Unregistered Cambodian stuck in immigration limbo

via Khmer NZ

09-03-2010
By Bae Ji-sook

Sok Senghorth

An unregistered Cambodian worker, diagnosed with an intractable disease while working here, is stuck in limbo as he is unable to benefit from the state health insurance he desperately needs to cover the huge cost of an operation.

Doctors and civic activists in the southern port city of Busan are making efforts to help Sok Senghorth, 29, get a bone marrow transplant to fight the disease.

Kosin University Gospel Hospital said Sok was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in May. According to the Mayo Clinic’s definition, aplastic anemia is a condition that occurs when a person’s body stops producing enough new blood cells. The disease requires a bone marrow transplant in the most serious cases.

Sok needs to undergo this operation, but the cost could reach more than 100 million won ($83,000) without the benefit of the state health insurance policy. Even though doctors and civic groups are donating blood and money, it is not enough.

Sok arrived in Korea in 2006 as a factory worker in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, but soon left the workplace and wandered from one factory after another as an illegal alien.

While he was working more than 10 hours a day at an aluminum plant, he visited a free clinic for foreign workers and was informed of his illness. Because his stay in Korea is illegal, Sok was not allowed treatment at a domestic hospital or any welfare benefits.

Prof. Oh Moo-young of Inje University Medical Center sought to help him and requested Busan Immigration Center to issue him a G1 visa, which allows medical treatment here.

The Ministry of Justice canceled the millions of won in fines for his illegal stay, while Green Doctors, a Busan-based international medical charity group and the Gospel Hospital’s Dr. Kim Yang-soo arranged for treatment.

The 100 million won covers preparation for the surgery and post-surgical treatment, though Green Doctors said they would need extra funds to fly Sok’s twin sister over as a bone marrow donor.

The hospital said surgeons would perform the operation pro bono surgery if the National Health Insurance Corp. (NHIC) covered the basic fee. However, a G1 visa does not allow a foreigner to subscribe to the state health insurance.

The Busan medical charity organizers gathered Tuesday to draw out a plan for Sok but the immigration authorities and the NHIC reiterated that Sok doesn’t qualify for a visa revision nor subscribe to the insurance as he is unemployed, according Prof. Oh.

“He needs an operation. But we cannot perform it as the costs are too much without the insurance coverage,” Oh told The Korea Times. “With his G1 visa, he cannot subscribe to the health insurance policy, though he needs it badly.”

Oh said the immigration office and NHIC officials are also trying to help him but under current regulations, he is not entitled to insurance.

“So, we are contacting some lawmakers to clear the administrative hurdle. But they also seem to be busy with opening the new National Assembly session,” Oh said.

Oh said if Sok was allowed to subscribe to the insurance, the cost would go down to about 15 million won, and the hospital would treat him on the presumption that payment would be settled after treatment.

“We need more money and more attention. It will be a global embarrassment to turn against a sick person just because he is an unregistered patient,” he said.

An immigration official said, “We will make sure Sok does not get deported during his treatment. We will also see what we can do.”

The Shinpyungro Church, which Sok goes to every Sunday, has decided to pay for Sok’s sibling to come to Korea.

Civic group members and churchgoers are holding a nationwide campaign to help him. For more information, call (051) 607-0135.

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Cambodia's Human Dump

http://www.joe.ie/

via Khmer NZ

The authorities have recognised that the dump’s comparatively central location means it could have value for development and as such has started expelling residents and banning scavenging. A new dump has been established further from the centre of Phnom Penh although there too the homeless and the desperate are barred from using it as a means of earning a living.

With their homes and income gone and a total absence of anything resembling a welfare system, the former residents have been left longing after the days when they were permitted to live and work on a filthy, smoldering pile of rubbish that for most of us would look like hell on earth.

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Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn wins over his hosts in Phnom Penh with his humility - PM's Office Minister Ong-art builds on thawing relations with

Published: 4/09/2010
via Khmer Nz

Made of the right diplomatic stuff

Alongkorn: Show-stealer takes act abroad

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot has finally emerged from the shadows and is eager to show what he is made of.

Mr Alongkorn recently paid an official visit to Cambodia, the first cabinet minister to have done so since bilateral ties were soured by the diplomatic spat over the Preah Vihear temple.

He apparently was determined to turn the visit into an opportunity to showcase his vision as befits a deputy commerce minister.

Cambodia was added to a list of neighbouring countries he has called upon to boost trans-border trade. His visit to Burma was thought to have helped defuse the simmering row between border authorities that is blamed for the temporary suspension of commerce in the bustling Mae Sot-Myawaddy area.

With Cambodia, Mr Alongkorn envisions a revival of a special economic zone project in Poipet opposite Aranyapathet. In 2004, more than 2,500 rai of land was designated for the zone, but the political will to push the project through has been lacking.

After touring the site, however, Mr Alongkorn felt that an area in Ban Rai village of Aranyaprathet could be more suitable for development into an economic boom town.

From the border checkpoint, the deputy commerce minister travelled on to Phnom Penh for a meeting with media representatives from Thailand and Cambodia.

At the ''Minister Meets the Press'' meeting organised by the Asean reporters' federation, Mr Alongkorn lost no time in putting his exceptional verbal talents to good use.

Before dignitaries, including Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Nhek Bunchay, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith and Deputy Commerce Minister Kim Sitan, Mr Alongkorn won over his Cambodian hosts with his humility.

He told them he had stayed up late on his first night in Cambodia because he was practising hard to sign his name in Khmer. ''And now I've got the hang of it,'' he said.

He then proceeded to sign his name on a piece of paper, drawing visible admiration from those assembled.

Mr Alongkorn then went for the kill. Towards the end of his speech, he said: ''We may not be able to correct history, but we can build a better future together.'' The statement was met with a thunderous round of applause.

