Thaksin is Cambodia-bound

Demonstrators, led by People’s Alliance for Democracy core member Chaiwat Sinsuwong, gather yesterday in front of the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok to protest against comments made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at last weekend’s Asean summit in support of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN

Ex-PM wants to thank Hun Sen for job offer

28/10/2009
Bangkok Post

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra insists he will go to Cambodia to thank Prime Minister Hun Sen for laying out the welcome mat for him.
Thaksin confirmed his plan yesterday via a video link to a meeting of the Puea Thai Party amid a simmering conflict that has arisen between Thailand and Cambodia over his status.

Thaksin said he would fly to Cambodia soon to thank Hun Sen, a party source said.

Thaksin said he and Hun Sen had been friends for a long time.

Thaksin also thanked Puea Thai's new chairman, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, for "doing the right thing".

He denied having any businesses in Cambodia, saying he had sold them all before entering politics, the source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday claimed he had cleared up Hun Sen's misunderstanding of Thaksin's situation.

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of national security, said he told Hun Sen Thaksin had not been bullied. He had broken the law and the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions had jailed him for two years after a proper judicial hearing.

He explained Thaksin was not living in exile because of the 2006 coup.

Mr Suthep said Thaksin was fielding members of the political party he controls in elections and they had won. But two party prime ministers had to step down because they had violated the law.

"It's too late to say he has been unfairly treated. If he accepted the constitution and had not fielded candidates in the general election, it would be another story," Mr Suthep said.

"Prime Minister Hun Sen understands this point well."

The Cambodian prime minister was told that if he allowed Thaksin to live in exile in Cambodia, Thailand would use international law to seek his extradition.

"I said it was fine because the law will not be interpreted by me and Mr Hun Sen alone. There is an extradition process, and the court might be the one ruling on the extradition," he said.

The Cambodian premier said on his arrival at the Asean summit in Thailand last weekend that his government would allow Thaksin to take refuge in Cambodia and work as his economic adviser. Cambodia would not extradite him if asked by Thailand as Thaksin had been unfairly treated, he said.

The Foreign Ministry is preparing to issue a statement explaining the facts relating to Thaksin's status in response to the remarks by Hun Sen. The statement will be sent to the Cambodian government as the ministry believed the remark was a result of misinformation, said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda yesterday insisted Hun Sen's stance on Thaksin had no effect on the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.

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Military beefs up defences

Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Thet Sambath
The Phnom Penh Post

TROOPS in the northwest are stockpiling munitions following heightened tensions between Thailand and Cambodia in recent weeks, officers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) confirmed Monday.

RCAF General Men Saroeun, in charge of air defence in Military Region 5 based in Battambang province, said his forces had recently received significant supplies of new small arms and artillery. “We now have modern weapons to defend our nation,” he said. “We have what the Thai soldiers have. This is our strategy to defend our border.”

Tanks were seen being transported along National Road 5 last week in Battambang province, and an RCAF general, speaking on condition of anonymity, said missiles with a range of up to 60 kilometres had also arrived. In addition to 16 new tanks delivered to Military Region 5, he said, more than 700 RCAF officers have been issued K-54 pistols, marking the first time since 2000 that low-level commanders have been issued sidearms.

Chhouk Ang, commander of Border Police Battalion 911 in Banteay Meanchey province, said he received word from his superiors to be on alert in the wake of the spat between Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. “While we remain watchful at all times, we have put our forces on alert to prevent Thai forces from entering Cambodian territory,” he said.

But Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the re-arming was unrelated to tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, which intensified last week after Prime Minister Hun Sen invited fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to serve as his economic adviser.

“This has nothing to do with relations between Cambodia and Thailand. The Thai Foreign Ministry has said that Cambodia and Thailand have a good relationship and that Thaksin’s case is a personal issue,” he said, adding that such rearmaments are a normal part of military operations.

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Thai politics taints relationship with neighbours

Tuesday, 27 October 2009
By Usa Pichai

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Thailand’s internal political strife has tainted and complicated bilateral relationship with its neighbouring countries, particularly Cambodia and Burma.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday that former Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongjaiyuth, who has close ties with ousted Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra plans to visit neighbouring countries including Burma. It would be good if it is for the sake of the country, he added.

