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Credits Cambodia News & World Report is published by Meun Sothy. Editor-in-Chief: Pagnawath Khun Managing Editor: Julie Scott Editor: Julie Scott Sub-Editor: Gabby Raines Assistant Editor: Sopagna Seng Managing Director: Channy Kieng Administrative Staff: Ravy Sok Advertising Manager: Sopagna Seng Graphic Designer: Roberto Ramos Distributor: Him Saro 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: 1AE1, Street 163, Phnom Penh III, Cambodia. Tel: (011).50.05.50 • International Fax: +1 (562).262.2821 info@cambodianewsonline.com www.cambodianewsonline.com
Sex offender brought to justice
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an with history of abuse was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison upon his return to U.S. A convicted sex offender who fled Oregon to southeast Asia was sentenced on July 6 to more than 22 years in prison for abusing a young female relative eight years ago. On May 29, a Jackson County Circuit Court jury convicted Terry S. Smith, 55, of two counts of first-degree sodomy, firstdegree sexual abuse, using a child to display sexual conduct related to photographs he took of the victim and two counts of failure to register as a sex offender. Weeping, trembling and dressed in a white tank top and jeans, the victim told Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Bill Purdy that she has forgiven Smith for abusing her but wants him to be punished. "I can't
believe we are actually doing this right now," she said. "I thought we were never going to find him, so I tried to make myself believe [the abuse] was just a dream or something, but it wasn't." Federal marshals arrested Smith last September outside the U. S. Embassy in Cambodia after he was released from jail and ordered to leave the country. He was jailed for allegedly filming himself in a bar in the coastal community of Sihanoukville having sex with two minors. Smith's arrest in Cambodia, followed by his extradition from California to Oregon, concluded a nearly seven-year search for him by Oregon State Police and the U. S. Federal Marshal Service. During his sentencing, Smith claimed his arrest in Cambodia
was an illegal kidnapping by federal marshals. He indicated that he plans to file a lawsuit against the United States Federal Marshal Service. In April 1991, Smith was convicted in Josephine County, Oregon, and sentenced to 17 months in prison for exploiting children for sexual display. After his release from prison for that conviction, Smith moved to Jackson County where he failed to register as a sex offender. He frequently traveled abroad and abused his young female relative during a visit to Jackson County in 1999. He then fled to the Philippines. Eventually, he made his way to Cambodia where he encountered an undercover investigator with the International Justice Mission based in Washington, D.C. Smith told the investigator that he was wanted in Oregon
for sexually abusing a minor according to Emily Nichols, a spokesperson for the human rights organization. Smith allegedly used Tramp's Place, a bar he owned in Sihanoukville, for the sexual assault and prostitution of girls between the ages of 11 and 14, Nichols said. Cambodia has been known as a haven for pedophiles and other sex offenders, but Cambodian police are seeking to crack down on the industry, she said. The Cambodian Police have asked the International Justice Mission to train officers in investigating human trafficking. "Recent investigations and prosecutions, such as the case of Terry Smith, show the dedication of the Cambodian authorities to changing this situation in their country," Nichols said. "When sex offenders and traffickers are held accountable for their crimes, this strikes fear into the hearts of would-be criminals and provides protection for the victims of these crimes." (Mail Tribune)
By Paris Achen
Children and sex tourism: do your bit to help Cambodia is well known as a destination for sex tourists targeting underage children, both boys and girls. Many sad stories have been told about children being abused by pedophiles who hunt for victims through international electronic networking. More focus than ever is on Cambodia and on child sex
pedophile activity, speak up, whatever the nationality of the perpetrator. Contact ECPAT Cambodia (End Child Prostitution, Abuse and Trafficking) at #36B, Street 99, Phnom Penh, Tel: +855-23-213-021, or the Department of AntiHuman Trafficking, Ministry of Interior, Tel: +855-23-720-555.
UK Soccer Icon's visit stirs up Cambodia photo: khem sovannara
PHNOM PENH - One of the most famous of the UK's soccer players ever, England's legend Sir Bobby Charlton, visited Cambodia towards the end of July for a goodwill visit, along with southern California skateboarder Tony Hawk. Both came on a mission with 'Spirit of Soccer', a project run by the Laureus Academy, based in Battambang, which aims to educate children on landmines through professional soccer training. More than 22,000 children are said to have had lessons through the project since it began last year. During his visit, the soccer icon was able to take part in a landmine victim awareness program, touring parts of the country's northwest regions, which are infested with mines, also giving advice and training to young Cambodian soccer hopefuls in Phnom Penh at the National Football Training Center during the trip. Considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Sir Bobby played almost all of his club soccer at Manchester United, where he was known for attacking from mid-
workers. A report recently released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed that 51% of all sex workers interviewed during its survey had previously been domestic workers. Nearly a third had been victims of rape or other abuse. If you see any occurrence that you suspect may be related to
Laureus World Sports Academy members Bobby Charlton and Tony Hawk sit with Cambodian children from the 'Spirit of Soccer' project at the Roka Poenung Primary School, a project supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation on July 25, 2007 in Battambang.
field and long-range shooting. He started playing there in 1956, helping win the league in 1965 and
1967. He was a key player in the England world cup victory team of 1966 and the captain of the team
that won the European Cup in 1968, scoring two goals to lead the team to its first ever victory in the
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competition. He is known for having scored more goals than any other player: he appeared in 106
international matches, scoring 49 goals and 759 club matches, scoring 247 goals. He retired from professional soccer in 1973, at the age of 35. As Khek Ravy, Vice-president of the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) states, the fame of Sir Bobby will help Cambodia in its struggle to improve its national ranking: Cambodia is currently ranked 169 out of 208 by FIFA. Khek Ravy said to AFP journalists, "Many people see him [Sir Bobby] as a hero. His fame will help our soccer programs." At the same time, although Khek Ravy suggests that Sir Bobby's visit will revitalize the Cambodian national squad, there are those who suggest that he may find the team not as down and out as he might have expected. The 169th place ranking represents a climb for Cambodia, against a background of an increased budget arising from various generous donations. FIFA itself also recently pledged its support to the Cambodian national team. By Roo Griffiths
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HNOM PENH - Convict Heng Pov was sentenced to another 14 years in prison for possession of counterfeit US currency. The decision was announced at noon on July 18, 2007. Heng Pov's wife, Ngin Sotheavy, is now a refugee living in Finland. She was sentenced in absentia to serve 13 years on the same counterfeiting charges. Judge Chey Sovann presided over the proceedings. Deputy
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Heng Pov gets additional 14 years in prison on counterfeiting charges
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statement to nearby reporters. However, the five prison guards carrying him did not allow him to speak. They carried him out, pushed him into the car and drove directly to Prey Sor prison. The prisoner was dressed in old and torn jailhouse clothing. He is not permitted to go out of his cell or receive visitors, as is the case for other prisoners. He has complained that one of his legs has become numb owing to confinement and lack of activity. Heng Pov has also been provided with refugee status (political asylum) by Finland, having fled to Singapore last year. However, he was then detained in Malaysia for traveling on an expired visa and escorted to Cambodia at the end of December 2006 for sentencing. Heng Pov has been monitored closely by the court. Finland's granting of political asylum to the prisoner drew a significant reaction from Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on behalf of the government. Adding this latest sentence of 14 years in jail to the previous sentence, Heng Pov will spend a total of 40 years in jail for his crimes. By Vong Sopheak
Prison vehicle is transporting Heng Pov to Prey Sar Prison located on outskirts of Phnom Penh.
