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Issue NUMBER 1661

16 pages

Successful People Read The Post

THURSDAY, july 4, 2013

A PHNOM PENH POST SPECIAL REPORT

JULY 2013

The Fourth of July

4000 RIEL

8 pages

Morsi defies deadline from army AN army deadline to Egypt President Mohamed Morsi to meet the demands of his people or face army intervention expired yesterday at 4:30pm (9:30pm Cambodia time).

At the time of going to press, Morsi rejected the ultimatum and insisted he would defend his constitutional legitimacy to the end, raising fears of unrest as supporters and opponents of the Islamist president took to the streets in their thousands.

Morsi proposed a consensus government as a way out of the country’s crisis.

“The presidency envisions the formation of a consensus coalition government to oversee the next parliamentary election,” his office said in a statement on Facebook.

The Arab world’s most populous nation has remained in turmoil since the fall of Hosni Mubarak as Arab Spring uprisings took hold in early 2011, arousing concern among allies in the West and in Israel, with which Egypt has a 1979 peace treaty.

Armoured vehicles patrolled around the state broadcasting headquarters on the bank of the Nile River bank and non-essential staff were evacuated, security sources said. Members of the Republican Guard have been in the building for several days.

The official spokesman of the Muslim Brotherhood movement said supporters were willing to become martyrs to defend Morsi.

“There is only one thing we can do: we will stand in between the tanks and the president,” Gehad El-Haddad said at the movement’s protest encampment in a Cairo suburb that houses many military installations and is near the presidential palace.

“We will not allow the will of the Egyptian people to be bullied again by the military machine.”

Armed forces commander General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met the main liberal opposition leader, Nobel peace Continues on page 12

In sync

A Russian synchronised swimming team perform at a park in Fuzhou, China, on Tuesday.

REUTERS

CNRP activists arrested Vong Sokheng

A

N OPPOSITION activist has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly making death threats against the leaders of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, while five other Cambodia National Rescue Party members have been charged with illegal logging.

The CNRP yesterday claimed the charges against Hong Viravuth, 41, and five other CNRP members were politically motivated in the lead-up to

One accused of attempted murder this month’s election, though observers cautioned it was too early to make such judgements.

Yun Phally, a Kampot provincial monitor for rights group Licadho, said Viravuth was arrested in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district last Tuesday for threats made via telephone against unspecified CPP leaders, then charged in Kampot province.

“According to the court warrant that

we saw, Viravuth was detained in Kampot prison on June 27 and charged with attempted murder,” he said.

In a subsequent recording he had obtained between Viravuth and a source, Phally said the accused had claimed he had lent his phone to a friend to borrow during the period he had allegedly made the death threats.

CNRP members Bo Udom, 26, Nhanh Nang, 20, Tith Tha, 34, and Seng

Eoun, 25, were arrested the following day in Kampong Speu province attempting to transport logs from Taken commune in Kampot’s Chhouk district in trucks marked with opposition party stickers, Phally said.

The day after that, 51-year-old Suo Tan, an active CNRP member from Satpoang commune, also in Chhouk district, was arrested and then charged on Saturday for illegally transporting logs and forest fruits, Continues on page 6

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THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

National

Beehive to lose sting?

May Titthara

T

Funcinpec Party president Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey leads supporters along Monivong Boulevard to a rally in Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park yesterday. heng chivoan

Funcinpec sets bold goals Meas Sokchea

ALTHOUGH today just a shadow of its former self, the Funcinpec royalists are hoping to win more than a dozen seats in the upcoming election, party leaders said yesterday, as their biggest rally of the campaign took to the capital’s streets.

However, those optimistic projections were quickly shot down by observers, who doubted the party would be able to win more than a few seats, if any at all.

Though on a limited budget, with just over a million dollars in campaign funds, Funcinpec could be a competing force this election, party secretary-general Nhek Bun Chhay said yesterday.

“After meeting with people for the last few months, we have seen that our level of support is growing and increasing. Our plan … is to win 12-13 seats,” he said.

The party won just two seats at the 2008 election.

When asked if Funcinpec, long the junior partner in a coalition with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, would consider a coalition with the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party if it won a sig-

nificant number of seats, Bun Chhay remained ambiguous.

“Our Funcinpec wants to create unity to build our country.

We do not discriminate against any party,” he said.

Independent political analyst Kem Ley, however, dismissed any chances the party might have of increasing its National Assembly representation, saying that it was possible they could win zero seats at this month’s poll.

“The people have given up hope with Funcinpec . . . [It’s

Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park, party president Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey called on about 3,000 gathered supporters to give her a chance to serve the people.

“People have known me and not known my achievements.

But I can promise that I will not disappoint the people,” she told the crowd.

“If people do not give me an opportunity, [they] cannot criticise me … Allow me to have an official role first and [then] you can criticise me.”

Their 18-point policy contains nothing new . . . it’s the same as the CPP policies not just one person, but the leadership as a whole has harmed people.”

The party had “used” voters in the last two elections for money and prestige, Ley added.

“The people right now are facing a lot of issues . . . but their 18-point policy contains nothing new in my analysis . . . it’s the same as CPP policies . . . [Voters] who like the current situation will vote for the CPP and not Funcinpec,” he said.

At yesterday’s rally at

Puthea Hang, executive director at election monitoring organisation NICFEC, said it was possible that Funcinpec could win a few seats this election, as his organisation had found remaining pockets of support for the party.

On the subject of a Funcinpec-CNRP coalition, CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said that nothing was certain until the election results were released. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KEVIN PONNIAH

HE signal of independent station Beehive Radio has been fuzzy since March and now its director, Mam Sonando, fears it could die out altogether if the CPP wins the election as expected this month.

The outspoken radio boss alleged yesterday that the Ministry of Information (MoI) has been heaping pressure on NGOs, political parties and advertisers who pay for time on his station – and he fears their departure en masse could leave him bankrupt.

“I can say that my radio station will close if the CPP wins this election. I think that if the [MoI] continues to pressure my radio station like this, I will have to shut it down,” he said.

Sonando said those wanting airtime needed to submit an unreasonable amount of paperwork and get the permission of everyone from the MoI to commune and village chiefs.

“All NGOs and some political parties are bored and frustrated by the process of getting something on [Beehive],” he said.

Information Minister Khieu Kanharith declined to comment yesterday.

Beehive is known for criticising the government and for unashamedly broaching topics state-aligned media won’t.

It has recently sold airtime to the Cambodia National Rescue

Beehive Radio station owner Mam Sonando exits Phnom Penh’s Appeal Court in March. heng chivoan

Party, the League for Democracy Party, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) and the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, Sonando said.

He declined to elaborate on whether those groups would pull their programming.

“Recently, there was one NGO from the US that wanted airtime, but they got tired of the ministry’s policy,” he added.

CCHR president Ou Virak said he had not had any trouble broadcasting on the station, but “wouldn’t be surprised if they were pressuring Beehive”.

Sonando said he had big plans for July 7 – the third anniversary of his Association of Democrats.

“I will quiz my association members during that time about which party they will support,” he said.

Sonando was imprisoned last year, originally accused of inciting an insurrection – an allegation widely condemned as politically motivated – before he was released in March.

The Post has since reported of listeners complaining that the Beehive signal has been weak since Sonando was freed.

Moeun Chhean Nariddh, director of the Cambodia Institute for Media Studies and Journalism, said that if Beehive Radio closed because of pressure from the MoI, it would be a violation of press freedom and the constitution.

Man charged with embassy arson Cheang Sokha

THE Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday charged aVietnamese national with causing intentional damage after he threw a flaming package at the Japanese embassy in Phnom Penh on Monday in hopes of being sent to Japanese prison, said Major General Chhay Sinarith, director of the Ministry of Interior’s Internal Security Department.

According to Sinarith, Daing Futok, 22, told officers that he wanted to live in Japan but didn’t know how to get there. Ultimately, he settled on com-

mitting a crime at the Japanese embassy, thinking he would be arrested and imprisoned in Japan and then allowed to stay upon his release.

“This is not a terrorist activity, and the Japanese embassy did not file a complaint about this,” said Sinarith. “He didn’t dare to do it in Vietnam, so he crossed the border to do it in Cambodia.”

Sinarith said Futok had set a package of clothing on fire and threw it at the embassy but failed to get it over the wall.

He could face between six months and two years in jail, and a fine of $250 to $1,000.

Kantha Bopha Children s Hospital Siem Reap Angkor ( Jayavarman VII )

Every Saturday, 7.15 pm

BEATOCELLO in CONCERT Cello Music and information about the five Kantha Bopha Children s Hospitals by Dr. Beat Richner

Free admission www.beatocello.com

Re-Announcement KREDIT Microfinance Institution Plc., founded in 1993, is a permanent license Christian Microfinance Institution which is contributing to the social and economic development of communities by enabling the economically active poor to improve their lives through its reliable and sustainable financial services such as loan, savings and money transfer.

PATH is seeking dynamic, results-driven, change-oriented candidates for our country manager position in Phnom Penh. PATH is an international, non-profit organization focused on innovative solutions for global health challenges.

We’ve been working in Cambodia since 1995.

To meet our recent operational growth and expansion, KREDIT Microfinance Institution Plc.is currently seeking for qualified Cambodian candidates for the positionsas the following:

The Country Manager will lead PATH’s office in Cambodia. Under the guidance of the Mekong Regional Program Manager in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Country Manager will have primary responsibility for ensuring high quality administrative and financial management of PATH’s work in Cambodia, the smooth running of the office and functioning of project teams. The successful candidate will also be expected to lead strategic interactions with PATH’s Headquarters in the United States and Europe, in-country partners, and provide mentoring to the project teams.

Position Title Location Closing Date

:Oracle DBA(01) : Phnom Penh, Job Type: Full Time : 12-July-2013 at 4: 00 p.m

Job Responsibilities:  Perform all aspects of database administration management including backup and recovery, upgrade testing and implementation, and storage monitoring on Oracle 11g  Database design, optimization, and tuning  Write complex SQL Queries and Stored Procedures  Business Intelligence, data warehousing, reporting solutions  Other duties will be assigned by superior Job Requirement:  Bachelor degree in computer science or equivalent  One year experience as an Oracle DBA  Solid PL/SQL programming skills  Strong understanding of database structures, theories, principles  Working knowledge of Oracle Data Guard  Experience with Oracle Solaris or any kind of Unix is a plus  Sense of ownership and responsibility towards problems and solutions Interested candidate should submit yourCV and cover letter to KREDIT Microfinance InstitutionPlc. Head Office at #71 St. 163SangkatToulSvay Prey I Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh or to Email: kimchhay_sok@kredit.com.kh. More details see: www.kredit.com.kh

Knowledge, skills and experience required: Advanced degree in public health, business, management, or related field plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience; or 12 years of NGO experience with increasing responsibility; extensive experience in program management, coordination, and development; experience managing US government funding or other major donor funding an advantage; experience working effectively with government counterparts at central and local levels; experience in program representation and program development; proven interpersonal, mentoring, and team building skills; demonstrated creativity, initiative, and ability to meet deadlines; demonstrated report writing and presentation skills; ability to work across cultures and time zones; knowledge of public health and health systems issues; excellent written and spoken English skills.

For full position descriptions and information on the application process, please visit the jobs section of the PATH website (www.path.org).

Deadline: July 15, 2013

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THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

National Now you see him

Manhunt sparks raft of rumours

R

UMOURS of the arrest of former Bavet town governor Chhouk Bandith swirled around local media yesterday, only to be swatted by a litany of government officials.

Early in the day, a local media outlet reported that Bandith – convicted of shooting three garment workers in February of 2012 – was arrested in Mondulkiri, while another reported that he had been apprehended in Ratanakkiri after withdrawing $1 million from the bank.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak, however, said yesterday that he had no idea of Bandith’s whereabouts. “What the local media reported is not true,” he said.

National Police spokesman Kirt Chantharith echoed that sentiment, as did Mondulkiri provincial police chief Nhem Vanny, who said he was still searching for Bandith – as was Hem Saban, deputy police chief in Svay Rieng.

The list of denials was rounded out by the governor of Ratanakkiri, a Svay Rieng prosecutor and even a guard at the Svay Rieng provincial prison, all of whom said they had seen no sign him.

MAY TITTHARA

The ‘silent’ in silent majority Phak Seangly and Stuart White

T

HRONGS of young Cambodian People’s Party supporters have gathered on the corners of Sihanouk and Sothearos Boulevards for days now, their mere presence a testament to the CPP’s ostensibly broad-based popularity.

They represent a powerful voting bloc in a country where the lion’s share of the population is under 35 and the median age is under 24. But when asked about their motivations for joining in the ongoing rally yesterday, the CPP youth were, by and large, silent – due in no small part to the fact that any attempt to speak to them was met with the rapid intervention of half-a-dozen handlers.

“They are the young generation who love and support the party,” said Chan Sopheak, a campaign manager who spoke on behalf of the youth, and explained the enforced reticence as a deterrent against potentially incorrect statements on the young people’s behalf.

“Sometimes, when people want to talk to the members, they don’t know what we [in the party] want to do,” he added.

Nonetheless, he said, the

Students and Cambodian People’s Party youth attend a political rally at Wat Botum Park in Phnom Penh earlier this week. heng chivoan

crowd had gathered because the youths “like the policy of the leadership”.

Before catching the attention of event organisers, the Post was able to speak to just two young participants – both of whom evinced markedly different levels of enthusiasm.

Ummatini, a 22-year-old

Investigation continues in anti-government shirt case Thik Kaliyann and Kevin Ponniah

THE owner of a Siem Reap printing shop and one of his staff remained in police custody yesterday after the business was raided on Monday night for printing polo shirts with antielection slogans.

Five hundred shirts of a 1,000piece order from the Khmer People Power Movement – a USbased, self-proclaimed “civil political movement” – were seized by police and a court prosecutor that evening.

Two alleged Khmer People Power Movement activists were also arrested in Banteay Meanchey province on the same day for transporting the same shirts along with KPPM logoemblazoned watches and radios meant for donation to villagers.

Siem Reap Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Chhoun Sophanha said the investigation was ongoing and that authorities in Siem Reap were working with those in Banteay Meanchey.

“We are cooperating to find out who [exactly] are the members of [the KPPM],” he said.

He added that police were questioning the Siem Reap arrestees to determine whether they were simply carrying out a commercial order or if they are members of the KPPM. The movement has previously been likened to a terrorist group

by Prime Minister Hun Sen. KPPM head Suon Serey Ratha told the Post yesterday that the Banteay Meanchey arrestees, whom he identified as KPPM activists Buon Long and Seng Sok Meng, were supposed to be transporting the items to villages in Malai and other districts.

A Khmer People Power Movement supporter wears a newly printed shirt bearing the party slogan in Battambang province on Tuesday. KPPM

“We deliver T-shirts all over the country, not just in Banteay Meanchey but in Kampot, Takeo, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Ratanakkiri, Mondolkiri and other places,” he said, adding however, that many KPPM activists in the Kingdom were “living in fear”.

Hong Chantha, the wife of Seng Sok Meng, said she was taken to the police station with her husband for questioning after police raided their Poipet home and found some of the items.

“My husband worked as a tour guide for foreigners and also as a delivery man for some businesses, but I am not sure if he was involved in any political party,” she said.

KPPM head Ratha said his group had been in contact with

the men’s families and had written to foreign embassies and NGOs for support. He added that despite the raid on the Siem Reap shop, the KPPM would continue to print the offending shirts in Phnom Penh.

A decision to release the print shop arrestees could occur overnight, Sopanha said, though it was likely to be delayed until today.

Banteay Meanchey provincial police chief Kheng Sum said he could not comment on the arrests, but his deputy Khoun Bunhong said that three people, not two, were arrested on Monday, before declining to comment further.

A number of local police officials also refused to comment on the case. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY VONG SOKHENG AND CHHAY CHANNYDA

student, said supporting the CPP was a family affair – her father works as an adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen. “We have 20 family members, and all of them are members of the CPP, which we campaign for. I’m never absent, and I find it fun and interesting,” she said, em-

phasising that young campaigners’ participation was strictly voluntary.

Twenty-year-old Lida, however, had different motivations.

As a student at a school where many receive CPP-sponsored scholarships, going to a few party events per month was mandated by her teachers.

“It’s a requirement of the school, and we need to go. We do not have class sometimes,” she said.

A further attempt to speak to a group of supporters – who were idly chatting and clinking plastic cups full of red soda – was stymied by a rush of minders who motioned towards the young campaigners not to speak, then assured reporters that the group didn’t “know anything”.

During another attempt to speak to a more isolated group, a walkie-talkie-bearing functionary passed behind reporters, making a palmsdown motion to supporters to keep quiet.

When asked if the supporters had been offered anything to participate, Sopheak said that the CPP had distributed some drinks, as befitting a good host.

“I am like the owner of the house,” he said, standing in the public park. “When the guests come, we have to welcome them with drinks.”

By the same token, he noted, questions for his “guests” had to go through him.

“If you want to talk to [people in] the house, you have to talk to the owner,” he said.

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THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

National

Dam controversy

Donors voice concerns on Lower Sesan

C

OUNTRIES that fund the Mekong River Commission (MRC) have called on the government to redesign the controversial Lower Sesan 2 hydroelectric dam, a statement obtained yesterday says.

The $781 million dam, to be built on Mekong tributaries in Stung Treng, has been criticised for its potential negative effects on fish and sediment flow and for likely relocating thousands of villagers.

The MRC development partners – including the EU, the US and the World Bank – said they shared these concerns.

“Given the potentially detrimental regional effects of the Lower Sesan 2 dam in its current design . . . development partners urge the [government] to reconsider the project’s design,” the statement says.

Development partners also want more information on design changes to the Xayaburi dam.

Ame Trandem, Southeast Asia program director for International Rivers, said it was time for the MRC to “ensure that the member countries heed to the concerns raised by its donors”.

SHANE WORRELL

plan Anti-trafficking laws Heroin-by-mail gets pair life in prison under-enforced: NGO Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Sen David

R

EM VANNAK remains in poor health after enduring about two years of 21-hour days working for no pay on a fishing boat in Fiji, where he was beaten when he complained.

Lin Yu Shin, who owns Giant Ocean – the company Vannak worked for that allegedly sold Cambodians for slave labour – now faces human trafficking charges after his arrest in May. But according to a new report from rights group Adhoc, Yu Shin’s case is a rarity, not because of his crime, but because the state is prosecuting him.

In this year’s first three months, 71 per cent of people accused of human trafficking in 109 reported cases received no punishment, the report says.

The report also mentioned that the amount of cases reported dropped by nearly half from the same period last year.

Adhoc remains deeply concerned about the impunity with which some alleged traffickers operate, as well as the physical and mental anguish their victims suffer abroad and at home,

Nob Sokha, 23, (right) a victim of human trafficking, speaks during an Adhoc press conference in Phnom Penh yesterday. hong menea

if they return, Adhoc Director Thun Saray said at a press conference at their office yesterday.

“The only action taken [in 71 per cent of cases] was the rescue of victims, while the perpetrators went unpunished,” Saray said. Meanwhile, Saray added, victims return home in poor health with no compensation for the work they provided or horror they lived through.

Another one of Yu Shin’s al-

leged victims is seeking compensation from the Giant Ocean owner, who allegedly paid hundreds of people nothing for years of hard labour.

“We need compensation and for sentencing and punishment by the court to come quickly,” said Nob Sokha, 23, of Kampong Speu province.

Attorney Kea Sophal said 240 alleged victims have filed suit against Yu Shin for back pay.

