A Cambodian and the U.S. maritime exercise will be held in Cambodia from Feb. 27 to March 2 to exchange experience between the two countries' military forces in peacekeeping, said Chhum Socheat, spokesman for Cambodian Ministry of Defense, on Wednesday.
The drill will be conducted at three locations; one is at the naval base in Preah Sihanouk province, another at the tank commanding headquarters in Kampong Speu and the other at Pich Nil military base, he told reporters.
"It is to exchange experiences between the U.S. forces and our Cambodian forces, especially the process of peacekeeping,"he said, adding "some 500 Cambodian military forces and U.S. naval forces will be joined the drill."
It will be focusing on how to rescue victims of wars, how doctors help the injured and how to truck emergency food, and so on, he said, adding that he does not know the number of marines will be used in the drill.
Source: Xinhua .
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Cambodian, U.S naval forces to conduct joint drill this weekend
Should Buddhists cry for war?
Former Bangkok governor Chamlong Srimuang leading a 2006 protest. The co-leader of Thailand's nationalist "yellow shirts" street faction is known for his devotion to the breakaway Buddhist sect Santi Asok. (TANG CHIN SOTHY/(AFP/Getty Images))
Revered monk defends Thai nationalists agitating for conflict with Cambodia
As global conflicts go, the Thai-Cambodia border dispute can hardly compete with the drama playing out in the Arab world.
But it's still stewing, even as the world's interest is diverted to the Middle East. Tens of thousands of troops remain on alert and both Thai and Cambodian leaders refuse to call a truce.
I've previously described the hardline rhetoric coming from self-proclaimed Thai "patriots," who want the army to back down Cambodia with force. The group's leader even urged troops to launch a full-scale invasion to seize Angkor Wat, an ancient temple and symbol of Cambodian pride. (The patriots continue to camp out by the prime minister's compound and vow to stay until Thailand wins the conflict.)
Today I got a chance to hear from a charismatic monk who is aligned with the Thai patriots.
A Buddhist monk standing side-by-side with nationalists agitating for bloodshed?
That's right. His name is Samana Bhodirak and he leads a breakaway Buddhist sect called Santi Asoke. His followers are notoriously disciplined in forsaking meat, sex and material comforts.
With his faithful, he arrived, barefoot, to speak to Thailand's foreign correspondents' club.
I wanted to know -- how could a holy man support people clamoring for war?
"We're aware that people who've joined the protests have burning desires," Samana said. "That's why we try our best, with discipline and knowledge, to soften their stance. I'd argue that the sort of violence that's been detected is limited to verbal violence."
"I don't support military action against Cambodia," he added. "Even if we're right."
Americans with an idyllic view of Buddhism may be surprised to hear of a monk aligned with hardliners eager for conflict. (Worth noting: this sect split from the mainstream Thai Buddhist council in the 1970s.)
But as with all religions, Buddhism has a history of seeping into politics in Thailand. This monk's politics just happen to be a bit more intense.
Consider this poster, hung by the sect's followers on the gate of the Thai patriots' Bangkok encampment.
Yes, that's the World Trade Center on fire.
The message? "Wealth is the cause of violence."
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Tuesday, February 22, 2011
ASEAN to send monitors to Thai-Cambodia border
By NINIEK KARMINI
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Regional military observers will be sent to the Thai-Cambodian border to enforce a cease-fire imposed after deadly clashes erupted over disputed land surrounding an 11th century temple, foreign ministers said Tuesday following emergency talks.
At least eight people have died in the conflict, which broke out earlier this month, and thousands have been displaced.
The two sides have disagreed on everything, from who fired first and where troops were stationed to how best to end the standoff.
But Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said after a meeting with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations that Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a proposal to send up to 40 military and civilian observers to the remote, mountainous area.
The unarmed observers — all from Indonesia — will "observe the commitment by both sides to avoid further armed clashes" and provide accurate and impartial reports about complaints of violations from both sides of the borders, he told reporters after the 90-minute meeting.
They will report to both ASEAN and the U.N. Security Council.
The conflict — which involved exchanges of small arms, mortars and artillery fire — is rooted in a decades-old border dispute near Preah Vihear temple and has fueled nationalist passions on both sides.
The monument was built between the 9th and 11th centuries and sits atop a 1,722-foot (525-meter) cliff. While awarded to Cambodia by the World Court in 1962, sovereignty over adjacent areas has never been clearly resolved.
Skirmishes have erupted several times since 2008, when Preah Vihear was given U.N. World Heritage status, but soldiers and locals say none has been as violent as the latest clash.
The U.N. Security Council expressed "grave concern" Monday and gave strong backing to the efforts of ASEAN — which usually refrains from interfering in the internal affairs of member states — to help end the dispute.
The regional grouping last deployed observers in 2005 — when it helped oversee a peace deal between rebels and government troops in Indonesia's westernmost province of Aceh — and has also participated in conflicts in East Timor and the southern Philippines.
Natalegawa made clear Tuesday that Southeast Asian countries were again ready to step in.
"I would like to make it absolutely clear that ... the option of conflict, the option of use of force, is not meant to be on the table," he told reporters ahead of talks, adding "we are waging peace" not war "so that no more guns and artilleries make a sound in our region."
The border has been tense but quiet in recent days.
