A Change of Guard

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Wednesday 31 October 2012

By Sam Rainsy in The New York Times: Obama Should Stay Away From Cambodia


Samrang Pring/Reuters, Riot police blocked the street outside Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Oct. 1, as protesters called for the release of jailed land-rights activist Mam Sonando. 

By SAM RAINSY
The New York Times and The International Herald Tribune
Published: October 30, 2012 
"Hun Sen responded to the recommendations from Mr. Subedi, a Nepalese professor of law, by telling him to go away and worry about his own country......If Hun Sen won’t engage with the international community and the Asean summit isn’t moved, President Obama, the leader of the world’s standard-bearer of democracy, should take Hun Sen at his word and stay away." - Sam Rainsy
As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Barack Obama is in danger of allowing his good offices to be used as part of an attempt to deny Cambodians the opportunity for self-determination that Americans take for granted. 
President Obama is due to visit Cambodia next month as the country holds the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2012. Ahead of Cambodian elections in July 2013, Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985, has been engaging in a familiar pattern of cracking down on the voices of opposition. He knows that it’s an easier and safer way to win elections than allowing democratic debate.
The summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that Mr. Obama plans to attend should be moved to another country in order to deny Hun Sen the legitimacy he is seeking to garner from the event.
Those with a record of opposition to Hun Sen are in dread of the period right after Mr. Obama’s scheduled visit.
The owner of the Cambodia’s Beehive radio station, Mam Sonando, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Oct. 1 on politically motivated charges that he had been part of a secessionist movement. The radio station had allowed airtime for such inconvenient issues as maternal mortality, human trafficking, labor rights, environmental protection and the need for an independent judiciary.
Hun Sen had publicly called for Mam Sonando’s arrest on June 26. He was held on July 15, two days after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton left the country after attending an Asean regional forum.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia, Surya P. Subedi, in July recommended reform [pdf] of the country’s electoral system. Among his 18 recommendations was the key demand for the reform of the National Election Committee to make it a neutral body. This has been rejected by the Cambodian government.

Opposition fundraising effort includes 'foreign friends'

PHNOM PENH, 31 October 2012 (Cambodia Herald) - The opposition National Rescue Party has embarked on a fund-raising campaign ahead of next year's national election.

"We appeal to Cambodian residents and foreign friends who wish to help the nation through the National Rescue Party to offer what they can afford," Human Rights Party president Kem Sokha (pictured) said Monday.

He said Cambodians in the United States and Canada had initiated the fund-raising drive.

The Human Rights Party recently formed the National Rescue Party with the Sam Rainsy Party.

Vietnamese families rent farmlands from Khmer villagers [A Kampuchea Krom history repeated] សកម្មភាព​នៃ​ការ​​ជួល​ដី​កសិកម្ម​របស់​ខ្មែរ​នៅ​តាម​ព្រំដែន​ទៅ​ឲ្យ​ជនជាតិ​វៀតណាម

ដោយ ដែន អយុធ្យា
2012-10-31 Radio Rree Asia


សកម្មភាព​ជួល​ដី​កសិកម្ម​របស់​ប្រជា​កសិករ​ខ្មែរ​រស់​នៅ​តាម​ព្រំដែន ​ទៅ​ឲ្យ​ជនជាតិ​វៀតណាម នៅ​តែ​កើត​មាន​ឡើង​​រាល់​ថ្ងៃ ដែល​បញ្ហា​នេះ ត្រូវ​អ្នក​វិភាគ​សង្គម និង​ពលរដ្ឋ​មួយ​ចំនួន ព្រួយ​បារម្ភ​ខ្លាច​នាំ​ឲ្យ​ពលរដ្ឋ​បាត់បង់​សិទ្ធិ​​​គ្រប់គ្រង​ទាំង​នោះ​ទៅ ​ប្រទេស​វៀតណាម នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​អនាគត។

RFA/Den Ayuthyea
២៩-តុលា-២០១២៖ ផ្ទះ​ជនជាតិ​វៀតណាម ដែល​មក​ជួល​ដី​កសិកម្ម​ពី​ពលរដ្ឋ​ខ្មែរ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ឃុំ​ឈើខ្មៅ ស្រុក​កោះធំ ខេត្ត​កណ្ដាល។ 29 October 2012: A Vietnamese family built a hut on land rented from Khmer farmers.
ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​រស់​នៅ​ឃុំ​ឈើខ្មៅ ស្រុក​កោះធំ ខេត្ត​កណ្ដាល លោក ឡេង ញ៉ បាន​ឲ្យ​ដឹង​ថា សព្វថ្ងៃ​នេះ​មាន​ជន​ជាតិ​វៀតណាម បាន​មក​ជួល​ដី​កសិកម្ម​ដើម្បី​​ដាំ​ដំណាំ និង​ស្នាក់​នៅ​ក្នុង​មូលដ្ឋាន​នេះ។ លោក​ថា សកម្មភាព​នេះ​បាន​កើត​មាន​ជាង ១០​ឆ្នាំ​មក​ហើយ ហើយ​មាន​ជនជាតិ​វៀតណាម ខ្លះ នៅ​ពេល​​ចប់​កុងត្រា​ជួល​ដី ពួកគេ​មិន​វិល​ទៅ​ប្រទេស​វៀតណាម​វិញ​ទេ ដោយ​សុខ​ចិត្ត​បន្ថែម​តម្លៃ​ជួល​ដី​ឲ្យ​ម្ចាស់​ដី ដើម្បី​បាន​រស់​នៅ​បន្ត​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា។ លោក​បារម្ភ​ខ្លាច​សកម្មភាព​នេះ​អាច​នាំ​ឲ្យ​កើត​មាន​បញ្ហា​សិទ្ធិ​កាន់​ កាប់ដី​ធ្លី​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​អនាគត បើ​អាជ្ញាធរ ឬ​ផ្នែក​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​មិន​មាន​វិធានការ ឬ​ក៏​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​បន្ត​ជួល​ដី​កសិកម្ម​ទៅ​ឲ្យ​ជន​ជាតិ​វៀតណាម ទៀត​នោះ។

Did Gen. Ke Kim Yan plan to defect to the National Rescue Party?

Courtesy of www.pangsokheoun.wordpress.com 

Is it true that Gen. Ke Kim Yan, one of the most powerful men in the ruling CPP who was sacked by Prime Minister Hun Sen as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, plan to defect to the newly-formed National Rescue Party?

The Human Rights Party accused authority in Koh Thom district of allowing 100-200 Vietnamese to vote in just one polling booth [An American writer said 40% of voters in Cambodia are Vietnamese migrants] បក្ស​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស​ប្ដឹង​អាជ្ញាធរ​ស្រុក​កោះធំ​ថា​ ឲ្យ​វៀតណាម​បោះឆ្នោត

The Human Rights Party accused authority in Koh Thom district, Kandal province, of allowing 100-200 Vietnamese to vote in just one polling booth. 

In an article published in The American Thinker on 28 October 2012, Michael Benge, an American writer, wrote that "researchers estimate that over 40% of Cambodia's voting population is comprised of Vietnamese migrants". He also wrote that Vietnam is slowly and methodically colonising Cambodia. 

"Like a toxic fungus spreading its roots throughout Cambodia, communist Vietnam is slowly and methodically colonizing and swallowing up its neighbor. Researchers estimate that over 40% of Cambodia's voting population is comprised of Vietnamese migrants who have been awarded citizenship and voting rights by Vietnam's puppet -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. As part of its colonization process, Vietnam has established chapters of the United Front for National Construction and Defense of Cambodia -- a cover for Vietnam's Fatherland Front -- in all 23 provinces of the country", he wrote. 

ដោយ ម៉ម មុនីរតន៍ 2012-10-30 Listen to the audio at Radio Free Asia.

