KI Media: “International Visakha Puja Day at the United Nations” plus 24 more |
- International Visakha Puja Day at the United Nations
- "What kind of politician is Kem Sokha?" - Opinion by Anonymous
- Khmer Guardian: Sok An Connection II - Overseas Khmer
- The FBI is dreaming if it thinks it can train these thugs who terrorize their own people!
- Do the spectators of the "Day of Anger" ceremony realize that the same KR killers are now in power?
- EU parliamentarian condemns Cambodia's "blood sugar" exports
- NGOs concerned about KRT
- Bitter taste of sugar trading
- Deadline Closes for Applications in War Crimes' Tribunal's Third Case
- Lake Residents Seek Land Measurement
- Rights Groups Push Tribunal for More Public Information
- My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series
- Funcinpec Widow Files ACU Complaint for Lost Land
- Cecilia Wikstrom: I will bring Sam Rainsy back to Cambodia before the election
- On the Khmer Rouge crime in Cambodia's Northwest
- Bulletin of the Union of Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Buddhist Students
- Watch what you tell others, it may come back to haunt you!
- Man accused of distributing leaflets released by Takeo provincial court
- New look for the SRP website
- Hope with Cambodian dance revival
- 318 Civil parties filed for Case 003, 178 for Case 004, all of which are opposed by Hun Xen’s regime in a blatant interference
- Border spat heads to UN court
- Angkor Sentinel officially begins with opening ceremony [-On how the US army helps train a land-grabbing/human rights violation army?]
- CAMBODIA: Civil society expresses concern over recent developments in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, and urges the international community to speak out
- Did the RCAF put up a show for the US Army?
| International Visakha Puja Day at the United Nations Posted: 20 May 2011 04:04 PM PDT  International Visakha Puja Day at the United Nations The 2600th Anniversary of the Enlightenment of the Buddha Monday the 14th Waxing Moon of Visakha B.E.2554, May 16, A.D.2011 Year of the Rabbit  On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world. The full moon night of Vesak marks the greatest celebration on earth. Prince Siddhartha came to be born on earth with the purpose of enlightenment. He was born to be the light of the world on which all sentient beings have been suffering in the never-ending samsara. Video document will be available soon. Visakha Puja Day is one of the greatest Buddhist holidays which falls on the 15th day of the new moon in the 6th lunar month that is the month of May, in the year with extra eighth lunar month; the Visakha Puja Day will fall on 15th day of the new moon in the 7th lunar moth. Visakha Puja Day is regarded as an important Buddhist holiday, because it is connected with three important events in the life of the Buddha i.e. birth, enlightenment and death ; these three days fall on the same day miraculously. It is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar, when the day has come; both monks and lay people specially perform ceremonies recollecting the wisdom, purity and the great compassion of the Buddha. BIRTH OF THE BUDDHA The Buddha was the king by birth, Gotama by lineage and Sakya by race, born in 80 years before the Buddhist Era in the middle country at Lumbini park (Lumpini, nowadays, is Lumminde in Nepal) between Kapilavasthu of Sakya and Devadaha of the Koliya region, which is on the full Moon in the month of May in 625 B.C.. Buddha's father was Suddhodana, his mother was Mahâmâyâ who wanted to go to Devadaha, her native place, when she was far- gone in pregnancy, in the morning of Visâkha Punnami Day, came over the beautiful Lummbi Grove on the way to Devadaha, had a break of her traveling under the shade of a flowering Sal tree; but that was not to be, then she gave birth to her child. When the news was heard, the King of Sakya and the King of Koliya were very pleased. Mahâmâyâ and her son were brought to Kapilavasthu. HIS ENLIGHTENMENT The prince Siddhattha had been taken care and instructed well since he was a child until he was a young, married with Yasodharâ, the princess of Devadaha, had a son called "Rahula". With the advance of age and maturity, the prince began to glimpse the woes of the world. He renounced his wife and a child as well as a crown that held the promise of power and glory, became a monk on the bank of the Anomâ River, and then he sought guidance from the famous sages who would teach him all they knew, being led he practiced concentration reached the highest meditative attainments possible thereby, but it was not satisfied with anything for attaining Supreme Enlightenment, left them in search of the still unknown. In his wanderings he finally reached Uruvelâ of Magadha (in Bodhgaya, Bihar state, India), practiced alone until attained the Enlightenment on the Full-Moon Day of the 6th lunar month in 45 years before the Buddhist Era. What is enlightened are the four Noble truths: 1. Dukkha is unsatisfactionariness, physical and mental suffering. 2. Samudaya is cause of suffering. 3. Nirodha is cessation of suffering. 4. Magga is the path leading to cessation of suffering. These four are the truth which is called "Ariyasacca" that is discovered by the Buddha, and more sublime than common reality. HIS PARINIBBANA (DEATH) The Buddha, after his Enlightenment, had done daily routine, taught the persons who could be instructed until they have attained the Eye of Truth, sent his disciples to villages, districts and capital cities to introduce his teachings until Buddhism has been established and wide-spread. He attained Nibbana on Tuesday 15th day of the new moon in the 6th lunar month in the year of the small snake at Sal Grove in Kusinagar of Malla, Uttra Pradesh, India when he was 80 year old. On the occasion of the Visakha Day, a grand religious ceremony has been continuously held in Jambudipa or India where it is the land of Buddhism; since Buddhism has spreaded into Thailand and Sri Lanka, the religious ceremony of Visakha Day has been performed still now. In Thailand, the religious ceremony of Visakha Day has been commenced in Sukhothai period, because in those days, Thailand had closely religious relationship with Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan monks came to Thailand for introducing Buddhism. Some of them had been honored as the chief monk; even Thai monks went to Sri Lanka had done the same. The ceremony of Visakha Day is believed that it was brought to Thailand by Sri Lankan monks. In Phraraj-pidhî-sibsong-duen written by the King Chulalongkorn, Rama 5 it is said that the religious ceremony of Visakha Day was restored in Bangkok period in 1817 B.E. that was the reign of Rama 2 who was advised by the supreme patriarch (Mee) to cerebrate the Visakha Day. There was publication of programme of the ceremony of Visakha Day that the Rama 2 observed the observance of eight precepts by abstaining from making harm to living beings and from drinking intoxicants for three days. There was decoration of the oil lamps, arranging flowers, incenses and candles as the offering worship to the Trible Gem as well as lighting fireworks for three days. ACTIVITIES ON VISAKHA PUJA DAY 1. Offer alms to monks and pour the water for dedicating the merit to all beings and departed ones. 2. Practice meditation and listen to the Dhamma preaching. 3. Observe five precepts or eight precepts and abstain from the causes of bad bodily and verbal deeds. 4. Perform the candle procession around the respected place of worship, and participate in the activities of the Visakha Puja Day. 5. Arrange an exhibition of Visahka Day. 6. Hoist the flags at the houses, monasteries and government offices. However, accomplishment of charity, morality and practicing meditation are more important than others. THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF VISAKHA AT UNITED NATIONS In the year of 1999, as the United Nations is the world organization that people around the world have recognized its activities, consented to announce the Visakha Day as the international important day of the world on December 15, 1999 that has been encouraged by Buddhist organizations from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Lao, South Korea, Vietnam, Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Cambodia, India, Pakistan; and Thailand agreed to present to the United Nations in Bangkok in order to do official announcement on 25th April 2000. It has brought about delight to Thai Buddhist people as well as Thai government. The activities of the promotion of Buddhism are held by Thai Sangha and people in the Visakha Festival all over Thailand.  | ||
