Cambodia takes dispute with Thailand to U.N. court

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, troops of Cambodian Royal Armed Forces confer at a military camp in the border disputed area in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia. File photo

http://www.thehindu.com/

via CAAI

Cambodia has asked the United Nations’ highest court to order Thailand to withdraw troops and halt military activity around a temple at the centre of a decades-old border dispute that has flared into deadly military clashes.

Fighting in recent weeks along the disputed border region surrounding the Preah Vihear temple has left at least 16 people dead.

In a request filed April 28 and made available Tuesday on the court’s website, Cambodia asks International Court of Justice judges to urgently deal with its request “because of the gravity of the situation.”

Cambodia claims that according to a 1962 ruling by the court the temple on its territory.

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Cambodian, Thai military commanders promise ceasefire

PHNOM PENH, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian and Thai military commanders concluded a 40-minute meeting here on Thursday morning and promised a ceasefire after seven straight days of armed clashes between the two countries' troops over the border disputed areas since Friday last week.

The meeting was held at 10:50 a.m. at the O'smach border checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province between Cambodian Major General Chea Mon, commander of Military Region 4 and Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn, commander of Thai Army Region 2.

Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia said following a meeting that lasted about 45 minutes on Thursday, both agreed to an unconditional ceasefire and encouraged both sides to meet regularly to ease tension.

They also agreed to reopen the two countries' border pass that has been affected by the fighting and encouraged villagers who have fled their hometowns to return, he said.

"After the meeting, the two sides agreed that there will not be allowed to have renewed fighting and if there is any important issue between the two sides, they promise to meet and solve peacefully," a Cambodian military source, who asked not to be named, said on Thursday after the meeting.

The talks are made after the seven straight days of gunfire exchanges between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border areas at the 13th century Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province.

The fighting, however, was stopped after 8:30 am on Thursday, according to Lt. Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman of the Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense.

But the last six days of clashes have killed eight Cambodian and six Thai soldiers, and one Thai civilian, and several dozens injured, and forced tens of thousands of the two countries' people to flee home for safe shelters.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated.

Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers (1.8 square miles) of scrub next to the temple.

Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

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7th day of Cambodian, Thai fighting still going on: Cambodian gov't

April 28, 2011
Xinhua

Gunfire exchanges between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border area at the 13th century Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province is still going on until 8 a.m. Thursday morning, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The statement said that throughout Wednesday's night, Thai troops have fired artillery shelling on Cambodian troops' positions at Ta Mon temple and Ta Krabei temple and at 3:55 a.m. ( local time) early Thursday morning, Thai troops have increased their artillery shelling onto the two temple areas, and spread to the base of Cambodian Royal Armed Force in the west of O'smach area.

"The fighting still continues until 8 a.m. (local time) today," it said. "And our soldiers are still in firm and full control of the Temple of Ta Moan and the Temple of Ta Krabei."

Immediate report on casualties in Thursday's fighting is not available yet.

The fighting marks the seventh straight days of armed clashes between the two countries' troops.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed on Wednesday for truce talks, saying that the border conflict at Ta Moan temple, Ta Krabei temple and areas could be bilaterally negotiated, except border disputed area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, which need the presence of the third party.

The last six days of clashes has killed eight Cambodian soldiers, five Thai soldiers and one Thai civilian, caused several dozens injured, and forced tens of thousands of the two countries' people flee home for safe shelters.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated. Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers (1.8 square miles) of scrub next to the temple.

Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

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Cambodian, Thai troops exchange gunfire for 7th straight day

PHNOM PENH, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Gunfire exchanges between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border area at the Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province broke out again Thursday morning, said a field military commander.

"The fighting started again this early morning around 3:50 a.m. at the two temples, Thai soldiers triggered the attack first," Suos Sothea, deputy commander of the artillery unit, told Xinhua by telephone from the battle fields.

"In fact, Thai troops have fired artillery shelling on our troops almost throughout tonight and they have increased shelling in early Thursday morning," he said.

"Thai forces have fired both small guns and heavy artilleries on our troops over the areas, they have ambitions to fight and capture the temples," he said. "We have also exchanged some small guns to defend our territory, we do not use heavy guns to fight back yet," he said.

The fighting marks the seven straight days of armed clashes between the two countries' troops. No immediate casualties are available for Thursday fighting.