A FORMER RCAF colonel and a Vietnamese woman were both convicted and sentenced to life in prison yesterday by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

The pair were also saddled with a fine of 80 million riel, or about $20,000, each for attempting to transport 12 kilograms of heroin to Australia by post last year.

Former colonel with the Ministry of National Defence, So Rith, 53, and Vietnamese national Nguyen Vanthanh, 44, were arrested last November when they reportedly tried to send the heroin to Australia inside a shipment of wine sent from the Wat Phnom Post Office in Phnom Penh.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Un Rithy, deputy chief of the Internal Security Police Department at the Ministry of Interior, the post office staff quickly notified the police after Rith and Vanthanh dropped off the packages.

The police then sought out the two accused separately, arresting Rith on his way to King Luck Hotel in Prampi

Makara district and Vanthanh at Sorya bus station, where she was awaiting a bus back to Vietnam.

After their arrests, the police seized the four cases of wine, lined with six packages of heroin, as evidence.

Presiding judge Sous Sam Ath announced the verdicts.

“Based on the evidence, although the two accused have denied they were owners of the drugs seized or involved with the trafficking of drug substances to Australia, the court has found they are guilty,” Sam Ath told the courtroom.

Vanthanh told the Post yesterday that she would soon appeal the court’s decision to sentence her to life in prison.

“I was not the drug trafficker or the owner of these seized goods,” Vanthanh said.

“The heroin belonged to a Vietnamese-Australian man named Chun Chenda, who escaped arrest. He asked me to send it to Australia.”

Rith, who previously claimed in court that he only came along to the post office with Vanthanh because she needed him to interpret Khmer, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

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THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

National

Factory life recounted Multiparty political forum Justine Drennan

W

hile nearly the whole population toiled in the countryside, Ek Hen spent most of the Khmer Rouge period sewing in Phnom Penh, she told the tribunal yesterday.

She ended up at the regime’s central textile factory in Orussey Market after her female military unit, which had just finished training when the Khmer Rouge conquered Phnom Penh, was repurposed for non-

inspections and study sessions led by officials like Khieu Samphan, who visited the factory two to four times and once sampled her soup, she said.

“We were eating rice and he saw us eating and he would like to build rapport with the workers,” she said.

“He grabbed the spoon and he tested the soup, and he said it was delicious.”

When asked how closely Samphan had inspected the factory, though, she said: “He

[Nuon Chea] to us we had to stop our association with [traitors] before it’s too late military jobs without seeing combat.

She initially had joined the combat unit to avoid the backbreaking dam work she had been assigned in a Khmer Rouge controlled area in 1974, she said. She recalled thinking: “If I die working in the women’s mobile unit, that would be better than this hard work.”

Work at the factory also was very tiring, but some days were punctuated by

came only to boost our morale.”

Hen said she also attended a study session at Borei Keila led by Khieu Samphan for workers from several units, and another led by Nuon Chea.

Chea spoke of the need to defend against traitors and “told us we had to stop our association with them before it’s too late”, she told the court in the morning.

But in the afternoon, she

claimed it had been Samphan who spoke of traitors, and when pressed by Samphan’s defence counsel Arthur Vercken to clarify which meeting had been led by which leader, she confessed her memory might be faulty.

Four members of her unit disappeared during her time at the factory, and she did not know where they had gone but heard rumours that they had bad affiliations, she added.

She mentioned in passing that in 2003, she learned from the Documentation Centre of Cambodia that her older brother, too, had been identified as a traitor and executed at Tuol Sleng.

After Hen’s questioning ended, the court began hearing testimony from Soum Alet, who said that in 1980, after the Khmer Rouge had been toppled by the Vietnamese, he attended a national meeting in Phnom Penh aimed at compiling evidence of mass murder committed by the recently fallen regime. Alet’s testimony continues today.

tackles gender inequality Cheang Sokha

POLITICAL parties seeking National Assembly seats in the election later this month expounded on their strong commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of women and children at a roundtable discussion yesterday.

Representatives of seven of the eight parties competing for seats – excluding the Khmer Economic Development Party – discussed matters pertinent to women and children like rape and violence.

The discussion was organised by the Committee for Free and Fairs Election in Cambodia, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights and UN Women.

Funcipec representative Prak Chantha vowed not only to enforce current legal protections for women but to establish a quota of 30 per cent female representation at the national and local levels.

On a similar note, Khmer AntiPoverty Party president Daran Kravanh said women should represent half of all workers, especially in traditionally maledominated fields.

“It is something that we need to reform,” Kravanh said at the

Women attend a panel on women in the workforce at the Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh yesterday. hong menea

forum. “The party policy is to encourage women to work in the fields like men, 50 per cent.”

Speaking for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, Chou Bun Eng, Secretary of State at Ministry of Interior, said the CPP has worked hard to promote equal opportunities for women. She posed that the CPP’s commitment to equality can be seen in their equal intolerance of law breakers.

“The CPP never tolerates anyone who has committed an

offence,” Bun Eng said. “Even if they are the government officials.”

Yang Phaneth, a Prey Veng province candidate for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, said that while women outnumber men in the population, their representation in the National Assembly does not reflect that fact.

“Women and children are more vulnerable, but there is no representative to help them,” Phaneth said.

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THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

National CNRP activists arrested Continued from page 1

Phally said, adding that Tan had recently erected an opposition sign at his house.

Kampot provincial governor Khoy Khunhour confirmed the charges yesterday but denied they had anything to do with political intimidation.

“We arrested and detained them in accordance with the law as they committed the actual crimes of illegal logging and attempted murder.

“These people have taken the opportunity of the campaign for their illegal businesses and threats,” Khunhour said, adding that he had ample evidence and welcomed the CNRP to appoint lawyers.

Mok Piseth, a lawyer rights group Adhoc has put in charge of the case, could not be reached yesterday.

CNRP deputy public affairs head Kem Monovithya said yesterday that the day before Viravuth’s arrest, he had confronted members of the Prime Minister’s Bodyguard Unit who were trying to coerce a woman to take down two CNRP signs from her house.

“The old lady called the activist and the activist came and said do not drop the sign . . . and the activist put up two more signs,” she said. “[Viravuth] said he would stand

there by the sign. “There was nothing the bodyguards could do, and I’m sure there was a war of words,” she said, adding that the CNRP did not know why he went to Phnom Penh the next day.

Monovithya claimed Prime Minister Hun Sen had been scheduled to speak at an event directly outside the house the next day and said the arrests were undoubtedly political.

National Election Committee spokesman Tep Nytha said it was too early for the CNRP to conclude the arrests were due to political interference.

“I received all the information about the arrests, and I am monitoring the case to find out the actual reason but . . . if they were involved in illegal logging, they would be arrested,” he said.

Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, said he needed to make an in-depth study before drawing any conclusions on the charges.

“We need to study a little bit about that, but the CNRP, they maybe see the pattern that their people have been abused or their leadership pursued in the courts, so they maybe feel there is consistent trouble from the court,” he said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY DAVID BOYLE

Plan helps cons dream Sean Teehan and Mom Kunthear

A

FEW strokes of a pen symbolised a reintroduction to the written word for thousands of Cambodian inmates yesterday.

At a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Interior, Kuy Bunsorn, director general of the General Department of Prisons, approved a budget amendment that added about $250,000 in funds over two years – donated by the French government – to a program that puts libraries into prisons.

“This is good for the prisoners to have chance to read . . . even though they are in jail,” Bunsorn said.

Sipar, a French literacy NGO, began the program as a pilot in 2004, when they put set up a library in Battambang Prison, said Beatrice Montariol, a Sipar consultant who monitors the project. Based on that success, the prison department asked them to continue starting prison libraries across the country.

By the end of next year, Montariol said, Sipar hopes to have a library in all Cambodia’s 26 prisons. If accomplished, it would make the Kingdom more compliant with its own 2011 Laws on Prisons, which

Prisoners read at a Sipar library in Kandal prison in March. Editor’s note: subjects’ faces have been blurred to protect their identities. sipar

states jails “shall have facilities for practising religion, a library and vocational training.”

Short on space, however, some prison libraries amount to boxes of books held in a cell.

Prisoners show a wide range in tastes when borrowing books, Montariol observed.

Those looking to improve their lives upon release seem inclined to books on self-help or ones that teach skills in fields such as agriculture. Those in for a longer stay tend to look for a mental escape.

“If they’re going to be in prison for a long time, they’re

National Writing Competition 2013 East-West Management Institute -- Program on Rights and Justice (PRAJ) believes that the hope for lasting legal and judicial reform in Cambodia rests with the next generation of legal professionals. Accordingly, a key objective of the USAID-funded PRAJ is to improve the quality of legal education at Cambodia’s universities as well as to improve the quality of education.

After having been delivered various legal competitions in the past 7 years, we would like to announce another new challenge, a writing competition on the topic of “Women’s Participation in Legal Profession”. The purpose of the competition is to promote greater knowledge and understanding of women’s engagement in the field of law. Any topic that relates to the contributions women make in the legal profession, challenges they face, or opportunities to increase the roles of women, is acceptable.

PROGRAM OFFICER - ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization working with partners to find long-term solutions to global poverty and injustice. The Oxfam America East Asia Regional Office (OA-EARO) in Phnom Penh is currently seeking an experienced and motivated individual to join the team as Program Officer – Active Citizenship based in Phnom Penh - Cambodia.

The role

1. General criteria  The Competition is open to all current female law students at all universities in Cambodia (female only) writing on a question of women’s role in the legal profession. Essays must be original and not previously published. Here “legal profession” includes the roles of lawyers, judges, clerks or any other legal practitioner (e.g., arbitration officer).  No more than 3000 words and not less than 2500 words (not including bibliography/footnotes/endnotes). Please note, 3000 words is the absolute maximum and 2500 words is the minimum.

Any violation with this rule will result in not being eligible for consideration. The paper must be submitted in English, as the winning entry will be proposed for publication in an Englishlanguage law journal.  Page set up: A4, times New Roman 12 Points, with spacing at 1.5  The paper will be properly referenced according to the Harvard reference or “Bluebook” or any internationally recognized academic system, i.e. it will be of academic standard in research style. The winning paper will be academic in style and thoroughly researched.  Plagiarism is serious misconduct.  Please include your detailed biography at the last page of your paper. It does not count against your word limit.

2. Amount of award The winning entry will be awarded a prize of $500 and will be submitted for possible publication in the Cambodian Law Journal 2014. In addition to the first prize, the Competition will offer a second place prize of $300 and a third prize of $200. A few additional submissions may be awarded an honorable mention certificate.

3. Deadline The submission must be received on or before July 25, 2013 via the emails below.

4. Information For more information, please contact the organizers: Mr. Bun Sokseila, bsokseila@ewmi-praj.org Ms. Seng TithKunthy, skunthy@ewmi-praj.org, 012 777 265

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To manage and conduct political economy analysis; Co-strategize with partners to develop transparency and accountability interventions; Focus on developing national level campaigns and helping partners define political opportunities and influencing strategies; Coordinate with international NGOs to develop common strategies as a force multiplier (e.g. in relation to pushing back on restrictions of political space); Make grants to local partners and monitor to ensure proper coordination and implementation of activities Work closely with the Active Citizenship & Accountable Institutions Advisor; Extractive Industries Global Program; Aid Effectiveness Team; Oxfam International and other Oxfam affiliates to inform global and US policy and advocacy efforts, alliance building efforts, and broader communication and partnership efforts Draft policy briefs, talking points, web communications, and other advocacy material Engage consultants to prepare background papers and supervise their work

What we are looking for  

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Suspects in attempted bride sale case tried Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Who we are

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not very interested in self-development,” Montariol said.

“But they need to dream.”

Spines on the libraries’ love novels wear out the quickest, while more somber books remain on the shelves, Montariol said. Stories with happy endings are always in demand.

In the past, the European Union has granted Cambodia’s program almost $390,000, Montariol said.

Bunsorn said his expectations were modest – “about 30 to 40 per cent [of inmates] will get it and use the knowledge from reading in their lives.”

Bachelors degree or equivalent experience in a social science discipline At least five years of international development and human rights experience with considerable field experience in community development and/or public policy.

Strong understanding of social justice, rights and globalization issues and critical issues in development practice.

Familiarity with the donors, development and human rights groups that focus on transparency and accountability of public finance, extractive industries, and foreign aid.

Knowledge of the Cambodian political and institutional context Excellent policy analysis and advocacy skills related to human rights.

To apply This role offers scope for immense personal fulfilment, a competitive salary– as well as opportunities to develop your career. For full details of this job write to eastasia@oxfamamerica.org please quote “Application for Program Officer, Active Citizenship”. Send your cover letter describing how you meet the requirements and your CV to eastasia@oxfamamerica.org. Women and regional nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

CLOSING DATE: 21 JULY 2013

Three women were tried by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday on charges of attempting to sell two underage girls overseas as brides to Taiwanese men earlier this year.

Presiding judge Kim Dany said defendants Eav Seng Lay, 45, Mey Sina, 40, and Ry Saray, 28, were charged not only with “selling, buying or exchanging a person”, but also with falsifying public documents to make the 16- and 17-year-old girls appear to be of legal age.

“They were arrested when they brought the victims to make their passports – in order to prepare them to go get married with Taiwanese men in Taiwan – at the passport police department in Phnom Penh,” Dany said.

Lieutenant Colonel Keo Thea, chief of the Phnom Penh Municipal Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police, said the three accused had allegedly emailed the girls’ photos to prospective husbands in Taiwan. After Taiwanese men had agreed to marry the girls, brokers allegedly forged birth certificates making the girls appear to be 22 years old.

During their trial, the three suspects confessed to the charges, saying they had been promised a commission of $50 per bride from a Chinese man named Chhin Teu Chhoeng – who is still at large – and asked the court to drop the charges against them. Verdicts will be handed down on July 18.

police blotter Copycat cowboy gets Old West style justice

MUCH as in the Old West, cattle rustlin’ led to vigilante justice in Kampong Chhnang this week. Police said a 21-yearold’s cow-swiping ways came to an abrupt end on Monday in Rolea Ba’ier district when he attempted to sell his ill-gotten booty only to have a villager recognise the heifer as someone else’s. A quick shout for reinforcements and a freshly assembled mob delivered its verdict with its fists. Police managed to intervene, but only after he’d been beaten into a hospital bed. After recovery, court awaits. Kampuchea Thmey

Military police stabbed in attempted robbery

A PATROLLING military police officer sustained serious injuries after a knife attack in the jungle around Stung Treng on Monday. Police said the officer was riding his moto in an out of the way spot when a would-be thief pounced, stabbing him three times before realising he had just stabbed a cop. A villager who came upon the scene quickly called police, but the suspect escaped before they arrived.

The officer is now recovering in hospital. Deum Ampil

Hit with rocks, robbery victim refuses to roll

A TENACIOUS 28-year-old motodop is recovering in hospital after refusing to give up his bike despite being first attacked with rocks, then stabbed. Police said the man was the victim of a robbery in the capital’s Daun Penh district on Monday. Unfortunately for the attacker, he was wellknown to the victim, who has passed the info on to police who are now searching for the suspect. Kampuchea Thmey

Tax avoider ‘donates’ fleet of motos to cops

THE police station in Ratanakkiri’s Banlung town currently resembles a motorbike showroom thanks to a Tuesday raid over unpaid taxes. Police said that after a records check showed a local moto shop had never paid the state its due, they made their move, managing to collect 15 shiny new motorbikes – but not the owner, who escaped, leaving only a clueless employee behind.

Police are now searching for the proprietor. Deum Ampil

Dance class might have meant missed beating

A FIGHT provoked by a dance misstep this week for once didn’t involve a machete, but unfortunately, it did involve a pistol-whipping. Police said the fight erupted at a Chamkarmon district bar on Monday when an impromptu dance session was ended by a man stepping on another man’s foot and refusing to apologise.

Headed home after the outing, the foot-stepper was followed by the aggrieved party and his friends, who left him in hospital after a vicious beatdown with the sidearm. Police are now searching for the suspects. Koh Santepheap Translated by Sen David

7

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Business Indicative Exchange Rates as of 3/07/2013. Please contact ANZ Royal Global Markets on 023 999 910 for real time rates.

USD / KHR

EUR / USD

AUD / USD

NZD / USD

GBP / USD

USD /CNY

4,085

1.2973

0.9157

0.776

1.5152

6.1318

Potential buyers browse through new vehicles at the Ford showroom in Phnom Penh yesterday.

USD / JPY

USD / HKD

100.53

7.7539

USD / SGD

USD / THB

1.2719

31.02

vireak mai

Recovering supply lifts car sales Hor Kimsay

T

HANKS to a more stable and undisturbed supply chain, sales of new cars in Cambodia have risen dramatically over the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2012. But the purchases pale in comparison to the country’s thriving second-hand market.

Kong Nuon, chairman of Toyota Cambodia, the largest car dealer in terms of market share, said that Toyota has sold slightly more than 600 units from January through June, a 50 per

cent increase. Sales are on track to surpass the 800 units sold in all of 2012, and Nuon expects the final number to reach at least 1,200.

“The demand of new car brands in Cambodia grows annually, parallel with the growing Cambodian economy and the rising number of middle class families,” Nuon told the Post yesterday. “The selling volume could be higher if the supply is stable enough to match the demand.”

In 2011, floods in Thailand, where Toyota and Ford have plants, triggered a draw-down in supply that continued into last year. While the recovery is well

underway and more people are opening their wallets to buy cars for the first time, distributors are scrambling to expand their volume.

Seng Voeung, the motor vehicle division manager of RMA Cambodia, an authorized Ford dealer, said sales increased about 25 per cent in the first six months, but he declined to give exact figures.

“The demand is huge. The pick-up model is the best-selling because consumers consider it flexible to use for both business and leisure activities."

Dealers estimate that Cambodia’s demand for new cars stands at up to

3,000 units per year. The number of newly authorised dealers? About 12.

Toyota Motor Corp hopes to see half of its global sales in 2013 come from emerging economies, including Cambodia and Myanmar, the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported on Tuesday.

"We hope to be selling five million units in emerging countries when we reach 10 million units worldwide," Yasumori Ihara, the executive vice president of the Japanese-based carmaker, was quoted as saying.

Despite increasing demand, dealers face challenges from the hard to

trace grey market – cars imported and sold without going through the registered distributor – and secondhand vehicle sales.

Pily Wong, chief executive for the Cambodian distributor of MercedesBenz and Volkswagen, said new cars account for only eight to 10 per cent of the entire market. Cheaper used models sell better and are easier to import.

“Cambodia has very poor car importation regulation [rules and duties], unlike in other countries, and this gives favour to second-hand vehicles,” Wong said.

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THE PHNOM PENH POST july 4, 2013

Business

Thais fight over labels on smokes Paritta Wangkiat

THAI experts and anti-smoking groups have come out in support of the Public Health Ministry’s bid to enlarge warning labels on cigarette packaging.

They also expressed confidence the ministry would win an Administrative Court case filed by the Thai Tobacco TradeAssociation (TTTA).

The TTTA lodged a complaint with the Central Administrative Court on June 26, asking it to issue an injunction to suspend the enforcement of a new regulation requiring tobacco firms to enlarge warning labels to cover 85 per cent of the total visible packaging surface.

The current regulation requires warning labels to cover 55 per cent of the packaging.

The association also asked the court to abolish the regulation, which they say was issued without input from stakeholders.

The new regulation is set to take effect on October 2.

Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance director Bung-on Ritthiphakdee yesterday said tobacco firms had filed similar cases against some governments and lost. BANGKOK POST

Odd dining sells in Bangkok F ROM chickens catapulted across tables to meals dished up with a generous portion of sexual health advice, Bangkok is doing a roaring trade in unusual dining experiences.

The Thai capital, renowned as much for its commitment to fun as it is for fiery cuisine, has embraced the odd, amusing and bizarre in a bid to lure customers through the door.

In the city suburbs, staff at Ka Tron restaurant delight customers by loading cooked chickens into a catapult and firing them across a stage where they are caught on a spike by a waiter riding a unicycle.

Despite the pressure that comes with live performance, their catch rate is impressive.

“We have been going 26 years and we have probably fired hundreds of thousands of chickens, but we have only dropped a few hundred,” said restaurant owner Nattaset Rattanapipob.

It may be far from an everyday restaurant job, but the waiters say the trick seems to be working for the punters.

A robot serves diners at the Hajime Robot Restaurant in Bangkok in June.

AFP

“The way we do things is better,” said waiter Sorasak Pomkalong.

Across town a Japanese restaurant has deployed its

off, customers at Hajime can then order the robots to dance.

But as with all things mechanical, robot waiters come

own gimmick – two large robots wheel up and down the tables delivering meals to diners.

Once the novelty wears

with a risk of malfunction.

“During the first few hours of the day if the robot is stuck we have the support teams standing by,” said Pimol Paitaku, marketing manager at Hajime restaurant. “Most of the time though it works.”

Bangkok has plenty of unique dining experiences including Cabbages and Condoms – which serves sexual health and family planning advice alongside noodles – with the tagline “our food is guaranteed not to get you pregnant”.

To emphasise the point, once customers have paid they get their changed returned with a complimentary condom.

And while Thais are serious about their food, people in the City of Angels appear willing to try anything.

“They are looking for unique experiences, whether that is something no one else has eaten or some kind of performance, or something that attracts the eye,” said food blogger Dwight “Bkk Fatty” Turner.

“So I think all of those things combined makes Bangkok a very special city to eat in.” AFP

Cessna homes in on Asia Boonsong Kositchotethana

ASIA has emerged as a fastgrowing market for executive jets, with a 15 per cent annual growth rate seen in the past three years.

Cessna, the world’s leading general aviation firm, is aggressively pitching against rivals to capture sales of private jets whose demand has been spurred by the region’s growing numbers of elite travellers such as tycoons, top executives and wealthy personalities.

“We believe this [growth] trend will continue,”Bill Harris, Cessna’s vice-president for international sales, said.

Executive jet producers are particularly targeting major

markets such China, India and Australia, but are also looking at emerging countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and even Thailand.

Figures provided by Kansasbased Cessna show the top five markets in terms of executive jets in service in Asia are China, Australia (187), India (167), Japan (77) and Malaysia (41).

A new forecast released last month by the Canadian plane maker Bombardier pointed to China as the third-largest market after North America and Europe in taking new business jets over the next 20 years, with 1,000 deliveries from 2013-22 and 1,420 from 2023-32.

Worldwide business aviation demand is projected to be 24,000 aircraft worth $650 bil-

lion from 2013-32, according to Bombardier.

Though infrastructure serving executive jets is improving in Asia, he said the relatively high landing and air route fees and a shortage of trained pilots and engineers were impeding the sales of private jets throughout the region.

Cessna has opened an aircraft service centre in Singapore to serve its customers in this part of the world, Harris said.

Its current sales campaign in Southeast Asia concentrates on the Citation XLS+, a mid-sized business jet that Cessna believes is ideal for elite travellers. The aircraft is an updated version of Cessna’s Citations family.

A base-line Citation XLS+ costs $13 million. BANGKOK POST

Ayudhya bank to sell stake JAPAN’S Mitsubishi UFJ, the country’s largest lender, said on Tuesday it planned to buy 75 per cent of Thailand’s Bank of Ayudhya for about $5.6 billion.

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, would be the biggest by a Japanese lender in Southeast Asia.

“With its potential for future growth and a track record of consistent economic growth, Thailand has become an economic centre of Greater Mekong,” Mitsubishi said in a statement.

Mitsubishi said it would offer shareholders, including USbased General Electric, a price of 39 Thai baht ($1.25) per share.

The Japanese firm said it was aiming to close the proposed deal by December.

Internationally, the deal

would be one of Mitsubishi’s biggest. It invested 900 billion yen to buy a stake in Morgan Stanley in 2008, throwing the troubled Wall Street giant a lifeline during the financial crisis.

In December Mitsubishi announced it bought a 20 per cent stake in state-owned VietinBank worth about $743 million, the largest-ever foreign investment in Vietnam’s banking sector.

In April a US unit of Mitsubishi said it had reached an agreement to buy a real-estate lending business run by PB Capital Corporation, a Deutsche Bank Group company.

A sale price for that deal was not immediately disclosed, but the leading Nikkei business daily said it would cost the Japa-

nese bank more than 300 billion yen. Japan’s so-called megabanks have strong balance sheets and have increasingly been looking abroad as the domestic market’s growth potential remains lacklustre.

Bank of Ayudhya is Thailand’s fifth-largest lender with about 600 branches and more than 18,000 employees.

The bank handles personal loans and credit cards and is strong in transactions with small and medium-sized businesses.

Tuesday’s announcement comes about two weeks after New York state slapped Mitsubishi-UFJ with a $250 million fine for handling money transfers that violated sanctions on Iran as well as on Sudan and Myanmar. AFP

9

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Markets Business Mainland chartered flights rise Mak Lawrence Li

DIRECT private chartered flights from different parts of China to Cambodia are booming as the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Kingdom is mounting, industry insiders told the Post yesterday.

As early as July 10, a chartered flight will launch from Wuhan, the largest city in Central China, to Siem Reap, operating one flight every five days with 178 seats, according to the Wuhan Tourism Administration.

The direct flights are organised by more than 20 local Wuhan tourist agencies. The flights are only offered to customers who buy packages to Angkor Wat. Another direct private chartered flight from Changsha, a city in Southern China of about 8 million, to Siem Reap, is going up on July 12, according to a release last Friday on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The flights, also every five days, are a joint venture between Siem Reap-based Skywings Asia Airlines and the Hunan XinKang International Tourism Company, based in ChangSha.

China’s condom sales grow

T

HE first time Beijing college freshman Guo Si laid hands on a condom was a month before her 20th birthday last year, when she rolled one over a banana during a “companion education” class.

Guo, who moved to Beijing from neighbouring Hebei province in 2012, said she had never before had sex education at school.

That’s not uncommon in China. Now, an escalation of HIV, syphilis, genital herpes and other sex-spread infections is spurring demand for knowledge and condoms in a country where intrauterine devices and sterilization are the mainstays of birth control.

Colleges such as Guo’s Tsinghua University are holding classes and dispensing free rubbers in vending machines.

That’s expanding a market forecast by researcher Global Industry Analysts Inc to increase 9 per cent annually to reach $1 billion by 2018, benefiting suppliers such as Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, the maker of Durex condoms, and Australia’s Ansell Ltd, owner of a Chinese condom brand.

“It will be a huge and growing market for a long time to

A couple kiss as they sit on a bench by a road in Beijing in May.

come,” said Mickie Leong, who heads a China unit for Ansell that sells a condom called Jissbon, which sounds in Chinese like “James Bond,” the fictional British spy.

“As consumers become more educated and more liberal, they consequently understand the need for safety, prevention and happiness all in one.”

In China, 9.2 billion condoms were sold last year, Global Industry Analysts estimated in an October 2012 report. The San Jose, California-based company predicts sales will reach 14.6 billion

AFP

by 2018 amid “unprecedented growth”, bolstered by increased expenditure on reproductive health-care products.

Enterprise Development Holdings Ltd shares have more than doubled in Hong Kong since the investment holding company said on May 16 that it would buy Techno Wing Ltd, which makes condoms in China.

Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of the world’s top-selling condom, said in April that revenue in Latin America and Asia-Pacific jumped 11 per cent in the

first quarter, helped by Durex sales in China. Better distribution in the Asian nation has driven the condom brand’s growth, the Slough, Englandbased company said in its latest annual report, without elaborating.

Its local subsidiary, Qingdao London Durex Co, established in a joint venture in 1998, is the world’s biggest condommanufacturing site, according to the company’s website, with 19 production lines making prophylactics sold in more than 20 countries.

“With the increasing disposable income and rising concern for health, consumers have gained more awareness about condom usage and are willing to pay more for high quality condoms,” Kiki Fan, Nielsen China’s vice-president of retail measurement, wrote in a June 3 email.

Still, condom use in China is growing from a low base.

Leong’s Wuhan Jissbon Sanitary Products Co, which Melbourne-based Ansell bought in 2006, has annual revenue of $12 million and is the second-largest condom manufacturer in China with 10 per cent market share, Credit Suisse AG wrote in a June 21 report. BLOOMBERG

Surin: The future is with youth The future of the Asean Economic Community lies in the hands of the younger generation, says former Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan.

“It is the responsibility of the younger generation to fix the flaws that are in Asean. It is up to the younger generation to realise its prospects,” he told a Hitachi Young Leader Initiative forum entitled “The Road Ahead: Asean’s Role in Asia and the Global Economy”.

Surin said he perceives Asean as a young market still full of potential.

The consumers and workforces within the region are still young, there are tremendous natural resources, and the region is strategically located to serve as a link to East Asia.

“This region is full of challenges and potential. The younger generation will eventually have to face up to these challenges. Asean needs to connect with nearby regions for growth,” Surin said.

He urged the younger generation to work on regional political security, economics and cultural affairs. BANGKOK POST

10

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Business

Crisis in eurozone refuses to fade Luke Baker

A

TEETERING Portuguese government has underlined the threat that the eurozone debt crisis, in hibernation for almost a year, may be about to reawaken.

From Greece to Cyprus, Slovenia to Spain and Italy, and now most pressingly Portugal, where the finance and foreign ministers resigned in the space of two days, a host of problems is stirring after 10 months of relative calm imposed by the European Central Bank.

Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho told the nation in an address late on Tuesday that he did not accept the foreign minister’s resignation and would try to go on governing.

If his government does end up collapsing, as is now more likely, it will raise questions about Lisbon’s ability to meet the terms of the €78 billion bailout it agreed with the EU and International Monetary Fund in 2011.

Portugal had been held up as an example of a bailout country doing all the right things to get its economy back in shape. That reputation is now harder to sustain and even before this latest crisis, the International Monetary Fund reported last month that Lisbon’s debt position was “very fragile”.

Coming soon after the nearcollapse of the Greek government, which has been given until Monday to show it can meet the demands of its own bailout, the eurozone may be

A woman shops for products in a grocery market in central Athens on Tuesday.

on the brink of falling back into fullon crisis.

EU officials have been at pains to talk down any unrest, buoyed by the tranquility in financial markets since European Central Bank President Mario Draghi made good on his pledge to do whatever it takes to protect the euro via a bond-buying program.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has spoken of the worst of the crisis being over, and the economic affairs commissioner, Olli Rehn, has often dismissed “doomsayers” who once predicted the euro would collapse.

Reuters

But despite the desire to project calm, EU officials quietly acknowledge that all is not well and that any number of problems could throw the region back into turmoil.

“There are always issues simmering under the surface,” said an EU diplomat who has been dealing first hand with the crisis since it erupted in Greece in early 2010.

“It’s far from over. The immediacy may have ebbed away, but I think we’re all aware that under the surface, there’s still a lot of stuff than can come back to bite us.”

During a meeting of finance of-

ficials from the 17 euro countries on Tuesday, there was agreement that the “optimism in the eurozone is not justified, that we are in worse shape than it seems,” according to one source at the meeting.

The situation in Portugal was a particular concern, said JP Morgan economist Alex White.

“The announcement this afternoon that Paulo Portas, the foreign minister, has resigned significantly escalates our near-term concerns,” he said in a note to clients. “At the moment risks appear elevated.”

All that is coming against a backdrop of rising eurozone borrowing costs once again after the US Federal Reserve’s announcement of an exit strategy from its money-printing program put world markets into a spin.

Portuguese 10-year bond yields spiked up to eight per cent on yesterday with reports of further ministerial resignations throwing the coalition government’s future into peril.

Portas has to decide whether to stay in his post or pull his rightist CDS-PP party out of the coalition, robbing the government of its majority.

Greece, which has resumed talks with its EU and IMF lenders, is every bit as alarming. A privatisation process, which was supposed to help cut into Greece’s debt mountain down, has stalled and progress on public sector reform is faltering.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has ruled out a fresh round of cuts, his government is seeking to lower its privatisation revenue target after failing to sell its natural gas opera-

tion and there is a €1 billion black hole in the state-run health insurer, so its lenders may demand measures to fill that.

There are some suggestions that the EU and IMF may refuse to pay at least some of the €8.1 billion bailout tranche on offer and dribble it out instead in order to focus minds in Athens. Anything more dramatic would be risky since Greece faces big bond redemptions next month and nobody wants a default.

With German elections looming in September, Angela Merkel’s government is determined not to rock the boat beforehand.

Spain and Italy, two far larger economies, also major risks, as do banking sector problems in Slovenia, slow reforms in Cyprus and a scandal in Ireland that has shaken confidence.

In a note to clients late last month, Italy’s Mediobanca warned that the country would “inevitably end up in an EU bailout request” in the next six months unless borrowing costs could be kept low and the economy found some traction.

Prime Minister Enrico Letta, in office only since April, faces instability in his coalition, with former prime minister Mario Monti threatening to withdraw support because of the slow pace of desperately needed economic reforms.

While Spain may have avoided a full bailout so far, its banks face a long road to rehabilitation, as do those in Ireland. The IMF praised both countries for their efforts last month, but also warned of risks ahead. REUTERS

Yahoo buys firm behind movie app Japanese car sales YA H O O on Tu e s d a y announced it has bought a startup behind a smartphone movie application, extending a shopping spree launched after Marissa Mayer became chief of the internet pioneer a year ago.

Yahoo did not reveal how much it paid for Qwiki, the New York-based operation behind an application that converts video and pictures on iPhones into sharable movie clips complete with music soundtracks.

“Have you ever listened to an old song and all of a sudden a favorite vacation, concert, or summer memory pops into your mind?” Yahoo asked rhetorically in a blog post announcing the acquisition.

“The Qwiki app automatically turns pictures and videos that you already have on your iPhone into quick, beautiful movies to share, including transitions and a soundtrack.”

Yahoo promised to con-

one-person operation specialising in fantasy sports applications for iPhones. Yahoo in June completed a billion-dollar deal taking over the popular blogging platform Tumblr, a move aimed at bringing

Have you ever listened to an old song and all of a sudden a favourite vacation [or] concert pops into your mind? tinue to support the Qwiki app after the startup’s team becomes part of its office in New York City.

The Qwiki buy announcement came a day after Yahoo put out word that it bought Bignoggins Productions, a

more youthful users into the company’s orbit.

Yahoo has been snapping up companies since Mayer took the helm in July of last year and vowed to revive the company, which has faded in the face of competition from Google.

Yahoo last month bought startup GhostBird Software, which makes picture-taking applications for iPhones, to enhance its Flickr photo service.

Since former Google executive Mayer became chief at Yahoo, the company has racked up a series of acquisitions including startups Alike, Stamped, Snip.it and a Summly application built by a British teen.

Yahoo recently bought PlayerScale, a startup that powers games played on smartphones, tablets, consoles or personal computers.

Yahoo is reported to be eyeing online video website Hulu after its bid to buy a majority stake in France-based Dailymotion was derailed in May. AFP

declining in China

Rose Kim

JAPAN’S three biggest automakers saw their combined sales in China fall for a fourth consecutive quarter, showing they’re still recovering from the backlash against Japanese brands.

Total sales at Toyota Motor Corp, Nissan Motor Co and Honda Motor Co last quarter declined 4.9 per cent from a year earlier, according to monthly figures released yesterday. Individually, Nissan and Honda saw lower deliveries, although their drops narrowed, while Toyota posted a 0.6 per cent gain.

The results illustrate how Japanese automakers continue to struggle winning back cus-

tomers after last year’s territorial dispute between China and Japan led to demonstrations at major cities across China.

Toyota last year reported its first sales decline since at least 2002 and pushed back a plan to make the country its third million-unit market.

“Their total sales will recover in the second half,” said Vivien Chan, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Oriental Patron Holdings.

“In terms of market share, however, it will be impossible for the Japanese cars to rebound to the 22 per cent level they had before the island disputes” as competitors offer or plan to sell more affordable, smaller cars, Chan said. BLOOMBERG

11

the phnom penh post juLY 4, 2013

Markets Business Suntory’s beverage unit raises billions in initial public offering SHARES in Suntory’s beverage unit closed 1.45 per cent higher on their Tokyo debut yesterday, after the Japanese drinks giant raised about $3.9 billion in the world’s secondbiggest initial public offering this year.

The firm, which owns the Orangina brand and distributes a range of foreign products in Japan including Pepsi and Jim Beam bourbon, spun off the lucrative unit as it eyes more foreign acquisitions.

The sale followed a string of overseas deals aimed at offsetting a shrinking market at home.

At the close, Suntory Beverage & Food sat at 3,145 yen ($31.36), up from its IPO price of 3,100 yen. The relatively modest gains are more impressive given the fact the broader Nikkei share index was down 0.31 per cent.

The unit, which produces non-alcoholic drinks, last year reported sales of 992.1 billion yen, or more than half of the Suntory group’s 1.85 trillion yen in revenue.

Some of the IPO proceeds will be used to pay off shortterm bank loans while the rest is earmarked for “strategic domestic and international investments aimed at growing the company”, the subsidiary has said.

The founding family of Osaka-based Suntory, which was established in 1899, retains a stake of nearly 90 per cent.

The firm is one of Japan’s biggest brewers and whisky makers.

Its eponymous whisky brand was featured in the 2003 Bill Murray film Lost in Translation in which he played an ageing actor who stars in commercials for the company.

SuntoryiswellknowninJapan for its print and television advertisements, including those starring American actor Tommy Lee Jones. Its domestic

rivals include Kirin Holdings and Asahi Group.

The IPO is the largest in Tokyo since Japan Airlines’ $8.5 billion offer last year.

It is also the second-biggest this year globally after Brazil’s BB Seguridade Participacoes SA’s $5.0 billion offering in April, according to data provider Dealogic.

Last month, the privately held firm said it sold about 125 million shares in its key unit.

The pricing was at the low end of a range announced in May, with the firm citing market turbulence.

Tokyo’s stock market, one of the world’s best performers this year, has seen wild volatility since the Nikkei 225 index hit a five-year high in late May. It has recently bounced off lows that had shaved as much as 20 per cent from its peak price as stronger Japanese economic data have helped buoy investor sentiment.

Three years ago, Suntory scrapped plans to merge with Kirin to create one of the world’s largest beer and softdrink companies, citing disagreements over a possible listing.

Major Japanese beverage makers have aggressively sought to expand abroad in recent years to offset their shrinking domestic market, while a strong yen made the foreign shopping spree relatively cheaper.

Suntory said last year it would form a joint venture with Chinese brewer Tsingtao to expand its reach in the world’s biggest beer market.

It has also said it would acquire a 51 per cent stake in Indian food and drink maker Narang Group, while in 2009 Suntory bought Europe’s Orangina Schweppes Group for about $3.3 billion. AFP AND DOWN JONES NEWSWIRES

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China’s service sector slows Xiaoyi Shao and Koh Gui Qing

C

HINA’S services sector expanded modestly in June with the vast construction industry acting as a drag on output, in a further sign that the world’s second-largest economy is losing momentum.

