DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “Cambodia’s Court delays Verdict for Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy” plus 2 more

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