When the clock strikes midnight on NewYear’s Eve, China and 10 Southeast Asian nations will usher in the world’s third-largest free trade area. While many industries are eager for tariffs to fall on everything from textiles and rubber to vegetable oils and steel, a few are nervously waiting to see whether the agreement will mean boom or bust for their businesses.
Exporters nervously await Asian free trade zone
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sam Rainsy’s Letter to the Editor published in The Cambodia Daily, December 28, 2009
Mr. Sam Rainsy raised Mrs. Meas Srey in defiance during the uprooting of the border poles on 25th October 2009. She was latter arrested and is currently in prison.Sam Rainsy’s Letter to the Editor published in The Cambodia Daily, December 28, 2009
FARMERS BEING HELD “HOSTAGE” OVER VIETNAM BORDER CASE
At best scapegoats
PM Abhisit: Hun Sen accusation on planned Cambodia coup won't affect relations between peoples
BANGKOK, Dec 27 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday accusation by his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen over an alleged plan to stage a coup in Cambodia-- which he denied earlier-- would not disrupt relations between the peoples of the two neighbouring countries.
Cambodia holds Khmer traditional measurement exhibition
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Reyum Institute has documented more than 130 Khmer traditional measurements and will run a show-casing of the documentation for the public in Phnom Penh from Dec. 28, 2009 to Feb. 2010, official news agency AKP reported on Monday.
According to Research Manager of Reyum Institute Preap Chanmara, Cambodia has long been using a wide variety of measurements for length, height, weight, depth, size, substance and time. Some measurements have been standardized with human body, things, like coconut fruit and tree, and others have been adapted from French measurements; for instance, meter, kilometer, etc.
Chanmara said that sources of the documented measurements include interview with people, written documents, and observation of people's daily interaction.
Different locations may use and understand different measurements. Some locations may use the same measurements for different meanings.
Vietnam and Cambodia reach US$6 billion business deals
 |
 Vietnam and Cambodia signed investment agreements and contracts worth US$6 billion at a conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 26 to promote Vietnamese investment in Cambodia. Under the documents, Vietnam will invest in power generation, food processing, fertiliser production, rubber plantation and bauxite mining in Cambodia. Two-way trade between the two countries has increased significantly in recent years, reaching US$1.7 billion in 2008, up 40% against 2007. Vietnamese businesses have invested in over 60 projects in Cambodia with a total capital of nearly US$900 million. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, co-chairmen of the conference, welcomed a joint initiative to host the conference as a practical move to promote bilateral co-operation in investment and trade. |
New road shortens travel time between Bangkok, Angkor
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday inaugurated a new 150 kilometer road running from Siem Reap to Poipet, on the border with Thailand.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has funded the rehabilitation of National Roads 5 and 6, the central component of a larger 50 million U.S. dollars road improvement project for Cambodia's northwest.
Vietnam visa waivers to last longer in 2010
A deal allowing Cambodian and Vietnamese citizens to cross the border between the two countries without a visa will be extended from January 1 to allow visits of up to 30 days, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Businesses to invest billions of dollars in Cambodia
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Mr Dung pointed out Vietnamese and Cambodian advantages and said they can support each other in development. Cambodia has a high demand for cooperation in farm produce processing (rubber, sugarcane and wood), power generation, mineral exploration, exploitation and processing, aviation, finance, insurance, banking, telecommunications, oil & gas, fertilizer production and clean energy. Meanwhile, Vietnam has about 460,000 businesses, many of whom are strong in terms of technology, market development, finance, qualitative human resources and experience.
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Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses have signed investment agreements and contracts worth US$6 billion to invest in power generation, food processing, fertilizer production, rubber plantation and health care in Cambodia.
The deals were signed at a conference held in HCM City on December 26 to promote Vietnamese investment in Cambodia. The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, and co-hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Cambodian Development Council (CDC).
It was reported at the conference that both countries have signed more than 60 documents for bilateral cooperation in almost all areas, and established appropriate mechanisms to facilitate cooperation.
Two-way trade has increased significantly in recent years, reaching US$1.7 billion in 2008, up 40 percent against 2007.
Vietnamese businesses have invested in over 60 projects in Cambodia with a total capitalisation of nearly US$900 million, making Vietnam among the top three foreign investors in Cambodia. Most invested projects have been operating efficiently, especially in forestry, agriculture, mining, telecommunications, banking and insurance.
However, the two countries have not fully tapped their great potential for expanding investment and trade cooperation. A number of Vietnamese businesses have not developed plans to increase operations in this market.
PM Dung and PM Hun Sen welcomed a joint initiative to host the conference as a practical move to promote bilateral cooperation in investment and trade.
PM Hun Sen said Cambodia is calling for foreign investment in its strong areas such as agro-forestry, industry, infrastructure construction, product processing for export, mining and tourism.
He said the royal government has offered incentives to attract Vietnamese investors, and signed agreements on trade, tourism, energy and maritime transport with Vietnam. It has also licensed a number of Vietnamese businesses to invest in fertilizer production, banking-financial services, bauxite exploration and exploitation, and farm produce processing.
The Royal government of Cambodia will create a favourable investment environment for Vietnamese businesses to operate in the country, PM Hun Sen assured Mr Dung and representatives of 600 businesses attending the event.
For his part, PM Dung hailed the efficiency of Vietnamese-invested projects in Cambodia, but said the results have not yet matched the potential of both countries and not lived up to their people’s expectations.
He recalled high-level talks and meetings between the two countries’ top leaders who had agreed to take additional measures to broaden cooperative ties. They vowed to raise two-way trade to US$2 billion in 2010 and increase Vietnamese investment in Cambodia to US$6 billion in the coming years.
He said the strong political and diplomatic ties and the long-standing friendship between the two countries will lay a firm foundation for boosting cooperation in other areas.
During December 2009 visit to Cambodia by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, Vietnam and Cambodia signed additional agreements on cooperation in power generation, industry, mining and maritime transport
 |
| Representatives of Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses attending the conference |
Mr Dung pointed out Vietnamese and Cambodian advantages and said they can support each other in development. Cambodia has a high demand for cooperation in farm produce processing (rubber, sugarcane and wood), power generation, mineral exploration, exploitation and processing, aviation, finance, insurance, banking, telecommunications, oil & gas, fertilizer production and clean energy. Meanwhile, Vietnam has about 460,000 businesses, many of whom are strong in terms of technology, market development, finance, qualitative human resources and experience.
He proposed that both sides finalise a legal framework to facilitate investment and trade development. He suggested examining and amending the signed agreements, including one on investment protection and promotion, and conducting negotiations and signing new agreements on double tax avoidance, labour cooperation and legal aid.
The Vietnamese government creates favourable conditions for its businesses to operate in Cambodia, Mr Dung said.
He reminded the businesses to explore and abide by Cambodia’s legal system and its customs.