ជន​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​វៀតណាម តែង​ត្រូវ​បាន​បក្ស​ប្រឆាំង និង​អង្គការ​សង្គមស៊ីវិល ដែល​ឃ្លាំ​មើល​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត​នៅ​កម្ពុជា អះអាង​ថា អាច​មាន​សិទ្ធិ​បោះឆ្នោត​នៅ​កម្ពុជា​បាន។

ដោយឡែក មន្ត្រី​គណបក្ស​សិទ្ធិមនុស្ស នៅ​ស្រុក​កោះធំ ខេត្ត​កណ្ដាល ជាប់​នឹង​ខេត្ត​អាន​យ៉ាង (An Giang) ប្រទេស​វៀតណាម ចោទ​ប្រកាន់​មេឃុំ​ឈើ​ខ្មៅ មក​ពី​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា ​ក្នុង​មូលដ្ឋាន​នេះ​ថា បាន​ផ្ដល់​សិទ្ធិ​ឲ្យ​ជន​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​វៀតណាម​មាន​សិទ្ធិ​បោះឆ្នោត​ក្រុម​ ប្រឹក្សា​ឃុំ​សង្កាត់ កាល​ពី​ពេល​កន្លង​ទៅ​ថ្មីៗ នេះ។
សកម្ម​ជន​គណបក្ស​សិទ្ធិមនុស្ស​ប្រចាំ​ស្រុក​កោះធំ ខេត្ត​កណ្ដាល បាន​ដាក់​បណ្ដឹង​ប្រឆាំង​មេឃុំ​ឈើ​ខ្មៅ ក្នុង​ស្រុក​មួយ​នេះ ដោយ​ចោទ​ប្រកាន់​ថា បាន​អនុញ្ញាត​ឲ្យ​ជន​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​វៀតណាម ប្រមាណ ១ រយ​នាក់ មាន​សិទ្ធិ​បោះឆ្នោត​ក្នុង​អាណត្តិ​នៃ​ក្រុម​ប្រឹក្សា​ឃុំ​សង្កាត់ ឆ្នាំ ២០១២ ដូច​ពលរដ្ឋ​កម្ពុជា។

Did Pol Pot plan to invade Vietnam?

Re: Danger on the Mekong [40% of voters in Cambodia are Vietnamese] 

Anonymous said...

To understand the situation and answer the question, one needs to ask: How could Pol Pot, an unarmed, untrained teacher from Battabang plan to invade Vietnam? Is he really responsible for the death of 2 million Khmer and responsible for invading Vietnam in 1970s?

1950

Pol Pot was forced to return to Cambodia in January 1953. He was the first member of the Cercle Marxiste to return to Cambodia. He was given the task of evaluating the various groups rebelling against the government. He recommended the Khmer Viet Minh, and in August 1954, Sar, along with Rath Samoeun, travelled to the Viet Minh Eastern Zone headquarters in the village of Krabao in the Kampong Cham (Hun Sen was said to be a Khmer Vietminh, also born in Kapong Cham, later joining the Khmer Rouge as a teen)

1954

Due to the 1954 Geneva peace accord, requiring all Viet Minh forces and insurgents be expelled, a group of Cambodians followed the Vietnamese back to Vietnam (as cadres Vietnam would use in a future war to liberate Cambodia). The rest, including Sar, returned to Cambodia.

1962

He fled to the Vietnamese border region and made contact with Vietnamese units fighting against South Vietnam.

1964

Did Princess Soma poke Khieu Kanharith's wounds because he is screaming like someone is cutting his throat? សង្ស័យ ម្ចាស់​ក្សត្រិយ៍ នរោត្ដម សោម៉ា ចាប់ចំបូស បានជា ខៀវ កាញារីទ្ធ ស្រែក ឡូឡាយ៉ាងនេះ

លោក ខៀវ កាញារីទ្ធ ប្រតិកម្ម​លើ​អត្ថបទ​រិះគន់​របស់ម្ចាស់​ក្សត្រិយ៍ នរោត្ដម សោម៉ា

2012-10-29
ដោយ ទេព សុរ៉ាវី RFA

Mr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, called a press conference yesterday in which he accused Princess Soma Norodom of inciting national divisions after she wrote an article highly critical of the way the government handled the return of ex-King Sihanouk's body from China last week, accusing the government officials of preventing members of the royal family from entering the Throne Hall to pay respect to the late king. Read English article here.
ក្រោយ​ពេល​ដែល​ព្រះករុណា ព្រះបាទ​សម្ដេច​ព្រះ នរោត្តម សីហនុ សោយ​ទិវង្គត អនាគត​នៃ​រាជា​និយម​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា ស្ថិត​នៅ​ក្នុង​ភាព​មន្ទិល បើ​ទោះ​បី​ជា​នាយក​រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន បាន​ស្បថ​នៅ​មុខ​ព្រះបរមសព​របស់​ព្រះអង្គ សច្ចា​ថា លោក​នឹង​រក្សា​រាជា​និយម​ឲ្យ​គង់វង្ស​ស្ថិតស្ថេរ​ក៏ដោយ។

លោក ខៀវ កាញារីទ្ធ រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ក្រសួង​ព័ត៌មាន និង​ជា​សមាជិក​គណៈកម្មាធិការ​ជាតិ​រៀបចំ​ព្រះបរមសព ព្រះបាទ​សម្ដេច​ព្រះ នរោត្តម សីហនុ ធ្វើ​សន្និសីទ​សារព័ត៌មាន​ស្ដីពី​ការ​រៀបចំ​កម្មវិធី​ព្រះរាជ​បូជា​ ព្រះបរមសព នា​ក្រសួង​ព័ត៌មាន កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​ទី២៩ ខែ​តុលា ឆ្នាំ​២០១២។

ខ្សែ​រាជវង្ស​មួយ​អង្គ គឺ​ម្ចាស់​ក្សត្រិយ៍ នរោត្តម សោម៉ា បាន​សរសេរ​នៅ​ក្នុង​កាសែត​ភ្នំពេញ​ប៉ុស្តិ៍ កាល​ពី​ចុង​សប្ដាហ៍​មុន ដោយ​ភ្ជាប់​អនាគត​នៃ​រាជា​និយម​ទៅ​ក្នុង​កណ្ដាប់​ដៃ​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា ដែល​ការ​លើក​ឡើង​នេះ ត្រូវ​បាន​អ្នក​នាំ​ពាក្យ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ច្រានចោល និង​ថា​ជា​ការ​បញ្ឆេះ​បំបែក​បំបាក់​ខ្សែ​រាជវង្សានុវង្ស​ជាមួយ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល។

Tanks and APCs arrive in Sihanoukville port [Cambodia purchased 100 tanks and 40 APCs to protect Hun Sen?] ល្បងសែន ព្រួយពីសុវត្ថិភាព គាត់ទេដឹង បានជាទិញរថក្រោះ ច្រើនម្លឹង?

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 
By Cheang Sokha 
Phnom Penh Post 

Scores of tanks and armoured personnel carriers arrived at the port in Sihanoukville yesterday, marking one of the biggest shipments of military vehicles in recent history.

A source in Preah Sihanouk province who asked not to be named told the Post that the ship in question arrived yesterday morning, with “some 100 tanks and about 40 eight- and six-wheel amoured personnel carriers,” he said.

Last night, Sihanoukville Autonomous Port director Lou Kim Chhun confirmed the shipment, but declined to comment on numbers or countries of origin, saying: “For the details I think you can ask customs officials.”

