Cambodia's police chief dies in helicopter crash

PHNOM PENH , Nov. 9 KYODO

Cambodia 's national police chief Hok Lundy died in the crash of a helicopter in eastern Cambodia on Sunday, the chief government spokesman said. Khieu Kanharith told Kyodo News that all three others aboard the helicopter were also killed in the crash which occurred around 8 p.m. in Rumduol district, Svay Rieng Province, about 120 kilometers east of the capital Phnom Penh.

The three are Gen. Sok Saem, deputy military commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and two copilots.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said the helicopter took off around 7:20pm from Phnom Penh Airport and lost a radio contact about 15 minutes later. Both spokesmen said bad weather may have caused the crash.

Kyodo

Thailand rejects Cambodia's accusation of damaging temple

BANGKOK, Oct. 26 KYODO

The Thai Foreign Ministry on Sunday issued a statement denying Cambodia's accusation that Thai troops damaged an ancient temple during a recent border clash. Cambodia said Saturday that it had filed a complaint with the U.N. Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization alleging Thai soldiers damaged statues and a staircase at Preah Vihear temple with rocket launchers. However, the Thai ministry's statement said it received an explanation from the Thai military about the Oct. 15 clash that Thai troops did not use rockets or heavy weapons in the clash. The ministry added that Cambodian troops attacked Thai troops with rockets on the day, wounding two soldiers. During the just-ended Asia-Europe Meeting summit in Beijing, Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen held a bilateral meeting on the border conflict and vowed to solve this issue in a bilateral framework.

Kyodo

LEAD: Fighting breaks out on the Thai-Cambodian border: Cambodian military

By Puy Kea PHNOM PENH, Oct. 15 Kyodo

Fighting erupted Wednesday between Cambodian and Thai troops along a hotly disputed stretch of the two countries' border, Cambodian military officials said.

Two officials at the border told Kyodo News separately that the fighting broke out shortly before 2:30 p.m. in the disputed area near Cambodia's ancient Preah Vihear Temple, which has been the scene of tense confrontations between the two sides since mid-July. Sounds of explosions could be heard over the telephone. The fighting involves rifle firing and rocket firing by both sides, one of the officials said. Thailand on Tuesday deployed more troops and weapons to the disputed area, saying it was in response to Cambodia's beefing up of its own forces in the area.

On Oct. 3, the border standoff boiled over into a brief firefight that caused injuries on both sides. The latest fighting comes two days after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned that the disputed area would become a ''life-or-death battlefield zone'' if Thai soldiers who he alleged had crossed about 1,000 meters into Cambodian territory Monday morning were not withdrawn. On Tuesday, Hun Sen gave Thailand a noon deadline for it to redeploy its troops to their previous position, saying, ''Even at any cost, Cambodia will not allow Thais to stand in our land.''

Thailand, which claims the disputed 4.6-kilometer area in question as its own, has denied that its troops ever crossed into Cambodian territory. The heads of Thailand's armed forces, under Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Chakkabatra, issued a joint statement Tuesday saying Thai troops will not be withdrawn from the disputed border with Cambodia despite Hun Sen's ultimatum. ''The three armed forces reaffirmed that we are ready for any confrontation, both in terms of forces and weapons to protect our territorial integrity,'' it said. But the statement went on to say that ''resolving the conflicts by dialogue would be better and Thailand is ready to continue the dialogue.''

KyodoEEEE

ASEAN, EU foreign ministers to condemn N. Korean nuclear test

By Puy Kea

PHNOM PENH, May 28 Kyodo

oreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union who are in Phnom Penh for a two-day meeting will send a strong message Thursday condemning North Korea for its recent underground nuclear test and missiles launch, an ASEAN diplomat said.

The diplomat quoted a draft co-chairmen's statement to be released late Thursday as saying, ''Bearing in mind the need to maintain peace and stability in the region and the international nonproliferation regime, the ministers condemned the recent underground nuclear test and missiles launches undertaken by ( North Korea ).'' It claims Pyongyang 's moves ''constitute clear and continued violations'' of the six-party agreement and the relevant resolutions and decisions by the U.N. Security Council. ''Ministers strongly urged the DPRK to comply fully with the UNSC resolutions and decisions and refrain from further actions which could exacerbate the situation.'' DPRK is the acronym for North Korea 's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea .

The condemnation of North Korea by ASEAN and the European Union comes amid mass condemnations from around the globe, including by the five permanent U.N. Security Council members plus Japan and South Korea who are now considering financial sanctions in a resolution they are working out in response to North Korea 's second nuclear test.

Cambodia is co-chair with the Czech Republic , as the current EU president, of the 17th ASEAN-Europe Ministerial Meeting, a forum for direct dialogue among the 10 ASEAN members and the 27 countries in the European Union. The two-day gathering began Wednesday to focus on the global economic crisis, political security, climate change, food and energy security, terrorism and transnational crimes.

In opening remarks, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said, ''In my view, there is no doubt that the convening of this ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting is very much timely and highly relevant when our two regions, let alone the world at large, are confronted by numerous global challenges, in particular the current international economic and financial crisis.'' The foreign ministers also are touching on Myanmar .

''In the light of the concern about the recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the ministers exchanged views on the issue. In this regard, the ministers called for the early release of those under detention and the lifting of restrictions placed on political parties,'' the diplomat cited the draft statement as saying. The ministers also took note of the briefing by Myanmar on the recent internal developments and Myanmar 's emphasis on noninterference in its internal affairs, he added.

In a 14-minute presentation, Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint rejected the meeting's criticism. ''The legal accusations against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and (the American) Mr. John William Yettaw are internal legal issues and are not political and human rights issues, so we don't accept the pressure and interference from abroad. I expect the 'excellencies' from abroad, especially the EU, to get more understanding about Myanmar ,'' he said.