14 years to the 26-year sentence that Heng Pov is currently serving as the result of previous convictions for various offenses. This sentence was passed in Phnom Penh Municipality Court, with the prisoner convicted of the 2003 murder of Judge Sok Sethamony. At the same time, he was also accused of kidnapping and possession of illegal weapons at his residence. Deputy Prosecutor Sok Kalyan stated that the US$30,000 in counterfeit notes found at the scene of the villa search was inspected by the Ministry of Interior. The
Ministry then declared that the 300 US$100 notes were, in fact, fake. Meanwhile, Ngin Sotheavy, wife of the convicted man, was sentenced by the court in absentia to 13 years in jail, also on charges of possession of counterfeit money. She was granted political asylum by Finland in May 2007. Heng Pov said nothing in his defense during the entire hearing. After the proceedings closed, court officials carried the sentenced man out of the building to a waiting car. Heng Pov refused to go voluntarily and made efforts to make a photo: vong sopheak
Police making sure that the process of transporting Heng Pov to Prey Sar Prison goes smoothly. Issue: 5 • Year: 1
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Prosecutor Sok Kalyan argued the case for the people and Attorney Nou Chantha represented Heng Pov. The court accused the defendant and his wife of possessing at total of US$30,000 in counterfeit notes. The counterfeit money was said to have been found within the couple's residence at #9, Street 201, Takhmao town, Kandal province on July 31, 2006. It was hidden among other notes, a total of US$300,000, uncovered in the same place at the same time by authorities. At the hearing on July 18, 2007, Judge Chey Sovann added
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UNESCO approves Preah Vihear
for the Ministry on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, held a press conference on July 2, 2007, to announce the registration of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. He stated that UNESCO will officially add Preah Vihear Temple to the list of World Heritage sites in 2008. However, certain conditions must be met prior to this declaration. The UNESCO Committee is requiring the Cambodian government to prepare a detailed plan for the restoration and protection of the Preah Vihear Temple as well as the development of the Preah Vihear Temple site. Long Visalo also mentioned that Cambodia needs technical assistance from different sectors of the global community in order to accomplish this project. Long Visalo told the press that a visit to the Preah Vihear Temple by the UNESCO committee led to the determination that the Preah Vihear Temple indeed has cultural value. He commented that on June 29, 2007, the Royal Government of Cambodia completed three main requirements of the UNESCO committee. For final approval of Preah Vihear Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Long Visalo said that cooperation from Thailand is mandatory. With this require-
The ruins of the Preah Vihear Temple show the ravages of time, weather and neglect. Restoration work is estimated to take at least 10 years and will be done under the watchful eye of Cambodian archeologists. photo: yin dikalenn
REAH VIHEAR - Preah Vihear Temple of Cambodia, located on the Dangrek Mountain Range near the border between Thailand and Cambodia, has been approved by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to be registered as a World Heritage site. The approval came during the 32nd Annual Meeting of UNESCO in New Zealand which convened in late June. It is also expected that the temple will be officially declared a World Heritage site in 2008. Preah Vihear Temple is the achievement of Norodom Sihanouk who, when he was the Head of State of Cambodia, filed a complaint with the International Court in the Hague. He petitioned for Cambodia to claim ownership of the temple after Cambodia obtained full independence from France in 1953. The complaint asked that Cambodia be declared the owner of the temple and stated that Thailand violated the terms of an agreement when they proceeded to occupy the Preah Vihear Temple. In 1962, the International Court in Hague rightly ordered that Thailand return the temple to Cambodia. They said that it was an important part of Cambodia's history and culture. Thailand officials disagreed with this decision and the Thai government was upset that Cambodia regained this temple. In the years preceding 1993, the Khmer Rouge used the Preah Vihear Temple area as a military strategic base to fight the Cambodian Armed Forces. Military operations at the Preah Vihear Temple area were led by Ta Mok, Commander in Chief of General Staff. Thailand is actively pursuing the goal of regaining Preah Vihear Temple and is using any method possible to reach that goal. This includes the subtle criticism directed at Cambodia by Thai officials. Thailand also published tourist maps which include Preah Vihear Temple as a Thai site. Thailand even sent black-uniformed armed forces to build up the trenches close to the base of the Preah Vihear Temple. Recently, about two hundred military black-uniformed soldiers attempted to buy tickets to visit the Preah Vihear Temple, but the Cambodian guard at the Preah Vihear Temple denied them entrance to the temple area. The Cambodian military officials, who guarded the temple area, told the Thai soldiers to change into civilian clothes first and then they could buy their tickets to the Preah Vihear Temple just as any other tourist that comes to visit. Long Visalo, Secretary of State
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The Highway Map of Thailand was the subject of a protest letter requesting that these editions be collected and destroyed. The map misrepresents the Preah Vihear Temple as a tourist destination site in Thailand. On this map, the Preah Vihear Temple appears to be located on Route 221 in Thailand. Issue: 5 • Year: 1
ment in place, Cambodia now has until February 2008 to provide more details on the Preah Vihear Temple Management Plan. He explained that the reason Thailand supports Cambodia in this effort is that Thailand realizes Cambodia supported them in a situation in the past. Long Visalo said: "Years ago, the temple belonged to Thailand because the border dispute had not been resolved. At the time, Cambodia claimed that the border had been checked by the French-Thai Inter-committee and they ruled in favor of ownership by Thailand." The Court determined the correct border based upon a map of 1/1000 scale. The judgment rendered also included other maps. In 2000, both Cambodia and Thailand agreed to use the Court-approved map as the true location of the border line. The delegation from Cambodia was led by His Excellency, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, Sok An, met with the World Heritage Site Committee in New Zealand at the end of June 2007. The inclusion of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site won approval at this meeting. Long Visalo stressed that the inclusion of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site is a milestone for Cambodia and an
encouragement for the Cambodian people to remain friendly with their neighboring country of Thailand. Moeung Sonn, Director of Eurasie Travel Co., Ltd., said that the Preah Vihear Temple is on the border line between Cambodia and Thailand and the two countries had opposite opinions regarding the location of that border line. He stated that the inclusion of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site is a mandate to preserve this ancient Cambodian temple. This inclusion also identifies and acknowledges the location of the border line as the one indicated by the International Court in 1962 when the temple was judged to be on the Cambodian side. Meanwhile, Moeung Sonn asked the government to improve access to the temple permanently so that tourists can easily visit. The Cambodian people living in Siem Reap, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear could then experience some economic benefits. Those visitors would be able to spend more time in Cambodia instead of quickly returning to hotels in Thailand. Moeung Sonn said that the Cambodian economy suffers when tourists cannot stay and spend money in Cambodia. He also noted that the tour
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Vithun, Prosecutor General of the Supreme Court, took this opportunity to explain that the inclusion of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site will protect the heritage of the Cambodian people. He added that the Preah Vihear temple, from this time forward, is not only the cultural property of the Cambodian people, but it also belongs to every nation in the world.