He insisted that the troubled friendship between the two countries be smoothened out. ''It's like pebbles in our shoes. We need to remove them so we can walk with ease,'' he said.

The persistent conflict was holding back progress for both countries. Tighter economic cooperation was the way forward.

Grabbing a bite of khanom tarn (small cakes made from tarn palm), the deputy minister commented that the Cambodian version of the sweet has a superior taste even to the khanom tarn produced in his native Phetchaburi, dubbed Thailand's capital of traditional sweets.

He compared the wholesome khanom tarn of Cambodia to that country's richness in resources and economic potential.

Mr Alongkorn's visit was given extensive coverage by the local media. The success of the visit has bolstered his reputation as a minister who steals the show.

Sweet talker sugars relations

PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul's recent visit to Cambodia was well timed as the rocky relations with Thailand's neighbour have been showing signs of improvement.

His trip followed hot on the heels of an official visit to Phnom Penh last week by Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot. Mr Alongkorn's mission was to boost economic cooperation with Cambodia.

Ong-art: Good listener, humble manner

Both countries have reinstated their ambassadors to the respective capitals after ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra resigned from his post as economic adviser to the Cambodian prime minister, a position that had helped keep bilateral ties frosty.

Now that diplomatic ties are on the road to becoming normalised, both countries are putting their best foot forward in restoring relations.

Mr Ong-art, a seasoned politician and also former secretary to former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan, is fully aware of the cautious diplomatic approach he must take with Phnom Penh.

He must work towards confidence-building so discussions can take place on sensitive topics, such as the long-standing dispute involving the Preah Vihear temple.

A good listener with a humble manner, Mr Ong-art has worked well in exercising his diplomatic leverage over the temple dispute and Cambodia's warm reception of Thaksin.

Mr Ong-art's reconciliatory tone in talks with Cambodia's veteran Information Minister Khieu Kanharith created a positive atmosphere at the meeting. The two agreed that improving communications between the two countries would benefit the citizens of both countries.

Both are former journalists, which might have helped to facilitate talks.

Mr Kanharith emphasised the need for reporters from both nations to maintain professionalism and avoid inciting people in their bilateral conflict.

The ministers were looking forward to the establishment of an information exchange system.

Concerts might also be held as a cultural exchange measure between the countries.

Mr Ong-art also plans to organise a ''Visit Thailand'' project, an orientation programme for Cambodian journalists to lift their understanding of this country.

Mr Ong-art was even granted an unexpected courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Departing totally from his usually unflattering tone when speaking about Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Hun Sen conveyed his praise for Mr Abhisit through Mr Ong-art.

He said Mr Abhisit is a well educated and smart young leader who is very experienced in many areas.

Sweet talk aside, it remains to be seen when the prickly issue of the Preah Vihear temple will flare up again.

Playing more than just footie

Despite his claim that he is fully occupied with Buri Ram PEA football club, Newin Chidchob remains a political play-maker with a clear mission.

Newin: Political playmaker with a mission

His Bhumjaithai faithful have been told repeatedly that the party is on a mission and that is to keep ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's clout and red shirt movement at bay and to protect the monarchy.

And it is widely known that Mr Newin, now the dedicated chairman of Thunder Castle (the football team's nickname), is a man of his word.

Ekkapab Ponsue, a former MP from Roi Et with the Puea Pandin Party who is barred from politics, is said to be so impressed by Mr Newin that he has agreed to have his wife, Ratchanee, join the Bhumjaithai Party.

Mr Newin is aware that MPs from Puea Thai and other parties have approached him partly because they each want a piece of the national budget pie for their constituencies.

The Bhumjaithai de facto leader may be serving a political ban but, as political pundits agree, his influence in the government is undeniable.

Mr Newin also knows that as long as the general election date is not set, the vote of every single MP counts and the Democrat-led administration needs all the support it can get.

''While the House of Representatives is not dissolved, the support of MPs remains vital.

''And even if the Democrats do get dissolved, don't even think that the Puea Thai Party can form a government. Mr Suthep and I have made arrangements,'' Mr Newin was quoted as saying by a political source when he talked about the warm welcome he has extended to MPs from all camps.

According to Mr Newin, vote management in the House of Representatives is as important to the government as the military and the police force.

He, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva have reportedly discussed security concerns and agreed that handling the red shirt movement requires people who are determined to deal with the problems.

It is reported that Mr Newin ''requested'' the appointment of Pol Maj Gen Sompong Khongpetsak, currently deputy chief of Police Region 6, as chief of Police Region 4, which oversees the northeastern provinces of Udon Thani and Khon Kaen, the red shirts' main strongholds.

The police reshuffle also includes the appointments of Pol Maj Gen Chaiya Siriamphankul as chief of Police Region 5 overseeing the northern region, and of Pol Maj Gen Sriwara Rangsipramanakul as chief of Police Region 1, which oversees the central provinces.

Mr Newin believes that if the regional police chiefs do their jobs efficiently, they can deter red shirt-related incidents and prevent a repeat of the political violence which took place in May this year.

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Toxins In The Marketplace

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UN Expert Arrives to Assay Tribunal Progress

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Friday, 03 September 2010

via Khmer NZ

Photo: AP
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, ECCC.

Williamson, the former US ambassador-at-large for war crimes, arrived in Cambodia Wednesday night and met with court officials Thursday and Friday. He is expected to meet with Cabinet Minister Sok An, who oversees the court for the government, next week.

The UN's special envoy for the Khmer Rouge tribunal has undertaken a series of meetings this week to report on the progress of the UN-backed court and weigh in on future funding.

UN Special Expert Clint Williamson told VOA Khmer Friday night he would not only be looking into fundraising but also “a number of issues related to the operation of the court.”

Williamson, the former US ambassador-at-large for war crimes, arrived in Cambodia Wednesday night and met with court officials Thursday and Friday. He is expected to meet with Cabinet Minister Sok An, who oversees the court for the government, next week.