| "What kind of politician is Kem Sokha?" - Opinion by Anonymous Posted: 20 May 2011 03:51 PM PDT
  | ||
| Khmer Guardian: Sok An Connection II - Overseas Khmer Posted: 20 May 2011 03:45 PM PDT | ||
| The FBI is dreaming if it thinks it can train these thugs who terrorize their own people! Posted: 20 May 2011 08:04 AM PDT    Police Undergo FBI Interview Training Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer Phnom Penh Friday, 20 May 2011
Officials said Friday they remain committed to an improved relationship between the Cambodian police and the FBI, following a weeklong training course in interviewing techniques. "We will continue to work constructively with Cambodian national police to fight crime in many forms in the Kingdom of Cambodia," Patrick Gibbons, the FBI's Cambodia representative, told reporters. The FBI and Cambodian police have worked cases that include child sex tourism and drug smuggling, he said, and the two sides are working on exchanging more information to prevent crime. The police and FBI have seen a steady improvement in their relations, following the opening of a legal attaché at the US Embassy in 2008. About 40 Cambodian police and military police received FBI training in interview techniques this week. Gibbons said the training would "upgrade" Cambodian law enforcement and that more training would take place in the future. Sok Phal, deputy national police chief, said the training would help in the prevention of transnational crimes. So far, cooperation between the two has led to six sex trafficking cases and one drug trafficking case, he said. "Today and in coming days, the Cambodian national police have a goal to make cooperation with the FBI to suppress all offenses and criminality," he said. He conceded that the current level of police training "can be regarded as our problem."  | ||
| Do the spectators of the "Day of Anger" ceremony realize that the same KR killers are now in power? Posted: 20 May 2011 07:56 AM PDT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84XVNTNvbCY&feature=player_embedded Cambodians must not and should not forget that their current leaders were the former killers shown on the video above. The current leaders of the Hun Xen regime are the neo-Khmer Rouge KILLERS!  | ||
| EU parliamentarian condemns Cambodia's "blood sugar" exports Posted: 20 May 2011 07:30 AM PDT May 20, 2011 DPA Phay Siphan claimed most villagers in concession areas were satisfied with their situation (sic!) Phnom Penh - A member of the European Parliament said Friday she would push for the European Union to suspend trade preferences for Cambodian sugar after meeting villagers who had been evicted to make way for huge concessions. Sweden's Cecilia Wikstrom, who was on a private visit to Cambodia to learn about human rights and land grabbing, said the European Union's Everything But Arms (EBA) trade initiative had been abused by sugar companies owned by senators from the ruling Cambodian People's Party. 'This leads me to the conclusion that the sugar issue in this country is a 'blood sugar' story,' Wikstrom said, explaining that some villagers had shown evidence of being beaten. The EBA initiative allows low-income countries to export certain goods to the EU with zero tariffs and no quotas. Sugar producers are also guaranteed a minimum price for their crop. But last year rights groups asked the EU to suspend preferential access for Cambodian sugar after reports that well-connected concession holders were pushing thousands of rural people off their land. Over the past two years nearly 90,000 hectares of land have been handed out on 99-year leases. The EU has in the past withdrawn a number of nations from the programme after finding evidence of systematic and serious violations. Wikstrom said her visit indicated the Cambodian sugar trade was generating serious rights abuses. 'It leaves a very bitter taste to see what the sugar companies are doing to poor people in this country, so I put part of the blame on the sugar companies,' she said. 'Having said that, I blame totally and even more the authorities that are allowing this to happen.' She said Phnom Penh had not delivered on an October promise to investigate how the EBA programme was affecting the rights of rural people. 'As far as I understand, nothing has been done,' she said, adding that she had met with several senior government officials including Deputy Prime Minister Sok An. Government spokesman Phay Siphan said Wikstrom had not had sufficient time to learn the full facts, and claimed most villagers in concession areas were satisfied with their situation. 'She acts like a spokesman for the opposition party,' Phay Siphan said. 'She has based (her findings) on what she heard from a minority of those people and misleading (information) from the opposition.' Kong Suon, a villager from Koh Kong province, representing 252 families, said villagers had lost more than 1,700 hectares of land to the Koh Kong Sugar Company in 2006. Despite numerous applications to local and national authorities and to the courts, their voices had not been heard. 'Now there is no land for people to grow crops and tend their cattle,' he said. 'If we don't have land, there is no choice - we have to die.' Wikstrom said the process of suspending Cambodia's access would be long. 'But one thing is for sure: the EU has committed to specific moral standards, and when they are severely violated, as I have experienced in this country, we need to address it accordingly,' she said.  | ||
| Posted: 20 May 2011 02:25 AM PDT Friday, 20 May 2011 James O'Toole The Phnom Penh Post More than 30 local NGOs have joined to criticise the Khmer Rouge tribunal's handling of its controversial third and fourth cases, expressing concern that "the impartiality, integrity, and the independence of ECCC judges are being tainted". Developments over the past few weeks at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, as the tribunal is formerly known, have sparked accusations from some observers that the court's investigating judges are planning to scuttle the third and fourth cases due to pressure from the Cambodian government. While the Case 004 investigation is still open, the investigating judges announced the closure of their Case 003 investigation last month. In response, British co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley issued a statement last week saying that the allegations in Case 003 "have not been fully investigated" and calling for a series of additional – and seemingly basic – investigative steps including examinations of mass grave sites and the questioning of the suspects in the case. The Case 003 suspects are identified in court documents as former KR navy commander Meas Muth and air force commander Sou Met, though the court has not yet officially made their names public. Yesterday, 32 civil society groups including Legal Aid of Cambodia, Adhoc and the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee issued a statement urging the court and the international community to ensure that judicial independence is maintained. "We urge all concerned individuals and groups to take appropriate action to ensure that the Case 003 and 004 investigations are full and genuine," the groups said, adding that the court "must safeguard against any creation of negationist or revisionist records about what happened" under the Khmer Rouge. United Nations court spokesman Lars Olsen said yesterday that the tribunal did not need outside input in its judicial decision-making. "The court will continue to do its job independently according to the legal framework for the ECCC," he said. "That means also independent of civil society."  | ||
