Saturday, January 29, 2011

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Sinatoons No. 9: The Evil Bull

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 02:16 PM PST

Cartoon by V. Sina

The dark side of Internet for Egyptian and Tunisian protesters

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 02:09 PM PST

Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
EVGENY MOROZOV
WASHINGTON— From Saturday's Globe and Mail (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
there is a symbiotic relationship between revolutionary movements and the latest communications technologies
Thus, the Internet is an excellent platform for inciting revolutionary sentiment – and tracking down wannabe revolutionaries; it is a handy vehicle for spreading propaganda – and revealing government lies; it provides a platform that facilitates government surveillance – and helps people evade it.
As the pundits were busy celebrating the contribution of Twitter and Facebook to protests in Tunisia and Egypt, most of them ignored the terrifying news from Iran, where on Monday two activists were hanged for distributing video footage on the Internet from the country's 2009 "Twitter Revolution."

The contrast between Tunisia and Iran couldn't be starker: The former has just installed a dissident blogger as a government minister while the latter is still persecuting those who dared to challenge the regime of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 18 months after the elections. Fortunately for Tunisian dissident bloggers, their army refused to shoot the protesters, the country's much-hated ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia and the new government has shown no intention of going after the protesters, many of whom are now celebrated as heroes. However, had the events in Tunisia turned otherwise – with Mr. Ben Ali staying in office after a bloody crackdown – it is likely that his secret police would now be acting very much like Iran's, turning to social-networking sites to identify his opponents.

As protests spread in the Arab world, much has been said about the democratizing power of the Internet, however, it is important to note that in the hands of an authoritarian regime it can become a tool of repression. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter have been used to publicize protests and share videos of police brutality, but they can also be used to track down dissidents after protests subside.

Egypt is one case where it is still hard to predict which side – President Hosni Mubarak's brutal police force or the predominantly peaceful protesters – will prevail in the long term. A 26-page leaflet with protest tips that has been distributed in Cairo explicitly warns its recipients to distribute it with the help of photocopiers and e-mail rather than social media, as the security police could be watching the latter. These concerns became less of an issue on Thursday, as the Mubarak regime pulled the plug on most of the country's communication systems, including the Internet and mobile networks.

That Iranians, Tunisians and Egyptians would be using the Internet to communicate is of little surprise; there is a symbiotic relationship between revolutionary movements and the latest communications technologies. Lenin lauded the power of the telegraph and the postal service while the Iranian Revolution of 1979 owes a great debt to the tape recorder, which allowed Ayatollah Khomeini to record his sermons in Paris and have them smuggled back to the Shah's Iran.

So it is only natural that the new protest movements in the Middle East turn to Facebook and Twitter: These platforms are cheap and provide almost instantaneous visibility to their causes. And those causes do not need to be widely admired in the West. As both Lenin and Khomeini discovered, one doesn't have to be a proponent of liberal democracy to make effective use of new communication tools. Were a revolution to break out in modern Russia, for example, it is likely to be led by anti-Western nationalists, who have made a far more effective use of new media than the Kremlin's liberal opponents.

The lesson for tyrants here is simple: The only way to minimize their exposure to digitally enabled protests is to establish full control over all telecommunications infrastructure in the country. A "kill-switch" button to turn off all digital networks in times of a crisis is a must. This explains why just a few months after the contested elections of 2009, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard acquired a controlling stake in Telecommunication Company of Iran, giving the group that is traditionally loyal to Mr. Ahmadinejad control over the country's telephone, mobile and Internet communications. It is likely that other dictators will heed the Iranian experience as they watch Tunisia and Egypt.

The events in these two countries provide grounds for optimism about the power of the Internet, but the biggest problem with studying the impact of the Internet on authoritarianism is that most often it benefits both the oppressor and the oppressed (albeit to different degrees). Thus, the Internet is an excellent platform for inciting revolutionary sentiment – and tracking down wannabe revolutionaries; it is a handy vehicle for spreading propaganda – and revealing government lies; it provides a platform that facilitates government surveillance – and helps people evade it.

When the dictators of yesteryear cut telephone lines to contain protests, they didn't always shut down the radio – if only to preserve the ability to spread pacifying propaganda. The Internet, however, plays the role of both the telephone and the radio; it has many uses, some of them more salient than others at particular points in the political cycle. Thus, there is nothing logically incoherent in dictators' desire to shut down this platform in periods of protest – and exploit it to their benefit in periods of relative stability. Those who think that there is nothing for dictators to gain from the Web because they shut it down during protests have a naive view of modern authoritarianism.