The tribunal has experienced cash-flow problems this year, with some donors reluctant to fund a court facing staff allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

In a report issued Thursday, the Open Society Justice Initiative said the tribunal suffers from fractured leadership and would require “effective and sustained high-level UN leadership...to deal with the political, funding and management problems facing the court.”

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EU To Look Into Sugar Deals, Land Disputes

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Friday, 03 September 2010

via Khmer NZ

Photo: by Heng Reaksmey
Villagers in Kampong Speu protest against Phnom Penh Sugar Company for land grabbing, in May 2010.

“Before the EU has agreements with companies in Cambodia, they should investigate whether those companies are involved in human rights abuses, before they take the goods for import into Europe,”

Representatives of the rights group Licadho met with European Union officials on Friday, following reports this week that the EU's preferential trade polices were linked to agricultural land evictions.

Officials from Licadho and the EU confirmed the closed-door meeting on Friday but declined to elaborate.

However, the meeting follows a week of increased media scrutiny questioning whether the EU's trade deals are being taken advantage of by companies behind the forced evictions of thousands of people.

The EU's Cambodian charge d'affaires, Rafael Dochao-Moreno, said at an EU-sponsored human rights forum on Wednesday the EU would look into whether its Anything But Arms program, which provides tariff exemptions for goods exported from less-developed countries, was linked to illegal evictions.

“This is something we are analyzing now,” the Cambodia Daily quoted him saying.

The Cambodia Daily also reported last week that the sugar plantation operations of Cambodian People's Party Senator Ly Yong Phat were fueling land disputes while cashing in on the EU trade deal.

Villagers in the provinces of Koh Kong and Kampong Speu have alleged that sugar plantations operated by Ly Yong Phat have pushed them off their land. Major protests have ensued, leading to violence and arrests.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote a letter to opposition party lawmakers defending the Kampong Speu concession, given by the Ministry of Agriculture, an act which Dochao-Moreno was quoted as saying had prompted the EU investigation.

Ly Yong Phat told VOA Khmer on Friday that his sugar plantations did not have deals with Europe.

The Cambodia Daily, however, reported that Ly Yong Phat operated sugar contracts through a joint venture with Thai company Khon Kaen Sugar, which in turn sells it to a British industrial food company.

“Before the EU has agreements with companies in Cambodia, they should investigate whether those companies are involved in human rights abuses, before they take the goods for import into Europe,” Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said.

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Groups Prepare Complaints for New Corruption Investigators

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Friday, 03 September 2010

via Khmer NZ

Photo: AP
The Cambodia Independent Anti-Corruption Committee will also file a complaint over a 5-hectare land dispute in Phnom Penh, the committee's president.

“All the complaints have the names and IDs of corrupt tax agents, and in each complaint there are about five to 15 complainants,” he said. “All the complaints will be submitted to the Anti-Corruption Unit in late September to stop and punish corrupt tax agents.”

At least three local organizations say they are preparing a stack of complaints of graft and misdeeds for submission to the new national Anti-Corruption Unit.

Fourteen members of the unit were sworn in on Tuesday, vowing to uphold an anti-corruption law that was passed earlier this year.

The complaints, which will be the first test of the Anti-Corruption Unit, encompass allegations of corruption within the police and courts and in illegal logging and land disputes.

San Chey, the Cambodian coordinator for the regional Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, said he had 60 complaints of tax agents demanding excessive fees for vehicle taxes.

“All the complaints have the names and IDs of corrupt tax agents, and in each complaint there are about five to 15 complainants,” he said. “All the complaints will be submitted to the Anti-Corruption Unit in late September to stop and punish corrupt tax agents.”

The most serious complaints are of tax agents in the provinces of Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Kandal and Takeo and will be a “test” of the Anti-Corruption Unit's willingness to tackle the problem, he said.

“The Anti-Corruption Unit is starting its work,” he said. “We want to see the 2010 annual tax collection for all vehicles have transparency and be a good example in the fight against corruption.”

The National Resource and Wildlife Preservation Organization, which monitors natural resources and human rights, will also lodge a complaint accusing 241 people of illegal logging in Kampong Speu's Oral National Park.

Chea Hean, the director of the organization, said he was preparing even more similar complaints for officials and park rangers in Koh Kong province's Botum Sakor National Park and Kampot province's Bokor National Park.

“I'll lodge these complaints with the Anti-Corruption Unit to create more investigations, because I've lodged them with the Koh Kong and Kampong Speu provincial courts...but the courts did not take action,” he said. “If we gather the evidence and the Anti-Corruption Unit cannot find corruption, I won't have faith in the government institution.”

The Cambodia Independent Anti-Corruption Committee will also file a complaint over a 5-hectare land dispute in Phnom Penh, the committee's president, Mom Sitha said.

Yet more civic groups have complaints to file, said Chan Soveth, an investigator for the rights group Adhoc. However, many are waiting because they do not have faith the Anti-Corruption Unit is politically neutral, he said.

“The ACU officials were sworn in as corruption investigators, but they have not sworn to withdraw from the [ruling Cambodian People's Party] yet,” he said.

Om Yientang, a senior government adviser and the head of the Anti-Corruption Unit, said he welcomed the complaints, provided they contained enough evidence.

“We can investigate all kinds of complaints,” he said.

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Licadho Decries Steep Court Sentence for Staff Member

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer | Washington, D.C
Friday, 03 September 2010

via Khmer NZ

Photo: VOA, Khmer
Am Sam Ath is a senior Licadho monitor.

“I do not think it impacts the human rights defense process of Licadho,” the monitor, Am Sam Ath, said as a guest on “Hello VOA.” “But what we regret is that the Takeo court convicted Leang Sochoeun without proper evidence, and the verdict also did not comply with court independence and legitimacy at all.”

