Cambodia, UN launch project to save dolphins: UN

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodia and the UN have launched a joint project aimed at saving endangered Irrawaddy dolphins from extinction, the international body's World Tourism Organization said Tuesday.

The Mekong River Discovery Trail Project encourages local fishermen to work in dolphin-watching tourism instead of fishing, the UN agency said in a statement. Fishing nets often cause the death of Irrawaddy dolphins.

"Local authorities believe fishing is depleting the dolphins' food supply. Fishermen will be encouraged to take visitors to see the dolphins and sell food and drinks instead," it said. It did not give financial details.

Conservationists estimate that fewer than 100 Irrawaddy dolphins exist in the wild, but the Cambodian government has said the number could be around around 130 and could rise to 170 within the next five years.

Thousands of the Irrawaddy dolphins, which have blunt, round heads and are almost white in colour, once swam in the Mekong -- which flows from Tibet to the South China Sea and has tributaries in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

The project, which begins this month, will teach fishermen about tourism activities, the UN agency said, adding it hopes to draw tens of thousands of visitors.

The Cambodian government said it would help build hotels in a bid to draw visitors.

"No dolphins means no tourism. No tourism means no development," Tourism Minister Thong Khon said in the statement.

Tourism is one of the few sources of foreign exchange for impoverished Cambodia, which is still recovering from decades of conflict.

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Cambodia: off the beaten track

Revisiting a much-changed Cambodia, Philip Sherwell explores the glories waiting to be discovered away from the tourist track.

The temples of Angkor: heaven on earth

The temple complex of Angkor and the nearby town of Siem Reap were very different places the last time I visited. That was in 1996 on assignment for The Sunday Telegraph to cover the kidnapping of a Briton by the Khmer Rouge, the murderous Maoist movement that had inflicted the horrors of the Killing Fields on Cambodia. Sadly but predictably, Christopher Howes, who had been working with a British organisation clearing landmines, was murdered by his captors.

Siem Reap in those days was a dusty backwater, its potholed streets best negotiated on the back of spluttering motorbike taxis that rarely got up enough speed to pose any danger of bodily harm.

Angkor was being rediscovered by the first intrepid visitors after nearly two decades in Khmer Rouge hands. By early 1996, the main cluster of temples was safe, but outlying sites remained off-limits unless one wanted to risk being blown up by mines or suffering the sad fate of Mr Howes.

In delightful solitude one early morning, I set off to explore the remarkable main temple of Angkor Wat, followed by the glorious bas-reliefs of Bayon and the barely touched remains of Ta Prohm, then the ultimate in Indiana Jones adventures.

How things change. Siem Reap is now a boisterous hive of activity, while the marvels of Angkor are thoroughly on the tourist track. The temples are still one of the wonders of the world, no less stunning for the crowds, but I hankered after the glorious loneliness of my previous visit.

So I headed 50 miles north, past paddy fields and villages of wooden huts on stilts little changed by the rapid development that has swept Siem Reap. Eleven years ago, this would have been a suicidal journey into Khmer Rouge territory, but my return offered new possibilities: outlying temples, cut off back then by minefields, were now accessible.

My destination was Beng Melea, a 12th-century temple built to the same design as Angkor Wat. For visitors disappointed by the busloads of camera-toting tourists at Ta Prohm, these largely undiscovered jungle ruins are a treat.

With the help of a young guide, I scrambled through the site to the chirupping chorus of cicadas in the same stunned reverie I felt when I first wandered around Angkor Wat.

First he showed me a sign on a mound next to the overgrown moat enumerating the 21,000-plus mines cleared from this site alone.

Inside the compound, thick, gnarled trunks and roots thrust through the masonry with such abandon that the stone and wood seemed indivisible; branches and vines stretched, embraced and bent around the ancient masonry like tentacles.

Back in Siem Reap, I found another compelling reason to embrace rather than bemoan the changes of the past 11 years - the award-winning glories of the chic new Hôtel de la Paix. Its art deco façade - think South Beach Miami transported to South-East Asia - graced the cover of Architectural Digest magazine last year.

The original hotel served as a rice storage depot during the era of genocidal communist purdah under Pol Pot. The elegant new structure is a mix of traditional Khmer, art deco and contemporary influences. The rooms have polished Makha-wood floors, woven rugs, platform beds and terrazzo tubs. Fountains and ponds fill the open spaces.

