2012-8-28-31 by otc communication

Human cost of land concessions high: UN special rapporteur | National news http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012082858327/National-ne...

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Human cost of land concessions high: UN special rapporteur Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Bridget Di Certo and Chhay Channyda 1

Surya Subedi (C) visits the Borei Keila community in Phnom Penh in May. Photograph: Meng Kimlong/Phnom Penh Post A mission to examine political rights in Cambodia has been increasingly overshadowed by the Kingdom’s dire land rights situation, the 2012 report from Cambodia’s UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights, published yesterday, shows. Cambodia’s rapporteur, Surya Subedi, conducted two fact-finding missions to Cambodia in drafting his 2012 report, and prepared an addendum of findings on the impact of economic land concessions to be published next month. “The absence, in many instances, of proper consultation and negotiation with the people affected when granting such concessions has been a major concern,” the special rapporteur writes. The “human cost of such concessions has been high”, he continues, explaining the addendum will provide an analysis and recommendations to “counter the negative impact of those concessions on the lives of Cambodians, especially the rural poor, indigenous peoples and those living on the margins of society”. Subedi details the plight of two high-profile Phnom Penh evictions, Boeung Kak lake and Borei Keila, opining that “land disputes and forced evictions continue unabated in Cambodia”. Of Boeung Kak, the Leeds University professor states, “the case is emblematic of the desperation that communities throughout Cambodia feel in resolving their land disputes, and ensuing civil unrest”. Writing of the Borei Keila eviction, whose evicted residents Subedi visited in May, he describes the communities languishing in “uninhabitable resettlement sites” and “causing further impoverishment and threatening the country’s chances of improving its gross domestic product per capita”. “Most significantly, the Special Rapporteur is concerned that the events demonstrated an inability on the part of those involved to settle disputes peacefully and a resort to force by authorities and communities alike,” Subedi reports.

8/31/2012 4:20 PM

Human cost of land concessions high: UN special rapporteur | National news http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012082858327/National-ne...

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“Nevertheless, the Special Rapporteur is of the view that land concessions should be granted and managed within a sound legal and policy framework that includes respect for human rights, especially the rights of indigenous peoples, the rural poor and those living on the margins of society,” Subedi writes. Subedi said Cambodia has benefited from recommendations to improve human and political rights made by various bilateral and multilateral agencies, but it was “regrettable” that most of the recommendations remain unimplemented. He welcomed the decision to delay the passage of the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations in favour of further stakeholder consultation, however also noting that continued impermissible restrictions on freedom of expression have “resulted in a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Cambodia”, encouraging self-censorship provoked by fear of prosecution. In particular, he highlights the risks faced by human rights defenders in the face of an upward trend of the use of live ammunition. “The Special Rapporteur is shocked by these crimes, for which no one has been convicted,” he writes, in reference to a shootings at a TTY land dispute in January, at a February labour protest in Bavet, the April murder of environmental activist Chut Wutty, and the May land protest shooting in Kratie that killed a 14-year-old girl. As well as in the context of land evictions, Subedi examined the role of state institutions in the context of elections and political rights. The problem, he writes, lies in the inadequate implementation of laws and the “genuine or perceived” lack of independence. “The Special Rapporteur welcomes the assurances that he received that the Government would be instructing all civil servants, police and military personnel that they should not participate in any political activities while working in their official capacities,” the Nepalese national writes. In a press statement on Friday from a meeting of the Council of Ministers, the government said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, it has focused on “promoting [the] rights and dignity of people” and has implemented international agreements and conventions in accordance with national and international laws. The statement said that seven reports have been sent by the government to the UN Human Rights Committee, including reports on torture, elimination of discrimination against women and child rights. These reports, along with Subedi’s report, will be delivered to the Human Rights Council in Geneva for review. This government report is the second report created by the Cambodian Human Rights Commission under the leadership of Om Yentieng. “Although faced with a world economic crisis, protecting Cambodia’s sovereignty against foreign invasion, natural disaster … [the] Cambodian government can keep economic growth in 7.1 per cent in 2011,” the press release said, touting the government’s success at fostering peace and stability. “The government has provided land title [to] people totalling about 2.7 millions plots of land by May 2012,” the statement said. “Especially, the deep land reform campaign, which is historically called ‘new action in old politics’ since May 2012, for rural villagers has seen that at least 350,000 families will get ownership to types of forest land concession, economic land concession and state land [totalling about] 1.2 million hectares.” Yentieng could not be reached. To contact the reporters on this story: Bridget Di Certo at bridget.dicerto@phnompenhpost.com Chhay Channyda at channyda.chhay@phnompenhpost.com

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8/31/2012 4:20 PM

Military attaché office to be set up in Malaysia | National news

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Military attaché office to be set up in Malaysia Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Vong Sokheng 0

The Cambodian government last week approved the establishment in Kuala Lumpur of Cambodia’s 10th defence attaché office, which will aim to broaden military cooperation between Cambodia and Malaysia. According to a senior military official under Defence Minister Tea Banh, on August 15th, Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a sub-decree to appoint a defence attaché officer and an assistant, both to be selected from the Ministry of Defence, to the new office. The exact date for their departure will be set after the necessary documents have been processed, the official said. Cambodia currently has nine defence attaché offices, in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Australia, the United States and Russia. To contact the reporter on this story: Vong Sokheng at sokheng.vong@phnompenhpost.com

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8/31/2012 4:30 PM

Pailin land dispute brought to Phnom Penh | National news

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Pailin land dispute brought to Phnom Penh Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Chhay Channyda 0

