Bilateral Nonsense

Krungthep Turakij, Editorial Page 2, October 24

The announcement by Cambodian government spokesman regarding the extradition of former PM and fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra back to Thailand has resulted in a lot of controversy in Thailand. The gist of the announcement is that the decision to extradite Thaksin or not is up to the Cambodian government should Thaksin seek an asylum there.
The statement clearly indicated that Cambodia is convinced the charges against Thaksin has been politically motivated and therefore do not comply with the regulations stipulated in the extradition treaty between Thailand and Cambodia.

The announcement also said that Hun Sen’s offer to provide Thaksin shelter in his country is an act of kindness to an old friend and it doesn’t mean Cambodia interferes with the internal affairs of Thailand.

The move showed strong stance Cambodia has against the possible extradition of Thaksin. The ensuing war of words between Thailand and Cambodia governments over this matter is frivolous as there is no confirmed report that Thaksin is current living or plan to live in Cambodia. The whole exchange of words is senseless and it goes to show how both Thailand and Cambodia's political scenes lack substance. It also reflected how inadequate politicians are as they seem to have no real clue on how to fix the real problems but opt to create headlines instead.

The 'unhealthy' political state in Cambodia is reflected by how the government spokesman has to defend Prime Minister Hun Sen for his blunder in international affairs. It was not the first time the Cambodia government has to defend actions of its leader

While on the Thai side, the new captain of Pheu Thai Party General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh tried to stir things up by proclaiming his lifelong friendship with the Cambodia leader and a former leader of Thailand.

If you've been following developments in Thai politics closely you will find that many of problems in Thai politics are pseudo. They are created by politicians who want to start one frivolous war of words after another. Most of the 'issues' were created as they vie for political power and to distract the public from issues that really matter.

To make way for real developments in Thai politics, real politicians should pay no mind to political games initiated by irresponsible statements and behaviors which could be classified as old style of Thai politics. The best retaliation to senseless political provocation aimed solely to create headlines is to ignore them. However, from the look of the current situation, exchange of remarks on a daily basis shows that the politicians are just buying their time and waiting for the moment that they can get a slice of the national budget (into their own pockets).

We believe many Thai people are so fed up with this kind of politicians. However, if we continue to allow these people to enter politics we’ll have to bear the cost of having to hear of more nonsense from them. The biggest disappointment is that this sort of nonsense favored by Thai politicians seems to have spread across the border into Cambodia already.

Rewritten, edited for length and clarity by Pornchai Sereemongkonpol

Read more!

Sam Rainsy led villagers to pull out border posts … Hun Xen’s gov’t accused him of violating and destroying public property

Sam Rainsy and the villagers are pulling out the border markes planted on their rice fields

27 October 2009
Rasmei Kampuchea
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On 25 October 2009, Sam Rainsy led several dozens of villagers to the border with Vietnam in Svay Rieng province, and the group pulled out wooden border post markers that were installed there.

The location where the villagers informed Sam Rainsy that Vietnam planted border posts in violation of rice land fields belonging to Cambodian villagers, and the location where these border posts were pulled out are in Koh Kban Kandal village, Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. Sam Rainsy also led a Kathen procession to Wat Ang Romdenh Pagoda located in this village on that same day.

On 26 October, during his meeting with a group of reporters at the SRP party headquarters, Sam Rainsy indicated that, during his meeting with border villagers, the issue of the expropriation of Cambodian-owned rice field lands by the Yuon (Viet) authority was raised. A few months earlier, the Yuon and Khmer authorities came to take measurements and survey the land, then they planted the border posts in the rice fields belonging to Cambodian farmers. Some of the villagers indicated that the border markers were set between 100 and 300-meter into their fields. Furthermore, 2-hectare of lands were set aside as a “white zone” [No man’s land] and rice plantation is not allowed anymore.

Sam Rainsy added that these wooden border posts were installed there to test the feelings of the Cambodian people to see if they are willing to protest or not. “Therefore, we protest and we pulled them out,” Sam Rainsy said. He also indicated that he wanted to see these Viets to be mindful so that they do not come into Cambodian territories so easily.

