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Japan to provide $9.5 mln food aid to Philippines
MANILA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan will provide an emergency food aid amounting to 9.5 million U.S. dollars to the thousands of war-displaced persons in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, its embassy in Manila said on Sunday.
The assistance will cover the distribution of 7,500 metric tons of rice to affected civilians through the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP).
"Japan sincerely hopes that this emergency food aid through the WFP would help mitigating the current humanitarian crisis in Mindanao and strongly expects a cease-fire and the immediate resumption of peace talks between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)," the embassy said in a statement.
The 12,000-strong MILF, which used to be a part of a larger separatist group that signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, had been battling for self-rule in Mindanao since 1978.
After the aborted signing of an expanded Muslim homeland deal with the Philippine government in August 2008, MILF rebels forcibly occupied some Mindanao towns, killed civilians and looted and burned their homes. More than half a million of people have been affected by the conflict since government troops launched a military offensive against the rebels afterwards.
"Earlier in 2006, Japan had provided food aid amounting to 280 million yen or approximately 2.8 million U.S. dollars for the displaced in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao also through the WFP. This time, the aid will be substantially larger in its scale," the embassy said.
Recently, the Philippine government has announced it is ready to resume talks with the Muslim rebels, but the displaced are still afraid to go back home for fear of the unstable situation in the south.
Japan to provide $9.5 mln food aid to Philippines
MANILA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan will provide an emergency food aid amounting to 9.5 million U.S. dollars to the thousands of war-displaced persons in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, its embassy in Manila said on Sunday.
The assistance will cover the distribution of 7,500 metric tons of rice to affected civilians through the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP).
"Japan sincerely hopes that this emergency food aid through the WFP would help mitigating the current humanitarian crisis in Mindanao and strongly expects a cease-fire and the immediate resumption of peace talks between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)," the embassy said in a statement.
The 12,000-strong MILF, which used to be a part of a larger separatist group that signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, had been battling for self-rule in Mindanao since 1978.
After the aborted signing of an expanded Muslim homeland deal with the Philippine government in August 2008, MILF rebels forcibly occupied some Mindanao towns, killed civilians and looted and burned their homes. More than half a million of people have been affected by the conflict since government troops launched a military offensive against the rebels afterwards.
"Earlier in 2006, Japan had provided food aid amounting to 280 million yen or approximately 2.8 million U.S. dollars for the displaced in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao also through the WFP. This time, the aid will be substantially larger in its scale," the embassy said.
Recently, the Philippine government has announced it is ready to resume talks with the Muslim rebels, but the displaced are still afraid to go back home for fear of the unstable situation in the south.
Japan to provide $9.5 mln food aid to Philippines
MANILA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan will provide an emergency food aid amounting to 9.5 million U.S. dollars to the thousands of war-displaced persons in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, its embassy in Manila said on Sunday.
The assistance will cover the distribution of 7,500 metric tons of rice to affected civilians through the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP).
"Japan sincerely hopes that this emergency food aid through the WFP would help mitigating the current humanitarian crisis in Mindanao and strongly expects a cease-fire and the immediate resumption of peace talks between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)," the embassy said in a statement.
The 12,000-strong MILF, which used to be a part of a larger separatist group that signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, had been battling for self-rule in Mindanao since 1978.
After the aborted signing of an expanded Muslim homeland deal with the Philippine government in August 2008, MILF rebels forcibly occupied some Mindanao towns, killed civilians and looted and burned their homes. More than half a million of people have been affected by the conflict since government troops launched a military offensive against the rebels afterwards.
"Earlier in 2006, Japan had provided food aid amounting to 280 million yen or approximately 2.8 million U.S. dollars for the displaced in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao also through the WFP. This time, the aid will be substantially larger in its scale," the embassy said.
Recently, the Philippine government has announced it is ready to resume talks with the Muslim rebels, but the displaced are still afraid to go back home for fear of the unstable situation in the south.
Slideshow of the violent eviction in Dey Kraham
25 Jan 2009
By John Vink/Magnum
Ka-set
“My mother … she wants to die, my father, he wants to die too, he wants to live in his house. I don’t know where I can go, I don’t know what I can do. Why the government do like this? What do they think? What are they thinking? Why they do like this? We live here for a long time…” – Evicted resident from Dey Kraham
Click here to watch the slideshow with sound on the final eviction of Dey Kraham. Photos and sound by John Vink/Magnum from..http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6299094215254139295
Slideshow of the violent eviction in Dey Kraham
25 Jan 2009
By John Vink/Magnum
Ka-set
“My mother … she wants to die, my father, he wants to die too, he wants to live in his house. I don’t know where I can go, I don’t know what I can do. Why the government do like this? What do they think? What are they thinking? Why they do like this? We live here for a long time…” – Evicted resident from Dey Kraham
Click here to watch the slideshow with sound on the final eviction of Dey Kraham. Photos and sound by John Vink/Magnum from..http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6299094215254139295
Slideshow of the violent eviction in Dey Kraham
25 Jan 2009
By John Vink/Magnum
Ka-set
“My mother … she wants to die, my father, he wants to die too, he wants to live in his house. I don’t know where I can go, I don’t know what I can do. Why the government do like this? What do they think? What are they thinking? Why they do like this? We live here for a long time…” – Evicted resident from Dey Kraham
Click here to watch the slideshow with sound on the final eviction of Dey Kraham. Photos and sound by John Vink/Magnum from..http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6299094215254139295
Chinese New Year boosts sales of chicken
Chicken sales is in full speed at the Olympic Market (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)25 Jan 2009
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Chicken is the most sold meat, even more than pork, during the Chinese New year celebration between 26 and 28 January. Each Sino-Khmer family from Phnom Penh buys between 5 to 10 kilos of chicken to offer to the spirit of their ancestors. The Chinese New Year starts on 25 January.
Muoyeka, a Sino-Khmer from Phnom Penh, estimated that his family will spend upward $100 for the Chinese New Year. This budget includes the purchase of prayer objects, chicken and drinks. “This festival is very important, so we are making the necessary effort to pay for it, just like other Sino-Khmer families,” Muoyeka indicated.
Among the shopkeepers, everybody is taking advantage of the situation: even fruit and vegetable sellers are now offering chicken for sale to earn some extra money before the holidays.
Ouk Moeun, a chicken seller from Kandal province, indicated that he reserved about one ton (1,000 kilos) of chicken for sale during the Chinese New year. One kilo of chicken normally costs 16,000 riels ($4), but the price increases during this period to no less than 25,000 riels ($6.25) per kilo. Each shopkeeper sells between 30 to 50 chicken daily in the average.
