US embassy cables: Ousted Cambodian drugs tsar was trusted US source

Cable dated:2006-05-23T11:49:00
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PHNOM PENH 000983
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE


SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INL/AAE--PETER PRAHAR AND YANTI KAPOYOS, INL/C--GREG STANTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2016
TAGS: SNAR, PGOV, CB, TW
SUBJECT: CAMBODIA: DRUG SEIZURES AND ARRESTS UP


1. (U) SUMMARY: May 19 and 20 arrests of two Taiwanese nationals attempting to smuggle a total of nearly 7 kg of heroin to Taiwan highlight increased drug arrests and seizures in Cambodia. The quantity of heroin seized during the weekend airport busts is large by Cambodian standards--authorities seized just 11 kg of heroin in 2005. Seizures of amphetamine-type stimulants are more than double last year's levels. Police and international observers credit USG and other foreign training with providing skills, motivation, and international pressure for the increase, but say that narcotics trafficking may also be on the rise. END SUMMARY.


Heroin Seizures at Phnom Penh International Airport


2. (U) Police and customs officials seized nearly 7 kg of heroin and arrested three Taiwanese nationals in two separate incidents at Phnom Penh International Airport on May 19 and 20. These two cases represent an impressive intake for one weekend given that in 2005 Cambodian authorities seized just over 11 kg of heroin.


3. (SBU) Chen Hsin Hung, 57, was arrested on May 19 carrying 4.75 kg of heroin with a local street value of USD 95,000 to 133,000. Customs officials became suspicious when they noticed that Hung was carrying several bags of imported Taiwanese foil-wrapped candies back to Taiwan in his hand luggage. The candies turned out to be foil-wrapped packages of heroin. Hung, who was due to travel to Taiwan via Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian Airlines flight 755, had arrived in Phnom Penh the previous day. During his police interrogation, Hung said that he had been picked up at the airport and returned to the airport by a couple, whom the police identified as a Cambodian woman and a mainland Chinese or Taiwanese man. Police are attempting to locate the couple.


4. (SBU) A second Taiwanese man, who was standing near Chen Hsin Hung during the security process, appeared to be quite interested in the proceedings and upset by Hung's arrest, and had tickets for the same flight as Hung, was also arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. Moek Dara noted that the investigation had revealed no evidence to indicate that the second individual was also involved in drug smuggling, but that it was the prosecutor's decision how to proceed in the case.


5. (SBU) On May 20, a 90-year-old Taiwanese national named Huang Sang Hou was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport with 1.9 kg of heroin, worth USD 38,000 to USD 53,000. Hou reportedly came to Cambodia as a tourist intending to gamble. Over the course of a week, he lost the USD 4,000 he brought with him, borrowed an additional USD 2,000 from a Taiwanese national in Phnom Penh, and then lost that money as well. The Taiwanese lender then persuaded Hou to carry the heroin back to Taiwan. Airport customs officials were tipped off by the sloppy manner in which the heroin was packed on Hou's body, making him appear bloated. Hou cooperated with the police in identifying the Taiwanese lender, and Cambodian government officials have already passed his name, address, and passport information to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Hou had been planning to fly Dragon Airlines flight 207 to Hong Kong, and then to continue on to Taiwan.


Amphetamine Seizures, Prices on the Rise

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6. (SBU) According to statistics from the Ministry of Interior's Anti-Drug Police and the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), seizures of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) tablets more than doubled when comparing the first four months of 2006 with the first four months of 2005. From January to April 2006, more than 220,000 ATS tablets were seized, whereas from January to April 2005, approximately 87,000 ATS tablets were seized. The number of offenders arrested also rose from 154 from January to April 2005 to 204 during January to April 2006.


7. (U) Both Brigadier General Moek Dara, Director of the Anti-Drugs Department, and World Health Organization XXXXXXXXXXXX noted that prices for ATS tablets have risen in the past few years, with particularly dramatic increases in the past 12 months. One year ago, a single ATS tablet sold for approximately one dollar in Phnom Penh, but now costs two to three dollars. Moek Dara noted that prices rise as the ATS tablets make their way along the drug route, from fifty cents per tablet in Laos, where the


PHNOM PENH 00000983 002 OF 003


majority are produced, to USD 3 in Cambodia, and then even higher prices in two destination countries: USD 4 in Vietnam and USD 7.50 in Thailand. XXXXXXXXXXXX cited anecdotal evidence from NGOs that some ATS users are switching to injecting heroin, currently available for USD 1.50 to 2 in Phnom Penh, as a cheaper alternative to rising ATS prices.


Lower Ecstasy Seizures Likely Point to Disrupted Network --------------------------------------------- -----------


8. (U) In contrast to the dramatic rise in ATS seizures, seizures of ecstasy tablets are down sharply, from 1,900 in January to April 2005 to less than 800 in January to April 2006. Moek Dara and XXXXXXXXXXXX believe that lower levels of ecstasy seizures are a sign that supply has been disrupted following a cooperative DEA/Anti-Drug Police controlled delivery operation against the Peter Brown drug ring in 2004 and continued Anti-Drug Police action against the ring in 2005.


USG Training Provides Needed Skills, International Pressure

--------------------------------------------- --------------


9. (SBU) Moek Dara gave much of the credit for the dramatic increase in heroin and ATS seizures and drug arrests to counternarcotics training funded by the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and conducted by the DEA. Before the training sessions, which were conducted in January and April 2006, police officers along Cambodia's porous northern border were not very active and would not even conduct foot patrols in the forest, according to Moek Dara. Now, however, the officers have more skills and are more motivated to patrol actively, he said, and have seized drugs and a lot of drug production equipment as well. Customs, immigration, and police officials at the airports are also better trained and more active, and Moek Dara noted that all of the officials involved in the weekend's airport arrests had completed DEA training.


10. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXX gave partial credit for increased anti-drug activity to counternarcotics training by the US and other foreign donors. Some high-ranking Cambodian police and military officials are rumored to be complicit in narcotics trafficking, he noted. He speculated that the training and pressure on the Cambodian government to clamp down on drug activity has finally made an impression on higher ranking officials, and lower-level officers are "being allowed" to make more seizures. At the same time, such a dramatic increase is probably also an indication of efforts to traffic increased amounts of ATS through Cambodia, he opined.


Trainees Enthusiastic about INL/DEA Courses

-------------------------------------------


11. (U) Provincial Anti-Drug Police officers who attended the January Basic Counternarcotics course reported uniformly enthusiastic assessments to an embassy follow-up survey. Participating police captains reported an increased awareness of drug smuggling tactics, best practices in seizing and preparing evidence, and how to identify drugs using field test kits. Captain Preap Sovann of the Svay Rieng Anti-Drug Police noted that the training also promoted inter-agency and inter-province cooperation as well. All captains reported training their staffs in the key topics covered by the DEA training, and captains in Koh Kong and Pursat provinces reported conducting anti-drug outreach to primary and secondary school students as well. Trainees suggested that future courses provide written materials in Khmer as well as English, include information on money laundering, have more laboratory equipment available for in-class practice in drug identification, and include more time in simulations.


Police Officer Arrested on Drug Charges

---------------------------------------


11. (C) Nov Sophal, a municipal police officer in the southern city of Kep, was arrested on April 15 and charged with trafficking 1 kg of heroin. Moek Dara was not expansive when asked about the case, noting simply that it is not uncommon for low-ranking police and military officials to be arrested for drug trafficking. In contrast, XXXXXXXXXXXX noted that drug investigations of police or military officials are very rare, and speculated that the individual involved may even have run afoul of rumored higher-level police involvement in narcotics.


12. (SBU) COMMENT: While increased smuggling activity may


PHNOM PENH 00000983 003 OF 003


account for some of the increased seizures and arrests, it is clear that the Cambodian government is turning up the heat on the country's drug smugglers. Training from the USG and other countries is playing a critical role in supporting this effort--both through the skills and enthusiasm imparted to the participants, and also through the implicit expectations of improved performance on the part of the police and other officials.

STORELLA

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'Enemies of the People': One man's quest for truth about Cambodia's 'killing fields'

A movie review of "Enemies of the People," an intensely personal documentary that follows journalist Thet Sambath as he seeks the truth about the mass killings from 1975 to 1979 at the hands of Cambodia's Communist Khmer Rouge government.

By Stephen Holden
The New York Times

"Some say that almost two million people died in the killing fields," declares Thet Sambath, a polite, soft-spoken Cambodian journalist for The Phnom Penh Post, in the opening moments of the documentary "Enemies of the People." He adds, "Nobody understands why so many people were killed at that time."

Thus begins this intensely personal film, undertaken at some risk, in which Sambath seeks the truth about the mass killings from 1975 to 1979 at the hands of Cambodia's Communist Khmer Rouge government, which was responsible for the deaths of nearly a quarter of the country's population.

The heart of the film, a collaboration by Sambath and British documentarian Rob Lemkin, consists of meticulously cataloged interviews conducted during nearly a decade with perpetrators of the mass execution, many of them rural farmers. As they open up and matter-of-factly describe horrific acts, the camera scours their weather-beaten faces.

"Enemies of the People" is extraordinary on several fronts. Sambath's father and brother were slain by Khmer Rouge militants, and his mother died in childbirth after her forced marriage to a militiaman. Yet as Sambath gently coaxes peasants to confess to atrocities, there is not a shred of bitterness in his questioning. At times, Sambath suggests a one-man Cambodian Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Instead of affixing blame, he seeks the healing power of confession.

