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2009-11-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

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2009-11-06T00:56:00.000-08:00

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2009-11-06T00:47:00.000-08:00

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2009-11-04T08:23:00.001-08:00

Sexual exploitation in Cambodia

2009-11-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

Thousands of young girls from the rural areas of Cambodia are being sold into sexual slavery, reports Dr Wendy Freed, after a recent visit to that country.

AN extremely disturbing form of the commercial sex industry is on the rise in Cambodia, where thousands of uneducated young girls in rural areas are being sold into brothels, often because their families are deceived by false promises of job opportunities for their daughters. The girls and young women are virtually enslaved by the brothel owners, confined to tiny rooms, and forced to have sex with many customers to pay off their 'debt' - the cost of their acquisition.

This situation is cause for concern for many reasons, particularly because it involves slavery (the buying and selling of human beings) and because Cambodian sex workers suffer an alarmingly high rate of HIV infection.

In April and July 1996, I travelled to Cambodia as a consultant to Physicians for Human Rights and interviewed a dozen young brothel workers about their plight. While each of the young women with whom I spoke had a different story, their situation collectively reflects the legacy of 25 years of civil war and poverty in Cambodia, in addition to attitudes toward women and girls prevalent in Cambodian society.

2009-11-04T08:19:00.001-08:00

Global sex industry

2009-11-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

Around the world, more than 1 million children are exploited in the global commercial sex trade each year, according to the U.S. State Department. The State Department believes Cambodia is a key transit and destination point in this trade.

"Trafficking for sexual exploitation also occurs within Cambodia's borders, from rural areas to the country's capital, Phnom Penh, and other secondary cities in the country," the State Department wrote in a 2006 report. "The Government of Cambodia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so."

Sochua said that with millions of Cambodians struggling to live on less than 50 cents a day, many women turn to the sex industry. Poverty is also often what drives parents to sell their child or themselves on the streets.

"Always a child is left behind, often a girl, who is preyed on by traffickers," Sochua added.

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2009-11-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

Girl, 6, embodies Cambodia's sex industry

2009-11-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (CNN) -- At an age when most children might be preparing for their first day of school, Srey, 6, already has undergone trauma that is almost unspeakable.

She was sold to a brothel by her parents when she was 5. It is not known how much her family got for Srey, but other girls talk of being sold for $100; one was sold for $10.

Before she was rescued, Srey endured months of abuse at the hands of pimps and sex tourists.

Passed from man to man, often drugged to make her compliant, Srey was a commodity at the heart of a massive, multimillion-dollar sex industry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

"It is huge," said Mu Sochua, a former minister of women's and veteran's affairs who is an anti-sex trade activist.

The precise scale of Cambodia's sex trade is difficult to quantify. International organizations -- such as UNICEF, ECPAT and Save the Children -- say that anywhere from from 50,000 to 100,000 women and children are involved. An estimated 30 percent of the sex workers in Phnom Penh are under the age of 18, according to the United Nations. The actual figure may be much higher, activists say.

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2009-10-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

Australia, Indonesia Increase Cooperation on Boat People Issue

2009-10-13T05:40:00.001-07:00

By Phil Mercer
Sydney
13 October 2009

The Indonesian navy intercepted a boat carrying refugees headed to Australia after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd telephoned the Indonesian president. Political analysts say the phone call is a further sign of increased cooperation between the Asia-Pacific neighbors on fighting human trafficking.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's conversation with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono came after a boatload of Sri Lankan asylum seekers had set sail for Australia.

Mr. Rudd's call resulted in Indonesian authorities intercepting the vessel, which was carrying 260 people, including women and children.

The prime minister contacted President Yudhoyono after intelligence agents learned that the vessel was trying to reach Australian waters. Soon after, Australia's military started working with the Indonesian navy to pinpoint the location of the boat, which was found off Krakatoa. Australian officials think the Indonesians then escorted the boat to West Java.

Mr. Rudd says Jakarta is a key ally in Australia's attempts to curb illegal migration.

"I make no apology whatsoever for working as closely as I need with our Indonesian friends and partners to get the results we all need in terms of illegal immigration," Rudd said.