At the event, MPI and CDC signed a memorandum of understanding on investment promotion. The Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade and the Cambodian Minister of Industry, Mining and Energy signed the minutes of their meeting regarding Bauxite exploration and exploitation in Mondulkiri province.
The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) signed a deal to provide financial services to Vietnamese businesses investing in Cambodia.
The two PMs also granted a decision to establish an association of Vietnamese investors in Cambodia, and investment licenses to a number of Vietnamese businesses.
Businesses to invest billions of dollars in Cambodia
| |
Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses have signed investment agreements and contracts worth US$6 billion to invest in power generation, food processing, fertilizer production, rubber plantation and health care in Cambodia.
The deals were signed at a conference held in HCM City on December 26 to promote Vietnamese investment in Cambodia. The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, and co-hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Cambodian Development Council (CDC).
It was reported at the conference that both countries have signed more than 60 documents for bilateral cooperation in almost all areas, and established appropriate mechanisms to facilitate cooperation.
Two-way trade has increased significantly in recent years, reaching US$1.7 billion in 2008, up 40 percent against 2007.
Vietnamese businesses have invested in over 60 projects in Cambodia with a total capitalisation of nearly US$900 million, making Vietnam among the top three foreign investors in Cambodia. Most invested projects have been operating efficiently, especially in forestry, agriculture, mining, telecommunications, banking and insurance.
However, the two countries have not fully tapped their great potential for expanding investment and trade cooperation. A number of Vietnamese businesses have not developed plans to increase operations in this market.
PM Dung and PM Hun Sen welcomed a joint initiative to host the conference as a practical move to promote bilateral cooperation in investment and trade.
PM Hun Sen said Cambodia is calling for foreign investment in its strong areas such as agro-forestry, industry, infrastructure construction, product processing for export, mining and tourism.
He said the royal government has offered incentives to attract Vietnamese investors, and signed agreements on trade, tourism, energy and maritime transport with Vietnam. It has also licensed a number of Vietnamese businesses to invest in fertilizer production, banking-financial services, bauxite exploration and exploitation, and farm produce processing.
The Royal government of Cambodia will create a favourable investment environment for Vietnamese businesses to operate in the country, PM Hun Sen assured Mr Dung and representatives of 600 businesses attending the event.
For his part, PM Dung hailed the efficiency of Vietnamese-invested projects in Cambodia, but said the results have not yet matched the potential of both countries and not lived up to their people’s expectations.
He recalled high-level talks and meetings between the two countries’ top leaders who had agreed to take additional measures to broaden cooperative ties. They vowed to raise two-way trade to US$2 billion in 2010 and increase Vietnamese investment in Cambodia to US$6 billion in the coming years.
He said the strong political and diplomatic ties and the long-standing friendship between the two countries will lay a firm foundation for boosting cooperation in other areas.
During December 2009 visit to Cambodia by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, Vietnam and Cambodia signed additional agreements on cooperation in power generation, industry, mining and maritime transport
|
| Representatives of Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses attending the conference |
Mr Dung pointed out Vietnamese and Cambodian advantages and said they can support each other in development. Cambodia has a high demand for cooperation in farm produce processing (rubber, sugarcane and wood), power generation, mineral exploration, exploitation and processing, aviation, finance, insurance, banking, telecommunications, oil & gas, fertilizer production and clean energy. Meanwhile, Vietnam has about 460,000 businesses, many of whom are strong in terms of technology, market development, finance, qualitative human resources and experience.
He proposed that both sides finalise a legal framework to facilitate investment and trade development. He suggested examining and amending the signed agreements, including one on investment protection and promotion, and conducting negotiations and signing new agreements on double tax avoidance, labour cooperation and legal aid.
The Vietnamese government creates favourable conditions for its businesses to operate in Cambodia, Mr Dung said.
He reminded the businesses to explore and abide by Cambodia’s legal system and its customs.
At the event, MPI and CDC signed a memorandum of understanding on investment promotion. The Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade and the Cambodian Minister of Industry, Mining and Energy signed the minutes of their meeting regarding Bauxite exploration and exploitation in Mondulkiri province.
The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) signed a deal to provide financial services to Vietnamese businesses investing in Cambodia.
The two PMs also granted a decision to establish an association of Vietnamese investors in Cambodia, and investment licenses to a number of Vietnamese businesses.
Visa exemption for Vietnamese and Cambodian citizens
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As from Jan. 1, 2010, Vietnamese and Cambodian citizens holding ordinary passports valid for at least six months will enjoy visa exemption if they enter or transit the other country, according to the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department.
Those citizens of one country may stay in the other country for up to 30 days instead of 14 days as before, says the department.
Vietnam and Cambodia signed an agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders on November 4, 2008. The agreement, which took effect on December 5, 2008, stipulated that these holders are exempted from visas if they stay in the other country for not more than 14 days.
Court grills officials over border stunt
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
SVAY Rieng provincial court has questioned two commune officials in connection with an October 25 incident in which opposition leader Sam Rainsy led villagers in uprooting wooden posts close to the border with Vietnam, the officials said.
Pov Pheap, deputy chief of Svay Rieng’s Samrong commune and Sok Sam Ien, a councillor from Bavet commune, were questioned by the court Tuesday in connection with opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s role in uprooting the markers, which led to the removal of his parliamentary immunity last month.
Following the session, Pov Pheap said he was questioned for about two hours over the incident, and that questions focused on his interactions with Sam Rainsy and the opposition leader’s meetings with local villagers who joined him in removing the posts.
“I told the court that Sam Rainsy asked how people were and if people had received a good rice harvest. People told him they had not planted much rice because of [Vietnamese] land encroachments,” he said.
Sok Sam Ien was also questioned in connection with the incident, but told the court he did not know anything about Sam Rainsy’s actions because he had only organised the food for the group of Sam Rainsy Party officials who accompanied him to Samrong commune.
He added that a third man, Suk Korn, did not appear at court, citing health reasons.
Judge Long Kesphyrom did not comment in detail on Suk Korn’s absence, but said he would have to present a medical certificate to the court.
Sam Rainsy has also been summoned to appear for questioning on December 28, but has indicated he will not return from Europe for the hearing. In a statement issued Monday, he said he would “happily” let the court prosecute him in absentia, referring to it as a “kangaroo court” under the control of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
SVAY Rieng provincial court has questioned two commune officials in connection with an October 25 incident in which opposition leader Sam Rainsy led villagers in uprooting wooden posts close to the border with Vietnam, the officials said.
Pov Pheap, deputy chief of Svay Rieng’s Samrong commune and Sok Sam Ien, a councillor from Bavet commune, were questioned by the court Tuesday in connection with opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s role in uprooting the markers, which led to the removal of his parliamentary immunity last month.
Following the session, Pov Pheap said he was questioned for about two hours over the incident, and that questions focused on his interactions with Sam Rainsy and the opposition leader’s meetings with local villagers who joined him in removing the posts.
