under his direct authority,145 the evidence shows that Pang's office also, more generally, "report(ed) to The Centre".146 
870" or the "Organization's Office" without clarity about which particular office was being referred to.
52. Political Office 870 was principally tasked with ensuring the flow of communication between the decision-makers in the CPK Centre, and for monitoring the implementation of decisions through a system of regular reporting directly to Political Office 870.148 According to the minutes of the 9 October 1975 meeting of the Standing Committee, referring to the office headed by Doeun, it is stated the "Office of the Standing Committee makes contacts back and forth with each section. The Standing Committee monitors each section's implementation of the line. The Office has the task of monitoring implementation".149
53. The functions of Office S-71, as described by Duch, were the "protection of the central office and cadre, welcoming guests, communications, logistics, food, transport".150 Office S-71 was however also tasked on behalf of the Standing Committee to monitor suspected members of the CPK, the Ministries, the Central Committee and the Standing Committee itself, and to effect arrests of those perceived to be traitors and their transfer to S-21.151
54. Contained within the structure of S-71 was a series of sub-offices, code-named with the prefix "K", that performed a variety of administrative or logistical functions to support the work of the Centre. These K offices reported directly to Pang.152 Those of particular significance included K-1, K-3, K-7 and K-18.
55. The evidence shows that K-1 was a housing compound containing both the residence and working place of Pol Pot,153 though some witnesses state that K-1 was only the working place of Pol Pot.154 Furthermore, a number of witnesses state that Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan would also reside and/or work at times with Pol Pot at K-1.155
56. There is further evidence that the location known as K-3 was a residence and working place of Nuon Chea and/or Khieu Samphan and/or Ieng Sary and/or Son Sen and/or Vorn Vet at various times.156 Nonetheless, a number of witnesses attest to seeing Pol Pot arrive to conduct meetings at either K-1 or K-3 with Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen, Vorn Vet and Khieu Samphan,157 as well as with Ieng Thirith on occasion if the meeting concerned Social Action.158
responsibility.159 K-18 was a telegraph unit through which radio communications were received and then directed to K-1.160
58.               It is not fully clear from the evidence as to precisely which individuals would be considered recipients to messages addressed to "Committee 870", or to "Office 870". Some witnesses state that these terms were a direct reference to the Central Committee,161 whilst conversely, other witnesses state it would have been the Standing Committee162 or even Pol Pot individually.163 Nonetheless, a number of witnesses, including Duch, state that their understanding is that "Committee 870" or "Office 870" could include any of Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Vorn Vet, Son Sen and other senior leaders,164 including Khieu Samphan, depending on the content.165
59.               Evidence of other K offices shows that K-6 was a meeting place known as "Borei Keila",166 K-8 was responsible for growing vegetables,167 K-11 was a medical clinic168 and that K-12 was a unit organizing vehicles and drivers for the Party Centre.169
60.               Though the evidence clearly demonstrates that Khieu Samphan had a role within the Offices of 870, the evidence concerning his exact role is not clear. Duch and two other witnesses state that in or around 1977, Khieu Samphan became the Chairman of the Political Office 870 previously headed by Doeun,170 whilst another witness states only that Khieu Samphan would meet with Pang of Office S-71 to discuss matters and that Pang would receive his orders from Khieu Samphan as well as from other senior leaders.171 Khieu Samphan himself denies taking over as Chairman of Doeun's office, stating that he was merely responsible within it for a number of national logistical matters, such as distribution amongst the zones of salt, rice, grain, clothes, materials and supplies, as well as for maintaining relations with King Sihanouk.172 The performance of this role is confirmed to some extent by witnesses who confirm that telegrams sent to or received from Office 870 regarding equipment or logistics would bear the name of Khieu Samphan on behalf of Office 870,173 as well as within Minutes of the Standing Committee.174 However, Khieu Samphan made a statement in 1980 admitting involvement in following up and investigating allegations against cadres in the zones, a function previously performed by Doeun.175
61.               Finally Khieu Samphan, Duch, and numerous other witnesses, confirm that the terms "Office 870", "Organization 870", "Committee 870" or "Angkar" were used indifferently to designate the leading bodies of the Party Centre.176 Duch states, "Office 870, what I can say is that it was the headquarters of the Party leading bodies".177


E. MINISTRIES (GOVERNMENT) OF DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA
62.               By a decision of 30 March 1976, the Central Committee decided the composition of the organs of state called to replace, as the official government, the Royal Government of National Union of Kampuchea.178 It was said that the government "must be a proper party organ. It must be our own state". The ministers were publicly announced on 14 April 1976.179 
63.               Though this composition was subject to changes during the course of the DK regime, the government was broadly structured along the following lines:180 Pol Pot as Prime Minister with general responsibility of the military and the economy; Ieng Sary as Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs; Son Sen as Deputy Prime Minister for National Defence; Vorn Vet as Deputy Prime Minster for Economics; Nuon Chea as Chairman of the People's Representative Assemby;181 Hu Nim as Minister for Propaganda; Yun Yat as Minister for Education; Touch Phoeun as Minister for Public Works, Transport and Post; Koy Thuon as Minister for Commerce; Cheng An as Minister of Industry;182 Ieng Thirith as Minister for Social Affairs; Thioun Thioeun as Minister for Health; and Khieu Samphan as Chairman of the State Presidium and responsible for commercial tasks relating to accounting and pricing.