The two-year jail sentence of a rights worker for Licadho will not deter the groups work, a senior Licadho monitor said Thursday.

Leang Sochoeun, a staff member of Licadho, was handed the sentence from the Takeo provincial court this week, on charges he participated in an anti-government leaflet distribution earlier this year.

“I do not think it impacts the human rights defense process of Licadho,” the monitor, Am Sam Ath, said as a guest on “Hello VOA.” “But what we regret is that the Takeo court convicted Leang Sochoeun without proper evidence, and the verdict also did not comply with court independence and legitimacy at all.”

Even the court's arrest warrant was flawed, he said. It called for the arrest of a person name Leang Sokly of Phnom Penh's Svay Pak commune, not Leang Sochoeun, who lives in Sen Sok commune.

Leang Sochoeun was charged with three other men for distributing leaflets earlier this year critical of the government's relationship with Vietnam and a celebration marking the January 7 anniversary of the Vietnamese-backed ouster of the Khmer Rouge.

Leang Sochoeun fainted after his verdict was read, and Licadho said the conviction had created “an atmosphere of fear.”

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said rights workers were subject to the same laws as everyone. “No one is above the law,” he said, adding that rights groups did not fully understand the case.

However, Am Sam Ath said rights workers do want law, governance and an independent court. They also want to work with the government, not against it.

Licadho recorded at least 66 cases of threats and intimidation against rights workers in 2008 and 2009.

A leaflet distribution was an expression of political views that should be protected, he said, noting that in the West, such acts rarely lead to imprisonment.

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PM's Office Minister Ongart: Cambodian PM Hun Sen ready to talk with Abhisit

http://www.mcot.net/

via Khmer NZ

BANGKOK, Sept 3 - Thai Prime Minister's Office Minister Ongart Klampaiboon said on Friday Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thailand and Cambodia are like “tongue and teeth” and that he is ready to hold bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva in every forum and in any topic.

Mr Ongart, the first Thai cabinet member visiting Phnom Penh since diplomatic ties were restored following the return to duty of the ambassadors of the two kingdoms after fugitive ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra resigned from his advisory post with the Cambodian government.

A diplomatic spat between Thailand and Cambodia occurred after the Khmer government appointed Mr Thaksin as its economic adviser and refused to extradite the ex-Thai premier to face legal action in Bangkok if asked by the Thai authorities.

Thailand expressed its dissatisfaction by recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh, while Cambodia also recalled its ambassador to Bangkok in retaliation.

Mr Ongart, who met the Cambodian prime minister on Thursday, said he was assured by Mr Hun Sen that he was ready to talk with his Thai counterpart "in every forum", not only the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled to be held in Belgium in October.

The Cambodian leader said he could discuss with Mr Abhisit on any issue and at any other forum where they may meet including the United Nations General Assembly scheduled at the end of September, he said.

Mr Hun Sen also praised the Thai premier as a well-qualified young man and told Mr Abhisit not to worry over criticism that young men cannot work well as Mr Hun Sen himself became Cambodian prime minister when he was just 32, the Thai minister.

The Cambodian premier said he believed Mr Abhisit will be prime minister for a long period and becoming stronger now he has proven his leadership skills.

Mr Ongart revealed that the Thai premier also asked him to convey his message to his Cambodian counterpart, hoping the relations between the two countries will improve.

The PM's Office Minister however said the issue of Mr Thaksin was not raised during his trip to Phnom Penh.

Regarding the border dispute between both countries concerning the work of Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), Mr Ongart said he clarified to Mr Hun Sen that Thailand is not delaying the case, but now the government is soliciting public opinion on the matter before seeking joint parliamentary approval.

Mr Hun Sen said he wants the JBC to be a forum which will create better understanding between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that relations of both countries are like "tongue and teeth" which may sometimes hit, but never separate from being neighbours due to their adjacent territories

The Cambodian leader said both must find ways to make "tongue and teeth" live in the mouth happily, according to Mr Ongart.

Tension between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the border dispute flared up after the World Heritage Committee (WHC) registered the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site last July.

Cambodia attempted to propose a temple management plan to the WHC, but Thailand opposed the move as problem of the contested 4.6 sq km of land near the temple remains unsolved, leading to several military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. (MCOT online news)

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PM, Hun Sen set to meet

Ong-art's visit to Phnom Penh helps boost ties

Published: 4/09/2010

via Khmer NZ

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen look set to hold talks later this month to build on the improving ties between the two countries.

He [Hun Sen] has voiced confidence that Mr Abhisit will stay in the post for a long time and that the prime minister has grown stronger and proved his leadership skills. - ONG-ART KLAMPAIBUL PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE MINISTER

Given the potential meeting of the two leaders, the Defence Ministry is considering postponing the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting scheduled for Sept 8-10 in Bangkok, a ministry source said.

Speaking after his return from Cambodia yesterday, Prime Minister's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul said the Cambodian prime minister appears keen on the prospect of catching up with Mr Abhisit when they meet at the United Nations General Assembly.

"He said we [Thailand and Cambodia] don't have to wait until the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in October because we will meet in New York on Sept 24," said Mr Ong-art who visited Cambodia on Thursday shortly after the normalisation of diplomatic ties.

Mr Ong-art was only scheduled to meet with the Cambodian information minister during the visit. But he also had a one-hour meeting with Hun Sen.

Ties with Phnom Penh deteriorated over border conflicts and the appointment of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser. They went downhill after Cambodia proposed a management plan for the Preah Vihear temple to the World Heritage Committee that Bangkok opposed.

Bangkok and Phnom Penh recently reinstated their ambassadors after Thaksin resigned from his advisory post.

Mr Ong-art said the Cambodian leader is ready to hold talks on "any issue" with Mr Abhisit. "He has assured that a broker is unnecessary when holding a dialogue with Thailand. Any forum can do."