Chinese New Year boosts sales of chicken
Chicken sales is in full speed at the Olympic Market (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)25 Jan 2009
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Chicken is the most sold meat, even more than pork, during the Chinese New year celebration between 26 and 28 January. Each Sino-Khmer family from Phnom Penh buys between 5 to 10 kilos of chicken to offer to the spirit of their ancestors. The Chinese New Year starts on 25 January.
Muoyeka, a Sino-Khmer from Phnom Penh, estimated that his family will spend upward $100 for the Chinese New Year. This budget includes the purchase of prayer objects, chicken and drinks. “This festival is very important, so we are making the necessary effort to pay for it, just like other Sino-Khmer families,” Muoyeka indicated.
Among the shopkeepers, everybody is taking advantage of the situation: even fruit and vegetable sellers are now offering chicken for sale to earn some extra money before the holidays.
Ouk Moeun, a chicken seller from Kandal province, indicated that he reserved about one ton (1,000 kilos) of chicken for sale during the Chinese New year. One kilo of chicken normally costs 16,000 riels ($4), but the price increases during this period to no less than 25,000 riels ($6.25) per kilo. Each shopkeeper sells between 30 to 50 chicken daily in the average.
Chinese New Year boosts sales of chicken
Chicken sales is in full speed at the Olympic Market (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)25 Jan 2009
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Chicken is the most sold meat, even more than pork, during the Chinese New year celebration between 26 and 28 January. Each Sino-Khmer family from Phnom Penh buys between 5 to 10 kilos of chicken to offer to the spirit of their ancestors. The Chinese New Year starts on 25 January.
Muoyeka, a Sino-Khmer from Phnom Penh, estimated that his family will spend upward $100 for the Chinese New Year. This budget includes the purchase of prayer objects, chicken and drinks. “This festival is very important, so we are making the necessary effort to pay for it, just like other Sino-Khmer families,” Muoyeka indicated.
Among the shopkeepers, everybody is taking advantage of the situation: even fruit and vegetable sellers are now offering chicken for sale to earn some extra money before the holidays.
Ouk Moeun, a chicken seller from Kandal province, indicated that he reserved about one ton (1,000 kilos) of chicken for sale during the Chinese New year. One kilo of chicken normally costs 16,000 riels ($4), but the price increases during this period to no less than 25,000 riels ($6.25) per kilo. Each shopkeeper sells between 30 to 50 chicken daily in the average.
Thai Foreign Minister kicks off visit to Cambodia
During the two-day visit Sunday and Monday, Mr. Kasit will have an audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, pay courtesy calls on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as leaders Chea Sim, President of the Senate and Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly, and have a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Hor Namhong, who is also deputy prime minister.
The main purpose of the Thai minister's visit is to introduce himself on the basis of customary practice and become acquainted with Cambodia's top leaders after assuming the office of minister of foreign affairs of Thailand.
Moreover, Mr. Kasit will also take this occasion to meet and discuss with his Cambodian counterpart to expedite cooperation at both bilateral and multi-lateral levels, which would be beneficial to both sides' efforts to strengthen their cordial relations and the promotion of mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples.
Thai Foreign Minister kicks off visit to Cambodia
During the two-day visit Sunday and Monday, Mr. Kasit will have an audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, pay courtesy calls on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as leaders Chea Sim, President of the Senate and Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly, and have a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Hor Namhong, who is also deputy prime minister.
The main purpose of the Thai minister's visit is to introduce himself on the basis of customary practice and become acquainted with Cambodia's top leaders after assuming the office of minister of foreign affairs of Thailand.
Moreover, Mr. Kasit will also take this occasion to meet and discuss with his Cambodian counterpart to expedite cooperation at both bilateral and multi-lateral levels, which would be beneficial to both sides' efforts to strengthen their cordial relations and the promotion of mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples.
Thai Foreign Minister kicks off visit to Cambodia
During the two-day visit Sunday and Monday, Mr. Kasit will have an audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, pay courtesy calls on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as leaders Chea Sim, President of the Senate and Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly, and have a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Hor Namhong, who is also deputy prime minister.
The main purpose of the Thai minister's visit is to introduce himself on the basis of customary practice and become acquainted with Cambodia's top leaders after assuming the office of minister of foreign affairs of Thailand.
Moreover, Mr. Kasit will also take this occasion to meet and discuss with his Cambodian counterpart to expedite cooperation at both bilateral and multi-lateral levels, which would be beneficial to both sides' efforts to strengthen their cordial relations and the promotion of mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples.
Impact of More Tribunal Indictments Surveyed
By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
The survey, which will last one month, asks seven questions of ordinary citizens related to their general knowledge of the ongoing Khmer Rouge tribunal and whether they feel it should indict more cadre of the regime.
“The stance of DC-CAM is to allow victims to play a role and show their decision on whether the tribunal should try five persons or more than five persons, and then we allow them an expression of their views,” said Chy Terith, team leader of the center’s Victims Participation Project. “The outcome of the survey will be published publicly and submitted to the [tribunal] also. It is a voice from victims for the tribunal.”
The tribunal is holding five aging former leaders of the regime: chief ideologue Nuon Chea, 84; nominal head Khieu Samphan, 76; foreign minister Ieng Sary, 84; social affairs minister Ieng Thirith, 67; and prison chief Kaing Kek Iev, 66.
The survey seeks to learn what the potential repercussions of further indictments—of up to 10 subordinates of the currently jailed leaders—would be.
“We will ask them also if the tribunal tries only five persons, will they have justice or not,” Chy Terith said.
The survey will be distributed by 15 survey team members in several provinces, as well as by e-mail. The survey will not be conducted in the former Khmer Rouge redoubts of Pailin and Anlong Veng.
International prosecutors at the tribunal have argued for more indictments, but national prosecutors disagree.
The decision on whether more will be arraigned must now be decided by Pre-Trial Chamber judges, who have not set a hearing, tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said.
It was “too early” to comment on the Documentation Center survey, he said, but “all kinds of evaluations will be taken under consideration by the courts.”
Impact of More Tribunal Indictments Surveyed
By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
The survey, which will last one month, asks seven questions of ordinary citizens related to their general knowledge of the ongoing Khmer Rouge tribunal and whether they feel it should indict more cadre of the regime.
“The stance of DC-CAM is to allow victims to play a role and show their decision on whether the tribunal should try five persons or more than five persons, and then we allow them an expression of their views,” said Chy Terith, team leader of the center’s Victims Participation Project. “The outcome of the survey will be published publicly and submitted to the [tribunal] also. It is a voice from victims for the tribunal.”