A lackluster services sector will not help buffer a deeper slowdown in manufacturing at a time when China’s top leaders appear reluctant to loosen the policy reins to shore up growth.

A pair of Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) yesterday stayed above the watershed line of 50, which divides expansion from contraction but the readings were not strong enough to calm worries about China’s slowdown. Asian shares extended losses after the surveys.

“The underlying growth momentum is likely to be softening for services sectors, along with the slowdown of manufacturing growth,” said Qu Hongbin, HSBC’s China chief economist.

The headline services PMI published by the National Bureau of Statistics slipped to a 9-month low of 53.9 in June from May’s 54.3, and the reading from a Markit/HSBC survey improved a touch to 51.3 from 51.2 in May. “The slight drop in the services sector was mainly caused by a seasonal fall in the construction industry,” said Cai Jin, a vice president at the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP), said in a statement accompanying the data.

The sub-index for construction fell to 59.3 from 62.2 in May. The CFLP conducts the official survey together with the NBS. China’s services sector accounted for 46 per cent of the economy in 2012. It overtook manufacturing as the biggest employer in the country in 2011 and so far service businesses have fared better than

A food vendor waits for customers at a shopping centre in Beijing in May.

Chinese factories which are hurting from slackening foreign and domestic demand, as well as excess capacity.

However, economists warned sooner or later the slackening of manufacturing activity and toughening economic conditions will also catch up with the service economy.

“Employment will only worsen in the next few months, it won’t improve,” said Hao Zhou, an economist with ANZ in Shanghai.

Two separate PMI surveys on Monday showed China’s manufacturing growth plumbed multi-month lows in June as foreign and domestic demand waned.

China’s economic downturn, shaping up to be the worst in at least 14 years, is starting to bite.

Many analysts believe the economy is backsliding into another downturn after a short-lived recovery lasting only around three months, with growth pos-

sibly even missing Beijing’s 7.5 per cent target this year.

An increasing show of reluctance by top Chinese leaders to take policy steps to stimulate growth has also raised the chance that China’s economic downcycle may turn out worse than thought. Indeed, an unprecedented cash crunch in China’s financial markets last month, that saw interest rates briefly spike to record highs, may further drag on the economy in coming months.

The official services PMI showed new orders picked up to 50.3 in June from May’s 50.1 and a sub-index measuring employment rose to 51.5 from 51.3 in May. However, in the HSBC survey, the reading for new orders fell to 50.5 in June, the lowest since November 2008. The employment sub-index in the HSBC poll showed employment improved for the second consecutive month in June, but it was

REUTERS

not clear whether the improvement could be sustained.

“With sluggish growth of new orders, employment growth is under pressure,” HSBC’s Qu said.

The HSBC survey captures smaller firms more vulnerable to a slowdown while the official survey includes larger and state-owned companies who can withstand global weakness better.

Employment is a decisive factor shaping China’s government policy because it is crucial for social stability.

The job market has held up so far in spite of slowing growth, explaining in part Beijing’s ease with the country’s fizzling economic growth momentum.

“Growth in the services sector slowed, but didn’t slide,” said Wei Yao, China economist of Societe Generale in Hong Kong. “It explained why the labour market has so far remained healthy.” REUTERS

12

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

World Morsi defies deadline set

by Egyptian armed forces Continued from page 1

Protesters against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi shout as they demonstrate in Tahrir Square in Cairo yesterday.

REUTERS

Sea tensions ease, but linger P Manuel Mogato and Stuart Grudgings

HILIPPINE Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario walked into a regional security forum this week to hear his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reel off a list of complaints against Manila for stirring tensions over the South China Sea. Del Rosario was not scheduled to speak, but after hearing Wang’s speech at Sunday’s closed-door meeting in the kingdom of Brunei, he raised his hand and proceeded to rebut China’s allegations one by one, according to Philippine diplomats. The Singapore foreign minister called it “testy exchanges”.

The departure from the usual diplomatic niceties that mark such multilateral gatherings was the latest display of animosity over competing claims in the oil-rich South China Sea, one of Asia’s most dangerous military flashpoints.

Despite rare progress towards easing tensions between China and Southeast Asian nations at the Brunei meeting, a binding agreement remains a distant prospect, with Beijing seen in no rush to limit a growing naval reach that is alarming neighbours such as Vietnam and the Philippines.

“My response was simply that the core issue is that China has taken the position that they have indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea,” Del Rosario told reporters later. “Since that is a grossly excessive claim, we need to settle this in accordance with international law.

So I asked everyone to support that.”

China’s agreement later that day to hold talks with Southeast Asia on maritime rules appeared to mark a new

chapter in efforts to resolve the dispute.

After years of resisting efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to start talks on the proposed code of conduct, China said it would host talks between senior officials in September.

The code however would not touch on countries’ territorial claims but would set “rules of the road” for actions by ships, aiming to minimise the risk of a misstep that could lead to conflict.

The talks to be held in China are relatively low-level and were carefully described in the joint ASEAN-China statement on Sunday as “consultations” rather than “negotiations” – an important nuance that signals that no real progress is likely.

China also succeeded in securing ASEAN’s agreement to involve a board of experts such as academics and former diplomats – so-called “eminent persons” – in guiding the process.

ASEAN countries had previously been against this, amid concerns it will result in further delays.

A senior US administration official who attended the Brunei meeting said the new talks were welcome, but by no means a breakthrough.

“It’s not enough to simply promise some form of talks in the run-up to a multilateral meeting as a way of abating criticism and creating the appearance of progress,” the official said.

“There has to be a fully fledged effort to try to work out in practical terms what a mechanism or set of mechanisms would be [to lower tensions].”

Friction over the South China Sea, one of the world’s most important waterways, has increased as China uses its growing naval might to more force-

fully assert its vast claims over the oil and gas rich sea, raising fears of a military clash. Four ASEAN nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines, have overlapping claims with China.

Washington, an ally of the Philippines and also Vietnam, has not taken sides, but Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated in Brunei its strategic interest in freedom of navigation through the busy sea and desire to see a code of conduct signed quickly.

Those risks have risen in recent weeks as three Chinese ships have converged just five nautical miles from a small reef where the Philippines maintains a small military force.

China has condemned the Philippine presence at the Second Thomas Shoal as an “illegal occupation”, even though the reef is within Manila’s 200-nautical mile economic exclusion zone.

The encroachment is part of China’s strategy of sending ships to far-flung parts of the sea to protect fishing fleets and press its sovereignty claims, which Manila condemned this week as causing “increasing militarisation.”

Last month Chinese state media warned that a “counterstrike” against the Philippines was inevitable if it continued to provoke Beijing in the South China Sea. The Philippines has one of the least equipped militaries in Asia, but is pursuing a $1.8 billion modernisation program and has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic, just 124 miles from one of the contentious areas on the South China Sea. Philippine President Benigno Aquino, who retires in 2016, said last week: “Rest assured that, before I step down from office, guarding our skies is new and modern equipment like lead-in

fighters, long-range patrol aircraft, close air support aircraft, light-lift fixed-wing aircraft, medium-lift aircraft, attack helicopters, combat utility helicopters and air defence radars.”

On Sunday Beijing complaints against Manila included: the Philippines’ decision this year to appeal for UN arbitration over maritime claims without informing China; and its joint military exercises last week with the United States near a disputed shoal.

Wang also condemned the Philippines for grounding an old navy ship in the Second Thomas Shoal to claim the area.

China and the Philippines accuse each other of violating the declaration of conduct (DoC), a non-binding confidence-building agreement on maritime conduct signed by China and ASEAN in 2002. Such differences could be another obstacle to agreeing a more comprehensive pact as China has stressed that countries must first show good faith by abiding by the DoC. Still, the Philippines appeared to welcome the progress at the Brunei meeting, even if it was scant.

“It’s more than a chit-chat,” Evan Garcia, the Philippines’ deputy foreign secretary told reporters. “We have to start the process.”

Thailand’s foreign minister described Sunday’s agreement as “very significant”, but most other ASEAN ministers gave it a more cautious welcome.

“The quality of the process is as important as the result. We want to make sure that we [use] every possible opportunity for as much consultation as possible,” said Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia’s foreign minister.

“Breakthrough makes it sound very dramatic.” REUTERS

laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, senior Muslim and Christian religious authorities and leaders of smaller Islamist parties and of the youth protest movement that led the anti-Morsi protests, the military said. It said a statement would be issued afterwards.

The Brotherhood’s political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, refused an invitation to meet Sisi, saying it only recognised the elected president.

The Egypt25 television station owned and run by the Brotherhood was continuing to broadcast live coverage of pro-Morsi demonstrations.

State-run newspaper Al-Ahram said Morsi was expected to either step down or be removed from office and the army would set up a three-member presidential council to be chaired by the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

A military source said he expected the army to first call political, social and economic figures and youth activists for talks on its draft roadmap for the country’s future.

A mass of revellers on Cairo’s Tahrir Square feted the army overnight for, in their eyes, saving the revolutionary democracy won there two years ago when an uprising centred on the same square toppled Mubarak. Large crowds gathered in the square again yesterday afternoon.

Morsi’s backers denounced the army’s action as a coup. At least 16 people, mostly Morsi supporters, were killed and about 200 wounded when gunmen opened fire overnight on pro-Morsi demonstrators at Cairo University campus.

The Muslim Brotherhood accused uniformed police of the shooting. The Interior Ministry said it was investigating and the governor of Giza province, where the clash occurred, submitted his resignation.

Central Cairo was quiet by day. Many stores were shuttered and traffic unusually light. The stock market index recovered losses to close just 0.3 per cent lower on hopes of a rapid solution to the crisis.

The Egyptian pound weakened against the dollar, and banks closed early, before the deadline.

For the first time in many months, uniformed police were back patrolling the streets, and the Interior Ministry said in a statement it would “confront all forms of violence”.

“I could tell that the police are back with their full power on the streets like the old days before the January 25 revolution,” said Amir Aly, 25, a protester outside the presidential palace. AFP/REUTERS

13

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

World

Aceh earthquake toll rises R

ESCUERS battled through landslides and blocked roads yesterday to reach survivors from an earthquake in Indonesia’s Aceh province that has killed at least 22 people, including several children who died when a mosque collapsed.

More than 200 people were also injured in Aceh’s remote, mountainous interior when the strong 6.1-magnitude quake struck on Tuesday, flattening buildings and triggering landslides.

The quake, which struck at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres, has sparked panic in the natural disaster-prone region where more than 170,000 people were killed by the quake-triggered tsunami of 2004.

In Blang Mancung village, Central Aceh district, at least six children were killed when a mosque collapsed during a Koran reading session.

Subhan Sahara, head of the district’s disaster agency, previously said a further 14 children were trapped in the collapse. But on Wednesday he said rescuers had not yet found any more bodies in the rubble and were now unsure

Women carrying children cry outside their homes after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit in Bener Meriah district in Central Aceh yesterday. afp

how many had been inside.

“This is the biggest earthquake we’ve ever had here,” he said.

“People are still frightened, especially after the aftershocks last night. Nobody dared to stay at home. Everyone slept on the roads or in car parks.

“The earthquake triggered

many landslides. People could not get out of the area because of fallen trees and mounds of earth blocking roads.”

The main hospital in the district was overwhelmed and tents had been set up in the building’s car park to treat the flood of patients, he said.

He added that supplies of food and water were in short

supply but rescuers had succeeded in reaching the remote area.

Military, police and local government officials were trying to head to other affected areas on Wednesday by ground and in aircraft but some roads were blocked by landslips, the national disaster agency said.

The agency dispatched a

helicopter from neighbouring Riau province to assist in rescue efforts, while an air force plane was also deployed to assess the damage.

“So far 22 people died, 210 people were injured, and thousands of buildings and homes were damaged in the quake,” disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

The casualties were spread over the two worst-hit districts of Central Aceh and Bener Meriah, he said. Scores of people were being treated at hospitals across the region.

In Bener Meriah, about 300 people camped out overnight in open spaces, such as football pitches, as the area was hit by strong aftershocks, Fauzi, an official from the local disaster agency said.

He said many were in desperate need of food.

“There were strong aftershocks last night and people didn’t want to go back home, so they stayed in the open overnight, but we don’t have enough tents,” said the official, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

“We have a power outage now and communications are unreliable,” he added. AFP

Islamist calls for attacks on Sochi Olympics RUSSIA’S top Islamist leader Doku Umarov called in a video released yesterday for jihadists to stage attacks against a range of targets that include the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.

“We know that on the bones of our ancestors, on the bones of many, many Muslims who died and are buried on our territory along the Black Sea, today they plan to stage the Olympic Games.

We, as the Mujahideen, must not allow this to happen by any means possible,” Umarov said in a message posted on the kavkazcenter.com website.

Russia hopes to make the 2014 Winter Olympic Games into a showcase event

that highlights the economic and social strides that the country has made under President Vladimir Putin.

But the Black Sea resort is located in the immediate proximity of Russia’s North Caucasus – an extremely volatile region that has witnessed two postSoviet wars in Chechnya and daily violence in republics such as Dagestan.

The Russian authorities ordered tougher security for Sochi after the April Boston Marathon bombings that were blamed on two ethnic Chechen brothers who spent parts of their lives in Russia.

In his comments, Umarov appeared

to be referring to the deportation of ethnic tribes living on the Black Sea coast and mountains of the Sochi area by the 19th century tsarist army, after Russia’s protracted campaign to pacify the Caucasus, known as the Caucasian War. That war ended with a grandiose May 1864 parade in Sochi’s Krasnaya Polyana, now the site of a massive development of mountain ski resorts. Russia’s hosting of the Winter Olympic Games would therefore fall during the 150th anniversary of the natives’ defeat.

The area’s inhabitants, sometime warring tribes that attempted to unite

against the Russians, are known as the Circassians.

Following Russia’s victory, they were deported en masse to Muslim countries across the Black Sea, notably Turkey. Many today believe this was an act of genocide, due to the huge humanitarian toll.

Circassians in Russia inhabit mostly the North Caucasus regions of Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria and KarachayevoCherkessia, but some have remained in the northernmost districts of Sochi.

They have put up only mild protests against the Games, unlike the diaspora. AFP

China issues a list of ‘most Mistresses lead to wanted’ in restive Xinjiang downfall of official AUTHORITIES in China’s restive Xinjiang region have issued a “most wanted” list and offered rewards for tipoffs, a government website said yesterday, continuing the forceful official response to recent unrest ahead of a sensitive anniversary.

After two violent incidents left at least 35 people dead last week, China has boosted security in the regional capital of Urumqi, while senior officials and state media have vowed to crack down on such “terrorist” attacks.

“We hope more people will help us with information and leave terrorists with no place to hide,” the Xinjiang official news website Tianshannet quoted senior police information official Li Li as saying.

But overseas rights groups say the unrest stems from dis-

crimination against ethnic minority Uighurs in Xinjiang, a far-west desert region that has seen an influx of majority Han Chinese in recent years.

Some of Xinjiang’s worst violence in years erupted on July 5, 2009, when around 200 people were killed in clashes between Uighurs and Han.

We hope more people will help us with information Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the incident on Friday, the overseas World Uyghur Congress plans to hold commemorations for victims, while police in Urumqi have begun 24-hour patrols.

In addition, Tianshannet reported, authorities have pledged 50,000 ($8,200) to 100,000 yuan rewards for

people who provide tips that help solve “violent or terrorism cases”.

They have published a list of 11 “most wanted” suspects, including two accused of killing security guards and construction workers in June, and three suspected of making explosives in a plan to attack government buildings.

Police also instructed anyone possessing “dangerous knives, explosives and propaganda materials on terrorism or violent crimes” to hand them in within 10 days to avoid punishment.

In the first of last week’s incidents, the Xinhua state news agency said “knife-wielding mobs” attacked police stations and other sites in Lukqun township on Wednesday before officers opened fire, leaving 35 people dead. AFP

A SENIOR Chinese regional official has been sacked, state media said yesterday, after his mistresses reportedly accused him of bribe-taking and nepotism, making him the latest Communist high-flyer to fall in an anti-corruption drive.

Wang Suyi, 52, has been removed from his post as chief of the United Front Work Department in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, an agency that liaises among the Party and non-Communist organisations, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

He is under investigation for “serious disciplinary violations” – usually a euphemism for corruption – Xinhua said.

Wang’s mistresses accused him of taking 100 million yuan ($16.3 million) in bribes, and of nepotism involving about 30 relatives, Gu Hua, a senior

editor at the official Henan Daily, posted on China’s Weibo network, according to the South China Morning Post.

The SCMP report has been widely cited by Chinese media, though the post itself appears to have been deleted, with a message on Gu’s Weibo account saying an entry was “not appropriate for open publication”.

Wang, who is based in the regional capital of Hohhot, is the latest high-level official to fall since a new leadership under President Xi took over in November and proclaimed a widely publicised drive against government waste and graft.

Ni Fake, once the vice governor of Anhui province in eastern China, was last month announced to be under investigation for “suspected serious disciplinary offences”. AFP

Bangladesh to reform its labour legislation BANGLADESH plans more sweeping labour law reforms after the United States withdrew trade privileges over a deadly garment factory collapse, officials said yesterday.

Bangladesh expressed outrage last week at President Obama’s decision to cut the country’s duty-free trade privileges over the building collapse in April that killed 1,129 people.

The US said the government had failed to protect the fundamental rights of workers.

Bangladeshi officials, desperate to persuade Western retailers to stay put, insisted they had drawn up legislative reforms since the disaster, the country’s worst industrial accident.

However, the cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this week set up a committee to review labour laws again, senior civil servant Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said.

“The committee will suggest further improvements to the labour laws taking into consideration labour rights, investment, productivity and the views of the importing countries,” cabinet secretary Bhuiyan said.

The committee met on Tuesday to “review and improve” draft legislation already being debated in parliament, the top labour official said.

“We’re examining the safetyrelated issues of the labour laws, with special emphasis on trade union and factory safety,” Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar said.

“The US, the European Union and the International Labour Organisation have expressed concern over safetyrelated issues,” he said.

Bangladesh is the world’s second largest garment producer after China, and the industry is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 80 per cent of the country’s $25 billion annual exports.

The government approved draft legislation in May just weeks after the disaster, which underscored appalling safety and working standards for employees of the country’s 4,500 garment plants.

The reforms were aimed at making it easier to set up unions in garment factories and compensate workers involved in factory accidents.

Activists say only two dozen factories – all small plants – have allowed their workers to form trade unions. Workers in other factories face sacking or harassment for moving to set up a union.

Local union leaders rejected the reforms at the time, saying they failed to improve rights and entitlements for millions of garment workers, while export-oriented industrial parks were exempt.

The government also set up a panel to raise the minimum wage for garment workers and has shut down about two dozen factories for poor safety conditions. AFP

14

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

World US ban on Myanmar army chief THE United States placed a Myanmar general on its sanctions blacklist on Tuesday for arms deals with North Korea that violated the UN Security Council embargo on buying weapons from Pyongyang.

Weeks after a landmark visit to Washington by Myanmar President Thein Sein celebrated the thaw in relations, the US Treasury named Lieutenant General Thein Htay, the head of Myanmar’s Directorate of Defence Industries, for the sanctions.

The Treasury said the general was involved in buying North Korean military goods despite his government’s support for the Security Council ban.