European leaders called Sam Rainsy Mr. CLEAN of Cambodia

Courtesy of www.pangsokheoun.wordpress.com 

លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ត្រូវបានអ្នកនយោបាយល្បីៗនៅអឺរ៉ុបឲ្យឈ្មោះថាលោក “ស្អាតស្អំ“។ ដូច្នេះប្រសិន ប្រសិន បើប្រជាជនខ្មែរផ្តល់ឪកាសឲ្យ គាត់ បានដឹកនាំ កិត្តិយសជាតិរបស់យើងនឹងត្រូវបានធ្វើឲ្យប្រសើរឡើង គេ គាំកាន់តែគាំទ្រ និងផ្តល់សេចក្តីគោរព។
Sam Rainsy is known as “Mr. Clean” among the European high profile politicians. So, if Cambodian people give him a chance to lead, our country´s image in the international arena will be positively promoted, supported, and respected.
(Photo credited to RFI)

Opposition youth group seeks to petition king

PHNOM PENH, 31 October 2012 (Cambodia Herald) - The Sam Rainsy Party Youth Movement has sought permission from Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema to petition King Norodom Sihamoni next week for the release of prisoners.

In a letter dated Tuesday, the group's leader Soung Sophorn said about 170 youths would gather at Democracy Park next Thursday to march to the Royal Palace and pay their respects to the late King Father at the Independence Monument.

Hong Kong seeks trade ties

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 
By Erika Mudie 
Phnom Penh Post
121031_07
Greg So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development for the Government of Hong Kong, speaks to the Post on Monday in Phnom Penh. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post
During a visit to Phnom Penh this week, Greg So, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, reiterated Hong Kong’s desire to be inducted into the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and highlighted Cambodia as a potential beneficiary for foreign direct investment from Hong Kong.

In So’s view, economic ties between Hong Kong and Cambodia have been very strong, with significant increases in trade between the two during 2011 and 2012.

“In 2011, there was an increase in trade of 22 per cent. In the first nine months of 2012, year-on-year, there has been a 16 per cent increase in trade,” said So.

According to So, the most encouraging numbers can be found in Hong Kong’s imports from Cambodia.

“Imports from Cambodia saw an increase last year of 90 per cent. In the first eight months of this year it’s been 76 per cent. All of this points to a lot of room for collaboration.”

Silencing the Voice of dissent

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 
By May Titthara and Abby Seiff 
Phnom Penh Post
121008_03b
Beehive Radio director Mam Sonando attempts to speak to reporters after his sentencing hearing in Phnom Penh last week. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post
Before its owner was arrested in July on charges of insurrection, Beehive radio had hit the consciousness of few outside Cambodia.

While international rights groups and press watchdogs were quick to jump on a story of political posturing and the quashing of free speech in the wake of the Mam Sonando case, most had only the faintest understanding of the significance of his station.

But for the estimated hundreds of thousands of Cambodians who have grown into dedicated listeners over the past two decades, Beehive has held a paramount position.

And the disappearance of Sonando from the station with which he was synonymous has made a significant dent on one of the nation’s only independent outlets. Without Sonando – who was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on October 1 on charges of stoking a so-called secessionist movement – Beehive broadcasting continues full tilt.

Almost.

Cambodia needs to polish reputation

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 
By Stuart Alan Becker 
Phnom Penh Post
121031_08b
Fukunari Kimura, chief economist at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, speaks to the Post. Photograph: Stuart Alan Becker/Phnom Penh Post
The chief economist at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia says Cambodia needs to attract greater numbers of multinational companies and treat them well, in order to establish production networks that will transfer technology to smaller Cambodian businesses.

In an interview with the Post, Professor Fukunari Kimura said that once multinational companies established manufacturing centres in Cambodia, a critical mass would develop and benefit smaller Cambodian businesses.

Kimura said Cambodia’s reputation as an investment destination was a key factor in attracting multinationals to set up factories here.

“Responding to complaints from foreign investors, Cambodia can improve the investment climate substantially. Now how many factories are here and it is easy to have hundreds more. 

The decision to have factories in Cambodia is generated by reputation.  Cambodia needs to polish its reputation as a good business environment,” he said.

What Sihanouk’s achievement do you like the most?

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 
By Sreng Phearun 
Phnom Penh Post

121031_09aSun Chhun Y, 23, fourth-year student at the Institute of Foreign Languages

“What I love the most about King’s Father is the Treaty in Paris on 23 October 1991. It is very important for us as the treaty resulted in peace, solidarity, and development. It is also a new page for Cambodian history. Moreover, Vietnamese troops had to be out of Cambodian territory, and Cambodia could begin democracy and voting in the 1993. King Norodom Sihanouk also stepped into power again as the head of the country, which none of the king before had done. He tried his best by making a good diplomatic relationship with powerful countries. He was a great king who had mercy and cared about Cambodian people in any circumstances.”
121031_09bHeng Sopheap, 26, engineer

“In the name of Cambodia, I would say the most important success of the King Norodom Sihanuk was the success in taking back three provinces from Thailand: Siem Reap, Battambang, and Stung Treng. He did care about Cambodian territory and put much effort in demanding the three provinces, which Japan had given to Thailand. Getting back our land was very crucial for Cambodia because they have value, especially Siem Reap Province which housed the Khmer empire and Angkor Wat. Nowadays, Angkor Wat is named as a World Heritage site and Siem Reap is the prominent tourist site, thanks to King Norodom Sihanouk. ”
121031_09cHeng Thida, 25, businesswoman in Phnom Penh

“I am so proud of the King’s Father’s achievements, and I really admired his sacrifice in demanding independence from the French for Cambodian people. In the name of the King, he spent all of his energy for the full independence such creating a brave army, gaining support through diplomacy and so on. This success is very important for Cambodian people that we can avoid the pressure from foreigners such as high taxes. For sure, if there was no the king, Cambodia wouldn’t have independence, and if there was no independence, we wouldn’t have freedom, morality, and development.”

Shaving for the King Father

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 
By Dareth Rosaline 
Phnom Penh Post

The whole nation was shocked after getting the news that the King Father Norodom Sihanouk died at the age of 89.

Large amounts of young people showed their respect with sadness and tears, feeling a great sense of loss. Some of them shaved their hair to mourn and express their love and thanks for what they consider the hero of Cambodia.

Mean Pichdabisa, 16, was one of the youngester who shaved his hair to pay respects in front of the Royal Palace and wish the King Father to rest in peace.

“I shaved my hair for the former king because he is my hero, who loved the nation as well as bringing independence to Cambodia,” he said.

According to Pichdabisa, the King Father had achieved a lot for the country.

No one tells, but ​it’s solidarity

Wednesday, 31 October 2012
By Ven Sakol and Heng Guechly 
Phnom Penh Post
121031_07a
Photograph: Phnom Penh Post
Over the course of the week, many people sat in front of the Royal Palace to mourn Cambodia’s ex-King, Norodom Sihanouk and pay tribute to his spirit for eternal peace.

However, many people coming from far-flung provinces of the country, particularly the elderly, faced financial difficulties to support themselves for a whole week in Phnom Penh. Youth groups started to provide support to these visitors in need.

These groups supplied rice, snacks, water, raincoats, oil, balm, medicine, fruit, cookies, bananas and sugar among others. They also helped clear rubbish from the area, gave first aid and directed missing children back to their parents.

“We know how bad conditions are that old people will face," says Miss Chan Phalkona student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) representing her charity group." That's why we formed a group of about 20 people for fund raising to support our action and buy food for them who stayed there during prayer time.”

A group of six led by Keo Chan Oukdom also helped people share what they had.

“As Cambodian youth, we lack skills. But what we can do, is fund raising to buy things that everyone can share.”

This charity group from Pannasastra University of Cambodia (PUC) helped provincial visitors as, according to Keo Chan Oukdom, “we are Cambodian, we love Cambodia and are keen on helping our own.”

Touch Vannak, another volunteer, said “We do not have enough money to buy raincoats for everyone, but we just ask ABC radio station to help distribute them to people because we do not want them to face adverse weather conditions, especially the elderly.”