Kyodo

Sale of Pol Pot belongings attracts 'ghost' money bid

     PHNOM PENH, May 21 KYODO

Belongings of Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot that are up for sale have attracted a single bid of $790,000 in fake money, a local newspaper reported Thursday.
     According to the report in the English-language Phnom Penh Post, Pok Leak Reasey offered to buy the pair of shoes and two cameras with $790,000 in ghost money used in funeral rites in many parts of Asia.
     ''The reason why I've offered the money in ghost notes is because I want to say that all material remaining from the regime is worth nothing,'' Pok Leak Reasey was quoted as saying by the paper.
     Pok Leak Reasey lost eight members of his family during the regime, including his father, grandparents and siblings.
     The seller of the belongings, a former photographer at Tuol Sleng prison, Nhem En, said he was not angry with the offer, but is still offering the belongings with a starting price of $1 million, according to the report.
     As many as 16,000 men, women and children are believed to have been tortured at Tuol Sleng prison in Phnom Penh before being executed.
     The prison's chief, Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, is currently on trial at a U.N.-assisted genocide tribunal, while four other senior former Khmer Rouge leaders will be tried sometime next year.
     Pol Pot died in 1998.
==Kyodo

May 21, 2009

Hun Sen terms Friday border battle with Thai troops 'small clash'

By Puy Kea
PHNOM PENH , April 4 KYODO

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Saturday two short-lived border battles between Cambodian and Thai troops Friday near the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was not a precursor to war ''but small clash.'' The premier made the statement while meeting with Cambodian military veterans southern Kampot Province .

He added Cambodia deserved to use ''self-defense'' after Thai troops entered Cambodian territory. Hun Sen said no Cambodian combatants were killed or wounded during the border clashes. In Thailand , Thawatchai Samutsakorn, deputy commander of the Second Army of Thailand, told reporters three Thai soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded during the two gun battles Friday. Hun Sen urged neither side to escalate the confrontation and to, instead, exchange ''dried fish rather than gunfire.'' Also Saturday, Gen. Pol Saroeun, Cambodia 's military commander-in-chief, said the situation along the Cambodian-Thai border has ''returned to normal.''

In a press statement released late Friday, Cambodia said a brief skirmish between Cambodian and Thai troops occurred at 7:12 a.m. and lasted for 7 to 8 minutes, after which another larger battle began at 2 p.m. and lasted for 35 minutes. It said Thai soldiers opened fire first in both incidents, but Thailand blamed Cambodia for making the first moves. Phay Siphan, a spokesman for Cambodia 's Council of Ministers, said fighting took place at three places on the border, an area known as Eagle Field, an area 2 kilometers to its west known as Phnom Troap and in an area 2 km to the east of Eagle Field near the disputed Preah Vihear Temple . Despite the incidents, Phay Siphan said the planned meeting of the Joint Border Commission between the two countries will go ahead, and will be held in Phnom Penh next Monday and Tuesday. Also, he said Hun Sen will attend the summits of the association of Southeast Asian Nations and its dialogue partners next Friday through Sunday in Pattaya , Thailand .
KyodoApril 04, 2009

Cambodia, Thailand clash along disputed border+

5TH LD: Cambodia, Thailand clash along disputed border+ (EDS: UPDATING WITH CAMBODIAN CLAIM 4 THAI SOLDIERS KILLED, THAI CONFIRMATION OF 2 DEATHS)

By Puy Kea PHNOM PENH, April 3 Kyodo

Cambodian and Thai troops clashed along their disputed border Friday, exchanging artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire which resulted in the deaths of at least two combatants. Cambodia's chief government spokesman Khieu Khanarith told Kyodo News that four Thai soldiers killed and 10 were captured in the fighting, but no Cambodians died. Earlier in the day, he had cited unofficial reports as saying two Cambodian soldiers died. A spokeswoman of a Thai army hospital in the border area told Kyodo News that two Thai soldiers were killed and another two seriously wounded, while another eight had less serious injuries. Phay Siphan, a spokesman for Cambodia's Council of Ministers, told Kyodo News that following a brief skirmish between Cambodian and Thai troops in the morning, ''full battle'' erupted shortly before 2 p.m. and lasted for over an hour. He said the afternoon fighting took place at three border locations -- in an area known as Eagle Field, in an area 2 kilometers to its west known as Phnom Troap and in an area 2 km to the east of Eagle Field near the disputed Preah Vihear Temple. Negotiations between regional commanders of the two sides ended the fighting at 3:07 p.m., he said. A seller of souvenirs at a Cambodian market located along a stretch of road leading from the Thai border to the main gate of Preah Vihear Temple told Kyodo News the market was burned down by mortar fire. Gen. Srey Dek, Cambodia's frontline commander in the area, told Kyodo News by telephone that he held talks with his Thai counterpart for about two hours following the morning skirmish that lasted only about 5 minutes, ending around 7:15 a.m. He said he told him Cambodia will not ''intrude even 1 inch'' into Thailand but ''neither will it retreat 1 inch'' from its current positions unless Thai troops return to the positions they held before July last year when border tensions first boiled over.

After the negotiations ended, the general said, he had been under the impression that tensions had been defused, but subsequent events show that was not the case. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters that his government would rather continue negotiations with Cambodia than engage in confrontation with it. He said the latest incident might arise from a misunderstanding which should be resolved through negotiation. Troops from both sides have been facing off along the border near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since July last year. Fighting in the area last October left dead and injured on both sides.

Last Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said he had given a ''green light'' to his military commanders to take action, without seeking his permission, if Thai troops encroach into Cambodia's territory.