It said he acted on behalf of the directorate, a Myanmar military agency that was placed on the US sanctions blacklist in July 2012 for arms deals with North Korea.

The Treasury stressed in a statement that the Myanmar government, which until 2011 endured years of isolation and condemnation by the international community for rights abuses, was not targeted by the sanctions. AFP

Monk’s finances in spotlight T King-oua Laohong

HE controversial Thai monk caught on video riding in a private jetliner has numerous “financial irregularities” – such as 10 of 16 bank accounts belonging to him and aides that have more than 200 million baht ($6,435,000) in constant circulation, Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) revealed on Tuesday.

Amlo banned the monk and his associates from transferring any assets until suspicions of money laundering are cleared up.

Amlo said it inspected 16 bank accounts belonging to the monk, Wirapol Sukphol – better known as Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko – and his close associates. Wirapol is a senior monk at Wat Pa Khanti Tham temple in Si Sa Ket’s Kanthararom district.

The 34-year-old high-profile monk held 10 bank accounts, six of which had deposit transfers of two million baht or more, Amlo deputy chief Suwanee Sawaengphol said.

The accounts were circulating more than 200 million baht in total, with significant

movements of currency almost every day, making them suspicious, Suwanee added.

“I want to warn Luang Pu Nen Kham’s network and Luang Pu himself that they don’t move assets shown in the bank accounts because doing so will immediately fall into the category of money laundering.

“If the money has been used to buy cars or an airplane, such assets will be illegal too, according to money laundering law, and they will be confiscated,” she said.

“Even though Luang Pu can claim that the money has been voluntarily donated by members of the public, if the money was obtained by exploitation of people’s faith through fraud and scams, they are also illegal under the money laundering law.”

Amlo could not confirm yet whether the alleged money laundering was related to any illegal drug business, as claimed in some media reports, she added.

The Amlo deputy chief said her reports of the 200million baht figure included only commercial banks’ cash transaction reports. By law, banks must report any trans-

On Friday, July 12, The Phnom Penh Post proudly presents

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A screen grab from YouTube shows controversial Thai monk Wirapol Sukphol in a private jet.

action of two million baht or more to Amlo. She said there were no reports yet on transfers of lesser amounts.

Based on evidence gathered so far, Suwanee said, it was “obvious” that Luang Pu Nen Kham and what she called the monk’s inner “network” appeared to have violated the money laundering law, as a consequence of public fraud

through several projects. She cited construction of a hospital and a project to build the world’s biggest replica image of the Emerald Buddha, and said each of these projects had resulted in the opening of bank accounts.

The plans may have deceived people into donating money, she said.

Officials will visit Wat Pa

Khanti Tham next week to gather more information from witnesses before submitting an official Amlo investigation report to the agency’s committee on financial transactions on July 19.

Recent media reports have alleged that Luang Pu had “secret intimate relationships” with eight women, and that he may have had a child with two of the women.

That is a line of questioning Amlo could pursue to determine if he had paid any of the women.

Amlo also will examine the monk’s personal use of credit cards while travelling abroad.

He is currently in Europe and has postponed his return indefinitely.

It is too early to talk about confiscation of cash or assets belonging to the monk, Suwanee said.

The assets examination came after members of an online social network group calling itself the “Facebook network against acts that destroy the nation, religion and the royal institution”, last week asked Amlo to look into Luang Pu’s assets and the temple’s donations.

BANGKOK POST

15

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Science

Higgs Boson suspense mounts Laurent Banguet

A

YEAR since the discovery of a subatomic particle set the science world aflutter, evidence is mounting it may be the elusive Higgs boson even as researchers warn that the suspense is far from over.

“We have established without a doubt that we have a new particle, and that it is a boson. What remains to be done is confirm that it is a Higgs,” said physicist Pauline Gagnon, a member of the team that made the discovery at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

The elusive boson dubbed the “God Particle” was theorised by British physicist Peter Higgs in 1964 to be what gave mass to matter as the universe cooled after the Big Bang.

Guided by the theoretical work of Higgs and others, hundreds of scientists have been on a single-minded boson quest for more than three years at the CERN’s atom-smashing Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

On July 4 last year, physicists announced to rousing applause that they had found an elementary particle “consistent with [the] long-sought Higgs boson” – a scientific milestone.

Finding the Higgs would fill a massive gap in the Standard Model of particle physics, which describes the forces, particles and interactions that comprise the universe.

In theory, the Higgs exists as an invisible field, interacting with other particles to give them mass. Without it, humans and all other joined-up atoms in the universe would not exist.

But while the Standard Model postulates the existence of a single Higgs boson, alternative schools of thought like string theory say there may be at least five.

“Have we found the boson, or perhaps one of several predicted by other theories? Until now, everything indicates that this is the Standard Model boson,” Gagnon said.

“It has the allure, the look, the song and the dance of the Higgs boson.”

Over the past year physicists have analysed at least 2.5 times the amount of information they had available at the time of the 2012 announcement.

And they have said the particle now appears to have at least two of the main characteristics expected of a Higgs.

In theory, a Higgs boson should have

An undated handout graphic distributed on July 4, 2012 by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva shows a representation of traces of traces of a proton-proton collision measured in the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experience in the search for the Higgs boson. AFP

zero “spin”, a measure of momentum.

And “parity” – a measure of how its mirror image behaves in quantum physics – should be positive.

Having analysed mountains of data, CERN said in March that the available data pointed to “no spin and positive parity”.

“It is all shaping up exactly the way it should. Everything we look at looks more and more like a Higgs boson,” said Bill Murray, deputy physics coordinator for the ATLAS experiment at CERN. “We haven’t seen anything that doesn’t look at all the way a Higgs boson should. We have some small tensions in the data with one or two pieces that are not exactly the way

you would expect . . . but this is not particularly significant.”

New findings are expected to be unveiled at a conference of the European Physical Society in Stockholm in July, but Gagnon stressed much more data is required for science to be convinced of the particle’s identity.

As for Murray: “I’m not sure one will ever say this is the Standard Model Higgs boson.

“We will never be able to say it is the only one because there always could be one that is so incredibly heavy that you could never . . . make it” in the LHC. Ironically, some would prefer the discovery of more than one Higgs, added Gagnon.

“Finding just one would confirm the Standard Model”, which describes only about five per cent of what the universe is made up of, she explained.

The LHC, straddling the border between Switzerland and France, shut down in February for a two-year revamp that should allow bigger collisions and the creation of heavier particles, perhaps other Higgs bosons.

But whatever proof it yields may never be conclusive.

In science, explained Murray, “you can never prove something is right, you can only ever prove something is wrong.

“All we can do is rule out more and more alternatives.” AFP

Crocs v cane toads: amphibians winning AUSTRALIA’S noxious cane toad is wiping out populations of a unique miniature crocodile, researchers warned yesterday, with fears the warty, toxic creature could extinguish the rare reptile.

A team from Charles Darwin University studying the impacts of the foul toad in upstream escarpments found “significant declines” in numbers of dwarf freshwater crocodiles after the amphibians’ arrival.

Dwarf crocodiles are thought to be stunted due to a lack of available food and researchers believe the crocs started gobbling up the cane toads when they came along.

Lead researcher Adam Britton said there had been 28 of the rare crocs across the study area, around the Victoria and Bullo rivers in the Northern Territory, prior to the arrival of the toads.

The population declined to 10 after the toads arrived, the study, conducted from 20072008 and published in the latest edition of the journal Wildlife Research, showed.

“Dead crocodiles and evidence of their having eaten cane toads strongly suggest that these declines were caused directly by the arrival of cane toads into the area,” the study found.

Dwarf crocodiles, also known as pygmy or “stunted” crocodiles, grow to a maximum of 1.7 metres, or 0.7 metres for females, half the size of other freshwater crocs.

There is no evidence that the rare pygmy is genetically different to other freshwater crocodiles.

Britton said there was concern that, due to their limited numbers – believed to be in the low hundreds – the pygmy

croc could die out altogether due to the cane toad’s march.

“We already know that cane toads kill freshwater crocodiles, but we were concerned that cane toads might have a major impact on dwarf populations because of their small size and lack of alternative food sources,” Britton said.

“These are low-density populations to begin with,” he continued. “They disappeared totally from one study site.”

The researcher added: “We still have a long way to go in our understanding of how native populations deal with invasive species.”

The study did offer some hope for the crocodiles, with no apparent population change recorded at one site and evidence of behavioural adaptations to avoid the poison by only eating the toad’s hind legs.

Cane toads – warty, leathery creatures with a venom sac on their heads toxic enough to kill snakes and crocodiles – are advancing across north-western Australia at a speed of 50 kilometres a year.

They were first introduced to Australia from Hawaii to control scarab beetle populations in the 1930s but have now reached pest proportions, breeding prolifically and with few predators. AFP

A cane toad sits on a keeper’s hand at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

AFP

US fish dish battered by consumer association A BATTER-LADEN fried fish dish packs two weeks’ worth of harmful trans fat in a single serving and was named worst restaurant meal in America on Tuesday by a US consumer advocacy group.

The Big Catch meal, sold at the fast food chain Long John Silver’s, contains 33 grams of trans fat and 3,700 milligrams of sodium, said the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

People should limit themselves to two grams of trans fat daily, according to the American Heart Association, and most people should eat 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, the Institute of Medicine says.

“Long John Silver’s Big Catch meal deserves to be buried 20,000 leagues under the sea,” CSPI executive director Michael Jacobson said in a statement announcing the group’s pick of worst restaurant meal in America.

“This company is taking perfectly healthy fish – and entombing it in a thick crust of batter and partially hydrogenated oil. The result? A heart attack on a hook.”

The fish is battered and fried in partially hydrogenated soybean oil, and sold with onion rings and hush puppies, which are fried balls made of leftover batter drippings, cornmeal and onion.

Its total calorie count is low for a fast food meal – just 1,320, CSPI said. But its artery-clogging trans fat is twice the level of the worst KFC dish, which had 15 grams of trans fat before a 2006 CSPI lawsuit led the chicken chain to stop using partially hydrogenated oil.

“Trans fat from partially hydrogenated oil is a uniquely damaging substance that raises your bad cholesterol, lowers your good cholesterol, and harms the cells that line your blood vessels,” said Walter Willett, nutrition department chair at the Harvard School of Public Health.

“It might have been defensible to use hydrogenated oil in the 1980s, before trans fat’s harmfulness was discovered, but no longer.”

Long John Silver’s introduced the “Big Catch” in May, describing it as “the largest fish we have ever offered, weighing in at seven to eight ounces of 100 per cent premium haddock caught in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.”

But that claim did not stand up to the scrutiny of CSPI inspectors, who picked apart the breading from the fish and said they found “an average of about four and a half ounces of actual fish and almost three ounces of oil-soaked batter.”

Long John Silver’s, which calls itself the “largest quick service seafood restaurant in the world”, responded to a request for comment by describing the dish as “a limited time only special that delivers tremendous value to value-hungry consumers”.

AFP

16

Opinion www.phnompenhpost.com

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THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Snowden’s aviation club COMMENT Mark Weisbrot

W

ITH Edward Snowden stuck in limbo in the Moscow airport transit space, many people in the United States and around the world are wondering what can be done to help him.

More than 123,000 Americans have signed a petition on the White House website saying that “Edward Snowden is a national hero and should be immediately issued a full, free, and absolute pardon”.

Other petitions of support have gathered as many as 1.3 million signatures.

Actually there is quite a bit that can be done by various people to help Snowden reach a safe place where he can be free from persecution by the US government.

The governments of Ecuador, Russia and Venezuela have invited Snowden to apply for asylum, and there is little doubt that it would be granted.

The legal basis for political asylum is very strong, especially since the US has charged Snowden under the Espionage Act. Since it is pretty clear that there was no espionage involved here – no evidence that he collaborated or even met with any foreign governments – this is one obvious indicator that Snowden has a well-founded fear of persecution.

And politically, despite efforts by much of the media to brand Snowden a criminal and a traitor, most of the world appears to sympathise with him.

Any government that helps him would almost certainly have popular support at home.

The problem is that these governments are reluctant to take the necessary steps to get Snowden freedom because of possible US retaliation.

Of course, retaliation is not as likely as many people think: Washington was angry with Hong Kong for about a day after it rejected a request for extradition, and then it blew over.

John Kerry’s warnings of “consequences” for Russia and China were reversed on Thursday by President Obama, who sought to lower the profile of the issue.

Another recent example of threatened retaliation that did not materialise was the US threats to Palestinians for seeking UN recognition of their state.

And there are things that other governments could do to help this

Ukrainian Internet Party activists protest outside the US Embassy in Kiev to attract public attention to the violation of rights following the United States internet surveillance program exposed by former spy Edward Snowden last month. AFP

process along. First and easiest, the governments of South America – perhaps through UNASUR or another regional body – can denounce Washington’s threats to cut off Ecuador’s trade preferences in retaliation for offering to receive Snowden’s application for political asylum.

They took similar steps in response to the UK’s threats to invade Ecuador’s embassy in London to capture Julian Assange, and these moves were politically successful.

Second, more governments can make statements in support of what Snowden did, as politely as they prefer, and offer to receive an application for political asylum – something that they are required to do under international law in any case.

The more governments that make such statements, the more difficult it is for Washington to isolate or retaliate against any one of them.

Third, although Ecuador was reluctant to offer travel documents for Snowden, other governments can.

Again, the more governments that

state their willingness to do so, the less likely retaliation from Washington becomes.

Then there is the question of how he gets to a safe country. Here, any friendly government could offer him a private plane – it is a minimal expense for a government.

Prominent citizens from the US and other countries could offer to accompany Snowden, to reduce the chances of risky behaviour by the US military (although Obama has said that he “was not going to scramble any jets” to get Snowden).

The Russian government could also make sure that the Aeroflot flight to Cuba, if it carries Snowden, is re-routed so that it does not fly too close to the US. The Russian government, if it is unwilling to offer Snowden a visa for its own country, could provide transportation to the Ecuadorian or another government embassy in Moscow, where Snowden could apply for asylum and then resolve the travel document issue.

From there, the Russians would be legally obligated to offer Snowden safe passage to the country that had offered him asylum. (The British

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government’s confinement of Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for the past year, after he has received asylum from Ecuador, is illegal under international law.)

Finally, there is the “second superpower”, as global civil society was named in 2003 when tens of millions of people hit the streets worldwide against the planned US-led invasion of Iraq.

In addition to pressuring their governments to take one or more of the various steps outlined above, citizens can act on their own. For example, they could form a “Snowden Aviation Club”, to raise money for a private plane to take him to a safe place.

Or even a helicopter to transport him to the Ecuadorian embassy in Moscow. The funds for either of these options should be easy to raise, given his popular support.

Edward Snowden has performed an heroic service to the people of the US and the world, by exposing widespread government abuses that are a threat to freedom everywhere.

It’s up to everyone who understands this to make sure he is not persecuted for doing so. THE GUARDIAN

17

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Lifestyle How to stay safe on the road T

HE start of the election campaign has begun, and the traffic during the rallies has become unbearable. It will continue to get worse as drivers figure out how they can manoeuvre around the traffic, and hopefully not cause any accidents.

According to the Ministry of Health, traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Cambodia. Speeding and drunk driving are the main causes.

The World Health Organization reported that 16 per cent of all deadly accidents in Cambodia in 2012 involved alcohol.

Motorbikes are the most common vehicle involved in traffic accidents. Road Crash Victim Information System (RCVIS) reported that 77 per cent of road traffic casualties in Cambodia are motorcycle riders, and 44 per cent suffer traumatic head injuries.

Christoph Lüthy, a graduate in IT Engineer, and former NGO worker has been living in Phnom Penh for almost four years. He has witnessed traffic accidents and has been lucky to escape several injuries while riding his motorbike.

Lüthy created a Facebook group addressing the traffic issues in Cambodia.

“The traffic problem in Cambodia is a problem that can be solved without a lot of

In brief

Johnny Depp swaps pirates for wild west

Rush hour traffic on Sisowath Quay. Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the country. bloomberg

bureaucracy,” said Lüthy.

“We want to determine what the people in Cambodia can do to get to a better point by creating awareness and spreading knowledge. Here the people don’t respect the law, because they feel the only purpose of traffic law is the enrichment of policemen. People need to understand that they can make the difference themselves.”

The main issue is lack of knowledge and education.

“People should be aware of

the consequences of accidents,” said Lüthy. “What is the impact of not wearing a helmet? An accident causes head injury, and a head injury causes death, and death results in tears and a funeral that might ruin the family.”

Another reason why people don’t wear a helmet is because they don’t want to mess up their hair.

“You don’t wear a helmet because you don’t want to mess up your hair? Believe me, after an accident, more

than your hair is messed up,”said Lüthy.

Did you know that your front and back lights are important not only so that you see the road, but, much more importantly, so that other drivers see you coming?

Lüthy added, “If your front or back light is not working, it is worth it to fix it. Yes, the police don’t charge it because they don’t work at night, but fixing a light costs about $2, and an accident can cost you your life and other people’s lives. Fixing your lights is a

good investment.”

Speeding is another ongoing traffic problem.

“Speeding is dangerous.

An accident ruins your life, no matter if you are rich or poor,” said Lüthy.

So buckle up your seat belt, wear your helmet, respect each other on the road, and be extra viligante during the campaign season!

For more information, please check out the Facebook group: www.facebook. com/groups/BetterTrafficCambodia

JOHNNY Depp and the makers of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise have swapped the high seas for the wild west in The Lone Ranger, as they seek to reboot an American pop culture icon.

Having earned more than $3.6 billion at the box office with the Pirates blockbusters, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and studio giant Disney wanted to give a new take on the traditional western adventure. The Lone Ranger, a masked crusader who rights wrongs in the name of justice, was born on the radio in 1933 before being turned into a popular US television series from 19491957. AFP

Christian Bale hangs up Batman’s cape for good CHRISTIAN Bale will not be returning to the role of Batman – in a Justice League movie or any other film. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the British actor confirmed his trilogy of films as the caped crusader for Christopher Nolan between 2005’s Batman Begins and last year’s The Dark Knight Rises had sated his interest in playing the superhero. “We were incredibly fortunate to get to make three. That’s enough.

Let’s not get greedy,” he said. the guardian

18

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Motoring

A8 turbodiesel a pal at the pump Jason Harper

W

HEN it comes to executiveclass saloons, you can bet that carmakers are showing off their most luxurious interiors and very latest technologies. Traditionally, you could also bet on those full-sized cars sucking down fuel by the barrelful.

That dynamic is changing, and quickly. Audi has just released a diesel-powered version of its A8 long-wheelbase saloon, giving the company a more efficient offering against hybrid models from Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. On the highway, the A8 L TDI is the class’s new gas mileage king, getting 36 miles per gallon. (It sees 24 in stop-and-go traffic.) Compare that to the top-of-the-line Lexus (7203) hybrid, the LS 600h L, which manages only 19 city and 23 highway. Mercedes also sells a diesel version of its iconic SClass; it gets 21 and 31.

The A8 TDI starts at $82,500, making it pricier than the six-cylinder, long-wheelbase A8 ($78,800), but less than the 4.0 litre eight cylinder ($87,600). If you still prefer a whopping big engine, open your wallet for the W12 model ($135,900).

The thought of mating a shiny car like the A8 with a diesel engine may seem odd.

But the VW Group’s turbocharged direct injection (TDI) engines, which use ultra-lowsulfur fuel, are found on vehicles ranging from the VW Passat to the Audi Q7 SUV, and the powerplant is much loved. Diesels tend to make converts of drivers. Find a TDI driver and it’s likely he or she will proselytize.

