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Six tons of chemicals seized in drug raid are being cleaned up Clean up begins midAugust of chemicals seized in drug lab raid, foreign aid, in form of money and technical assistance, assists in the process. Largest seizure of drug-related chemicals to date. PAGE
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LOWELL HOSTS 2007 SOUTHEAST ASIAN WATER FESTIVAL
photo: sayon soeun
Residents of Tum Nup Kor 5 village see Khuon Vana as hero
September 2007
Uninhibited by disability, Khuon Vana is seen as hero by those he lives amongst through his work in helping them improve their lot in life. PAGE 3
Angkor National Museum built, managed by Thai group Thai company receives permission to build Angkor National Museum from Cambodian Government. Concerns remain over choosing a Thai company to build it and what it means to Khmer people. PAGE
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A traditional Khmer Water Festival was held in Lowell, Massachusetts in August. In its 11th year, the festival included 50,000 participants of Cambodian, Thai and Laotian and other nationalities and follows a festival held in July in Long Beach, California. Festival includes boat races, booths selling a variety PAGE 6 of products, and floating, lighted-candle ceremony.
U.S. Forces to provide support for Royal Cambodian Forces to fight terrorism
World Bank grants US$70 million, World Bank President visits Cambodia
During first official visit as Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Keating met with officials to discuss ways both countries could aid each PAGE 8 other in fighting terrorism.
Receipt of US$70 million to improve and expand existing programs. The grant follows World Bank President's first official visit, in that capacity, PAGE 4 to Cambodia. ad
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Credits Cambodia News & World Report is published by Pagnawath Khun. Editor-in-Chief: Pagnawath Khun Managing Editor: Gabby Raines Editor: Gabby Raines Sub-Editor: Jenessa Castle Assistant Editor: Sopagna Seng Managing Director: Channy Kieng Administrative Staff: Ravy Sok Advertising Manager: Pagnawath Khun Graphic Designer: Roberto Ramos Distributors: Kimhan Peou, Bunnal Phorn Reporters & Correspondents: Hem Chanthoeun [Banteay Meanchey], Daniel de Gruiter [Phnom Penh], Lang Hokleng [Phnom Penh], Meun Sothy [Phnom Penh], Roo Griffiths [Phnom Penh], Vong Sopheak [Phnom Penh], Trinh Do [Australia], Patrick Johnston [Canada], Helena Ignasia [Indonesia], Simanithone Malivarn [Laos], Maria Irene, Joel Orcena [The Philippines], Shawn Song'en Wee [Singapore], Tram Lyrattanak [South Korea], Vinai Dithajohn [Thailand], Kimhan Peou, Pagnawath Khun, Phalla Chea, Sry Ariya Hout [The United States], Chinh Nguyen [Vietnam]. Trademark and Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006, The Cambodia News & World Report, DBA, and its related entities. All rights reserved. Use in whole or part of any article or information without prior written consent is prohibited. Office: 4831, Clark Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808 P.O. Box 3928, Lakewood, CA 90711 Tel: (562).965.0886 • Fax: (562).262.2821 info@cambodianewsonline.com • www.cambodianewsonline.com
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Sex work with foreigners a job that some won't turn down P
HNOM PENH - Srey Mom, a bright 22-year-old woman, is a sex worker in Phnom Penh. She laughs when she is told that she may be the target of NGOs and government actions and gently but firmly says she has no intention of leaving the trade - at least not until she becomes "too ugly." Mom and her friends, however, target foreign men who come to Cambodia looking for sexual partners, aiming to find a position as a girlfriend for however long the man is interested in being with just one girl. Relationships are built based on mutual distrust but also on an acceptance of roles, Mom said. Navy, a friend of Srey Mom's, has a boyfriend who cheats on her all the time and treats her badly. "I don't like it when he treats me like this but through him I can get enough money to help my family and to save for the future," Navy said. "And I haven't always been faithful to him either when there are other opportunities, I take them." Vanna was trafficked from her home village in Kompong Cham province three years ago. She said she was told of
a job as a waitress and jumped at the chance to escape poverty and earn money for her family. When she arrived in Phnom Penh she was taken to a brothel where she remained for two years. Vanna was rescued twice. The first time she returned to the brothel on her own volition. "I didn't have anything else I could do," Vanna said.
"The people there were my family even though I hated the work. And I couldn't go back to my village for fear of shame. So what could I do?" The second time she was rescued she was taught to read and write by a shelter, even learning some English. But she again returned to the sex trade. This time, friends introduced her to foreigners in Western bars, she said.
Now she says that the options offered by NGOs hold no interest for her. "I can earn anything from US$200 a week sometimes it's much more," Vanna said. "It may not be a wonderful job, but I don't want to work in a garment factory for US$45 a month. What choice would you make?" Behind the bravado, there's a hint of wistfulness when talking about the future. Navy said no respectable man will want her, and that her clients are very unlikely to offer her more than shortterm stability. She said she knows she will not be able to continue as a sex worker forever. But the women do not see themselves as victims. "Sometimes I get sad and sometimes I get treated badly, but I chose to do this," Vanna said. "If you try to help me then you are trying to stop me doing what I really want to do." Srey Mom agreed. "If anyone can help me, they can help by stop judging me and stop thinking they know what I think," she said. "I'm a prostitute but I've seen other people do worse." By Roo Griffiths
Vietnamese telecommunications company initiates investments in Cambodia and Laos
ILLUSTRATED BY CAMBODIA NEWS & WORLD REPORT
Issue: 3 • Year: 1
Vietnamese newspapers reported that the Vietnamese military-owned mobile phone service provider, Viettel, was to initiate investments in banking and energy companies across the border in Cambodia. Viettel announced in August that it had completed negotiations to become a founding shareholder in two companies based in Cambodia. Last year, Viettel set up Viettel Cambodia, a wholly owned subsidiary, as its first foreign venture (and the first of any Vietnamese telecom company). Now, Viettel is to invest US$1.2 million, which represents an approximate 8 percent stake, in the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Stock Bank. The bank's primary objective is a provision-
ing of financial services to Vietnamese enterprises working in Cambodia. In addition, Viettel is going to make an investment of US$7.5 million, which represents approximately 5 percent of charter capital, into the EVNCambodia Joint Stock Company. This company is to work on the construction of hydroelectric plants along the Mekong River in Cambodia. Meanwhile, Viettel is not limiting its interest to Cambodia alone. Negotiations are underway between Viettel and Laos Asia regarding the establishment of a joint stock company for the provision of telecommunications in Laos, envisaging a Vietnamese contribution of 49 percent of the company's charter capital.
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Residents of Tum Nup Kor 5 village see Khuon Vana as hero photo: hem chanthoeurn
Part of the land that Khuon Vana and his team cleared of mines in the Poipet commune, located in O' Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey province.
delivered to all poor people who were to live there. Vana also granted landminefree pieces of land in order to build Tum Nup Kor Pram Primary Schools, helps with lane development in the village, and assisted in pond excavation as well. The development of the Kor Pram dam area has also been aided by Samaritan, an organization whose headquarters are in Australia, Khuon Vanna said. Samaritan has helped Khuon Vana Association since 2005. The organization assisted in building a school, 17 wells and building 75 houses for poor people, contributed 4 sets of mine hunting equipment, and granted school stationary to the kids and is now helping with the construction of a
Education, Youth and Sports presented him a medal of Education Support as well. All in all, he said he thinks he deserves the medals he has received because they are an acknowledgement of his sacrifices and efforts to help the poor and to alleviate some of the poverty in Cambodia.