“I told the court that Sam Rainsy asked how people were and if people had received a good rice harvest. People told him they had not planted much rice because of [Vietnamese] land encroachments,” he said.
Sok Sam Ien was also questioned in connection with the incident, but told the court he did not know anything about Sam Rainsy’s actions because he had only organised the food for the group of Sam Rainsy Party officials who accompanied him to Samrong commune.
He added that a third man, Suk Korn, did not appear at court, citing health reasons.
Judge Long Kesphyrom did not comment in detail on Suk Korn’s absence, but said he would have to present a medical certificate to the court.
Sam Rainsy has also been summoned to appear for questioning on December 28, but has indicated he will not return from Europe for the hearing. In a statement issued Monday, he said he would “happily” let the court prosecute him in absentia, referring to it as a “kangaroo court” under the control of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
Vietnam repatriates Cambodian beggars
NEARLY 900 Cambodian beggars were repatriated from Vietnam by local authorities in 2009, officials said on Tuesday.
Nget Dara, provincial coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said a report from the Ministry of Social Affairs showed that Vietnamese authorities had repatriated 898 Cambodian beggars in eight waves this year.
He added that 603 children under the age of 18 were repatriated, and that 143 children were sent home after being involved in human trafficking – 84 of those were young girls.
“A poor standard of living forced them to leave home and cross the border illegally to beg in Vietnam,” he said. “They hear it is easier to find money there.”
Most of the beggars enter through the Bavet border crossing in Svay Rieng province, with most hailing from Chantrea, Kampong Rou and Bavet districts, he said.
He said that the report did not include totals of Vietnamese migrant workers who were sent from Cambodia, adding that the major concern was the repatriation of the Cambodian workers.
Heung Kheung, head of the Social Affairs Department in Phnom Penh, said the number of beggars returned to Cambodia had increased from 776 in 2008.
“We’ve cooperated with some NGOs to help [repatriated beggars] by providing vocational training, such as repairing motors and sewing, as well as providing a small loan to help them run a business in their community,” he said.
The Cambodian and Vietnamese governments signed a bilateral agreement on December 3 to increase cooperation in eliminating the trafficking of children and women.
Vietnam set to reinforce practical ties with Cambodia
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
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 Vietnam expects to join efforts with Cambodia to develop bilateral relations in a bid to bring practical benefits to both sides, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. PM Dung made this statement while receiving Cambodian Permanent Deputy PM Men Sam An, who doubles as President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFA), in Hanoi on November 3. The government leader noted with pleasure that Vietnam-Cambodia ties have grown fruitfully, especially in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economics and trade, despite the impact of the global economic crisis. |
Court seeks additional evidence in Shinawatra assets case
Published: 22/12/2009
Bangkok Post
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on will summon fresh witnesses to testify in the case involving the seizure of 76 billion baht of the Shinawatra family's assets.
The case is one of six graft cases brought against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) by the Assets Scrutiny Committte appointed after the Sept 19, 2006 coup which removed him from office.
The court's verdict on whether to seize the Shinawatra family fortune is seen as Thaksin's political lifeline.
The nine judges comprising the bench hearing the case, headed by Somsak Netramai, met on Tuesday.
"The judges met and they agreed that there should be further inquiry to get to the facts. The inquiry will be on Jan 12 and 14," a judge said after the meeting.
After former foreign minister Surakiat Sathirathai and National Anti-Corruption Commission member Klanarong Chantik, acting on behalf of a member of the disbanded Assets Scrutiny Committee, gave testimony, the court issued an order requesting additional documents and witnesses from seven agencies:
1. The investigation documents from the Department of Special Investigation.
2. The studies on the translation of concession made by the National Economic and Social Advisory Council.
3. The movements of SHIN, THCOM, IFCT, TMB, JAS, TT&T and ADVANC shares from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
4. The financial information from Thaicom Plc.
5. The National Telecommunication Commission of Thailand's details concerning frequency management.
6. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's information on telecommunications excise tax collection together with the cabinet's resolutions relating to this issue.
7. The studies on the contracts between the public and private sectors from the Thailand Development Research Institute.
The court would like the additional information to be submitted as soon as possible and the litigants can check all the documents and evidence from Jan 4 to 11, 2009.
Mr Surakiat is a key prosecution witness on Thaksin's policy involving the Export and Import Bank of Thailand's four billion baht soft loan in 2004 to Burma to develop its telecom facilities. He testified that it was usual for the government to approve funds to help neighbouring countries.
"Burma was not the only country. Laos and Cambodia also received financial assistance from the Thai government," Mr Surakiat said. "Thailand gained considerable benefits from helping Burma, including in relations, security and economic affairs."
Mr Klanarong, in his testimlony later, insisted Thaksin abused his authority as prime minister to benefit his Shin Corporation by converting the telecom concessions to excise tax liability and reducing a cell phone operators' concession fee from 25-30 per cent to 20 per cent.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on will summon fresh witnesses to testify in the case involving the seizure of 76 billion baht of the Shinawatra family's assets.
The case is one of six graft cases brought against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) by the Assets Scrutiny Committte appointed after the Sept 19, 2006 coup which removed him from office.
The court's verdict on whether to seize the Shinawatra family fortune is seen as Thaksin's political lifeline.
The nine judges comprising the bench hearing the case, headed by Somsak Netramai, met on Tuesday.
"The judges met and they agreed that there should be further inquiry to get to the facts. The inquiry will be on Jan 12 and 14," a judge said after the meeting.
After former foreign minister Surakiat Sathirathai and National Anti-Corruption Commission member Klanarong Chantik, acting on behalf of a member of the disbanded Assets Scrutiny Committee, gave testimony, the court issued an order requesting additional documents and witnesses from seven agencies:
1. The investigation documents from the Department of Special Investigation.
2. The studies on the translation of concession made by the National Economic and Social Advisory Council.
3. The movements of SHIN, THCOM, IFCT, TMB, JAS, TT&T and ADVANC shares from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
4. The financial information from Thaicom Plc.
5. The National Telecommunication Commission of Thailand's details concerning frequency management.
6. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's information on telecommunications excise tax collection together with the cabinet's resolutions relating to this issue.
7. The studies on the contracts between the public and private sectors from the Thailand Development Research Institute.
The court would like the additional information to be submitted as soon as possible and the litigants can check all the documents and evidence from Jan 4 to 11, 2009.
Mr Surakiat is a key prosecution witness on Thaksin's policy involving the Export and Import Bank of Thailand's four billion baht soft loan in 2004 to Burma to develop its telecom facilities. He testified that it was usual for the government to approve funds to help neighbouring countries.
"Burma was not the only country. Laos and Cambodia also received financial assistance from the Thai government," Mr Surakiat said. "Thailand gained considerable benefits from helping Burma, including in relations, security and economic affairs."
