Chinese warship pays first visit to Cambodia

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (AFP) — The Chinese navy’s Zheng He became the first warship from the country to dock in Cambodia when it arrived Wednesday, signalling deeper military cooperation between the two nations.

The ship, which carries more than 400 military personnel, will remain at Sihanoukville in the former communist country until the weekend, said a Chinese embassy statement after the Zheng He docked in Cambodia’s main sea port.

The visit is intended to boost “ the good relationship” between Phnom Penh and Beijing, Qian Hai, third secretary of the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh, told AFP.

Chinese officials plan to hold talks with Cambodian naval and defence officials, and the two countries’ marines are scheduled to play volleyball and football matches against each other during the visit, the embassy said.

Cambodian officials could not be immediately reached for comment, but Cambodia has in recent years become the focus of attention from both Washington and Beijing.

China, a former patron of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, eclipses many of the impoverished country’s other donors with hundreds of millions of dollars in largely-unconditional aid and a number of naval patrol boats.

At least three senior commanders and four warships from the United States have also visited Cambodia over the past few years, and the superpower has donated military trucks as the country has emerged as a partner in Washington’s “ war on terror.”

Cambodia’s first ever rock opera to premiere this month

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Cambodia’s first-ever Broadway musical-style rock opera, which will incorporate Cambodian lullabies and Khmer Rouge propaganda songs, will premiere later this month, organisers said Tuesday.

“ Where Elephants Weep,” a modern take on a traditional Cambodian love story that merges pop and rock music with more traditional and historical Cambodian tunes is scheduled to open in Phnom Penh on November 28.

“ It will be the first time in the kingdom’s history that a Broadway-ready contemporary opera of this scale and calibre has ever been staged and represents a turning point in the creative and cultural revival of Cambodia,” organisers said in a statement.

The show will use instruments ranging from modern synthesizers to folk drums to perform music composed by Russian-trained Cambodian maestro Him Sophy.

It will tell a love story similar to “ Tum Teav,” a Cambodian version of “ Romeo and Juliet,” said Him Sophy during a press conference.

Organisers said the show had a successful preview in the United States last year and after its run ends in Cambodia next month it is expected to tour South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan before returning to the US.

The Khmer Rouge destroyed a vibrant Cambodian rock music scene as it sought to construct a Communist utopia, evacuating cities and forcing people to work on collective farms where they were made to sing propaganda songs.

Some 1.7 million people were executed or killed through overwork, starvation and torture during the 1975 to 1979 rule of the Khmer Rouge.

Sen increases Cambodia’s military budget

GuamPDN

It takes two to make a quarrel and two to find a solution. As we see and do things differently, conflict cannot be avoided, but “ we are able to manage and solve it by using necessary skills,” asserts Cambodia’s Youth Resource Development Program, a non-governmental organization. Maybe one of its cost-free courses, Conflict Resolution, should be mandatory in Cambodia’s educational system!

It has been said that heaven ordained Cambodians, Thais and Vietnamese to live side by side until the end of time. They cannot move their respective countries elsewhere, but they have a choice: live harmoniously as neighbors or hurt one another as enemies.

Sadly, they have fought over land ownership throughout history. Nationalists from the three lands have displayed incredible eagerness to make “ supreme sacrifices” to fight the transgressors — the “ bad” guys on the other side of the border. It’s the “ we, us, ours” versus “ they, them, theirs” problem in human nature. Nationalist leaders have seized opportunities to incite the ready, able and willing in the name of the flag against their neighbors, and it has taken little provocation for the sentiment to be returned.

But beware, today’s heroism may be tomorrow’s foolishness, as memories fade, human thinking evolves, events are rewritten and brave heroes’ names lost in a pile.

Some readers in Cambodia enlightened me after my column, “ Soldiers’ deaths could’ve been prevented.” Oh, no, war deaths could not have been prevented. Premier Hun Sen, who threatened a “ life-and-death battle” and a “ death zone,” was “ right” to play hard ball with the Thais. Would the loved ones of the three Cambodian soldiers, and one Thai, who were killed on Oct. 15 agree?

If, from the cradle to the grave, man lives in the midst of politics, and if war remains an instrument political leaders will use for a political end, there are worries for the future of the three peoples condemned by destiny to be neighbors.

Who would find disagreement with the July 7 decision by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to inscribe the 9th century Preah Vihear ruins as a World Heritage site?