Collecting rubbish from the street, volunteer Sok Sakada said that “(he) came here with my other four friends, but we did not have plans to do such thing. The reason why we do this is because we are afraid that if no one solves this problem, the environment will get spoiled which will affect the mourning.”

Sihanouk’s Indian connection

Tuesday, 30 October 2012
By Dinesh K Patnaik, Indian ambassador to Cambodia
Phnom Penh Post
121030_16
Norodom Sihanouk (R) and Jawaharlal Nehru in Phnom Penh in October 1954. Photograph supplied
I was overwhelmed and amazed by the outpouring of grief for the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, and by the respect and honour with which he is regarded by the people of Cambodia.

As a youngster, like many other Indians who read the news, I knew Prince Norodom Sihanouk as a flamboyant and fascinating personality who brought Cambodia to the world’s notice.

But mostly, we knew him as a close friend of our first prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Nehru considered Sihanouk, in his own words, as “my greatest friend”.

Sihanouk, in turn, considered Nehru his political teacher, and many ascribe Sihanouk’s decision to remain non-aligned to the advice he got from Nehru during his visit to India.

In fact, the King Father was the last survivor of the group of great leaders who were the architects of the Non-Aligned Movement.

At a banquet in New Delhi held in his honour in 1963, Sihanouk said: “It was by studying his (Nehru’s) methods and teachings, and by following his sage counsels, that I was able to decide upon a course of action that has assured our independence and national unity, together with peaceful internal conditions and the respect of our sovereignty.”

There is a very interesting story about how, and why, Nehru paid a visit to Cambodia in 1954.

Royals need to generate our respect [It's a fair comment, but it is regrettable that the author is hiding behind his/her pseudonym]

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 
By Kambuja Amatak 
Phnom Penh Post
121031_16
People pay their respects to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, October 2012. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post
Dear Norodom Soma,

It’s easy to point out the obvious: the Cambodian monarchy is crippled and heading towards disappearing.

Ask just about any person in the street, and they can probably give you the gist of your column last Friday (no offence intended).

The main challenge should be to offer, and to advocate, a sound solution.

It would be nice if you could provide us with an article on what that solution might be.

The monarchy and its customs are deeply rooted in Khmer culture, and I would hate to see it disappear.

To have a successful monarchy (body), as with any government, the “body” needs to demand authority.

Authority, in short, comes from differentiating the “body” from the masses and demonstrating to the public how this “body” is more able and more intelligent.

I’m sure this was the driving force behind King Jayavarman I climbing Phnom Kulen with priests to declare himself a “god” king.

The current “body” has yet to demand this authority, aside from whatever remains of the authority that has been handed down and bestowed.

Cambodia receives 2.57 mln foreign tourists in 9 months, up 24 pct

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 31, 2012 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia attracted some 2.57 million international visitors in the first nine months of this year, a 24 percent rise compared with the same period last year, a report of the Ministry of Tourism showed Wednesday.
The report said that during the January-September period this year, about 1.48 million foreign visitors had visited the world heritage Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap province, up 27 percent compared with the same period last year, whilst the world heritage Preah Vihear temple attracted 13,140 foreigners, up 77 percent.
Vietnam still topped the chart among the top 10 arrivals to Cambodia with 579,890 tourists, up 25 percent, followed by South Korea with 306,550, up 24 percent, and Chinese visitors at third with 234,440, up 32 percent.

Summary of 21st Anniversary of Paris Peace Agreement by the Khmer Youth Association

Op-Ed: KC-YAA
This year is the third year Khmer-Canadian Youth Association celebrated the anniversary of Paris Peace Agreement (PPA). This year, the theme focused on “How peace mean to us? And how we can build peace?”
Many speakers who come from various disciplines and different backgrounds shed us light and gave us great input on this Peace Commemoration.
Sophan who is the president of the Youth Association and chair of the PPA Commemoration committee stressed on the importance of PPA comparing to the great civilization of the Angkor Era. He also valued the PPA as the renaissance of Cambodia. Further to his statement, the Youth will keep organize the Peace Commemoration annually to provide public with right understanding and help build peace together collectively. This concerted effort will not only ensure that Cambodia can get fruition from the PPA, the world will also share this peace process.
MP Wayne Cao who is the member of parliament of Alberta government gave us a great importance on the decline of two countries who signed the PPA but Cambodia is still alive. The Russia union and Yugoslavia have been split, but he observed that Cambodia has been stronger by the PPA. He emphasized that the cold war has been died while the connectivity of people in the world has become more visible. On his sight back home of birth in Vietnam, Mr. Wayne Cao reflected on his life and his friend which both have born in the same location but made a living in different situation of political circumstance and economic development. Mr. Wayne highly appreciated the Peace Commemoration and he will join this celebration in years to come.
Ms. Janyce Konkin who has extensively worked in Cambodia for “Initiative for Change” described the importance of building peace within individual first before expanding it to others such as family, community, nation and the world. In this context, Janyce shed us insight on both practical knowledge and academic theory. As her MA major focused on peace research, her conclusion wholly rests on individuals who must initiate peace within themselves first before outreaching to others. But she accepted the original interdependent of inside peace affects outside peace, and outside peace also affects inside peace. Her theory is not different from that of Lord Buddha and late Cambodian monk Maha Ghosananda. For the PPA, according to Janyce, it is a good instrument for peace development in Cambodia.
READ MORE »

For Immediate Release: Cambodian Villages File OECD Complaint with U.S. Government Against U.S. Sugar Giant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:
Jonathan Kaufman (D.C.): (202) 466-5188 ex.113, jonathan@earthrights.org
Bobbie Sta. Maria (Thailand): +66  080 031 9310, bobbie@earthrights.org
Vuthy Man (Cambodia), +855 6677 7032, vuthy@clec.org.kh

Cambodians File Complaint With U.S. Government Against Domino Sugar Parent: David versus Goliath case now before U.S. Government as villagers file OECD complaint against purchaser of sugar central to controversial, long-running illegal economic land concession case

October 31, 2012, Washington, D.C. – Today, two hundred and seven families from Sre Ambel District in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia whose land was forcibly seized for a sugar plantation and factory have turned to the U.S. Government to help mediate the long-running dispute with the exclusive purchaser of the tainted sugar, Yonkers, New York-based American Sugar Refining (ASR).  The villagers seek the U.S. Government’s assistance in settling a land dispute that has caused severe economic and social impacts to hundreds of families since powerful and well-connected companies and politicians confiscated their land through two controversial Economic Land Concessions in 2006.

American Sugar Refining, the world’s largest sugar cane refiner and best known for producing Domino Sugar, holds an exclusive contract to buy all the sugar produced at Koh Kong, where villagers were illegally evicted from their land without fair or adequate compensation. The villagers are now facing impoverishment, malnutrition, and other social deprivations. Ironically, ASR’s founders the Fanjul family, Cuban immigrants whose own land was confiscated during the Cuban revolution have shown little interest or sympathy with the Cambodian farmers who have lost their land and livelihoods for ASR’s sugar.  Repeated attempts by the local communities to discuss and resolve the issues with ASR have gone unanswered.

“The companies that buy the sugar produced on our stolen land share in the responsibility for our suffering,” said Mr Teang Koa, one of the villagers who signed the complaint. “We hope the U.S. government can help ASR to recognize this.”

