Mine victims say they are forgotten

Written by Tom Hunter Tuesday, 24 February 2009 Kampong Thom provincePhnom Penh PostResidents of community open to land-mine victims and their families say they do not yet have basic amenities, including clean water, quality housing and access to schools. Photo by: TOM HUNTER Land-mine victim and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tun

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The Rise and Fall of the Khmer Rouge

NextBack1 of 22 AFP NextBack Royal Seal of Approval In 1965, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia's head of state, asserted the nation's opposition to the U.S.-backed government in South Vietnam by allowing North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up

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Asean trade hits $2bn

Written by CHUN SOPHAL AND HOR HAB Tuesday, 24 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Cambodia's trade with its neighbours climbs 23 percent in 2008 over previous year as trade deficit also increases with Asean to $1.946 billion BLOOMBERG A Thai truck transports Cambodian corn on an unpaved road towards the border with Thailand near Pailin.

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Toyota sales drop 50pc

Written by NGUON SOVAN AND MAY KUNMAKARA Tuesday, 24 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Sole Cambodian distributor of Japanese auto-maker says dip in demand for vehicles could last to 2011 and beyond. Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN A car dealer selling Toyota vehicles on the corner of Monivong Boulevard and Russian Boulevard in Phnom Penh. Sales of

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Sihanouk donates archives

Written by Neth Pheaktra Tuesday, 24 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Over one million documents, thousands of photos and rare films belonging to the former King have been sent to the French National Archives for preservation. Photo by: AFP This photo, taken September 9, 1975, shows Prince Norodom Sihanouk (right), at Beijing airport before

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The United States of Kambujadesa?

Dear Readers,After the article about Thai soldiers laying barbed wires inside Cambodian territories was posted in this blog, one reader has offered his advice of solutions in order to avoid future Khmer-Thai conflict with some very interesting proposals. Below are his proposals. Please have a read and tell us what you think. Thanks - KhmerizationAnonymous said...To avoid the conflict between

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Gen. Srey Doek dismissed reports that Thai soldiers laid barbed wires inside Khmer territories

Gen. Srey Doek (R) held the hand of Col. Chayan Huay Soongnern, one day after the armed clashes on 15th October, 2008.everyday.com24th Feb, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationA Cambodian military commander based in Preah Vihear temple has dismissed Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports that Thai soldiers have laid barbed wires inside Khmer territories.Gen. Srey Doek said that the RFA's report that

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Two Cambodians arrested by Thai soldiers released

Radio Free AsiaBy Sav Yuth22nd February, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationThe Ouddor Meanchey authority said that two Cambodians arrested by Thai soldiers for allegedly foraging in Thai territories have been released in exchange with the release of two Thai nationals by the Cambodian border police.Mr. Ung Vorn, Governor of Ouddor Meanchey, said on 22nd February that the two Cambodian

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Mr. Osman Hassan ordered his bodyguards to arrest slum-dwellers

A policeman (L) questioned two of Mr. Osman's bodyguards in front of Doeum Ampil News headquarter.Doeum Ampil News23rd Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationDisputes between Mr. Osman Hassan, Secretary of State of Ministry of Social Affairs and the slum-dwellers of the "Railway Community B" reached boiling point when Mr. Osman ordered 10 of his bodyguards to arrest those slum-dwellers. The

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Mam Sonando prevented from distributing gifts to soldiers guarding Preah Vihear temple

Mr. Mam Sonando distributed rice and foods to villagers and soldiers at Chup Koki, in Nov. 2008. Photo: Courtesy of Beehive Radio.everyday.com23rd Feb, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationThere are reports that Mr. Mam Sonando, owner of Beehive Radio station, and his assistants were prevented by military commanders from distributing gifts to soldiers guarding Preah Vihear temple and they

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Legal post goes to ousted Court of Appeal president

Ly Vouchleng (L) and You Bunleng (R), her replacement after she was fired for accepting bribes.Written by Chrann Chamroeun and Robbie Corey-Boulet Monday, 23 February 2009Phnom Penh PostLy Vouchleng's appointment to the Council of Ministers comes 17 months after allegations of corruption resulted in her dismissal.TIE TO THE KRTYou Bunleng, co-investigating judge at the Khmer Rouge tribunal,

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Vietnam-Cambodia relations invaluable: PM

24th Feb, 2009VietNamNet Bridge – The traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia is an invaluable asset that the two governments and peoples should focus upon harnessing and shaping into comprehensive development, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.He made these comments while receiving Som Kim Sour, Cambodia’s Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and

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Rescue plan for rare Siamese crocs

By Guy De Launey BBC News, Phnom Penh Mon Feb 23, 2009

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Israeli business delegation due in Cambodia in March

Written by KAY KIMSONG AND GEORGE MCLEOD Monday, 23 February 2009Phnom Penh Post 30-strong group of politicians and businessmen from Israel scheduled to invest in Cambodian agriculture; telecoms officials also due to travel BLOOMBERG A farmer ploughs a rice field outside of Siem Reap. Israel is planning to sign deals on agriculture

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Cambodia drafts sub-decree for better resettlement in development projects

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has started drafting a sub-decree on addressing social-economic impacts caused by the development projects on implementation of involuntary resettlement, a government official said here on Monday. "In the current context of Cambodia, we are lacking legal norms and legislations to support resettlement implementation, including limited awareness of

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Ask an Expert: Tap into the power of community

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Border-gate market attractive to customers

23rd February, 2009 VietNamNet Bridge - The Tinh Bien international border gate market (photo) in southern An Giang province has since early this year received an average of 1,000 visitors every day, earning over 5 billion VND, a year-on-year increase of 42 percent. In this February, the number of visitors coming to the market has doubled the last month’s figure. The market which was

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The battle for Prasat Preah Vihear

23rd February, 2009By COURTNEY TRENWITHIllawara Mercury (Australia)When I decided to take on the eight-hour pilgrimage to the second most important ancient temple in Cambodia, I knew that I was in for an adventure. But I didn't realise that I would be riding into the middle of an international battle field.Cambodian soldiers, with machines guns slung over their shoulders and grenades on standby,

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Artist Reahu caused a stir in Thailand with his sexy Apsara drawing of actress Suwanan Kongying

The bare-breasted drawing of actress Suwanan Kongying that caused a stir in Thailand recently.Reaksmei Kampuchea newspaper23rd Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationAfter causing a stir in Cambodia with his erotic and sensual Apsara drawings, artist Reahu has now caused a stir in Thailand with his bare-breasted drawing of Thai actress Suwanan Kongying.Actress Suwanan Kongying, better known

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Heng Pov's accomplice who is Gen. Dul Koeun's bodyguard arrested for attempted murder of editor-in-chief of Koh Santepheap newspaper

Col. Pheng Phay in handcuff (top). Gen. Dul Keoun (R) and the late Gen. Hok Lundy (L) were arch-rivals (bottom).Doeum Ampil News22nd Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationGen. Dul Koeun's bodyguard was arrested for attempted murder of Koh Santepheap's editor-in-chief more than 10 years ago.Col. Pheng Phay, a police officer attached to the Ministry of Interior and a bodyguard of Gen. Dul

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Cheap Cambodian crop floods province

Cross-border trades like this one are booming along the Khmer-Vietnamese borders. 21 February, 2009 AN GIANG — Rice is still being illegally imported daily from Cambodia into the southwestern border province of An Giang. Duong Su Market in Tinh Bien District’s An Nong commune is the largest granary of smuggled rice from Cambodia in An Giang Province. Nguyen Anh Nghia, a farmer in the district,

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Cambodian Adventure 'Sleepwalking Through The Mekong', From Dengue Fever, On DVD April 14

February 22nd, 2009 -"An engagingly different rock 'n 'roll documentary," According to Daily Variety, includes DVD and CD Soundtrack Which Celebrates The Music and Culture of Cambodia-Tour Dates for Australia, New Zealand and United States Confirmed M80 Music announced that the documentary film Sleepwalking Through The Mekong, will be released on April 14, 2009 as

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Vietnam hails Khmer Rouge war crimes trial

Duch appeared in court on 17th Feb, 2009.Saturday, 21 February 2009The Macau Daily TimesVietnam, which overthrew Cambodian dictator Pol Pot in 1979, on Thursday welcomed the start of the Khmer Rouge tribunal, saying those responsible for the regime's crimes should be "severely punished."The tribunal opened Tuesday with the trial of Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, who ran the Tuol Sleng

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The year of war criminals

Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, appeared in court on 17th Feb, 2009.Brett Popplewell The Toronto Star Staff Reporter After 30 years, the first of five

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Thai soldiers lay barbed wires on Khmer territories

Picture of Thai soldiers entering the Preah Vihear area in August 2008.Radio Free AsiaBy Sary Rath 22nd Feb, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationA group of Thai soldiers have on Friday 20th February laid barbed wires in an area the Khmer soldiers claimed belong to Cambodia.The area that the Khmer soldiers accused Thai soldiers of allegedly laying the barbed wires is in Ta Thav district,

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Viettel opens mobile phone service in Cambodia with big plans

Viettel Cambodia Pte., an offshoot of Vietnam’s military-owned Viettel, has officially launched its mobile phone service in Cambodia this week, promising to help users cut payment by up to a quarter. The Metfone network

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Meeting Incentive Conference Exhibition to See Growth in Siem Riep Cambodia

PR-USA.NETTeeming with history, marvelous architecture and awash in natural beauty, Cambodia is fast becoming a must see destination in South East Asia. The largest religious monument ever built, Angkor Wat ranks at the top destinations in South Est Asia and top of globetrotting VIP business travellers - must see list of wonders in the world.After a lengthy period of internal strife and civil war