Regarding the loss of rice field lands to Vietnam, Sam Rainsy added that some of the villagers lost large chunks of their rice fields as Vietnam continue to move the borders into the Cambodian territories. Furthermore, several Cambodian villages and pagodas were absorbed into the Vietnamese territories, and even Samdach Heng Samrin, the CPP honorary president and president of the National Assembly, told the NA that in Kak commune, Ponhea Krek district, Kampong Cham province, the Vietnamese border has been pushed all the way to the staircase of his home there.

However, Svar Kim Hong, the chairman of the government border committee, indicated that Sam Rainsy’s action is a violation of the government’s work in the border delimitation with Vietnam, and he also accused Sam Rainsy of destroying public property.

Svar Kim Hong indicated that Sam Rainsy led a force to violate the work accomplished by the border committee to install border post No. 185 located in Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. He said that this is a violation of public property consisting of the border post between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Svar Kim Hong, who leads the border marker installation work, accused Sam Rainsy of using political propaganda without knowing the technique to delimitate the border. Svar Kim Hong said that, prior to the installation of the permanent border marker, these [temporary] posts are installed all over the place to test the region where there are disputes.

The Cambodian and Vietnamese governments agreed to install 370 border markers made out of granitic rock [produced by Vietnam] along their 1,270-km common border. Among these border markers, seven are located at border crossing gates.

On 27 September 2007, the border marker located at the Bavet-Moc Bai international crossing gate in Svay Rieng province was inaugurated by Hun Xen and his Viet counterpart. That was the initiation of the border demarcation between the two countries, using markers made out of granitic rock costing $15 million and paid for by Vietnam.

Read more!

Security at Cambodian embassy [in Bangkok] tightened

27/10/2009
Bangkok Post

Security in front of the Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok has been tightened on Tuesday after members of the People's Assembly of Thailand led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong announced they would protest there to oppose Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said last week he welcomed ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to Cambodia.

A company of police have been deployed to guard around the embassy. Iron barriers have also been placed around the entrance.

Mr Chaiwat said in a radio interview in the morning that he would led protesters to gather in front of the Embassy of Cambodia to read a statement condemning Hun Sen and Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who went to meet Hun Sen last week in Phnom Penh.

"The People's Assembly of Thailand condemn the Cambodian prime minister for taking the opportunity during the Asean Summit in telling reporters that Cambodia would not hand over Thaksin if Thailand sought his extradition," he said. "This is an insult to Thailand, the Thai government and the Thai people, and it destroys good relations between the two countries."

He also demanded Hun Sen to apologise to Thailand.

Mr Chaiwat stressed that the protesters would not surround the embassy.

Read more!

Hun Sen promises not to heighten border tension: Suthep

October 27, 2009
The Nation

KI-Media Note: Shouldn't Suthep Thaugsuban learn about whom the Cambodian court responds to?

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Tuesday that he had held a talk with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over sour relations of the two countries caused by Hun Sen's support for fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra.
Suthep said he explained to Hun Sen that Thaksin had not been politically persecuted but he had breached the laws.

Suthep said if Thaksin takes a refuge in Cambodia, the Thai government will seek his extradition in line with the legal channel and it will be up to the Cambodian court whether to approve the extradition request.

He said the disputes of the two countries should be solved peacefully and the two countries should stop exchanging verbal attacks.

Suthep also quoted Hun Sen as promising that the Cambodian prime minister would be careful not to cause border tension.

Read more!

Vietnam seeks larger garment market share in Cambodia [- Vietnam seeks everything in Cambodia!]

10/27/2009
VOV News (Hanoi)

The Viet Tien Garment Joint Stock Corporation on October 26 opened an office for a sole sales outlet for Viettien-branded products in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The corporation’s first overseas outlet is a 120 s.q.m showroom built in partnership with Cambodia’s Caja Top company to display a wide variety of garments including shirts, trousers, shorts, jeans, and coats made of various materials such as khaki, elastic, and cotton.

