Wednesday, January 12, 2011

KI Media

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KI Media

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:23 PM PST
Taken Question
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
Source: US Department of State

Question Taken at the January 7, 2011 Daily Press Briefing

January 12, 2011

Question: Has the government of Cambodia started to make laws that place limits on NGOs operating in country? What sort of limits? How is this affecting NGO programs?

Answer: The United States has serious concerns about the law as drafted and strongly opposes the enactment of any law that would constrain the legitimate activities of NGOs. We urge the Royal Government of Cambodia to consult closely with NGOs and other stakeholders on the substance of the draft law, and to reconsider whether such a measure is even necessary. The United States believes that a strong and free civil society is vital to strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing economic and humanitarian well-being, and promoting a sustainable economy. In Cambodia, as in many other countries, NGOs and other civil society organizations make critical contributions in these areas.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:19 PM PST
Thursday, January 13, 2011
AFP

WASHINGTON — The United States on Wednesday urged Cambodia to ensure a free civil society, voicing deep concern at what it viewed as efforts to constrict the activities of non-governmental organizations.

The State Department called on Prime Minister Hun Sen's government to hold talks with non-governmental groups and other stakeholders on a new law and to "reconsider whether such a measure is even necessary."

"The United States has serious concerns about the law as drafted and strongly opposes the enactment of any law that would constrain the legitimate activities of NGOs," a State Department statement said.

"The United States believes that a strong and free civil society is vital to strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing economic and humanitarian well-being and promoting a sustainable economy," it said.


Non-governmental organizations have played an active role in rebuilding Cambodia since it emerged from the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime and civil war. Hun Sen has repeatedly clashed with groups over their power of the purse and occasional criticism of government policies.

Rights groups in December voiced alarm as Cambodia started introducing laws that would make it a crime to criticize judges or to hurt the feelings of public officials.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan at the time called the law "good news for Cambodia," saying it "protects human rights and keeps social order."


Also in December, the World Food Program apologized after coming under fire from Hun Sen for wrongly stating that Cambodia was vulnerable to food shortages.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 02:52 PM PST
Thai activists Veera Somkwamkid, second left, a core leader of Yellow Shirts and Panich Vikitsreth, a member of Parliment of the ruling Democrat party, second right, are escorted by Cambodian court security personnel at Phnom Penh Municipal Court. (Photo: AP)
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 12 January 2011
"As we know, the monarch has the privilege of giving pardons."
While Prime Minister Hun Sen has ruled out a political release for seven Thais arrested for illegal entry, two analysts say a royal pardon after their trial is a possibility.

The seven Thais, including a member of parliament, are facing a potential prison sentence of 18 months total for illegal entry and trespassing in a military area.

"My opinion is that the first step must be through the court," said Ros Chantraboth, a historian at the Royal Academy. "After the court's prosecution, based on a suggestion of friendship for both countries, [Prime Minister] Hun Sen will request from [King Norodom Sihamoni] their amnesty and release."


Sok Touch, rector of Khemarak University, said first the judicial system must be allowed to work before diplomatic negotiations.

"Cambodia should show its willingness to use the court system perfectly, and after that open political negotiation," he said. "As we know, the monarch has the privilege of giving pardons."

Both analysts criticized the Thai courts, which do not typically try Cambodians caught crossing the border illegally. A third analyst added that the arrests may cause pause for some Thai nationalist groups wanting to cross the border or enter disputed territory for the purpose of protest.

A lengthy armed standoff along the border near Preah Vihear temple was sparked in July 2008 when demonstrators entered a disputed area to protest the listing of the temple as a World Heritage site.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 02:47 PM PST
Ministry Looks to Have More Hand in Farm Contracts

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 12 January 2011
"This draft will eliminate the middlemen and bring investors directly to meet farmers or farmer associations."
The Ministry of Agriculture is finalizing a new subdecree that would put it in a major role for contract farmers.

The subdecree lets the ministry help farmers find investment partners and markets for their goods, said Mao Sopheareth, director of the ministry's agro-industrial development department.

"After approving this draft, we'll have a direct relationship between sellers and farmers in signing their contracts," he said. "This draft will eliminate the middlemen and bring investors directly to meet farmers or farmer associations."

Farmers have complained in the past of receiving low value for their raw goods, while middlemen reap the value added of better markets. But without a mechanism to help them, it can be difficult for farmers to find a lucrative market for their products.


Meanwhile, Cambodia is hoping to produce 1 million tons for rice for export by 2015.

Mao Sopheareth said the draft will help that goal and will help build trust for investors who want to bring their business here. It is under review by a legal expert and is expected to be examined by the Council of Ministers in February.

Yong Saing Koma, president of Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture, said that the draft will be good for farmers and sellers by watching over contracts.

