KI Media: “Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Royalists 2011Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)” plus 24 more |
- Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Royalists 2011Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)
- Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Import & Export, Inc.
- Press Release: World Consumers Day “SAFE RICE FOR HEALTH AND LIVELIHOOD”
- COMFREL : Report on Gender Policy and Women Political Empowerment in Cambodia
- Khmer Post Radio Broadcast trial in Cambodia
- Viet companies continue to destroy Prey Lang
- Defecting from one sinking boat to another: The sorry state of the royalist parties
- Labour firm fakes paperwork
- CCU's Condolences Letter to the People of Japan
- Cambodia Ready To Join Asean-Proposed Meetings On Border Conflict With Thailand
- Ground broken for heavenly structure
- Tsunami in Japan: Drowning of aid for Hun Xen
- Festival addresses Cambodian repression
- Khmer Voices Rising: An International Freedom-to-Write Literary Festival March 14th - 17th
- Courage without Borders (STTP) Series - Introduction by Kerry Kennedy
- Phnom Penh Ab-oan Samphoass - "Phnom Penh loses its beauty": Peom in Khmer by Khlem Chan
- SRP MP (Mao Monivann) resigned from his position
- Press Conference: TRADE UNION SUPPORT GROUP ON PROPOSED CAMBODIAN TRADE UNION LAW FOR GENERAL RELEASE AND PRESS CONFERENCE
- Our neighbour Laos: No longer the missing link [-Vientiane asserting its independence from Hanoi?]
- Vietnam and Laos split over Mekong dam [-Vietnam now has a taste of what it did on the Sesan Rover]
- Over 5,100 Viet invaders sent home packed in coffins ... when will the other 5 millions be sent home?
- Explosion (of 2nd reactor building) at Japan nuclear plant
- I'm no troublemaker, says Kasit
- Politiktoons No. 152: Japan 2011
- Chhbap Nov Srok Khmer Koeu Chhbap Anh - "The law in Cambodia is my law": Poem in Khmer by Khmer Sachak
| Posted: 14 Mar 2011 05:27 PM PDT
 | ||||
| Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Import & Export, Inc. Posted: 14 Mar 2011 05:23 PM PDT
 | ||||
| Press Release: World Consumers Day “SAFE RICE FOR HEALTH AND LIVELIHOOD” Posted: 14 Mar 2011 05:18 PM PDT Dear All, On March 15, 2011, CEDAC is organizing the World Consumers Day on "SAFE RICE FOR HEALTH AND LIVELIHOOD" at CEDAC's head office, Phnom Penh. The overall objective is to assert the people's rights to safe food, a safe environment, life and livelihood. 100 people including farmers, consumers, youths, and Safe Food Experts from the government and related NGOs will attend in the event. For more details, please refer to attached Press Release and tentative program. Thanks and kind regards, Him Khortieth Communication Officer Centre d' Etude et de Développement Agricole Cambodgien (CEDAC) No. 119, Street 257, Sangkat Toek Laak 1, Khan Toul Kork B.P. 1118 Phnom Penh H/P: 855-16-57-57-13 Tel : 855- 23-880-916 Fax : 855-23-885-146 E-mail: himkhortieth@cedac.org.kh CEDAC 14 March 2011 Announcement  | ||||
| COMFREL : Report on Gender Policy and Women Political Empowerment in Cambodia Posted: 14 Mar 2011 05:11 PM PDT Dear all, Please see the attached document of a report on Gender Policy and Women Political Empowerment in Cambodia, just produced by Education & Gender Unit of COMFREL. Best regards, COMFREL Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia Head Office : # 138, Street 122, Sangkat Teuk La ak, Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. P.O.Box 1145, CCC Box 439 Phone : (855-23) 884 150 Fax : (855-23) 883 750 E-mail : comfrel@online.com.kh Website : www.comfrel.org Comfrel 14 March 2011 Report on Gender Policy and Women Political Empowerment in Cambodia  | ||||
| Khmer Post Radio Broadcast trial in Cambodia Posted: 14 Mar 2011 05:06 PM PDT Announcement Fellow Compatriots, My name is Sovannara Meach, President and CEO of Khmer Post Media Center. It is my honor to announce that KPR (Khmer Post Radio) will be transmitting its first broadcast to Cambodia for testing beginning the 15th of March throughout the month. KPR can be tuned in @: Frequency: 9960 kHz in the 31 meter band (AM, NOT FM) Duration: 1 hourTime: 7:00- 8:00PM local Cambodia time. Number of Broadcasts: 365= 1year You can also listen to KPR at www.thekhmerpostradio.com On our behalf, I would like to invite you to listen and leave feedback in order to enhance our services and knowledge. In addition, I would like to encourage you to share this info with friends and relatives in Cambodia and abroad. KPR's goal is to bring forth truth for Real Democracy and Human Rights to Cambodia . Best Regards, Sovannara Meach President of KPMC/KPR  | ||||
| Viet companies continue to destroy Prey Lang Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:05 AM PDT
14 March 2011 By Tin Zakariya Radio Free Asia Translated from Khmer by Soy Click here to read the article in Khmer The demands made by people living in the Prey Lang forest community, asking Vietnamese companies to stop their forest destruction activities, have not met with any result up to now. One SRP MP from Kampong Thom province indicated on 13 March that he will take the complaints from people living in the Prey Lang forest in 4 provinces to give to the president of the National Assembly and to Hun Xen at the beginning of next week. The complaints ask for intervention to stop the Viet companies from destroying Prey Lang forest as such destruction affects the livelihood of the people. Men Sothavrin, an opposition MP from Kampong Thom, indicated that, as a representative of the people and as a citizen, he plans to send a complaint to the president of the National Assembly and to the prime minister because there is no resolution to the problem caused by the Viet companies which are still destroying the Prey Lang forest. The Viet companies' activities affect the livelihood of the people: "It destroys the environment, it destroys Prey lang. I will write to the prime minister, only him can resolve this problem." On 11 March, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) organized a public forum in Meanrith commune, Sandan district, Kampong Thom province. The forum was attended by MPs from four political parties: the SRP, the HRP, the NRP and Funcinpec, as well as by the Kampong Thom provincial deputy governor and other government officials. During the meeting, SRP MP Men Sothavrin claimed that he went to visit a lumber yard in Sandan district, but the authority prevented him from visiting the yard because they are protecting the company which owns the lumber yard. Ut Sam An, the deputy provincial