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A country of contradictions

By Miriama KamoTVNZ Reuters Skulls at the Killing Fields memorial So, tomorrow we leave. I'm on the balcony of our guesthouse, listening to the tuk tuks, motorbikes, and people going by. Everything is golden, the one lamp spreading a glow across the warm burgundy and ruby patterned tiles. There's a funeral below, the cheerful chimes accompanying the dead to their new life. It's

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Defence Minister visits Cambodia

Defence Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh signed a protocol of cooperation with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh after their talks in Phnom Penh on February 20. During talks, they reviewed the cooperation between the two ministries and shared experience in

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Asian finance ministers in Thailand to discuss global crisis

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva delivers speech in Jakarta PHUKET, Thailand (AFP) — Finance ministers and senior officials from Asian nations gathered in Thailand on Saturday to try to hammer out a plan to stave off the worst effects of the global economic downturn.Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members were joined by the South Korean and Chinese finance ministers and a

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Men sentenced for confrontation with migrants

KALISPELL, Mont., USA (AP) Two Marion men who were originally charged with a hate crime for their role in a confrontation with migrant mushroom pickers from Asia have been sentenced to time served for misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Twenty-seven-year-old Edward Hubbs pleaded no contest to the charge and was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) to a 10-day suspended jail term. During a separate

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The Family Tree: One big happy family in Cambodia

Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany (seated) during the wedding of one of their children.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IC20Ae03.html20 March 2007AsiaFinest.comBy Bertil Lintner PHNOM PENH - Cambodia's rough-and-tumble politics have long been bloody, marred by frequent political assassinations and violence. But never before have they been quite so blood-linked.The English-language

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Hun Neng will be appointed a new Phnom Penh Governor in May?

KHMER INTELLIGENCE NEWS 21 February 2009 A new Phnom Penh Governor in May (2)The CPP has named current Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema its top-of-the-list candidate for the Capital City Council (CCC) election to be held on May 17, 2009. Kep Chuktema will then become President of the to-be-formed CCC, a position incompatible with that of Phnom Penh governor. This governor position will be

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Land grabs in Cambodia push poor out

The Drey Krohorm slum neighbourhood was totally demolished on 24th January, 2009.Rights groups press government to end forced resettlement as parcels sold off `to highest bidder' Feb 21, 2009 The Toronto Star

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Surprising Cambodia

By Juliana PhangThe Star OnlineRecently, my family and I holidayed in Cambodia. We visited not only the historical monument of Angkor Wat at Siem Reap but also witnessed the very moving and tragic exhibition at Tuol Sleng Museum in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The building was a secondary school used by the Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot in the 1970s as a torture centre. He purportedly

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Vietnamese, Cambodian militaries step up cooperation

PHNOM PENH, Feb 21 (VNA) – Vietnam’s Minister of Defense, General Phung Quang Thanh, signed a protocol of cooperation with his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Banh, on Feb 20. The signing took place following the talks between the two officials on the first day of Gen. Thanh’s official visit to Cambodia. During the meeting, they reviewed the past cooperation between the two ministries

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Thai military commanders brought an apology letter to Cambodia

Note: The Thai military has on 17th February, 2009 fired 10 artillery shells into Cambodian territories near Ta Krabey temple in Ouddor Meanchey province. Mr. Koy Kuong, Cambodia's Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, said that Cambodia will lodge a diplomatic protest even if Thailand apologised. But later, after Thailand has apologised, he said that the matter is now closed. Below is the Thai

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Khmer Krom food by My Linh Nakry

I have come across a website dedicated to Khmer Krom Food. My Linh Nakry, I assumed she is a fine Khmer Krom woman, is unquestionably a master cook. She has made my saliva dripping as I browsed through her endless recipes of delicious-looking Khmer Krom food. I one day wish that I could taste her food. My hat off to her!Here are some of the saliva-dripping Khmer Krom food by Ms. My Linh Nakry:-

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Thailand says sorry for mortar shell landing in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thailand on Friday sent a letter to Cambodia to apologize for the wrong shooting of mortar shell into Cambodian land on Feb. 17, according to a press release from the Cambodian foreign ministry. "I am writing to express to you my sincerest apology for the unfortunate incident that took place on Feb. 17, 2009," said Anupong Paojinda (pictured),

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KRouge court rejects leader's translation appeal

Former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Lawyers for former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan Friday lost an appeal at Cambodia's UN-backed genocide tribunal to have his case file translated into French for his famed attorney.The genocidal regime's leader and his lawyers have argued that in the absence of the translation of the documents into French -- one of the

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Top Chinese political advisor meets Cambodian King

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Feb. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)Photo Gallery>>> BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative

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Fascinating Angkor Wat helps tourist town prosper

Visitors visiting the temple of Angkor Wat.Canada.comMore than two million people a year go to Cambodian world heritage siteSIEM REAP, Cambodia (Reuters) -- Got 48 hours to explore the ruins of the ancient Angkor empire? Reuters correspondents with local knowledge help visitors make the most of the temples and Siem Reap, the tourist town booming in the shadow of Angkor Wat. FRIDAY 6 p.m. -- Relax

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High ivory prices in Vietnam drive killing of elephants in Laos, Cambodia

Asia elephants can't hide from ivory poachers. Around 1000 elephants survive in Lao PDR, while fewer than 150 remain in Vietnam. mongabay.comFebruary 19, 2009Indochina's remaining elephants are at risk from surging ivory prices in Vietnam, according to a new report from the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC.In surveys of the illegal illegal ivory trade in Vietnam, TRAFFIC found some of

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Sokha Hotels Group laid the foundation for the construction of Hotel Bokor

The old Hotel Bokor built by the French.everyday.com20th Feb, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationSokha Hotels Group has on 18th February held a foundation-laying ceremony to set up a construction site for the construction of Hotel Sokha Bokor presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Mrs. Men Sam An.According to the company's plan, Hotel Sokha Bokor will be designed and built in the Khmer

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RCAF freelancers called back

Gen. Pol Saroeun (R) receiving RCAF's stamp from Gen. Tean Banh, Minister of Defence, during the transfer of power from Gen. Ke Kimyan (background) on 24th Jan, 2009.Written by Thet Sambath and Chun Sophal Friday, 20 February 2009Phnom Penh PostDay jobs as guards for the wealthy ruled out under military reformsPRIME MINISTER Hun Sen has ordered the new Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)

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In Brief: Sam Rainsy meets with U.S diplomat

U.S Ambassador, Mrs. Carol Rodley.Written by Meas SokheaFriday, 20 February 2009Phnom Penh PostSam Rainsy said he brought up the anti-corruption law as well as the Kingdom's response to the global economic crisis in a Thursday meeting with United States Ambassador Carol Rodley.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Sam Rainsy Party president said it was only right for the US government to

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Thai border guards testing for malaria

Scene of Khmer people fleeing back to Cambodian side after news of Thai doctors capturing Khmers to drain their blood. (Photo: Khun Chang).Written by May Tithara Friday, 20 February 2009Phnom Penh PostLOCAL traders making day-trips into Thailand are coming under increased scrutiny, with a particular increase in medical checks - including blood tests - being applied by Thai officials, according

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Ministry says Thai delegation to apologise for artillery fire

Written by Vong Sokheng and Thet Sambath Friday, 20 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Thailand accepts full responsibility for what they deemed accidental fire, Foreign Affairs official says. Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON Cambodian soldiers look out towards Thailand at Preah Vihear temple in October last year. ATHAI delegation was to visit

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Siem Reap looks to Great Lake for relief of groundwater supplies

Angkor Wat temple.Written by Nguon Sovan and Chun Sophal Friday, 20 February 2009Phnom Penh PostWith Angkorian temples threatened by water shortages, Japanese government-funded project proposes to tap lakewater for local use.AUTHORITIES in Siem Reap province last week announced plans to pump water from the Tonle Sap Lake in order to supplement the province's supplies as water shortages continue

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Mock trading launched

Written by George McLeod Friday, 20 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Joint venture agreement postponed as mock trading system opens BLOOMBERG Dealers at the Korea Exchange Bank in Seoul. A new training system aims to teach Cambodians how the trading system works. Exchange timeline May 2006 Cambodian and South Korean finance ministers

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Asia's First Luxury Tour Operator Offers Chic Travel Experience to Angkor Temples Cambodia

The company has just launched a new luxury tour "Luxuries on the Majestic Angkor Cambodia 4 days."Siem Riep, Cambodia, February 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Luxury Travel, continues to create niche tourism products for high end travelers, the company has just launched a new luxury tour "Luxuries on the Majestic Angkor Cambodia 4 days."The Luxury Travel Company is Asia's first luxury tour company and

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Global shrimp survey highlights ill effects of illegal trawling in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The weak legal framework regulating Cambodia's shrimp fishing industry has complicated efforts to curtail unlawful trawling, which has contributed to rising environmental and social hazards, national media reported Friday, citing a report published this week by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The limited nature of available

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Tribute to Cambodian classical dancer

Prumsodun Ok, 22, top, demonstrates dance techniques during Cambodian classical dance rehearsal at the Khmer Arts Academy Studio in Long Beach, on Feb. 14. (Carlos Delgado / For the Press-Telegram)By Greg MellenPress TelegramStaff WriterAs a Cambodian classical dancer, Chea Samy bridged generations.She was schooled and trained in the Royal Cambodian Court as a child protege and later was the

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Indonesian master puppeteer to stage show in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian master puppeteer Aneng Kiswantoro will introduce the long-cherished artistic tradition of the Java island to the Khmers, English-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodia Daily said on Friday. He will give a show of the at least 1,000-year-old art, called "wayang golek" in his country, here on Saturday. According to the tradition, the artist

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Officials from U.S embassy met the Dey Krohorm evictees

The scene of the demolitions done on 24th Jan, 2009 by workers hired by 7NG.Radio Free AsiaBy Kim Pov Sotton19th Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationOfficials from the U.S embassy on Thursday have met with the Dey Krohorm evictees.Mr. John Johnson, public relations officer of the U.S embassy, said the the meeting took place in response to the concerns raised by civil societies as well as