Regional political analysts say the cooperation between Canberra and Jakarta could help stem a steady flow of refugees ferried by traffickers into Australian waters. Several boats have been intercepted in recent months.

Australia blames the recent rise in refugees on the conflicts in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, along with the global economic crisis. The refugees pay thousands of dollars to make the dangerous journey by sea from Indonesia to Australia.

Many of those seeking sanctuary in Australia are taken to a camp on Christmas Island, where their asylum applications are assessed. The vast majority are deemed to be genuine refugees.

Former members of Australia's previous conservative government say that Mr. Rudd's decision to relax parts of the country's asylum policies has encouraged more boat people to make the journey from Indonesia.

A former immigration minister, Philip Ruddock, says a new wave of illegal arrivals could soon attempt to make the treacherous crossing from Indonesia to Australia.

In response, the Rudd government says it is fully committed to strict border control measures.

Australia resettles about 13,000 refugees each year under official humanitarian programs.

Gabon Court Upholds Bongo Election Win

2009-10-13T05:38:00.000-07:00

By Scott Stearns
Dakar
13 October 2009

Gabon's constitutional court has upheld Ali Ben Bongo's win in the August presidential election. Nine opposition candidates challenged those results, alleging massive vote fraud.

Ali Bongo (File)

After recounting all of the results from more than 2,800 polling stations, Gabon's constitutional court confirmed the election of the son of the country's long-time leader, Omar Bongo.

Court President Marie Madeleine Mborantsuo announced the results on state television, late Monday. She said Ali Ben Bongo won more votes than any of his opponents, so his election as president of the Republic of Gabon is confirmed.

Former Interior Minister Andre Mba Obame and opposition leader Pierre Mamboundou each finished with about 25 percent of the vote. Results from two polling stations were annulled.

In validating Mr. Bongo's win, the court rejected an electoral challenge by Obame, Mamboundou and seven other opposition candidates who accused electoral officials of massive vote fraud to benefit Mr. Bongo, who ran as the candidate of the ruling party established by his father.

The court's decision now clears the way for the president-elect's inauguration.

Mr. Bongo ran the best-financed campaign and was considered the front-runner since his father's death in June after 42 years in power. While awaiting the court's decision, the former defense minister toured Central Africa, meeting with heads of state.

Former colonial power France has welcomed his election, saying the vote took place under "acceptable conditions." Most electoral observers agree the vote was generally fair, despite irregularities that included security forces at polling stations, some ballot boxes not being properly sealed, and the absence of opposition representatives during some vote counting.

When Mr. Bongo was first announced the winner, following August's vote, police disbursed opposition demonstrators in the capital with tear gas. Protesters in Port Gentil burned the French Consulate and attacked offices of French and American oil firms.

Police say three people were killed in that violence. Human rights groups say at least 15 people were killed by security forces. Interim President Rose Francine Rogombe says an investigation is under way to determine who is responsible for that violence.

China, Russia Sign Deals Worth Billions of Dollars

2009-10-13T05:36:00.002-07:00

By Stephanie Ho
Beijing
13 October 2009

China and Russia have signed billions of dollars worth of deals during Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing. The trip is aimed at bolstering business, political and military ties.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R), accompanied by his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, 13 Oct 2009

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao greeted his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing. The two leaders reviewed Chinese troops before going in to closed-door talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu says Mr. Putin came to Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries

Ma says the Russian leader will also meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao. The two sides also will sign a joint statement of regular high level meetings between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, Russian officials told reporters Russian and Chinese companies signed $3.5 billion worth of deals Tuesday.

They include a $500 million loan from the Agricultural Bank of China to Russia's second biggest lender, VTB.

Gazprom, Russia's gas export monopoly, also had signed a deal to sell China 70 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year. Projects to build Gazprom pipelines to China have been delayed because of disagreements over gas pricing.

Russia and China share more than 4,000 kilometers of border. Official Chinese media say annual trade between the two countries has increased from several billion dollars in the early 1990's to nearly $57 billion in 2008. China is particularly keen to secure supplies of oil and natural gas to fuel its rapidly expanding industries.