About 100 villagers from Pailin province travelled to Phnom Penh yesterday to ask Prime Minister Hun Sen to intervene in their 70-hectare land dispute with the provincial governor, a village representative said. Dem Deam, 40, a resident of Pailin’s Stung Trang commune in Sala Krao district, said that the villagers came to Phnom Penh to pass along a petition to Hun Sen’s cabinet, asking it to send volunteers to issue them titles for the more than 2,100 hectares of land they have farmed for more than a decade, including 70 hectares which villagers say were recently cleared and converted into cassava fields by Governor Y Chhean. “We requested the land title from the authorities because we have lived there for 12 years, but they said our land is private state land and protected state land, so the land volunteer students did not go to measure,” said Deam. “We suggested to the prime minister to urge the students to do it for us because we’ve lived there for a long time.” “Local authorities said it belongs to Y Chhean, who did not allow students to measure land for us,” he added. On June 14, Hun Sen issued a sub-decree giving authorities across the country six months to measure parcels of land for people embroiled in land disputes in protected forests and on lands given as economic concessions to companies. According to Deam, the villagers’ land had never been disputed before, but in February, workers bulldozed the land to plant cassava believed by villagers to belong to Chhean. Kong Chamroeun, a complaint officer in Hun Sen’s cabinet, said that he accepted the petition yesterday evening. “I received [the petition], and am working with them,” he said. Prak Sophima, the Pailin provincial co-ordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said yesterday that the land in question affected five villages in Stung Trang commune, and confirmed that some parcels had been cleared for plantations. Y Chhean could not be reached for comment. To contact the reporter on this story: Chhay Channyda at channyda.chhay@phnompenhpost.com

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8/31/2012 4:28 PM

Police Blotter: 28 Aug 2012 | National news

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Police Blotter: 28 Aug 2012 Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Phnom Penh Post 0

Samurai sword used to rob defenseless vendor Lacking any sense of a fair fight, thieves used what witnesses described as a “samurai sword” to attack and rob a female chicken vendor at a market in Kampot’s Kampong Trach district on Sunday. The 23-year-old woman, who had been going about her usual trade of selling chickens, was taken to the hospital while her sword-wielding assailants made off with the US$250 she had on her. Police are now on the lookout for the men. Here’s a free tip: They are likely carrying an ancient-looking sword. Deum Ampil Truck driver gets on bike, disaster ensues A panicked driver who collided with a motorbike in Pursat province on Sunday managed to lead-foot it all the way to Battambang before being intercepted by local police. The 24-year-old motorist, a truck driver by trade, drove from the scene of the accident, while the fallen motorbike driver was left with serious injuries. Kampuchea Thmey Taxi driver ... or drug dealer? Police say both Police in Phnom Penh’s Porsenchey district say an alleged drug trafficker in his early 20s should stick to his day job after nabbing the man with three packages of an illegal substance. The man, a taxi driver, tried to evade his imminent capture by taking off down the road, but officers gave chase. The taxi driver later admitted he was trying to sell the drugs, and police said they doubt the substance was intended for personal use. The alleged would-be trafficker now faces a trip to court. Koh Santepheap Wise man gives up bike after thieves pull gun An early morning moto hold-up was made all the more frightening when thieves pulled a gun on their victim. The 24-year-old moto driver was on his way to market in Banteay Meanchey’s Poi Pet district when he was held up by the armed men, who demanded he hand over the keys. The victim had little choice but to get off and watch the bandits ride away. When he went to report the crime, police told him it was too late to catch the weapon-waving culprits - but they are still keen on arresting them. Deum Ampil Drunken husband gets violent without dinner A Kampong Cham man who returned home from a bout of drinking on Saturday to find no dinner waiting for him, was so enraged that he beat his wife until she passed out, police say. Fortunately, neighbours of the couple came to the scene and helped the seriously injured woman get to hospital. By the time police arrived, however, the husband had legged it and could not be found. Koh Santepheap Translated by Sen David

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8/31/2012 4:29 PM

ASEAN Investment Area Council meets in Cambodia with focus on FDI

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Tuesday, 28 August 2012 09:49 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 15th ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) Council meeting was held here on Monday afternoon to review developments in the AIA and to discuss ways in attracting more foreign direct investment into the ASEAN region, said a senior ASEAN official. The AIA Council comprises of ASEAN ministers responsible for investment. The meeting was chaired by Kong Vibol, secretary of state of the Economy and Finance Ministry and vice chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and was also attended by Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN secretary-general. The meeting had agreed to do more in terms of rules and regulations in order to present ASEAN as 'one investment area', Surin told Xinhua after the meeting. "We need to do more to increase the confidence of external potential investment coming into ASEAN," he said, adding that last year, the bloc attracted a large amount of investment - about 90 billion U.S. dollars. "We also agreed to work closely with dialogue partners and wanted their participation within the ASEAN investment area," he said. On the same day, the 26th ASEAN Free Trade Area Council meeting was also held to further discuss trade facilitation within the region. The topics of discussion include elimination of non-tariff barriers that impede trade, simplification of rules and procedures of doing business and enhancing the use of information and communication technologies in customs clearance of goods within the region. The two meetings are among a series of the week-long 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

8/31/2012 4:50 PM

ASEAN wants more investment, tourists from China

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Tuesday, 28 August 2012 09:50 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- The bilateral relationship between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) and China is very good and the regional bloc wants to see more investment and tourists from China, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said here Monday. "The ASEAN relation with China has been very productive and both sides certainly take the relationship very seriously," he said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting. He said that the bilateral trade between ASEAN and China is growing very fast and the trade balance has been in China's favor. "Certainly, we are hoping that there will be more investment coming from China in order to sustain this growth and to make the relationship more balance," he said. Asked about China's role in helping ASEAN realize the Economic Community by 2015, Surin said China is the largest market for ASEAN and the country is certainly a growth engine for ASEAN as it has been the growth engine for the rest of the world. He added that China has helped ASEAN a lot in infrastructure development. In ASEAN's process to build an economic community by 2015, Surin said that ASEAN has done well in terms of soft infrastructure such as agreements, protocols, and various elements of cooperation and coordination among member states. "To date, we have ratified about 73 percent of all the major instruments of cooperation among ASEAN," he said. "We have less than 30 percent to go, and our challenge is how to implement every of them, and how to translate the regional ASEAN commitments into the national agenda implementation, rules, laws and regulations." "We will accelerate our efforts in order to make sure that all these agreements are not only ratified, but also implemented," he said. He expressed confidence that ASEAN will be able to achieve the Economic Community by 2015 thanks to ASEAN's joint commitment and help from dialogue partners. He said the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community would be a market of 600 million people and would be more attractive to the world in terms of trade and investment.