Mr Klanarong, in his testimlony later, insisted Thaksin abused his authority as prime minister to benefit his Shin Corporation by converting the telecom concessions to excise tax liability and reducing a cell phone operators' concession fee from 25-30 per cent to 20 per cent.
Thailand's Thaksin leaves Cambodia: official
2009/12/22
PHNOM PENH, Tues: Thailand’s fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) has left Cambodia after spending more than a week stepping up his advisory role and meeting Thai supporters, an official said Tuesday.
Thaksin, who arrived in Phnom Penh on December 13 for a second visit as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government, departed on Monday morning, said deputy cabinet minister Prak Sokhon.
“He left Cambodia yesterday at around 10 am (0300 GMT),” he said.
Officials would not disclose his destination. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, has based himself in Dubai and travelled widely since leaving Thailand in August last year to escape a two-year jail term for corruption.
During his stay in Cambodia, Thaksin addressed top government officials on how to boost investment, tourism and agriculture.
He also met scores of his “Red Shirt” supporters from Thailand, where he remains a hugely influential figure, witnesses and officials said.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia, who have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border since last year, plunged following Thaksin’s appointment as an adviser last month. - AFP
PHNOM PENH, Tues: Thailand’s fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) has left Cambodia after spending more than a week stepping up his advisory role and meeting Thai supporters, an official said Tuesday.
Thaksin, who arrived in Phnom Penh on December 13 for a second visit as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government, departed on Monday morning, said deputy cabinet minister Prak Sokhon.
“He left Cambodia yesterday at around 10 am (0300 GMT),” he said.
Officials would not disclose his destination. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, has based himself in Dubai and travelled widely since leaving Thailand in August last year to escape a two-year jail term for corruption.
During his stay in Cambodia, Thaksin addressed top government officials on how to boost investment, tourism and agriculture.
He also met scores of his “Red Shirt” supporters from Thailand, where he remains a hugely influential figure, witnesses and officials said.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia, who have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border since last year, plunged following Thaksin’s appointment as an adviser last month. - AFP
China's £750m aid 'not linked' to Cambodia's Uighur deportations
BEIJING has denied that £750 million in aid it gave to Cambodia was linked to the south-east Asian nation's deportation of 20 Muslims who had sought asylum there after fleeing ethnic violence in China's far west.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman yesterday insisted the aid package to Cambodia had "no strings attached".
Chinese Vice President meets Cambodian King on relations
·Xi said China attached great importance to bilateral relations with Cambodia.
·The Cambodian king thanked China for its long-term help to his country.
(Xinhua/Ma Zhanchang)
China agrees $1.2bn in aid for economic development
Deals signed by vice president more than total offered previously
Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN
Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An (right) welcome China's Vice President Xi Jinping (second from left) to Phnom Penh on Monday ahead of a signing ceremony that saw the world's third-largest economy offer the Kingdom $1.2 billion in financial aid.Xi’s delegation agreed the raft of aid deals following a reception with Prime Minister Hun Sen in what was the vice president’s first official visit to Cambodia since taking up the position last year.
The agreements – 14 in total – will see China offer economic grants and soft loans for the construction of roads, transport infrastructure, communication equipment and irrigation projects.
Other agreements include a soft loan for an
No conditions attached to Cambodia aid, FM says
China has always, within its capability, provided aid to Cambodia, with no strings attached, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday.
China says handling with citizens deported from Cambodia its own affair
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- China said on Tuesday that it was the country's internal affair to deal with the citizens deported from Cambodia, who were suspected of committing criminal offences, and the outside world should not make irresponsible remarks.
UN to launch labour rights contest for Cambodian garment workers
Garment workers going home on motorcycles in Cambodia
Conference to boost investment in Cambodia
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 A conference on promoting Vietnam’s investments in Cambodia will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 26 as part of a joint effort to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.The top level meeting with the theme “Promoting Vietnamese investments in Cambodia” will be co-chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen. Senior officials from the two countries’ ministries and State agencies will discuss with entrepreneurs about Cambodia’s latest strategies and policies for attracting foreign direct investment as well as its incentives for foreign investors, especially Vietnamese businesses. |
Man jailed for eating rare tiger
 Fewer than 1,800 Indochinese tigers are thought to be living in the wild |
A Chinese man has been jailed for 12 years for killing and eating a rare Indochinese tiger.
Kang Wannian, a villager from the southern province of Yunnan, said he had encountered the tiger while out fishing, and killed it in self-defence. The animal may have been China's only wild Indochinese tiger, which is on the brink of extinction.
Four other men were jailed for sharing the tiger meal and covering up the incident.
Endangered species
Kang was confronted by the tiger in February while gathering freshwater clams in a nature reserve near China's border with Laos.
He said he shot the animal after dark and claimed that, at the time, he did not know it was an endangered Indochinese tiger.
Vietnam, Cambodia strengthen judicial cooperation
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The Vietnamese and Cambodian ministers of justice have briefly discussed a draft agreement on legal aid in civil and trade matters during a visit to Cambodia by a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice.
New form of malaria threatens Thai-Cambodia border
(AP) — EDITOR'S NOTE: Once curable diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria are rapidly mutating into aggressive strains that resist drugs. The reason: The misuse of the very drugs that were supposed to save us has built up drug resistance worldwide. Second in a five-part series.<
Landmine kills Cambodian soldier at border: commander
PHNOM PENH, Dec 22 (AFP) - A Cambodian soldier has died after stepping on an old landmine near an ancient border temple that has been the scene of bloody clashes with Thailand, a commander said Tuesday.
Cambodia denies forcing drug users into 'experiment'
PHNOM PENH, Dec 22 (AFP) - Cambodian authorities on Tuesday denied a rights group's accusations that they forced drug addicts to participate in a "trial" of a herbal formula that is not registered in the country.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that since December 11, police have arrested 17 people from the streets and held them in a centre where they were given a course of the medication "with no indication of voluntary consent".
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that since December 11, police have arrested 17 people from the streets and held them in a centre where they were given a course of the medication "with no indication of voluntary consent".
CAMBODIA: Financial Crisis Forces More Teenage Girls into Labour
By Marwaan Macan-Markar*
BANGKOK, Dec 23 (IPS/TerraViva) - Until the global financial crisis hit, a journey out of poverty for women in rural Cambodia was assured by the vibrant garment sector that had taken root in the country’s capital. Tens of thousands of women in their twenties poured into Phnom Penh to secure jobs in the hundreds of export-oriented factories.
Mobile TV service to be testrun in Cambodia with S korean help
SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB)technology first developed by South Korea will be launched in Cambodia on a trial basis, said the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) Wednesday.
Thailand's Thaksin leaves Cambodia: official
2009/12/22
PHNOM PENH, Tues: Thailand’s fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has left Cambodia after spending more than a week stepping up his advisory role and meeting Thai supporters, an official said Tuesday.