Kyodo

The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the

PRESS RELEASE
The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to inform the national and international publics of the incidents occurred in the area of the Temple of Preah Vihear as follows:
On 02 April 2009, one Thai soldier stepped on a landmine in the area of Veal Intry situated about 500 meters from the borderline inside Cambodian territory. After the incident, a group of well-armed Thai soldiers walked in the direction of the incident site, but they were stopped by Cambodian soldiers and asked to withdraw. As a result, both sides agreed to meet again at 09:00 am of the following day with promise from Thai side of returning without carrying weapons along.
But, at 06:40 am on 03 April 2009, the Cambodian forces encountered a group of Thai soldiers fully armed entering the Cambodian territory. At 07:12 am, the Thai soldiers opened fire on the Cambodian armed forces lasting approximately 7 to 8 minutes at the area of Veal Intry, which is the location of the said landmine explosion. The second intrusion of the Thai troops within these two days is in violation of terms agreed by both sides on 02 April 2009. This incursion happened without notice to the Cambodian side as promised a day earlier.
On 03 April 2009, at 11:45 am, negotiation between the commanders of the two sides took place at Keo Sikkha Kiri Svara pagoda. Both sides promised to resolve the issues without recourse to the use of forces and with patience. Afterward at 14:00 pm, thai troops launched another attack lasting about thirty five minutes at the area of Veal Intry.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to clarify as follows:
• The location of the landmine explosion on 02 April 2009 is situated in the area of Tasem, Veal Intry on point VA 649307 which is deeply inside Cambodian territory according to the international map of 1908 and the Convention of 1904, which have also been agreed by both sides in the MOU 2000. On the other hand, it has been well-known that all these landmines were laid during the period of three decades of war and the areas have not yet been cleared.
• The location of the armed clashes on 03 April 2009 in the areas of Phnom Trap on point VA6392, Tasem, Veal Intry and in the area in front of the Preah
Vihear Temple, is situated entirely in the territory under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
During these armed clashes, the Thai forces fired rounds of DK recoilless rifles, 12.7 heavy machine-guns, B 40 Rocket launchers, M79 launchers and other weaponries destroying the office of the Preah Vihear Authority, which is located inside the premises of Preah Vihear Temple, hitting the main staircases in front of the Temple, burning the market in front of the Preah Vihear Temple. Some shells fell in the surrounding areas of the Temple of Preah Vihear. In this exercise of self-defense rights to protect the Cambodian territorial integrity, there was no casualty of Cambodian soldiers as reported by some media.
The Royal Government of Cambodia expresses its deepest regret that Thai armed intrusions continue to occur repeatedly in the same areas; namely Tasem, Phnom Trap, Veal Intry and in front of the Temple of Preah Vihear. These acts of violation forced the Royal Cambodian Armed Force to use its self-defense rights to protect the territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and national heritage which has been listed recently as the World Heritage Property. As always, the Thai armed forces intruded the territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia based on the unilateral line drawn at its own will without any legal basis.
The Royal Government of Cambodia strongly believes that all the incidents along the Cambodian-Thai border should be resolved through negotiations. Cambodia has good will and exercises utmost restraints in order to find peaceful resolution to the border issues with Thailand through bilateral mechanism. However, Cambodia adheres to self-defense rights to totally protect the national territorial integrity. Cambodia hopes that the Thai side also has goodwill in order to put an immediate and definite end to the border disputes.

Phnom Penh 03 April 2009
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation

Cambodian, Thai troops exchange gunfire on border (Lead)

PHNOM PENH, April 3 KYODO

(EDS: UPDATING) Cambodian and Thai troops briefly exchanged gunfire in Cambodian territory known as Eagle Field on Friday morning, a government official said. The skirmish occurred at 7:15 a.m. for a few minutes after Thai troops intruded into the area, Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Council of Ministers, said.

But Sansern Kaewkumnerd, a Thai army spokesman, told Kyodo News in Bangkok the incident began after about 20 Cambodian soldiers crossed to a spot where a Thai soldier was badly injured by a land mine Thursday. He said that position is inside Thai territory.

Both sides said there were no casualties in the Friday morning firefight. Phay Siphan had said Thursday that a land mine left over from the time of the Cambodian civil war exploded about 600 meters inside Cambodia , injuring a Thai soldier on his left leg. He said about 30 Thai soldiers had intruded into the area but returned to their previous position soon after the injured soldier was evacuated from the area in a Thai military helicopter.

Gen. Srey Dek, the Cambodian field commander in the area, said the tension has eased since early Friday but remains ''cautious.'' He added that he expects to speak directly with his Thai counterpart later in the morning to seek ways to defuse the situation.

Eagle Field is about 2 kilometers west of Preah Vihear Temple , an ancient Cambodian temple on the Cambodian side of the border with Thailand that has been at the center of a tense standoff between Thai and Cambodian troops since the middle of last year.

KyodoApril 03, 2009

Cambodia says 'full battle' on with Thailand in border area+

Cambodia says 'full battle' on with Thailand in border area+ (EDS: UPDATING, INCORPORATING EARLIER URGENT STORY WITH SAME HEADLINE)

By Puy Kea PHNOM PENH, April 3 Kyodo

Cambodian and Thai troops are engaged Friday afternoon in a ''full battle'' with exchanges of artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire in a disputed border region between the two countries, a Cambodian government spokesman told Kyodo News. Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said renewed, and escalated, fighting broke out shortly before 2 p.m. between forces ranged on both sides of a border area known as Eagle Field and near disputed Preah Vihear Temple that has been a Thai-Cambodian flashpoint since last July.

Only moments before the ''full battle,'' Gen. Srey Dek, Cambodia's frontline commander in the area, had told Kyodo News by telephone he met for two hours with his Thai counterpart and thought the tensions that had spilled into gunfire at 7:15 a.m. Friday had been defused. So far, there are few details from the battlefront, but it appears the afternoon fighting was completely unexpected. Eagle Field is about 2 kilometers west of the temple and was the site of the early morning firefight in which Gen. Srey Dek said he had been told that two Thai soldiers had been killed and three were wounded.

