KI Media

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• Reject New Cambodia-Vietnam Map
• Thousands defy Egypt protest ban
• My Rights, My Responsibility (ICCPR) Series
• My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series
• My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series
• Let's deal with this calmly [-The Bangkok Post is playing a dangerous finger pointing game?]
• Adding insult to injury: Cambodia allows a Thai general to participate in the smashing of the sign in Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak
• US President Obama's State of the Union 2011
• "Cambodia: Time for Rebellion!" - Opinion by Ou Chal
• Politiktoons No. 133: Australia Day
• Blogger ខ្មែរៈថ្ងៃណាទៅថៃ ពាក់ធុងទៅ !
• Kampuchea, Khloat Ban Ter Mang [Khlang Ban Ter Moat]
• Khmer Krom: Vietnam Intensifies Represion On Human Rights
• Your say Re: Sign in front of Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak
• Cambodia Kingdom of Wondering about how new laws will change our lifes
• Vietnamese banker linked to graft
• Institutions pass the buck on Sochua [-CPP institutions are all equally incompetent!]
• Tense between Cambodia and Thai Troops Eased
• Border tensions rise
• "Veera" will not change lawyers: [Thai] MFA
• Tunisia revolt spreads to Egypt?
• Cambodian troops destroy contentious sign
• Hun Xen blinked after Siamese army threat?
• Shame on you Mr. Barking Hoon Xen!
• Street politics back in Bangkok

Reject New Cambodia-Vietnam Map Posted: 26 Jan 2011 07:08 PM PST Dear Friends and Countrymen, I am writing to you to consider joining me and other friends and countrymen to register your opposition to a new Cambodia-Vietnam border map soon to be published by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, that stands in conflict with the existing official reference map recognized by Cambodia's Constitution and deposited with the United Nations. Please log on to http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42160.html to read the petition. The Khmer Motherland will be grateful for your stand at the time she needed you the most. Thank you and yours sincerely, Peang-Meth

Thousands defy Egypt protest ban Posted: 26 Jan 2011 05:43 PM PST

My Rights, My Responsibility (ICCPR) Series Posted: 26 Jan 2011 05:21 PM PST International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Ratified, acceded by UN General Assembly in December 1966, entry into force March 1976. Cambodia ratified the ICCPR (thus, a part of Cambodia's body of laws) and is obligated to submit regular reports to the United Nations. Part III Article 22 1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests. 2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those which are prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on members of the armed forces and of the police in their exercise of this right. 3. Nothing in this article shall authorize States Parties to the International Labor Organisation Convention of 1948 concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize to take legislative measures which would prejudice, or to apply the law in such a manner as to prejudice, the guarantees provided for in that Convention.

My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series Posted: 26 Jan 2011 05:20 PM PST Constitution of Cambodia (Sept. 1993) Chapter III Rights and Responsibilities of Khmer Citizens Article 46 The commerce of human beings, exploitation by prostitution and obscenity which affect the reputation of women shall be prohibited. A woman shall not lose her job because of pregnancy. Woman shall have the right to take maternity leave with full pay and with no loss of seniority or other social benefits. The state and society shall provide opportunities to women, especially to those living in rural areas without adequate social support, so they can get employment, medical care, and send their children to school, and to have decent living conditions.

My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series Posted: 26 Jan 2011 05:14 PM PST Constitution of Cambodia (Sept. 1993) Chapter III Rights and Responsibilities of Khmer Citizens Article 47 Parents shall have the duty to take care of and educate their children to become good citizens. Children shall have the duty to take good care of their elderly mother and father according to Khmer traditions.