Issue: 3 • Year: 1
Eventually, Vana, as president of the Khuon Vana Association along Cambodian-Thai border at Tum Nup Kor Pram village, Poipet commune, said he would like to see more charities, non-government organizations and local, as well as international, people to assist people who live in Tum Nup Kor Pram and lack land for
farming. He said most people cross into Thailand to seek jobs and such people will face great difficulties in living if they are unable to find work in Thailand. Tum Nup Kor 5 is an area that has 1,200 families, under Vana's leadership, and lies 2 meters from the Cambodian-Thai border, delineated by a water stream one side being Cambodia's, the other Thailand's. Bun Touch, a 30-year-old man living in Tum Nup Kor Pram, said the people are able to live on the land, which used to be full of landmines, because of Vana and his team who removed the landmines and delivered the land to the people. Touch said without Vana's work and dedication, people would not have been able to live in the area. Vana performed scarification on the land in order to locate and remove landmines (needs attribution). Sarin Sam, 50, of Tum Nup Kor Pram, said, "If it weren't for Vana, the people of the village would not be able to live there." By Hem Chanthoeun ad
Khuon Vana providing an interview to one of Cambodia News & World Report's reporters.
school building at Tum Nup Kor Pram Primary School, said Khuon Vana. Current enrollment at Tum Nup Kor Pram Primary School is 602 children and Vana said he believes that in the upcoming academic years (2008-2009), enrollment will grow, which is why Samaritan is helping to build an additional school building. Vanais now a lieutenant colonel of Office 5 and is an assistant to the Deputy Commander of Army in the area. Although he is the disabled, and his body bears scars made by bullets, he is still full of hope. He said he was pleased with his sacrifice for the country and, because of his advantages, he was granted honored medals from the former King Norodom Sihanouk and the Prime Minister Hun Sen. "I was very happy at the time that the leaders of the country see the worthy deeds, which I have contributed to the country," Vana said. "At this stage [of my life], I think nothing beyond helping the country. I am disabled in both legs. I just want to be honored." Because of Vana's courage, sacrifices to remove landmines in Tum Nup Kor, Kor Pram, Poipet and land grants to poor people and the building Tum Nup Kor Pram Primary School, he was highly honored by then King Norodom Sihanouk, who awarded him the honorable medal as Country Defense Officer in 2004, and he was then additionally honored by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who granted him the medal in recognition of National Construction, and the Ministry of photo: hem chanthoeurn
This sign reads: "Danger! Mines!!" and shows that landmines are still abundant in the area so there is a good reason to be cautious. Signs such as this one can still be seen in most rural areas in Cambodia.
september 2007
photo: vong sopheak
ANTEAY MEANCHEY Cambodia is a country that had, at one point, chronic, nonstop war for more than a decade. One result of this was that many people were killed during this extended war. Another is that, although the war ended, some still lost their lives due to a legacy of this war: landmines. Some lost family members and others became permanently disabled. Khuon Vana, president of Khuon Vana Association, an association with the aim to reduce the poverty level in Kor Pram dam, is a 58-year-old man with a mixture of white and black hairs. Both of his legs were amputated at the thighs, leaving him unable to walk. Vana told Cambodia News & World Report that he served in the military since 1978 and that his legs were crippled in September 2002 after the war had already ended and the country was then in peace. "I was crippled after the country ended the war as I was clearing the land of mines to deliver [land] to poor people and I accidentally exploded a landmine in the Kor Pram dam," he said. Kor Pram dam area was a strategic zone along Cambodia-Thailand border and during the rule of the People's Republic of Cambodia in the 1980s, the government mobilized people to clear the forests (Kor Pram) and this area was pulled back and forth between Khmer Rouge and Government military and it was known then as a zone with plenty of landmines which were planted by the both military factions. He went on to add that members of 1,200 poor families from different provinces have been given parcels of land to live on in the Kor Pram dam area, an area that he and other colleagues cleared of planted landmines, covering 3 kilometers in length along the Cambodia-Thailand border. He also initiated the building of lanes and mapping the area out for residences. He said, after leading the team that cleared the landmines from the area along the border, he gathered the poor people who were to live there and established the Khuon Vana Association, which is located in Tum Nup Kor 5 (Pram) village, Poipet commune, O' Chrov district of Banteay Meanchey Province. When allocating a lot of land on which the poor people could build their residences, he said he has never discriminated based on any political trend or party. He said he
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World Bank grants US$70 million, World Bank President visits Cambodia photo: vong sopheak
said there was still a long road to travel and believes that the PRGO would play a crucial support role in terms of working towards additional structural reform of other key sectors. The signing of this agreement comes in the wake of an official visit paid to Cambodia earlier in the month by Robert Zoellick, the new President of the World Bank. "Cambodia has the opportunity to build on its recent strong economic performance to broaden and deepen the foundation for sustainable economic growth," Zoellick said during his visit. "The World Bank wants to assist the Government to enact reforms to reduce rural poverty, encourage social development, improve the business and investment climate, and strengthen the rule of law. These most essential steps would help the Government earn the respect of entrepreneurs and investors and, more importantly, the appreciation of Cambodians, who have suffered much and seek the full benefits of peace, growth and opportunity." According to a press release issued by the Cambodian Branch of the World Bank, Zoellick met with a variety of people in order to learn firsthand about the challenges and
Robert Zoellick, World Bank President (left), talking with Youk Chhang, Director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia.