The tribunal is holding five aging former leaders of the regime: chief ideologue Nuon Chea, 84; nominal head Khieu Samphan, 76; foreign minister Ieng Sary, 84; social affairs minister Ieng Thirith, 67; and prison chief Kaing Kek Iev, 66.
The survey seeks to learn what the potential repercussions of further indictments—of up to 10 subordinates of the currently jailed leaders—would be.
“We will ask them also if the tribunal tries only five persons, will they have justice or not,” Chy Terith said.
The survey will be distributed by 15 survey team members in several provinces, as well as by e-mail. The survey will not be conducted in the former Khmer Rouge redoubts of Pailin and Anlong Veng.
International prosecutors at the tribunal have argued for more indictments, but national prosecutors disagree.
The decision on whether more will be arraigned must now be decided by Pre-Trial Chamber judges, who have not set a hearing, tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said.
It was “too early” to comment on the Documentation Center survey, he said, but “all kinds of evaluations will be taken under consideration by the courts.”
Impact of More Tribunal Indictments Surveyed
By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
The survey, which will last one month, asks seven questions of ordinary citizens related to their general knowledge of the ongoing Khmer Rouge tribunal and whether they feel it should indict more cadre of the regime.
“The stance of DC-CAM is to allow victims to play a role and show their decision on whether the tribunal should try five persons or more than five persons, and then we allow them an expression of their views,” said Chy Terith, team leader of the center’s Victims Participation Project. “The outcome of the survey will be published publicly and submitted to the [tribunal] also. It is a voice from victims for the tribunal.”
The tribunal is holding five aging former leaders of the regime: chief ideologue Nuon Chea, 84; nominal head Khieu Samphan, 76; foreign minister Ieng Sary, 84; social affairs minister Ieng Thirith, 67; and prison chief Kaing Kek Iev, 66.
The survey seeks to learn what the potential repercussions of further indictments—of up to 10 subordinates of the currently jailed leaders—would be.
“We will ask them also if the tribunal tries only five persons, will they have justice or not,” Chy Terith said.
The survey will be distributed by 15 survey team members in several provinces, as well as by e-mail. The survey will not be conducted in the former Khmer Rouge redoubts of Pailin and Anlong Veng.
International prosecutors at the tribunal have argued for more indictments, but national prosecutors disagree.
The decision on whether more will be arraigned must now be decided by Pre-Trial Chamber judges, who have not set a hearing, tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said.
It was “too early” to comment on the Documentation Center survey, he said, but “all kinds of evaluations will be taken under consideration by the courts.”
Contractors Claim Safety From Bird Flu, Recession
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
“We don’t have to worry about the loss or about the bird flu virus,” said Pang Ith, a 35-year-old contract farmer. “But we are happy for getting $6,000 a year from the farm contract.”
Around 81 farming families earned about $364,500 in 2008 from contracts for C.P. Cambodia Co., LLC, a Thai company, which provides between 3,000 and 4,000 chicks per farm, along with food, vaccine and technical expertise, and pays between $500 to $750 for two-month-old birds.
Some of the chickens are sold on the Cambodian market, and others are taken back to Thailand for processing and sale there. Farmers here say they are protected from the economic crisis because C.P. Cambodia takes the risks. They also say the company ensures the birds are healthy.
“Each contract farm gets an income between $3,000 to $6,000 per year from raising chickens,” Heang Thu, chief veterinarian for C.P. Cambodia, said in a recent interview. “The farmers who have many hen houses are rich in the village, because they don’t face profit risks raising the chickens. The company is responsible for the loss when the chicken market is low.”
Those who have contract farms make a better living, acknowledged Noy Sy Nuon, chief of Damnak Ampil commune, who said 27 families in the commune work for the Thai company.
“Many farmers” had requested contracts with the company, Heang Thu said, but the company would not fill their requests for fear of dropping local chicken prices too far.
“The chicken market in Cambodia is too small,” he said. “If we enlarge or develop the contract farms more and more, we will lose profit. But if the government wants the farmers to have a job to do, the government should ban the import of chickens along the border. Every day, the cost of chickens in the market is low, because chicken imports are coming more and more to Cambodia, dropping prices.”
Chek Srey Him, a 38-year-old farmer in Pong Teuk village, said her yearly income was $5,400 per year from contracting, providing her a better living than before.
“I can send my two children to school, and they can learn English,” she said. “And I can buy some land for my children.”
Mean Reth, 37, in Tropaing Trach village, said contract farming provided him $3,000 per year. “This profit is better than if I farm rice or drive motorcycle taxis,” he said.
Contractors Claim Safety From Bird Flu, Recession
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
“We don’t have to worry about the loss or about the bird flu virus,” said Pang Ith, a 35-year-old contract farmer. “But we are happy for getting $6,000 a year from the farm contract.”
Around 81 farming families earned about $364,500 in 2008 from contracts for C.P. Cambodia Co., LLC, a Thai company, which provides between 3,000 and 4,000 chicks per farm, along with food, vaccine and technical expertise, and pays between $500 to $750 for two-month-old birds.
Some of the chickens are sold on the Cambodian market, and others are taken back to Thailand for processing and sale there. Farmers here say they are protected from the economic crisis because C.P. Cambodia takes the risks. They also say the company ensures the birds are healthy.
“Each contract farm gets an income between $3,000 to $6,000 per year from raising chickens,” Heang Thu, chief veterinarian for C.P. Cambodia, said in a recent interview. “The farmers who have many hen houses are rich in the village, because they don’t face profit risks raising the chickens. The company is responsible for the loss when the chicken market is low.”
Those who have contract farms make a better living, acknowledged Noy Sy Nuon, chief of Damnak Ampil commune, who said 27 families in the commune work for the Thai company.
“Many farmers” had requested contracts with the company, Heang Thu said, but the company would not fill their requests for fear of dropping local chicken prices too far.
“The chicken market in Cambodia is too small,” he said. “If we enlarge or develop the contract farms more and more, we will lose profit. But if the government wants the farmers to have a job to do, the government should ban the import of chickens along the border. Every day, the cost of chickens in the market is low, because chicken imports are coming more and more to Cambodia, dropping prices.”
Chek Srey Him, a 38-year-old farmer in Pong Teuk village, said her yearly income was $5,400 per year from contracting, providing her a better living than before.
“I can send my two children to school, and they can learn English,” she said. “And I can buy some land for my children.”
