Biofuel plant closed over pollution scare

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
Lam Young Try, 65, dries fish that died in the Tonle Sap at Prek Phnov for sale in the market Monday. The fish are believed to have died from chemical poisoning from a nearby factory.

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 01 September 2009
Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Nguon Sovan

Officials at MH Bio-Energy deny that a broken water treatment system was the cause of a mass die-off of fish; villagers say livelihoods are under threat

THE Ministry of Industry issued a letter Monday ordering a South Korean ethanol plant in Kandal province's Duong village to suspend operations following complaints by local villagers that toxic waste discharged from the facility was polluting the environment and killing tens of thousands of fish in nearby waterways.

Ith Praing, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, signed the letter forcing the temporary closure of MH Bio-Energy Group pending further investigation.

"The plant will be temporarily closed and production halted because it is producing bad-smelling liquid and gas waste that has caused harm to the health of local residents and has affected the natural environment," the letter stated.

The ministry was prepared to allow the plant to resume operations once an investigation proved the facility posed no threat to villagers or the environment, the letter added, but threatened permanent closure if the government determined that MH Bio-Energy had indeed contaminated the surrounding area.

Chao Bun Thong, chief of Duong village, said the suspension followed complaints by 29 families that the plant was leaking toxic fluids into Lake Samrong, killing tens of thousands of fish that villagers rely on for their livelihoods.

"Tonnes of fish have died since Saturday due to waste fluids from the plant," Chao Bun Thong said.

Seng Thim, head of the Bassac fisheries office in the province, confirmed Monday that fish totalling about 32 tonnes have died.

"Our initial conclusion is that the fish died from toxic pollutants in the lake that likely derive from the plant," Seng Thim said.

"When we evacuated the remaining fish from the lake, they did not die," he said.

"Now we are collecting water samples to test for contaminants," Seng Thim said.

Lam Yiang Try, 65, a fish farmer in Duong village, said he lost half his stock of fish.

"About 500 kilograms of my fish have been lost since Saturday. I have lost about US$2,000 in earnings," he said.

Lee Dong Jun, director of the MH Bio-Energy plant, declined to comment Monday.

But Sar Peov, head of the company's administration office, said that a malfunction in the plant's water treatment system had produced a discharge of untreated liquid waste.

Unlikely cause
"One of our water treatment systems broke down on Sunday, and untreated water escaped," he said.

Sar Peov added that the biofuel plant normally discharges only treated water into the Tonle Sap river, never untreated water.

"We are repairing the system and hope that it will be operational within a week," he said.

Despite acknowledging the leak, Sar Peov dismissed the possibility that wastewater from the plant had any harmful effect on fish.

"It is too early to conclude that the fish died because of wastewater from the plant," Sar Peov said.
"We will wait to see the results of the ministry's water tests in order to determine how they died," he added.

MH Bio-Energy said in June that it had completed Cambodia's first export of ethanol and characterised it as a major step forward for local biofuel production.

The company, founded in 2007 with a $30 million Korean investment, uses cassava and tapioca to produce ethanol for export, primarily to markets in Europe.

Ros Sopharith, a senior manager with the company, told the Post in June that MH Bio-Energy would also seek local distribution rights.

"I am prepared to ask government permission to sell ethanol locally because it can protect our environment," he said at the time.

"In the near future, we plan to double production capacity to meet global market demand," he added.

Previous problems
But complaints of pollution dogged the company in the months after its opening, when residents and district and village officials said leakage from a poorly designed waste pond of the company was responsible for poisoning and killing tonnes of fish in Lake Samrong.

Company officials at the time dismissed the complaints and suggested that residents with duck businesses might be to blame for releasing animal waste into the lake

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Kong Yu families refuse to sign away Ratanakkiri land

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 01 September 2009
Cheang Sokha

Long-simmering dispute pits villagers against sister of finance minister

MORE than 50 Jarai ethnic minority families have rejected an offer to resolve a long-simmering land dispute pitting residents of Kong Yu, a village in Ratanakkiri's O'Yadav district, against Keat Kolney, the sister of Finance Minister Keat Chhon.

The 53 families opted not to thumbprint an agreement that would have given them US$450 each in exchange for dropping the dispute, said Roman Fil, a representative of the villagers.