It is plausible that certain features of the Internet-mediated politics in oppressive societies will make periods of relative stability longer and more frequent. The secret police can now learn more about those opposing the state by looking up their profiles – and their friends' profiles – on social-media sites. The state ideologues can now bolster the legitimacy of the regime by creating suave new media propaganda and claim that it represents "the voice of the people." Young people can be distracted away from politics by the new i-opium of the masses that is never in short supply online.

None of this boosts the odds of a revolution in any given regime – but then there are plenty of non-digital factors that could make a revolution more likely. It would be absurd to suggest that Internet control could make problems such as unemployment or corruption simply go away. However, energy-rich regimes that keep on growing while publicizing their fake wars on corruption do have a good shot at survival – and they will find the means to use the Internet to their own advantage. To lose sight of this crucial fact is to let those who help to prolong their survival – above all, Western companies that supply them with censorship and surveillance technology – off the hook far too easily.

Evgeny Morozov is the author of The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom.

Frenemies in the streets

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 01:30 PM PST

Sat, Jan 29, 2011
The Nation/Asia News Network

Chaiwat Sinsuwong appears to be a lonely man lately, though his ambition is to bring together a million people - both yellow and red - to bring Abhisit Vejjajiva down.

Leading a splinter group of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Chaiwat approached some of the red-shirt leaders in jail to sound them out on the idea of a yellow-red merger against the prime minister.

"Their response was positive," said Chaiwat, who was granted bail on Thursday after being detained in connection to the infamous 2008 Suvarnabhumi Airport seizure by the yellow shirts.

"We need an uprising of a million people of both colours, making it the biggest political rally in Thai history, which will put Abhisit away," he said.


Lack of immediate response from mainstream yellow-shirt leaders, namely Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang, might make a mockery of Chaiwat's grand plan. But in Thai politics, if he manages to get some momentum, anything can happen. After all, Abhisit has become the arch-enemy of both "colours", although the mainstream yellow shirts have been considerably less belligerent towards him than Chaiwat's Thai Patriots Network.

Merging both movements is easier said than done, though. The red shirts were born out of proclaimed resentment against the use of "undemocratic means" to force political change, the ousting of Thaksin Shinawatra. The yellow shirts favoured these very "undemocratic means" and yet would not mind if Abhisit were removed from office in the same way.

Analysts say a "tactical" tag team is always a possible scenario for the red and yellow shirts. The reds, who have blamed Abhisit for the bloody crackdown on protesters last year, could focus their anti-government campaign on that. The latter, upset with the way the government has handled territorial conflicts with Cambodia, can concentrate on the border issue. If events evolve into a political hurricane that results in an "undemocratic" removal of Abhisit, the reds would just turn a blind eye the outcome.

Chaiwat is no stranger to some of the key red-shirt leaders. In fact, he fought alongside many during the 1992 uprising against the military. Chamlong was a key leader of that battle, which, ironically, ended military intervention in politics and brought the Democrat Party to power.

Lately, Chaiwat and Chamlong have been drifting farther and farther away from each other. Their estrangement was one of the main reasons the Thai Patriots Network was born, with the unorthodox Buddhist sect Santi Asoke, once Chamlong's political base, serving as its backbone.

Chaiwat yesterday insisted that it was not a travesty for the red and yellow shirts to join hands. Such realignment or re-alliance was common in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", he pointed out. Enemies can work together to fight the more powerful common enemy first and take care of their own scores later.

"The people can't be divided. They need to join hands," said Chaiwat. "The Thaksin government only cheated the nation, but this Abhisit administration has sold out the nation."

Harsh or drastic as it may sound, this very same criticism against Abhisit has been blaring out from the mainstream rally stage of the yellow shirts. Chamlong, remarkably, has refused to rule out PAD protesters abandoning their peaceful means and resorting to something more aggressive.

"We won't do anything yet in the next few days," Chamlong said. "We just want the government to respond to our demands."

Those demands have been rejected by the government, which leaves the question what the mainstream PAD is prepared to do next. The answer may disappoint Chaiwat, or it may boost his much-taunted idea to unite the two political "colours".

Protesters reassert three demands to Thai government on temple disputed with Cambodia

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 01:25 PM PST

BANGKOK, Jan 29 (MCOT online news) -- Activists of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) encamped near Thailand's Government House for the fifth day Saturday stressed their demands that the government must take action to resolve the dispute over an ancient temple which sits on the border with Cambodia, as well as scrapping three agreements signed by the two countries, threatening that the administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva must consider its future if it fails to resolve the problem.