Let's deal with this calmly [-The Bangkok Post is playing a dangerous finger pointing game?] Posted: 26 Jan 2011 04:35 PM PST 27/01/2011 Bangkok Post EDITORIAL The last time Thai and Cambodian forces fought their worst sporadic battle over the disputed area surrounding the ancient HinduKhmer temple of Preah Vihear, or Khao Phra Viharn as it is called in Thailand, was in October 2008. Several clashes were reported and both sides suffered death and injury among their men. Although further skirmishes occurred in the years following, they were deemed minor and insignificant. The hostilities are believed to stem from Cambodia's unilateral effort to have the ancient temple registered as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, which it succeeded in doing, and also from the Cambodian government's appointment of Thailand's deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its special economic adviser. Only after Thaksin's resignation from the post last August did relations between the two countries gradually take a turn for the better. Prime Minister Hun Sen told Cambodian and foreign press on Dec 6 that relations between Thailand and Cambodia had returned to normal. This was further reinforced by a visit to Phnom Penh on Dec 20-21 by Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. On the occasion of that visit, Hun Sen handed over to Gen Prayuth and the Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, three Thais who had been granted a royal pardon after they were sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for illegal entry. The rapprochement appeared to go smoothly until shortly before the year ended, when seven Thais, including Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and Veera Somkwamkid, a leading member of the Thai Patriots Network, a splinter faction of the People's Alliance for Democracy, were arrested in Cambodia on charges of illegal entry and trespass in a military zone, while on an inspection trip to investigate alleged border encroachment by Cambodian civilians. Though the Thai government tried to play down the event, the Cambodian government seemed to blow it out of proportion by charging Mr Veera and his secretary with spying. The release and return home last week of Mr Panich and his four colleagues was a welcome move from Cambodia and a hopeful sign that ties would improve. But they did not. Thai media revealed that a small stone tablet had been put up by Cambodians at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple which is located in the disputed area. The tablet, inscribed in the Khmer language, proclaimed ownership of the disputed land and denounced Thais as "invaders". The message was definitely provocative and unfriendly and the Cambodian government should have known better. If Cambodia values good neighbourly relations with Thailand, this is no way to show it. Also, the massing of troops for "routine drilling" by both sides as a show of force only serves to intensify the conflict unnecessarily. This is a time for cool heads to prevail, not a flexing of muscles. And both sides know that the right channel to resolve their border dispute is through the Joint Boundary Commission. Any decent Cambodian and Thai will know that, by geography and destiny, we are neighbours and must live side by side together. Wouldn't it be much better if we lived in peace and harmony as friends, leaving behind our bitter history?

Adding insult to injury: Cambodia allows a Thai general to participate in the smashing of the sign in Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Posted: 26 Jan 2011 03:17 PM PST Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon(right), the 2nd Army commander, joins in the demolition of the tablet reading ''Here! is Cambodia''. The sign was smashed into pieces after he negotiated with his Cambodian counterpart to destroy it yesterday. Loudmouth and useless Chea Dara(Photo: The Phnom Penh Post) Srey Doek (L) (Photo: Reuters) Tablet talks a smashing success [for Thailand] Cambodia demolishes claim to border area 27/01/2011 Wassana Nanuam Bangkok Post Growing border tensions have eased again now that Cambodia has demolished a stone tablet that claimed it owned a disputed area. "It has now ended," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told the press yesterday after he received a report from the army that the tablet had been destroyed. The prime minister said Thailand had protested against the stone sign being erected in the disputed area and Cambodia had shown it was prepared to cooperate, which was a positive step. Cambodia's decision to demolish the controversial tablet came after a tense Tuesday night at the border. Both countries reinforced troops near the Preah Vihear temple and put them on full alert after Cambodia replaced the original tablet which accused Thai soldiers of trespassing with a new one. The new tablet carried an even stronger message, declaring that the disputed area in which it had been erected belonged to Cambodia. The 2nd Army, responsible for the border area, moved in troops and heavy war weapons and conducted military training near the area. The tablet was placed in front of Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple which is near the Preah Vihear temple. The stone was replaced on the weekend on the orders of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen but the new message was more aggressive, reading "Here! is Cambodia". After receiving an order to "do anything" to get Cambodia to remove the new tablet, at around 11am yesterday, Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, the 2nd Army commander, led about 20 armed soldiers to Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple to demand the Cambodian troops remove the new tablet. Four companies of soldiers were deployed at the foot of the hill and were ordered to be ready to act. The 2nd Army chief asked Cambodian commanders why they had erected the tablet as both sides had promised not to build anything to claim territory in the disputed area. The Cambodian authorities replied that their foreign ministry had told them to put the tablet there. Lt Gen Tawatchai asked them to destroy it to ease the discomfort of the Thai soldiers and people. "If you don't remove such a negative tablet, I will erect a "Here! is Thailand" tablet nearby as well," Lt Gen Tawatchai told his Cambodian counterparts. After an hour of negotiations, the Cambodians agreed to destroy the tablet. "I don't know why they agreed. At about 12.15pm, Cambodia had its soldiers destroy the new tablet. I watched them do it. I smashed it too. I wanted to participate," Lt Gen Tawatchai said. "I spoke to them nicely and stuck to the reason of what could happen if the tablet remained. "We are neighbours and should coexist peacefully. No one would like a war and then they agreed," said the 2nd Army chief who previously received a medal for bravery after taking part in a battle at the Chon Bok border pass in Ubon Ratchathani following a territorial dispute involving Thailand, Cambodia and Laos in 1987. "Before ascending to the temple, I told them beforehand that I would be there and Gen Chea Dara, their deputy supreme commander, and Lt Gen Sai Deuk, the commander of their 4th regional army, were waiting for me," Lt Gen Tawatchai said. He said the 2nd Army is now deploying five paramilitary rangers to stay with Cambodian soldiers at their 795 border patrol base behind Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple to coordinate with them. Lt Gen Tawatchai did not send any Thai troops to stay overnight at Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara but Thai soldiers can still reach the temple which is in the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area. Mr Abhisit yesterday said the traning of Thai soldiers near the border was a routine military mission. As for Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon who have been accused of illegal entry into Cambodia and espionage, Mr Abhisit pledged that his government would continue to help them They are awaiting a court ruling on their case scheduled for Feb1.