Keat Kolney has claimed that she purchased 450 hectares of land from the Kong Yu villagers in August 2004 for a rubber plantation, but lawyers from the Community Legal Education Centre (CLEC) filed a criminal complaint on behalf of the villagers in January 2007, saying Keat Kolney had tricked them into thumbprinting transfer documents.

In June 2008, Keat Kolney's lawyers filed a counter-complaint accusing CLEC of incitement and the villagers of illegally occupying the land.

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We have urged the court many times to take the case to trial.
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Ratanakkiri provincial court prosecutor Mey Sokhan announced in April that he had decided to dismiss the complaints.

Lawyers involved in the case said at the time that they remained in the dark regarding the reasons for the dismissals.

Villagers have staged several protests after they grew suspicious that Keat Kolney had conspired with local authorities to cheat them out of the land.

Sourng Sophea, the CLEC lawyer who assisted them with the January 2007 complaint, said the villagers had been under constant pressure from local authorities to stop protesting and to refrain from filing future complaints.

He said they were still hoping that the case would be heard in court.

"We have urged the court many times to take the case to trial, but they have kept their silence," Sourng Sophea said.

"Ethnic minority villagers are still agitating to keep the land from becoming a rubber plantation."
Ratanakkiri provincial court Judge Thor Saron, who has been handling the case, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Chhe Vibol, Keat Kolney's lawyer, contradicted Roman Fil on Sunday, saying there had been an agreement between his client and the villagers to turn over the land as long as it was used for the construction of a school building and health centre that the villagers could use.

"Now we're just waiting for those villagers to fill out the documents," he said.

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Thais provide photos of missing loggers

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 01 September 2009
Thet Sambath

Cambodian officials say they are distributing the images among relatives for identification

Photographs of 12 Cambodians arrested in Thailand on suspicion of illegal logging have been sent to the Cambodian authorities in a bid to confirm their identities.

The men, who have been missing for several weeks, disappeared during a series of crackdowns on unlicensed logging activity across the Cambodia-Thailand border last month.

It was originally feared that they had been shot dead by Thai troops who fired on the group in what the military described as self-defence. The bodies of two of their fellows were discovered last week.

Speaking to the Post on Monday, Trapaing Prasat district police chief Keo Tann said the identities of most of the men had now been confirmed. "I received 12 photos of the arrested Cambodians, and I have been showing them to their relatives who have been looking for them," he said.

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I am inviting everyone whose relatives have disappeared to check these photos
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"I am inviting everyone whose relatives have disappeared to check these photos to confirm whether they are the ones they are looking for. A number of them have been recognised by villagers." Four of the 12 men have now been accounted for, he said.

Chhoun Ra, 41, had heard nothing of her 20-year-old son Pol Ben - alias Poy - since August 17, when the Thai authorities arrested a number of Cambodian loggers in Si Sa Ket province. With no way of contacting him, she feared the worst. His photograph, however, was among those handed over.

"I saw my son's photo at the police station," she told the Post. "I am so happy to know he is alive and well in a Thai prison. I have feared for his life since he disappeared more than two weeks ago, but now I know he is fine." Almost all of the missing men appeared in the photos, she said.

Confusion over the men's true identities arose because many gave false names when they were arrested, making it almost impossible to trace them, Keo Tann explained. "Sometimes the men change their names when they have to report to the Thai authorities, so these photos are a clear way of knowing their identity," he said.

In the wake of the disappearances, relatives combed the area and found many of their loved ones' belongings, fuelling speculation that the missing men had been killed. Sos Lonh, whose son was among their number, said: "I did not see any bodies, but I saw many belonging scattered throughout the forest. It is a pitiful place to see because many things have been destroyed by Thai bullets."

Vann Kosal, governor of Oddar Meanchey province, said on Monday that the border authorities were working to prevent more Cambodians from entering Thailand illegally. "Our officials and military are standing at the border to prevent Cambodians from going into Thailand illegally,"he said. "This is for their safety."

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said Monday that the men were still being held for questioning in Thailand and that the government was working closely with Thai officials to ensure they are given a fair trial.

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Chea Ratha acquitted of charges in acid attack

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
Chea Ratha was acquitted Monday of charges stemming from an acid attack.