Cambodia has reported no casualties. In Bangkok early Friday, the Thai defense minister and army chief told reporters Thailand had had no casualties during the early morning skirmish. Both men also called the morning incident a ''misunderstanding'' and said Thailand had ''no intention'' of provoking a battle. In Phnom Penh on Friday morning, Phay Siphan said the early skirmish lasted about 5 minutes after Thai troops intruded into Cambodian territory.

But Sansern Kaewkumnerd, a Thai army spokesman, told Kyodo News in Bangkok the incident began when about 20 Cambodian soldiers crossed to a spot where a Thai soldier was badly injured by a land mine last Thursday. He insisted that position is inside Thai territory. Phay Siphan had said Thursday that a land mine left over from the time of the Cambodian civil war had exploded about 600 meters inside Cambodia, injuring a Thai soldier on his left leg.

He said about 30 Thai soldiers intruded into the area but returned to their previous position soon after the injured soldier was evacuated in a Thai military helicopter.

Gen. Srey Dek, who earlier told Kyodo News the tension had eased, said he told his Thai counterpart Friday that Cambodia insists it will not ''intrude even 1 inch'' into Thailand, but ''neither it will retreat 1 inch'' from its current position unless Thai troops return to positions they held before July last year when border tensions first boiled over.

The Thai side argues the Cambodian troops are now in Thai territory, while the Cambodians argue the Thai troops are in Cambodia. Both sides have refused for months to back away from their positions.

Kyodo

Cambodia says Thai soldier injured by landmine in its territory

PHNOM PENH , April 2 KYODO

The Cambodian government said Thursday that a Thai soldier was injured in a landmine explosion in Cambodian territory in the morning.
Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Council of Ministers, told Kyodo News that the landmine, left over from the country's civil war, exploded at 8:20 a.m. around 600 meters inside the border with Thailand.
Phay Siphan claimed the explosion occurred when some 30 Thai soldiers intruded into the area known as Eagle Field.
Col. Chan Sokhon of the Cambodian military said the Thai soldier, who suffered an injury to his left leg, was flown out of the area by a Thai military chopper at 9:20 a.m., and the other Thai troops also returned to their previous position soon after.
There was no immediate reaction or comment from the Thai government or military.
On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said he had given the ''green light'' to military commanders to take action if Thai troops encroach into Cambodia 's territory.
Eagle Field is located about 2 kilometers west of an ancient temple on the border, which sparked a tense standoff between Thai and Cambodian troops last year.
==Kyodo

April 02, 2009

Thai foreign minister apologizes to Hun Sen for 'gangster' gaffe

PHNOM PENH, April 2 KYODO

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has apologized to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for describing him as a ''gangster,'' it was learned Thursday. In a letter addressed to Hun Sen, a copy of which was seen by Kyodo News, Kasit said, ''Do kindly accept my deep apology for such an unfortunate incident and the unintentional cause of misunderstanding.'' In the letter dated Wednesday, Kasit said that the word he used in the Thai language means ''a person who is lion-hearted, a courageous and magnanimous gentleman.'' The letter of apology follows criticism by Hun Sen of Kasit for using ''hardly accepted words'' against him and a request for a clarification or apology. ''He insults me by calling me a gangster,'' Hun Sen said in Sihanoukville on Tuesday. ''I'm not angry with you, but please use dignified words.'' Kasit was accused by the Thai opposition of calling Hun Sen a ''gangster'' during an antigovernment protest in December. Kasit, however, later replied by rephrasing his comments to call Hun Sen ''a gentleman who has the heart of a gangster.'' Also Thursday, in a letter of response, Hun Sen said he was relieved by the letter of apology from Kasit.

KyodoApril 02, 2009

Thai soldiers pull back from encroachment into Cambodia (2nd Lead)

By Puy Kea
PHNOM PENH, March 25 KYODO

(EDS: UPDATING WITH THAI TROOPS PULLING BACK) A tense standoff between Thai and Cambodian troops ended late Wednesday afternoon when as many as 100 fully armed Thai soldiers pulled back from Cambodian territory near a disputed border temple. Gen. Yim Pim, commander of Cambodia 's Brigade 43 in the area, told Kyodo News the Thai troops returned to their previous position around 5 p.m., about four hours after crossing into Cambodian territory.

The general said that after negotiations between the two sides the Thai troops agreed to leave the dispute up to a joint Cambodian-Thai border commission.Earlier Wednesday, Phay Siphan, spokesman for Cambodia 's Council of Ministers, told Kyodo News the Thai troops crossed into Cambodia at 1:45 p.m. at a site known as Eagle Field where the Cambodian and Thai militaries had a tense confrontation last year.

Eagle Field is about 2 kilometers west of the disputed Preah Vihear Temple . Initial reports said the Thai troops planned to reoccupy the area, but the Cambodians wanted them to return to their previous position about 800 meters away.

In Bangkok , Thai army sources rejected Cambodia 's version of the incursion. In late February, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met with his Thai counterpart on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Thailand , during which the two leaders reaffirmed their intent to solve the seven-month-old border dispute, but they set no deadline.

The area near Preah Vihear Temple was the scene of a tense standoff between Cambodian and Thai armed forces that left several dead on both sides. The situation has since eased, but the military presence remains.

The Cambodian government insists that Thai troops are deployed on Cambodian soil, while Thailand says its troops are only in a disputed zone. Since the border issue erupted last year, many rounds of talks at different levels, including at the defense and foreign ministerial levels, have been held but a concrete agreement or solution has proved elusive.

KyodoMarch 25, 2009

Cambodia says Thai soldiers again encroach on Cambodian soil

PHNOM PENH, March 25 KYODO

As many 100 fully armed Thai soldiers have entered Cambodian territory near a disputed border temple, a spokesman for Cambodia's Council of Ministers said Wednesday. Phay Siphan told Kyodo News the Thai troops crossed into Cambodia at 1:45 p.m. at a site known as Eagle Field where the Cambodian and Thai militaries had a tense confrontation last year. Initial reports said the Thai troops plan to reoccupy the area, but the Cambodian side is trying to convince the Thai troops to return to their previous position about 600 meters away. Thailand and Cambodia have yet to fully demark their common border and a dispute last year over ownership of a World Heritage-named temple in Cambodia spilled into violence several times before settling into a tense border standoff.