| Posted: 20 May 2011 02:20 AM PDT
Friday, 20 May 2011 Thomas Miller The Phnom Penh Post The European Union is "very concerned" about claims that trade preferences encouraging Cambodia to export sugar to the continent are fuelling land-grabbing, forced evictions and other human rights abuses, as a visiting EU parliamentarian spoke out about the issue. The "Everything but Arms" initiative abolishes tariffs and quotas for Cambodia and other low-income countries to export goods to the EU. Sugar exports are guaranteed at a minimum price. In September, NGOs called for a suspension of preferences for sugar, arguing that the expansion of plantations – nearly 90,000 hectares have been doled out in concessions for sugar over the past two years, primarily to firms connected to ruling party senator Ly Yong Phat – to take advantage of the European market were pushing thousands of Cambodians off their own land. Rafael Dochao-Moreno, chargé d'affairs for the EU mission in Phnom Penh, said yesterday the issue had been brought to the Cambodian government's attention on several occasions with no sign of progress. "We are very concerned on … all the allegations of abuses and allegations of land abuses by the use of force," he said. "The government of Cambodia promised that they will do an investigation on these allegations [during a meeting in October], and they will inform the European Union [of the results]. Unfortunately, for the moment, we have not received any information as to the result of this investigation." Dachao-Moreno said sugar exports had recently "increased a lot", though he did not have specific data on hand. Cecilia Wikström, an EU parliamentarian from Sweden, brought the debate to the fore this week when she met with affected communities in Kampong Speu and Koh Kong provinces and called for a suspension of preferences for sugar. Wikström said she would "never forget" the people she had met during her visit. She said she found it "devastating" to learn about the plight of families in Kampong Speu who had been displaced by an 8,343-hectare concession given to Phnom Penh Sugar Co, owned by Ly Yong Phat. "I think we need, in the European Parliament... to look into the details and the provisions put in place in the EBA concerning human rights. In my view, they have been violated," Wikström told The Post yesterday. "The EBA should be suspended when it comes to sugar and some other agricultural products." She said she had never before heard such a consistent story from so many different people: "How they are forcefully evicted from their houses. How police and military would come, how they were beaten up." "There is no doubt about that they have suffered," she said. The objectives of the EBA trade preferences include "the promotion of sustainable development and good governance in the developing countries", according to EU regulations. Preferences can be temporarily withdrawn if there are "serious and systematic violations" of international conventions on human and labour rights, the environment or good governance. Wikström said she would pursue the issue in parliament when she returns to the EU. Wikström met with Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, and raised her concerns over sugar plantations and rights abuses at Boeung Kak lake with several members of the National Assembly yesterday, including senior Cambodian People's Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap. Wikström said Cheam Yeap "not give me any promises whatsoever" when she requested an investigation into alleged human rights abuses. Cheam Yeap confirmed the topics of discussion during the meeting and said he shared documents related to land disputes involving Ly Yong Phat, but declined to comment in detail. Chheang Kimsruon, a representative for Phnom Penh Sugar and Kampong Speu Sugar Company, both of which belong to the senator, called allegations that the companies were involved in human rights abuses an "injustice against the company".  | ||
| Deadline Closes for Applications in War Crimes' Tribunal's Third Case Posted: 20 May 2011 02:11 AM PDT Robert Carmichael, VOA Phnom Penh Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Wednesday was the final day for victims of the Khmer Rouge to apply for civil party status in the court's much-criticized third case. But tribunal observers and victims' rights activists fear Case Three is on the verge of being shut down. Less than three weeks ago the investigating judges at the war crimes tribunal here announced they had closed their file in the court's third case against former senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge. Cambodian news media have identified the suspects in the case as two former high-ranking Khmer Rouge military officers. The tribunal is investigating crimes against humanity and genocide in the around two million Cambodian deaths from starvation, overwork and executions during the Khmer Rouge's reign between 1975 and 1979. The tribunal's third case is highly controversial, mainly because the Cambodian government has long said it will permit only the first two cases to proceed to trial. That raised a storm of criticism over allegations the government was meddling in what is meant to be an independent judicial process. The controversy has not stopped there. Recent comments by the international prosecutor Andrew Cayley indicate that the investigating judges' work in Case Three was deficient. Last week Cayley said Case Three needed much more work. "If you're asking me how much more investigation needs to be done, I would simply use the words "a significant amount" of investigation is still left to be done in that case," he said. The controversy in Case Three goes further still. The Khmer Rouge tribunal was the first of its kind to allow victims of specific crimes - known as civil parties - to participate. Nearly 100 people took part in Case One, and around 4,000 have registered for Case Two, in which the Khmer Rouge's four senior surviving leaders will be tried for genocide and other crimes. But the investigating judges did not release any information about Case Three, which meant people could not know whether the crimes under investigation affected them. Just over a week ago the international prosecutor Andrew Cayley published that information, a move that prompted the international investigating judge Siegfried Blunk to order Cayley to retract his statement, which also pointed out deficiencies in the investigating judges' casework. Blunk on Wednesday gave Cayley three days to comply, but has not specified what will happen if he fails to do meet that deadline. Clair Duffy is a tribunal monitor with the Open Society Justice Initiative, an organization funded by U.S. billionaire George Soros. She says Cayley was merely doing his job. "The international co-prosecutor's acted independently and carried out his legal duty in identifying major gaps in the Case Three investigation, and in seeking further investigative acts," she said. She says this episode could damage the tribunal. "The potential message of this kind of action is that those seeking to act independently of political will, and to act with integrity in the pursuit of justice will be laying themselves open to criminal sanction," she said. Wednesday marked the final day for civil party applications in Case Three. But the investigating judges' silence has meant very few people even know about the case. Around 300 managed to apply by the 4 p.m. deadline. Blunk's office has already rejected at least two, one of whom is New Zealand Olympic rower Rob Hamill. His brother Kerry Hamill was abducted by the Khmer Rouge from his yacht off the Cambodian coast in 1978, taken to S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, and tortured before being executed. Rob Hamill was a civil party in Case One, in which the former commandant of S-21 was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was also accepted as a civil party in Case Two. But the investigating judges turned him down for Case Three, a decision Hamill says is "incomprehensible and schizophrenic" given that one of those thought to be involved in Case Three was the head of the Khmer Rouge's navy.  | ||