photo: michael trade
Temple as World Heritage site
Cambodia. Neighboring countries, as well as the entire world, must now acknowledge the Preah Vihear Temple as a Cambodian cultural property. The official declaration of the inclusion of the Preah Vihear Temple by UNESCO as World Heritage site will occur in Canada
photo: yin dikalenn
photo: chea chhourn
International Cooperation, brought the tour maps to the attention of reporters in July 2005. At that time, he explained that the Ministry filed the protest because the tour maps violate the terms of the earlier judgement conveying ownership of the temple to Cambodia. The Thai Embassy in Cambodia promised to advise the Thai tour companies that this troublesome error must be fixed. Va Chhorn, an official of the Ministry of Land Management and Urbanization, emphasized that the Preah Vihear Temple is part of Cambodia and that its inclusion on the World Heritage list is the greatest honor bestowed upon the people of
Visitors of all ages come to the temple site which is located on the top of a mountain in the Dangrek Mountain Range at the Cambodian side of the border with Thailand. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia. photo: chea chhourn
maps showing the Preah Vihear Temple are written, published and widely distributed in Thailand. The maps are misleading to both the Thai people and foreign tourists who are not aware of Cambodia's history. These people will believe that the Preah Vihear Temple is one of Thailand's destination points. He also asked the Cambodian government to insist that the Thai government collect all of those tour maps and destroy them. And, finally, Moeung Sonn implored the Cambodian government to demand some proof that the misleading tour maps are not in storage for future use. Moeung Sonn had previously submitted a protest letter to Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on June 19, 2005. The letter requested the Thai government to dispose of these maps because they show the temple as one of Thailand's destination sites. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia then proceeded to contact the Thai government requesting the removal of the tour maps. The Ministry communicated the protest to the Thai Embassy in Cambodia hoping that they would assist in correcting the Thai tour map situation. Hem Pheng, Information Department Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
The entrance to Preah Vihear Temple - built in 893 A.D., the temple draws visitors who appreciate its architectural and cultural history. Issue: 5 • Year: 1
in 2008. Va Chhorn said that the inclusion of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site will bring larger numbers of foreign tourists to visit more ancient temples in Cambodia - after they visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. He also reinforced the fact that the International Court officially declared Preah Vihear Temple as a landmark that represents the history and culture of the Cambodian people. It must remain intact for the Cambodian people and serve as a reminder of the exact location of the border between Thailand and Cambodia. His Excellency Ph.D. Ouk
Michael Trane, Archeologist and former Deputy Secretary of State with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, added that the inclusion of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site is a great success of the Royal Government of Cambodia. He commented that during his visit to the Preah Vihear Temple he saw that the Cambodian people, as well as the Cambodian border patrol at Preah Vihear Temple, welcomed him and were happy with the news that the Preah Vihear Temple had been approved as a World Heritage site. The archeologist mentioned that the Preah Vihear Temple needs funds and technical support to accomplish the repairs to restore and preserve this site. The work is estimated to take at least 10 years. The project will proceed under the watchful eye of Cambodian archeologists. After the restoration is complete, Cambodia will be a proud member of the United Nations because they can showcase this temple as a site for visitors to experience for many years to come. Preah Vihear is the second cultural temple approved by UNESCO and listed as a World Heritage site. Angkor Wat became a World Heritage site in 1992. By Pagnawath Khun & Vong Sopheak
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HNOM PENH - Two homemade bombs were found planted at the CambodiaVietnam Friendship Monument in the park in front of the Bortum Vattei Pagoda in Phnom Penh on Sunday morning, July 29, 2007. The authorities are calling the
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Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument attacked by bombers photo: vong sopheak
photo: vong sopheak
Soldiers from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces handling sand bags. The sand bags were used so that the unexploded bombs could be destroyed in safety.
People and police gather to see the damage inflicted on the monument in a park in front of the Bortum Vattey Pagoda. photo: vong sopheak
attempt to destroy the monument an effort to break the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam. An investigation is underway to identify the bomber or the group responsible for this action, which occurred at 5:20 a.m. of that day. There were 3 bombs planted, one of which exploded at the site of the monument, bringing a big surprise to the people nearby. It was dawn on Sunday morning when the first blast was heard.
A member of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces inspects damage.
Municipality, told reporters that the detonation is surely an attempt to cause social instability and mar the good state of the political environment. H. E. Khem Sophoan, General Director of CMAC, told reporters that the bombs were designed to explode together. Even if all three exploded at the same time, they would not have leveled the entire friendship monument. Damage would have been limited to a portion of that statue if all
General Hok Lundy, Director General of National Police, told reporters that the other two bombs were successfully disabled and destroyed. Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema and Phnom Penh Commissioner Touch Naroth agreed with General Hok Lundy that the effort to disable the bombs was done successfully, and they added that the authorities are conducting an active investigation into this situation. Witnesses, who were at the park in which the monument is located, have been identified and asked for cooperation to find the suspects who, police said, caused national instability and friendship when they attempted to destroy this symbolic victory monument. Trinh Bacam, a spokesman for the Vietnam Embassy in Cambodia told the media that photo: vong sopheak
photo: vong sopheak
The bomb was made of Urea and TNT, part of the components can be seen in this photo.
Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument - site of intended bombing.
The other two bombs were wiped out by 11:50 a.m. that same morning by Cambodia Mine Action Center's officials. Immediately after the bombing, concerned officials of the government arrived at the site to assess damages and look into the cause of the explosion. Officials
responding to this blast included: Hok Lundy, General Director of National Police; Kep Chuktema, Phnom Penh Governor; and a number of other high-ranking officials of the government. At the same time, more than one hundred officers of Phnom Penh Municipality Police, Military
Police, and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) were deployed at the scene. A helicopter presumed to be carrying Prime Minister Hun Sen circled above the area. Suon Rindy, Deputy Cabinet Chief of Phnom Penh
Police, relevant officials and reporters inspect the site where the planted bombs were exploded by CMAC officers.
3 of the invented bombs exploded simultaneously, he explained.
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this is an act of evil people. The monument may fall but the rela-
tionship between Cambodia and Vietnam can not be compromised by such an act. General Sok Phal, Deputy Commissioner General of National Police, did not mention the fact that men on motorbikes were seen departing from the park early on the morning of Sunday, July 29, after the bombs were planted and set. He emphasized that there would be an on-going police investigation and he could not disclose any additional information concerning this situation. Authorities also found two remote detonator controls near the crime scene. The bombs were made with a combination of Urea, TNT and oil and were wrapped in black plastic bags, which were then placed in a white bucket and left at the site of the friendship statue. The detonation of the first bomb did not cause any damage or loss of life. Officials at the scene had no comments when asked if this could be an act of terrorism likened to that which has occurred in other parts of the world. The Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Statue is located in the park in front of the old assembly building. It was already defaced once before when thousands of protesters climbed upon the monument and poured gasoline on it, then ignited it as a protest against the 1998 election results. The statue was built in the 1980s in order to strengthen the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam in acknowledgment of the sacrifice made by the Vietnamese armed forces. They joined in the fight to free the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot regime, which was in power from 1975 to 1979. This regime was responsible for killing approximately 2 million Cambodian people. The regime was overthrown on January 7, 1979 by the Cambodian Liberty Frontier Forces with support from the Vietnamese armed forces. By Lang Hokleng
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Grand opening of new Cambodian Parliament photo: yin dikalenn
By Vong Sopheak
photo: phalla chea
zed to supervise the casino's actions: it could not even prohibit gambling on the morning of the official opening ceremony. Meanwhile, Rong Chhun, President of the Independent Teachers Association, said that the closeness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was good, but that the nearby gambling center defamed the character of the highest institution in the country. Prior to construction, parliamentarians from both the CPP and the SRP begged for the building to be relocated. Statements from government officials indicate that they Issue: 5 • Year: 1
Old National Assembly building. ad
photo: vong sopheak
New National Assembly building, with 2 stories and covering a 20,891 sq. m. area, (pictured above) was inaugurated on July 7, 2007.
Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sohamoni, National Assembly President Heng Samrin and other high-ranking officials walk the red carpet in order to cut the ribbon that would mark the opening of the new National Assembly building.
NAGA Casino building (pictured above) is 13 stories high and is located next to the new National Assembly building.
could do nothing because the casino's construction had been approved prior to the construction of the parliament building: the government had to honor this contract. However, when the casino's contract expires, the government intends to use the building for government purposes. photo: phalla chea
HNOM PENH - The new Cambodian parliament building was officially opened on July 7, 2007, in a ceremony presided over by the King of Cambodia. There were 7,707 participants, including officials, foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, civil servants, citizens, students and armed forces. Significant figures included President of Senate Chea Sim, President of National Assembly Heng Samrin and Prime Minister Hun Sen. Currently, three parties make up the assembly: the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), occupying 73 seats, FUNCINPEC, with 26 seats, and the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), with 24 seats. There are in total 123 members of parliament, with 24 women and seven from minority groups. The 20,891sq.m. building is two stories high, dwarfed by the neighboring Naga Casino. This has led to criticism from leaders as well as the general public. Chea Mony, President of the Free Labor Union, commented that the proximity of the gambling center diminished the government's impact and integrity. He went on to say that the government was not authori-
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Chinese company to construct Prek Kdam Bridge over Tonle Sap photo: vong sopheak
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REK KDAM - Construction of the Prek Kdam Bridge, located in the Punhea Leu district of Kandal province, is now underway. This bridge will join the east bank of the Sap River to National Road 5, at Prek Kdam commune. The People's Republic of China is lending US$27,344,481 to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the construction of this 975meters-long piece of civil engineering. The construction site was launched by an event held in June and jointly chaired by the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Zhang Jinfeng. Thoeurn, 23, a resident of Prek Kdam 2 village in Koh Chen commune, is a vendor on the Samaki ferry. Along with other local residents, she is glad that China is aiding in the construction of a bridge across the Sap River. She feels that this will ease passengers' transportation issues, as well as help with any medical emergencies that might occur at night. "The bridge con-
A monk looks on as the Samaki ferry arrives to offload goods and passengers on the bank of Tonle Sap.