Kyodo

Sacked Cambodian military leader named as deputy premier

PHNOM PENH, March 5 KYODO

Cambodia's recently sacked top military leader Gen. Ke Kim Yan will be made a deputy prime minister and oversee the operations to counter drug trafficking, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday. The general, a loyalist of Cambodian People's Party President Chea Sim, was sacked in January as military commander-in-chief, a position in which he had served for 10 years, and replaced by Hun Sen's close ally Gen. Pol Saroeun in a surprise move that prompted rumors of a rift in the ruling party. Hun Sen had earlier said the removal of Ke Kim Yan was merely part of military reforms, though officials later suggested the general had been sacked for using his position to profit from shady land deals, something said to be rife in the military. There was also speculation that it might have had something to do with the general's performance during Cambodia 's military standoff with Thailand along the disputed border last year. But some analysts saw the move as Hun Sen consolidating his grip on power. The CPP is widely believed to have two main factions, one comprised of Hun Sen's loyalists and the other one of loyalists of Chea Sim, who doubles as party president and Senate chairman. According to veteran political analyst Chea Vanath, the naming of Ke Kim Yan to another position of power was likely done to ensure unity in the CPP. Once Ke Kim Yan's appointment is approved by parliament, the number of deputy prime ministers in the government formed after last July's general election will reach 10.

KyodoMarch 05, 2009

Cambodian, Thai leaders pledge to resolve border dispute

By Puy Kea
HUA HIN, Thailand , Feb. 27 KYODO -- Top leaders of Cambodia and Thailand reaffirmed Friday their intent to solve a seven-month-old border dispute but set no deadline. After a half-hour meeting in Thailand 's Hua Hin resort with his Thai counterpart, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told Kyodo News that the two countries agreed to use all existing mechanisms to solve the border problem peacefully. The premier did not mention a time frame for finding a solution, but suggested it was good and fruitful discussion. It was the first time for Hun Sen to meet with Abhisit since the latter came to power last year. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN summit.
In a separate statement, Abhisit said both countries had agreed to set up a panel of technical experts to work on the overlapping maritime border, particularly, in the disputed oil and gas area.
“Out understanding has been improved a lot recently and we are looking into possibilities to start our energy cooperation,” he told reporters.
The territorial dispute between the two countries stems partly from the use of different border maps, and the military standoff began soon after Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July last year. The area near the temple was the scene of a tense standoff between Cambodian and Thai armed forces. The situation, however, has eased but the military presence remains. The Cambodian government insists that Thai troops have deployed on Cambodian soil, while Thailand says its troops are only in a disputed zone. Since the border issue erupted last year, many rounds of talks at different levels including defense and foreign ministerial levels have been held but a concrete agreement or solution has proved elusive. Hun Sen said the two countries will use the memorandum of understanding made in 2000 as a basis for resolving the conflict. Hun Sen is on a three-day official working visit to Thailand during which he is attending the 14th summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN groups Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Singapore , Thailand and Vietnam .

KyodoFebruary 27, 2009

ASEAN agrees on using military assets for disaster relief

By Puy Kea
PATTAYA, Thailand , Feb. 26 KYODO

Defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Thursday to use military assets and capacities in humanitarian and disaster relief as well as in non-traditional security threats.

Thai Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon, who chaired the meeting, said such use of military assets will not be commenced until a new task force is formed.

Gen. Prawit told reporters shortly after the meeting that the agreement on the matter was necessary so as to ensure security in the Asia-Pacific, especially in the ASEAN region. In the meeting, the defense ministers focused on the establishment of a special force to provide humanitarian assistance for member countries which are affected by natural disasters.

The participants also exchanged ideas on expanding security operations with countries outside ASEAN, but in the Asia-Pacific Rim region. Moving forward on the matter, the defense ministers signed three concept papers including the ASEAN Defense Establishments and Civil Society Organizations Cooperation on Non-Traditional Security to counter new security threats.

According to one of the concept papers seen by Kyodo News, military personnel deployed in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations will not carry weapons while performing official duties, unless otherwise agreed. The defense ministers cited experiences gained from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Cyclone Nargis that struck Myanmar last year and the recent earthquake in China as motivations for the use of military assets and capacities. The meeting, however, did not touch on the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia nor the issue of Myanmar migrants, according to officials.

According to a security source, the border and illegal migrant issues were excluded from agendas, since the defense ministers decided to resolve those problems via bilateral cooperation. The meeting was held ahead of the 14th ASEAN summit, to be held in the beach resort of Hua Hin from Friday to Sunday. ASEAN groups Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , Philippines , Singapore , Thailand and Vietnam .

KyodoFebruary 26, 2009

Cambodia, Thailand affirm commitments to solve border issue

PHNOM PENH , Jan. 26 KYODO
Cambodia and Thailand reaffirmed Monday to solve their six-month-old border conflict peacefully and amicably, without setting a deadline.

After a one-and-a-half-hour meeting in Phnom Penh with his Thai counterpart, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters that border issues are often complicated and not easily solved, thus time and patience are needed.

However, he warned that Cambodia still reserves the right to seek the intervention of a third party such as the international court if bilateral negotiations fail. Echoing the remarks, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he hopes the similar culture and tradition enjoyed by the two countries plus commitments taken by the new Thai government will help resolve the problems. Hor Namhong said both governments had scheduled a meeting of a joint border committee for Feb. 2-4, followed by a defense ministerial-level meeting on Feb. 6 on redeployment of troops at Keo Sikhakiri Svara Pagoda and the area near Cambodia 's ancient Preah Vihear temple.

The area around Preah Vihear temple, which was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July last year, was the scene of a tense standoff between Cambodian and Thai armed forces in recent months. The Cambodian government insists that Thai troops have deployed on Cambodian soil, while Thailand says its troops are only in a disputed zone.