"Enemies of the People" is another disquieting testament to the fact that ordinary individuals under extreme pressure will carry out the most monstrous crimes. If they hadn't followed the orders of superiors, they say, they themselves would have been killed. One farmer, a Buddhist who believes in reincarnation, expresses his tormented certainty that it will be many lifetimes before he returns in human form.

The film's journalistic coup is Sambath's persuasion of Nuon Chea, the chief ideologue of Pol Pot (the Cambodian Communist leader who died in 1998), to explain what happened. Chea, also known as Brother No. 2, is a proud, gaunt man in his 80s. Sambath visited him regularly for three years before he agreed to tell the truth.

"Enemies of the People" reserves its biggest emotional punch for the end of the film, when Sambath, who has lied to Chea about the fate of his own family, finally tells him about their loss.

As the final interviews with Chea were conducted, he and other high-level Khmer Rouge officials were waiting to be arrested for war crimes and genocide by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, a United Nations-backed tribunal. Kaing Guek Eav, commonly known as Duch, the head of the Khmer Rouge's Tuol Sleng prison, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Chea will be the tribunal's second case.

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Ministries told to end trespass case quickly

The Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries have been told to cooperate fully with Phnom Penh authorities to seek an early end to the case of the seven Thais charged with illegal entry into Cambodia.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday Thailand would not interfere with Phnom Penh's handling of the issue but said "we can talk" to find a joint solution that appealed to both sides.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has set Feb 1 to rule on the fate of the Thais after the Appeal Court decided on Tuesday to grant bail to four of the Thais held in Prey Sar prison.

That means all of the seven arrested except Veera Somkwamkid, an activist on the Thai-Cambodian border issue, have been released on bail. They have been told by the court not to leave Cambodia until a final verdict is rendered.

The seven were accused of trespassing on Cambodian territory when they were arrested on Dec 29.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday he was "a bit disappointed" by the Cambodian court's decision to set Feb 1 to hand down its ruling. He said this was too long.

Mr Suthep said he did not intend to criticise the court but he hoped Cambodia would reconsider the date to conclude the legal process sooner.

The Appeal Court decided on Tuesday to deny bail to Mr Veera, who faces an additional charge of espionage, because it was afraid he would cause problems in Cambodia if released.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the Thai foreign minister, said a Cambodian lawyer asked the Supreme Court yesterday to grant Mr Veera bail.

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Hun Sen Defends Closure of UN Refugee Center

Its position to close a UN refugee center in Phnom Penh that had been used to give asylum to Montagnards from Vietnam.

In a Jan. 14 letter addressed to six US congressmen, Prime Minister Hun Sen says Cambodia extended its cooperation beyond a five-year agreement with the UNHCR and Vietnam.

“The [memorandum of understanding] covers only 750 Montagnards for temporary facility at the time of the signing,” Hun Sen says in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by VOA Khmer. “Many more cases have been processed, with up to 932 Montagnards having been given refugee status and resettlement in third countries.”

Hun Sen was responding to concerns raised by the US lawmakers as the refugee center nears its closing date, Feb. 15. Seventy-six Montagnards remain at the center.

In December, the lawmakers, led by House Republican Frank Wolf, of Virginia, expressed concern for the fate of the remaining Montagnards, a group that was an ally of the US in its war with Vietnam.

Cambodia’s ambassador to the US, Hem Heng, said Vietnam presented no reason for concern.

“Vietnam is a peaceful country with a growing economy,” he said. “It has no war. Therefore, there are no refugees. There is no refugee issue. That’s why the government has decided to close the camp.”

However, under it’s UN obligations, the US lawmakers wrote, Cambodia is “prohibited from forcibly expelling or returning refugees to territories where they may face persecution.”

The congressmen cited as an example for concern the forced deportation of 20 Muslim minority Uighurs to China in December 2009 and said they had “ample reason” to believe the Montagnards could face persecution in Vietnam.

In his response, Hun Sen said Montagnards who failed in their refugee attempts and were sent back to Vietnam “have been reintegrated into society without any oppression or persecution.”

A source close to the situation said Saturday only 65 of the remaining 76 Montagnards would be given refugee status. Those who are not granted the status will be returned to Vietnam.

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'Patriots' hire third lawyer to help three Thai suspects

PHNOM PENH : Three of seven Thais arrested for illegal entry into Cambodia have appointed a third Cambodian lawyer hired by the Thai Patriots Network to help fight the charges against them.

The move comes amid speculation that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court might hand down its ruling on their case this coming Tuesday.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he would call a meeting of appropriate agencies today to find ways to help the seven Thais, but he could not confirm the Cambodian court's ruling date because the government was still checking on it.

A leader of the Thai Patriots Network, Veera Somkwamkid; his secretary, Ratree Pipattanapaiboon; and Narumol Chitvarattana, another member of the network, yesterday approved a Cambodian lawyer hired by the network's legal team from Thailand to help represent them.

"They have already signed a consent form to give us permission to appoint one more Cambodian lawyer," said Nataporn Toprayoon, an adviser to the ombudsman and one of the three Thai legal advisers.

The advisers - Mr Nataporn, former Buri Ram senator Karun Saingarm and an academic at Thammasat University. ML Wanwipa Charoonroj - have been in Phnom Penh since Jan 9.

Mr Nataporn said the new lawyer was duty bound to submit all evidence from the Thai legal team to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court but was not allowed by the two other Cambodian lawyers hired by the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh to work with them.

The three suspects asked the Thai legal team to help defend them because they were not confident the embassy-appointed lawyers would be able to obtain enough evidence to help in their trial.

"We are confident that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court will accept our evidence and witnesses to confirm that Mr Veera was not actually arrested in Cambodia," Mr Nataporn said.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdee said the Bar Association of Cambodia was unhappy with the Thai Patriots Network's legal team from Thailand becoming involved in the case.

Cambodian law states lawyers must graduate as a barrister-at-law in Cambodia. This is why the network hired a Cambodian lawyer rather than Thais.

Mr Thani also denied confirming reports that the Cambodian court would rule on the seven Thais' fate on Feb 1.

Mr Veera, who is the only one of the seven Thais still being held in Prey Sar prison after his bail was denied by the Appeal Court last Tuesday, insisted on his innocence in talks with a Thai legal team when it visited him yesterday.

Mr Karun quoted Mr Veera as saying he denied the charges made against him. The former senator said Mr Veera, who has been charged with espionage as well as the illegal entry, was in good spirits.

"He asked me to tell the public that he will not accept any ruling by the Cambodian court because he believes that the court has no authority to decide the case. He insisted he was arrested in Thailand," Mr Karun said. Read more!

Travel Experts Predict More Travelers Asia Bound in 2011

Small Group Journey Specialist Travel Indochina Ready with More Than 800 Departures

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading experts agree: travelers in 2011 expect genuine experiences and life-changing journeys, making Asia destinations like Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam among the top choices for travel in 2011. Travel Indochina, a leader in small group Asia travel, offers the best of the ‘real Asia’ with more than 800 departures, and new Small Group Journeys that provide authenticity and total immersion for even the most discriminating travel junkies.

“Tourism in the New Year will see more travelers going to Asia to get a meatier experience in exchange for their dollar,” said Travel Indochina Co-founder Paul Hole. “In a recent Oxford Economics study sponsored by Amadeus entitled, ‘The Travel Gold Rush 2020,’ the growth in Asia-Pacific travel is predicted to double by 2020, closely following Europe, the leader in overall increased visitors.

“Today’s travelers aren’t shy about trying new things or getting immersed in a new culture they’ve never experienced before. In fact, travelers crave these experiential trips. Our journeys are created with those things in mind, which is why we’ve specifically focused on offering cross-border journeys, extensions and specialist trips to satisfy those who expect the most from their time away,” Hole added.

New Cross Border Journeys were designed with the traveler’s mindset as the roadmap, maximizing each trip so travelers can visit several countries while they are overseas. With nine journeys to choose from, travelers can cherry pick their most desired destinations to create the perfect combination between Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. With this option, culture, history and cuisine easily translate into memorable stories of adventure and exploration to be shared for the long haul. Choose Cambodia & Vietnam Explorer, Laos & Cambodia Experience, Cambodia & Thailand Revealed and more.

Sapa is a remote and fascinating area of Vietnam, about as far removed from the most generic of tourist trails. Six days with the Sapa Explorer will delight and surprise any visitor to the region with stunning and sweeping views of the Ta Van valley from the glorious mountains above. The minority villagers, known as the Red Dzong people, await to welcome and offer local insights to new friends to the region. Sapa Explorer pairs perfectly with Highlights of Vietnam, Trails of Vietnam, Vietnam Insight and more.

No matter where in Asia travelers visit, there’s simply just no better way to see the sights, enjoy the cuisine, meet the people and get inside than being on the ground. Travel Indochina has perfected taking the “tourist” out of tourism by offering Specialist Journeys focused on cycling, cooking and niche destinations like the Indian Himalayas or the Silk Road in Southern China. Cycling Cambodia meanders through an ancient jungle path to the Angkorian Temple, on enchanting rural back roads and quaint seaside towns like Kep and Kampot. For those whose culinary senses lead the way, Vietnam & Cambodia Culinary Discovery offers not only lavish meals at some of each countries’ best restaurants, but also turns traveler into chef with cooking classes and visits to local markets and the insider track on where and how the best produce and seafood are sourced.

