KI Media: “French MP calls for respect of Paris Agreements in order to stop totalitarian drift” plus 24 more

French MP calls for respect of Paris Agreements in order to stop totalitarian drift

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 07:43 PM PDT

2 July 2011

FRENCH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR THE RESPECT FOR THE 1991 PARIS AGREEMENTS ON CAMBODIA IN ORDER TO STOP A TOTALITARIAN DRIFT

The Sam Rainsy Party publishes on this 2nd July 2011, the day of the arrival in Cambodia for an official visit of French Prime Minister François Fillon, a question in writing asked by French Member of Parliament André Vallini to his Government in which he calls for his country to push for the respect for the 1991 Paris Agreements on Cambodia so as to ensure "a true democratization process" in this country.

« Question in writing to Mr. Alain Juppé, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs

Mr. André Vallini [National Assembly member from the French Socialist Party representing the Isère constituency] draws the attention of the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs to the political situation in Cambodia, and notably to the fate reserved for the opposition leader stripped of his parliamentary seat [Sam Rainsy].

In January 2010, that Member of Parliament was sentenced to two years in jail for destruction of public goods and racial incitement for having pulled out a border post in 2009 as an act of protest against border demarcation works with Vietnam. In September 2010, he was sentenced to another ten years in prison by the Phnom Penh municipal court in connection with the same issue of border demarcation with Vietnam.

France has not missed any opportunity to express her concern in the face of repetitive defamation lawsuits aimed at lifting the immunity of opposition Members of Parliament.

The democratic transition that started from 1991, following the Paris Agreements, appears to be stalled in a country continuously denounced for its unfair election system and its violations of human rights. The respect for the freedom of expression and human rights must be at the center of this democratic construction. Therefore, all acts of intimidation from the Cambodian government against opposition forces must stop.

As a result, Mr. André Vallini asks Foreign Minister Alain Juppé to elaborate on the measures that France would take in order to ensure the respect for the 1991 Paris Agreements which guarantee a true democratization process in Cambodia.

Tullins-Fures, 27 May 2011 »

______________

Le 2 juillet 2010

UN DÉPUTÉ FRANÇAIS DEMANDE LE RESPECT DES ACCORDS DE PARIS DE 1991 SUR LE CAMBODGE POUR ARRÊTER LA DÉRIVE TOTALITAIRE

Le Parti Sam Rainsy publie en ce 2 juillet 2011, jour de l'arrivée du Premier Ministre français François Fillon au Cambodge pour une visite officielle, une question écrite du Député français André Vallini à son Gouvernement dans laquelle il demande à son pays de veiller au respect des Accords de Paris de 1991 sur le Cambodge afin d'assurer "un véritable processus de démocratisation" dans ce pays.

« Question écrite adressée à M. Alain Juppé, ministre d'Etat, ministre des Affaires étrangères et européennes

M. André Vallini [Député socialiste de l'Isère, Président du Conseil général] attire l'attention de M. le ministre d'Etat, ministre des Affaires étrangères et européennes, sur la situation politique au Cambodge et notamment sur le sort réservé au dirigeant de l'opposition déchu de son mandat de député [Sam Rainsy].

En janvier 2010, ce parlementaire a été condamné à deux ans de prison pour destruction de biens publics et incitation à la haine raciale pour avoir enlevé en 2009 une borne frontalière en signe de protestation contre les travaux de démarcation de la frontière avec le Vietnam. En septembre 2010, il a été condamné à dix ans de prison supplémentaire par la Cour municipale de Phnom Penh dans l'affaire de la démarcation de la frontière avec le Vietnam.

La France n'a pas manqué de manifester sa préoccupation face à la récurrence des poursuites pour diffamation visant à la levée de l'immunité de députés de l'opposition.

La transition démocratique amorcée à partir de 1991, suite aux Accords de Paris, semble marquer le pas dans un pays régulièrement dénoncé pour son système électoral peu équitable et ses atteintes aux droits de l'Homme. Le respect de la liberté d'expression et des droits de l'Homme doit être au centre de cette construction démocratique. Il faut donc que les actions d'intimidation du gouvernement cambodgien à l'encontre des forces d'opposition cessent.

En conséquence il [André Vallini] lui [au ministre] demande de bien vouloir lui indiquer les mesures que la France entend prendre pour veiller au respect des Accords de Paris de 1991 qui garantissent un véritable processus de démocratisation au Cambodge.

Tullins-Fures le 27 mai 2011 »

Srorb Chhab? - "Legit?" - Poem in Khmer by Kaun Neak Sre

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 04:17 PM PDT

COMFREL Release the Result of Workshop on Voter's Voice in Remote area; Dambouk Roung, Phnom Srouch, Kampong Speu

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 03:13 PM PDT

Dear all,

COMFREL is please to release its press release on the result of workshop on voter's voice in remote areas; Dambouk Roung, Phnom Srouch, Kampong Speu was held on June 23, 2011.

Please see the attached document for details.

FYI : If you need releases or articles related to workshop on voter's voices, elections reforms, democracy/political reforms, decentralisation and governance, please feel free to visit our website : www.comfrel.org

Best regards,

COMFREL

Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia

Head Office : # 138, Street 122, Sangkat Teuk La ak, Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

P.O.Box 1145, CCC Box 439

Phone : (855-23) 884 150

Fax : (855-23) 883 750

E-mail : comfrel@online.com.kh

Website : www.comfrel.org

COMFREL Vision : A democratic society that democratization in particular democratic elections are promoted and qualified to bring benefits to people.

http://www.box.net/shared/0rex12vcd5kfdafemk6p

French PM’s view of Cambodia

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 09:18 AM PDT

French Prime Minister Francois Fillion. (Photo by: BENOIT GRANIER/MATIGNON)

Friday, 01 July 2011
Uong Ratana
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia has built democratic institutions of which it can be proud. It needs to make sure that these institutions benefit all. (sic! et merde alors!)

French Prime Minister Francois Fillion is set to begin his official visit to Cambodia tomorrow. During his two-day trip he is due to attend an event to mark the completion of the restoration of Baphuon Temple, in Siem Reap, and meet Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni and King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, according to Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In anticipation of his visit, the French PM answered questions emailed to him by The Phnom Penh Post in what is set to be his only interview with Cambodia's local press.

What is the purpose of your visit to Cambodia?

My last visit to Cambodia, this country with which France has such close ties, dates back to 1994. At that time, Cambodia was only just starting to get back on its feet and France wanted to give the country its full support in this new phase in its history. I came as Minister for Higher Education and Research, among other things, to sign a cooperation agreement to officially reopen the French School of Asian Studies, the EFEO.

Seventeen years later, I am here to see just how far Cambodia has come, especially in terms of development: through its own endeavours, but also with the support of partners and friends such as France. Following 15 years of joint restoration work by Cambodia and France, the ceremony presided over by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni for the official opening of Baphuon, one of the main temples of Angkor, will be highly symbolic from this point of view.

What are France's aims in South-East Asia, especially in terms of political and trade links?