Mean Reth, 37, in Tropaing Trach village, said contract farming provided him $3,000 per year. “This profit is better than if I farm rice or drive motorcycle taxis,” he said.
Contractors Claim Safety From Bird Flu, Recession
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
“We don’t have to worry about the loss or about the bird flu virus,” said Pang Ith, a 35-year-old contract farmer. “But we are happy for getting $6,000 a year from the farm contract.”
Around 81 farming families earned about $364,500 in 2008 from contracts for C.P. Cambodia Co., LLC, a Thai company, which provides between 3,000 and 4,000 chicks per farm, along with food, vaccine and technical expertise, and pays between $500 to $750 for two-month-old birds.
Some of the chickens are sold on the Cambodian market, and others are taken back to Thailand for processing and sale there. Farmers here say they are protected from the economic crisis because C.P. Cambodia takes the risks. They also say the company ensures the birds are healthy.
“Each contract farm gets an income between $3,000 to $6,000 per year from raising chickens,” Heang Thu, chief veterinarian for C.P. Cambodia, said in a recent interview. “The farmers who have many hen houses are rich in the village, because they don’t face profit risks raising the chickens. The company is responsible for the loss when the chicken market is low.”
Those who have contract farms make a better living, acknowledged Noy Sy Nuon, chief of Damnak Ampil commune, who said 27 families in the commune work for the Thai company.
“Many farmers” had requested contracts with the company, Heang Thu said, but the company would not fill their requests for fear of dropping local chicken prices too far.
“The chicken market in Cambodia is too small,” he said. “If we enlarge or develop the contract farms more and more, we will lose profit. But if the government wants the farmers to have a job to do, the government should ban the import of chickens along the border. Every day, the cost of chickens in the market is low, because chicken imports are coming more and more to Cambodia, dropping prices.”
Chek Srey Him, a 38-year-old farmer in Pong Teuk village, said her yearly income was $5,400 per year from contracting, providing her a better living than before.
“I can send my two children to school, and they can learn English,” she said. “And I can buy some land for my children.”
Mean Reth, 37, in Tropaing Trach village, said contract farming provided him $3,000 per year. “This profit is better than if I farm rice or drive motorcycle taxis,” he said.
Ugly CPP truth revealed by Hun Sen: Ke Kim Yan involved in land issues - Did Hun Sen forget to look in the mirror?
Top Military Chief Sacked for Impropriety: Hun Sen
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
Gen. Ke Kim Yan “was conducting his own business” instead of performing his duties as commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Hun Sen told a weekly Cabinet meeting.
Ke Kim Yan was backing the illegal purchase of land in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district, Kampot province’s Phnom Vor area and sites in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey and Stung Treng, Hun Sen said.
Ke Kim Yan could not be reached for comment Friday. He was removed from his post late Thursday by royal decree following the request of Hun Sen.
Replacing Ke Kim Yan is his deputy, Gen. Pol Saroeun. Also promoted to deputy commanders of RCAF by the royal decree are military intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Mol Roeup, military police commander Lt. Gen. Sao Sokha and the chief of Hun Sen's personal bodyguard unit, Lt. Gen. Hing Bun Heang, among others.
Pol Saroeun declined Friday to comment on the removal of Ke Kim Yan, saying it was an internal military matter.
It remained unclear Friday whether Ke Kim Yan would be given another command or remain in the army. Hun Sen told his Cabinet a new position had not yet been considered for the former chief.
The sacking comes as Cambodian continues a months-long military standoff with Thailand on the border of Preah Vihear province.
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled for border talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, in Phnom Penh Sunday and Monday. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the removal of Ke Kim Yan would not affect the talks.
Ugly CPP truth revealed by Hun Sen: Ke Kim Yan involved in land issues - Did Hun Sen forget to look in the mirror?
Top Military Chief Sacked for Impropriety: Hun Sen
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
Gen. Ke Kim Yan “was conducting his own business” instead of performing his duties as commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Hun Sen told a weekly Cabinet meeting.
Ke Kim Yan was backing the illegal purchase of land in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district, Kampot province’s Phnom Vor area and sites in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey and Stung Treng, Hun Sen said.
Ke Kim Yan could not be reached for comment Friday. He was removed from his post late Thursday by royal decree following the request of Hun Sen.
Replacing Ke Kim Yan is his deputy, Gen. Pol Saroeun. Also promoted to deputy commanders of RCAF by the royal decree are military intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Mol Roeup, military police commander Lt. Gen. Sao Sokha and the chief of Hun Sen's personal bodyguard unit, Lt. Gen. Hing Bun Heang, among others.
Pol Saroeun declined Friday to comment on the removal of Ke Kim Yan, saying it was an internal military matter.
It remained unclear Friday whether Ke Kim Yan would be given another command or remain in the army. Hun Sen told his Cabinet a new position had not yet been considered for the former chief.
The sacking comes as Cambodian continues a months-long military standoff with Thailand on the border of Preah Vihear province.
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled for border talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, in Phnom Penh Sunday and Monday. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the removal of Ke Kim Yan would not affect the talks.
Ugly CPP truth revealed by Hun Sen: Ke Kim Yan involved in land issues - Did Hun Sen forget to look in the mirror?
Top Military Chief Sacked for Impropriety: Hun Sen
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
24 January 2009
Gen. Ke Kim Yan “was conducting his own business” instead of performing his duties as commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Hun Sen told a weekly Cabinet meeting.
Ke Kim Yan was backing the illegal purchase of land in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district, Kampot province’s Phnom Vor area and sites in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey and Stung Treng, Hun Sen said.
Ke Kim Yan could not be reached for comment Friday. He was removed from his post late Thursday by royal decree following the request of Hun Sen.
Replacing Ke Kim Yan is his deputy, Gen. Pol Saroeun. Also promoted to deputy commanders of RCAF by the royal decree are military intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Mol Roeup, military police commander Lt. Gen. Sao Sokha and the chief of Hun Sen's personal bodyguard unit, Lt. Gen. Hing Bun Heang, among others.
Pol Saroeun declined Friday to comment on the removal of Ke Kim Yan, saying it was an internal military matter.
It remained unclear Friday whether Ke Kim Yan would be given another command or remain in the army. Hun Sen told his Cabinet a new position had not yet been considered for the former chief.
The sacking comes as Cambodian continues a months-long military standoff with Thailand on the border of Preah Vihear province.
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled for border talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, in Phnom Penh Sunday and Monday. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the removal of Ke Kim Yan would not affect the talks.
