PHNOM PENH, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue on Tuesday attended the launching ceremony of Chinese Corner at the University of Cambodia and donated books and digital documents to the leading university in Cambodia.
Pan said that he hopes the Chinese Corner will help the Cambodian university students get more understanding of Chinese language and culture.
Pan also donated 189 kinds of Chinese books, 55 types of visual audio documents in addition to five computers to the university, covering many areas related to China, like language, culture, geography, society and modern technologies.
Besides, the electronic library system also donated by the Chinese ambassador is particularly eye-catching.
According to Pan, the e-library system includes 21,000 kinds of Chinese books and a large quantity of various visual audio documents, which would definitely satisfy the Cambodian students' eagerness to learn Chinese language and culture.
Kao Kim Hourn, secretary of state at Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and President of University of Cambodia, expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Pan, saying the Chinese Corner and book donation will certainly help the Cambodian students, as well as public, acquire the knowledge of China in all fields.
The president said, besides the university students, the books and e-documents donated by Pan will be allowed public access.
A library staff who earned his master degree from a Chinese leading university, told Xinhua that more and more Cambodian students and citizens share the desire to study Chinese language and culture since China is growing fast both economically and politically. However, their resources are limited in terms of both publications and teaching staff.
He affirms that the Chinese Corner and books donated by Ambassador Pan will not only meet the students' studying desire, but also trigger their interest in going to China for further education.
He also says that there is a Chinese Department in the university with a very small enrollment.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Chinese envoy unveils Chinese Corner at University of Cambodia
Vietnam, Cambodia promote legislative cooperation
HANOI, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) External Relations Committee Tran Van Hang held talks here on Tuesday with Chairman of the Cambodian NA Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Media and Information Chheang Vun, to promote legislative ties.
Hang welcomed the visit to Vietnam by the Cambodian parliament delegates, saying the long-standing friendship and all-sided cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, including legislative agencies, have continually developed over the years.
In the current regional and global changing situation, the two countries' legislative bodies should further expand exchange of information and closely coordinate at international forums, especially in the ASEAN cooperative framework and other sub- regional mechanism, to contribute to promoting the process for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole, Hang said.
He affirmed that Vietnam has attached importance to consolidating and developing relationship and cooperation with Cambodia, considering it a valuable asset of both countries that should be well preserved for each country's development and prosperity, and for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress worldwide.
The two sides shared a view that currently the Vietnamese and Cambodian NAs are implementing the agreement on cooperation signed on April 26, 2007. After reviewing results of their cooperation obtained in the past years, they discussed about content of the memorandum of understanding on the new agreement with adjustments and supplements, which will be submitted to the two NAs for approval.
Regarding activities of the two NAs' external relations commissions, the two chairmen agreed to increase more visits and well coordinate in holding a conference of the NA External Relations Commissions of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in July in Vietnam.
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Monday, February 20, 2012
Sciaroni to Represent Cambodia at US Business Conference
Former White House counsel promotes economic development in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Bretton G. Sciaroni of Sciaroni & Associates will represent the Kingdom of Cambodia at the first-ever Global Business Conference hosted by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington, DC Feb. 21 and 22.
Sciaroni, senior partner at the Phnom Penh-based professional services firm, is chairman of the American Cambodian Business Council (AmCham). He has provided advice and counsel to foreign investors seeking to do business in Cambodia since 1993 and also serves as legal advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia as well as chairman of the International Business Chamber.
"It's an honor to represent Cambodia at such a high level meeting, bringing together leading businesses and representatives from around the world to discuss ways we can work together to contribute to economic prosperity," he said.
The two-day conference will feature opening remarks by Gen. Michael Hayden (“An Insider’s View of the World”) and presentations by executives of IBM, General Electric and Microsoft. More than 100 countries will be represented at the forum.
The first day of the event will feature sessions on export promotion, increasing foreign investment in the United States, creating public-private partnerships, facilitating business and leisure travel to the United States, and key policy topics of interest to businesses abroad. The second day will include breakout sessions, hosted by the State Department’s regional Assistant Secretaries, to discuss regional strategies to advance shared economic interests.
Sciaroni, who was nominated to represent Cambodia by the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, said the conference “is an opportunity to promote Cambodia as an investment destination among top US Companies.
“Given the fact that Cambodia is chairing the ASEAN summit this year, it’s perfect timing to present the country to the international business community,” he said. Sciaroni added that the Washington meeting also provides a platform to “promote the idea of a US-ASEAN business summit that is currently under active discussion.”
The conference will cover general international business subjects concerning US trade policy and the potential for international collaboration.