Thaksin, who arrived in Phnom Penh on December 13 for a second visit as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government, departed on Monday morning, said deputy cabinet minister Prak Sokhon.
“He left Cambodia yesterday at around 10 am (0300 GMT),” he said.
Officials would not disclose his destination. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, has based himself in Dubai and travelled widely since leaving Thailand in August last year to escape a two-year jail term for corruption.
During his stay in Cambodia, Thaksin addressed top government officials on how to boost investment, tourism and agriculture.
He also met scores of his “Red Shirt” supporters from Thailand, where he remains a hugely influential figure, witnesses and officials said.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia, who have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border since last year, plunged following Thaksin’s appointment as an adviser last month. - AFP
China says handling with citizens deported from Cambodia its own affair
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- China said on Tuesday that it was the country's internal affair to deal with the citizens deported from Cambodia, who were suspected of committing criminal offences, and the outside world should not make irresponsible remarks.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a question on Cambodia's deportation of 20 Chinese citizens of the Uygur ethnic group.
Cambodia deported the Chinese citizens according to its immigration law and China received them according to the customs, said Jiang.
The Chinese nationals illegally cross the border to break the laws both in China and Cambodia. They were also suspected of committing criminal offenses, she said.
"Any country facing such circumstances is entitled to make its own decision in accordance with its domestic laws," Jiang said.
"How to handle with these people is the internal affair of China, and the outside world shall not make irresponsible remarks," Jiang said.
"China is a country under the rule of law. Judicial authorities will deal with these people's illegal criminal activities in accordance with the law and safeguard their legitimate rights."
Commenting on whether the deportation was linked with China's assistance to Cambodia, Jiang said both countries have maintained comprehensive and cooperative partnership, and "We provide assistance to Cambodia in line with our own capacity and without any strings attached."
China thanks Cambodia for expulsions
Monday, December 21, 2009
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -(AP)— Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping thanked Cambodia for deporting 20 Muslim asylum-seekers while handing the country $1.2 billion in aid, the government spokesman said.
No talks with Thaksin till he serves jail : PM
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday laughed off fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's conditions for talks with the government, saying the former leader had to serve his jail term first before any negotiations.
Thaksin earlier demanded the government reinstate the constitution of 1997, dissolve the House of Representatives and call a new general election. When asked to comment on the conditions, the prime minister responded: "Why? He [Thaksin] should first take legal responsibility before there are any talks."
The closing scene of Cambodia’s political circus against Thailand
| LEFT: Takki disembarking from his big private jet at Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh on Dec. 11 RIGHT: Mr. Sivarak while being brought to court in Phnom Penh Objective of the comedy: To show the world that Abhisit government has been insincere with Cambodia and carrying unfriendly acts against Cambodia in every way possible and that Takki is important to Cambodian economic development plan worthy of being appointed as Cambodian government’s adviser and Cambodian PM’s personal adviser.Original plot: Eavesdropping and telephone tapping on the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh to pick whatever conversation that could be built as a case to accuse Thailand in anything possible and expand the case to full extent with an intention to cause damages to PM Abhisit’s reputation as a clean prime minister of Thailand with behind the scene supportin role by PT party. |
World Bank criticises land project
Photo by: Heng Chivoan
A resident of Boeung Kak lake’s Village 24 hangs washing from her window Sunday. Amid World Bank concerns over the lack of land titling in Cambodia, Village 24 is set to be the next eviction site around the lake.The World Bank’s Washington-based inspection panel on Wednesday issued its response to a September investigation request from villagers of the Boeung Kak lakeside community with the support of local housing-rights advocates.
In the request, villagers say the World Bank did not adequately supervise the Land Management and Administration Project (LMAP), a US$38.4 million effort begun in 2002 to disseminate land titles and create an “efficient and transparent land administration system” for the Kingdom.
Cambodian-Thai conflict 'stems from political personality clash'
Pad Supa, a leading businessman and senator in Koh Kong, has a close connection with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. In an excerpt from an interview with Jakkrit Waewkraihong in Trat, Mr Pad aired his views on development in the Cambodian province and the thorny issues that have marred relations between Cambodia and Thailand.
Pad Supa: Abhisit Vejjajiva and Hun Sen ‘don’t understand each other’
- What are the government's development plans for Koh Kong, especially its attempt to make the province a special economic area?The government has laid out broad ideas, from improving all necessary utilities to facilitating business growth. The province is ideal for development because it borders Thailand and is also close to the sea.
- Would high property prices in Koh Kong or any state rules hinder investment?
China, Cambodia agree to deepen cooperation
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- China will make joint efforts with Cambodia to achieve a win-win cooperation, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said Monday.
"Furthering relations with Cambodia has long been China's consistent policy," Xi told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during talks.
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Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) review the guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>> |
He called China-Cambodia relations "a good example of sincere cooperation between countries with different social systems."
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Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R2) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L2) hold talks in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>> |
Xi said the free trade zone between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would be completed in 2010, and China and Cambodia should take the chance to push for stable and balanced growth in their bilateral trade.
Hun Sen said he was happy to meet with Chinese leaders for the first time in the new government building, which was constructed with China's assistance and has served as an embodiment of the friendliness between the two countries.
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Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L, front) shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (R2) during a signing ceremony of the two country's mutually-beneficial cooperation documents in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>> |
Hun Sen said Cambodia would strengthen cooperation with China in the political, trade, cultural, tourism and security fields and pledged the country's adherence to the one-China policy.
After their talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for a deal on China's preferential loan to Cambodia.
Xi also presented a wreath to the independence monument in Phnom Penh on Monday.
Deported Uighurs told UN of fears of China return
BEIJING —By TINI TRAN (AP) –Ethnic Uighur asylum-seekers forcibly repatriated over the weekend had warned the U.N. refugee agency they feared long jail terms or even the death penalty if they were sent back to China, according to statements seen Monday by The Associated Press.
China boosts Cambodia aid after Uighurs deported
PHNOM PENH —By Suy Se (AFP) – China signed pacts worth one billion dollars in aid to Cambodia Monday and thanked Phnom Penh for its controversial decision to deport a group of Uighurs seeking refuge back to Chinese soil.
Sam Rainsy Summoned by Svay Rieng Court
| Original report from Phnom Penh and Washington 18 December 2009 | |
Svay Rieng provincial court has issued a summons to opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who is facing charges for allegedly leading a group of villagers to pull up demarcation posts near the Vietnam border in October.
Sam Rainsy has been asked to appear on Dec. 28, according to a summons issued Wednesday and obtained by VOA Khmer.
Cambodia, Viet Nam agree to boost friendship
 |
| Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh visits Sihanoukville international seaport in Cambodia. — VNA/VNS Photo Dinh Xuan Tuan |
PHNOM PENH — Viet Nam and Cambodia agreed to intensify their traditional multi-faceted co-operation in a joint statement issued on Saturday, wrapping up Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s official visit to Cambodia.