Long Beach librarians add 1,400 Khmer titles during Cambodia trip

By Greg Mellen 
Press-Telegraph Staff Writer


LONG BEACH - The fit is a little tighter in head librarian Sue Taylor's office at the Mark Twain branch library.
"I'm looking at 22 boxes," Taylor said of the treasure trove of volumes now at the library.
Taylor and Glenda Williams recently returned from Cambodia, where they went on a shopping spree, backed by grants of $11,000, that netted 1,400 volumes and covered the cost of shipping.
In a whirlwind four-day span, Taylor and Williams scoured bookstores, markets, the country's national library, a nonprofit that delivers books to the countryside and the Cambodian documentation center, where records for the ongoing war crimes tribunal are published.
Taylor said it will take three weeks or so before the volumes begin to appear on library shelves. The titles must first be translated and the volumes catalogued, scanned, tagged and have bar-codes affixed.
"I wish I could snap my fingers and it would all be done, but it doesn't work that way," Taylor said.
The new volumes are the first Khmer-language additions to the library's collection since 2008, when Taylor made her last buying trip to Cambodia.

Illegal Cambodian loggers arrested

Published: 31/10/2012
Bangkok Post

Eight Cambodians who had illegally crossed into Si Sa Ket province to poach rosewood timber were arrested by Thai soldiers last Friday arrested of Thailand, the Phnom Penh Post reported on Wednesday. Touch Ra, director of the provincial Cham Sagam border checkpoint office on the Cambodian side said that he was told about the arrests by Thai border authorities.
No shots were fired and no one was injured, he added.
The arrested Cambodians may face up to two years in prison if convicted.
He said it was difficult to negotiate for their release because what they did was illegal. In the first half of 2012,  38 illegal loggers were killed, 10 injured and 194 jailed in Thailand.

CCHR PRESS RELEASE – CCHR releases a Briefing Note on Cambodian laws relating to freedom of expression and recent case examples

CCHR PRESS RELEASE – Phnom Penh, 25 October 2012

CCHR releases a Briefing Note: an overview of Cambodian laws relating to freedom of expression and a summary of recent case examples to show how laws are used and abused to stifle dissent

Today, 30 October 2012, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) releases a Briefing Note that sets out the right to freedom of expression as protected under Cambodian law, provides an overview of all applicable legal provisions that relate to defamation or otherwise impact upon the right to freedom of expression in Cambodia, and discusses several recent case examples in which these provisions have been used as a tool to silence critics of the Royal Government of Cambodia and its policies.  The Briefing Note analyzes how the Penal Code 2009, the UNTAC Code and the Press Law 1995 are compatible with each other, and examines relevant provisions in some detail.  The Briefing Note is intended as a legal guide for the benefit of all human rights defenders as well as, more widely, an exercise in raising awareness as to how the right to freedom of expression is protected in theory and yet abused in practice in contemporary Cambodia.

CCHR Freedom of Expression Project Co-ordinator Sorn Ramana comments:

Given the disturbing turn for the worse that the situation of freedom of expression in Cambodia has taken recently, it is important that Cambodians – and human rights defenders in particular – know what rights they have by law and how the authorities may use – and misuse – the law against them.  The various case examples serve as a harsh reminder of what tends to happen when people speak out.  It is clear from this analysis that Cambodia is increasingly being subjected to ‘rule by law’ rather than the ‘rule of law’ which Cambodia so desperately needs to solve its long-standing problems.

For more information, please contact Sorn Ramana via telephone at +855 (0) 1765 5591 or e-mail at ramanasorn@cchrcambodia.org or Senior Consultant Robert Finch via telephone at +855 (0) 7880 9960 or e-mail at robert.finch@cchrcambodia.org.

Please see the attached press release and briefing note in Khmer and English.

Kind Regards,
CCHR

Press Release: Cambodian Villagers File Case with U.S. Government Against American Sugar Giant (Tate & Lyle EU Sugars) រឿងក្តី​ស្ករស នៅ​ខេត្ត​កោះកុង ត្រូវ​ប្តឹង​ទៅ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក​ [English and Khmer]

This Wednesday, October 31, 2012, over 200 Cambodian families will file a complaint with the U.S. Government against American Sugar Refining (ASR) -- better known as Domino Sugar -- alleging breaches of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises related to sugar sourced from illegal land concessions in Cambodia. 

Please see attached an EMBARGOED press release announcing the filing of this case. Spokespeople are available for interviews in Washington, D.C., Thailand, and Cambodia.
This long-running, controversial case pits hundreds of poor farmers against politically powerful and well connected companies and politicians in Cambodia, Thailand, the U.K (Tate & Lyle), and U.S. The case is being investigated by the EU under its Everything But Arms trade program, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, and a local administrative court in Cambodia. The case has also led to an international sugar boycott of the implicated companies.

The villagers are seeking the return of their land, the confiscation of which has caused widespread suffering in their community and is part of an epidemic of land-grabbing in Cambodia for large-scale agriculture plantations. This case is the first of its kind filed under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises against a company for activities in Cambodia.

Also attached are summaries of the OECD Guidelines as well as the National Contact Point, the office within the U.S. State Department that will handle the complaint. We hope your news service decides to cover this important and evolving situation. 

Sincerely,

Paul Donowitz
ASR OECD PRESS RELEASE EMBARGOED.pdf                                                                                                   
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises Summary.pdf                                                                                                   
NCP Summary.pdf                                                                                                   
(ថ្ងៃទី 30 តុលា 2012,) | ដោយ: លី សិលា  CEN

នំពេញ: ​អង្គការ​សង្គម​ស៊ីវិល​ពីរ បាន​ផ្សព្វផ្សាយ​ថា ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​នៅ​ខេត្តកោះកុង​ជាង ២០០ គ្រួសារ បាន​ប្តឹង​ក្រុមហ៊ុន ទិញ​ស្ករស ដែល​ជា​ផ្នែក​យ៉ាងសំខាន់ ចំពោះ​រឿងក្តី​សម្បទាន​ដី​សេដ្ឋកិច្ច យ៉ាង​ចម្រូងចម្រាស និង​អូសបន្លាយ​ពេល​ជា​យូរ​មក​ហើយ​។​

The case of Governor Chhouk Bandith shooting protesters to return to court soon រឿងក្ដីលោក ឈូក បណ្ឌិត អាចនឹងបើក សវនាការក្នុង ពេលឆាប់ៗនេះ

Photo by DAP-NEWS
លោក ឈូក បណ្ឌិត អតីតអភិបាលក្រុងបាវិត Chhouk Bandith, ex-governor of Bavet town.
Photo by DAP-NEWS
កម្មការិនីរងគ្រោះទាំង៣នាក់ The three victims he shot and wounded.

The case of Governor Chhouk Bandith shooting protesters to return to court soon.

Tuesday, 30 October 2012 ដោយៈ ដើមអម្ពិល (DAP)-ID: 009

ស្វាយរៀងៈ សំណុំរឿងដ៏រសើបរបស់អតីត អភិបាលក្រុងបាវិត លោក ឈូក បណ្ឌិត ដែលត្រូវបានអូសបន្លាយ អស់រយៈពេលជិតមួយឆ្នាំមកនោះ អាចនឹងត្រូវបានលើកមកបើកសវនាការកាត់ទោស ក្នុងពេលឆាប់ៗ ខាងមុខ នេះ។
មន្រ្តីតុលាការខេត្តស្វាយរៀងម្នាក់ ដែលបានប្រាប់មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលព័ត៌មានដើមអម្ពិលនៅព្រឹកថ្ងៃទី៣០ ខែតុលា ឆ្នាំ២០១២ ក្នុងលក្ខខណ្ឌមិនបញ្ចេញឈ្មោះឲ្យដឹងថា ករណីលោក ឈូក បណ្ឌិត ត្រូវបានស៊ើបអង្កេតរួចរាល់ អស់ហើយ ដោយសំណុំរឿងមួយនេះ កំពុងតែស្ថិតនៅក្នុងដៃចៅក្រមកាត់ក្ដី។
លោកបានថ្លែងថា «ប្អូនឯងរង់ចាំមើលទៅ មិនយូរទេយ៉ាងយូពីរសប្ដាហ៍ទៀត នឹងមានការបើកសវនាការកាត់ក្តី លោក ឈូក បណ្ឌិត ជាក់ជាពុំខាន»។
ពាក់ព័ន្ធនិងសំណួរដែលសួរថា តើព្រះរាជអាជ្ញាអាចនិងប្ដូរបទចោទ ប្រកាន់អតីតអភិបាលក្រុងបាវិត ពីបទបង្ក របួសស្នាមដោយចេតនា មកប៉ុនប៉ងមនុស្សឃាតដោយចេតនា ឬយ៉ាងណា? មន្រ្តីរូបនេះបានបដិសេដមិនផ្ដល់ ចម្លើយ ដោយឲ្យរង់ចាំមើលដោយខ្លួនឯង។