Sciaroni, a former White House counsel, has provided investment and legal advice to multinational companies, development agencies and the diplomatic community in Cambodia for nearly 20 years. His firm of Cambodian and expatriate staff provides counsel to many of the world’s leading companies who have investment interests in the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia.
In addition to serving as heads of the local business councils, Sciaroni, along with the Minister of Finance, co-chairs the Working Group on Law, Tax and Good Governance for the Royal Government of Cambodia.
While in Washington, Sciaroni will also attend a meeting sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce to discuss Sec. Clinton’s planned trip to Cambodia in July as well as the October ASEAN Economic Minister meetings.
About Sciaroni & Associates
Sciaroni & Associates is a leading legal and professional services firm based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since 1993, the firm has provided advice and business insight to many of the world’s leading companies as well as the Royal Government of Cambodia. Senior Partner Bretton G. Sciaroni has nearly 20 years of experience advising clients in Cambodia and is a leading contributor to the development of the Cambodian economy. Managing Partner Matthew Rendall has worked in Cambodia since 1994 and has extensive property and labor law expertise as well as considerable experience in general investment structuring. Managing Partner John Pike has more than 25 years of investment banking and legal experience in the United Kingdom and throughout Asia. The firm provides guidance and expertise in all facets of law and investment, from company creation to licensing, labor, property and government relations. Additional details may be obtained via the firm's website at http://www.sa-cambodia.com/ .
Contact:.
Sciaroni & Associates
Office Manager
Greg Regan, (855) 23 210 225
greg@sa-cambodia.com.
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Cambodia's fainting workers
Last year, more than 200,000 workers in the garment sector went on strike in protest over their pauperized working conditions. The government responded by reminding employers to strictly enforce the occupational safety and health standards required by law.
To further highlight the demands of garment workers, the Asia Floor Wage network organized Cambodia’s first ever People’s Tribunal on Minimum Living Wage and Decent Working Conditions early this month. It was also the first tribunal in the Asia-Pacific aimed at establishing a standard on the issue of fair pricing for garment manufacturers and, in particular, strengthening the bargaining power of female workers within the global supply chain.
Aside from the wage issue, the tribunal also discussed the alarming rise of mass fainting incidents in many garment factories. In 2011 alone, the Free Trade Union reported that 2,300 workers fainted in five factories. Initial investigations revealed that many workers suffered from low blood sugar, malnutrition, dehydration, food poisoning and over-exertion. The government later confirmed that the fainting cases were related to poor working conditions in many factories.
During the tribunal, workers in the “fainting factories” recalled how they regularly work for 12 to 14 hours a day while being exposed to strong chemicals in hot and poorly ventilated environments. Most of the female workers said they also have to travel long hours, standing in overcrowded trucks, to get to work each day.
To stop the fainting, factory owners merely need to ensure that occupational safety and health policies are implemented. Specifically, workers should be taught how to properly handle chemicals and electrical equipment. In addition, workers should be given time to rest at the weekend, while any overtime worked during peak factory production periods should be undertaken in compliance with the law.
The tribunal succeeded in articulating the demands of garment workers, but the proposed reforms still need to be aggressively presented to the government and the global clients of Cambodia’s garment factories. Just a week ago, 162 garment workers in a Preah Sihanouk factory were reportedly rushed to various hospitals and clinics after they fainted at work.
A few years ago, there was a global outcry over the recruitment of child workers in Southeast Asia’s infamous sweatshops, an outcry that forced Western companies, employers, buyers, and local governments to sign a pact against this unfair labor practice. Today, consumers should likewise be informed that clothing companies are able to cut the prices of goods at the expense of Cambodia’s fainting workers.
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Cambodia, China willing to further enhance cooperation in all fields: officials
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and China are willing to further promote bilateral cooperation in all fields in the framework of ASEAN-China relations, officials said Monday.
The commitment was made during the official visit of Ma Mingqiang, secretary general of ASEAN-China Center, to Cambodia.
In a meeting with Cambodia's Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, Ma Mingqiang said this was his official visit to Cambodia since the ASEAN-China Center was launched on Nov.18,2011.
"The visit aims at promoting ASEAN-China cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, and culture," he said.
Meanwhile, Thong Khon said Cambodia saw China as a big source of visitors to Cambodia in the near future.
He added that last year, Cambodia received 247,000 Chinese tourists, up 39.2 percent, making Chinese tourists the third largest arrival groups to Cambodia.
