KI Media

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung Blows My Symbolic Gesture Out Of Proportion: Sam Rainsy

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:48:00 +0000

November 9, 2009

VIETNAM’S PRIME MINISTER NGUYEN TAN DUNG
BLOWS MY SYMBOLIC GESTURE OUT OF PROPORTION

On November 4, 2009, the state-run Voice of Vietnam radio reported, “Regarding acts and statements made by Sam Rainsy - President of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), who recently uprooted six temporary poles for Marker 185 between Vietnam’s southern province of Long An and Cambodia’s Svay Rieng province – [Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung ] proposed that the Cambodian government take due measures to deal with Rainsy’s acts of sabotage and not permit similar cases to occur, as they negatively affect the fine relations between the two nations.”

What Vietnam’s Prime Minister “proposed” above is nothing else than an order to the Cambodian government to punish me in my capacity as an elected representative of the Cambodian people because I dared defend Cambodian farmers who are losing their rice fields because of border encroachments by the Vietnamese authorities in Svay Rieng province.

Please see evidence at http://tinyurl.com/yzvabev

The Cambodian people can assess how independent Cambodia is today, especially on this very day, November 9, which is Cambodia’s Independence Day.

As already explained in the November 1 SRP statement titled “Vietnamese authorities accusing and Cambodian government suing Sam Rainsy on unfounded charges”, I have not uprooted any border marks. See full statement at http://tinyurl.com/yjj2bze

Mr. Trinh Ba Cam, a spokesman for the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh, was quoted in The Cambodia Daily, November 2, as specifying, “The wooden posts [Sam Rainsy is accused of having pulled out] were not official markings for the border.”

Therefore, how could I be involved in any “acts of sabotage”? Maybe, by just exposing the truth about border encroachments, I have sabotaged the expansionist plan of a powerful neighboring country…

We all know that in Cambodia the rich and the powerful can grab land from the poor and the powerless with total impunity while victims of land grabbing and those who try to defend them are branded as criminals.

I informed His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni and His Majesty the King Father Norodom Sihanouk about the plight of Cambodian farmers living along the Vietnamese border respectively during an audience at the Royal Palace on October 27 and through a November 7 letter sent to Beijing.

Besides, the Sam Rainsy Party, which is the country’s second largest political party, has taken two initiatives to enhance the role of the National Assembly in the country’s effort to peacefully and amicably solve border problems with Thailand and Vietnam:

1- The SRP calls for the establishment of a special multi-party parliamentary committee to investigate into border issues including the situation of Khmer farmers who are losing their rice fields along the borders with Vietnam and Thailand. More information at http://tinyurl.com/yzm4an6

2- The SRP suggests that a multi-party parliamentary delegation visit Vietnam and Thailand in the very near future to help improve relations between Cambodia and her neighbors and strengthen peace and cooperation in the region. More information at http://tinyurl.com/yzc7eez

Therefore, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung must not blow out of proportion my symbolic gesture to morally support Cambodian farmers who are just defending their legitimate rights to protect their lands.

Sam Rainsy
Member of Parliament

Independence Day celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:22:00 +0000

Balloons are released at the Monument of Independence during Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2009. Cambodia celebrates its 56th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodian honour guards hold the national flag during Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2009. Cambodia celebrates its 56th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (C) greets officials during Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2009. Cambodia celebrates its 56th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (R) greets the honour guard during Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2009. Cambodia celebrates its 56th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's prime minister Hun Sen (C) inspects the honor guard during Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2009. Cambodia celebrates its 56th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (R) greets the honour guard during Independence Day celebrations in Phnom Penh November 9, 2009. Cambodia celebrates its 56th anniversary of independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

PAD: [Thai] PM must get back at Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:14:00 +0000

9/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Leaders and followers of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) gathered in front of Government House on Monday morning, pressuring Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to terminate the memorandum of understanding on overlapping maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand signed with Cambodia in 2001.

PAD core member Pibhop Dhongchai said they wanted the government to revoke all bilateral projects with Cambodia and financial assistance for the neighbouring country.

The yellow-shirt group also demanded the government drive the Cambodian army out of the disputed border area around the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

After a 30-minute talk with the prime minister, the PAD leader said Mr Abhisit promised him that he will raise the group's demands at the cabinet meeting tomorrow.

[Thai] Govt to seek extradition of Thaksin

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:11:00 +0000

9/11/2009
Bangkok Post

The Thai government will contact the Cambodian government about extradition of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was scheduled to visit Cambodia on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday.

Mr Suthep said it is not beyond expectation that Thaksin was going to visit Cambodia.

He also said that requesting extradition of Thaksin is not loosing face because the government is doing it for the country, and it is up to the Cambodian government what it would do after the request.

A diplomatic channel would be used if the two countries do not understand each other.

He reiterated that this is a problem between the two governments, not that of individuals. And the government is not using the country to seek revenge between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Chavalit not told of Thaksin P.Penh trip

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:07:00 +0000

9/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said he was not told about ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's plan to visit Cambodia on Nov 12.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Sunday that Thaksin would brief more than than 300 economic and finance offiials at the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Phnom Penh this Thursday.

Hun Sen last week appointed Thaksin economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

Gen Chavalit said he would be on the far South again on Wednesday and Thursday, where he would continue with the idea of proposing a special Pattani City administrative area, since he coud see no other solution to ending southern unrest.

He said he was not discouraged by the strong opposition to the idea from many groups.

Hun Sen Upsets Thailand's Apple Cart

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:55:00 +0000

Monday, 09 November 2009
Written by Simon Roughneen
Asia Sentinel

The Cambodian prime minister's own lesson in economics

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's offer to employ the fugitive Thai ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an "economics advisor" comes at a time when Thailand's political house is in disarray, and seemingly is a daring – or perhaps foolhardy – gamble to provide Thaksin with a possible springboard to return to power in Bangkok.

Both countries have recalled their respective ambassadors, with some navel-gazing in Thailand wondering whether this was an over-reaction. There is talk of closing the land border between the two – although it is doubtful whether vested business interests operating across the frontier would be happy. Thailand is also reviewing a maritime agreement with Cambodia, threatening to undermine a deal to collaborate on oil and gas exploration.

Thaksin was overthrown in a 2006 royalist coup and has since remained out of Thailand, evading corruption charges, while his allies won back power democratically only to have the military and the courts oust them again. Despite the political setbacks, the absent Thaksin probably remains the second-most popular figure after the ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He has been content to stay outside the country but has raised considerable hell from abroad through inciting his Red Shirt followers to continue to march, demonstrate and object to the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party.

Relations between the two countries have been strained for months. Hun Sen first offered Thaksin a home in Cambodia in October, embarrassing Abhisit just before he played host to his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as the leaders of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, at the resort town of Hua Hin, a couple hours south of Bangkok.