Traveling Via Bamboo Railcar in Cambodia, Etiquette Included

Posted by hipstomp / Rain Noe  |  30 Oct 2012 

Cambodia has one railway line, laid down by the French during their colonial occupation. The antiquated tracks are no longer safe for trains to run on, and as a result, there aren't any.
The locals, however, aren't about to let a potentially useful piece of infrastructure go to waste. In the area near the western Cambodian towns of Battambang and Poipet, the locals produce what are known as norry: Lightweight, powered railcars built from a wooden frame, bamboo slats, and steel wheels from decommissioned tanks. Two men can get the thing on or off the tracks in less than a minute.
cambodian-norry-railcar-02.jpg
photo via Andy's Cambodia
Norry were initially powered by poles, like earthbound gondolas, but eventually some locals got their hands on a two-stroke engine and figured out how to drive the axle via belt. 

By using a stick to increase or decrease tension on the belt, the "engineer" can induce belt slippage as a rudimentary form of throttle control. Braking is provided via a foot pedal that contacts one of the wheels through the platform, using raw friction. The motors caught on and the pole-drive has gone by the wayside.
Here's a look at a norry being assembled and going into action:
What's most impressive, at least to an American like me used to witnessing self-entitled U.S. motorists and passive-aggressive elbow-armrest-wrestling on airplanes, is the etiquette system worked out for when one norry meets another, head-to-head. The railway is a single line, and when two norry encounter each other going in opposite directions, right-of-way is dictated by weight/convenience. Whichever car has less people simply break the contraption down and pull it off the tracks to let the other pass. Cars with more people, or those carrying a motorbike, which is relatively heavy, get to kick back. Check it out, and peep how easy the thing is to break down (action starts around 1:50):

Cambodia Reopens Adoptions by Americans

Oct. 30, 2012 
hispanicbusiness.com
 
Cambodia has decided to lift its 3-year-old ban on adoptions of children by U.S. citizens, the country's foreign ministry has announced.

Secretary of State Long Visalo made the announcement Monday after meeting with U.S. Ambassador Susan Jacobs, a special adviser for children's issues, the Phnom Penh Post reported.

"We are thinking about the future of Cambodian children, as they will be able to receive a good education after being adopted," Visalo said. "We are not allowing them to be abandoned."

Adoptions will only be allowed for children younger than 8, and will be limited to no more than 200 children a year, Visalo said.

Cambodia banned all foreign adoptions in 2009. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and Australia suspended Cambodian adoption petitions in 2001, citing the country's inadequate regulations.

Green Mango cookbook offers taste of Cambodia

Oct 30, 2012
indystar.com
Indianapolis-based food writers Sonja and Alex Overhiser met with the staff of the Green Mango Cafe & Bakery during a trip to Battambang, Cambodia. The cafe was created by the Greenwood-based Center for Global Impact, a nonprofit organization that trains at-risk Cambodian women in the culinary arts.
Indianapolis-based food writers Sonja and Alex Overhiser met with the staff of the Green Mango Cafe & Bakery during a trip to Battambang, Cambodia. The cafe was created by the Greenwood-based Center for Global Impact, a nonprofit organization that trains at-risk Cambodian women in the culinary arts.
Photo provided by Sonja and Alex Overhiser.

About the book

What: "The Green Mango Cafe & Bakery" cookbook, by Sonja and Alex Overhiser, features more than 40 recipes from a variety of cuisines, including Cambodian, Mexican, Italian and French, that are served in the cafe in Battambang, Cambodia.
Cost: $19.95. All proceeds benefit the Center for Global Impact's programs in Cambodia.
Contact: www.acouplecooks.com
/cookbook.
Book signings: Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 3, Tree of Life Christian Store, 862 Ind. 135, Greenwood.
9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 17, Indy Winter Farmers Market at City Market, 222 E. Market St.
Even an adventurous cook can find himself in a culinary rut.
Fortunately, Indianapolis-based food writers Sonja and Alex Overhiser provide a delightful map into tasty new territory: Southeast Asian cuisine. Their new venture is the "Green Mango Cafe & Bakery" cookbook.
The foodies behind the blog "A Couple Cooks," the Overhisers have re-created about 40 recipes from the Green Mango Cafe & Bakery, a popular eatery in Cambodia.
The cafe is the brainchild of the Greenwood-based Center for Global Impact, a nonprofit that trains at-risk Cambodian women in the culinary arts. All proceeds from the Overhisers' cookbook benefit CGI's two-year teaching program, which includes a stint of working at the Green Mango Cafe.
The restaurant has an international menu, reflected in recipes such as black bean hummus and focaccia bread. But the cookbook's focus is Southeast Asian fare.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Australian Senate Pushes for Fair Elections in Cambodia


The Australian Senate yesterday urged the Cambodian government to run free and fair national elections next year without the “harassment or intimidation” of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who remains in self-imposed exile avoiding an 11-year jail sentence.
The appeal comes only days after the European Parliament passed its own resolution condemning what it called Mr. Rainsy’s “politically motivated” sentence and urging the government to fix “major flaws” in how it runs the country’s elections.
Both Australia and the European Union (E.U.) are major aid donors to Cambodia.
The resolution from the Australian Senate “calls on the Cambodian government to hold free and fair elections in 2013 and to ensure that opposition parties are able to participate fully in Cambodian politics without physical or judicial harassment or intimidation, including opposition leader Sam Rainsy, as recommended by the U.N. special rapporteur.”

European Parliament calls Cambodia to respect human rights

October 30, 2012 By NEOnline | ES

Activist in Prison/Image: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP 
In a resolution passed on Friday in Brussels, European Parliament calls the Cambodian government to respect human rights. The Parliament also condemns the sentence of 1 October 2012 against Mam Sonando and the sentence of 24 May 2012 against 13 women and urges the government to start a transparent investigation over Chut Wutty's death.
Mam Sonando, the owner of Beehive Radio, and longstanding critic of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and his rule was convicted to 20 years of prison because he instigated an 'insurrection' in Kratie province. The insurrection in Kratie province was actually a protest against country’s controversial land concessions policy. During the protests a 14-year-old girl, Heng Chantha, was shot dead by military authorities. On April 26 2012, Chut Wutty an environmental activist was shot dead by the Cambodian military police because he was collecting data on illegal logging activities. Until now the circumstances of his death remain unclear. In Parallel, 13 women were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prisonfor participating in an anti-evictions campaign demanding proper resettlement for displaced people.  More specifically, the Cambodian government has granted 200 companies with economic land concessions, as a result many indigenous communities were forced to leave their land.