The bases of the bilateral ties were outlined in the 1999 and 2005 high-level joint statements between the two countries.
They included respect of the other’s independence and sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of each country, no use of force nor threat of the use of force, the banning of national territories being used by a third party to engage in attacks on the other, co-operation on an equal basis and for mutual benefit, use of peaceful negotiations to solve bilateral
Vietnam to increase investment in Cambodia
 |
| Vietnamese products sell well at trade fairs in Phnom Penh |
A conference to promote Vietnam’s investment in Cambodia will be held in Hanoi on December 26, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) announced in Hanoi on December 21.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen will co-chair the conference, said MPI Deputy Minister Do Huy Dong.
At the event, Cambodian officials will introduce their royal government’s foreign investment attraction strategy and incentives to foreign investors, including those fromVietnam.
The business communities of the two countries will share experiences and work out measures to promote cooperation in investment.
Vietnam has invested in 63 projects in Cambodia, with a total registered capitalization of more than US$900 million. In 2009 alone, Vietnamese businesses poured over US$400 million into Cambodia.
Vietnamese-invested projects have proved efficient in Cambodia, mostly in forestry, agriculture, mining, telecommunications, banking and insurance industries.
Currently, Vietnamese businesses are working on big mining projects in Cambodia.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen will co-chair the conference, said MPI Deputy Minister Do Huy Dong.
At the event, Cambodian officials will introduce their royal government’s foreign investment attraction strategy and incentives to foreign investors, including those fromVietnam.
The business communities of the two countries will share experiences and work out measures to promote cooperation in investment.
Vietnam has invested in 63 projects in Cambodia, with a total registered capitalization of more than US$900 million. In 2009 alone, Vietnamese businesses poured over US$400 million into Cambodia.
Vietnamese-invested projects have proved efficient in Cambodia, mostly in forestry, agriculture, mining, telecommunications, banking and insurance industries.
Currently, Vietnamese businesses are working on big mining projects in Cambodia.
Thaksin to put on his website FM's classified letter
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra twittered on Monday, saying he would upload the Foreign Ministry's classified letter to his website for the public to read Tuesday.
"I will upload it to the website so people can read to the content and know that there really are power maniacs,'' he said.
Thaksin was referring to a FM's letter to the premier concerning how the government should handle Thaksin.
Pheu Thai Party party list MP Jatuporn Prompan had claimed that the letter suggested that Thaksin should be assassinated.
Abhisit government denied the claim.
The government also rejected Jatuporn's claims that the report mentioned about declaring war on Cambodia and there had been interference in the justice system by a person with political clout outside the government.
"I will upload it to the website so people can read to the content and know that there really are power maniacs,'' he said.
Thaksin was referring to a FM's letter to the premier concerning how the government should handle Thaksin.
Pheu Thai Party party list MP Jatuporn Prompan had claimed that the letter suggested that Thaksin should be assassinated.
Abhisit government denied the claim.
The government also rejected Jatuporn's claims that the report mentioned about declaring war on Cambodia and there had been interference in the justice system by a person with political clout outside the government.
Killing fields trial has little meaning today
By ZOE DANIEL
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
November 25, 2009
The wizened Comrade Duch (pictured) has become the face of the Khmer Rouge trials. Known as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the clunky, UN-backed tribunal will wind up its first case this week with final arguments against Duch, otherwise known as Kaing Guek Eav. To a degree, Duch, 66, is the fall guy for the KhmerRouge regime that's been held responsible for the deaths of about 2 million Cambodians in the late 1970s.
He was the head of the so-called death camp — s21, a former high school that became a prison where more than 14,000 people were held, tortured and
exterminated for being enemies of the communist regime.
He was the head of the so-called death camp — s21, a former high school that became a prison where more than 14,000 people were held, tortured and
exterminated for being enemies of the communist regime.
Cambodia tightens economic links with China
Tribunal charges Khmer Rouge "First Lady" with genocide
Party chief wraps up Cambodia visit
VNA 19/12/2009 - Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh wrapped up his official friendly visit to Cambodia on Dec. 19.
Before leaving the neighbouring country, the party chief met with the staff of the Vietnamese Consulate General and representatives of the overseas Vietnamese community in Preah Sihanouk province.
Lawyers reach out to those in need
| By Michael Rappaport Toronto December 25 2009 issue | |
| At the annual office Christmas party at Bennett Gastle P.C. in Toronto on Dec. 3, 2007, the lawyers and staff signed a statement of principles that would give rise to the law firm’s commitment to the Cambodian Law Students Project. Charles Gastle, an international trade lawyer and name partner at the firm and adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, was struck by the poverty he witnessed while advising the Kingdom of Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce on competition and intellectual property laws and lecturing on law at the Royal University for Law and Economics (RULE) in the capital city Phnom Penh, three years ago. |
Vath Chamroeun pleased with Cambodia's improvement at SEA Games
By Ung Chamrouen
Photo by: Nick Sells (www.nicksellsphotography.com)
Cambodian SEA Games delegation chef de mission Vath Chamroeun.How do you evaluate the organisation of host nation Laos in their first SEA Games?
First of all congratulations to Laos, who did very well after preparing their infrastructure in just three or four years with support from other countries. I think that it was a great success for the Laotian government. Now they have good human resources and sports facilities. Laos arranged their of communications and technology well.
How were conditions for the Cambodian athletes?
It was first time that the athletes live with each other in the same place [at the SEA Games village]. The training camps were not so far from their accommodation, and divided neatly into categories. The Cambodian athletes also adapted well to weather.
Are you satisfied with the results?
Why not? It was suprising that we could get 40 medals [in total] from the tournament. It shows that sport has developed in Cambodia. This is because of the good cooperation between all relevant sectors. I’m so happy.
CAMBODIA: Media Still Struggling to Break Gender Barriers
By Lynette Lee Corporal
PHNOM PENH, Dec 21 (IPS) - Cambodia's media organisations are a 'battleground' for old ways and new approaches when it comes to gender.
While more media entities are recognising the role women play in and outside newsrooms, prevailing mindsets and traditions, as well as the lack of training and experience tend to slow down progress in gender sensitivity and equality.
Thai note said to hint at attack on Cambodia
THAILAND has developed a contingency plan for military action against Cambodia should the dispute between the two countries over fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s appointment as an adviser to Cambodia’s government escalate further, a parliamentarian from the Thai opposition alleged on Friday.
Does the US know who it's dealing with in Cambodia?
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is rushed from the scene moments after a grenade attack on a political rally outside the parliament in Phnom Penh, March 30, 1997. Sixteen people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the explosions. (Reuters)
By Douglas Gillison — Special to GlobalPost
Published: December 20, 2009 08:26 ET
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The local police not only failed to cooperate but actively tried to sabotage the FBI's investigation of Cambodia's worst peacetime atrocity.
