Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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Refugees from Preah Vihear temple area encounter difficulties

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:12 PM PST

Damages to Preah Vihear temple by armed clashes

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:09 PM PST

Youth of the week: Lon Sopheaktra

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:28 PM PST

Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Lon Sopheaktra
The Phnom Penh Post

While some Cambodian teenagers spent their weekend hanging out with family, chatting with friends, or watching movies, since the age of 13 Lon Sopheaktra has been spending his weekends training to ride horses at the Cambodian Country Club (CCC).

Although his involvement in the Madox Chivan Children Centre, an organization founded by Angelina Jolie, introduced him to riding horses as a sport, he has taken his good fortune and worked relentlessly to improve his skills. In the last two years he has risen from a beginner to being a level 6 horseback rider, the highest level possible.

He said that his foreign trainers would often accuse him of lacking the motivation to practice and learn how to ride horses expertly, but he never got angry with them because he knew they just wanted his to be the best he could be. When he began riding horses, Lon Sopheaktra said that it was really hard not to make the horse surprised or excited, and even more difficult to get the horse to settle down afterwards.


"Even once we have learned to ride horses it can still be really hard," said the grade 9th student at Chea Sim Samaky high school. "That's why we have to learn to control them."

Psychological issues were not the only problem that Lon Sopheaktra had to overcome over the past two years; he recalls one time in particular when he fell off a new horse and broke his arm upon hitting the ground. He said he knew how to ride horses, but the new horse at the stable, recently brought from Siem Riep, became so excited that even the trainers couldn't control it.

Lon Sopheaktra began riding only on Fridays, but his trainers told him that he would need to practice more often if he wanted to be competitive in equestrian events, so he started to practice on Saturday and Sunday as well. It was this determination and effort that ultimately earned the 15-year-old an invitation to join two competitions in Thailand, including X-mas Jumping last December, in which 9 countries participated.

He said the abilities of the riders was not extraordinary, but that the horse that contestants ride makes the biggest difference. "Thai equestrians were better than us and contestants from other countries since they knew their horse, bought them and fed them every day," he said.

During the competition in Thailand Lon Sopheaktra made a few small mistakes that ended up preventing him from winning, but he still took home 2nd place. He said he felt so proud to have the chance to learn to ride horses and go abroad to join competitions like football players and other athletes.

During the Norodom Sihanouk du Cambodge Championship, held at CCC last week, we was awarded second place in the top level competition called the Grand Prix.

He said that he hopes to continue to represent Cambodia in international events and build up his reputation in competitions in the country. Eventually, he hopes to improve his English and become a horse trainer.

Thailand-Cambodia To Carry On Bilateral Links Despite Border Dispute

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:16 PM PST

BANGKOK, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said that the bilateral trade between Thailand and Cambodia will continue despite the ongoing border rows between the two neighbouring countries, Thai News Agency reports Wednesday.

Alongkorn has confirmed that he and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri will pay an official visit to Cambodia from February 17 to 20, to open a Thai trade fair as well as to attend a meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Business Council.

The bilateral trade is held in parallel with attempts to resolve political woes related to unsettled border issues, he said.


Both the Thai leaders are scheduled to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on February 17 to discuss on bilateral trade and other issues under cooperative frameworks of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in preparation for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015.

"I believe that the demand for Thai products in Cambodia remains high, and therefore I will raise measures to further promote bilateral trade with Cambodia, particularly border trade during ministerial level talks," he said.

The two-way trade between Thailand and Cambodia reached over 81 billion baht US$2.64 billion) last year, a 40 percent year-on-year surge.

The border trade accounted for 50 billion baht (US$1.63 billion) (US$1= 30.66 baht).

VN attaches great importance to its relations with Cambodia ... but yet it tramples Cambodia's border at will!!!

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:13 PM PST

Nation affirms importance of ties with Cambodia

16/02/2011
VietnamNet (Hanoi)

Viet Nam attaches great importance to its relations with Cambodia and would make every effort to nurture the bilateral traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation, said a senior Party official.

Hoang Binh Quan, a member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam's (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations, made the statement at meetings with several of Cambodia's leaders during his visit to the country from February 14-15.

Quan, who doubles as the Special Envoy of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, was received by King Norodom Sihamoni, Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Senate Chea Sim, Vice Chairman of the CPP and Prime Minister Hun Sen, and Honorary Chairman of the CPP and President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin.


