KI Media: “Harvard University's JUSTICE with Michael Sandel - Episode 7” plus 21 more

KI Media: “Harvard University's JUSTICE with Michael Sandel - Episode 7” plus 21 more

Harvard University's JUSTICE with Michael Sandel - Episode 7

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 01:50 PM PDT

 

Episode 07

Part 1 – A LESSON IN LYING

Immanuel Kant believed that telling a lie, even a white lie, is a violation of one's own dignity. Professor Sandel asks students to test Kant's theory with this hypothetical case: if your friend were hiding inside your home, and a person intent on killing your friend came to your door and asked you where he was, would it be wrong to tell a lie? This leads to a video clip of one of the most famous, recent examples of dodging the truth: President Clinton talking about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.


Part 2 – A DEAL IS A DEAL

Sandel introduces the modern philosopher, John Rawls, who argues that a fair set of principles would be those principles we would all agree to if we had to choose rules for our society and no one had any unfair bargaining power. 

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 07:23 AM PDT

Convention on the Rights of the Child
Ratified by UNGA in Nov. 1989, entered into force 1990

Cambodia ratified this Convention on October 15, 1992
PART I
Article 14

1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.

3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

Closing Order of Case 002 against Senior KR Leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 07:05 AM PDT

In preparation for the start of trial hearings beginning on 27 June 2011 of Case 002 against the surviving Khmer Rouge senior leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith, KI Media is starting a new series in posting installations of the public document of the Closing Order of Case 002. The Closing Order of the Co-Investigating Judges forms the basic document from which all the parties (Co-Prosecutors, Co-Lead Lawyers for all civil parties, Defense Lawyers) will be making their arguments before the Trial Chamber judges (one Cambodian President, 2 Cambodian Judges, 2 UN judges). Up until now, the hearings involving these four surviving senior Khmer Rouge leaders have been in the Pre-Trial Chamber over issues of pre-trial detention and jurisdictional issues. Beginning in June 2011, the Trial Chamber will hear the substantive arguments over the criminal charges (e.g. genocide, crimes against humanity, penal code of 1956). Available in Khmer and French. Contact the ECCC for a free copy.

CLOSING ORDER
of Co-Investigating Judges You Bunleng and Marcel Lemonde, 15 September 2010

Location and Establishment

302. The eight subdistricts of Kus, Samrong, Trapeang Thom Tboung, Trapeang Thom Cheung, Tram Kok, Nheng Nhang, Sre Ronong and Ta Phem were part of Tram Kok District, Takeo Province. Applying the CPK's system of identifying administrative boundaries, they were located in District 105, Sector 13, Southwest Zone.1234

303. Not long after 1970, the CPK progressively organised those who were responsible for agricultural production in areas it controlled into small group cooperatives, which were later expanded into village cooperatives and ultimately subdistrict level cooperatives.1235 In a cooperative, private property, such as rice paddy fields, was placed under the collective ownership of the State.1236 The process of collectivisation occurred incrementally. For example, a witness who lived in Samrong subdistrict recalls that in 1975 the CPK started collecting private property and instituted communal eating. But it was not until 1976 that people were divided into different working units.1237 In any event, it appears that by April 1977 all the subdistricts in Tram Kok District had been organised into cooperatives and appear to have remained in this state until the end of the CPK regime.1238

ECCC Law

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 06:53 AM PDT

Law on the Establishment of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed During the Period of Democratic Kampuchea

("ECCC Law")

the inclusion of amendments as promulgated on 27 October 2004

CHAPTER X

Article 34 new

Trials shall be public and open to representatives of foreign States, of the Secretary- General of the United Nations, of the media and of national and international non-­government organizations unless in exceptional circumstances the Extraordinary Chambers decide to close the proceedings for good cause in accordance with existing procedures in force where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice.

S'pore lawyer takes on Khmer Rouge leaders [to help investigate mass crimes against the Khmer Krom]

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 01:09 AM PDT

SMU Law Professor Leads Team to Cambodia to Seek Justice for the Khmer Krom

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 01:05 AM PDT

Two Women at Top Posts of Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 01:00 AM PDT

Hon. Irena Degutiene-First woman to hold the post of Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament(Ruling party) and Hon.Virginia Baltratiene-Deputy Speaker (from Opposition party) with members of Women's Democracy Network - Vilnius June,2011.

Saturday, July 02, 2011
By Mu Sochua
On the web at http://sochua.wordpress.com/

With 18% women members,The Seimas (Parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania elected its first lady Speaker in September,2009. The First Deputy Speaker (also a woman) is from the opposition party.

Committee on Audit and Committee on Budget and Finance are chaired by opposition parties.

After 20 years under the oppressive Soviet Union regime, Lithuania has built institutions deeply rooted with democratic principles.

SRP MP Mu Sochua in Finland

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 12:46 AM PDT

Press Release


President Tarja Halonen of Finland with MP, Mu Sochua at the opening of the conference on Women Inspiring the World, in Vilnius-Lithuania

The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) chapter in Finland would like to inform the public that Mrs. Mu Sochua, a Member of Parliament from the SRP was attending in the conference on Women Inspring the World in Lithuania. She is expecting to leave for Helsinki this evening and will have a meeting with Cambodian community in Espoo of Finland from 20-22PM.