The last six days of clashes has killed eight Cambodian and five Thai soldiers, and one Thai civilian.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated. Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers (1.8 square miles) of scrub next to the temple.

Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

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Thailand, Cambodia need to prove their commitment to settle dispute peacefully -- Indonesian diplomat

http://news.xinhuanet.com/

via CAAI

2011-04-27

By Cundoko Aprilianto

JAKARTA, April 27 (Xinhua) - Thailand and Cambodia need to prove their commitment they have made in the meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and the ASEAN ministerial meeting in Indonesia to settle dispute peacefully, an Indonesian official told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

Michael Tene, spokesperson of Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, said that Indonesia is keeping to facilitate efforts for peaceful solution.

"However, we need a political will of both governments and Indonesia keeps trying to push it," said Tene.

He said that Indonesia as the current chair of ASEAN is deeply concerned over ongoing hostilities at their border areas between the two countries.

"We repeatedly ask them to stop these hostilities or this military action and urge them to use force that is in line with vision towards the ASEAN Community by 2015. Indonesia calls for both parties to show courage in putting to the fore the urgent need for cease fire," said Tene.

He said that Indonesia recalled that only barely two weeks ago, at the meeting of the JBC in Bogor of West Java province, Cambodia and Thailand had resolved to address the issues between them through diplomacy, however complex the issues are. "We believe that such diplomatic path must be persevered," he said.

According to Tene, actually there are some progresses of diplomacy between both countries as by early February, there was no hostility occurred.

"At that time, we had a successful mediation," he said.

He said that problem between the two countries should not put obstacle for the bloc to reach the ASEAN Community by 2015 and beyond it.

"We realize that there are threats against the goal of the ASEAN Community, including boundary, continent shelf as well of exclusive economic zone as we still have not yet 'managed' the issues well," said Tene.

However, he said, it does not mean that the issues becoming excuses for the countries to become enemies.

"We must settle the issues through negotiations," said Tene.

He also said that the ASEAN must work hard to achieve the safe and peaceful atmosphere.

"We don't take for granted on issues of peace and security. That atmosphere just doesn't fall from the sky. We must work it for years through diplomacy and negotiations. Thank God, we don't have any conflict for years," said Tene.

The border clash occurring nearby Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in the disputed areas adjacent Thailand's northeastern Surin province early Wednesday morning marked the sixth straight day of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.

The six-day deadly clashes occurring since April 22 result in deaths of soldiers on both sides. Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other to launch a new round of border conflicts.

Editor: Chen Zhi

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Border dispute on 2 temples could negotiate bilaterally: Cambodian PM

http://english.people.com.cn/

via CAAI

April 27, 2011

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that the border dispute on temples of Ta Mon and Ta Krabei could negotiate bilaterally.

Hun Sen made the remarks at the conference of Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development on Wednesday.

However, Hun Sen said that as the issue of Preah Vihear temple has been raised to the UNSC and ASEAN, so "We have to respect the role of ASEAN, all the negotiations about the disputed border areas near Preah Vihear temple must be with the participation of the third party."

"But for the disputed areas such as Ta Mon temple and Ta Krabei temple, Cambodia and Thailand can negotiate bilaterally," he said.

He called on Thailand for a cease-fire, saying that "Cambodia doesn't want the conflict to spread further." But at the same time the premier stressed that "Cambodia is small, poor and small armed forces, but don't forget that ants can hurt elephant."

Hun Sen, meanwhile, said that "Cambodia will raise the issue in the ASEAN summit next month, so Abhisit (Thai prime minister) and I can negotiate in the ASEAN summit." "Even there is no Cambodia- Thai border issues on the agenda in the ASEAN summit, I will also raise the issue with ASEAN leaders," he added.

The ASEAN summit will be held on May 7-8 in Jakarta, Indonesia. "Cambodia wants to solve all issues peacefully, not use weapons, " Hun Sen said. He said that until Wednesday, Thai troops still launched artillery shelling into Cambodian territory.

The latest in a series of deadly clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have occurred for five straight days from April 22-26 at the 13th century Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province and on April 26 at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, the World Heritage site.

The clashes left at least a dozen of killed and more than 30 injured on both sides.

The fighting has not only cost lives, damaged to the temples, but also forced tens of thousands of civilians of both countries to flee for safe shelters.