About Travel Indochina

Travel Indochina has been operating Small Group Journeys to Asia since 1993. Offering journeys to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, India, China and Tibet, Travel Indochina has six offices across its Asia destinations, Western tour guides and English-speaking local guides. Travel Indochina’s idea is simple – escape the tourist traps to explore the essence of Asia’s history, culture, natural beauty and, most importantly, her people. For more information about Travel Indochina’s 2011-2012 small group journeys e-brochure, departures, pricing and to book, visit www.travelindochina.com or call 866.892.9216 to speak with an expert.


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Cambodia's Trade with China up 41.5 pct in 2010

Bilateral trades between Cambodia and China increased 41.5 percent in 2010 compared with that of 2009, official statistics showed on Tuesday.

The two countries'total trade volume hit 1.12 billion U.S. dollars in 2010, up 41.5 percent from about 791 million U.S. dollars in 2009, according to the statistics from the department of statistics and planning of the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.

Of the figure, Cambodia's exports to China worth 56.8 million U. S. dollars, increased nearly four folds from 15 million U.S. dollars in 2009 and Cambodia's imports from China reached 1.07 billion U.S. dollars, up 37.8 percent from 776 million U.S. dollars in 2009.

The increase in trade volume is due to the economic recovery.

Cambodia's main imports from China are garment raw materials, machinery, foodstuffs, electronics, furniture, light products, medicines and cosmetics while Cambodia's main exports to China are agricultural products, rubbers, fishery, timbers, and some garments and textiles.

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Four More Thais Released Ahead of Trial

Thai activists, from right, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, Veera Somkwamkid, Kochpontorn Chusanaseree, Samdin Lersbusya, eat breakfast at Phnom Penh Appeal Court, on Tuesday.


The Cambodian Appeals Court on Tuesday let free on bail four more Thais arrested for alleged illegal border crossing, but they kept one in jail who is also facing charges of espionage.

The decision overruled a ruling by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court last week to hold five of seven Thais arrested in December in Banteay Meanchey province.

Veera Somkwamkid, a leader of the "yellow shirt" People's Alliance for Democracy, was not granted bail. He is facing charges of illegal entry, trespassing on military land and for gathering evidence against the state of Cambodia.

His assistant, Ratrea Paiputanapaiboon, who is also facing espionage charges, was released along with three others Tuesday, for a bail posting of around $250 each.

That brings a total of six Thais who will have to remain under the custody of the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh ahead of trials, which are expected to begin soon. The high-profile case, which includes a Thai member of parliament, has sparked protests in Thailand. The Thai delegation has said it was investigating claims of Cambodian border encroachment and was not aware it had crossed into Cambodia.

Appeals Court judge Choun Sunleng did not say why he had decided to keep Veera in jail.

Outside the courtroom Tuesday morning, Veera told reporters, in Thai language, he did not agree with the decision. "I will continue my case until the end," he said.

Defense lawyers said they welcomed the release, but declined further comment.

Samdin Lersbusya, 57, told reporters after his release he was grateful to the court. "And also thanks to the Thai media that has taken care of us," he said in Thai. "During my detention in jail, no one hurt me. And we were all detained together in one room."

Sowat Kaewsook, minister of counsel for the Thai Embassy, said the defendants would be brought to court on the trial date.

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Agriculture Ministry Issues Guidelines for Export to China

Cambodian farmers cut rice at a rice paddy farm during the harvest season at Sala Kumrou, Puresat province.


The Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday began circulating a new procedure for the export of rice and cassava to China, in an effort to bring cleaner and higher-quality production to meet import requirements.

The new guidelines focus on the elimination of insects, hygiene standards, proper documentation and other requirements for export to China.

Kith Seng, an undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Agriculture, said the new circular was meant to "protect Cambodia's interest" as well as its trade partner in accordance with an export agreement signed between the two countries last year.

The guidelines will help reduce poverty in rural areas by increasing their export potential, he said.

Cheang Kim, director of the Bayon Rice Trading company, said the requirements are not complicated and represent "good news" for farmers.

Cambodia produced a milled rice surplus of nearly 2.5 million tons last year, and officials hope to increase its export potential in coming years, especially in trade agreements with China.

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ASEAN eyes becoming world class tourist destination

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 30th ASEAN Tourism Forum opened here on Tuesday evening, aiming at promoting ASEAN as the world class tourist destination by 2015.

The event under the theme of "ASEAN: A World of Wonders and Diversity" was attended by about 3,000 participants, who are government's top officials, ASEAN tourism ministers, tourism delegates from China, Japan, Korea, India and Russia, diplomatic corps, exhibitors and buyers from around the world.

Speaking during the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the ATF 2011 will not only help promote tourism products of Cambodia and ASEAN to the whole world, but also show the importance of tourism in contributing to socio-economic development and in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and poverty alleviation of the people in the region and the world.

"ASEAN is seen as a captivating and highly competitive tourist destination for development, based on the uniqueness of its potentials and diversity of historical cultural relics and tremendous natural resources," he said.

"I hope that all related stakeholders in public and private sectors will jointly cooperate to develop ASEAN tourism in order to fulfill ASEAN vision as the world class tourist destination by 2015."

The 30th ASEAN Tourism Forum kicked off from Jan. 15 and will last until 21, Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said during the opening ceremony.

During the event from Jan. 15-18, there had been a series of meetings of ASEAN tourism ministers, ASEAN tourism ministers plus 3 (China, Japan and South Korea) and ASEAN tourism ministers plus India and Russia.

And from Jan. 19-21, there will be the ASEAN Travel Exchange held at Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center. "It will be the biggest gathering--up to 1,500 sellers with 512 booths from hotels, airline companies, tour operators and travel agencies of ASEAN countries and 466 buyers from ASEAN, Asia, Europe and the United States of America," he said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Desperately seeking a sense of balance

The media has been a factor in Thai-Cambodian relations since they became strained in 2008 whenthe dispute over the Preah Vihear temple resurfaced. The coverage in Thailand and Cambodia of sensitive incidents, including the recent arrest of seven Thais oncharges of trespassing on Cambodianterritory, could improve or damage relations between the neighbouring countries. ANUCHA CHAROENPOspoke to Neth Pheaktra, managing editor of the Khmer-language edition of the PhnomPenh Post newspaper, on its reporting policy.

What's your newspaper's policy on reporting the arrest of the seven Thais and other issues that could affect Thai-Cambodian relations?

This is a crucial story for us because the Cambodian people are watching developments closely.

We have run a lot of the stories relating to border disputes between the two countries since the [Preah Vihear] conflict flared up in 2008. The matter has also been reported by other local newspapers.

Do you agree with critics saying the press is partly to blame for the escalation of Thai-Cambodian tensions?

The stories that we publish are based on facts and are well-balanced. We have never exaggerated the news. Cambodian people pay a lot of attention to the Thai-Cambodian relations issue because we are neighbours.

Nationalist sentiment always runs high when it comes to Thai-Cambodian relations. How do you view this trend?

Both Thai and Cambodian people feel the same way - they love their country. Whenever our country has problems, the people will unite to protect our beloved nation.

Neither the Cambodian people nor the government want to lose a square inch of our land, but we don't want even a square inch of Thai soil.

The best way to improve relations between our two nations is to respect one another.

There is an argument that the seven Thais were arrested on Thai soil.

According to a video clip posted on YouTube, this group of people said themselves they were in Cambodia. They walked 500 to 600 metres into Cambodia. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been quoted as saying the seven Thais entered Cambodia by accident.

However, the detainees' lawyers have the right to produce evidence and fight for them in court, which, I think, will complete the hearing by the end of this month. Once the Phnom Penh Municipal Court hands down its verdict, the seven Thais can appeal to a higher court if they disagree [with the verdict].

If the defendants have any evidence to back their claims that the area where they were arrested is in Thailand, they can submit it to the court. We should let the law take its course.

Are there any political motivations surrounding this case?

This case is related to politics. So, both governments need to hold urgent talks to solve the problem. Coordination is needed at all levels to reduce tensions between the two countries. The seven Thais should confess to the court [that they entered Cambodia illegally] and prove that they had no intention of trespassing.

How can Thai-Cambodian relations return to normal?

We have bilateral mechanisms. [Cambodian] Prime Minister Hun Sen and Mr Abhisit have emphasised that when problems emerge between the two countries, the two sides will hold talks. Negotiations, not military action, will help solve the problems.The two countries should also press ahead with collaboration to solve the border demarcation disputes.

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Cambodia Survivor: ‘I Want to Show the Better Side of Humanity’ (With Video)

Kilong Ung, a Portland software engineer who survived the 1970s Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, is returning to his native land next week to start work on building a new school.

“I want to show the better side of humanity,” Ung says. “My dream is not just one or two schools. I want to build hundreds or thousands.”

In a 2009 WW profile, Ung described losing his parents, younger sister and seven other relatives in the genocide estimated to have killed 2 million people. Ung and his older sister, Sivheng, fled to Thailand and eventually settled in Portland, where Ung graduated from Cleveland High School and Reed College.