Key evidence was doctored. Highly placed witnesses stormed out of interviews. Mischievous leaks to the media intensified threats to the FBI agents' safety. And according to the lead FBI investigator, who is now retired, Cambodian and US officials warned him that he was marked for assassination.
China praises Cambodia as Uighurs deported
Sunday, December 20, 2009
BEIJING (Reuters) - China will deal with 20 ethnic Uighurs who were deported from Cambodia over the weekend as illegal immigrants, praising relations with the Southeast Asian country as a model of good cooperation.
The comments came as a top Chinese official began a visit to Phnom Penh to boost commercial ties.
The Uighurs, a Turkic Muslim minority involved in rioting in western China that killed nearly 200 people in July, were smuggled into Cambodia in recent weeks and applied for asylum at the United Nations refugee agency office in Phnom Penh.
They were deported for breaking immigration laws, the Cambodia government said.
"Recently, Cambodia deported 20 Chinese citizens in accordance with immigration laws for illegal entry into Cambodia. China received these people in accordance with usual practices," China's Foreign Ministry said in a brief faxed statement.
"China is resolutely opposed to and will crack down hard on people smuggling, and believes the international community should step up cooperation to combat these crimes together," it added.
Human rights groups have said they feared for the lives of the Uighurs if they were deported to China. The U.N. refugee agency also condemned the deportations.
The case coincides with a visit to Cambodia by Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping, seen as frontrunner to succeed President Hu Jintao. Xi is expected to sign 14 pacts related to infrastructure construction, grants and loans.
On Sunday evening, Xi praised ties with Cambodia.
"It can be said that Sino-Cambodia relations are a model of friendly cooperation," the Foreign Ministry paraphrased Xi as saying, in a statement on its website (www.mfa.gov.cn).
China is Cambodia's biggest investor, having poured more than $4 billion in foreign direct investment into the country.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
The comments came as a top Chinese official began a visit to Phnom Penh to boost commercial ties.
The Uighurs, a Turkic Muslim minority involved in rioting in western China that killed nearly 200 people in July, were smuggled into Cambodia in recent weeks and applied for asylum at the United Nations refugee agency office in Phnom Penh.
They were deported for breaking immigration laws, the Cambodia government said.
"Recently, Cambodia deported 20 Chinese citizens in accordance with immigration laws for illegal entry into Cambodia. China received these people in accordance with usual practices," China's Foreign Ministry said in a brief faxed statement.
"China is resolutely opposed to and will crack down hard on people smuggling, and believes the international community should step up cooperation to combat these crimes together," it added.
Human rights groups have said they feared for the lives of the Uighurs if they were deported to China. The U.N. refugee agency also condemned the deportations.
The case coincides with a visit to Cambodia by Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping, seen as frontrunner to succeed President Hu Jintao. Xi is expected to sign 14 pacts related to infrastructure construction, grants and loans.
On Sunday evening, Xi praised ties with Cambodia.
"It can be said that Sino-Cambodia relations are a model of friendly cooperation," the Foreign Ministry paraphrased Xi as saying, in a statement on its website (www.mfa.gov.cn).
China is Cambodia's biggest investor, having poured more than $4 billion in foreign direct investment into the country.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
US 'deeply disturbed' as Cambodia deports 20 Uighurs to China
WASHINGTON -(AFP)— The United States is "deeply disturbed" by Cambodia's move to deport 20 Uighur asylum-seekers to China and warned it will affect Cambodia's ties with Washington, the State Department said Sunday.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the welfare of these individuals, who had sought protection under international law," said State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid.
"We are also deeply disturbed that the Cambodian government decided to forcibly remove the group without the benefit of a credible process for determining refugee status and without appropriate participation by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees," he added.
"The United States strongly opposed Cambodia's involuntary return of these asylum seekers before their claims have been heard. This incident will affect Cambodia's relationship with the US and its international standing."
The 20 Uighurs, who were seeking refuge in Cambodia after unrest in the Chinese region of Xinjiang, were sent back to China on Saturday.
The Uighurs' presence in Phnom Penh was made public two weeks ago as they sought UN refugee status in Cambodia, saying they risked torture in China.
Clashes between Xinjiang's Uighurs and China's majority Han ethnic group in July left nearly 200 dead and 1,600 wounded, according to official tolls.
Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the group must be expelled in accordance with domestic law, but rights experts argued the deportation would breach an international convention on refugees.
"Now that the group has been returned to China, we urge the government of China to uphold international norms and to ensure transparency, due process and proper treatment of persons in its territory," Duguid said.
"We continue to stress to all parties concerned the importance of respecting human rights and honoring their obligations under international law."
China Praises Cambodia as Uighurs Deported
BEIJING (Reuters) - China will deal with 20 ethnic Uighurs who were deported from Cambodia over the weekend as illegal immigrants, praising relations with the Southeast Asian country as a model of good cooperation.
The comments came as a top Chinese official began a visit to Phnom Penh to boost commercial ties.
The Uighurs, a Turkic Muslim minority involved in rioting in western China that killed nearly 200 people in July, were smuggled into Cambodia in recent weeks and applied for asylum at the United Nations refugee agency office in Phnom Penh.
They were deported for breaking immigration laws, the Cambodia government said.
"Recently, Cambodia deported 20 Chinese citizens in accordance with immigration laws for illegal entry into Cambodia. China received these people in accordance with usual practices," China's Foreign Ministry said in a brief faxed statement.
"China is resolutely opposed to and will crack down hard on people smuggling, and believes the international community should step up cooperation to combat these crimes together," it added.
Human rights groups have said they feared for the lives of the Uighurs if they were deported to China. The U.N. refugee agency also condemned the deportations.
The case coincides with a visit to Cambodia by Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping, seen as frontrunner to succeed President Hu Jintao. Xi is expected to sign 14 pacts related to infrastructure construction, grants and loans.
On Sunday evening, Xi praised ties with Cambodia.
"It can be said that Sino-Cambodia relations are a model of friendly cooperation," the Foreign Ministry paraphrased Xi as saying, in a statement on its website (www.mfa.gov.cn).
China is Cambodia's biggest investor, having poured more than $4 billion (3 billion pounds) in foreign direct investment into the country.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
US decries Cambodia's deportation of Uighurs
WASHINGTON -(AP)— The U.S. is condemning Cambodia's decision to forcibly deport 20 Muslim asylum-seekers back to China.
The State Department says U.S. ties with Cambodia will suffer as a result.
The department said in a statement Sunday that it was "deeply disturbed" by the move, which may have violated Cambodia's international obligations to asylum-seekers. The U.S. also says its concerned about the welfare of the Uighurs (WEE-gurz). There are fears the Uighurs may be mistreated in China.
Spokesman Gordon Duguid says the incident would affect Cambodia's relationship with the United States and its international standing.