"It implements justice," he said. "The farmers have a clear contract on the market, quality, quantity and standards with the sellers. The foreign companies will buy their products. The company has clarity for buying their products with quality, quantity and standards."
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:52 PM PST
Moeuk Dara (Photo: DAP-news)
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 12 January 2011
"Another high-ranking official was arrested Wednesday in connection to alleged drug offenses."
Another high-ranking official was arrested Wednesday in connection to alleged drug offenses, officials said.

Three-star general Moeuk Dara, who is secretary-general of the the National Authority to Combat Drugs, was put under arrest by the Ministry of Interior after he was asked to come in for questioning. Also arrested was Chea Leng, a colonel, head of the Ministry of Interior office for combatting drugs.

Officials declined to give details or say whether that arrest was connected to the detention Monday of Hun Hean, former police chief of Banteay Meanchey province.

Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the arrest was made with cooperation between the ministry and the new Anti-Corruption Unit.

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith confirmed the detention but declined to give further detail.

Cambodia has grown in recent years from a transit country for illicit drugs to a place where they are produced. In 2010, police cracked down in 320 cases, arresting 638 suspects, including 63 foreigners, according to official figures.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:27 PM PST
Comment from Anonymous Reader:

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Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:16 PM PST
Shrines have been set up around the bodhi tree in Sanlong commune that sprang back to life after being cut down. Photo by: ROTH MEAS

Villagers eat, love and pray to 'magical' tree

Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Roth Meas
The Phnom Penh Post

VILLAGERS in Kandal province have been praying to a bodhi tree and drinking tea made from its roots and bark after it suddenly sprang upright, having been cut down and knocked over last year.

The 200-year-old tree in Sanlong commune, about 40 kilometres from Phnom Penh, attracted curiosity when its trunk, which was lying on the ground, began standing upright again two weeks ago. "My dog was barking, so my wife looked out from the house and saw the tree base was slowly standing upright again," said villager Khai Lorn, 48.

Buddhist priest Sok Suon said a man who lived next to the tree dreamed that its spirit was helping to bring it back to life, so monks erected umbrellas and a tent nearby for people to gather and pray.

"The bodhi tree is supposed to be a magical tree because the Buddha gained enlightenment under one" said the priest.


The tree was felled to make way for a road-widening project on November 18. Over the past two weeks, said Sok Suon, hundreds of people have come to pray to the tree and cut bits of root or bark off it in the hope that it will help cure diseases.

Health officials in Kandal province stressed that drinking bark or roots from a bodhi tree was a folk remedy and not supported by medical evidence. Prak Phan, deputy director of the province's department of health, said medical workers would educate people nearby so they could avoid any danger.

However, practicioner of traditional Khmer medicine Phka Chhouk, said that trees of the fig family were often used to cure ailments, and could help treat syphilis.

One keen to try the tree was Srey Sorn, 60, of Prey Chrouk village in Kandal's Bak Dav commune. "I got some bark to boil after I prayed to the tree to cure my stomach disease. The traditional medicine man says that so far, roots or bark from the tree haven't poisoned anyone."

Village chief Ly Chamroeun, 45, said that the tree had now been moved to private land so people could keep praying to it.

Superstition runs rife in the countryside. Last week, people in Kandal province's Saang district organised a spirit wedding for two snakes.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 11:17 AM PST
Has this tycoon-land thief (R) resigned also?
Tycoons quit before declaring assets

Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

Ten tycoons have asked permission to resign their government posts following the introduction of new rules requiring senior officials to disclose their assets to anti-graft authorities, an official said on Tuesday.

Sieng Borath, deputy president of the Anticorruption Unit, said that the businessmen – which included senators, members of parliament and advisors to senior officials – tendered their resignations when asset declarations became mandatory at the start of this month.

He did not name names, and emphasised that those reportedly involved were not resigning in an attempt to cover up ill-gotten gains, but were instead afraid they might accidentally leave some of their many assets off the declaration form.

"An oknha [tycoon], he has his legitimate job. There is nothing involved with corruption, but he finds it difficult because of his many assets," Sieng Borath said in a speech on asset declarations at the Ministry of Information on Tuesday.


"The resignation doesn't mean that he is corrupt, but that he finds it difficult to include those assets, that he might forget."

Under the Kingdom's new Law on Anticorruption, as many as 100,000 senior government officials will be required to declare their assets to the ACU by the end of next month.

When contacted on Tuesday, two tycoons holding government posts said they would not resign in the face of the new regulations.

"What the state requires us to do, we must do that. If we resign, it means that we have a problem," said Chea Chamroeun, an oknha and parliamentarian from the ruling Cambodian People's Party.

Yin Sovanny, an adviser to Senate President Chea Sim, agreed resignations could be construed as a sign of guilt.

"For me, there is no problem. It is not necessary to resign because we have not done anything [illegal]," he said.

Opposition Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann said tycoons were free to resign, but that the timing raised the question of whether they were trying to conceal ill-gotten gains.

