DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “Cambodian Government Reverses Controversial Decision to allow a Titanium Mine” plus 9 more

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 12 APRIL, 2011-Wildlife Alliance on Tuesday celebrated the announcement, which will save one of the last remaining elephant corridors in Asia. Phnom Penh, April 10, 2011 - In a dramatic turnaround, the Cambodian government reversed its February decision to grant a concession to develop a titanium mine in the Southern Cardamom Protected Forest.

At a meeting of senior government officials Friday morning, April 8, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the 4,400 hectare titanium mine concession, given to United Khmer Group, would not be permitted to go ahead.  "Due to the concerns of the impact on the environment, biodiversity and local livelihoods [Prime Minister] Hun Sen has announced to not permit the titanium mining operation that is located in Koh Kong province," a government-issued press release read.

As well as being an important biodiversity corridor, the region is also an up-and-coming tourist destination. The corridor, home to Wildlife Alliance-sponsored ecotourism programs, has been featured in the New York Times and Sydney Morning Herald and called one of the Lonely Planet's Top Ten Regions to Visit for 2010. More than 70 endangered and vulnerable species live in the region. All that had been threatened by the possibility of the strip mine.

"We are elated by the decision of Prime Minister Hun Sen. It is incredibly encouraging to see that the prime minister has looked so deeply into this proposed titanium mine and taken the effort to weigh the consequences that this project would have on the rainforest and the local people," said Wildlife Alliance CEO Suwanna Gauntlett. "United Khmer Group had promised staggering revenues for the government, and we applaud the courageous decision of the prime minister to see the greater value of the forest as it currently stands."  

The fight against the mine began last summer, after bulldozers were discovered by villagers. United Khmer Group requested and received an initial concession from the government to undertake mining operations. They projected revenues of more than $1.3 billion a year, extraordinary numbers that did not have any scientific support. At no point did United Khmer Group engage in a comprehensive study to determine the size and concentration levels of the titanium ore deposit, and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy publicly questioned the prospective yields.

Suwanna Gauntlett, Wildlife Alliance CEO, led the fight against the mine, representing the views of local communities and other environmental groups. Local villagers recognized the mine as a threat to the growing ecotourism industry, agricultural initiatives, forests, and a habitat for one of Cambodia's largest wild elephant populations.  Many villagers are now celebrating Friday's decision to protect their region and their livelihoods. Prime Minister Hun Sen's decision today is a major victory for conservation in one of the largest contiguous rainforests in Southeast Asia, but threats persist. Not too far away from the proposed mine, an Australian firm plans for a banana plantation that would sever the elephant corridor.

"We recognize that development is essential to Cambodia's future, but that development must be conducted in a coordinated matter that respects conservation initiatives," says Suwanna Gauntlett. "The prime minister's decision only reinforces the need to preserve this globally significant forest." Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization based in Cambodia and Washington, D.C., working directly with communities and governments to improve forest management and institute good governance to comprehensively address the devastation of ecosystems and combat the illegal wildlife trade. We actively empower local communities by promoting diversified agriculture, community-based ecotourism, and reforestation.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 12 APRIL, 2011-Brig Gen Khiev Sameth, Vice President of the Football Federation of Cambodia, was elected as Vice President of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) at the AFF 18th Congress held in Bangkok on 10th April 2011, a media release from Cambodian football federation obtained on April 12 said.

Francisco Kabualdi Lay from Timor Leste and Viphet Sihachakr from Laos were also elected as Vice Presidents. Duong Vu Lam from Vietnam retained his vice-presidency, while Ravy Khek from Cambodia and Pengiran Matusin Matasan from Brunei DS are no more AFF Vice Presidents.

HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah from Malaysia is the new President of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) after he won the post uncontested at the Congress.

Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen, Former AFF President, in his parting words, thanked the members for their support over the years. "I have enjoyed working with all of you and wish the new office bearers the very best." He was later appointed the Honorary President of the AFF.

FA of Thailand President, Dato' Worawi Makudi, who is also a FIFA Exco member, decided to withdraw from contesting the top post today.

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia as you celebrate the Khmer New Year in the coming days.  The Khmer New Year is an opportunity to gather with family, friends and neighbors to honor Cambodia's rich traditions and culture.

 During my visit to Cambodia last year, I was encouraged by the optimism of the next generation of leaders, the opportunities for our two countries to deepen and grow our relationship, and the enduring spirit of all Cambodian people.  Our two countries are already cooperating on a range of issues – from curbing public health concerns to expanding international peacekeeping efforts – and we remain committed to finding new ways to strengthening our partnership to benefit the people of both of our countries.