8/31/2012 4:48 PM

Cambodia's police call for casino crackdown | National news

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Cambodia's police call for casino crackdown Wednesday, 29 August 2012 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea and Rachel Will 0

Police officials meet with casino operators yesterday in Phnom Penh to discuss crime and security issues at casinos. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post Cambodia's casino owners need to up the ante on security, the owners of each of the Kingdom’s 61 operating gaming venues were told yesterday at a Phnom Penh meeting called by national police authorities. Lieutenant General Sok Phal, deputy national police commissioner, said that in recent months, national police have observed an increasing amount of criminal activity in the Kingdom’s casino towns. “So far, the General Secretariat of National Police Commissioner has observed that there are many criminal offences or other illegal activities happening in casinos across the country. Besides this, some foreigners or criminals have been using the casino as a place to commit human trafficking, kidnapping for extortion, illegal detention or drug trafficking,” Phal said yesterday. He said the commissariat had called the meeting – the first of its kind – based on a recommendation made by Prime Minister Hun Sen during his recent five-hour-long speech, in which he singled out casinos dotting the border as a way of preserving Cambodia’s territorial integrity. Rampant criminal activity in and around casinos is having a detrimental effect on the security, safety and public order of the country, according to Phal. “Especially, it has also affected Cambodia’s reputation while it is now the chair country of ASEAN,” he said. The Post has previously reported on the “cheater’s justice” rumoured to be prevalent in the Kingdom’s notorious border casinos. Reports of unexplained murders, kidnapping and extortion, disappearances, beatings, torture and theft occasionally surface as police files. However, these official cases are just a small blind compared to the bigger stakes being played for behind closed doors, police said yesterday. “To combat and prevent more criminal offences happening in casinos, we would like to appeal to all casino owners

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8/31/2012 4:15 PM

Cambodia's police call for casino crackdown | National news

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to work closely with police, and report … any time when there is a crime committed in their casino in the future,” Phal said. “We would also like to encourage all casino owners to strictly obey Cambodian laws, and immediately stop Cambodian citizens from entering and gambling in their casinos,” he said speaking of Cambodia’s strict, if haphazardly enforced, laws against locals gambling. Major General Chhay Sinarith, chief of the Ministry of Interior’s Internal Security Police Department, said criminal acts were occurring in almost Cambodian casinos. “The reason why there are still so many illegal acts happening in casinos is because the casino owners have not co-operated well with police,” Sinarith said. “On the other hand, they have also not established proper infrastructure to control the gamblers,” he said, adding that even entries and exits to casinos are not being guarded properly. In the first eight months of this year, the Internal Security Police Department recorded seven criminal cases occurring in casinos, resulting in the arrest of 14 people in Phnom Penh and Svay Rieng and Banteay Meachey provinces. However, these cases only represent a small sample of the true extent of criminal enterprise, he said. Sinarith said that a draft Law on Casino Control is with the Council of Ministers for review before being sent to the National Assembly for debate. The law would establish severe penalties on casino owners who failed to uphold the law in their casinos. However, Ben Lee, managing partner of Macau-based casino consultancy IGamiX, told the Post yesterday said that increased vigilance among casino owners was not necessarily the answer. “I think the problem is the crimes don’t occur within the casino, they occur outside of the casino, and once they are outside of the casino, there isn’t a lot [casino owners] can do to control that,” Lee said. “It appears the police are trying to pass responsibility back to the casino operators. “My impression is that lot of the crime is led by lower-level loan sharks and there’s not much you can do about that,” he said. “The increasing criminal activity is most likely related to increased competition between junket operators, with Bavet being a major flashpoint because of the cutthroat competition.” Lee stressed that most of the criminal activity was occurring in casinos along the Vietnamese border. “The Thais have pretty much got [casino crime] under control, and they’ve been at the game for a long time. The crime is mostly about kidnappings on the Vietnamese border and most of the crime is in Bavet versus Poipet,” Lee said. To contact the reporters on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at reaksmeykongkea.buth@phnompenhpost.com Rachel Will at rachel.will@phnompenhpost.com

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8/31/2012 4:15 PM

'Killer' elephant finds new home at zoo | National news

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'Killer' elephant finds new home at zoo Wednesday, 29 August 2012 Khouth Sophak Chakrya 0

An elephant that ran amok in Koh Kong province is transported to a wildlife sanctuary yesterday. Photograph supplied A wild elephant that destroyed crops and injured cattle in Koh Kong province, was also responsible for a man’s death four months ago, villagers in Butum Sakor district said yesterday. The male elephant, which weighs 2.5 tonnes and is thought to be aged 15-16 years, arrived yesterday at the Phnom Tamao Zoological Park after it was tranquilised by conservationists and officers from Wildlife Alliance and Forestry Administration on Saturday. Kheang Ying, the deputy commune chief in Andong Teuk, Butum Sakor district, said his 50-year-old cousin was stepped on and killed by the same elephant four months ago while looking for rubber in the Butum Wildlife Sanctuary. “Since then, the villagers were afraid of this elephant, because it destroyed the crops and killed the cattle,” he said. The wife of the victim, Hin Yeng, said yesterday she was pleased to hear wildlife officials had captured the animal. Butum Sakor district chief of police, Heng Savoeun, told the Post he and other villagers used to see the animal walking peacefully in a group of six other elephants and that its destructive behaviour was a recent problem. “In the last few months, we saw only this wild male elephant causing problems for the villagers and the traffic along the National Road 48,” he said. Once tranquilised, it took wildlife officials four days to transport the elephant from where it collapsed in the drizzly forest to the zoo in Takeo province. Roth Bun Thoeun, a conservation official at the Forestry Administration, said the elephant, currently residing in a caged enclosure, could be used to attract more tourists to the park. It will also be treated for an injury and mated with three other female elephants.

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8/31/2012 4:19 PM

'Killer' elephant finds new home at zoo | National news

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To contact the reporter on this story: Khouth Sophak Chakrya at sophakchakrya.khouth@phnompenhpost.com

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8/31/2012 4:19 PM

ASEAN satisfied with strong economic ties with China: Indonesian trade...