"Based on the trend, the country expects to see about 600,000 Chinese visitors here in 2015 and up to 1 million in 2020," said the minister. "To achieve this goal, we have been strengthening our tourism product quality and services, and encouraging hotels, restaurants and resorts to use Chinese language in order to meet the needs of Chinese tourists."
Cambodia and China signed tourism cooperation on Feb. 9, 1999, he said.
On Monday, Ma had also met with Pich Rithi, director general of the commerce ministry's general directorate of domestic trade, and both sides had affirmed the necessity to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation for mutual interests.
Pich Rithi said Cambodia saw China as the largest market for Cambodian agricultural products, especially rice and cassava, so that he asked Ma to help attract Chinese businesspeople and investors to do business in the fields in order to increase Cambodia's exports to China.
Ma said that through the ASEAN-China Center, he would try to promote Cambodia's investment potentials to Chinese investors and the world.
Also, on the day, Ma had met with Chea Sienghong, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, and Soeung Rathchavy, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Ma and his delegation arrived here on Feb. 19 for a 3-day visit. They will leave Cambodia for Vietnam on Tuesday.
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OZ Minerals to sell off Cambodian gold assets
OZ MINERALS announced plans yesterday to sell off its gold assets in Cambodia, closing a controversial chapter for the company that was forced to deny allegations of impropriety last year in relation to this business.
The Cambodia Daily newspaper last year alleged relatives of government officials had received hundreds of thousands of dollars after the Australian company bought out its local partner in a goldmining venture.
The newspaper said the trio were appointed in 2006, just before Shin Ha concluded a joint-venture agreement with Oxiana, headed by Owen Hegarty. The company was later named OZ Minerals after merging with Zinifex.
OZ Minerals and the Cambodian government denied any impropriety. A company spokeswoman said in July last year that an internal investigation could find no evidence of wrongdoing.
Last week this newspaper reported that documents released by the federal Attorney-General's Department under freedom of information laws showed that officials in the financial crime section were last year taking a keen interest in the allegations.
OZ Minerals has had the Cambodian business under review since April last year when it became clear that the gold exploration program was not going to yield the 2 million ounce resource the company needed to make it a starter project.
The company sold off its rights to Renaissance Minerals yesterday for $17.8 million in cash, shares and options with a further $22.5 million due if project milestones are achieved from the deposits with estimated gold reserves of 729,000 ounces.
''We have concluded that this project does not fit within OZ Minerals' strategy with regard to scale in relation to the commodity and our overall preference for mid-tier copper projects,'' said OZ Minerals chief executive Terry Burgess.
OZ Minerals sold all its operating mines, except Prominent Hill, to China Minmetals in June 2009 for $US1.39 billion after it failed to reach an agreement with its banks to repay debt.
It only survived as a separate company when the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, blocked the sale of Prominent Hill, a copper and gold mine in South Australia.
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Gunfire hits at least 3 striking Cambodian workers
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
At least three striking garment workers were wounded by gunshots Monday while protesting outside their factory in southeastern Cambodia.
Keo Kong, police chief of Bavet town in Svay Rieng province, said three women were hurt, one seriously, by an unknown gunman who fired at them when the protest by more than 1,000 workers turned rowdy.
The workers at the Kaoway Sports Ltd. factory have been striking since Friday to demand better working conditions and benefits.
The factory is Taiwanese-owned and makes footwear for Germany's Puma brand, according to the Phnom Penh Post newspaper. Commerce Ministry statistics show that most of its production is shipped to Europe, especially Germany and Italy.
The Cambodian human rights group Licadho last month lamented the increasing use of armed force against protesters.
It said there had been at least five incidents in two months in which public security forces or private armed guards opened fire on people protesting land grabs, with 19 people hurt, including seven by gunfire.
Striking workers said the gunman Monday was a factory security guard. Police said the man fled the scene, and they were investigating.
Keo Kong said the shooting began after workers started throwing stones at the factory, shattering mirrored glass.
Licadho official Nuth Bopinnaroath said the victims were aged 18, 21 and 23, and the seriously injured one received a chest wound.
The factory is located in an industrial estate, the Manhattan Special Economic Zone, close to the border with Vietnam. Last week, workers at another business in the zone, Taiwanese bicycle maker Bestway Industrial Co. Ltd., ended a two-day strike after most of their demands for better working conditions were met, the Phnom Penh Post said.
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Friday, February 17, 2012
Good ties boost investment, trade, tourism between Cambodia, China
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The bilateral relations between Cambodia and China in terms of investment, trade and tourism have become stronger in the past year thanks to the two countries' good relations, said officials Friday.