"In the country that has the rule of law, even if they have big business and have any [government] posts, if they have honest business they will not be scared of declaring assets," he said.

"We do not accuse any okhna, but in [Cambodia] most oknhas have illegal business."
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:27 AM PST
January 12, 2011
Xinhua

Phnom Penh Municipal Court's investigating judge Chaing Sinat on Wednesday upheld a new additional charge on two of the seven arrested Thais, said a defense lawyer.

The two Thais are Veera Somkwamkid, a core member of the Thailand Patriot Network, and Ratree Taiputana Taiboon, known as Veera's secretary.

On Jan. 10, the court's deputy prosecutor Sok Roeun applied a new additional charge on the two Thais with an attempt in " collecting information which might damage Cambodia's national security."

The charge that could face between five and 10 years in jail if found guilty, according to the article 446 of the Cambodia's new penal code.


"The investigating judge upheld the charge on the two Thais for spying," Pich Vicheka, one of the two defense lawyers for the seven arrested Thais, confirmed to Xinhua on Wednesday after more than three hour inquest on the two Thais at the court.

He said that so far, the court has not set the date for a trial for the seven detained Thais.

Chaing Sinat did not pick up the phone after repeated calls by reporter on Wednesday.

The seven arrested Thais are a Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Wikitsate, Veera Somkwamkid, Thailand Patriot Network core member, Samdin Lersbusya, secretary for Heaven and Earth Party, Kochpontorn Chusanaseree, assistant to Panich, Taynae Moongmachon, pressperson, Ms. Naruemol Chitwaratana, house keeper and Ms. Ratree Paiputana Paiboon, vendor and known as Veera's secretary.

They were arrested on Dec. 29, 2010 by Cambodian border protection troops for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and now are being detained in Phnom Penh' s Prey Sar prison.

They were charged on Dec. 30 last year for illegal entry into Cambodia and unlawful entry into military zone. They may face up to 18 months in prison and fine from 1 to 2 million Cambodian riels (250 U.S. dollars - 500 U.S. dollars) if found guilty.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:24 AM PST
Jan 12, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's lower court on Wednesday wrapped up its questioning of two Thais including a prominent political figure on charges of spying.

Veera Somkwamkit, a former leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and his secretary Ratree Taiputana appeared at the Phnom Penh municipal court for questioning.

The two are among seven Thai nationals arrested last month after illegally entering Cambodia. The seven told the court last week that they had crossed the border accidentally.

Parliamentarian Panich Vikitsreth of Thailand's ruling Democrat Party is also a defendant. A trial date has not yet been announced.


Thailand has expressed concerns about the new, more serious charges of spying.

'We're certainly concerned about the new charges because we have contended all along that the seven Thais who wandered in to Cambodia unwittingly did so with no ill intent,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said in Bangkok.

Members of the PAD vowed to protest outside Thailand's Government House on Thursday to pressure the government to do more for the seven border trespassers.

Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the case remained under the authority of the courts, and maintained that it would not affect relations between the two countries.

'Our stance is to separate the case from bilateral relations,' he said, adding that Thai diplomats had not been in touch to discuss matters since the two foreign ministers met a fortnight ago.

Earlier this week, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that since the seven were in the judicial system, the case was beyond anyone's influence.

Hun Sen said that if the seven were convicted of illegal entry and unlawfully entering a military base - charges that carry a maximum term of 18 months - they would need to serve two-thirds of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole.

However, if Veera and Ratree are convicted of the more serious charge of spying, they could face up to 10 more years in jail.

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have been tense for more than two years with sporadic clashes between troops over disputed territory surrounding the 11th-century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear on the disputed common border.

The temple, known as Phra Viharn in Thailand, belongs to Cambodia under a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice, but sovereignty over 4.6 square kilometres of surrounding land is still in dispute.

The two countries are currently demarcating their border. Thailand's senior border negotiator was in Phnom Penh on Tuesday where he pledged to push ahead with the long-delayed process.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:17 AM PST
BANGKOK, Jan 12 (MCOT online news) -- Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the Thai Patriot Network, one of seven Thais detained in Cambodia following last month's border incident, made no statement at court Wednesday morning, but asserted he would provide his statement to the court through an interpreter provided by Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, according to Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Mr Veera, Secretary General of the People's Network Against Corruption and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were taken to Phnom Penh Municipal Court Wednesday morning for a hearing on spying charges on top of the charges of illegal entry and trespassing into a Cambodian military area already heard.

The government prosecutor alleged that the duo had gathered security information that could pose a severe threat to Khmer security.


Mr Chavanond said, according to the report he received, Mr Veera refused to testify and insisted that he would answer question through the interpreter provided by the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh and that the embassy was ready to support his request.

However, court regulations permitted only a court interpreter, he said, adding that the embassy had initially submitted a petition to the court to allow use of the embassy interpreter.

The possibility depended on the court's decision, he said.