Source: Xinhua

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Border photos on the Cambodian side

Cambodian soldiers load rocket shells in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, April 26, 2011. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday ordered review of overall relations with Cambodia in the wake of border clashes between the two countries. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

Cambodian soldiers stand near a military vehicle in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, April 26, 2011. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday ordered review of overall relations with Cambodia in the wake of border clashes between the two countries. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

Cambodian soldiers assemble rocket shells in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, April 26, 2011. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday ordered review of overall relations with Cambodia in the wake of border clashes between the two countries. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

Cambodian soldiers assemble rocket shells in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, April 26, 2011.(Xinhua/Sovannara)

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Thai-Cambodian border skirmishes continue for 6th day

BANGKOK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The border clash occurring nearby Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in the disputed areas adjacent Thailand's northeastern Surin province early Wednesday morning marked the sixth straight day of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.

New round of small arms firing erupted near the 13th-century temple ruins at about 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday morning and lasted for thirty minutes, according to Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the Thai army spokesman.

The spokesman told Xinhua over the telephone that Cambodian troops move toward the disputed areas triggered firing which involved exchange of small arms and mortar shelling.

Regarding gunfire exchanges Tuesday's night which flared at around 10 p.m., Col. Sansern said it took place as Cambodia used tanks and heavy arms to attack Thai soldiers in order to capture Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, located 150 kilometers west of contentious Preah Vihear temple.

The six-day deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand occurring since April 22 left five Thai soldiers dead and at least 57 injured as well as killed one civilian, according to the spokesman. Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other to launch a new round of border conflicts.

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Thailand and Cambodia border clashes escalate

http://www.guardian.co.uk/

VIA caai

Up to 50,000 people flee as fighting over disputed Preah Vihear temple spreads, despite US-backed ceasefire negotiations

Associated Press
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 26 April 2011

Children who fled the fighting wait for food at an evacuation centre in Surin province, north-east Thailand. Photograph: AP

The worst fighting in years between Thailand and Cambodia has spread, with the neighbouring countries exchanging artillery fire at a disputed temple east of where 12 soldiers were killed and nearly 50,000 people have fled in recent days.

The fighting along the border near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday followed unsuccessful international attempts to secure a lasting ceasefire after four days of largely long-distance artillery battles at two other temples about 100 miles (160km) to the west.

Preah Vihear was the scene of four days of deadly fighting in February and is the most prominent symbol of a border dispute between the two south-east Asian countries that goes back generations. It has long stirred nationalist sentiment on both sides of the frontier.

The latest round of fighting began on Friday around the 1,000-year-old Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, which are on territory claimed by both countries, and in the days since at least 12 soldiers on both sides have been killed and 50,000 villagers forced to flee.

Both sides have accused each other of starting the battles.

The US on Monday threw its support behind the efforts of Indonesia, current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to mediate an end to the conflict.

The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said Washington was deeply concerned about the violence. In a statement, she urged both sides to exercise restraint and act to reduce tensions. Clinton said US officials were talking to officials from both countries.

Thailand has so far rejected outside intervention, saying the two countries have to resolve the dispute alone. But on Sunday, the Thai foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, indicated that Bangkok might accept Indonesian military observers at the border, a proposal already accepted by Phnom Penh.

That would likely call for behind the scenes approval from Thailand's military, which so far has effectively vetoed the plan. Some have accused the Thai army, which staged a coup in 2006 and continues to hold influence in domestic politics, of using the border dispute to raise its profile ahead of general elections expected by early July.

In recent years, political groups on both sides have accused their opponents of using the border issues to stir nationalistic fever and further their own domestic political agendas.

Tuesday's fighting erupted as Cambodia misinterprets Thai force's exercise: official

http://news.xinhuanet.com/

via CAAI

English.news.cn 2011-04-26

BANGKOK, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Thai Royal Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Tuesday that another fresh round of gunfire exchange took place nearby Preah Vihear temple at about 1. 30 p.m. as Cambodia misinterpreted Thai Air Force's military exercise.

Col. Sansern said Cambodian troops misinterpreted the Air Force ' s military exercise which included flying a fleet of F-16 fighter jets and started opening fire at Thai soldiers. After exchanging gunfire, cannon firing followed.

"The Air Force was conducting military exercise as usual," Col. Sansern told Xinhua by telephone but refused to elaborate further when the exercise would finish.