The Temple, built by Khmer kings, is viewed by both Thais and Cambodians to hold “ outstanding universal value.” It was awarded in 1962 to Cambodia by a 9 to 3 verdict of the International Court of Justice, which also voted 7 to 5 for Thailand to return to Cambodia antiquities it had removed.

UNESCO’s decision brought military tensions that broke out in armed fighting. On the one hand, there is Thailand’s five-month-old street protest by the People’s Alliance for Democracy that seeks to bring down the Somchai Wongsawat government, elected by the rural and urban poor but opposed by Bangkok’s powerful elites. PAD accused Wongsawat of surrendering Thai sovereignty to Cambodia. To show it wasn’t so, Wongsawat beefed up Thai forces at the border.

On the other hand, the Thai troop buildup was opportune for Cambodian Premier Sen, who wanted votes in the July 27 national elections. His “ death zone” talk showed an uncompromising strongman fighting to protect the Khmer heritage. Cambodians rushed to the colors and gave Sen their votes to rule as well.

The Khmer Empire once encompassed current Thailand to the west, the whole of Laos to the north, the former South Vietnam to the east, and a portion of Malaysia to the south. Today, the 181,035 square kilometers called Cambodia is all that’s left of the Empire.

So, up to 1,000 armed men dug in and eyeballed one another. The first armed clash of Oct. 3 resulted in injured soldiers. On Oct. 15, the fighting broke out in different locations. Yet, both Sen and Wongsawat are aware that a war between their forces is a no-win for them. Except Sen knows and executes his game plan better than Wongsawat.

Sen’s twist-and-turn maneuver saw Sen first wanting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Singapore involved. Then he made noises about taking the matter to the United Nations Security Council. On Oct. 17, Sen changed tactics, dubbed the fighting “ a minor armed clash,” and assured, “ People should understand that there won’t be any large-scale war.”

On Oct. 24, Sen met with Wongsawat in Beijing. They agreed to avoid future conflict and maintain peace. At the border, their generals met for the 11th time and vowed “ utmost restraint” to avoid future fighting. Continued bilateral talks are planned for Nov. 10.

Meanwhile, Sen’s military recruitment process has added some 3,000 “ volunteers” to troops at the border. And, despite foreign donors’ concerns over Cambodia’s increasing military expenditure, the Sen administration seeks legislative approval for a 2009 budget of $2 billion, an increase of 28 percent from last year, with an increase of almost 70 percent in a military budget that totals $500 million.

Yet the areas of health care, education, rural development, agriculture, women’s affairs and social affairs are budgeted for an increase of about 5 percent.

What’s wrong with this picture of Hun Sen’s Cambodia?

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years.

China to increase cooperation with Cambodia in anti-drug work

Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu (R,front), who is also Chinese Minister of Public Security, meets with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Nov. 4, 2008. The two sides signed a cooperation memorandum of understanding between the Chinese and Cambodian governments on prohibiting illegal trafficking and abuse of drugs.(Xinhua/Yuan Man)

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) — Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu on Tuesday called for more cooperation with Cambodia in anti-drug work.

Meng, who is also Chinese Minister of Public Security, made the remarks during the talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.

Hailing the sound growth of Sino-Cambodian relations, Meng said the police authorities of the two nations also enjoyed increasing exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in recent years.

He also hoped the two sides work together to fight against transnational crimes and illegal immigration, and increase cooperation in repatriating criminal suspects and law enforcement training, in a bid to safeguard domestic stability of the two countries and push forward bilateral relations.

Sar Kheng said the Cambodian government valued the relationship with China, and was ready to expand bilateral cooperation in anti-drug work and cracking down on transnational crimes.

The two sides signed a cooperation memorandum of understanding between the Chinese and Cambodian governments on prohibiting illegal trafficking and abuse of drugs.

Editor: Jiang Yuxia

Khmer Krom: Demonstration at European Parliament

UNPO representative Vien Thatch gives an account of the Khmer Krom demonstration in support of EU resolution.

Below is an article written by UNPO representative Vien Thatch:

The Khmer Krom delegation held a demonstration in the European Parliament in Strasbourg to support the resolution on the Human Rights abuses in Vietnam.  The delegation consisted of 18 Khmer Krom supporting members among whom were 5 Buddhist monks. It took place on the 22 and the 23 of October.