We see South-East Asia as a major growth centre in Asia, just like China and India. History has given us a particularly close friendship with certain countries in the region, first and foremost Cambodia. Yet we hope to develop our political dialogue and our economic relations with all the countries in the region. That is precisely the purpose of the strategic partnership agreement with Indonesia adopted in Jakarta on July 1.

In addition, France's action is inextricably linked with the European Union's action, especially in trade. With our European partners and the European Commission, we are supporting the move to gear up ASEAN, especially in its political and regional mediation role.

We are also hoping to develop economic partnership agreements with ASEAN and its members.

France historically has an important cultural influence in Cambodia. How can France maintain and strengthen its cultural bonds with Cambodia as the country is modernising?

Cambodia is a culturally rich country. Angkor is probably the most well-known example of this. France will continue to help Cambodia to safeguard and restore its heritage, as it has with Baphuon. The country also has a deep-rooted culture and popular traditions.

France has been helping Cambodia rebuild this popular heritage through the French Cultural Centre, now known as l'Institut français (the French Institute). For example, the Lakhaon Festival held since 2007 has revived the 21 forms of traditional Cambodian theatre. L'Institut français also supports young Cambodian artists by means of training and promotional actions.

Another good example is our audiovisual cooperation with its cutting-edge resources. In particular, there is the work by the Bophana Centre, founded by filmmaker Rithy Panh. We contributed to the creation of this centre and we continue to support it. Then there is the Cambodia Film Commission, which promotes the development of film production and was also set up with support from France.

What does French aid represent in Cambodia? Is France under a particular obligation to support the development of its former colonies?

The bonds between France and Cambodia run deeper than the protectorate era, which ended over 50 years ago, although this era has left its legacy in the form of Cambodia's involvement in the Francophonie, a shared goal to preserve Khmer cultural heritage and many human bonds. But I would use the term solidarity rather than obligation.

In addition to our efforts to bring peace back to Cambodia with the 1991 Paris Agreements, this solidarity has taken the form of substantial aid since the early 1990s. Both the French government and French civil society have put a great deal into reconstructing the country, training personnel, especially in healthcare, and assisting the populations, speaking of which French NGOs are still highly active on the ground.

Today, our bilateral and multilateral aid to Cambodia totals some 25 million euros per year. And this aid is changing as Cambodia itself changes.

We have together defined the pillars for a new partnership: encourage private investment, finance infrastructure development and support job creations by setting up vocational training centres in textiles and tourism for example. Such are our priorities for the coming years.

Can we look forward to growth in French business operations in Cambodia in the coming year?

Air France has resumed flights to Cambodia after 37 years, and the Accor group has just opened a new hotel in Phnom Penh. Other projects are in the pipeline.

Many French SMEs do business with Cambodia and I asked a number of business heads to accompany me on this visit. This momentum needs to be driven forward by the consolidation of a business-friendly environment, farther reaching than just a legal framework.

What role does France, as a former colonial power, intend to play in solving the Cambodian-Thai dispute?

France is obviously watching these tensions, as they are a concern for us and I know what the area means to Cambodia. We have friendly relations with both countries.

We hope that through dialogue and compliance with international law, Cambodia and Thailand can reach a peaceful and definitive solution to these ongoing problems. We have confidence in the efforts of Indonesia, as Chair of ASEAN.

For our part, we will continue to make all the maps and relevant documents available to all parties.

What is the French government's opinion of the violations of human rights reported in Cambodia, especially land rights and the freedom of speech? Will these violations affect your political relations with Cambodia or the aid provided to the country?

I believe, first of all, we should think about the situation Cambodia was in following the trauma inflicted by the Khmer Rouge regime.

I must say that a huge amount of progress has been made since the Paris Agreements, enabling all Cambodians to live in peace and security today. Having visited the country in 1994, I realise what this progress means to the majority of Cambodians. And then, I must commend Cambodia as one of the rare few countries in Asia to have abolished the death sentence.

There is no doubt still a way to go. Cambodia has built democratic institutions of which it can be proud. It needs to make sure that these institutions benefit all. Independence and integrity of the legal institution and the right of expression granted to the opposition and civil society are vital elements in this. The land issue you mention is also important.

In order to continue progressing with human rights, I think there should be more dialogue between Cambodia's government, civil society and international partners.

This is the spirit in which we are proceeding with our cooperation, bilaterally and via the European Union, to support this dialogue and strengthen the legal tool, which is precisely the instrument that should be used to settle conflicts over freedoms and rights.

Lastly, there is evidence to suggest that the investigating judges in the Khmer Rouge tribunal have deliberately failed to investigate Case 003. Is France concerned about the possible repercussions for the court's legacy?

France supports the court, and has done so since its creation, in the name of the duty of justice and remembrance, and because this court is a vital element of the national reconstruction process launched with the Paris Agreements. We have provided more than 7 million euros in financial support to the court since 2005.

I hope that the trial of Case No. 2, which has just started, will be conducted with total impartiality and with respect for all the parties.

This trial is vital, because it concerns the four highest-ranking former Khmer Rouge leaders and because it will foster acknowledgment of the facts and the truth. The smooth running of this trial will further the credibility of the court and, circumstantial controversies aside, the cause of justice.

Thailand, Cambodia to join cluster bomb ban treaty

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 08:34 AM PDT

July 1, 2011

GENEVA (AFP) - Cambodia and Thailand, which were recently embroiled in a border spat during which cluster bombs were allegedly used, have announced plans to ratify the treaty that bans such weapons, activists said Friday.

The countries announced their intentions to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions during a four-day meeting in Geneva which brought together more than 80 states, as well as representatives of civil society, UN aid agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"This last week, most notably, both Thailand and Cambodia indicated their intention to join in the near future," said Steve Goose, who is from the Cluster Munition Coalition which groups over 350 non-governmental groups.

"This is significant and somewhat remarkable in that early this year Thailand was firing cluster munitions in Cambodia in their border dispute," added Goose.

This week's meeting in Geneva also heard delegations, including those of Australia, Britain, Mexico, New Zealand and Norway, condemn the use of such weapons in the ongoing Libyan conflict.

"We have a lot of countries who were condemning the use of these weapons especially by Libya ... including and most notably Spain who has provided those cluster munitions to Libya back to 2008," said Goose.

Some 109 countries have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which entered into force on August 1 last year, and which requires signatories to stop the use, production and transfer of the deadly weapons.

Cluster munitions split open before impact and scatter multiple -- often hundreds -- of smaller submunitions, or plastic bomblets, the size and shape of a tennis ball or a table lighter over a wide area.

Many of them fail to explode immediately and can lie hidden for years, killing and maiming civilians, including children, even decades after the original conflict is over in countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

However, China, Israel, Russia and the United States are among countries that have not signed the convention.

Those powers are thought to hoard and manufacture the bulk of the munitions, although the data is secret.

Border issue won't derail polls [:Abhisit and Udomdej Sitabutr]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 08:32 AM PDT

29/06/2011
Bangkok Post

The general election will definitely go ahead this Sunday and the long-running border dispute with Cambodia and Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Covention will not derail it, the prime minister and army chiefs reaffirmed on Wednesday.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, the caretaker prime minister, said the border conflict with Cambodia is not a factor that could derail in the July 3 election.