The fire exchange in the disputed area around the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple at the border of Thailand's northeastern Si Sa Ket province finally ended at around 2 p.m.

Moreover, according to the army spokesman, another skirmish involving exchanges of small arms and heavy weapons also occurred at the border around Ta Muen Thom temple in northeastern Surin province at about 2.30 p.m., marking the fifth straight day of deadly fighting since April 22.

However, all fighting have already stopped, Col. Sansern said.

Initially, when the sound of fierce exchanges was first heard, the village head of Tambon Sao Thong Chai was preparing to evacuate the residents but as both sides stopped firing, people still remained in their houses, the spokesman added.

There is no additional report on further casualties on Thai side, Col. Sansern said.

The latest five-day border clash between Thailand and Cambodia has killed five Thai troops and injured some 41 without civilian casualties. Since the first flare-up erupted on last Friday, over 30,000 people living along the border of Surin and Buriram provinces fled their homes to stay at safer shelters.

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11 Cambodians killed, 50 injured by landmines in Q1

http://news.xinhuanet.com/

via CAAI

English.news.cn 2011-04-25

PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has seen 61 landmine casualties in the first three months of this year, of the figure, 11 people were killed and other 50 injured, a report said on Monday.

According to the report from the Cambodian Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Victim Information System, from 1979 to March 2011, a total of 63,867 mine/ERW casualties were recorded. Of the casualties, 19,586 killed and 44,281 injured from mine/ERW accidents.

Cambodia is one of most mine affected nations in the world as result of 30 years of armed conflict.

Mines had been laid in Cambodia during the decades of chronic conflicts from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s.

Cambodia's five most mine-laid provinces are Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin and Preah Vihear.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Gunfire exchanges broke out again at Cambodian, Thai border

Cambodian armored vehicles stand by in Banteay Ampil of Oddar Meanchey province on April 25, 2011. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

Cambodian soldiers leave for the disputed border area in Banteay Ampil of Oddar Meanchey province on April 25, 2011. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

Cambodian soldiers leave for the disputed border area in Banteay Ampil of Oddar Meanchey province on April 25, 2011. Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged gunfire in the disputed border area for the fourth consecutive day on Monday. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Gunfire exchanges between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border area at the Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province broke out again late Monday, said a field military commander on Monday.

"The fighting started again this evening at 6:15 p.m. at the two temples," Suos Sothea, deputy commander of the artillery unit, told Xinhua by telephone from the battle fields.

"Thai forces have fired both small guns and heavy artilleries on our troops over the areas," he said.

"We have also exchanged some gunfires to defend our territory integrity from invasion," he said.

The fighting marks the fourth straight days of armed clashes between the two countries' troops.

The last three days of clashes resulted in six deaths and 16 injuries of Cambodian soldiers and five deaths and 17 injuries of Thai troops, and tens of thousands of the two countries' people have fled home for safe shelters.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated. Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers (1.8 square miles) of scrub next to the temple. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

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17,200 Cambodians evacuated during Cambodian, Thai border clashes

April 24, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- So far, 4,285 Cambodian families of 17,200 people have been evacuated in the three days of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops over the disputed border area, a senior government official said today.

The people have been evacuated to safe shelters in Oddar Meanchey province's Samrong district, some 30 kilometers from the fighting zone, Nhim Vanda, the first vice-president of the Cambodian National Committee for Disaster Management, said today.

The clashes broke out at the Ta Moan and Ta Krabei temples in Oddar Meanchey province since Friday, causing casualties on both sides and damage to the temples and villagers' properties.

During the armed clashes, six Cambodian soldiers were killed and 16 others injured.

While on the Thai side, four soldiers were dead and 17 others injured, according to a report from Bangkok.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated.

Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. But Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 sq km of scrub next to the temple. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand had a border conflict, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in deaths on both sides.

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More neo-colonialist Chinese are coming to Cambodia ... more forced evictions ahead?

China to Encourage More Investors to Cambodia

2011-04-05
Xinhua

The Chinese government will encourage Chinese banks to lend to Chinese investors wishing to do business in Cambodia, said Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission on Tuesday.

Zhang made the remarks during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace, the premier's spokesman Eang Sophalleth told reporters after the meeting.