Still haunted by nightmares of the past, in 2009 Ung published a memoir called Golden Leaf and founded the Golden Leaf Education Foundation to raise money for schools in Cambodia. Ung says the foundation has so far raised more than $65,000, with one couple giving $16,000.

The Cambodian-American Community of Oregon for years has provided food and medical aid to the people of Ang, an impoverished village in western Cambodia. CACO members told Ung the village school is in terrible condition, with holes in the roof that leak in the rain.

Ung is traveling to Cambodia this week to meet the district governor, visit the village and sign a contract with local builders. Ung says he’ll be accompanied by Chanly Bob, head of CACO; Norb Murray, president of the Golden Leaf Education Fund; and Hem Heng, the Cambodian ambassador to the United States.

Ung and Murray are active in the Rotary Club of Portland, and Ung says a local rotary in Cambodia will oversee building the school. Ung says he hopes it will be the first of many new schools in Cambodia built with donations from Oregon. (To donate, contact kilongung@gmail.com.)

“The Khmer Rouge eradicated my faith in humanity, and by doing this, I am rebuilding my own faith in humanity as well as other people’s faith in humanity,” Ung says. “Two million people died. I want to make sure they didn’t die in vain.” Read more!

Corruption Charges Leveled at Detained Police, Officials

Hun Hean, former police chief of Banteay Meanchey province


Banteay Meanchey provincial court on Monday charged four senior police officials with corruption in relation to drug trafficking, following a spate of arrests over the last week.

The charges were handed down to Hun Hean, former police chief of the province; his deputy, Chheang Son ; Moek Dara, former secretary-general for the National Authority for Combatting Drugs; and Chea Leng, former head of the Ministry of Interior's counter-drug department.

All four, who were removed from their posts before they were arrested in questioning by authorities last week, had been the targets of an Anti-Corruption Unit investigation.

“Now we've charged them with taking bribes in relation to a drug trafficking case,” Ton Sihak Teches, prosecutor for the Bantey Meanchey provincial court, told VOA Khmer.

Though all four were charged at the provincial court, they were arrested and held separately: Moek Dara in Prey Sar prison, outside Phnom Penh, Chea Leng in Banteay Meanchey provincial prison, and Hun Hean and Cheang Son in Siam Reap provincial prison.

They were charged under Article 38 of the 1992 penal code and face up to seven years in prison if convicted, Ton Sihak Teches said.

Sum Chankea, Banteay Meanchey coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said the group was following the case to ensure “equality of all detainees and the legal process for them.”

Monday's indictments follow the November arrest of Pursat provincial prosecutor Chan Sereivuth, who was also charged under corruption in an ACU investigation. Read more!

Police Break Up Lake Protesters at Chinese Embassy

Phnom Penh municipal police armed with electric batons and shields dispersed a small group of protesters in front of the Chinese Embassy Monday morning.

A group of around 30 demonstrators had gathered in front of the embassy, on Mao Tse Tung Blvd., to protest the involvement of a Chinese company with a local developer that is forcing thousands of families from their homes near Boeung Kak lake.

No one was injured in the clash. Protesters had prepared a letter for the embassy, but embassy officials would not accept it.

In the letter, representatives from seven villages, in the district of Don Penh, representing 3,200 families, said they want $1,500 per square meter in buyouts or be given 15 hectares of land from the 133-hectare development.

The letter asks the Chinese ambassador for “intervention” in the case, due to the joint partnership between Chinese company Erdos Hongjun Investment and the Cambodian developer, Shukaku Inc.

Three separate spokesmen from the Chinese Embassy declined to comment on Monday, referring questions to each other instead.

Thouch Naroth, head of the municipal police, said Monday police had received a complaint from the embassy that required the dispersal of the protesters. “The embassy did not accept their letter,” he said.

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US War Crimes Ambassador Wants Cases Pursued

US War Crimes Ambassador Steven Rapp met with Khmer Rouge tribunal officials last week and urged both the Cambodian and international sides of the court to cooperate in two controversial cases.

Case Nos. 003 and 004, which would require further indictments and charge Khmer Rouge cadre beyond those already in detention, are sitting at the office of investigating judges, but top court and government officials have said they should not proceed lest they create national instability.

However, in an interview with VOA Khmer, Rapp said he urged official to move the investigations forward.

“We want to make sure that the court is able to conclude its investigation on all matters,” he said in an interview Saturday. “Our view is that [the government] will cooperate fully with the court.”

Public remarks by Prime Minister Hun Sen critical of further indictments have caused critics to claim there is governmental interference with the tribunal process, a claim the government denies.

Rapp, who staid Thursday through Sunday, said his visit had convinced him the investigations will go forward. “The indication I have is that the cooperation is there and ongoing and as it's required,” he said.

Rapp's visit comes after a stopover by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said proper funding of the tribunal must be a priority. In addition to tribunal staff and the government, he met with diplomats from donor countries.

Rapp will also visit Thailand and Japan before a meeting with donors in New York over funding later this month.

Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said Rapp's visit was “an encouragement” for tribunal staff and donors.


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Phuket yellow shirts in wild show of patriotism over Cambodia

PHUKET: About 30 local yellow-shirt activists yesterday put on a show in the center of Phuket Town mocking the Thai government’s handling of the recent arrest and trial of seven Thais by the Cambodian authorities.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) members also denounced Cambodian premier Hun Sen, claiming the Thais were arrested on land that belongs to Thailand.

The performance took place at Surin “Clocktower” Circle from 4pm and attracted interest from many passers-by who pulled over to see what was going on.

Led by Phuket PAD leaders Aparat Chartchutikumjorn and Krit Thepbamrung, the group started their activities with a satirical play.

The first part of the performance showed Thai Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan giving away Thai land to Hun Sen.

The group then performed a ceremony cursing the Cambodian PM for alleged crimes against Thai people and the country.

The bizarre ritual involved writing Hun Sen’s name on a chicken egg and throwing it into a paper box. The group stamped their feet, shouting, “Hun Sen must go to hell! Thailand must win!”

The group also distributed leaflets claiming Thailand was about to lose territory to Cambodia. They read a statement criticizing Hun Sen’s behavior and the Thai government’s handling of the issue.

The statement said that PAD members had been following the situation closely since the group’s arrest on December 29.

The statement claimed that Cambodian soldiers had arrested the Thais on Thai territory, in violation of treaties between the two countries.

It said the Cambodian authorities had violated the group’s human rights and that the Cambodian court process was not being carried out according to international standards.

It accused the Cambodians of breaking international law, violating Thai sovereignty and showing heavy contempt for Thai nationhood.

The statement also attacked the Thai government, singling out Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Defense Minister Gen Prawit for criticism.

It also said government officials in charge of the border issue had been neglectful and weak in their diplomatic dealings with the Cambodian side.

Thailand should be using its power to pressure the Cambodians into releasing the seven. In both its handling of the arrests and the border issue in general, the government had played second-best to Cambodia, it said.

The statement called for the government to change its position and help the group return to Thailand safely. It also called on the government to take the border issue seriously in order to “defend the Kingdom’s honor”. Read more!

India can compete at big stage but need experience: Gouramangi

Gouramangi''s career graph has been on the rise ever since the Nehru Cup in 2007 when he was brought into the startingeleven in place of Deepak Mandal who injured himself in thevery first game of the tournament against Cambodia.

Buzz up!The 24-year-old Manipuri, who was recently declared theIndian Player of the Year, said what matter is the performanceon the field not the awards and accolades.

"It feels good having scored the first goal but what wasmore important that we made a comeback after being 1-0 down.

Obviously, defensively as a team we could have done better inthe game," he explained.

"I think the most difficult thing for every player is towake up and go to training, stay fit and maintain the highstandard. I have to work on this every day. The awards comelater. I must thank Churchill Brothers for showing theirbelief in me.

"And, of course I thank Karim (Bencherifa) for giving memy first break," he said of the former Churchill Brotherscoach and now in-charge of Salgaocar.

Gouramangi has already built a reputation of scoringimportant goals for the country and most of his goals havecome from free-kicks and corner kicks.

His first goal came against Maldives in the 2008 SAFF Cupin India''s 1-0 victory and the second was the winner in thesemifinal against Bhutan in the same competition. His thirdgoal was against Sri Lanka in the 2009 Nehru Cup which helpedIndia win the match.

"The goal against Bahrain was my fourth goal. Most of thegoals I have scored have come from set pieces and cornerskicks. I thank coach Bob Houghton who allowed me to go upduring free kicks and corner kicks," said the ChurchillBrothers defender. Read more!

Defence Minister confident five Thais detained in Cambodia will be free soon

BANGKOK, Jan 15 -- Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan urged all parties to be patient and expressed confidence that all seven Thais detained in Phnom Penh since late last year would be released soon as the Cambodian authorities understood that they were not ill-intentioned people.

Gen Prawit said the defence ministry was not idle regarding the jailed Thais, but said it had done its best and explored options to help them.

He said the ministry had given its full attention at the beginning to help the seven Thais. After Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva assigned the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence to coordinate with Cambodian authorities to help the Thai detainees, the talks between the top military officials of both countries were already going on.

He urged all parties to be patient and said he believed all seven Thais would be released soon.

"Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Defence Tea Banh and I have been in contact and discussed the matter. We are neighbouring countries. We should talk, so don't worry. The bilateral committees at the government-to-government and ministry levels have still contact each other," he said.