He was speaking campaigning in Samut Sakhon on Wednesday morning, responding reported comments by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, that Thailand would launch an attack across the border into Cambodia and then use the border conflict as a reason to cancel the election.

Mr Abhisit said he did not worry about the border situation because he was confident the Thai military was ready to protect the country.

He said there was no reason for Thai forces to clash with Cambodian soldiers and the election would definitely not be cancelled.

However, he admitted that polling in certain localities could still be postponed for other reasons, but did not explain further.

Hun Sen should not be trying to interfere in Thai politics, he said.

Army Region 1 commander Udomdej Sitabutr took the same tone, insisting that forces under the command of army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha were certain to remain neutral and to fully support the July 3 election.

Lt-Gen Udomdej said he believed that at this stage nobody could derail the election and all, or nearly all, soldiers would go to the polls to cast their individual ballots.

"We have told all army personnel that they have the right to vote for any candidate or party of their choice. What is of high importance is that the monarchy must be safeguarded," he said.

The Army Region 1 commander denied that soldiers had been lobbied to vote for a certain party.

"What we are doing is urging as many as soldiers as possible to exercise their voting right," he said.

Lt-Gen Udomdej expressed concern over possible violence during the last stages of campaigning.

As a preventive measure, Internal Security Operations Command intelligence units have been collecting information and Isoc would inform police if anything suspicious was detected, he said.

He stated that the border dispute has nothing to do with the July 3 election and that the polls will take place as planned.

He also insisted that Thailand has no plan to launch an attack on Cambodia.

"The army chief has made it a clear-cut policy that Thailand will not invade any country first, but if our country is invaded, the armed forces are ready to protect it," Lt-Gen Udomdej said.

The commander of Army Region 1 said Cambodia had reinforced its infantry along the Thai-Cambodian border but not by many, and the reinforcements had no effect on the Thai armed forces.

He said border trade in Sa Kaew province continues as usual.

Army Region 2 commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon said no troop reinforcements have been sent to the border with Cambodia, there had been only routine rotation of units.

The 2nd Army Region is responsible for the Northeast down to Prachin Buri which is in the 1st Army Region. The 2nd Army's area includes Preah Vihear.

Suwit: Thailand will rejoin WHC if... [-Suwit must be day dreaming before the election]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 08:27 AM PDT

1/07/2011
Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post

Unesco's request that Thailand reverse its decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention can be complied with only if Preah Vihear's listing as a world heritage site is temporarily withdrawn, until there is a clear agreement on the demarcation of the border in the immediate area, caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said on Friday.

Mr Suwit announced Thailand's withdrawal and then walked out of a World Heritage Convention (WHC) committee meeting in Paris last week.

The dispute centres on Cambodia's proposed management plan for the temple and the land immediately adjoining it. Bangkok and Phnom Penh both claim sovreignty over 4.6 square kilometres of borderland surrounding three sides of the old Hindu religious ruin, which sits on the end of a promontory.

He said Unesco (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) should show its sincerity by carefully considering to the fact that the problem occurred due to the committee's poor understanding of the sensitive border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

This dispute needs to be solved first, at the root level, he said.

That means that Unesco should support all means that would bring the two countries together to complete the border's demarcation.

"Firstly, Unesco must be neutral, not take sides with either Thailand or Cambodia.

"We are ready to renew our membership on the condition that we will not lose a single inch of land to Cambodia," Mr Suwit said.

"Regarding with the border conflict, I think Unesco should delist Preah Vihear temple and allow the two countries to discuss demarcation of the land," Mr Suwit said.

The next government should set up a special team to deal with the Preah Vihear issue, otherwise it would have a high chance of being disadvantaged, as the issue is very sensitive and requires an expert team to take care of it, Mr Suwit said.

Mr Suwit, the Social Action Party leader, was speaking at a press conference.

He said it was called to clear up people's doubts over his decision to withdraw Thailand from membership of Unesco's World Heritage Convention during the 35th session of Unesco's General Conference in Paris last month.

There has been criticism that the withdrawal would deny Thailand the opportunity to defend its territory around Preah Vihear in the Unesco forum and that the decision was premature.

"At that minute, people who love the motherland would have done the same thing that I did," Mr Suwit declared.

"I don't want to repeat the tragedy of 1962, which we lost our right to Preah Vihear temple. I don't want to see any tears from Thai people," he said.

Mr Suwit decided to withdraw after the WHC failed to respond to Thailand's request not to mention a sensitive part of a draft decision made by the WHC.

The Unesco director-general has asked that Bangkok reconsider the decision.

Before the walkout, the WHC suggested both Thailand and Cambodia agree to a draft decision over the ancient temple submitted for the World Heritage Committees' consideration. They failed to do so.

Finally, the WHC decided to prepare a draft decision for the two countries' approval before further submissions were made.

The proposed draft includes the clause the WHC "acknowledges the good will of the parties and reaffirms the need to ensure, in accordance with the operational guidelines, the protection and conservation of the property from any damage".

Thailand would like to delete the paragraph, saying that it would lead to Thailand losing territory because the operational guidelines would allow the world heritage centre to go ahed with activities to protect and preserve the world heritage site, including sending expert teams to prepare the temple site and granting financial support.

"If we had agreed to the draft, it might be worse than the Preah Vihear temple management plan proposed by Cambodia," Mr Suwit said.

"Outsiders would be free to do anything on Thai territory under the protection of the World Heritage Convention," he added.

'Revoke Preah Vihear as World Heritage Site': Suwit [-Dream on, Suwit!]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 08:20 AM PDT

July 1, 2011
The Nation

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti has called on the World Heritage Committee to revoke the registration of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site in a bid to resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

"The World Heritage Committee should review its standpoint over the process to approve the registration of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site," he told senior officials of his ministry.

Suwit has shown a draft decision of the 35th World Heritage Committee meeting and a 3D model of Preah Vihear Temple and its compound to the press.

Khmer Rouge Tribunal Begins in Cambodia

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 08:17 AM PDT

http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2011-07-01/khmer-rouge-tribunal-begins-in-cambodia.html

The Sycophant Prince? [-Le Prince Lèche-cul?]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 01:56 AM PDT

Open letter of Sam Rainsy Party senator

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 01:28 AM PDT

Unofficial translation

Open letter of Sam Rainsy Party senator

Sam Rainsy Party senator, Acting President of Sam Rainsy Party, Kong Korm, who was former central committee member of Cambodian People Party and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Cambodia pre-1993, would like to confirm to national and international public opinion that the currently ruling Cambodian People Party is the political party belonging to Vietnam, by Vietnam, for Vietnam since 1951 and continues to obey openly Ho Chiminh as an official great leader post-7 January 1979 .

That is why within 60 years (1951-2011) or 32 years (1979-2011) up to now, the communist Vietnam and its instrument Khmer Revolutionary People Party have disturbed and destroyed Cambodian neutrality of Samdech Norodom Sihanouk and taken victory over Khmer Republic of Lonol and finally send aggressive, occupied, dominated army to overrun Cambodia and installed Cambodian People Party power of 7 January, which is unconditional honest about Cambodia-Vietnam friendship and permanent cooperation following the unlimited ambitions and interest of Vietnam.