As you celebrate the new year, know that the United States is committed to the people of Cambodia and we extend our warmest wishes for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy New Year.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 11 APRIL, 2011-Phnom Penh Court on Monday delayed to release the verdict for opposition leader Sam Rainsy for second times in defamation charges, filing the complaint by Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong.

"The verdict plans to announce today but it will delay until April 25 after the judge is so busy,"a clerk source of court said.

Sam Rainsy was charged by the court on April 2008 over the case of the defamation of the minister after  Sam Rainsy said publicly that Foreign minister Hor Nam Hong had worked as a chief of Beong Trabeng prison in Phnom Penh during Khmer Rouge regime.

Opposition leader was sentenced to two years in jail over rooting up the border markers between Cambodia and Vietnam at Svay Rieng province and also jailed for 10 years for disturbing the fake document. But Sam Rainsy has never served his prison terms, and he has still lived in exile in France. Sam used to lose two times already at French court over defamation of the minister.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 11 APRIL, 2011-The Government of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) has confirmed a new contribution of £ 1,000,000 (approximately US$ 1.6 million) to the international component of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). With this latest contribution, the United Kingdom has provided financial assistance exceeding US$ 5.7 million to the ECCC.

"We are deeply grateful for this generous contribution and for the continuous support from the United Kingdom. This contribution comes at a crucial time for the ECCC where the court is preparing the delivery of the Supreme Court Chamber judgment in Case 001 and the commencement of the trial in Case 002", said Acting Director of the Office of Administration, H.E. Tony Kranh and Deputy Director Mr. Knut Rosandhaug in a statement.

The United Kingdom is one of the ECCC's key donors, and has been supporting the ECCC since the court's establishment in 2006.

Though it carries different name, the Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) is a cluster bomb, as reported by CHANTAL ESCOTO of the Leaf-Chronicle published on 07 April 2003 during the Iraq war and posted on http://www.globalsecurity.org/. Thailand on Thursday 7 April 2011 admitted using this new type of cluster bomb discharged by 155mm howitzer shells, but insisted that by "Thai definition" the DPICM is not classified as a cluster bomb.

On 14 February 2011, in front of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, Thailand did not come clean. Foreign Minister Kasit Pyromya under the recommendation of Thai military "junta" voiced an unqualified denial, thinking that the UNSC just need to hear Thailand's denial and that was enough for the UNSC. Kasit Pyromya said: "Thailand categorically denies the groundless accusation by Cambodia that Thailand used cluster munitions during the recent skirmishes." Thailand thought that the case was close, until 6 April when the Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC), after careful investigation reported its conclusion that the Thai military had used cluster munitions over a wide area during the February 2011fighting, following the admission by Thai Ambassador to the UN in Geneva who confirmed during a meeting on 5 April that Thai used 155mm Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM), which are cluster munitions according to CMC.

The admission is a total fiasco for Thailand diplomacy in the eyes of the UNSC members.

Both Thai Foreign Ministry and the military "junta" were scrambling for an admissible damage control campaign by playing with words and Thai own classification of DPICM. This has become known as "Thailand brand of diplomacy's shrewdness" that is to deny first and look for excuses later on. But Thailand's denial does not escape the notice and concern of the world community.

On 7 April 2011, Lao PDR's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the First Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane was seriously concerned over the use of cluster munitions by Thailand. He said: "The use of cluster munitions in recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia has been confirmed in a press statement issued by the Cluster Munitions Coalition. It is of serious concern to learn of that recent use, and in particular on South East Asian soil, already so heavily impacted by these horrific weapons. Due to their wide area effect and high rate of unexploded ordnance left behind, cluster munitions constitute a threat to peace, human security, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, poverty eradication and social and economic development."

The CMC report offers a grim analysis reflecting the intention of Thailand to do harm to the Cambodian people for a long time to come, on these terms: "CMC analysis of the photographs indicates that the sub-munitions are M46-types, contained in NR-269 155mm artillery projectiles. Each projectile contains 56 sub-munitions, which are a copy of the United States M46 sub-munitions. Upon subsequent inquiries by CMC members, Thailand acknowledged possessing the NR-269 projectiles with M46-type sub-munitions. Unexploded M85 type sub-munitions with a self-destruct mechanism have also been found in an agricultural field next to the military camp. Atle Karlsen of Norwegian People's Aid said, "There are around 5,000 people living in Sen Chey village that are at risk from these unexploded weapons. Thailand must supply information to help clear affected areas and make them safe for civilians to return home." Sister Denise Coghlan, a CMC leader who took part in the first research mission said, "These cluster munitions have already robbed two men of their lives, two more have lost their arms and a further five were injured. The area must be cleared immediately to prevent more suffering. Cambodia must make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians."

