The Phnom Penh Post - ENGLISH: “Cambodia suspends US military programs” plus 9 more

Cambodia suspended military programs with the US shortly after the elections, a US State Department official said yesterday.

Speaking at a press briefing held in Washington DC, spokeswoman Marie Harf said the suspension was a "unilateral" decision by Cambodia.

"Following the elections, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense postponed or canceled a number of international military programs, including with the United States. We would not categorise the cancellation of programs as a suspension of military ties," she said.

"We haven't indicated that's something we want."

Before the elections, a number of US lawmakers urged cuts to aid should the vote be deemed less than "free and fair." Rights groups testifying at a congressional hearing on the topic encouraged the cuts be made to military aid, but no public decision on the matter had been issued.

Cambodia has typically enjoyed a warm military relationship with the US, which has provided millions in military assistance each year and held large training exercises. Three-star general Hun Manet, the son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was the first Cambodian to attend the elite West Point military academy in the US.

We think only Khmer people, it doesn't matter which political view they have, but they are the ones who decide about our Cambodia's future, not the Vietnamese.

To coincide with International Youth Day, Transparency International Cambodia announced yesterday that it has distributed more than 5,000 cards over the past six months listing hotline numbers in a bid to combat corruption in the Kingdom.

The translucent, blue plastic cards, which display the message "We can fight corruption together!" contain phone numbers for the Anti-Corruption Unit and free legal advice, as well as the promise of anonymity for those who offer sensitive information.

Even so, those interested in receiving a card have to fill out a sheet with their name, email and phone number, making them honorary anti-corruption members.

"So far, no one rejects the cards when we offer them," said Van Mayan, 19, a volunteer for TI who helped youths register for the cards.

Executive director of TI, Preap Kol, said another 10,000 cards are to be distributed.

"If we can get people who encounter acts of corruption to report it, we can reduce the amount of corruption," Kol said.

Distribution had been delayed for a short period due to faulty phone lines, but an attorney and team are now available to answer phone calls, make reports and prepare lawsuits, Kol added.

Cambodia were given a baptism of fire in their opening fixture of the 2013 Homeless World Cup in Poznan on Sunday.

The side, led by Scottish coach Jimmy Campbell, went down 10-2 to South Africa and were to face reigning champions Chile and Bulgaria in clashes.

Bassac FC, without top scorer Benjamin Legrande, soaked up the pressure to stay top of the 2013 Anvaya League on Sunday after a 2-0 win over Tiger FC on a flooded Mekong University field.

Second-placed Victory FC, meanwhile, also remained unbeaten by completing a late comeback to edge Anvaya Sporting Club 4-3 in their highly anticipated clash.

In Sunday's morning kick-off, PSE condemned Red Cowboys to yet another hefty defeat, with Nhep Roatha pocketing four in their 7-1 rout. The concluding fixture saw PPIA smash KhmerDev 9-1.

With King Norodom Sihamoni having left for Beijing yesterday for a routine medical check-up, a number of the monarch's constitutional powers – including those pertaining to the transition period after elections – have passed to Senate President and Cambodian People's Party leader Chea Sim.

However, despite a widely cited sense of tension among the general public, and concerns from the opposition that the King may be unable to fulfil his role as a key mediator between parties, both legal and political considerations may preclude the CPP from capitalising on its temporary hold on the powers of the head of state, analysts said yesterday.

According to political analyst Chea Vannath, the CPP is operating on a markedly different playing field than it was before the election.

"I think that the result of the election by itself is a wake-up call for the ruling party. The voters expect transparency and accountability from the ruling party, rather than using anything for political interests," Vannath said. "That's what the results of the election meant to them."

Under the constitution, it is the King who calls the first meeting of the newly formed National Assembly, which is to take place no more than 60 days after the election. He also enjoys certain other powers, such as designating – at the request of the president and vice-presidents of the assembly – which member of the winning party will be responsible for forming the government.

"September is the time when they need the role of the King," said Koul Panha, executive director of election watchdog Comfrel, referring to the scheduled release date of the official vote tally. "Whether or not the NEC releases official election results soon depends on the opposition, whether they appeal the results or not."

The King already issued a statement yesterday, saying he "will repatriate to the motherland soon in the future in order to preside over the first session of the fifth mandate of the National Assembly".

The King's adviser, Prince Sisowath Sirirath, estimated that Sihamoni would return in 10 to 14 days, but that the timeframe "depends on the Chinese doctor".

However, if the final results are in, said Panha, there is nothing to legally prevent an acting head of state from convening the assembly in the King's absence, regardless of the monarch's health or intentions.

"The law still allows him to replace the King's role. They do not talk about whether there needs to be a delegation or not when absent," he said, referring to a 1999 article of the constitution. "I think they amended the law to make sure things go smoothly when the King is absent."