Nowadays, the over three decades never changing composition of Cambodian People Party government has almost all received the training from Vietnam for the conditions of the party member «Drink water should miss the source, take shelter should miss the planter» being Vietnam and Ho Chiminh that gave second birth and help to revive as at present.

The Paris agreement, with several signatory countries, guaranteed independence, integrity, sovereignty, human rights respect and guaranteed the existent conditions of pluralism, liberal, democratic regime for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Cambodia with huge and continual aid.

Cambodian People Party which killed deliberately the consciousness of Paris agreement has continued to re-implement the resolution of the 9th Cambodian People Party plenum of 9 September 1989 for total and final success to revolutionaries or for not allowing power of 7 January be successively, decisively reversible.

In conclusion, successively Cambodian People Party negotiated in order to destroy the negotiation, agreed in order to destroy the agreement, elected in order to destroy the election, reunited in order to destroy the reuniting, as the way to maintain persistently, firmly the power of 7 January.

In 1997, March military measure was used on Khmer Nation Party (Sam Rainsy) following a 4 grenades attack aiming to kill opposition Sam Rainsy Party leader causing peaceful and legal demonstrators about 20 dead and about 200 injured. In July second Prime Minister staged a military coup seizing power from First Prime Minister in arresting and killing cruelly out judicial system many army officers close to First Prime Minister.

Served properly and irrevocably «not losing power» CPP-dominated National Assembly which turned to make law and to use the court to lift parliamentary immunity from opposition MPs and to restrict freedom of expression of the people for another new stage.

Opposition political party and civil society groups are the wanted restriction, U.N institutions in Cambodia are the targets of withdrawal and shutdown. The scope and jurisdiction of KRT have been borne seriously by the political pressure of a number ruling leaders' position, whose names are involved in the investigation dossiers as stated and informed the U.N secretary General that satisfying the failure justice than the accused powerful leaders and the possible author of new war are guilty.

Expected conscientious attorney general, inquiry judge and international officials of the KRT send strong message to the international criminal court as possible done.

The very long time ruling CPP and the strong powerful Prime Minister Hun Sen who, don't rely on perfect reason but depend on Vietnamese Prime Minister displeasure, has taken one's mind and sought plan «not only to weaken SRP but to kill it definitively» for the gloomy ambitions and acts belonging to Vietnam, by Vietnam and for Vietnam have no longer obstacle forever.

As good fate of Cambodia and Cambodian people the international circle, primarily E.U. parliament, Inter-Parliament Union, International criminal court in particular the widespread Cambodian people have vowed decisively to help SRP and president Sam Rainsy that are political forces belonging to Khmer, by Khmer for Khmer to achieve the change in Cambodia and to serve Cambodian people to have promptly and genuinely all kind of better condition more than the present one.

SRP uses law and international competences to solve peacefully problems of border with neighboring countries, to solve land conflicts in keeping mainly interests of the people, uses international aid and struggles effectively against corruptions.

SRP has will and ability to carry out good governance in particular plan of agriculture, health care and good employment that every Cambodian people, women, men, old, young aspire them.

May the loving peace, democracy, justice forces reunite courageously and decisively in the historical sacrifices for the change of Cambodia in Khmer nation fate in the future.

Phnom Penh, June 28, 2011

Signed

Kong Korm

Senator

Acting President

Sam Rainsy Party 

For 60 Anniversary Day of VN-CPP

More confrontation is inevitable [...in Thailand]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 01:23 AM PDT

July 1, 2011
By Thanong Khanthong
The Nation

On the surface, Sunday's election pits the ruling Democrat Party against the Pheu Thai Party.

Yingluck Shinawatra, who heads Pheu Thai, is poised to win the election. Most of the polls suggest so. The question is how big the Pheu Thai's margin of victory wil be. If Pheu Thai were to win an outright majority of the total 500 seats up for grabs, Yingluck would become Thailand's first female prime minister. Pheu Thai has been bragging that it can win 270 seats.

But if Pheu Thai can muster only 220-230 MPs, then the situation will become interesting. The Democrats will fight to hang on to power. The Democrats might garner 170 MPs in this election. Both Pheu Thai and Democrats will be locking horns to win support from the smaller parties such as Chart Pattana Pheu Pandin and Chart Thai Pattana. Yingluck has made it clear that Pheu Thai will not bring in the Bhum Jai Thai Party in any coalition government.

It could become a see-saw battle. The stalemate could drag on for two weeks or more if neither Pheu Thai nor the Democrats can win over the smaller parties to form a possible coalition government. In this scenario, the red shirts, who are waiting in the wings, will make their presence felt again on the streets. They have made it clear that they will not give in if Pheu Thai cannot form the new government.

The red shirts have twice resorted to violence in attempts to bring down the Abhisit government, the first time in 2009 at the Asean Summit and the second time in April and May of 2010 at Rajadamnoen and Rattchaprasong. They lost badly then. But the red shirts will come out again for a third time. If the scenario plays out this way, government troops and the red shirts, also backed up by the police and military factions, are likely to head into a collision course once again for a decisive battle.

As a matter of fact, the July 3 election is only a sideshow to a gigantic political machine, carefully crafted over the past six years, to overthrow the Thai establishment. The danger is clear and present. Thailand could possibly face a revolution under the pseudo names of "freedom" and "democracy". The force at work is probably trying to model itself after the "Arab Spring", the revolutionary wave of anti-regime demonstrations that has been taking place in the Middle East and north Africa since December last year.

In politics, perception is often more important than reality. Ten days before the Sunday election, WikiLeaks' cables on Thailand were spread on the Internet followed by a series of juxtaposed writings aimed at undermining the Thai monarchy. The timing of the leak was carefully orchestrated with other events to show the world that Thailand is a backward country ruled by an elite class that has no respect for freedom and democracy.

Over the weekend, Suwit Khunkitti, head of the Thai delegation, decided to withdraw Thailand from Unesco's World Heritage Convention. It was apparent that Thailand could lose territory if Cambodia succeeds with its proposed management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple along the Thai-Cambodian border. The World Heritage Convention has pushed hard on behalf of Cambodia. Immediately, tension at the border between Thailand and Cambodia escalated. Earlier this year, there were clashes involving troops from both countries. The Thai government, once again, lost out in international public opinion as the Cambodian propaganda machine cast the country in a negative light.

All of a sudden, Thaksin Shinawatra has been showing up on all the major global television networks to claim innocence over his alleged wrongdoings in Thailand. He has vowed to return to Thailand later this year. This can only mean that an amnesty plan must be passed first before his return.

Inside the country, the division is deepening, with reports of "red villages" in the Northeast. As Thailand heads to the polling booths, it is clear that the post-election scenario will be far from smooth. Having won over the global public arena, the political machine now plays two cards - Pheu Thai on the parliamentary course and the red shirts, again backed by the police and military factions, on the streets. In this case, another bloody confrontation is inevitable.