On our arrival at the European Parliament at around 3.20 p.m., we were warmly received despite the rain, by Nicola Dell’Arciprete and MEP Marco Cappato who promptly brought me to the Press Conference where I had opportunity to speak for 10 minutes about the Khmer Krom Human Rights issues in Kampuchea Krom (Vietnam), particularly my concerns on the imprisonment of Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks and the problems of land grabbing and confiscating, that our community in the homeland is subject to. I drew attention to the detention of Tim Sakhorn.   MEP Marco Cappato urged the European Commission to engage in negotiations with Hanoi.  Following the Conference, MEP Marco Cappato agreed to submit a Universal Periodic Review to the UN on Khmer Krom Human Rights Violations in Vietnam.

From 6 p.m., we demonstrated outside the Palais in spite of the rain. Our Buddhist Monks chanted for peace for more than 30 minutes. At the same time we distributed our flyers and documents.

In the early morning of October 23, our delegation continued the demonstration from 8.30 a.m. with the support of the Transnational Radical Party members lead by MEP Marco Cappato and several others to thank the European Parliament members who supported the resolution in overwhelming numbers. Our demonstration ended at around 9.30 a.m.

To read the European Parliament resolution on the new EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and Human Rights please click here.

Source: UNPO

VN, Cambodia strengthen links

HA NOI (VNS) — The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Hun Sen, is on an official visit to Viet Nam today and tomorrow to re-inforce traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two neighbours.

The Cambodian PM is making the visit at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung.

The two PMs will discuss measures to boost co-operation in all fields, particularly the economy, trade and investment; accelerate land-border demarcation and placing markers; and promote co-ordination at regional and multilateral forums.

The first visit of PM Hun Sen during his fourth term (September 2008-2013) is in the context of growing bilateral relations under the motto “ best neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive and long-lasting co-operation” .

The two countries have witnessed a number of exchange visits by high-level delegations. After his coronation in October, 2004, the Cambodian King, Norodom Siha-moni, twice visited Viet Nam, first in March, 2006, and again in June, 2008.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet visited Cambodia last February.

The two sides convened the fourth meeting on co-operation and development of their border provinces in February this year, and the 10th session of the Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural and Scientific-Technological Co-operation in October this year. The two countries have enjoyed significant progress in economic, trade and investment co-operation. Two-way trade has increased from US$180 million in 2000 to almost $1.2 billion last year. The target is $2 billion by 2010.

Viet Nam’s investment in Cambodia reached the $100 million last year.

Co-operation in education and training, energy, health care, transport, and national security and defence have advanced considerably.

The two sides have enjoyed a good working relationship in dealing with issues related to the border line and border security and order, and have agreed to complete the demarcation and marker plantation project by 2012.

The two countries have also worked to increase co-operation within a number of regional organisations, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other regional and international co-operation mechanisms, including the Mekong River Commission (MRC), the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), the East-West Economic Corridor Development Programme (EWEC), and the Ayeyawady-Chao Praya-Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy (ACMECS). — VNS

UPDATE: Many Challenges To Cambodia’s Oil Upstream Hopes

CNN Money

SINGAPORE -(Dow Jones)- Cambodia is facing a wide range of challenges in developing its oil and gas upstream sector, even as it moves cautiously ahead with an offshore exploration project led by U.S. oil major Chevron Corp. (CVX), a senior government official said Tuesday.

The Cambodian National Petroleum Authority is also pushing for construction of the country’s first oil refinery and mulling the establishment of a national oil company, but global interest in the country’s hydrocarbons potential is lacking, progress on a petroleum law has been slow, and a long-running maritime acreage dispute with neighboring Thailand has yet to be settled.

“ It’s very difficult – when we opened (upstream blocks for) bidding in 1991 or 1992, nobody was interested,” CNPA Vice-Chairman Ho Vichit said on the sidelines of the Asia Oil and Gas Investment Congress.

“ So, we approached companies…to do direct negotiations,” he said, attributing the poor investment interest to Cambodia’s limited track record in terms of oil and gas reserves.

The country only started formal seismic surveys in January and has yet to finalize results, Ho said.

More than 10 foreign companies are drilling in Cambodia’s six offshore blocks, including China National Offshore Oil Corp.

The government is optimistic that a consortium headed by Chevron remains on track to begin producing oil from offshore Block A next year, but the U.S. company has downplayed any firm timetables.

Ho said there are some technical challenges to overcome as reserves are spread over a wide are in small pools, but he said the project won’t be shelved.