India's biggest annual technology festival launched in Mumbai
MUMBAI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Techfest 2009, the biggest annual international science and technology festival of India was launched Saturday in Mumbai.
The Techfest 2009, with over 45,000 university students and 1,500 corporate executives from all over India and abroad being part of it, is organized by India Institute of Technology Mumbai(IIT-B),which is located in Powai, suburb of Mumbai.
During the three-day event, a wide range of events including robot competitions, workshops, lectures and exhibitions will be held in the campus of IIT B.
Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Saturday showcased some of its achievements, including newly designed submachine gun, unmanned vechil, carbon steel platform and tank carrier.
Robot competition catches most eyes, with 42 teams from all over India to compete in seven categories of Awards.
A competition for legged robots for the first time named the "arthrobot" is being introduced by the organizers. The participants are expected to build a legged robot which can pass through a designated path in the least possible time.
"The concept of legged robots at institute competition level is alien. This year, we are expecting a great response from the foreign participants," said Sushil Shintre, an organizer of Techfest.
Apart from the competitions, Techfest 2009 also offered a platform for innovative ideas. "Prayaas", one of their competitions, allowed participants to present their ideas on how to use renewable sources of energy.
India's biggest annual technology festival launched in Mumbai
MUMBAI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Techfest 2009, the biggest annual international science and technology festival of India was launched Saturday in Mumbai.
The Techfest 2009, with over 45,000 university students and 1,500 corporate executives from all over India and abroad being part of it, is organized by India Institute of Technology Mumbai(IIT-B),which is located in Powai, suburb of Mumbai.
During the three-day event, a wide range of events including robot competitions, workshops, lectures and exhibitions will be held in the campus of IIT B.
Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Saturday showcased some of its achievements, including newly designed submachine gun, unmanned vechil, carbon steel platform and tank carrier.
Robot competition catches most eyes, with 42 teams from all over India to compete in seven categories of Awards.
A competition for legged robots for the first time named the "arthrobot" is being introduced by the organizers. The participants are expected to build a legged robot which can pass through a designated path in the least possible time.
"The concept of legged robots at institute competition level is alien. This year, we are expecting a great response from the foreign participants," said Sushil Shintre, an organizer of Techfest.
Apart from the competitions, Techfest 2009 also offered a platform for innovative ideas. "Prayaas", one of their competitions, allowed participants to present their ideas on how to use renewable sources of energy.
India's biggest annual technology festival launched in Mumbai
MUMBAI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Techfest 2009, the biggest annual international science and technology festival of India was launched Saturday in Mumbai.
The Techfest 2009, with over 45,000 university students and 1,500 corporate executives from all over India and abroad being part of it, is organized by India Institute of Technology Mumbai(IIT-B),which is located in Powai, suburb of Mumbai.
During the three-day event, a wide range of events including robot competitions, workshops, lectures and exhibitions will be held in the campus of IIT B.
Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Saturday showcased some of its achievements, including newly designed submachine gun, unmanned vechil, carbon steel platform and tank carrier.
Robot competition catches most eyes, with 42 teams from all over India to compete in seven categories of Awards.
A competition for legged robots for the first time named the "arthrobot" is being introduced by the organizers. The participants are expected to build a legged robot which can pass through a designated path in the least possible time.
"The concept of legged robots at institute competition level is alien. This year, we are expecting a great response from the foreign participants," said Sushil Shintre, an organizer of Techfest.
Apart from the competitions, Techfest 2009 also offered a platform for innovative ideas. "Prayaas", one of their competitions, allowed participants to present their ideas on how to use renewable sources of energy.
Malaysia alert on U.S. peanut butter
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has been alert on all peanut butter products from the United States, putting them on stringent testing, local media reported on Saturday.
The measure called Level Five alert was placed by the Malaysian government after several salmonella-linked deaths found in the United States, local newspaper The Star said on its website.
Malaysian Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said that some particular batches of contaminated products had been withdrawn from the shelves.
The Malaysian Health Ministry said possibly contaminated dough, which uses peanut butter and peanut paste, has entered Malaysia from Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).
The company has recalled the dough from three sales outlets here and at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the ministry said.
Liow said that the Malaysian government had raised the alert to Level Five just to ensure that the incoming batches are free of salmonella contamination.
The United States Friday said seven people had died from a nationwide outbreak of salmonella associated with tainted peanut butter and paste sourced to the PCA plant in Blakely, Georgia.
The bacterial strain as Salmonella Typhimurium was found in them, the report said.
Another 10 U.S. firms Friday reportedly also recalled products which use PCA peanut butter or paste, ranging from snack bars to crackers and pre-packaged meals and even pet food.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it has no evidence to suggest the contamination originated with any other major manufacturing facility other than the PCA plant, the newspaper said.
Malaysia alert on U.S. peanut butter
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has been alert on all peanut butter products from the United States, putting them on stringent testing, local media reported on Saturday.
The measure called Level Five alert was placed by the Malaysian government after several salmonella-linked deaths found in the United States, local newspaper The Star said on its website.
Malaysian Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said that some particular batches of contaminated products had been withdrawn from the shelves.
The Malaysian Health Ministry said possibly contaminated dough, which uses peanut butter and peanut paste, has entered Malaysia from Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).
The company has recalled the dough from three sales outlets here and at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the ministry said.
Liow said that the Malaysian government had raised the alert to Level Five just to ensure that the incoming batches are free of salmonella contamination.
The United States Friday said seven people had died from a nationwide outbreak of salmonella associated with tainted peanut butter and paste sourced to the PCA plant in Blakely, Georgia.
The bacterial strain as Salmonella Typhimurium was found in them, the report said.
Another 10 U.S. firms Friday reportedly also recalled products which use PCA peanut butter or paste, ranging from snack bars to crackers and pre-packaged meals and even pet food.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it has no evidence to suggest the contamination originated with any other major manufacturing facility other than the PCA plant, the newspaper said.
Malaysia alert on U.S. peanut butter
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has been alert on all peanut butter products from the United States, putting them on stringent testing, local media reported on Saturday.
The measure called Level Five alert was placed by the Malaysian government after several salmonella-linked deaths found in the United States, local newspaper The Star said on its website.
Malaysian Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said that some particular batches of contaminated products had been withdrawn from the shelves.
The Malaysian Health Ministry said possibly contaminated dough, which uses peanut butter and peanut paste, has entered Malaysia from Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).
The company has recalled the dough from three sales outlets here and at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the ministry said.
Liow said that the Malaysian government had raised the alert to Level Five just to ensure that the incoming batches are free of salmonella contamination.