US President Obama's State of the Union 2011 Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:47 PM PST Dear all, If you missed last night live 2011 State of the Union CLICK HERE to watch President Obama address on innovation, education, security and budget deficit. President Obama framed his speech around the theme of "winning the future" a call to maintain American greatness through innovation in a rapidly changing world. He also focused on investment in education and infrastructure as essential for the US not just to remain competitive in the global marketplace, but also to win, to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. R. V.

"Cambodia: Time for Rebellion!" - Opinion by Ou Chal Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:38 PM PST Click here to read the entire article in Khmer (PDF) Click here to read the entire article in English (PDF) Cliquez ici pour lire l'article en Francais (PDF)

Politiktoons No. 133: Australia Day Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:28 PM PST Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://politiktoons.blogspot.com and also at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Blogger ខ្មែរៈថ្ងៃណាទៅថៃ ពាក់ធុងទៅ ! Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:19 PM PST Originally posted at: http://www.preynokornews.co.cc/2011/01/blogger.html   ស្លាក «ទី​នេះ! ជា​ទឹក​ដី​កម្ពុជា , Here ! is Cambodia » ត្រូវបានកម្ទេចថ្ងៃនេះ (ទី ២៦ ខែមករា ) ។    ចុចនេះ ដើម្បីមើលការបញ្ចេញមតិរបស់ក្រុម Blogger ខ្មែរនៅក្នុងបរិយាយថ្ងៃនេះរបស់សុភ័ក្ត្រមានចំណងជើងថា «កម្ពុជា, ឃ្លាត់​បាន​តែ​ម៉ាំង»

Kampuchea, Khloat Ban Ter Mang [Khlang Ban Ter Moat] Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:08 PM PST Top three rows: Cambodia's Strongmouth Bottom photo: Minion Bigmouth Chea Dara Op-Ed by Sopheak Originally posted at http://sopheak.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/cambodia-strong/ Click on the article in Khmer to zoom in

Khmer Krom: Vietnam Intensifies Represion On Human Rights Posted: 26 Jan 2011 01:37 PM PST "The Vietnam government also pressured neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Thailand to crack down on peaceful anti-Vietnam government activities such as distributing leaflets and holding a news conference." January 26, 2011 Source: UNPO Freedom of religion in Vietnam is a clear example as police subjected members of independent religious groups to repeated harassment. The government targeted Khmer Krom Buddhist temples. Below is an article published by Human Rights Watch: The Vietnam government intensified its repression of activists and dissidents during 2010, and cracked down harshly on freedom of expression, association, and assembly, Human Rights Watch said yesterday in its World Report 2011. The 649-page report, Human Rights Watch's 21st annual review of human rights practices around the globe, summarizes major human rights developments in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. In Vietnam, bloggers, human rights defenders, workers rights activists, and democracy and anti-corruption campaigners faced intimidation, arrest, torture, and imprisonment, Human Rights Watch said. "Peacefully expressing views should not be a crime, but the government apparently fears what these individuals have to say," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "What's needed now is for Vietnam's international donors to clearly tell the government to release all dissidents arrested for peaceful activities." Throughout 2010, the government prosecuted peaceful dissidents and sentenced them to prison, including Le Cong Dinh, a prominent lawyer; Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Le Thang Long, and Nguyen Tien Trung, pro-democracy activists; Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, a journalist; and Pham Thanh Nghien, an advocate for free expression. In October, the government sentenced three labor activists from the United Farmers and Workers Organization (UFWO) to long prison terms. Continuing its crackdown, the government recently arrested but has not yet tried Phan Thanh Hai (Anhbasg), a blogger; Cu Huy Ha Vu, an outspoken legal activist; Vi Duc Hoi, a magazine editor; and Ho Thi Bich Khuong and Pastor Ho Trung Ton, land rights campaigners. Nguyen Van Hai (Dieu Cay), a blogger, completed a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, but authorities refused to release him. Freedom of religion in Vietnam fared little better as police subjected members of independent religious groups to repeated harassment. The government targeted unrecognized branches of the Cao Dai church, the Hoa Hao church, independent Protestant house churches, the Khmer Krom Buddhist temples, and the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV). A Mennonite pastor, Duong Kim Khai, is currently in detention awaiting trial. Religious leaders including the UBCV Supreme Patriarch, Thich Quang Do; Catholic priest Nguyen Van Ly and a Khmer Krom Buddhist abbot, Thach Sophon, were held under house arrest. "The United States should re-designate Vietnam a 'country of particular concern' for its continuous violations of religious freedom," Robertson said. "Vietnam's crackdown on religion is systematic, severe, and getting worse by the day." Police brutality, including torture in detention and deaths in custody, was a major problem throughout the year. Prisoners routinely face abuse and torture in prison, and those held in drug rehabilitation centers face inhumane treatment, including forced labor. In a number of cases, individuals arrested for misdemeanors, such as traffic violations, were beaten to death in police custody. The death in custody of Nguyen Van Khuong in Bac Giang province in July set off a protest by thousands of people demanding accountability. Public protests against land confiscation by authorities and well-connected businessmen were sometimes dispersed by the police with excessive force, such as during a funeral procession that turned into a protest in Con Dau parish in Da Nang in May. "The police in Vietnam violate rights with impunity, and the government too often looks the other way in the interest of maintaining order," Robertson said. "Police brutality was reported in all regions of Vietnam, but central government authorities responded with a deafening silence." Vietnam extended its extensive regime of media and internet censorship with an internet firewall, and new onerous and restrictive regulations requiring monitoring by internet companies and internet café owners of internet use by Vietnamese citizens. The Vietnam government also pressured neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Thailand to crack down on peaceful anti-Vietnam government activities such as distributing leaflets and holding a news conference. "To gag its own citizens in Vietnam for expressing their views is bad enough," Robertson said. "But the Vietnam government's efforts to extend censorship to other countries and the internet deserves severe condemnation from the international community."