Government spokesman said an article written by Princess Soma Norodom was an incitement to divide the Khmer nation [Will she be in trouble with Hun Sen like Princess Norodom Veacheara?] អ្នក​នាំពាក្យ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ថា ​អត្ថបទ​ដែល​សរសេរ​ដោយ​អ្នក​អង្គម្ចាស់ នរោត្តម សោម៉ា ជា​ការ​ញុះញង់​បំបែក​បំបាក់​ជាតិ​

លោក ខៀវ កាញារិទ្ធ អ្នកនាំពាក្យរដ្ឋាភិបាល 
លោក ខៀវ កាញារិទ្ធ អ្នកនាំពាក្យរដ្ឋាភិបាល Mr. Khieu Kanharith

Princess Soma Norodom, the author of "We should be united" that angered the government and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
 
Monday 29 October 2012 Free Press Magazine
 
Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the Cambodian government spokesman, has today strongly reacted to an article written by Princess Soma Norodom titled "We should be united", and which was titled "The future of the monarchy is in the hands of the Cambodian People's Party", which was published by the Phnom Penh Post on 26th October, saying it was an incitement with the intention to divide the Khmer nation.

"It was a highly inflammatory article, written at a time when we are in mourning in order to cause divisions in both our country and in within the royal family as well as the Cambodian People's Party", said Mr. Kanharith. អ្នក​នាំពាក្យ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​កម្ពុជា គឺ​លោក ខៀវ កាញារិទ្ធ នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​ចន្ទ​នេះ បាន​សម្តែង​ប្រតិកម្ម​ខ្លាំង​ក្លា​ចំពោះ​អត្ថបទ​មួយ​ដែល​សរសេរ​ដោយ​អ្នក​ អង្គម្ចាស់ នរោត្តម សោម៉ា ក្រោម​ចំណង​ជើង​ថា «អនាគត​រាជានិយម​ស្ថិត​ក្នុង​កណ្តាប់​ដៃ​បក្ស​ប្រជាជន​» ​ហើយ​​ត្រូវ​កាសែត​ភ្នំពេញ​ប៉ុស្តិ៍​ចុះ​ផ្សាយ​កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃទី២៦ តុលា ថា គឺ​ជា​ការ​ញុះញង់ និង​ចង់​បំបែក​បំបាក់​ជាតិ​ខ្មែរ។

លោក ខៀវ កាញារិទ្ធ បាន​និយាយ​ក្នុង​សន្និសីទ​កាសែត​នា​ថ្ងៃទី​២៩ តុលា​នេះ​ថា អត្ថបទ​នោះ «ជា​អត្ថបទ​បញ្ឆេះ​ធំណាស់ ដោយ​អ្នក​សរសេរ​បាន​ឆ្លៀត​ពេល​ដែល​យើង​មាន​ទុក្ខ​សោក​ទាំង​មូល ដើម្បី​បង្ក​ជា​ការ​បំបែក​បំបាក់​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​ជាតិ​របស់​យើង​ផង បំបែក​បំបាក់​រវាង​ព្រះរាជ​វង្សានុវង្ស និង​រាជ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ផង ក៏​ដូច​ជា​រវាង​រាជ​វង្ស និង​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​ផង»។

In the article published in the Phnom Penh Post, Princess Soma Norodom wrote: "During the memorial ceremony for His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk on October 17, 2012, I witnessed that unity was weak among the Royal Family members and a division within the current government. His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni has no power and is only a figurehead and the government is the new ruler of the country". គួរ​រំលឹក​ថា អត្ថបទ​របស់​អ្នក​អង្គម្ចាស់ នរោត្តម សោម៉ា ដែល​ត្រូវ​កាសែត​ភ្នំពេញ​ប៉ុស្តិ៍​ចុះ​ផ្សាយ​កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃទី​២៦ ខែ​តុលា បាន​សរសេរ​ថា «ក្នុងអំឡុង​ព្រះ​រាជ​ពិធី​បុណ្យ​ព្រះបរម​សព​ព្រះ​មហា​វីរក្សត្រ នរោត្តម សីហនុ នៅថ្ងៃ​ទី ១៧ ខែ​តុលា ឆ្នាំ ២០១២ ខ្ញុំ​បាន​មើល​ឃើញ​ផ្ទាល់​ភ្នែក​ថា ការ​រួបរួម ក្នុង​ចំណោម​គ្រួសារ​រាជ​វង្ស មាន​លក្ខណៈ​ពុំ​រឹងមាំ និង​មាន​ការ​បែង​ចែក​ក្នុង​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​បច្ចុប្បន្ន។ ព្រះ​មហាក្សត្រ នរោត្តម សីហមុនី ជា​ព្រះ​មហាក្សត្រ តែ​គ្មាន​អំណាច ហើយ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​គឺជា​អ្នក​កាន់​អំណាច​ទាំង​ស្រុង»។

She added: "Prime Minister Hun Sen and the government control the political arena and the monarchy, and will continue to do so as long as he is in power. The government has considerable say about who becomes the next king. The nine-member Throne Council includes the Prime Minister and top officials from the National Assembly and Senate, all from the same ruling party. The future of the monarchy is in their hands."

Cambodia says President Barack Obama due to attend Southeast Asia summit in November


[IMG]Associated Press, 
Updated: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 



PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia’s foreign ministry says President Barack Obama (pictured) is expected to visit Southeast Asia in mid-November.
Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Tuesday that Obama will travel to the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The meeting of heads of state is due to take place Nov. 18-20, bringing together leaders of the 10-nation bloc.
U.S. officials have declined to confirm Obama’s travel plans.
Koy Kuong had no further details, but another senior Cambodian official said Obama is also expected to hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia virtually unchallenged since a 1997 coup.

[Australian] Senate calls for free and fair elections in Cambodia – now Carr must act

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Senate calls for free and fair elections in Cambodia – now Carr must act

The Australian Greens called on Foreign Minister Bob Carr to push for free and fair elections in Cambodia, following Senate support for a motion moved by Senator Christine Milne.

Senator Milne’s motion supports similar efforts passed by the European Parliament and the Parliament of the Philippines, in accordance with recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights who identified major flaws in the process and called for media freedom, freedom of expression and assembly, and the release of political prisoners.

Christine Milne said ‘With the elections due in a year, now is the time to start taking constructive steps to ensure that this election runs as fairly and peacefully as possible, and Bob Carr should be using Australia’s influence to make that happen.’

‘I am pleased that the Senate worked constructively with the Greens in the interest of the Cambodian people and in accordance with our commitment to democracy. Now it’s time to act.

‘I was privileged to meet recently with exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy. It is time he was allowed to return to Cambodia to fully participate in the election campaign without fear of intimidation or imprisonment.

‘As Australia focuses its attention on our region, following the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper, our actions will speak louder than our words. It’s critical that we engage positively and cooperatively with our neighbours, and in the best interest of the people of the region.’

The Senate passed the motion yesterday. Please see attached motion.

Contact Alexandra Lamb on 0437 587 562


Alexandra Lamb
Media Adviser for Senator Christine Milne

Suite SG-111 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3618 | F: 02 6277 3185
alexandra.lamb@aph.gov.au  | M: 0437 587 562
 

A cremation fit for a King

Tuesday, 30 October 2012
By Mom Kunthear 
Phnom Penh Post
121030_03
The late King Norodom Sihanouk’s body returns to Cambodia earlier this month. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post
Two million people are expected to line the streets of Phnom Penh as part of a spectacular cremation ceremony and procession for the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk in the first week of February, the Kingdom’s national festival organising committee said yesterday.

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith, a member of the organising committee, could not confirm a date for the former monarch’s cremation, but said the ceremony would be preceded by a six-kilometre procession of Sihanouk’s coffin from the Royal Palace.

“We will discuss with committee officials about how to coordinate this,” Kanharith said, adding that he was not yet sure how much it would cost.

Kanharith said the committee had big plans for the ceremony, which will be held before Chinese New Year, and was discussing the inclusion of elephants, horses and monkeys in the procession, which will be televised and broadcast on radio.

Civil servants’ union dilemma [A good way of de-politicsing the civil servants who are all members of the ruling CPP]

Tuesday, 30 October 2012 
By David Boyle and Phak Seangly 
Phnom Penh Post

The American Center for International Labor Solidarity has set its sights on the Herculean task of unionising Cambodia’s civil service, a move that, were it successful, could have profound implications for the country’s political landscape.