Cambodia attracted China's investments of 1.19 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, up 71 percent from 694 million U.S. dollars in a year earlier, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
China's 22 investment projects last year focused on property development, mineral business and processing plants, motorcycle assembly factories, gold mining, rice mill and garment factories.
The bilateral trades amounted to 2.5 billion U.S. dollars last year, up 73.5 percent, the highest growth rate among the bilateral trade between China and other ASEAN countries, according to the statistics provided by the Chinese Embassy.
Chheng Kimlong, an economics lecturer at the University of Cambodia, said the strong bilateral relations between the two countries are the most important factor resulting in sharp rises in the bilateral trade and investment.
In addition, he said, Cambodia has a number of potential sectors for investors and the country remains peaceful and political stability.
"These factors in combination with Cambodia's constant supports and incentives to Chinese investors, more and more Chinese see Cambodia as safe place for their investments," he said.
Cambodia attracted 247,200 Chinese tourists last year, an increase of 39 percent--the highest growth rate among foreign visitors to this impoverished country, said Tith Chantha, director general of the Tourism Ministry.
He said the sharp increase in Chinese visitors to Cambodia was due to attractive tourism sites, broad promotion and increasing direct flights.
"We hope that Cambodia will receive at least one million Chinese tourists by 2020," he said, adding that to achieve the target, the ministry has encouraged more training courses for Chinese speaking guides and urged hotels, restaurants and other entertainment facilities to use Chinese language.
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
'Cambodia vows to deepen ties between ASEAN and dialogue partners'
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) - As the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, Cambodia is committed to build closer relations and cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday.
"As the ASEAN chair, Cambodia will play a model role to deepen ties between ASEAN and East Asia nations such as China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), South Korea and Japan as well as countries in the region including the United States and Australia," he said.
Cambodia wanted to see ASEAN to be stronger and more influential in order to work more effectively in regional and global levels, he said at the opening of the 2012 Cambodia Outlook Conference under the theme "Cambodia's Priorities for Inclusive Growth, Regional Integration and ASEAN Leadership."
Meanwhile, the premier highlighted the important role of China in the help to develop economics and societies in ASEAN.
"Cambodia, ASEAN member states alike, is situated very close to China, which is the world's second largest economy and the world's largest market for agricultural products," he said. "These are valuable assets and good opportunities for ASEAN to tap China's market for their social and economic development."
The premier also reiterated that as the ASEAN chair, the country would try all its best to push ASEAN to realize a community by 2015.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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Angkor Gold Corp.: Diamond Drilling Commences on the Okalla Gold Prospect
VANCOUVER, British Columbia
ANGKOR GOLD CORP. CA:ANK +9.30% ("ANGKOR") is pleased to announce that a contract for a minimum of 2000m NQ cored diamond drill holes in the Okalla Prospect on Banlung tenement, Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia, has been awarded to Kluane Drilling Inc, a Canadian owned and operated contractor operating in Cambodia. The rig is on site and drilling of BL12-028 commenced on February 15, 2012.
Deployment of this rig means that the company now has 2 diamond drilling rigs working in Cambodia. An earlier press release (November 21, 2011) announced that a Cambodian company, Veriak, had started drilling on the Border prospect, Oyadao tenement.
The Okalla drill program is aimed at a large disseminated gold-copper occurrence in diorite that coincides with a 'C' zone soil geochemical gold-copper-molybdenum anomaly on the prospect. The geochemical anomaly terminates to the north against an overlying Quaternary flood basalt flow, and reappears about 1km to the northeast, beyond the basalt ridge. Two holes drilled into this anomaly prior to the onset of the last monsoons were reported previously (press release dated October 25, 2011), and they and 3 others showed encouraging thicknesses and gold and copper values:
-- BL10-010D: 121.0m @ 491ppm Cu from 3.0m
-- BL10-020D: 100.1m @ 796ppm Cu, 0.23g/t Au from 0.0m
-- BL10-021D: 98.0m @ 880ppm Cu from 3.0m
-- BL11-026D: 94.9m @ 850ppm Cu, 0.55g/t Au from 28.0m
-- BL11-027D: 72.8m @1180ppm Cu, 0.24g/t Au from 16.2m
All cores will be saw-split before sampling. Cores will be stored at the Company facility in the city of Banlung, Ratanakiri province. All analyses will be done by a reputable internationally recognized laboratory. In the past, Angkor has used ALS-Chemex in Vientiane, Laos for gold by single assay ton fire assay with an AA finish, and in Brisbane, Australia for base metals by ICP-MS following acid digestion. Higher value results will be analysed in duplicate. Company QA/QC protocol requires the insertion of some 20% of blank and standard samples on a randomized basis throughout the sample sequence. The protocol further requires that no sample interval be greater than 1.0m or less than 0.5m.