But although La Paix is an enticing oasis, the last thing the hotel wants is for you to insulate yourself from your surroundings.

It offers guests the chance to support community-based activities and good causes and the revival of Cambodian arts and culture. Options include a sewing training centre, rice sponsorship, educational support, hospitals and children's centres.

As the recipients of the book, bikes and other items from the hotel scheme can vouch, progress is not all bad.

Kuoni Travel (01306 747 008; www.kuoni.co.uk) offers tailor-made trips across Indochina. Three nights at Hôtel de la Paix (www.hoteldelapaixangkor.com), in Siem Reap, Cambodia, two nights at the Shangri-La in Bangkok and four nights in Laos cost from £1,488 per person, including flights.

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Cambodia offering incentives to Indonesian investors

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Cambodia wants to step up and develop its export and import trade with Indonesia and is offering incentives to Indonesian businessmen willing to invest in Cambodia, a Cambodian trade official said.

Cambodia wants to increase and develop its business cooperation with Indonesian businessmen, Son Koun Thor, president of the Chamber of Professional and Micro Enterprises of Cambodia (CPMEC), said when visiting the National Agency for Export Development (NAFED) here Monday.

He said Indonesian businessmen willing to invest in Cambodia would be given incentives such as tax relief and the tax exemption facilities given to Cambodia by certain other countries including China.

The tax exemption facilities from China and other countries had so far remained unused because Cambodia was still unable to make the goods according to the quality standards required by those countries. Son hoped Indonesia and Cambodia could set up a joint venture company capable of producing goods that would qualify for the tax exemptions offered by China and the other countries.

Son is Indonesia at the head of a 12-member business and trade delegation from Cambodia.

He said his country was also willing to develop cooperation in the fields of tourism, handicraft, agriculture and construction with Indonesia.

During its stay in Indonesia, the Cambodian delegation would meet with the management of state oil and gas company Pertamina and the Solo branch of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

Meanwhile, Lili Suliani, head of the Center for Development of Markets in the Asian, Australian and New Zealand Region, expressed hope Indonesian businessmen would take the Cambodian offer.

She said Indonesian businessmen needed to get a stronger foothold in Cambodia as Indonesian products had only slightly penetrated the Cambodian market.

According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the value of Indonesian non-oil/non-gas exports to Cambodia reached US$103.648 million in 2006, an increase of 10.34 percent from 2005 when the figure was only US$93.94 million.

Meanwhile, Indonesia`s imports from Cambodia in 2006 totaled US$1.06 million or an increase of 44.05 percent compared to 2005 when the figure was US$732.600. (*)
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Cambodia: Cambodian Genocide Tribunal To Rule On Bail Hearing For Detained Khmer Rouge Suspect

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal prepared to rule Monday (3 Dec) on an appeal against the detention of a former Khmer Rouge prison chief, who is facing charges of crimes against humanity.

Defense lawyers for Kaing Guek Eav, who headed the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison, demanded last month that he be released on the basis that his human rights had been violated by the more than eight years he has already been in jail without trial.

Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, was detained at a Cambodian military prison on war crimes charges after his arrest in 1999 before being transferred to the tribunal's custody in July.

Prosecutors said Duch was a "flight risk" and argued that he should remain behind bars for his own safety and in the interest of public order.

Canadian prosecutor Robert Petit told a Nov. 21 hearing that if Duch was released, he could be harmed by both "accomplices wishing to silence him and by the relatives of victims seeking revenge."

Chea Leang, a Cambodian prosecutor, said Duch's trial may begin in mid-2008 but gave no specific date.

Duch, 65, oversaw the S-21 prison, which has since been converted into the popular Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

As many as 16,000 men, women and children were tortured at S-21 before being transported out of Phnom Penh and executed at a site known as "the killing fields." Only 14 people are thought to have survived.

The Khmer Rouge has been blamed for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people during their 1975-79 rule. Some observers fear that the group's surviving leaders might die before being brought to justice. The movement's notorious chief, Pol Pot, died in 1998.

Duch is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders held in connection with the communist regime's brutal rule of Cambodia.

He became the first defendant to appear before the tribunal's judges. (AP)

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Germany wins volleyball World Cup for disabled

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Germany won the fourth World Cup for Men's Standing Volleyball (WOVD) as they beat Slovakia 3-2 in the final, the Jian Hua Daily reported Sunday.

It went 17-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-22 and 15-12 in favor of Germany in a match held on Saturday evening at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

Earlier on Saturday, Cambodia beat Poland 3-1, winning the third place in the WOVD.