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Wednesday, 29 August 2012 15:17 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is delighted to see the robust economic partnership with China, said Indonesia's Trade Minister Gita Wijrawan on Wednesday. Gita made his remarks on the sidelines of the 11th consultations between the ten ASEAN Economic Ministers and Chinese Minister of Commerce. "For Indonesia, we want to broaden trade and investment ties with China," he told reporters. In regard to Hong Kong's request for accession to ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), he said that ASEAN is "open-minded" and support it." "But in the spirits of the ASEAN consensus, we'd like to seek more clarifications from the studies; however, everything is moving in the right direction," he said. Hong Kong expressed its interest to join the ACFTA to the secretary-general of ASEAN in October 2011. In an opening address to the 44th Economic Ministers Meeting on Monday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the chair of ASEAN in 2012, advised the ASEAN Economic Ministers to submit the studies on the impacts of Hong Kong's accession to the ACFTA to ASEAN leaders at the 21st ASEAN Summit to be held in November for their decision.

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8/31/2012 4:45 PM

ASEAN+3 economic ministers meet in Cambodia to promote economic ...

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Wednesday, 29 August 2012 18:01 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The 15th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) consultations were held here Wednesday to deepen cooperation in food and energy security, finance, trade and investment. Addressing the opening session, Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh said that since its inception in 1997, the cooperation among ASEAN+3 countries has steadily broadened and deepened in many areas, including food and energy security, finance, trade facilitation and so on. "The meeting is a good chance for us to review and speed up our cooperation for deeper integration and prosperity to our region," he said. Addressing the meeting, Chen Deming, Chinese minister of commerce, hailed the good cooperation among the ASEAN+3 countries. He said that ASEAN, Japan and South Korea are all important trade and investment partners of China, and they accounted for 26 percent of China's total foreign trade. On the investment side, the investment from ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea accounted for 13.7 percent of China's foreign direct investment inflow, he said. "China attaches great importance to close cooperation with the 10+3 partners, and we are willing to work on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness to contribute to developing a robust economy and common prosperity for the East Asian region," he said. At the meeting, both Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano and South Korean Minister for Trade Bark Taeho expressed their satisfactions with the good cooperation among the ASEAN+3 countries. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

8/31/2012 4:45 PM

Delayed monsoon causes more damage to rice crop in Cambodia

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Wednesday, 29 August 2012 13:14 DAP

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has continued suffering from drought and tens of thousands of hectares of rice seedlings in 14 out of 24 cities and provinces have been affected, according to a report released from the National Committee for Disaster Management on Wednesday. As of Aug. 21, the drought has damaged 11,350 hectares of rice seedlings and affected other 139,530 hectares, said the report. Rains always begin in May and lasts until October, but this year, delayed rains caused damage to rice seedlings. The drought-hit cities and provinces are Phnom Penh, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Kandal, Prey Veng, Kampot, Battambang, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, Uddar Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham and Kampong Chhnang. Nhim Vanda, the first vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management, said in a meeting on Wednesday that the authorities have been actively pumping water to rescue affecting seedlings. Cambodia is an agrarian country with more than 80 percent of the population being farmers. Last year, this Southeast Asian nation produced some 8.25 million tons of paddy rice on the areas of about 2.4 million hectares, according to a report of the Ministry of Agriculture.

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8/31/2012 4:44 PM

Chea Sim’s ex-bodyguard takes case to Appeal Court | National news

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Chea Sim’s ex-bodyguard takes case to Appeal Court Thursday, 30 August 2012 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 0

Chhoeun Chanthan (C), former head of Senate president Chea Sim’s bodyguard unit, smiles as leaves the military court in Phnom Penh in February. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post The former head of Senate President Chea Sim’s bodyguard unit will appear in court next month to appeal against military court convictions and a 26-year prison sentence for possessing illegal weapons, forgery and other crimes, his defence lawyer said yesterday. Lieutenant General Chhoeun Chanthan, also known as Mao, 41, was sentenced in a military court in February, a week after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court jailed him for 10 years for separate offences that included breach of trust, intentionally destroying and embezzling state property and illegally distributing weapons. Put Theavy, defence lawyer for Chanthan, the former deputy commander of the Mixed Chief of Staff at the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and president of the Chhoeun Chanthan Export and Import Company, said yesterday his client would attend court on September 27 for an appeal trial that related only to the military case. “To defend and find justice for my client . . . I have already prepared new evidence. This evidence shows my client has not done anything wrong,” he told the Post yesterday. “I hope the court will drop charges against him, and release him to have his freedom.” Military police arrested Chanthan and three bodyguards at his luxury residence in the capital’s Chamkarmorn district on August 13 last year. Police seized weapons, ammunition and military clothes during the operation. Appeal Court deputy general prosecutor Tan Senarong confirmed yesterday Chanthan’s appeal would be heard. “The investigation of Chhoeun Chanthan’s case has been completed. The Court of Appeal will conduct the hearing on September 27,” Senarong said, before declining to comment in more detail.

8/31/2012 4:15 PM

Chea Simâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ex-bodyguard takes case to Appeal Court | National news

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Chanthan was also fined an additional US$3 million by the military court. He had separately appealed the 10-year sentence dished out to him by the municipal court, which also fined him about $1,250, and was waiting to be told when his appeal would be heard, his lawyer said. To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at reaksmeykongkea.buth@phnompenhpost.com

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8/31/2012 4:15 PM

Disaster management officials prepare for floods | National news

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Disaster management officials prepare for floods Thursday, 30 August 2012 Sen David 0

Motorists drive through floodwater behind the Royal Palace in downtown Phnom Penh on Tuesday. Photograph: Meng Kimlong/Phnom Penh Post The National Committee for Disaster Management was preparing to ensure end-of-season floods did not compound the woes caused by months of drought, officials said yesterday. To minimise the effects of flooding, the NCDM had sent a request to the Council of Ministers for 16,000 tonnes of food and almost 9,000 soldiers, sailors and military police, along with other supplies including boats, NDCM representatives announced yesterday morning at a meeting of nearly 100 government officials and UN representatives. NCDM officials said they had requested more food and soldiers than in past years, but were unable to provide exact numbers. Although this year’s drought has affected more than 10,000 hectares of rice across 14 provinces, according to a report released at the meeting, government ministries now needed to turn their attention from drought to flooding, Nhim Vanda, first vice-president of the National Committee for Disaster Management, said. The drought was now under control, Vanda said, thanks to resuscitation projects and increased rain, but he warned: “Climate change seems to have made disasters worse. Floods are one month ahead, so we need to be prepared.” The government was in the process of drafting a disaster management plan, he said. Moa Hak, director of the Water Ministry’s Hydrology and River Worker Department, said his ministry was forecasting significant flooding this year due to heavy rain and rising water levels in the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. According to the NCDM, storms so far this year have damaged 953 houses, killed 20 people and injured 59. To contact the reporter on this story: Sen David at david.sen@phnompenhpost.com