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Cambodia to lodge a diplomatic complaint after Thai soldiers fired artillery shells into Cambodian territorie

Cambodians soldiers patrolling the borders.Koh Santepheap newspaper19th February, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationThe Cambodian Foreign Ministry said that it will lodge a diplomatic complaint to the shelling of Cambodian territories by Thai troops on 17th February, even if Thailand has apologised.Mr. Koy Kuong, Foreign Ministry’s Secretary of State, said on the 18th February that the

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U.S. donates 36 vehicles to Cambodian armed forces

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. donated Thursday 36 M35A2 trucks and 4 trailers to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), said a press release from the U.S. Embassy. U.S. Ambassador Carol Rodley turned over these vehicles to Phann Nguon, secretary of state at the Ministry of National Defense, at his ministry, it said. The 36 M35A2 cargo trucks were part of an ongoing effort to

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Phnom Penh South Korean style

Written by Nora Lindstrom Thursday, 19 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Although Phnom Penh's South Korean community may seem impenetrable, there are measures you can take to learn about this enigmatic culture Photo by: Sovann Philong Kim Mart on Sihanouk Boulevard stocks a varied assortment of Korean food. Although the global

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Dengue Fever's Cambodian Pop Is Perfect Soundtrack for Lost World

By Scott Thill February 19, 2009 Los Angeles hybrid groove band Dengue Fever has combined Cambodian pop with surf, ska, psychedelia and funk, winning crossover success and critical acclaim. The group's next move? Playing a live soundtrack for The Lost World, the 1925 film adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's dino-sci classic, when it screens this May at the San Francisco Film

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U of T Samaritans saving lives in Cambodia

var imageL= '/images/8c/49/0f38c7484a62977860d5e53e0620.jpeg' if(imageL) { document.write(''); } else{ document.write(''); } BILL SCHILLER/TORONTO STAR Kunthy Ok, a midwife and

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Party factionalism looms behind Ke Kim Yan sacking: observers

Written by SEBASTIAN STRANGIO and THET SAMBATH Thursday, 19 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Analysts say allegations the deposed army chief was involved in shady land deals are being used to whitewash a purge of the military in line with decades-old internal party disputes Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN Gen. Ke Kim Yan (middle) talks to reporters

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SRP, HRP call for rural relief

Written by Meas Sokchea Thursday, 19 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Claims low prices are driving farmers to the brink of survival Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN Kem Sokha, right, and Sam Rainsy at a press conference Wednesday. THE country's two main opposition parties called Wednesday for immediate government action to help indebted

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Fresh defections hit HRP in run-up to May council elections

Written by Meas Sokchea Thursday, 19 February 2009Phnom Penh PostDefectors claim they are better able to serve the people under the CPP’s umbrella, while HRP president Kem Sokha remains optimisticSEVEN high-ranking Human Rights Party (HRP) officials have defected to the ruling Cambodian People's Party, claiming they have a better chance to serve the people in government than they do in

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Low oil prices set to delay Chevron

Written by NGUON SOVAN and CHUN SOPHAL Thursday, 19 February 2009Phnom Penh Post FALLING oil prices are likely to delay Chevron's development of Block A, a finance official said Wednesday, adding that the oil company had already finished exploration of the offshore concession, but would not begin production until at least 2012.Hang Chuon

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Gov't survey finds health, nutrition problems of Cambodian children

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- A recent government survey has found that the rising cost of food has halted improvements in child health and nutrition in Cambodia, English-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodia Daily said on Thursday. The percentage of children under 5 found to be "acutely malnourished" has grown in recent years, the paper quoted the Cambodian Anthropometrics Survey, which

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Low oil prices set to delay Chevron project in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- Falling oil prices are likely to delay US oil giant Chevron's development of Block A near southwestern Cambodia, English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post said on Thursday. The company has already finished exploration of the off-shore concession, but won't begin production until at least 2012, said the paper. Chevron was now playing a waiting game in Cambodia

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Gov't, institutions differ on Cambodian economic growth rate in 2009

Mr. Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.PHNOM PENH, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The government and major international financial institutions have different predictions of Cambodia's economic growth rate for this year, English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post said on Thursday. While the government vowed to maintain a 6 percent growth rate, the World Bank was only

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Signs of better times in Cambodia

By Chris BergeronDAILY NEWS STAFF The Metro West Daily News Posted Feb 19, 2009 WELLESLEY — After decades of civil war, genocide and invasion wracked Cambodia, frequent expatriate Joel Montague first noticed life returning to normal in the humble signs merchants hung on their shops. Working in rural health programs in the early 1990s, the world-traveling Wellesley

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Thai doctors' capture of Khmers to drain blood causing panic among Khmers at Chaim Yeam Pass

Scene of Khmer people fleeing back to Cambodian side after news of Thai doctors capturing Khmers to drain their blood. (Photo: Khun Chang).Koh Santepheap newspaper18th February, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationKoh Kong: There was panic among Khmers at Chaim Yeam Pass opposite Thailand's Hat Lik checkpoint at around 7:30 in the morning of the 17th February causing many Khmers to flee back

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The court delays Heng Pov hearing

Mr. Heng Pov taken to court by police.Radio Free AsiaBy Sok Serey17th Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationThe Appeal Court has on Tuesday decided to delay Mr. Heng Pov's court hearing because Mr. Heng Pov did not have the money to pay his lawyers' services which has amounted to $10,000.The trial date has not been re-scheduled.Mr. Kao Sopha, Heng Pov's lawyers, told reporters outside the

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Seven Senior Military officers sued by NGO for illegal logging

Mr. Yuth Phuthorng, Governor of Koh Kong province.Radio Free AsiaBy Sok Serey18th Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationAn environmental NGO has lodged a law suit against seven military officers from Military Region 3 in Koh Kong court on charges of forest destruction of 1000 hectares in Kiri Sakor district, Koh Koh province.The seven military officers sued by the NGO are: Touch Phy, Touch

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Khmer Rouge Pretrial Ends After Clash Over Evidence

By VOA News 18 February 2009 Kaing Guek Eav, also known as 'Duch' (c), during first day of UN-backed tribunal in Phnom Penh, 17 Feb 2009Prosecutors and defense attorneys have clashed in Cambodia over evidence at a pretrial hearing for the man who once ran a notorious Khmer Rouge prison.Defense lawyers for Kaing Guek

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Mather Presents Cambodian Photos Taken by Trinity Students

Jacqueline Sparks '09During the summer of 2008, 15 Trinity students went to Cambodia as part of the Cambodia in Context study abroad program. Nine of these students are featured in an exhibit in the Mather Art Gallery entitled, "Phnom Penh River Life". The goal of the exhibit is to "examine the central role that the Tonle Sap river system plays in the daily life of Phnom Penh, capital city of the

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ADB to open workshop on managing involuntary resettlement in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will convene a regional workshop on managing involuntary resettlement in East Asia and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries, said an ADB press release on Wednesday. "The workshop will focus on sharing examples of good practice in resettlement management in the region, and also field visits to project sites," it

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Cambodia acts on a ‘stimulus package’ for its tourism industry

February 18th, 2009 BY REINHARD HOHLER, ETN ASIA/PACIFIC | FEB 18, 2009The Cambodian government and private travel companies have proposed a host of incentive measures aimed at stimulating the tourism sector at a meeting in Phnom Penh last week, the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) said.Ho Vandy, co-chairman of the Tourism Working Group of CATA, told local newspaper Phnom Penh Post

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General Ke Kim Yan takes aim at media over arrest rumours

Written by Thet Sambath and Sebastian Strangio Wednesday, 18 February 2009Phnom Penh PostFormer armed forces commander-in-chief denies incarceration by military police, blames media for publishing inaccurate reports.FORMER army chief General Ke Kim Yan (pictured) has slammed local media outlets for reporting his arrest by military police, dismissing the rumours and accusing them of "incitement

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Market-closure protest gains first lady pledge: vendor

Written by May Tithara Wednesday, 18 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Bun Rany deploys personal bodyguards to protect the city's Sereipheap Market from demolition and development. Photo by: Sovann Philong Vendors of Sereipheap Market protest on Monday. VENDORS at Phnom Penh's Sereipheap Market say they have received a promise from the

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DEBT MORATORIUM TO RESCUE BANKRUPT FARMERS VICTIMS OF WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS

SRP Cabinet February 18, 2009 DEBT MORATORIUM TO RESCUEBANKRUPT FARMERS VICTIMS OF WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS On February 16, opposition Members of Parliament including Sam Rainsy (SRP) and Kem Sokha (HRP) wrote to Prime Minister Hun Sen requesting the Government to take appropriate and urgent measures to rescue heavily indebted farmers who are currently victims of the sharp fall in

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Press Release - Se San Communities Caught Off-guard by Vietnam Dam Releases

Dear Supporter,On Sunday February 8th, villagers in northeast Cambodia were caught off-guard by a sudden water surge event which authorities now say was caused by upstream dam operations in Vietnam. The sharp rise in river levels last week alarmed villagers who've suffered hazardous flooding and erratic fluctuations in river levels for years due to construction and operation of large hydro dams

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"Killing Fields" lawyers clash over torture film

Duch in court 17th Feb, 2009.By Ek Madra PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Lawyers at the trial of Pol Pot's chief torturer argued on Wednesday over the admissibility of footage taken by Vietnamese soldiers inside his torture centre after they ousted the Khmer Rouge from power in Cambodia in 1979. Lawyers for Duch, chief of the S-21 interrogation centre in Phnom Peng where at least 14,000 "

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Cambodian official: ASEAN Charter opens new era

Kao Kim Hourn at least year's Asean Meeting. PHNOM PENH, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of the upcoming ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in late February, a Cambodian senior official has highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Charter, saying it opens a new era for ASEAN itself. The Charter is important because it is designed for the first time to set common goal of ASEAN