Quan informed his hosts about the outcomes of the CPV's 11th National Congress, saying that documents adopted at the congress were a profound summary of the theoretical and practical issues of socialism construction and of Viet Nam's national defence during its 25 years of renewal; 20 years of implementing the CPV's 1991 Political Platform; 10 years of performing the 2001-2010 socio-economic development strategy; and five years of executing the Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress.

The documents were the essence of the will and desires of the entire Party and people, the continued confirmation, perfection and development of the Party's renewal policy and a foundation for the country to become a modern industrialised nation by 2020, he said.

The Cambodian leaders thanked Party General Secretary Trong for sending the special envoy to inform them about the CPV's 11th National Congress, which reflected the time-honoured friendship and mutual trust between leaders of the two nations.

They said they believed that, under the sound leadership of the CPV with Nguyen Phu Trong as its General Secretary, the Vietnamese people would successfully implement the 11th National Party Congress's Resolution and reap even greater rewards, thereby building Viet Nam into a modern industrialised country by 2020.

The Cambodian leaders used the occasion to thank the Party, Government and people of Viet Nam for the valuable support and assistance they had extended to Cambodia during their past struggles for national liberation, escape from Pol Pots genocial regime as well as in national reconstruction and development.

Cambodia, Thailand accuse each other of invading territories

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:09 PM PST

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday accused Thai troops of violating the recommendation of the United Nations Security Council to continue attack on Cambodia.

In its statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that Thai troops opened a provocative fire into Cambodian territory from Tuesday night to early Wednesday morning at the border disputed area near.

"From 21:00 on Feb. 15 to 05:00 on Feb. 16 (local time), Thai armed forces, in flagrant violation of the recommendation of the United Nations Security Council on Feb. 14, fired many grenades and numerous rounds of 81 mm mortars and machine guns into Phnom Trap area located approximately 1,600 meters from the border, in the vicinity of the temple of Preah Vihear," the statement said.


"In respect of the recommendation of the UNSC on Feb. 14, Cambodian troops exercise utmost restraint and did not respond to this renewed provocation from the Thai armed forces, so as to maintain an environment conducive to the success of the meeting of the ASEAN foreign ministers on Feb. 22, in Jakarta, Indonesia,"it added.

However, the statement pointed out, "this violation of the ceasefire by the Thai armed forces clearly shows that the real intention behind Thailand's insistence on resolving the matter bilaterally is to use its overwhelmingly superior military forces to take over Cambodian territory in the vicinity of the temple of Preah Vihear."

However, a Thai army spokesman said on Wednesday that several small rounds of skirmishes at the Thai-Cambodian border erupted again from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning after the Cambodian troops tried to move closer to the Thai border.

Spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that from 09:00 p.m. of Tuesday to 05:00 a.m. of Wednesday (local time), the Cambodian army tried to move closer to the Thai border and cut the barbed wire set by Thai troops at the military zone in Phoo Makuae of Si Saket's Kanthalarak district.

The barbed wire was set to surround the Thai military post at the border on the Phoo Makuae mountain.

The Cambodian army also shot several small arms and threw grenades to the Thai side. The Thai army then returned fire, resulting in several rounds of skirmishes that lasted about 15-30 minutes, the spokesman said.

Cambodia and Thailand have had a border conflict after Cambodia 's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as the World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

The conflict is 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 latest clashes on Feb. 4-7, unleashed a barrage of artillery shells on both sides of the border, killed at least 10 people and injured many others of both sides, and caused tens of thousands of the two countries' villagers near the disputed areas fleeing for safe shelters.

Thai, Cambodian defence ministers to meet on ceasefire

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:07 PM PST

BANGKOK, Feb 16 (MCOT online news) - Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh will hold talks on establishing a permanent ceasefire along their countries' disputed border as urged by the United Nations Security Council, said a senior Thai foreign ministry official on Wednesday.

Chavanond Intarakomalayasut, a secretary to the Thai foreign minister, made the statement following the latest skirmishes at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket's Kantaralak district on Monday just few hours after the United Nations issued a statement calling for a permanent ceasefire from both sides and supporting bilateral talks to solve the border conflict.

Mr Chavanond stated the latest clashes may have a negative impact on the bilateral talks if Cambodia failed to stop firing into Thai territory.


"Defence Minister Gen Prawit will discuss the matter with Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya prior to bilateral talks with Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh to ensure that the two ministries will carry out their mission in the same direction," said the secretary.