8/31/2012 4:11 PM

Disaster management officials prepare for floods | National news

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8/31/2012 4:11 PM

Government to inspect Xayaburi | National news

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Government to inspect Xayaburi Thursday, 30 August 2012 Khouth Sophak Chakrya 0

Cambodia has been asked to send a delegation to the site of the proposed Xayaburi hydro-electric dam in northern Laos, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Lim Kean Hor said yesterday. Kean Hor, who is also chairman of Cambodia’s National Mekong Committee, said the equivalent body in Thailand had urged the Kingdom to inspect development at the site. “In reply, we asked Thailand to delay this inspection until water [on the Mekong River] wanes, because now water levels are high, and it would not be possible to see everything,” he said. Cambodia has already voiced its opposition to the controversial US$3.8 billion, 1,285-megawatt hydroelectric dam, which in theory is on hold, but which environmental groups say is already being built. Cambodia and Vietnam announced in early July they would write a joint letter to the Lao and Thai governments urging that construction of the dam be halted, until the potential trans-boundary impacts of the dam on Mekong communities are studied. Kean Hor said it was important a Cambodian delegation visit the site before any decision is made to proceed with construction. Cambodia must object if it is found that “the advantages of constructing the dam are smaller than the impact on the livelihoods of the people in the Lower Mekong, such as those in Cambodia and Vietnam”, he said. To contact the reporter on this story: Khouth Sophak Chakrya at sophakchakrya.khouth@phnompenhpost.com

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8/31/2012 4:13 PM

Police Blotter: 30 Aug 2012 | National news

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Police Blotter: 30 Aug 2012 Thursday, 30 August 2012 Phnom Penh Post 0

Teen crooks prove bad thieves, terrible drivers Two sly snatchers allegedly targeted a lonesome motorcycle driver on Tuesday in Phnom Penh’s Meachey district as she rode to a nearby market, ripping her necklace from her chest. Alas, the 17-year-old thieves, also on a motorcycle, blundered, running into the victim’s vehicle and flipping their own motorcycle. Nearby villagers chased the bandits down the road. One of the pair was caught and handed over to police while the other is on the run. Kampuchea Thmey Robbery a mixed bag for thieving simpleton An imprudent, if conscientious, 24-year-old thief was duped in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district on Monday. Police said one of two men on a moto pilfered a woman’s handbag on Saturday, containing her phone, cash and a folder brimming with documents. However, the victim had a well-connected comrade working with police. The friend called the victim’s stolen phone and persuaded the suspect to return the documents. When he did, police pounced. The other robber is still at large. Kampuchea Thmey Brutes take to road to hit men, then hit road Eight brutes brandishing wooden sticks and knives tried to rob two men on a moto in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district on Saturday, police said. The group of bandits formed a blockade across a road, obstructing the two 25-year-old victims and letting loose in a spasmodic attack. Police quickly intervened, but the suspects slipped away into the dark of night. One victim was seriously injured and sent to hospital. Kampuchea Thmey Friend falls for the old lend-us-your-moto trick Two mates from Pursat town have fallen out after one allegedly purloined the other’s moto in Pailin province on Tuesday. Police said the duo were downing alcohol together, when the 28-year-old suspect asked to borrow his friend’s motorcycle to go buy cigarettes. The suspect never returned. Police intervened in the nick of time when they witnessed the man removing the moto’s licence plates. He was arrested and confessed to the crime. Koh Santepheap Just here for groceries – and your jewellery A Kampong Speu market stall, teeming with cash and gold jewellery, was targeted by a scheming threesome on Tuesday, police said. A 17-year-old woman, masquerading as a grocery shopper, caught the victim, also 17, off-guard and filched over $3,000 and over 300 grams of gold jewellery. Security guards pursued the suspect, finally catching her. Her two accomplices took off on their moto with about 75 grams of the gilded booty. Koh Santepheap Translated by Phak Seangly

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8/31/2012 4:17 PM

1st ASEAN-U.S. business summit eyes deeper economic ties

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Thursday, 30 August 2012 10:37 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The ASEAN-U.S. Business Summit was held here on Thursday to explore ways to deepen trade and investment ties between the two sides, officials said. The event was attended by ASEAN Economic Ministers or their representatives, U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN David Carden, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, and about 100 business executives and policy makers from the two sides. Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh, the chair of ASEAN in 2012, said at the opening ceremony that the forum was focused on the development of the digital economy and innovation in the ASEAN. "This is the first ever ASEAN-U.S. Business Summit even though we have many years of relationship with each other," he said, hoping that the bloc would see further growth in trade and investment with the United States after the summit. Speaking on behalf of the U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, who missed the opening ceremony due to flight delay caused by typhoon, David Carden said the United States is very pleased to work with ASEAN, saying that the 10 ASEAN countries are the key economic and strategic partners of the United States. "Today's summit is another of our journey to enhance trade and investment between the U.S. and ASEAN under the U.S.-ASEAN framework agreement being signed in 2006," he said. Surin said that the ASEAN has seen an impressive record of imports and exports with the United States. In 2011, the trade volume was 198.8 billion U.S. dollars in the U.S. favor. "The room is still much more to grow between the two sides," he said. "Through the summit, we hope to see more progress on trade, investment, human resources development, energy, and green technology...everything that will energize economic progress here in the region and also open up opportunities and potential for the U.S. investment in ASEAN," he said.