Your say Re: Sign in front of Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Posted: 26 Jan 2011 01:30 PM PST I was wholeheartedly praising our government for replacing the old sign with a new one. Clearly, it was a clever move by our government. The new sign along with its content, in my humble opinion, was perfectly acceptable within the norm of international diplomacy. But before I finished cheering the move, some unthinkable thing happened. The new sign was taken down and destroyed by our own soldiers, presumably under a direct order from the government. It was emotionally devastating to see a sign bearing Khmer's pride and dignity being destroyed indiscriminately. It is hard to describe the painful feeling for such destruction, but it is even harder to comprehend the reason behind it. Speaking of the reason, it is highly improbable that Thailand is ready to go to war over its self-proclaimed disputed land. Thai radical groups make all the barking noises only to gain political ground at home. Regrettably, it appears that our government yields to their demand, knowingly or unknowingly at the expense of our pride and dignity. Davan Long --------------- This is a slap in the face for the Khmer people and nation, all because of the ill leadership of a handful of people. A sign like this should have been erected with prior due diligence and forethought, knowing the Thais' history of making similar complaints in the past. The important thing is that once erected, it must remain there, even at the cost of bloodshed and sacrifice. Otherwise, it becomes proof of a fiasco OR a basic sign of weakness on Cambodia's part. And that could only encourage the Thais to bully Cambodia again and again. School of Vice --------------- That is so disgrace! Why the hell they put that tablet up anyway when they can't take the heat from Thai? Where are those advisers of HUN SEN that have all the degree to advice HUN SEN?? A threat from Thai military put HUN SEN in the shitty stance? So disgrace that HUN SEN can only be strong to only unarmed innocent Khmer. Khmer Sambok Kmom --------------- Why? Because YUON can have a piece of that pie so Thai wants that fair share too. If Hun Sen be tough on all fronts, the Thai ambition wouldn't happened. Look at on the east border with YOUN at Kampong Cham province for example. They (Youn) had planned the border mark right near the house of Monkey Heng Samrin and Hun Sen government done nothing to stop them. So Thailand now really wants that 4.6km2. Mark my words, Hun Sen must request to UN or use the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement to bring them to UN Court again. If not this thing will not solve anything. Khmer Poipet --------------- Its very embarrassing that Cambodian government is so damn weak and worthless! I agree, why we(Cambodian) bother putting up the stone tablet at the first place? Very soon, Thailand will order Hun Sen to wear short skirt like phnong people in the mountain...What an embarrassment!! Anonymous --------------- អន់ហើយថោកទាបណាស់ ជើងឈរមិនជាប់ដី។ Anonymous --------------- Khmer have been known to be very passive and weak especially when it comes to the neighboring enemies. throughout history, we continued to destroy ourselve again and again. Not only we prefer to take order from other, but we also value their ideas while disregarding our own well being. Such coward act to remove the sign by Mr. Hun Sen is contrary to his alleged "iron fist" leadership with the poor Khmer people within the pass two decates. When it comes to fearing of loosing power from the enemy threaten, this coward leader is willing to sacrifice his moral by bowing to his enemy without any conviction in his heart. Anonymous