| Lake Residents Seek Land Measurement Posted: 20 May 2011 02:04 AM PDT
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer Phnom Penh Thursday, 19 May 2011
Residents facing eviction in Phnom Penh's Boeung Kak lake development sent a request to the city on Thursday asking for the establishment of a commission to measure plots of land they think could solve the problem. The request comes amid increased pressure on authorities to resolve a standoff between a local developer and thousands of impoverished residents who refuse to make way for an extensive commercial and residential property project. Resident representative Tep Vanny told VOA Khmer on Friday the community had submitted a request asking for city authorities and the Ministry of Land Management's cadastre office to measure plots of land under a new compensation plan. Residents have reduced their demands for 15 hectares of land, set aside from the 133-hectare development, down to 10 hectares, said Ly Srey Mom, another village representative. Under that scheme, 744 plots of land would be established for 1,500 families, she said. "We detailed the completion of our land plots and sent this to the city," she said. "We want to talk with the city representatives and end land disputes that have taken place over four years with no resolution." The city has so far not responded to a May 9 request for a meeting, despite numerous protests by the residents, who say a buyout package from the developer, Shukaku, Inc., is too little. Last month, police clashed with resident protesters in front of city hall, injuring several and briefly detaining a number of them. Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema has already promised residents the city would measure land plots, but that has not yet taken place. Meanwhile, the World Bank, which was reprimanded by an internal investigation for failing to title the people living around the lake under a titling program, issued a statement this week calling on both parties to "reach a resolution." The bank said it had been assured the government was "taking a number of steps to improve resettlement processes more generally in Cambodia." Ly Srey Mom said the World Bank titling project had failed residents around the lake, so the bank now had a duty to support them, which would provide "transparency and justice."  | ||
| Rights Groups Push Tribunal for More Public Information Posted: 20 May 2011 01:48 AM PDT Reporters, VOA Khmer Phnom Penh & Washington Thursday, 19 May 2011
A consortium of rights and development organizations on Thursday urged the Khmer Rouge tribunal to release more information on two controversial cases opposed by the government, amid increased concerns the court will not complete its work. Twenty-four groups, including Adhoc, Licadho and the Cambodian Defenders Project, said in a statement they want a "full" release of information related to cases 003 and 004 in "the interest of the victims." The court has come under increased pressure in recent weeks to move forward on the two cases, which contain five more suspects for Khmer Rouge atrocity trials. The facts of the cases have been kept confidential, along with the names of suspects, making it difficult for civil parties to file specific grievances against them. Questions over those cases have created a rift in the court between the jurists who support further indictments, such as international prosecutor Andrew Cayley, and those who do not, such as his counterpart Chea Leang. Further complicating the proceedings is an order issued by the investigating judges of the tribunal requiring Cayley to retract a public statement that gave some details of the case and urged the judges to name and question the suspects in Case 003. The 24 groups said in their statement Thursday that recent developments "compound our grave concerns that the impartiality, integrity, and the independence of [tribunal] judges are being tainted." Information from the court has not been timely enough for proper victim participation, the groups wrote, pointing to a key mandate of the court: national reconciliation over the traumatic abuses wrought by the Khmer Rouge. Theary Seng, a US-Cambodian lawyer who has sought to be a complainant in Case 003, said Cayley had not violated court regulations by issuing his statement, which also included the names of some sites warranting further investigation. "But the co-investigating judges [have] abandoned their responsibilities to give information to the public," she said. Tribunal spokesman Dim Sovannarom said the investigating judges were "aware of [victims'] concerns and their need for information…but they have to respect their independent role and the confidentiality of the investigation." Prime Minister Hun Sen has repeatedly, publicly opposed indictments in cases 003 and 004, leading to outside concerns he had politicized decisions within the court. The controversy over Case 003 comes as the tribunal is moving toward the prosecution of Case 002, which would try jailed leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith for atrocity crimes, including genocide. The tribunal announced Wednesday the initial hearing in that trial would take place June 27. Despite the announcement, concerns remain over their likely punishment and the overall impact of the tribunal on justice and national reconciliation. And with none of the four suspects cooperating with the court, there are worries they may die before seeing their day in court. "For me, it's been too long now," said Sum Rithy, a 58-year-old survivor of a Khmer Rouge prison in Siem Reap, who has applied as a civil party in Case 002. "I worry that they can't be tried, that they'll die before the trial. I have always been concerned about this, but if the process were faster, I'd be happier, in the spirit of wishing to see justice." Chum Mey, an 81-year-old survivor of Tuol Sleng prison, said he was pleased to hear the initial hearing was set, but he worried the case would end in disappointment. He and other victims were unhappy with the sentencing of Tuol Sleng prison chief Duch, who received a commuted sentence of 19 years in the tribunal's first trial. "We worry that the younger generation will say, 'Hey, Duch killed a lot of people, but he didn't receive a life sentence, only 19 years,'" he said. This could lead the next generation into a "lawless" regime such as the Khmer Rouge, he said. Civil party complainant Chum Sirath said proceedings for Case 002 will be even harder than in Duch's trial, since the top leaders have not admitted any wrongdoing and have not cooperated with the court in the way Duch did. "If the trial does not bring the truth, we'll feel like there was no justice," Chun Sirath said. Dim Sovannarom said the court faced some obstacles, but by adhering to the legal process it would provide some sense of justice for victims. Case 002 has about 1,100 civil party complainants, chosen out of more than 2,000 original submissions. The total number who will be allowed to present evidence or act as witnesses in the trial has not been determined. Latt Ky, a tribunal monitor for the rights group Adhoc, said victims have so far been disappointed in the work of the court, especially some of its rules of confidentiality. "So neither the public nor the victims know the developments of each office, or what lawyers are doing to prepare strategies, or ideas, for finding them justice," he said.  | ||