Thaksin has been stranded in Dubai for several months after the British government revoked his passport. If he moves to Cambodia, that gets him considerably closer to the scene of the action in Bangkok, where he remains committed to taking over. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, told the Associated Press that the move constitutes a new offensive by Thaksin to return to power.

The move comes at a particularly sensitive time, with Bhumibol, the 86-year-old monarc, having just emerged from hospital after more than a month of illness. The royal succession is in flux, with Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn the presumptive heir. With the Red Shirts harrying the government on one side, the royalist Yellow Shirts of media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul are forming up on the other.

In particular Newin Chidchob, who defected from Thaksin's surrogate People Power Party in 2008 to join Abhisit's Democrats, is viewed with distrust as someone who could either could re-defect and force Abhisit to call new elections, or who possibly has lost control over his faction.

Thai media have taken potshots at Hun Sen, decrying the lack of media freedom in Cambodia. Reporters without Borders ranks Thailand a lowly 130 in its media freedom index. Cambodia, often decried for its authoritarian leanings, sits a few notches above, at 117.

Cambodia historically has been wary of its larger neighbor since the Siamese army conquered the Khmer capital in 1353. Thailand sees a poorer, smaller, somewhat paranoid client state, while Cambodia sees an aggressor responsible for cultural identity theft and continued commercial exploitation.

The Thai and Cambodian armies fought briefly over the disputed 10th Century Preah Vihear temple, which straddles the border between the two countries although maps show it to be inside Cambodia. Thailand's current foreign minister Kasit Piromya, called the Cambodian leader "a thug." Previously, in 2003 Cambodian security forces looked on as rioters torched the Thai embassy in Pnomh Penh following an alleged claim by a Thai actress that the famed Angkor Wat temple belonged to Thailand.

Abhisit called Hun Sen's action an "interference in Thailand's domestic affairs," which earned the Thai premier a strong bounce in popularity. He dared the fugitive telecoms billionaire to "review his role and consider what he is doing" and asked "does he give priority to the national interest and care about the good ties between Thailand and the neighboring country?"

Hun Sen, said one western observer in Bangkok, "must figure he doesn't have much to lose in upsetting Abhisit and Kasit, particularly since they led the nationalist charge on Preah Vihear last year. He also must be betting Thaksin's allies will be back in power soon enough."

If not, Cambodia could be in trouble because it needs Thailand a lot more than Thailand needs Cambodia. Thai businessmen virtually run the Cambodian economy. Cambodia ranks a minute 18th as Thailand's export partner, according to Bloomberg, with Thai exports to Cambodia such as sugar, cement and oil accounting for 96 percent of Cambodian imports. Thailand and Vietnam remain by far Cambodia's biggest fixed asset investors, amounting to US$178 million in the first half of 2009, with Vietnamese investment a distant second at US$114.2 million, primarily in sugar cane plantations and processing plants, rubber, telecommunications and transportation.

Both Hun Sen and Abhisit are to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit which is taking place this week in Singapore and which will be attended by, among others, the leaders of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China, Chile, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia and the United States. Singapore's Foreign Ministry is getting jittery, not wanting the row to spoil their gala APEC and Asean week, with US President Barack Obama in town for meetings that will include the first-ever US-ASEAN summit.

"It is not good for Asean," the ministry said in a statement. "We hope that both our friends will keep that larger interest of Asean in mind and find a way to resolve their differences quickly in a spirit of good neighborliness," the ministry said.

Abhisit will co-chair the meeting with President Obama, another photo-op for him to boost his Thai poll ratings. So what odds something dramatic again from Phnom Penh, to try overshadow that?

Independence from France ... but no independence from Vietnam yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni greets his government officials during the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. The king was joined by thousand of civil servants and students to mark the country's 54th Independence Day from French rule. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, center, stands in front of two of Cambodian supreme patriarchs during the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. The king was joined by thousand of civil servants and students to mark the country's 54th Independence Day from French rule. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, talks with his Defense Minister Tea Banh, right, during the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. Thailand's fugitive ex-leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, will visit Cambodia this week after being appointed an economic adviser, Hun Sen said Sunday, inflaming a diplomatic row between the neighbors. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Documents ready for extradition bid if ex-premier comes to Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:08:00 +0000

BANGKOK, Nov 9 (TNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared documents requesting the extradition of convicted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from Cambodia as a contingency if he visits the neighbouring country’s capital Phnom Penh this week as reported, according to Vice Foreign Minister Panich Vikitsreth.

International media reported that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters that Mr Thaksin will visit Phnom Penh after being appointed an economic adviser, to lecture over 300 Cambodian economists at Cambodia’s finance ministry on Thursday.

Mr Panich said if Mr Thaksin is really in Cambodia, the Office of the Attorney General will request extradition from Cambodia as the two countries have already signed an extradition treaty.

He said all documents related to the case have already been prepared and translated to English as this was not the first case for an extradition request for Mr Thaksin.

The Thai foreign ministry official said that Thailand earlier requested Fiji and other countries which had treaties with the kingdom, and where Mr Thaksin was reportedly visiting.

After the request is sent to Cambodia, Thailand must wait for Cambodia’s legal procedures to be carried out and if Cambodia denies the Thai request then Thailand must review the status of its bilateral relations for another step under diplomatic protocol, he said.

Now Thailand is reviewing all existing bilateral agreements and cooperation projects made with Cambodia, as well as ongoing cooperation which the Thai government has extended to Cambodia following the withdrawal of the Thai envoy to protest the Cambodian government appointment of Mr Thaksin as economic advisor to the government and personal advisor to Mr Hun Sen.

However, he said, any measures will be adopted using diplomatic protocol and would not lead to military measures as that would be the last option.

Thailand’s Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Mr Thaksin to a two-year prison term in absentia after finding him guilty of a conflict of interest in Bangkok’s Ratchadaphisek land purchase case in 2003. He jumped bail and fled the sentence.

Meanwhile, Thailand would proceed to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the area of their overlapping maritime claims to the continental shelf.

The MoU, dated 18 June 2001, was signed by then-foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An during the Thaksin administration.

The issue will be submitted to the cabinet for consideration on Tuesday, said Mr Chavanont Intarakomalsut, Secretary to the Thai foreign minister.

He also defended the decision to scrap the MoU, saying that if the government let the MoU continue in force, it could damage Thailand's interest.

He added that the ministry would ask the Constitution Court to rule whether the MoU revocation must be considered by Parliament as required under Section 190 of the Constitution to prevent any future backlash.

Hun Sen challeges Abhisit to dissolve House: report

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:02:00 +0000

November 9, 2009
The Nation

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly challenged his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House and hold a snap election.