Nonetheless, recent troop movements and threats of mass demonstrations have made the King's leaving more portentous among the general public, said Thun Saray, president of Comfrel's board of directors.

"Maybe this happened by coincidence, but the King should not leave the country in a time of political tension," he said.

According to Vannath, however, that very tension may serve as a calming influence on both the opposition and the ruling party.

"Both of them, they try to better behave, and not to disturb, and not to stir the emotion or sentiment of the public," she said.

"Of course you know about the action, but you never know about the reaction, and the reaction of the people right now is quite agitated."

Cambodia National Rescue Party chief whip Son Chhay said yesterday that he was concerned at the King's leaving, adding that "it's only the King" who can serve as impartial mediator.

"But now, since he left, the role of head of state is under the hand of the CPP. The senate, the army, the court, the Constitutional Council, the Supreme Council of Magistracy, and everything is already under the hand of the CPP," he said. "So who can our people rely on with no institution that can be relied on?"

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ABBY SEIFF

Phnom Penh municipal governor Pa Socheatvong has ordered a complete suspension of all sand-dredging activities while the municipality investigates whether the companies are operating illegally, a spokesman said.

The order came during a meeting yesterday between the governor and his subordinates, City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said.

"His Excellency raised the case and ordered them to urgently suspend [dredging] in order to check the companies' business licenses," Dimanche told the Post. "Previously, there has been anarchic sand dredging, but some companies do have licenses."

Dredging has remained a controversial business in Cambodia, with the government maintaining it's necessary for protecting waterways and environmental groups saying it is done almost exclusively for profit and is hugely detrimental to ecosystems.

In Phnom Penh, a number of riverbanks in Meanchey and Russei Keo districts have collapsed in recent years, sending homes toppling into the Mekong and causing severe structural damage. Village representatives have frequently fingered dredging as the cause.

Kuoch Chamroeun, Meanchey district governor, said approximately five or six dredging companies operated in his district, but that all were licensed.

Nao Thuok, director-general of the fisheries administration, said that dredging during the spawning season can have some impact on species development, but generally, "it does not impact it seriously".

In the wake of last month's election, production levels at Cambodian garment factories are still below the norm as lingering fears of political unrest keep workers at home and away from the capital.

Shrugged off at the outset as a natural byproduct of the election that would correct in time, the stay-away workers are beginning to make factory owners reluctant to accept orders, according to Ath Thorn, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC).

"When they [factory owners] accept the order from a buyer, they need to be sure they can supply the goods on time," Thorn said. "Absentee workers are interrupting production lines, which is a concern for the factory owners. That is why some have decided to suspend their supply capacity temporarily."

Thorn said that more than 10 per cent of workers remained absent.

"I was informed that workers are suggesting to draw their salary in advance as they are preparing to go back home during the uncertainty," he said.

With the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party disputing the ruling Cambodian People's Party victory in the July 28 poll, and with warnings of protests and the presence of military vehicles in Phnom Penh, a tense mood has prevailed.

Ken Loo, secretary general of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia, said he was still assessing the situation, but had not had any specific reports about jittery factory owners.

Loo, though, was still concerned that workers would head out of the city if an atmosphere of fright persisted.

"We are of course worried, but it is up to the workers not to listen to rumours, and they can decide for themselves whether there is unrest in Phnom Penh or not, or whether it is just rumours going around," he said.

After missing about 20 per cent of staff, or 400 workers, when it opened its doors on the Tuesday after the election, Injae Garment Co said things were slowly returning to normal.

"Our first factory at Toul Kork has no problem at all, and at the second new factory about 50 workers at Takhmao [were] absent after being paid their salary last week," said Injae owner Nam-Shik Kang.

Kang said it had not affected any of his orders, but made the point that buyers, not just local manufactuers, "seriously keep watching the recent Cambodia political situation".

Both the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers' Democratic Union (C.CAWDU) and the government last week urged workers to return to work.

"According to the situation, nobody can tell what's going to happen [politically], but we estimate it's not going to be too serious," said Kong Athit, C.CAWDU's vice-president.

A joint venture to get the country's second major carrier, Cambodia Airlines, off the ground will be delayed by three months, according to a stakeholder disclosure statement.

Cecilia L Pesayco, assistant corporate secretary of Philippine Airlines Inc's parent company, PAL Holdings Inc, said in a statement dated August 8 to the Philippine Stock Exchange that the closing date "for completion of PAL's [Philippine Airlines] Joint Venture with Inter Logisticts (Cambodia) Co Ltd has been moved to October 15, 2013".

The target closing date was initially July 15.

According to an earlier statement to the same stock exchange at the end of May, Philippine Airlines would invest $10 million for a 49 per cent stake in Cambodia Airlines, with the first $1 million due on the closing date last month.

The other 51 per cent would be owned by Inter Logistics (Cambodia), which is controlled by Royal Group of Companies chairman Kith Meng, the statement in May said.