“Gen Chavalit is within his rights to visit these countries but should not cause problems to the countries, like when he visits Cambodia. I insisted that the anti-government groups should not put pressure on the Thai government by asking neighboring countries to help them,” according to a report in the Thai News Agency website.

Previously, Gen Chavalit visited Cambodia and met Hun Sen, The Cambodian premier, who asserted that Thaksin could remain in Cambodia as his guest and could be his economic advisor. Hun Sen added that he was not interfering in Thailand's internal affairs but that Cambodia has the right to exercise its sovereignty and take such a decision.

Former Thai premier Thaksin jumped bail and fled, evading his sentence to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in the controversial land purchase case in Bangkok. He spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by some countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany.

Hun Sen compared Thaksin to Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, asking rhetorically why he should not talk about his friend when everybody is allowed to talk about the detained Nobel Peace Laureate.

Abhisit responded saying that Hun Sen may have received incorrect information about Thaksin and should not allow himself to be used as a 'pawn'.

Kasit Piromya, the Thai Foreign Minister said Thailand and Cambodia are fellow ASEAN members and should cooperate and live together peacefully. Both countries should observe the same rules and the leaders should not do anything that could lead to misunderstanding.

On Saturday, at a bilateral meeting, the Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein, who attended the 15th ASEAN Summit in Thailand told the Thai premier that he would not allow any person to use Burma’s territory for activities against Thailand.

Abhisit thanked Burma for supporting Thailand as the ASEAN chair and said there would be more participation in development projects including the, Tavoy deep sea port in Burma and the East-West Corridor project which will benefit both countries.

About Burmese politics, Kasit said at a press conference on Saturday that he was optimistic about the ongoing developments inside the country, in which opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of the military government are engaging in dialogue.

He also welcomed the shift in tactics by the US government, which has called for engagement rather than relying purely on sanctions against the regime.

Assistance from ASEAN countries or an election observation team can be done collectively or individually. The final result will be worked out, Kasit said.

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Cambodia becomes permanent member of World Heritage Committee

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister on Tuesday expressed his warmly welcome as Cambodia becomes the permanent member of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO in 17th general assembly in France.
"It is a new pride for our country that became fully permanent member of the world heritage committee," Hun Sen told over 2,000 students in graduation ceremony of a university in Phnom Penh. "Itwill promote the image and prestige of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the world arena," he added.

On behalf of new permanent member of the WHC, Cambodia will implement its mission with high responsibility and will strengthen the cooperation with other countries, he said.

"We will enhance capacity building and study multi experiences with the world heritage committee, UNESCO, and other international forums," he stressed.

Moreover, Hun Sen said that Cambodia will do more to follow the common purposes in the WHC that has been working on conservation, culture and heritage development. "We have to enhance more international cooperation to move forward of conservation and heritage development."

The Kingdom of Cambodia was elected as a member of the WHC thanks to her richness in cultural properties and history including intangible cultural properties, several of which were inscribed on the World Heritage List, namely the Royal Ballet, the Shadow Theater, Angkor area, and the Temple of Preah Vihear, the premier said.

Cambodia becomes one of 21 permanent members which represent 186 countries in the world in the 17th general assembly of world heritage committee that is held from Oct. 23 to 28, 2009 in Paris, France at UNESCO Headquarters.

Cambodia became a member of UNESCO in 1951.

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[Thai] FM to issue official response [to Hun Xen]

27/10/2009
Bangkok Post

The Foreign Affairs Ministry will issue an official response to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, because he may have obtained incorrect information about former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the foreign minister's secretary said on Tuesday.
Mr Hun Sen expressed sympathy for Thaksin during the Asean summit last week. The Cambodian leader said Thaksin was treated unjustly and was homeless as a result.

He also said Thailand had allowed Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy, his political rival, to attack him from Thai soil.