According to military sources based at Preah Vihear temple, there remain about a dozen Thai soldiers at Keo Sikhakiri Svara Pagoda. The territorial dispute stems partly from the use of different border maps. Kasit is on a two-day visit to Cambodia , his first since he came to office last month. He is to return to Thailand later Monday.

KyodoJanuary 26, 2009

Brother No. 2 ordered all prisoners killed, says defense lawyer

By Puy Kea PHNOM PENH ,
Feb. 18 KYODO
A defense lawyer for a notorious Khmer Rouge-era prison jailer charged Wednesday that Nuon Chea, known as Brother No. 2, ordered all prisoners killed four days before the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia toppled Jan. 7, 1979.

Kar Savuth, a Cambodian co-lawyer for Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, 66, said on the last day of an initial hearing against his client that ''S-21 received an order from Nuon Chea on 3 January 1979 to kill all prisoners, including children.'' The lawyer, however, did not say how many were killed on the order of Nuon Chea that day or the following days.

It is the first time the accused, through his lawyer, revealed to the public that Nuon Chea, now also being detained at U.N.-backed court facilities, was one of the top Khmer Rouge leaders responsible for the deaths of the prisoners. Duch was the chief at Tuol Sleng Prison in central Phnom Penh , codenamed S-21, from 1976 to 1979. He is blamed for the deaths of between 13,000 and 16,000 prisoners.

During the one-and-a-half day initial hearing, Duch appeared in the courtroom but was not allowed to give any statement because the hearing is designed for the five judges, including three Cambodians, to consider motions from the two sides, the case profile, legal and procedural issues and to finalize the scheduling of witness and experts to be heard at a full trial at a date yet to be set.

Duch is one of the five Khmer Rouge figures being at a detention center of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, a special tribunal set up with U.N. blessing and the participation of two foreign judges. The Khmer Rouge are blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians in the late 1970s. Concluding the last day of the hearing, Nil Nonn, president of the Trial Chamber, said decisions resulting from the hearing will be handed down soon, but no specific date was given.

But Helen Jarvis, chief of the ECCC public affairs section, said she expected the decisions to be announced in one to two weeks. By then, the exact date for Duch's full trial should be set. On Tuesday, a defense lawyer said Duch will ask for forgiveness from the victims, likely during the trial. In a separate statement Wednesday, defense lawyers rejected a co-prosecutor appeal to incorporate two new films taken by a Vietnamese military cameraman that aimed to impose further blame on their client. The defense lawyers argued the films were fabricated by Vietnam , with ''political motivation.''

They pointed out eight parts of the films are contradictory to fact, including using the designation ''Tuol Sleng Prison'' instead of ''S-21'' as used by the Khmer Rouge at least until Jan. 7, 1979. The motion will be decided by the five judges of the Trial Chamber.

KyodoFebruary 18, 2009

Vietnamese cameraman, Khmer Rouge victim reunite ahead of trial

By Puy Kea
PHNOM PENH , Feb. 16 KYODO
A former Vietnamese military cameraman who was the first outsider to document the horrors of a Khmer Rouge prison and torture center after the regime fell in 1979 was reunited over the weekend with one of four child survivors. Ho Van Tay, 76, who arrived in Cambodia on Saturday ahead of a pre-trial hearing for the former prison chief, met Sunday with survivor Norng Chan Phal, 39, for the first time in three decades. Appearing with Tay at a press conference, Norng Chan Phal said he was happy to meet with the man who had helped him and his younger brother leave Tuol Sleng prison in central Phnom Penh after the invading Vietnamese army took it over while capturing the city.

Both said they would both attend Tuesday's initial hearing for 66-year-old Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, who allegedly oversaw the deaths of between 13,000 to 16,000 Cambodians while the prison was under his command from 1976 to 1979, historians say. Duch is the first of five detained Khmer Rouge figures to be tried by the U.N.-backed tribunal for their roles in the regime that is blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.

When asked about his onetime tormentor, Norng Chan Phal said, ''It's a right time for Duch to be on trial because he was a direct killer of many Cambodians in Tuol Sleng prison.'' He said Khmer Rouge soldiers took him, his mother and his younger brother to the prison, a former schoolhouse located in the center of the city, several months after his father was first taken there in 1978. Neither parent survived. Norng Chan Phal and his younger brother were among five child survivors. One of them, however, died of malnutrition shortly after the prison was liberated.

Tay, who is in Cambodia at the invitation of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, a nongovernmental organization that documents Khmer Rouge atrocities, has offered to help it with its activities, including identification of victims.

In late December, the Vietnamese government donated to Cambodia archival footage, largely taken by Tay , that will be used as one of the key pieces of evidence in the trial of Duch. Duch, a former mathematics schoolteacher, has been indicted for his direct or indirect role in crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and enslavement, and other violations of domestic and international law. Tay spent seven years in Cambodia from 1979, making documentary films that reveal the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. He traveled with Vietnamese troops to various parts of the country to take the footage.

KyodoFebruary 16, 2009

Japan to provide another $21 mil. for Khmer Rouge trial

By Puy Kea
PHNOM PENH , Jan. 11 KYODO -- The Japanese government pledged Sunday to provide another $21 million to the U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal, brining its contributions since 2005 to $45.5 million. Announcement of the new pledge was made Sunday by Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone during a one-hour meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh .

Eang Sophalet, a spokesman for Hun Sen, told reporters after the meeting that the $21 million pledged will be used by the U.N. side of the court, not the Cambodian side. He added that Hun Sen was also seeking financial assistance for the Cambodian side and that the request will be considered by the Japanese government. Japan is the top financial contributor to the Khmer Rouge trial process. It provided $21.6 million to the U.N. side in 2005 and $2.95 million to the Cambodian side in 2008.