He also denied the accusation that the Thai military at the border have taken no action because they had received payoffs on the border.

The minister warned against spreading the accusation and accepting it without any evidence as it could damage other people.

Gen Prawit said he would ask the Ministry's Judge Advocate General's Department to determine if legal action can be taken against the accusers.

The army chief said that the soldiers are Thais too and they love their country just like other Thais.

The so-called Thailand Patriots Network (TPN) group claimed that senior Thai military officers were somehow profiting from the border troubles and criticised their slow action in helping the detainees.

On Friday, TPN activists rallied at Thailand's defense ministry, calling for the resignation of the prime minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya and Gen Prawit.

They charged that senior military officers chose to stay idle regarding the jailed Thais as they believed the seven were on Thai soil when they were taken into custody by the Cambodian authorities and that several Thai military officers had received payoffs on the border.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, leader of the Thailand Patriots Network, said Saturday that the group viewed that the government and the military ignored helping the Thais and failed to protect Thai territory, which they believed could put Thailand at risk of losing territory in the future.

The network, therefore, will march from Government House where they will rally to the Palace to submit a petition to His Majesty the King on Tuesday (Jan 18) at 9.59am asking for help.

The network would discuss later whether to stop their demonstration after submitting their petition and would decide later whether to go to Sa Kaeo province on the Cambodian border.
The Thais were captured by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29.

At present, five are still in custody and have been denied bail by the Cambodian court while two, including Panich Vikitsreth, an MP representing Bangkok and member of the ruling Democrat Party, have been released on bail but are not allowed to leave the country, as they must attend court hearings when they take place.

The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass on a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.

Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the Thai Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, however, face additional spying charges on top of illegal entry and trespassing on a Cambodian military area, which has been already heard.

Read more!

Kep, Cambodia: Asia meets France by the seaside

By Trish Lorenz

Trish Lorenz enjoys a fusion of flavours in the sleepy coastal village of Kep in Cambodia.


The sky was deep blue, the sand soft and sugary white, and the only sound to be heard was the gentle swish of water as small waves hit the shore and then retreated. White crabs scuttled out of sand holes and back again, and picture-perfect seashells, the type you normally only find in shops – glossy and perfectly curved – lay dotted all around.

Lying in the dappled shade of a stumpy tree on a beach on Koh Tonsay – a tiny island known to locals as Rabbit Island – just a few miles off the Cambodian coastal village of Kep, I felt an overwhelming calm. After a week in Kep we had taken a day trip to the island on our penultimate day. Tellingly, it had taken us this long to muster the energy.

Kep is a tantalising combination of faded French Indo-China glamour, Asian and French cuisine, and the clear waters and white sands of the tropical beachside. The village was popular with wealthy holidaymakers from the Thirties right up until the Khmer Rouge took over the country in the Seventies, when it faded from view for more than 30 years.

Even locals forgot its existence. "I grew up just 15 miles from here and I didn't know there was such a town as Kep until 2002," Lee Lim, now a resort manager in the village, told me.

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Cambodia sees Chinese visitors as potential boost to tourism

In addition to the significant roles contributed by China to the country's development that is admired by Cambodian leaders, Cambodia is also seeing Chinese visitors as a potential boost to tourism.

Tith Chantha, director general of Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism highlighted China as a future main source of the Kingdom' s visitors.

"I am viewing and hoping that Chinese tourists will visit Cambodia just like the Mekong River that flows from China," he said.

China is now recorded as the third largest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia, according to statistics of the tourims ministry.

The latest figure showed that 177,636 Chinese visited Cambodia in 2010, an increase of 38.55 percent over 2009.

Cambodia has 438 hotels with 25,000 rooms and it is expected to have 40,000 more rooms by 2015 and 70,000 more rooms by 2020.

Tith Chantha said the tourism sector will generate as much as 4 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 10 years.

In many forums, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has praised China for its major roles in helping his country including hard and soft assistance.

He said that he has gradually built good relationship with China since 1994, from good neighbor cooperation to mutual trust cooperation in 2006 and now it has reached a comprehensive strategic partner of cooperation.

In terms of investment, Hun Sen said China is seen as the largest investors of all in 2010.

And on tourism, he has encouraged local people and services to accept China's Yuan currency in a way to facilitate Chinese visitors to his country.

Hun Sen said his country's tourism has contributed 10 percent to Gross Domestic Product.

He also said tourism is playing an important role in boosting economic growth and the happiness of all people around the globe, and thus his government set tourism as one of the priority sectors for development, saying it is considered as "green gold" which is helping to promote the good living standard of the people, especially, those who are living in the touristic sites.

Cambodia is forecasting that foreign tourists will reach 6 million by year 2020.

In 2010, Cambodia hosted 2,508,289 tourist, an increase of 16 percent compared to 2,161,577 in 2009.

While many countries around the world are working hard to attract foreign tourists, Cambodia will be extremely busy hosting the 30th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF 2011) this weekend through next week.

More than 2,000 delegates from 10 member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations are ready to take part in the upcoming ATF 2011 which will be held from Jan. 15 to Jan. 21, 2011 at the newly built Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.

During the ATF 2011, there will be travel exchange (TRAVEX) which will give the venue for the ASEAN's package tour sellers and potential buyers from the region and the world, and friendship golf tournament for ASEAN Tourism Ministers and senior officials, organized and sponsored by international television network.

As planned China will also take part in the forum as a dialogue partner, according to organizers.

Source:Xinhua Read more!

Officials begin asset declaration to counter corruption

More than 100,000 government officials have begun the task of asset declaration, a secret process required by the new anti-corruption law aimed at helping in investigations.

Government ministry officials have until March to add up their worth and send it to anti-corruption authorities, as the country tries to tackle a deeply ingrained culture of graft.

“The asset declaration is a legal measure to prevent corruption,” said Keo Remy, spokesman for the National Anti-Corruption Council, which, along with the separate Anti-Corruption Unit, was formed by the new law as well. “The asset declaration is made in secret, a first and historic condition to safeguard each official’s physical and mental safety, and particularly the country’s political stability.”

Officials from the rank of undersecretary and chief of department up are to fill in declaration forms, which include property listings, to make future auditing for corrupt practices easier.

Nov Sowatharo, secretary of state for the Ministry of Information, said the process was not complicated. It required filling out two sets of forms and putting them into two envelops.

“We filled out the form secretly,” he said. “After closing the envelops, we give it to the ministry's agent, who submits ministry officials' declarations to the Anti-Corruption Unit.”

The ACU then takes the envelops, stamps them with a seal and returns one copy to the owner.

Sean Borath, deputy chief of the ACU, said no one has the authority to open the envelops, unless an official is suspected of corruption. The sealed declaration then becomes part of an investigation and is opened.

Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party, said the secret nature of the declarations means less transparency and the potential for abuse. “I believe that a secret asset declaration has little effectiveness,” he said.

Keo Remy said secret asset declaration was built into the law, which passed last year after decades of drafts and delays. The law provides punishment of up to 15 years in jail for the worst offenses.

Supporters of the law say it will help improve Cambodia's poor corruption record. The country is ranked No. 154 of 178 countries for corruption by Transparency International.

Read more!

Senior Cambodian police officers charged with drug-related corruption

By The Associated Press (CP)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Two senior Cambodian police officers were charged Friday with corruption, while a top anti-drug official has been detained for questioning, an anti-corruption official said.

A provincial police chief and his deputy were charged by the Banteay Meanchey provincial court, said Om Yentieng, head of the government's anti-corruption unit.

They were arrested several days ago by the anti-corruption unit on suspicion of taking bribes to release drug trafficking suspects, he said.

Om Yentieng also said the secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs has been detained on suspicion of activities related to drug trafficking and is being questioned.

Under Cambodia's first anti-corruption law, passed last year after more than a decade of delays, any official found guilty of taking bribes faces up to 15 years in prison. Cambodia, a poor country heavily dependent on foreign aid, is routinely listed by groups such as Transparency International as one of the most corrupt in Asia.

Om Yentieng said his agency found that the officers in Banteay Meanchey had received bribes from drug traffickers.

"After arresting the traffickers, they received the offenders' money for changing the confessions and the report," he said.


Read more!

Thai demonstrators call for tougher stand against Cambodia

Bangkok - Several hundred Thai protestors gathered at Government House and the Defence Ministry in Bangkok Friday to demand a tougher stand against Cambodia for its arrest of seven Thais along the two countries' border.

The demonstrators called for the resignation of Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan for allegedly failing to respond adequately to the arrest of the seven Thais by Cambodian authorities on charges of trespassing on Cambodian territory on December 29.

The protestors identified themselves as members of the Thai Patriots Network, which had earlier planned to march along the border near the Thai town of Aranyaprathet to voice their outrage at the Cambodian government.

'For the time being we won't go to Aranyaprathet,' said Thai Patriots Network leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong. 'But our duty still remains.'

Chaiwat insisted the seven arrested Thais, including member of parliament from the ruling Democrat Party Panich Vikitsreth and Veera Somkwamkid, an activist in the nationalist movement known as the yellow shirts, had been on Thai territory when they were detained by Cambodian troops.

During an earlier court hearing in Cambodia, Panich's lawyer said he had been visiting a border village 'to address the complaints of [Thai] villagers,' adding that the villagers had alleged that a border marker had been moved by Cambodians to encroach on Thai territory.