The United States Friday said seven people had died from a nationwide outbreak of salmonella associated with tainted peanut butter and paste sourced to the PCA plant in Blakely, Georgia.
The bacterial strain as Salmonella Typhimurium was found in them, the report said.
Another 10 U.S. firms Friday reportedly also recalled products which use PCA peanut butter or paste, ranging from snack bars to crackers and pre-packaged meals and even pet food.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it has no evidence to suggest the contamination originated with any other major manufacturing facility other than the PCA plant, the newspaper said.
Earthquake hits Timor region
HONG KONG, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale occurred in Timor region at 9:52 Saturday (0152 GMT Saturday), according to a bulletin released by the Hong Kong Observatory.
The epicenter was initially determined to be 8.4 degrees south latitude and 125.1 degrees east longitude, about 620 kilometers south-southwest of Ambon, Indonesia.
There were no reports of casualties or damage so far.
Earthquake hits Timor region
HONG KONG, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale occurred in Timor region at 9:52 Saturday (0152 GMT Saturday), according to a bulletin released by the Hong Kong Observatory.
The epicenter was initially determined to be 8.4 degrees south latitude and 125.1 degrees east longitude, about 620 kilometers south-southwest of Ambon, Indonesia.
There were no reports of casualties or damage so far.
Earthquake hits Timor region
HONG KONG, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale occurred in Timor region at 9:52 Saturday (0152 GMT Saturday), according to a bulletin released by the Hong Kong Observatory.
The epicenter was initially determined to be 8.4 degrees south latitude and 125.1 degrees east longitude, about 620 kilometers south-southwest of Ambon, Indonesia.
There were no reports of casualties or damage so far.
Cambodian slum dwellers [in Dey Krahorm] evicted
The land on which Dey Krahorm stood was bought by a property developer
Housing rights workers said the eviction was unnecessarily violentSaturday, 24 January 2009
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh
Police have been overseeing the eviction of hundreds of people from a slum community in the centre of the in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
Residents of Dey Krahorm, who have been fighting eviction for the best part of three years, say they have a legal right to the land.
But the local authorities signed it over to a property developer.
It is the latest in a series of evictions, which have accompanied a dramatic increase in land values.
Dawn operation
As the bulldozers moved into Dey Krahorm at dawn on Saturday, residents had little chance of resisting.
Hundreds of military and civilian police accompanied workers from the property developer which bought the land from the city.
At first, they would not allow journalists or human rights workers to observe the eviction, and forcibly removed those who had made it through the barricades.
Dey Krahorm had been the heart of Cambodia's artistic community. Traditional musicians and dancers held classes there in an effort to pass on their skills to the younger generation.
Their instruments could be seen among the rubble, along with the other belongings of the former residents.
'Excessive force'
Housing rights workers criticised the way the eviction was carried out, saying it was unnecessarily violent.
"They cannot stand again because of the excessive use of force, of tear gas. A few of my colleagues got hurt more than me," said Yeng Virak of the Community Legal Education Centre (CLEC).
The evicted residents will be taken to land on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
The local authorities and the developers say they will find better living conditions there, with running water, electricity, health centres and schools.
Phnom Penh's deputy governor, Mann Chhoeun, insists the city has been generous to the people of Dey Krahorm.
But the residents say the negotiations had not finished and that they have not received fair compensation for their land.
They add that moving outside the city centre will stop them from earning a living.
The demise of Dey Krahorm will also cause concern among several other communities threatened with eviction.
Cambodian slum dwellers [in Dey Krahorm] evicted
The land on which Dey Krahorm stood was bought by a property developerHousing rights workers said the eviction was unnecessarily violentSaturday, 24 January 2009
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh
Police have been overseeing the eviction of hundreds of people from a slum community in the centre of the in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
Residents of Dey Krahorm, who have been fighting eviction for the best part of three years, say they have a legal right to the land.
But the local authorities signed it over to a property developer.
It is the latest in a series of evictions, which have accompanied a dramatic increase in land values.
Dawn operation
As the bulldozers moved into Dey Krahorm at dawn on Saturday, residents had little chance of resisting.
Hundreds of military and civilian police accompanied workers from the property developer which bought the land from the city.
At first, they would not allow journalists or human rights workers to observe the eviction, and forcibly removed those who had made it through the barricades.
Dey Krahorm had been the heart of Cambodia's artistic community. Traditional musicians and dancers held classes there in an effort to pass on their skills to the younger generation.
Their instruments could be seen among the rubble, along with the other belongings of the former residents.
'Excessive force'
Housing rights workers criticised the way the eviction was carried out, saying it was unnecessarily violent.
"They cannot stand again because of the excessive use of force, of tear gas. A few of my colleagues got hurt more than me," said Yeng Virak of the Community Legal Education Centre (CLEC).
The evicted residents will be taken to land on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
The local authorities and the developers say they will find better living conditions there, with running water, electricity, health centres and schools.
Phnom Penh's deputy governor, Mann Chhoeun, insists the city has been generous to the people of Dey Krahorm.
But the residents say the negotiations had not finished and that they have not received fair compensation for their land.
They add that moving outside the city centre will stop them from earning a living.
The demise of Dey Krahorm will also cause concern among several other communities threatened with eviction.
Cambodian slum dwellers [in Dey Krahorm] evicted
The land on which Dey Krahorm stood was bought by a property developerHousing rights workers said the eviction was unnecessarily violentSaturday, 24 January 2009
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh
Police have been overseeing the eviction of hundreds of people from a slum community in the centre of the in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
Residents of Dey Krahorm, who have been fighting eviction for the best part of three years, say they have a legal right to the land.
But the local authorities signed it over to a property developer.
It is the latest in a series of evictions, which have accompanied a dramatic increase in land values.
Dawn operation
As the bulldozers moved into Dey Krahorm at dawn on Saturday, residents had little chance of resisting.
Hundreds of military and civilian police accompanied workers from the property developer which bought the land from the city.
At first, they would not allow journalists or human rights workers to observe the eviction, and forcibly removed those who had made it through the barricades.
Dey Krahorm had been the heart of Cambodia's artistic community. Traditional musicians and dancers held classes there in an effort to pass on their skills to the younger generation.
Their instruments could be seen among the rubble, along with the other belongings of the former residents.
'Excessive force'
Housing rights workers criticised the way the eviction was carried out, saying it was unnecessarily violent.
"They cannot stand again because of the excessive use of force, of tear gas. A few of my colleagues got hurt more than me," said Yeng Virak of the Community Legal Education Centre (CLEC).