Mr Kasit was in New York to present evidence to the Security Council after the Cambodian government submitted a letter of complaint accusing Thailand of firing arms into Cambodian troops first, damaging the ancient Preah Vihear temple and calling on the world body to intervene in the dispute.

When asked why Mr Kasit did not hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong while they were in New York together, Mr Chavanond said the Cambodian foreign minister had to hurry back to his country and that he believes both ministers will have an opportunity to meet each other again on Feb 22 in Indonesia where a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be held.

Regarding the next meeting of Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) scheduled for Feb 27, the secretary said Thailand is still waiting for an official confirmation from Cambodia.

Mr Chavanond added if Cambodia rejects the bilateral mechanism, no other mechanism can solve the border conflict, furthermore the world community may also not understand why Cambodia has to refuse the talks with its neighbour.

Tourism fears over Thai-Cambodia conflict

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:05 PM PST

February 16, 2011
ABC Radio Australia

A number of tourism associations in Cambodia have warned that the ongoing border dispute and military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia could seriously harm the local tourism industry. Thai and Cambodian troops have exchanged fire for more than a week over a plot of land that surrounds the ancient Preah Vihear Temple. The temple itself is not directly disputed. But it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction. And it's becoming an area that governments - including Australia's - now consider dangerous and they are warning people to stay away.

Presenter: Zulfikar Abbany
Speaker: Ho Vandy, co-chairman, Tourism Working Group, Phnom Penh

Refugees Face New Risks

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 02:02 PM PST

By Irwin Loy

PHNOM PENH, Feb 16, 2011 (IPS) - Cambodia must ensure it offers a safe haven to asylum seekers, rights groups say, following the government's closure this week of a United Nations-run refugee centre, home to dozens of Montagnards from Vietnam.

The 75 Montagnards, part of ethnic minority tribes from Vietnam's Central Highlands, had been housed at the facility in Phnom Penh – some for up to six years. The government had ordered the centre shut late last year, saying that the Montagnards would either need to be resettled or forcibly returned to Vietnam.

The government gave the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) until this week to find new homes for the asylum seekers.


The UNHCR said 55 of the Montagnards had been resettled in Canada or the United States by this week's deadline. A further ten are awaiting emigration, while the remaining ten were judged not to meet refugee criteria and are to be returned to Vietnam.

But there are still concerns over the safety of future asylum seekers. Human Rights Watch says Cambodia's recent track record on asylum seekers has been "dismal". And it says the south-east Asian country's regulations governing refugees may not ensure their safety.

"It's very possible that in the future we may see more Montagnard asylum seekers coming in to Cambodia," said Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch. "And the question is, what sort of reception are they going to receive?"

Rights groups say the Montagnards, who are comprised of a number of highland tribes, face harassment and persecution in Vietnam. The mostly Christian Montagnards are targeted because of their beliefs, HRW says, and because members of the community sided with the United States during the Vietnam War. HRW estimates there are currently 300 Christian Montagnards imprisoned in Vietnam because of religious or political beliefs.

Cambodia is unique among its immediate neighbours in that it is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, which sets a definition for who can qualify as refugees and obliges States Parties to protect them. However, critics say refugees in Cambodia have not always been treated fairly.

In late 2009, Cambodia issued a sub-decree that effectively gave it the final say in determining refugee status. But HRW believes the new regulations are wide open to interpretation.

"We're concerned that (future asylum-seekers) might not receive a fair hearing," Robertson said. "If there's a political impetus to try to keep refugees out, to try to toe the government line from Vietnam that these people aren't refugees, we're worried Phnom Penh will just go along."

Critics say there is a precedent for such concern. Days after the government passed the sub-decree, it forcibly returned 20 ethnic Uighur asylum seekers to China in a move rights groups widely condemned. At the time, the group's refugee claims were still being assessed.

Their fates remain unclear today, but China has issued lengthy prison terms or even death sentences to other Uighurs accused of participating in ethnic riots earlier that year. China and Cambodia later announced trade deals worth roughly 1.2 billion dollars.

The government, however, says the Montagnard refugee centre has served its purpose. Koy Kuong, spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the UN-administered facility has processed the claims of almost 1,000 asylum seekers since it was formed as part of an agreement with the UNHCR in 2005.

"Now we need to close it down," he said. "We do not want it to stay open any longer. The longer it stays open, the more problems we will face."

Koy Kuong rejected claims Montagnard asylum seekers would be persecuted in Vietnam.

"Vietnam is a lawful country, not a country of barbarians," he said. "Millions of people live there and their economy is growing very fast. Vietnam has no civil war right now."