opportunities that await the country during his two day visit. A few of the people with whom he met include Prime Minister Hun Sen, Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon, Minister of Education Kol Pheng, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning
and Construction Ian Chub Lim, Minister of Women's Affairs Dr. Ing Kantha Pavi, garment workers, a small manufacturer, a community that was the recipient of new land titles, a quickly expanding local bank, members of the private sector, members of the donor community, as photo: vong sopheak
HNOM PENH - On Aug. 14, 2007, H.E. Keat Chhon, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Ian Porter, Cambodia Country Director for the World Bank signed an agreement that granted - unconditionally - a sum of US$70 million to Cambodia for three development plans. It was recently approved by the World Bank's executive management. The three projects revolve around electrical power and commerce in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), the Poverty Reduction Growth Operation (PRGO) and Rural Investment and Local Governance Project - Additional Financing (RILGP-AF). These projects are slated to help in efforts to restore and reform the country in several ways. First, the grant will help Cambodia bring about a more reliable electricity network (funding allows for establishing and strengthening networks from regions that border Cambodia's border with Laos and Vietnam). Second, the PRGO program focuses on supporting "good governance," as mentioned in a press report, which includes financial support to implement the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2006-2010, and also focuses on three vital points: rural development, public financial management (PFM), and natural resources management. Finally, the RILG will be used to expand the existing program to 23 provinces and cities through extra financial assistance between 2007 and 2009. This encompasses transferring fiscal administration to the commune level and will also facilitate rapid strengthening and increased implementation of fiscal transfers as well as budgetary distribution. This funding supplements original RILG (2003-2007) containing a budget of US$22 million that is already in place. Ian Porter, Cambodia Country Director for the World Bank, said the plans will help improve good governance of institutions, which can lead to an improved growth rate and quicker poverty reduction. "We are satisfied that our support, implemented through these plans, is on the right track strategically," Porter said. Keat Chhon said Cambodia's improved economic performance and success in reducing the poverty level demonstrated that Cambodia was on the right track toward development. He said he believes the development would not have been able to occur had reforms not been undertaken by the Royal Government of Cambodia, with support coming in from development partners. However, he
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Robert Zoellick shaking hands with Im Chhunlim, Minister of Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. Issue: 3 • Year: 1
well as a leader in the civil society forum. Zoellick, upon visiting ACLEDA Bank, was able to see how microfinance has been able to transform Cambodia's as yet young and undeveloped finance sector and how it has provided important financial services to small business, thereby reaching approximately a fifth of all Cambodian households. "The success of the microfinance industry in Cambodia is remarkable given the challenging business environment and the difficulty of reaching rural and remote areas," Zoellick said. "I am delighted that the Bank Group has been able to help ACLEDA grow from an NGO to a licensed financial institution that now provides working capital to small business owners, more than two thirds of them women. We hope to help ACLEDA expand its successful service to other areas too." Cambodia's garment industry employs approximately 330,000 people in more than 200 factories and accounts for approximately 80 percent of the country's export earnings (worth approximately US$2.5 billion in 2006), per Cambodia Country Office of The World Bank figures. Even so, Zoellick said this was "too narrow a base on
which to develop" and that it was essential for Cambodia to create the right kind of investment climate in order to attract other types of business. "Cambodia is a small country," he said. "It needs to be distinctive to get on the map and I believe it can be distinctive by emphasizing its heritage, better labor practices, better transparency, fighting corruption." Zoellick addressed another key issue - aid coordination and effectiveness - through meeting with a number of donors to discuss how the Government's efforts to increase the effectiveness of the approximately US$690 million, which Cambodia receives in aid each year, could be built up. Zoellick noted that H.E. Keat, Minister of Economy and Finance, provided an effective leadership role in coordinating aid with donors increasingly cooperating and aligning their programs with the Government's priorities. "This is not just a question of pleasing the external world," Zoellick said. "It's a question of being fair to the Cambodian people‌and that means making sure that whether it be foreign aid or government revenue, [money] is spent appropriately." By Vong Sopheak & Gabby Raines
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6 tons of seized drug chemicals destroyed
Officials explaining process of how the chemicals will be neutralized.
big drug laboratory located in Treng Traoeng Commune, Phnom Srouch district, Kompong Speu province. Within the laboratory, a large stock of chemical substances was found. Another laboratory was located in Tual Sway Priey Commune, Chamka Morn, Phnom Penh. The authorities arrested eighteen people they believe to have been involved in these laboratories. Of the eighteen, three were Chinese nationals, one was Thai, and fourteen others were Khmer workers. Seven kinds of chemical substances were confiscated weighing approximately 5,770.25 kg. These substances, and their weights, are as follows:
lion. During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Kheng requested that those Agencies responsible for controlling chemical substances, especially the Health Ministry, Cambodia Development Council, Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy,
• 553.5 kg of Acetone • 7 kg of Trichlorfon • 35.5 kg of Chloro Ephedrine • 1,321.25 kg of Ferric Chloride Anhydrius mixed with powder • 250 kg of Activated Carbon • 678 kg of Potassium Hydroxide • 2,925 kg of Thionyl Chloride • 678 kg of Potassium Hydroxide According to a technical estimate and evaluation of the seized chemicals, there were enough chemicals present to manufacture over 1,000 kg (more than one tonne) of crystal methamphetamines. If produced in pill form, this would be approximately 54.5 million pills with a street value of approximately US$54.5 milIssue: 3 • Year: 1
should firmly check all incoming chemical substances before they are allowed to enter the country because, while it is true that some substances can be used in legal production, they can, conversely, also be used to manufacture drugs. Kheng added that the law
enforcement agencies stationed along the border, especially the customs agencies, should thoroughly check the shipments before allowing the import of chemical substance into or across Cambodia. The determination and good will of both the Royal Government and the National Authority for Combating Drugs in preventing, and clearing out, drug use as well as drug trafficking contributes to developing the Asian region as a drug-free zone - something that is hoped to be realized by 2015. Chea Chong, the mastermind behind the seized laboratories and owner of 62 hectares of land, under the guise of a cow feeding afrm as well as a place that produces grass killing chemicals, had escaped when the raid occured. After months of searching, Chong was captured with the cooperation of Vietnamese authorities, and was brought back to face legal charges. By Vong Sopheak ad
Deputy Prime Minister said that that the workers hired by the drug manufacturers had swelling around their faces and other body parts in reaction to the chemical. The police also had suffered some effects to the chemical during the raid. Kheng explained that he had received the following suggestions from outside sources for destroying the chemicals: burn the confiscated chemicals in a safe kiln, bury the confiscated chemicals, and/or dilute the chemicals' poison and bury them. Since the National Authority for Combating Drugs of Cambodia does not have the skill or experience necessary in this type of matter, the Authority was dependent on suggestions and technical assistance provided by experts from UNODC. Therefore, the authorities decided to destroy the dangerous chemicals by diluting their poison, whereas the other kinds of chemicals were simply burnt and buried in order to ensure that there would not be a negative impact on the environment, said Deputy Prime Minister Kheng. Lieutenant General Teng Savong, permanent vice president of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, said the destruction of the drug chemicals, case KP147, had two stages: Stage 1: Diluting the poison of 2,925 kilograms (kg) of thionyl chloride, which contains a strong toxin. For this, three types of chemical substances were used: 3.2 kg of Calcium Oxide, 10.0 kg of Sodium BiCarbonate, 14.0 litres of Hydrogen Peroxide. The chemicals were recommended by an UNODC expert and ordered by him through a regional company. Stage 2: Burning of the other 6 kinds of chemicals, which seem to have a lower toxicity than thionyl chloride, for a period of 7 days by using a safety kiln. The 6 main substances are: Acetone, Trichlorfon, Chloro Ephedrine, Ferric Chloride Anhydrius, Activated Carbon and Potassium Hydroxide. The destruction of these substances was conducted by the Malaysian branch of an American corporation. In review, on April 1, 2007, forces under the command of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, accompanied by relevant authorities, raided a
photo: vong sopheak
AMPONG SPEU -Cambodia used to be a country into which drug traffickers imported drugs from the Golden Triangle region and distributed them throughout their networks in the Cambodian markets. Later, this country suffered another, greater tragedy. Drug dealers used Cambodia as a place in which they manufactured drugs, making it a place where the dealers exported their drugs into other countries, said Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior Ministry and President of the National Authority for Combating Drugs. The cleanup of the seized drug chemicals, which were confiscated by the authorities from Street 81, 1 Village in Treng Trayoeng commune, Kompong Speu's Phnom Sruoch district on April 1, 2007, was begun with a ceremony that was held on August 16, 2007 at the site. The process involved in destroying the drugs involves a chemical mixture meant to destroy the chemicals' effectiveness. Some of the drugs were burned down to make them safe . The ceremony was conducted with the participation of United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United States and Australia in cooperation with the National Authority for Combating Drugs of Cambodia. The U.S. and Australia both provided US$60,000 each (with the U.S. providing an additional US$80,000 on August 24, 2007) through the UNODC in order to destroy the drug chemicals on site. Deputy Prime Minister Kheng said, during the ceremony, that the authorities had cleaned the trafficking of synthesized drugs up throughout Cambodia to other countries, but this marked the first time that the National Authority for Combating Drugs was involved in destroying synthesized drugs by spending a long time in order to identify the site of the crime and reaching the decision to destroy. Deputy Prime Minister Kheng added that, aside from the people who were arrested, 2 tons of the total seized amount of chemicals were thionyl chloride, which is one of the most dangerous chemicals around and could explode if it comes into contact with either water or heat. It was necessary for those in charge to ensure an immediate destruction of this chemical, otherwise there was a chance it could have caused grievous damage to people, animals and the environment if it had exploded. The chemical was destroyed by means of diluting its poisonous properties, thereby minimizing the immediate danger.