Earlier Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told university graduates in Phnom Penh monitors would be welcome to all areas inside the border, from the front lines to military camps and ammunition warehouses.
"They can inspect wherever and whenever they want."
While he has tried hard to shift the debate to an international stage, asking for both U.N. peacekeepers and ASEAN monitors, his Thai counterpart, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has pressed hard for a bilateral solution.
ASEAN is comprised of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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ASEAN Mediates in Cambodia, Thailand Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia agreed Tuesday to accept Indonesian observers and avoid further clashes over a border dispute.
The agreement is a victory for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its current head the Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa who took on a high profile role in mediating the dispute.After hosting a meeting in Jakarta between the Cambodian foreign minister and his Thai counterpart, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa announced that a unique arrangement had been reached to end the violent clashes between the two countries.
Both sides have been fighting over a territory near a historical Hindu Khmer temple on the Thai-Cambodian border.The foreign ministers, he says, have agreed to what he called an unofficial ceasefire, to allow in unarmed Indonesian military and civilian observers to enforce the ceasefire, and to hold further bilateral talks with Indonesian participation in the near future.Natalegawa says he is not concerned that the ceasefire is unofficial as long as both sides adhere to it."The statement speaks of avoidance of armed conflict and which is what our understanding of a ceasefire is.
And so there will be further meeting between the two sides to try to really solidify the present situation.
So I am not going to be trapped into legality of is there a ceasefire or not a ceasefire.
As long as the guns are silent and the artillery is not making nosies,' Natalegawa said.
'I will be quite happy then."Southeast Asia political analyst Carl Thayer is with the University of New South Wales.
He credits Natalegawa, who as chairman of ASEAN took the diplomatic initiative to visit both countries in the past month, and got involved in meetings at the United Nations Security Council in New York.
He says the successful mediation efforts gives ASEAN new credibility on issues that affect peace and stability in the region."I am very optimistic.
It is a very big step for ASEAN,' Thayer stated. 'The issue was taken before the UN Security Council and it threw the hot potato to ASEAN to follow through on.
And Indonesia as chair, its foreign minister has taken a proactive role and has got the agreement of Thailand and Cambodia to show up when Thailand was saying it could only be settled bilaterally."ASEAN has a strict policy of non-interference in member states' internal affairs and has been criticized for doing too little to resolve conflicts and preserve regional security.
But Natalegawa say when the conflict began in early February, he saw a role for ASEAN to play."This is a seminal development in ASEAN's capacity to deal with conflict situation.
When the conflict broke out last fourth of February, as head of ASEAN we were sure, certain that sooner or later this issue will come on ASEAN's lap.
So it is best that we start early and have the advantage of time and have the advantage of setting the tone," Natalegawa said.While the ceasefire is a significant breakthrough, Natalegawa says the mediation process is just beginning and finding a permanent solution to the border dispute will take more time and negotiation.
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Cambodian Govt. Closes UN Vietnamese Refugee Camp
The Cambodian government has ordered the closure of a United Nations (UN) refugee camp, which housed refugees from the ethnic Montagnard minority, fleeing from neighboring Vietnam.
This indication is contained in a report by Asia News.It (www.asianew.it) adding that they are mostly evangelical Christians, from poorer inland areas, and have repeatedly denounced persecution for their faith and support of the United States at the time of the war.
The report noted that human rights activists are appealing to Phnom Penh, urging the government to comply with the directives of the UN Convention on the Rights of Refugees.
It observed that the future of some of the exiles is in the hands of the Cambodian government, who signed the United Nations Charter maintaining an ambiguous attitude towards the Montagnards.
“At first, Phnom Penh announced the repatriation of Vietnamese refugees. It then stated that it would comply with immigration and refugee laws, not excluding the possibility of resettling those claiming refugee statuses,” it stated.
Asia News said that Human Rights Watch (HRW) says it is seriously concerned about the future of the Montagnards, who may not receive treatment "in accordance with international standards."
In his reaction, Phil RobertsonPhil Robertson, deputy director of HRW for Asia, said: "It is imperative that the Cambodian government comply with international agreements and does not return those who seek asylum to a place where their lives and their freedom will be in danger."
“However, the Catholic association Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is in favors of closing the Cambodian centre because it "was the equivalent of a detention” center, where refugees lived in the same way as prisoners,” it also stated.
According to the report, to date, the center hosted 20 people, 10 of whom were resettled in a third country (five-a-head between the U.S. and Canada). The remaining was not granted refugee status and could be forcibly returned by the weekend.
It observed that in 2001 and 2004 at least two thousand Montagnards emigrated to Cambodia to escape the violence of the Vietnamese authorities, who arbitrarily confiscated their land and persecuted them because of their Christian faith. Most of them have obtained political asylum, with the United States at the forefront of granting them visas.
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CAMBODIA: DHL opens fashion and apparel centre
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Logistics company DHL has opened a new office in Cambodia which will serve as specialist fashion and apparel centre to support the country's fast-growing garment export industry.
The premises, close to the centre of the capital Phnom Penh, will house its seventh 'Fashion and Apparel Center of Excellence' in the Asia Pacific.
The new office will offer a range of bespoke and consultancy services to help firms manage the product flow further upstream in their supply chains, ranging from material purchasing to sampling, quality control and direct delivery.