According to sources close to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the Cambodian side of the court needs an extra of $5.3 million for its work from April through the end of this year. Of the current five suspects, Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, who is accused of having a leadership role in the deaths of 14,000 people in Tuol Sleng prison during Khmer Rouge rule, is expected to be tried in the first quarter this year.

The four other former Khmer Rouge figures charged and detained at ECCC facilities are Nuon Chea, better known as Brother No. 2 in the Khmer Rouge hierarchy after leader Pol Pot; Khieu Samphan who was head of state; Ieng Sary who was the regime's foreign minister; and Ieng Sary's wife Ieng Thirith who was the social affairs minister.

The Khmer Rouge leadership is blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians during its rule.

Also, during his visit to Cambodia , Nakasone signed agreements providing Cambodia grants of up to 255 million yen for a dam project and infectious disease control. He also attended a ceremony to deliver three Japanese demining vehicles to Cambodia . Nakasone is to visit Laos later Sunday before returning to Japan on Monday. Before arriving in Cambodia on Saturday, Nakasone met with Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya in Bangkok .

KyodoJanuary 11, 2009

Cambodians debate Vietnam 's military presence 30 years later (FOCUS)

By Puy Kea
PHNOM PENH , Jan. 5 KYODO

Ahead of the 30th anniversary on Wednesday of the entry of Vietnamese forces into Cambodia to fight the Khmer Rogue, arguments still rage here over its historical significance.

Sam Rainsy, leader of his self-named opposition party, objects to the move by the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen to signify the day as the second birthday for millions of Cambodians. Hun Sen and his party have been claiming that without Jan. 7, 1979, Cambodia would not have been able to achieve anything that it has achieved since and that they never forget the help from Vietnam .

But Sam Rainsy compared the day to what had happened to most Eastern and Central European countries after Stalin's Red Army invaded them to ''free'' them from the Nazis. ''When the Vietnamese communist army invaded Cambodia to 'free' us from the Khmer Rouge, we quickly realized that we were caught between Scylla and Charybdis,'' Sam Rainsy said. He said that without April 17, 1975, the date of the Khmer Rouge takeover and the beginning of the Cambodian genocide, there would have been no need for Jan. 7, 1979. And without the Vietnamese and Chinese communist intervention in the early 1970s to help the Khmer Rouge, the latter would not have been able to seize power and there would have been no April 17, 1975.

He said therefore April 17 and Jan. 7 are inextricably associated, calling them ''communist Frankensteins.'' ''Celebrating Jan. 7 without keeping in mind a broader historical perspective is playing into the hands of the current Phnom Penh regime whose only raison d'etre was to 'free' the Cambodian people from the Khmer Rouge with communist Vietnam 's decisive but not unselfish help,'' he said.

This week, ignoring criticism, the CPP celebrates the country's second-largest event marking the day as a liberation day from the genocidal regime with some 50,000 participants. It held the largest event in 1985 with some 70,000 participants. Just days before the event is to take place, a nongovernmental organization, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said it was concerned about people being forced to celebrate the anniversary. ''The people are being forced to pose with Cambodian flags outside their houses to show support for the ceremony,'' said Ou Virak, president of the CCHR. ''They force people to support them. This is a communist style like in North Korea . No democratic countries do this,'' he said.

But Information Minister Khieu Kanharith, a senior member of the CPP, said no one was being forced to take part and that the event was merely being staged in a disciplined manner. Khieu Kanharith said money spent by the CPP on the event will come entirely from the CPP's coffers. Bun Pov, a high school teacher, said some 5,000 students and 130 teachers from his school, one of six selected high schools in Phnom Penh, were chosen to take part in the event. He said each participant will be given 6,500 riels (about $1.6) and a CPP cap and T-shirt. Other critics, however, said Jan. 7 marks the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia .

''The Khmer People Committee for Freedom considers Jan. 7 the date of Vietnam 's invasion of Cambodia , the date of their plundering of Cambodian wealth, and their total occupation of Cambodian land,'' it said in a statement. It suggested that Oct. 23, 1991, the date of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords which brought national reconciliation, should instead be celebrated. But Khieu Kanharith argued that if there were no Jan. 7, 1979, there would not be Oct. 23, 1991, either. ''Jan. 7 doesn't belong exclusively to the CPP, but to all the Cambodian people,'' he added. Sorn Samnang, a Cambodian historian and president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that without Jan. 7, 1979, he would have been killed along with millions of other Cambodians.

He added that some 50,000 Vietnamese soldiers were killed or died during Vietnam 's 10-year presence in Cambodia , and billions of dollars were spent. Vietnamese troops came to Cambodia in 1979 and remained here until 1989.

KyodoJanuary 05, 2009

Co-prosecutors dispute charging more Khmer Rouge suspects

By Puy Kea
PHNOM PENH , Jan. 5 KYODO

The U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal released a statement Monday revealing disputes between Cambodian and international co-prosecutors over whether or not to charge more suspects beyond the five now being detained. According to the court, international co-prosecutor Robert Petit filed Dec. 1, 2008 a note concerning the appropriateness of opening new judicial investigations against additional suspects for crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge, while the Cambodian co-prosecutor filed a response last Monday objecting to the filing by her colleague.

On Dec. 1, 2008, the international co-prosecutor proposed filing two new Introductory Submissions and one Supplementary Submission, saying the crimes were committed, the crimes are within the jurisdiction of the Court, and those should be investigated by the Co-Investigating Judges. He said the charges would lead to a more comprehensive accounting of crimes that were committed under the Khmer Rouge's Democratic Kampuchea regime during 1975-79, according to the statement.

He added he did not believe that such prosecutions would endanger Cambodia 's peace and stability. But, Cambodian co-prosecutor Chea Leang said investigations should not proceed on account of Cambodia 's past instability and the continued need for national reconciliation, the spirit of the agreement between the United Nations and Cambodia , the spirit of the law that established the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and the limited duration and budget of the ECCC.