The group Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has worked extensively with Montagnards and other people seeking asylum in Cambodia. Denise Coghlan, JRS's Cambodia director, said the move to close the Montagnard refugee centre was a positive step; it was an imperfect set-up that essentially saw the claimants confined to the centre, living in limbo as their refugee statuses remained up in the air.

"Some people were in a closed site for six years, so I think it's very good that it's now finished," she said.

Coghlan was among the most vocal critics when Cambodia chose to deport the Uighurs in late 2009. Now, she said, she's hopeful the government will give due process to future asylum seekers.

"Like most laws, something's written down and we have to see how it's implemented," she said. "I hope it will be implemented in a humane way and according to the principle and spirit of the UN conventions."

Clashes along Thai-Cambodian border resume, both sides blame each other

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:59 PM PST

By Thaweeporn Kummetha

BANGKOK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Rhetoric wars between Bangkok and Phnom Pehn began after skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted again at disputed border area on Tuesday.

Thai Foreign Minister's secretary Chavanont Intarakomalyasut told Xinhua on Wednesday that Cambodia should respect the outcome of the meeting with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday in New York by stop firing to Thai side.

"Without clashes initiated by the Cambodia troops, the negotiation would be much easier," Chavanont said.

However, Cambodian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday afternoon issued a statement, accusing Thai side of initiating the skirmishes, adding that Cambodian troop refrained from firing back.


"In respect of the recommendation of the UNSC on Feb. 14, Cambodian troops exercise utmost restraint and did not respond to this renewed provocation from the Thai armed forces," the statement says.

From 9 p.m. of Tuesday to 5 a.m. of Wednesday local time, there were several small rounds of skirmishes at the military zone at the Thai-Cambodian border on Phu Makuae of Thailand's Si Saket province and Phnom Trap of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.

Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said there are no deaths and injuries on Thai side. There are no reports of Cambodian deaths and injuries.

While Sansern, as reported by the Bangkok Post online, said the Cambodian troops' intention had clearly been to take the Thai position, Cambodia statement says: "this violation of the ceasefire by the Thai armed forces clearly shows that the real intention behind Thailand's insistence on resolving the matter bilaterally is to use its overwhelmingly superior military forces to take over Cambodian territory in the vicinity of the temple of Preah Vihear."

After the meeting between three foreign ministers, Kasit Piromya of Thailand, Hor Namhong of Cambodia and Marty Natalegawa of Indonesian as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on Monday in New York, UNSC issued a statement calling on Thailand and Cambodia to ceasefire and negotiate.

However, it seems that both sides interpreted the outcome of the meeting differently -- favoring their sides: While Bangkok says bilateral talks is enough, Phnom Penh insists that a third party intervention is needed to solve conflict.

Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers are expected to meet again in the ASEAN forum on February 22 at Jakarta, Indonesia, to talk about disputed border issues.

Asked what will be discussed in the forum, the secretary to Thai foreign minister said Thailand and Cambodia will exchange and explain the situation to ASEAN members and "to help creating good atmosphere for bilateral talks"

During Feb. 4-7, both sides exchanged fierce firings and shelling resulting in three deaths of Thai soldiers and eight on Cambodian side as well as forced at least 20,000 local Thais to evacuate.

Thailand should accept mediation to solve border dispute with Cambodia

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:56 PM PST

By Sinfah Tunsarawuth

BANGKOK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thailand should accept a third- party mediation to help solve its border dispute with Cambodia as bilateral talks seemed to have failed to make any progress, a key academic has said.

"It has been proved that bilateral negotiation between the two countries doesn't work," Akkharaphong Khamkhun, who teaches Southeast Asian affairs at the Thammasat University, told Xinhua News Agency in an interview.

Akkharaphong said he saw Monday's meeting at the United Nations Security Council in New York on the dispute, which has recently raised global concern with the eruption of a series of deadly crossfire between Thai and Cambodian soldiers across the border, as already an intervention by a third party.

"For Thailand, I don't see any reason that we have to be scared of a third-party (mediation)," he said.


The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has insisted that the border dispute be solved through existing bilateral mechanism while Phnom Penh seems to prefer mediation by the UN or the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, as the current ASEAN chair, has called a meeting of the regional grouping's foreign ministers in Jakarta on Feb. 22 to discuss the Thai- Cambodian border dispute, which is currently involved with a 4.6-square kilometer plot of land, claimed by both countries, around the 11th century Preah Vihear temple.