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Lowell hosts 2007 Sout
Six teams competing in this year’s festival. The racing boats rented from the Laotian and Khmer Kampuchea Krom communities.
Neary Rothkhunthea, a famous former film star of the 1990s in Cambodia, with her child at the festival. photo: kimhan peou
ken and, therefore, the boats of Kampuchea Krom and of Laos were hired and used instead. The race is 500 meters, starting at a point called Boating House and ending at a point called Beach Area. The Festival is organized by Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, Inc. and there are many participants from different organizations and communities that are of different nationalities, such as the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Lao Family Mutual Assistance Association, Light of Cambodia Children, Inc., Thai Association of Boston, Lowell National Historical Park, Jericho Road Project, Wat Buddha Bhavana, Trainratanaram Temple, Koun Khmer TV Show, Middlesex Community College International and Multicultural Office, Lowell Television Communication, Lowell Cultural Council, Mogan Cutural Council, Cool, Voice of Cambodian Children/WUML, Local Businesses and Community Organizations and Volunteers. This is the 11th Water Festival, called "Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival," to be held by Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, Inc., says Sayon Soeun. The organization for the whole Festival is supported by Lowell Cultural Council, Mogan Cultural Council, Theodore Edson Parker Foundation, Wang Foundation, Saints Medical Center, Keyspan and some of the budget has come from renting space to businessmen in order for them to sell their products. The fee is based
photo: kimhan peou
owell, Massachusetts Following the newly-finished Water Festival held in Long Beach, California in July, Lowell celebrated its Southeast Asian Water Festival in August with the participation of both Cambodian citizens and other nationalities that totaled over 50,000 participants. According to Cambodian tradition, Water Festival is an annually-celebrated festival, which includes boat racing, the commemoration of the Spirit of Water, and a rehearsal of Cambodian navies in the older days. Cambodians are not the only ones who celebrate this festival. Thais and Laotians, whose cultures resemble Cambodia's, celebrate this festival as well. As a consequence, Asian-Americans who were born in Southeast Asia and live in cities and states along America's East Coast have agreed to celebrate the Festival together in Lowell, Massachusetts. Seoun Sayon, head of the Festival organizing committee, said that the Festival had been celebrated on a river in Lowell, Massachusetts for 11 consecutive years. The Festival always takes place in the third week of August, which may sometimes fall on August 16, 17, or 18. This year there were 6 groups of both male and female boat racers, including Khmer Angkor group, and a group from Lowell, Massachusetts, bringing the total number of 18 racers. The group was previously called Khmer Lo Team (shortened from the word Lowell). The Second group is called Three Brothers and has multinational racers - Cambodian, Laotian, and Thai, with Laos outnumbering the other nationalities. The third group is called Paddle or Else from Howard University. The fourth group is called Boston Fusion from Boston, Massachusetts. The fifth group is Boston Dragon Club, also from Boston, with the sixth group being New Jersey Dragon Boat from New Jersey. Each boat contains 18 to 20 racers, one of whom is a dancer at the front of the boat and another who steers at the back end of the boat. There are only two boats in this year's ceremony. The committee added that the two boats, which the committee hired, belonged to Laotian community. Each boat is 45 to 50 feet long and painted in a Lation decoration style. He continued that in the first two years, the committee had used Cambodian boats, which were 40 feet long, but due to the unbearable climate change, those boats were bro-
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Lao Star performing during the festival.
on the size of the booth and type of business - US$600 for food booth, US$400 for cloth, CDs, and souvenirs booths, and US$300 for advertising shops and shops selling pictures are charged on a per diem basis. The Festival has taken place over 2 days and was led by
Sayon Soeun, head of Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, Inc. The Festival is celebrated annually in the Merrimack River along Pawtucket Blvd. in Lowell, Massachusetts. Soeun claimed that each boat had an equal number of racers and the race had to follow the proce-
Issue: 3 • Year: 1
dures set by the committee and that, according to the short time frame, the committee had agreed upon a condition which stated that if any group lost a race in the first round, the group would be unable to join the second or the third (final) round. During the ceremony, besides boat racing, there are also two stages available for a concert and a display of both traditional and classical plays of each nationality. There were over 60 booths set up for selling food, clothes and displaying products of Cambodian, Laotian and Thai cultures, as well as other cultures, and there were 5 to 10 promotional shops that advertised products of other companies. Neary Rothkunthea, a famous former film star of the 1990s in Cambodia and current owner of Neary Rothkunthea's Fashion Shop, was also present at the ceremony. She came from the state of Rhode Island to rent a booth in order to sell her products which she said came from Cambodia. She continued, "I was glad to have a chance to see Cambodian people, and I was not just coming to sell my products, but also to take part in the ceremony, for I lived in Providence, Rhode Island." "In this country, we would scarcely have met each other if we have no such a ceremony. That's why I was trying to be here to enjoy and see people," she added. She also expressed her appreciation to the committee for their organization of a ceremony that has enabled
Cambodian citizens to meet and that has given young Cambodia-Americans, who may never have seen what a traditional Cambodia festival was like, to see and join the festival. She was also glad that she has had the opportunity to show Cambodia masterpieces to the people here as all of her products were Cambodia tradition-inspired products. Soeun indicated that on Friday, August 17, the committee had organized the lightedcandle floating portion of the festival to take place in the Western Canal, with water source flowing from the Merrimack River, by lighting and floating candles. There was also an invocation made by monks in order to bless the ceremony and make it even more meaningful and enjoyable. The lighted-candle floating (bandet protib) ceremony, Soeun said, has been conducted for the past three years; it had not, previously, been a part of this ceremony on previous occasions. As for Saturday, August 18, boat races, there were not fewer than 50, 000 multinational participants, making their way [here] and there to purchase food and other souvenirs and watch the plays and concerts. While some of the participants came from states near Massachusetts, as well as other states in the U.S., others came from Canada, Australia and other parts of the world. Sophea David, a former film star and owner of Kampuchea Video Shop and a current resi-
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theast Asian Water Festival photo: sayon soeun
tries, such as France, and I have recently met several people from Australia. I think that it is good that I am able to be one of the participants in the Water Festival." She also added that this was the first time she had fully participated in the ceremony.
consisted of various nationalities and included CambodianAmericans, Chinese-Americans, Latioan-Americans, ThaiAmericans and non-Asian Americans. This year, Three Brothers Group placed first and won US$600. Somphavanh Prasavath, pre-
photo: kimhan peou
A few of the people who came out to enjoy the festival.