The competition attracted over 400 disabled volleyball players from six countries, including Cambodia, Canada, Germany, India, Poland and Slovakia.

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QSR sees positive response to its KFC business in Cambodia

JOHOR BAHARU: QSR Brands Bhd chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim yesterday expressed confidence over the success of the group’s latest overseas venture - two Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets in Phnom Penh, the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia.

Work on the new “finger lickin’ good chicken” outlets is in the final stages to meet the year-end opening target, he told newsmen at the launch of Chicky Carnival and Catur Bistari Board Game here.

He expects good response from Cambodians as the outlets will be the first ever fast food chain to enter the country.

Through its 45.9 percent equity stake in associate company KFC Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd, QSR operates over 470 KFC restaurants in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

“Despite being a new market, we strongly believe in the prospect of this business,” he added.

Muhammad Ali said QSR will open two more outlets in Cambodia, in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, some time next year.

On the carnival launched yesterday, Muhammad Ali said it is expected to attract participation by more than 20,000 children. The two-day carnival is at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre.

“The carnival is KFC’s first outside Kuala Lumpur. We plan to organise similar carnivals in differnt cities each year,” he added.

Muhammad Ali Hashim, is also chief executive of Johor Corporation Bhd, said the Catur Bistari Board Games is part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme of both Johor Corp and KFC.

“This is a game based on business practices and we hope to nurture an entrepreneurship culture and interest among students who would chose this as a career in future,” he added.

– BERNAMA
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Cambodia: Saltus And Groom Share Lead After Two Rounds Of Cambodian Open

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA: America's Bryan Saltus put his new putter to good use Friday (30 Nov) as he shot a 5-under 67 to claim a share of the lead after two rounds of the inaugural Cambodian Open.

Saltus joined first-round leader Adam Groom, with the Australian shooting a 68 on Friday in the $300,000 Asian Tour event.

This is the first Cambodian Open, played on one of just three golf courses in the Southeast Asian nation. It is being played in Siem Reap, the nearest town to the nation's prime tourist attraction, the temple of Angkor Wat.

Groom and Saltus were three strokes in front of their nearest pursuers: America's Anthony Kang, England's Ben St John and Scotland's Simon Dunn in third.

Californian Saltus adopted a new putter for this tournament, and fired off four birdies in the first four holes Friday.

"This new putter is great," Saltus said. " I shot five birdies on the back nine on this course but someone could even shoot a nine-under. The greens are in good shape but the wind could make it difficult over the weekend."

Groom was benefitting from a more laid-back approach upon the advice of his father.

"He told me that I shoot better when Im relaxed on course so I listened to him and the results are showing this week," Groom said.

"I will continue to have a calm approach over the weekend and look forward to a good finish."

Thailand's Chapchai Nirat shot a 71 on Friday to be equal 10th, six strokes off the leaders, as he continues his pursuit of Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong.

"Ive been playing back-to-back events and its taking a toll on my game this week," Chapchai said. "I am not driving it well and my putting is not very steady."

The cut was made at 2-over 146. (AP)

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Cambodia urges Myanmar to continue Suu Kyi talks

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday urged Myanmar's junta leaders to continue fledgling talks with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a government spokesman said.

Hun Sen met with Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein in Phnom Penh and told him that dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi should continue "for the sake of both sides," according to spokesman Khieu Kanharith.

"Prime Minister Hun Sen supports meetings between the Myanmar government and Aung San Suu Kyi and encourages (the ruling generals) to have more meetings for the sake of both sides," he told reporters.

Aung San Suu Kyi held a third meeting in Yangon on November 19 with Myanmar Labour Minister Aung Kyi, who has been appointed by the junta to handle contacts with the 62-year-old Nobel peace prize winner.

Aung Kyi was appointed as a liaison in the wake of global outrage against the regime following its bloody crackdown on peaceful protests in September. At least 15 people were killed and 3,000 arrested in the suppression.

The September violence led the United States and Europe to tighten sanctions against Myanmar, which was already under economic restrictions due to the junta's human rights abuses and the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The pro-democracy icon has been under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years.

But Cambodia rejected the sanctions on Myanmar, saying such measures were only hurting its people.

"Economic sanctions will never hurt government leaders. They only hurt people," Khieu Kanharith told reporters following the meeting between Hun Sen and Thein Sein, the number four in Myanmar's military.