On Sunday morning, 03.07.2011 she will leave for Kristiansand of Norway. SRP-Norway will warmly welcome her in a meeting. She will flight back to Finland on Monday.

On Tuesday 5 July she will meet Hanna Gehör an advisor of the President Tarja Halonen of Finland in the Presidental Palace at 10AM. She will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja in the Ministry at 14:30.

Mu Sochua will go to visit the office of Taksvärkki and will have a dinner with the leaders of the Cambodian Friendship Association before she goes back to Cambodia in the midnight.

For more information please contact:
Sar Sophorn
H.P: (358) 405634631

Using pepper to fight prostitution

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 12:41 AM PDT

Cris Peterson and Tom Gordon with their new dog Ranger. A border collie mix that was saved from the animal shelter in Downey and trained by a Cambodian prisoner at the Youth Correctional Ficility in Norwalk. (THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER)
The basic goal of the Pepper Project: sell Kampot pepper as cheaply as possible and donate proceeds to the Daughters of Cambodia, an organization that rescues young people from the sex trade. (TOM GORDON, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER)

Some of the Pepper Project products for sale at a cooking demonstration at the Xanh Bistro in Fountain Valley. The event was the first big funraiser for the project that benefits the Daughters of Cambodia, a grup that rescues girls fromt he sex trade in Phnom Penh.
The bags The Pepper Project uses for it's Kampot pepper are made by the Daughters of Cambodia. They are crafted from traditional Cambodian material.
It started with Kampot pepper. (TOM GORDON, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER)

July 1, 2011
BY TOM GORDON
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (California, USA)
For more information
The Daughters of Cambodia operates a small gift shop on Street 178 in Phnom Penh. It's across the street from the University of Fine Arts.

Upstairs is a cafe, Sugar 'n Spice, that serves coffee, sandwiches and desserts.

Employed there are young ladies and men, mostly in their early 20s. They smile a lot and wear matching t-shirts. They are eager to do a good job.

Not too long ago they all worked in Cambodia's sex trade: brothels, karaoke bars or hostess bars. They often start them young in Cambodia. Surrounded by violence and disease, they usually don't last long.


The Daughters of Cambodia group plucks these young people off the streets and gives them some medical help and day care for their children. It also teaches the former sex workers some new way to make a living. Some wait tables, others learn to sew or make jewelry.

The pay is around $80 a month. You can live in Cambodia on $80 a month.

Last year, during the time my wife Cris was recovering from serious injuries she received in a traffic accident, we came up with the idea for The Pepper Project.

The business plan was simple enough: Sell a lot of Kampot pepper to help the farmers of southwest Cambodia, and donate the proceeds to the Daughters of Cambodia.

The past few months have been exhilarating mixed with bouts of frustration. It's always been interesting.

We have friends all over Cambodia. It's still a thrill every time we ship a 2.5-ounce bag of Kampot pepper or a tote made by the Daughters of Cambodia from a recycled rice bag. I know more about pepper than any sane person should. We watch the "likes" creep up our Facebook page and run Google searches for Pepper Project now and then just to see where we rank in the pecking order. (We regularly get beaten by some anime babe for computer geeks called Pepper).

We have imported about 100 pounds of pepper. And on my last trip to Cambodia, in April, I handed Ruth Elliott, who runs Daughters of Cambodia, enough money to sponsor two young ladies for a year.

When we return this fall I suspect we will have made enough to sponsor another two or three.

The life of a sex worker in Cambodia is not pleasant.

Some estimate the HIV infection rate at 40 percent. There's abuse and violence at every turn. Some are tricked into a life of prostitution, some have no other choice and some are sold into it. Most of their customers are Cambodian men who pay a couple bucks for services rendered. A brothel can be small building with a mattress tossed on the floor.

The Daughters of Cambodia employs about 75 former prostitutes: 55 young ladies and 15 former "ladyboys" (young transvestites).

Here are the stories of the two girls, Namary, 26, and Sokunthea, 18, sponsored by The Pepper Project:

Namary was born in a poor part of Phnom Penh. She met a man, got married and worked as a cook for awhile at a charity organization.

She became pregnant. A short time later, her husband was jailed for killing a man and stealing a motorbike.

In desperate need of money, Namary went to work at a karaoke bar—a front for prostitution. The girls there are paid a small salary and are forced to service their customers sexually.

Namary's pimp found her a job in an outlying province. There, she waited tables, washed dishes and slept with customers. She made about $60 a month.

She married another man who drinks, gets angry and throws things, but never hits her, she says.

She was referred to the Daughters of Cambodia by a former client at the karaoke bar. She has learned to sew by hand and is currently learning to sew by machine. She has taken workshops on child care and hygiene and dreams of becoming a clothing designer.

Sokunthea, 18, grew up in Phnom Penh. Her father tried to rape her at a young age. In the 10th grade, she ran away and went to live with a young man and his family.

The only stability in Sokunthea's life has been her mother who, when she would try to protect her daughter, would be beaten by her father. Her mother died after a botched abortion. Her father now lives with his new wife, a mistress, and Sokunthea's 10-year-old sister. Sokunthea lives with her 19-year-old husband, his parents and his brother.

Sokunthea now works in the Daughters of Cambodia spa giving manicures and pedicures. She hopes to run her own business one day, though she realizes that may be a longshot.