The 'Yellow Shirt' activists of the PAD continued to occupy Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue Saturday afternoon with no sign that they would disperse unless Thailand withdraws from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, revoke three memorandums of understanding signed by Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), and eject Cambodian soldiers and villagers in border areas the group claims belong to Thailand.

The protesters have become enfuriated when a Cambodian national flag was flying above the entrance of Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple near historic Preah Vihear temple, charging that the former is situated well within Thai territory.


Praising the Thai army for conducting an exercise near the border recently, PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongphan told a press conference that two days had passed and the Thai government is still unable to remove the Cambodian national flag in front of the temple while the Cambodian government insists that it would not do so.

"The prime minister must display his responsibility for what has happened and explain [to the public] on ways to resolve the problem," Mr Panthep said.

He also said two out of seven Thais who were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on charges of violating Cambodian territory on Dec 29 and are due to appear for a court trial Tuesday must also be freed because all were apprehended in Thai territory.

Prime Minister Abhisit, his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban and Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya must take responsibility for the situation and consider their political futures if the Thai government accepts the Cambodian court verdict, Mr Panthep said.

Accompanied by two other PAD core leaders, retired Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang and Praphan Koonmee, Mr Panthep said the government would make a big mistake if they disperse the PAD demonstration by force.

Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit, now attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said in a telephone interview that the border problem with Cambodia must be carried out by peaceful manner, especially as both countries are members of ASEAN --the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-- and his government must uphold the country's benefits as most important.

"The PAD has every right to make demands but the government must uphold the country's benefits as its priority," Mr Abhisit said. "What the government has done would definitely receive support from the majority of the people in the country."

Asian gangs' violence felt in Stanislaus County

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 01:19 PM PST

Youths' vulnerability, culture gap fuel growth

Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
By Rosalio Ahumada
rahumada@modbee.com
The Sacramento Bee (California, USA)

Law enforcement in Stanislaus County focuses a lot of attention on Latino street gangs because of the number of members and the extent of their criminal activities: drug trafficking, robberies and homicides.

But Southeast Asian gangs, while less prevalent in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, are still part of the area's criminal landscape and are just as dangerous as their Latino rivals.

"The gun means power; the gun means respect; the gun means status," Modesto police Detective Ra Pouv said about the mentality of Southeast Asian gang members. "If someone disrespects you, it's on."

The deadly nature of the Southeast Asian gangs was evident this week in Modesto after a married couple and their adult daughter were killed during an apparent robbery at their Yosemite Boulevard Asian goods market.


Vanh Thammavongsa, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene Tuesday. His 49-year-old wife, Phouvieng Thammavongsa, and their daughter were taken by ambulance to a hospital. His wife died at the hospital Tuesday afternoon.

Daughter Nanci Thammavongsa, 28, died Thursday after hospital officials turned off life-support machines.

The Thammavongsas were refugees from Laos who came to this country to work for a better life for their family. They owned and operated V&V Oriental Market at 1320 Yosemite Blvd., east of Santa Cruz Avenue.

Thou Yang of the Hmong Association of Stanislaus County said the deaths of the Thammavongsas are shocking, leaving him to wonder what could have been done to prevent it.

"There's just a lot of sadness," Yang said. "I think it's just a big shock to this Southeast Asian community."

Three young men -- known by police to be members of a Modesto Southeast Asian gang -- have been charged with three counts of murder in the deaths of the Thammavongsas.

Pouv, an expert in Asian-American street gangs who is assisting homicide detectives in the market shooting, said that to understand Southeast Asian gangs in Modesto, you have to start at the beginning.

Their origins lay in the few square miles that encompass west Modesto.

Refugees were fleeing war-torn Southeast Asia and looking for a new start in the United States. Pouv was born in Cambodia and moved with his family to Modesto, where he grew up.

He said a lot of families settled in west Modesto, finding affordable homes in areas around Modesto High School, Roselawn Avenue and Paradise Road.

The newcomers encountered racial tensions with black, white and Latino residents, who already were living in the neighborhood. Pouv said Southeast Asian youths came together to form a group that would provide them protection in the tough neighborhood.

The detective said the group didn't participate in criminal activity, create a street gang name or claim the neighborhood as its own. He said that group, simply dissipated as a new crop of Southeast Asian kids came together with sinister intentions.

They became the Modesto Hit Squad, modeled after the Crips, a black gang that had spread out of South Central Los Angeles and gained members in Northern California cities such as Modesto.

Like the Crips, the Modesto Hit Squad wore blue gang attire, committed robberies and sold drugs, eventually becoming just as dangerous as the Southern California gang.