The protestors' proposed protest march along the border has been strongly opposed by the Thai government and by residents of the area who depend on cross-border trade for their livelihoods.
Earlier Friday, representatives of the New Politics Party, an offshoot of the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy, submitted a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanding that he revoke a border agreement signed in 2000 due to alleged violations of Thai sovereignty by Cambodian forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday criticized the Thai Patriots Network and its allies for playing politics with the already volatile Thai-Cambodia border situation.

'Although the patriots have the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, they are obligated not to cause any disruptions to the people,' Suthep said.
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Two Detained Thais Released on Bail

Panich Vikitsreth, center, a member of Thailand's Parliament , is escorted by Cambodian court security personnel upon his workout at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday.


Two detained Thais were released on bail Thursday while two more have been additionally charged with espionage along with illegal border crossing.

Thai lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth and a second member of the seven arrested in December, Narumol Jitrawarattana, were released after they paid about $250 each, court officials said.

“They will stay in Cambodia,” said Ros Aun, a defense lawyer.

Five more—four men and one woman—remain in custody, despite requests for bail. All seven are charged with illegally crossing into Cambodia and trespassing in a military area, after they reportedly arrived to inspect claims of Cambodian border encroachment. Those charges carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

Sok Roeun, deputy prosecutor for Phnom Penh Municipal Court, confirmed the bail release, but said the defendants would remain “under the control of the court.”

Meanwhile, Thai activist Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, faced questioning Wednesday on additional charges of gathering information that could threaten national security. That charge carries a potential sentence of 10 years in prison.

Read more!

Bangkok: Protest Against Arrest of Thais in Cambodia

About 400 protesters rallied outside Bangkok's Government House on Thursday… demanding the government speed up the process of seeking the release of a group of Thais detained in Cambodia.

Protesters from the Thailand Patriot Network, a splinter group of the People's Alliance for Democracy, set up the temporary shelters outside the premier's office.

They condemned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on their failure to free the detainees.

The seven Thais were charged on December 30th in Cambodia, with illegal entry and encroachment when they entered a disputed territory along the border.

Offences carry a maximum sentence of 18 months.

Two of them have been released on bail, but have to stay at the Thai Embassy in Cambodia until the trial.

Cambodian prosecutors have filed additional espionage charges against a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network and his secretary for attempting to collect information that is detrimental to Cambodia's national defense.

Espionage carries a sentence of five to 10 years.

Ties between the two countries have warmed in recent months in the wake of diplomatic spats over jurisdiction of land surrounding a 900-year-old temple and Cambodia's decision to employ former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but Thailand claims much of the land surrounding it.
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My Family Vacation to Cambodia: Quirky Encounters from Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat

When I was a kid I went along with my family to Cambodia for the primary purpose of visiting Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious building and surviving ancient temple. Little did I know the vacation would be
full of surprises, some humorous and others terrifying.

Our first stop was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. Before we checked into our hotel, my father warned the rest of us to be careful about what we said out loud during our stay, in case the hotel room was bugged. I am not certain as to why the owners of an arbitrary hotel in Cambodia would want to bug their rooms, or if my father was simply paranoid to the point of ridicule, but we took his advice anyway to make him happy.

Oddly enough, we did find a small hole in the ceiling directly above our shower that looked suspiciously like a hidden camera. I believe we blocked it with some tissue paper.

In any case, we did a little sight-seeing in Cambodia's capital and then made our way to Siem Reap, the city closest to our main destination: Angkor Wat. There we met up with our designated tour guide. He spoke English more or less fluently, which relieved my father of the job of having to translate for us (he speaks Cambodian).

The tour guide was a nice enough guy. As the vacation progressed, he led us through the mind-blowingly beautiful Angkor Wat and other temples, explaining their history and the various Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. But when the man got around to describing the plentiful phallic and yonic statues, he unknowingly used their vulgar slang names instead of the aforementioned polite, formal vernacular. He did this consistently throughout the entire tour. Needless to say, it drew some stares from the other tour groups.

Later we passed by a group of locals, one of whom pointed our direction and yelled something in Cambodian. Our tour guide quickly translated this to us as, "What a nice, healthy son you have." If that sounds odd, it's because the tour guide lied. My father, being able to speak Cambodian, gave us the correct translation later. Apparently that person had actually yelled, "White as a ghost!"

Anyway, at some point during this vacation—I forget exactly when—my parents thought it would be fun to go joy riding in a rental car in the countryside. We went driving down the middle of nowhere, bisecting
fields of rice, toward some tourist attraction that we never could find. At some point we realized we had gone too far, and might be near or across the Cambodian border. This is bad. Why? Because there is a trend where people get robbed and killed trying to drive across the Cambodian border.

We turned around as soon as possible and bee-lined for our hotel again. Thankfully, there were no unpleasant encounters. We all got back to the city and then finished our trip in one piece.

That was the quirkier side of my family vacation to Cambodia, in a nutshell. Read more!

Let this case proceed fairly

What is fair for Thais? When Thais were trespassing into Cambodia, they were treated with respect and put on trial with court procedures. But if Cambodians were trespassing into Thailand, they were shot in execution style or burned alive, those culprits will face justice in future.

The arrest and legal proceedings by Cambodia against the Thai Seven is spiralling downward far too quickly into a soap opera with real-life implications. The government, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, should take a collective deep breath and reconsider the fast escalating case. Authorities should strongly encourage the noisy and decidedly unhelpful members of the anti-Cambodia nationalist movement to do the same. The decision by Cambodian authorities to charge two of the seven men with espionage is a petty and legally insupportable move. It should encourage Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to take the necessary steps to move the original trespassing cases along and seek an end to what is quickly becoming yet another crisis with the eastern neighbour.

There are many unanswered questions, but everyone now knows the basics of this simmering case. Mr Abhisit assigned the high-profile Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth to gather facts about Thais who live at the Cambodian border. Mr Panich, for unknown reasons, went there with Veera Somkwamkid, who is both a leader of the Thai Patriots Network and a well-known instigator of anti-Cambodia actions. The two men and five companions were recorded on video while Mr Panich stated calmly that they were inside Cambodia. All seven were arrested, charged with trespassing, and taken to Phnom Penh for trial.

PM Abhisit, apparently because of Mr Panich's arrest, has tried aggressively and publicly to win release of the Thai Seven _ "They meant no harm." Hun Sen, apparently because of Mr Veera's arrest, has aggressively and frequently refused to intervene in the case _ "No one can intervene in the judicial system."

On Monday, however, someone in Cambodia intervened rather forcefully. Prosecutors filed the absurd charges of espionage against Mr Veera and the activist's secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon. They allegedly collected information which might damage Cambodia's national security, said the charges. Presumably, the other five men did not collect such information. It is a clearly a vindictive charge, meant to intimidate and to punish Mr Veera for his past actions.

The irony, lost on few if any of the Thai public, is that Mr Veera is at least as large a thorn in the government's side as in Cambodia's. The arrest of the Thai Seven, now followed by the further serious charges against Mr Veera, will serve to spur a large rally against the government, scheduled in two weeks. Daily utterings by PM Abhisit on the case are fuelling emotions. There is a strong chance that the Jan 25 rally could descend into xenophobia. It is certain that some activists will attempt to steer the rally against Cambodian relations. It is arguably the only serious issue that the People's Alliance for Democracy can use in its anti-government campaign.

In effect, then, both Mr Abhisit and Hun Sen are acting against their own interests by treating the trespassing charges as a continuing and high-profile case. The rather feverish and daily news conferences feed the extremists. Both men and their spokesmen are providing more ammunition to the PAD and the self-styled "patriots" in both countries.

Mr Abhisit and the government need to do their best to protect Thais in trouble overseas. They need not and should not attempt to intervene directly into ongoing cases. As for Hun Sen, it is always appreciated when he dials down his rhetoric. It may be too much to hope, but if he allows the case to proceed to the judiciary without interference, it would be appreciated.

Read more!

Leslie Sanazaro Returns with Daughters of Cambodia Tour, Album

By Annie Zaleski

Singer-songwriter Leslie Sanazaro has a free show tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wine Press (4436 Olive Street). This show holds particular meaning for her, though: She'll be debuting new songs from a forthcoming album, Daughters of Cambodia, which is due in May 2011. The album is part of a bigger project whose aim is to raise money for a girls' school in Cambodia.

"It's a little bit of an outside-the-box project," Sanazaro said in a press release. "We make the record with the help of musicians all over the country, raise money for the tour, and let the tour stops raise the money for the school in Cambodia. Each show is a fundraiser and is linked with a local women's organization. It raises awareness for women's issues at home and abroad at the same time."

Sanazaro first became interested in this cause while performing in South Korea in 2008.

"I played 70 shows there that year and would read about women sold into marriage to wealthy men from Seoul," she tells A to Z. "Many of them didn't make it. It was very hard to read.

"Then last year I came upon New York Times writer Sheryl WuDunn's book, Half the Sky. I also heard her speak at Webster this past fall. The detailed stories of women who had survived (and some who had not survived) being sold against their will into the sex trade (brothels), well, it just hit me very deeply. For weeks it was the first thing I thought about waking up and the last thing at night. It made me re-think many things."