8/31/2012 4:37 PM

Cultural Heritage for All

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Thursday, 30 August 2012 10:10 DAP By inheriting invaluable cultural property from respectful ancestors, Cambodia became the Kingdom of Wonder resounding to the world by its marvelous work of art of those who created and left for our present generation as historic gifts, such as Angkorwat Temples, Preah Vihear Temple, and Banteay Srey Temple, etc. At the national levelďź&#x152;Cambodia have taken a great deal of measures in safeguarding the cultural heritage, which include raising the public awareness, setting out principles to encourage the protection, strengthening the tourism policy, designing laws and regulations to secure the protection; and engaging the participation from Civil Society and local NGOs. At the international level, Cambodia has expanded its cooperation with countries and organizations in the region and the world to help sustain the existence and development of National Cultural Heritage.

8/31/2012 4:38 PM

U.S. wants stronger economic ties with ASEAN: Trade Representative

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Thursday, 30 August 2012 11:54 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, President Barack Obama's Chief Trade Advisor, said Thursday that the United States has desire to have " more comprehensive relationship" with all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. He said that the United States underscored the importance of the relationship with ASEAN, saying that the bloc is an important region for the United States. "If we collectively take the 10 ASEAN members, they would represent for larger trading partner, we have a lot of room for growth," he told reporters before attending the Consultations with the ASEAN Economic Ministers. He said the United States wanted to see more economic integration and harmonization among the ASEAN member states. Kirk arrived here on Thursday morning to attend the ongoing 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and related meeting, which was opened on Monday and will last until Friday. According to a press release from the U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh, the United States saw the 10 ASEAN countries as key economic and strategic partners, and Kirk's visit was to demonstrate U.S. support for ASEAN integration and desire to deepen economic engagement with the region. The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

8/31/2012 4:33 PM

Let’s stop the abuses | National news

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Let’s stop the abuses Friday, 31 August 2012 Princess Soma Norodom 0

With the lack of enforcement of the domestic violence law, this issue is still a social problem in Cambodia. Domestic violence is a human rights violation, and against the law, and it should be taken seriously. Domestic violence is violence that occurs in the home and between spouses. There are several types of domestic violence, including physical aggression such as hitting, kicking and throwing objects, to threats, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, controlling behaviour, intimidation and stalking. Overall, domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviours to control the person in the relationship. The Khmer Rouge regime left the country with the destruction of a modern societal infrastructure, violence and death. Experts have stated that the survivors of the regime, who were children at the time and are now adults, have turned to violence, because this was what they have lived through and witnessed. I think that with the limited implementation of the law, and the corruption in the law, it has led to the serious issue of domestic violence in society. This is a serious problem for victims, families and society, as domestic violence is physically and psychologically damaging. Let’s not blame the past for the current issue, but move forward to help in the fight against domestic violence. The Cambodian Women’s Crisis Centre (CWCC) Protection Program protects the victims by providing counseling, literacy and vocational skills training, as well as legal presentation. In 2011, CWCC provided direct assistance to 363 domestic violence cases, more than 143 rape cases and 76 trafficking cases combined. In addition, the program provides drop-in crisis centre facilities and emergency medical care, and a place to stay in a safe shelter. Another aspect of the Protection Program is reintegration and repatriation. This program aims to assist women to return to their homes, workplaces and communities and assists women in finding jobs and setting up their own business. The Legal Program is an important part of CWCC’s Protection Program as its goal is to set deterrence for perpetrators and to hold them accountable for their criminal actions. More importantly, it empowers women to speak up and remove themselves from the current abusive relationship and situation. Community intervention is encouraged, as this is not a private, family problem. Educating and bringing awareness of the law and the services for the victims are important in decreasing domestic violence in our society. We must work together to help in the fight against domestic violence. During the night of June 23, 1993, an American, John Wayne Bobbitt, raped his wife, Lorena, after a night of partying. In 1994, he was tried and acquitted for spousal rape. Lorena was fed up and one night went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, entered the bedroom where John was sleeping, and cut off nearly half of his penis. Lorena Bobbitt was taken into custody, and tried, and she revealed details of their abusive relationship and stated that her husband sexually, physically and emotionally abused her during their marriage. The case brought worldwide attention and addressed the serious issue of domestic violence. If you know someone who is in an abusive relationship, please contact cwcc.org.kh for assistance.

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8/31/2012 4:05 PM

Lower Sesan 2’s power not worth a dam: NGO | National news

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Lower Sesan 2’s power not worth a dam: NGO Friday, 31 August 2012 Stuart White 0

People navigate a boat down the Sesan River, past Kbal Romea commune, in Stung Treng province’s Sesan district last year. Photograph: Adam Miller/Phnom Penh Post While the humanitarian objections to Mondulkiri’s proposed Lower Sesan 2 hydropower dam project are well documented, a report from conservation NGO International Rivers yesterday highlighted an objection of another sort: the Lower Sesan wouldn’t be a very good location for a dam in the first place. According to the report, which compiled information from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), environmental assessments and local media reports, the Lower Sesan is a poor place for such a project from a logistical standpoint, and the dam would rank among the least efficient in terms of megawatts (MW) of power produced versus land lost to flooding. “If the project generates more than 10 MW per square kilometre of reservoir, the performance is considered good, 5-10 MW is moderate, and below 5 MW the project ‘needs to be carefully assessed’,” the report reads, citing a technical paper from the ADB. “The Lower Sesan 2 receives a score of only 1.1 MW [per square kilometer] of reservoir.” The report said that the Lower Sesan is heavily dammed above the proposed site, and even dams upstream are struggling to get enough water to operate at full capacity – due in part to more dams even farther upstream. In the dry season, the 400 MW dam would only be able to operate at one-quarter of its capacity. According to SRP lawmaker Son Chhay, who has long opposed the dam, not only is the project economically unfeasible, its proposed output is still a matter of debate. “It’s exaggerated,” he said. Chhay also questioned the prospect of selling half of the dam’s output to Vietnam, which currently imports electricity to Cambodia. Right now, Vietnam imports 135 MW of power per day to Phnom Penh alone, according to Electricite du

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8/31/2012 4:04 PM

Police Blotter: 31 Aug 2012 | National news

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Police Blotter: 31 Aug 2012 Friday, 31 August 2012 Translated by Sen David 0