Zhang said that his visit to Cambodia was to strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries after the leaders of the two governments announced in December to raise the two countries' relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

He is to visit Chinese firms operating in Cambodia "in order to encourage them to continue and expand their investment to contribute to the development of Cambodia," Zhang told the premier.

Zhang highlighted that the bilateral trade between China and Cambodia was 1.4 billion U.S. dollars last year and would be more this year.

He also promised to urge Chinese companies to import more goods from Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen asked China to consider importing agricultural products from Cambodia including rice, corn and cassava.

"Cambodia is full of agricultural potentials; this will be a good opportunity for Chinese investors to put their ventures in agricultural processing plants here," he said.

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JBC tool to solve Thai-Cambodian border row: Cambodian ambassador

via CAAI

February 09, 2011

The continuing Thai-Cambodian border dispute could be settled under framework of Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand You Ay said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Couple of Love and Rival seminar on Tuesday morning, she said through bilateral framework Vietnam and Cambodian were able to successfully solve border issue between the two countries.

People in both countries should not politicize the border issue, she said.

The border row would jeopardize regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, such as the single-visa agreement under the Acmecs (Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy) scheme, she said.

The main cause of Thai-Cambodian conflict lays in the map which Thailand and Cambodian differently adhere to. However, both are ASEAN member countries and if the dispute continues, ASEAN may not be able to achieve ASEAN community in 2015.

The ambassador also asked media to report all incidents fairly in order to avoid further discord between the two countries.

Cambodia and Thailand troops have exchanged fire for five times since Feb. 4, and both sides have used heavy weapons including rockets, machine guns, mortars and artillery. The clashes between Cambodia and Thailand troops have already left many soldiers and civilians killed and wounded.

Source: Xinhua

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UN chief starts visit to Cambodia

via CAAI

October 27, 2010

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (3rd L), accompanied by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (2nd L), inspects the guard of honour during a welcome ceremony in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, Oct. 27, 2010. Ban arrived here on Tuesday evening to pay a three-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen. (Xinhua/Lei Bosong)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen held talks with visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the Peace Hall in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, Oct. 27, 2010. Ban arrived here on Tuesday evening to pay a three-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen. (Xinhua/Lei Bosong)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (not in the picture) held talks with visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2nd R) at the Peace Hall in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, Oct. 27, 2010. Ban arrived here on Tuesday evening to pay a three-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen. (Xinhua/Lei Bosong)
Source: Xinhua

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Germany assists in flood control in Cambodia

September 17, 2010
Xinhua

Germany has provided assistance to Cambodia for flood control system project that will benefit about 700 households with approximately 3,500 farmers and their livestock, according to a statement released by German Embassy on Friday.

The statement said the project was just completed and the hand- over ceremony of the flood control system built in the three districts in Kandal and Prey Veng Provinces, located about 65 kilometers southeast of Phnom Penh, was organized on Friday.

It said that the newly constructed Safety Areas, 900 to 2000 square meters in size, consist of sufficiently raised foundations (several meters above the respective highest flooding levels of the severe flooding in the year 2000), equipped with latrines and drinking water supply facilities.

The assistance was made available after it has learned that severe flooding, as recently witnessed in Pakistan and China, poses substantial threats for human lives.

Flooding also occurs frequently along the Mekong River, and based on requests from the respective district governors, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) - under its Flood Management and Mitigation Program (FMMP) - constructed five Safety Areas in the three districts.

The activities have been financially supported by the German Government and implemented by GTZ (German Technical Cooperation Agency).

Following the year 2000 flood in Cambodia, safety area identification and management by the provincial and district authorities became one of the important flood preparedness activities for evacuation and temporary shelter for flood affected people and their livestock.

The statement said the project costs of the five Safety Area constructions were approximately 20,000 U.S. dollar in total, and the beneficiaries are almost 700 households with approx. 3500 farmers and their livestock, who will be able to evacuate with their belongings to those Safety Areas in times of severe flooding.

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China's Huawei company donates ECV to help strengthen Cambodia's anti-terrorism [-China is in the anti-terrorism scam also?]

September 15, 2010
Xinhua

Chinese Huawei Technologies ( Cambodia) Co. on Wednesday provided a Emergency Communication Vehicle (ECV system) to Cambodia's Anti-Terrorism National Committee to help strengthen Cambodia's anti-terrorism.