Thein Sein's three-day official visit, which began Friday, overlaps with that of UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who is in Cambodia as part of a regional trip to assess the positions of Myanmar's neighbours after the junta's crackdown.

But Thein Sein and Gambari, the UN secretary general's special representative to Myanmar, did not meet Friday, Khieu Kanharith said.

Cambodia maintains close diplomatic ties with Myanmar, which has been under military rule since 1962 and is one of the most isolated nations in the world.

Hun Sen last visited there in May for trade and tourism talks.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Thursday sanctions against Myanmar's ruling generals would not force the country towards democracy, following his talks with Gambari.

Hor Namhong said that the international community should instead offer more aid to the impoverished nation.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Cambodia is a member, has come under increasing pressure to deal with its most unruly member since the unrest broke out two months ago.

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Australia`s Southern Gold starts drilling in Cambodia

The Cambodian government had been trying to lift Cambodia from poverty by creating several kinds of developing plans and projects. But because the corruption law didn't exist, all high ranking government officials are the high ranking criminals. The ways that the government is dealing with foreign firms are secretly kept from public and no detail about how revenue will be managed to the government for the benefit the poor. Mostly the negotiations were shaking hand and under the table deals. Do cambodia know how to dig gold for itself or needs foreigner to steal their gold?

Phnom Penh (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Australian mining firm Southern Gold Ltd (ASX:SAU) has begun drilling for gold in Cambodia's northeastern province Kratie, said a company press release received here today.

The firm has started its first drilling campaign in Cambodia at its 80-percent-owned Snoul Prospect, after completing a study at the site launched in 2006, said the release.

The company plans to drill eight 80 to 150-meter deep holes at the site over an area of 1,200 meters, and if the results are good, it will drill more. Assay results are
expected in early 2008.
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Cambodia faces immediate threats from climate change

Cambodia faces immediate threats to its agricultural production and food security from climate change in rainfall, temperatures and availability of water, said the UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) 2007 released on Thursday.

For most Cambodians live in rural areas and are reliant on agriculture, long-term risks associated with climate change include water insecurity, increased sea level, cyclones and disruption or collapse of Cambodia's critical ecosystems, said the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the report.

Climate change may increase occurrence of drought and flood while increasing the vulnerability of Cambodia's poor people to their effects, it said.

Increase of disease with climate change may have an adverse impact on people's health, particularly the most vulnerable poor, it said.

However, it said, climate change presents Cambodia many opportunities.

For example, it said, Cambodia can seek technical assistance and financial resources to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation, and mobilize private sector partnerships to transfer appropriate technologies to promote renewable energy in order to support the development of other sectors such as health, education, and transport.

With 0.2 percent of world's population, Cambodia accounts for a negligible percentage of global emissions, it said.

The country has signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol and as a developing country, Cambodia has no obligation to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, but can contribute to emission reduction on a voluntary basis, including through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), it said.

Cambodia ranks 131 out of 177 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI) with its HDI value moving up from 0.543 to0.598 in the last five years, according to the report.

Source:Xinhua Read more!

Cambodia launches its first international golf tournament near famed Angkor temples

SIEM REAP, Cambodia: Asia launched its newest international golf tournament amid centuries-old Angkor temples when the Cambodian Open teed off Thursday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen teed off the first ball of the inaugural US$300,000 (€203,430) tournament at the recently opened Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap province, Cambodia's main tourist hub.

Siem Reap is the nearest town to Cambodia's most popular tourist attraction, the vast network of ancient temples including Angkor Wat — as well as one of just three golf courses in the southeast Asian nation.

"The launch of this event symbolizes the growing emergence of professional golf in new golfing countries like Cambodia and it augurs for the game in Asia," Kyi Hla Han, Asian Tour executive chairman, said in a statement.

Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, a former Asian number one and holder of a record nine victories in the region, is among the golfers competing at the tournament.

Other players include Chapchai Nirat, also from Thailand, and Scotland's Simon Yates, both ranked in the top-10 of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

There are 150 professional golfers from 25 countries taking part, said Hun Sen, who described the tournament as a historic event in his opening speech.

Touted as the only international-standard course in Cambodia, Phokeethra is the result of a campaign by the Cambodia government to boost its tourist revenues. The 18-hole, 72-par course is 23 kilometers (14 miles) outside Siem Reap town.

Cambodia's other two golf courses are located near the capital Phnom Penh, with a fourth under construction in Siem Reap.

Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. There were 1.7 million foreign arrivals last year, and more than half of the tourists visited the Angkor temples. Read more!

U.S. NGO trains female politicians from main parties in Cambodia

The U.S.-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) here on Wednesday started to train 30 women from Cambodia's main political parties to help them participate in the July 2008 national election.

Stephanie Lynn, NDI's resident program director for Indonesia, oversees the training of 10 female members each from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), the co-ruling Funcinpec Party and the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), said a press release from the non-governmental organization.

The three-day training course aims to help the female candidates of the contending political parties improve their candidacy and campaigning skills, it said.

After receiving the training course, the trainees will then train their own party's female members.

In the 2007 commune council election, 21 percent of all candidates and nearly 15 percent of the elected councilors were women, an increase of 9 percent from the 2003 national election.

Funcinpec has recently appointed Princess Norodom Arunrasmy as its premiership candidate for the upcoming election, unprecedentedin Cambodia's political history.

Source: Xinhua Read more!

Cambodia beefs up maritime security against terrorists, cross-border criminals

Cambodia has strengthened its maritime security to fight against terrorism, transnational crimes and improve its sea environment protection, said Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday.

"I used to be very concerned that my country can become a safe shelter for terrorists in maritime areas because we lacked the materials and techniques to safeguard the territory. Now, we have cooperation with our friends and partners to combat all those terrorists and cross-border criminals and improve our sea environment protection," he told the Cambodia Maritime Security Seminar held in Phnom Penh city with the attendance of some 100 participants from Australia and Cambodia.

Cambodia is no more a safe place for terrorists, he added.

Meanwhile, he said, the increase of military ships and the augmentation of Cambodia's maritime security are not a threat for the neighboring countries.

The maritime security is improved to fight against drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism acts, cross-border crimes, pirates, oil leaking and ship accidents and to protect sea transportation, he said.

"Cambodia opens its hands to cooperate with all sides to share experiences and techniques in the field of maritime security," he added.

For example, he said, the United States' amphibious assault ship USS Essex is currently docked at Sihnaoukville to cooperate with Cambodian side in humanitarian affairs for the Cambodian people.

"We also welcome warships from France, Australia, Japan and other countries to come," he added.

The USS Essex arrived in Sihanoukville on Monday to carry out medical, military and civic engineering missions in several provinces.

Southwestern port city Sihanoukville faces the Thailand Gulf, where the kingdom has a huge interest of marine products and a profitable prediction of oil and natural gas reserves.

Source:Xinhua Read more!

Myanmar PM, UN envoy to visit Cambodia

YANGON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein and the United Nations special envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari will separately pay their visits to Cambodia this week, said local media on Wednesday.

It will be the new Myanmar prime minister's introductory trip to another member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following those to Laos and Vietnam earlier this month.

Thein Sein, appointed as new prime minister on Oct. 24, will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin, after he arrives in Phnom Penh on Friday, said English-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodian Daily.

Ibrahim Gambari will arrive on Thursday to meet government officials to discuss the situation in Myanmar, it quoted a statement from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as saying.

So far, there has been no official schedule for Ibrahim Gambari to meet with Thein Sein in Cambodia.

The envoy will leave on Friday and the prime minister on Sunday.
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Lowell inmate sues over Cambodia deportation

By Lisa Redmon

BOSTON -- A 22-year-old Lowell man has filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was ordered deported to his native Cambodia six months ago, but is still behind bars at the Suffolk County House of Correction.

Samoeun Phroeun, formerly of 38 Grace St., Lowell, was convicted in Jan. 4, 2004, of larceny and sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail. He had returned home when officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) knocked on his door on Nov. 28, 2006, and took him into custody to be deported.

Phroeun claims in his lawsuit that he is being unlawfully detained because his country does not have a repatriation agreement with the United States, according to court documents.

Phroeun argues that "an alien" who has been detained beyond six months should be released when the government is unable to present documented confirmation that the foreign government will accept that person.

No one from ICE was available for comment.

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Hornets kill Cambodia mother, 2 children

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—A woman and her two young children died after they were stung by a swarm of hornets whose nest they had disturbed while cutting firewood, a police chief said Tuesday.

The woman, her 1-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son died Monday shortly after they were attacked by hornets in a forest near their village in Siem Reap province, said a local police chief, Eng Kea.