Easy access to acid fuels attacks: group

Regulating the sale of acid in Cambodia is the only way to prevent further attacks, the Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity (CASC) said on Monday. Speaking to the Post, CASC programme manager Sophea Chhun said the low cost and widespread availability of acid must be addressed. “There are no proper regulations. Anyone can buy it, and the bottles do not warn that the contents are dangerous. The government should limit the sale of acid to industries, such as rubber production, that rely on it, and ensure people are educated about its dangers.” Of the survivors registered with CASC, 18 percent were burned in accidents; 16 percent were the victims of jealous partners and 9 percent were attacked for having extramarital affairs. A further 4 percent were attacked after family arguments, 2 percent in business disputes and 2 percent during robberies or land disputes. The remainder did not know why they had been targeted. “In addition to dealing with their physical injuries, which can be extensive, survivors also have to face the stigma,” Sophea Chhun said. “People tend to blame the victims, even if what happened to them was an accident. Onlookers will point at them and laugh, saying they deserved it.” The government could not be reached for comment on Monday.

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 01 September 2009
Meas Sokchea

A FORMER high-ranking military police official was acquitted in absentia on Monday of charges stemming from an acid attack near Tuol Tumpong market that left a Phnom Penh woman scarred for life.

Chea Ratha, former deputy chief of staff of the National Military Police, was tried in connection with the May 2008 incident. The victim was the aunt of In Soklyda, a prominent beauty pageant contestant who had a love affair with Chea Ratha, who had previously admitted to the affair but denied any involvement in the attack.

The verdict, delivered by Judge Din Sivuthy at Phnom Penh Municipal Court, cleared the 43-year-old Chea Ratha and her co-defendants - Ea Puthea, Meas Mao, Siek Chandy, Chan Dara, San Nuth and Siek Sophal - of all charges. Only two of the accused, Ea Puthea and Siek Sophal, were present to hear the verdict. Chea Ratha is currently abroad but will return to Cambodia soon, her lawyer said.

Speaking outside the court, the victim - Ya Soknim, 35 - condemned the court's decision and made a fresh call for justice. Visibly distressed, she said her family was living in fear and issued a plea to Prime Minister Hun Sen to intervene. "There is no justice in this world," she said. "I fear for my family's safety and need [an NGO] to give us shelter."

Ya Soknim's lawyer, Ouch Sophal, said he regretted the verdict and described it as an injustice. "If there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction, why were they arrested?" he said to reporters.

The judge said anyone disagreeing with the verdict had one month to file a complaint to the Court of Appeal. Asked whether his client would appeal, Ouch Sophal said he did not yet know. In May 2008, the government rescinded Chea Ratha's passport and removed her from all official positions pending her arrest.

Speaking outside the court on Monday, Chea Ratha's lawyer, Keo Ya, urged the government to reinstate her.

"My client's position [with the National Military Police] was terminated when she was accused," he told reporters.

"I would like to request that the government restore her to her previous position."

Am Sam Ath, head of an investigative team with the rights group Licadho, said the courts had a duty to reinvestigate the case.

"If [the court] has exonerated the defendants, the authorities should re-investigate the case and arrest the real offenders," he said.

"If the courts fail to do so, it is a clear case of impunity because the attackers have been allowed to go free."

The daylight attack took place on May 8, 2008, near Tuol Tumpong market.

Ya Soknim was allegedly grabbed by two men who held her down and poured acid over her head and chest.

She suffered extensive burns as a result, losing one ear, one breast and most of her vision.

Shortly after the attack, Interpol joined the hunt for Chea Ratha, who was known to have been having a sexual relationship with the victim's niece.

The international police agency issued a "red notice" for her arrest, allowing foreign countries that have extradition agreements with Cambodia to arrest her and send her back to Phnom Penh.

Chea Ratha was never arrested, however, and is believed to have remained abroad since fleeing Cambodia after the attack took place.

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Duch craved acceptance

Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON
Toul Sleng survivor Chum Mey, 78, reads a profile of former S-21 prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, during a visit Monday to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Civil parties visited the museum after announcing a boycott of trial proceedings.