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Empathy and Peace: Lessons Learned in Cambodia

On the streets of Phnom Penh, the author learned an unlikely lesson. Photograph by Pushpa Iyer.By Pushpa Iyer- USA - This article was originally posted at: www.thewip.net/Courtesy of The WipI wish to thank The Women International Perspective (The WIP) for giving permission for this article to be posted in this blog - Khmerization.-

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U.S., EU, Canada major importers of Cambodian garments

Cambodian textile workers. PHNOM PENH, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S., EU and Canada were the top three importers of Cambodian garments in 2008, national media on Wednesday. U.S. remained as the largest market of Cambodian garment products, worth 1.95 billion U.S. dollars in 2008, rising 1.999 billion U.S. dollars in 2007, English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post quoted the 2008

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Cambodian garment exports up 7% in 2008

Cambodian textile workers.PHNOM PENH, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's garment exports rose by 7 percent in 2008 over 2007 to 3.15 billion U.S. dollars, with the United States remaining as the largest market, worth 1.95 billion U.S. dollars, national media on Wednesday quoted an official report as saying. About 213 million U.S. dollars of increase in garment exports was encouraging in the face

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Prime minister says anti-corruption law not a 'magic pill'

Written by Meas Sokchea Wednesday, 18 February 2009Phnom Penh PostSpeaking at the Business Roundtable in Siem Reap, Hun Sen (pictured) says the law will only be introduced once the penal code is in place.PRIME Minister Hun Sen told an international conference in Siem Reap on Monday that the long-delayed anti-corruption law would not be introduced before the penal code was in place.He said the

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American Books Fit For A King

As President Barack Obama was sworn into office in Washington DC, another significant American ceremony took place 9,000 miles away. In the Royal Palace of Cambodia, newly appointed US Ambassador Carol Rodley presented her formal diplomatic credentials to Cambodia's King

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Thai soldiers shelled Khmer territories near Ta Krabey temple

Khmer soldiers on patrol near Phnom Trop.Radio Free AsiaBy Sav Yuth17th Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationKhmer villagers living along the borders in Boss Thom village of Kork Kposs commune in Banteay Ampil district, Ouddor Meanchey province claimed that Thai soldiers based on top of Phnom Thmor Roy (Mount Hundred Rocks) about 2 kilometres east of Ta Krabey temple have shot many

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Kaing Guek Eav (Duch) using same defense arguments as Hor Nam Hong

Khmer Intelligence News 15 February 2009Kaing Guek Eav (Duch) using same defense arguments as Hor Nam Hong (2)Today, Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, the former chief of S 21 Center under the Pol Pot regime, is the first Khmer Rouge official to stand trial before the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. He is expected to use the same defense arguments as Hor Nam Hong, the former chief

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Drought might have collapsed Cambodian Angkor city

In this Dec. 9, 2005 file photo, tourists walk to the world famous Angkor Wat temple in the late afternoon light in Siem Reap, Cambodia. A prolonged and intense drought may have contributed to the demise of Cambodia's great ancient city Angkor, an American researcher said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Andy Eames, File) By MICHAEL CASEY – BANGKOK (AP) — Cambodia's great ancient city of Angkor Wat may

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Cambodia begins painful look back with Khmer Rouge trials

Moeung Sonn, who survived the Khmer Rouge regime, at the tribunal. A poll found many Cambodians did not know of the trials. (Nicolas Asfouri/Agence France-Presse) PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Maggie the German wirehaired pointer has arrived in Cambodia with an unusual task -- sniffing out tiger droppings in one of Cambodia's largest nature reserves. The unorthodox move to employ a dog trained in Russia to search for signs of the big cats is part of a campaign to boost a

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Spirit Journeys Schedules New Gay Travel to Thailand, Cambodia & Laos

Spirit Journeys has just scheduled a new gay travel adventure to Thailand, Cambodia & Laos. This journey starts on November 20, 2009 and ends December 6, 2009.

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Significant political change expected after King's return

KHMER INTELLIGENCE NEWS 15 February 2009 From "CIA agents" to "SRP agents" (2) Over the last few weeks, Prime Minister Hun Sen has been accusing the opposition SRP of trying to split the ruling CPP. By making such an accusation, which is obviously groundless given the democratic opposition's little influence, if any, over the authoritarian and very disciplined ruling party, Hun Sen actually

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Chey Mongkol: I cannot sit idle when the Khmer language in Surin is dying

Mr. Chey Mongkol: "This is our pride to be born as Khmers.", seen here posing with with his children.After I published an article titled "Khmer Surin pray to ancestors to help revive Khmer language in Surin" I received an email from Mr. Chey Mongkol as follow:Dear Khmerization,I have created a link to the pictures of the ritual performed on February 8th, 2009 at Phum Poh Kong, Srok Prasat, Khet

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Sacravatoons: Khmer Krom accent is very unique

In my editorial about the survival of Khmer language in Surin, I wrote that: "Almost every Khmer Krom knows Khmer culture and can speak Khmer very well, although with a Vietnamese accent."Below is the reaction of Sacravatoons to my editorial: Dear Khmerization Junior, I used to have so many Khmer-Kroms as my friends.I listened to them everyday.I think their accents are not Vietnamese

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The Council of Ministers denied that it released declassified information about Gen. Ke Kimyan

Radio Free AsiaBy Moeung Tum14th February, 2009Translated from Khmer to English by KhmerizationThe Council of Ministers told Radio Free Asia that it will track down those who leaked internal documents related to Gen. Ke Kimyan (pictured) to the media.In the past weeks there are media reports that Gen. Ke Kimyan will face court in relations to his land deals.Those reports also said that the

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Khmer Surin pray to ancestors to help revive Khmer language in Surin

Dear readers,Mr. Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri or Chey Mongkol in Khmer is a Khmer Surin who is single-handedly trying to revive the Khmer language in Surin province in Thailand. He should be commended for his dedication, but he faces an uphill battle due to the lack of interests and funds. He cannot do it alone, so he needs our Khmer brothers and sisters Diaspora and those living inside Cambodia

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Cambodia: Dinosaur images noticed in temple ruin

15th Feb, 2009 Cambodia: Dinosaur images noticed in temple ruin Michael Cohen m.cohen@allnewsweb.com Conventional science has it that the Dinosaurs were wiped out many millions of years ago either as the result of climate change or a meteorite hitting earth. Some researchers, however, claim that dinosaurs might have continued to roam remote parts of the earth as recently as a few hundred years

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Stung Treng court commences investigation into Gen. Ke Kimyan’s land deals

Gen. Ke Kimyan being briefed by his officers before his sacking.Doeum Ampil News14th February, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationFrom a very credible but unconfirmed source said that the Stung Treng court will launch an investigation into thousands of hectares of lands belonging to Gen. Ke Kimyan which previously the courts were afraid to take actions against him because Gen. Ke Kimyan was

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HUN SEN ASKED TO CONFIRM THAKSIN'S PRESENCE IN CAMBODIA

Thaksin (2nd from right) is a very good friend of Hun Sen (2nd from left) seen here playing golf together.SRP CabinetPrime Minister Hun Sen was asked this week to confirm Thailand's ex- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's presence in Cambodia in January and/or February 2009. The request came in the form of a letter from National Assembly members from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

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HUN SEN ASKED TO TAKE ACTION FOLLOWING GLOBAL WITNESS REPORT

SRP Cabinet Prime Minister Hun Sen was asked this week to take action by sanctioning government officials whose wrongdoings are exposed in the recent Global Witness report titled "Country For Sale". The request came in the form of a letter from National Assembly members from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party. According to article 96 of the Constitution, Hun Sen must respond within

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Document links the sacking of Gen. Ke Kimyan to land deals

Ex-Commander-in-Chief Ke Kim Yan (L) and Prime Minister Hun Sen (R), during the good time and before the pair's fall out.PHNOM PENH, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The official record of a Council of Ministers meeting held the day after the Jan. 22 dismissal of RCAF (Royal Cambodian Armed Force) Commander-in-Chief Ke Kim Yan said that the government has ordered an investigation of the former

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A photographer with no soul

Mr. Nhem En, the Tuol Sleng photographer.Hugh Hart Friday, February 13, 2009On Tuesday, a U.N.-backed war crimes tribunal begins prosecuting five leaders of Cambodia's notorious Khmer Rouge regime. Better late than never, as far as Berkeley filmmaker Steven Okazaki is concerned. His Oscar-nominated short documentary, "The Conscience of Nhem En," takes viewers inside the walls of Tuol Sleng

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100 Thai troops stationed at Five Rocks opposite Phnom Trop

Khmer and Thai commanders met after the armed clashes on 15th October, 2008.Doeum Ampil News12th February, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationOm Wednesday 11th February 50 Thai troops have crossed into Cambodia and camped at Thmor Pram Dom (Five Rocks) opposite Phnom Trop. On the morning of Thursday 12th February, there are reports from Preah Vihear that the numbers of Thai troops had been

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Khanh Hoa’s Command strengthens tie with Cambodia’s Stung-Treng

From Nhan Dan Newspaper PANO – Military Commands of two provinces of Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to continue increasing their cooperation to protect the social security in their localities. This agreement was reached during the first meeting between the military authorities from the two commands to review their cooperative

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Civil service in Cambodia: magistrates in their sixties are resisting

By Duong Sokha Ka-Set.info 13-02-2009Kampong Som (Cambodia). 28/08/2007: Provincial court of Kampong Som © John Vink / MagnumIt is retirement time for the sixty-year-old. The order given to all ministries in Cambodia in the directive issued on January 12th 2009 by prime Minister Hun Sen cannot be clearer. Once the fateful retirement age - sixty years - is reached, civil servants are

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Travel: Angkor, the mysterious temple complex of Cambodia

Sunday, February 15, 2009 By Ellen CreagerDetroit Free Press A figure carved out of solid rock at the ancient temple of Angkor Wat. SIEM REAP, Cambodia — For something so ancient, the rock face looked as content as a man who’s just eaten a

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Gen. Ke Kimyan might face court over land deals

Radio Free AsiaBy Moa Sotheany13thh February, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationGen. Ke Kimyan (pictured), the recently sacked Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), will face court on suspicions of using his army position to make land deals for personal gains.In a three-page report dated 29th January signed by Mr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the

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FINDING DUCH

Written by Georgia Wilkins Friday, 13 February 2009Phnom Penh Post The Post's Georgia Wilkins speaks to photojournalist Nic Dunlop, Duch's biographer titled "The Lost Executioner", about the man he found and exposed to the world as Kaing Guek Eav, Cambodia's most notorious prison chief. Photo by: NIC DUNLOp/PANOSOne of the few surviving

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Union leader Chea Mony nominated for human rights award

Written by Neth Pheaktra and Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, 13 February 2009The nomination of the brother of slain union leader Chea Vichea recognises ‘courageous' work in dangerous labour environment.WHO WAS ENNALS?The first secretary general of Amnesty International, Martin Ennals, was "a fiercely devoted activist" who "devoted his whole life to human rights", according to the award's website.