Open letter from the Cambodia Center for Human Rights to the Special Expert to the UN Secretary General on the Khmer Rouge Tribunal

Posted: 24 May 2011 11:02 PM PDT

Dear all

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights ("CCHR") today, 25 May 2011, releases an open letter written by CCHR President Ou Virak, in his capacity as a civil society leader and as a victim of the Khmer Rouge, to the United Nations Secretary General's Special Expert on the Khmer Rouge Tribunal Clint Williamson who is visiting Cambodia this week. Please find attached this open letter English together with a Khmer translation.

Errata: The Statement by the International Co-Prosecutor outlining his intention to request additional investigation into Case 003 was issued on 9 May 2011, not 3 May 2011 as is stated in the open letter.

For more information please contact CCHR President Ou Virak
at +855 12 40 40 51 or ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org

Thank you and kind regards

--
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is a non-political, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia. For more information, please visit www.cchrcambodia.org



http://www.box.net/shared/hzrrqlp67b

Open Letter to UN Special Expert on the Khmer Rouge Tribunal Clint Williamson From the Cambodian Center for...
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/56212901?access_key=key-1szl7hx8h8f6moz0t4rj

Makeover for Phnom Penh's iconic Central Market

Posted: 24 May 2011 10:23 PM PDT

May 25, 2011
ABC Radio Australia

Phnom Penh's iconic Central Market or Psar Thmei will be officially re-inaugurated after seven years of renovations.

The market is a "must-see" for tourists to Cambodia's capital, but it is also an important economic hub for the people of Phnom Penh.

Presenter: Robert Carmichael


CARMICHAEL: Phnom Penh's Central Market was built in 1937 when Cambodia was still under French colonial rule. The vast central dome, painted yellow, has been an icon of the capital city ever since. This French-designed steel and concrete structure is best pictured from above: think of a domed central hall with four giant arms protruding at right angles from it. Cambodians call it Psar Thmei, or the New Market. Decades of neglect meant it looked anything but. So 10 years ago the municipality and the French development agency AFD began talking about renovating the Central Market. The six-million-dollar project started in earnest three years ago and has just finished. The main building has undergone a facelift, and the contractors installed a new drainage system and improved sanitation.

Eric Beugnot is AFD's country director. He says the renovation marks the first time the Central Market had been worked on since it was built nearly 75 years ago. He says AFD had two motivations for getting involved in renovating the Central Market. One was to preserve an iconic building of the colonial period. But the other was even more important:

BEUGNOT: There are more than 3,000 merchants in this market. It is a central place and it is important to recreate as some economic environment to stimulate the economy in the centre of this town, this capital. And then have some side effects with tourism, as tourism is one of the four pillars of economic development of Cambodia.


CARMICHAEL: When the Central Market was completed in 1937, its 45-metre diameter dome was the sixth-largest in the world. But Cambodia has a tropical climate and a long rainy season, and some were worried at the market's structural integrity. Mr Beugnot says AFD's restoration teams used probes to assess the state of the concrete.

BEUGNOT: The main surprise that without any renovation during more than 70 years, and after probes of the concrete of the dome, the state of the concrete was excellent - so the building was sound, was very sound.

CARMICHAEL: The Central Market offers tourists and locals alike a vast array of products - from fruit and vegetables to meat and rice, clothes, pirated DVDs, books, stationery, electronics, and tourist trinkets to name a few. In many ways, this market is Cambodia under one roof. Mr Beugnot says the sheer volume of stallholders - 3,000 of them - created its own problem: the market was renovated in stages, and AFD had to persuade ousted vendors to move away until the work was finished. He says the key challenge of the project was to convince those thousands of stallholders that they would indeed get their stall space back.

One of them is 28-year-old Srey Mao. She has three stalls and has been selling here for the past seven years. This particular stall sells designer belts, handbags and wallets - all imported from China.

SREY MAO: Many quality and many model.

CARMICHAEL: I'm just seeing there are a lot of brands - Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Diesel, Armani, Versace, Mont Blanc, Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabbana: So many brands. Is anything real?

SREY MAO: Anything not real - copy for all (LAUGHS).

CARMICHAEL: Srey Mao's fake luxury goods stall has always stood outside the main building in an area that was once a garden. Over the decades hundreds of stallholders moved on to the land and rigged up tarpaulins to protect them from Cambodia's torrential downpours.

But the tarpaulins weren't very effective, so the renovators replaced them with a curved concrete roof. Srey Mao says that has helped - her stock no longer gets rained on, and business is up. And although her costs have gone up a little, she says they are manageable.

SREY MAO: Most of the stallholders at the Central Market like the renovations. We have had some customers visit because they heard it was being renovated and they wanted to come and see it. And even those who haven't come to see it will do so soon, because people are interested in the renovations.