The Russian leader also will attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Wednesday in Beijing. The regional security group includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Clinton, Lavrov Claim Common Ground on Iran

2009-10-13T05:36:00.001-07:00

By VOA News
13 October 2009

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Russian counterpart are both urging Iran to cooperate with the international community over its nuclear program.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R), and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meet in Moscow, Russia, 13 Oct 2009

Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to reporters Tuesday in Moscow after lengthy talks in Moscow, where the top U.S. diplomat is holding two-days of meetings.

Lavrov says imposing sanctions against Tehran at this stage would be "counterproductive." Clinton said the U.S. is not seeking further sanctions at this stage. She also praised Russia for being "extremely cooperative" in the effort to convince Iran to prove it is not seeking to build nuclear weapons.

A senior State Department official said Monday that Clinton would push the Russians to say what specific pressure they would be prepared to use when they join the United States and its allies in confronting Iran.

Six world powers, including the U.S. and Russia, have been holding talks with Iran about its nuclear program.

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said last month that sanctions are sometimes inevitable.

Iran agreed two weeks ago to let international inspectors visit a uranium enrichment site. But Clinton said Sunday the world will not wait indefinitely for it to prove it is not building a bomb.

Meanwhile, Clinton and Lavrov also said they had made significant progress on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty to replace the current START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) agreement that expires in early December.

Clinton also plans to meet with Mr. Medvedev later Tuesday. In addition to Iran and nuclear disarmament, she is also expected to discuss Afghanistan and President Barack Obama's new missile defense plans

Mr. Obama's announcement that he is scrapping Bush administration plans to build a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic pleased Russia, which called such a system a threat to its security. The Kremlin has expressed interest in working with Washington on new missile defense plans.

Civilian Helicopter Crashes in Afghanistan, 16 Killed

2009-07-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

By VOA News
19 July 2009

The NATO alliance in Afghanistan says a civilian helicopter crash in the country's south has killed 16 people.

NATO officials say a Russian-built Mi-8 helicopter crashed Sunday while taking off from Kandahar's main air base. Reports from the area say 17 people were on board the helicopter.

Kandahar Air Field is NATO's largest base in southern Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, a U.S. military helicopter in the northeast made an emergency landing in Kunar province.

U.S. military spokeswoman Lt. Commander Christine Sidenstricker said no enemy fire was reported near either helicopter accident.

The two incidents follow last week's downing of a helicopter that killed all six civilian contractors on board and a child on the ground.

Afghan officials said the aircraft may have been shot down by insurgents. NATO commanders say the cause of the crash is not clear and under investigation.

Clinton Urges Global Fight on Terrorism, Meets Mumbai Victims

2009-07-19T05:52:00.001-07:00

By VOA News
18 July 2009

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses media representatives during a press conference in Mumbai, India, 18 Jul 2009

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged U.S. support in the global fight on terrorism Saturday, as she met with victims of last year's terror attacks in India's commercial city, Mumbai.

Clinton also said the United States is not pressuring India to improve relations with Pakistan. She said it is up to the two sides to determine how to go forward with peace talks.

The U.S. secretary of state spoke to reporters Saturday in Mumbai, where Indian officials believe terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 166 people during an attack in November.

Also Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said he is determined to bring the attackers to justice. He said dialogue is the only way to forward with India.

Clinton is on her first trip to India as secretary of state, and is expected to push for deeper ties with the emerging economy during her three-day visit.

While in Mumbai Saturday, Clinton met with employees of two hotels hit by militants, including the manager of the Oberoi hotel, whose wife and two children were killed.

Clinton and her staff are staying at the Taj Palace hotel, one of the targets of the attacks. She told reporters she wanted to send a message of solidarity with the people of Mumbai, and she called her stay a "rebuke to the terrorists who may have taken lives but did not destroy the spirit and resilience" of the city or nation.

The top U.S. diplomat also met with business, education and women's groups.

On Sunday, Clinton will travel to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on issues including foreign policy, climate change and energy.

The United States and India are expected to finalize two agreements. One will allow U.S. companies to build nuclear power plants at two sites in India. The other will ensure that U.S. arms technology sold to India is not leaked to other countries.

From India, the top U.S. diplomat travels to Thailand for talks with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) ministerial conference before returning to Washington next Friday.