governor, said on 13 March that the government provided land concessions to the Viet CRCK company for rubber plantation development in Sandan district because the government wanted development on the spot, and it also wanted to change the living habit of the population, which in the past, depended on the byproducts of the forest. Ut Sam An said that complaints from the people are their rights. The claim made by the deputy provincial governor was met by reactions from a Kuoy minority representative – the Kuoy people had always depended on forest byproducts for survival – who indicated that the concessions from the government are pushing villagers from being the owners of the forest to laborers instead. Furthermore, he asked what will his children and the children of his children depend on when the forests are being all destroyed? Chhieng Vuthy indicated that people from 4 provinces – Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kratie and Stung Treng – are collecting thumbprints to bring their complaints to the president of the National Assembly and the prime minister with the help of the opposition MP. "Not only the jungle forest, it is also the anarchic destruction of the forest as well, there is no proper administration, therefore this is a problem." Prey Lang's name originated from the Kuoy ethnic minority language which means "the forest (Prey) which belongs to all of us" and it is located in Cambodia's northern region. It is the largest rainforest in Southeast Asia, extending over 3,600 square kilometers in four provinces: Kratie, Stung Treng, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear. More than 200,000 villagers depend their livelihood on the forest byproducts. Ut Sam An indicated that in Kampong Thom, his province, about 20 foreign companies received land concessions from the government. The land concessions vary in size from 1,000 to 10,000 hectares and they are used for rubber or eucalyptus plantations.  | ||||
| Defecting from one sinking boat to another: The sorry state of the royalist parties Posted: 14 Mar 2011 08:32 AM PDT Prince spurs defections: NRP Sunday, 13 March 2011 Meas Sokchea The Phnom Penh Post Flagging confidence in the leadership of the royalist Funcinpec party has led to the defection of more than 100 members to the Norodom Ranariddh Party, NRP officials said. Pen Sangha, a spokesman for the NRP, said today that 127 Funcinpec members described as party activists in Kampong Cham's Stung Trong, Chamkar Leu and Kroch Chhmar districts declared their defection to the NRP during a visit to the region by the eponymous party head Prince Norodom Ranariddh. "Commune and district party officials have led their activists and supporters to defect to the NRP," Pen Sangha said. "We see that when the prince goes to the provinces, he receives widespread support from members and activists." He added that at the grassroots level, Funcinpec party members no longer have confidence in their leaders, such as Keo Puth Reaksmey and Nhek Bun Chhay, because they have failed to articulate a clear political platform. Prak Chanthy, a former women's movement leader for Funcinpec, said today her defection was the result of a loss of confidence in the party's leadership. "The top leaders have never gone down to visit the grassroots [organisation]. The top leaders have turned to the Cambodian People's Party. I don't have a branch to hang on to, so I must defect to the NRP." Or Sophat, Funcinpec's deputy president in Prey Chhor district who took part in a welcoming event for the visiting prince, said he has no plans to defect to the NRP but would support a merger of the two parties before refusing to discuss the issue further. Funcinpec spokesman Tom Sambol, however, dismissed reports of the defections, saying the allegations were the result of exaggerated reports by NRP officials. "I have already checked the permanent commission of districts and provinces, and there are no members that have defected to the NRP," he said. "People close to the prince have reported these defections simply to earn favour with him. I believe that no one has defected because I am a strong man in Kampong Cham province as well." The reported defections come at a time when internal disputes within Funcinpec have pitted top leaders against each other over the alleged mismanagement of party property and funds. Funcinpec central committee member Phan Chantha last month charged the party's secretary general, Nhek Bun Chay, with selling the party's headquarters on Norodom Boulevard for US$3.85 million and purchasing new offices in Kandal province for an undisclosed price. Nhek Bun Chhay has dismissed the allegations, saying at the time that Phan Chantha had accused him because he was planning to defect to the NRP.  | ||||
| Posted: 14 Mar 2011 08:04 AM PDT
Mom Kunthear and Chhay Channyda The Phnom Penh Post Labour recruitment firm T&P Co Ltd has been faking documents for under-age women to make them eligible for domestic work abroad, a local rights advocate said today. Moeun Tola, head of the labour programme at the Community Legal Education Centre, said today that at least two of five women recently released from the firm's training centre are under age. Moeun Tola said that Yorn Srey Leab, 17, from Kampong Chhnang province, was listed by T&P Co Ltd as 21-year-old Yorn Srey Houch – her sister's name – and Sok Phal, 17, from Kampong Chhnang was listed as 21-year-old Kong Phalla. "Authorities shall take tough action and punish [T&P Co Ltd] or shut their office to prevent other companies from following them," said Moeun Tola. T&P Co Ltd, which trains women for domestic work abroad, has come under scrutiny after a 35-year-old trainee died last Sunday and current trainees say they are being held against their will. The five women released were Sok Phal, Yorn Srey Leab, Sorm Sophary from Kampong Thom province, Sao Chatou from Pursat province and Srun Channang from Kampong Cham province, who was publicly released last Friday in front of local authorities, prosecutors and Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarians. Yorn Srey Leab said that T&P Co Ltd was forcing her to pay US$550. "My living condition in the centre is like staying in prison because I was not given the right to walk out," she said. Kek Galabru, president of rights group Licadho, said that there was no law that workers have to be detained in the firm after they registered. "The government and the Labour Ministry have to clearly investigate this case because the government allowed the firms to recruit the workers," she said. Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay said that the company had no guidance from the ministry or local authorities. "It seems normal for some recruitment firms that they have to detain the workers," said Son Chhay, adding that at least 10 recruitment firms were detaining workers. "Some local officials hide the cases of companies that detain workers." Cambodian People's Party spokesman Cheam Yeap said that companies have to report activities and internal rules to police and relevant ministries. "If they don't report to them I think it is illegal because they recruit the workers for detaining." ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY THET SAMBATH  | ||||