Loy Sophea, 24, had taken her children into the forest while she cut firewood for cooking, he said. She accidentally disturbed the hornets' nest, triggering the attack, the police officer said.

The woman used her body to cover her children, but all three were repeatedly stung by the hornets, he said.

Villagers took them to a hospital, but the boy died en route, the officer said, adding that the mother and daughter died after reaching the hospital.

Siem Reap province is about 145 miles northwest of the capital, Phnom Penh.



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31st MEU, USS Essex Marines, Sailors arrive in Cambodia to foster relations

By Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani, 31st MEU

SIHANOUKVILLE, Kingdom of Cambodia (Nov. 26, 2007) -- Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Command Amphibious Squadron 11 and the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived here, Nov. 26 for a scheduled port visit.

More than 2,500 servicemembers are scheduled to provide medical and dental treatment to rural Cambodians, participate in engineering civic action projects, professional military exchanges, youth activities, and distribute hundreds of donated items, such as books, toys, clothes and medicals supplies across Cambodia to foster goodwill.

“Over the course of the next week, Marines and Sailors coming from the Essex will conduct two medical and dental clinics, build two bridges and participate in six community relations projects,” said Col. John Mayer, the 31st MEU commanding officer. “We will also (teach at) the National Defense University to help students with English and to understand our military forces.”

The MEU, Essex and CPR-11 have been granted a budget of more than 26,000 dollars for construction materials, 10,000 dollars for medical supplies and 2,000 dollars for community relation event donations, such as books, sporting equipment and school supplies, according to Maj. Eric Malinowki, the MEU logistics officer, and a native of Portsmouth, N.H.

During a visit to the Essex, Royal Government of Cambodia distinguished guests and U.S. military leaders spoke of the new beginnings this visit makes possible.

Piper Campbell, the Kingdom of Cambodia U.S. Embassy deputy chief of mission, explained this visit represents the continued friendship between the two nations and military services.

“I am honored to welcome the USS Essex and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to Sihanoukville,” said Campbell. “As you may know, this visit represents only the second time a U.S. Naval vessel has visit. These visits are a dramatic representation of the strengthening and broadening of the relationship between the United States and Cambodia. The visit of the USS Essex will build on these partnerships and help to deepen our ties.

“An important aspect of this visit is that thousands of Cambodians will have the opportunity to personally interact with some of America’s finest ambassadors,” added Campbell. "I can think of no finer symbol of the friendship between Americans and Cambodians than these people-to-people projects.

“I would like to thank his Excellency, the governor of Sihanoukville, and the entire Royal Government of Cambodia for all of their support in making this historic visit successful," Campbell continued.

Mayer expressed his gratitude for this opportunity to visit the Kingdom of Cambodia.

“On behalf of all the Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, I would like to thank each and every one of you for having our Marines and Sailors visit the Kingdom of Cambodia,” said Mayer, to members of the Royal Government of Cambodia, during a visit to the Essex. “All the Marines and Sailors from the MEU are excited and absolutely see this as an opportunity to meet the people of Cambodia and see this historical land.”

The visit is part of the Cambodia Theater Security Cooperation, which is intended to build on the relationship between the U.S. and Cambodian governments and develop interoperability between U.S. forces and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

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Singapore working with Cambodia to fly bodies of five Singaporeans home

SINGAPORE : Singapore officials in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, are working with family members and the Cambodian authorities on the repatriation of the bodies of the five men who died in a dragon boat accident at the Tonle Sap River on Friday.

At this point, it is still not clear when the bodies will be brought home.

Channel NewsAsia understands that the authorities are exploring the possibility of transporting the bodies home through non—commercial flights.

Some family members of the five men have said they want to go to the site of the accident to perform some rites or offer prayers before they head home.

The bodies of the five men were found on Sunday morning, two days after their dragon boat capsized in the annual Cambodia—ASEAN Traditional Boat Race.

The body of Chee Wei Cheng was found first at about 7.50 on Sunday morning, followed by that of Jeremy Goh near to the accident area.

The bodies of Stephen Loh, Poh Boon San and Reuben Kee were washed further downstream a few kilometres away, and were found near a small island off the Tonle Sap River, in the late morning the same day.

All were found by Cambodians.

Meanwhile, the family members were visibly distressed and distraught when they came to identify the bodies of the five men at the mortuary of Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh.

Parents and siblings of the men broke down several times especially after they had to identify their loved ones.

One mother did not want to see her son’s body, so she wouldn’t have to remember him that way.