Earlier, Ho told the conference in Singapore that “ it’s premature to speculate” how much of the oil or gas discovered in 2005 can be pumped from offshore Block A, about 200 kilometers off the southern coast.

“ It must be recognized that hydrocarbons shows (evidence) alone do not make…an oil or gas field, let alone an oil or gas field that might be viable for commercial development,” he said.

The idea of a national oil company – the CNPA would play the role of regulator in such a scenario – remains at “ a very preliminary stage,” Ho said.

Cambodia’s draft petroleum law, which would provide a legislative framework for extracting oil and gas, also remains “ complicated” and is still some way from reaching the ministerial level, a step required before any approval by the national assembly. Ho also cited the need to translate the final document into languages suitable for potential investors as another factor contributing to the delay.

Meanwhile, the government is still negotiating with Thailand to jointly develop three offshore areas near Block A following a 2001 memorandum of understanding; a fourth area is claimed entirely by each side.

Ho wouldn’t comment on whether the political upheavals in Bangkok have slowed progress in the talks.

For the downstream sector, Cambodia has contracted Japanese firm Toyo Engineering Corp. (6330.TO) to assist with a feasibility study to build a refinery.

A 50,000 barrel-a-day facility is being considered, tiny by international standards but perhaps an important first step to ease pressures from high petroleum import prices.

Cambodia, which doesn’t subsidize domestic fuel prices, imports about 1 million metric tons a year of refined oil products, Ho said, pegging the country’s economic growth around 7% a year.

-By Yee Kai Pin, Dow Jones Newswires; kai-pin.yee@dowjones.com; +65-6415-4062

UNESCO to demarcate Preah Vihear temple

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) — The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage committee expects to determine the boundary of Preah Vihear temple in late November or early December, officially marking the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Cambodian national media reported Friday.

Despite the ongoing border dispute that has left two statues inthe Preah Vihear temple complex damaged by gunfire, the area would be demarcated and signposted as a UN monument as planned, Phay Siphan, secretary of state at the Cambodian Council of Ministers, was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

Phay Siphan claimed that Thai soldiers violated international law by intentionally damaging the site during fighting that erupted last week over disputed border territory.

“ The Preah Vihear complex and the surrounding areas were invaded by Thais, and the Thai soldiers intended to destroy the temple,” he said.

Phay Siphan said that the Preah Vihear Authority has already complained to UNESCO about the damage done to two naga statues, which were allegedly struck by rounds or shell fragments during the Oct. 15 clash between Cambodian and Thai troops.

The 11th-century temple complex was listed as a UN World Heritage site on July 7 in a decision that angered Thai nationalists and escalated tensions over contested border areas.

Min Sovann, a heritage police officer with the Preah Vihear Authority, confirmed that two naga statues and a stairway at the temple complex were slightly damaged by rounds fired from Thai M79grenade launchers.

The naga statues sustained damage to their heads, necks and bodies, but the pockmarks will not cause the naga statues to collapse, he said.

Editor: Du Guodong

Cambodian, Thai border committees ink agreement to ease border tension

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) — Regional border committees of Cambodia and Thailand here on Friday signed an agreement to ease their months-long tension along the border near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear Temple.

The agreement was reached during the 11th annual meeting of the regional border committees (RBC) attended by officers from the fourth military region of Cambodia and the second army area of Thailand.

According to the deal, Thailand and Cambodia will cooperate to realize peace at the border area and restore the region to its prior situation, General Chea Man, chairman of Cambodian RBC and commander of the fourth military region of Cambodia, told reporters at a press conference.

At the area near the Preah Vihear Temple, both sides are determined to keep the utmost restraint in order to avoid confrontation or armed clash as previously occurred, he said.

The Thai side also made the same promise in its press release issued to reporters here on Friday upon the conclusion of the two-day meeting.

On Oct. 15, a gunfire exchange between both troops near the temple killed two Cambodian soldiers and one Thai trooper.

“ Both sides agreed to cooperate with equality and we respect the sovereignty and border of each other,” said Chea Man.

“ We will continue the talks to solve the issue with peaceful deals. We have to exchange information, protect the environment along the border, take action against crimes, make sure of economic development along the border, and guarantee easiness for the people to have a proper living standard,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lt. General Wiboonsak Neeparn, chairman of the Thai RBC and commanding general of the second army area of Thailand, told reporters that the Thai side has affirmed its readiness to coordinate with the Cambodian side to ensure peace, security and tranquility along the Thai-Cambodia border.