| CCU's Condolences Letter to the People of Japan Posted: 14 Mar 2011 01:07 AM PDT    | ||||
| Cambodia Ready To Join Asean-Proposed Meetings On Border Conflict With Thailand Posted: 14 Mar 2011 01:02 AM PDT PHNOM PENH, March 14 (Bernama) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday Cambodia is already prepared itself for the Asean- proposed meetings on March 24 on Cambodia-Thailand border conflict near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, Xinhua news agency reported. "Cambodia has already prepared to depart for Cambodia-Thai General Border Committee and Joint Border Committee on Demarcation for Land Boundary in Bogor, Indonesia on March 24-25 under the presence of Asean chair," he said during a graduation ceremony for students at the Royal University of Law and Economics. "Now we are waiting Thai side's confirmation of participation." Hun Sen repeated that Asean chair has to join in the opening ceremony of the meetings, and after Cambodia and Thailand discuss, the two sides have to report to Asean chair about the results. "And if any agreement needs to be signed between Cambodia and Thailand during the meetings, Cambodia will ask the third party ( Asean chair) to sign together," he said. Cambodia's General Border Committee will be lead by Defence Minister Tea Banh and the Joint Border Committee will be lead by Var Kimhong, its the president. Meanwhile, the premier said that so far, the tension between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border dispute is rather calm and troops from the two sides even played volleyballs together over the weekend. "However, it's still fragile, I hope that both sides will continue to exercise their most restraints," he said. The premier announced that Cambodia will no longer allow Thai troops to come to worship at Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda next to Preah Vihear temple. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the Temple of Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia; however, the row over the 4.6-square-km territory around the temple has never been resolved. Conflict occurred just a week after Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008, since then both sides have built up military forces along the border, and periodic clashes happened, resulted in deaths of troops on both sides. The latest clashes on Feb 4-7, unleashed a barrage of artillery shells on both sides of the border, had killed and wounded many soldiers and citizens of both sides, and caused tens of thousands of the two countries' villagers nearby the disputed areas fleeing for safe shelters.  | ||||
| Ground broken for heavenly structure Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:58 AM PDT
March 14, 2011 By Lori Gilbert Record Staff Writer Recordnet (Stockton, California, USA) STOCKTON - Legend has it that "Heaven," as viewed by Buddha, should some day be re-created for all on Earth to see, according to Mon, an 83-year-old resident nun of Wat Dharmararam Buddhist Temple. "No one's ever been able to do it," she said. No one, that is, until now. On Sunday, with government officials including Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston, San Joaquin County Supervisor Larry Ruhstaller and Sheriff Steve Moore on hand to support the project, temple members prayed and made offerings during the official ground-breaking of the planned 90-foot "Heaven," designed by monk Kong Tith. The visionary behind more than 90 sculptures on the temple grounds, including the reclining Buddha created in 2004, Kong had a dream of "Heaven." He saw colors and angels and much more, and attempted to re-create what he saw. The result is a towering structure that will house a museum inside and feature a large observation deck with a grand monument to Buddha. The exterior walls will be covered with cloud-like formations supporting figures dressed in traditional monk orange. "Since I've been here, 60 years, this is the most important event I can think of," said Plieng Yen, a native of Cambodia who came to this country in 1981. "Nobody else can do this. For the temple monks to give me the opportunity to take part in this is significant to me." For Mon, the nun, it "brings a lot of happiness." "We're exited to create heaven on Earth for everyone," she said She's waited a long time to see it happen. So, too, has Kuch Pum, at 82 the eldest of the temple's monks. "It will take six years to complete," said Pum's daughter, Linda (Kuthy) Williamsbey. "He wants it completed before he goes to heaven." The elder members of the temple, most of whom were born in Cambodia and fled to the U.S. from the terror of the Khmer Rouge, aren't alone in their appreciation of the proposed structure. "This is a step forward, bringing a little bit of Cambodia here for the Cambodians in Stockton," said Linda Hib, 25. "It makes them feel like they're home. Many of them are not going to be able to go back. "There are a lot of misconceptions in Stockton, that Cambodians are just gangs. This is Cambodian culture. Our doors are open every day to come and take a look at what our culture has. That brings a lot of pride." The temple's garden of colorful sculptures, envisioned by Kong and created by him and temple members - including Hib - using rebar, chicken wire and plastic cement, already draws visitors from around the world. "I think, once again, this temple is going to provide a major attraction for people who not only are Buddhists, but are interested in Eastern religions and the practice of it here," Johnston said. "This 90-foot structure is going to be iconic for the city and county of San Joaquin. When I saw they were breaking grounds on a 90-foot structure, I thought, 'Man, I have to go out and be a part of that.' " Kong first envisioned "Heaven" in 2009, but it's taken a year and a half for authorities to approve the structure on Carpenter Road, just east of Highway 99. "Because it's