Although there were six groups of racers, there were only two boats available for the races. These boats were used interchangeably between the teams, whose members Issue: 3 • Year: 1
children from different nationalities in the group, as well as the cooperation of all people in order to achieve a successful race for all. Nobody could say that Laos, Thailand or Cambodia was a winner - all of them were winners. The Paddle or Else Group placed second with a prize of US$400 and third place went to Boston Fusion with a prize of US$200. Along with a cash prize, each team that placed also received a trophy. Sayon added that he would like to call upon the Cambodian people to participate in next year's ceremony, as there would be big dancing show joined by Cambodian, Laotians and Thais, that would be held for more than three hours and that the committees would all try to cooperate with each other in order to raise enough fund in order to organize the ceremony. Next year, if the citizens from other states wish to join the race, they would be welcomed, and the committee would increase the prizes from US$800 to US$1000. By Kimhan Peou ad
Van Lourn, from Australia, also present at the festival.
noticed that this is one of the best festivals because each year there are many people who come from almost every state in the U.S., as well as people who come from various coun-
sident and coach of Three Brothers Group, said he was very satisfied with the success his fellow teammates had gained, that they had trained the racers hard despite such a short time for training, and that he was very happy to see the satisfactory participation of photo: kimhan peou
Three Brothers Team, placing first in the boat racing competition. photo: kimhan peou
dent of Lowell, Massachusetts, said, "This year's Water Festival has more participants, as compared to previous years. This year, a number of Khmer citizens have [also] gathered. [By having a ceremony organized] like this, it is a great opportunity for people to get to know each other and so it has more participants, as compared to previous years. More importantly, today it is not raining like [it did] last year, so it is much better and more enjoyable." He also added that he had joined the Water Festival for 3 or 4 years, so far. He expressed his thanks to the program's organizers, who conducted the ceremony in the U.S. Although it is exactly like the one that was held in Cambodia, it is a source of pride to try and conduct an annual program in order to see Cambodia people from other parts of New England and from Canada. It could be said that this provides a great opportunity to see Cambodian citizens from other parts of the country and world by sharing a ceremony that allows foreigners to feel familiar through a sharing of similar cultures. Van Lourn, a 50-year-old man living in Sydney, Australia, who also attended the celebration, said, "I feel strange when I see Cambodian people here celebrating the Water Festival and other Khmer national ceremonies, because Cambodian people in other countries, particularly in Sydney, Australia, never celebrate the Water Festival. However, in some
parts of Australia, people also celebrate some traditional Khmer ceremonies, but I am unable to join the ceremonies as they are far form where I live." Lourn also confirmed that this was his first visit to Lowell in order to take part in the Water Festival. He called on Cambodians living in foreign countries not to forget their customs and to enhance Khmer arts and culture and to be good models for younger generations. Sokheang S. Hong, a Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has also said that he has taken part in the ceremony almost every year and that it was the best thing that this could happen - for people from different nationalities such Cambodians, Laotians, and Thais to have agreed to celebrate the festival here annually, and have more than 50,000 to 60,000 people join the ceremony every year. Mrs. Vera Thon-Tith, President of the Cambodia Cultural Institute in Lowell said that "I
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HNOM PENH - Admiral Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), traveled to Cambodia on August 2022, 2007 for a familiarization visit to the country. During his visit, Admiral Keating met with Prime Minister Hun Sen, H.E. Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and with various Cambodian defense officials. Admiral Keating's meeting with H.E. Banh was scheduled on August 21 at the Ministry of
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U.S. Forces to provide support for Royal Cambodian Forces to fight terrorism photo: vong sopheak
Cambodian prime minister orders ban on imported pigs, pork Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ordering ordered in August a ban on the import of all pigs and pork meat from neighboring countries. He said there were concerns over the spread of disease arising from such imports. At the same time, he said there is a real need to develop the local Cambodian pig farming industry. The Ministry of Interior was to immediately order relevant authorities to take direct measures to halt importation of pigs and other pork products. This applies to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Commerce, in particular.
Admiral Timothy Keating, the top U.S. military commander in the Pacific and based in Hawaii, at a press conference. He said that U.S. assistance could involve sharing of information, assistance with training in surveillance techniques and assistance in tracking the flow of terrorist finances around the world. photo: vong sopheak
Defense in order to discuss several issues. This meeting included discussing strategies on how better security could be maintained in Southeast Asia, and around the world, in light of attacks on tourists in the region. "We have discussed antiterrorism strategies. Regarding this, the U.S. will provide as much necessary support as it can to Cambodia, and that we will share our past experiences in order to strengthen [the] Cambodian political conditions in finding terrorists," Admiral Keating said to reporters following the meeting. He also mentioned that the military relationship between these two countries has become better. H.E. Banh, indicating the Royal Government of Cambodia's commitment to cooperating with the U.S. in fighting terrorism around the world, said, "We have fully responded to terrorism attacks for years, not just now. More pertinently, the
Defense Minister Tea Banh providing an interview during Admiral Keating’s recent two-day visit to Cambodia.
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces have been interested in fighting terrorism, for it is dangerous not only for
Cambodia, but for the whole world as well." H.E. Banh also mentioned that Cambodia had recently
shown its good will, one example of which was sending troops to train in Mongolia. And that Cambo-
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dia, in response to the global terrorist threat, has tried to aid in stopping that threat as tirelessly as is possible. He also added that Prime Minister Hun Sen was a great commander in this regard and that Cambodia would be better able to aid in the fight against terrorism if the country received more training from those countries which have experience with this issue. Admiral Keating added to this by stating that the U.S. and Cambodia were working hand-in-hand in response to the terrorist attack issue by sharing information and investigative techniques and that the cooperation is a great opportunity for the two countries to work together to help in solving this issue. Admiral Keating also confirmed that the U.S. would provide support in the form of training for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and to the military field, in general. By Lang Hokleng
Reports from Agence France-Presse had previously revealed that 26 people in Vietnam had been hospitalized with a bacterial infection, called Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, passed on from diseased pigs, and there had been two confirmed deaths. Although about 2,000 pigs are usually imported daily from both Thailand and Vietnam, there did not seem to be much concern about any shortages in supply on the part of agricultural companies. It was thought by many actors that the ban would help to encourage the local pig farming industry instead.
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India: Racing ahead with alternative fuel solutions photo: anirban bandyopadhyay
All Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses are CNG compatible.