Mr Chavanont said the Foreign Ministry's statement will outline the facts about Thaksin because Mr Hun Sen might have been given incorrect information, leading to a misunderstanding and uncomfortable feelings between Thailand and Cambodia.

Mr Chavanont said the government had nothing to do with Sam Rainsy being invited to speak at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. Moreover, Sam Rainsy, unlike Thaksin, was not a convicted criminal and could enter the country as an ordinary tourist.

On the issue of Thaksin's possible extradition if he stays in Cambodia, he said this was a matter for the appropriate parties to determine prove whether he is a political victim or convicted criminal. It was not a subject for verbal argument.

Mr Chavanont said the Foreign Ministry has to be careful not to turn the Thaksin case into a dispute between countries. The government had no policy to hold talks in secret in exchange for some benefit without telling the people, he said.

He also clarified Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's remark that a senior figure was clearing up this matter with Mr Hun Sen,

Mr Chavanont said that person was Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who already talked with the Cambodian leader during the Asean summit.

Mr Suthep said he explained to Mr Hun Sen that Thaksin had not been unfairly persecuted as claimed. In fact, the former prime minister was found to have broken the law and was sentenced to imprisonment in a proper judicial process.

Mr Suthep said he told Mr Hun Sen that Thaksin fled the country not because of the Sept 19 coup but to avoid the court's legal sentencing and a two year ail term.

"The post-coup government stayed for only one year and a new constitution was approved by the people in a public referendum.

''Thaksin and his men accepted the constitution, took part in the elections and their party was the winner and subsequently formed governments in which Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat were the prime ministers.

''However, these two were unseated because they had broken the law," Mr Suthep said.

On extradition, Mr Suthep said he told Mr Hun Sen said that although he and Thaksin were friends, Thailand would ask Cambodia to extradite Thaksin if he was in Cambodia, as allowed by the extradition treaty.

''It was up to Cambodia to decide whether or not it would do as requested. The matter might have to be taken to court in the end,'' he added.

Asked if Hun Sen wanted to know when there would be an election in Thailand, Mr Suthep said: "The Cambodian leader told me he does not want to interfere in Thai politics at all. He also accepted my request that the verbal exchanges between the leaders of the two countries should not lead to border tensions or a clash between soldiers."

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Gen Chavalit: Mediator or divider?

27/10/2009
Writer: Veera Prateepchaikul
Bangkok Post
Opinion

Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's first effort to bring about national reconciliation as Puea Thai party chairman by visiting Cambodia and meeting Prime Minister Hun Sen was a miserable flop. Not only did he fail to mend fences, he managed to fuel tensions between the two countries and raised suspicions locally about his real motives.
If national reconciliation is really one of a few objectives that Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh aspires to, to justify his decision to join the opposition Puea Thai party, then his first attempt to realise that objective was a complete fiasco.

Two days before the start of the 15th Asean Summit in Hua Hin and Cha-am beach resort townships, the retired general flew to Phnom Penh for a one-day visit during which he met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Upon his return home, he told reporters of Hun Sen’s sympathy for exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his generous offer of temporary refuge in Cambodia for the fugitive.

Arriving in Bangkok to attend the Asean Summit, Hun Sen confirmed his feelings for Thaksin, and went even further by likening the deposed Thai premier to Burma’s iconic democracy crusader Aung San Suu Kyi.

As expected, Hun Sen’s unprovoked inflammatory remarks prompted a sharp response from an annoyed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Dusit Poll, of the Rajabhat Institute, reported that 70 per cent of people surveyed felt that Gen Chavalit’s untimely diplomacy tended to increase tension between Thailand and Cambodia. Of these, 40 per cent believed that the trip to Cambodia was part of a political game to help Thaksin and 30 per cent believed it was intended to stir up trouble.

Given the opinion survey result, plus the negative reactions of the government and a group of senators to the whole saga generated by Gen Chavalit’s visit and Hun Sen’s remarks about Thaksin, there is little doubt that the Puea Thai chairman's supposed attempt to bring about national reconciliation or to mend fences between Thailand and Cambodia was a complete failure.