| My Rights, My Responsibility (Constitution) Series Posted: 20 May 2011 01:46 AM PDT Cambodian Constitution (Sept. 1993) Article 141- New (previously Article 122 and as amended March 1999): After promulgation of any law, the King, the President of the Senate, the President of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, ?of members of Senate, 1/10 of members of National Assembly or the Courts may request the Constitutional Council to review the constitutionality of that law. Khmer Citizens shall have the right to appeal against the constitutionality of any law through their representative or President of National Assembly or member of the Senate or President of the Senate as mentioned in the above articles.  | ||
| Funcinpec Widow Files ACU Complaint for Lost Land Posted: 20 May 2011 01:42 AM PDT Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer Phnom Penh Wednesday, 18 May 2011
The wife of a royalist general who was killed in the 1997 coup has filed a complaint with the national Anti-Corruption Unit, saying a group of officials and judges conspired to sell her husband's land after he died. Chea Kim, the wife of Ho Sok, who was a Funcinpec secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior and a three-star general, says 29 government officials and six judges worked together to sell 13 hectares of land in Kandal province in 1998. Ho Sok and other Funcinpec generals and officials were either killed in fighting or executed during the two-day coup in July 1997, as then co-prime minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party seized power. In her May 6 complaint, obtained by VOA Khmer, Chea Kim states that the Supreme Court overturned a 2007 decision that awarded the land to her. Chea Kim names Yos Sokhourn, a Supreme Court judge, and five other judges, as conspirators in the alleged land theft. Yos Sokhourn said "no one" complained after the court decision and declared the case "over." "So now why does Ho Sok's wife file a complaint against us?" he said. Chea Kim also names as one of the conspirators Prak Savuth, a former Kandal deputy governor and the current chief of the provincial council. Contacted Wednesday, Prak Savuth declined to comment, saying he was in a private hospital for a medical check up. A police official with knowledge of the case, who requested anonymity, said Prak Savuth had "masterminded" a land grab after Ho Sok was shot in 1997. Another official accused in the case, Ieng Moly, a former information minister, said Wednesday he had legitimately bought the land eight years ago and subsequently sold it. He would consider a defamation suit against Chea Kim for accusing him of theft, he said. Officials at the Anti-Corruption Unit, which has made a number of arrests and at least one high-profile prosecution under new anti-corruption legislation, declined to comment or could not be reached Wednesday.  | ||
| Cecilia Wikstrom: I will bring Sam Rainsy back to Cambodia before the election Posted: 20 May 2011 01:36 AM PDT
20 May 2011 By Meas Mony Free Press Magazine Online Translated from Khmer by Soch Click here to read the article in Khmer Please help support independent Cambodian media by donating to the Free Press Magazine On Friday morning, EU MP Cecilia Wikstrom said during a press conference at the International Club of Journalists in Meanchey commune, Daun Penh district, that she will being opposition leader Sam Rainsy back to Cambodia soon, before the general election in Cambodia. Mrs. Wikstrom, speaking in the name of EU MPs, said it is certain that she will report to the EU Parliament on the progress of democracy in Cambodia. She added that during the campaign for the upcoming general election, opposition leader Sam Rainsy will be present in Cambodia. At the same time, Mrs. Wikstrom also expressed her concerns on human rights violations perpetrated by the Cambodian government, in particular regarding land-grabbing from the poor. She indicated that all these issues are the reasons why the EU Parliament should think about imposing pressure on the import tariff of Cambodian products – 90% of which consist of industrial products and the remaining 10% consisting of agricultural products – to the EU market, as well as the suspension of certain products, as a warning to Cambodia for its violation of human rights.  | ||
| On the Khmer Rouge crime in Cambodia's Northwest Posted: 20 May 2011 01:10 AM PDT MY IDEA Dear Sir I want to tell something to KI Media about Khmer Rouge. Everyday I have read KI Media I just see a lot news concerning about Cambodia and foreign but someday ago I am interesting about case 03-04. This case I am agree with the victim that have complaint on this case but for me I want you come to analyze in North-West region of Cambodia because this region where I had lived so I would you know here they governed different other region and I think that this location was the prison to kill people 17th April 1975. I would take one commune that I had lived name Chrap Pomsen commune Rukhakirie district before in Mongreussey District Battambong Province: The number People 17th April that they came the first time to live here 80 000 (1975) and until 1978 rest 3600 (One person or Angka talk me) and I don't account they killed after 1979 (from January to early April) more thousands young peoples came from East Region killed by Pol Pot here. Today everybody forget this event here, you has be know in this region get free after Khmer new year, during 3 month and half they had killed a lot a lot people. They 3 point interesting that you could investigate: 1- After 1979 M. Heng Teav nick name Ta Pet chief of North-West region (1975-1978) had worked with PPC was a Chief of Center Union now he was dead. 2- Find out the leader during 1978 to 1979 (April) this time they killed Vietnam and Kampuchea Krom people and after people from East Region and other. 3- Please investigate the governor of Battambang Province now he is a ex. Khmer Rouge leader (This information I get from somebody are working at Pailin Province). Why I want you follow up the leader of North-West Region because I think that in this region there are the correct leading plans. My first note, after 17th April they mobilized the city people to outside city during 3 month and pick up amount 90% to North-West. When they arrived Angka welcome them we seem it was good fact, before Angka distributed the food fully during 1week and the day to day Angka reduce until null and the young people started to dead 1 hundred to 2 hundred per day and the old people worked hard in field and started to dead a lot per day this event during 1975-1977 (people died may be 70% -80%). 1978 we eaten sufficing but they started execute people and at July 1978 people from East and South-West arrived but the state was normal. After 1979 end January the state was change they started execute (first time the daughter of Samdach Norodom Sihanouk was executed) and continue to apply on people from East especial young people. One point you could know in Cambodia government they are Vietnamese are Ex-TA now are the top rank (Secretary of State in Ministry of Finance and Economic and Min. of Defend, Under Secretary of State is in Ministry of the Interior and Defend and the rank chief department there are a lot in the police) in the force army Cambodia there are force Vietnamese. Excuse me when I write fault. May 17, 2011 R.A.  | ||