Counsellors from Singapore were on hand to help them overcome their grief and come to grips with the grim reality.

The families of the dead men all said they were very passionate and avid sportsmen.

Rower Stephen Loh’s father, 64—year—old Victor Loh, said his son even gave up an engineering career to pursue his love for sports.

Stephen, the second in the family of three boys, was a Physical Education teacher at National Junior College.

The elder Mr Loh said his son had plans to take up sports science, describing his son as "very focussed."

The brother of Jeremy Goh, who did not want to be named, said his brother enjoyed the team spirit that dragon boating offered.

He also described his brother as a very caring and good brother.

The rest of the team’s 17 rowers are expected to leave Cambodia for Singapore on Monday morning. — CNA/de

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Thailand gears up for a high-quality SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima

By Edward Thangarajah

SEA Games marketing chairman Santiparb Techanavanija believes the biennial celebration to be held December 6-15 in Nakhon Ratchasima will be the "best ever".

He said the fact that it is being held only for the second time in the provinces and during the auspicious year of His Majesty's 80th birthday means it has drawn striking attention from the kingdom and elsewhere.

He also said because the Games are a forerunner for next year's Beijing Olympic Games that a high standard of competition and performances should be expected.

Santiparb claims that he has already raised US$15m for the event and could have added more to the kitty had the organisers allowed him to sell television rights to the participating nations.

"I was told that all participants must be allowed to televise free of charge," he said.

"In fact I had signed Vietnam, but had to cancel the arrangement and refund their deposit."

Santiparb began his association with the SEA Games and Asian Games as a table tennis referee and served as secretary-general of the Table Tennis Association of Thailand.

He was one of those who helped build the road to friendship with China, during the time of "Ping Pong" diplomacy in the late 1960s. He has been associated with the SEA Games since 1961 and the Asian Games since its fifth celebration in 1966, which was the first of five Asiads which Thailand has hosted.

Since then he has been associated with nine Asian Games. In addition to helping with the organisation of the celebrations, he was solely responsible for raising the funds for the Games.

"The enthusiasm, support and the keenness of the people and athletes has opened the doors for Thailand to witness one of the best, if not the best Games held in Southeast Asia," said Santiparb.

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam will take part.

Thailand has established many firsts in the Games. Besides launching the inaugural celebration, which was known as the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games in 1959. Six countries - Burma, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand - participated in 12 sports with 527 athletes in the first Games.

Thailand also enlisted Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines as members. The name was changed to SEA (Southeast Asian) Games in 1977.

The 18th edition of the biennial celebration in Chiang Mai in 1995 was the first to be held outside the capital of a hosting nation.

It was also the first time that all SEA Games members took part.

Perhaps, the most moving scene this scribe witnessed was the presence of the doyen of Asian sports, the late Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya, weak and hardly able to walk, discarded medical advise and was seated in a corner of the Chiang Mai Stadium, witnessing the track and field action.

He sat, clinging on to his walking stick congratulating the athletes.

ACM Dawee was one of those who helped elevate the SEA Games to a meaningful celebration for athletes in this part of the world.

This year, East Timor will be the youngest participant in the biennial celebration. According to Santiparp, 12,000 athletes will be part of this year's Games.

Chiang Mai made its mark in many ways and unfolded several exciting moments.

One fresh in my mind was the men's shot put event. It is normally, a dreary, long drawn out event, with muscular men trying to out-throw an iron-ball but we witnessed a memorable event in Chiang Mai.

The eyes of some 15,000 spectators were focused on the competition arena. That's because they were able to witness a titanic battle between two gladiators, Malaysia's Rahim Mohd Nazar Abdul and Thailand's Jittakorn Krasaeyan.

Rahim set the pace with a record-breaking opening throw of 16.31 metres, a mark which no one was able to beat. In fact he beat the 16-metre mark twice and held the lead, ready to capture the gold. Jittakorn had only one throw over 16 metres and that fell far behind Rahim's first effort.

Then came the sixth and final round and there was pin-drop silence in the stadium. Jittakorn took his stance and then hurled the iron-ball over 16.37 metres.

Yes, he beat Rahim's record-breaking mark.

Rahim entered the throwing circle, took his time and did try hard to beat Jittakorn, but only managed 16.20 metres, and it was Thailand's Jittakorn who not only garnered the gold, but also earned a SEA Games record.

ACM Dawee, like everyone, was so thrilled that he overlooked his feeble health and walked into the stadium to congratulate Jittakorn.