Unless, of course, the real purpose of his self-initiated diplomacy was totally different from his stated objectives - and was not to restore national reconciliation as he preached.

But Gen Chavalit has yet to admit his failure and to apologise to the peoples of Thailand and Cambodia for his bungled diplomacy. He has unnecessarily soured relations between the two neighbours and generated misunderstanding and distrust between Thais and Cambodians.

And if the retired general really has the national interest at heart and wants to leave behind a memorable legacy, then he should rethink his next ''diplomatic'' move, which is to visit Burma and then Malaysia.

He should put off his planned visits and and do some deep soul-searching about what he had just done to his home country and his countrymen.

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Cambodian Journalist Wins International Award [-Congratulations to An Sithav of the Economics Today magazine!]

PHNOM PENH, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- A Cambodian journalist has won an international media award for article touching on poverty impact that caused by global economic crisis, China's Xinhua news agency reported quoting a press release issued Tuesday by Economics Today magazine.
An Sithav, 25, a reporter for Economic Today Magazine, won a 2009 Developing Asia Journalism Award, on Oct 23 held in Tokyo, Japan.

He was awarded with the first prize in the poverty impact of the global financial crisis category.

Sithav said he was surprised to hear his story, "Not Working", the lead story of the June Issue 40 of Economics Today, was worthy of a place among the finalists.

"I was very pleased that I was selected as a finalist of 2009 Developing Asia Journalist Award, and then as a winner of poverty impact of the Global Financial Crisis among the journalists of Asia Pacific region," he said.

"I do not believe I could be recognized internationally with two years experience as journalist, but now I am a representative of Cambodia who won the first place," he added.

Sithav began working as a journalist in September 2007 and he reports mostly on development which he thinks is the current pressing issue.

Parista Yuthamanop of the Bangkok Post took the second place in the same category, with Yoke Heong Chee of Malaysia's Third World Network taking the third.

Published twice monthly, Economics Today covers economic and business, politics and society, international news, and provides snapshots of key economic and financial indicators.

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Thai-Cambodian military ties 'intact'

27/10/2009
Bangkok Post

Military ties between Cambodia and Thailand remain tight, army chief Anupong Paojinda said on Tuesday.

His statement came as political relations between the two countries soured after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced he would welcome ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to Cambodia and that the Cambodian government would not allow his extradition to Thailand.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva responded by asking Mr Hun Sen to decide between personal relations and bilateral benefits with Thailand.

Gen Anupong would not say whether Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's visit to the neighbouring country would affect the army in any way. He said he did not know whether Gen Chavalit was there to discuss personal matters or not.

But the army chief reiterated that situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains calm, and that soldiers of the two countries are obeying their governments' decision to solve the border conflicts through bilateral talks.

"I can assure you that the situation there will not lead to fighting, and we will not resort to the use of force," Gen Anupong said.

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Cambodia ranks next to last in Asia-Pacific on the 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index

Region Ranking
Asia-Pacific (out of a total of 104 countries)
06 Australia
10 New Zealand
16 Japan
18 Hong Kong
23 Singapore
24 Taiwan
26 South Korea
39 Malaysia
44 Thailand
45 India
50 Mongolia
55 Philippines
58 Sri Lanka
61 Indonesia
75 China
76 Kazakhstan
77 Vietnam
87 Bangladesh
90 Nepal
92 Uzbekistan
93 Cambodia
99 Pakistan

Index Comparisons (Rank / Number of countries)

• Legatum Institute Prosperity Index: 93rd / 104
• Average Life Satisfaction Ranking: 95th / 104
• Per Capita GDP Ranking: 93rd / 104
• WEF Global Competitiveness Index: 110th / 133
• UN Human Development Index: 136th / 179
• Heritage/WSJ Economic Freedom Index: 106th / 178
• TI Corruption Perceptions Index: 166th / 180
• Vision of Humanity Global Peace Index: 105th / 144

Source: http://www.prosperity.com

The Legatum Prosperity Index is the world's only global assessment of wealth and wellbeing; unlike other studies that rank countries by actual levels of wealth, life satisfaction or development, the Prosperity Index produces rankings based upon the very foundations of prosperity – those factors that help drive economic growth and produce happy citizens over the long term.