struction will help us travel, particularly in the mornings, as we will not need to wait for the boat as we do now." Thoeurn
added that she was not worried about losing her business on the ferries as a result of China building the bridge across the river. ad
Although the news is good for local residents, bridge construction will affect many homes, as well as the farmland, of those who live in the area - including Thoerun. These people own the dry-season farmland on or near the land marked for construction of the Prek Kdam Bridge. People are establishing claims for appropriate compensation from the government in order to be able to purchase land elsewhere for their homes and/or farms. An older woman, Dy, who sells fried crickets on the ferries and who lives on the east bank of the Sap River, said, "I am very happy to have the bridge for alternate transportation, especially in case anyone becomes sick at night. Transport to the hospital in Phnom Penh will be much easier and we will not need to rent a boat to get to the west bank." Samrith Phal, 36, Vice Chief of Prek Kdam 2 village of Koh Chen commune, agreed that construction of the Prek Kdam Bridge would make it easier for people to travel. He believes that it is the policy of the government to solve such problems as crossing the river and easing transportation issues. As such, this project represents a fulfillment of governmental responsibility. Samrith Phal went on to talk about the issue concerning people
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affected by the bridge's construction, confirming that those who had a home or farmland on the construction site would be faced with an order to move from the area (on the eastern bank of the river). He said that the construction work would affect 84 residences, as well as 20 stores, in Prek Kdam Market, on the eastern bank of the river. Among the structures to be moved are: one concrete house, three wood-and-concrete houses and 24 wooden houses. While funds for the construction of the Prek Kdam Bridge will be provided by the Chinese government, it is the Cambodian government which will be paying compensation to displaced residents. According to Samrith Phal, the government will provide two hectares of land to divide between residential land and farmland to those affected by the construction of the bridge. He further stated that the land to be given to the people is located
behind the Koh Chen Commune Headquarters, 4 km from the bridge construction site. Representatives of the 84 affected households have requested that the government, particularly the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, compensate them for their property on the basis of a fair market value. As the movement of wooden houses will cause structural damage (and concrete houses cannot be moved at all), people will need to be reimbursed appropriately in order to buy cement, bricks and metal in order to build new houses at the new location. The Prek Kdam Bridge is being built by Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company from Shanghai, which has many years of experience building bridges within China. Completion of this bridge is estimated to take 50 months. Prek Kdam Bridge will be 975m in length and 13.5m in width, at a maximum height of 10m from the river. The construction will be carried out in accordance with first-class bridge technical standards from China. The total cost will be US$28,783,664: China will lend US$27,344,481 and the Cambodian government will make up the balance of US$1,439,183. At the bridge construction's opening ceremony on June 11, H.E. Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport, said that after bridge construction is completed, transportation will become more efficient and be able to play a larger role in the Cambodian economy, providing employment and social benefits, which will ease the poverty and suffering of the Cambodian people. He went on to say that the Prek Kdam Bridge would make travel easier, which, in turn, would improve tourist travel between the western and eastern provinces of Cambodia, as well as to and from the neighboring countries of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. H.E. Sun Chanthol described the Prek Kdam Bridge as making a huge contribution toward cutting transportation time from National Road 5 across National Road 61 towards National Road 7 to Kampong Cham province and other areas in northeastern Cambodia. It will also have a good effect on transportation along National Road 6A. By Vong Sopheak
photo: vong sopheak
New requirements might leave some travelers stranded
Thaksin family bank accounts reported to be on ice BANGKOK - Graft busters here say they have frozen bank accounts belonging to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his family and associates. The accounts have deposits totaling 65 billion Thai baht (Cambodian riel). They verified that the money represents the proceeds from Thaksin's sale of his flagship company, Shin Corp, the telecommunications giant. The sale took place last year. The tax-free sale prompted
a widespread outcry here and was one of the catalysts for the September 2006 coup. The junta-backed government is intent on gaining back all 65 billion baht from the sale, claiming the money was earned corruptly while Thaksin was prime minister. His team of lawyers contend it was obtained legally and is fighting the allegations. Thaksin remains in the United Kingdom. It is unlikely he will return to face trial as he fears for his safety.
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Boeing celebrates the rollout of the new 787 Dreamliner Series E
VERETT, WA - The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, claimed by Boeing to be the "overwhelming preference of airlines around the world," is currently under development by an international team of aerospace companies. In early July 2007, Boeing unveiled its first 787 in an official rollout ceremony at its assembly factory in Everett, Washington. The cere-
mony was attended by employees, customers, supply contractors, as well as government and other officials. July 8, 2007 marked the debut of state-of-the-art technology for the Boeing Company. This event was broadcast live in nine languages via satellite to over 45 countries. It was also webcast on Boeing's website (www.boeing.com) and with a slide show at www.newairplane.com, possibly reaching around 100 million viewers. After the rollout ceremony, the completion process on the 787 Dreamliner began. This process includes the installation of final systems elements, the plane's interior and the flight test equipment. The Boeing Family of Dreamliners includes the 787-8 Dreamliner, which will be able to carry 210-250 passengers and cover routes between 7,650 and 8,200 nautical miles. The 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250-290 passengers and cover routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles. The 787-3 Dreamliner will accommodate 290-330 passengers over routes covering 2,500 to 3,050 nautical miles. This means that mid-size planes will now be able to travel the same distances as the bigger jets. At the same time, the airplane is an environmentally progressive technological giant, using 20% less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes and also producing fewer carbon emissions. The Dreamliner will also provide benefits for passengers, such as quieter takeoffs and landings, a more humid interior environment, and extra comfort and
convenience. The high-level performance of the Dreamliner is the product of new technologies under development by Boeing. The Boeing 777 fuselage, for example, contains
barrel fuselage can be manufactured in one piece, which means that there is no longer any need for approximately 50,000 fasteners formerly used in conventional air plane building. Boeing found
hopes to incorporate a healthmonitoring system that would allow the airplane to monitor itself and report maintenance needs to computer systems on the ground. The engines are made by
The Dreamliner is an environmentally progressive technological aircraft, producing fewer carbon emmisions and using 20% less fuel per passenger than similar-sized airplanes.
The list of customers for this plane is growing larger every day. There are, currently, 47 customers representing orders totaling 677 planes. photo: boeing company
By Gabby Raines
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photo: boeing company
application receipt and government issued identification (such as a driver's license) must be presented. This accommodation is valid through September 30, 2007. The DHS site also states the following regarding travel: U.S. citizens traveling within the United States (or U.S. held territories which consist of Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) do not need a passport to either go there or come back. United States citizens, who do not presently need a passport (this rule is subject to change as early as January 2008), will need to present government-issued identification to prove that they are U.S. citizens when going on a cruise or when traveling by vehicle across the land border to Canada or Mexico. U.S. citizens, who do not currently have a passport, will need to present government-issued photo identification (such as a driver's license) and Department of State official proof of passport application when arriving and departing the U.S. by private aircraft. Finally, U.S. citizens traveling to a country which requires a passport must still have a passport. The general rule of thumb regarding travel abroad for U.S. citizens, as well as nonU.S. citizens who have been granted permanent resident status, seems to be: make sure you have all proper documents in hand and that you have applied for them well ahead of your scheduled travel abroad. This "rule" is advisable based on the new travel requirements introduced by the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, as much as by the number of people these rules will affect.