Audi is pushing diesel across its lines. By the end of the summer, TDI versions of the A6 and A7 sedans and the Q5 SUV will also be available. Perhaps diesel’s time in America has finally arrived.

While the A8’s 3.0 litre six-

The recently released diesel-powered version of the Audi A8 long-wheelbase saloon gives the company an advantage over hybrid models from Lexus, Mercedes and BMW.

cylinder TDI has only 240 horsepower, it has 407 poundfeet of torque. The car doesn’t leap forward with ferocity – 60 miles per hour takes 6.4 seconds – but it pulls up hills like a rogue elephant. It is never very loud, and it never seems to strain.

For my test drive, I had a special route in mind: A 660mile round trip from New York to northeast Vermont.

Starting with just under a full tank, I figured I would need to fill up only once.

The beginning of the trip was a wretched attempt to escape Manhattan in the late evening bumper-to-bumper traffic and torrential rain. The

car had a defective driver-side wiper blade, leaving streaks of smeared water directly in my line of vision. All that fancy technology, felled by a strip of bad rubber.

It was, however, an ideal time to try out the car’s adaptive cruise control with stopand-go functionality. Set the system and the car will adjust its speed according to traffic, inching forward or coming to a full stop when necessary.

After all, a major aspect of these executive-class cars is their technology, and both the A8 and the BMW 7 Series will be facing down the totally redesigned 2014 modelyear Mercedes S-Class. The

S-Class’s new adaptive cruise control is semi-autonomous and will even keep the car centred in its lane on curves.

(I’ll test drive the new Mercedes soon.)

To be honest, I’m wary of all this self-driving technology, fearing that the car won’t in fact stop on its own, and that I’ll be left explaining to the traffic police that the rearending accident isn’t actually my fault but the car’s.

So the first time the Audi surged toward the bumper of another car, I kept my foot hovered over the brake. I got closer and closer and . . . it stopped. Over the next hour the function made the traffic

more tolerable. Still, it tends to make you less aware of your surroundings, more expectant that somehow the car will step in and save you.

Finally I cleared the traffic and let the A8 diesel do what it does best: eat up highway miles. The all-wheel-drive saloon is stable, comfortable and utterly confident on the open road, even in the rain. I engaged the massaging seat function and blasted the $6,300 Bang and Olufsen sound system.

The LED headlights lit my way gorgeously and I made the destination, East Burke, around 1am, behind schedule because of the rain but with a

bloomberg

little bit under half a tank of petrol left.

In more than 600 miles of mixed motoring, with an average speed of 43mph, the car saw 28.5mpg, almost exactly its EPA rating. With more than 300 miles of freeway driving, I got just under 33mpg.

The average buyer of an executive-class saloon won’t choose a car for its mpg rating. Technology, comfort and great looks will still matter most. Nonetheless, it’s hard to imagine why you wouldn’t choose the diesel engine.

Drivers will give up very little – except that extra stop at the petrol pump on long road trips. bloomberg

Mitsubishi Mirage’s appeal proves illusionary Martin Love

Having a laugh? This aerodynamic but dull new city car comes with a price tag of $18,000.

bloomberg

NO, drag coefficient has nothing to do with how dull a car is.

We’re talking aerodynamics here. A car’s drag coefficient, aka its Cd, affects the way it moves through the air. The lower the figure, the less resistance and the more easily the car slips along. The Mirage – Mitsubishi’s replacement for the Colt, which has been sent to the knacker’s yard and boiled down to make glue – has a drag coefficient of 0.27Cd. That’s more slippery than any of its rivals – heck, it’s practically a fish. Maybe not a barracuda, but a sardine, at least.

Obviously, I realise that sardine isn’t a perfect analogy because a fish goes in water and a Mitsubishi Mirage doesn’t, you hope, but anyway . . .

A low Cd figure means it’s

easier to push along and that, coupled with an efficient engine and not too many kilos of weight, means plenty of miles per gallon and not too many grams of CO2 per kilometre. (Isn’t it crazy that figures for cars are half metric and half imperial?) So you wouldn’t have to pay for a tax disc or the congestion charge in London. Good news.

The other good news about the Mitsubishi Mirage is that there’s plenty of room in the back. I’m tall – in metres, feet, whatever – so I would expect to have issues of legroom and, possibly, headroom in the back of a car of this size. Now, I wouldn’t want to spend all day back there, but it’s really not bad. Plus there are rear doors, so I can actually get in.

And that’s where the good news runs out, I’m afraid. The

rest is indifferent at best, bad at worst. Inside, it feels cheap, even in the top-level trim I’ve got. But it’s not cheap. Look at the picture: $18,000 for that!

Are you having a laugh?

Nor is it cute, or loveable, which you’d also hope for in a little city car. Maybe so much energy went into getting the Cd figure down they forgot to give it any ID. The dullness coefficient – 0.98 – is actually the highest in its class.

And to drive? Pah! The steering is limp; it wobbles and leans all over the place. Forget about sardines (known, of course, for their agility and predator-shaking-off turning skills). The Mirage handles and corners like a bloody jellyfish.

A Portuguese man-of-war, perhaps, but with the sting removed – because a sting’s too much fun. the guardian

19

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Travel PREAH SIHANOUK - SIEM REAP Flighs Days Dep Arrival K6 130 1-3-5 12:55 13:55

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE FROM PHNOM PENH Flighs

Days

Dep

TO PHNOM PENH Arrival

PHNOM PENH - BANGKOK

Days

Dep

Arrival

BANGKOK - PHNOM PENH

K6 720

Daily

12:05

01:10

K6 721

Daily

02:25

03:30

PG 938

Daily

06:40

08:15

PG 931

Daily

07:55

09:05

PG 932

Daily

09:55

11:10

TG 580

Daily

07:55

09:05

TG 581

Daily

10:05

11:10

PG 933

Daily

13:30

14:40

PG 934

Daily

15:30

16:40

FD 3616

Daily

15:15

16:20

FD 3617

Daily

17:05

18:15

PG 935

Daily

17:30

18:40

PG 936

Daily

19:30

20:40

TG 584

Daily

18:25

19:40

TG 585

Daily

20:40

21:45

PG 937

Daily

20:15

21:50

PHNOM PENH - BEIJING CZ 324

Daily

BEIJING - PHNOM PENH 08:00

16:05

CZ 323

Daily

14:30

20:50

PHNOM PENH - DOHA ( Via HCMC)

DOHA - PHNOM PENH ( Via HCMC)

QR 605

1.2..5.6

22:35

05:15+1

QR 604

1.2..5.6

08:00

21:00

QR 603

..34..7

15:50

22:25

QR 602

..3.4..7

01:25

14:20

PHNOM PENH - GUANGZHOU CZ 324

Daily

08:00

11:40

CZ 6059

2.4.7

12:00

13:45

CZ 6060

2.4.7

14:45

18:10

CZ 323

Daily

19:05

20:50

09:40

13:00

VN 840

Daily

17:30

20:35

VN 841

Daily

HO CHI MINH CITY - PHNOM PENH

VN 841

Daily

14:00

14:45

VN 920

Daily

15:50

16:30

VN 3856

Daily

19:20

20:05

VN 3857

Daily

18:00

18:45

PHNOM PENH - HONG KONG 1.2.4.7

11:25

15:05

KA 208

1.2.4.6.7 08:50

10:25

KA 207

6

11:45

22:25

KA 206

3.5.7

14:30

16:05

KA 209

1

18:30

22:05

KA 206

1

15:25

17:00

KA 209

3.5.7

17:25

21:00

KA 206

2

15:50

17:25

KA 205

2

19:00

22:35

PHNOM PENH - INCHEON Daily

23:40

06:40

KE 689

Daily

18:30

22:20

OZ 740

Daily

23:50

06:50

OZ 739

Daily

19:10

22:50

PHNOM PENH - KUALA LUMPUR

The science of jumbo jet interior art

Daily

08:35

11:20

AK 1474

Daily

15:15

16:00

MH 755

Daily

11:10

14:00

MH 754

Daily

09:30

10:20

MH 763

Daily

17:10

20:00

MH 762

Daily

3:20

4:10

20:05

06:05

Delphine Touitou

H

E wanted to work on film sets. Instead, he became one of the world’s leading interior designers . . . for planes.

Jacques Pierrejean created the now-famous first class mini suites that Emirates uses in its A380 superjumbos, and has refurbished governmental jets belonging to ex-French and Italian leaders Jacques Chirac and Silvio Berlusconi.

“I’m kind of the grandfather in all this,” the 61-year-old told AFP in a luxury Paris restaurant. “My company is seen as a research lab.”

Moneyed people flying first class on Emirates’ A380s will remember their experience – not content with plush seats, the airline has given them entire private suites complete with walls, sliding doors, minibars and vanity tables.

A graduate of Paris arts school Ecole Boulle in 1973, he set up his “Pierrejean Design Studio” two years later after travelling in a plane and noting the ugliness of the interior.

“It’s a niche profession. In France, there are only two of us,” he said, adding that Britain is far better-versed in the trade, with more companies dedicated solely to plane interior design.

Pierrejean explains that his work on private and governmental jets helps what he does on commercial aircraft.

When he started working with Emirates in the 1990s, Pierrejean said he had the idea of “allowing first class passengers to travel as if they were in a private jet, just like in a Falcon,” referring to the famed

private jet manufactured by French firm Dassault.

But back then, when plane interiors were still impersonal, decking out cabins was a radical concept.

“All engineers were focused on that. It was a revolution of aviation norms, it was unthinkable.”

To enable a complete revamp of first class and business cabins, engineers had to think of ways to get around technical constraints while still respecting safety norms.

For instance, he decided to get rid of overhead luggage racks to allow for more space and light, but that involved creating space for bags in other places, and also thinking of where to put oxygen masks to respect safety rules.

As for his mini suite, Pierrejean is proud of what has become a product of reference “that features in manufacturers’ catalogues”.

But while he owns the intellectual property rights for the mini suites in Emirates planes, he failed to patent the concept worldwide.

But it’s not all about firstclass cabin designs in Emirates’ A380s or Qatar Airways planes. Pierrejean also works with airlines that have considerably less means, which he says requires even more creativity.

Take Air Mauritius, for instance. “We went for an atmosphere rather than a work of architecture,” he said.

“When he or she entered the plane, the passenger had to immediately be in an island-type atmosphere, in a holiday context. The cabin had to reflect the flora of this magnificent island with green as the dominant colour.” afp

MH - Malaysia Airlines

2 Tuesday

AK - Air Asia

MI - SilkAir

3 Wednesday

BR - EVA Airways

OZ - Asiana Airlines

4 Thursday

CI - China Airlines

PG - Bangkok Airways

5 Friday

CZ - China Southern

QR - Qatar Airways

6 Saturday

FD - Thai Air Asia

QV - Lao Airlines

7 Sunday

FM - Shanghai Air

SQ - Singapore Airlines

K6- Cambodia Angkor Air

TG - Thai Airways | VN - Vietnam Airlines

This flight schedule information is updated about once a month. Further information, please contact direct to airline or a travel agent for flight schedule information.

AIRLINES

KUALA LUMPUR - PHNOM PENH

AK 1473

PHNOM PENH- PARIS

PHNOM PENH - PARIS 20:05

06:05

PHNOM PENH - SHANGHAI 2.3.4.5.7

1 Monday

5J - CEBU Airways.

INCHEON - PHNOM PENH

KE 690

FM 833

KA - Dragon Air

HONG KONG - PHNOM PENH

KA 207

2

COLOUR CODE

2817 - 16 Tigerairways

HANOI - PHNOM PENH

PHNOM PENH - HO CHI MINH CITY

AF 273

AIRLINES CODE

GUANGZHOU - PHNOM PENH

PHNOM PENH - HANOI

French aircraft interior designer Jacques Pierrejean poses in the business class section he designed for Qatar Airways Boeing 787. afp

Flighs

SIEM REAP - PREAH SIHANOUK Flighs Days Dep Arrival K6 131 1-3-5 11:20 12:20

19:50

AF 273

2

SHANGHAI - PHNOM PENH 23:05

PHNOM PENH - SINGAPORE

FM 833

2.3.4.5.7 19:30

22:40

SINGAPORE - PHNOM PENH

MI 601

1.3.5.6.7

09:30 12:30

MI 602

1.3.5.6.7 07:40

08:40

MI 622

2.4

12:20

15:20

MI 622

2.4

08:40

11:25

3K 594

1.3.6

12:35

15:55

3K 593

1.3.6

10:40

11:50

3K 599

2.4.7

17:25

20:25

3K 591

5

18:45

20:00

3K 592

5

20:45

23:45

3K 591

5

18:45

20:00

MI 607

Daily

18:10

21:10

MI 608

Daily

16:20

17:15

2817

1.3

16:40

19:40

2816

1.3

15:00

15:50

2817

2.4.5

09:10

12:00

2816

2.4.5

07:20

08:10

Air Asia (AK) Room T6, PP International Airport. Tel: 023 6666 555 Fax: 023 890 071 www.airasia.com

Cambodia Angkor Air (K6) PP Office, #90+92+94Eo, St.217, Sk.Orussey4, Kh. 7Makara, 023 881 178 /77718-333. Fax:+855 23-886-677 www.cambodiaangkorair.com E: mai@royalaviationexpert.com

Qatar Airways No. 296 Blvd. Mao Tse Toung (St. 245), Ground floor, Intercontinental Hotel PP Tel: +23 42 40 12/13/14 www.qatarairways.com

Jetstar Asia (3K) PP: No. 333B Monivong Blvd.

Myanmar Airways International Tel: 023 220909.Siem Reap: No. 50,Sivatha Blvd.Tel: 063 964388 #90+92+94Eo, St. 217, Sk. Orussey4, Kh. 7 Makara, www.jetstar.com Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

T:023 881 178 | F:023 886 677 www.maiair.com

Dragon Air (KA) #168, Monireth, PP Tel: 023 424 300 Fax: 023 424 304 www.dragonair.com/kh

Cebu Pacific (5J) Phnom Penh: No. 333B Monivong Blvd. Tel: 023 219161 Siem Reap: No. 50,Sivatha Blvd.

Tel: 063 965487 E-mail: cebuair@ptm-travel.com www.cebupacificair.com

Tiger airways G. floor, Regency square, Suare, Suite #68/79, St.205, Sk Chamkarmorn, PP Tel: (855) 95 969 888 (855) 23 5515 888/5525888 E: info@cambodiaairlines.net

SilkAir (MI) Regency C,Unit 2-4,Tumnorb Teuk, Chamkarmorn Phnom Penh Tel:023 988 629 www.silkair.com

2817

6

14:50

17:50

2816

6

13:00

14:00

2817

7

13:20

16:10

2816

7

11:30

12:30

09:10

11:35

PHNOM PENH SORYA BUS TRANSPORT SCHEDULE INTERNATIONAL ROUTES

PHNOM PENH -TAIPEI BR 266

Daily

TAIPEI - PHNOM PENH 12:45

17:05

PHNOM PENH - VIENTIANE

BR 265

Daily

VIENTIANE - PHNOM PENH

VN 840

Daily

17:30

18:50

VN 841

Daily

11:30

13:00

PP-HO CHI MINH DEPATURE

HO CHI MINH-PP

QV 920

Daily

17:50

19:10

QV 921

Daily

11:45

13:15

6:45, 8:30, 11:45

6:45, 8:00,11:30

PP-BANGKOK

BANGKOK-PP

6:30

6:30

PP-PAKSE,VIENTIANE

PAKSE,VIENTIANE-PP

6:45

7:30

PHNOM PENH - YANGON 8M 404

3. 6

YANGON - PHNOM PENH 20:10

21:35

8M 403

3. 6

16:45

FROM SIEM REAP

TO SIEM REAP

SIEM REAP - BANGKOK Flighs Days Dep Arrival K6 700 Daily 12:50 2:00 PG 924 Daily 09:45 11:10 PG 906 Daily 13:15 14:40 PG 914 Daily 15:20 16:45 PG 908 Daily 18:50 20:15 PG 910 Daily 20:30 21:55 SIEM REAP - GUANGZHOU CZ 3054 2.4.6 11:25 15:35 CZ 3054 1.3.5.7 19:25 23:20 SIEM REAP -HANOI K6 850 Daily 06:50 08:30 VN 868 1.2.3.5.6 12:40 15:35 VN 842 Daily 18:05 19:45 VN 844 Daily 19:45 21:25 VN 800 Daily 21:00 22:40 SIEM REAP - HO CHI MINH CITY VN 3818 Daily 11:10 12:30 VN 826 Daily 13:30 14:40 VN 3820 Daily 17:45 18:45 VN 828 Daily 18:20 19:20 VN 3822 Daily 21:35 22:35 SIEM REAP - INCHEON KE 688 Daily 23:15 06:10 OZ 738 Daily 23:40 07:10 SIEM REAP - KUALA LUMPUR AK 281 Daily 08:35 11:35 MH 765 3.5.7 14:15 17:25 SIEM REAP - MANILA 5J 258 2.4.7 22:30 02:11 SIEM REAP - SINGAPORE MI 633 1, 6, 7 16:35 22:15 MI 622 2.4 10:40 15:20 MI 630 5 12:25 15:40 MI 615 7 12:45 16:05 MI 636 3, 2 18:30 21:35 MI 617 5 18:35 21:55 3K 599 2.4.7 15:50 20:25 SIEM REAP - VIENTIANE QV 522 2.4.5.7 10:05 13:00 SIEM REAP - YANGON 8M 402 1. 5 20:15 21:25

BANGKOK - SIEM REAP Flighs Days Dep K6 701 Daily 02:55 PG 903 Daily 08:00 PG 905 Daily 11:35 PG 913 Daily 13:35 PG 907 Daily 17:00 PG 909 Daily 18:45 GUANGZHOU - SIEM REAP CZ 3053 2.4.6 08:45 CZ 3053 1.3.5.7 16:35 HANOI - SIEM REAP K6 851 Daily 19:30 VN 843 Daily 15:25 VN 845 Daily 17:05 VN 845 Daily 17:45 VN 801 Daily 18:20 HO CHI MINH CITY - SIEM REAP VN 3809 Daily 09:15 VN 827 Daily 11:35 VN 3821 Daily 15:55 VN 829 Daily 16:20 VN 3823 Daily 19:45 INCHEON - SIEM REAP KE 687 Daily 18:30 OZ 737 Daily 19:20 KUALA LUMPUR - SIEM REAP AK 280 Daily 06:50 MH 764 3.5.7 12:10 MANILA - SIEM REAP 5J 257 2.4.7 19:45 SINGAPORE - SIEM REAP MI 633 1, 6, 7 14:35 MI 622 2.4 08:40 MI 616 7 10:40 MI 636 3, 2 13:55 MI 630 5 07:55 MI 618 5 16:35 3K599 2.4.7 13:50 VIENTIANE - SIEM REAP QV 512 2.4.5.7 06:30 YANGON - SIEM REAP 8M 401 1. 5 17:05

19:10

Arrival 04:05 09:00 12:45 14:35 18:10 19:55 10:30 18:30 21:15 17:10 18:50 19:30 20:00

10:35 12:35 16:55 17:40 20:45 22:15 22:40 07:50 13:15 21:30 15:45 09:50 11:50 17:40 11:35 17:45 15:05 09:25 19:15