"The fashion and apparel industry remains as one of our core focus areas and Cambodia is an increasingly important part of our global fashion and apparel aspirations," explains Huykieu Khau, managing director, DHL Logistics (Cambodia) Ltd.
"In the first 11 months of 2010, garments and textiles contributed nearly US$2.82bn to Cambodia, which is a 20.15% increase from the same period last year. Moreover, EU tax exemptions for Cambodia mean export growth is likely to continue to rise."
DHL already operates similar centres in Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Services on offer include international and domestic cargo freight forwarding, labelling and packaging, storage and warehousing, and customs clearance.
"The new office reflects our commitment to expand our reach in the region and to continually invest in Cambodia," adds Amadou Diallo, CEO, Africa and South Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding.
"We are very optimistic about the country's growth potential - gross domestic product growth stands at 5.5% in 2010, higher than the forecast of 4.9% by the World Bank. We believe that 2011 will be an even better year for Cambodia now that economic recovery is well underway."
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Monday, February 21, 2011
UN Rights Envoy Meets With Union Leaders
U.N. special rapporteur Surya Subedi walks through a Cambodian national flag upon his arrival in a conference room at the U.N. headquarter in Phnom Penh, in 2010.
The UN’s special envoy for human rights met with union leaders on Monday, including representatives for garment factory workers and teachers, who pointed out concerns in basic rights like education and assembly, officials said.
Surya Subedi, the human rights special representative for the UN secretary-general, is on a 10-day mission that ends later this week.
Union leaders discussed with him with their main concerns as he drafts a report for the UN Human Rights Council, said Rong Chhun, president of the Independent Teachers Association.
Education and assembly were among the main concerns, he said.
People lack access to education, including a lack of schools and low salaries for teachers, Rong Chhun said. Impoverished children also are often unable to go to school, which affects their right to education, he said.
Leaders also pointed to difficulties for unions to assemble workers under strict laws or even hold meetings, after restaurant or other venue owners receive threats from local authorities, Rong Chhun said.
Rong Chhun also said new draft law on unions is restrictive on union leaders, including regulations that make it easy for unions to be banned by the Ministry of Interior. A draft law on NGOs is similarly worrying, he said, in that it could restrict the operations of non-government organizations.
Representatives also told Subedi that were concerned about the murders of labor leaders and the arrests of suspects that are not likely the perpetrators.
Subedi has also met with senior government leaders, opposition parties and rights groups on his trip.
In talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen Thursday, Subedi brought a proposal from 300 NGOs requesting a “dialogue” between the groups and the government, said Ieng Sophalleth, a spokesman for the prime minister.
Hun Sen declined the proposal, saying there are “3,000 local NGOs,” and a request from 300 “did not represent the majority,” Ieng Sophalleth said.
Subedi also spoke to Hun Sen about court reform. Hun Sen said the government does not interfere with the court and is working to improve the judiciary.
Last week, Subedi also met with 20 local NGOs, who outlined their own worries.
Chak Sopheap, executive assistant for the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said local groups raised concerns about rights abuses, land grabs, freedom of expression and the courts.
“Freedom of expression in Cambodia is still barred by the government,” she said, including the freedom to hold demonstrations or strikes.
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Cambodia, Thailand to agree on dispatch of military observers+
JAKARTA, Kyodo—Cambodia and Thailand will agree this week on the dispatch of military observers to a disputed border area where the two sides have traded fire, government officials from both countries said Monday.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told Kyodo News the agreement will materialize at the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta.
Foreign Ministers from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will gather Tuesday in Jakarta to help resolve the border conflict, over which the U.N. Security Council has expressed grave concern and urged for the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.
Indonesia, current chair of ASEAN, initiated the meeting and hinted that it will likely send military observers upon requests from both parties.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi on Monday told reporters in Jakarta that Thailand is ready to allow military observers from Indonesia or ASEAN to deploy in Thai territory on a monitoring mission.
"We are ready if Indonesia as the chair wishes to send military observers to the border," he said.
Cambodia and Thailand have been at loggerheads over their rival claims to 4.6 square kilometers of land around a temple on the border.
Since the temple was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2008, several rounds of border clashes have occurred.
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Chinese vice commerce minister praises China-Cambodia cooperation
Trade cooperation between China and Cambodia could be considered as "pattern cooperation" in developing countries, said Fu Ziying, visiting Chinese vice commerce minister, during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister on Monday afternoon.
"We consider that the trade cooperation between our two countries is a sample among the developing countries," Fu said to Hun Sen, adding that China-Cambodia cooperation in economics and trades will be better.
Fu also promised to encourage more Chinese investors to invest in Cambodia, especially in agro-industry, mining and special economic zones.
"China wants to establish joint investment projects with Cambodia in agro-industry as Cambodia has favorable land and water resources, while China has markets and financial and technical resources to invest in this sector," he added.
He said that China welcomes the export of Cambodian agricultural product into Chinese market.
Fu also conveyed the greeting from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Prime Minister Hun Sen.
In response, Hun Sen said that Cambodia is much in need of investment in agro-industry.
"Cambodia has been developing its agricultural sector, but it' s still weak," he said. "In this sense, I would like to ask Chinese investors to consider investment in this sector."
The premier also asked China to support strongly the development of Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone.
Bilateral trades between Cambodia and China mounted to 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 Cambodian Ministry of Commerce.