Akkharaphong, who is attached to Thammasat's Pridi Banomyong International College, suggested an intervention as high as the world court.

He said if the Abhisit government believed it had strong evidence to argue for its case, it should not be afraid of having the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on the issue.

"Why don't we just bring it back to the ICJ again?" he said. "We need someone to be a mediator who can find out the truth."

WOUNDED HISTORY FOR THAI PEOPLE

Akkharaphong said the ICJ ruling in 1962 that the Preah Vihear temple, straddling the two countries' common border, belongs to Cambodia was a "wounded history" for many Thai people.

"People always dream of getting it back," he said.

But he said the Thai government should not give Thai people a false hope that the 1962 ruling could be overturned.

Other academics and observers have also remarked that the Abhisit government should not let the Thai public believe that the enlisting of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site could be reversed either.

The Abhisit government disagreed with the enlisting as it was done unilaterally by Phnom Penh on July 7, 2008.

Phnom Penh is now trying to have the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and World Heritage committee to endorse its plan for the administering of the 4.6-square kilometer piece of land.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit said on Feb. 13 that the UNESCO could help alleviate the border tension between Thailand and Cambodia by not proceeding with any decision on the land administering.

NATIONALISM POLITICS

Akkharaphong said the border dispute has been used by politicians of both nations as a nationalism ploy for political gains, though in different manners.

He said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has used the nationalism issue to fight Thailand as a foreign nation, while the issue is being fought domestically in Thailand between Abhisit and the nationalistic "yellow-shirt" People's Alliance for Democracy.

PAD leaders, calling for Abhisit to get tougher with Phnom Penh on the border dispute, wanted the government to scrap an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two countries in 2000 as the framework for settling the two countries' disputed border areas.

They also wanted the government to move out Cambodians who are occupying the disputed areas, and the government to pull out as a party to the World Heritage Convention.

Abhisit has rejected all the demands, saying that it would further complicate the conflict.

PAD supporters, who have been occupying a strip of the historical Ratchadamnern Road in the capital since Jan. 25, have reiterated that they would not retreat until their demands are met.

But Akkharaphong, 39, said younger Thai people were not as concerned about sovereignty over border land as their older nationalistic compatriots were.

"I think new generation of people like me .. does not really care about how many pieces of land we will lose," he said. "But they think about how we will cooperate or study each other."

Church rues ‘needless deaths’ on borderBishops call for a negotiated settlement to temple dispute with Thailand

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:52 PM PST

Cambodian villagers displaced by border fighting (Photo courtesy of Caritas Cambodia)
February 16, 2011
Phat Samphy, Phnom Penh
UCAnews

The Catholic Church in Cambodia says it deeply regrets the "needless loss of human life" during border clashes with Thailand last week and appealed for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

The fighting has also caused "serious injuries, the destruction of sacred places and irreparable damage to a world heritage site," a February 14 statement said.

"The Catholic Church of Cambodia calls on all communities, national and international organizations to urgently cooperate at all levels to help stop conflict around the Preah Vihear Temple," said the statement signed by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, apostolic vicar of Phnom Penh.


"We pray to almighty God that the Good Lord will bless the two sides with peace and guide the leaders of both countries to resolve this conflict by peaceful means and to avoid further shedding of blood," it continued.

Long Sophal, a Church worker with the Jesuit Service in Cambodia, said he hopes Thailand and Cambodia heed Bishop Schmitthaeusler's words.

"We are always against war because everyone suffers, so we must support a call for peaceful solutions," he said.

Other organizations also voiced their support for the Church's appeal.

Duong Savong, director of the Catholic Catechesis Center, said the statement, "Made us reflect that the fighting not only brought suffering to Cambodians, but to all from both sides."

The February 4-7 border clashes reportedly killed at least eight people – three in Thailand and five in Cambodia – and injured many more, as well as displacing thousands.

Thai deputy PM to lead delegation to attend trade fair in Cambodia

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:49 PM PST

February 16, 2011
Xinhua

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri is scheduled to lead an economic and trade delegation to Cambodia on Thursday, Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said on Wednesday.

Trairong will be leading mostly Thai businessmen to join the first Thai-Cambodian business summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Alongkorn said in an interview to a local Thai television.

The deputy Thai premier is also scheduled to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during his one-day visit, Alongkorn said.

A Thai Trade Fair 2011 will also be opened in Phnom Penh during Trairong's visit.