Channel 3 reported quoting Hun Sen as speaking on the Cambodian TV Sunday night that he believed the Pheu Thai Party of fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra would win the snap election.

Open Letter to PM Hun Sen

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:54:00 +0000

Monday, November 09, 2009

Dear PM Hun Sen,

With the recent nomination of Mr. Thaksin Shiwanatra, Cambodia and Thailand are now headed to a whole different battle – a diplomatic battle to win over public opinion at both national and international levels. Many Khmers, including myself, view the nomination as a brilliant strategy by your government in every aspect.

As anticipated, Thailand PM Abhisit’s government has staged a number of PR campaigns to falsely accuse your government of interfering or meddling with Thailand internal politics, while it is clearly the same government that exports Thailand internal conflicts to Cambodia in the first place.

To counter such unjust accusation, and to prove our sincere and honest intention to Thai people and other nationals in the region, I felt compelled to draft the following communiqué based on my understanding of the RGC’s policy for your consideration, and eventual or possible release to the Press as you see fit.

Yours truly,

Davan Long
--------------------

(---Proposed text by Davan Long for PM Hun Sen Press Conference ---)

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) would like to welcome the nomination of Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, by His Royal Highness King Sihamony, to the prestigious and influential position of State Economic Adviser (SEA). On behalf of the RGC, I would like to thank Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra for accepting the nomination.

With the recommendations of the SEA, Mr. Shinawatra, and inline with the RGC’s long term economic and foreign policies, I take this opportunity to announce a series of measures to immediately create a framework that will not only enhance the cooperation and harmony between Cambodia and Thailand, but further fulfill RGC’s responsibility and commitment toward ASEAN stability and prosperity.

Effective immediately, I order:

1) The Ministry of Defence to unilaterally initiate the first phase of troop reduction at the border. At the end of this multi-phases initiative, only a minimum number of troops will remain stationed at the border to prevent drug trafficking and other illegal cross border activities.

2) The Ministry of Interior to step up its resources and efforts to protect Thai investment assets and business community in Cambodia soil;

3) The Ministry of Finance to introduce some fiscal incentives to encourage and facilitate Thai business investment in Cambodia.

With the aforementioned initiatives and others to be announced in the near future, the RGC wants to send a clear message to Bangkok that the nomination of Mr. Shinawatra is in no way intended to be detrimental or harmful to the interests of both nations. Furthermore, the RGC intends to demonstrate its genuine and transparent foreign policy based on mutual benefits and respect to the Thai public, as well as its firm commitments to the peaceful and collaborative relationship with all nations within ASEAN framework.

(To be signed)
PM Hun Sen

Hun Sen raises stakes in border closure row

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:44:00 +0000

Thaksin schedules visit to Cambodia

9/11/2009
Bangkok Post and Agencies

PHNOM PENH : Thaksin Shinawatra will visit Cambodia this week after being named the country's economic adviser, Prime Minister Hun Sen says.

"Thaksin will be at the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Nov 12, to hold a briefing with more than 300 Cambodian economics experts," Hun Sen said at Phnom Penh International Airport.

The visit is likely to increase tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, which have escalated since Wednesday when Cambodia announced the appointment of Thaksin as an adviser to the prime minister and the government. Both countries have since recalled their ambassadors.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said Thailand would seek the extradition of Thaksin if he was on Cambodian soil. The two countries have an extradition agreement.

Thaksin was convicted by a Thai court last year for conflict of interest in a property deal, but while on bail he fled into exile overseas.

The Foreign Ministry has to identify Thaksin's exact location and then contact the Office of the Attorney-General to start the extradition process.

The ministry will use its diplomatic channels to contact the Cambodian government on the extradition.

Chief prosecutor for foreign affairs Sirisak Tiyaphan said the OAG would speed up the process if it was contacted by the ministry. But he indicated it could be hard to pin down Thaksin's exact whereabouts.

Mr Abhisit said Thaksin's extradition would rest with Cambodia.

Hun Sen refused to say exactly when Thaksin would arrive.

Cambodia said last week the charges against Thaksin were "politically motivated" and vowed not to extradite him if he travelled to the country.

"Please let Thaksin share my burden of boosting the economy of Cambodia," Hun Sen appealed to Thais yesterday.

But the Cambodian prime minister also downplayed tensions at the border, announcing the withdrawal of elite paratroopers from disputed territory near Preah Vihear temple.

"After examining the situation at the border between Cambodia and Thailand, the situation was quiet," he said. "So I announce the withdrawal of special paratroopers from the area at Preah Vihear temple, and their return to the headquarters.

"The implementation will be finished within a week."

Hun Sen, however, left open the possibility of shutting the border entirely, responding to a threat made by Thailand last week.

"If you want to close, close it. The loss will be mutual," said Hun Sen, pointing out that Thailand had more to lose in terms of border trade profit.

"If Thais want to close the border, Cambodia will follow. If Thais close the border, all trade between Cambodia and Thailand will be cut off."

Commander Chab Pheakdey, head of the paratrooper unit, refused to divulge the number of soldiers that would be withdrawn.

Meanwhile, the Thai cabinet will officially scrap a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on an overlapping maritime boundary tomorrow, a Foreign Ministry source said.

The memo is a framework for officials to negotiate demarcation of the area in the Gulf of Thailand and on joint deals to develop gas and oil there.

The end of the agreement does not take immediate effect as Thailand is required to inform Cambodia three months in advance of the decision. Parliament is also debating its response to the row.

[Thai] Government hasn't over-reacted to the Cambodia saga

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:36:00 +0000

9/11/2009
Veera Prateepchaikul
Bangkok Post

When Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda made a controversial remark in his recent bid to warn Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, aka "Big Jiew", against joining the Puea Thai Party, I thought he was being a bit too harsh and probably had a negative perception of the opposition party.

As could be expected, Puea Thai felt offended and Big Jiew did not heed the warning, apparently to pursue his final journey in the world of dirty Thai politics.

How could joining the Puea Thai Party be perceived as betraying the country as Gen Prem claims? I didn't get it at all. But I do suspect that there are some in the Puea Thai Party who are so desperate that they will do anything, even soliciting the collaboration of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, to topple the Democrat-led government. Take, for instance, the case of one big shot in the party mailing Hun Sen a VCD containing a speech by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya criticising the Cambodian premier. Again, I doubt if overthrowing a government constitutes an act of betrayal against the country.

Veera Prateepchaikul is a former editor of Post Publishing Co Ltd.