Vietnamese goods are on the right track to gain a foothold in the Cambodian market, especially after series of trade fairs which promoted high-quality Vietnamese products to Cambodian consumers.

Observers said Vietnamese goods, which have been greatly improved in terms of quality, now stand a chance to successfully compete with products from Thailand and China which have long flooded the market.

Viet Tien Corporation plans to partner with Caja Top to open more showrooms and sales outlets across Cambodia.

Read more!

Pilots who flew 150 miles past airport were using laptops

Two pilots who allowed their passenger jet to overshoot its destination by 150 miles last week have told investigators that they lost concentration because they were using their laptop computers in the cockpit.

In an admission that will strike fear into the heart of frequent flyers everywhere, the men in charge of Northwest Airlines flight 188 from San Diego to Minneapolis revealed that they were operating the machines during a discussion about crew scheduling.

As a result, the plane, which was carrying 147 passengers, lost contact with air traffic control for over an hour. It had passed Minnesota and was drifting over Wisconsin at 37,000 feet before anyone on the flight deck noticed.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is compiling a report into the incident, said both pilots vehemently denied speculation that they fell asleep, and instead insisted that they had simply "lost track of time" while working out their new work timetables.

"There was a concentrated period of discussion where they did not monitor the airplane or calls from [air traffic controllers] even though both stated they heard conversation on the radio," said the Board, after interviewing the pair for five hours on Sunday.

Homeland Security was closely tracking the Airbus A320 during the incident amid fears that it had been hijacked, and four National Guard jets were put on standby to shoot it down should it venture near to a major conurbation.

However the two pilots, who are both said to have been in the job for many years, only realised they had overshot their final destination when an air hostess knocked on the cockpit door and asked what the flight's estimated arrival time was.

Realising the extent of their mistake, the men immediately contacted air-traffic controllers for permission to turn around, saying during radio conversation that they had suffered "cockpit distraction". The plane then landed without further incident in Minneapolis.

They were both suspended from duty, pending the outcome of investigations said Delta Air Lines, which recently bought Northwest. Customers are unlikely to be reassured by the fact that the takeover in question is said to have led to the introduction of the new staffing rota that prompted the pilots to both get their laptops out.

Delta added in a written statement the use of laptops or "engaging in activity unrelated to" flying violates company policy. Both men could eventually be fired, a spokesman added.

Read more!

Author Chantha Tan Announces Publication of 3 New Books

Chantha Tan Announces Publication of 3 New Books Describing a Magical and Divine Experience.

The River of Wisdom Books
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 23, 2009 – Vero Beach, FL - From the midst of the forgotten people seeking to flee the Killing Fields of Cambodia to a posh California neighborhood of the stars, author Chantha Tan has traveled many roads. Immigrating to the United States at the age of 17, she quickly learned the ways of her adopted country, became a successful business woman, married well, and bore two healthy and happy children.

Change descended on Chantha’s hard won privileged and orderly life with the onset of a persistent and debilitating headache for which numerous medical tests and doctor’s visits could produce no diagnosis. In excruciating pain that left her body curled up in a fetal position, unable to focus or function, Chantha was forced to turn over her work to others, step back, and attempt to regain her equilibrium through an extended rest period.

Chantha’s headache vanished one sunlit summer morning in California as quickly as it had onset. “My lesson about life wisdom started on that day in my backyard.” Chantha explains in her first book River of Wisdom: Process to Living Under Grace, published by AuthorHouse and available at booksellers or online at www.riverofwisdom.net . The headache was replaced by a deep and pure consciousness that flowed into Chantha’s mind and heart, startling and refreshing her with its powerful truths.

“I sat by myself and the life wisdom just flowed through me. I asked a question when there was something I didn’t understand. The answer and explanation would arrive, usually right away, and something letting me know where to find it,” Chantha writes.