Civil party group to boycott Duch trial proceedings
TWENTY-eight civil parties announced Monday that they would stop attending the trial of Tuol Sleng prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, in response to Thursday’s announcement by the Trial Chamber that civil party lawyers would not be allowed to ask questions during the phase of testimony addressing the character of the accused. During a press conference Monday morning, civil party Chum Sirath said the group would not attend the proceedings until the Trial Chamber reconsidered its decision. On Monday the group visited Tuol Sleng and the Choeung Ek killing fields to pay respect to victims. Tuol Sleng survivor and civil party Chum Mey said during the visit that he strongly disagreed with the Trial Chamber’s decision. “We used to believe that the court would find justice for us, but now it looks like it will not,” he said. Court spokesman Reach Sambath said the court had “given more rights to the civil parties than other courts in the world” and had tried to make the trial fair. A statement distributed by the civil parties Monday said the court’s treatment of the accused and the victims had been “unbalanced”. CHEANG SOKHA

Khmer Rouge trial civil party members cry at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum in Phnom Penh on Monday. AFP

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 01 September 2009
Robbie Corey Boulet

Psychologist says a desire for praise drove S-21's chief

THE man who ran Tuol Sleng is a largely unfeeling perfectionist who has often displayed "an absence of guilt" for the deaths of some 16,000 prisoners at the torture facility, two expert witnesses told the Khmer Rouge tribunal Monday.

Nevertheless, Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, has recently adopted a "more personal view" of the Khmer Rouge years, speaking of them as less of an observer and more as a participant who regrets his actions, said Francoise Sironi-Guilbaud, a psychologist and lecturer who has written about torturers and their motives.

She and her colleague, Kar Sunbaunat, director of the Health Ministry's Natural Programme of Mental Health, told the court there was a chance Duch could be successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

The two experts questioned Duch for nearly 40 hours in February and March 2008, and again during three sessions last week. They said Monday that they had concluded from the sessions that Duch did not suffer from a mental disorder.

Rather, they said, Duch's desire for praise and a sense of belonging fed his singular focus on performing well and pleasing his superiors.

"Duch's life history is, therefore ,determined by his need for an ideal," Sironi-Guilbaud said, adding later that Duch had often been driven by only "one single thought" at any given time.

His dispassionate nature predates his membership in the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), she said, noting that he had been attracted to stoicism as a student, a doctrine that she said "claims indifference in the face of anything that can have an effect on emotions".

But he said it served him well during his time at Tuol Sleng. Sironi-Guilbaud quoted him as having said during one of their sessions: "I could not at the same time be a revolutionary and have feelings."

A series of disappointments
The two experts said Duch's mental state had been influenced by romantic, ideological and other disappointments that dogged him in his younger years.

Duch told the court last week about a failed attempt to persuade the girl he was in love with to become a maths teacher like him. On Monday, Sironi-Guilbaud also cited the arrest of his friends under the Lon Nol regime, as well as the theft of his bicycle, which she said prevented him from going to school.

"Disappointment is something that is very much present in Duch's life," said Sironi-Guilbaud. She said these letdowns had "dehumanised" him and had likely helped turn him into a man capable of running Tuol Sleng.

"The torturer has always first been dehumanised himself before," she said. "This, of course, is not an excuse."

Another factor contributing to this "dehumanisation" was the fact that he went by several names during his childhood, she said.

This process, she said, was "tantamount to having several successive parallel identities" and "could at the unconscious level be considered as an imposition of identity by somebody else".

The two experts said the same longing for group affiliation that prompted Duch to join the CPK might have inspired his 1996 conversion to Christianity.

Referring to the conversion, Sironi-Guilbaud said God and Jesus represented "new masters whom he will serve with the same amount of zeal as his previous masters".

She said Duch told her he became a Christian in part because it was "the religion of the strongest" that had "defeated communism in Poland and elsewhere".

"I first believed that communism could save my country, but now I know that it is God," she quoted him as saying.

Sironi-Guilbaud said Duch had been "using religion as a therapy", adding that the concept of "new birth" associated with Christian baptism likely appealed to him.

"We discussed this a lot, the issue of a pardon," she said, adding later, "Maybe that was an element that was important for him in his thought process."

Interim co-prosecutor
Also Monday, the tribunal announced that deputy international co-prosecutor William Smith would assume the role of acting international co-prosecutor, effective today.

He will temporarily replace Robert Petit, who announced his resignation in June.

The UN has forwarded two nominees for international co-prosecutor to the Cambodian government. The replacement must be approved by the Supreme Council of the Magistracy.