There are many more such stories at Daughters of Cambodia, all filled with tragedy, violence and, sometimes, a measure of hope.

The Daughters of Cambodia training center is located deep in the heart of one of the seedy brothel districts of Phnom Penh. It is protected by a high wall and an iron gate. When a man enters, he has to register and agree not to take photographs. He's escorted through the daycare center and workshops. It's here where the young people make the pouches for the Pepper Project as well as the other Daughters products that we sell.

It costs about $80 a month to support a girl.

Think of it this way: That's about the cost of a Field MVP seat at one Angels game.

Two young ladies is a small step. There's only so much pepper can do.

Tom Gordon is an editor at The Register. He oversees coverage of crime, courts and traffic.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3789 or tgordon@ocregister.com

Op-Ed by Uon Sim

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 12:02 AM PDT

Thai leader accused of using Cambodia temple row for election gain

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 11:54 PM PDT

Abhisit Vejjajiva attempting to rally nationalist sympathy with Preah Vihear temple dispute before Sunday's polls, say analysts

Friday 1 July 2011
Tania Branigan in Srisaket, Thailand
guardian.co.uk

The corrugated roof gleams, the paintwork is bright and pink-flowered curtains float at the windows. Somrith Sanbradap's house was completed just two days ago, but she shows no sign of pleasure in the achievement.

The Thai farmer's last home went up in flames in February, destroyed by Cambodian shelling as a long dispute over Preah Vihear – the 11th-century temple a few kilometres away – flared up again. At least seven people died and thousands fled homes on both sides of the border. Now residents fear another clash is imminent.

"I lost everything … I don't want this to happen again and the way things are going now, watching the news brings back very bad memories," Somrith said tearfully.

This week, the Thai military said Cambodia was moving in reinforcements – a claim denied by Phnom Penh – after Bangkok announced it was leaving the World Heritage Convention over the dispute.

But analysts believe the row is driven by Sunday's general election in Thailand. "In this very critical week for Thai politics, [the temple dispute] has appeared again as a political weapon," said Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun of the Institute of South-East Asian Studies in Singapore.


He said that while the government's stance would not win over opponents, it had rallied nationalist sympathisers who had drifted away. The incumbent Democrats are trailing Puea Thai in the polls.

The prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said the decision to leave the convention was solely about defending Thai land, the Nation newspaper reported.

He added: "I want the voters to choose the Democrats as we protect the territory, although it is against the wishes of a leader in a neighbouring country."

Abhisit said the Cambodian leader, Hun Sen, wanted a new Thai government because of his ties to exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The opposition Puea Thai party is headed by Thaksin's sister and regarded as his proxy.

The temple, known as Phra Viharn to Thais, stands high on an escarpment in the Dangrek mountains. Originally a Hindu place of worship it was later used by Buddhists. Bangkok does not dispute a 1962 international court of justice ruling that it belongs to Cambodia, but still claims a 4.6sq km area of land around the site.

In 2008 rightwing Thai nationalists reacted angrily when Unesco granted the site world heritage status, although Bangkok had not opposed Cambodia's application. The Democrats – then in opposition – took an increasingly hawkish line.

While no one expects large scale military action, clashes in the last three years have affected bilateral relations, caused deaths and evacuations and damaged Preah Vihear itself. Prof Charnvit Kasetsiri, a historian and former rector of Bangkok's Thammasat University, warned that the row and the decision to quit the World Heritage Convention were affecting Thailand's standing. "It has damaged our reputation internationally – we look like the bad guys to the world," he said.

The Thai military says it will not instigate hostilities – each side blamed the other for February's skirmish – and now seems to be playing down its comments about Cambodian reinforcements on the other side of the border.

"I'm not scared, because we're well prepared," said a soldier guarding a sandbagged checkpoint at what used to be the ticket booth for the Thai national park leading to the temple. That is as far as one can go – a source of regret to Warunrat Chitruchiphong, a regular visitor since her teenage years. "It's magnificent. I want to go back," she said.

The 34-year-old teacher's bigger concern is the safety of her pupils. The Phumsaron Wittaya high school was in the middle of a sports day when fighting broke out in February; shells hit the buildings as the frightened staff and pupils crouched in concrete bunkers built the previous year.

"I'm constantly worried that if something happens we won't get them into their bunkers in time," said Warunrat. "I'm very nervous, but what can we do?"Pavin said he did not expect to see violence this week or next. But in the longer term, he warned, it depended on the election's outcome."If Puea Thai come back, the issue could be used once again to discredit the red shirts. There's a possibility of the military and Democratic opposition pressing the situation," he said.

Cambodia Rapped for Poor Anti-Trafficking Efforts

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 11:51 PM PDT

Cambodia remains a Tier 2 country, putting it in a category above China, which is on a "watch list," and Burma, which is a major source of trafficking. Other Tier 2 countries in Asia include Indonesia, Laos and Singapore.

Friday, 01 July 2011
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
"Cambodia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. However, it is making significant efforts to do so."
Cambodia remains both a source and destination for trafficked persons, especially for the sex trade, fishing industry and increasingly labor export to Malaysia, an annual US report says.

"Cambodia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking," according to the US State Department, which issued its annual human trafficking report this week. "However, it is making significant efforts to do so."