Fu Ziying and his delegation, arrived here on Sunday to pay a four-day visit here, held the 2nd China-Cambodia Strategic Economic Dialogue on Monday morning and signed a number of cooperation agreements with Cambodia.
Source: Xinhua
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China to Help Cambodia Boost Social, Economic Development
Cambodia and China on Monday signed six agreements on bilateral cooperation, aiming at assisting Cambodia to develop its economy and to alleviate poverty, said officials.
The agreements were signed here during the 2nd China-Cambodia Strategic Economic Dialogue, co-chaired by Anu Porn Moniroth, secretary of state of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia and Fu Ziying, visiting Chinese vice commerce minister.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon and Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue attended the signing ceremony.
The grant and loan agreements included a grant to Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance; a donation of air-conditioners and desktop computers to the Senate; a project to dispatch Chinese experts to study the feasibility of the construction of agricultural laboratory building in Cambodia; a loan agreement for the construction of a 22 kilovolt electricity transmission line in the length of 1.9 km in the provinces of Kampong Speu, Preah Sihanouk, Prey Veng and Kampong Cham.
Moreover, the construction contract of enlargement of the national road No. 6A (in the length of 40 km) to four lanes under a soft loan from China, and the consultant contract on the enlargement of the national road No. 6A were also signed.
Aun Porn Moniroth expressed profound thanks to China for its timely and unconditional financial and technical assistances to Cambodia.
"As the world was affected by the global financial crisis, China had still provided its assistance to Cambodia," he said, adding"this has helped Cambodia to prevent and overcome the crisis successfully."
"Chinese aid to Cambodia is very essential to develop the economy and alleviate poverty,"he added.
Fu Ziying said that Cambodia is a good neighbor of China and pledged to continue supporting Cambodia in its development of economy.
"China and Cambodia are willing to help each other,"he said, adding "in the future, China can be a big market for Cambodian products."
"We want closer cooperation with Cambodia on agriculture and mining as well as other sectors,"he said.
Fu Ziying is scheduled to pay courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday afternoon.
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DHL eyes Cambodia Oil and Gas
Germany-based logistics giant DHL will put increasing focus on servicing Cambodia’s nascent oil and gas sector for the future of its Kingdom business, officials said at the launch of its new Phnom Penh office today.
While 95 percent of its current freight forwarding work in Cambodia concentrates on garment exports, the company claims to see massive potential for oil and gas.
“Countries like China, India are actively looking for resources, resources like oil and energy,” said the firm’s Africa and Asia Pacific head of oil and energy Sam Ang.
“While I’m pretty sure the [importance] of the [garment] sector will not be reduced, other sectors are coming up.”
The firm’s oil and gas business involves providing logistical services to industry firms.
Sam Ang claimed this could include importing machinery and assisting in large projects such as the installation of oil platforms.
Oil has been climbing on worldwide exchanges in recent months.
Today, Brent crude traded at more than US$104.50 a barrel on London’s ICE Futures Europe exchange.
“As price goes up, people are more excited,” said Sam Ang.
A growing worldwide economy was pushing demand for energy, he said, adding the Kingdom potentially sat on billions of barrels of oil.
Chevron Corporation is generally thought to be the Kingdom’s first chance of producing oil. Prime Minister Hun Sen last year threatened to remove Chevron’s licence – which is held for offshore Block A – if a 2012 deadline to begin production was not met.
Sam Ang also emphasised DHL looked to increase its business from industrial factories looking to enter Cambodia.
Meanwhile, DHL Global Forwarding chief executive officer of Africa and South Asia Pacific, Amadou Diallo, said the United States and Europe were the traditional markets for Cambodia’s garment exports, but added the firm expected intra-Asia exports to pick up in coming years.
Rising costs for producers in China meant factories were increasing coming to the Kingdom, he said, adding that DHL worked hard to stay ahead of the curve.
“You’ll find DHL in more countries than Coca-Cola,” he said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BLOOMBERG
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Sunday, February 20, 2011
Cambodian ruler's son enjoys rapid rise
By Michelle Fitzpatrick
PHNOM PENH, (AFP) -- When Hun Manet was promoted to a two-star general last month, Cambodia's premier had to defend his eldest son's rapid rise, dismissing claims it was an attempt to engineer an eventual succession.
One expert even drew parallels with dynastic plans in secretive North Korea, where communist ruler Kim Jong-Il has seemingly hand picked son Kim Jong-Un to take over the reigns of power.
Thai-Cambodian border clashes, the heaviest in years between the neighbours, have boosted 33-year-old Manet's military credentials, observers say, a small victory for Prime Minister Hun Sen as the row with Thailand rumbles on.
Described as "a pretty humble guy" by a Phnom Penh-based diplomat who has met Manet on several occasions, the first-born of Hun Sen's six children does not seek out the spotlight.
Much has been made in Cambodia of his foreign education and despite his young age, Manet is already chief of the ministry of defence's anti-terrorism unit as well as deputy commander of his father's personal bodyguard unit.
He was promoted to a two-star general in January, a move that prompted some observers to suggest he was being groomed to succeed his father, 59, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985 -- making him the longest-serving Asian leader.
The premier hit back, saying Manet -- who graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1999 and earned a doctorate in economics from Britain's University of Bristol -- was well-qualified for the roles.