Gangs proliferated

Pouv said the Modesto Hit Squad is still active and has inspired several other Southeast Asian gangs in Modesto, including the Crazy Mobb Family, the Asian Boyz and the Tiny Rascal Gang.

Another is the CWA Crips, also known as Crips With Attitude. Oloth "Dicky" Phommahaxay, 18, Sophon Theoun Ting, 16, and Chris Douangkham, 15, are members of the CWA Crips, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.

The Modesto teenagers are accused of murder in the deaths of the Thammavongsas, with gang enhancements that could bring longer sentences. They pleaded not guilty in court Friday.

"Southeast Asian gangs are pretty violent groups," said Pouv, a member of the Modesto police Gang Investigations Unit. "The concept of disrespect is a big thing in these gangs. It's almost more personal than Latino gangs."

He said disrespecting someone is like dishonoring yourself, and it's never tolerated.

Also unlike Latino gangs, the Southeast Asian gangs are not territorial and they don't fight over neighborhood turf. Pouv said the gangs focus on selling drugs, committing robberies and stealing cars.

"Like the Latino gangs, they have a tendency to prey on victims of their own race," Pouv said.

Their victims, having dealt with oppressive ruling regimes in their home countries, often still have a distrust of police and government officials. Pouv said their limited English-speaking skills also keep them from reporting crimes.

Tough to ask for help

It's even tougher for parents of Southeast Asian youths to ask for help in pulling their kids out of gangs.

Jean Kea is a youth outreach coordinator at west Modesto's The Bridge Resource Center, which offers services for Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian and other Asian families. He said the cultural gap between parents and their children leads to trouble.

"(The parents) don't know the language, and they can't help their kids with their homework," Kea said. "(The children) then don't want to go to school."

More time on the streets can lead to vulnerable kids lured into gangs. Kea said the center has after-school programs to keep kids off the street, but more are needed.

Pouv said Southeast Asian youths gravitate toward gangs because they're trying to rebel and become more assimilated to the American youth culture they see around them.

'Afraid to say anything'

For traditional Southeast Asian families, he said, it's a source of shame to let people outside your family know your problems.

"Some recognize the signs, but are too afraid to say anything," Pouv said. "There's no such thing as counseling with Southeast Asian families."

Pouv said it can be tough to get these residents to help with an investigation, but it has happened.

In April 2008, a surge of tips from Modesto's Cambodian community helped investigators find and arrest four people suspected in the shooting death of a man hit by stray gang gunfire.

The community rallied to show support for the victim's family and gave crucial information to Pouv, who was then a member of the police Street Crimes Unit.

He said it's even more important to keep kids from joining gangs, but he's seen gang members as young as 11 years old.

"It's the lifestyle that pulls them in, the money," Pouv said. "The gangs have so much influence on these kids."

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.

John Burgess lecture reflects on ancient and present Cambodia

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 01:14 PM PST

Saturday, January 29, 2011
By Yvette Villasenor
The State Hornet (Sacramento State U.)

Students and faculty gathered Friday evening to listen to an art lecture presented by John Burgess, the journalist and author behind "Stories in Stone."

Burgess began his career as a journalist in Thailand in 1971 as a sub-editor for The Bangkok World, an English-based paper. Later, he found himself interested in the scripted stones that lay in the heart of Angkor, Cambodia, where he got the idea for his book "Stories in Stone."

As students and faculty filled the lecture room, Burgess began his lecture on his adventures and findings of the Sdok Kok Thom inscription and the enigma of Khmer history he found in Angkor. He also shared his experiences about Cambodia's architecture, scripture and overall culture.

"Angkor has remained largely off the map for the world's consciousness," Burgess said.


He believes the Sdok Kok Thom findings and the fall of Khmer hold significant historical importance and sharing his experience with different audiences will grow knowledge of this particular culture and how it relates to other cultures with an equally impressive historical importance as Ancient Rome or Egypt.

Many students stayed after the lecture to speak with Burgess and other students and faculty.

"The lecture was intriguing," said Minh Tran, an art studio major. She believes having lectures about personal experiences will open the eyes of more students and draw them to learn more about other cultures.

Pat Chirapravati, professor and director of Asian studies at Sacramento State hopes to grow the Asian studies department by providing students and faculty with informational, insightful lectures once a month to open eyes to different cultures of the world.

"Our campus is so diverse," Chirapravati said. "I want to stimulate students to learn about the world and look beyond."

As Chirapravati works to further grow the Asian studies department, she encourages students who are interested in her department to come to her office.

Yvette Villasenor can be reached at yvillasenor@statehornet.com

Japan provides $11.7 million more for Khmer Rouge trials

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 01:03 PM PST

Phnom Penh, Jan 29 (Kyodo) The Japanese governmentannounced that it decided to provide a further USD 11.7million to the UN-assisted tribunal set up to try former KhmerRouge leaders.