A planned break from writing music soon fell by the wayside; Sanazaro says she "was suddenly filled with a reason to write new music! While my heart still aches and I still spend a strong portion of each day in thought about the realities of human trafficking, I feel like I've come alive again working on this project.

"I couldn't be more excited to work on something so important," she adds. "The importance of this issue is deeper than I can express. That is why I began writing this music. When words fail, music, time and intent can deliver!"

Sanazaro will follow the album's release with a U.S. tour and a show at the beneficiary Cambodian school. She's currently running a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the project. Tonight's Wine Press show will have a raffle of prizes, including music from bands such as Bill Deschand, Bottoms Up Blues Gang, Auset, Javier Mendoza and Dub Kitchen. Read more!

Cooperation Between Sweden and Cambodia

The Royal Government of Sweden has decided to set up an Embassy in Cambodia to boost up the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries – Sweden and Cambodia.

Newly appointed Ambassador of Sweden to Cambodia Mrs. Anne Hoglund told Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Keat Chhon during their meeting here last Thursday, according to the spokesman of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The Swedish diplomat further said her government had provided a financial aid for the mutual cooperation and development to two countries in Asia, including Cambodia.

This year, she added, Sweden took over the rotating presidency of the EU and she also became president of EU in Cambodia, which is a task to share effort in the development activities in Cambodia.

In the meantime, Sweden and Cambodia have been working on drafting a development strategic plan for year 2011-2015, which will be completed every soon, said Mrs. Anne Hoglund, adding that many Swedish companies are interested in doing business in Cambodia.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Keat Chhon expressed his warm welcome to the diplomatic mission of the newly-appointed Swedish ambassador to Cambodia, which he said is a sign of strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Sweden is a development partner, which has played an active role in the national development of Cambodia and has been providing grant aid to Cambodia since 1979 by starting from a humanitarian aid, he said.

Up to the end of 2009, Sweden provided US$280 million in grant aid to Cambodia to support the fields of education, good governance, human rights and environment. –AKP

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Legal Advisor Seeks Release of Seven Thais From Cambodian Detention

There is no a disputed border area like NTD Asia Brief News had reported on the internet, the Thai MP is representing million Thai nationals. What was that meant? It meant Thais invading Cambodia.

Thailand sent a legal advisor to Cambodia on Sunday to seek the release of the seven Thais who were detained for entering a disputed border area and military zone on December 29.

The legal advisor met with Cambodia’s defense lawyers and the Thai ambassador in Phnom Penh.

[Nataporn Toprayoou, Thai Legal Advisor]:
"We need to talk to the lawyers here and let them know that we would like to meet the seven Thai detainees."

It's been arranged for him to meet the detainees on Monday to hear their side of the story.

Last month, the court charged the seven Thais with offenses which carry a maximum sentence of 18 months.

At the center of the dispute is the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple - a nationalist symbol in both countries.

The International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962 but Thailand lays claim to much of the land surrounding it.

[Nataporn Toprayoou, Thai Legal Advisor]:
"Let the court prosecute. We cannot say this person is guilty or that person is not guilty so far as there is no proof of the disputed land belonging to the country. We have to prove this concretely."

Most of the detainees are members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD.

PAD members have whipped up nationalistic sentiment over border disputes with Cambodia at times leading to deadly fighting. Read more!

Court slaps 2 Thais with spying charge

Immediate release not possible, says Hun Sen

The seven Thai suspects arrested for trespassing into Cambodia have plunged deeper into trouble as two of them have been slapped with an additional charge of espionage.

Under the new charge, Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, a splinter group of the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, identified as Mr Veera's secretary, could face between five and 10 years in jail if found guilty.

The two were additionally charged with "collecting information which might damage Cambodia's national security", according to Phnom Penh Municipal Court officials.

The two are among the group of seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 last year, which included Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, when they entered a disputed area claimed by Cambodia near Nong Jan village in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district adjacent to Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

The Cambodian court earlier charged them with illegal entry and trespassing on a military area.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen strongly reaffirmed yesterday his government's position to allow the Cambodian judicial process to take its course.

The Phnom Penh Post quoted Hun Sen as saying that the Thai parliamentarian and six other Thais arrested on trespassing charges will have to serve at least two-thirds of their jail sentences if convicted.

"Nobody, not even the United Nations or former Thai prime minister Thaksin [Shinawatra], could interfere in the Cambodian judicial process for an immediate release for them," Hun Sen said via the Bayon television station.

"We will talk about this further when the court has completed its procedure, but the law is the law, the court is the court, and the government cannot influence or order the court to do this or that for a political compromise."

If found guilty of the charges against them, the seven could file an appeal within 30 days.

Hun Sen said that on the night of Dec 29, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya called him about 10 times but he did not answer the phone.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday submitted bail requests for the seven Thai detainees with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the court would make a decision on bail within five days.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called an urgent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Mr Kasit to discuss ways to help get the seven Thais released.

"We are looking at trends in the case. Our goal is to help them to be released and our sovereignty must not be violated," said Mr Abhisit.

Meanwhile, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leader of the Thai Patriots Network, said the Thai embassy in Cambodia had tried to bar the network's legal team from meeting the seven Thais. This could affect their court defence and consequently deprive them of an opportunity to return to Thailand.

He said the network had also petitioned the UN asking it to intervene.

"We will not accept the Cambodian court's ruling as the court procedures are not in line with the fourth Geneva Convention," he said.

Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara yesterday denied Cambodian media reports that Thai soldiers had shot at Cambodians along the border, saying the troops only fired in response to gangs who sneaked into Thailand to fell trees and then opened fire on the soldiers when discovered. Read more!

As Divisive Jan. 7 Holiday Passes, An Expert Reflects

Jan. 7 remains a contentious day for Cambodians, marking both the ouster of the Khmer Rouge and the beginning of Vietnamese occupation. And while Cambodian's can be bitterly divided on the day, an independent analyst says that's the “beauty of democracy.”

“We should take these differences and bind us to each other, to unite build the country,” said Chea Vannath, as a guest on “Hello VOA” Thursday.

People have different views the world over, she said, but some people understand the “art of the the win-win” and that different opinions can be a strength.

The ruling Cambodian People's Party remains a fervent supporters of the day, while denouncing those who are critical. Meanwhile, the opposition and its supporters find more to celebrate on Oct. 23, the birth day of Cambodia as a constitutional democracy.

On Jan. 7, 1979, Vietnamese forces pushed the Khmer Rouge from power. They did not leave until 1989, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Bitter civil war continued through Oct. 23, 1991, when a peace accord was reached.

Both days are important to reflect on Cambodian history, she said.

“Jan. 7 is the father and Oct. 23 is the mother,” Chea Vannath said. “Children need both a father and a mother and they can't say a father has more favor than a mother, can't say that a mother has more favor than the father.”

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Logger alleged killed by Thai border patrol

One Cambodian man was killed and another wounded after they were caught logging illegally across the border in Thailand, officials said Sunday, the latest in a spate of such shootings by Thai security forces.

Dy Phen, director of the border relations office in Banteay Meanchey province, said the pair were part of a group of seven loggers from Thma Puok district who came under fire from troops in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province on Friday.

The group then bore the injured back to Cambodia without being apprehended or informing the Cambodian authorities, he added.

“The body was returned to the man’s family members on the same day as the shooting,” Dy Phen said. “They didn’t report to local authorities because they were afraid we would investigate their case and ask them who encouraged them to go to Thailand.”

Last month, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong met with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya, reportedly discussing the shootings of Cambodian loggers by Thai troops. Hor Namhong said following the meeting that Kasit had agreed that Thai authorities would be more lenient with trespassers.

On the same day as the talks, however, two Cambodians were killed by troops in Thailand’s Sisaket province. Cambodian officials claimed the loggers were attacked by the troops, though Thai Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the soldiers were acting in self-defence.

“They were fired upon by [the loggers’] guards, who were armed, so the patrol had fired back in defence,” Thani said at the time.

Following the incident, the government sent a diplomatic note to Thailand inquiring about the shooting.

“I will use serious words to emphasise that the shooting is a cruel act and is unbecoming of a civilised country,” Hor Namhong said at the time.

Chan Soveth, head of monitoring for local rights group Adhoc, said Sunday that his organisation had recorded 16 Cambodians killed by Thai soliders near the border in 2010, with 29 killed since tensions between the two countries broke out in 2008.

“They should use the law in these situations, not violence,” Chan Soveth said.

Thai officials could not be reached for comment Sunday. Read more!

A day of fun and celebration for children

Thai kids enjoyed special treats and fun activities provided by state agencies, organisations and companies as the country celebrated National Children's Day yesterday.



By The Nation on Sunday


At Government House, in keeping with tradition every year, children formed a long queue for a chance to sit on the prime minister's seat in the Thai Khu Fa building.

Among the children were 13 whose parents were killed in the Southern unrest. They were taken to meet PM Abhisit Vejjajiva who greeted them.

Nine-year-old Alimin Waetingwae from Narathiwat said the premier's seat was soft. He also said that Abhisit was handsome and that he too wanted to become a prime minister in future

Abhisit had earlier presided over the event hosted by the Education Ministry at Sanam Suapa and another by the Metropolitan Police before his meeting with 241 Thai Student Council representatives. He also attended a videoconference with youth representatives of four regions at Government House.