"He has been in the army for 16 years and there is promotion within the army ranks," Hun Sen said at the time.
Chhaya Hang, executive director of the Khmer Institute of Democracy, a local policy group, believes the premier is trying to consolidate power by "orchestrating the future of Cambodia's leadership".
"We saw a similar story last year when the North Korean president promoted his son to a four-star general," he said.
When a long-running border dispute with Thailand boiled over earlier this month, resulting in four days of deadly violence, Thai news outlets were quick to point out Manet's role in the fighting.
Some even claimed -- wrongly -- that he had been injured.
Hun Sen set the record straight, explaining in a speech that his son was involved in border strategy and negotiations with Thai counterparts -- from the safety of the Cambodian capital.
"Manet is so famous in Thailand now," said Hun Sen, sounding like a proud father as he took a swipe at the Thai reports.
"The invaders curse you, son," he said, before adding jokingly: "Let's fight, son, your father encourages you."
A few days after the violence died down, Manet travelled to the tense border to meet troops, stepping into the limelight at last.
"He paid a visit and encouraged our troops at the frontline," said a Cambodian field military commander who did not wish to be named. "He also gave some advice to our soldiers regarding fighting tactics and self-defence."
Many of the Cambodian soldiers on the border are thought to be former Khmer Rouge fighters hardened by decades of the now-over civil war.
The visit appeared to serve the purpose of exposing Manet to a "real war situation", said Chhaya Hang, that would help to "legitimise his role in the military as one of the modern world's youngest generals".
But some analysts cautioned that it was important not to overstate the importance of Manet's rapid rise to prominence.
"Ordinary Cambodian people don't feel too concerned" about his career progression and where it might eventually lead, said political commentator Son Soubert.
He also said it was too soon to speculate whether the premier was paving the way for his son to take the top job, hinting at opposition within the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to the idea.
"Many people think he is being groomed to succeed his father but whether he will succeed in convincing everyone in the CPP circle is another question," said Soubert.
If Manet is to rise to the top, he may have to wait a long time -- his father has vowed to stay in power until he is 90.
"I think for the moment that we should take Prime Minister Hun Sen's statements about staying on in his role for many years to come at face value," said Milton Osborne, a visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney.
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Observers invited to embed with Thai troops: Thai FM
By The Nation
Thailand planned to invite Indonesia to send observers to "embed" with Thai soldiers at the border where Thai troops clashed with Cambodia, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Sunday.
The observers will be witness for the Thai side that it respected the ceasefire with Cambodia.
Kasit was speaking after attending a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. The meeting is held in preparation for Asean Foreign Ministers' meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday.
"We would ask Indonesia, chair of Asean, to dispatch observers to embed with the Thai troops at the border where the Thai troops clashed with Cambodian troops. The observers will be our witness that we respect the ceasefire," Kasit said.
Fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted on February 4 and continued although both generals had met on the following day and agreed for the ceasefire.
Recently UN Security Council issued a statement calling for immediate ceasefire between the countries.
Kasit said Cambodia should also agree to accept the observers to embed with their troops.
Responding to reports that both countries have signed a temporary ceasefire during a meeting between Thai and Cambodian generals in a restaurant in Along Veng of Cambodia on Saturday, Kasit said that both sides did not sign any ceasefire.
What they did was just talking not negotiating and they did not sign anything, he said.
Meanwhile an informed source said representing the Cambodian side in the Saturday meeting was not Maj Gen Hun Manet, the eldest son, of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen but Deputy Supreme Commander Jia Dara.
Border ceasefire brokered
By Cheang Sokha
Touch Ra, deputy chief of the border relations office in Oddar Meanchey province, said today that military commanders from the two sides met for a two-hour closed-door meeting on Saturday attended by Hun Manet, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s eldest son.
“The result of the meeting has not been revealed as it was held secretly,” Touch Ra said.
But he added that since the meeting was conducted, the situation along the border has returned to normal.
“Most of the people have returned to their homes and are continuing with their businesses.
“The situation has calmed down and the people have no more fear of gunfire along the border.”
Chea Morn, commander of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Military Region 4, declined to comment today.
The talks followed four days of clashes from February 4-7, in which troops traded artillery, mortar and small arms fire in disputed areas close to Preah Vihear temple, which sustained damage in the skirmishes.
The Bangkok Post reported today that military commanders from both sides had inked a ceasefire agreement following Saturday’s talks, though it is unclear whether the agreement will hold.
A previous truce was called on February 5, but violence flared up again the next day.
The paper quoted an army source as saying Second Army commander Thawatchai Samutsakhorn was part of a Thai delegation led by Army chief-of-staff Daopong Rattanasuwan. The Cambodian delegation was led by Hun Manet, according to the report.
“All is well,” said Thawatchai Samutsakhorn after the agreement was signed at a restaurant near the Choam Sa-Ngam border crossing between Oddar Meanchey and Sisaket provinces.
The apparent agreement has stoked nationalist sentiment in Thailand, with Yellow Shirt activists from the People’s Alliance for Democracy claiming it could disadvantage Thai claims to disputed territories close to Preah Vihear.