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In Brief: Thai Soldiers stay one night at Ta Sim

Written by Thet Sambath Friday, 13 February 2009Phnom Penh Post More than 50 Thai soldiers withdrew from Ta Sim, located near the disputed Preah Vihear temple, on Thursday after the Cambodian military complained about their presence. "They just came Wednesday and stayed one night at Ta Sim," Yim Phim, commander of Brigade 8, told the

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Researchers locate two of four child S-21 survivors

Written by Neth Pheaktra and Georgia Wilkins Friday, 13 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Photo by: CHY TERITH/DC-CAM Norng Chan Phal and his daughter. RESEARCHERS have found two of four living former child prisoners of Tuol Sleng prison, one week after evidence first emerged suggesting they were still alive.Brothers Norng Chan Phal and

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Cambodian political opposition struggles hard to obtain proper parliamentary recognition

By Duong Sokha Ka-set.info 20-11-2008Phnom Penh (Cambodia), 24/09/2008. Mu Sochua, deputy Secretary-General at the Sam Rainsy Party, on her way out of the National Assembly after the investiture of the new government.© John Vink / Magnum Cambodia's main political opposition coalition, the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), was hoping to obtain better legislative recognition through the

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Cambodia's biggest banking expo set to start next week

Written by NGUON SOVAN AND KAY KIMSONG Friday, 13 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Event to bring together banking sector and government officials, providing opportunities to discuss recovery strategy, say participantsFINANCE bigwigs from around the region are gearing up for Cambodia's largest-ever banking expo, to be held February 19-20 at the

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Roundtable on business in cambodia

By The NationPublished on February 13, 2009Business leaders from both within Cambodia and overseas are due to meet in Siem Reap today to discuss the business and investment prospects of the country and the region.In cooperation with the government of Cambodia, The Economist Conferences' "Business Roundtable" will feature a keynote address by Prime Minister Hun Sen.The next 10 years will be more

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Adoption restrictions to rule out single, gay foreign applicants

Written by Vong Sokheng Friday, 13 February 2009Phnom Penh Post In meetings with French, US officials, the government asks that such applicants be screened out after draft law is approved.IN meetings with representatives from France and the United States, Cambodian officials this month expressed their opposition to adoptions involving

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Buddhist, Hindu clergy convene in Cambodia

Written by Sarah Whyte and Khouth Sophak Chakrya Friday, 13 February 2009Phnom Penh Post At international interfaith meeting, religious leaders pledge global cooperation and lash out at ills they say are afflicting their faiths. Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN Participants at the three-day conference "Giving Global Voice to Eastern Wisdom",

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Dung the key to tracking elusive Cambodian tiger

By SOPHENG CHEANG PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A dog trained to sniff out tiger droppings has been flown in from Russia to help conservationists determine if the big cats still roam one of Cambodia's largest nature reserves.Starting next week, Maggie the German wirehaired pointer will begin scouring the undergrowth and sniffing for tiger scent on trees at the 3,000 square kilometer (1,158

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Experts cast doubt on launching stock exchange market in Cambodia

By Xia Lin PHNOM PENH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Experts have express their doubt and lack of confidence, as the Korea Exchange (KRX) plans to sign an official agreement with the Cambodian government next week to help launch the kingdom's proposed stock exchange market in December, national media said on Friday. Some observers warned that the timing of the initiative could create problems

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Final CamEx deal agreed

AFP A stock index at the Korea Exchange (KRX) in Seoul. KRX says it will sign an agreement next week to establish an exchange in Cambodia.Written by Nathan Green Friday, 13 February 2009THE Korea Exchange (KRX) and the Cambodian government will sign an official joint venture agreement on Cambodia's proposed stock exchange next week, KRX officials said Thursday, adding that three

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Fight to save crocs

chris.elliott@cambridge-news.co.uk Picture: J Holden SCIENTISTS from Cambridge are helping to save one of the world's rarest crocodiles from extinction.The Siamese crocodile, which lives in Cambodia, is at risk because of illegal crocodile farming. Demand for the reptile's meat and hide, which is used to make shoes and handbags, has led to virtually all of the population

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Vietnamese authority forbids Cambodian monks from constructing the fence around the temple in Memot district

Radio Free AsiaBy Or Phearith12th Feb, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationCambodian Buddhist monks residing in a temple near the Khmer-Vietnamese borders in Memot district were forbidden by the Vietnamese authority from constructing a fence around their temple.Ven. Chhay Vith, who resides at Wat Kiri Meanchey pagoda at Boeng Chrong village, Choam commune of Memot district (Kampong Cham

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Brother Duch in the dock

By Peter MaguirePublished: February 12, 2009International Herald TribuneLast week, the controversy-plagued UN-Cambodian war crimes court announced that the trial of Khmer Rouge prison camp commandant Kaing Guek Eav, (pictured) better known as "Brother Duch," would begin in March.Almost as an afterthought, the court added that proceedings against the regime's political leaders, Ieng Sary, Noun

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Contributed photo Carol Buhrman, left, takes a traditional cyclo ride with her friend, Amy, in Prey Veng. By Gracie Hart Review Staff WriterPublished: February 12, 2009 The quest to find one’s self is nothing new but few travel halfway around the world and find themselves like Carol Buhrman has. Buhrman, who works in the provincial town of Prey Veng,

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Laos-Cambodia further co-operation on tourism

LAOS, Feb 11 (KPL) - A consultation meeting to boost the tourism co-operation between Laos and Cambodia was held last week at the grand hotel in Champassak province. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Somphong Mongkhouvilay, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of Lao Tourism Authority and Dr. Thong Khon (pictured), Minister of Tourism of Cambodia. The meeting has discussed and

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Intercountry Adoptions Under the Hague Adoptions Convention

WASHINGTON th U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today clarified that it continues to be unable to approve any Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, filed for a child to be adopted from Cambodia. Also, the Department of State (DOS) has advised USCIS that DOS has determined that Cambodia is not currently meeting its obligations under The Hague Convention

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Sam Rainsy to petition Supreme Court, King in election lawsuit

Written by Meas Sokchea Thursday, 12 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Sam Rainsy vows to appeal a 10 million riel fine imposed by the NEC for ‘insulting’ ruling party members during last year’s election. Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN Former Dey Krahorm residents wait outside the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday. OPPOSITION leader Sam

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Van Tay joins hunt for S-21 children

Written by Neth Pheaktra Thursday, 12 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Vietnamese photographer says he will help DC-Cam find the four children, believed to be alive. Photo by: LONG DANY/DOCUMENTATION CENTRE OF CAMBODIA Vietnamese photographer Ho Van Tay will come to Phnom Penh on Saturday. FORMER Vietnamese soldier and photographer Van Tay

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Former U.N. ambassador recalls journey

Sichan Siv speaking at the UN.By Chris CobbThe Herald-Zeitung Published February 12, 2009 It has been more than three decades since Sichan Siv escaped the horrors and hardships of the Killing Fields of Cambodia and arrived in the United States with $2 to his name.And after picking apples, selling ice cream and driving a cab around New York City, he eventually worked in the White House and

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KRouge trial unlikely to heal Cambodia's wounds

Former Khmer Rouge prison chief S-21, Kaing Guek Eav better known as "Duch" (C) stands in a dock. TRAPAING SVA VILLAGE, Cambodia (AFP) — Every day, Chhum At sees the former Khmer Rouge members who murdered her three brothers, two uncles and an aunt in this village near the Cambodian capital."We feel hot inside with hate and we still want to take revenge. But outside we speak with them," she says

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Union killer pleads for release

Written by Chrann Chamroeun Thursday, 12 February 2009Phnom Penh Post The Court of Appeal will decide next week whether to overturn the conviction of Thach Saveth, who was found guilty in 2005 for killing a union leader. Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN Licadho president Kek Galabru hands Thach Saveth malaria medicine after he left the Court of

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Cambodian-born cellist in Germany owes life to music

Berlin - The career of cellist Sonny Thet (pictured), who owes his life to music, has royal roots. Born in 1954 in the kingdom of Cambodia, he was sent at age 15 by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, then Cambodia's head of state, to the East German city of Weimar for musical studies. Thet became more than just a good student. He founded the music group Bayon, which went on to fame in communist East

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Officials lower their hopes for return of artefacts from Thais

Written by Cheang Sokha Thursday, 12 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Having aimed to get all 43 confiscated Khmer antiquties returned, government officials now say they expect just seven to come home. FIRST A CHARM In November 1999, the Thai government returned more than 100 carved stones blocks that had been smuggled into the country