She said the ECCC should instead prioritize the trials of the five suspects already detained. When asked how many new suspects being identified by the international co-prosecutor, Reach Sambath, spokesman for the ECCC, said he didn't know but an ECCC source suggested the number could be six. Of the current five suspects, Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, who is accused of having a leadership role in the deaths of 14,000 people in Tuol Sleng prison during Khmer Rouge rule, is expected to be tried in the first quarter of this year.

The four other former Khmer Rouge figures charged and detained at ECCC facilities are Nuon Chea, better known as Brother No. 2 in the Khmer Rouge hierarchy after leader Pol Pot; Khieu Samphan who was head of state; Ieng Sary who was the regime's foreign minister; and Ieng Sary's wife Ieng Thirith who was the social affairs minister. The Khmer Rouge leadership is blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians during its rule.

KyodoJanuary 05, 2009

Symbolic killer of Cambodia 's genocide to face trial 30 years later (FOCUS)

By Puy Kea
PHNOM PENH , Feb. 2 KYODO -- The notorious Khmer Rouge prison jailer commonly known as Duch goes to trial at a hybrid international court in the next two weeks in Cambodia for his role in the systematic genocide of Cambodians 30 years ago.
The U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal set Feb. 17 as a date for the initial hearing on Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch. He is one of five Khmer Rouge figures being detained at a detention center of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
Although Duch is considered a symbolic killer as he was in charge of the most prominent of many prisons established in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime, some Cambodians question why he will be the first to be tried.
The answer is simple -- Duch was the first one arrested in 1999 and has been detained at and investigated ever since.
He was transferred to the ECCC in 2007 and was charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The other four suspects were arrested and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity only in late 2007.
They are Nuon Chea, better known as Brother No. 2 in the Khmer Rouge hierarchy after Pol Pot, Khieu Samphan, who was its head of state, Ieng Sary, who was foreign minister, and Ieng Sary's wife Ieng Thirith, who was social affairs minister.
Duch, 66, was chief of Tuol Sleng Prison in central Phnom Penh , code named S-21, from early 1976 through 1979.
Scholars and historians claim Duch was responsible for the deaths of more than 13,000 Cambodians while the prison was under his command.
Beyond the question ''Why Duch first?'' some also wonder why the court is going after someone who was not a senior Khmer Rouge leader.
''Duch's hearing will generate more questions than clarifications,'' said Chhang Youk, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, a nonprofit organization that archives Khmer Rouge atrocities.
Some others, however, support the court's move, saying it is finally on track to long-awaited justice for the victims.
Chum Mey, one of only three surviving victims from Duch's time at the S-21 torture center, said he will be satisfied only once Duch and the other four are tried and convicted.
Chum Mey, 76, who was jailed and tortured for more than three months from late 1978 until the Khmer Rouge regime collapsed on Jan. 7, 1979, said he is ready to question Duch during the upcoming trial on why he committed the crimes and who was behind the orders.
Chum Mey said he had his toenails pulled out, was beaten ''uncountable'' times with rattan canes and subjected to electric shocks while in Tuol Sleng.
He added the tortures were designed to force confessions of spying for the U.S. or then Soviet Union intelligence services even though many prisoners did not even know those agencies existed.
The co-investigating judges of the ECCC have said that of the more than 13,000 men, women and children detained at Tuol Sleng prison only a handful are still alive.
The judges have also said Duch has ''recognized his responsibility.''
He has declared S-21 ''was run directly by the Central Committee,'' the judges have said.
Duch added he primarily dealt directly with Son Sen and ''Person J,'' both of whom he believed to be acting for the leadership.
Son Sen, minister of security in the Khmer Rouge regime, ''perished'' in 1997, apparently killed on the order of Pol Pot who accused Son Sen of being a traitor.
It is unclear to whom ''Person J'' refers, but some researchers suggest it could be Nuon Chea.
According to the judges, Duch has regularly expressed remorse for the victims and their families and also for the S-21 staff under his command.
''He stated that none of his personnel volunteered, or were proud of what they had done, but rather were terrorized and constantly in fear for their lives,'' the judges have said.
Pol Pot, believed the mastermind of the ''Killing Fields,'' denied until his death in 1998 he was responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million Cambodians under his rule from 1975 to 1979.
He claimed number of deaths was ''fabricated'' by ''outside enemies.''
Similar denials have come from the four Khmer Rouge leaders who are charged and detained at the ECCC facilities.
Duch, however, has said he spoke out in 1999 because ''it was impossible not to tell the truth about S-21'' after he had heard ''Pol Pot denied the existence S-21 and claimed it was an invention of the Vietnamese.''
Duch was arrested in May 1999, less than a month after he was found in Cambodia 's northwestern Battambang Province by an American journalist who and obtained a partial confession from him.
Duch said, ''I joined the Khmer Rouge in order to liberate my people and not to commit crimes,'' but ''from 1971 onwards, when I was forced to supervise M-13 (a security organ), I became both an actor in criminal acts and also a hostage of the regime.''
Duch also said that on Aug. 15, 1975, Son Sen called him to a meeting at the Phnom Penh Train Station to plan the establishment of S-21.
S-21 was unique in the network of security centers given its direct link to the Central Committee and its role in the detention and execution of cadres of the Communist Party of Kampuchea.
While millions of Cambodians still want to see justice, many also express disappointment that the three Khmer Rouge accused of being the architects of the brutal regime -- Pol Pot, Son Sen and Ta Mok, better known as ''Butcher'' -- are already dead.
Of the four remaining senior leaders, Ieng Sary, 85, and Nuon Chea, 83, are watched by doctors daily because their health is precarious, and Kheiu Samphan and Ieng Thirith are said to be frail.
The ECCC has not said when those four will be tried and some Cambodians fear only Duch will ever be prosecuted, the others dying before they are brought to trial.

KyodoFebruary 02, 2009