The Japanese Embassy yesterday said that USD 8.8 millionis for the international component and USD 2.9 million is forthe national component of the Extraordinary Chambers in theCourts of Cambodia, as the tribunal is formally known.

"This contribution will cover 25 percent of the ECCC's operational cost throughout the year 2011," it said in astatement.

The ECCC, which has spent more than80 million sincebeing set up in 2005 though it has so far convicted only oneKhmer Rouge figure, has a budget of USD 87.1 million for2010-2011.


Japan is its single largest donor, accounting for nearlyhalf of the total pledges and contributions to date.

The embassy said this year is critical for the ECCC''sjudicial proceedings with the hearings of appeal of the caseof former chief jailer Kaing Guek Ieu, alias Duch, to commenceat the Supreme Court Chamber and trials of five other KhmerRouge leaders to commence at the Trial Chamber.

Calling the trials an important part of the Cambodianpeace process, the embassy said they are intended to preventthe recurrence of the atrocities committed during the KhmerRouge regime and deliver justice to the victims.

It said they are also needed to help strengthen the ruleof law in Cambodia.

The trials of Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge regime''s chiefideologue, Ieng Sary, its foreign minister, Khieu Samphan, itsnominal leader, and Ieng Sary''s spouse Ieng Thirith, who wasminister of social affairs, are expected to start in thelatter half of 2011.

The Khmer Rouge leadership is blamed for the deaths of atleast 1.7 million people during its rule in the late 1970s.

Lawyers for detained [border trespassing] Thais need more time

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 12:58 PM PST

January 30, 2011
THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Lawyers from the Thailand Patriots Network will ask a Cambodian court to postpone the reading of a verdict from this Tuesday in the case against two Thais charged with trespassing and espionage.

They said they had not collected sufficient information and proof to be presented to the court in order to defend Veera Somkwamkid and Ratri Pipattanapaiboon.

TPN legal adviser Wanwipa Charoonroj said the group's lawyers were unable to survey the border area where Cambodian soldiers arrested the two and five other Thais on December 29. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban had not granted permission for a survey of the area despite Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ordering state agencies to help facilitate the lawyers' travel to the disputed border area.

Suthep acted as caretaker prime minister while Abhisit was attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.


TPN legal adviser ML Tossapol Kaewtima said the group was deeply disappointed with Suthep. Since they could not find evidence to help with the case, the network would request the Cambodian court give them more time to find evidence and postpone its verdict on the two, who are charged with trespassing and espionage. They will also request bail for the two.

Tossapol said the TPN also planned to step up pressure on the government to meet their demands over disputes with Phnom Penh. The group would follow up on complaints submitted at various agencies and step up their campaign against the government.

In Davos, the prime minister told The Associated Press that protesters demanding the government revoke its pact with Cambodia over a border dispute had a right to make their demands, but he would do what was best for the country.

"We feel that the way we approach the border problems, and the problems — as far as the relationship with Cambodia is concerned — is best for the country, which is that we try to resolve whatever issues come up in a peaceful manner."

He stressed the importance of dealing with the issue peacefully. "So that we preserve good relations — we are both part of Asean — and at the same time we make sure that we protect Thai interests," he said. "So all we can do is to explain to them that we feel that this is the best approach and I am confident that the majority of Thai people support" the government.

Human Rights Commissioner Parinya Sirisarakarn said he would attend the court hearing of Veera and Ratri and would ask Veera about conditions of his detention to ensure his basic rights.

Meanwhile, Suthep threatened legal action yesterday against the People's Alliance for Democracy if they continue their protest by blocking roads and causing inconvenience to the public.

Suthep said he would wait for two to three days and decide - if there were not many protesters but the PAD blocked several roads causing traffic congestion, the government would definitely file a suit against them. He said there were only a few hundreds protesters during the day and about 2,000 protesters at night but the PAD blocked not one but several routes.

He urged the protesters to get on one side of the road to make way for motorists. He said blocking Rajdamnoen Klang Road, which the royal family uses, was totally inappropriate.

Responding to demands for the government to remove a Cambodian flag on a Thai temple near the Thai-Cambodian border, Suthep said the government would solve the problem through diplomatic means. "We have to take it easy. When you have neighbours, you should not threaten them too much. I believe Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has probably been attacked by the media and his people over the PAD's threat,'' he said.

"I would like to send this message to PM Hun Sen that whatever the protesters said had nothing to do with the government. Both sides have to be patient and find solutions to the problems,'' he said.