Economic Fundamentals - Ranked 65th

Cambodia is strong on trade, but low value exports and a weak domestic market are a dead weight on the economy

Unemployment is low at 4%, putting Cambodia in the top 15 countries on this variable of economic performance. The difference between banks’ borrowing and lending rates is low at 4.2 percentage points, indicating a moderately efficient banking sector. Cambodia receives a great deal of foreign direct investment, falling just outside the top 10. Cambodia has the least severe export dependency on raw materials of all countries and, with a strong ratio of export revenues to imports, its terms of trade remain within the top 15 countries. While the inflation rate is moderate at 6%, the domestic savings rate is just 13% of GDP, and capital stock per worker is particularly low, putting Cambodia in the bottom 20 on both variables. Household expenditure as a percentage of GDP is also low at 22%, suggesting a weak domestic market for Cambodian businesses.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Ranked 102nd

Cambodia lags behind in developing ICT facilities, and a failure to invest in R&D indicates little change is likely in the near future

Cambodia has a very low level of internet infrastructure and secure servers, placing it in the bottom eight countries with respect to both variables. Access to personal computers is the second lowest worldwide, with just three computers for every 1,000 citizens. Barriers to entry are average for the region, with 10 formal steps required to set up a company. High-tech and ICT exports are negligible, registering less than 0.07% of manufactured exports. R&D expenditure as a percentage of Cambodia’s GDP is very low at just 0.1%, placing the country 99th and indicating extremely poor commercialisation of innovation. Royalty payments are below average, indicating that the country is able to capitalise on its intellectual property to some extent.

Democratic Institutions - Ranked 88th

Cambodia has a parliamentary democracy, but its institutions and processes are not democratic in practice

Cambodia receives a very low rating for political rights and a low rating for civil liberties, placing 86th on both variables. The political system allows for the presence of rival parties in the legislative branch of government and there is open political competition among political parties for the office of the chief executive. However, Cambodia ranks low on institutionalised procedures for transferring power, indicating that elections are poorly regulated and subject to political interference. There are some checks and balances in the political system to guard against rash or arbitrary actions by the executive, but the country ranks 56th on this variable, meaning that checks and balances are ineffective and real power abides in the hands of the executive. Cambodia’s judiciary is not independent and there are insufficient safeguards against interference from other branches of government. Regime stability is relatively low in Cambodia, with the country having undergone a significant change in the political system less than 10 years ago.

Education - Ranked 96th

Overall, there is a extremely low quality of education for most Cambodians, but workers have, on average, moderate years of secondary education, signifying some degree of human capital

At the primary education level, there are 51 schoolchildren per teacher and expenditure is just $91 per student, suggesting a very poor investment in education. Cambodia primary enrolment rates are the 70th lowest globally, and the country slides further down to 93rd place for secondary school enrolment rates, and to 94th place on tertiary education enrolment rates. There is also gender inequality in schools, with only 89 girls enrolled for every 100 boys, ranking the country 95th, globally. The average Cambodian worker has had 4.5 years of secondary schooling, a measurement associated with labour productivity, which in this case is close to the global average. However, the average level of tertiary education per worker is just 2.1 years, placing the country 99th out of 104 countries on this variable.

Health - Ranked 98th

Cambodia’s performance on the majority of health variables is consistently poor, with notably high levels of undernourishment and infant mortality

Cambodia’s severe underinvestment in health is an obstacle in addressing the high infant mortality rate of 67 deaths per 1,000 live births, widespread undernourishment affecting 33% of the population, and low life expectancy of just 48 years. Cambodia ranks consistently within the bottom 15 countries on objective health measures. There are only two doctors and one hospital bed per 10,000 capita. Only 28% of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities, ranking the country 100th, and only 61% claim that water quality is satisfactory.* Cambodians report the highest number of non-age-related health problems, with 29% reporting pain.* Despite this, 65% of respondents report feeling well rested.*