| Bulletin of the Union of Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Buddhist Students Posted: 20 May 2011 12:24 AM PDT | ||
| Watch what you tell others, it may come back to haunt you! Posted: 20 May 2011 12:14 AM PDT Kem Sokha said that "even if we cannot merge" the parties should not "color one another." ... "So you can join us." (sic!) Human Rights Party Plans for 2012 Election Im Sothearith, VOA Khmer Washington Wednesday, 18 May 2011 "We will create effective and efficient mechanisms, by providing services across the country to meet the needs and demands of local people." Leaders and supporters of the opposition Human Rights Party met in Philadelphia on Friday, marking the fourth anniversary of the party and planning for upcoming commune elections in 2012. In an interview with VOA Khmer after the meetings, party president Kem Sokha said the party will campaign next year on providing more public services to local communities and mitigating discrimination against people of different political beliefs. HRP officials will also seek to eliminate bribes for public services, he said. "We will create effective and efficient mechanisms, by providing services across the country to meet the needs and demands of local people," he said. "We will install computers and generators in all the communes led by [the Human Rights Party] to help speed up the processing of people's documents." More broadly speaking, Kem Sokha said Cambodia faces three main threats, what he called "foreign invasion," dictatorship and poverty. In national elections, scheduled for 2013, Kem Sokha said the party decided to focus on national integrity and reducing illegal immigration. Cambodia's current immigration law goes unheeded, due to "foreign influences" that his party is not influenced by, he said. The party would also like to amend the constitution and set a two-term limit on the office of prime minister. The Human Rights Party already practices such a term limit, he said. Meanwhile, party lawmakers will also seek better separation of the branches of government while also promoting the agricultural sector, he said. Education for the young is another priority, he said. "We will set up a loan system for those who want to go to university and make technical schools available for those who do not want to go to university, so that they have skills to work," he said. "These are only possible if corruption is eliminated. HRP has a strategy to eliminate corruption from the top. We aren't going to go the way the party in power has. Asset declaration must be made publicly, not in a closed envelope." The Human Rights Party currently holds three seats in the National Assembly, well behind the leading opposition Sam Rainsy Party, which has 26. However, party leader Sam Rainsy is facing a prison sentence at home and remains in self exile abroad, which observers note could present organizational and political difficulties for the party. Talk of alliance between the two opposition parties has surfaced occasionally since the last election, in 2008, but neither side has been able to fully agree with the other. Kem Sokha said that "even if we cannot merge" the parties should not "color one another." "I appeal to all people not to be hopeless," he said. "We are still able to work together, once we have set a democratic system. The HRP has been working on this and has implemented it. So you can join us."  | ||
| Man accused of distributing leaflets released by Takeo provincial court Posted: 19 May 2011 11:30 PM PDT  KI-Media was informed that Mr. Khemara (pictured above) who was arrested and jailed since 28 January 2011 under the charge of leaflets distribution, has been released by the Takeo provincial court. Congratulations to Mr. Khemara for recovering your freedom in yet another case of travesty of justice in the banana kingdom.  | ||
| Posted: 19 May 2011 11:22 PM PDT | ||
| Hope with Cambodian dance revival Posted: 19 May 2011 11:14 PM PDT
MARGARET TURTON The West Australian After seeing the Cambodian classical dance troupe perform in France in 1906, sculptor Auguste Rodin announced: "These Cambodian women have given us everything antiquity could hold. It's impossible to see human nature reaching such perfection." Seven decades later, Khmer Rouge dictator Pol Pot all but destroyed this ancient art form - eliminating dancers and musicians, along with tens of thousands of citizens who were led to the Killing Fields, later portrayed so graphically in the film of that name. After Pol Pot's demise, efforts by the daughter of former King Norodom Sihanouk saw this art form enjoy a huge revival. It had always been linked to the royal court, which in turn was strongly tied to the French. And if anything symbolises the twists and turns in the fortunes of Cambodia's French-built capital it must be Cambodian classical dance. Performances for the court were staged at the Chan Chaya Pavilion in the Royal Palace, and today no visit is complete without a palace tour. Here you can also see the Throne Hall - robbed of a number of treasures by the Khmer Rouge but still stunning. The same goes for the Silver Pagoda which managed to retain a floor paved with silver tiles - 5000 all up, each one weighing 1kg. The Silver Pagoda also holds a 90kg gold Buddha encrusted with 9584 diamonds. Wandering among the buildings of the Royal Palace, it's impossible to ignore a large grey-painted pavilion constructed in the French style with lace ironwork, which was shipped by Napoleon III in 1876. Occupying such a prominent position, it illustrates Cambodia's ties to France after King Norodom I - caught between the flexing muscle of neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam - signed a treaty of protection with France in 1863. Soon, Cambodia became a virtual colony and Phnom Penh, with its boulevards and gardens laid out by the French, is now considered the prettiest of all the French capitals of Indochina. The central-domed 1930s Deco-style New Market - great for gold and silver jewellery and souvenirs - also dates from the French era, as does the Hotel Le Royal (now Raffles Le Royal). This featured in River of Time, journalist Jon Swain's account of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge. At Le Royal today, the Elephant Bar remains a favourite haunt. Though displaying delicate Khmer-style architecture, the striking rusty red-coloured National Museum was also built by the French. This is Cambodia's leading historical and archaeological museum and its highlights include artefacts from the classical Angkorian period. There is also an enormous funerary urn used to store the body of King Sisowath, who was cremated in 1927. Two kings later, Norodom Sihanouk was congratulating himself Cambodia was no longer a French colony. But joy was short-lived as Cambodia was entangled in the Vietnam War. When that ended, the Khmer Rouge rushed in to the capital, filling a power void, and the king was effectively locked in his palace. Now, with peace restored and thanks to his daughter, Princess Bopha Devi, the dance that can be traced to the court of the Khmer Empire is again being taught. Importantly it's accessible to everyone who visits Phnom Penh. We saw it performed on the sundeck of our river cruiser by a talented troupe of schoolchildren, the Khmer Angels. It's unlikely they're aware of the French sculptor who praised their predecessors. They're busy moving on from an era when the Khmer Rouge all but destroyed Cambodia and its classical dance.  | ||
| Posted: 19 May 2011 11:06 PM PDT