The evicted residents will be taken to land on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
The local authorities and the developers say they will find better living conditions there, with running water, electricity, health centres and schools.
Phnom Penh's deputy governor, Mann Chhoeun, insists the city has been generous to the people of Dey Krahorm.
But the residents say the negotiations had not finished and that they have not received fair compensation for their land.
They add that moving outside the city centre will stop them from earning a living.
The demise of Dey Krahorm will also cause concern among several other communities threatened with eviction.
Workers at the L.A. Garment factory block road to demand for their backpay salaries
Workers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. Placard (C) reads " Government please help us, owner did not pay us, only Prime Minister Hun Sen can help us. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers at the L.A. Garment factory block road to demand for their backpay salaries
Workers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaWorkers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. Placard (C) reads " Government please help us, owner did not pay us, only Prime Minister Hun Sen can help us. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers at the L.A. Garment factory block road to demand for their backpay salaries
Workers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaWorkers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. Placard (C) reads " Government please help us, owner did not pay us, only Prime Minister Hun Sen can help us. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Workers of garment factory L.A Garment block a road as they demand for their salaries, in Phnom Penh January 24, 2009. The company, which has stopped production, owes workers two months of salary, according to the protesters. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Sun Sokun Mealea turning 180-degree case: Another NRP member bites the CPP dust
Sokun Mealea greeting Ranariddh at the NRP formationOne of the NRP member nominated to a government position
23 Jan 2009
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Sokun Mealea, the NRP deputy secretary-general, was nominated as a member of the economic, social and cultural council, attached to the Council of ministers.
The nomination to a government position seems quite surprising in view Sokun Mealea’s past political engagement. Currently a member of the NRP, she is joining this new structure – the economic, social and cultural council of the Council of ministers – which was put into place on 23 January to replace the economic, social and cultural council observation committee. While still a student, she was known as being an anti-Vietnamese student member who was opposed to the CPP. However, with the current nomination, she is now close to the ruling party. Sokun Mealea earned a degree in French foreign language, Law from the Royal Administration School.
Reached over the phone, she announced that “she will start her new job next week. I joined the government because I wish to serve the country by bringing in my knowledge. I am still a NRP member. It is not an opposition party, but I keep my distance to criticize the government, in a constructive manner. In this party, we criticize to help the government moves in the right direction.”
Norodom Ranariddh left his NRP president position to Chhim Seak Leng to serve as the supreme advisor to the king. With Sokun Mealea, another important NRP party member abandons all her opposition to the CPP ruling party.
Sun Sokun Mealea turning 180-degree case: Another NRP member bites the CPP dust
Sokun Mealea greeting Ranariddh at the NRP formationOne of the NRP member nominated to a government position
23 Jan 2009
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Sokun Mealea, the NRP deputy secretary-general, was nominated as a member of the economic, social and cultural council, attached to the Council of ministers.
The nomination to a government position seems quite surprising in view Sokun Mealea’s past political engagement. Currently a member of the NRP, she is joining this new structure – the economic, social and cultural council of the Council of ministers – which was put into place on 23 January to replace the economic, social and cultural council observation committee. While still a student, she was known as being an anti-Vietnamese student member who was opposed to the CPP. However, with the current nomination, she is now close to the ruling party. Sokun Mealea earned a degree in French foreign language, Law from the Royal Administration School.
Reached over the phone, she announced that “she will start her new job next week. I joined the government because I wish to serve the country by bringing in my knowledge. I am still a NRP member. It is not an opposition party, but I keep my distance to criticize the government, in a constructive manner. In this party, we criticize to help the government moves in the right direction.”
Norodom Ranariddh left his NRP president position to Chhim Seak Leng to serve as the supreme advisor to the king. With Sokun Mealea, another important NRP party member abandons all her opposition to the CPP ruling party.
Sun Sokun Mealea turning 180-degree case: Another NRP member bites the CPP dust
Sokun Mealea greeting Ranariddh at the NRP formationOne of the NRP member nominated to a government position
23 Jan 2009
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Sokun Mealea, the NRP deputy secretary-general, was nominated as a member of the economic, social and cultural council, attached to the Council of ministers.
The nomination to a government position seems quite surprising in view Sokun Mealea’s past political engagement. Currently a member of the NRP, she is joining this new structure – the economic, social and cultural council of the Council of ministers – which was put into place on 23 January to replace the economic, social and cultural council observation committee. While still a student, she was known as being an anti-Vietnamese student member who was opposed to the CPP. However, with the current nomination, she is now close to the ruling party. Sokun Mealea earned a degree in French foreign language, Law from the Royal Administration School.
Reached over the phone, she announced that “she will start her new job next week. I joined the government because I wish to serve the country by bringing in my knowledge. I am still a NRP member. It is not an opposition party, but I keep my distance to criticize the government, in a constructive manner. In this party, we criticize to help the government moves in the right direction.”
Norodom Ranariddh left his NRP president position to Chhim Seak Leng to serve as the supreme advisor to the king. With Sokun Mealea, another important NRP party member abandons all her opposition to the CPP ruling party.
Cambodian Women Suffer More Violence
A brutal assault on two Cambodian women highlights what the government says is an escalating pattern of violence against women.
Cambodian girls smile in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Aug. 14, 2007.
Tan Nilong, 56, who lives in Auckland, California, admitted in Battambang Court on Nov. 25 that he attempted to burn 21-year-old Yan Kimhean to death because she had broken off their engagement.
Tan Sophal, chief of provincial military police, said that the evidence found at Yan’s home in the Baek Chan village of Prek Preah Sdach commune was consistent with the admission.
“This is a case of jealousy…evidence left at the scene of the crime consists of a bag, a slightly-burnt [five liter] jerry can, and a small knife,” Tan said.
The victim’s family has filed a complaint demanding U.S.$250,000 in compensation and medical treatment for both of the young women injured in the attack.
Khmer officials said the U.S. Embassy had agreed that Tan should be tried under Cambodian law because he hadn’t yet completed the U.S. naturalization process.
‘I saw the face clearly’
Tan Nilong was engaged to Yan Kimhean on June 29 but Yan broke off the engagement in November, saying she no longer trusted her fiancé, relatives said.
The victims’ mother, Pin Sarath, said in an interview that her two daughters, Yan Kimhean and Yan Chanrith, 14, were washing dishes behind their home on the evening of Nov. 22 when Tan Nilong attacked them.
“They [the daughters] asked for the engagement [with Yan Kimhean] to be ended. He said all right and then he drove a motorcycle away,” Pin said. “No one expected he would do such a thing. My daughters were washing the dishes at the back of the house. He poured gasoline on them and burnt them.”