Abhisit key to besting Hun Sen

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:26:00 +0000

9/11/2009
Veera Prateepchaikul
Bangkok Post

Sadly for the time being, it appears that the Cambodian leader is blinded by his chummy-chummy relationship with the fugitive Thaksin. But the worst thing is that there is no-one in Cambodia who dares to warn Hun Sen without the risk of a backlash. Which reminds me of an old slogan by the late ultra-nationalist prime minister Field Marshal Pibulsonggram: "Follow the leader. the country will prosper"

It was not until last week after a chain of events since Big Jiew [KI-Media note: Big Jiew is Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's nickname] made his much-hyped one-day working trip to Phnom Penh last month and brought with him a message from Hun Sen that I began to grasp the meaning of Pa Prem's [KI-Media note: Pa Prem is Prem Tinsulanonda's nickname] warning to Big Jiew. The Cambodian leader said he felt exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra whom he called his "eternal friend" was not fairly treated in Thailand and that he would set aside one of his luxury houses to accommodate the fugitive should he want to take refuge on Cambodian soil.

As a messenger, Big Jiew has done a good job in passing on Hun Sen's sentiments to the Thai government and the Thai people. Had Thaksin been with the retired general, who is now Puea Thai chairman, he might have given the latter a pat on the shoulder and whispered in his ear "Good job Phi (brother) Jiew".

But as a one-time prime minister of Thailand, Big Jiew should have foreseen the impact of such a message on the Thai side after he made it public. One might have been set to wondering whether Hun Sen would repeat the message and make a more provocative remark while attending the Asean summit in Hua Hin had Big Jiew not paved the way for him by disclosing the message to the media in the first place.

Since Big Jiew's mission in Cambodia, supposedly as part of his new "Peaceful South, Friendship with Neighbours" strategy, relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh have been on a downward slide. They have hit a worst low since the 2003 torching of the Thai embassy and other Thai-owned properties in Phnom Penh by Cambodian mobs in a frenzied response to a false claim that a Thai actress said Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.

As a gesture of protest against Phnom Penh's appointment of Thaksin as the government's economic adviser and its criticism of the Thai judiciary, the Foreign Ministry last Thursday recalled its ambassador from Cambodia and decided to review all legal obligations and deals, already in force or still pending, with Phnom Penh which immediately responded in kind by recalling its envoy from Bangkok.

The government's reaction is appropriate in accordance with international standard. It did not over-react or is acting childishly as Thaksin accuses. But honestly, I wonder who is more childish between someone who is protecting the honour of their country's judicial system against outside interference and another who knowingly approves such interference with total disregard for the national interest.

It is fortunate that the government did not take harsher measures such as slamming shut the border or discouraging Thais from visiting Cambodia despite calls by radical nationalists for stronger retaliatory measures. Still, more stringent measures are in store to be implemented if Phnom Penh continues with its provocative acts, such as allowing Thaksin to use its soil to sabotage the Thai government if the fugitive chooses to seek a safe haven there.

As pointed out bluntly by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Hun Sen must be able to distinguish between personal ties with Thaksin and relations with Thailand. Sadly for the time being, it appears that the Cambodian leader is blinded by his chummy-chummy relationship with the fugitive Thaksin. But the worst thing is that there is no-one in Cambodia who dares to warn Hun Sen without the risk of a backlash. Which reminds me of an old slogan by the late ultra-nationalist prime minister Field Marshal Pibulsonggram: "Follow the leader. the country will prosper".

Veera Prateepchaikul is a former editor of Post Publishing Co Ltd.

Berlin wall mentality still casts a shadow over Asean

noreply@blogger.com (Socheata) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:19:00 +0000

November 9, 2009
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

THE FALL of the Berlin Wall two decades ago has ushered in a great transformation to the lives of millions of Eastern Europeans. The continent of Europe as a whole has become stronger than ever and has a bigger profile in international politics. Greater impacts are also being felt at the global level with more openness, democratisation and flow of peoples across borders.

Unfortunately, within Southeast Asia, the invisible Berlin Wall or rather Iron Curtain remains, dividing the former Indochinese states and non-communist countries along ideological lines, even though they are now in one family.

In March 1987, when former Soviet Union Foreign Minister Eduard Shevarnadze passed through Bangkok, he said his country would soon withdraw from the political entanglements in Indochina - no more proxy wars. His comment did not make news headlines as there were no other visible indications that the Cold War was going to end soon. Earlier, the 1986 Vladivostok speech by Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev had given a hint of such disengagement.

After the Wall's collapse and the Soviet pull back, the war of attrition subsided in the region, which used to be a hotbed of East-West conflicts. Former Indochinese countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos had to struggle on their own without assistance from their former patrons. Vietnam was ahead of the curve as Hanoi quickly adapted to the new regional landscape. Within six years of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Vietnam became the first to join Asean, its former arch-enemy. By 1999, all the other former foes, including Burma, had joined the bloc without any pre-conditions.

Expectations ran high at the time that the region would be forever transformed into a united and dynamic region with a vibrant economy and political openness - like Eastern Europe - with a huge market of nearly 600 million people. That dream of accelerated integration was cut short due to the harsh reality on the home front among the new Asean members. The economic crisis in 1997 further dashed such hopes.

As it turned out, new members had minds of their own. With strong determination and common strategies, they have chosen to integrate with the grouping's overall schemes at their own pace and comfort level. In that sense, an Iron Curtain continues to exist, dividing the old and new members, especially on issues related to security and political freedom, human rights and engagement with civil society organisations.

Interestingly, the fall of communism in Europe has allowed the former Indochinese countries to develop their own unique but dogmatic political systems, blending Western capitalism and economic pragmatism.

New economic prosperity has become the bedrock of legitimacy for ruling parties, even though communist patrons elsewhere had all but vanished.

It is not surprising then that Southeast Asia today continues to encompass a myriad of political systems, ranging from a harsh stand-alone regime like Burma to Cambodia's strongman rule; from absolute monarchy in Brunei to constitutional monarchy in Thailand; from half-baked democracy in the Philippines to a full-blown but nascent democracy in Indonesia.

Cambodia is a good example. With assistance from the UN and the international community in restoring peace and setting up a political framework in the early 1990s, Cambodia has emerged as an illiberal and fragile democracy, with a strong one-party rule. Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for the past 25 years, the region's longest reigning political leader.

After joining Asean in 1999 - the last country to do so - Cambodia has played a unique role in Asean. As the only new member with a semblance of democracy, Phnom Penh can lift the Iron Curtain if it so wishes and bridge the divide between the old and new members. Its recent opposition to the joint Asean appeal for Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom was a good case in point.

After all Cambodia was the jewel of Asean's collaborative peaceful efforts.

In a similar vein, Vietnam's role and influence inside Asean is expanding. Within the Asean circle, Vietnam is considered the driving force of new members. As the next Asean chair, Hanoi can either promote or dampen the grouping's openness and strengthen its external relations. Hanoi's attitude towards engagement with the region's civil-society groups and the implementation of Asean's new human rights body remain to be seen. Quite often, since joining Asean, Vietnam has been instrumental in protecting the grouping's "status quo and the Asean way". Laos and Burma are also strong supporters of Vietnam's propositions.