Mr Chavanond said that as for Ms Ratree, the ministry has no information whether she has given a statement to the court or not.

Meanwhile he believed that in the next two days, more developments could be seen as to whether the five Thais would be granted bail.

Asked by reporters whether additional lawyers are needed for Mr Veera and Ms Ratree, Mr Chavanond said the discussion must be made with the legal team.

He added that after the court delivers its verdict, the governments of the two countries would negotiate on ways of helping the seven Thais.

A swap of prisoners could be an option, but it is too far ahead to consider at the moment as it must wait for the court verdict, he said.

The seven Thais, including Democrat member of parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.

The Cambodian court finished the first hearings last Thursday. The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass into a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines

According to Cambodian laws, the two facing espionage charges may face five to 10 years imprisonment if found guilty.

As for the plan of the Thailand Patriot Network to rally at Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province to press for the closure of the border checkpoint, Mr Chavanond said it was the basic right of the group but he pointed out that helping the seven Thais would be more smoothly if there were no complicating factors.

The Thai Patriot Network announced that they would protest at Government House tomorrow demanding the resignation of Foreign Minister Kasit and his secretary Chavanond for failing to protect the rights of the Thai people and national honour.

Mr Chaiwat said they were negligent in not helping the seven Thais and instead admitted the Thais had trespassed on Cambodian soil in the hope they would finally get a royal pardon from the Cambodian king which made it more difficult to fight the case.

He said the Cambodian court has no authority to try the seven Thais as it violated the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which both countries are signatories, which prohibits the arrest and trial of civilians in a disputed area.

Mr Chaiwat said the network would rally at Government House Thursday to press the government to comply with its demand.

If the government did not do so, he said, the network will rally at Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province to close the checkpoints and inspect illegal activities along the border including goods and drug smuggling and illegal labour.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:11 AM PST
12/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Veera Somkwamkid did not testify when he was taken before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for examination on Wednesday morning, saying he would speak only through an interpreter provided by the Thai embassy, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said.

Mr Veera, a coordinator of the yellow-shirt Thai Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were taken to the court this morning to hear additional charges of espionage and face examination.

Mr Chavanond, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, said the Thai embassy was happy to provide Mr Veera with an interpreter.

However, Cambodian court regulations allow only for the use of its own interpreters. The embassy would submit a request for an exemption. The final decision rests with the court, he said.


He had no information from Cambodia whether Ms Ratree had given testimony to the court.

It was also not known whether Mr Veera and Ms Ratree would need to appoint other lawyers in addition to the two Cambodian lawyers provided by the embassy.

Mr Chavanond said it would be clear in two days whether the five other Thai defendants, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, would be granted bail.

After the Cambodian court delivers its verdict in the case, the governments of the two countries would negotiate ways of helping the seven defendants.

A swap of prisoners could be one way out, but this would not be known until after the court had given its verdict, Mr Chavanond said.

Karun Sai-ngam, a member of the TPN's legal team, tried in vain to get permission to be in court for the questioning this morning.

The network's legal team was in Phnom Penh, ready to apply for the release of the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 on charges of illegal entry and trespassing on a Cambodian military zone.

The TPN released a statement today announcing the network will hold a mass rally in front of Government House tomorrow. The statement was read oput by core member Chaiwat Sinsuwong.

The yellow-shirt splinter group called for the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, saying they were negligent in not helping the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers.

The statement said they instead admitted the Thais had trespassed on Cambodian soil, in the hope they would get a royal pardon from the Cambodian king.

The network also demanded the government submit a letter to the United Nations asking that it "oppose" the Cambodian court's jurisdiction in the matter. The network claims the Cambodian court does not have the authority to consider the case against the arrested Thais.

In the statement, the Thai and Cambodian governments were asked to comply with the 4th Geneva Convention, to which both countries are signatories, which prohibits the arrest and trial of civilians in a disputed area.

Mr Chaiwat said the TPN would hold a mass rally outside Government House tomorrow to press the government to comply with its demands.

If the government doese not comply, the network would organise a rally in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province to press for the closure of the border checkpoint, he said.

The network would submit a letter to the UN and the office of the International Red Cross in Thailand to ask them to look into the plight of the seven Thais to make sure their rights are protected while being detained at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:05 AM PST
Mok Dara (Photo: DAP-news)
Cambodian police question head of anti-drugs office

Jan 12, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - The head of Cambodia's anti-drugs office was in custody and being questioned on unspecified charges, a government spokesman confirmed Wednesday.

General Mok Dara, the secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), was taken in for questioning by police earlier in the day.

'The Cambodian national police have cooperated with the Anti-Corruption Unit to ask Mok Dara to come for questioning, and up to now, Mok Dara is under the control of the authorities,' said Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak.

He added that the case was linked to the recent arrest of a senior police officer, Hun Hean.