The country remains a Tier 2 country, putting it in a category above China, which is on a "watch list," and Burma, which is a major source of trafficking. Other Tier 2 countries in Asia include Indonesia, Laos and Singapore. "Endemic" corruption remains a major problem to curb trafficking, the report said.


"Cambodian men, women, and children migrate to Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries for work, and many are subsequently subjected to sex trafficking or forced to labor in the Thai fishing and seafood processing industry, on agricultural plantations, in factories, in domestic work, or for begging and street selling," the State Department found.

It also noted the rising trend of Cambodian workers who travel to Malaysia to work as domestic servants. In 2010, the report said, labor recruiting agencies sent 16,395 workers to Malaysia, compared to a total 2,654 in 2008. Of those in 2010, nearly 12,000 were women sent as domestic workers.

"Cambodian migrants become victims of labor trafficking when they pursue what they believe to be legitimate employment opportunities abroad, but are then forced or coerced to work through debt bondage," the report said.

Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the government welcomed the report and was seeking to be "No. 1 in fighting human trafficking."

"But this is far away," he said. "We must try to move forward. This report will contribute to our road map."

Samneang Seila, country director for the French-based Action for the Children, said the report was an accurate reflection of Cambodia's trafficking problems.

"The protection of victims is still limited and law enforcement is not strong yet," he said. "In particular, punishment remains low, so that offenders can continue the offenses in Cambodia. If the protection of victims is weak, I believe that children still face the danger of human trafficking or sex exploitation."

The State Department noted an increase in prosecution of trafficking cases, but it said there had been no labor trafficking convictions.

"Prosecutors sometimes failed to charge trafficking offenders using the most appropriate articles of the 2008 law," the report said. "In some cases, Cambodian police were reportedly unwilling to pursue investigations of several suspected trafficking establishments during the year because the establishments were thought to be owned by or affiliated with high-ranking officials. Information leaks by law enforcement authorities to traffickers were reported to significantly harm efforts to enforce anti-trafficking laws."

Despite the passage of an anti-corruption law in April 2010, the State Department said, "endemic corruption at all levels continues to create an enabling environment for trafficking, and in some cases, actively helped facilitate trafficking. Police and judicial officials continue to be both directly and indirectly involved in trafficking."

The report noted that the government had not improved its efforts to protect victims of trafficking, and had done "incomplete" work to prevent trafficking in 2010.

Soeung Mariyan, head of legal project for Afesip, which helps prevent trafficking and rehabilitates victims, said anti-trafficking work has been hurt by law enforcement officials being "inactive and involved in corruption."

The courts also have not played a strong role in preventing cases of trafficking, including in labor export, she said.

"We've seen that the court never charges a company involved in human trafficking, particularly the export of workers," she said. "We've seen that some labor recruitment companies unfairly fulfill their jobs."

In a case she is currently reviewing at court, a victim said she signed up with a recruiting company without her parents' permission. She was locked in a room at the company without enough food or water, "a crime of detention."

The court was unable to convict the heads of the company, but instead charged a middleman for a related crime, she said.

"We can't completely blame the prosecutor, but we must also put the mistake on the investigating judge who was careless in his work," she said. "The investigating judge didn't even call the company to clarify the allegation."

Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Licadho, said the report could serve as a "compass" for Cambodia's leadership.

With Help, Cambodian-Americans Filing at Tribunal

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 11:44 PM PDT

Cambodian-Americans gathered at Middlesex Community College, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to talk about Khmer Rouge issues in August 2010. (Photo: Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer)
Friday, 01 July 2011
Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Washington

"I feel calmer now that I am now able to speak out and participate in other activities with other survivors. I am satisfied that this trial is taking place."
More Cambodian-Americans will be seeking a place at Khmer Rouge tribunal hearings, with the help of a US-based organization.

The Center for Justice and Accountability is helping organize applications for victims of the regime who fled to the US but who have the right under tribunal rules to file grievances and applications to be witnesses.

A team from the center is now in Cambodia to help move the process along, as the court moves toward a trial of four top leaders.


Henry Chhon is among about a dozen Cambodian-Americans to have filed at the UN-backed court with the help of the center.

He was recently accepted as a participant in the court's second case, to try senior leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith.

"I am happy I was accepted," Chhon said in an interview Wednesday.

A former soldier for the US-supported Lon Nol regime before the fall of Phnom Penh, Chhon said he was able to hide his past from the Khmer Rouge. His uncle, who had also been a Lon Nol soldier, was picked up by the regime and sent to a re-education camp, never to return.

His civil party application was originally denied by the court, but it was accepted on appeal and announced at a preliminary hearing Monday. He will be among nearly 1,700 other participants represented by lawyers in the court when a trial for the four leaders begins in earnest later this year.

"I feel calmer now that I am now able to speak out and participate in other activities with other survivors," he said. "I am satisfied that this trial is taking place."

[Thai] Armed forces put on standby

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 11:18 PM PDT

2/07/2011
Wassana Nanuam & Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has ordered all three of the country's armed forces to get ready for the implementation of the national defence plan, a military source says.

The armed forces are ready to protect Thai territory along the border with Cambodia, the source said yesterday.

The army is ready to implement its Kasat Suk (Warlord) and Phichit Suk (War Victory) plans. The Suranaree Task Force serves as the focal point of these two plans.