Cambodia Kingdom of Wondering about how new laws will change our lifes Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:41 AM PST Wednesday, 26 January 2011 Dara Saoyuth and Tang Khyhay The Phnom Penh Post Dara Saoyuth and Tang Khyhay explore the law, as it relates to us. Born in Kandal's Ponhea Leu district, this young man decided to leave home for Phnom Penh in 2009 to get a better education. Chan Sokneang, 22, is now a sophomore in English literature at the National University of Management. Staying independently in Neakvon Pagoda, Chan Sokneang is struggling to make a living as an intern at an organisation in the city, hoping to gain some experience for his future goal as an NGO staff member after graduation. He hopes to land his dream job so he will not have to follow in his parents' footsteps and become a farmer. "I am very concerned about job opportunities that NGOs provide since the draft of the NGO law might affect their recruitment," said Chan Sokneang. Released on December 15, 2010, the draft law on Associations and Non-governmental Organisations aims to "set out formalities and conditions for forming, registering and operating associations, domestic non-governmental organisations and foreign non-governmental organisations in the Kingdom of Cambodia". Chan Sokneang said he was worried that the law would decrease the number of NGOs, which could cut down his opportunities to work for an NGO in the future. In Samrithy, the Executive Director of NGO Education Partnership, said the new law constrained the cooperation between national and international NGOs, but it will not lessen NGOs' careers. Instead, the law would make the recruitment process more complicated. He added that this law did not attract donors to provide funds to Cambodia. He said: "If the donors stop funding Cambodian organisations, many NGOs staff will be laid off," he said, adding that the law should be made to attract donors rather than to discourage them from helping Cambodia. However, the concern of not having many NGO job opportunities is not the real issue in Cambodia's job market. Sandra Damico, the Managing Director of HR Inc Cambodia, said NGOs do not provide the overwhelming majority of jobs in the market. It was the small and medium enterprises sector that employed the most people with sectors such as garments, tourism, finances, telecoms etc providing the most formal and documented employment. She said: "I don't think that the law will have a significant impact on creating employment opportunities – the private sector is the sector that will and does generate the most employment." Although the law does not greatly affect the job opportunities of young Cambodians, it may act as a barrier in framing NGOs' activities. There are 11 chapters with 58 articles in the draft law. Sok Samoeun, an executive director at Cambodian Defenders Project, said the government tends to control and limit NGOs and association's activities by using the law. "At the start of each month, they have to draft and send their activities to the government and also at the end of the month they have to do activities and financial reports to the government, which seems like they have to report everything," Sok Samoeun explained. According to Article 6 of the law, an association and non-governmental organisation or alliance of associations or local non-governmental organisations which are not registered or do not have a memorandum signed in accordance with this law shall not be allowed to operate any activity in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Sok Samoeun said the registration should be the right for NGOs and associations. On January 21 this year, there was a meeting to discuss the draft law at the Ministry of Interior between the government and NGOs representatives including Cooperation Committee for Cambodia, NGO Forum, Medicam, Adhoc and Oxfam. People who attended the meeting said the new law is going through a process and it is very important to understand each side so the law will work for all after being implemented. They said the law was not being made to violate anyone's rights. "If any NGO or association feels that any point in the law is violating their rights, please raise the specific article so that we can discuss it with each other," said Try Sokheng, who was at the meeting. Try Sokheng said the law was not being made to close any NGOs or associations down, but the government just wanted all NGOs and associations to register at the ministry of interior within 180 days of the law pass being passed. "It depends on them. If they don't want to continue, they can close and if they want to continue, they have to register," said Try Sokheng, adding that some NGOs and associations that don't have clear goals might not be able to exist anymore.