According to the minister, the Cambodian leader said Thailand and Cambodia were like "tongue and teeth" - a reference to occasional disagreements which should be dealt with amicably.

Mr Ong-art said bilateral relations between the two nations are picking up, citing the bringing forward from Oct 18 to Sept 10 of the Thai ambassador to submit his appointment to Cambodia's king for endorsement.

Both countries have also agreed to carry out journalistic and cultural exchange programmes, he said.

A hotline will be set up as a communications channel between him and the Cambodian information minister in case there are any urgent issues that need to be resolved, he said.

Mr Ong-art added that Hun Sen was full of praise for Mr Abhisit.

The Cambodian prime minister said that Mr Abhisit should not be discouraged by criticism about his early rise to become prime minister.

"He has voiced confidence that Mr Abhisit will stay in the post for a long time and that the prime minister has grown stronger and proved his leadership skills," Mr Ong-art said.

Mr Ong-art said he also explained the legal requirements about the Thai side in working on the JBC and Hun Sen seemed to understand these.

Mr Abhisit, meanwhile, said yesterday that he expects to meet and hold talks with Hun Sen when they meet at international forums later this year.

Mr Abhisit played down Hun Sen's softened stance towards bilateral ties.

Earlier, Hun Sen had accused Thailand of threatening to renege on its acceptance of Cambodia's rights to the Preah Vihear temple and asked the UN to intervene.

Mr Abhisit said that as neighbours both countries are aware that existing disagreements or conflicts must be resolved through talks but certain issues need to proceed at the right time.

Mr Abhisit said he hoped Mr Ong-art's visit to Cambodia would strengthen communications and that the ministers concerned seemed to be working on some mechanisms to reduce tensions caused by misunderstandings.

In a related development, provincial authorities and the private sector in Trat are holding a three-day meeting with their Cambodian counterparts from four provinces to discuss cooperation.

Trat governor Kaenpet Chuangrangsi said the meeting, which will take place on Koh Chang, will discuss matters ranging from border security to health care and trade and tourism. He said that a draft memorandum on cooperation guidelines is expected to be signed at the end of the meeting today.

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Cambodia's Seamstresses Exemplify Global Trends Toward Investment in the Female Market

via Khmer NZ

BY Jenara Nerenberg

MasterCard is eyeing the emerging middle classes of women in Asia and Cambodia is as good a test case as anywhere else -- and it offers a CSR branding point.

Cambodia has been attracting a fair amount of corporate and "social business" interest in local seamstresses. Socially motivated businesses like Eve Blossom's Lulan Artisans and Elizabeth Kiester's Wanderlust, both for-profit social enterprises that use the talents of marginalized seamstresses, have set up shop here. But now two larger and much more corporate players have entered the scene: MasterCard and the ultra chic Hotel de la Paix, which begs the question of why now and why the focus on women?

Answer: purchasing power.

Goldman Sachs published a report last year highlighting the growing global middle class and the increasingly leading role of women in making financial decisions. The findings are true especially in Asia, where such economies as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are expected to grow and increase its middle class populations considerably.

Cambodia is not too far behind and MasterCard is smart to jump in now. The credit card company has been doing research on the subject of female purchasing power in Asia and based on their findings have been rolling out female empowerment programs across the region.

Over the next few months, according to the press release, "MasterCard will donate USD50 towards the reconstruction of Hôtel de la Paix’s Sewing School, for every room bill paid with a MasterCard card." The partnership is also a branding point for the hotel, as guests are taken to see community sites to get a glimpse of local Cambodian life. Essentially, MasterCard is making its name known to the very women who will shortly join the growing middle class with their own businesses and thus have more money to spend.

"I know that de la Paix has been actively involved in helping train women in sewing for quite some time, as well as being involved in social programs throughout Cambodia," Elizabeth Kiester, who relocated to Cambodia in 2008 after a successful career as Creative Director at LeSportsac and a Senior Editor at Jane magazine tells Fast Company. She set up her socially conscious, summery, clothing line in Siam Reap after moving there. She partners with marginalized female seamstresses and just launched a collection for J. Crew. "I think what they're doing is amazing, and I welcome the efforts--I would love to utilize some of their seamstresses some day!"

Little work opportunities exist for women in Cambodia, one of the world's least developed countries, and they're often found working on construction sites. "Sewing and crafting is indigenous to Cambodia, but also sewing offers women, in a country where perhaps they are not yet 'equal,' a chance to own and run their own businesses, which otherwise they may not have the opportunity," Kiester says.

The partnership between MasterCard and Hotel de la Paix may sound like straight-up corporate social responsibility, the same stuff you've heard before, but actually, it's rare to find a set of players and causes that fit so well together. The financial incentive is gravy.

While MasterCard is looking for a way into the female market and continue its CSR efforts in an emerging economy, Hotel de la Paix gets to add an angle to the hotel that doesn't make it look so out of place as a high-end hotel in a desperately poor nation (in fact, this may just fight off some heavy criticism and also encourage local stakeholder buy-in). It's not that similar types of partnerships haven't been done before, but in this case it's been done well, which takes a fair amount of pizazz and a sprinkle of innovation.

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Alongkorn and Ong-art's Siamese sweet talk visit to Hun Xen

Hun Xen listening to Ong-art's (L) sweet talk

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn wins over his hosts in Phnom Penh with his humility - PM's Office Minister Ong-art builds on thawing relations with Cambodia with his own visit

4/09/2010
Bangkok Post
ABOUT Politics

Made of the right diplomatic stuff

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot has finally emerged from the shadows and is eager to show what he is made of.

Mr Alongkorn recently paid an official visit to Cambodia, the first cabinet minister to have done so since bilateral ties were soured by the diplomatic spat over the Preah Vihear temple.

He apparently was determined to turn the visit into an opportunity to showcase his vision as befits a deputy commerce minister.