Perhaps Korat will unfold many more memorable, exciting scenes and big crowds will be there to witness the action.

I am also told that all countries will come this year with well trained teams, as they want to stake a claim to go to Beijing for next year's Olympic Games.

According to national track and field coach Supanas Ariyamongkol, one of the strongest challengers for Thailand will be Vietnam who have done hours of training, both at home and elsewhere.

Their women, particularly Vu Thi Huang who won the sprint double in Manila, clocking 11.61 seconds for the 100 and 23.77 for the 200, will go all out to complete the double again.
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Australia's PM-elect Rudd vows better global ties

Reuters

BRISBANE - Australia's incoming Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, a Mandarin-speaking former diplomat, has pledged closer ties with key friends and allies after sweeping away 11 years of conservative rule under John Howard.

Rudd, 50, presented himself as a new generation leader by promising to pull around 500 frontline Australian troops out of Iraq and sign the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, further isolating Washington on both issues.

"To our friends and allies around the world, I look forward as the next Prime Minister of Australia to working with them in dealing with the great challenges which our world now faces," he told cheering supporters at a victory party late on Saturday.

"We extend our greetings tonight to our great friend and ally the United States, to our great friends and partners across Asia and the Pacific, and to our great friends and partners in Europe and beyond."

The surge to Labor left Howard battling to win even his own parliamentary seat, which he has held since 1974, putting him in danger of becoming the first prime minister since 1929 to lose his constituency.

"King Kevin the new conqueror," said the Sun-Herald newspaper in Howard's home town of Sydney on Sunday. "It's Labor in a Ruddslide", said the Australian national newspaper.

At least four and possibly six government ministers, including Howard, looked likely to be ejected after a swing of more than six percent across the nation, bringing only the sixth change of government since World War Two.

Election analyst Antony Green predicted Labor would win up to 86 seats in the 150-seat parliament, giving it a majority for the first time since it lost power to Howard in 1996.

Rudd is expected to forge closer ties with China and other Asian nations and has said he wants a more independent voice in foreign policy, with past Labor governments more supportive of an energetic United Nations and global organizations.

Rudd promised to sign the Kyoto climate pact immediately and lead his country to next month's UN climate summit in Bali, expected to kick-start talks on a post-Kyoto deal to slash greenhouse gas emissions globally.

But Labor could be frustrated by a hostile Senate (upper

house), where the conservatives will have sway until July next year, possibly frustrating Rudd's Kyoto plan and promise to dump unpopular government labor laws which propelled his victory.

Centre-left Labor will have to negotiate with diverse minor Senate parties including the left-leaning Australian Greens and the conservative, Christian values Family First party.

In a message of unity, Rudd promised to govern for all Australians, including migrants and the poor.

"Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward," Rudd, flanked by his wife Therese and family, told around 1,000 wildly cheering home supporters at a football stadium in the tropical northern city of Brisbane.

The election was fought mainly on domestic issues, with Labor cashing in on anger at labor laws and rising interest rates which put home owners under financial pressure at a time when Australia's economy is booming.

"Like Howard, he will quickly attempt to secure his administration with the fortress of institutional and cultural change. In short, Australia will shift to the left," said the Bulletin news magazine.

"Rudd will have to open negotiations soon with the United States about the withdrawal of Australia's combat troops from Iraq. This is a delicate operation because it will be Labor's first testing of the alliance," veteran political commentator Michelle Grattan wrote in the Sun-Herald.

President George W. Bush congratulated Rudd on his election victory, and praised Howard's leadership.

"The United States and Australia have long been strong partners and allies and the president looks forward to working with this new government to continue our historic relationship," the White House said in a statement.

Howard, who had won four consecutive elections and held power for 11 years, conceded his government had lost power in front of a crowd of supporters in Sydney late on Saturday, saying he took full personal responsibility for the defeat.

"This is a great democracy and I want to wish Mr Rudd well," Howard said. "We bequeath to him a nation that is stronger and prouder and more prosperous than it was 11-1/2 years ago."

The result puts Labor in power nationally and in all of Australia's six states and two territories, with the lord mayor of the northern city of Brisbane now the senior ranking elected official in Howard's Liberal Party.

Howard, who on Sunday went for his regular morning walk in the wake of defeat, had won four consecutive elections and was Australia's second-longest serving prime minister behind Liberal Party founder Sir Robert Menzies.
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