cambodia news & world report
photo: boeing company
WASHINGTON, D.C. - New requirements took effect on January 23, 2007 for travelers who wish to travel outside of the U.S. borders to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. These requirements state that all travelers coming into the United States by air - including American nationals - must present a valid passport when entering the country from such destinations as Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. According to the FindLaw site (http://www.findlaw.com), these requirements will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 (effective on January 23, 2007), applies to all air travel into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. This phase, at the time of writing, exempts air travelers who are traveling on either a Merchant Mariner's Document or a NEXUS Air Card. Phase 2 (which may come into effect as early as January 1, 2008) will affect everyone - including U.S. citizens who wishes to travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda be it by land or sea (which includes the use of ferries). Part of this phase may require people to present either a valid passport or other documents, determined by the Department of Homeland Security. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department Websites, travel accommodations have been issued on June 8, 2007 with regard to the Phase 1 requirements issued in January. The accommodations allow for travel within the Western Hemisphere if you have applied for, but not received as yet, a passport. When traveling, a printed passport
august 2007
The ceremony was attended by 15,000 enthusiastic employees, customers, supply ontractors, government and other officials.
50% aluminum and 12% composites. The Dreamliner, on the other hand, is made up of 15% aluminum, 12% titanium and 50% composites (for the most part carbon fiber reinforced plastic). The
Issue: 5 • Year: 1
that the composite material is more durable. This allows for a higher cabin pressure during flight. The wings also contain up to 50% composite materials. In addition to this, Boeing
General Electric and Rolls-Royce. The test flight of the Dreamliner is expected in late August or early September and will include a total of six airplanes. It is hoped that this test will be completed by May of 2008. This will be followed by certification of the airplane. It will then be ready for delivery and use. The list of customers for this plane is growing every day. There are 47 customers representing a combined total of 677 planes. The Dreamliner is already the most successful commercial airplane launch in history. Customers include Qantas, All Nippon Airways, Air Canada and, in recently, LAN Airlines. LAN announced that it will order 26 Dreamliners, the largest single order of 787s to date in Latin America. Meanwhile, the approximately 15,000 people attending the ceremony in Everett at the assembly factory were at the cutting edge. They were viewing history in action. The excitement around the coming arrival of the Dreamliner seems to be accelerating. Scott Carson, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes stated, "This has been a wonderful and exciting day to celebrate this breakthrough air plane with our customers, employees, supplier partners and our communities." By Roo Griffiths
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august 2007
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Identity theft: a crime of opportunity photo: file photo
Global problem needs global solution W
ASHINGTON, D.C. Around the world for 24 hours, everyone sang about the Earth. It was a global effort to bring people together in order to recognize a global problem: global warming. Global warming is a process that has been occurring rapidly over the last hundred years. It is not a new phenomenon; however, it previously took thousands of years for our climate to change. Climate change is one of the results of global warming.
The computer keyboard is the easiest way to lose your identity. Just type it in and a hacker will be waiting somewhere in cyberspace.
this problem when they toss papers into a wastebasket for disposal without shredding them first. The people who acquire them are called dumpster divers because they go through trash bins and search for particular papers. These dumpster divers are mainly looking for bank documents, medical information, loan applications and a number of other papers containing information about you. Identity Theft is a crime which is punishable in a court of law. The Identity Theft Resource Center, located at www.idtheftcenter.org, is a
non-profit organization dedicated to helping the public understand this crime. This group has published a list of ways to avoid becoming a target for Identity Theft. Additionally, insurance companies are now providing policies to protect individuals who have become victims of Identity Theft. In most cases, the coverage is part of a homeowner's policy and can also be added to tenant (renter) insurance policies. Protect yourself. Become knowledgeable. Avoid becoming a victim.
Earth's temperature to remain fairly stable and allowed civilization to develop within a consistent climate. Former United States vicepresident Al Gore has voraciously brought global warming to the attention of the entire world. He is chairman of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a group formed to take action to solve global warming. This group is the catalyst behind the launch of a multi-year campaign designed to drive individuals, corporations
one marine biologist, one meteorologist and a polar guide. They are all part of the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera Research Station. Their performance was pre-recorded and broadcast on the day of the event. They were billed as "The Coolest Gig in Live Earth." Celebrity contributors to the success of this effort included Madonna who wrote a new song called "Hey You" especially for this global experience. Due to the significance of the number
photo: pagnawath khun
The concept of Identity Theft is very new. It evolved as the result of advancements made in the evolving technology of the 1990s, the decade known as birth of the internet. This new technology brought with it a new language and a unique set of problems. Identity theft is one of those problems. Identity theft is a crime committed without the immediate knowledge of the victim. A thief steals items of identification such as: wallets, mail, bank statements, credit card slips and passports. They then use these for their own personal gain and at your expense. The thief takes all of the information obtained and becomes you. Think of the many places that require you to give your personal information. It is then typed into a computer, sometimes while you are present. The computer stores little bytes of information that are called cookies. People who know how to access these computer bytes, and steal the information stored in the cookies, are called hackers. Some businesses and agencies unknowingly contribute to
By Julie Scott ad
This shows the effects of global warming on our environment. As climates change, so will the flora and fauna of earth’s landscape. Lush areas will become barren and desert lands will experience more rain.