Cambodia was added to a list of neighbouring countries he has called upon to boost trans-border trade. His visit to Burma was thought to have helped defuse the simmering row between border authorities that is blamed for the temporary suspension of commerce in the bustling Mae Sot-Myawaddy area.

With Cambodia, Mr Alongkorn envisions a revival of a special economic zone project in Poipet opposite Aranyapathet. In 2004, more than 2,500 rai of land was designated for the zone, but the political will to push the project through has been lacking.

After touring the site, however, Mr Alongkorn felt that an area in Ban Rai village of Aranyaprathet could be more suitable for development into an economic boom town.

From the border checkpoint, the deputy commerce minister travelled on to Phnom Penh for a meeting with media representatives from Thailand and Cambodia.

At the ''Minister Meets the Press'' meeting organised by the Asean reporters' federation, Mr Alongkorn lost no time in putting his exceptional verbal talents to good use.

Before dignitaries, including Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Nhek Bunchay, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith and Deputy Commerce Minister Kim Sitan, Mr Alongkorn won over his Cambodian hosts with his humility.

He told them he had stayed up late on his first night in Cambodia because he was practising hard to sign his name in Khmer. ''And now I've got the hang of it,'' he said.

He then proceeded to sign his name on a piece of paper, drawing visible admiration from those assembled.

Mr Alongkorn then went for the kill. Towards the end of his speech, he said: ''We may not be able to correct history, but we can build a better future together.'' The statement was met with a thunderous round of applause.

He insisted that the troubled friendship between the two countries be smoothened out. ''It's like pebbles in our shoes. We need to remove them so we can walk with ease,'' he said.

The persistent conflict was holding back progress for both countries. Tighter economic cooperation was the way forward.

Grabbing a bite of khanom tarn (small cakes made from tarn palm), the deputy minister commented that the Cambodian version of the sweet has a superior taste even to the khanom tarn produced in his native Phetchaburi, dubbed Thailand's capital of traditional sweets.

He compared the wholesome khanom tarn of Cambodia to that country's richness in resources and economic potential.

Mr Alongkorn's visit was given extensive coverage by the local media. The success of the visit has bolstered his reputation as a minister who steals the show.

Sweet talker sugars relations

PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul's recent visit to Cambodia was well timed as the rocky relations with Thailand's neighbour have been showing signs of improvement.

His trip followed hot on the heels of an official visit to Phnom Penh last week by Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot. Mr Alongkorn's mission was to boost economic cooperation with Cambodia.

Both countries have reinstated their ambassadors to the respective capitals after ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra resigned from his post as economic adviser to the Cambodian prime minister, a position that had helped keep bilateral ties frosty.

Now that diplomatic ties are on the road to becoming normalised, both countries are putting their best foot forward in restoring relations.

Mr Ong-art, a seasoned politician and also former secretary to former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan, is fully aware of the cautious diplomatic approach he must take with Phnom Penh.

He must work towards confidence-building so discussions can take place on sensitive topics, such as the long-standing dispute involving the Preah Vihear temple.

A good listener with a humble manner, Mr Ong-art has worked well in exercising his diplomatic leverage over the temple dispute and Cambodia's warm reception of Thaksin.

Mr Ong-art's reconciliatory tone in talks with Cambodia's veteran Information Minister Khieu Kanharith created a positive atmosphere at the meeting. The two agreed that improving communications between the two countries would benefit the citizens of both countries.

Both are former journalists, which might have helped to facilitate talks.

Mr Kanharith emphasised the need for reporters from both nations to maintain professionalism and avoid inciting people in their bilateral conflict.

The ministers were looking forward to the establishment of an information exchange system.

Concerts might also be held as a cultural exchange measure between the countries.

Mr Ong-art also plans to organise a ''Visit Thailand'' project, an orientation programme for Cambodian journalists to lift their understanding of this country.

Mr Ong-art was even granted an unexpected courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Departing totally from his usually unflattering tone when speaking about Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Hun Sen conveyed his praise for Mr Abhisit through Mr Ong-art.

He said Mr Abhisit is a well educated and smart young leader who is very experienced in many areas.

Sweet talk aside, it remains to be seen when the prickly issue of the Preah Vihear temple will flare up again.

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Hun Sen realises the folly of supporting Thaksin

4/09/2010
Kamol Hengkietisak
Bangkok Post

The Cambodian government announced on Aug 23 that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had resigned as a personal adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and as economic adviser to the Cambodian government, citing personal difficulty in fulfilling the roles. This paved the way for Bangkok and Phnom Penh to restore normal diplomatic relations, noted Nongnuch Singhadecha writing for Matichon.

Even though some Thai critics remarked that it was a staged act by Thaksin and Hun Sen and that the Thai government should not put much faith in Hun Sen, Nongnuch believed it was in Cambodia's own interests to dismiss Thaksin as an adviser - otherwise Thailand would not resume normal diplomatic ties.

After Thaksin resigned from his positions, the two countries returned their ambassadors to their posts in Phnom Penh and Bangkok respectively. Diplomatic relations had been downgraded to the charge d'affaires level when Thaksin was appointed adviser in November last year.

Nongnuch speculated that Hun Sen finally realised that supporting Thaksin openly and wholeheartedly was not in the best interests of Cambodia. As time passed, Hun Sen realised that holding "junk stock" like Thaksin and hoping for a quick profit would not materialise and that Thaksin was static on a declining trend and could even plunge to a lower level than his IPO price as there was no positive news to support him. In the parlance of stock speculators, Thaksin stock has no future.

The situation after the red shirt unrest in April-May with the total defeat of the red shirts made it quite clear to Hun Sen that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who Hun Sen used to ridicule as unlikely to last long, could now consolidate his position and that it would be sometime before a new general election is held, and it is not even certain that Puea Thai will take power. The economic news in Thailand is also encouraging in that GDP growth for the first and second quarter was at the forefront in Asia, consolidating the position of Mr Abhisit even further.