David Pearson, group controller at Royal Group, said yesterday the completion was postponed because the regulatory process was taking longer, but that "it's not a big deal".

"There's a lot of work involved in preparing to launch an airline but everything is [progressing] smoothly," he said.

Pearson said the delay will not affect the first flights. He confirmed they will take off in the third quarter of this year.

The airline would compete against Cambodia Angkor Air, which has until now dominated scheduled domestic flights.

Comment

Despite "rumour or hearsay" of social instability in Cambodian society, the National Election Committee (NEC) decided to proceed with its first provisional announcement of the electoral result.

I have grave concerns that these two terms could ignite a civil conflict that the Cambodians have feared before, during and after the general election on July 28.

The terms have almost the same literal translation in Khmer language, but bear slightly different legal interpretations.

The word "rumour" is literally defined by the Oxford Dictionaries as a way of "circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth".

It's merely a statement from word of mouth that has no credible ground, usually serving a specific purpose for an individual or a group.

This term is close to the meaning of "hearsay". According to Black's Law Dictionary, "hearsay" means: "Traditionally, testimony that is given by a witness who relates not what he or she knows personally, but what others have said, and that is therefore dependent on the credibility of someone other that the witness."

Both terms depict how information can spread without verification, but "hearsay" could be legally verified through cross-examination into documents or testimony, especially in a court of law. I would prefer here to use it interchangeably.

It's almost typical for Cambodian society to live with the unverified truth that ends with seeing their innocence often exploited and their nation, sometimes, in great danger. Recently, rumours about a possible conflict spread as a result of the general election.

During election day, a rumour spread across Phnom Penh that there was a military mobilisation, which was an indication that war would break out.

It took a while before realising there was a riot in Stung Meanchey, where two vehicles from the authorities were set ablaze. However, the effective and quick word of mouth led people to panic, hurrying to buy food in preparation for a possible conflict.

A few days after the election, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) leader Sam Rainsy threatened to hold a nationwide protest, while the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) increased the presence of police and armed forces in Phnom Penh in the name of maintaining public law and order.

Rumour even spread that some roads were sealed off near the Independence Monument – social havoc would be imminent.

Over the last few days, the mobilisation of armed personnel into Phnom Penh has made the already-tense situation worse around the country.

The rumour or hearsay of a civil conflict looms large if the CNRP proceeds with its mass protest plan that might turn violent for an unspecified reason.

If this is the case, Cambodian blood will spill again.

This is not what the Cambodian people want.

After the first provisional result declared yesterday, rumours could be heard in every corner of Cambodia. Supporters of the CPP and CNRP uttered mixed reactions, ranging from optimism and concern.

Fourth-year university student Ren Chanrith, a 28-year-old CNRP supporter, heard people saying that a sense of great disappointment with the election result is widespread, especially amongst the youth and not from CNRP leader Sam Rainsy alone.

There was hearsay that CNRP supporters do not want Rainsy to engage in any power bargaining. Mass protest was the most preferable means to demand an independent body be created to tackle voting irregularities.

Linda, 19, said she heard people spreading rumours that military action would be launched in Phnom Penh. Food prices went up quickly.

Linda, a first-year university student and also a CPP supporter, is concerned that a mass protest would disrupt national progress. Unlike Chanrith, her optimism was that both the CPP and CNRP would strike a deal to tackle the problem.

So, a rhetorical question is, What kinds of measures should the Cambodian people take to prevent rumours that might cause civil unrest? The answer would be simple.

The people have to master rumours and hearsay, rather than letting it master them. If so, politicians will be in no position to use us.

As the Cambodian people are the owners of a sovereign state, they have already exercised their rights to vote for a political party in accordance with their conscience.

Their obligations as good citizens are already being made, thus, it's highly inappropriate for any party to place the people in a confrontational situation. Their democratic practice has proven their steadfast refusal to adopt a North Africa model of revolution to topple the regime they dislike.

The CPP should shy away from using the armed forces to crack down on its own citizens, while the CNRP should never ever use people, especially youths, to provoke any mass protests that would put our national stability at great risk.

Both sides need to tackle this problem in an acceptable manner that would not resort to any kind of conflict.

This would undoubtedly plunge our country into a new round of instability after the decades of consecutive civil wars and genocide.

Both the CPP and CNRP should study the policies of both sides in a manner that would serve the interest of our beloved motherland and people. People from all walks of life should bear in mind that as the owners and masters of Cambodia, they should never be placed in a position in which they are pitted against each other by political parties – the ruling party or the opposition.

At this point, fallen US President John F Kennedy's quote – "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" – may fit into the Cambodian context in which both should think of how to jointly develop and move our country forward in a competitive manner with ASEAN and the civilised world.

Competing parties have to learn how to solve problems, while the army and the people, especially the youth, should not let rumour or hearsay bring our nation into chaos.