At a press conference in Bangkok, Yellow Shirt spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said the conditions under the ceasefire deal had put Thailand in an underdog situation and would lead to a permanent loss of Thai land to Cambodia, the Bangkok Post reported.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva denied the claims in his weekly address today, saying the agreement “will not lead to any loss of Thai soil as speculated”.
The agreement comes ahead of a meeting of ASEAN’s foreign ministers in Jakarta tomorrow, which is set to discuss the stand-off between Cambodia and Thailand.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said last week that at the meeting Cambodia will press Thailand to sign a permanent ceasefire under ASEAN’s auspices, requesting that the bloc deploy observers into disputed border areas.
Thailand has been steadfastly opposed to a multilateral solution to the border conflict, which has erupted into sporadic violence since July 2008, when UNESCO listed Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site over Thai objections.
Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will lead a delegation to Indonesia today to attend the meeting.
Thai state media also reported on Saturday that former UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura will next week pay a visit to Bangkok and Phnom Penh to hear both sides’ views on the recent conflict, though he will not visit disputed areas along the border.
Cambodia Successfully Hosts ASEAN Tourism Forum 2011
By Jojie Alcantara
Philippine delegates to the Asean Tourism Forum in Cambodia (photo by Jojie Alcantara)
ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2011 launched its opening ceremony in Cambodia (dubbed Kingdom of Wonder), and was hosted by the Ministry of Cambodia on January 18 at the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh. The week long event welcomed over 1,600 heads of National Tourist Organizations (NTOs), Tourism Ministers, travel suppliers, international buyers, media and other tourism professionals from around the world.
After welcoming speeches by Kingdom of Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Akka Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Sok An, (Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for ATF 2011) and H.E. Mr. Thong Khon (Minister of Tourism, and Permanent Vice-Chairman of ATF 2011 Organizing Committee), delegates were treated to a 30-minute spectacular fireworks display, and a fascinating cultural extravaganza of 500 performers amidst pyrotechnics, set in an open area by the riverside. A stunning sunset and full moon enhanced the wonderful scene.
Occupying a huge exhibition area of 8,430 sqm, the ATF TRAVEX – a three-day travel trade-only exhibition and business meetings platform – featured 518 booths from 434 exhibiting companies of 10 ASEAN countries. International buyers with a keen interest to buy destinations, products and services were ready to do business and source at this annual leisure travel trade event, showcasing the largest contingent of ASEAN sellers, from small to large suppliers.
Philippine Secretary of Tourism Alberto Lim was among several delegates of Filipinos who attended, including travel agents and resort operators. We bonded together over hosted lunch, dinners, and at the Travex exhibition booth. The Philippine media comprised of my colleague Ian Garcia (M Magazine and Mindanao Times) and I, who travelled along with DOT XI Regional Director Art Boncato.
ATF 2011 became a widely publicized event by both trade and consumer media, with 148 media delegates from across 32 countries in attendance. We received first-hand information on the latest updates and developments taking place across 10 ASEAN destinations through dedicated media briefings, showcasing travel attractions.
Exciting networking opportunities were offered to buyers and hosted media delegates through pre-event city tours of Phnom Penh, highlighting the city’s wonderful attractions which include The Royal Palace, National Museum of Cambodia, Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison), Toul Tum Poung Market, Phsar Thmey (Central Market) and Wat Phnom Daun Penh. Post event tours were also given at a discounted rate to Sihanoukville and Siem Reap, home to the ancient Angkor Wat.
Delegates were treated to a wide range of networking activities over the next few days, including friendly golf, hosted luncheons and dinners by Cambodia Angkor Air, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Bangkok Airways, Tourism Malaysia and Ministry of Tourism. Late night functions at Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra gave them a chance to relax and party after a hectic day.
A cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as one tourist destination, ATF is an annual event involving the tourism industry sectors of 10 member nations of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Each year, the hosting of ATF is rotated among the member countries. ATF 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of this event since its inauguration in Malaysia in 1981. This year’s theme was “ASEAN, A World of Wonders and Diversity”. ASEAN Tourism Forum 2011 with the ATF TRAVEX (Jan. 19-21) was held from 15 to 21 January 2011 at Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Manado, Indonesia is now preparing to host ATF 2012.
Special thanks to the following who made my trip fun in more ways than one: Cebu Pacific Air (Davao–Manila-Saigon connecting flight), DOT XI and Director Art Boncato, Nino Carandang and Western Digital (all my precious 20gb worth of images throughout the trip stored in my new 1Tb passport!), NCCC, Mayor Sara Duterte, Mayor Michelle Rabat of Mati, and Miss Gina Espejo for the MX3 capsules which I regularly take to energize me after the long haul.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Cambodia: Thailand's rejection of ceasefire shows 'fragility of war' at border
Pro-government newspaper Reaksmei Kampuchea in Cambodian carries in its 19 February 2011 issue a report by Meng Chhai on pages A1 and A5 headlined "Thailand Increasingly Reinforces Troops at the Border Adjoining Cambodia Ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting"
The Reaksmei Kampuchea says:
"Warmongering Thai Prime Minister Aphisit Vechachiva on Thursday [ 17 February] immediately rejected Cambodia's proposal for a ceasefire agreement between the two countries saying that it is too early to talk about any measures.
"Samdech Cambodian Prime Minister on Thursday [ 17 February] proposed that Thailand and Cambodia signed an agreement on a permanent ceasefire witnessed by other ASEAN members or the ASEAN chairman when ASEAN foreign ministers meet in Jakarta on Tuesday next week [ 22 February].