Hun Hean, who was the provincial police chief for the western province of Banteay Meanchey, was along with his deputy on suspicion of accepting bribes and involvement in drug trafficking.

Hun Hean - no relation to Prime Minister Hun Sen - told local media the allegations were untrue.

A recent report by the NACD stated that drugs-related arrests were up sharply in 2010 over the previous year, with 536 people arrested in the nine months to end September 2010. Around 470 were arrested in 2009.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 12:58 AM PST


Can Cambodian TV news be trusted?

Dara Saoyuth and Sun Narin talk to TVs top newsmen to find out if we can believe what we sees on TV.

Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Dara Saoyuth and Sun Narin
The Phnom Penh Post
Lift did a survey of 100 Cambodian youth, ramdonly selected at the countries university campuses. Here are the results.

What Cambodian TV station do you watch the most?

CTN: 63
Bayon: 17
TVK: 8
SEATV: 6
TV9: 3
Apsara: 2
TV5: 1

How often do you watch TV news programs?

Every day: 46
At lease 1 time a week: 45
At least one time a month: 9

Which TV channel do you watch for Cambodian news? (You can choose multiple answers)

CTN: 68
Bayon: 45
SEATV: 30
TVK: 27
TV5: 9
Apsara: 3
TV9: 2

Do you think political stories on Cambodian TV news programmes are bias towards the Cambodian People's Party (pro-government)?

Yes: 65
I don't care: 20
No: 7
No answer: 8

Would you like to see news that is more critical?

Yes: 73
No: 12
I don't care: 10
No answer: 5

* Survey conducted by Dara Saoyuth and Sun Narin

According to a census taken of Cambodia's population in 2008, 58.41 percent of households own at least one television set. News programmes are what every station cannot do without. Cambodia's television stations present a variety of both national and international news to their audiences and also produce some other programmes including live reports and news analysis.

Huot Kheangveng, the deputy general director of the Bayon station which is owned by Prime Minister Hun Sen's daughter, said his station tries to cater to its audience's needs, adding that the audience likes news which impacts their lives and is a bridge between the government and the people.

Pen Samithy, the president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists and editor of the Raksmey Kampuchea newspaper, said that developing a variety of news for television was good for the people and the country as a whole since people can learn what's happening around them. He said, however, there were not very many local television programmes and they were not updated.

Information Minister and Government Spokesman Khieu Kanharith said making shows for TV is a big expense, and added that just to get a good camera like the ones being used at TVK costs about $30,000 to $40,000.

He said that privately-owned television stations have to make money, so they are not able to have lots of people capturing the news from all over the country.

"Most of the news focuses on the government's achievements and is positive," said Pen Samithy. "I just want all the news that impacts the people."

Lift conducted a survey of 100 university students in Phnom Penh and the results showed that 70 percent said the news is biased towards the government.

However, Huot Kheangveng said his television station carried both the positive and negative points of the government to let people know about its achievements and also to constructively criticise government.

"We have references, real sources and our reporters do it professionally. We disseminate the truth only," he said.

Launched in March 2003, the Cambodian Television Network, or CTN, is the most popular station in Cambodia and is now broadcasting news for seven hours each day. Its programmes include the morning news, which has been running for the past year.

"Any bad news has already been reported by some radio stations and newspapers, so we don't have to follow because it's not good," said Som Chhaya, CTN's deputy director general and news editor, explaining that the market for news is very small and they cannot survive on news shows alone.

"As you can see, some newspapers are still printed in black and white and have not changed to colour printing like the others."

Som Chhaya also said there are some obstacles he and his crews face in getting news. Getting information is sometimes difficult for him because some departments and ministries don't have any spokesperson, so he has to try to contact other relevant sources who sometimes cannot be reached.

Now most television stations produce news programmes and analysis, which Som Chhaya compares with having a meal that is delicious after adding the seasoning, more meat and more vegetables, meaning that news analysis provides more detail for the audience to better understand a situation.

Soy Sopheap, a news analyst at Bayon TV, said he always recaps and analyses the important news of the week, but acknowledged that "it's not correct all the time, but we say what is true and adhere to our profession as journalists".

However, Khieu Kanharith stressed that news analysis is not news but opinion.

"They have the freedom to express their opinions," he said, adding that some people are not very professional in their analysis, but the majority of them are.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 12:32 AM PST
Rev. Kong Chhean

01/11/2011
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - For more than 30 years, the Rev. Kong Chhean helped give Cambodian refugees a spiritual sense of home in a foreign land.

Chhean died Friday at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center after battling a series of ailments. He was 66.

Chhean was the head monk or abbot at the Khemara Buddhikarama Temple, popularly called Wat Willow, Long Beach's largest Cambodian Buddhist temple.

Born in 1945 in Cambodia, Chhean was ordained as a monk after he entered the temple at the age of 12. He studied Buddhist religious thought at Benares Hindu University in India, receiving a doctorate in 1975.