Thailand is a regional hub for human misery

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 01:19 AM PDT

July 1, 2011
The Nation
Editorial

The authorities must do more to stop human trafficking and the mistreatment of labourers in fishing and other low-paid industries

Thailand is the regional hub for human trafficking. It is a source and transit venue because of its central location in continental Southeast Asia and because it is surrounded by neighbouring countries with a lower level of economic development. For decades, migrant workers from these countries have risked their lives to get to Thailand in search of better living conditions and wages. However, of late, the human trafficking problem in this part of the world has changed. We are now seeing forced labour being smuggled in from countries as far away as Fiji and Uzbekistan.

The worst aspects of modern human trafficking can be found in the Thai fishing fleet, where conditions can easily be described as modern slavery. Thai trawler-owners are generally inhumane and should be put on trial for the illegal practices they regularly get away with.

The US State Department recently issued a report on the state of global human trafficking, and it still lists Thailand in the tier two category along with many other countries in the region including Afghanistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and China. The category also includes Argentina, Zambia and Russia.

But this year's report also gave a fair assessment of Thailand's effort in preventing human trafficking and protecting migrant workers. The report detailed the country's legislation and the performance of governmental offices. Two of the biggest problems remain issues related to corruption and weak law enforcement. As such, it is not surprising that those behind human smuggling from Burma, Cambodia and Laos, and the transit of human cargoes to foreign destinations near and far, continue to get away with their crimes over and over again. They must be punished and jailed.

The Abhisit government has been trying hard to cope with this issue as part of its overall stated policy of respect for human rights and human dignity. But somehow the concerned authorities are not cooperating. For instance, the inhumane treatment of Burmese and Cambodian workers employed in the Thai fishing industry, as detailed by the US report, should be thoroughly investigated by Thai authorities. These are serious crimes that tarnish Thailand's image. Quite often we hear stories of how workers on fishing vessels are thrown into the sea or left to die of hunger locked inside trawlers, where nobody can find them. Thai trawler operators who engage in such heinous treatment of foreign migrant labourers must be prosecuted without leniency because they have knowingly killed many helpless workers. Some of these owners are well-known personalities.

It is time that Thailand properly registered foreign workers, especially from neighbouring countries, in order to prevent them being exploited by ruthless employers. Past registration schemes have been full of errors because of official procedures that have led to corruption and collusion among prospective employers and officials. The government has to be mindful of this malpractice because in the future the number of migrant labourers in Thailand is bound to increase dramatically, especially with the ongoing process of Asean economic integration.

Thailand must learn the lessons from the past that any inhumane treatment of migrant labourers will eventually affect Thai society as a whole. In the 1990s we mistreated thousands of refugees who, as a result have never shown any appreciation for Thailand's other more humanitarian face. The same sentiment will prevail among itinerant labourers who work here like slaves for the benefit of the wider Thai economy.

Viet Nam, Cambodia vow to foster [the STRANGLING] relations

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 01:13 AM PDT

CPP comrade Say Chhum kowtowing Uncle Ho in Hanoi Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) receives head of the Cambodian People's Party Central Committee's Standing Board Sai Chhum. — VNA/VNS Photo Tri Dung

July, 01 2011
VNS (Hanoi)

HA NOI — Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong has affirmed Viet Nam's consistent policy of attaching importance and giving priority to developing neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and long-lasting sustainability with Cambodia. 

The Party leader expressed his pleasure with the increasing development of the fine relationship between the two countries while receiving, in Ha Noi yesterday, Sai Chhum, head of the Standing Board of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Central Committee and second Vice President of the Cambodian National Assembly.

Trong congratulated the CPP and the Cambodian people on the achievements they have recorded over the past years.

He expressed his belief that the Cambodian people, under the supervision, management and operation of the Senate, National Assembly and the Royal Government of Cambodia, with the CPP playing a core role, will gain new achievements in implementing the Party's political platform for the 2008-2013 period, successfully building a Cambodian state of independence, peace, democracy, neutrality, non-alignment and thriving development.

Sai Chhum informed Trong of Cambodia's socio-economic, political development and achievements in national construction and development, and thanked the Party, State, army and people of Viet Nam for their whole-hearted support and assistance to the CPP and the Cambodian people over the past 60 years, especially saving the Cambodian people from the genocide regime and helping them in national recovery and development.

The CPP and the Cambodian people would spare no effort to join the Party and people of Viet Nam to maintain and foster their good neghbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and long-lasting sustainability between the two Parties and the two states of Cambodia and Viet Nam, the CPP official affirmed.

Earlier, Sai Chhum and Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, held talks, informing each other of their respective Party situations. They exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, discussed orientations and measures to boost solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two Parties and the two countries.

Both sides signed a cooperation agreement between the two Parties for 2011-2012.

Four poaching vessels detained near Sakhalin [... all flying Cambodia's flag of convenience]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 12:50 AM PDT

Jul 1, 2011
Ria Novosti (Russia)

Four poaching ships sailing under the flag of Cambodia have been detained near Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East by border guards over the past few days.

According to the FSB of the Russian Federation agents discovered more than 40 tons of illegally caught live crabs in the holds of the ships.

The captains and all of the poachers on board will be prosecuted.

In recent months, the border guards on Sakhalin Island have detained more than 20 ships which have violated Russian law.

Cambodia urged to stop sand dredging operations [on the Tatai River by CPP thief Ly Yong Phat]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 12:48 AM PDT

July 1, 2011
ABC Radio Australia

Conservation groups and eco-tourism operators in Cambodia's Koh Kong province are urging the government to stop sand dredging operations they say are decimating fish stocks and destroying businesses.

They are working together to oppose the dredging on the Tatai river which is being carried out by ruling party Senator and business tycoon Ly Yong Phat.

Presenter: Clara Tran

Speaker: Janet Newman, Rainbow Lodge; Leslie Perlman, program manager, Wildlife Alliance; Mao Hak, director of rivers at Ministry of Water Resources Cambodia

Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)

TRAN: Englishwoman Janet Newman has been running her eco-tourism resort, the Rainbow Lodge, on the Tatai river for the past three and a half years.

One morning in May, she awoke to find the beauty and tranquility of her home shattered by an influx of sand dredging barges.

NEWMAN: It was just chaos. they worked all night. We were not able to sleep. In the morning even more boats turned up and it was literally like a traffic jam on the river.

TRAN: The sand is being dreged out of Cambodia's estuaries and shipped to Singapore to help expand their territory.

In 2009, Prime Minister Hun Sen's government banned sand dredging for export, but a report by environment watchdog Global Witness says the lucrative trade continues to threaten Cambodian ecosystems and livelihoods.

Last year, Global Witness estimated Koh Kong's annual sand trade with Singapore was worth $US248 million.

But its the people and businesses of Koh Kong who are the losers.

Ms Newman says the noise and pollution from the vast quantities of ships, tugboats and cranes pumping sand from the river have made it impossible to host eco-tourists, starting to trickle into the remote province.

And the negative impact goes beyond foreign tourists.