Looking ahead on this historic day, Asean's much cherished motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community", remains elusive. It is being promoted as part of the campaign to shore up the support of Asean citizens and bring to their attention that by 2015, or 1777 days from now, they will become a single community. With a strong "Iron Curtain" mentality surviving in nearly half of the grouping's members, can the Asean Community become a reality?

Welcome to Siam's Termination of the 2001-MoU

khmerization@gmail.com (Khmerization) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:59:00 +0000

By The Son of the Empire

With the overeaction against Cambodia, the Thai government has decided to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 2001 with Cambodia on Cambodia-Thailand Agreement for common exploitation of hydrocarbons.

Practically, I would like to express my great pleasure upon hearing this and warmly welcome this decision of the Thai government. Why?

Because if this 2001-MOU is determinated, Cambodia will have the full rights to apply the Siamese-French treaties 1907 without obstruction. On the other hand, if the 2001-MON is still active and recognized, most of the Cambodian benefits will be lost to that of Thailand as stated by the Cambodia’s Border Committee (CBC) as follows:

1.Notwithstanding the March 23, 1907 France/Siam Treaty, Thailand offered itself the right, to unilaterally review in the 60’s, the adjacent delimitation of its continental shelf that was more and more turned off its course toward the Cambodian Coastline. That action effectively enlarged the litigious zone to our expenses.

2.In 1995, the Royal Government of Cambodia did propose joint oil exploration with foreign firms, but the latter withdrew their investment projects due to the fact that the litigious demarcation zones issue was not settled. So far, it is not. At the time, Thailand itself asked Cambodia that any demarcation of respective maritime domains must be beforehand recognized by mutual consent.

3.Today, among zones being proposed in the June 18, 2001 Memorandum of Understanding, one of them is instead localized within our continental self, as defined by the 1907 France/ Siam Treaty and not in the crossing zone.

4.Any common exploitation could not be undertaken, on one hand, before an effective demarcation of contested zones, and on the other hand, without an oilfield is cut by the completely delimited common border. In the last case, the share should be based on a pro rata procedure that consists of taking account of the capacity of the oilfield or the quantity of reserves obtained and recognized after drillings, and not “at equal parts” as the Memorandum insinuated.

5.Previously, Thailand and Malaysia experienced a long period of litigation regarding the delimitation of their continental shelf. Both countries have put their point of honor to decades long negotiations before reaching a final agreement in 1994, following intense discussions over a joint exploitation of merely a few square kilometers small zone (the joint development areas) in 1995.

Furthermore, Thailand previously had just sett up a committee in order to negotiate with the Cambodia counter part which the Thai-VN model will be used in which Vietnam get 33% and Thailand 67% of the profit. This ambition of the Thai counterpart show not only being disrespect the spirit of 1907 treaties of Siam-France, but also the spirit of the 2001-MOU which stated that the profit of the exploration will be divided 50/50 over the overlaping area 27,000 square killometers.

In addition, I would gladly support the Cambodian government`s move to determinate the 2000-MOU with Thailand as well on the land boundary demarcation as a response to the greedy Thai to see who will be at the lost advantage. And the Cambodian government then should take a firm stance in resolving the conflicts with Thailand by using only the 1904-1907 Siamese-French treaties and the verdict of International Court in Hague, 1962.

Sam Rainsy's Message Of Gratitude To All The Generous People All Over The World Who Have Donated To The Recent SRP Kathen

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:39:00 +0000

November 8, 2009
Source: SRP

MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE TO ALL THE GENEROUS PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE RECENT SRP KATHEN

The SRP Kathen organized on October 24-25, 2009, was a big success. We have collected some US$ 12,000 to help a dilapidated pagoda and countless indigent people in a remote area. A more detailed report of the Kathen is presented below under the form of three short video clips.

On behalf of all the Kathen organizers and ultimate beneficiaries, monks and laymen, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to all the generous persons, especially SRP members and supporters all over the world, who have sent big and small contributions and helped make the last SRP Kathen a significant religious, social and political event serving Cambodia’s interest.

May all the donors fully receive the traditional Buddhist blessings.

Sam Rainsy
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Kathen ceremony

Kathen is a Buddhist traditional procession and ceremony organized each year, towards the end of the rainy season, in order for the faithful to collect donations to make offerings to the monks at a chosen pagoda among thousands of them throughout the whole country. The 2009 SRP Kathen took place at Sam Rainsy’s house in Phnom Penh on October 24 and at Ang Romdenh pagoda (Koh Kban Kandal village, Samraong commune, Chantrea district) in Svay Rieng province on the following day. The Ang Romdenh pagoda was chosen because it is a most dilapidated pagoda in a most remote area on the border with Vietnam.

Villagers' grievances

During the Kathen religious ceremony at the above-mentioned pagoda on October 25, villagers living along the border with Vietnam complained to Sam Rainsy about the Vietnamese authorities grabbing their rice fields.

Uprooting of controversially planted wooden poles

Immediately after the Kathen ceremony at the pagoda, villagers who are victims of land confiscation led Sam Rainsy and other SRP National Assembly Members to visit nearby rice fields that had been recently grabbed from them. They showed the Kathen participants from Phnom Penh a number of wooden poles that had been recently, forcibly and controversially planted on their rice fields by the Vietnamese authorities assisted by their complacent Cambodian counterparts. Those wooden poles had been planted there to allegedly help delineate, through a very complex process that nobody understands, a “white zone” or no man's land which, in turn, would determine a new border line that would run deep inside Cambodia’s territory. With the moral support of their elected parliamentarians, the villagers uprooted and threw away six wooden poles to symbolically show their refusal to give up ancestral rice fields they had been cultivating since 1979 and to be deprived of their livelihoods.

SRP Kathen religious procession and ceremony in Svay Rieng province October 25, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:41:00 +0000

2009 Report on International Religious Freedom - Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Cambodia

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
International Religious Freedom Report 2009

October 26, 2009

Source: US Department of State
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127267.htm

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion. Buddhism is the state religion.

The Government generally respected religious freedom in practice. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period.

There were few reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.

Section I. Religious Demography

The country has an area of 67,000 square miles and a population of 14.1 million. An estimated 93 percent of the population is Theravada Buddhist. The Theravada Buddhist tradition is widespread and strong in all provinces, with an estimated 4,330 pagodas throughout the country. The vast majority of ethnic Khmer Cambodians are Buddhist, and there is a close association between Buddhism, Khmer cultural traditions, and daily life. Adherence to Buddhism generally is considered intrinsic to the country's ethnic and cultural identity. The Mahayana school of Buddhism claims approximately 31,639 followers and has 88 temples throughout the country.