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Sex tourism charges await three men returned to U.S. from Cambodia

Boarding a plane to a foreign land is no protection,' said John Morton, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

by Amy Taxin, The Associated Press
Tuesday September 01, 2009

Three men expelled from Cambodia are facing charges in the U.S. as part of a crackdown on Americans who travel overseas to have sex with children, authorities said Monday.

The three previously convicted sex offenders were the first to be charged under "Operation Twisted Traveler," an initiative targeting problems in Cambodia, which authorities described as ground zero for the crimes.

"Let their arrests serve as notice to any other person who might be tempted to evade justice by victimizing children outside of this country," said John Morton, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Boarding a plane to a foreign land is no protection."

Ronald Boyajian, Erik Peeters and Jack Sporich were expected to arrive in Los Angeles later Monday escorted by U.S. authorities after being arrested in February by Cambodian police.

The three suspects were named in separate criminal complaints filed in April and May related to child sexual exploitation. They are expected to appear in court Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether the men have lawyers in the U.S.

ICE has stationed an agent in Cambodia full-time for at least a year to focus in large part on such cases.

Boyajian, 49, of Menlo Park, is accused of traveling to Cambodia in September 2008 and paying a 10-year-old Vietnamese girl to perform sex acts.

Peeters, 41, of Norwalk, engaged in sex acts with at least three Cambodian boys, authorities said. He gave their parents money and rice, and paid two of the boys between $5 and $10, the criminal complaint said.

Sporich, 75, of Sedona, Ariz., sexually abused at least one Cambodian boy, authorities said. Witnesses claim Sporich drove his motor bike through the streets of Siem Riep, dropping Cambodian currency to attract children.

Several boys stayed at the home, which had a swimming pool, water slide, video games, toys and clothing, authorities said.

All three men were charged under the Protect Act, which became law in 2003 and made it easier for U.S. authorities to prosecute people for overseas sex crimes. ICE has made more than 70 arrests under the act in countries including Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines, officials said.

Authorities wanted to bring the men back to the U.S. because they could face sentences of up to 30 years for each alleged victim, if convicted, said U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien.

"We believe that the sentences that they're going to be facing, should they be convicted in U.S. custody, are going to be severely stronger sentences," he said.

Jeffrey Blom, vice president of investigations for the rights group International Justice Mission, said he would rather see accused sex offenders face charges in this country, where the justice system is tougher.

Federal authorities in California have tried to crack down on U.S. citizens seeking sex overseas. Retired Marine captain Michael Joseph Pepe awaits sentencing for having sex with preteen girls while working as a teacher in Cambodia.

Some of the girls testified at his trial that Pepe drugged, bound, beat and raped them.
___

Associated Press Writer Greg Risling contributed to this report

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Cambodia's former King Norodom Sihanouk prefers to be cremated

By Rasmei Kampuchea

Phnom Penh: The former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, told his people if he dies he prefers to having his body cremated. During the meeting with Bun Rany Hun Sen, wife of Prime minister Hun Sen and president of Cambodian Red Cross, which took place on August 29, he said the stupa was built already for him in the royal palace.

The former King, who is 86 years old, explained that for Christine people, their body will be buried, but for him, his body shall be cremated through the Khmer tradition.

"My wife (former Queen Monineath) also agrees that her body should also be cremated when she dies," said Sihanouk.

He said his cancers have been treated by Chinese doctors, but he was recommended to have medical checkups and treatments every 7 months.

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Khmer Rouge Tribunal Appoints Acting International Co-Prosecutor

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

An acting international co-prosecutor was appointed by the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT) on August 29, replacing Robert Petit who resigned and returned to Canada, according to a KRT statement on Monday.

The new acting international co-prosecutor is William Smith, an Australian.

The statement said that on August 29, “the Supreme Court Council of Magistracy of Cambodia, upon the nomination of the Secretary-General of the UN, appointed, as an interim measure, William Smith (Australia) as the Acting International Co-Pros- ecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia [ECCC].”

“His appointment shall be effective September 1, 2009 and this appointment has been made pending the decision on the permanent replacement for the current International Co-Prosecutor, Robert Petit, whose resignation takes effect on the same date,” the statement added. Two nominations for a permanent replacement have been forwarded by the secretary-general to the Cambodian Government for a decision by the Supreme Magistracy Council.