The navy's border defence forces in Chanthaburi and Trat have been deployed to the Thai-Cambodian border in the two provinces. Navy warships have been put on standby as well.


As for the air force, it has flown up fighter jets to patrol along the borders, while all other fighter jets have been told to be at the ready.

First Army commander Udomdej Sitabutr said the 2nd Infantry Regiment is well prepared to protect Thailand's territory in Prachin Buri and Sa Kaeo provinces as well although the current situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains normal.

The military's move came a week after Thailand failed to settle an agreement on the consideration of the Preah Vihear temple's management plan at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris which resulted in Bangkok withdrawing from the World Heritage Convention.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti yesterday said Thailand could review its decision to quit the convention if Unesco agrees to temporarily remove the Preah Vihear temple from the World Heritage list.

The new original [-Thailand's dependence on Cambodian traders]

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 11:12 PM PDT

A large billboard advertises the ''100% Rong Klua'' market on a five-rai land plot in Muang district. PHOTOS BY ANURAK ROCHANIRO

The market offers a large collection of used sports shoes.
Second-hand golf clubs are among some of the bargains.
Pichai Chuwong of the Sa Kaeo Chamber of Commerce persuaded many Cambodian vendors to relocate their stalls.
Used fishing gear including spinning reels are on sale at the market.
Fans of Sa Kaeo's famed second-hand market at Rong Klua can now find the exact same bargains closer to the city

2/07/2011
Anurak Rochanirom
Bangkok Post

The Rong Klua market in Sa Kaeo province, bordering Cambodia, is well-known as one of Thailand's biggest markets of second-hand imported products.

It gathers famous brand-name products from Japan, South Korea and European countries.

Now authorities in nearby Nakhon Nayok have set up their own version of the market, and brought in Cambodian traders from the original Rong Klua market to stimulate the economy.

Traders, helped by provincial officials, opened the market at Wat Phrammanee temple, more commonly known as Wat Luang Phor Pak Daeng temple, in Muang district.


Nakhon Nayok is about 100 kilometres from Bangkok, close enough to draw tourists from the city.

The temple attracts worshippers who pay homage to the Luang Phor Pak Daeng (red-lipped) Buddha image.

Nakhon Nayok authorities have brought Cambodian traders and traders from the original Rong Klua market, which is nearly 300km from Bangkok.

The market stands out with a large billboard advertising "100% Rong Klua" on a five-rai land plot.

Kriengsak Kaenpho, manager of the branch known by its full name of Rong Klua Luang Phor Pak Daeng market, said Nakhon Nayok governor Suthipong Julcharoen along with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) management asked Phra Suthee Phrommakhun, abbot of Wat Luang Phor Pak Daeng, about the market project.

The abbot allowed the market to be developed on the temple land.

Initially, the market emerged in the form of tents. It failed to draw shoppers who thought it was too small with a limited choice of products on offer.

The temple decided to build a better version of the market with permanent shops, stalls and clean toilets.

Much bigger crowds now visit.

A new, air-conditioned section has been added, selling information technology equipment and electrical appliances.

Pichai Chuwong, a member of the Sa Kaeo Chamber of Commerce, brought Cambodian traders from the original Rong Klua market to Nakhon Nayok, more than 100km from the Thai-Cambodian border.

Mr Pichai, a major importer of used products and a leading businessman at the Rong Klua market, said Athicha Rojanasuwan, former director of the TAT's office in Nakhon Nayok, had first discussed with him the possibility of opening a second Rong Klua market in Nakhon Nayok.

He agreed with the idea on condition that people in Nakhon Nayok be offered space at the market, and that Cambodian traders from the original Rong Klua market also be allowed to set up stalls.

The provincial office promised full support, as Mr Pichai persuaded 10 traders from the Rong Klua market to "branch out" into Nakhon Nayok.

"I told them they did not have to worry as rents would be cheaper.

"It is a tourist destination near Bangkok and provincial authorities promised to support the project," Mr Pichai said.

Only "grade A and B" products are available at the second market. Second-hand products include brand-name handbags, dresses and shoes.

Also on offer are dishes, bowls, snacks, golf clubs and fishing rods from China. Buyers can bargain with Cambodian traders, who speak Thai fluently.

More than 200 Thai and Cambodian traders now run more than 100 shops and stalls at the flourishing market, which is crowded on weekends and during festivals.

They sell second-hand items brought from the original market near the border. Many of the items, sourced originally from Cambodia, were donated by developed countries including Japan, European countries and the United States.

The donated goods are transported by sea to Kampong Som port in Cambodia.

The cargoes arrive in containers and are put up for auction. Cambodian traders buy them, and take the goods to the Rong Klua market where Thai traders buy them by the sackload.

The management of Sophon Pattana Karnkha Co, which runs the market in Nakhon Nayok, estimates that over 20 million baht worth of goods changes hands at the market every year.

One Cambodian trader, Tara, said she followed Mr Pichai to the market in Nakhon Nayok where she now operates a brisk business selling bowls and kitchenware.

She switched from the Rong Klua market in Sa Kaeo to save on rent.

Her mother, a former teacher in Phnom Pen, and her younger sister help her run the shop. She dreams of saving enough money to build a home in Phnom Penh.