There are approximately 500,000 to 700,000 Muslims (between 3.5 to 5 percent of the population), predominantly ethnic Cham, who generally are found in towns and rural fishing villages on the banks of the Tonle Sap lake and the Mekong River, as well as in Kampot Province. Some organizations cite lower estimates for the number of Cham Muslims. There are four branches of Islam represented: the Malay-influenced Shafi'i branch, practiced by 88 percent of Cham Muslims; the Saudi-Kuwaiti-influenced Salafi (sometimes called "Wahhabi") branch, which claims 6 percent of the total Muslim population, although this number is increasing; the indigenous Iman-San branch, practiced by 3 percent; and the Kadiani branch, which also accounts for 3 percent. There are 244 mosques of the 4 main branches and 333 small Suravs, which are meeting places that have congregations of up to 40 persons and do not have a minbar from which Friday sermons are given. Suravs may belong to any branch of Islam and are distinct from other types of mosques only in their architectural structure; they are usually much smaller and built in rural areas of the country.

The small but growing Christian community constitutes approximately 2 percent of the population. There are an estimated 100 Christian organizations or denominations that operate freely throughout the country. There are approximately 1,609 churches--1544 Protestant and 65 Roman Catholic. Only an estimated 900 of these churches are officially registered. Other religious groups with small followings include the ethnic Vietnamese Cao Dai and the Baha'i Faith, each with an estimated 2,000 practitioners.

Section II. Status of Religious Freedom

Legal/Policy Framework

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion. The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion, and the Government does not tolerate abuse of religious freedom, either by governmental or private actors. Buddhism is the state religion, and the Government promotes Buddhist holidays, provides Buddhist training and education to monks and others in pagodas, and modestly supports an institute that performs research and publishes materials on Khmer culture and Buddhist traditions.

The law requires all religious groups, including Buddhist groups, to submit applications to the Ministry of Cults and Religions if they wish to construct places of worship and conduct religious activities. In their applications, groups must state clearly their religious purposes and activities, which must comply with provisions forbidding religious groups from insulting other religious groups, creating disputes, or undermining national security. There is no penalty for failing to register, and in practice some groups do not. Although the Ministry of Cults and Religions attempted to enforce a 2007 regulation requiring all churches to re-register in order to obtain a new operating license, no churches had complied within the reporting period.

The Directive on Controlling External Religions requires registration of places of worship and religious schools, in addition to government approval prior to constructing new places of worship. Places of worship must be located at least two kilometers from each other and may not be used for political purposes or to house criminals or fugitives from the law. The distance requirement applies only to new construction of places of worship and not to offices of religious organizations. There have been no cases documented where the directive was used to bar a church or mosque from constructing a new facility. The directive also requires that religious groups refrain from openly criticizing other groups. During the reporting period, there were no reports that any religious groups encountered significant difficulties in obtaining approval for construction of places of worship.

The Government permits Buddhist religious instruction in public schools. Other forms of religious instruction are prohibited in public schools; however, non-Buddhist religious instruction may be provided by private schools. The Government directed that all Muslim students and government employees be allowed to wear Islamic attire in class and in the office. The decision reflected respect for the beliefs of those other than the Buddhist majority.

All major Theravada Buddhist holidays are observed by the Cambodian Government.

Restrictions on Religious Freedom

The Government generally respected religious freedom in practice. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period.

Unlike in previous years, the Government did not close any madrassahs (Islamic schools). The Government has granted permission for the construction of a new Islamic college which will provide general education and skills training to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

There were no reports of religious detainees or prisoners in the country.

Forced Religious Conversion

There were no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or who had not been allowed to be returned to the United States.

Improvements and Positive Developments in Respect for Religious Freedom

Government officials continued to organize meetings for representatives of all religious groups to discuss religious developments and to address problems of concern. The Ministry of Cults and Religion typically hosts two national interfaith meetings annually in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue. During the reporting period, however, no meetings were held. This was in part due to July 2008 elections during which time a new Minister of Cults and Religions was selected.

Section III. Societal Abuses and Discrimination

There were few reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice.

Minority religious groups experienced little or no societal discrimination during the reporting period; however, Muslims and Christians reported minor conflicts that were personal in nature.

Some Buddhists expressed concern about the Cham Muslim community receiving financial assistance from foreign countries; however Cham Muslims were generally well integrated into society, held prominent positions in business and the Government, and faced no reported acts of discrimination or abuse during the reporting period.

There are ecumenical and interfaith organizations, which are often supported by funding from foreign public or private entities.

Section IV. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights. Embassy representatives met with religious leaders on these issues and contacted representatives of religious nongovernmental organizations and other groups representing Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian religious groups.

The Embassy continued its Muslim engagement efforts, which provide for additional channels of information on the status of religious freedom among the Muslim population while also providing material assistance. The Embassy continued to provide financial support for the Voice of Cham radio station, which provides a forum for discussion of religious and other issues and is the only Cham language radio program in the country. The Embassy hosted a Ramadan reception in Phnom Penh, with more than 150 Cham Muslim guests, and hosted an iftar for the Cham community in Kampot, a region approximately three hours south of Phnom Penh. The event attracted more than 100 leaders of the community, including imams, heads of madrassahs, and religious teachers.

The Embassy has worked to maintain close contact with the Buddhist and Christian religious communities through visits to wats (Buddhist temples) and churches and through joint programs. The Embassy hosted a series of seminars to promote a closer relationship between the Cham community and law enforcement officials in an attempt to broaden dialogue and promote community policing.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) continued to work with several Buddhist temples on a faith-based approach to helping people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Projects with Christian groups included Embassy-hosted events for the "Little Sprouts," a program for AIDS orphans run by the Catholic Maryknoll sisters, and puppet shows presented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) during U.S. military medical missions. These programs afforded Embassy officers the opportunity to meet with both Buddhist and Christian religious figures on numerous occasions and assess the operating environment for their religious groups in the country.

Kingdom of Cambodia National Day

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:09:00 +0000

November 8, 2009
Manila Bulletin

The Kingdom of Cambodia celebrates its National Day Nov. 9, Monday. On this day in 1953, King Norodom Sihanouk declared the country’s independence from French colonial rule.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cambodia were formally established in 1957.

Although our relations were affected by the Khmer rouge regime in 1975, the Philippines and Cambodia have maintained cordial ties since the resumption of diplomatic relations in 1995 and the reopening of the Cambodian Embassy in Manila in 1999. The two countries have concluded agreements on economic and trade relations, agricultural and agribusiness collaboration, and tourism cooperation.

Cambodia is a member of the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2004 and attended the inaugural East Asia Summit in 2005.

Cambodia has established diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, and Russia. As a result of its international relations, various charitable organizations have assisted with both social and civil infrastructure needs.