A handing-over ceremony of the ECV was held in Phnom Penh in the presence of Om Yentieng, deputy director of the secretariat of the Cambodian Anti-Terrorism National Committee, and Pan Guanxue, ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Cambodia.

Om Yentieng said the ECV system is a huge contribution to strengthening the capacities of the secretariat to secure the national security as well as to prevent global terrorism more successfully.

Om also said that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen paid great attention to anti-terrorism and the international cooperation on the issue, adding that the Royal Government has already drawn up the Anti-Terrorism strategy in an effort to fight against the terrorism activities.

Hun Maneth, permanent deputy director of the secretariat, expressed his appreciation for aid from Huawei, saying it again reflected the traditional friendship and the close cooperation between Cambodia and China. Hun Maneth also said that as his committee currently is short of human resources, equipment and technologies, the donation by Huawei was very timely and is sure to play important role in country's anti-terrorism activities.

Chen Rui, deputy director-general of Huawei Technologies ( Cambodia) Co., said the ECV system is beneficial to emergency communication, adding that the system is available at any emergency state even though the electricity and telephone systems are all cut off, or in any areas hit by natural disaster, fire or accident where telephone system is un-available.

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Cambodia welclomes back bronze medalist at Youth Olympic Games in Singapore

Sam Sothea

Date of Birth: 12 SEP 1994
Height: 150 cm
Weight: 43 kg
Sport: Judo

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has expressed its pride after it had won a bronze medal at the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

Nhan Sokvisal, Chef de Mission who led the Cambodian athletes to the Games said Saturday that upon arrival in Phnom Penh on Friday, the female medalist was cheerfully escorted back by many Cambodians including the Minister of Tourism who was head of Cambodia Olympic Committee.

Nhan Sokvisal said "it was a big pride for Cambodia" to have won the medal.

He said Som Sothea, 15, was one of the four Cambodian athletes who attended the games and won the bronze medal.

She won the game of Judo, while the other three who competed in wresting, running and swimming did not win the medal.

However, Nhan Sokvisal said there were about 3,600 athletes who competed the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

Those athletes came from 205 countries and regions in the world and Cambodia was classified as 79th following a bronze medal as won by Cambodia.

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Hanoi marching order for Hun Xen on Triet's visit to the Yuon colony of Cambodia

Strengthening friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia

August 26, 2010
Nhan Dan (Hanoi)

President Nguyen Minh Triet starts a State visit to Cambodia today at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni. This is the second visit to Cambodia by President Triet since his first visit to the country in 2007.

The visit comes at a time when the relationships between Vietnam and Cambodia is developing well. President Triet’s visit reflects the determination of leaders and peoples of the two countries to always attach great importance to consolidating and boosting the traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia for their mutual benefit.

Such friendly relationships and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia have consolidated and developed in all fields under the motto “Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and long-term stability." The exchange of high-level visits over the past years and most recently, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to Cambodia in December 2009 and the visit to Vietnam by Cambodia’s former King Norodom Sihanouk, his wife Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk, and King Norodom Sihamoni in June this year, have contributed to further promoting the friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries to a deeper, more effective and reliable level. The economic co-operation, trade and investment between the two countries has seen positive development. The two-way trade between the two countries in 2009 earned US$1.3 billion and the two countries strive to reach the target of over US$2 billion this year. The current investment of Vietnam in Cambodia is approximately US$900 million. The implementation of hydroelectricity projects and Vietnam – Cambodia joint venture bauxite exploitation is expected to reach US$6 billion within five years. Both countries have also promoted co-operation between ministries, sectors and localities. The two sides have collaborated to maintain security and stability in the border areas and agreed to complete land border demarcation in 2012. The two sides have set up a joint committee on economics, culture, science and technology with the aim to review co-operative plans on economics, politics, trade, military and security every year and put forth new plans for the future. In addition, both countries have accelerated co-operation in education and training, energy, electricity, healthcare, transport and communications. Vietnam and Cambodia have closely co-ordinated on regional and multilateral co-operation within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle.

The Vietnamese people would like to take this opportunity to thank the Royal Family, Government and the people of Cambodia for their valuable support for Vietnam in the past as well as at present. We wish the Cambodian people, under the clear-sighted leadership of King Norodom Sihamoni and the Royal Government will gain more achievements in their cause to build a peaceful, independent, neutral, non-aligned and prosperous country.