The Buddhist monk came to the United States in 1979 with the first wave of refugees, who fled Cambodia after the Vietnamese drove the genocidal Khmer Rouge from power.


Upon arriving in the U.S., Chhean set up his first temple in an apartment on Clarkdale Avenue in Hawaiian Gardens and his second in a Lakewood home. When the Lakewood site proved too small, Chhean began holding services at El Dorado Park before moving to the current site, a former union hall on the industrial Westside border with Wilmington.

The building was renovated and decorated with distinctive Khmer artwork and architecture, including signature curved spires and red tile roofing.

In addition to leading his congregation, Chhean worked as a mental health counselor and earned a master's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University in 1986 and a doctorate in clinical psychology in 1989.

He worked for the Long Beach Asian Pacific Mental Health Program, part of the Los Angeles County Mental Health Department.

Because of his background both as a Cambodian and a monk, Chhean was uniquely suited to treat Cambodians suffering from mental disease and trauma, such at post traumatic stress disorder and depression.

"He helped a lot of Cambodians with mental problems," said Borann Duong, a member of the temple and its board of directors. "He was on call all the time, and he was very good when we had problems."

Describing his approach to therapy to the Press-Telegram about nine years ago, Chhean said, "Rational living creates balance in the mind and body, but for many people suffering from mental illness, medicine and therapy must also be used. There is no reason for the spiritual and medical treatments to be mutually exclusive."

In its early years, Wat Willow also offered a variety of social, community and cultural services, including weekend basketball tournaments for Khmer youth and adult day care for the elderly parents of working adults.

Recently it has been more concentrated on religious activities.

Buddhist ritual services will be held at Wat Willow, 2100 W. Willow St., daily between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. through Thursday. Viewing and Buddhist memorial services will be held at the Wat on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A funeral service will be held Sunday from 1 until 3 p.m. at All Souls Mortuary, 4400 Cherry Ave. The service will be followed by a funeral procession to Wat Willow where the final Buddhist ritual service will be held. The cremation will be staged at Stricklin Snively Mortuary, 1952 Long Beach Blvd.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Chhean's memory can make it to Khemara Buddhikarama Temple, 2100 W. Willow Street, Long Beach, CA 90810. A Khmer language announcement of services is at www.presstelegram.com.

For more information, contact Pinthuy Tim at 562-980- 6710, e-mail: pinrt301@yahoo.com or Borann Duong, 562-577-5481, e-mail: Borannd@hotmail.com.

greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1291
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 12:17 AM PST
Arunrasmy (Photo: RFA)
Prague, Jan 11 (CTK) - Cambodian Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, sister of King Norodom Sihamoni who studied in Prague, will be the patron of the traditional Czech Opera Ball to be held in the State Opera building in Prague centre on February 5, 2011, its organisers announced Tuesday.

The event will be held under the aegis of the Prague and Vienna mayors, and in the Cambodian colours since Princess Arunrasmy will attend it this year.

Part of the profits from the raffle will go to charity purposes. The money will be divided between the foundation of Czech-born top model Tereza Maxova in support of abandoned children, and charity projects in Cambodia.

"People will come not only for entertainment but they also want to do something good. This is why we have focused on relations with the Cambodian royal family," ball artistic director Renata Sabongui told CTK, adding that the ball's symbolic motto is "For Life."


The princess's brother, King Norodom Sihanomi, has close links to the Czech Republic. He lived in Prague in 1962-1975 when he attended primary and secondary schools and then studied ballet at the Prague conservatory. He can speak Czech fluently.

On the occasion of the Opera Ball, Princess Arunrasmy will present Cambodian culture in Prague.

A performance of Cambodian dancers along with the Prague Conservatory's dancers will open the ball's programme. Then a Czech band will play songs of swing legend Frank Sinatra.

The Canbodian princess will dance with Czech ballet master Vlastimil Harapes, who also graduated from the Prague conservatory.

The tickets cost from 3000 to 8000 crowns per person.

The guests can win prizes in the raffle for one million crowns in total, including a trip to Cambodia, jewels and a luxurious bed.

The tradition of opera balls in Prague was restored in 2009 after a 14-year break. The first event took place in the State Opera in 1948. Others were held only after the communist regime collapsed, in the first half of the 1990s.

The balls have been attended by famous cultural personalities, such as actors Alain Delon and Peter Ustinov, businessmen, politicians, diplomats and members of royal families.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 12:10 AM PST
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban insisted on Wednesday his inspection trip to Si Sa Ket province had no bearing on the Thai-Cambodian relations.

He was speaking before departing for Si Sa Ket, which is adjacent to Cambodia.

"My trip is about a reafforestation project in honour of His Majesty," he said. He denied any linkage to today's Cambodian judicial inquiry on additional espionage charges against two of seven detained Thais in Phnom Penh.