Another Cambodian trader, who gave his name as Piroon, first came to the market in Nakhon Nayok to help his uncle sell used shoes.

He now runs his own shop selling snacks and canned foods imported from China, the US and Europe.

Like many Cambodian traders at the market, Mr Piroon runs the shop with the help of his siblings.

They live together in a small rented room and bathe at the market.

Most Cambodian traders at the Rong Klua Luang Phor Pak Daeng market stay with family members, including children, who speak enough Thai to communicate with customers.

Many Cambodian traders have said they want bilateral ties to improve as their lives depend on stable and regular border trade.

It's the right decision [for Thailand to puul out of the WHC] (whatever!)

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:57 PM PDT

2/07/2011
Kamol Hengkietisak
Bangkok Post

Thailand was right to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention as the WHC is intent on accepting the Cambodian government's management proposal for Preah Vihear without caring about Thailand's objections, notes Nha-Kran Laohavilai, Post Today editor.

Nakarn notes that if Thailand accepts the WHC's resolution concerning the management of Preah Vihear temple, it means that an international committee comprising people from several nations would be able to dictate to both the Thai and Cambodian governments that they comply. Since the management of Preah Vihear temple involves construction in the disputed territory claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia, it is possible that eventually the disputed territory will be turned into Cambodian territory.

For three years now _ ever since the World Heritage Committee accepted Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site as proposed unilaterally by the Cambodian government _ there have been constant troop clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along the border, which is contrary to the goal of Unesco's establishment of the World Heritage Committee, which is to advocate peace in listing heritage sites.


Now that the WHC is about to consider approving the Cambodian government's proposal for the management of Preah Vihear temple without waiting for border demarcation work on the disputed territory surrounding the temple, it is inevitable that Thailand has to withdraw.

Nha-Kran blamed the previous People Power Party (PPP) government for not objecting to the Cambodian government's proposal to list Preah Vihear.

This made it possible for Prime Minister Hun Sen to exploit Cambodia's listing success as a campaigning issue to win a general election.

Since then, the Cambodian government has tried every year to submit the temple management plan to the WHC without consulting Thailand even though it involves disputed territory. Each year, the WHC has postponed consideration of the temple management plan due to Thailand's objection.

This year, however, in a majority vote, the WHC decided to take up the consideration of the Cambodian government's temple management plan.

This prompted Thailand's decision to withdraw from the WHC, which takes effect in 12 months' time.

By withdrawing from the WHC, the Cambodian side can go ahead and restore Preah Vihear, but only on its side. Thailand will not allow Cambodian workers to cross over to the disputed territory claimed by Thailand and Cambodia.

Now that Thailand has withdrawn from the WHC, Cambodia cannot use its Preah Vihear management plan as an issue in the World Court at The Hague as Thailand no longer recognises the jurisdiction of the WHC on the issue.

Nakarn praised the Abhisit government, especially Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti for daring to make an important decision to protect Thailand's territory.

Let's see how the next government, which is likely to be led by Pheu Thai, handles this sensitive issue.

Enemies of the People: a film that serves justice on genocide perpetrators

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:51 PM PDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiO-kcYlgLs&feature=player_embedded

Friday, July 01, 2011
By Martin Barillas
Spero News

Cambodian journalist and genocide survivor, Thet Sambath, has won the 2011 Knight International Journalism Award for uncovering the secrets the Marxist genocide during the brutal Pol Pot regime of the 1970s. His film Enemies of the People will be used as evidence at the trial of the Khmer Rouge leaders which began in Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh, on June 27.

Thet Sambath spent a decade tracking down former Khmer Rouge officials and and eliciting unprecedented confessions and is a senior reporter with the English-language daily Phnom Penh Post. He interviewed Khmer Rouge cadres who participated in the orchestrated murder of hundreds of thousands of fellow Cambodians during the Marxist regime. Among the high officials he interviewed is Pol Pot's deputy Nuon Chea (aka Brother Number 2).

His film Enemies of the People also won a Special Jury Prize for World Cinema at the Sundance Film Festival of 2010 and is to air on PBS television in July. The Knight Award is given annually by the Washington DC-based International Center for Journalists in recognition of media professionals who have taken bold steps to keep citizens informed despite great obstacles. A statement by ICFJ read, "[Sambath's film] is arguably the most important documentary about the Khmer Rouge. Within Cambodia its impact was close to home and personal. It will be used as evidence in the trial of Nuon Chea this year, and it brought Cambodians some understanding of that tragic time in their history."


Thet Sambath said of his most recent prize, "I am truly honored to receive this award for my work over the last decade. I believe its recognition will assist greatly in the process of finding out the truth of my country's sad history and enabling us all, victims and perpetrators alike, to move forward together towards a more peaceful and just future."

Sambath lost both his parents and an older brother to the Khmer Rouge. They were among an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians (around 1 in 5 of the population) who died during the regime of the radical communist movement. The deaths were caused by overwork, starvation, execution and massacre.

Enemies of the People shows the personal nature of that investigation. "I knew my parents and all the other victims died in a terrible way. But I didn't know why they died and no-one could tell me. I wanted to try and find out why all this happened. So I tried to speak to the people who did it. Only the killers know the truth."