In a statement issued here on Friday after that meeting ended, the Thai military said it has achieved its objectives, namely “ to develop a good understanding and relationship between the armed forces with a view to easing tension in the border areas.”

It said the meeting has discussed how to deal with the narcotics trade, among other things.

Under the Thai constitution, any agreement reached by the government with another state needs parliamentary approval. The army statement said Oct. 28 has been earmarked for parliament to debate border matters, a date mentioned by Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat in Beijing.

On Friday in Beijing, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart Somchai Wongsawat reached consensus on the sidelines of the ASEM Summit to avoid future clashes.

“ The two sides have to advise our troops not to have confrontations any longer,” Sompong told reporters.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong, standing alongside Sompong, echoed his counterpart, describing the premiers’ talks as “ very good, very friendly.”

In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.

The tension later turned into a military stalemate, in which upto 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for several weeks.

In early October, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during sporadic exchange of gunfire and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine at the border area, the report said.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice decided that the Preah Vihear Temple and its surrounding area belong to Cambodia.

Editor: Du Guodong

Oxfam America to Expand Community Finance Program in Mali and Cambodia

Boston, MA – infoZIne - International development and relief organization Oxfam America today announced it received an $11.7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Saving for Change, the organization’s unique community finance program. Oxfam will continue to collaborate with Freedom from Hunger and Stromme Foundation to launch an unprecedented expansion of Saving for Change over the next three years.

Oxfam’s innovative approach to community finance breaks with that of traditional microfinance institutions. Saving for Change trains large numbers of savings and credit groups in the poorest regions of the world to save together and make loans to each other with their own resources instead of taking out a loan from a bank, credit union or microfinance institution.

“ The first Saving for Change group was trained three years ago. Today, over 150,000 villagers in Mali and Cambodia have already joined savings and lending groups,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “ With the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we will reach close to 550,000 villagers in the next three years.”

With this growth, Saving for Change will become the largest microfinance program in these two countries and the only one reaching the rural poor at this scale. Village groups act as their own community banks, providing villagers with a place to save and easy access to loans. As a result, poor people living in remote areas with little or no financial institutions can access self-managed financial services to build assets, increase incomes, and improve the livelihoods of their families.

“ Not only is Saving for Change different because it is based on saving instead of borrowing, it also relies on person-to-person training and relationships instead of technology. This helps build trust and ultimately makes the savings and lending groups more sustainable,” said Offenheiser.

Oxfam will use this grant to replicate its community finance model in communities throughout Mali and Cambodia. In addition, it will allow the organization an opportunity to explore further program growth in Latin America.

Millions of people in Asia and Africa live on one dollar a day or less, and few have access to savings or other financial services that can help them increase their financial security and improve their lives. Without places to save, it is difficult for families to build savings to pay for educational fees, medical bills, or emergencies. Others have little or no access to micro loans that could improve their incomes through investments like setting up a small sales kiosk, buying crop fertilizer, or acquiring an animal for breeding.

Funding to expand Saving for Change comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Financial Services for the Poor initiative, which works with partners to make savings and other financial services available in developing countries so the poor can better manage life’s risks and take advantage of life’s opportunities.

“ The innovative savings and lending approach has been successful at bringing affordable financial services to people with very low incomes living in remote communities,” said Bob Christen, director of the Financial Services for the Poor initiative. “ We believe that Saving for Change’s groups will open the door to opportunity and increased household financial security for many poor people.”

The grant also supports program evaluation and research that will help document and fully measure Oxfam’s impact on communities. Researchers will be asking key questions on the affect participating in Saving for Change has including:

• Does it affect how-and how much-women save and borrow?
• Does it improve risk-coping and food security?
• Does it build crucial social networks and businesses?
• And, does it improve agricultural production?

“ The research component of this grant will help us fine tune our program so that it best meets the needs of the poor,” concluded Offenheiser. “ Documenting Saving for Change’s success will also help build momentum for expanding savings-led community finance programs around the world.”

Saving for Change is implemented by Oxfam America in collaboration with Freedom from Hunger and Norway-based Stromme Foundation. Freedom from Hunger’s support includes developing training manuals, and contributing technical assistance for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the program. Stromme Foundation, along with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, underwrites the costs for the teams training savings and lending groups in Mali.