Accompanied by Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Suthep said he wanted to thank soldiers and participants for reafforestation in Kanthararak district.


When asked about the detained Thais, he said the government had already assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be the primary agency in charge of assisting in the legal defence and commenting on related issues.

He said, however, that he understands the Cambodian court is expected to rule on the case within this week.

He reaffirmed good neighbourly ties with Cambodia in every aspect.
Posted: 12 Jan 2011 12:03 AM PST
January 12, 2011
Xinhua

Phnom Penh Municipal Court's investigating judge Chaing Sinat on Wednesday morning began to question two of the seven arrested Thais for new charge of espionage.

The two Thais are Veera Somkwamkid, a core member of the Thailand Patriot Network, and Ratree Taiputana Taiboon, known as Veera's woman secretary. They faced additional charge of an attempt in "collecting information which might damage Cambodia's national security," said the court's deputy prosecutor Sok Roeun.

According to Cambodia's laws, the two people may face five to 10 years imprisonment if found guilty.

The seven arrested Thais are a Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Wikitsate, Veera Somkwamkid, Thailand Patriot Network core member, Samdin Lersbusya, secretary for Heaven and Earth Party, Kochpontorn Chusanaseree, assistant to Panich, Taynae Moongmachon, pressperson, Ms. Naruemol Chitwaratana, house keeper and Ms. Ratree Paiputana Paiboon, vendor and known as Veera's secretary.

They were arrested on Dec. 29, 2010 by Cambodian border protection troops for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and now are being detained in Phnom Penh ' s Prey Sar prison.

They were charged on Dec. 30 last year for illegal entry into Cambodia and unlawful entry into military zone. They may face up to 18 months in prison and fine from 1 to 2 million Cambodian riels (250 U.S. dollars - 500 U.S. dollars) if found guilty.
Posted: 11 Jan 2011 11:56 PM PST
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Nation

A Cambodian court on Wednesday completed questioning of two Thais, including Veera Somkwamkit, leader of Thai Patriots Network, who were charged with spying.

Another Thai charged with spying charge is Ratree Pipattanapaibul, secretary of the network.

The two were among seven Thais already charged with illegal entry into Cambodia and entering a Khmer military post without permission. One of the seven was Panich Vikitsetr, a Democrat MP.

They were arrested on December 29 while inspecting a field in Sa Kaew's Kok Sung district, opposite to Banteay Meanchay province of Cambodia.


Thai Foreign Ministry's spokesman Thani Thongpakdee said the hearings of Veera lasted about 45 minutes. Veera used to be arrested on charge of illegal entry last year near the site where he was held this time.

After the hearing, the two were brought back to Prey Sor jail where they were detained since they were taken to Phnom Penh, Thani said.

Referring to five others suspects, Thani said the Cambodian side has not yet set date of delivering the verdict.

The seven Thais last week testified against charge of illegal entry. They told the court that they entered Cambodia by accident.
Posted: 11 Jan 2011 11:19 PM PST
Posted: 11 Jan 2011 10:57 PM PST
Jan 11, 2011
By Heidi Wigdahl

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) -- Every year immigrants and refugees come to Rochester to start a new chapter in their lives.

The Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA) in Rochester hopes to help make that transition a little easier.

Sarun Prum said he was only 21-years-old when he fled his home to escape the genocide in Cambodia.

"It was pretty dangerous," Prum said. "I walked through and ran through at night, through the land mines and before getting to our refugee camp, there was a soldier that could shoot and kill you."

Prum landed in Rochester in 1983 and sought help from IMAA.


IMAA started in 1984 due to the influx of displaced families who fled Southeast Asia, seeking safety in Minnesota

"Many of them are coming in traumatized by war, not having a grasp of the language, not understanding the culture, so they really had a lot of barriers standing in between them and self sufficiency," said Courntey Lawson, program manager at IMAA.

In 2010, IMAA helped 1,650 people achieve that self sufficiency with English not being their first language. Rochester represents 55 to 60 different languages.

"My experience here in Rochester since I came has been excellent and there have been many good things that have happened to me and my family since we came here," said Armin Budimlic, who is part of IMAA and from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prum believes this as well. He's worked with IMAA for 26 years, helping others find jobs.

Prum said, "Life in America isn't easy but I strived for it and I made it."
Posted: 11 Jan 2011 10:54 PM PST
Veera Somkwamkid (Photo: CEN)
Ratree Pipattanapaiboon (Photo: CEN)
PHNOM PENH, Jan 12 (MCOT online news) -- Two of the seven Thai nationals detained here were taken to Phnom Penh Municipal Court Wednesday morning for a hearing on spying charges on top of the illegal entry and trespassing into a Cambodian military area.

The Cambodian government prosecutor earlier has added espionage to the charges levelled against Veera Somkwamkid, Secretary General of the People's Network Against Corruption and leader of the Thailand Patriot Network and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, citing they gathered security information that could pose a severe threat to Cambodian security.