Hun Sen's open support of Thaksin was the main obstacle to unifying Asean, which aims to become a common market and attract trade and investment to the region. The Asean market boasts more than 500 million people with Indonesia alone having 240 million. The region is a magnet for overseas investors from the West and Asian economic giants China, Japan and South Korea. Those countries do not want to see Asean countries mired in conflicts just because Hun Sen saw personal ties with Thaksin as more important than the interests of Cambodia and Asean.

Objectively speaking, Hun Sen committed a diplomatic misstep in taking on board a fugitive from justice. It soured relations between Thailand and Cambodia. Whatever angle one looks at it from, there was no need for Hun Sen to officially announce the appointment of Thaksin as his personal adviser and an economic adviser to the Cambodian government. If Hun Sen had been wiser, he would not have put all his bets on Thaksin and announced the enmity against Mr Abhisit. He could have quietly appointed Thaksin on an informal basis to help him and the Cambodian government. With no official announcement, Hun Sen could have avoided souring diplomatic relations with Thailand while hedging his bets if Puea Thai came to power.

On the Puea Thai Party front, Thaksin loyalists argue that he was not dismissed from his advisory position but resigned voluntarily to improve relations between the two neighbours. If that were the case, Nongnuch wondered why Thaksin had not thought about this when he accepted Hun Sen's invitation to become an adviser. If he had not really wanted to sour relations between the two countries, he should not have accepted the position in the first place. The fact he accepted meant he cannot deny that he wanted to show the Abhisit administration and its backers that he was still accepted as a respected international figure by Thailand's neighbour to the point where that country did not care much about good relations with Thailand.

Nongnuch said if Thaksin was really behind the violence aimed at toppling the Abhisit administration, as many believe, he should now know that using force and violence to fight the military establishment is futile, seeing the failure in April last year and April-May this year. Violence will not succeed as it is not the democratic way.

If the red shirts continue to agitate and obstruct ruling politicians who are doing their duty in the countryside, it will give even more legitimacy to Mr Abhisit's claim to continue to rule until his term expires late next year without having to be forced to dissolve the House early for a general election, citing that the situation is still not peaceful and that candidates may not be able to campaign freely throughout the country without facing obstruction.

The resounding defeat of Puea Thai in Bangkok's local elections on Sunday, Aug 29, even though the Democrat Party did not sweep all seats, means that Bangkokians do not think too much of the red shirts torching Bangkok in May.

Puea Thai claimed only 42% of eligible voters bothered to come out to vote and thus this election did not reflect the true feeling of Bangkok voters. Nongnuch begged to differ, arguing that with the two main parties fighting tooth and nail to win over Bangkok voters, it would be unthinkable that the true, die-hard red shirt supporters would sit tight and let the Democrat supporters have their day as the memory of the red shirt defeat in May was still fresh in their minds.

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Secret titanium mine threatens Cambodia's most untouched forest

Cardamom Mountain Range waterfall popular with ecotourists. Photo courtesy of the Wildlife Alliance.
Map of the mining area. Click image to enlarge.
American tourists on birdwatching tour led from Chi Phat
Spoonbills in flight photographed from helicopter. Photos courtesy of the Wildlife Alliance.
Forest Cover Statistics
Khmer burial jars (300-500 years old) in one of 12 known archaeological sites in the Cardamoms. Photo courtesy of the Wildlife Alliance.
Map of the mining area. Click image to enlarge.

September 01, 2010
Jeremy Hance
mongabay.com

Although the mining consortium, United Khmer Group, has been drawing up plans to build a massive titanium mine in a Cambodian protected forest for three years, the development did not become public knowledge until rural villagers came face-to-face with bulldozers and trucks building access roads. Reaction against the secret mine was swift as environmentalists feared for the impacts on wildlife and the rivers, local villagers saw a looming threat to their burgeoning eco-tourism trade, and Cambodian newspapers began to question statements by the mining corporation. While the government has suspended the roadwork to look more closely at the mining plans, Cambodians wait in uncertainty over the fate of one of most isolated and intact ecosystems in Southeast Asia: the Cardamom Mountains.

Spreading over some 2 million hectares (5 million acres) the Cardamom Mountains contain a startling biodiversity, including some 250 bird species, half of those recorded in Cambodia. Rare species such as Malayan sun bears, Indochinese tigers, pileated gibbons, and Siamese crocodiles inhabit the region. The largest population of Asian elephants in Cambodia, numbering about a hundred individuals, also roams this region.

If built, the titanium mine will stretch some 15,000 to 20,000 hectares (37,000 to 50,000 acres) of the Cardamom Mountains. Construction of the pit will require deforestation and burial of vast amounts of waste; such waste often results in the destruction or pollution of important waterways.

Michael Zwirn, head of Wildlife Alliance's US operations, described the impact to wildlife in the region as "very serious", adding that the mine would particularly imperil freshwater species, such as the Siamese crocodile, which is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. In addition, the mine will sit right in the middle of an elephant migration route, endangering a quarter of Cambodia's wild elephants.

For locals the announcement of a mine in their backyard could not come at a worse time. The village of Chi Phat has spent years developing sustainable eco-tourism in the region. Many of the locals have left off poaching and logging for tourism and their efforts had begun to pay off: Lonely Planet, one of the most recognized travel guide companies in the world, named the area, known also as the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor, among the "World’s Top 10 Regions for 2010".

Villagers are currently working with Wildlife Alliance on a new lodge to attract even more tourists to the once little-visited site. The conservation organization has spent over half a million US dollars to build an eco-tourism base in the area.

According to Zwirn, the town of Chi Phat is "almost universally opposed to the mine" since "communities have staked their economic development on environmentally friendly tourism". Seven hundred and sixty-six villagers, including the village chief, have already signed a petition against the mine for Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In face of opposition it has become increasingly unclear as to the status of the mine. Zwirn says that in Cambodian "ministries have sent very contradictory signals".