DOMESTIC ROUTES PP-SIEM REAP SIEM REAP-PP 6:15, 7:00- 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 5:30, 6:30, 7:00, 9:30, 10:30,12:30, 13:30 PP -SIHANOUK SIHANOUK-PP 7:00 To 12:00, 13:00, 14:30, 16:30 7:10, 8:00, 10:30,12:15, 14:00,15:30,17:30 PP-BATTAMBANG BATTAMBANG-PP 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 5:30, 6:45, 7:45, 8:30, 9:30,10:30 PP-MONDULKIRI MONDULKIRI-PP 8:30 8:30 Further information, please contact: Tel: 023 210 359, Email:168@ppsoryatransport.com

REGULAR SHIPPING LINES SCHEDULES CALLING PORT ROTATION LINE

CALLING SCHEDULES

FREEQUENCY ROTATION PORTS

1 Wed, 08:00 - Thu 16:00

1 Call/week

2 Thu, 14:00 - Fri 22:00

1 Call/week

3 Fri, 20:00 - Sat 23:59

1 Call/week

1 Th, 08:00 - 20:00

1 Call/week

2 Fri, 22:00- Sun 00:01

1 Call/week

SITC (BEN LINE (4 calls/onth)

Sun 09:00-23:00

1 Call/week

HCM-SHV-LZP-HCMNBO-SGH-OSA-KOBBUS-SGH-HGK-CHM

ITL (ACL) (4 calls/month) APL (4 calls/month) COTS (2 calls/month)

Sat 06:00 - Sun 08:00

1 Call/week

SGZ-SHV-SIN-SGZ

1 call/week

SIN-SHV-SIN

RCL (12calls/moth) MEARSK (MCC) (4 calls/moth)

Fri, 08:00 - Sun, 06:00 Irregula

SIN-SHV-SGZ-SIN HKG-SHV-SGZ-HKG (HPH-TXGKEL) SIN-SHV-SGZ-SIN SGN-SHV-LZP-SGN - HKG-OSA-TYO-KOB - BUS-SGH-YAT-SGN - SIN-SHV-TPP-SIN

2 calls/month BBK-SHV-BKK-(LZP)

34 call/month BUS= Busan, Korea HKG= HongKong kao=Kaoshiung, Taiwan ROC Kob= Kebe, Japan KUN= Kuantan, Malaysia LZP= Leam Chabang, Thailand NBO= Ningbo, China OSA= Osaka, Japan SGN= Saigon, Vietnam

SGZ= Songkhla, Thailand SHV= Sihanoukville Port Cambodia SIN= Singapore TPP= TanjungPelapas, Malaysia TYO= Tokyo, Japan TXG= Taichung, Taiwan YAT= Yantian, China YOK= Yokohama, Japan

FLY DIRECT TO MYANMAR WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY YANGON - PHNOM PENH PHNOM PENH - YANGON FLY DIRECT TO SIEM REAP MONDAY & FRIDAY SIEM REAP - YANGON YANGON - SIEM REAP #90+92+94Eo, St. 217, Sk. Orussey4, Kh. 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Tel 023 881 178 | Fax 023 886 677 | www.maiair.com

20

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Entertainment NOW SHOWING

Swap Shop @ ARTillery

legend cinema

Got a cupboard full of clothes but nothing to wear? Revive your wardrobe without getting out of pocket. ARTillery’s clothes swap evening allows punters to exchange up to 10 pre-loved items, including clothes, shoes, and accessories.

WHITE HOUSE DOWN While on a tour of the White House with his young daughter, a policeman springs into action to save his child and protect the president from a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders.

Jamie Foxx plays the president, alongside bodyguard Channing Tatum and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

2:15pm, 7:05pm, 9:25pm

The only prerequisite is that all items should be in good condition. Drinks are on hand for shattered shoppers too.

ARTillery, #13 Street 240 1/2 7pm

MAN OF STEEL A young journalist is forced to confront his secret extraterrestrial heritage when Earth is invaded by members of his race. Posing as a journalist, he uses his extraordinary powers to protect his new home from an insidious evil. British actor Henry Cavil plays the caped superhero.

3:50pm, 6:30pm, 9:15pm WORLD WAR Z United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments – and threatening to decimate humanity itself.

Brad Pitt produced this film and stars as the protagonist.

9:30am, 2:45pm, 4:50pm, 7:10pm, 9:40pm MONSTERS UNIVERSITY Mike Wazowski and James P Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn't always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other.

But Mike and Sulley overcome their differences to become the best of friends. With Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Helen Mirren voicing the lead characters.

9:30am, 1:40pm, 5pm AFTER EARTH A crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and his father Cypher stranded on Earth, 1,000 years after events forced humanity's escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help. With Jaden Smith as Kitai and his father, Will Smith, as Cypher.

11:40am

Grappling @ K1 Gym Submission grappling is a combination of Brazilian jiu jitsu, catch and freestyle wrestling. This class, suitable for all abilities, teaches the basics of ground fighting – control, escapes, chokes, arm locks and leg locks.

K1 Gym, #131, Street 199 6:45pm

Yoga Phnom Penh

Refresh your wardrobe – or someone else's – at tonight's clothes swap at ARTillery. REUTERS

TV PICKS

10:05am – CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC: A college graduate lands a job as a financial journalist in New York City, where she nurtures her shopping addiction and falls for a wealthy entrepreneur. FOX MOVIES 11:50am – KUNG FU HUSTLE: It is Shanghai in the 1940s, and a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang", while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.

FOX MOVIES 6:15pm – THE VOW: A car accident puts Paige in a coma, and when she wakes up with severe memory loss her husband Leo works to win her heart again. FOX MOVIES

(From left) Landry Bender, Jonah Hill, Max Records and Kevin Hernandez star in The Sitter. BLOOMBERG

9:50pm – THE SITTER: A college student on suspension is coaxed into babysitting the kids next door, though he is fully unprepared for the wild night ahead of him.

FOX MOVIES

Slow Flow Yoga, a class for all abilities to stretch out, relax and refresh. No time for class and lunch? Not a problem at Yoga Phnom Penh's midday yoga session.

They offer to take orders for healthy meals before the lesson to be delivered.

#172 z2 Norodom Boulevard, 12:15pm

Swing dance @ Equinox Social dancing at the Wat Langka favourite. Practice in a relaxing setting or just grab an Anchor and watch. The regulars are on hand to give beginners some tips.

Equinox, 3A Street 278 9pm

Thinking caps “WHERE’S THE BEEF?” ACROSS 1 6 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 26 27 29 31 32 34 37 39 40 42 43 46 47 48 50 53 54 57 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69

Wise leader?

Tide at the moon’s first quarter Expanded Platter player Soul legend Thomas Prefix meaning “on the left” “___ and Taboo” (Freud) Piece of cake Super, slangily Have a light repast Pellet launchers Bermuda border Words of warning Subjects of tracking polls Tribesman of Kenya or Tanzania Flair Grommet One with plaudits for averting audits Petty quarrel Water in Cannes It doesn’t need a stamp Besides that Bible book that follows Job Witty Bombeck Like some trigger fingers Beat in a heat Slower than andante Bullfighters’ procession Prop for Popeye Defunct airline Prefix with “Chinese” or “European” Development map Of birth “... ___ the twain shall meet” Foreign currency Conjure up Trait determinant Senior member Comanche tent

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 22 23 25 27 28 29 30 33 34 35 36 38 41 44 45 47 49 50 51 52 53 55 56 58 59 63

Makes a choice “O Brother, Where Art ___?”

Issue to avoid Opposite of WSW “___ Room” (longtime kids’ show) Hebrew month Fliers over the water Asian au pair Native American infant Muscles involved in sitting “___ Without a Cause” Civil rights martyr Medgar In sorrier shape Facility Practice public speaking Word on a penny V-neck garment Butter replacement ___-mouthed (evasive) Astringent or styptic “She Loves You” word Redhead, slangily Fine cotton variety Astronaut Shepard Eye-related Allocate (with “out”) Beat other reporters You can get this in bars Pay no heed to Electronic bulletin board system Allowing no returns, in tennis Gift recipient Big name in cosmetics Mountain climber’s aid A color in the U.S. flag Beginning for “normal” Open one’s eyes On the protected side Old greeting for Caesar

Friday’s solution

Friday’s solution

21

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Sport

Thomas shrugs off the pain to help Sky’s bid in Le Tour T

here can’t be many tougher riders out there than Geraint Thomas, who showed signs that he is putting behind him the pelvis fracture suffered just 72 hours earlier with a combative ride in Tuesday’s team time-trial.

Thomas, the two-time Olympic team pursuit gold medallist, suffered the injury in the mass fall that marred the end of stage one, but he grimaced through the pain to complete stage two into Ajaccio before the fracture was even confirmed, and the Welshman was visibly struggling on Monday, when the Tour completed it’s passage through Corsica.

The short 25-kilometre team timetrial around Nice for stage four was much more bearable, even if Thomas admitted that the pain caused by his pelvis made him feel like he had stabbed himself as he helped Team Sky finish in third place, three seconds behind winners Orica-Greenedge.

“It was like the Olympic final for me,” said Thomas, one of the stars of Britain’s triumphant showing at the London 2012 Games.

“The start was always going to be the hardest bit for me because it was that real high-power acceleration. Up until today I’ve not been able to go out of the saddle and put any power in with my left leg, but I had an extra-long warm-up and a couple of coffees.”

Nobody in the peloton enjoyed the 145-kilometre ride on Monday that took the peloton up the winding and dipping roads of Corsica’s west coast, but for Cardiff’s Thomas the struggle was even greater.

“On a road stage the pain is there the whole time. You have time to think about it, whereas in a time-trial you just go and do it.

“It’s like – not that I do it – if you stab yourself. The pain’s just instant and

The three cities bidding for the right to host the 2020 Summer Olympics had the first of their two presentations to the electorate who will decide their fate, the International Olympic Committee, in Lausanne yesterday. While none of the three – Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo – can win or suffer a fatal blow at the technical presentation, it does give them an ideal opportunity to soothe the IOC members doubts or fears emanating from either last week’s Evaluation Commission Report or recent events within their respective countries. The decisive vote comes on September 7 in Buenos Aires. AFP

Reds’ Bailey tosses his second career no-hitter

Cincinnati pitcher Homer Bailey threw the second no-hitter of his career on Tuesday as the Reds blanked the San Francisco Giants 3-0 at Great American Ball Park.

The 27-year-old Bailey’s other no-hitter was the last of the 2012 Major League Baseball season and the right-handed pitcher followed that up Tuesday with the first of this season. “Every dog has his day twice,” Bailey said. AFP

Flyers woo Lightning top scorer Lecavalier Team Sky riders race on the Promenade des Anglais during the 25km team time-trial fourth stage of the Tour de France in Nice.

it’s done rather than somebody giving you a Chinese burn for three hours.

“It would have been nice to have been 100 per cent fit for here because it’s the type of course that I really like, but that is sport and that’s life.”

Sky principal Dave Brailsford and team leader Chris Froome heaped praise on Thomas for his display of bravery, which was key in helping Froome open up a gap on his main rivals in the general classification.

“I think the big story we can talk

about today is Geraint Thomas getting through in the way that he did,” Froome said.

“He has been in a great deal of pain these last few days so to see him do that lifted all of our spirits, knowing that he can go forward from here in the Tour.”

“All credit to Geraint,” added Brailsford. “I think he still has to take things day by day, but if you can do what he did today then you’re not in bad nick to be fair.”

REUTERS

Meanwhile, despite declaring himself satisfied with the performance, Brailsford insisted there is no time for celebration in the Sky ranks, with the focus firmly on Wednesday’s stage, a long 228-kilometre ride from Cagnessur-Mer to Marseille.

“No celebrating for us. It’s business as usual. You’ve just got to keep focusing on the process, and you can’t let up. You’ve got to keep thinking about recovery and be in the best possible shape,” he said. AFP

Trickett calls it quits in pool Pirelli shares some of Australian triple Olympian Libby Trickett retired from swimming yesterday, after struggling to return to form following a wrist injury.

The 28-year-old won her fourth gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics as part of the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.

But she has struggled to recover from a ligament strain suffered eight months ago and said yesterday she would retire from the sport.

2020 candidates out to impress IOC members

“There will always be a tinge of sadness to leave the sport that I love, but I have wonderful memories and experiences to draw upon in the future,” she said.

“I feel at peace with my decision and most importantly I feel that I am finally ready to take on the next adventure in my life.”

Trickett won her first major international medal in 2003 at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona where

Libby Trickett, one of Australia’s most decorated swimmers, has retired due to a wrist injury, Swimming Australia said yesterday. REUTERS

she won bronze in the 50m freestyle.

She took gold the following year at the 2004 Athens Games as part of the 4x100m freestyle relay and went on to win 13 gold medals over the 2005 and 2007 World Championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

In the 2008 at the Olympics in Beijing she won gold in the 100m butterfly and in the 4x100m medley relay.

Swimming Australia chief executive Mark Anderson praised her dedication to the sport.

“Libby’s performances and success across three Olympics and the Commonwealth Games demonstrate her quality as both an athlete and competitor,” Anderson said.

“In addition to her many achievements in the pool, Libby will be remembered by all Australians as a great ambassador for our sport and our country.”

Trickett, who retired once before, in late 2009, but came back the following year to qualify for her third Olympic Games, will pursue a career in the media. AFP

blame with F1 teams Formula One teams contributed to the dramatic blowouts at Sunday’s British Grand Prix by mounting rear tyres the wrong way around and running them with low pressures, supplier Pirelli said on Tuesday.

Rejecting any suggestion that its product was dangerous, the Italian company said in a statement it would bring stronger rear tyres to this weekend’s race in Germany to allay any safety fears and introduce a new range in Hungary at the end of the month.

Pirelli said some teams had deliberately put tyres intended for the right rear of the car on the left, had run them at lower pressures than recommended by the manufacturer and used extreme cambers for performance advantage.

However, it shouldered some of the blame for these practices. “Mounting the tyres the wrong way round is a practice that was nonetheless underestimated by everybody, above all Pirelli, which did not forbid this,” said the statement.

Pirelli found the kerbs at

fast corners, and specifically turn four of the Silverstone circuit, were also “particularly aggressive”. Four drivers suffered high-speed rear tyre blowouts at Silverstone – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), JeanEric Vergne (Toro Rosso) and Sergio Perez (McLaren).

The debris from the exploding tyres was flung up into the path of cars behind, with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso having one near-miss. Fears about the drivers’ safety plunged the sport into crisis with talk of a possible driver boycott.

Pirelli said the rears to be used at the Nurburgring on Sunday would feature inner belts made of Kevlar, a reinforced fibre that was a feature of last year’s tyres, beneath the tread instead of the steel used so far this season.

Its 2013 tyres have an “asymmetric” structure, which means they are not designed to be interchangeable, but some teams struggling with high degradation have improved performance by swapping them around. REUTERS

Vincent Lecavalier, who has played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has agreed to a multi-million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The 33-year-old Canadian was made available to other National Hockey League teams after Tampa Bay made him a free agent by deciding to use a compliance buyout on his contract. The Flyers beat the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens for the services of Lecavalier, who played for Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Canadian television station TSN reported the four-time all-star’s contract to be worth $22.5 million over five years.

AFP

India’s Kapur qualifies for 2013 British Open

India’s Shiv Kapur battled miserable cold and wet conditions in Dunbar on Tuesday to qualify for the British Open later this month at Muirfield. Kapur, 31 is into only his second Open Championship appearance after finishing the joint second leading qualifier at the Dunbar course to the east of Edinburgh. It was one of four courses hosting qualifying and with the New Delhi-born Kapur among 288 players seeking to grab the three spots on offer at each course. AFP

Ando becomes mother but vows to keep skating

Japan’s two-time world figure skating champion Miki Ando has revealed she secretly had a baby during a break from competition, but vowed to come back and seek a spot in next year’s Sochi Olympics. Pictures showing the 25-year-old and her baby girl were splashed over the front pages of sports dailies Tuesday, the morning after her revelation on a latenight television show. AFP

22

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Sport

England Ashes warm-up descends into near-farce

England’s pre-Ashes warm-up game against Essex was stripped of its first-class status on Tuesday after the county’s injury-hit attack had to be bolstered by England’s 12th man, Boyd Rankin. After dismissing Essex for 278 in their first innings early on the third day of the four-day match, England’s second innings descended into nearfarce. Essex opening bowlers David Masters and Tymal Mills were injured and could not bowl. Eight bowlers were used in the innings including Rankin and Reece Topley, an Essex player not included in the county’s original team.

England captain Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott had found scoring so easy that they retired as they approached their centuries to give team-mates batting practice. Aaron Beard, a 15-year-old member of Essex’s academy, benefited from the injuries by being called up to field.

England ended a rain-affected day on 217 for three, a lead of 352. The change in the match’s status following the inclusion of Rankin and Topley means bowler Tim Bresnan’s unbeaten firstinnings century will not be part of his first-class record. REUTERS

New Zealand speed bowler Martin announces retirement

New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin, the third highest wicket taker for the country in tests, has retired from all forms of cricket at the age of 38. The right-arm seamer, who made his debut for the Black Caps in 2000 against South Africa, picked up 233 wickets from 71 tests to sit behind Richard Hadlee (431) and Daniel Vettori (360) on the list of New Zealand’s most successful test bowlers. “It feels like the right time to step down,” Martin said in a New Zealand Cricket statement yesterday. REUTERS

Tharanga on high as Sri Lanka hammer India in Tri-Series

Upul Tharanga plundered the highest individual score in a one-day cricket international in the Caribbean as Sri Lanka steamrollered India by 161 runs in the third match of the Tri-Series at Kingston’s Sabina Park on Tuesday.

Replying to Sri Lanka’s mammoth 348 for one in their 50 overs, in which Tharanga made an unbeaten 174 and Mahela Jayawardene 107, World Cup and Champions Trophy holders India were dismissed for just 187 in the 45th over. “It was a bad day at the office,” admitted India’s stand-in captain Virat Kohli. India, bottom of the standings after losing their opening two matches, now need to lift themselves immediately for the second half of the tournament in Trinidad. Thay face a rematch against a buoyant West Indies side at Queen’s Park Oval tomorrow. AFP

Pakistan cricket at lowest point, says interim chief

Pakistan cricket has reached its lowest point, its interim chief said yesterday, calling for a string of defeats, cheating allegations, teams refusing to tour and court cases to be resolved quickly. “Our cricket has reached the lowest ground,” Pakistan Cricket Board interim chairman Najam Sethi told reporters, speaking in English on his return from last week’s International Cricket Council meeting in London.

“We are not winning matches. We are facing allegations of cheating with our players and an umpire being banned and teams refusing to tour, so we need to address all that,” Sethi said.

Pakistan’s national team suffered a humiliating exit from the elite eightnation Champions Trophy in England last month. Four Pakistani players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Danish Kaneria – are currently banned for spot-fixing. REUTERS

MMA Association calls for cease of CTN cage fighting C Yeun Ponlok

TN’S efforts at hosting a mixed martial arts competition have drawn fierce criticism from the sport’s newly formed governing body as well as local fight fans, who think Cambodian boxers have yet to gain a sufficient understanding of cage fighting rules and tactics.

The local broadcasters are currently in the midst of their Kun Khmer Warriors Championship, which started on May 5 and involves purely Cambodian match-ups in a specially constructed cage at CTN Arena.

In a separate and often shambolic first attempt at hosting an international cage fight night on May 28, which was screened live on sister channel MyTV, viewers witnessed the majority of the Cambodian boxers get completely outclassed by experienced foreign MMA fighters.