Vietnamese banker linked to graft Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:35 AM PST Le Duc Thuy , governor of the State Bank of Vietnam speaks to reporters in Hanoi, Vietnam on Tuesday, August 22, 2006.The former head of Vietnam's central bank has been linked to an Australian banknotes scandal, with media reports alleging that bribes helped pay for his child's British university education. (Photo by: Bloomberg) Wednesday, 26 January AFP Melbourne newspaper The Age said polymer notemaker Securency, then partially owned by the Reserve Bank of Australia, paid for Vietnamese bank governor Le Duc Thuy's child to attend the University of Durham using a "secret slush fund". Thuy, head of the Vietnamese central bank between 1999 and 2007, is now chair of the National Finance Supervision Council. Securency is embroiled in a long-running investigation into claims its agents offered bribes to officials in countries including Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia to win contracts. Police arrested several people in Britain, Spain, Australia and Malaysia last October. Sources told The Age the Securency "slush fund" was established with some of the A$15 million (US$14.95 million) in commission paid to middleman Anh Ngoc Luong for helping win huge banknote contracts in Vietnam between 2002 and 2009. The Age said Australian police suspected Luong's commissions, paid into Hong Kong and Swiss bank accounts and with the approval of the RBA board, were "diverted to Vietnamese officials or their relatives". Securency executives denied direct involvement in the payment of bribes, The Age said. Neither the RBA nor Securency chairman Bob Rankin returned calls for comment. In Vietnam, an official at the National Finance Supervision Council said that Thuy was unavailable for comment.

Institutions pass the buck on Sochua [-CPP institutions are all equally incompetent!] Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:30 AM PST Wednesday, 26 January 2011 Meas Sokchea The Phnom Penh Post The National Assembly and the Ministry of Justice are passing the buck on the issue of who is responsible for restoring the parliamentary immunity of opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua, saying each institution is awaiting an authorisation letter from the other. Earlier this month, the Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian called for her immunity to be restored, after the resolution of her high-profile legal spat with Prime Minister Hun Sen. Cheam Yeap, chairman of the National Assembly's Banking and Finance Committee, said today that the parliament cannot restore Mu Sochua's immunity unless the Justice Ministry requests it first. "The court requested firstly that [her immunity] be suspended, so when it happens the court must inform the parliament through the Justice Minister," Cheam Yeap said. But Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathana said last week that in Mu Sochua's case, the parliament has to send a letter to the Justice Ministry and that the ministry was still awaiting word. "I am waiting for a letter from the parliament first," Ang Vong Vathana told reporters following a legal arbitration workshop in Phnom Penh. Mu Sochua's legal battle with Hun Sen started in April 2009, when she filed a defamation suit against him in relation to comments he made during a speech in Kampot province, in which he allegedly made derogatory comments about her. The premier countersued and the court ruled against her, ordering her to pay 16.5 million riels (US$4,084) in fines and compensation to Hun Sen. Mu Sochua said today that she has refused to make a request to the courts for the restoration of her immunity, saying that if the court will not do it without prompting, they are clearly not impartial. "My duty is not to ask for [immunity]. I do not need to ask, it is a duty of the law enforcer," Mu Sochua said. "Samdech Prime Minister has said that if you exit by any way, you must enter by the same way. Now will this be re-enforced or is it political discrimination?" Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said the Ministry of Justice had to write to the National Assembly, since it made the initial request to remove Mu Sochua's immunity. "It is not necessary for the person concerned to ask," he said today.

Tense between Cambodia and Thai Troops Eased Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:23 AM PST 2011-01-26 Xinhua A brief tense between Cambodia and Thai troops near Preah Vihear Temple was finally eased and returned to normal, military sources at the border said Wednesday. The sources said over telephone that some 30 Thai soldiers in black uniform came close to Keo Sikhakiri Svarak Pagoda near Preah Vihear Temple on Wednesday morning at which they were asked to return to their previous position by Cambodian troops. According to the sources, the Thai troops were demanding a stone sign that says "Here Is Cambodia" to be removed from a site near the Pagoda where 20 Thai soldiers used to stay during the tense border conflict after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was registered as a World Heritage Site in July 2008. The stone sign, however, was removed and the Thai soldiers also returned to their previous line after lunch time on Wednesday. Since 2008, Cambodia and Thai troops have exchanged several rounds of military clashes that resulted in several dead and injured.