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Phay Siphan: The Preah Vihear gate will be opened only when Thai troops have been withdrawn

Radio Free AsiaBy Mayarith11th February, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationA Cambodian official said that Cambodia will consider opening the entry to Preah Vihear from the Thai side only when all Thai troops are withdrawn from the areas.The entry to Preah Vihear from the Thai side has been closed when Thai troops invaded the areas on 15th October 2008 after the temple was declared a world

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Prince Sisowath Thomico thanks Khmerization

Khmerization again wish to thank Prince Thomico (pictured) for his contributions to this blog. Khmerization welcome any contributions and is very appreciative of everyone's constructive critiques. The prince's remarks so far have been of great interests to this blog's readers. It is a privilege to have an iminent personality such as Prince Thomico, who is very knowledgeable in many fields,

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Om Yintieng accused Global Witness of being the ‘the Worst Liar’

Om Yentieng, Hun Sen’s senior advisor and chairman of the Cambodian government’s Human Rights commission.Watchdog ‘the Worst Liar’: Top AdviserBy Taing Sarada, VOA KhmerOriginal report from Washington11 February 2009Click here to listen to the audio program in Khmer[Editor’s note: The environmental watchdog Global Witness released a report this month claiming Cambodia’s potential oil and mineral

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Global Witness: Om Yintieng involved in mining protected wildlife sanctuary

The chair of the government’s Human Rights Committee, Om Yen Tieng (pictured), and the prime minister’s first cousin, Dy Chouch, are both named as backers of the Float Asia Friendly Mation mine by sources close to the company’s operationsExcerpt from "Country for Sale"Global WitnessFloat Asia Friendly MationThe Float Asia Friendly Mation Company is extracting marble from the protected areas of

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'Economic progress' in Cambodia compromises human rights

Posted By: Peter FrankentalTelegraph.co.ukWhat price "progress"? It is a question that has plagued politicians for generations. Do government policies which aim to create jobs and stimulate economic growth make some abuses of people's rights along the way acceptable?Amnesty International's line is solid. Economic progress is fine with one caveat - human rights should never be compromised. Every

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Call to start AFP war crimes unit

By John Stapleton The AustralianFebruary 12, 2009 A WAR crimes unit should be established within the Australian Federal Police to investigate whether international war criminals are living in Australia. The Lowy Institute released a policy paper yesterday saying that potentially hundreds of war criminals from the former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo

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Prince Sisowath Thomico rebuked KI-media and Khmer Nation News

Khmerization received an email from Prince Sisowath Thomico (pictured), an advisor to the king, after Khmerization published a translated article from the Khmer Nation News titled "Mr. Hun Sen’s attempt to sack Mr. Sar Kheng forced King Sihamoni to depart for Beijing". Khmerization wish thank the prince for his interests. Khmerization do not wish to make any comments over the prince's

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Oz PM vows to tackle country's arson 'evil'

Written by AFP Wednesday, 11 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Photo by: AFP A bushfire burns out of control Tuesday in the Kiewa Valley near the town of Dederang in the Victoria Alps. At least 181 people have been killed and entire towns razed as wildfires

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Khon Kaen Sugar Cuts Sales Growth Forecast to Zero

By Rattaphol Onsanit Feb. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Pcl, Thailand’s biggest publicly traded miller, cut its sales growth forecast to zero from 20 percent as the global recession caps prices and said it may book losses on

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Prisoner transfer deal done with India

Written by Cheang Sokha Wednesday, 11 February 2009Phnom Penh Post THE government has approved an agreement that will enable the transfer of prisoners between Cambodia and India, officials say."It is in response to international law," said Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers.Explaining what the agreement means, he said that

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Culture ministry looks to register chapei and khol

Written by Neth Pheaktra and Robbie Corey-Boulet Wednesday, 11 February 2009Phnom Penh Post The process of registering both art forms with Unesco, seen as crucial to preserving them, could take up to one year. Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN Cambodia's most celebrated chapei player, Kong Nai, performs in this file photograph. THE Ministry

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IMF warns global downturn poses risks for Cambodia

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday warned that Cambodia faces "serious challenges" from the impact from the global economic downturn and financial crisis, which would significantly slow its growth in 2009. In its annual review of Cambodia, the IMF said the crisis will potentially affect economic activity, capital inflows and the banking system in the

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Running & biking for Cambodia's poor

Wednesday, 11 February 2009Place your ad hereThe second Annual Kep Trio (Half Marathon, 10km Run & 10km Bike Ride) will be held over the weekend of Saturday February 28th and Sunday March 1st. The Kep Trio is a unique fundraising event, created by running enthusiast and former Bridges Across Borders South East Asia (International NGO) volunteer Nikki Wise. The event will raise much needed funds

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Mr. Hun Sen’s attempt to sack Mr. Sar Kheng forced King Sihamoni to depart for Beijing

Khmer Nation News5th February, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationKing Sihamoni’s departure for Beijing recently has been to avoid any pressures from Mr. Hun Sen to sign a royal decree to sack Interior Minister Sar Kheng, the brother-in-law of the President of the Cambodian People‘s Party (CPP), Mr. Chea Sim, who is an arch-rival of Mr. Hun Sen, reported Khmer Nation News.The Khmer Nation

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Fires deadliest in Australia's history

Written by AFPTuesday, 10 February 2009WHITTLESEA, Australia - Troops and firefighters battled raging Australian wildfires Monday that have left at least 131 (the death toll had risen to 173 now) people dead amid a landscape of charred homes, bodies and devastated communities.The wildfires have become the deadliest in Australia's history, destroying entire towns and wiping out families, and

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NRP rift deepens, faction seeks to oust lawmakers

Written by Neth Pheaktra Tuesday, 10 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Pre-empting his election as president of the NRP, Suth Dina makes public moves to oust You Hockry and Sao Rany Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN NRP acting president Chhim Seak Leng shown here in a file photo. THE rift between the two factions of the beleagured Norodom

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Govt seeks help for shipwreck

Written by Cheang Sokha Tuesday, 10 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Sunken ship found off Koh Kong languishes on sea bedTHE government is seeking foreign partners to excavate the centuries-old shipwreck discovered in 2006 off the coast of Koh Kong province, officials say."We do not have the budget, we lack the technical expertise and we do not

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Chicagoans Remember the Cambodian Genocide

Chicago Public RadioChicago's Albany Park neighborhood is home to the only Cambodian genocide memorial outside of Cambodia.The Killing Fields Memorial is located in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood on the northside. Worldview Producer Nissa Rhee visited the memorial to see how Chicagoans are remembering the genocide.When the Khmer Rouge overthrew the government of Lon Nol in 1975, Cambodians

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Cambodian Garment Workers Face Poor Prospects

by Michael Sullivan Listen Now [4 min 38 sec] add to playlist EnlargeMichael Sullivan/NPRThe Whtex Garments factory in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, employs about 1,300 workers and mainly makes underwear. More than 90 percent of

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Call to probe local war criminals in Australia

Daniel Flitton February 11, 2009The AgeMelbourne, Australia SIGNIFICANT numbers of war criminals are likely to have taken refuge in Australia, according to a report that calls for a special police squad to investigate suspects.Breaking with a common view that most

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Bangkok exiles fear renewed hunt

Written by Sam Rith and Brendan brady Tuesday, 10 February 2009Phnom Penh Post In hiding since being charged in 2005 with participating in an illegal paramilitary wing of the opposition party, former SRP activists fear further implication in ‘Tiger Head' group. Photo by: KHEM SOVANNARA Police hold up a photograph of Som Ek, a

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Foot-and-mouth disease spreads in Vietnam

Hanoi - A senior government official on Tuesday blamed illegal cattle imports and mistakes by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that has so far spread to five provinces. Deputy Agriculture Minister Diep Kinh Tan said the outbreak had been caused in part by farmers who illegally imported cattle and buffalo infected with the highly contagious virus

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Prince Sisowath Thomico weighed in to support Ambassador Julio A. Jeldres over Preah Vihear issue

Prince Sisowath Thomico greeted by his supporters.Dear Readers,The debates over the issue of Preah Vihear have gotten interesting by the day. Since Khmerization published a translated article from everday.com about new Thai incursions into the Preah Vihear precinct, Khmerization has received emails from at least three high-profile and eminent personalities. Mr. Norbert Klein, a high profile NGO

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National Park on Cambodian border to reopen to tourist

Preah Vihear temple as seen from the Thai side.SI SA KET, Feb 10 (TNA) - Thailand's Khao Phra Viharn National Park in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket bordering Cambodia is scheduled to reopen for tourism on Tuesday.Si Sa Ket governor Seni Jittakasem said earlier that Second Army Region commander Lt-Gen. Wiboonsak Neepal had approved a provincial proposal to reopen Thailand's Preah Vihear

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Cambodian refugee serves fellow immigrants at San Bernardino's Asian-American Resource Center

document.write('');By DAVID OLSENThe Press-Enterprise Thirty years ago, Rasmey Sam was a young Khmer Rouge follower who had been brainwashed with the ideology that led the Cambodian government to murder an estimated 1.7 million of its citizens. He was taught to

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Donors provide 7.75 mln USD to Cambodia?s agriculture

PHNOM PENH, Feb 10 (VNA) – The European Union (EU) and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have announced a combined assistance of 7.75 million USD to back up the rural economy in Cambodia this year.Cambodian Secretary of State for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Chan Tong Yves on Feb. 7 said his ministry has received a non-refundable aid of 2.25 million USD from

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Elite 'selling Cambodia's future'

Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world with 40 per cent of the population in poverty [EPA]

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Park reopens on Thai-Cambodian border