National Geographic scientists report that globally the mercury is already up more than one degree Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) and even more in sensitive polar regions. As the result of progress made over the past century, humans have been the cause of most of this warming. Heat-trapping gases have been released into the atmosphere as we power our upwardly mobile lifestyles. Factories, vehicles, even homes are sending gases into the atmosphere at a more rapid rate than ever before. These gases are referred to as greenhouse gases because they are so thick that they produce a greenhouse effect by letting in the light as they simultaneously trap the heat. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have, for thousands of years, been balanced by GHGs that are naturally absorbed into the atmosphere. This allowed the Issue: 5 • Year: 1
and entire governments to share in the responsibility to solve this problem. The first step in this solution came in the form of a worldwide, seven-continent July concert which started at 2:00 a.m. GMT in Sydney, Australia and continued for 24 hours in a designated location on each of the seven continents. Gore made his first appearance from Washington via satellite to the Sydney concert. The concerts, called "Live Earth," featured 7,000 events in 129 countries and was part of a global effort aimed to set a green example for other music events by using measures such as eco-friendly electricity, sustainable lighting and carbonneutral travel, as reported by the BBC News. Even Antarctica, with its booming population of 22 people joined the effort with their rock band "Nunatak" comprised of five people: two engineers,
7, July 7 (7/07/07) was selected as the date for the concerts. New Jersey was the last location on the list. Other locations included Washington, D.C., Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Shanghai and Sydney. It is estimated that this concert had two billion viewers around the world, all of them hearing Gore's plea via satellite to take the seven-point green pledge to reduce their own "carbon footprints" on the planet and to lobby governments and industries to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere. Mr. Gore organized this event as part of his campaign to try to "heal the planet." He spoke to a crowd at the end of the New Jersey event saying: "Thank you for coming to Live Earth. Put all this energy in your heart and help us solve the climate crisis." By Julie Scott
S
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A view of Angkor Wat from the west
ordinary people around the globe. He made this campaign "official" following the destruction of Afghanistan's giant Buddha statues at Bamiyan by the Taliban in 2001. Weber chose Tia B. Viering as the spokeswoman for the campaign. Tia Viering noted that Weber felt it was time to bring our world together by choosing symbols of a common pride for global cultural heritage. Anyone in the world with telephone or internet access
could suggest places worthy of this listing. Almost as soon as the announcement was public, close to 200 nominations flooded into the Switzerland-based office of Weber's New Open World Foundation. It was then that the idea of a global contest surfaced. The list that started with almost 200 nominations was narrowed down to 77 sites and then to 21 possibilities. The global voting was based on this list of 21 sites. Angkor Wat was on this list.
As July 7, 2007 approached, the voting reached over 100 million ballots. This voting was conducted by telephone messaging, phone calls and internet. The effort has been recognized as the first global democratic vote. A special and very glitzy ceremony was held in Lisbon, Portugal where the final "Seven Wonders of the Modern World" were revealed. Angkor Wat did not make the final list. Voters chose the Great Wall of China; India's Taj Mahal; the
Travel Tips
encouraging them. Get new license plates at the municipal department of public works and transport. Alternatively, do what we usually do with new rules in Phnom Penh: keep your head down and wait till everyone forgets about it. This is what happhoto: pagnawath khun
A view of Preak Leap overlooking the Sap River.
Follow the rules so you will not become the next target of the Cambodian Traffic Police!
their vehicle impounded. These cost around US$7.50 for a motorbike and US$27 for a car. If you rent or buy a motorbike or car, this leads to another little trap. We all know that the police like to charge outsiders higher rates, but the wrong license plate is just
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Angkor Wat ruins become global concern
pened to the motorbike mirror ruling. There are so many different types of plates in Phnom Penh, what can another one matter? Prek Leap: try something different If you fancy something a bit
more local and authentic than the riverside in Phnom Penh, head over the Japanese Bridge to Prek Leap. Only around 20 minutes by tuk-tuk, the road soon becomes packed with Khmer eating establishments. As this is a peninsula, you are treated to rivers on both sides. Many eateries on the left side of the road overlook the Sap River and allow you a fine sunset. If you go off the road to the right you will find restaurants overlooking the
Mekong (beautiful although without the sunset). Have a look and see what you fancy. You might prefer a low key setting with hammocks and mats in little wooden compartments. Maybe you are looking for something more upscale with glitzy entertainment? As an example, you might enjoy the Heng Lay Restaurant. It is the home of Cambodia's best loved comedians. If you get your driver to hang around, there's no easier
Issue: 5 • Year: 1
photo: phalla chea
Buying a new license plate? For drivers in Phnom Penh, seldom does a month go by without another new regulation. A city hall directive was issued in June and stated that drivers must have new-look license plates or risk having
cambodia news & world report
august 2007
photo: pagnawath khun
IEM REAP - The famous temples at Angkor Wat complex have been through the wars - literally. Khmer Rouge soldiers used them for wartime target practice. With peace, a new challenge came to the temple in the form of tourists. Tour operators vigorously promote this site to hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. It is a priority stop for the tour operators. Then, a film crew arrived to do some scenes at the temple for the 2001 Angelina Jolie movie "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." In spite of this notoriety, the complex did not make the new list of the "Wonders of the World" which was revealed on July 7, 2007. The original "Seven Wonders of the World" has not been updated since it was compiled by Greek scholars sometime around the second century B.C. That list included the Egyptian Pyramids, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Pharos lighthouse off Alexandria. Over time, these wonders became known as the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World." Most of the world we live in today did not even exist in the time of the Greek scholars. In 1999 a Swiss filmmaker and museum curator, Bernard Weber, thought it was time to create a new list of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World" and they would be chosen by
centuries-old pink ruins of Petra in Jordan; the Colosseum in Rome; the statue called Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro; the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru; and the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico. Some Cambodians were outraged because they could not vote on the Internet. The general reaction was that Angkor Wat never had a chance because of this discrepancy. But Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, downplayed the Angkor Wat exclusion by saying: "This is not the decision of people around the world, but only the decision of those people in the world with Internet access. We did not lose anything," he told reporters upon his return from Lisbon. "People around the world became more aware of Cambodia and Angkor Wat. I believe we will attract more tourists following this contest," he said. The number of visitors is now predicted to rise into the millions within a few short years. Presently, Angkor Wat is a most vulnerable monument. Years of neglect, along with the weather and environment, caused wear and tear over the ten centuries that it has been standing. This can be seen espe-
way to try something different. S-21 survivor holds painting exhibition Something not to miss if you are interested in Cambodian history, in particular the more depressing aspects of the past forty years, is a new solo exhibition of the work of artist Vann Nath, 63, who hails from Battambang province. Vann Nath is well known in Cambodia as one of the survivors of S-21 prison, the Khmer Rouge detention center, where around 14,000 Cambodians were tortured and imprisoned. His art is widely acclaimed although much of it shows gruesome images of torture. Such pictures are displayed in the former prison, now a much visited museum. This exhibition, named 'Transfer', displays works surrounding his arrest for mobilizing against the Khmer Rouge, working with the CIA and his relocation to S-21 in 1978, including the first few months of his imprisonment. It will run until October 12 in Phnom Penh's Bophana
cially on the exterior where bits and pieces of the veneer break off and fall to the ground. The decay of the temple brought the monument to the attention of UNESCO and it was placed on their list of World Heritage sites in 1992. However, they were not the first to recognize the importance of preserving this site. The nonprofit World Monuments Fund was established in New York in 1965 with its stated mission to save significant historic buildings throughout the world. The Fund, which manages 250 projects in 83 countries, placed the Temples at Angkor Wat on its critical list, barely holding onto life. John Stubbs, vice-president for field projects for the WMF, recently projected the cost of repairs at about US$3 million. "There are various options but we're looking at a restoration that will last for 100 years," he commented. "Heritage tourism is a double-edged sword," says Stubbs. "Visitor revenue is often a saviour and so there's always a great scramble for that money." The economy does need the money that the tourists bring; but should they be encouraged to explore a vulnerable historic site that is nearing collapse? By Julie Scott
Audiovisual Center. Dengue the current biggest health risk In recent weeks, warnings about bird flu have rapidly been taken over by warnings about nationwide surges in dengue fever. At this point, the nation has lost 182 people to the virus this year, from among a total of 14,986 reported cases nationwide. The main things to remember in order to avoid the virus are that the dengue mosquito tends to bite just after dawn and just before sunset, mostly in the rainy season (now) and that prevention is always better than a cure. Take your malarial pills, if you have been given them, and cover up with lashings of repellent. Wear long sleeves and fulllength trousers, particularly at night. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: a sudden fever, headaches, muscle or joint pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or the well-known bright red rash that usually begins on the lower limbs or chest.