fuels may be Propane (LPG), Ethanol, Methanol or Biodiesel. Each of them reduces the toxic emission levels and also promises economy. Electricity, because it releases mechanical power directly, is a particularly unique source of alternative fuel. Hydrogen, Natural Gas (CNG/LPG), P-Series (certain blends of methyltetrahydrofuran, ethanol and hydrocarbons, known as the Pseries), solar fuels and Vapor Bag Assembly are some of the other sources of alternative fuels that offer India a wide variety of options. Various research institutes in India are regularly devising
innovative alternative fuel solutions. For instance, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore loaned technical assistance to the Hosur Forest Division of the Forest Department of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu to make all of its vehicles biodiesel compatible. Another experiment from the IISc stable has presented water as an alternative to fossil fuels. Recently, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), a government funded specialized photo: anirban bandyopadhyay
Prof. L.M. Das of IIT, Delhi
A CNG Gas station in New Delhi photo: anirban bandyopadhyay
to handle because its flash points are higher than conventional diesel and it needs no separate infrastructure for storage and dispensing. Blending of bio-diesel with conventional diesel would ensure reduction of un-burnt hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide and especially auto emissions. Mr. Pathak also says, “The government has chosen feedstock as the preferred raw material for producing biodiesel because it is more cost effective.” This is distinct from the practices in the west where biodiesel is commercially made from edible oils. A National Mission on bio-diesel, with the Rural Development Ministry (MRD) as the core agency, is in the pipeline. It would involve large-scale plantation of Jatropha Curcus, setting up of specialized units for extracting oil from Jatropha seeds, installation of bio-diesel plants for making bio-diesel from Jatropha oil and blending of bio-diesel in diesel and marketing of such blended fuel. The Planning Commission has alrea-dy declared this as a priority sector in the current Five Year Plan and the Land Resources Department of the MRD has been releasing the required funds to the respective states. The policy sees an important role for the local governments at the village level. They may, for instance, enter into joint ventures with private parties for setting up oil-processing plants and other downstream industries in villages or small towns, resulting ultimately in Rural Business Hubs (RBH) that would eliminate rural poverty. The public sector oil marketing companies have already started purchasing bio-diesel that meets the standard recommended by the Bureau of Indian Standards. These are impressive measures, but they are not going to meet India’s energy needs in the short and medium term. This is why the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach with diplomacy forming an important part. Given that the reserves of the non-OPEC countries might not last for more than 20 years at the current rate of production, observers feel that OPEC countries are going to become increasingly important in terms of possible sources of alternative fuel. Such bases of alternative
photo: anirban bandyopadhyay
EW DHELI - The government, as well as the people, of India faces a stiff challenge from the rising global crude price that has reached $65/barrel. According to projections, it is set to touch $70 by 2009, says Dr. Pratibha Mathur, 68, a senior doctor who has been driving for over forty years. “Unless I am very cautious, the price of petrol often threatens my monthly budget.” Like Dr. Mathur, the Government of India and its citizens are now preparing to the meet this challenge with some out of the box solutions. They have a state sponsored biodiesel research and development program topping the agenda. There has been a surge in the output of oil following the recent exploration and production activities in the country. It has eighteen refineries, one of which is run by a private operator, are all functioning at full capacity. Yet India, the ninth largest importer of oil, imports 1.5 million barrels per day out of its total consumption of 2.3 million barrels (70%), according to figures available with Energy Information Administration (EIA). In 2005-06, its crude oil import bill alone stood at over $30 billion. A recent piece in Security Research Review, a respectable Indian journal specializing in diplomacy and security issues, mentions that India is projected to emerge as the fourthlargest consumer of energy by 2010, following the USA, China, and Japan. Although natural gas is fast becoming a crucial source of energy, India produced only 32.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 200506. The rapidly growing energy requirements of the country still call for large-scale alternative fuel solutions. Against this background, the policy makers, automobile industry, and the public in India have taken up several experiments to help ease the effects of the current crisis. The new bio-diesel purchase policy of the Government of India envisions development of alternative sources of energy as a critical dimension of energy security. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is already implementing a five percent Ethanol blended Petrol program designed to support agriculture and the rural sector. Vijay Pathak, a senior official in the Ministry of Rural Development, the central ministry for the implementation of the program and currently the Rural Development Commissioner in the state of Sikkim, has been associated with the project from the very beginning. Pathak says that bio-diesel is an environmentally friendly fuel that contains almost no sulphur or aromatics. It is safer
The bio-diesel compatible Chevrolet Taverra car that Prof. L.M. Das from IIT, New Delhi has been test driving. Issue: 3 • Year: 1
research body that spearheads agricultural research in the country, has identified a special variety of Jatropha as most suitable for large scale cultivation and renamed it ‘Chhatrapati’. The Indian automobile industry is not lagging far behind. Bajaj Auto, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), recently came up with a hydrogenpowered auto rickshaw. Then there is the well known example of Reva, the small Electric car first launched in Bangalore in 2001 that went on to bag a special award as the most economical car in the U.K., where it is marketed under the brand name G-WIZ. Hero, the largest two wheeler manufacturer in India, launched its range of Electric scooters and bikes under the brand name Hero Electric earlier this year in collaboration with the U.K. based Ultra Motors. These two wheelers, of which at least seven variants are already on the market, cost less than 25000 Indian Rupees (US$600), a very modest price. The mainstream consumer has taken the challenge head on. Dr. Mathur feels that, like everything else in life, the price of Petrol would rise as a matter of course and that consumers must be prepared for all eventualities. However, “I would prefer to economize on my usage and take every step to prevent waste rather than to buy a CNGcompatible car right now,” says Dr. Matuhur. The blue collar segment appears to have a divided opinion, as well, about the prospect of CNG as a future replacement for gasoline.
Several years after a Delhi High Court order made it compulsory for all public transport vehicles in Delhi to run on CNG, some three wheeler drivers still remain unconvinced. Pratap Pandey, 54, feels the economy that CNG affords is more than offset by the fragility of new spares and the cost of the CNGenabled vehicles. On the other hand, Pandey’s younger colleague, Sunil Kumar, 28, says, “within a few years, CNG would definitely become a more economic option.” It is interesting that the younger Indians are more receptive to these alternative fuel resources. That is a most reassuring prospect because more than half of the Indian population has not turned forty yet. India has been looking beyond the OPEC countries and towards Central Asia as a reliable source of oil and natural gas. Former Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer have lately visited the region, underscoring its growing importance in India’s energy and security requirements. New Delhi is also approaching countries in Latin America and Africa, seeking to invest in their oil and gas fields. GAIL is looking at opportunities in Bangladesh and Myanmar as well. The general public is largely supportive of the government’s moves. Deepak Mahapatra, 34, the station manager in one of the outlets of Indraprastha Gas Limited, says a growing number of Delhiites are turning to CNG cars. Indraprastha Gas Limited is a public sector undertaking and is the leader in the marketing of CNG in New Delhi. Says Mahapatra, “Roughly 60% of the new private vehicles in Delhi today are CNG compatible.” India has several options, not only in terms of the number of countries it is approaching, but also in terms of possible sources of alternative fuel. Such bases of alternative fuels may be Propane (LPG), Ethanol, Methanol or Bio-diesel. Each of them reduces the toxic emission levels and also promises a better economy. Electricity releases mechanical power directly and this makes it a particularly unique source of alternative fuel. By Anirban Bandyopadhyay
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Prek Leap, an area for city folk to relax
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos continue cooperation on tourism photo: meun sothy
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos continue to make efforts to improve tourism in the three countries by launching a program called "Three Countries - One Destination.". The objective of this new program is to boost international tourism to the area on the basis of a collaborative platform. The cooperation will include participation in the program by tourism agencies from all three nations with the aim of attracting tourists from around the globe and promoting the tri-country of tourist destinations. More discussions will be held at the Vietnam International Tourism Exhibition in 2007 in Ho Chi Minh City. At this key event, photo: lang hokleng
Customers relaxing in the hammock area in one of Preak Leap’s boiled corn booths.
which she has built the thatch and zinc-roofed booths. She said she no longer finds it difficult to earn enough money to pay the rent, taxes, and other payments to local authorities. She said she is also able to make a sufficient enough profit in order to support herself and her family. The preference for growing corn along the riverbanks has become more common, particularly because there is a market available in the area. Corn is brought in from farms on the riverbanks to Prek Leap by the farmers. Corn growers also transport their produce from their farms to sell in the markets in Phnom
Penh, especially when they have corn left over after selling to the Prek Leap sellers, according to farmers in Muk Kampoul district. Bora, 23, often goes to Prek Leap to eat boiled corn with his friends. He said they always come for corn and young coconuts in the area after they get out of class, when their teacher is busy or when they are on holiday. Bora said the corn in Prek Leap is delicious and the air is pure. He can meet his friends to sing a few karaoke songs provided by the corn sellers, and sometimes they play cards for fun. He said some places that sell corn also provide a volleyball yard.