Alongkorn said the economic and trade ties between the two countries should not be affected by the ongoing border dispute, which has erupted with a series of deadly crossfire between Thai and Cambodian soldiers.

Meanwhile, the state Board of Investment (BoI) has postponed indefinitely a planned investment road-show to Cambodia until the border situation returns to normal, BoI Secretary-General Atchaka Sibunruang said on Wednesday.

The BoI had planned to take Thai investors looking for opportunities in Cambodia on a tour there later this month, Atchaka said.

"The road-show plan has to be indefinitely postponed because Thai investors were worried about their safety,"the English- language Bangkok Post online quoted Atchaka as saying.

A large number of investors, particularly those in garment industry, had earlier expressed their interest in the trip, she said.

Cambodia seeks Asean help

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:47 PM PST

February 17, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

P Penh wants association to dispatch monitors but Thailand rejects call as border clash drags on

Cambodia will request that Asean send observers to monitor and ensure a permanent ceasefire in the disputed border areas adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear, as border skirmishes with Thailand showed no signs of ending.

"I will ask for Asean observers in the area to control and ensure a permanent ceasefire," Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said at Phnom Penh International Airport yesterday upon his arrival from New York after the meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the Cambodian-Thai border conflict.

"We will wait and see if Thailand accepts this suggestion or not, we will know the real ambition of Thailand," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Thailand immediately rejected Cambodia's idea, saying it was unnecessary as the border conflict between the two neighbouring countries was not so complicated.


Asean has called a meeting of its foreign ministers next Tuesday in Jakarta to discuss the border dispute between the regional grouping's two members.

The Security Council in its meeting on Monday urged the parties to establish a "permanent ceasefire" and fully implement it through effective negotiations. The UN body supported Asean's role in seeking a solution to end the conflict and urged Thailand and Cambodia to cooperate with the organisation in this regard.

It is not clear yet how the current chairman of Asean, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, will conduct the meeting next week.

Thailand expects the meeting will be an informal one to exchange views and information on the situation, said the foreign minister's secretary, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut.

"We have a very firm stance about solving this issue through bilateral mechanism and don't want to make the matter more complicated," he said.

"What the two countries need to do is just simply stop firing and sit face-to-face to solve the problem."

Thailand will not propose anything at the Jakarta meeting but merely present facts, listen to the views of members and create an atmosphere for reconciliation to pave the way for bilateral talks, Chavanond said.

However, Cambodia expects Asean to take some action to ensure peace in the disputed area.

"From now on, I will ask the Asean chairman or representative to join every meeting between Cambodia and Thailand," Hor Namhong said. "Even at the meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Committee, there must be a representative from Asean, because we have negotiated a lot with Thailand - from 2008 to 2010 - it was useless.

"The negotiations reach an agreement, but they don't implement it, making the excuse that it has not been passed by their Parliament," he said.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the boundary at Preah Vihear for a long time. The current spate of violence erupted in 2008 when Phnom Penh managed to get the Hindu temple listed as a World Heritage Site despite Thailand's disagreement.

Cambodia has, since then, tried to raise the conflict at international forums, including the UN and Asean, seeking help from the organisations to ensure peace in the area.

The issue reached the UN and Asean after a heavy border skirmish from February 4-7, which killed at least 10 people, including three civilians on both sides. Both sides accused each other of starting the fire and invading the territory of the other.

"If Thailand accuses Cambodia of invasion and firing first, it should not reject observers to ensure a permanent ceasefire," Hor Namhong said.

The fighting has continued off and on. Another clash took place in the early hours of yesterday as troops from both sides exchanged small arms fire at Phu Ma Khua hill, a few kilometres west of Preah Vihear. There was no report of any casualties.

Cambodian troops failed at several attempts to break through the Thai front line at the area because of strong resistance, Army spokesman Sansern Kaeowkamnerd said.

Hor Namhong accused Thailand of aggression, saying that "despite the UNSC issuing a statement calling for a permanent ceasefire, Thailand still violated it and opened fire into Cambodian territory".

On Tuesday night, "they still shot ... It was strong, they fired mortars and threw many grenades into our land, and almost every night since before the meeting of the UNSC, they have opened fire and thrown grenades into our land," he said.

Meanwhile Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is trying to engage in negotiations with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh to forge a permanent ceasefire as suggested by the UN, Chavanond said.

Clashes along Thai-Cambodian border resume [-Bangkok propaganda?]