Border tensions rise Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:16 AM PST Wednesday, 26 January 2011 Cheang Sokha and Thet Sambath The Phnom Penh Post Thousands of Yellow Shirt protesters in Bangkok have called for the Thai government to take a stronger stance against Cambodia, though military officials said today that a stand-off along the countries' contentious border had been averted. Some 3,000 police officers have been deployed in the Thai capital to control the estimated 5,000 activists who took to the streets of central Bangkok on Tuesday, threatening to occupy the prime minister's office as they did for three months during unrest in 2008. Cambodian officials near Preah Vihear temple said about 40 Thai troops had traveled to the nearby border area this morning, though they withdrew after talks between commanders of the respective forces. Following the meeting, Cambodian troops agreed to remove a sign placed near the temple on Tuesday that declared the area Cambodian territory. "Now we have no more confrontation and both sides have returned to their camps," said Om Phirum, heritage police chief of the Preah Vihear National Authority. "The withdrawal of the Thai troops came after Cambodia agreed to take away the sign." The offending sign, which read "Here! is Cambodia", had replaced a similar sign placed last month that accused Thai troops of invading Cambodian territory. Thai military commanders and Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva had publicly complained about the message. Thai military deputy spokesman Veerachon Sukondhadhpatipak acknowledged that the protesters in Bangkok had increased the tension surrounding the border issue, though he said Thai and Cambodian troops "are in contact at all levels" and will not let the situation spill over into violence. Recent military exercises conducted by Thai troops in the area, he added, were routine procedure and were unrelated to relations with Cambodia. "We try not to do anything provocative, and we still believe everything can be settled with talks," Veerachon said. The oft-strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia were upgraded last year following the resignation of ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a bitter rival of the Abhisit administration, from his position as economics adviser to the Cambodian government. Tensions returned last month, however, following the arrest of a Thai parliamentarian and six other Thai nationals for allegedly trespassing on Cambodian territory. Five of the Thais, including ruling party MP Panich Vikitsreth, were released last week on suspended sentences, though two others are being held on espionage charges and are set to be tried next week. Panthep Puapongpan, a spokesman for the Yellow Shirts, said those protesting in Bangkok were angered by the arrests and other alleged Cambodian provocations along the border. "We don't want [to] invade their territory, but we want to protect our land," he said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AFP AND JAMES O'TOOLE

"Veera" will not change lawyers: [Thai] MFA Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:10 AM PST BANGKOK, Jan 26 (MCOT online news) -- Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid, fighting illegal entry and espionage charges in Cambodia has opted not to change his legal team but will continue to use the Cambodian lawyers provided by Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, according to Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman. Information Department director-general Thani Thongphakdi told reporters that Mr Veera has dropped his demand to change lawyers to conduct his legal defense. However, it is up to Mr Veera to decide himself whether he will ask the court to allow the legal team provided by the Thai Patriots Network to work together with the Cambodian lawyers. Whatever he decides, the embassy would respect his decision and was ready to support, said Mr Thani. He added that the embassy also ready to assist Mr Veera if he wanted to petition court to accelerate the trial process and reschedule the judgment from Feb 1 to an earlier date. Mr Thani reiterated that the ministry won't abandon the remaining two Thais -- Mr Veera, the sole Thai detainee still being held in Prey Sar Prison, and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, his secretary, and will continue to do all it can to bring the duo back to Thailand as soon as possible. They faced additional charges of espionage and the court is expected to hand down its on their cases verdict on Feb 1. The seven Thai citizens including ruling Democrat Party member of parliament Panich Vikitsreth were arrested Dec 29 on charges of trespassing on Cambodian territory. Mr Panich and four other Thai detainees returned to Bangkok on Jan 22 after the Cambodian court ruled that they were guilty of illegal entry and intentionally trespassing into Cambodian territory. They were sentenced to nine-month suspended jail terms and fines of one million riel (US$250) each.

Tunisia revolt spreads to Egypt? Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:07 AM PST

Cambodian troops destroy contentious sign Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:05 AM PST 26/01/2011 Bangkok Post Cambodian troops have removed and destroyed the controversial "Here! is Cambodia" sign on the disputed border near Preah Vihear. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced this morning that the sign, set in stone, had been removed. Photographs later today confirmed the stone tablet had been shattered by Cambodian soldiers acting under orders. "It's a good thing Cambodian authorities have cooperated with us," Mr Abhisit said. Cambodia put the controversial stone tablet up after Thai soldiers withdrew from Kaew Sikha Khiri Sikha Sawara temple, on the disputed land around Preah Vihear, on Dec 1 last year. The sign initially read "Here! is the place where Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory on July 14, 2008." After Thai authorities on Monday asked Cambodia to remove the tablet, the Cambodian army yesterday replaced it with a sign reading "Here! is Cambodia". This sparked further angry protest. Army Region 2 commander Thawatchai Samutsakorn said he and a contingent of Thai troops on Wednesday afternoon went to Kaew Sikha Khiri Sikha Sawara temple to meet Cambodia's deputy supreme commander Jai Dara. Lt Gen Thawatchai said he and Gen Jai disucssed the issue and Gen Jai later ordered the Cambodian soldiers to demolish the sign as he watched. Both sides agreed that there will not be any structures in the disputed border area indicating ownership rights, Lt Gen Thawatchai said. He said it was a sensitive issue, but the atmosphere of the meeting was positive.