The QP for this release, which he wrote and approved, is Adrian G. Mann, P. Geol., VP Exploration for ANGKOR GOLD CORP.. He is a graduate of London University and of the University of the Witwatersrand, with over 40 years world-wide experience in mineral exploration and mining geology. Dr. Mann lives in Calgary, Alberta.
ANGKOR GOLD CORPORATION is a public company listed on the TSX-Venture exchange. The company has 4 exploration licenses in the Kingdom of Cambodia covering a total of 1167 km2 and 3 Memoranda of Understanding with the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy covering a further 1499 km2. The company has been actively exploring these concessions over the past 21/2 years, and has now covered all 7 tenements with stream sediment geochemical sampling, has flown low level aeromagnetic surveys over much of the ground, drilled some 9,775 metres of NQ core in 89 holes, and has collected in excess of 14,000 'C' zone soil samples in 7 centres of interest, over a combined area of 18km2, in addition to numerous trenches and detailed geological field mapping. Exploration on all tenements is ongoing.
THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM.
Reader Advisory
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and completion of the Corporation's financings and related information. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Corporation. Such forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada, Cambodia, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the prices of gold and other base metals; governmental regulation of the mining industry in both Canada and Cambodia, including environmental regulation; unanticipated operating events or performance which can reduce production or cause production to be delayed; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; competition for and/or inability to retain mining equipment and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities inherent in mining operations; competition for, among other things, capital, undeveloped lands, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, drilling, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSX Venture nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com
SOURCE: Angkor Gold Corp.
CONTACT: ANGKOR GOLD CORP.
Mike Weeks, President
Telephone: (780) 518-0326
Email: mw@angkorgold.ca
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Chinese Red Cross donates water pumps to Cambodia
PHNOM PENH - The Red Cross Society of China on Thursday donated 146 water pumps worth $200,000 to Cambodian Red Cross to help those provinces hit hard by floods last year.
The hand-over ceremony was presided over by Annie Sok An, the first vice president of Cambodian Red Cross, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.
Annie Sok An expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Red Cross and the Chinese people, saying that their selfless help to Cambodia will significantly improve Cambodian people's standard of living and enhance Sino-Cambodian ties.
She added China had been helping Cambodia in various fields, including infrastructure construction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Pan said that China's water pump donation was a sincere help between friends, adding that as Cambodia's biggest donation partner, China will continue assisting Cambodia in the long-run.
Pan told Xinhua that the two Red Cross societies share a long history of frequent exchanges and the cooperation between them includes humanitarian assistance and long-term staff training.
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Chinese Red Cross donates 146 water pumps to Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China on Thursday donated 146 water pumps worth 200,000 U.S. dollars to Cambodian Red Cross to help those provinces hit hard by floods last year.
The hand-over ceremony was presided over by Annie Sok An, the first vice president of Cambodian Red Cross, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.
Annie Sok An expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Red Cross and the Chinese people, saying that their selfless help to Cambodia will significantly improve Cambodian people's standard of living and enhance Sino-Cambodian ties.
She added China had been helping Cambodia in various fields, including infrastructure construction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Pan said that China's water pump donation was a sincere help between friends, adding that as Cambodia's biggest donation partner, China will continue assisting Cambodia in the long-run.
Pan told Xinhua that the two Red Cross societies share a long history of frequent exchanges and the cooperation between them includes humanitarian assistance and long-term staff training.
Read more!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Cambodia: Judicial harassment against Mr. Soum Chankea
URGENT APPEAL - THE OBSERVATORY
KHM 001 / 0212 / OBS 020
Judicial harassment
Cambodia
February 15, 2012
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Cambodia.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) of the judicial harassment faced by Mr. Soum Chankea, its Provincial Coordinator in Banteay Meanchey province.
According to the information received, on February 9, 2012, Mr. Soum Chankea was summoned by the Prosecutor’s Office in Sisophon, capital of Banteay Meanchey province, following a complaint lodged by Mr. Oum Socheath, Head of the Banteay Meanchey branch of the Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and Coordinator of the UNDP-CMAC mine clearance programme. The questioning is scheduled for February 20, 2012. The Prosecutor will then decide whether charges will be officially brought against Mr. Soum Chankea. These include “slanderous denunciation”, an offence punishable by up to one year in prison and a up to two million riels (380 euros) fine under Article 311 of the Criminal Code.