The prime minister was guarded by the "little rangers" security volunteers. He gave an interview to a special television programme by the Thai youth news centre. Abhisit said that if he could ask for three blessings for Thai kids he would want them to be good, capable and happy.
At Parliament, children watched in awe a light and sound show of a 3D House meeting in which they saw PM Abhisit explaining a fiscal matter, House Speaker Chai Chidchob performing his duty and MP Chalerm Yoobumrung giving a speech. They also got a chance to act as news broadcasters from a mock-up TV studio and to learn about Thai politics and royal projects from the exhibition there.

Many military bases also hosted special events for kids and were a popular choice for parents to take their kids to yesterday. The Defence Ministry headquarters in Bangkok hosted many games. There were plenty of photo opportunities for kids to pose with military machines, and also the opportunity to ride one of 32 horses.

At the 14 October 73 Memorial on Rajadamnoen Avenue, democracy advocates and red-shirt supporters hosted an event titled "children love democracy, don't play with soldiers and don't accept dictatorship", in which children were taught to make paper birds, as a symbol of peace.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) also celebrated the day by granting 500 scholarships to underprivileged kids, while providing fun activities for kids at most city parks, the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng as well as other 37 youth centres, 10 sport centres and 34 libraries.

At the Nation Tower in Bang Na, the Nation Group yesterday morning hosted a fun event for kids. Besides playing games for gifts and colouring pictures, the kids also got a chance to try recording their voice at a news studio and had their image printed on the cover of Kom Chad Leuk newspaper.

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Indonesia, Pakistan and Cambodia back Aquino peace stance

By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—Asian leaders have thrown their support behind President Aquino's peace engagement with the Moro separatist rebels and communist insurgents.

Aquino earned the backing of leading political leaders of Pakistan and Indonesia, which are largely Muslim countries, and Buddhist Cambodia when they called on him in Malacañang on Friday.

“Carpe Diem! Seize the moment,” was the message of Pakistani Sen. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, a leader of the political opposition in Pakistan, to Mr. Aquino.

At a press conference in Makati on Saturday, Sayed reiterated it. “This is the time and I think that President Aquino has seized the moment and we will ensure that the moment, the initiative, remains in his hand, and we are right behind him to push this forward.”

Sayed, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Sok An and former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, along with former Speaker Jose de Venecia, met with the President at the Palace to laud him for simultaneously pursuing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Maoist New People's Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Although there was no formal invitation for Muslim nations to broker the peace process, Sayed said, "We endorsed his initiatives for peace within the Philippines—the discussion with insurgents in Mindanao and of course with the NPA.”

Sayed is a member of the Commission of Eminent Persons of the powerful Organization of Islamic Conference and secretary general of the Pakistani Muslim League.

He is seen as an opposition presidential contender should the Pakistani government call for fresh elections to end the political stalemate there.

He said Pakistan, which he described as a “leading Muslim country,” shared the “strategic convergence with the government and people of the Philippines for the resolution of this issue concerning the Muslims of the Philippines. So we endorse wholeheartedly the peace process initiated by President Aquino.”

The officials held an informal meeting later Friday with former President Fidel Ramos and Vice President Jejomar Binay at the residence of De Venecia in Forbes Park, Makati, following the wedding of De Venecia’s son, Joey, to Karen Batungbacal.

At the meeting, which lasted way past midnight, both Binay and Ramos welcomed the help of the Centrist Asia-Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI) in the Philippine peace process.

Binay is set to write President Aquino to formally invite CAPDI to help, in whatever capacity, in the peace process since there has been no formal invitation from Malacañang to do so.

“Our formal presence has to be the result of an invitation because we cannot intervene unilaterally,” said De Venecia, who wanted CAPDI "to make itself available on request."

CAPDI is a high-level alliance of ruling and opposition political parties in Asia, business leaders, civil society and academe. CAPDI, whose forerunner was the Centrist Democrats International Asia-Pacific, was formally founded in Dec. 2010 in Phnom Penh.

Its leaders are skilled in conflict-resolution and international diplomacy.

Sayed said the Philippine government must also welcome Malaysia and Qatar's help.

“Qatar has clout also as a rising Muslim country with a lot of oil revenues. So you see, there's a lot of back- up from Muslim countries and this back-up would help... the government of the Philippines in pushing this process forward,” said Sayed.

“It will bring the Muslim world and the Philippines closer together, and we welcome this,” he said, adding, in effect, that the President was in the best position with his immense political capital and popularity here and abroad to end the Mindanao conflict and insurgency.

“Dialogue is the essence of democracy. The Philippines has a very dynamic democracy. We always looked up to Cory Aquino… in 1986. In the Third World, the Philippines has been a role model on how a peaceful transformation can take place through the exercise of people power,” he said.

Kalla currently chairs CAPDI, while Sok An and Sayed serve as vice president and secretary general, respectively.

“Kalla successfully negotiated the Aceh conflict in Indonesia,” said De Venecia. Sok An and Hun Sen helped engineer the resolution of armed conflicts in Cambodia.

De Venecia is the founding chair of CAPDI, while both Ramos and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen play the role of chair emeritus.

Leaders in Asia have much respect and admiration for Mr. Aquino due to the legacy of his late mother, People Power icon Corazon Aquino, said Sayed.

"Talking to President Aquino, I found him a good guy, a sincere person and a very straightforward person. I think he means what he says," said Sayed, when asked about his thoughts about the chief executive.

"We feel that this is the 21st century. A lot of these conflicts are holdover from the past. It's time to have a better tomorrow. And that new beginning is essential for not just the Philippines (but) for Asia, the Muslim countries and communities," said Sayed.

In the Makati meeting, Sok An said that the Capdi officials decided to form a peace commission with headquarters in Phnom Penh “to be given an institutional back up and support of leaders who have experiences in mediation, negotiation and in conflict resolution.”

The priority is the peace mission to Nepal to be followed by a dialogue between leaders of India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, said De Venecia.

Sayed urged Mr. Aquino and the rest of Asia facing internal conflicts to negotiate peace without U.S., British or Western intervention.

"If the 21st is to be an Asian century, the resurgence, rise and rejuvenation of Asia are inexplicably intertwined with the quest for peace, security and stability in those parts of Asia who are prone to violence, conflict and instability. Hence, we link development with peace. This linkage which something which the country will capture,” said Sayed, adding that Asians should learn to make peace on their own.

“This is the Asian century. We should do it on our own," he said.

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No reinforcement of Thai troops along Thai-Cambodian border

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 8 -- Despite ongoing tension between Thailand and its neighbour Cambodia following the recent arrest of seven Thai nationals, Thai forces on the Surin provincial border have not been reinforced, said Second Army Region commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn on Saturday.

Gen Thawatchai, responsible for security affairs in Thailand's Northeast, said no violence had been reported at Prasart Ta Muen Thom, and the peoples of both countries still visit the historic ruins.

Ta Muen Thom ruin sits on another of many disputed areas along the border, and lies in Surin province and Cambodia’s northern Uddor Meanchey province.

His remarks were made after seven Thais, including MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth from the ruling Democrat party and Thai Patriots Network leader Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers as they inspected the border area in Sakeo province on Dec 29.

The court in Phnom Penh finished the first hearings for all seven Thai detainees on Thursday. The seven faced two charges -- one of illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with assigned punishment of three to six months of imprisonment and deportation, while the other involved trespass into a Cambodian military area without permission, punishable by a three to six months jail term and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.

No date has been set for the court ruling.

Gen Thawatchai said Thailand's present number of troops along the Surin border is sufficient and they are prepared to perform their duty so it is unnecessary to boost their number.

In response to concern that more serious violence might follow the border arrests, Gen Thawatchai said he did not believe there will be more violence. In any case, the final ruling will be made by the Cambodian court and the Thai authorities could not intervene.

He said the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry may discuss with the Cambodian government to secure their return home after the final verdict is made. (MCOT online news)
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Russia mounts land, air and sea searching for trawler in Far East

Two boats, a helicopter and 14 land vehicles are searching for a trawler last heard from off the coast of Sakhalin in Russia's Far East, a regional emergencies spokesman said on Saturday.

The Cambodia-flagged Partner, which has a Russian crew, issued a distress signal on Friday when it was near the western coast of Sakhalin. It had been fishing in the Tatar Strait between the island and the Russian mainland.

"A Mi-8 helicopter from the Sakhalin company Aviashelf is conducting aerial reconnaissance in the area where the distress signal was issued. There are two ships combing the area where the distress signal was issued," the Sakhalin Region Emergency Situations Ministry official said.

The search began on Friday but there has been no sign of the vessel. The land searchers, numbering 74 people, are scouring the western coast of Sakhalin for rafts that may have saved the crew. It is thought that there were up to 14 Russian citizens on board the vessel.

"There are no roads to the coast in the search area, so the operations involve an all-terrain tracked vehicle. The ground-search group includes a doctor. They have warm clothes and food for the fishermen, if they are rescued," the emergencies spokesman said.

Russian fisheries officials said on Friday that the trawler was owned by the Belize-registered company SGI. An October 2010 record listed the captain as Sakhalin resident Alexei Maltsev and said there were 11 crew.

Shipping in Russia's Far East has been beset by problems due to bad weather in recent days and weeks, with icebreakers dispatched to the Sea of Okhotsk, north and east of Sakhalin, to rescue several vessels trapped in sea ice up to two meters thick.

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