"It's not clear who's making some of these decisions, and it's not even clear what some of these decisions are. It's not clear how the process is being made."

Zwirn adds that a significant portion of the government appears to oppose the mine, but that may not be enough to stop it. According to reports the mine was initially approved by the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, yet the ultimate decision rests with the Ministry of Commerce.

"This is a perfect example of unplanned and uncoordinated development," Suwanna Gauntlett, CEO of Wildlife Alliance, said in a statement.

Not only the government, but the mining corporation has also faced criticism. The CEO of United Khmer Group, Chea Chet, stated that the mine would raise revenues of 2,500 US dollars a ton. However, the Phnom Penh Post, which calls Chet's assertion "frankly absurd", reports that titanium has been selling for less than a third that amount.

"Even if the ultimate revenues are far less than they promised they are still making money," Zwirn explains. No matter what profits the company makes it's not certain those funds would stay in Cambodia: Zwirn says that the project is being backed by Vietnamese and Chinese interests, but the company has refused to disclose the names of the private investors involved in the project.

In addition, questions have been raised as to the amount of ilmenite, which is the mineral mined for titanium production, in the area. Chea Chet has stated that United Khmer Group expects to pull up 120 million tonnes. Yet, Wildlife Alliance counters that the area was explored by another mining company, Omsaura, which estimated that only 2.5 million tonnes would be available, about 2 percent of Chet's claim.

Zwrin says that the company is playing "classic bait and switch". By "vastly overstating the [expected] revenues" United Khmer Group is using visions of riches to pressure the government for approval.
Conservationists fear that if this titanium mine is approved it will open the door to a variety of industrial projects in the region ultimately devastating one of Southeast Asia's last pristine forests. The Phnom Penh Post reports that if the titanium mine is successfully approved, China is planning three to four more mines covering 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) in the Cardamom Mountains.

Endangered species found in the Cardamom Mountains according to the IUCN Red List:

• Asian elephant (Elephas maximums): Endangered
• Banteng (Bos javanicus): Endangered
• Burmese python (Python molurus): Near Threatened
• Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa): Vulnerable
• Dhole (Cuon alpinus): Endangered
• Frog-faced softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii): Endangered
• Gaur (Bos gaurus): Vulnerable
• Green peafowl (Pavo muticus): Endangered
• Indochinese tiger ( Panthera tigris corbetti): Endangered
• Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus): Vulnerable
• Pileated gibbon (Hylobates pileatus): Endangered
• Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis): Critically Endangered
• Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata): Vulnerable
• Southwest Chinese serow (Capricornis sumatraensis): Near Threatened

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[Preah Vihear temple:] A closed case, except for some

September 2, 2010
GUY BAKER
BANGKOK
Opinion sent to The Nation

Please let me say that I once lived for about two years less than 10 kilometres from the Preah Vihear Temple, I visited it a number of times when it was open from the Thai side and I was surprised then, as I am now, that it does not legally belong to Thailand as it is almost inaccessible from Cambodia and it does "jut out" from Thailand like a Thai peninsula. All of that, however, is irrelevant.

Songdej Praditsmanont quoted the 1962 court decision in part: "The natural inference was that she [Thailand] had accepted the frontier at Preah Vihear as it was drawn on the map, irrespective of its correspondence with the watershed line" (Court never decided on disputed land, 11 Aug). That was the court's decision that Thailand had accepted the map and the border line on that map. Period. The word "irrespective" in the decision is, in this case, equivalent to "irrelevant," ie, the watershed issue was irrelevant in 1962 as it is irrelevant today. Songdej asserted that "the ambiguity regarding the surrounding territory was not judged, and that remains the case", but it was indeed judged when the court decided that Thailand, by 1962, had accepted the map and the border line on that map.

The "ambiguity" that exists is that which exists only in the minds of some Thais, and that is why the court decision was never challenged by Thailand, as there is no ambiguity and no case to be presented. This is a closed case except in the minds of some of those with closed minds and after a lapse of 48 years, without any new evidence to present, it could probably only be heard in a fantasy court.

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Rights Workers Faced Increased Duress in 2008, 2009: Report

Licadho President Pung Chhiv Kek told VOA Khmer Wednesday the increase was a result of a judicial system that was biased toward the rich or powerful. (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 01 September 2010

“Most of the violence has happened to community representatives in land grabs and in land violence against the Khmer Kampuchea Krom.”

Cambodian human rights workers say they have faced increasing threats and pressure for doing their work over the past two years from police, courts and government officials.

In a report issued Wednesday examining the years 2008 and 2009, the rights group Licadho said it found “the intensified use of the courts as a weapon,... increased use of defamation and disinformation laws to restrict freedom of expression... [and] increased restriction on freedom of association and assembly.”

Licadho President Pung Chhiv Kek told VOA Khmer Wednesday the increase was a result of a judicial system that was biased toward the rich or powerful.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak denied the finding of the reports, reporting to the number of Licadho staff in the provinces. Were threats and intimidation as bad as reported, he said, Licadho would not have staff there.

Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, supported the findings in the report.

“Violence has progressed, not only for the NGOs,” he said. “Most of the violence has happened to community representatives in land grabs and in land violence against the Khmer Kampuchea Krom.”

The group called on the government to combat the culture of impunity and corruption by prosecuting government officials responsible for threats and attacks, including investigations into the “unresolved assassinations or disappearances” of 10 journalists since the 1990s.

Licadho also called on the government to cease arresting rights workers in the middle of their duties, to allow peaceful protests to proceed “unhindered by police obstruction of violence” and to “cease using bail as a way of threatening human rights defenders.”

“Bail is meant to avoid unnecessary pretrial detention, not as a probation mechanism to intimidate or control the activities of human rights defenders,” the group said.

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