Prek Leap is not just for young people and boiled corn. Most places in the area sell not only corn but also grilled beef sausage, husked papaya, drinks and other snacks. There are many sit-down restaurants in Prek Leap as well, including, among others, Heng Lay Restaurant, where Neay Krem and Neay Koy regularly perform their famous comedy sketches. Prek Leap restaurant zone is an area where all kinds of people can relax. Food in general costs a reasonable amount and, at the same time, the fresh air from the river helps one escape one's tiredness and boredom. By Meun Sothy photo: meun sothy
photo: meun sothy
Typical boiled corn booth in Prek Leap’s boiled corn zone.
photo: lang hokleng
boil the corn in order to be able to serve the crowds of customers. She sells 10 ears of corn for 5,000 riels. In the afternoons, clients who come to buy Yeay Nieth's corn include groups of teenagers on motor-bikes or in cars. Some customers are young couples who sit and swing in the hammocks and talk until it is time to return to the city again. Because of the how much the city inhabitants like Preak Leap's boiled corn, Yeay Nieth's standard of living is getting better and better. She said her sales of boiled corn and other types of food have meant she can afford to pay the rent on the land on
photo: lang hokleng
ANDAL - Located not too far from Phnom Penh, Prek Leap, well-known for its boiled corn, is one of the most popular places for those who dwell in the city to take a break during the weekend. Government officials, employees of private companies and ordinary families go to buy boiled corn, swing in hammocks, and eat the corn served with other types of food at very affordable prices. Located approximately 10 km across the Chroy Changvar Bridge (the "Japanese-Cambodian Friendship Bridge") out of Phnom Penh, Prek Leap is lined with wooden booths roofed with thatch or zinc, strung with hammocks and covered with mats, along both sides of National Road 6A. This is the famous boiled corn zone of Prek Leap. In front of each establishment are steaming pots of boiled corn on fires stoked with firewood. This is now a favorite area with people of all ages who want to get out of the city for a while, according to local people. One woman, Yeay Nieth, who is more than 60 years old, works with three or four girls. Some of them take the boiled corn out of the smoking pots and pack them for traveling customers. Some serve clients who sit and wait in hammocks out back. Yeay Nieth said the corn came from Prek Anhchanh, located 6 kilometers from Prek Leap on National Road 6A and costs 200 riels per phlaun (40 ears of corn), equal to US$0.30. Yeay Nieth said on normal days, not weekends or holidays, she could sell only four to five phlauns, but on weekends she could sell around one sleuk of corn (one sleuk = 10 phlauns). On national holidays, when the whole country takes a break from work, she said she can sell around three or four sleuks and needs to bring an extra pot to
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Pot used for boiling corn, ears of corn lie near it ready to be boiled. Issue: 3 • Year: 1
those from the ministries of tourism from each country will talk about long-term development strategies and products. At the exhibition, countries can showcase their products and boost cooperation with international travel agencies. This year, according to the organizing board, as many as 140 businesses from 21 countries are said to be attending, an increase of 40 percent from the previous year. The exhibition will be held at the Ho Chi Minh City International Exhibition and Convention Center (HIECC), hosted by the Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company (VINEXAD).
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One of the roads on which improvements would be welcomed by local residents.
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Organized road networks are what makes lives better photo: daniel de gruiter
TEUNG TRENG - Stranded cars, broken motorbikes and people working on the axles of trucks are an ordinary sight in Cambodia. In the countryside, road conditions are bad and roads become nearly impassible during the wet season. One result of this is that imports are being either shipped or flown in rather than being brought in by land, which is a cheaper option. While Thailand remains badly connected to Cambodia by road, Laos and Vietnam are becoming better connected. Traveling extensively around Cambodia teaches you many things. You get to know the people and their opinions and most of all their priorities. "The newly paved road between the Laotian border and Stung Treng nearly all the way to Kratie will prove very valuable in the future," says Jacques Robert-Nicoud, vice president of Tourism for Help. Jacques is directing a project in Stung Treng that gives poor people the chance to become educated in the tourism sector by offering them free training for one year. "The opening up of the border linking Stung Treng with southern Laos will give our project in Stung Treng much hope. We are currently in the process of building several lodges for tourism in Stung Treng and with this new road the possibility of traveling overland gives us new opportunities as well." The new road linking Kratie to the Laotian border has cut the travel time by car from 6 hours to only 2.5 hours. Steung Treng has always been
a pretty little city on the banks of the Sekong River with the Mekong flowing just behind it. This city will most likely receive a tourism boom once tour operators begin to express an interest in a Laos to Cambodia overland tour. For Jacques and his students this is excellent news. "The more support we can get, the more successful we will be in giving these children a chance for a better life" Jacques concludes. On the other side of Cambodia, in Poipet and Pailin, a different story is evolving. Areas, and roads, surrounding these cities remain poor while roads continue to remain in a bad condition, with no signs of improvements on the horizon. Few goods are being brought in overland and the prices for the goods immediately skyrocket upon entering Cambodia. Very few people are able to profit in these districts from trade and tourism. Since the Thai military has nearly finished construction of a beautiful road that links Koh Kong with Sre Ambel and National Route 4 to
Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, there seems to be little hope for Popet and Pailin with regard to any sort of tourism trade in the future. With a new bridge linking Koh Kong with Thailand, and a new road leading through the incredibly scenic Cardamom Mountains, this will, most likely, become the preferred road for many travelers. As a result, there has been an increase in number, and standard, of facilities that give the area surrounding Koh Kong a bigger potential for business investments. Since this area is an excellent link with both the port in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, it will create a good base for transferring of goods from Thailand to Cambodia and vice versa. Vietnam's best connection to Cambodia continues to be the road. This is understandable as many Vietnamese products are inexpensive and of much use in Cambodia. New routes continue to open on a regular basis - to foreigners as well. This is part of a strategy that was released through the 2005 Mekong Tourism Forum, during which ministers and stakeholders proposed a plan to better connect the Greater Mekong Sub- region (GMS) in terms of a road and rail network. Now, two years after its unveiling, the plan's execution is beginning in Cambodia and many locals and business owners welcome the improvements. By Daniel de Gruiter
Travel Tips Hiring dirt bikes It is easy to find a place to hire off road bikes in Phnom
machine is still a machine and machines break down, particularly in bad conditions. photo: chea chhourn
Some basic knowledge of mechanics and some tools could be useful so you don't get stuck on the road all day in the middle of nowhere. Time for a swim If you're overheating in Phnom Penh and can't stop gasping for breath, or you are desperate for some exercise that doesn't make you sweat buckets, maybe it's time to spend a day by the pool. There is a certain amount of choice around for you in this matter, but these fall into three main categories. The first are the small lounging pools, such as the one at the
Jobs in Cambodia? If you are non-Cambodian and desire to work, things can either be easy or difficult, depending on the type of work you are looking for. If you are a qualified English language teacher, there are jobs available for you wherever you may want to work. There are also jobs available for non-qualified teachers as well, although fewer at the main universities and language schools. If you wish to volunteer, look around and ask at guesthouses: orphanages and NGOs often are
A Relaxing Break in Kirirom National Park If you are keen to have a break from the cities and don't photo: chea chhourn
Penh. However, prices vary wildly, from US$8 a day up to US$35 - with no discernible difference in quality, therefore shop around. Check the quality of the bike, and make sure it has all the necessary tax and plates, etc. taken care of: if it does not, you will be responsible for any fines the police throw at you. Check out the dos and don'ts of your destination at the shop: there are times when the police decide that foreigners are not allowed to ride dirt bikes in some towns. Finally, some experience in riding bigger bikes is good: remember that even the best
in need of help, again, more often than not, with teaching. If you are looking for an NGO career, volunteering is, once more, often the only way forward: big jobs are usually taken up out of country, and many positions are for Cambodian nationals only. Be patient and wait until your name is known: Cambodia is all about connections‌ Other options include the newly burgeoning private sector: look at jobs in design, IT and media, sometimes advertised in the local press.