The statement summaries Smith’s background as having been the internal deputy co-prosecutor for the ECCC for the last 3 years. Between 1995 and 2006, Smith also worked as a trial attorney, legal officer and analyst at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) at The Hague. Prior to that, Mr. Smith practiced criminal law in South Australia as a defense barrister and solicitor, as well as a prosecutor for the South Australian Police Department. Smith was educated at the University of Adelaide where he received a degree in law and arts. He also obtained a master in international law from Leiden University in the Netherlands.

ECCC Chief of Public Affairs Reach Sambath on Monday told DAP News Cambodia that Smith is very qualified for a post of the acting international co-prosecutor.

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Cambodia Third Role Trading Market: Vietnam

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

Cambodia has an extremely important role to play in Vietnamese trade, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia said on Sunday.

Ngo Anh Dung said on the Cambodia Television Network (CTN) talk show that “Cambodia is the third role of trading market of Vietnam and are cooperating with other biggest companies in the world.”

“We have over 100 companies are investing and more than US$700 million in Cambodia, but uncounted the big companies as well,” he stressed.

Ngo Anh Dung said that some are involved in big projects such as a fertilizer factory, rice cultivation and export, agricultural improvement and the Se San II hydropower project in Stung Treng province.

Vietnam has also cooperated with Cambodia closely on rubber growing, he added. Cambodia-Vietnam are closely linked so it is easy to transport by ships or trucks through Mekong River and by National Highway, “so we have some plans to cooperate with Cambodia to invest in mine research, communication, and develop all sectors.”

“Recently, Cambodia-Vietnam closely to on the tourist sector with Angkor Airlines, so it can say that all business, Vietnam and Cambodia, are in good communication and terms for sustainable trading,” said Ngo Anh Dung. “Cambodia’s tourist sector will be better than before, because both countries cooperate together.”

A railway from Preah Sihanouk province to Ho Chi Minh City, linking ASEAN with China will also boost links, he added, as will a reciprocal visa waiver for citizens of both countries.

“In 2009, Cambodian tourists increased about 88 percent to visit in Vietnam,” he stressed.

If we compared in 2008 to 2009 all increasing investment amount US$1.6 billion between Cambodia and Vietnam.

“Cambodian, Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries gave the agro landing of 50,000 ha to 8 companies to plant the rubbers, now we have 20,000 rubber trees since 2007-2009,” Mony added.
He continued that “We have a plan to plant them [rubbers] more about 20 thousand ha in 2010 and in 2015; we have 10,000 ha.”

Sam Rainsy Party Kampong Cham Parliamentarian Mao Mony Van of said that “Cambodian government had rent in contract till 90 years, so it maybe loses Cambodian lands of ha; we are worry about this consideration.”

“Cambodia has many agricultural investors, why not give a chance them to hold this task, however, give the chance to Vietnam, it Cambodian investors responded on this, it is good,” Van added.

Vietnamese Ambassador said that “Vietnam had four various projects included first, Cambodia-Vietnam are neighbors, second, both countries are friendly, third, we all cooperated sectors together, and the fourth, we are long live in business.”

We have over 1,200 kms linked with and Vietnam has 10 provinces for Cambodia also has 9 provinces are closely borders between communication of us, ANH stressed.

Cambodian Ambassador in Vietnam and Commercial officer Yiv Kimhan said that “Cambodia is a potential country of marketing trade, and all Cambodian people will consider on Vietnam instead of Thailand goods importing.”

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NGOs Appreciate Withdrawal of Chea Mony Suit

Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

A legal complainst against Chea Mony, brother of slain Chea Vichea, has been withdrawn with welcomes from NOG representatives

A legal complaint against Chea Mony, head of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), has been withdrawn much to the relief of NGOs and factory workers. Those who praised Hun Sen’s move called it a good lead to pave the way to a lawful and democratic kingdom. The move could also help improve Cambodia’s international image, which has recently been tarnished by controversial lawsuits against critics of the Government.

A complaint about Chea Mony was filed after a speech on August 17 at the Appeal Court where he criticized Government officials over his brother, Chea Vichea’s assassination in January 2004. Chea Vichea’s had been a vocal FTUWKC member and vociferous critic of the Cambodian Government.