"Aphisit, however, said that 'We did not open fire first. It is too early to talk about signing any agreement. Thailand has said it from the beginning that we did not open fire first. We did what other countries will do...[ellipsis as published] That is, when were are under attack, or we were fired on first, we will fire back. We have the right to protect our sovereignty.'"
The Reaksmei Kampuchea report further says:
"It should be specified that the Thai government's rejection on signing a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia coincided with Thai media, Bangkok Post, reporting that the royal Thai armed forces have decided to implement the national defence plan named Chakrabongse Bhuvanart [Romanized name as published] with the participation of three type of armed forces to patrol the Thai-Cambodian border from the provinces of Sisaket, Chanthaburi, to Trat.
"A military source said that Supreme Commander Songkiti Chakapatara has approved the plan as the national defence strategy for the eastern region.
"The source said that around 15,000 Thai troops have been dispatched close to the so-called 4.6-square-kilometre area around Prasat Preah Vihear temple. Under the Chakrabongse Bhuvanart plan, the Thai eastern forces will conduct activities along the border in the provinces of Sisaket and Prachinburi. The force called Sunnari will be responsible for the northeast region and also for the Phra Viharn 54 Operation Plan [preceding Romanized name as published].
"The navy's marines of the border defence force in Chanthaburi and Trat, and other armed forces have been put on standby. In total, approximately 23,000 marines and air force troops will be deployed.
"Continuing, the source said that the air force will send fighter aircraft to patrol the border to support land operations. The air force could in less than 10 minutes send F16 aircraft from Nakhon Ratchasima province to the border area near Prasat Preah Vihear temple in Sisaket province.
"General Ithaphorn Soup-havong, air force commander, said that even though the air force is ready to send F16 aircraft, he believed that this will not be necessary because the confrontation between the two countries remains only at 'small clash level.' He believed that the two sides could still resolve the problem through non-violent negotiation.
"Concerning the continued clash in the area of conflict, Defence Minister Pravit Vongsuvon said that Thai forces will return fire when Cambodian troops open fire on them to defend the country's sovereignty."
Continuing the Reaksmei Kampuchea says:
"On 18 February afternoon, Koy Kuong, spokesman of the Cambodian Foreign Ministry, said that 'Thai Prime Minister Aphisit's rejection of Samdech Decho Hun Sen's proposal in which the samdech wanted a ceasefire agreement signed at the coming 22 February meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, clearly shows the Thai side's warmongering nature and nurtured idea to commit aggression against Cambodian territory. Thailand also violate d the memorandum of the UN Security Council who wanted a permanent ceasefire at the Cambodian-Thai border. Moreover, Thailand did not want ASEAN observers or ceasefire controllers in the border area. This also showed that Thailand wanted to hide its dirty tricks to commit aggression against Cambodia and to accuse Cambodia of opening fire first. So, the rejection by Thailand shows the international community that if it (Thailand) were good, why is it afraid of a third party to be witness?
"Koy Kuong further said that the Thai prime minister's objection was unreasonable and not proper at all. The rejection confirmed the tricky nature of the Thai leadership, especially Thai Prime Minister Aphisit."
Concluding, the Reaksmei Kampuchea report in Cambodian on 19 February says:
"Even though Bangkok has rejected the proposal beforehand, Koy Kuong said that Cambodia will continue to propose the signing of a ceasefire agreement, because this is in conformity with the spirit of the memorandum of the UN Security Council who wants a permanent ceasefire. And it is also in conformity with what Indonesian foreign minister wanted in his name as ASEAN chairman. Koy Kuong further said that Cambodia hopes that ASEAN foreign ministers would support Cambodia's proposal."
"Koy Kuong added that Thailand objected to the ceasefire agreement and has also sent more troops to the Cambodian border. In this era, Thailand should not think that because it has more troops and stronger than Cambodia. The world currently values only Cambodia's correctness and legitimacy in the border conflict with Thailand.
"Political analysts said that Thailand beefing up troops could be a strategy to put psychological pressure on Cambodia ahead of negotiation. Thailand's intention could be to increase its weight at the talks. Such acts, however, could have bad consequence on Thailand and shows the fragility of war along the Cambodian-Thai border."
Source: Reaksmei Kampuchea, Phnom Penh, in Cambodian 19 Feb 11
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Activists urge Thai govt not to sign permanent ceasefire agreement with Cambodia
BANGKOK, Feb 19 -- Activists of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have been holding a rally in the Thai capital for nearly a month demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government for mishandling the Thai-Cambodian border conflict demanded on Saturday that the government must not sign a permanent ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, saying that conditions proposed earlier by his counterpart Hun Sen were “insincere,” said PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan.
Mr Hun Sen on Thursday said in Phnom Penh that Cambodia would urge Thailand to agree to a peace deal during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting, to be held in Jakarta next Tuesday, and a ceasefire agreement be signed between foreign ministers of the two neighbouring countries under the witness of ASEAN or the ASEAN chair.
The upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers meeting will be held with an aim to finding ways to end the border conflict and clashes at the disputed border between soldiers of the two countries.