Safety and Security - Ranked 70th

Although significant internal security issues exist, most Cambodians report feeling safe

Cambodia has a significant presence of cross-border refugees and internally displaced persons, and there are serious problems related to group grievances. This insecurity encourages large voluntary emigration of skilled and professional workers to more secure nations. Political terror also poses a significant problem, with the country scoring poorly on variables that assess the degree to which the government uses violent methods against its own citizens. Despite high levels of insecurity, 60% of respondents said they felt safe walking alone at night, making Cambodia the 58th safest country, worldwide.* Reports of assault and muggings are low at 4%, and only one in five respondents reported theft of household property in 2008, placing Cambodia below the international average on this variable.*


Governance - Ranked 82ndCambodia ranks poorly on the enforcement of the rule of law, and corruption is perceived as widespread
Enforcement of the rule of law is very poor in Cambodia and the country ranks in the bottom 10, worldwide. Further, Cambodia ranks in the bottom 20 on both government effectiveness and regulation of economic and commercial activity. Over 85% of respondents believe local government and businesses are corrupt.* While citizens have the legal right to participate in political processes, this is limited to some degree.* Approval of the court and judicial system is higher, with 46% of respondents expressing confidence, while 72% declare confidence in the military.* Further, more than seven out of 10 of respondents said they were confident in the honesty of elections.*

Personal Freedom - Ranked 51st

Most Cambodians are satisfied with their freedoms of choice, but also acknowledge widespread intolerance for immigrants and ethnic minorities

Cambodians are reported to have unconstrained freedom to practice their religious beliefs, speak freely without fear of government censorship, and travel freely within and out of their own country. Nearly nine out of 10 citizens claimed to be satisfied with their freedom to choose what they do in their daily lives.* However, tolerance for ethnic minorities and immigrants is among the lowest, internationally, ranking the country in the bottom five on both variables.*

Social Capital - Ranked 67th

Cambodians are highly connected to religious networks but three out of 10 citizens are doubtful that friends and family would help them in times of need

Only 70% of Cambodians believe they can rely on friends and family in times of need, ranking the country 97th on this variable.* With just 17% of respondents saying they would help a stranger, Cambodia has the lowest rate, worldwide, on this variable.* Volunteering was also very low, with just 6% of respondents giving their time during the past month. However, 32% of the population had donated money, ranking the country in the top half on this variable.* Cambodians are highly religious - as assessed by their tendency to attend worship services, ranking the country 37th on the religiosity variable and suggesting widespread access to religious support networks.* No data was available on social trust, the importance of friendship, or membership of associations.

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

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Sam Rainsy uproots VN border markers

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
By Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

OPPOSITION leader Sam Rainsy uprooted six demarcation poles on the Cambodia-Vietnam border Sunday after leading his party's Kathen festival procession to the Ang Rumdenh pagoda in SvayRieng province’s Sam Raung commune, Chantrea district, saying that the poles were placed illegally by Vietnamese authorities.

Sam Rainsy said Monday that the poles he removed were not border markers accepted by both countries but had been erected only recently by Vietnam.

"As I was putting a money offering in a monk's bowl, people approached me and asked me for help. I asked them, 'With what do you need my help?' And they told me, '[The Vietnamese] took Khmers' land'",' Sam Rainsy said, adding that the residents' rice fields and the pagoda were located about 100 metres from the border.

Sam Rainsy said the people who lost their land told him that a few months ago, about 10 officials from Vietnam and one Cambodian came to measure their land and then set up poles on it, declaring that the area fell within the "white zone" - a buffer strip whose use is denied to people from either nation.

Sam Rainsy said that these poles were not official and that people in the area told him they had already removed similar poles earlier this year.

Svay Rieng provincial Governor Cheang Am said he did not know why Sam Rainsy uprooted the poles, which had been set up by a joint committee of Cambodians and Vietnamese, but that Sam Rainsy must be held responsible before the law.

"These poles are difficult to put up. They were plotted properly, in accordance with procedure," he said.

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