CARMICHAEL: So far, so good then with AFD's express purpose of this renovation: to help keep the city centre alive economically. AFD's Mr Beugnot also credits the market's architect for a visionary piece of design that has relevance today: the temperature during Cambodia's hot season can reach 40 degrees Centigrade, but the Central Market has no air-conditioning, and instead relies on airflow to keep people cool.

CARMICHAEL: Unquestionably it's a green building, isn't it, in terms of environmental friendliness?

BEUGNOT: Yes, it is very modern. It is very modern. It was built 80 years ago, but it could be an example for modern buildings.

CARMICHAEL: As Phnom Penh modernizes there are plenty of new buildings going up, but it is hard to imagine many of them will last 80 years, far less inspire anyone to renovate them. The chances are that the Central Market will outlive them and remain a much-loved fixture for locals and tourists alike for decades to come.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Proletarians

Posted: 24 May 2011 09:43 PM PDT

Cartoon by Sacrava (on  the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Scholar Outlines Small-But-Smart State Policy [-Don't teach this to Big-Mouth-but-Small-Brain Hoon Xhen]

Posted: 24 May 2011 07:27 PM PDT

Big-Mouth-but-Small-Brain Hoon Xhen?
Im Sothearith, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 24 May 2011

A small state can't change that fact, he said, so it must have good strategies to deal with such issues, in what he called a "smart state."
As a small country influenced by superpowers and neighboring countries ideologically, politically, and economically, Cambodia needs to pursue a balance of influence, Phat Kosal, a Cambodian scholar on international relations of the Asia-Pacific, says.

A small state is vulnerable from within and without, he said, as a guest last week on "Hello VOA." It must also contend with insecurity, an under-diversified economy, over-dependency, high risk of isolation, and openness to external influence, he said.

A small state can't change that fact, he said, so it must have good strategies to deal with such issues, in what he called a "smart state."

A smart state is one that has a mixture of strategies that maintain its neutrality and autonomy but prevent it from being a client state of a greater power, he said. It must enmesh with greater powers, but use its strategic position to build special relationships among a number of them, allowing greater flexibility to leverage its own interests.

"A smart state has a diversified economy, increasing freedom of actions and avoiding external coercion," he said. "It has diplomatic flexibility—deepened good neighborly relations and regional institutions to avoid isolation. And it has a clearly defined national ideology supported by a trusting society. Trust between the government and the governed is a vital source of social capital for a strong buffer against the penetration of external influences."


Nationalism, too, can be a source of strength, he said, and can be used to advance a national cause.

Responding to a question on Facebook from reader Bora Huon, Phat Kosal said Cambodia has moved forward positively in its foreign relations.

"In addition to Cambodia's ability to overcome genocide and civil wars, it is in a stage of self development and has been engaged in political, economic, and diplomatic relations with countries in the region and the rest of the world," he said. "Our international relations are diverse, which should be the strength of Cambodia."

A 70-year-old listener from Kampong Thom province asked what Cambodia needed to do to become a prosperous country.

Phat Kosal pointed to Cambodia's size and history, saying it is hard for a small country to be independent. Cambodia has been influenced largely by the French and the Chinese in its modern history, with China's influence growing today.

However, he said, "we need to have a foreign policy with diverse and flexible strategies in terms of economics, politics and diplomacy, because if the superpower we depend on can no longer provide us with its support, we can be supported by others."

Phat Kosal said both the US and China are important to Cambodia today, "but we must not accept just anything offered by China without considering the social, cultural, economic impacts and the country's policy."

"As a small country, we must be smart in terms of our associations with powerful countries," he said.

Now that the Cold War is over, superpowers don't have absolute influence over any one country, he said, but Cambodia still struggles at times to meet conditions imposed by the West, chiefly in democracy, human rights and social justice.

Chinese aid comes with conditions, too, he said. "Their conditions are just different from those of the US and the West. China wants our country's resources and wants us to be their subordinate."

All that said, "there is no fixed menu for smartness," he said. "It rests on the personal judgment, creativity and political art of national leaders to construct the best overall outcome within the context of national constraints and opportunities presented to them," he said.

That means balancing wider interests with international goals, as well as with short-term and long-term interests, he said.

Court Upholds Charges Against Angkor Lighting Critic

Posted: 24 May 2011 07:21 PM PDT

Moeung Son (Photo: DAP-news)

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 24 May 2011

The Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a guilty verdict for a man accused of disinformation, following public remarks critical of a lighting project at Angkor Wat, but reduced the charges against him.

Moeung Sonn, who has fled the country, is facing a two-year prison sentence following a suit brought by the government in 2009. He had disseminated public remarks claiming the Apsara Authority was potentially damaging Angkor Wat by installing a lighting system around the temple.

Apsara officials denied the lights, which have since been taken down, posed a threat to the temple.


Moeung Sonn's original charge of disinformation was dropped to "insulting" the Cambodian people. His two-year sentence was upheld, but a fine against him was dropped from about $3,500 to less than $1,000.

Defense attorney Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said he work with the defendant's family to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Moeung Sonn's wife, Yi Phally, 66, told reporters outside the court Wednesday her husband had only intended to protect the temples, not criticize the government. She also pointed out that the lights have since been taken down.

 

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