In one of the bouts between Ty Tonghy and Englishman Jamie Lee, the visitor had to stop himself punching his opponent in the head after the Cambodian had been knocked out cold, with referee Ei Phouthang seemingly unable to make the decision to stop the fight. Knockouts are relatively uncommon in professional MMA contests, with referees usually diving in to force stoppages before a fighter becomes unconscious.

An official request has been made by governing body Cambodian Mixed Martial Arts Association to CTN for a halt to its fights under claims that the events were never sanctioned by them and should not have gone ahead.

According to CMMAA president Vath Chamroeun, who also serves as General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, CTN had been asked to postpone the fights beforehand to allow official sanctioning and regulating from the organisation.

The president asserted that, as the tournament uses the term Kun Khmer Warriors, it should not allow takedowns and ground moves, which are a staple of MMA but prohibited in Cambodian kickboxing.

“Furthermore, the championship does not properly set the rules for fighters yet – how many rounds do the fighters fight and how many

Cambodian fighters grapple during a Kun Khmer Warriors Championship bout at CTN Arena on May 12.

minutes per round?” added Vath Chamroeun.

NOCC executive member and administrative director Hem Thon noted that any sport must be in cooperation with a federation or association which is recognised by the national authority. “One federation can control only one particular sport,” he said.

“For instance, amateur English boxers must wear both head and body guards, but the professional boxers do not have to wear them . . . professional and amateur boxing stay in different federations.

“For this reason, [Kun Khmer Warriors Championship] must be halted and needs to be amended.”

Hem Thon also commented on the appearance of the fighters, which he said did not follow the traditional

look of Cambodian martial arts, as well as their apparent poor standard in MMA. “MMA requires lots of hard training and it originates from foreign culture, so if they want to follow the sport, they must initially strengthen their training otherwise we will encounter the same embarrassing situation that we had at the inaugural International Cage Fight Night, in which most Cambodian fighters got knocked out.”

Tem Moeun, president of the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Federation, denied responsibility for the faults in the tournament.

“I’m not the one who is responsible to organise this game – CTN are the only organisers. Instead, I am responsible to observe the fairness of referees and judges, and to check

SRENG MENG SRUN

which clubs or associations the boxers are from.”

However, the boxing chief agreed that all events should cooperate with their appropriate federations.

“All sport events must be under the control of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport as well as National Olympic Committee of Cambodia,” said Tem Moeun, who added that CTN had been given the green light to host the championship by the Ministry.

Infighting among authorities and promoters may hinder the progress needed to attract further international fight cards to the Kingdom, such as from Asia’s biggest organisation ONE FC, who have already stated an interest in bringing an event to Cambodia next year. TRANSLATED BY CHENG SERYRITH, ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY DAN RILEY

Saturday stacked with CBL showdowns H S Manjunath

A long card of four games stretching from 10 in the morning to sundown will feature Saturday’s action at the Beeline Arena in the Cambodian Basketball League sponsored by Western Union and Coca-Cola.

The best of the match-ups will come last when the Phnom Penh Dragons and Ganzberg would be desperate to break their twogame ducks, having taken home some positives from those defeats.

For the Dragons, the team chemistry is beginning to improve and the narrow loss to IRB The Lord (52-48) brought out a few chinks that

coach Michael Dibbern has taken pains to turn around.

But he has no doubt in his mind that the pressure points have been well defined for both sides and the game may well turn out to be one of high intensity.

“Both teams are anxious to chip in their first win. Three Ganzberg players – Jeff Cruz, Emman Quiriz and Jerry Roxas – played for the Dragons and we know what to expect from them,” Dibbern told the Post.

“The key to our success will be preventing their fast break passes and not give them easy three-point shooting chances.”

Ganzberg’s shocking 20-point loss to CCPL Heat

left some scars on the team, coming as it did after a close call against mighty Alaxan FR Patriots in the season opener.

Two bottom-half teams in the rankings, Cellcard Eagles and Galaxy, will be the first to take the court in the morning. Interestingly, both will have the kind of reinforcements they are desperately looking for.

While the Eagles will have their player-coach Geoff Harry back in the team, the all-Chinese Galaxy will be much relieved to see their star scorer Kelvin Chan back in business after missing the game that his side lost against Sela Meas.

In the first all-Cambodian

encounter of the day, IRB The Lord, one of the wellfancied contenders for the title will be up against Sela Meas, who were out-pointed in their last outing by the Eagles.

With two wins behind them, IRB are decidedly in better physical and mental shape than their rivals. But Sela Meas had the full measure of IRB when the two sides met in last year’s Challenge round.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since but that performance at the back of Sela Meas players’ minds may help them deal with their rivals on a better footing.

Another predominantly Cambodian clash has CCPL

Heat, who head the 12-team rankings, take on bottommost Pate 310. Barring two foreigners, Heat have a strong local presence and the team has presented a bold front in both impressive wins.

How well Pate withstand the Heat will largely depend on how well Sok Tour can get the much needed help when it comes to the crunch.

Saturday’s Games Cellcard Eagles v Galaxy 10am IRB The Lord v Sela Meas 2pm CCPL Heat v Pate 310 – 4pm Phnom Penh Dragons v Ganzberg – 6pm

23

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Football

PSG ready to bid £50m for Napoli’s Cavani

Paris Saint-Germain are to challenge Real Madrid by bidding £50 million ($76.2 million) for the Napoli striker Edinson Cavani. The French champions lost their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, to Madrid last month and endured a frustrating pursuit of a successor before turning to Laurent Blanc, effectively their fifth or sixth choice for the role.

The episode served to undermine PSG’s desire to be considered as one of Europe’s powerhouses. The club, flushed with the funds supplied by their Qatari owners, are intent on restating their credentials by making waves in the transfer market. Cavani, the Uruguay striker who scored 29 goals last season, has generated interest from Spain and the Premier League but Napoli have insisted they will brush off any bid that does not activate the €63 million ($81 million) release clause in the 26-year-old’s contract. THE GUARDIAN

Players face blood tests as UEFA tightens up

Out on the splash Ministry of National Defence’s Ung Vita (left) tries to kick past Boeung Ket Rubber Field’s Chukwuma Ohuruogu during their Metfone C-League match yesterday at Olympic Stadium.

The rain-soaked encounter saw the league leaders and reigning champions Boeung Ket fall to a late flourish from their Army opponents, who came back from a goal down to win 3-2.

After Befolo Mbarga had cancelled out Chhin Chhoeun’s opener for MND to lead the sides into the break level, Boeung Ket’s Hong Makara had the Kampong Thom side seemingly on course for their 13th win out of 17 this season with a 57th minute header. However, the Army fought back valiantly with Phoung Soksana and Pouv Phearith netting the equaliser and match winner in quick succession midway through the second half. The win pushed MND above National Police into seventh place. SRENG MENG SRUN

national coach role Clubs demand elections China a poisoned chalice: pundits

T

he struggle for power in Thai football showed no signs of abating yesterday with 108 clubs threatening to hold their own election unless top-ranking official Worawi Makudi brings forward the rescheduled vote.

Worawi’s term as Thai Football Association (FAT) chief ended on June 16 but the FIFA executive committee member cancelled elections scheduled for that day after he failed to push through controversial FIFA-backed reforms.

Worawi said elections would instead be held on September 23 after further discussions on the reforms on August 8, but the clubs said they had a big enough majority to call a extraordinary congress and have the election brought forward to July 23.

“The figure we got is more than half of the FA’s 179 members. It shows that the majority do not approve of the management under the current regime,” Annop Singtothong, vice president of Thai Premier League club Chon Buri FC, told The Nation yesterday.

“According to the FA’s current rules, the association must conduct the poll within 21 days, or by July 23, of receiving a letter from us.

“Failing to do so would reflect its ill intentions, which would force us to file a suit against it with the administrative court.”

Thai Sports Law states that elections must be held within 30 days of the end of the incumbent’s mandate and law-

Thai clubs have demanded that former Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi brings forward its elections. REUTERS

yer Peemdej Amornsukhon said the 108 members who signed the petition that was handed to FAT offices on Tuesday would invoke that rule.

“If the FAT fails to organise the election by July 23, then we will formally inform the Sports Authority of Thailand that we will hold the election by ourselves,” Peemdej told the Bangkok Post.

“We expect that the election would take place around August 3-5.”

FIFA had already threatened the Thais with a ban prior to the latest twist in a shambolic period that comes as Thailand prepares to host high profile friendlies against Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

The controversial Worawi, who has successfully defended himself against accusations of wrongdoing and corruption in the past, had hoped to push through reforms that included

dropping the number of eligible voters by more than half.

But lowly club Pattaya FC managed to gain a court injunction blocking discussion of the reforms, leading to Worawi cancelling the election and FIFA pressuring the fourth tier side to stay out of the governance or risk the country being suspended.

Worawi argued the reforms were simply following FIFA protocol but his rivals queried why he was only now making an effort to push them through so close to the election against football fan Pinit Ngarmpring and former national team manager Virach Charnpanich.

Pattaya eventually dropped the order after Worawi’s term ended but the 61-year-old, who lost out to Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa in the Asian Football Confederation presidential elections in May, remains adamant he is still in control. REUTERS

China is set to spend millions to replace sacked national football coach José Antonio Camacho, but pundits say the team will remain underachievers while business titans run the top clubs and parents refuse to let the sport distract their only children from studying.

The former Spain and Real Madrid coach was dismissed last week following a 5-1 defeat at home to a secondstring Thailand side, a humiliating result that sparked unruly scenes from spectators and ridicule online from long-suffering Chinese fans.

Camacho was reported to have signed an $8 milliona-year contract, putting him among the world’s top 10 best-paid managers, when he arrived in 2011.

It was hoped he would transform the fortunes of the Chinese game, which has failed to improve even as the country emerges as a superpower in many other sports.

Near neighbours Japan and South Korea have far smaller populations than China but have excelled at football in recent years, with the South Koreans reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, when China lost all three of their group matches in their only appearance at the finals.

Camacho won only seven of his 20 games, losing 11, leaving an 11th consecutive appearance for China at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia in the balance.

Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi is the favourite to succeed the Spaniard in the long term, but his current employers – Chinese Super League (CSL) side Guangzhou Evergrande – are expected to demand millions in compensation to release him from the reported $37 million twoand-a-half year contract he signed last year.

Other contenders for the job include two Serbians, former national coach Radomir Antic, who has also led both Real Madrid and Barcelona and is the current boss of CSL side Shandong Luneng, and Dragan Okuka, who coaches Jiangsu Sainty.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) is currently locked in compensation talks with Camacho’s lawyers which could result in them paying him more than $9 million, reports say.

But despite the huge outlay needed to entice Lippi as national coach, the government-funded CFA is expected to get their man.

“The man that the CFA really wants is Marcello Lippi,” said Rowan Simons, an author and prominent commentator on Chinese football.

But he told AFP: “The idea that a good coach can make bad players into a good team at the world level is fanciful at best, although it is the principle that the CFA has followed faithfully for over 50 years.” AFP

Players will undergo blood tests next season as part of UEFA’s new anti-doping detection regime in all competitions run by European football’s governing body. Until now UEFA has only conducted blood tests at international tournaments - Euro 2008 and 2012. From this month the detection regime is to be extended to the Champions League and Europa League.

Checks will be made in and out of competition and players may be asked at doping controls to give urine samples, blood samples or both. REUTERS

Steve McClaren joins QPR coaching staff

Steve McClaren is back in English football after agreeing a short-term deal, understood to stretch initially to three months, to join Harry Redknapp’s coaching staff at Queens Park Rangers in the Championship. The former England manager has been out of work since his second spell in charge of the Dutch club, FC Twente, was curtailed in February and will take up coaching duties at Loftus Road as the club seek a swift return to the top flight. THE GUARDIAN

Friendly chat leads Real to Bournemouth friendly

A chance meeting and a chat between friends has led to starstudded Real Madrid agreeing to play a friendly at English Championship side Bournemouth later this month.

Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell told Sky Sports on Tuesday that the match, on July 21, was “down to fate”. “My son was talking to a friend who knows people at Real Madrid and got chatting about a possible exhibition match,” said Mitchell. “We’ve worked hard over the last three or four weeks to finalise things.” It will be one of the first games for new Real coach Carlo Ancelotti and his assistant Zinedine Zidane.

Mitchell said Real would bring Cristiano Ronaldo “for sure” to the match which is part of Bournemouth’s celebration for winning promotion to the English second tier. REUTERS

24

THE PHNOM PENH POST juLY 4, 2013

Sport Flipkens, Lisicki strike blows K

irsten Flipkens and Sabine Lisicki, whose careers were almost wrecked by illness and injury, booked emotional places in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Tuesday.

Flipkens will be playing in her first Grand Slam semi-final at the age of 27 after knocking out 2011 champion Petra Kvitova, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, The Belgian 20th seed today faces 2007 runner-up Marion Bartoli, the 15th seed, who defied a chorus of boos before seeing off American 17th seed Sloane Stephens, 6-4, 7-5.

Lisicki made her second Wimbledon semi-final by cruising past Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, 6-3, 6-3.

The German 23rd seed today tackles Polish fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who battled past Chinese sixth seed Li Na, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-2.

This time last year, Flipkens, the 2003 junior champion, was ranked a lowly 262 in the world after blood clots in her left ankle forced her to take several months off.

“It’s amazing, it’s more than a dream come true to be in the semifinal of a Grand Slam. It’s ridiculous,” Flipkens said.

“Last year I didn’t even get into the qualifying of Wimbledon. I still cannot believe it. I was so calm on the court, I had nothing to lose and I just went for my shots.”

Lisicki followed-up her shock defeat of five-time champion Serena Williams to book her place in her second Wimbledon semi-final.

The German also made the lastfour as a wildcard in 2011, three months after her world ranking had

Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens returns against Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova during their Wimbledon quarter-final match.

slumped to 218 as she fought her way back from a serious ankle injury which left her “needing to learn to walk again”.

“It was an amazing match yesterday, but I had to make sure that I had calmed down and was ready for today, said Lisicki, who completed victory in her fourth Wimbledon quarter-final just before rain began to fall.

“I have had experience of other years to help me. I also played the

semi-finals in 2011 so that helped me be ready for today.”

Lisicki, who was defeated by Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals two years ago, insisted that she felt no pressure coming into Tuesday’s match having downed Williams in the fourth round.

“There’s no pressure. I just keep playing the game that I love,” she added.

It’s also a surface she loves – the German’s record at Wimbledon

AFP

stands at 18 wins and just four losses while she is only 16-15 at the three other Slams.

Kanepi has now played and lost six quarter-finals at the majors.

Radwanska, the highest seed left following the exit of defending champion Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Sharapova, beat Li in a gripping two-hour, 43 minute contest which was completed under the Centre Court roof.

Radwanska, the runner-up in

2012, took victory on an eighth match point.

The 24-year-old Pole, who had gone into the quarter-final with a 4-6 losing record against Li, also overcame an injury scare when she needed her right thigh tightly strapped at the start of the deciding set.

“Li played unbelievable tennis. I was just happy to get through after struggling in the final set,” said Radwanska who had also needed three sets to beat Tsvetana Pironkova in the fourth round.

“I have played so much tennis in the last few days, that’s why I have the problem.”

Li fired 58 winners in Tuesday’s quarter-final but was undone by 40 unforced errors.

Bartoli, the 2007 runner-up to Venus Williams, fell foul of the fans on Court One when she demanded that play be stopped when she was leading 5-4, 40-40 with Stephens serving as light rain began to fall.

When they resumed after two and a half hours, Stephens quickly dropped the first set and slipped 2-0 down in the second, losing the first nine points as the crowd, convinced that the Frenchwoman’s complaints over the state of the court had been unjustified, jeered following their lengthy wait.

“I don’t get why the crowd was against me,” said the 28-year-old Bartoli. “The courts are slippy even when they are dry, but when they are wet they can be dangerous.

“I wanted to make sure I didn’t get hurt. I didn’t want to come off for any other reason.” AFP

Wyn Jones to captain Lions, O’Driscoll misses out Paul Rees

British and Irish Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll (right) is tackled during their second rugby Test match against Australia last Saturday. AFP

Brian O’Driscoll has been left “totally gutted” after being sensationally dropped for Saturday’s decisive final Lions test against Australia in Sydney.

In a decision that has been branded a “terrible mistake” by critics, Warren Gatland has left out the 134-cap Ireland centre from his squad that contains seven changes, one positional, from last weekend’s defeat. Alun Wyn Jones will lead the side.

O’Driscoll, who is on his fourth and last Lions tour, was the leading candidate to replace the injured captain Sam Warburton, not least because he was in charge of the team in 2005 and has worn the armband twice on this tour.

But with the bid for the series being overwhelmingly Welsh, Jones – who led Wales in Italy in 2009 under Gatland but has been overlooked since for the permanent position – is charged with invoking the spirit that took the men in red to the Six Nations title against England in Cardiff last March.

O’Driscoll reacted to the news on Twitter, writing: “Obviously totally gutted at being left

out for deciding Test but all efforts go into preparing the boys to see it through.”

The news was met with widespread criticism. “I’ve been uncomfortable throughout this tour whenever Warren Gatland has spoken about the captaincy,” the former Ireland captain Keith Wood told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He tries to depower it, he consistently says it isn’t about leadership and that isn’t the most important thing. Having been on two Lions tours myself under [former England skipper] Martin Johnson, I would have said the leadership of the captain was the most important thing.

“Brian O’Driscoll has been quiet in the two Tests but at every stage, he has been the clarion call once Paul O’Connell got injured. I just think Gatland has made a terrible mistake.”

Jonathan Davies is moved to outside-centre to accommodate Jamie Roberts, who missed the first two Tests because of a hamstring injury.

Mike Phillips returns at scrumhalf after missing Melbourne because of a knee complaint, while the front and back rows are beefed up.

Alex Corbisiero returns at prop, Richard Hibbard starts his first Test at hooker, while in the back row Sean O’Brien takes over from Warburton on the open-side with Toby Faletau ousting Jamie Heaslip at No 8. Geoff Parling held on in the second row, although Richie Gray has been promoted to the bench.

The emphasis will be on power with Roberts, Phillips, Hibbard, Faletau and O’Brien all giving ball-carrying options to a side that did not make one line break in Melbourne. The emphasis will be on getting over the gainline and moving the ball quickly: Justin Tipuric and Manu Tuilagi are on the bench to offer thrust in the final quarter, a period when Australia have been the stronger in the series.

“It all comes down to Saturday,” said Gatland. “Winner takes all. We know we can leave nothing in the tank and that only a complete performance will get us across the line. Picking this team was not easy and ultimately with several players available after recovering from injury the head overruled the heart in many selection decisions.

“It has been a challenging

tour and we have had our fair share of injuries, but we always knew that would be the case.

Brian O’Driscoll is a great player and has had a wonderful career but for the final Test in Sydney we just felt Jamie Roberts’s presence offered us something more.

“Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero were first Test selections and would probably have played in the second Test if not for injury. Richard Hibbard, Toby Faletau and Sean O’Brien have also earned their starting places.”

Davies has been preferred to O’Driscoll, reward for his form here, although the Irishman formed a successful partnership with Roberts in South Africa four years ago. If Melbourne proves to be the end of his 14-year international career, it would be an anticlimactic way for one of the outstanding players of any era to exit.

Gatland has never been one for sentiment. Selection this tour has appeared to be a collaborative process but Saturday’s team, with the exception of Parling, the leader of the line-out in the second Test, has the New Zealander’s stamp. THE GUARDIAN