The Uighurs fled China after ethnic rioting in July. China says they are criminals but their role in the rioting remains unclear.
Chinese vice president arrives in Siem Reap for official visit to Cambodia
SIEM REAP, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived here on Sunday on an official visit to Cambodia, the last leg of his four-Asian nation tour.
In a written statement, Xi said China and Cambodia have enjoyed long-term friendship that further expanded since the two countries forged diplomatic ties over half a century ago.
The two countries have maintained fruitful cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges, and close coordination on international and regional affairs, he said.
"The good-neighborly relations between China and Cambodia are in the interests of the two peoples and benefit the peace, stability and prosperity in the region," he said.
China's vice-president arrives in Myanmar for talks
YANGON-(AFP) — Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Myanmar Saturday, an official told AFP, for an overnight visit as part of a regional tour as his country's likely next leader.
Xi landed at 2.15pm (0745 GMT) in Myanmar's economic hub and former capital Yangon and was expected to travel to a gem emporium and later pay homage at the sacred Shwe Dagon pagoda, the official said.
Security was very tight around the city and no media were allowed at the airport or at the Sedona hotel where he is staying.
Many Chinese nationals wearing suits and holding the Myanmar state flag gathered by the airport to greet their vice-president, an AFP correspondent said.
Xi is expected to fly to Myanmar's remote capital Naypyidaw on Saturday evening before meeting the government's military leadership including junta chief Than Shwe on Sunday.
The two leaders are expected to sign various agreements, according to another official, before Xi departs for Cambodia in the afternoon.
Xi is expected to take over as party leader in 2012, and president in 2013. His current trip started in Japan and ends in Cambodia on Tuesday.
Xi landed at 2.15pm (0745 GMT) in Myanmar's economic hub and former capital Yangon and was expected to travel to a gem emporium and later pay homage at the sacred Shwe Dagon pagoda, the official said.
Security was very tight around the city and no media were allowed at the airport or at the Sedona hotel where he is staying.
Many Chinese nationals wearing suits and holding the Myanmar state flag gathered by the airport to greet their vice-president, an AFP correspondent said.
Xi is expected to fly to Myanmar's remote capital Naypyidaw on Saturday evening before meeting the government's military leadership including junta chief Than Shwe on Sunday.
The two leaders are expected to sign various agreements, according to another official, before Xi departs for Cambodia in the afternoon.
Xi is expected to take over as party leader in 2012, and president in 2013. His current trip started in Japan and ends in Cambodia on Tuesday.
Five years after the Indian Ocean tsunami ravaged six southern coastal provinces and swept more than 5,000 to their deaths, 60-year-old Phang Nga resident Yupa Srisiri cannot forget the day her six-year-old nephew was snatched from her embrace.
"I still remember that day and I want to forget it, but I can't," she said with a trembling voice and teary eyes.
Now she's afraid to walk on the beach and stay alone at home.
In the early morning of December 26, 2004, The tsunami struck the Andaman coast without warning, causing massive damage in Ranong, Trang, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket and Satun.
The killer wave crashed into her while she was riding a pickup with her husband on their way back home to Ban Nam Khem village - the community hardest hit by the tsunami, with about 800 lives lost.
Her pickup rolled over and at that moment her nephew was ripped from her embrace. A month later, she found him, dead.
Democrats slam Jatuporn for distorting classified document
Abhisit says use of violence not govt policy, especially with neighbour.
The Democrat Party yesterday condemned opposition MP Jatuporn Promphan for distorting a classified Foreign Ministry document and called for an investigation into who leaked the document.
Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutaraks said the party had condemned Jatuporn, a Pheu Thai Party MP, for distorting facts and creating misunderstanding over three points:
n Giving misleading information that the classified document mentioned a time frame for assassinating former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Buranat said the document did not include any sentence that mentions any form of violence by the government.
Sivarak enters monkhood
Siwarak brought to court on 8th December, 2009.
Published: 20/12/2009
Bangkok Post
Freed convicted spy Sivarak Chutipong entered monkhood on Sunday morning.
Mr Sivarak, a 31-year-old engineer who was sentenced to seven years in jail and fined 10 million riels (about 80,000 baht) on Dec 8 after being arrested by Cambodian authorities last month on charges of stealing sensitive state information, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's flight plan when he visited Phnom Pehn, and passing it to Thai diplomat Kamrob Palawatwichai.
Noppadon calls for House dissolution, election as conditions for talk
Noppadon Pattama (pictured), a legal advisor of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Sunday that a political reconciliation could be reached only if all legal cases against Thaksin were undone and justice was returned to him and everything would reversed back to the time before the 2006 coup.
Noppadon said a talk between Thaksin's side and the government could be held only on three conditions.
"First, the 1997 charter or a draft with similar content must be enacted. Second, the House of Representatives must be dissolved. Third, a new election must be held and all sides and all colours must ratify a pact that they will accept the election results and will not make any move outside Parliament to undermine the country administration or disrupt the administration or else the same old circle will return," Noppadon said.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban Sunday dismissed conditions raised by a legal advisor of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for holding a reconciliation talk.
Suthep said the conditions raised by Noppadon were too extreme to be accepted.
Noppadon demanded that the legal cases against Thaksin would have to be dismissed and the 1997 charter would have to reenacted for holding a new election.
Thaksin says 'reconciliation was long overdue"
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Sunday that it was too late for political reconciliation now.
"The reconciliation was long overdue" Thaksin said on his Twitter page, writing the words "reconciliation" and "long overdue" in English.
He compared the reconciliation to hand clapping saying he is only one hand and cannot make an applause alone.
The Nation
"The reconciliation was long overdue" Thaksin said on his Twitter page, writing the words "reconciliation" and "long overdue" in English.
He compared the reconciliation to hand clapping saying he is only one hand and cannot make an applause alone.
The Nation
The closing scene of Cambodia’s political circus against Thailand
| LEFT: Takki disembarking from his big private jet at Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh on Dec. 11 RIGHT: Mr. Sivarak while being brought to court in Phnom Penh Objective of the comedy: To show the world that Abhisit government has been insincere with Cambodia and carrying unfriendly acts against Cambodia in every way possible and that Takki is important to Cambodian economic development plan worthy of being appointed as Cambodian government’s adviser and Cambodian PM’s personal adviser.Original plot: Eavesdropping and telephone tapping on the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh to pick whatever conversation that could be built as a case to accuse Thailand in anything possible and expand the case to full extent with an intention to cause damages to PM Abhisit’s reputation as a clean prime minister of Thailand with behind the scene supportin role by PT party. |
N.Korea leader 'receives letter from Obama'
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il was given a letter from Barack Obama during a trip by the US president's envoy last week, state media said Friday.
This undated picture released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency in late November shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il inspecting a fruit farm in suburban Pyongyang. Kim Jong-Il was given a letter from Barack Obama during a trip by the US president's envoy last week, state media said.
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