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How to turn an English football star into an American soccer star
time now. A great portion of the soccer world was watching last week when it was reported that "Becks" had an ankle injury and that his debut on Saturday, July 21, in an exhibition game against Chelsea had been in doubt. Beckham was there nonetheless, in spite of ankle problems, and was on the bench for 65 minutes before even beginning to warm up. According to the Associated Press, he was swarmed by about 100 photographers when he first sat down on the bench and security guards had to be called in to clear them away so that Beckham could watch the game. Beckham was so well received that even his warming up on the sidelines brought forth thunderous applause and wild cheering from a sold-out crowd that included quite a few film and TV stars, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His debut game with the Galaxy was uneventful for such a superstar. He went in as a substitute for Alan Gordon, amidst wild cheering
every time he touched the ball. Even so, he did not score or make any spectacular plays on defense. He told the Associated Press that, "The atmosphere is incredible." For a man accustomed to being an international celebrity (which includes becoming a UN Goodwill Ambassador as of 2005 and working on London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games), winning games (scoring 61 goals during 266 appearances with Manchester and 13 goals (5 of them in his first 16 appearances) in 116 appearances with Real Madrid), and winning titles (6 Premiership titles, 2 FA Cups, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 FA Youth Cup (these include winning the "Treble" of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League during the 1998-99 season) with Manchester and the La Liga title for Real Madrid his last season there), that is an understatement. For him, the night was almost like any otherexcept that it was his first game with a new team in a new country.
On Saturday, the fun did not end with the game, but continued on to an official welcome-to-Los Angeles party that was held on Sunday, July 22, at the Museum of Contemporary Art's Geffen Gallery. The party, unlike the soccer game, seemed to have more celebrities than soccer players present. The "invitation only" gala was co-hosted by Tom Cruise and Will Smith and was quite an extravaganza by all accounts. A few of the more notable faces present, outside of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, were Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer, Brooke Shields, Eva Longoria, Wesley Snipes, Quincy Jones, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy, and "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller, who is also the person who managed the Spice Girls - a pop group that made Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham famous.
RUSSIA - On July 5, 2007 Sochi, a Russian resort town on the Black Sea, won their bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2014. This was the city's second bid attempt to host the Olympic Games. One factor in choosing Sochi was President Vladimir Putin's visit to Guatemala City where the voting was held. He personally spoke to the committee. Jean-Claude Killy, a French IOC member and former ski champion, is quoted in both ESPN and The New York Times as saying, "Putin being here was very important. He worked very hard at it. He was nice. He spoke French -- he never speaks French. He spoke English -- he never speaks English. The Putin charisma can explain four votes." Another factor, which had hindered Sochi's bid for the 2002 Olympic Games and was turned into a "good thing" for this bid, was that practically every venue for the games would have to be built from the ground up. According to The New York Times, the fact that Russia has never hosted the winter games (Russia did host the 1980 Summer
Games) and the IOC prefers to spread the Olympics to new countries also entered into the decision. Aside from President Putin's charisma, the building of totally new venues, the fact that Russia never hosted the Winter Games before and President Putin's pledge of governmental support (part of which is going toward construction amounting to approximately US$12 billion and construction of two power plants that would
amount to US$1.49 billion of a total US$1.9 billion slated for the project) was also a contributing factor in the casting of ballots. There was
plenty of cheering from Sochi residents when the announcement was made. There is a flip side to that, however. Both Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have expressed concerns about building new venues that would cause the loss of habitat and deforestation. "This will pose a threat to those valuable natural resources for which we are fighting. It's absolutely inadmissible," Mikhail Kreindlin of Greenpeace Russia is quoted as saying to the Associated Press via DCN News Services. According to the WWF website, WWF-Russia CEO Igor Chestin said, "Construction of many of these facilities will inevitably lead to forest logging and destruction of habitats of endangered species and unique flora and fauna of the national park." Mr. Chestin continued: "We're proud that Russia is the Olympic candidate winner but at the same time we will do our best to ensure that construction work does not destroy the environment." By Gabby Raines Issue: 5 • Year: 1
David Beckham of the LA Galaxy (right) takes the ball up field during second half against Chelsea FC during the World Series of Soccer on July 21, 2007 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. This is the first game for British soccer sensation David Beckham as a member of the Galaxy.
By Gabby Raines and Jim Kirk ad
Russia to host 2014 Olympic Games
photo: getty images
L
OS ANGELES, Calif. - Once David Beckham can call it "soccer" instead of "football" (as the sport is known in the rest of the world), he will have conquered his biggest problem in coming to America. The English soccer star has been welcomed with open arms by American fans and press. His, and his wife's (Victoria "Posh" Beckham), every word is followed and their every move is filmed. What has caused this stir is that David Beckham, formerly of Manchester United, the English National Team, and Real Madrid, has joined the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. His basic contract (effective as of July 1, 2007) is for US$32.5 million for five years, according to the Associated Press. With endorsements, appearances, and other factors, the contract is worth approximately US$250 million for the entirety of the contract. It should also be noted that "Becks" (as he is known to his fans) has been recalled to the English National team as of May 26, 2007 and that International Federation of Association Football (French: Fédération Internationale de Football Association, more commonly known by its acronym FIFA) regulations state that if Beckham is called up for any England (team) match, Galaxy must release him to play. Nevertheless, his arrival in the U.S. has been eagerly awaited by American soccer fans for quite some
august 2007
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