The two were seen as having worried expressions on their faces during they were taken into the court premises.


Mr Veera reportedly told the media waiting outside the court that there was an attempt to frame him with the new charge.

According to Cambodian laws, the two people may face five to 10 years imprisonment if found guilty.

The two were among the seven Thais, including Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, who were arrested Dec 29, by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now being detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.

The Cambodian court finished the first hearings last Thursday.

The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass into a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.
Posted: 11 Jan 2011 10:44 PM PST
Vietnam-Cambodia border gate opens

01/12/2011
VOV Neews (Hanoi)

The Binh Hiep-Prayvo international border gate between Long An province of Vietnam and Svay Rieng province of Cambodia opened on January 11.

The gate played an important role in taking advantages of both provinces' potential, especially in welcoming international travellers, Deputy Chairman of the Long An provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Nguyen said.

The border gates were upgraded from the existing ones following the decisions of the Vietnamese and Cambodian governments.

The Binh Hiep border gate of Long An province, which connects to road number 314 of Svay Rieng province and the Asian transnational highway, is considered as a bridge to other countries in Southeast Asia.
Posted: 11 Jan 2011 10:37 PM PST
Wednesday January 12, 2011
By DANNY YAP
The Star (Malaysia)

KUALA LUMPUR: Top Glove Corp Bhd, the world's largest rubber glove manufacturer, is investing RM160mil in Cambodia to plant rubber trees to reduce its dependency on latex which is bought at market prices.

Chairman Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai said the company was targetting to obtain 20% of its latex requirement from the plantation over time.

"We have about 8,000 ha of net plantable land for rubber trees," he said at a briefing for analysts and reporters on Top Glove's first quarter results ended Nov 30, 2010 here yesterday.


By owning its own rubber plantation, Top Glove would be able to mitigate the rising cost of buying latex at market prices in future.


Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai (right) says the company is targeting to obtain 20% of its latex requirement from the plantation. On his right is managing director Lee Kim Meow.

"We had to revise our rubber glove prices several times in the last quarter due to the volatility of latex prices," he said.

The average latex prices rose by 57% from RM4.58 per kg in the first quarter of 2010 to about RM7.20 per kg currently.

Lim said about 80% of the company's profit was still in manufacturing latex glove.

Top Glove would focus more on producing nitrile gloves as they command better margins and were not subjected to the volatility in latex prices.


In its first quarter ended Nov 30, 2010, the group's production mix for nitrile was 7%, while its nitrile production for December last year stood at 10%.

"We have a large number of nitrile raw material manufacturers in Malaysia, so we have better cost advantages over China in terms of raw materials and labour," he said.

"Because of the higher prices of latex glove, customers have kept their inventory levels at a minimum level," he said.

For the first quarter ended Nov 30, Top Glove posted a 44.6% drop in net profit to RM36mil compared with RM65mil in the corresponding quarter a year earlier.

Revenue stood at RM491.5mil against RM472.3mil previously.

Lim said the company had exceptional sales up till the third quarter of last year, due to concerns of A(HINI) and other factors.

"This year will be challenging but we hope to do better than the previous financial year," he said.

He added that the company was planning to size up by acquiring smaller rubber plants to improve on its economies of scale and synergy.

Lim said the company had RM343mil in cash reserves to undertake such acquisition activities.

"We are in talks with several parties and hope to secure a deal before year end or earlier," he said, adding that timing of the acquisition was important.

Lim pointed out that this adverse situation of higher latex prices would possibly lead to further consolidation among the industry players,

"We are in a good position to further enlarge our business when opportunities arise," he noted.

Top Glove currently has 14 plants in Malaysia, four in Thailand, and two in China, with a total capacity of 33 billion pieces of glove per annum, which is nearly one fifth of the world's demand.
Posted: 11 Jan 2011 10:26 PM PST
Jan 11, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - The stump of a 200-year-old tree that was recently felled has become an object of veneration for Cambodian villagers, local media reported Wednesday.

Villagers in Sanlong commune near Phnom Penh said the stump of the bodhi tree, which had lain on its side since being cut down in a road-widening project in November, righted itself of its own accord overnight two weeks ago.

'My dog was barking, so my wife looked out from the house and saw the tree base was slowly standing upright again,' villager Khai Lorn told The Phnom Penh Post newspaper.

Monks placed umbrellas and a tent near the 2-metre-tall stump to allow people to pray and leave offerings, a local monk said.


'The bodhi tree is supposed to be a magical tree because the Buddha gained enlightenment under one,' monk Sok Suon said.

He added that hundreds of people had since come to the tree to pray and remove bits of bark or root to make healing cups of tea.

Cambodia is a predominantly Buddhist nation, and superstitions run deep in rural areas. Last week, villagers outside Phnom Penh held a wedding ceremony for two pythons in a bid to ensure good fortune.

 

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