Gen. Wibulsak signing a non-aggression agreement with Gen. Chea Morn in Siem Reap on 24th Oct, 2008.Gen. Wibulsak: "we will not leave the area. It is part of our territory too. Our troops must be present to exercise our sovereignty".BANGKOK, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A long-popular park along a disputed stretch of the Thailand-Cambodia border known for its cliffs and vistas reopened Tuesday after being

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Elite Now Gain From Mines, Oil: Watchdog

By Taing Sarada, VOA KhmerOriginal report from Washington09 February 2009 The report names Gen. Ouk Kosa, head of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces military development zones; Cham Borey, brother of Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh; Dy Chouch, Hun Sen’s first cousin; Gen. Meas Sophea, commander of RCAF infantry; Sen. Ly Yong Phat, a CPP lawmaker and wealthy tycoon; senior Hun Sen adviser Om

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Ambassador Julio A. Jeldres on Khmerization vs. Norbert Klein regarding Preah Vihear issues

Ambassador Julio A. Jeldres Official Biographer of H.M. the King Father Samdech Preah Upayuvareach Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia 9 February 2009 Dear Sir: Thank you for drawing to my attention the exchange of views on Preah Vihear between yourself and Mr. Norbert Klein. May I point out that for all intents and purposes the Joint Communiqué between Cambodia and Thailand of 18 June 2008

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Cambodia shares the pain

Mr. Hun Sen as seen through Sacrava's drawing. By Stephen Kurczy AsiaTimesOnline PHNOM PENH - After months of official denials and upbeat forecasts, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said for the first time last

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Wildfires kill 130 in Australia

Written by AFP Monday, 09 February 2009Phnom Penh Post AFP Country Fire Authority staff monitor a giant blaze raging Saturday in Bunyip State Park near Labertouche, 125 kilometres west of Melbourne. SYDNEY - At least 130 people were killed and entire towns razed in one of the worst wildfire disasters in Australian history,

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Hun Sen argues Ke Kim Yan removal was part of RCAF reform

Written by Cheang Sokha and Vong Sokheng Monday, 09 February 2009Phnom Penh PostPrime minister Hun Sen (pictured) dismisses speculation that the removal of former RCAF commander-in-chief was the result of an internal CPP disputePRIME Minister Hun Sen said last week that the removal of Ke Kim Yan from his position as commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces last month was not the

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Stimulus Package "Reasonable" With Reduced Government Corruption

Sam Rainsy's letter published in The Cambodia Daily, February 9, 2009 STIMULUS PACKAGE "REASONABLE" WITH REDUCED GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION In "Reforms Needed To Tackle Crisis, Forum Told" (Friday, page 1), it was reported that "[Prime Minister] Hun Sen rejected an opposition recommendation of a $500 million stimulus package as 'unreasonable' for Cambodia given its budget." On January

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In Brief: SRP Spokesman

Yim Sovann (L) shaking hand with Ann Clwyd (R), a member of the British parliamentWritten by Meas Sokchea Monday, 09 February 2009Phnom Penh Post The Sam Rainsy Party on Thursday appointed Ke Sovannroth as its new secretary general and Yim Sovann, her husband, as a spokesman. Current spokesman Son Chhay said he would retain his position

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Global Witness site barred by local ISP

Written by SEBASTIAN STRANGIO and VONG SOKHENG Monday, 09 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Global Witness site blocked for AngkorNet customersTHE website of the UK-based corruption watchdog Global Witness has been blocked for some local web users following the organisation's release of a scathing report on the Kingdom's nascent oil and

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Buddhism on TV should be approved: Cambodian PM

A young buddhist monk takes pictures of his fellow monks oustide the Temple of Angkor PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Cambodian premier Hun Sen on Sunday called for television shows related to Buddhism to be approved by clergy after the country's first rock opera was deemed insulting to the religion."Where Elephants Weep," a modern take on a traditional Cambodian love story, was banned from airing in January

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Chevron Silent on Bribery Allegations in Cambodia

By MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR / IPS WRITER Monday, February 9, 2009 BANGKOK — US energy giant Chevron is under fire for failing to disclose the amount of money it allegedly paid to secure rights to drill for offshore oil in corruption-ridden Cambodia. "It is yet to

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Thailand bars Cambodian rice, cassava

Written by Thet Sambath Monday, 09 February 2009Phnom Penh Post Protectionism aimed at other crops, too: officials, traders Photo by: Tracey Shelton A farmer dries corn in Pailin province. Thailand has blocked Cambodian exports of corn, rice and cassava - among other crops - following pressure from Thai farmers. THAI authorities

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Motorboat flying Cambodian flag detained off Sakhalin

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, February 9 (Itar-Tass) - The SV-11 motorboat flying the Cambodian flag was detained on Moneron Island off Sakhalin on suspicion of poaching. The vessel is registered at the port of Phnom Penh. The crew includes ten Russians and five Indonesians. According to the press service of the Sakhalin coastal department, the motorboat was detained on Sunday by a patrol ship.

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Captivated by Cambodia's temples

From Beijing to Bavaria, Angkor Wat to Auschwitz, here you can read about the travel escapades of Mercury journos as they travel and blog their way around the world.

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Preah Vihear: Khmerization vs. Norbert Klein

9th February, 2009By KhmerizationThe sensitive issues of Khmer-Thai border relations have generated heated, and sometimes, controversial, debates among those who felt passionately about these issues. For the Cambodian side, the Preah Vihear issues have been settled once and for all under the 1904-1907 Franco-Siam Treaty and the 1962 verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). For the

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Cambodia strengthens Vietnamese trade with economic zones

Cambodia has licensed six special economic zones along its border with Vietnam to boost bilateral trade, according to the Council for Development in Cambodia (CDC). Of the six SEZs, two are already operational and the rest are still under construction. The largest, the 100-hectare Phnom Den SEZ along the border with An Giang Province, which cost about US$100 million to build,

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Rules to follow when registering Cambodian spouse

International marriages are becoming more and more common, especially in the farming communities and countryside. According to the National Statistics Office,

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Key South East Asian Countries Rank Low in Budget Transparency

By Ron Corben Bangkok 08 February 2009 A new survey indicates several South East Asian countries rank poorly in providing accessible and transparent information on their national budgets, raising fears of corruption in spending programs. Survey by the Washington-based International Budget

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Mr. Hun Sen warned opposition parties not to interfere in the internal affairs of the CPP

Radio Free AsiaBy Khim Sarorng8th February, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationPrime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) has warned the opposition parties not the interfere in the internal affairs of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) by saying that those parties in the past that tried to interfere in his party’s internal affairs have been destroyed by him.He said that Funcinpec is such one party. He

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Colin Pratt: Hun Sen's Paranoia Will Bring About His Own Demise

By KhmerizationThe current military sackings and reshuffles have given rise to rumours that the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) is cracking. Since the sacking of Gen. Ke Kimyan on 22nd January 2009, many political observers have viewed Mr. Hun Sen's action as a political and strategic manoeuvre to boost up his power grip while at the same time weakening the power of his CPP's arch-rival, Mr

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Thailand, Cambodia reach temple agreement

BEIJING, Feb. 8 -- Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, says Cambodia and Thailand have solved all their main differences in the 8-month-long dispute surrounding the Preah Vihear temple. Wan Chunning has more on Friday's meeting between Hun Sen and Thai Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. The two sides have agreed to withdraw their remaining troops from the disputed pagoda situated near

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National concerns take regional stage

BEHIND THE HEADLINESBy BUNN NAGARAHot domestic issues in Thailand are spilling over its borders into the rest of the region. THE new Thai government is reaching beyond Bangkok-based protests to address other, broader concerns. With an Asean summit to host in less than three weeks, this workload is urgent but involuntary. After last month’s Cabinet-level visits to the troubled southernmost

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Thai Armed forces chief denies troop withdrawals at Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) -- Thailand's Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara (pictured) on Saturday denied an international news report from Phnom Penh that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to withdraw their troops from the disputed Preah Vihear temple.The Thai rebuttal followed a news report Friday quoting Cambodia's prime minister after meeting Thailand's Defence Minister Gen. Prawit

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News Categories Cambodia’s Oil and Mineral Wealth Sold to Corrupt Elites

BANGKOK – Cambodia’s political elite has captured the country’s oil and mineral wealth, putting its economic future at risk while international donors turn a blind eye, an environmental watchdog said yesterday.London-based Global Witness said impoverished Cambodia has enough natural wealth to wean itself off foreign aid but that international donors must do more to ensure the assets are properly

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Thaksin not in Cambodia: Hun Sen

Thaksin (R) and Hun Sen seen here playing golf together in Cambodia. By: BangkokPost.comPublished: 7/02/2009 Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Saturday ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not in Cambodia's Koh Kong as reported by Thai media. The statement came as Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan visits Hun Sen in Phnom Penh.According to reports, Hun Sen also affirmed Gen Prawit that he

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The Khmer Rouge tribunal: Lessons for Kenya?