The complaint against Mr. Soum Chankea follows ADHOC’s intervention in a gender-based violence case. The victim filed complaints against Mr. Oum Socheath and Mr. Pong Piseth, also known as Mr. Veth, a business man in the area of real estate and construction, on November 4 and 9, 2011 respectively, accusing them of sexual harassment and assault. Following the victim’s complaints, the authorities allegedly took no action to investigate the allegations. Mr. Soum Chankea intervened several times in her favour to urge the police and the Prosecutor to investigate the case. According to information gathered by ADHOC, Messrs. Oum Socheath and Pong Piseth would be benefiting from the protection of a businessman whose brother is a high-ranking government official.
The Observatory expresses its deepest concern about Mr. Soum Chankea's summons for questioning, which seems to merely aim at sanctioning his human rights activities, and accordingly calls upon the Cambodian authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment - including at the judicial level - against him.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Cambodian authorities and ask them to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Soum Chankea;
ii. Put an end to acts of harassment - including at the judicial level - against him as well as against all human rights defenders in Cambodia;
iii. Conform in any circumstances with the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations General Assembly, and in particular :
- Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”,
- and Article 12.2 which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”.
iv. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Cambodia.
Border demarcation marks ‘new chapter’
By Vong Sokheng
Cambodia and Thailand agreed to sideline domestic politics and begin actually mapping border markers as the two countries seek to make progress demarcating their contested border at the latest meeting of the Joint Border Committee yesterday.
Var Kimhong, Cambodia’s chief border negotiator, said Thailand would no longer require that border surveys be approved by its National Assembly, marking a “new chapter” in the neighbours’ demarcation process, after the meeting in Bangkok yesterday.
“There was a good environment at the meeting from which Thai political issues will no longer be an obstacle and the Cambodian JBC will be able to carry out its work on the actual land,” he said.
The two sides had agreed to employ highly accurate orthophoto mapping technology in the process of border demarcation, as experts from both countries spent two months establishing 23 survey markers from Poipet in Banteay Meanchey to Ta Moan temple.
A Thai government source who declined to be named said yesterday that four permanent checkpoints would also be established along the border.
Cambodia and Thailand have never fully demarcated their 805-kilometre shared border, and the process has stalled since a dispute over the area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple flared when Cambodia was awarded World Heritage recognition for the site in 2008.
Demarcation talks at a meeting of the JBC last April failed to yield any progress on the issue during a low period of Cambodian and Thai relations.
Those negotiations came on the heels of fierce, bloody clashes near disputed territory surrounding the Preah Vihear temple in February and April that left at least 28 people dead and displaced thousands of villagers.
Read more!
PM greets Cambodian King
VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni expressed their delight to the good terms between the two neighbouring countries, as the two met in Ha Noi yesterday, Feb 14.
He also expressed Viet Nam's gratitude to the Cambodian royal family and people for supporting Viet Nam in its fight for national independence in the past and in its current process of national construction.
He also congratulated Cambodia for its own huge achievements and hoped better outcomes would be reached. Both sides noted 2012 was a year of friendship during which Viet Nam and Cambodia would celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations, and vowed to do their utmost to consolidate the positive relationship. Read more!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Cambodian Official Says Border Talks with Thailand Make Significant Progress
Cambodia's border chief said Tuesday that the two-day border talks with Thailand had made remarkable progress, and both sides have agreed to resume the search for remaining border markers from March 5.
"It is a positive step towards solving the border issues between the two countries," said Var Kimhong, senior minister in charge of border affairs, in Tuesday evening before his return from attending the fifth meeting of Thailand-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation of Land Boundary in Thailand.
He said the Cambodia-Thailand border demarcation process has begun in June 2006, but it was stalled since 2008 when the two countries had sporadic border clashes.The issue became thornier as the Thai constitutional laws require that every agreed minutes signed by both sides should go through the Thai Parliament.
"From now on, there will be no more obstacles for border talks as the Thai side dropped the idea that the agreed minutes should receive approval from the Thai Parliament," he said.
The meeting in Bangkok was co-chaired by Var Kimhong and Bandhit Sotipalalit, chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary.
The two neighboring countries share an approximately common border of 805 kilometers. But, the demarcation has never been fully completed.
The two sides have only found 48 border pillars out of the total 73, 33 of the found ones received mutual agreement.
The meeting avoided the border demarcation process at the disputed areas next to the 11th century Preah Vihear temple due to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The two neighbors have had border conflicts over areas near Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple since the UNESCO listed the temple as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.