20 May 2011 KI-Media Today, the Cambodia Daily reported that 318 victims of the KR regime filed for Case 003 which the Co-Investigating Judges (CIJs) of the KR Tribunal (KRT) seem to do everything they can to derail this case. Although the CIJs did not provide any information on Case 003 that would help the victims apply for this case, former KR navy commander Meas Muth and air force commander Sou Met would be implicated in this case. Out the 318 victims who have applied in Case 003, 178 of them have also applied for Case 004 in which three mid-level KR leaders are accused of criminal involvement, including genocide. One of the three mid-level KR leaders would be Im Chaem who is currently a defiant deputy commune chief in the KR stronghold of Anlong Veng district. Celine Trublin, Chief of mission of the legal aid group Avocats Sans Frontieres France (France Lawyers Without Borders) indicated that 176 of its clients who were already involved in Case 002 were willing to apply for Cases 003 and 004 as well. Hun Xen and Cambodian judicial officers at the KRT – who all belong to Hun Xen's CPP party – have expressed strong opposition to both Cases 003 and 004. Hun Xen's opposition to additional court cases is a clear interference on the judicial system. Opposition to these two cases by Cambodian judicial officers and by the connivance by certain International judge at the court clearly shows the current travesty of justice in Cambodia. It appears that after a certain length of stay in Cambodia, some of the International judges had allowed the corrupt Cambodian judicial mindset to soak into their body and drown their independent mind. Two of the first applicants to Case 003 saw their applications summarily rejected: human rights activists Theary Seng and New Zealander Rob Hamill whose brother, Kerry Hamill, was captured by the KR and later killed in S-21 jail. The handling of Cases 003 and 004 is a major embarrassment for the KRT and will leave an indelible black mark on the legacy of this institution.  | ||
| Posted: 19 May 2011 10:43 PM PDT Fri, 20 May 2011 AFP THE HAGUE — The UN's highest court is to have public hearings later this month after Cambodia requested an order against Thailand to withdraw its troops from a disputed border area, the court said yesterday. Locked in a bitter quarrel with Thailand over an patch of land around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, Cambodia late last month filed the urgent request before the International Court of Justice, based in The Hague. "The International Court of Justice will hold public hearings in the case," the ICJ said in a statement adding the hearings "will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures filed by Cambodia." "This means the hearing will focus specifically on Cambodia's urgent request for an order for Thai troop withdrawal," a source close to the court said. The hearings on May 30 and 31, will be in the form of oral submissions from both countries. The UN court ruled in 1962 the 11th-century Khmer temple belonged to Cambodia, but both Phnom Penh and Bangkok claim ownership of the 4.6-square-kilometre surrounding area. Cambodia last month asked the ICJ to explain that ruling, with the ICJ saying it would rule on a clarification at a later stage.  | ||
| Posted: 19 May 2011 10:12 PM PDT  US Army KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia – Angkor Sentinel 2011 officially began with an opening ceremony May 18 at the Training School for Multi-National Peace Keeping Forces, Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. The bulk of the ceremony centered on speeches from Brig. Gen. Michael Liechty, land component commander, Utah Army National Guard, and Lt. Gen. Sem Sovanny, director-general of the National Center for Peacekeeping Force, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. Sovanny said the "exercise is… focused on exchanging knowledge, respecting, loving, and unifying among other forces regardless of who we are, our languages, religions, cultures and traditions." In addition to RCAF and U.S. soldiers, personnel from other countries will be participating in Angkor Sentinel 11 as well, which will bring the tally of participants to more than 500 Soldiers. Brig. Gen. Un Siyoeun, director of the Training School for Multi-National Peacekeeping Forces, provided an overview of events and mentioned that there are 325 Cambodian, 167 U.S., two Indonesian, and six Mongolian soldiers participating in various aspects of the exercise. Angkor Sentinel 11 will consist of four parts, Siyoeun explained. A Command Post Exercise that focuses on U.N. mandates surrounding peacekeeping operations. An Engineer Civic Action Project, which started in March and has focused on building a new three-room school and renovating a dilapidated clinic in Kampong Speu Province. A Medical Civic Action Project will focus on medical and dental care for locals with projections of 600 to 800 patients per day, and first aid training to Cambodian forces working in non-medical specialties similar to the U.S. Army's Combat Lifesaver Course. There is also a Pre-Deployment Force Protection Course that will cover various lanes of theory and application in a peacekeeping setting, Siyoeun said. The speakers expressed how exercises like Angkor Sentinel 11 not only contribute to a regional peacekeeping training capability in Asia, but also provide opportunities for the soldiers of participating countries to build friendships. "I know of your long military relationship with the United States," Liechty said to the RCAF Soldiers in attendance at the opening ceremony. "I'm sure that the opportunity to work with the Utah National Guard has enhanced that relationship. This is an excellent opportunity for both militaries to build lasting and trusting relationships." Liechty went on to recognize peacekeeping efforts that the RCAF have performed in Sudan and Lebanon, and gave mention to the effectiveness of the RCAF's training on their own home front. He then summed up what training exercises such as Angkor Sentinel 11 are all about. "Having the opportunity to work side by side with the RCAF has without question made us all better soldiers," Liechty said. After all speeches were finished, the multinational group of troops were brought to attention and released to go and participate in a Friendship Luncheon hosted by Sovanny and the RCAF in which a variety of native delicacies were served and many cheers and toasts for positive outcomes for the future were expressed.  | ||
| Posted: 19 May 2011 10:02 PM PDT May 20, 2011 Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward to you the following press release from several civil society organisations of Cambodia. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong ------------- FORWARDED PRESS RELEASE AHRC-FPR-025-2011 A Press Release from several civil society organisations of Cambodia forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) CAMBODIA: Civil society expresses concern over recent developments in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, and urges the international community to speak out JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT -- Phnom Penh, 19 May 2011 We, the undersigned members of civil society, are deeply concerned over recent developments at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) in relation to the ongoing prosecution and investigations in Cases 003 and 004. We are concerned that the mandate of the court -- to bring to trial senior leaders and those most responsible for Khmer Rouge atrocities -- is at risk of not being genuinely carried out. We urge all stakeholders -- victims of Khmer Rouge atrocities, donors, the Cambodian government, and the United Nations -- to ensure that justice is done and is seen to be done by the ECCC. We urge all those concerned to ensure that the goal of the ECCC is carried out and the overall legacy of the ECCC is serving as a model for rule of law development in Cambodia. All ECCC judges -- whether Cambodian or international - are