But Mr Panthep said conditions proposed by Cambodia are “insincere because that country has accused Thailand on several occasions” and if an agreement has to be signed then Cambodian villagers and soldiers must move out of the disputed area or before memos by Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) are formally signed.
PAD’s long standing position is to oppose Thai parliamentary endorsement of the three memos by the JBC, claiming they may result in loss of Thai territory adjacent to the Hindu Preah Vihear temple. They have also demanded the revocation of MoUs signed between Thailand and Cambodia in 2000.
The Yellow Shirt movement believes that the JBC documents will put Thailand at a disadvantage as the documents originating from the MoUs related to the survey and boundary demarcation recognising a French map, with a scale of 1:200,000 sq km, that puts Thailand at risk of losing territory.
Another PAD core leader Prapan Koonmee said he had received a letter issued by the Royal Thai Police Bureau asking him and other core leaders to report themselves to Bangkok Metropolitan Police headquarters next Tuesday on charges of violating the Internal Security Act since PAD members have been holding the rally in Bangkok since January 25.
Challenging the police order, Mr Panthep said the enforcement of the Act is tantamount to violating the constitution and the right to freedom of assembly. MCOT online news)
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Thai, Cambodian troops agree on ceasefire: report
BANGKOK, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Army Region 2 commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn unveiled on Saturday evening that military commanders of both Thailand and Cambodian have finally reached agreement on ceasefire, a local website INN reported.
Army-chief-of staff Gen Daopong Rattanasuwon held ceasefire talks with Cambodian Deputy Supreme Commander Gen Jia Dara at Chong Sangam in border Surin province on Saturday.
Thailand's Army Region 2 commander and Cambodia's Army Region 4 commander Lt-Gen Jia Mon were among those top brasses attending the meeting.
Following the latest cross-border fighting which erupted firstly on Feb. 4 and carried on until Feb. 7, there were still a few rounds of small skirmishes. Military commanders of both countries once agreed on truce on Feb. 5 but that was not fully implemented.
Soon after both countries' foreign ministers along with Indonesian foreign minister, who is ASEAN's current chairman, attended the UN Security Council meeting in New York on Feb. 14 to discuss the conflicts, a fresh round of clash occurred. However, no further clash has been reported since Feb. 16.
In the deadliest cross-border fighting on Feb. 4-7, about two Thai soldiers and eight Cambodian soldiers were killed and over 20, 000 residents along the border were forced to flee as the two countries exchanged both small arms firings and heavy shelling.
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Thai, Cambodian businessmen agree on widening trade, investment
BANGKOK, Feb 19 -- As an ongoing four-day Thailand Trade Fair being held in Phnom Penh now is running successfully, businessmen of the two countries have also agreed on enlarging trade and investment between them believing that clashes at the disputed border between soldiers of their countries should be solved by their respective governments, said a leading Thai businessman Saturday.
Niyom Waiyaratchapanich, deputy chairman of Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and also committee chairman of TCC’s international trade promotion, said leading businessmen of the two countries agreed during Thursday’s business summit, held for the first time by the two nations, that they would propose to their governments in issuing ‘Thai-Cambodian Business Card’ to facilitate businessmen in crossing the border of each country to do business.
Under the scheme, a special passage at the border will be arranged for the cardholders to pass through, saving time off immigration procedures, Mr Niyom said.
They also agreed that an SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) clinic should be set up in both countries to encourage new Thai investors to invest in infrastructure and tourism ventures in Cambodia, proposing both Bangkok and Phnom Penh governments extend contract farming while Thai farming experts would provide know-how to Cambodian farmers, enlarging logistics networks, increasing trucks carrying goods to 150 daily from 40 now and launching bus facilities between the two countries.
“Businessmen of the two countries didn’t raise the border problem for discussion during the meeting as they believed that the issue could be settled by their governments,” Mr Niyom said.
With the two-way trade in 2010 valued about Bt81 billion, up 20 per cent from the previous year, the Thai government-run National Intelligence Agency said in its report last month that trade value between the two countries in 2011 could be almost equal last year’s if no border checkpoints are closed due to clashes at the border.
Thailand is now ranked 14th in terms of largest foreign investment in Cambodia, as businessmen in this country have already invested in more than 80 projects, with total investments of over US$363 million.
Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot, who also attended the trade fair which ends Sunday, opined that the summit proposed that a similar trade fair be organised in each country every two months due to the success of the ongoing fair in Phnom Penh. (MCOT online news)
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Vietnam's public security delegation visits Cambodia
A high-ranking delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MPS), led by Minister Gen. Le Hong Anh is on a two-day visit to Cambodia from February 18-19.
The delegation was received by Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Cambodia.
After informing each other of the socio-economic situation of each country, the two ministers signed a cooperation plan for 2011 which aims to strengthen effectiveness in combating crime and ensuring social order and security as well as support each other in training staff and using technical equipment.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Minister Le Hong Anh said that cooperative ties between Vietnam’s MPS and Cambodia’s relevant agencies have made important progress which contributed greatly to the political and socio-economic development of both countries.
He also said he hoped the cooperation plan for 2011 would be effectively carried out, contributing to the national construction and development process of each country.
Speaking highly of the outcomes in cooperation between the two public security forces, Deputy PM Sar Kheng also expressed his belief in the successes of bilateral cooperation in the future.
In the afternoon the same day, the Vietnamese delegation paid a courtesy visit to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
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