On April 28, 2011, Cambodia submitted a request for interpretation of the judgment given by the ICJ on June 15, 1962 in the case concerning the ancient temple. It was accompanied by an urgent request for provisional measures in which Cambodia demands Thailand immediately and unconditionally withdraw troops from area surrounding the ruins.
On July 18, 2011, the ICJ ordered Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw their military personnel from the Permanent Demilitarized Zone of about 17 kilometers on the disputed border near Preah Vihear temple and allow ASEAN observers access to the zone to monitor ceasefire.
However, so far neither Cambodia nor Thailand has withdrawn its troops from the area.
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Boxing champion Donna Pepper dies in holiday tragedy in Cambodia
A family photo of Donna Pepper in the ring.
DONNA Pepper was good at most things. At the rest, she was great.
Nothing proved that more than when female state boxing champion in 2006, she gave up her gold medal to fight an opponent from a heavier weight division, and then gave her a boxing lesson.
The title was the crowning moment of Donna's career, which was tragically cut short on Monday when she was killed in a motorcycle crash in Cambodia.
Donna, 30, died during a tour of the Forbidden Temple while on a five-month Asian holiday.
Her father, David Pepper, said Donna was an outstanding boxer who was as talented out of the ring as in it.
"They gave her the outstanding boxer of the tournament, it was a beautiful fight," he said, recalling the moment she beat the odds.
"She was a champion."
Mr Pepper said Donna had planned to do volunteer work with orphans and at an animal refuge during her trip before spending a month kick boxing.
Born in North Haven, Donna worked mainly in payroll and had just finished work at Clipsal.
"She's just a genius. She had a go at everything and was good at most things and great at some things," Mr Pepper said.
Donna's former boxing coach, Tiny Lennell, said she was a good student of the sport.
"She was a good boxer with a beautiful right hand," he said.
Former Boxing South Australia president Phillip Goodes said Donna was a strong and competitive boxer with a good nature.
Donna leaves behind parents David and Dianne and her brother, David Jnr.
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Cambodia Begins Road Project with China's Loan
Cambodia on Tuesday broke ground to broaden a 40.5 kilometer section of the national road No. 6, which is a major road for tourism and trade activities.
The work began from eastern Phnom Penh's Russei Keo district to Bateay district of Kampong Cham province. The road will be widened from the current 7 meters to 26 meters.
The ground-breaking ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.
Hun Sen said the project was to keep up with the rapid development of the country's economy and tourism sector.
The road connects Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, to Siem Reap's Angkor, a world heritage site, and Banteay Meanchey province bordering Thailand. "It is quite essential for tourism and trade activities," he said.
The project is made possible with China's soft loan of 70.25 million U.S. dollars and the Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company will undertake the construction, which is expected to complete in 38 months.
"China is the largest donor to Cambodia's road and bridge construction," the premier said. "Every achievement today has come from the very good ties between Cambodian and Chinese leaders, especially between former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk and former Chinese leaders Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi and Zhou Enlai," he said.
"On behalf of the government of Cambodia and Cambodian people, I'd like to express sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Chinese government and people for the technical and financial supports for Cambodia's social and economic development," he said.
Meanwhile, Pan Guangxue said the government of China considered providing soft loans to Cambodia for broadening the remaining 270 kilometers national road 6 from Kampong Cham province to Siem Reap province.
"China sees this road as the artery of Cambodia's economy," he said.
He added that China would continue assisting Cambodia in its effort to develop the economy with the respect of Cambodia's independence and territorial integrity.
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Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia orders hearts for his family in Loveland
Evan Miller views Reporter-Herald website weekly
By Jessica Benes Reporter-Herald Staff Writer
Evan Miller, 25, visits the Reporter-Herald website every week to remind himself of home. When he saw the notice about ordering painted hearts for Valentine's Day, he ordered two as a surprise for his family.
From Cambodia.
Miller is a Peace Corps volunteer serving as a community health extension agent in Cambodia. His job is to provide health education and awareness to hospitals, schools, marketplaces and pagodas.
The hearts say "Evan M loves his family" and "Peace Corps Cambodia."
He feels blessed that he has a great support system at home in his family and wanted to show his gratitude and love in a special way.
He didn't tell his family that he had ordered the hearts. Instead, he emailed several consecutive riddles a few days before the hearts were scheduled to be posted and his family had to figure outthe surprise.
Miller requested that the hearts be posted near Anthology Book Co. on Fourth Street, because of how much time he spent there.
He said his family includes his grandmother, Mary Louise Krieger; father, John; mother, Moofie; and sister, Ivy, who all live in Loveland. It also extends to his childhood friend Nick Stahlin and the community at Anthology Book Co.