Smooth-talking thief steals heart and bike Love lost its lustre for a 23-year-old Kandal Saang woman on Tuesday when she faced the ultimate betrayal - her boyfriend allegedly filched and hawked her motorcycle. The suspect schmoozed his supposed sweetheart into lending him her vehicle, but both he and the motorcycle failed to return. When reported to police, it was revealed that Romeo was a veritable thug, having spent time in prison. Police are now on the hunt for the lothario and have appealed to women to resist his roguish charms. RasmeI Kampuchea Police find ‘ya ma’ pills concealed in man’s bag The wrath of a crowd of cops didn’t stop a 23-year-old drug dealer from fleeing when police discovered that his bulging bag was full of 77 “ya ma” pills. Cruising the streets in Preah Vihea’s Cham Ksan district on Tuesday, police got a whiff that something was askew and called for the suspect to pull over. He ignored their requests, speeding on, but was no match for the enforcers, who swiftly blocked him off. The sheepish dealer admitted to the crime and was sent to court. Koh Santepheap Suspects flee police, seek odd place to hide Two thieves took an unusual detour on Tuesday in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district while trying to evade police, who allege that the suspects snatched a pedestrian’s necklace and raced away with the prize. When they detected the trail, the flustered suspects sought shelter in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs building. They were cornered by staff and soon arrested. The uninjured victim won her jewellery back and thieves went to court. Deum Apil Man flees police, thinks they forgot about him An arrogant brute, accused of bashing his sister unconscious, thought he had eluded police on Tuesday in Kandal town after authorities tried to arrest him. The suspect, with a long history of domestic violence, managed to escape a police officer’s grip, but absurdly returned to his family home, which he assumed police had “forgotten about”. They were, of course, waiting for him. He was sent to court. Rasmei Kampuchea Accused fraudsters get woman to leave stall Police nabbed two fraudsters in Kampong Speu town on Tuesday who allegedly rused a gold vendor into abandoning her stall. In a sly subterfuge, the men masqueraded as potential customers and conned the woman into leaving them with her booty. The suspects fled with the stash but at the last minute were apprehended by police. They were sent to court. Kampuchea Thmey

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8/31/2012 4:10 PM

Small bomb explodes on bridge; no injuries | National news

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Small bomb explodes on bridge; no injuries Friday, 31 August 2012 Vong Sokheng 0

Provincial authorities are conducting an investigation after a small homemade bomb exploded at a bridge yesterday on National Road 4 near Pich Nil, a traditional place of Buddhist prayer half way between Phnom Penh and Preah Sihanouk province. Tak Vanntha, Preah Sihanouk provincial police chief said that no one was injured in the explosion and that the small damage to the bridge was repaired immediately. He said that a bomb was made of munitions placed in a plastic container able to hold about 30 litres of water, adding that Khmer Rouge soldiers used similar bombs. Tep Mean, Phnom Sruoch district governor of Kampong Spue province, said he inspected the site afterward and said that there would be no delays for travellers, but added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I cannot speculate who did it and why they did it.â&#x20AC;?

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8/31/2012 4:07 PM

Social ads a sign of the times | National news

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Social ads a sign of the times Friday, 31 August 2012 Joe Freeman and Vong Sokheng 0

A billboard featuring a cartoon condom advises passersby to ‘Please use condoms’ in Kampot. Photograph: Will Baxter/Phnom Penh Post At first glance, the billboard seems to belong in a comic book. There is a smiling, goofy cartoon character, delivering words encapsulated in a quote bubble. But this cartoon, which features an anthropomorphised prophylactic, is not meant for amusement. Nor is what the safe-sex conscious character is saying: “Please use a condom.” Standing beside a road in Kampot, the government-endorsed billboard reaches drivers and pedestrians in an understandable platform. After all, who isn’t going to take at least a cursory glance at a condom that can talk? In their simply presented – and sometimes explicit – form, billboard drawings, images and sketch messaging fill an education gap created by poverty and low literacy rates in rural areas, officials and consultants say. And in the past decade, supported by a roll call of government ministries, civil society groups and NGOs, the public safety illustrations have become part of the landscape, popping up everywhere and covering the gamut of public safety issues affecting the Kingdom. Look above the entrance to Phnom Penh’s Russian Market and you’ll see the huge billboard reminding customers not to litter; outside Cham Chao market, the text of billboards decrying child labour say “Parent: Send Your Children to School. Not Work.” In another drawing, members of a community gather in support around a person infected with HIV. The country’s growing drug problem is not left out of the mix. “We wanted Cambodian people who aren’t able to read to understand the influence” of illicit substances, said Neak Yuthea, director of legislation at the National Authority for Combating Drugs. “When they come across the large billboards, they can see and understand.” Placed near Pochentong Airport, a painted sign from the drug authority depicts a card game that ends on a violent

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8/31/2012 4:09 PM

Social ads a sign of the times | National news

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note when the players get high and start to fight each other. “Fight” is a little tame for what actually happens. One player stabs another in the armpit while threatening a third man, who is holding aloft a broken bottle. Yuthea said the billboards began to go up in 2000, after an initiative of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s to come up with ways of dissuading the public from abusing narcotics. There are at least 200 of them near markets, schools and crossroads now, costing about $10,000 each to create and install. The fight against some of the most grave issues facing government authorities – human trafficking and sex tourism – has been taken to the billboards as well. Hor Sarun, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Tourism, said yesterday that several signs have been posted at international checkpoints in Banteay Meanchey, Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk and Kratie provinces. They are intended to let tourists know of the campaign to “help protect children from sexual exploitation and non-illicit drug used in the country”, he said. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Phnom Penh Municipal Hall sponsored a particularly graphic sign against sex trafficking along the road just past the airport. The drawing, in which a trafficking story unfolds from the deal to the arrest of the perpretrators, shows a crying girl forced into bed with an older man. While commending the various public safety messages, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said that the proliferation of billboards has reached such a level that officials have decided to complete an assessment of the project. “We want to properly control the message and picture, because some of them might have negative qualities that would make people misunderstand them and create a bad impact” on society, he said. “It is out of control.”