Prof. Yash Ghai (R) and Mr. Joseph Mussomelli (L) marching in Phnom Penh in December 2007 in support of human rights advocacy in Cambodia. By Yash GhaiNote: Prof. Yash Ghai was UN Human Right Special Envoy to Cambodia. He is an ardent critics of PM Hun Sen's abysmal records on human rights. He has been bitterly attacked and insulted by PM Hun Sen and his government

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Corrupt elite threaten Cambodia's development

Mr. Gavin Hayman ABC Radio,AustraliaFebruary 6, 2009 The anti-corruption ngo Global Witness says "a corrupt elite" in Cambodia is taking over the nation's emerging oil and mineral sectors, while international donors turn a blind eye.In a report titled 'Country for Sale', Global Witness says Cambodia's future is being jeopardised by high-level corruption, nepotism and patronage in the management

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Loyalist MPs defer visit to meet Thaksin, fearing for his safety

By The Nation on Sunday Published on February 8, 2009 Opposition politicians loyal to convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra have postponed their trips to meet him in Cambodia and Hong Kong out of fear for his safety, some of them said

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Thai troops crossed into Cambodia at Phnom Trop

Gen. Srey Doek (L) holds hand with Thai Col. Chayan Huay Soongnern during a border talk at Phnom Trop on 18th October, 2008everyday.com7th February, 2009Translated from Khmer by KhmerizationWhile the Thai Defence Minister visits Cambodia to discuss about the border issues, there are reports that Thai troops had crossed into Cambodia at the foot of Phnom Trop Mountain near Veal Entry, where Khmer

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Cambodian PM denies rumors of ruling party infighting

Mr. Chea Sim.PHNOM PENH, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The recent replacement of Royal Cambodian Arms Forces' (RCAF) commander-in-chief was not indicative of any leadership infighting of the major ruling party of the kingdom, said national media on Saturday. Internal conflict of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) had nothing to do with the Jan. 22 decision to oust long-serving Ke Kim Yan, English-Khmer

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Cambodia, Thailand agree on border

February 06, 2009 Get Flash Thai defense minister and Cambodia's Prime Minister agree to pull out from around the Preah Vihear temple. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said after meeting with Thailand's Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan that the two neighbours have solved all their main differences of an eight-month-long dispute near the

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Cambodia, Thailand agree border troop withdrawal

Mr. Prawit Wongsuwan, Thai Defence Minister.PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia and Thailand agreed Friday to withdraw the remaining troops on their disputed border to avoid a repeat of last year's armed clashes near a 900-year-old Hindu temple. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, speaking to reporters after meeting Thai Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, said they agreed to jointly demarcate the

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Cambodia: Report accuses elite of theft

Saturday, February 7th, 2009 GlobalVoices by Chhunny Chhean Global Witness, a non-governmental organization based in London released Country for Sale on February 5, 2009. The report warns that Cambodia risks descending into a kleptocracy, alleging that large sums of monies paid to the government are benefiting the ruling elite instead of the

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CAMBODIA: Chevron Silent on Bribery Allegations

By Marwaan Macan-Markar BANGKOK, Feb 6 (IPS) - U.S. energy giant Chevron is under fire for failing to disclose the amount of money it allegedly paid to secure rights to drill for offshore oil in corruption-ridden Cambodia. ‘’It is yet to respond to our detailed questions in a letter written to the company in October 2008,’’ says Gavin Hayman (pictured), campaigns director for Global Witness (GW),

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Cambodia – potential market for Vietnamese products

6th February, 2009 VietNamNet Bridge – Neighbouring Cambodia has emerged as a potential market for Vietnamese products, according to the Industry and Trade Ministry. Biti’s footwear, Vinamilk dairy products and Vissan processed food have become the choice of Cambodian consumers instead of Chinese and Thai goods.The ministry said that there is a growing demand for Vietnamese

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Obama, Please Ignore Kristof For Now

Melissa Gira Grant Posted February 6, 2009 Nicholas Kristof has been issuing ad-hoc Presidential guidance on the sex trade for years now. The archive of his editorial column in the New York Times serves as a record of his proposals. In 2004, he "

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Taking Christmas to Cambodia

Dancing with joy, a few of the girls twirl scarves at the orphanage in Cambodia where Twyla Ayton spent time as a volunteer last year. photos submitted Published: February 06, 2009 Updated: February 06, 2009 function commentWrite(o) { var commentString = '' + o['num_posts'] + ' Comment' + (o['num_posts'] == 1 ? '' : 's'); document.write(commentString);

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Algarve sets its sights on Cambodia

7th February, 2009 Villagers in Cambodia are benefitting from cast-off spectacles from the Algarve, Portugal and beyond, through a unique project established by Dr. A. Rahmani of Loulé-based opticians Optica Orbita, and several of his colleagues from his homeland, Germany. For 12 years now the optometrists have been collecting unwanted, unusable or unsold glasses, which at their own expenses are

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Increasing Cambodia’s Competitiveness

Saturday, 7 February 2009 Press Release: UNDP Cambodia Economic ForumFor Growth and Poverty Reduction in the Face of the Global Financial CrisisPHNOM PENH, 5 FEBRUARY 2009: Despite remarkable recent economic growth and steady progress towards reducing poverty, the effects of the global financial crisis are now being felt in Phnom Penh. The question of what

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Internal disputes in NRP deepened

Reaksmei Kampuchea newspaper6th Feb, 2009Reported in English by KhmerizationInternal disputes within the Norodom Ranaridhh Party (NRP) have led to a request for the sacking of 2 NRP parliamentarians.Mr. Em Sitha and Mr. Suth Dina, the ousted NRP members, have written two letters to the National Assembly and the National Election Committee (NEC) requesting them to remove two MPs from the NRP, ie.

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SRP lawmaker barred from forum, protests opposition exclusion

Friday, 06 February 2009By Meas SokcheaPhnom Penh Post During his keynote address at third Cambodia Economic Forum, Prime Minister Hun Sen decries Mu Sochua's attempt to enter. Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON Mu Sochua and the German Ambassador struggle to get the SRP lawmaker into the conference Thursday. OPPOSITION Sam Rainsy Party

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Evictees protest outside 7NG

Thursday, 05 February 2009 By Chhay ChannydaPhnom Penh Post Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON Former Dey Krahorm residents gather in protest Wednesday outside the 7NG office in Phnom Penh. ABOUT 40 former residents of Dey Krahorm and other communities facing eviction in central Phnom Penh protested Wednesday outside the Tonle Bassac

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Group 78 residents take land dispute to the streets

Friday, 06 February 2009 By CHHAY CHANNYDAPhnom Penh Post Besieged community says requests for land titles from NA President Heng Samrin have fallen on deaf ears at City Hall. Photo by: SOVANN PHILONG A poster near the National Assembly calls for the government to recognise the Group 78 community's land rights. RESIDENTS in Tonle Bassac commune's

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Search for S-21 child prisoners begins

Friday, 06 February 2009 By georgia wilkinsPhnom Penh Post THE Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam) is currently searching for five former child detainees at Tuol Sleng prison, which recently donated video footage from Vietnam suggests might still be alive.The centre, which obtained the footage in December, says the children would now be in their 30s or 40s and, if

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Police shut MobiTel offices

Friday, 06 February 2009 By May TittharaPhnom Penh Post Vice chairman of Royal Group says there is nothing untoward about the heavy police presence, but staff say they were unexpectedly given the day off. Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN A policeman with multiple two-way radios stands outside MobiTel's main offices Thursday. THE staff of Cambodia's well-known

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Cambodian leaders have squandered rich resources: NGO

Gavin Hayman, director of Global Witness DPA, PHNOM PENH Friday, Feb 06, 2009 Cambodia’s political elites have put the country’s economic future at risk by squandering its rich natural resources, an international environmental and anti-corruption group said yesterday. A report released by London-based Global Witness said international donors had turned a blind eye to the

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Cambodia, Thailand agree border troop withdrawal

PHNOM PENH, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Cambodia and Thailand agreed on Friday to withdraw the remaining troops on their disputed border to avoid a repeat of last year's armed clashes near a 900-year-old Hindu temple.Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured), speaking to reporters after meeting Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, said they agreed to jointly demarcate the jungle-clad area where four

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Cambodia-Thai border talks

PHNOM PENH - THAI and Cambodian defence ministers met on Friday in Phnom Penh to attempt to broker a deal to defuse a troop stand-off at their border that erupted in a deadly clash last year, officials said.Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon met with his counterpart Tea Banh (pictured) for talks aimed at withdrawing soldiers from disputed land around Cambodia's ancient Preah Vihear temple,

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Defence Minister visits Cambodia

Thai defence minister visits Cambodia BANGKOK, Feb 6 (TNA) - Thai Defence Minsiter Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan left Bangkok Friday morning for Phnom Penh for his first official visit to Cambodia after assuming his post in December, but he has asserted that he would not raise ongoing border disputes in

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Cambodia to launch arbitration court later this year

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's first informal court to resolve business disputes is moving forward for launch in 2009, with about 200 business and legal professionals already under training, said national media on Friday. "A business dispute is not a good way to spend your time" and domestic and international disputes can be drastically shortened with an arbitration court, Renato

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Cambodian rice prices to rise as supplies down

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Rice prices will continue to rise in Cambodia over the next few months as supplies decrease following the year-end harvest, national media on Thursday quoted an expert as saying. Retail prices for high-quality rice currently float between 2, 400 riels (about 0.59 U.S. dollar) to 2,800 riels (about 0.69 U.S. dollar) per kg and lower-quality rice goes for around 2,000 riels (

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Thaksin banned from entering Japan: PM

Fri, Feb 06, 2009The Nation/Asia News Network Japan has banned ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured with palms together) from entering the country because he is a fugitive from justice, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.Abhisit confirmed this was the case when asked to comment by reporters before embarking on a three-day official visit to Japan.Under Japanese immigration law,

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Rumours of Divisions Between Hun Sen and Chea Sim

The three Samdechs: Heng Samrin (L), Chea Sim (M) and Hun Sen (R).Kampuchea Thmey newspaper9th February, 2009Translated from Khmer to English by KhmerizationThere were rumours that on the afternoon of 3rd of February, Mr. Chea Sim, Senate President and President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), has tendered his resignation from the CPP, citing ill health.To quell the rumours, Mr. Khieu

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Thai PM: Thai-Cambodian talks on ancient temple must continue

BANGKOK, Feb 5 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reiterated on Thursday the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) talks would continue under the "existing framework" despite unfruitful results in the latest meeting on Wednesday in Bangkok. Admitting that the Preah Vihear temple problem was "

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PM urges Opposition, ousted premier Thaksin, not to create trouble

BANGKOK, Feb 5 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) on Thursday urged members of the Opposition Puea Thai Party and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to think of the country first and not to create more divisions in Thai society. Commenting on reports that some 30 members of the Puea Thai Party

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