A glimpse showing one of the many pleasant views at Kirirom National Park.
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have much time to go deep into the countryside, Kirirom National Park, around an hour and a half from Phnom Penh, is the place to be to get away from it all. The National Park (with charges for entry for nonCambodians) is set in the mountains, among pine forests and lakes: the scenery is quite different from other areas in Cambodia. The air is fresher and cooler, and there are plenty of silent spots for picnics and playing in waterfalls. If you fancy exploring for more than a day, you can stay over at Kirirom Hillside Resort: from US$40 a night you have access to splendid rooms, swimming pool, spa and gym, horse riding, fishing and much more. Ask your guesthouse/hotel or travel agent for details on how to get there. Avoid an Electricity Bill Shock Electricity is very expensive in Cambodia, and can eat a large portion of your budget (as can fuel). This is a very important factor when considering renting a house or apartment and deciding on whether to use air
conditioning or not, among other things. You may be hot, but if you are short of money, avoid getting a heart attack when you get your first month's bill. Unless you are super rich, turn on the aircon for just an hour before you sleep, not all night, or you may have to move out more quickly than expected! Get used to the heat and angle fans at yourself instead. Other tips: turn down photo: sar kosal
Dirtbiker on his way after renting dirt bike.
Billabong Hotel - beautiful and chilled out, but much better for relaxing than for a workout. Then there are the bigger and pricier ones at the high-class hotels: the Himawari, the InterContinental, the Cambodiana - all more expensive and better for exercise, while set in fairly classy surroundings. There are the cheap and cheerful pools: try the VIP Club or the Olympic pool, where you can get good exercise at a low price, but usually in a pretty big crowd‌ The choice is yours!
Electricity meters: Is turning it on really worth the bill?
the fridge (it's often too cold anyway) and make sure you get copies of the bill/receipt from the house owner. It can be easy for unscrupulous landlords/ladies to make money on this out of unsuspecting tenants.
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Angkor National Museum built, managed by Thai group photo: lang hokleng
Newly-constructed Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap.
sion to change the name of the museum from the National Museum to the Angkor National Museum, as Cambodia already has one National Museum, situated in Phnom Penh, north of the Royal Palace. The letter from Samdech Hun Sen to Samdech Heng Samrin states that the profit for the Kingdom of Cambodia in this new museum in Siem Reap lies in being able to keep all the antiques in the museum so that both national and international tourists can look on the masterpieces of Cambodian artists in ancient times. At the same time this will be able to make great contributions to the national budget. Mr. Ban Vuth, a physics teacher at Prah Reach Bochnignchek High
National Museum in Phnom Penh. photo: sar kosal
Roofs and bas reliefs in Khmer style of the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
that real Khmer antiques would be replaced by fakes, and he put this forward to the government so that it could pay careful attention to this issue. The Prime Minister sent a letter March 21, 2007, to Samdech Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly, regarding Remy's requests and recommendations on the topic of Thai construction and investment in the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap. This letter confirmed that the
Thai construction company had taken responsibility only for constructing B.O.T. of the Angkor National Museum. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts was to be held responsible for enhancing the style of the museum in accordance with Khmer style, in addition to choosing the sculptures to display, and also for the technical work, security and administration of the whole museum. It was the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts that asked permisIssue: 3 • Year: 1
School based in Cambodia's northern Steng Treng province, said he did not think it was a good idea to let Thailand construct the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap and exploit Khmer antiques and Buddhist statues. He said Khmer history had clearly shown that Thailand had been a party to invasion of Khmer territory on different occasions. Ban added that although Thais had taught Khmer culture to their younger generations, young Cambodian people had learned nearly nothing about their own culture. He said at this point, Cambodia did not have enough historical books or documents to help the new leaders of the nation study or conduct research. He said he thinks the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports needs to publish enough historical books for Cambodian students to be able to learn more, and allow the young to be clearer on Cambodian history and geography. A female teacher of civics at a high school in Kampong Cham province said on condition of anonymity that Thailand had never done anything good for Khmer people; Thais only wanted to usurp Khmer culture and history. She added that she was afraid that once tourists saw displays of Khmer antiques in a
museum constructed by Thais, as permitted by the Cambodian government, they would believe that all the antiques belonged to Thailand. She also expressed her concern that the values of Khmer culture and the soul of the nation would disappear one day if the current leaders did not pay attention to such problems. She said she thinks Khmer children were weak in that they do not have enough clear knowledge about Khmer history and culture, nor about Khmer geography. Phorp Samnang, a motor-taxi driver, also expressed his concern about the disappearance of Khmer culture and values. "In the name of Khmer citizens, I am really concerned about the Angkor National Museum being constructed by Thailand," he said. "I think it is always dangerous to be indebted to someone else, and that's what this represents." Phorp said this situation would lead to confusion between the two countries. He regretted the fact that although the Cambodian government was able to build schools, hospitals and roads almost everywhere inside the kingdom, it seemed incapable of constructing the Angkor National Museum, the soul of Khmer culture, in Siem Reap province. By Lang Hokleng ad
photo: sar kosal
IEM REAP - The Royal Government of Cambodia has allowed a Thai company, Vilailuck International Holding Co., Ltd, to construct the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap, albeit in a Khmer style. Another Thai company, The Museum Co., Ltd, has also been permitted to coordinate display of Khmer antiques subsequent to the construction of the building, so that it can profit from foreign tourists. Outside sources have said that the construction of the Angkor National Museum should be funded and controlled by the Royal Government of Cambodia alone, and make it the responsibility of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. Meanwhile, Cambodian citizens have voiced their concerns about the approval given to Thailand to construct the museum using the form of B.O.T. (Build-OperateTransfer) as well as about Thailand's investment in the Khmer cultural sector. A letter from Keo Remy, formerly of the Sam Rainsy Party and now a Member of Parliament for the new Human Rights Party, sent a letter dated Oct. 25, 2006 to Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Royal Government of Cambodia, posing some questions to the Prime Minister and made some recommendations about the construction of the building as conducted by the Thai group. Among other things, Remy's letter asked Prime Minister Hun Sen what the features of B.O.T. of Thailand and Cambodia had in common, and what profit or benefit Cambodia might see from the use of a Thai B.O.T. At the same time, Remy's letter drew attention to culture as the soul of the nation, as well as the symbol of nationality or race for each country. He went on to say that, as a consequence, the Royal Government of Cambodia should not have permitted any one country to build up B.O.T. construction so as to exploit Khmer culture. "For instance, I have noticed that features of the Angkor National Museum, now under construction in Siem Reap, as well as the flowers below the word 'Angkor National Museum,' are done completely in Thai style," Remy said in the letter. He added that the Cambodian government was capable of building the museum using Khmer style all on its own. Remy said in the letter that after construction, 1,000 Buddhist statues and other Khmer antiques would be displayed in the museum, with main objective of making business. He also voiced his concern, referring to a possibility of theft,
september 2007
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