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8/31/2012 4:09 PM

Trafficking convictions upheld | National news

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Trafficking convictions upheld Friday, 31 August 2012 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 0

Five brokers saw their convictions upheld yesterday at Phnom Penh’s Court of Appeal for trafficking 20 Cambodian nationals into Thailand, but legal experts say such convictions for trafficking in Cambodia are still far too rare. While Judge Chan Madyna upheld the men’s 2010 convictions, he shaved two and three years off their respective sentences. The court heard the men charged their recruits 2,000 baht each for the journey across the border. After they were arrested, police rescued 20 men who were later released. The brokers were previously convicted by Battambang Provincial Court – two for selling, buying or exchanging a person with purpose and three for acting as accomplices. But Moeun Tola, head of the Community Legal Education Center’s labour program, said criminal convictions for brokers and human traffickers are still uncommon – and seldom target those at the top. “So far we have found out trafficking persons also involves police officers working on the ... border, but we never see those police officers or military officers prosecuted,” he said. “This needs to happen … but we always see the small fish, the less responsible people prosecuted, the top management are often still at large.”

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8/31/2012 4:08 PM

ASEAN, 6 partners to start free trade pact talks in November

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Friday, 31 August 2012 14:07 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The first dialogues between the ASEAN economic ministers and their counterparts from ASEAN's Free Trade Agreement partners were wrapped up here on Thursday, agreeing to start negotiations on a new regional free trade area in November, said a joint media statement after the meeting. The consultations were chaired by Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh. The statement said that the meeting made an important first step towards establishing a new regional free trade area in the form of a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). "The RCEP negotiations will be launched in November 2012," it said, adding that the RCEP is very significant to strengthen the region's economic architecture.The six partners are Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. The ministers are also committed to making the RCEP a modern, high quality agreement, which will underpin and promote future growth, development and integration in the participating countries. They said that the RCEP could potentially transform the region into an integrated market comprising over 3 billion people with a combined GDP of about 17.23 trillion U.S. dollars. The ministers also noted the progress made in the RCEP Working Group on trade in goods and instructed officials to commence parallel work in the areas of trade in services and investment at the Working Group level as soon as possible. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

8/31/2012 4:33 PM

ASEAN-U.S. ministers agree to broaden economic cooperation

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Friday, 31 August 2012 14:06 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Consultations between the ASEAN Economic Ministers and the United States Trade Representative concluded here on Thursday and the two sides agreed to further deepen trade and investment ties. The dialogue was co-chaired by Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh and Ambassador Ron Kirt, the United States Trade Representative. "They underscored the opportunities for deepening economic ties and reiterated their commitment to further building the trade and investment relationship between ASEAN and the United States," said a joint statement after the meeting. "ASEAN and the United States are considered as engines of global economic activity and growth, and that ever closer economic ties are of crucial importance to ASEAN and the United States, as well as the world," the statement said. The ministers expressed their satisfaction with the activities being implemented under the ASEAN U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) in 2012 and plan to soon endorse a TIFA work plan for 2013. Among the initiatives under consideration for 2013 are continued cooperation on trade facilitation, the digital economy, trade and the environment, and priority areas for ASEAN integration including small and medium enterprise development and ASEAN connectivity. They also reaffirmed the necessity of organizing a second ASEAN Ministers Road Show to the United States in 2013, with the aim of further raising awareness of the ASEAN region and promoting ASEAN- U.S. economic relations. According to the statement, trade between ASEAN and the United States remained strong. Last year, the total trade between ASEAN and the United States showed a 9.2 percent increase, growing from 178 billion U.S. dollars to 194 billion U.S. dollars. ASEAN imports from the United States increased by 8.6 percent to 76.4 billion U.S. dollars while exports grew 9.8 percent to 118. 2 billion U.S. dollars. It said that the United States remained the fourth largest trading partner of ASEAN and, collectively, ASEAN is the fifth largest goods trading partner of the United States. In the investment side, it said that the United States remained the third largest foreign direct investor in ASEAN. According to the United States' data, last year, the U.S. foreign direct investment stock in ASEAN countries was 159.6 billion U.S. dollars, up 11.2 percent compared to 2010. ASEAN foreign direct investment stock in the United States demonstrated even stronger growth, increasing 13.1 percent to 24.6 billion U.S. dollars.

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8/31/2012 4:34 PM

ASEAN-U.S. ministers agree to broaden economic cooperation

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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8/31/2012 4:34 PM

Chinese commerce minister meets U.S. representative for trade promotion

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Friday, 31 August 2012 14:08 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming on Thursday met with Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative, to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral trade. The meeting was made on the sidelines of the 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and related meetings, which was opened on Monday and will last until Friday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kirk said the meeting was fruitful to boost trade between the U.S. and China. "We discussed lots of things; it is a very complex, but dynamic relationship,"he said."Minister Chen and I should know that one of the few bright spots in the global economic environment is the relationship between China and the U.S., and we are committed to resolving trade inheritance so that the relationship continues to grow." Besides Sino-U.S. bilateral trade ties, the Chinese minister said his trip to Cambodia is successful and fruitful as several vital achievements had been made. "As one of the major achievements, Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul agreed to set up a new free trade zone which is likely to be started in November,"said Chen, "after that, ASEAN nations and their six FTA partners are intending to establish a bigger free trade zone. And the negotiation will kick off during the November summit". Currently, ASEAN has six individual free trade partners, namely China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, New Zealand, and Australia. Chen wrapped up his trip to Cambodia and left for Beijing on Thursday.

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8/31/2012 4:31 PM

Mekong-Japan economic ministers agree to increase cooperation

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Friday, 31 August 2012 14:08 DAP

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Economic Ministers of Mekong countries and their Japanese counterparts on Thursday agreed to add more development projects in the Mekong-Japan Economic and Industrial Cooperation Initiative (MJ-CI) Action Plan, according to a joint statement issued at the 4th Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers' Meeting. The meeting was co-chaired by Tin Naing Thein, minister for Myanmar's National Planning and Economic Development, and Yukio Edano, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and attended by economic ministers and representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam as well as ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan. The ministers agreed to additionally incorporate several projects into the MJ-CI Action Plan such as organizing seminars and workshops for Free Trade Agreement utilization, improving power grid interconnection in the Mekong Region and developing power plants in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, developing Special Economic Zones and establishing an industrial development strategy for Mekong countries, said the statement. The MJ-CI Action Plan was adopted at the 2nd Mekong-Japan Summit in 2010, by prioritizing those projects with strong business needs for Mekong countries and Japan.

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8/31/2012 4:32 PM