NEWMAN: It's not just about the Rainbow Lodge but the villagers haven't been able to sleep. There is nothing left in the river. You never see children swimming in the river anymore because it is covered in oil and diesel and rubbish.

TRAN: Leslie Perlman, program manager of Wildlife Alliance, says there are serious concerns about the social and environmental impact of the dredging.

PERLMAN: The villagers are reporting dramatically shrinking crab and shrimp patches as the dredging destroys the habitat in the river and along the banks. Additionally in other areas, the dredging is eroding so much sand that the river banks are collapsing.

Mao Hak, director of rivers at the Ministry of Water Resources, says the government has a sand and mining resources committee that decides which companies it allows to extract sand for export.

MAO HAK: Before we give the permission....(fade down)

TRAN: Mr Mao says before the government gives sand dredging permission, the company seeking the licence is responsible for carrying out an impact study on that area.

According to a copy of the permit obtained by the Phnom Penh Post newspaper, the LYP Group, owned by Senator Ly Yong Phat, has exlusive rights to sand dredging on the Tatai river. The company's representatives could not be reached for comment.

Mao Hak from the Ministry of Water Resources says information should have been given to local communities.

MAO HAK: They have some...(fade down)

TRAN: Mr Mao claims the company would need to involve the local people living in the area about the proposed operation. But Ms Newman says this did not happen.

NEWMAN: As far as I'm aware, there was no public consultation. There was certainly no information or notices about this activity whatsoever.

TRAN: Although there don't appear to have been any official consultations, workers on the sand barges have told residents in Koh Kong they are Vietnamese soldiers and they have weapons onboard.

Ms Newman says Cambodian Government departments working on environment, tourism and water resources have expressed sympathy, but she now thinks it's up to people power to stop the destruction taking place on Tatai river.

NEWMAN: I hope we can get it stopped before August or at the very least get some kind of regulation on what is going on now. Myself and others, including villagers who have signed a petition are actively trying to work with the local government to try and get this stopped because the effect is immediate. Of course the longer it goes on the greater the long-term effects as well.

TRAN: Wildlife Alliance's Leslie Perlman says the law offers a glimmer of hope for Koh Kong province.

PERLMAN: Sand dredging has gone up and down in this country. The prime minister put a moratorium on the exportation of sand. So legally, if the sand is going to Singapore or another country - exported out of this country - that's illegal. That could be another legal way we are looking to stop this.

Tourists to Preah Vihear temple drop 40% due to border row

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 12:39 AM PDT

July 01, 2011
Xinhua

Visitors to Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple, a World Heritage Site, declined 40 percent in the first half this year, compared with the same period last year, due to border conflict with Thailand, the chief of Preah Vihear provincial tourism department said Thursday.

The department recorded a total of 27,980 tourists to the temple from January to June this year, down from 46,400 visitors in the same period last year.

"Most visitors to the temple are Cambodians; they are still scared to see the temple because of repeated deadly clashes," said Kong Vibol.

However, he said the number of foreign tourists was on the rise, as 1,095 foreign tourists visited the temple in the first six months, up 128 percent from a year earlier.

"It's a sharp rise in foreign tourists to the temple in May and June after the armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand died down," he said.

"Cambodia hopes that the Preah Vihear temple will soon become the country's second largest tourism destination after Angkor Wat temples if there is no more military clash with Thailand."

Cambodia and Thailand have had sporadic border conflict over territorial dispute near the Preah Vihear temple since the UNESCO listed the 11th century temple as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

Suwit may get praised by PAD but that is all

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:47 PM PDT

1/07/2011
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti may have been praised by the People's Alliance for Democracy for withdrawing Thailand from the World Heritage Convention last week.

But despite the warm welcome he received from the PAD, which had been pushing for the move, on his return to Thailand earlier this week, members said Mr Suwit would not get more votes from them because of the decision.

That is because PAD has a firm policy of urging people to vote "no" in the election and this will stand.

The opposition has accused the government of pulling out to please PAD supporters and attract votes from the group. And new revelations about what transpired at the meeting last week would seem to back up those accusations.

The PAD sent Thepmontri Limpapayom, a representative of Thailand's protection committee, to observe the negotiations in Paris. The talks took place on the sidelines of the 35th Unesco meeting and were aimed at hammering out a solution for the Preah Vihear temple management plan.

Mr Suwit helped Mr Thepmontri get into the negotiating room by swapping his press card with one of his own staff members, according to a source.

Some officials at the meeting were displeased with the presence of Mr Thepmontri, who took photos and made an audio recording of the negotiations.

Mr Thepmontri's strategy in going to Paris was to lobby Mr Suwit, head of the Thai delegation, to withdraw from the Unesco convention. But the source said it was obvious early on that the World Heritage Committee would not consider Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear as Unesco and Phnom Penh wanted to discuss conservation strategies for the temple instead.

The source said Mr Suwit appeared paranoid despite explanations by Foreign Ministry staff about the nature of the talks between Unesco and Cambodia.

Mr Suwit and his staff did not think the management plan would be discussed and expressed concern that Cambodia might put the plan in the Unesco resolution draft later.

Unesco had planned to bring up for a vote its own draft, the result of a May meeting it held with Thailand and Cambodia. The organisation had proposed in the draft that consideration of the management plan be postponed, Unesco be allowed to undertake preservation work of the temple, and that inscriptions of the temple be jointly made by Thailand and Cambodia.

The Thai Foreign Ministry had agreed with Unesco's draft.

"Cambodia agreed in the May meeting to postpone tabling its management plan because it would involve boundary problems," the source said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who supported Thailand's withdrawal, said the situation had changed because the World Heritage Committee chairman refused to use the Unesco draft and insisted on bringing Cambodia's management plan up for consideration.

"Mr Suwit asked the WHC to delay consideration but failed, so he announced Thailand's withdrawal," said Mr Kasit. The source said Mr Suwit had intended to withdraw from the 1972 World Heritage Convention since last year and had Foreign Ministry officials draft a withdrawal letter to share with WHC member nations in advance.

Asia and International Law

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:42 PM PDT

Noli me tangere (KI-Media Note: Touch me not)

Friday, 01 July 2011
Written by Gavin M. Greenwood
Asia Sentinel

Law of the sea, law of the jungle

Two boundary disputes creating tension in Southeast Asia are potential flashpoints for localized and in one case, even global conflict. While the former is credible and the latter far less so, the two cases reveal both entrenched and emerging attitudes within Asia that point to more insidious political risks than a brief naval engagement or sporadic skirmishing in a remote forest.

The re-ignition of Beijing's claim to sovereignty over much of the South China Sea has largely focused on the potential military risks involved in the dispute moving from heated rhetoric to kinetic action. The multilayered legal, political and economic issues involved in the dispute are complex and almost infinitely debatable, but the core point is that China views the huge maritime area as mare nostrum and has indicated that it has no intention of amending this position.

The other point of border friction involves Thailand and Cambodia in a dispute over a number of kinks and detours along their frontier that divide ancient Hindu temple sites. These disputes have led to sporadic clashes and the loss of life over the past few years, often coinciding with heightened domestic tensions and the corresponding advantages of seeking unity through emphasising a traditional external threat.