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:44 PM PST

BANGKOK (BNO NEWS) -- New skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia were reported on Wednesday after the United Nations Security Council proposed a permanent ceasefire on Monday.

Cambodian soldiers attacked a Thai outpost at Phu Ma Khua in the disputed border area several times overnight, but were repulsed, the Bangkok Post reported.

Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the Cambodian troops threw hand grenades at the Thai position and tried to break through the fence around the post, but were repelled by Thai soldiers throwing hand grenades.

Cambodian forces renewed the attack hours later, this time directing machinegun fire, mortar rounds and rocket-propelled grenades at the Thai position. The Thai troops returned fire and pinned down the attackers, the spokesman said.

 Sporadic exchanges of fire continued until 5 am on Wednesday.


Cambodia and Thailand accused each other of violating the permanent ceasefire proposed by the United Nations Security Council on Monday.

The Thai army spokesman said the attacks showed Cambodian forces were paying no attention to the United Nations Security Council's call for a permanent ceasefire.

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Thai forces fired grenades and 81mm mortars into the Phnom Trop area close to Preah Vihear between 9:00pm on Tuesday and 5:00am yesterday.

"This violation of the ceasefire by Thai armed forces clearly shows that the real intention behind Thailand's insistence on resolving the matter bilaterally is to use its overwhelming superior military forces to take over Cambodian territory in the vicinity of the temple of Preah Vihear," read the statement, as cited by the Phnom Penh Post.

It added that Cambodian troops did not respond to the Thai "provocation."

Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the Preah Vihear temple, which dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border. The Hindu temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that same month.

Clashes between the two countries resumed earlier this month, prompting calls for calm and restraint by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

Cambodia turns to Asean

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:41 PM PST

Hor Namhong: Thailand ignored UN

Thailand sticks to line of opposing outsiders

17/02/2011
Thanida Tansubhapol and Agencies
Bangkok Post

Thailand has rebuffed a plan by Cambodia to ask the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to send observers to monitor the shaky ceasefire along the border.

The move comes less than a week before foreign ministers from the Asean member countries meet in Jakarta where they will discuss the border spat.

There has also been an upturn in fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops at Phu Makhua mountain in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province, which is part of the area under dispute.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters in Phnom Penh yesterday on his return from the United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday night that Cambodia would lodge a request for Asean observers at the Jakarta meeting.


The meeting on Tuesday will be chaired by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who also attended the UNSC meeting on Monday along with Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Hor Namhong said Thailand had ignored the Security Council's call on Monday for restraint and that it was necessary for Asean to step in to ensure peace on the border near the 11th- century Preah Vihear temple.

"We will ask Asean observers to come to the Preah Vihear area to make sure that a permanent ceasefire holds," he said. "Let's see whether the Thais accept or not."

Mr Kasit's secretary, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, dismissed Cambodia's call for Asean involvement. He said the plan would be shot down when it was put on the negotiating table.

"Mr Hor Namhong failed to convince the UNSC to send its observers to the [disputed] area," Mr Chavanond said.

"That's why he keeps trying to throw the matter to Asean to take it up.

Thailand was confident the regional grouping would not intervene in the dispute but would act as a facilitator in putting an end to the border conflict between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

Thailand and Cambodia disagree on how the border conflict should be resolved. Thailand insists on bilateral talks while Cambodia envisages a role for outside parties.

Thailand has proposed that the problem be thrashed out at the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission meeting next Sunday. But Cambodia appears noncommittal.

"If Cambodia rejects the bilateral channel, I can't see any other mechanisms to replace it," Mr Chavanond said.

The two countries accused each other at the Security Council meeting in New York on Monday of instigating the fighting on Feb 4 and several more clashes after that. They are expected to trade accusations again at the meeting of Asean foreign ministers.

The UN security body has called for a permanent ceasefire and rejected Cambodia's call for UN intervention and peacekeepers to be stationed at the disputed frontier.

Mr Kasit, who will lead the Thai delegation to the Indonesian capital, will brief Defence Minster Prawit Wongsuwon on the outcome of the Security Council meeting.

Gen Prawit and Cambodian Defence Minister Teah Banh will decide whether there will be a permanent ceasefire in line with the call by the Security Council, Mr Chavanond said.

The UN has ordered its six staff to leave the Cambodian province of Koh Kong opposite Trat province because of the border skirmishes.

UN security officials told staff by email that travel to Koh Kong town was restricted "until further notice".

The UN email said up to 70% of the town's population had left because of the border tensions.