We congratulate the people and government of the Kingdom of Cambodia headed by His Majesty, King Norodom Sihamoni, and H.E., Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, and its Embassy in the Philippines led by Ambassador In May, on the occasion of their National Day.

Cambodia to withdraw part of its troops from border areas with Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:04:00 +0000

November 08 2009
Xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday announced that Cambodia has decided to withdraw part of its troops from the border areas with Thailand.

Hun Sen made the announcement at a press conference held at the Phnom Penh International Airport where he arrived from the first Mekong-Japan Summit held from Nov. 6 to 7 in Tokyo, Japan.

Relations between Cambodia and Thailand were strained in the past week when Cambodia named former ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.

Thailand recalled its ambassador on Thursday to protest against the Cambodian decision, and Cambodia also recalled its ambassador.

Thailand vows to seek Thaksin's extradition if he visits Cambodia: Thai PM

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:02:00 +0000

BANGKOK, Nov 8 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thailand will seek extradition of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra if he visits Cambodia on November 12.

His remark came after news reports that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Sunday in Phnom Penh that ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra will visit Phnom Penh this week in his new role as the government's economics adviser.

The ex-Thai premier will be at Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance on Thursday to instruct several hundred Khmer economists, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs is studying laws involving the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and its neighbour Cambodia as agreements specified under its terms must be reviewed as a result of the current diplomatic row, said Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday.

Defending his government’s decision not to scrap the MoU immediately, as it needs approval by Parliament first, Mr. Abhisit said the ministry is studying all the laws related to the MoU and his government has to cease the negotiations process with Cambodia.

If the process is continued, it could be interpreted as a conflict of interest, therefore, a review has to be made and send to the cabinet for its consideration, he said.

“Until now, we’re not ready to continue the negotiations as we’ve to protect out interests,” said Mr. Abhisit.

Both countries recalled their ambassadors after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed Thailand’s ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

The MoU on the Area of their Overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf, dated 18 June 2001 was signed by then-foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An during the Thaksin administration.

Mr. Abhisit said his government would review whether the MoU will continue in force or not, or could be amended by his government.

Meanwhile, cross border trade remains normal but hoarding by some Cambodian traders has been reported in response to possible border closure.

Cambodian PM says ousted Thai leader will visit

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:57:00 +0000

2009-11-08
By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press

Cambodia's prime minister said Sunday that Thailand's fugitive ex-leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, will visit the country to make a speech to economists, an event bound to inflame a worsening diplomatic row between the neighbors.

Thaksin was named an economic adviser to the Cambodian government last week. Thailand responded by recalling its ambassador, with Cambodia then following suit.

Hun Sen's embrace of Thaksin - who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and is a deeply divisive figure in Thailand - follows a border dispute that has led to several small but deadly military skirmishes over the past year.

Showing no attempt to make amends, Hun Sen directed his message to current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"I would like to inform Abhisit that on Nov. 12, Thaksin will give a lecture to over 300 Cambodian economists," Hun Sen told reporters at the Phnom Penh airport after returning from a trip to Tokyo for a meeting of regional leaders that included Thailand. At the meeting, Hun Sen and Abhisit were photographed keeping a distance from each other.

Hun Sen refused to say exactly when Thaksin would arrive in Cambodia.

The diplomatic tensions are closely tied to an ongoing political struggle in Thailand, where Thaksin is at the center of a political crisis and street protests that have gripped the country since 2006.

Thaksin was deposed for alleged massive corruption and other charges. His supporters say he should be pardoned and returned to power. Since the coup, Thaksin has lived abroad to escape a corruption conviction and two-year prison sentence.

"Thaksin is not a criminal, he is not a terrorist," Hun Sen said. "He is purely a political victim."

Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, had substantial business interests in Cambodia and was accused of pursuing special deals there for his family-controlled conglomerate while prime minister.

Thaksin served two terms as prime minister from 2001 to 2006. He retains huge popularity among his rural poor power base who have staged frequent rallies calling for his return to power. But he is reviled by many in the educated urban elite, who led months of street protests ahead of the coup and again when Thaksin's allies briefly retook power.

Thaksin has recently been based in Dubai but has traveled extensively in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Thaksin to visit Phnom Penh

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:51:00 +0000

November 9, 2009
The Nation, Agencies

Hun Sen warns any move to close borders would hurt Thai businesses more

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday that fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would visit Phnom Penh on Thursday to give a lecture on economic matters.

Hun Sen, who has appointed Thaksin as his economic adviser, told a news conference at Phnom Penh airport that Thaksin will address a group of 300 Cambodians.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would seek Thaksin's extradition as soon as the fugitive former Prime Minister landed in Cambodia.

While relationship between the two neighbouring countries has been tense after Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin as his economic adviser, the Cambodian said yesterday that the situation on the border with Thailand was calm. He also said he had decided to pull out special troops from the area near Preah Vihear Temple within a week.

However, Hun Sen said Thailand should not close the border as it would more hurt Thai businesses more than Cambodians.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit on his weekly programme yesterday encouraged Thais to express dissatisfaction over the Cambodian decision to appoint Thaksin an economic adviser and over criticism of the Thai justice system.

"Today, I want to invite all Thais to show unity and take a stand that we want to be and have a good neighbour. It must be based on the expression of mutual sincerity and respect," he said. "I think no Thai wants to see Thailand being taken advantage of. [Thais] don't want to see Thailand discredited by any other country."

Thaksin posted on a Twitter message that he would talk on the issue in his online radio programme tomorrow.

"You might be wondering why I'm silent on Cambodia. I say I'll let the government and the Foreign Ministry to be extremely crazy. And I'll talk on radio on November 10," he said.

Democrat MPs held a press conference supporting Abhisit's request. However, Bhum Jai Thai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the government should be careful not to hurt businesses of Thai investors in Cambodia.

"We can say the government's measures so far have been enough to teach Cambodia a lesson while Abhisit has enjoyed critical support. But to prevent more rifts both the Thai and Cambodian governments should reduce their bias and talk for the sake of their countries. For example, the two countries had lost the chance to enjoy joint benefits from tourism and cultural promotion while arguing on who occupied the overlapping areas.

Abhisit said during the programme, "I want to tell Thais who used to visit Cambodia just for gambling, please stop for now to show that if [Cambodia] wants all business to return to normal, the Cambodian government should treat us appropriately in terms of mutual sincerity and respect."

However, about 60 per cent of casinos in Cambodia are owned by Thais.

"The Cambodian statement insisted that Cambodia would not proceed with this [Thaksin's extradition] and criticised both Thai politics, and most importantly the Thai justice system questioning issues related to the court, fairness. I think Thailand and Thai people cannot accept this. All of this is not about political conflicts within our country but this is what all of us must assert on the legitimacy and dignity of our core institution, which is the justice system," Abhisit said.