Thailand, in the throes of what may well be most important general election in a generation, chose to leave UNESCO's World Heritage Convention, a key international cultural agency, rather than submit to the agency's ruling regarding the ownership of territory around the Preah Vihear temple.

What links these two cases is how an interpretation and acceptance of international law and arbitration is at variance to what may be considered as both countries' wider economic and diplomatic interests. What separates them is that in China's case this is unlikely to have any significant domestic impact – at least in the medium term – while the opposite may be the case in Thailand.

Beijing's South China Sea claim, which stretches like a vast tongue from the southern tip of Taiwan in the east and the Sino-Vietnam land border in the west to brush past Palawan, East Malaysia and Brunei in the south, is based on archaeological and documentary evidence reaching back to 200 BCE. The significance of this date is that it corresponds with the reign of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, and therefore in Beijing's views the origin of country as a unified and sovereign state.

Very few other countries base their present territorial claims on similar historical metrics – Israel being an obvious exception – and international order would be greatly compromised if they did so.

China's position as a signatory to the highly technical and closely-argued UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while declining to accept its basic tenets of defining maritime territoriality, is a puzzle.

The United States, by contrast, has not ratified UNCLOS and follows a general policy in not entering into treaties or conventions that it views as inimical to its wider interests. While such powerful countries can engage or stand back from international efforts to impose order on contentious boundary and territorial disputes, smaller nations have less leeway.

Thailand's decision to ignore convention and declaring unilateral rights over a fragment of border determined by international legal, antiquarian and geographical specialists to fall within Cambodia's sovereign territory is unlikely to be treated as circumspectly as China's robust defence of what it insists is within its national realm.

In late June a Thai delegation, seemingly on its own volition, walked out of negotiations at the World Heritage Convention in Paris because it realized its efforts to overturn an earlier decision by the world body that decreed Cambodia was the legitimate custodian of much of the Preah Vihear temple site had failed.

While the Thai example is complicated by the need of the present government to placate nationalist opinion – and perhaps seek a unifying external threat – ahead of the hotly contested 3 July elections, its actions exhibit a lack of awareness as to how such behavior is perceived beyond Bangkok's often insular political and cultural elite.

The conduct of China and Thailand also stand out in marked contrast to how other countries in the region have responded to contentious and often highly emotive boundary disputes. For example, when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded Malaysia the contested Ligitan and Sipadan islands that lie off the coast of Sabah and Indonesia's East Kalimantan in 2002, Jakarta seethed at the outcome but accepted the legal basis on which the verdict was made.

Similarly, when the ICJ ruled in 2008 that the islet of Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh and some associated rocks were within Singapore's sovereign jurisdiction, Putrajaya and many Malaysian politicians fulminated over the ruling but took the dispute no further.

One explanation for this apparent dichotomy is that neither Thailand nor China has any direct historical exposure to the Common or Roman law principals imposed by the British, Dutch and French colonial powers on their various regional conquests or acquisitions. These 'European' laws were readily maintained after independence by many of the new leaders, not least because a great many were lawyers and recognised the value - and legitimacy - such instruments offered the emerging elites. This is notably the case in commerce, where contractual obligations and remedies are crucial to attract and retain foreign capital.

While China can, with confidence, choose to pursue its own agenda without conceding any core interests to outsiders, Thailand is on far less certain ground. China's influence is waxing, supported by its ability to spread vast amounts of money around the world where it believes it will reap commercial and political gains. Thailand's naturally far lesser influence is waning as seemingly interminable domestic divisions and the prospect of further volatility - and perhaps even violence – begin to erode the commitment of even the most patient and steadfast foreign patrons and investors to the country.

Thailand's departure from the WHC – and probable return within a decent interval – is certain to be viewed by many foreign observers as demonstrating a combination of petulance, a lack of respect for international norms and a refusal to deal with problems and issues pragmatically. More importantly for Thailand's longer-term interests, at least outside Asia, is that the walkout may well serve to remind foreign investors and corporations of how often hard- won legal obligations and understandings may be readily jettisoned in the interests of domestic advantage.

(Gavin M. Greenwood is a consultant with the Hong Kong-based Allan & Associates security and crisis management firm.)

Khmer Rouge tribunal begins in Cambodia

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:30 PM PDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TH8EwTHxh0

From Wary Former Soldiers, Mixed Tribunal Reaction

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:28 PM PDT

Thursday, 30 June 2011
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

"...leaders must be brave and take responsibility for what happened in the regime they led."

Former Khmer Rouge commanders in Cambodia say the government should stick by an amnesty deal it made with the guerrillas in 1996, as a trial for top leaders of the regime is expected to start in earnest later this year.

A preliminary hearing this week has brought the amnesty question to the forefront, as lawyers for Ieng Sary, former foreign minister of the regime, argued he was exempt from trial under the government's amnesty.

Sok Pheap Dep, a two-star general who is on Cambodia's joint border committee and former Khmer Rouge commander at Phnom Malai, told VOA Khmer by phone Wednesday he had defected with Ieng Sary and was watching the tribunal closely. While amnesty was a state affair, he said, finding justice is the job of the court.

"The nation requires what should be done accordingly," he said. "The promises or whatever is another issue. But the issue of people complaining? What to do?"

Yim Phanna, the a former rebel and current chief of Anlong Veng district in Oddar Meanchey province, said the hearings demonstrated how top leaders "must be brave and take responsibility for what happened in the regime they led." Soldiers these days, he said, are more concerned with making a daily living and were not surprised by the arrests of the top leaders.

Thousands of former Khmer Rouge still live in the country's northwest region, the last stronghold of the regime before mass defections to the government crippled its effort in a conflict that had lasted 20 years. In exchange, the government promised none of them would be prosecuted, and one leader, Ieng Sary, was granted a royal pardon over guilty charges handed down by a Vietnamese-supported court in 1979.

Tribunal spokesman Huy Vannak said one of the court's main purposes is to seek justice for victims and to understand how the killing fields came about.

A former Khmer Rouge administrator now living in the northwest, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he wanted the leaders tried as soon as possible.

"They can still tell the truth," he said. "Otherwise, we lose that."

Prosecution of Khmer Rouge Leaders Concludes Preliminary Stage

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:24 PM PDT

Thursday, 30 June 2011
Robert Carmichael, VOA | Phnom Penh

"I personally am not fully knowledgeable of everything, but I will do my best to make sure I can ascertain the truth if I can." (sic!)

The Khmer Rouge's former head of state has promised to tell the truth about his country's descent into destruction under the top leader Pol Pot. His trial, along with three more leaders for genocide and other serious crimes, will begin hearing testimony later this year. Robert Carmichael reports from Phnom Penh.

Former head of state Khieu Samphan told the preliminary hearing at the U.N.-backed tribunal, and by extension the nation, since today's hearings were televised, that he would tell the truth about what had happened during the Khmer Rouge's rule.

The war crimes tribunal in Phnom Penh estimates as many as 2.2-million people died when the Khmer Rouge governed Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.

Khieu Samphan addressed the court in Khmer. His words were spoken in English by the court's translator.