Yan Chanrith, whose arms and legs were burned in the incident, said she had no doubt that it was Tan who had attacked them.
“I was washing the dishes with my older sister when Ta [Grandfather] Long [Tan Nilong] walked toward us and started to douse us with gasoline. I stood up and saw his face clearly—it was that Long who poured the gasoline and burnt us,” she said.
The victims were sent to Visal Sokh Hospital in Battambang and on the morning of Nov. 23 were transferred to Phnom Penh for further medical treatment. Yan Kimhean suffered serious burns over most of her body.
New report
Tan Nilong’s confession came as the Cambodian Ministry of Women's Affairs issued a new report Wednesday that says abuse against women and girls is escalating in Cambodia.
The Cambodian Gender Assessment Survey 2008 reported that nearly one-quarter of all females in Cambodia have suffered domestic violence, with young girls increasingly a target of sexual assault.
Increasing use of drugs and alcohol by men has increased attacks, including gang rape, against female Cambodians, the report said, calling on law enforcement agencies to redouble their efforts to combat them.
Still, Minister of Women's Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi cited some progress in combating violence against women.
The government “has taken significant steps to reduce violence against women,” she said in a statement, alluding to laws against domestic abuse and official benchmarks on violence and human trafficking.
The government released its report on the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Rape is a criminal offense and punishable by a prison sentence of between five and 10 years, according to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) law.
The nonprofit group ADHOC [the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association] said that between January and October it received 1,017 complaints regarding violence against women and children.
These included 584 concerning domestic violence, 368 concerning rape, and 65 complaints related to human trafficking.
Lim Mony, head of the ADHOC working group, said that according to the reports and complaints she has received, violence against women in Cambodia is on the rise.
“We find the major problems to include a lack of proper law enforcement, a lack of awareness [of the laws] by the Khmer people, and poverty conditions,” Lim Mony said.
Chhay Kimsor, of the Gender and Development for Cambodia project, said his group this week launched a campaign through Dec. 10 targeting four provinces—Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Kompong Chhnang, and Prey Veng.
“We’ll have roundtable discussions on TV, radio talk shows, public meetings, and marches to distribute ribbons, leaflets, stickers, posters, and banners,” he said.
Original reporting by Sophal Mony, Ma Yarith, Um Sarin, and Keo Nimol for RFA’s Khmer service. Khmer service director: Sos Kem. Written for the Web in English by Joshua Lipes. Edited by Sarah Jackson-Han.
Cambodian Women Suffer More Violence
A brutal assault on two Cambodian women highlights what the government says is an escalating pattern of violence against women.
Cambodian girls smile in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Aug. 14, 2007.
Tan Nilong, 56, who lives in Auckland, California, admitted in Battambang Court on Nov. 25 that he attempted to burn 21-year-old Yan Kimhean to death because she had broken off their engagement.
Tan Sophal, chief of provincial military police, said that the evidence found at Yan’s home in the Baek Chan village of Prek Preah Sdach commune was consistent with the admission.
“This is a case of jealousy…evidence left at the scene of the crime consists of a bag, a slightly-burnt [five liter] jerry can, and a small knife,” Tan said.
The victim’s family has filed a complaint demanding U.S.$250,000 in compensation and medical treatment for both of the young women injured in the attack.
Khmer officials said the U.S. Embassy had agreed that Tan should be tried under Cambodian law because he hadn’t yet completed the U.S. naturalization process.
‘I saw the face clearly’
Tan Nilong was engaged to Yan Kimhean on June 29 but Yan broke off the engagement in November, saying she no longer trusted her fiancé, relatives said.
The victims’ mother, Pin Sarath, said in an interview that her two daughters, Yan Kimhean and Yan Chanrith, 14, were washing dishes behind their home on the evening of Nov. 22 when Tan Nilong attacked them.
“They [the daughters] asked for the engagement [with Yan Kimhean] to be ended. He said all right and then he drove a motorcycle away,” Pin said. “No one expected he would do such a thing. My daughters were washing the dishes at the back of the house. He poured gasoline on them and burnt them.”
Yan Chanrith, whose arms and legs were burned in the incident, said she had no doubt that it was Tan who had attacked them.
“I was washing the dishes with my older sister when Ta [Grandfather] Long [Tan Nilong] walked toward us and started to douse us with gasoline. I stood up and saw his face clearly—it was that Long who poured the gasoline and burnt us,” she said.
The victims were sent to Visal Sokh Hospital in Battambang and on the morning of Nov. 23 were transferred to Phnom Penh for further medical treatment. Yan Kimhean suffered serious burns over most of her body.
New report
Tan Nilong’s confession came as the Cambodian Ministry of Women's Affairs issued a new report Wednesday that says abuse against women and girls is escalating in Cambodia.
The Cambodian Gender Assessment Survey 2008 reported that nearly one-quarter of all females in Cambodia have suffered domestic violence, with young girls increasingly a target of sexual assault.
Increasing use of drugs and alcohol by men has increased attacks, including gang rape, against female Cambodians, the report said, calling on law enforcement agencies to redouble their efforts to combat them.
Still, Minister of Women's Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi cited some progress in combating violence against women.
The government “has taken significant steps to reduce violence against women,” she said in a statement, alluding to laws against domestic abuse and official benchmarks on violence and human trafficking.
The government released its report on the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Rape is a criminal offense and punishable by a prison sentence of between five and 10 years, according to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) law.
The nonprofit group ADHOC [the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association] said that between January and October it received 1,017 complaints regarding violence against women and children.
These included 584 concerning domestic violence, 368 concerning rape, and 65 complaints related to human trafficking.
Lim Mony, head of the ADHOC working group, said that according to the reports and complaints she has received, violence against women in Cambodia is on the rise.
“We find the major problems to include a lack of proper law enforcement, a lack of awareness [of the laws] by the Khmer people, and poverty conditions,” Lim Mony said.
Chhay Kimsor, of the Gender and Development for Cambodia project, said his group this week launched a campaign through Dec. 10 targeting four provinces—Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Kompong Chhnang, and Prey Veng.
“We’ll have roundtable discussions on TV, radio talk shows, public meetings, and marches to distribute ribbons, leaflets, stickers, posters, and banners,” he said.
Original reporting by Sophal Mony, Ma Yarith, Um Sarin, and Keo Nimol for RFA’s Khmer service. Khmer service director: Sos Kem. Written for the Web in English by Joshua Lipes. Edited by Sarah Jackson-Han.