True to his own Foreign Minister's line of denial, on 7 April 2011, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn argued that the shells used by the Thai army against Cambodian forces were not the same as the cluster munitions mentioned by the CMC, meaning that the Thai army used a different type of cluster bomb. Is it more deadly than the ones mentioned?

Would the Foreign Minister of Thailand Kasit Pyromya, a member of the Thai "supposedly elected" government and the Thai military "junta" that is a "shadow institution" under the direct command of the office of the Privy Council feel shameful and embarrassed? Their concerted efforts of denial are the answers.

However CMC Director Laura Cheeseman condemned Thailand's use of DPICM cluster bomb in the following terms: "It's appalling that any country would resort to using cluster munitions after the international community banned them," and she added: "Thailand has been a leader in the global ban on antipersonnel mines, and it is unconscionable that it used banned weapons that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians in a similar manner."

As a matter of normal and reasonable human nature, the cruelty of Thailand's political and military leaders against the Cambodian people of Sen Chey village, Svay Chrum village and the World Heritage site of the Temple of Preah Vihear will remain as a reminder to the Cambodian people not to lower their guards in front of the silky but venomous smile of Thailand's political and military leaders for the longest time.

By: Prof. Pen Ngoeun

Senior advisor and member of the Academic Committee

Puthisastra University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia,

Former Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Business and Economics

Pannasastra University of Cambodia,

Former Assistant Controller at Phibro Inc.,

A subsidiary of Citigroup Inc., New York City, USA, until 2000

 

 

In the (Bogor) discussion, there are three poor conditions.

First, Cambodia proposed to send a technical team to search the border pillars number 1 to 23 in the sector 5 of the border without delay. We can start immediately, without waiting for the approval by the Thai parliament. But Thailand refused. They demanded that the parliament has to approve the three agreed minutes of the three previous JBCs first before accepting to send technical team to search for the 23 border pillars.

The second point of this agreement was a autophoto map in order to identify the border pillars on the border. The Cambodian side also proposed that the operation of the autophoto map can be done immediately. No need to wait for the approval of the previous three agreed minutes that once again Thailand demanded to wait until the parliament of Thailand approves the three previous minutes to operate the autophoto map.

The third of these points of agreement was the role of Indonesia as ASEAN chair, including the next JBC meeting. You may know that ASEAN chair has received a mandate from the U.N. Security Council to ease the tension between Thailand and Cambodia to do social way to respect the permanent ceasefire. Therefore, we proposed that the next meeting of JBC should be left to Indonesia to propose the venue and the date for the next meeting. Thailand refused. They said the next meeting of JBC should be done by both sides through diplomatic channel without any role of Indonesia.

So, are you disappointed with Thailand's stance?

Really I do. We can not understand. If Thailand really wishes to have a ceasefire on the border, why should they hesitate to receive Indonesian observers. And everytime there are armed clashes, they always accuse Cambodia to start fighting. In such a case, why shouldn't they accept the role of Indonesia as mediator, why should they reject the Indonesian observers on the border. Secondly, if they really wishes to settle the problem on the border peacefully, amicably, bilaterally, why should reject the three points of this agreement I just mentioned to you.

I'll never be optimistic with Thailand. Frankly speaking, it's difficult to deal with them. On one hand, the foreign minister said one thing, on the other hand, the military, the defense minister said another thing. So, we don't know exactly who really has the right to negotiate.

I always trust Indonesia. Before, Indonesia had in the past, during the peace negotiations in Cambodia, Indonesia played a good role.

Frankly speaking, I don't know. Mr. Marty Natalegawa will try, but we never know if he can succeed in his efforts.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 8 April, 2011-Cambodian's real estate investment agency on Friday expressed the satisfaction of the 33.6 million real estate investment in Siem Reap from Hong Kong land Limited company.

Soeung Bunna, head of real estate on Friday welcomed the investment on real estate market in Cambodia from Hong Kong. "This is a good sign for real estate in the country," he stresses.  

Hong Kong land limited invested $33.6 million on real estate investment in Cambodia.  According to the statement from the company, it also invested in land and real estate in other countries in Asia.