In October of 2008, Chantha was called to write a book containing the newfound wisdom that channeled through her. “I still had no clue how I was to write a book about this subject matter. I’ve never written a book before. English is my second language,” she reveals.

Within a month, Chantha’s life was further disrupted when it became clear to her that the new life wisdom she was receiving required her to vacate California immediately and move to Florida. Deciding to move in January when her children’s school exams would be finished, her decision was confirmed by the sudden re-location of a tenant, who had been renting a home she owned in Florida.

Chantha had purchased her Florida rental property on a whim and only actually seen it for a few hours when she signed the purchase agreement. Nevertheless, she packed up her life in California and flew East with her children to Florida. The three weary travelers arrived at the remote Fellsmere farm property, with no furniture or water turned on, late one evening via rental car. They had only a couple of sleeping bags and the clothes carried in their suitcases.

“Our first day on the property we woke up surprised, greeted by two horses and one very large pig. We were scared and had to call the sheriff to rescue us from the greeters. It turned out to be a very adventurous first day on the farm. We had never lived on a farm before isolated from big suburbs,” Chantha writes.

In March of 2009, Chantha received the inspirations that led her to begin writing River of Wisdom, her first book. During the six month period that followed, Chantha completed River of Wisdom and wrote two more books, Humanity Under Siege in the 21st Century & Why? and Heaven is for Sale Now!: Since Hellven is on its Way Out in the 21st Century Period!

In addition to the books, Chantha offers free classes and is available for speaking engagements for those interested in learning more about the life wisdom that has touched her life. For further information contact (772) 202-0887, email info@riverofwisdom.net or go to www.riverofwisdom.net.

Press/Media Contact
River of Wisdom Team
(772) 202-0887
prteam@riverofwisdom.net
http://www.riverofwisdom.net

# # #
River of Wisdom publishes books and gives classes to help all humanity. All books and teachings are by author Chantha Tan.

Read more!

Government Considers Reducing Military, Police [-Eliminating Brigade B-70 is essential!]

Brigade B-70: Several thousands troops just for the protection of one man!

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
26 October 2009

Cambodia is preparing to retired 3,000 soldiers this year, in a bid to continue the reform of its security forces, a senior official said Thursday.

“There has been some preparation, and there is the possibility we will do it this year,” Defense Minister Tea Banh told VOA Khmer.

Cambodia hopes to eventually reduce its forces from 200,000 to 80,000.

About 100,000 soldiers are ready to retire, Tea Banh said, but the government lacks the budget to fund their retirement.

Rank, title and other details for the retirees have not been publicly released.

An infantry officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said about 1,600 infantry personnel due to be retired, from either disability or age. About 20 military advisers are due to be retired soon, the official said.

The latest defense White Paper, published on the Ministry of Defense’s Web site, says the government has largely completely the demobilization of army personnel.

“Although 15,000 personnel, the number intended for demobilization in phase two, remain to be demobilized, the current figure represents a significant reduction compared to the approximately 165,000 personnel serving before1999,” according to the White Paper.

The five-year plan of the government calls for the demobilization of 30,000 soldiers, starting in May 2000, with a budget from donors of $45 million, but the plan was delayed until mid-2003.

Tea Banh said this year’s retirement is not budgeted through donor assistance.

The infantry officer said many soldiers want to retire, in exchange with an offer of land and money from the government.

In years past, Cambodia spent up to 30 percent of its budget for defense and national security. In 2009, defense was budgeted for $160 million of a total $1.8 billion

Read more!

Cambodia Ranked 117 in Press Freedom, a Slight Improvement

By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
26 October 2009

Reporters Without Borders said in an annual report last week that Cambodia had moved up in press freedom, but concerns over threats to journalists remain.
Cambodia was ranked No. 117 of 175 countries, an improvement from its No. 126 position last year, which came from the murder of an opposition journalist and his son ahead of a national election.

However, at least one opposition journalist was jailed in 2009, following reporting on corruption within the powerful Council of Ministers.