The term civil service in Cambodia has unusually broad application, referring to bureaucrats, teachers, doctors, police and nurses – professions that are, at least officially, all rewarded with remuneration that makes garment workers look positively well-off.

Their wages are virtually unliveable: though skilled professionals, civil servants, excluding soldiers, earn an average of $48 a month along with a small supplementary living allowance and possible overtime, opposition Sam Rainsy Party financial data shows.

The low pay, it is often argued, effectively forces civil servants into myriad forms of corruption that underpin the very foundations of Cambodian administrative hierarchy and political servility.

Late last week, the government announced, in what perhaps could be read as a pre-emptive strike in the political battle to woo the favour of the civil service, a 20 per cent year-on-year increase to the base salary of civil servants.

But the move has done little to mollify those pushing for a base level salary of at least $250 per month.

Reshuffle and promotions of 500 naval officers [Another sign of internal power struggle within the ruling CPP?] ផ្លាស់ប្តូរ មុខតំណែង និងដំឡើង ឋានន្តរស័ក្កិ ដល់នាយទាហាន នាយទាហានរង កងទ័ពជើងទឹក ជិត៥០០នាក់


ភ្នំពេញៈ បញ្ជាការដ្ឋានកងទ័ពជើងទឹង រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ បានប្រារព្ធពិធីផ្លាស់ប្តូរមុខងារ និងដំឡើងឋានន្តរស័ក្កិដល់នាយទាន នាយទាហានរងចំនួន៤៧៤នាក់ ដែលងារទាំងនោះ មានចាប់ពីនាយចក្របាលឯក ដល់វរនាវីទោ។
កម្មវិធីដែលបានប្រារព្ធឡើង នាព្រឹកថ្ងៃទី៣០ ខែតុលា ឆ្នំា២០១២ ក្រោមអធិបតីភាព របស់ឧត្តមនាវីឯក ទៀ វិញ មេបញ្ជាការកងទ័ពជើងទឹក នៃព្រះរាជណាចក្រ កម្ពុជានិងត្រូវជា អគ្គលេខាធិការ នៃគណៈកម្មាធិការជាតិសន្តិសុខលម្ហសមុទ្រ ព្រមទាំងឧត្តមនាវីឯក ទោ និងត្រីជាច្រើនរូបទៀត។
មានប្រសាសន៍ បន្ទាប់ពីបំពាក់នឹងប្រកាសដំណែងរួចមក ឧត្តមនាវីឯក ទៀ វិញបានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា នាយនាវី នាយនាវីរង និងពលនាវិក នៃកងទ័ពជើងទឹកទាំង អស់ បានលើកកម្ពស់ ស្មារតីទទូលខុសត្រូវ និងចូលរួមអនុវត្តន៍យ៉ាងសកម្ម ហើយបានឆ្លងកាត់បទពិសោធន៍ និងឧបសគ្គ តូច-ធំជាច្រើន ជាមួយនឹងពលិកម្មដ៏ធំធេង ជាពិសេសបានចូលរួមចំណែក ក្នុងការអនុវត្តដោយជោគជ័យគោលនយោបាយ ឈ្នះ ឈ្នះ របស់ប្រមុខរាជរដ្ឋាភិបាលកម្ពុជា សម្តេចតេជោ ហ៊ុន សែន។
ឧត្តមនាវីឯក បានបន្តទៀតថា នាយនាវី នាយនាវីរង និងពលនាវិក នៃកងទ័ពជើងទឹក ក៏បានក្តាប់ជាប់នៃគោលដៅចម្បង នៃផែនការកែទម្រង់រយៈពេល ៥ឆ្នាំបន្ត គឺឆ្នាំ២០១០-២០១៥ ក្នុងការកសាងធនធានមនុស្សពិត នៃកងយោធពលខេមរភូមិន្ទ ដើម្បីបង្កើនល្បឿន នៃការលើកកម្ពស់សមត្ថភាពធនធានមនុស្ស ដែលនឹង ធ្វើឲ្យកងយោធពលខេមរភូមិន្ទ ឈរដោយស្មើភាព ស្មើសិទ្ធិជាមួយកងទ័ព នៃបណ្តាប្រទេសក្នុងតំបន់ និងបណ្តាប្រទេស កំពុងអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ផ្សេងៗទៀត។

Khmer Surin singer Khong Khoy left Cambodia for a 2 month tour in America ខុង ឃុយ ម្ចាស់បទ "ពាក់អាវមិនដែល ឃើញដោះ" ឡើងយន្តហោះ ពីកម្ពុជា ទៅសម្ដែងនៅ អាមេរិក លើកទី១


www.dap-news.com
www.dap-news.com
Khong Khoy gave interview to Cambodian journalists, below: Khong Khoy with his family.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012  ដោយៈដើមអម្ពិល(DAP) ID-067 RFA

Khong Khoy, the Khmer Surin singer is ecstatic about performing in America for Khmer audience. The singer of the famed "Peak Arv Min Del Kheunh Doss", which can be translated as "you wear a shirt and I never see you take it off" or "you wear a shirt and I can't never see your boobs", said this is the first time that he is performing in America. He said many sponsors wanted to sponsor him to perform in America many times before but he turned them down because he was too afraid to go there.

ភ្នំពេញ៖ តារាចម្រៀងបែបខ្មែរសុរិន្ទ ដែលមានឈ្មោះបោះសំឡេង ល្បីក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា និងប្រទេសថៃ ជាច្រើនឆ្នាំមកហើយ ពេលនេះ លោក រ៉ក់ ខុង ឃុយ មានឱកាសជាលើកដំបូង ក្នុងការចេញទៅសម្ដែង នៅទឹកដីអាមេរិក តាមរយៈក្រុមហ៊ុន Bridge Entertainment ជាអ្នកធានារូបលោក ក្នុងរយៈពេល២ខែ ដើម្បីឲ្យបងប្អូនខ្មែរដែលរស់នៅឯនាយសមុទ្រ បានទស្សនា និងឃើញផ្ទាល់នូវតារាចម្រៀងបែបខ្មែរសុរិន្ទរូបនេះ និងរាំលេងកម្សាន្តនូវបទចម្រៀងជាចង្វាក់កន្ទ្រឹមរបស់លោក ខុង ឃុយ ។
ក្នុងជំនួបមួយ នៅប្រទេសកម្ពុជា កាលពីរាត្រីថ្ងៃទី២៩ ខែតុលា ឆ្នាំ២០១២ ក្នុងន័យអបអរសាទរ និងជាការជូនដំណើរតារាចម្រៀង ខុង ឃុយ មានវត្តមានតារាចម្រៀងខ្មែរល្បីៗជាច្រើនដួងបានចូលរួម ក្នុងនោះមានដូចជា អ្នកនាង ម៉េង កែវពេជ្ជតា លោក ខាន់ ជេមស៍ កញ្ញា អ៊ុន អាលីហ្សា កញ្ញា ឈួន ស្រីម៉ៅ លោក យន ភិរម្យ លោក ញឹម ចំរើន និង ម្ចាស់ក្រុមហ៊ុន Bridge Entertainment ដែលបានមកទទួលលោក ខុង ឃុយ ដល់ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា និងអ្នកសិល្បៈផ្សេងៗជាច្រើននាក់ទៀត។

European Council president to pay tribute to King Father

What is the legal basis of this latest power grab?
PHNOM PENH, 30 October 2012 (Cambodia Herald) - European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (pictured) plans to visit Cambodia for three days from November 2 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Tuesday.

A statement said Van Rompuy would meet Hun Sen as well as National Assembly President Heng Samrin. He will also pay tribute to the late King Father and visit the Genocide Museum at Toul Sleng.