May the visit by President Nguyen Minh Triet be crowned with success, thus making an important contribution to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship, good neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation and long-term stability between Vietnam and Cambodia for the happiness and prosperity of both nations as well as nations in the region and around the world.

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Border dispute with Cambodia to bring social unification or division in Thailand?

via Khmer NZ

English.news.cn 2010-08-20

By Nutthathirataa Withitwinyuchon

BANGKOK, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The current border issue between Thailand and Cambodia has been more complicated by the emergence of patriotism in Thailand and the internal political game played by local politicians.

The recently frequent demonstrations against Cambodia's management plan of Preah Vihear Temple and government's resolution on the issue by Thai Patriot Network allied with People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) reflects the nationalism mood which has been lately spurred in this nation. The question posed concerns whether the rising nationalistic sentiment will further divide Thai society or finally restore unity to this divided country.

"The patriotism is now complicating the issue and intensify division in Thai society..It is more difficult to find the truth ( amidst all the information from various groups) and people choose to agree with what they believe," said Dr. Kitti Prasirtsuk, a lecturer at Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University.

Surveys shows among Thai people there are hardliners who want the government to take decisive action swiftly and moderates who want to see the border dispute being solved peacefully.

An opinion poll on the Preah Vihear Temple issue conducted across the country earlier this month by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed that 69.55 percent of 1, 133 respondents agreed that the government should, through diplomatic means and military forces, push Cambodians out of the overlapping area near the temple as it is Thai territory. And 77. 93 percent of them, who saw the issue is crucial, said the government should make it part of the national agenda.

On the other hand, the Dusit Poll conducted in August in Bangkok and its vicinity showed that 49.77 percent of 1,059 respondents did not agree with the demonstrators for fearing the rally will create conflict among Thai people. And 37.10 percent of respondents are afraid that the demonstration will increase tension over the issue.

The temple and its surrounding area has been an age-old territorial dispute between the two countries for more than half a century. And the problem root dates back to 1904 when Thailand and French, colonial authority ruling Cambodia, set up a joint commission for the purpose of border demarcation. Even after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided to award the temple to Cambodia in 1962, the row over a land plot of 4.6 square kilometers around the temple has never been resolved.

For Dr. Kitti, another factor that put additional pressure on the Thai government when dealing with this border issue is the domestic politics game. "The internal politics game going on in the country has also further complicated the issue," he said.

As the government held live discussion with representatives from Thai Patriot Network and the Yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Aug. 8, in an effort to explain its position over the controversial issue, it received hard criticism from the opposition Puea Thai Party.

"The prime minister's explanation on Preah Vihear and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Thailand and Cambodia in 2000 was still unclear but the PAD supporters hailed at him to make people believe that the government is working rightfully," a Puea Thai core member was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post.

"The New Politics Party (a political party founded by PAD in 2009) is trying to stir patriotism because it wants to win the Bangkok City Councilor elections on Aug. 29. If not, the party may not be able to emerge in the next general election," the same member was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post.

PAD allied with Thai Patriot Network to demand the government to revoke the MoU signed with Cambodia in 2000 pertaining border demarcation as they believe the MoU puts Thailand at disadvantage. The group also asked the government to force Cambodians out of disputed area along Thai-Cambodian border, to nullify 1907 French- made map of 1:200,000 scales, and to ask the ICJ to review its 1962 ruling on the ownership of Preah Vihear Temple.

Thai government is currently facing tough challenge of bringing Cambodia back to the table of bilateral talks as Campodia 's Prime Minister Hun Sen set a precondition of resuming the meeting of Joint Boundary Committee (JBC). This means Thai government has to get the results of former three meetings of Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) approved by the Parliament as soon as possible so that the schedule of next JBC meeting could be set for discussion of border demarcation with Cambodia.

"Joint Boundary Committee is an important mechanism to achieve solution but the government should move faster," said Dr. Kitti.

Division in Thai society has become widely acknowledged since the prolonged protest of Red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in Bangkok from March 14 to May 19, which left 89 people died and nearly 2,000 injured. The government has since been tasked to bridge the disparity in society. The nationalistic sentiment over the disputed border issue, however, is hardly helpful to ease the crisis faced by the government.

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