Hun Xen blinked after Siamese army threat? Posted: 26 Jan 2011 08:01 AM PST Following the removal of the first sign displaying about Thai troops invasion of Cambodia, a second sign was later installed that read "Here! Is Cambodia". However, following more threats from the Thai army, Cambodia not only removed this second sign, but it also destroyed it as can be seen in the photo above (Photo: Sermpong Thongsamrit, Bangkok Post)

Shame on you Mr. Barking Hoon Xen! Posted: 26 Jan 2011 07:27 AM PST A few days ago we read the news that Cambodian soldiers put up a tablet with a message in Khmer branding Thai troops "Invaders" at Wat Keo Sekha Khiri Svara, Preah Vihear. This tablet angered Thailand. Then it demanded and threatened Cambodia to remove it unconditionally or Cambodia would be meet with Thai military measure. Cambodian leaders bowed to them and promised to install a nicer tablet with a message in Khmer again branding "Here is Cambodia". But Thailand demanded and threatened it again and SEE BELOW HOW WE DESTROY OURSELVES! Hoon Xen and his gangs like doing everything without practical strategy and analytic vision. So sad! TIME TO STEP DOWN NOW HOON XEN!

Street politics back in Bangkok Posted: 26 Jan 2011 01:23 AM PST Jan 26, 2011 By Peter Janssen DPA Bangkok - Once again, a belligerent protest group has seized part of Bangkok, adding to the capital's already notorious traffic and the country's well-deserved reputation for political instability. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a loose coalition of conservative, right-wing groups that staged 193 days of protests in Bangkok in 2008, is back on the streets. They are demanding that the government get tough with neighbouring Cambodia, which the PAD accuses of illegally occupying land adjacent to the 11th century Preah Vihear temple. The PAD wants Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to revoke a memorandum of understanding signed in 2000 between the two countries to resolve their ongoing border conflicts peaceably. Abhisit has refused, warning that revoking the memorandum could lead to war with Cambodia. The PAD has threatened to continue its protest until it gets its way on the issue. Some 5,000 PAD followers Tuesday night occupied a stretch of Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, a stone's throw from Government House. In 2008, PAD followers seized Government House for two months, in their eventually successful bid to topple the administration led by the People's Power Party, linked to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by Thailand's most recent coup in September 2006. Now the PAD is threatening to occupy the government headquarters again, although it is now occupied by a former political ally, the Democrat Party led by Abhisit. 'I am not sure where we will go to after this,' PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang said Wednesday. 'Government House is nearby. Maybe we will visit it again,' he said. The PAD, also known as the yellow shirts for their preferred protest wear, were influential in bringing the current government to power in December 2008. Their seizure of Government House and then Bangkok's two international airports in November 2008, arguably speeded up a Constitution Court decision to disband the People's Power Party, ushering in a Democrat-led coalition government. 'The Democrats took power but the PAD was left out, so now they want to destabilize the Abhisit government' said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University. Democrat sources confirmed that both Chamlong and another core leader, Sondhi Limthongkul, the owner of the Manager media group, were miffed at missed opportunities over the past two years. 'This is blackmail street politics,' Democrat Party executive Kraisak Choonhavan said. After its 2008 protests, a faction of the PAD formed the New Politics Party in preparation for a general election to be held some time this year. In recent by-elections, the party faired poorly. Abhisit has said the polls could be held as soon as April. 'The PAD want to accelerate the election,' Kraisak said. 'The campaigning is starting early because they think the government is weak.' It remains to be seen whether the PAD strategy of attacking the government over its Cambodian policy is the right tactic to win a mass following. Recent PAD rallies have drawn fewer than 5,000 followers, small by Bangkok standards. 'This is nothing,' Stefan Buerkle, president of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, said. 'I doubt it turns into something big and has any impact on business.' Similar forecasts were made last year at the start of the red-shirt protests, led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, a pro-Thaksin movement at the opposite end of the political spectrum to the PAD. Those protests lasted 69 days and resulted in some 92 dead, about 2,000 injured and parts of Bangkok in flames. The government eventually used the military to crack down on the red shirts, something that did not happen with the pro-royalist, pro-establishment yellow shirts in 2008. 'I think we have learned some lessons,' said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn. 'If the situation becomes worse, the cabinet will decide whether to use the Internal Security Act and thereafter, if it deteriorates, the emergency decree.' Bangkok was under emergency decree from April through December. A return to emergency rule would be a step backwards, at least for businessmen. 'The business community is fed up,' Buerkle said. 'But then I think most Thai people are also fed up with street politics.'