Journalists worldwide suffer from murder, imprisonment and the threat of revoked license, Reporters Without Borders said. In countries like Burma, China, North Korea and Vietnam, still restrict access to the Internet, the group said.

The report confirms a statement made by Marcus Brauchli, executive editor of the Washington Post, earlier this month.

“Some governments inevitably attempt to the unnatural and try to suppress the growth of journalism,” he said. “The Russian government has forced most of its news agency operations into the government’s hand, and many, far too many, good journalists have been assassinated with impunity.

“Until recently, Zimbabwe intimidated, imprisoned and induced to leave the country both foreign and local journalists and may still up to date,” he continued. “In Cambodia, a journalist and his son were murdered after writing critical articles of the government and a publisher was imprisoned and fined for disinformation and for dishonoring public officials.”

However, Pen Samithy, president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, said journalists in the country are still able to do their work.

“According to my observation, the overall concern that journalists have does not prevent them from reflecting the truth,” he told VOA Khmer. “This means that every day journalists work with a higher responsibility to making improvements in the quality of journalism in Cambodia.”

Meanwhile, journalists who perform their jobs in the face of oppression have not gone unrecognized.

Peter Mackler, a former journalist for Agence France-Presse, died in June 2008 at 58, suffering an apparent heart attack after working in journalism for more than 30 years. As a reporter and editor, Mackler covered the Gulf War in 1991; conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan; the Palestinian intifada; the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York; and George W. Bush’s presidency.

He trained journalists in some developing countries like Lebanon, Iran, Malaysia and Cyprus. He also trained VOA Khmer staff.

In memory of Mackler’s work, his family and friends set up the “Peter Mackler Award” to honor courageous and ethical journalists. The first winner was a Sri Lankan journalist sentenced to 20 years in jail for inciting “communal disharmony.”

“I am delighted to hear that you are honoring Peter’s legacy by recognizing courageous and ethical journalists with the Peter Mackler Award,” former US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice said in a letter to organizers. “Throughout his distinguished thirty-three year career in journalism, Peter was a champion of the freedom of the press who fought tirelessly to defend the rights of reporters to publish stories without fear of retribution.”

In Cambodia, Hang Chakra, publisher of the opposition Khmer Machas Srok newspaper, remains in jail for an article dishonoring a senior government official.

Reporters Without Borders has also appealed for his release.

This year’s ranking puts Cambodia above neighboring Thailand, which was ranked No. 130.

Read more!

Cambodian PM 'was misinformed'

October 27, 2009
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

The Foreign Ministry will send Cambodian Premier Hun Sen a note detailing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's political status here to defuse tensions generated by Hun Sen's comments last week.

"I understand that Prime Minister Hun Sen made such remarks because he was misinformed about Thaksin and the whole situation in Thailand, so we have to give him the facts," Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.

Hun Sen said upon his arrival at the Asean Summit that he would offer Thaksin refuge in Cambodia and appoint him as an adviser. He said Thaksin was a victim of political changes in the wake of the 2006 coup.

"We will tell him what happened in Thailand over the past three years and that his many trials have nothing to do with the coup," Kasit said.

The letter would not be an argument or condemnation of Hun Sen but just a plain description of Thaksin, the political situation and Thailand's justice system, he said.

Many criminal cases arose before the coup and asset concealment actually took place only within Thaksin's family, he said.

Hun Sen's invitation to Thaksin threw more fuel on the fire after the two countries have faced off over the controversial Preah Vihear Temple for over a year.

The government had Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban explain the matter to Hun Sen during his two-night stay in Thailand.

The foreign ministry would make the clarification and send it through diplomatic channels to him again within a week to make sure he gets the right picture, Kasit said.

While declining to interpret Hun Sen's move, Kasit said his government would simply regard the incident as the Cambodian premier, who is an old friend of Thaksin, just getting the wrong idea.

Kasit rejected a demand by a group of senators to retaliate against Hun Sen since the two governments have promised to jointly develop their countries and not to bring up internal politics.

"We don't allow a minor thing to jeopardise the entire relationship," he said.

Read more!