“The Premier supposed that [Chea Mony] always says bad thing because he lost a close relative, therefore, the premier asked the Government’s lawyer to withdraw the complaint,” said Khieu Kahanarith, Government spokesman and Information Minister.

Asked if the Government should withdraw the complaints in other cases like Hang Chakra, Khmer Machas Srok editor, Khieu Kahnarith told DAP News Cambodia on Monday that “It is a personal story of Hang Chakra himself.” He declined to comment further on Hang Chakra’s case, referring questions to Deputy Cambodian Prime Minister Sok An, the man who filed the original compliant against Hang Chakra.

Chea Mony showed his appreciation Hun Sen’s dropping of the lawsuit against him. He said he still has concerns over the Government’s investigation of the his brother’s death. He also raised queries over the independence of the Cambodia legal system.

“The premier’s policy is very good, but some of his officials are very bad who always give wrong and bad reports and misinformation to him,” he claimed. “If all officials followed the premier’s policy, our country would gain support from the international community.”

Koul Pahna, COMFREL director, on Monday said that when Chea Mony’s angry remarks should be seen as a serious offense.

“Withdrawal the filed complaint … is a very good … but the government should check and investigate other stories like Hang Chakra’s case,” said Koul Pahna. “The Government thinks that it is not good as many stories took place related to this case.”

Koul Pahna claimed that the premier’s actions could be a lesson for fellow Government officials to follow.

Chear Vannath, a Cambodian analyst, also appreciated the premier’s ruling to withdraw the filing complaint from Chea Mony. “We applaud it—it is a good decision as the Cambodian defamation law has to be implemented.”

“While we do not have good mechanism, we cannot reduce the filed complaints related to defamation,” she added.

However, NGOs called on the Government release Hang Chakra and reverse the decisions in other high profile cases.

“Filing complaint is not benefits, it affects both government and NGOs,” Ou Virak told DAP News Cambodia. “We should be together to build and develop the nation,” he claimed.

“It is a personal story and case that I cannot say as it is related to personal decision, if it the speeches affects them, they will react,” Khieu Kahnarith said of the other high profile cases of defamation.

The Human Rights Center in Cambodian issued a statement over the premier’s decision.

“The Cambodian Center for Human Right (CCHR) welcomes the decision by the Royal Government of Cambodia to refrain from taking legal action against Chea Mony, the president of the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC),” said the statement.

“This reversal is a positive sign for freedom of expression in Cambodia and represents tolerance and maturity on behalf of the RGC. The CCHR commends the RGC and Prime Minister Hun Sen and is hopeful that this decision reflects a new approach to freedom of expression and democratization in Cambodia,” the statement added.

The Cambodia Daily article headlined “Gov’t Seek Lawsuit Against Union Leader (August 31, 2009) quoted the Royal Government of Cambodia spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanhrith as stating that the RGC has dropped its plans to file a complaint against Chea Mony. This reversal follows a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen to call off the lawsuit. The union leader had said that RGC officials could have been involved in the assassination of his older brother and former FTUWC president Chea Vichea.

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Singapore Donates Third Scanner

Written by DAP NEWS

http://www.dap-news.com/

Tuesday, 01 September 2009

The Singaporean Government on Tuesday donated a third scanner to Cambodia’s Health Ministry in order to curb the spread of A/H1N1, commonly called swine flu.

“The Singaporean Government on Tuesday will donate an A/H1N1 scanner at Phnom Penh International Airport to curb and prevent the spreading of A/H1N1,” said Sok Touch, director of the Department of Disease and Communicable Control of the Health Ministry.

This is the third scanner that the Singaporean Government has provided to the Cambodian Health Ministry, Sok Touch told DAP News Cambodia on Monday.

According to the official, the number of A/H1N1 infections currently stands at 26 cases.

Cambodia began scanning passengers for fever at its two international airports on April 28, 2009 to stem the spread of swine flu. Staff at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports began screening passengers with thermal-imaging equipment then.

The onset of Cambodia’s cool season, rather optimistically termed a ‘winter’ by many locals, has prom- pted the Health Ministry to ramp up measures to prevent the spread of A/H1N1, a Health Ministry official told DAP News Cambodia on Friday. “It is to more strengthen and take measures in the upcoming season in all hospitals as many new kinds of flu could spread,” said Sok Touch.