Democrat Party MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth said he negotiated with the PAD not to stop their protest but to explain the government's stand so that both sides understand each other better.

He said key leaders of the PAD's sub groups had a tendency to understand the government's point of view and there was only one group that had a different view of the government.

Responding to a threat by Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leader of the Thailand Patriots Network, to team up with the red shirts to oust the government, Panich said no government wanted to lose territory but pushing Cambodians off Thai soil was something that had to be done without confrontation.

"I admit that I crossed the military operation line to the disputed area. We will know the answer [whether it is Thai or Cambodian soil] when we complete border demarcation,'' he said.

PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said the fact PM Abhisit knew about the Cambodian flag being hoisted at the Thai temple for two days but failed to remove it showed his government was incompetent.

Cambodia has refused to remove the flag, claiming the area belongs to Cambodia according to the 1:200,000 square kilometre map.

He said the PM and his deputy must take responsibility if it accepts the Cambodian verdict on the case of the seven Thais since they were arrested on Thai soil.

Kasit's remarks on border unconvincing

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 12:50 PM PST

January 30, 2011
Opinion by M Johnson, Bangkok
The Nation

Dear Sir:

Regarding "PAD acting like a cry baby: Kasit" (January 27, 2011) Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya criticises his former allies the PAD yellow shirts for their calling for a tougher line by the government on the Preah Vihear border dispute with Cambodia and claims that he hasn't changed his position since the time before he became a minister. He also says it is "inappropriate to invoke international relations as a bargaining leverage to advance a domestic political agenda". He also calls for common development of "rich resources in the sea," presumably referring to oil and gas deals.

Actually, your story is an example of the reason why the PAD has been criticising Mr Kasit and the Abhisit government.

Mr Kasit says that he has not changed and that "The Abhisit Vejjajiva government is not prone to use force nor to insult the neighbouring country" but in 2009, he himself was quoted as calling Hun Sen "a nakleng." In 2008, he was quoted as calling him a "thug" on the rally stage of the PAD.


The PAD has a legitimate criticism of the way the border issue has been handled by the government since a previous foreign minister signed the notorious UNESCO MOU which led to that person's resignation. In 2008, a Thai court ruled that the bid to support Cambodia's application to have the 11th century temple listed as a World Heritage site was unconstitutional. So, the PAD has been right about this issue all along.

Also, regarding Mr Kasit's reference to "rich resources in the sea," this is what the PAD has been criticising the government for as trading off the Preah Vihear temple and border case due to interest in oil and gas deals.

In your article, Mr Kasit is quoted as saying "Integrity hinges on prudence and maturity; don't act like a baby and allow feelings to cloud judgement," however his own comments about the PAD lacking maturity, being "petulant" and a "cry baby" are not exactly mature.

Khun Sondhi and his followers are citizens of this country and have the right to question the government's leadership and policies. Khun Sondhi always speaks by producing facts, maps, quotes, and information. Mr Kasit offers no proof that the PAD's protests are due to pursuit of "a domestic political agenda."

Mr Kasit should ask himself whether he is applying the same standards to the PAD's protests against his government as to those against the Thaksin Shinawatra government in which he participated.

Suthep urges caution amid 'troop boost'

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 12:44 PM PST

BORN TO BE WILD: People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Chamlong Srimuang patrols on a scooter as the PAD rally enters its fifth day at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue to protest the government's approach to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. PHOTO: JETJARAS NA RANONG
CAMBODIA SAYS THAI DEMANDS 'PROVOCATIVE'

30/01/2011
Bangkok Post and AP

The government is appealing to yellow shirt protesters to show restraint amid reports that Cambodia is boosting troops at the border.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday called on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters to tone down their attacks on Cambodia and be mindful of what they say during their rally near Government House.

He was speaking amid unconfirmed news agency reports that the Cambodian Ministry of Defence on Friday sent dozens of tanks and fighting vehicles, missiles and ammunition to the Preah Vihear temple area at the disputed border.

On its website, the Cambodian newspaper Duem Ampil quoted Information Minister Khieu Kanharith as saying that the Cambodian army had ordered its forces to be on a full alert to prevent any Thai attempt to enter Cambodian territory, while the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a recent Thai military exercise at the border was provocative and could set off a war.


It also criticised Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's demand that Cambodia remove its flag from the Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple, saying such a call was "unacceptable and Cambodia firmly rejects such an insulting demand".

The Thai army held a military drill in Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday seen as an attempt to show its muscle.

Border tensions intensified over the past week after Cambodia put up tablets in the disputed area opposite Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket criticising a Thai "invasion" of the area in 2008.