Abhisit said his government had treated Thai-Cambodian conflicts carefully. Although it decided to lower bilateral relationship by recalling the ambassador, it was keeping in mind not to hurt people-to-people relations and border trade, and avoid tension or violence along the border. He said the conflict would not hurt regional cooperation such as Asean and Mekong countries.

Abhisit said general relations between Thailand and Cambodia are in good condition with cooperation on many issues. Territorial disputes such as Preah Vihear Temple as well as overlapping land and maritime areas were considered normal for neighbouring countries and are dealt with through peaceful diplomatic negotiations. He cited road construction as an example of Thailand's support for Cambodia and cooperation among Asean countries. Abhisit also said Hun Sen had always said to him in the past 10 months that he would not let his relationship with fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra deteriorate or undermine the two countries' relationship.

Warning Cambodia of being misinformed, Abhisit said he had asked his Cambodian counterpart to reconsider the decision to appoint Thaksin an adviser. He said the appointment could be unfair to Thailand as Thaksin must have known lots of information. He added that the appointment of Thaksin would force Thailand to reconsider the framework of negotiation on the maritime natural resources benefit sharing.

Thai royalists target stock-market analysts over rumors of king's health

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:45:00 +0000

In the past week, Thai authorities have arrested three people on charges of disseminating false data. The arrests have sparked complaints of a witch hunt.

November 8, 2009
By Simon Montlake
Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

Bangkok, Thalland - When Thailand's stock market swooned last month, analysts put the blame on widespread rumors over the deteriorating health of the country's revered monarch, who had been hospitalized with the flu. The next day, Oct. 15, brought more rumors and an even sharper sell-off, capping a two-day 7 percent drop in the benchmark stock index.

Now Thai authorities are targeting citizens they allege spread rumors about the king's health in order to profit from the selloff.

Over the past week, Thai authorities have arrested three people on charges of disseminating false data. Police say that further arrests may follow and government officials warn that "national security" is at stake in the case.

The arrests have sparked complaints of a witch-hunt by arch-royalists using the sensitive issue of the monarchy to suppress free speech. Two of the suspects, who are former stock-market analysts, have been charged under a controversial and wide-ranging computer crimes law.

The case has highlighted deep-seated fears among Thais over the eventual passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, who turns 82 in December. He is still in the hospital after being admitted on Sept. 19.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told Reuters on Saturday that the king had recovered from his illness and would soon be discharged from hospital, in line with the advice of doctors.

In a bid to calm the nation's nerves, King Bhumibol has made several public appearances at the hospital, including one after the stock market selloff. On Nov. 2, he was shown on TV taking part in a Thai holiday ritual of setting a candlelit float on water.

Monarchy and politics intertwined

As a constitutional monarch, Bhumibol is said to be above politics. But the symbolic power and status of the monarchy has long been a crucial element in a political system that runs on personal networks and patronage.

The monarchy is deeply revered in Thailand and though it has limited powers, it has served as the crucial guarantor of national unity. King Bhumibol's positions on Thailand's political upheaval over the years (the country has had ten coups since 1971) have often proved decisive, ensuring generally peaceful transfers of power even when carried out by extra-constitutional means.

Many Thais fear that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the king's designated successor, lacks his father's stature and could usher in a period of protracted political instability.

For Thais, the monarchy has been an axis around which a half-century of socioeconomic transformation has turned, says Michael Montesano, a Thai scholar in Singapore.

"Soon … they are going to need to work harder to resolve social, economic, and political problems. And the possibility of failure leaves many (Thais) deeply pessimistic," he says.

The debate over succession is largely conducted in private for fear of breaking strict lese-majeste laws, the use of which has spiked in recent years. The computer-crimes law has been used to prosecute internet users over royal slurs, including an engineer sentenced in April to 10 years in prison for posting anti-monarchy videos on YouTube.

Stock market sensitive to rumors about monarch

In this climate, rumors like those that roiled the stock market spread fast, says Chiranuch Premchaiporn, who runs Prachatai, a left-leaning news website.

"In a society with a lack of democracy and platforms for free expression and a right to access information, this is the way that people react," she says.

Thiranant Wipuchanin, one of the suspects arrested last week, had posted a translation of a Bloomberg News report on October 14 about the stock markets decline on concerns about the king's health.

The translation went up after the market had already closed so could not have effected stock prices, says Ms. Chiranuch.

The chairman of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) said Ms. Thiranant, a former securities company director, hadn't been trading, according to the Bangkok Post.

The other suspect detained on the same day reportedly posted a similar item and commentary on "Same Sky Books," another left-leaning website. The SET said it was reviewing his investment accounts.

Observers have questioned why the police have zeroed in on the two websites, both of which have already been investigated over alleged online royal slurs and have been accused by government officials of subversion.

"They're going willy-nilly at it, without seeming to have much of a case," says a Western diplomat.

As webmaster of Prachatai, Chiranuch was charged earlier this year under the computer-crimes act for failing to delete postings. She denies the charges.

Thailand's stock-market regulator is separately investigating transactions placed via two European brokerages in Hong Kong. In Thailand, as in many jurisdictions, it's illegal to knowingly spread rumors to make a profit in the stock market.

Former prime minister's allies turn up heat

Government officials have said that the rumors over the king's health may have been politically motivated. This is seen as a dig at former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in 2006 by the military and is living in exile in Dubai.

In recent weeks his allies have turned up the heat on Mr. Abhisit's government. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has appointed Mr. Thaksin as an economic adviser, infuriating the Thai government, and both countries have withdrawn their ambassadors in a tit-for-tat row.

Securities analysts say the uproar over the royal rumors sends a chilling signal to investors. Some argue that the drop in Thai shares may have been driven by profit-taking in a bull market as much as concerns over the king's health. Indeed, the following week saw other Asian markets give up some of their gains, just as Thailand's had.

"Arresting analysts for doing their jobs is probably not the best way to attract foreign capital," says a securities analyst in Hong Kong.

Abhisit beats Thaksin in popular rating following Cambodian diplomatic spat: survey

noreply@blogger.com (Heng Soy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:41:00 +0000

November 9, 2009
The Nation

An opinion survey found that the popular rating of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva surpassed that of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra after the government took actions to officially retaliated against Phnom Penh.

Assumption University's Abac Poll found that 60 per cent supported Abhisit while 21 per cent favoured Thaksin as the prime minister while 19 per cent had no comment.

The survey was carried out among 1,127 respondents in 17 provinces on Friday.

Up to 64.7 per cent supported the recalling of the Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh while 35.3 pe cent disagreed.

The Abhisit government recalled the ambassador and downgraded the diplomatic ties after the Cambodian government appointed Thaksin as its advisor and personal advisor to Cambodian PM Hun Sen.