The UN has also evacuated staff from areas near Preah Vihear temple.

Bangkok Post Today Analysis [-Re. PAD Thai noodle]

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:35 PM PST

17/02/2011
Bangkok Post

Having lost its political appeal, the People's Alliance for Democracy may soon have to call off its anti-government rally in Bangkok.

Since it launched the protest late last month, the PAD has been facing strong pressure from the Abhisit government, while the public at large views its nationalistic campaign against Cambodia as counter-productive.

PAD members charged with terrorism in connection with the seizure of Bangkok's airports in 2008, were also summoned by the Royal Thai Police Office which had earlier been reluctant to take strong action against them. The latest police action has sent a strong signal to the PAD that it will no longer be treated leniently. The enforcement of the Internal Security Act has also made it difficult for the PAD to take disruptive action against the government.


Many of the anti-Thaksin groups which were once its allies have refused to take part in the PAD rally. Allegations that some PAD leaders have a score to settle with leading members of the ruling Democrat Party have also hurt the PAD's image.

More importantly, the PAD has suffered from rumours that its anti-government protest is designed to create a situation for the army to stage a coup. Obviously, these damaging allegations have adversely affected the PAD, as many of its supporters have chosen to stay away this time. Now that they can no longer sustain the protest, the PAD leaders should consider a graceful exit.

Thailand and Cambodia Resume Clashes

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:32 PM PST

Feb 16, 2011
By Andrey Volkov
Epoch Times Staff

The Cambodian military resumed attacks on Thai troops Tuesday, at the disputed border following the launch of mutual clashes early this month. Both sides have blamed the other for launching the attacks over the disputed border near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear Temple, which belongs to Cambodia.

Thai military officials said that Cambodian forces started the attack by throwing hand grenades across the border, resulting in minor impact, according to the BBC. The fighting has left at least 11 dead, including 3 Thais and 8 Cambodians. Close to 100 were wounded by heavy weapons.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council called on the two countries to"display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation."

The U.N. has left resolving the dispute to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Foreign ministers will discuss the issue at a meeting later this month.

Demonstration in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, against the Thai army's aggression

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:26 PM PST


Manifestat​ion à Ottawa au Canada contre l'agressio​n de l'armée thaïlandai​se

Chers (ères) compatriotes,

Suite aux récentes agressions de l'armée thaïlandaise dans la région aux environs de Preah Vihear, nous, la communauté cambodgienne du Canada, fera une manifestation pacifique devant la Colline du Parlement Canadienne et devant l'Ambassade de la Thaïlande à Ottawa, au Canada.

Date: vendredi le 18 février 2011
Point de rencontre: Colline du Parlement à 11h

Pour les gens de Montréal, rencontre au Centre d'achat PLACE VERTU, en face de ZELLER, à 8:30 am. Transport par Autobus gratuite.
-------

Following the recent aggressions by Thai army, we, Cambodian community across Canada, will demonstrate in the front of Parliament Hill and Thai Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.

When: Friday, February 18th, 2011
Where: Parliament Hill at 11AM (Meeting Point)

For people in Montreal, please meet at Shopping Center PLACE VERTU , in front of ZELLER, at 8:30am. Free shuttle bus.

Pour toutes informations, veuillez contacter / For further informations, please contact :


BUNKORN YUN : 514-825-8180
LYAUN HAY : 514-983-9838
PONG MUY LEN : 514-256-1837
SUN SINTHO : 514-376-3741
SOPHORN CHEA : 514-898-4737
SUY SAROUN : 514-374-4092
SAMNANG OUM ; 514-995-3619
SEANG HO KIN : 514-909-9090

Month of LOVE

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:32 AM PST

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

- Lao Tzu

My Rights, My Responsibility (ICCPR) Series

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:27 AM 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 IV
Article 36

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide the necessary staff and facilities for the effective performance of the functions of the [Human Rights] Committee under the present Covenant.

Month of LOVE

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:24 AM PST

The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost.

- G.K. Chesterton

My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:22 AM PST

Constitution of Cambodia (Sept. 1993)

CHAPTER V: ECONOMY
Article 61

The State shall promote economic development in all sectors and remote areas, especially in agriculture, handicrafts, industry, with attention to policies of water, electricity, roads and means of transport, modern technology and a system of credit.

Month of LOVE

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:17 AM PST

Love is my religion - I could die for it.

- John Keats

Month of LOVE

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 09:17 AM PST

Love is my religion - I could die for it.

- John Keats

 

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