Phnom Penh later demolished the tablets, but any easing in border tensions looks to have been shortlived.

The Xinhua news agency reported yesterday that Cambodia has boosted troops at the border.

"We have warned Thai troops that if they dare to enter our territory, Cambodia will act in self-defence to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity," said a senior Cambodian officer, who asked not to be named.

In Bangkok the PAD has set up a protest site near Government House to demand the government take stronger action against Cambodia. Mr Suthep yesterday urged the protesters to exercise caution. "I want to tell [Cambodian] Prime Minister Hun Sen that what the protesters say has nothing to do with the government's stance," he said.

Meanwhile, the PAD has knocked back efforts by a Democrat MP jailed in Phnom Penh this month to broker talks with the government to end the Cambodia dispute.

Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth yesterday urged the PAD to enter talks with the government.

However, the protest group leaders said they had yet to hear from him formally and in any event doubted the talks would succeed.

PAD spokesman Panthep Phuapongpan insisted Mr Panich had not approached yellow shirt leaders.

Mr Panich, a former vice-minister for foreign affairs, was among seven Thais jailed in Cambodia this month on border trespass charges.

"As far as the key men in the PAD are concerned, he has not contacted us. We see no benefit to our group from any talks anyway," the spokesman said.

"We will agree to talk only if the government accepts our demands."

The PAD, which is camped out on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, is demanding the government abolish the memorandum of understanding signed between Bangkok and Phnom Penh in 2000 on land border demarcation, withdraw Thailand from the World Heritage Committee and clear Cambodian villagers and troops from a disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Abhisit, speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Friday, said the protesters had the right to put up their demands but the government would do what is best for the country. "You know, they can make their demands. They have the right to do so. But as the government, we have to do what is the best for the country," he said.

Confrontation Between Cambodia, Thai Continues

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 02:15 AM PST

2011-01-29
Xinhua

The military confrontation between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border area near Preah Vihear temple continues on Saturday and troops on both sides are still on high alert, said a close military source standby at the area.

"We're still on high alert to defend our territorial integrity, " a senior officer, who asked not to be named, said on Saturday.

Thai side has stepped up their troops on their border side; they attempted to bring their Thai flag to fly at Cambodia's Keo Sikha Kiri Svarak pagoda near Preah Vihear temple, he said.


"We have warned Thai troops in advance already, if they dare to enter Cambodian territory, Cambodia will use self-defense rights to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Friday has dispatched dozens of tanks and fighting vehicles as well as missiles and ammunition to Preah Vihear temple area. He said that those armaments have arrived at Preah Vihear temple on Saturday morning.

The re-tension between Cambodia and Thailand over the border happened on Thursday after Thailand demanded Cambodia to remove a national flag over Wat Keo Sikha Kiri Svarak pagoda near Preah Vihear temple, claiming that the pagoda is on the disputed area, but Cambodian side rejected it.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a declaration on Friday to firmly reject the demand of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to remove the Cambodia's flag at the pagoda near Preah Vihear temple.

The ministry said that according to the map produced by the Franco-Siamese commissions between the period of 1905 and 1908, the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, built by the people of Cambodia in 1998, is clearly situated in the Cambodian territory. Therefore, the flag of Cambodia is legitimately flying over this pagoda.

The ministry called "the statement made by Thai Prime Minister in parallel with Thailand's military exercise at the border with Cambodia is clearly provocative and constitutes a casus belli for future acts of aggression against Cambodia."

Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

“The SRP will replace MPs during mid-term according to the party’s goal”: Sam Rainsy

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 01:06 AM PST

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy (Photo: AFP)
28 January 2011
By Kuoch Kuntheara
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Komping Puoy

Sam Rainsy, SRP President, is the weekly guest of Kuoch Kuntheara on Saturday 29 January 2011. Sam Rainsy confirmed about the replacement of SRP MPs during mid-term, according the party's goal. Regarding the alliance with Kem Sokha's HRP, Sam Rainsy claimed that the SRP will not change its past stance, i.e. it still remains opened to unification with all nationalists and democrats. At the same time, Sam Rainsy indicated his hope for a reasonable solution that will allow him to return to Cambodia in the near future.

Click the control below to listen to the interview in Khmer

Selected Audio Programs by The Khmer Post Radio

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 11:17 PM PST

Dear Readers,

Please find below a selection of audio programs by The Khmer Post Radio suggested by Dara, our reader, regarding the following two topics in Cambodia:

1- Cambodia's History: 07 January 1979




2- Political Analysis: 26 years of Hun Xen's rule, what had he done so far?