so high, we may need an aviation light," said Maria Couragee, an English as a second language teacher who has worked with the monks' English since 2005. Local architect Anthony Acevedo made sure Kong's vision met California building codes, including access for the handicapped and security exits. On Sunday, the monks prayed that it met the approval of higher authorities, praying to the four corners and to the elements to indicate if any disapproved of its construction. None was forthcoming, making the groundbreaking a joyous celebration of traditional music, clothing and dance. Sophanary Sok, 24, got a call early in the morning asking her to dance at the ceremony. She said she was dressed in the wrong attire for the dance asking for a blessing, but her graceful performance gave no hint of a problem. "I'm really honored they gave me this opportunity," Sok said. "I was born and raised in (California), but I could show families and people that young people still take the traditions and follow them." The project has had a unique effect on Acevedo, the architect, who is a practicing Roman Catholic. "I am blessed to have the honor to do this," Acevedo said. "I started relating to my ancestors, the Aztec and Mayans who built the pyramids. I'm not going to build the thing, but I have the opportunity to design it. I started thinking what those architects must have felt." The actual construction will be performed by temple members and volunteers, using many materials supplied by Lowe's, the company for which Hib works. "It's such a privilege to have my company involved," she said. Contact reporter Lori Gilbert at (209) 546-8284 or lgilbert@recordnet.com. Visit her blog at recordnet.com/lensblog.  | ||||
| Tsunami in Japan: Drowning of aid for Hun Xen Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:45 AM PDT Massive earthquake in Japan harms its economy, aid abroad: Cambodia PM March 14, 2011 Xinhua Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday the massive earthquake in Japan on March 11 will not only damage Japanese economy, but also will affect Japanese assistance overseas. "The destruction by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan were the worst and caused hugely losses both human lives and properties," he made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for students at the Royal University of Law and Economics. "The natural disaster will impact both Japanese economy and Japan's internationally obligatory implementation abroad including Cambodia." The premier said that tomorrow (Tuesday), Masafumi Kuroki, ambassador of Japan will still sign up to provide a grant aid package of 94 million U.S. dollars to Cambodia for flood protection, water distribution system, and demining activities. He confirmed that so far, there is no report on Cambodian students were killed or injured in the massive earthquake in Japan. A total of 1,598 people have been killed and 1,720 others are still missing by 8:00 a.m. (2300 GMT) Monday in Japan following Friday's catastrophic earthquake 9.0 magnitudes on the Richter scale and ensuing enormous tsunami, said the National Police Agency.  | ||||
| Festival addresses Cambodian repression Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:41 AM PDT Monday, March 14, 2011 By Sarah Mancone Staff Writer The Brown Daily Herald For the event program, click here In Cambodia, all news is good news. Or at least, all news broadcast in the media is good news. The lack of freedom of the press in Cambodia, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries is the topic of this year's week-long International Freedom-to-Write Literary Festival. The annual festival, started and run by the Program in Literary Arts and International Writers Project, begins on Monday at 4 p.m. in Smith-Buonanno 106 with readings by Vietnamese author Linh Dinh and American playwright David Rabe. "Every year, we have a fellow running some kind of (International Writers Project) literary festival about the art, culture and politics of that country or region," said Robert Coover, visiting professor of literary arts. "We choose our fellow on basis of need, of threat against him. Sometimes they are in exile," he said. The festival provides an opportunity to celebrate the fellow and also to "become more knowledgeable about the literature and culture of that nation," as well as the problems of the nation, said Gale Nelson MA'88, assistant director of the literary arts program. The focus on Cambodia and neighboring countries was sparked by this year's visiting fellow Tararith Kho. Hundreds of writers either apply or are nominated for the fellowship every year, but Kho's many impressive nominations — by groups like Poets, Essayists, Novelists, an international literary and human rights organization — solidified his selection. He stood out for his "energy and enthusiasm for literature and human rights," Nelson said. Kho was born to a family of rice farmers and was the "only one of his siblings who got out of that and got educated," Coover said. Kho has been very involved in helping others in Cambodia do the same, especially women who are trapped by tradition and unable to get an education, Coover added. "Freedom of speech is difficult to find in Cambodia," Kho said. "I promoted people to write about contemporary issues." Kho said the media in Cambodia is controlled by the country's high-ranking members of society. "Televisions, newspapers, magazines are all under the government," he said. As a result everyone only hears the same "good" news, he added. Kho's reading on Tuesday will be about the state of the media in Cambodia and how it has created a "cage" for writers. His efforts to "get the entrapped rice farmer people out of their circumstances" was seen as a threat in Cambodia, Coover said, and on occasion, Kho had to flee to the Thai border. Now if he returns to Cambodia, he will likely be arrested. Though Kho's family is here in the United States right now as well, he may have to return to Cambodia when his visa runs out. Kho said he did not want to talk badly about his country, but he wants life to change for the people of Cambodia. "Writers are simple, not fighters. We have no weapons," Kho said. The festival does not focus on Cambodia alone but also explores neighboring countries, especially Vietnam. "Cambodia and Vietnam have this really tangled history," Coover said. During the Vietnam War, the United States targeted both countries, and both countries also targeted each other, he said. After the end of the war, Vietnam invaded Cambodia. The goal of this year's festival is to "provide