Working mostly at weekends, in his spare time, Sambath started his research in 1999 a year after the Khmer Rouge movement collapsed. In 2001 he was introduced to Nuon Chea, formerly the Khmer Rouge's chief ideologue. Over the following years he built an extraordinary level of trust with the retired revolutionary which led to a series of detailed admissions of the most secret and lethal decisions taken by the Khmer Rouge leadership.

Remarkably, Sambath also built up a network of Khmer Rouge perpetrators around the Cambodian countryside who were also prepared to confess to wide scale killings. Before this there had been little or no admission of killing made by any former Khmer Rouge at any level of the organisation.

Fellow journalists have praised Sambath's work. Elizabeth Becker (author of When the War was Over) wrote, "Sambath has accomplished the equivalent of a miracle. Nothing else like Enemies of the People exists in broadcast journalism." Seth Mydans of The New York Times wrote, "He's an extraordinarily imaginative and resourceful journalist, traits that are most evident in his brilliant documentary, Enemies of the People."

Rob Lemkin, Sambath's UK-based film-making partner, said "The perpetrators of the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields have spoken and are speaking to him because they trust him and because he has persuaded them at the most profound level that it is in their interests and those of their society to speak – no matter how difficult or dangerous it may be for them. This is an astounding achievement."

The trial of Nuon Chea and three other central committee members of the Khmer Rouge started June 27, in Phnom Penh in a hybrid court set up jointly by the United Nations and the government of Cambodia. The defendants face charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to Agence France Presse, the only time the Khmer Rouge's chief ideologue admitted the regime's murderous tactics was in the 2009 documentary "Enemies of the People" when he said perceived traitors were killed if they could not be "re-educated" or "corrected". The Knight Award will be presented to Sambath on November 1, 2011 at the ICFJ Awards Dinner, the biggest international media event held in Washington DC. A shortened version of Enemies of the People will air on the PBS TV series POV on July 12.


Speroforum editor Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat, who also worked as a democracy advocate and election observer in Latin America. He is also a freelance translator.

"Neayuork Luork Dei Laeng Trei Leang Baab" a Poem in Khmer by Ung Thavary

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:49 PM PDT

Murphy’s Law in Cambodia

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:44 PM PDT

Saturday July 2, 2011
The Star Online (Malaysia)

Two weeks ago, two friends and I took a trip to Siem Reap to see the majestic Angkor Wat. It was a holiday where everything went wrong.

First, we chose the wrong season to go. The temperature was a blistering 38°C. The heat made us lethargic and I sprained my ankle while climbing the steps of Angkor. I spent the entire holiday limping around with a swollen ankle.

Then we got dinner from one of the street vendors near our guesthouse. We had nearly finished our meal when my friend found a cockroach leg in one of the dishes. He got food poisoning the next day. Thankfully, I was spared.


After resting the next day, we regained our energy and ventured out on rented bicycles. It started to rain heavily in the evening and the roads began flooding.

We had to leave our bicycles at the hospital where we took shelter and took a tuk-tuk back to the guesthouse as we needed to rush to the airport.

At the airport, our woes continued. We had to pay a departure tax of US$20 (RM61) per person. After digging out all the money we could find, we were still short of US$15.

The boarding gates were closing, and we began to panic. Frantic, I looked into my purse and found an old angpow packet given by an aunt many years ago. There was a US$20 bill inside!

We paid up and ran all the way to the boarding gate.

Back in Malaysia, our misfortune continued! The following day, I started having the chills and came down with diarrhoea and high fever, which lasted five days. I had to visit the doctor twice and down two courses of antibiotics before I recovered.

Would I go to Cambodia again? Yes, but hopefully I will have better luck next time.

It's a beautiful country with polite people who are always trying to please tourists.

Choong
Kuching, Sarawak

Cambodia reinforcing troops near Surin: Thai military

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:19 PM PDT

July 2, 2011
The Nation

Troops and weapons of the Cambodian army have been reinforced in border areas not far from Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom ancient temples in Surin province, prompting fears over a new round of border fighting in the wake of Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Commission.

Seven units of formidable M21 multiple rocket launchers are employed in addition to a number of them already at the ready at Ta Kwai temple, while new troops are mobilised at Ta Muen Thom, Thai military sources said.

Evacuations and emergency drills have been conducted at many schools in Surin and border provinces on a weekly basis while many schools have asked for more shelters.

[Thailand] Post-election scenario has investors wary

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:12 PM PDT

July 2, 2011
By Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation

A chaotic outcome is expected as a result of tomorrow's general election in which about 35 million Thais are expected to cast their votes.

The voter turnout is likely to be no less than the 74 per cent recorded in the last poll nearly four years ago.

According to Kasikornbank's research, investors should prepare for the worst outcome because political conflicts are unlikely to fade away regardless of which major party wins this election. A new round of political rallies will happen as soon as the conflict resumes. At this stage there are at least three sensitive issues facing the country.

First, there will be a heated debate whether the new Parliament should grant amnesty to 111 and 105 former party executives currently banned from directly engaging in political activities. Fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is among these former politicians, and he has also been sentenced to a two-year jail-term for abuse of power. Pro-amnesty groups have suggested that such a move would represent a settlement of previous political conflicts. On the other hand, there will likely be fierce opposition from other groups to such a move, especially with regard to Thaksin's criminal cases. According to the research, it is possible there will be street protests against this plan if it is presented to the new Parliament.