"I personally am not fully knowledgeable of everything, but I will do my best to make sure I can ascertain the truth if I can," he said.

Khieu Samphan acknowledged the Cambodian people had a pressing need to know what had happened.

"I think it is a very important moment for me and for my fellow Cambodian citizens who are hungry for understanding what happened between 1975 and 1979," he said.

The trial will start later this year, probably by September. This case is the tribunal's second and most likely its last accounting of what transpired during the Khmer Rouge's reign.

Joining Khieu Samphan on the stand are Nuon Chea, also known as Brother Number Two, who is considered the movement's chief ideologue; Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister; and his wife, social affairs minister Ieng Thirith.

All four defendants deny they committed any of an array of offenses, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Nuon Chea's lawyer, Victor Koppe, told the court his client wants a quick trial, since he is an old man.

"But more important than a trial which is concluded quickly, he wants this trial to ascertain the truth. Not a story you can read in American or Vietnamese history books, but a truth - an historic truth - that also includes his view of the events that took place before and during the DK years, and the truth which also encompasses the role of Vietnam, the consequences of the U.S. bombings, and other important contextual issues," he said.

The four defendants are elderly, between 79 and 85 years old, and none is in robust health. Khieu Samphan was the only one who appeared in court for each full session this week.

The tribunal is mandated to prosecute crimes that took place between April 1975 - when the Khmer Rouge took Phnom Penh - and the day they were forced out in January 1979.

During the preliminary hearing the tribunal heard submissions from defense lawyers, the prosecution and lawyers for civil parties in relation to issues such as the tribunal's mandate, witness lists, and the application of national and international law.

The trial will likely take several years, and there are fears one or more of the defendants could die before it ends.

But new rules mean the court can hand down convictions or acquittals as the trial progresses. That means even if a defendant dies during the hearing, they would still likely be convicted or acquitted of the most serious of crimes.

Khmer Rouge Trial Takes Shape

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:20 PM PDT

The initial hearings in Cambodia's Case 002 have closed. The lines of defence to be employed by the four accused of involvement in genocide are becoming clear.

July 01, 2011

By Luke Hunt

The Diplomat

The historic Khmer Rouge tribunal wrapped-up its initial hearings in Case 002 this week, winning widespread praise for its conduct, as a legal strategy emerged for defending Pol Pot's surviving lieutenants against charges relating to the deaths of up to 2.2 million Cambodians.

Absent were the sometimes shrill cries over investigations surrounding potential future trials and allegations of political interference that had dogged recent weeks at the Extraordinary Chambers for the Courts in Cambodia (ECCC).

Instead, a steady and methodical (at times tedious) legal process emerged as a full bench of International and Cambodian judges, the defence, prosecution and civil parties set about trying senior Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between April 1975 and January 1979.

'The court officials were all very professional throughout the proceedings from what we've seen,' says Leakhena Nou, Executive Director of the Applied Social Research Institute of Cambodia (ASRIC).

ASRIC represents US-based survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime and has had 41 civil parties admitted to Case 002, who Leakhena Nou said were akin to ambassadors in representing at least 150,000 Cambodian-Americans, and many more of Khmer heritage living around the world.

'Justice doesn't fall into your lap. You have to fight for justice,' she says.

Her sentiments were echoed by prosecutors and legal counsel for former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, his wife Ieng Thirith, and the former head of state Khieu Samphan. The three surprised observers and a consistently packed public gallery by cooperating with the court.

However, counsel for Noun Chea told a post-hearing media briefing that they and their client weren't happy with the tribunal, and that a lack of transparency in the initial hearing was a matter of grave concern and might seriously endanger the purpose of the trial.

Brother No 2's defence is headed by Dutchman Michiel Pestman, who complained that his preliminary objections had been ignored by the court. He included a list of 300 witnesses the defence wants to testify in public about the alleged war crimes.

'It's like reading one page of a history book and tearing the rest out,' he said on the lawns of the ECCC.

He added that former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger – who played a pivotal role during the Indochinese wars that preceded the Khmer Rouge's rise to power – was on the list of 300 that Nuon Chea wanted to call and have testify in public at the ECCC.

But Kissinger's name wasn't on a shortlist of 15 people presented to the court, whose names must remain confidential, and that will form the basis of their defence.

While Nuon Chea's team is focused on the wider ramifications of Cold War power plays in Cambodia as its defence, Ieng Sary's team honed in on a pardon granted by King Norodom Sihanouk in 1996 as part of peace deal that eventually ended the civil war. They claim double jeopardy means their client shouldn't be charged.

Khieu Samphan said his position within the Khmer Rouge as head of state was mainly ceremonial, and that he was never in a position to fully understand what was happening in the countryside. Ieng Thirith also argued she wielded no real power within the regime. Her Cambodian lawyer, Phat Pouv Seang, also attempted to patch up any perceived differences between her and Nuon Chea's camp. During an outburst at a previous hearing, for example, Ieng Thirith had claimed Nuon Chea and S-21 commandant Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, were responsible for atrocities committed under Pol Pot.

'In principle they are getting along, they haven't had any significant feuds – maybe mini-arguments – the two of them can be seen sitting next to each other and there are no problems,' Phat Pouv Seang told the briefing through an interpreter in response to a question from The Diplomat.

The importance of the ECCC was underscored by the US ambassador at large for war crime issues, Stephen Rapp, who called the tribunal 'the most important trial in the world,' while legal experts say the war crimes trial is the most complex since Nuremberg in the aftermath of World War II.

The sheer number of crimes, victims and witnesses is immense. More than 3,800 civil parties, or victims seeking reparations, have been admitted to the court. There are more than 450,000 pages of evidence that will attempt to connect crimes with government policy.

Those crimes, however, happened more than 30 years ago, and crime sites are an issue because there are so many, scattered across the remote countryside and tainted by human intervention and decades of weathering. No pleas have been entered yet, but the defendants have signalled they will plead not guilty.

Still, the ECCC struck its first victory last year in Case 001 with the conviction of Duch for crimes against humanity committed at the S-21 torture and extermination camp. An estimated 24,000 people passed through its gates and were usually forced to dig their own graves before being bludgeoned to death with an ox cart axle, their throats often slit to make sure the job was complete. More than 190 such camps were constructed across the country.

'We saw them come into the tribunal and we thought they have a right to due process, not guilty until proven guilty,' says Leakhena Nou. 'Revenge isn't the answer…the truth will catch up with them.'

The ECCC has also been struck by recent allegations from non-governmental organizations of political interference in regards to investigations into lower ranking officials in cases 003 and 004.

Widespread reports say Case 003 involves Sou Met, a former commander of the Khmer Rouge Air Force, and Meas Mut, commander of the navy; Prime Minister Hun Sen has indicated he doesn't want to see the tribunal expanded.

But for now, Cambodians and a large contingent of international players and observers are focused on Case 002, which most expect will run for another two years.

Baphuon temple in 3D

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:01 PM PDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Fzt5gZxyY&feature=related

Incitation charge in the new criminal code - A training for journalists

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:56 PM PDT