greater insight into the real nature" of Cambodian and Vietnamese relations, Coover added. A panel Thursday will explore these relations by bringing together Vietnamese and Cambodian writers and American veterans of the war. Other speakers for this festival were chosen based on their connections to Cambodia and neighboring countries, Nelson said. Coover said the speakers that were selected are "fellow workers in the field of protecting human rights and expression." The hope is that this festival will promote "greater awareness" of the situation in Cambodia, he added. Kho said he hopes to help other writers who are receiving threats in response to their work. "Democracy is a human right," Kho said. "If I know myself how to fight for human rights, I want to do it." "Cambodian people did not know how to find people's help," he said, because they have no media and no network for contacting people from other countries. They are "living in a cage," he said, and can never open their eyes to see another world. Kho said that he hopes the festival will generate American support for Cambodia. "Americans must fight for Cambodia to have a new generation," he said.  | ||||
| Khmer Voices Rising: An International Freedom-to-Write Literary Festival March 14th - 17th Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:31 AM PDT Khmer Voices Rising: An International Freedom-to-Write Literary Festival March 14th - 17th Brown University Providence, Rhode Island, USA SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Monday, 14 March 4 p.m. Readings: Linh Dinh & David Rabe Location: 106 Smith-Buonanno, 95 Cushing Street 8 p.m. Film: Sticks and Bones, based on the play by David Rabe Followed by conversation with David Rabe Location: 117 MacMillan Hall, 167 Thayer Street Tuesday, 15 March 11 a.m. Stop the Press! The Power of Free Expression—and the Fear of It A panel discussion with Tararith Kho, Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, Elyse Lightman, Shahryar Mandanipour, Henry Reese, Larry Siems Introduced by Robert Coover, Director, International Writers Project Location: Joukowsky Forum, Watson Institute, 111 Thayer Street 3 p.m. Rewriting Conflict: Cambodia, Vietnam, America A panel discussion with Linh Dinh, Samkhann Khoeun, Prach Ly, David Rabe, Lê Thi Diem Thúy, Stephen Wright Location: McCormack Family Theater, 70 Brown Street 8 p.m. Readings: Le Thi Diem Thuy and Stephen Wright Location: McCormack Family Theater, 70 Brown Street Wednesday, 16 March 11 a.m. Symposium on Vietnamese-American Poetics with Linh Dinh and Le Thi Diem Thuy Location: McCormack Family Theater, 70 Brown Street 4 p.m. Traditional Cambodian music Readings: Tararith Kho & Alan Lightman Location: 001 Salomon, Main Green 8 p.m. Film: Enemies of the People Followed by a conversation with Prach Ly, who provided music for the film Location: 117 MacMillan Hall, 167 Thayer Street Thursday, 17 March 11 a.m. After the Silence: Songs Rise Up A panel discussion with Keo Chanbo, Catherine Filloux, Rithisal Kang, Tararith Kho, Samkhann Khoeun, Prach Ly and Geoff Ryman Location: McCormack Family Theater, 70 Brown Street 2 p.m. On-stage readings of two contemporary Cambodian plays: The Tooth of the Buddha by Morm Sokly & Phka Champei by Chhon Sina Curated by Catherine Filloux and directed by Connie Crawford Intermission reading: Keo Chanbo Followed by a conversation with Catherine Filloux and Erik Ehn Location: McCormack Family Theater, 70 Brown Street 7:30 p.m. Reading by Geoff Ryman Location: Martinos Auditorium, Granoff Center, 154 Angell Street 8:30 p.m. Performance by Cambodian Rapper Prach Ly and his group, praCh and Dub PassenJah with the RagaMuffin band Location: Martinos Auditorium, Granoff Center, 154 Angell Street The festival is sponsored by the International Writers Project with support from Literary Arts, the Watson Institute for International Studies, the Creative Arts Council and the Office of International Affairs All events are free and open to the public.  | ||||
| Courage without Borders (STTP) Series - Introduction by Kerry Kennedy Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:24 AM PDT | ||||
| Phnom Penh Ab-oan Samphoass - "Phnom Penh loses its beauty": Peom in Khmer by Khlem Chan Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:15 AM PDT   | ||||
| SRP MP (Mao Monivann) resigned from his position Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:11 AM PDT
By Den Ayuthyea Radio Free Asia Translated from Khmer by Soch Click here to read the original article in Khmer SRP party leaders have indicated that one of its MPs resigned from his position as MP from Kampong Cham, but they denied that this is due to internal division. Son Chhay, the SRP Parliament Whip, told RFA on 12 March that Mao Monivann sent in his resignation from his position as Kampong Cham MP. The resignation will be in effect on 30 March 2011. Son Chhay said that Mao Monivann tendered his resignation to the party leader and the party leadership at the beginning of March. According to Son Chhay, Mao Monivann's resignation was not due to internal dispute, but that it is rather a replacement decided by the party permanent committee whereby each MP will change their position during mid-term. Son Chhay said: "As informed, he was removed from his position as a provincial leader of Kampong Cham, this is the largest province of Cambodia. How he feels, I do not know, however, his decision – as I know it – is a good decision because, as a politician, he needs to respect his promise properly. When they change their promise again and again, it could affect their honor." Regarding this issue, Mao Monivann said that his resignation from his position as Kampong Cham MP was not due to the party kicking him out, nor was it due to internal division, but that it was due to personal problem and also due to the decision issued by the party permanent committee only. He said that he is not joining any political party and that he will remain with the SRP forever. He will present his candidacy again in the upcoming 2013 election. Mao Monivann added: "This is a personal problem between myself and SRP activists in Kampong Cham, I talked about it publicly prior to the election. I said that if I lead the Kampong Cham province, and [the SRP] only gets 5 seats as in the past, I will resign from my position as MP, I will be hold my position for half the mandate only. This is also the decision by the party's permanent committee during that time." Nevertheless, a number of civil society officials in Cambodia indicated that Mao Monivann's resignation points to internal party