The company has invested, real estate, rent in Siem Reap province, hub of foreign tourist destination in the country.  . Robert Garman, CEO of Hong Kong Land Limited said:"it is a chance for us to expand our business and we belived the potential of real estate market in Cambodia,". The company said it also invested the real estate in Singapore.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 8 April, 2011- ATF 2012 TRAVEX boasts 20% more registrations from exhibitors, buyers and media as compared to the same time last year. The 2012 leisure travel trade event, showcasing the largest contingent of ASEAN destination products and services, have reported sales of more than 100 booths till date.

Some 200 buyers and close to 85 media have also submitted their registrations early in order to maximise their chances of getting one of the limited hosted places available. Earlier this year, Cambodia hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2011 to turn the region to be a biggest destination.

Confirmed exhibitors include hotel chains such as Dusit International, the Sol Melia Group, Jakarta, Sunshine Borneo Tours and Travel, Dorsett International, Centara Hotels and Resorts, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts Indonesia, Eastin Hotel, Siam Kempinski Hotel and Vacation Singapore DMC. Among the 200 interested buyers are organisations like Select Vacations Australia, Big Tree Travels and Tours Malaysia, Optimal Travel Services UK, Tui Netherlands, Go Vacation Thailand and Hotelrooms Inc.

ATF TRAVEX Secretariat believes that much of the early interest can be attributed to a successful ATF 2011 that scored high among the over 2000 attending delegates. Delegates included more than 1,000 exhibitors representing more than 400 companies from the 10 ASEAN nations, more than 440 international buyers representing 55 countries, close to 150 media from across 32 countries and more than 400 NTOs.

Over 90% of Buyers rated the quality of exhibitors and their business appointments as Excellent or Good, reflecting the effectiveness of ATF TRAVEX as a choice business platform. Buyer, Rose Ann Shetty, CEO of Galavantor from UAE said: "It was very productive meeting suppliers of my niche products". The show provides excellent information".

More than 90% of exhibitors expect to receive orders over the next 6 to 12 months. Some 30% of exhibitors estimated their sales value to range from USD 50,000 to USD 250,000.  Exhibitor Mr. Subramaniam of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council remarked that ATF is "A good platform to make contacts and explore business opportunities". Tran Thi Bich Thuy of Buffalo Tours, Vietnam agreed and added, "We look forward to continue getting good sales from ATF TRAVEX."

Said 2012 Exhibitor Mrs. Amornrat Boonwittaya, Director of Sales and Marketing of Zinc Invision Hospitality Co. Ltd, "We have a threefold objective for ATF 2012: 1. To strengthen business relationships with existing accounts and seek prospective clients, 2.To create product awareness and drive business volume within key selective markets and 3. To create awareness of new projects and forge new business relations."

Based on ATF's proven track record, she is confident that it is an effective platform to meet these objectives. Interested 2012 Buyer Mr Fong Chin Lim, Managing Director of Bigtree Travel & Tours Malaysia is also looking forward to ATF 2012. He says, "ATF TRAVEX is an excellent platform for us to meet with ASEAN suppliers and source new products."

ATF 2012 marks the event's 31st instalment. ASEAN member-nation Indonesia will host ATF 2012 in Manado from 9 to 15 January. ATF TRAVEX, the 3-day travel trade mart component of the event, will take place from 13 to 15 January at the newly constructed Golden Kawanua Convention Centre.

In a statement to the TRAVEX secretariat, His Excellency Ir. Jero Wacik, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Indonesia said, "The Golden Kawanua Convention Centre is just one of the many exciting efforts that Manado is making to contribute to a successful ATF 2012. The convention centre is just 10 minutes away from the Sam Ratulangi Airport, which is accessible from a host of international destinations."

The capital of the North Sulawesi province, Manado is a diver's paradise. Famous for its eco tourism efforts, Manado is home to dramatic and diverse landscapes and a treasure of flora and fauna. Indonesia hopes to introduce the world to Manado through ATF 2012. As always, ATF combines business appointments, an education component and numerous social functions. Held in a sprawling exhibition hall, the business appointments will encompass the majority of delegates' schedules over the three days.

The ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC) – the educational component of ATF – will feature sessions by industry veterans, which will engage the audience through presentations and panel discussions on the major trends, and issues affecting ASEAN tourism today. The social and networking events at ATF will continue to offer delegates the opportunity to create new contacts within the industry in relaxed and unique settings such as the popular golf game, late night functions or the hosted luncheons and dinners. Pre-show city tours and post-show tours to popular destinations in and around Manado will also be a highlight for hosted buyer and media delegates.