required to be persons of high moral character, to possess a spirit of impartiality and integrity, and to be fully independent in the performance of their functions. They are prohibited from accepting or seeking any instructions from any government or any other source. The ECCC's Co-Prosecutors are subject to the same standards. The recent developments at the ECCC pertaining to Cases 003 and 004 compounds our grave concerns that the impartiality, integrity, and the independence of ECCC judges are being tainted. Cambodians have a right to know what happened at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Within this "right to know" implies access to the truth about what happened during the Khmer Rouge era. One of the functions being fulfilled by the ECCC is to create an historical record about what happened. It is imperative that this record is as complete and accurate as possible. The ECCC must safeguard against any creation of negationist or revisionist records about what happened. Cambodians have a right to justice. This includes the right of victims to meaningful participation in the justice process -- at all stages of the proceedings. In order to effectively exercise this right, all Cambodians need access to publicly available information. Ample information can be provided to victims while safeguarding the rights of those alleged to have perpetrated Khmer Rouge atrocities according to the highest international standards. International Co-Prosecutor, Andrew Cayley, provided some basic factual information about Case 003 in his press statement of 9 May 2011. However, this information was not timely enough for civil society to effectively carry out its functions in respect of victim participation. Cambodian civil society urgently requires additional information and time in order to be able to effectively represent the interests of the Cambodian people in Cases 003 and 004. We, the undersigned, remain hopeful of the promise the ECCC holds in setting and maintaining standards for rule of law development in Cambodia. The rule of law, democracy, the principle of separation of powers and the independence and impartiality of judges are interconnected. For Cambodians, therefore, it is absolutely imperative that the ECCC -- a court within the domestic justice system, and applying both Cambodian and international law -- serves as a real role model for the future. We urge all concerned individuals and groups to take appropriate action to ensure that the Case 003 and 004 investigations are full and genuine; to ensure that an accurate historical record is created by the ECCC; to ensure that Cambodians have access to justice, and to the truth about Khmer Rouge atrocities; and to ensure that the right of victims to meaningful participation in the proceedings is effectively guaranteed. Below are the names of NGOs and Associations supporting the Joint Media Statement: 1. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association ("ADHOC") 2. Cambodian Defenders' Project ("CDP") 3. Khmer Institute of Democracy ("KID") 4. Khmer Youth Association ("KYA") 5. Cambodian Women in Crisis Center ("CWCC") 6. Legal Aid of Cambodia ("LAC") 7. Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility ("CARAM Cambodia") 8. Cambodian Center for Protection of Children's Rights ("CCPCR") 9. Cambodian Health and Human Rights Alliance ("CHHRA") 10. Cham Khmer Islam Human Rights and Development Association ("CKIMHRDA") 11. Mission of Generous Cambodian Alliance ("GENEROUS") 12. Human Rights Organization for Transparency and Peace ("HROTP") 13. Indradevi Association ("IDA") 14. Khmer Institute for National Development ("KIND") 15. Khmer Kampuchea Krom Human Rights Association ("KKKHRA") 16. Khmer Kampuchea Krom Human Rights and Development Association ("KKKHRDA") 17. People's Center for Development and Peace ("PDP") 18. Protection of Juvenile Justice ("PJJ") 19. Human Rights Vigilance of Cambodia ("VIGILANCE") 20. Center for Social Development ("CSD") 21. Center for Justice and Reconciliation ("CJR") 22. Building Voices of Community ("BCV") 23. Khmer Students Association ("KSA") 24. Cambodia Justice Initiative ("CJI") 25. Cambodian Center for Human Rights ("CCHR") 26. Youth for Peace ("YfP") 27. Youth Resource Development Program ("YRDP") 28. International Center for Conciliation-Cambodia ("ICfC") 29. Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights ("LICADHO") 30. Fine Arts Association ("FAA") 31. Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee ("CHRAC") 32. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia ("COMFREL") 33. Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia ("NICFEC")  | ||
| Did the RCAF put up a show for the US Army? Posted: 19 May 2011 09:56 PM PDT
Friday, May 20, 2011 Courtesy Story By Staff Sgt. Whitney Houston U.S. Army KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia – Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and U.S. Army engineers continue construction of a new school in Taing Sia Village, Kampong Speu Province May 16, as part of the Engineer Civic Action Projects of exercise Angkor Sentinel 11. Angkor Sentinel 11 is a peace support operations exercise co-sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and RCAF designed to improve military mission readiness and effectiveness of all participating countries. U.S. engineers of 544th Engineer. Company, 52nd Eng. Battalion, 555th Eng. Brigade, out of Fort Carson, Colo., have been in Cambodia since late March, often working around the clock to ensure the school is finished on schedule. "The advanced party got here on the 25th of March and the main body (of Soldiers) arrived on April 15, and we project to have the school finished no later than May 25," said Cpt. Margaret Maasberg, commander, 544th Eng. Co., 52nd Eng. Bn., 555th Eng. Bde. "We have currently put four welders on site from 6:00 in the evening to 6:30 in the morning to make sure that we meet our deadline." Maasberg explained that the new building will offer three classrooms capable of seating 60 students each, a new potable-water well, an onsite latrine, as well as a soccer field behind the building. Working together on construction projects like the Taing Sia School has given both RCAF and U.S. Soldiers valuable experience and has provided a venue for sharing their construction techniques with each other. "The Cambodian soldiers' ingenuity has been really useful to the project," said Staff Sgt. Floyd Wheetley, project supervisor, 544th Eng. Co. He said his Soldiers are going to take home a lot of new techniques and that he feels they have also taught the RCAF engineers a lot about safety measures and technology. Construction of a new school in the Taing Sia Village has proven to be meaningful to the local community as there has not been an adequate school in that area for more than 30 years. "I am very pleased to work with the U.S. Army, especially in the construction of a school," said Col. Chancheat Huot, RCAF construction supervisor of the ENCAP. "The people around here are very appreciative because they haven't had a school here since the civil war." The soldiers working on the school say they have felt appreciation for their work from the people living in the area, said Huot. "It's very humbling when you're driving to the project site every day and the villagers are excited to see you," said Maasberg. "I think this is of great significance. (The people) are all very excited, supportive, and very eager to get into the school and start teaching." In addition to building the school, the engineers renovated the dilapidated Domnak Chan Health Clinic in Trapaing Antong Village, also located in Kampong Speu Province. Renovations included a new roof, a potable water system, solar panels to power the clinic and a fresh coat of paint.  |
| 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 | |