Second, it is speculated that there could be extra-constitutional measures taken against the election outcome. Unless a single party wins more than 251 seats in the 500-member House, there could be military and judicial intervention. In addition, mass demonstrations will challenge any extra-constitutional move.

Third, the Thai-Cambodian conflict could also lead to mass demonstrations as the next government will have to make a crucial decision on the Preah Vihear Temple issue after Thailand expressed its intention to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention (WHC). An official withdrawal process will take about 12 months. There has already been heated debate on the pros and cons of WHC withdrawal after the caretaker Abhisit government expressed its support for the move.


The move followed Cambodia's push for endorsement of its management plan for the 4.9 square-kilometre area surrounding the Hindu temple on the border. It is claimed that endorsement of this Cambodian plan would compromise Thailand's sovereignty over its territory. In other words, this will be yet another hot potato for the next government, as it will have to decide whether it is going to resume negotiations or leave the conflict completely unresolved.

According to Kasikornbank, the Thai economy has become more resilient to political conflicts since the 2006 coup. The volatility of the stock index and baht are often great during periods before and after political events such as elections and demonstrations, but price fluctuations appear to return to their average trend shortly afterwards. Foreign capital flows, in the meantime, are expected to return when the new government is formed.

However, there have been some longer-lasting economic consequences. For example, foreign investors have lowered their investment weight in Thailand for fear of political turmoil that could interrupt business. Given smaller inflows of direct investment, investors are likely to import fewer capital goods. Declining imports due to declining investment have fuelled a larger current account surplus. The unfavourable effect of declining FDI and local investment has resulted in a reduction of technological transfers.

In the end, this will erode the country's international competitiveness in manufacturing and other sectors, according to the research.

[Thailand makes] A mistake to snub Unesco heritage convention

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:05 PM PDT

July 2, 2011
The Nation
Strangely absent from this discourse are the claims by main Cambodian opposition leader, Sam Rainsy - who has now gone into self-imposed exiled - accusing Hun Sen's long time friend Vietnam of encroaching on Cambodian land.
It appears that Thailand has cut off its nose to spite its face in the dispute over Preah Vihear Temple and adjacent territorial claims

The recent decision by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to walk out of the World Heritage Committee's meeting in Paris may have boosted his popularity here in certain quarters but in the long run Thailand's international standing may be put in an unwanted spotlight.

Thailand has to review its strategy regarding its decision to withdraw from the 1972 World Heritage Convention carefully after the kingdom decided to withdraw from the convention to express its disagreement with the World Heritage inscription of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple.

Suwit defended his decision by saying it was made to protect Thailand's sovereignty over the territory adjacent to Preah Vihear. He said it was "too risky" for Thailand to accept the Preah Vihear management plan, in which Unesco and its committee would be asked to dispatch experts for restoration of the temple.

Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), expressed her deep regret at Suwit's declaration of Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 World Heritage Convention. She claimed that the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the management plan of the Temple of Preah Vihear, nor did it request any reports to be submitted on its state of conservation.

The International Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, but questions remain unanswered over 4.6 square kilometres of adjacent territory.


It is really too bad that after all the hype about Asean solidarity, Thailand and Cambodia are unable to get on as good neighbours. Bangkok thinks that Phnom Penh will use this status or momentum with the Preah Vihear situation, locally referred to as Phra Viharn, to strengthen its leverage over the disputed 4.6 square kilometres.

In other words, Thailand is concerned that any acknowledgement of World Heritage activities related to Preah Vihear from the Thai side will be taken as an acceptance of Phnom Penh's sovereignty over the temple and its vicinity.

One cannot deny that the two countries' handling of the dispute is tainted by political motivations on both sides. Political action groups and their leaders shamelessly exploit the issue for personal and political gain at the expense of stability and security.

A number of clashes have erupted along the border and there is no guarantee that this will not happen again. Neither side wants to pull troops back for fear that in doing so they would lose political capital.

Strangely absent from this discourse are the claims by main Cambodian opposition leader, Sam Rainsy - who has now gone into self-imposed exiled - accusing Hun Sen's long time friend Vietnam of encroaching on Cambodian land.

A Cambodian court handed Sam Rainsy a 14-year sentence for instigating unrest. Nothing like that is likely to happen in Thailand because our own exiled strongman, Thaksin Shinawatra, a close friend of Hun Sen, is on the run from the law and has opted for microphone diplomacy to discredit the Thai court that found him guilty of corruption.

The World Heritage Convention says "the inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction which is claimed by more than one state shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute". But we continue to link the two together, perhaps for fear that anything else will give those opposing this view another reason to come out onto the streets for another round of mass protests.

Suwit's denunciation of the World Heritage Convention could affect the plan to list three Thai properties as World Heritage sites.

Thailand, which has accepted the convention since 1987, has five World Heritage sites and the three others are on the tentative list. They are: Phimai Temple, the "cultural route" and associated temples of Phanom Rung and Muang Tam (2004); the Phu Phrabat Historical Park (2004); and the Kaeng Krachan forest complex (2011).

The next government will have to determine Thailand's course regarding this matter. This doesn't feel like a reprieve, as both countries' domestic politics will most likely continue to aggravate this already sensitive border dispute, no matter who rules the roost domestically.

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