division that could make the SRP lose its popularity during the upcoming election. Hang Puthea, executive director of NICFEC, indicated that the resignation of opposition MPs prior to the 2012 and 2013 elections could make the SRP lose its support from voters and this is also shows internal party division. Kul Panha, executive director of COMFREL, indicated that Mao Monivann's resignation have some minor effect on this opposition party, but it is not a serious matter because the election in Cambodia is based on a proportional system rather than based on an individual candidate. Kul Panha indicated: "There is some influence, but not like what it would be if was based on individual candidates. If it were to be based on individual candidates, and if there is change or resignation of candidates, then there would be a lot of change in the party." A source from the SRP indicated that Mao Monivann was recently replaced by Kuoy Bun Roeun as party workgroup leader for Kampong Cham province. This replacement was immediately followed by large reaction from party activists in Kampong Cham, and 20 party signs were removed during the month of February.  | ||||
| Posted: 13 Mar 2011 10:36 PM PDT PRESS CONFERENCE ON TRADE UNION SUPPORT GROUP ON PROPOSED CAMBODIAN TRADE UNION LAW FOR GENERAL RELEASE AND PRESS CONFERENCE SUNWAY HOTEL Phnom Penh, TUESDAY MARCH 15, 2011 Organized by Unions Trade Union Solidarity Support groups and in Cambodia Labor Movement  For more information, please contact: Mr. Khun Tharo - ACILS Tel: 089 757 837 Best, Mr. Ngeth Moses Communications Coordinator Office: #54, Street 306, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang 1, Khan Chamka Morn, Phnom Penh P.O. Box 1120, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: (855) 23 215 590 Fax: (855) 23 211 723 Email: moses@clec.org.kh Website: www.clec.org.kh Joint Statement of Trade Union Support Group on Proposed Cambodian Trade Union Law  | ||||
| Our neighbour Laos: No longer the missing link [-Vientiane asserting its independence from Hanoi?] Posted: 13 Mar 2011 10:13 PM PDT March 14, 2011 By Kavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Vientiane's recent decision to allow Laotian students to study for bachelor degrees in the Thai language represents a new benchmark of Thai-Lao relations. For decades, this has been an off-area for ties across the Mekong. Until recently, students could study only for masters and post graduate degrees with English language instruction in Thai universities, when scholarships were available. Beyond the Thai-Lao context, the change of heart manifests the growing pragmatism of the new Lao leadership, which has the vision to transform the land-locked country to become a fully developed land-linked hub in continental Southeast Asia - linking Southern China to the Gulf of Thailand. With several infrastructure projects in the pipeline under Asean Connectivity, as well as the ongoing Kunming-Vientiane high speed train, Laos is linking its north with southern China and south with Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, as part of the network of regional connectivity. To prepare for the future, the government has dispatched its best students overseas for education and training. The Lao Communist Party, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, is also recruiting bright students to boost its credentials and relevancy. According to the World Bank, Laos had the second highest economic performance after China last year with an average economic growth of 7.5 per cent. Such impressive growth - unprecedented in its history - was the result of economic reform and overall efforts to integrate with Asean's economy. In the next five years, Laos also hopes to graduate from the list of least developed countries and is also hopeful of joining the World Trade Organisation. With a new found confidence, the Lao leadership is becoming more outward looking and engaging, especially with neighbouring countries. Since joining Asean in 1997, Laos' overall relations with China, Vietnam and Thailand, have intensified with strong economic ties. Except for Cambodia and Burma, these three neighbours pursue different patterns of political and economic relations, which has enabled Laos to maintain its overall equilibrium. Lao-China relations improved dramatically in the 1980's and more steadily afterward, as China's presence in the past 6 years has increased by leaps and bounds with huge investment in infrastructure projects. For instance, in Northern Laos, China's economic and demographic presence in Boten is quite impressive. Although China was considered a late comer in comparison with Vietnam, its larger and high-impact investment and assistant schemes including all round cooperation, have all but overwhelmed Vietnam's long-held dominance. Of late, China has also boosted the defence capacity of the Lao armed forces, delivering new military hardware and training. Diplomats frequenting the northern route linking Luang Prabang and border towns in China, have witnessed long lines of military trucks for delivery to Laos. Truth be told, as a land-locked nation with over six million population, Laos is extremely sensitive to foreign influence. Any tilt towards any country would be addressed quite readily by party leaders. At the National Assembly meeting at the end of last year, the sudden resignation of prime minister Bouasone Bouphavanh was a good case in point. Officially, family problems were cited as the main reason - but diplomatic insiders in Vientiane held different views. They said disagreement over the scope of China's role and economic influence in the country was one of the major factors. Less controversial this time around were Thai-Lao ties. They have improved tremendously in the past two years due to the repatriation of Hmong refugees inside Thailand, which remained the thorn in the side for the past three decades. This chapter of bad history has finally been overcome. After the controversial repatriation at the end of 2009, Thailand bore the brunt of foreign criticism for pushing back the refugees against international pressure, especially from the US. Albeit despite repeated reports of irregularities and mistreatment, overall Thailand's actions have been vindicated. Both sides are now working closely and discreetly to wrap up their long acrimonious affairs. UN agencies and third resettlement countries are more collaborative now that the issue is no longer on the political radar. Following the January death of General Vang Pao, the Hmong resistance leader, Laotian leaders, who long fought against him and his Hmong resistance forces, have gradually opened up to overseas Hmong communities, those living in the US in particular, by inviting them to return to their homeland. The government also targets well-to-do Hmong investors. From December 19 last year, Thailand and Laos began celebrating the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Numerous activities are planned, including commemorative stamps and books, joint cultural exhibitions, performance and sports. There is new and ongoing construction of railways, roads, hospitals and public utilities. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has maintained the most extensive assistance programs inside Laos covering much-needed fields such as education, agriculture, medicine and human resource developments. Thailand has been very careful in nurturing its new found trust with Laos. Border authorities were given special instructions to prevent trafficking in people, especially along Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai provinces. Due to the rising cost of living, more and more Laotians have been attracted to work across the border for higher wages. Thai movie stars and singers are being warned to observe and behave within Lao cultural norms and values. Thai tourists flocking to Laos, 1.3 million last year, have a better appreciation of Lao traditions than before. At this juncture, Thailand cannot afford to have any discord with Laos while the Thai-Cambodian ties continue to face uncertainty. Laos is planning for the upcoming super event as host of the 9th Asia Europe Meeting in November 2012 - the country's biggest diplomatic showcase since its independence. In 2005, Vientiane hosted for the first time the Asean summit. Unbeknown to the public and media, also in 2005, Laos was the first country to offer hosting of the much heralded East Asia Summit, but it was overlooked. However, the possibility of having at least three dozen leaders from Asia and Europe converge on Vientiane rendered a strong sense of national pride that Laos would be the centre of global attention - no longer merely the land of laid-back people.  | ||||
| Vietnam and Laos split over Mekong dam [-Vietnam now has a taste of what it did on the Sesan Rover] Posted: 13 Mar 2011 09:55 PM PDT Source: Eco-business.com Bangkok, March 13 - The plan by Laos to build a large dam across the Mekong River at Xayaburi is not just raising serious concerns about its potential environmental impact, but also creating some tension between Laos and Vietnam. And for the first time, concerns about the effects of building dams on the river have spilled in a big way across international boundaries. The Mekong spans six countries and directly or indirectly supports the livelihoods of tens of millions of people. The US$3.5 billion (S$4.5 billion) 1,260MW hydropower project is being built by Thai company CH Karnchang. Thailand is expected to buy 95 per cent of its power. But the Xayaburi dam is being called an environmental disaster in the making by local Thai activists and a range of non-governmental organisations, from the World Wide Fund for Nature to International Rivers. Concerns centre on the disruption to the hydrology, or water regime and patterns, of the Mekong, which would in turn severely affect fish catch. The dam is one of six planned for the 1,100km-long stretch of the river from Chiang Saen in northern Thailand to Vientiane in Laos. There is concern that it will be the worst culprit in terms of 'disconnecting' the lower river from its upper reaches - severely reducing aquatic life in terms of volume and biodiversity. In Laos itself, over 200,000 people will be directly affected, including more than 2,000 who will have to be resettled. At a forum this month in Bangkok, Mekong River Commission (MRC) outgoing chief executive Jeremy Bird, based in Vientiane, acknowledged that the dams would inevitably trigger a decline in fish catch unless measures to mitigate it are put in place. But he added that the Xayaburi project in particular would be of 'significant net benefit' to Laos. Downstream of the dam, though, is where the impact could be even more significant, and Vietnam is worried. The MRC was set up in 1995 by an agreement between the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to promote cooperation on water resources. For the first time, Vietnamese officials were vocal in their concerns at a recent meeting of the MRC, officials said. Vietnam's media has in recent weeks published several reports citing a chorus of objections to the dam by some of the country's foremost scientists. Dr Le Anh Tuan from the Research Institute for Climate Change was quoted as saying Vietnamese companies should not invest in or buy power from dams on the Mekong. The country's leaders and scientists should call for a 10-year delay before more dams are built on the river which is critical to millions in Vietnam, he said. Environmental organisations have generally agreed that there should be a 10-year moratorium on dam construction especially on the Mekong - the most productive natural fishery in the world. At the forum in Bangkok, Mr Bird said the objective of consultations under the MRC was to reach agreement. A crucial joint committee meeting of the MRC is scheduled for this week, in which issues about the Xayaburi dam are to be thrashed out. Mandatory public hearings are also under way, but observers have said the process appears to be a mere formality. Given the concerns of Vietnam, there is a possibility of some delay to the project. But in essence, it seems unstoppable, and last month, the Laos government said the project would go ahead. Independent water experts have said it is better to have the MRC than have no mechanism at all for technical study, consultation and dialogue. One expert familiar with the issues told The Sunday Times: 'We are still choosing to support the MRC, with eyes wide open.'  | ||||
| Posted: 13 Mar 2011 09:45 PM PDT Over 5,100 sets of volunteers' remains repatriated from Cambodia  VOVNews/VNA Over 5,100 sets of remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts have been repatriated from Cambodia during the 2001-2011 period. The figure was released at a meeting in Phnom Penh on March 12 to review 10 years of the search for remains of fallen Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who laid down their lives during the war in Cambodia. During the 10-year period, search teams have completed a large volume of work thanks to their active cooperation and coordination with Cambodian localities under an agreement signed between the Vietnamese and Cambodian governments on August 28, 2000. Vietnam's Military Zone 9 said it is in charge of searching for the remains of some 8,500 fallen Vietnamese soldiers in 10 Cambodian provinces. In 2011, the zone will continue the work, especially in such provinces as Kandal, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Cham. Between 2012 and 2015, the zone's search teams will search and gather remains of Vietnamese martyrs in all remaining areas.  | ||||