For additional information about The Khmer Post, click here.

To access The Khmer Post audio archive, please click here.

Prosecutors: more victims of accused monk possible [-Venh Por is a disgrace!]

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 10:29 PM PST


Friday, January 28, 2011
Miya Shay

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As a monk at a local temple is on the run, wanted for sexually assaulting a teen, we're talking to the girl whose accusations made him a wanted man.

At Wat Angkorchum Cambodian Buddhist Temple, Monk Vuthy Meas goes about his daily routine unsure of exactly why the temple's abbot, Venh Por, hastily returned to Cambodia.

"We built this temple in just three years," he tells us, before describing Venh Por as a decent man.

But prosecutors believe the monk fled to avoid facing charges of sexually assaulting this sixteen-year-old girl.

"I know what he was doing to me, and I guess I feel upset," the teenage girl said.


The teenager said she wanted to speak out after watching other members of the temple defend the monk in public. She says it all began when she, at 15, would accompany her mother to the temple.

"He come in, he touch my boob, and I said why'd you touch my boob?" the girl recalled.

Over the past year, the sexual encounters continued, until she made an outcry at school. Initially, even her own parents didn't believe her.

"They don't believe me. They believe the monk because everybody believed the monk," she said.

But the investigation continued, charges were filed, and Venh Por apparently fled.

The 16-year-old may not be the only victim. We spoke on the phone with another teenage girl who said the monk tried to kiss her on the neck.

Prosecutors say they even though the monk is reportedly out of the country, they will continue to search out other victims.

"When I say anything, it's not a lie. It's true," the girl said.

The 16-year-old says she hopes prosecutors can find Venh Por and eventually bring him to justice.

At the temple, his photo is still on the wall, and members say they still support Venh Port the monk.

[Thai] PM: Govt to peacefully solve border dispute [with Cambodia]

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 10:22 PM PST

29/01/2011
Bangkok Post

The Thai government will use peaceful ways to settle the continuing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Saturday.

During an interview given to AP reporter in Davos, Mr Abhisit said both Thailand and Cambodia are parts of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations and therefore, solving of any conflict between the two countries should be in a peaceful manner.

Asked about the three demands by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the prime minister said PAD has the constitutional right to make such demands or to rally against the government.

"On my part, I will do only for the best of the country", he said.

The PAD is demanding Thailand's withdrawal from the Unesco World Heritage Committee, the revocation of the4 2000 MoU sign with Cambodia and ejecting Cambodians in border areas the group claims belong to Thailand back to their homeland.

Yellows may join up with reds to topple the [Thai] govt

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 10:13 PM PST

January 29, 2011
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

Members of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) interviewed yesterday said they were willing to fight temporarily alongside the red shirts if that is what it takes to topple the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration and reclaim "lost territory" from Cambodia.

"I guess that can be done, because it's our country. We don't even use our [political] colour at this rally," said Boonthai Sirichoke, a PAD member from Samut Prakarn, adding that this government would definitely be removed if the red and yellow shirts joined forces. However, he said he believed the yellow shirts alone could topple the government.

Waen, a 47-year-old yellow-shirt from Chiang Mai, said she would not speculate but would follow instructions from PAD leaders, even if it meant joining forces with the red shirts. "We are just the mass, we don't have the right to question it."


Yupin Prasertsri, an elderly woman from Amnat Charoen province who came with her daughter to take part in the rally yesterday, said they were ready to join forces with the red shirts "because we want to topple the government".

"I can accept it because we have the same goal of getting rid of corruption and defending national integrity," she said. The PAD believes that the government is too soft on the border issue because of vested interests of politicians and generals who reap benefits from illegal cross-border trade.

Her daughter, who asked not to be named, said: "I can accept it because now it's about national interest and not colours."

The rally yesterday drew a moderate crowd of about 5,000 in the evening, with more arriving after dark. Half a dozen villagers who claimed they owned land along the Thai-Cambodian border that was allegedly taken over by Cambodians over the past three decades were invited to speak onstage.

A female villager burst into tears, telling PAD supporters that even though she had a title deed for the land occupied by Cambodians for 30 years, not a single government had helped get her land back.

"My father was so upset that he developed a mental problem," she said, adding that the family ended up having to work as hired help in Bangkok and elsewhere, and suffered immensely because they could not work on "their own land".

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: People Power

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 09:41 PM PST

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

"Kdab Srok You Pek Vea Dos Snem" a Poem in Khmer by Sam Vichea

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 08:12 PM PST

"Veasna Chun Kbot Kamnott Min You" a Poem by Hin Sithan

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 07:21 PM PST

 

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