"I think the hearts were real thoughtful, although a little unexpected," laughed his grandmother. "I'm going to have to take a drive down there."
His mother said, "We are very proud of a kid who could remember us from that far away. It pretty much knocked our socks off."
Miller said that sweethearts take on a completely different significance in Cambodia. Marriages are still sometimes arranged and the wives are bought with a bride price.
Dating before age 18 is awkward as public affection is discouraged. The wedding ceremonies are wild and brightly-colored with meals and bottomless rice wine.
"I miss autumn in Colorado when the air is cool and fresh, the aspen trees turn their deep golden color and the mountains receive the first light dusting of snow," Miller said in an email. "However, the Cambodian countryside has left a lasting impression on my heart. I won't soon forget the white cranes in florescent green rice fields before harvest season or the slow, picturesque sunsets."
He is scheduled to return October 2013.
Jessica Benes can be reached at 669-5050, ext. 530, or jbenes@reporter-herald.com.
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Monday, February 13, 2012
Judge’s order draws praise
Rights groups and civil society have applauded the order to resume investigations into controversial Case 003 by the international reserve co-investigating judge last week.
Court monitors, Open Society Justice Initiative on Thursday called the decision an “important development in recognizing the inherent unfairness in the premature decision to terminate investigations”.
“The proper handling of these two cases still under investigation will be a litmus test of the court’s ability to meet the basic standards of international law, in order to bring justice for victims of the Khmer Rouge,” OSJI executive director James Goldston said in a press release after the announcement.
In a decision released on Thursday, UN-nominated Swiss judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet had determined to reopen the investigations into Case 003 on the basis of requests for further investigation from international co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley in May last year.
Investigations into Case 003 were abruptly closed in April last year by Cambodian co-investigating judge You Bunleng and German judge Siegfried Blunk. After they closed investigations, international co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley said a serious amount of investigation into the government-opposed case still needed to be undertaken. Blunk later quit the court, citing perceptions of political interference as his motivation.
Kasper-Ansermet’s decision said the investigation into the controversial case so far had been “defective and prejudicial to all the parties.”
His Cambodian counterpart You Bunleng, who has refused to work with the UN-nominee, said in his own press statement on Friday Kasper-Ansermet’s actions were “not legally correct”.
“Is he a judge or a press officer?” You Bunleng quipped in his press statement. The Cambodian judge refuses to work with or acknowledge Kasper-Ansermet in an official capacity until the Swiss national is “appointed as a legally accredited judge”.
Ek Tha, of the Council of Ministers’ spokesbody, the Press and Quick Reaction Unit said the government had no comment on the resumption of investigations into the government-opposed Case 003, by the judge the government has refused to acknowledge.
Tribunal legal affairs spokesman Lars Olsen said he had nothing to add to the press statement of the international reserve co-investigating judge at this stage.
Ou Virak, executive director of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said that the Order from Kasper-Ansermet was a “welcome bold move.”
“This is what is necessary and what is needed from the international side at the court,” Ou Virak told the Post yesterday. “I hope now the government will allow this judicial investigation process to proceed.”
Ou Virak called on the international side of the tribunal to step up to the plate in pushing back against political interference and a culture of impunity.
“This is saying more than just for Case 003 – it sends a very strong statement of principle of judicial independence and I would hope the judges in the domestic system would stand up and take notice,” he added.
Victims’ advocate and president of Civicus, Theary Seng similarly welcomed what she called change to “the stank of past UN lethargy of "seeing no evil, hear no evil”.
“The uncommon courage, integrity and persistence shown by reserve international co-investigating judge Kasper-Ansermet has buoyed the spirit of Cambodian victims and KRT watchers alike,” Theary Seng, who was orphaned by the brutal regime said yesterday.
“It is a very positive message of hope and integrity,” Theary Seng added. “But one that needs to be backed up with sustained, muscular action by the UN here as well as at Headquarters.”
Amnesty International’s Rupert Abbott told the Post government obstruction of cases 003 and 004 was shattering the reputation of the tribunal.
“The Cambodian government’s continuing obstruction of Cases 003 and 004 amounts to impunity for serious crimes committed during the period of Khmer Rouge rule in Cambodia,” Abbott said by email. “Further, this obstruction is undermining the reputation of the Tribunal and therefore risks tainting - in the eyes of the victims and the Cambodian public - judgments issued in Cases 001 and 002.”
One day before Kasper-Ansermet made his order on the resumption of investigations public, the UN jobs website posted a job advertisement for international investigators to join his team. Read more!