| Explosion (of 2nd reactor building) at Japan nuclear plant Posted: 13 Mar 2011 09:34 PM PDT
A second reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi atomic power plant has exploded but officials say there is a "low possibility" of a dangerous radiation leak Monday 14 March 2011 Justin McCurry in Tokyo guardian.co.uk Japan's nuclear crisis has deepened after a second reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi atomic power plant exploded on Monday morning. Officials said there was a low possibility that the blast had released radioactive material into the air. The wall of the building housing the No. 3 reactor collapsed in the explosion, which occurred at 11:01am local time. Tokyo Electric Power Company said three workers have been injured and seven are missing. Television footage showed a brief red flash followed by a large plume of white smoke. The blast came two days after a similar explosion at the No. 1 reactor, which occurred after hydrogen ignited when it mixed with oxygen. Officials had said that coolant levels were lower than usual in the reactor and pressure was higher than normal at the time of the explosion. The government's top spokesman, Yukio Edano, said there was a "low possibility" of a dangerous radiation leak, adding that water was still being pumped into the reactor to cool it down. The Dainiichi plant and neighbouring Fukushima Daini plants have suffered multiple failures if cooling systems after Friday's earthquake and tsunami on Japan's north-east coast. There were no immediate reports of a rise in radiation levels around the plant, but Edano said the government was still collecting information. He told reporters that the head of the plant had told him the reactor and its container vessel were both still intact. About 600 people still living within a 20 km radius of the plant, 150 miles north of Tokyo, have been ordered to remain indoors. A spokesman for Japan's nuclear and industrial safety agency spokesman said a worst-case scenario had been avoided. But he added that residents inside the 20km exclusion zone had been ordered to stay indoors and close all windows. The explosion coincided with tsunami warning for the coasts of Fukushima and Iwate prefectures. But the meteorological agency later said there was no indication that a tsunami was about to arrive.  | ||||
| I'm no troublemaker, says Kasit Posted: 13 Mar 2011 09:28 PM PDT    14/03/2011 Thanida Tansubhapol Bangkok Post Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya insists he has not been a "troublemaker" for Thailand's neighbouring countries during his two-year tenure. Mr Kasit spoke to four selected reporters yesterday before the censure debate which starts tomorrow and runs for four days. Mr Kasit is one of 10 ministers to be grilled by the Puea Thai Party over a range of allegations. The corner he will fight covers his handling of the Thai-Cambodian border disputes. Mr Kasit insisted that neither he nor the government had instigated conflict with any neighbouring countries. Instead, he said since he took up the position, he has helped promote a wide range of cooperative efforts. including trade, tourism and investment. "There is no evidence that I or the government have created problems," he said. "There has only been accusations both from inside and outside parliament without acknowledging [the positive things] we have done over the past two years." Mr Kasit said he only knew of three allegations made against him since he took up the ministerial position, and insisted all three were baseless. The first allegation was that he used the word "tramp" in reference to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in October 2008 when he spoke on the People's Alliance for Democracy's stage during its protest against the People Power Party-led government The alleged remark came at a time when the Cambodian premier was demanding the Thai army withdraw troops from Preah Vihear temple, which is disputed by both countries. Mr Kasit said the second allegation stemmed from the meaning of his words being distorted. He said he once praised Hun Sen as having the heart of a lion but reporters who disliked him misinterpreted the phrase and only quoted Mr Kasit calling Hun Sen a "gangster". He said he apologised to Hun Sen but the opposition party nevertheless intends to grill him in parliament about the matter. The third claim was that he had hit someone in Russia, which Mr Kasit denounced as a plain lie. "If I had done that, I could not have become ambassador," he said. Mr Kasit said the tense relations between Thailand and Cambodia have been a problem since before the current administration took power, but he said this government had tried the best of any to solve it. He said during a visit to Phnom Penh soon after taking his ministerial post, he "told Hun Sen that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and I had no conflict of interest and we tried to build up the relationship [between the two countries]". He said the government and the Foreign Affairs Ministry did not know exactly what had happened in the past with Cambodia but he could clarify all current positions to parliament during the censure debate. Mr Kasit believed he has been frequently criticised because his personality did not sit well with the opposition, and not because of his ministerial role. "My face might look aggressive but I have never lied to the media or tried to please anybody just to get a vote," he said. He admitted he sometimes might have made "a slip of the tongue", but he put this down to him simply being an ordinary person prone to making occasional mistakes just like any other. "What I fear most is that the public won't know the facts [behind the allegations] because this society has been distorted," Mr Kasit said. "I thought I would play by the rules and I never thought I would become a political target."  | ||||
| Politiktoons No. 152: Japan 2011 Posted: 13 Mar 2011 09:09 PM PDT
 | ||||
| Posted: 13 Mar 2011 09:02 PM PDT    |
| You are subscribed to email updates from KI Media To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