Cambodia’s Health Ministry and the World Health Organization issued a statement on June 24, 2009 to document the kingdom’s first case.

The first infected person was a 16-year-old US citizen visiting Cambodia as part of a student group, arrived in Phnom Penh on June 19. She developed symptoms the following days.

The Cambodian Ministry of Health, in cooperation with World Health Organization (WHO), is striving to control the A/H1N1 situation, working to curb the spread of the virus and keeping the public well informed with updates.

Cambodia is the latest nation to be hit by A/H1N1 virus epidemic, after neighboring Thailand, Vietnam and Laos all confirmed cases.

The ministry again called on the public to practice good personal hygiene at all times to prevent the spread of Influenza A/H1N1.

Although the Influenza A/H1N1 epidemic wanes, many countries still remain alert as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a new wave of the deadly virus, according to Xinhua news agency.

WHO Director General Margaret Chan warned of second and third waves in previous epidemics, adding that “we need to be prepared for whatever surprises this capricious new virus delivers next,” Xihua reported.

While the seasonal flu disappears with warm weather, A/H1N1 is continuing to spread during the summer, which proves the new flu is more durable and infectious.

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The Challenge of Extracting Oil from Cambodia

http://www.pbs.org/

Monday, August 31, 2009

SUSIE GHARIB: China is the world's second largest oil consumer and until the recession hit, its appetite for fuel was driving economies around the globe, including Cambodia. As Rian Maelzer reports, the global slowdown has raised doubts about Cambodia's plans to tap recent finds of oil and gas.

RIAN MAELZER, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: strong demand from the U.S. and EU had been keeping Cambodia's sewing machines working at full tilt. But in the past year, garment exports to those markets have slumped, costing thousands of workers their jobs. Arjun Goswami of the Asian Development Bank says it's a huge blow for a country that still relies on foreign aid for close to half the government's budget.

ARJUN GOSWAMI, COUNTRY DIRECTOR, ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK: This is an open economy, it's a small economy and it's not very diversified, so there have been serious impacts.

MAELZER: With tourism also hit hard, Cambodia had hoped it would start to see revenues this year from the country's first ever oil and gas finds. The waters off Cambodia's coast are estimated to contain about two billion barrels of oil -- small by global standards, but significant for one of the world's least developed countries. Subbu Bettadapura of consultancy Frost and Sullivan warns that extracting Cambodia's reserves will be challenging.

SUBBU BETTADAPURA, ENERGY ANALYST, FROST AND SULLIVAN: They are not in a big reservoir where you can go in and tap them. They are in various pools, so there is a technical challenge for the oil companies to go in and try to monetize these reserves.

MAELZER: Chevron has been the most active company in exploring Cambodia's oil potential. Chevron isn't saying how much oil it thinks might be in its offshore block or when it might start commercial operations. A company spokesman said Chevron still has to hammer out legal and financial frameworks with the Cambodian government and those are serious shortcomings cited by multilateral agencies and aide donors working in what is one of the most corrupt countries in Asia. Eleanor Nichol of the watchdog group Global Witness has studied Cambodia's nascent energy and mineral sectors.

ELEANOR NICHOL, RESEARCHER, GLOBAL WITNESS: What you have is two sectors operating in what is effectively a regulatory vacuum with no public or parliamentary oversight. Also, what we've seen happen previously in the forestry sector is that money generated from logging and extraction of that resource never reached the state coffers and we want to try and avoid is a duplication of the same patterns occurring in the oil and mineral sectors.

MAELZER: Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh rejects those concerns.

CHAM PRASIDH, CAMBODIAN MINISTER OF COMMERCE: We are not going to use this money to pump corruption or to encourage corruption, but the money properly managed, properly monitored and properly spent in the right places.

MAELZER: Cambodia is still hoping the oil will start flowing by 2012. Analyst Bettadapura says the timing could end up being a blessing.

BETTADAPURA: If they wait for a little while longer until oil prices pick up, then they are going to get much higher returns and you need to consider the fact that the lifespan of this field is only 10 years.

MAELZER: The government estimates it should reap at least half a billion dollars a year from oil and gas, a huge boost to its revenues, which barely topped $1 billion last year. Rian Maelzer, Cambodia.

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