Vox Populi: Cambodia must take zero tolerance toward Thailand

Anonymous said...

Thailand make a wise decision by jumping without UNESCO having to vote Thailand out in the case of mis-behavior,UNESCO simply save million of dollars if Thailand withdrawn its membership from UNESCO,the heritage site in Thailand simply low grade and not worth of paying.

Thai PM Abhisit's statement admits there was damage to the temple. Cambodia has been the occupant of the temple, so if the Thais did not damage the temple, who did? Either the Cambodians shelled themselves or perhaps the mysterious men in black. It's appropriate to admit it, if you did something wrong, please accept the blame and get on with making things right.

Thailand should learn to know what is right and what is wrong and the threatening behavior of Thailand is unacceptable or simply threatening and intimidating is or a way of life of bandits whatever genetic Thais people process from their ancestors. This is a civilized world, it's simply not acceptable and the Thais have to accept it.

27 June 2011 11:25 AM
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Anonymous said...

Abhisit said that only the next government can choose either to withdraw from Unesco or stay, so it looks like he is pulling a fast one here. By stating he pulls out, he makes himself the hero in the eyes of Thais for not bowing down to the International community. But, he shifts the responsibility to the next government to withdraw or stay.

If, let's say, Yingluck wins and she decides to stay, Abhisit could take that decision as a rally cry that she bows down to the international community and violates Thai territorial integrity by going along with Cambodia's plan.

He is taking credit but not the responsibility and could be setting things up for future political offensives here.

27 June 2011 11:40 AM
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Anonymous said...

Thailand is entitled to withdraw its membership from UNESCO , but when the Thais want to re-apply for its membership with UNESCO, UNESCO has to ponder the Thai past threatening behavior and the spoiled brat attitudes.

The disorder and schizophrenia of the current Thai government is the mental illnesses from which about one fifth of our population suffers. Thailand's government disorders can be unreliable and exceedingly disruptive in the neighboring countries. In fact, common personality traits such as poor judgment, quick temper, incoherent thought and loss of motivation may be symptoms of a mental disorder.

The wisest thing to do, whenever we read or hear any claims from Thailand, is to try not to believe them immediately.

27 June 2011 1:10 PM
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Anonymous said...

Recently, I have gone through a lots of Thai and Cambodian websites and very few will fit into my category as good journalism.

Credibility is everything. Retain your independence, be skeptical, not cynical. Don’t mortgage your integrity. It’s like virginity, once you lose it, you have lost it forever. Don't be the loyal member of any party or group.

Stop living for others, avoid temptation, life is not all about money. Let your reputation never be under question. It’s true, it’s possible to earn decently and live honourably as a journalist.

Work for fun and the satisfaction, the rewards will come on their own. Don’t fall for cheap praise and don’t be stalled by even cheaper criticism.

There’s nothing more boring and dreadful than goes through the same pangs and pangs as the other websites have done.

At least I praise Khmerization for not following the other websites' footstep, that open the opportunity for the Thais to attack Cambodia.

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Anonymous said...

Thailand is doing this to avoid to pay for the compensation of the damages they caused to Preah Vihear temple.

27 June 2011 6:12 PM
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Anonymous said...

Preah Vihear Temple was built by Khmer king. To claim for it by Thai government is just doesn't make sense for all any UN's bodies.

Cambodia should fight Thais in the ICJ, the UNESCO and in the battles for its breach of UNSC principles.

Cambodia should press on with the cases such as Thai troops shelling on the temples, using banned weapons; cluster bombs and poison gas on Cambodian troops and the cost of the war both in finance and human suffering .

We Khmer had enough with Thai nation in the last 400 years. We lost so much land to them. It's time we must take zero tolerant policy toward this nation.

The land surround the temple must be taken back for all cost.All Cambodian commanders and politicians should not rest from fighting if the land is still occupied by Thai troops.

We can live without Viet and Thai for a thousand years.

Remember, they burnt alive to kill our brothers and sisters last year. We all should feel those pain if we have to be a nation. They were our beloved brothers and sisters. They were a part of our flesh and our soul. We will not let this go without justice.

True Khmer
27 June 2011 5:55 PM

Thailand reinforces troops after it withdrew from Unesco

Cambodian troops moving artillery rockets to the frontline.

By Khmerization
Source: Kampuchea Thmey

Cambodian commanders at the frontline said Thailand had reinforced a substantial number of troops to the Preah Vihear, Ta Krabey and Ta Moan Thom temples, one day after Thailand announced the withdrawal its membership from Unesco in protest against Unesco's decision to submit Cambodia's Preah Vihear management plan.

A Cambodian commander said that at 11 p.m on Sunday night, 26th June, 10 Thai military trucks were seen transporting military equipment heading toward Ta Thav Pass, 7km east of Preah Vihear temple.

In response to the Thai reinforcements, the Cambodian side had also boosted up its military presence in the areas.

Please read article in Khmer below:
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សៀម​បង្កើន​កង​ទ័ព​តាម​ព្រំដែន ក្រោយ​ពេល​ប្រកាស​ដក​ខ្លួន​ចេញ​ពី​សមាជិក​យូណេស្កូ

27-06-11-dភ្នំពេញ ៖ មេទ័ព​ប្រចាំ​នៅ​ប្រាសាទ​ព្រះវិហារ បាន​ប្រាប់​កម្ពុជា​ថ្មី​ថា ស្ថានភាព​តាម​ព្រំដែន ប្រាសាទ​ព្រះវិហារ​ជួរ​ភ្នំ​ដង​រែក និង​ប្រាសាទ​តាមាន់ តា​ក្របី សៀម​បាន​បន្ថែម​កម្លាំង​ទ័ព យ៉ាង​ក្រាស់ ក្រែល​នៅ​ជួរ​មុខ។ មេទ័ព​រូប​នោះ​និយាយ​ថា កាល​ពី​វេលា​ម៉ោង​១១​​យប់​ថ្ងៃ​ទី​២៦ ខែ​មិថុនា រថយន្ត យោធា​របស់​ពួក​ទ័ព​សៀម​មាន​ចំនួន​១០​គ្រឿង បាន​ដឹក​សម្ភារៈ​សឹក សំដៅ​មក​ចំណុច​មុខ​តាថាវ​ទិស ខាង​កើត​ប្រាសាទ​ព្រះវិហារ។

A message from Cambodian delegation to Unesco convention in Paris

Members of Cambodian delegationn to Unesco Convention in Paris: L-R: Helen Jarvis, Chuch Phoeung, Var Kimhong (4th from left) Sok An (5th from left) and Long Visalo (white hair standing to the left of Sok An).

Cambodian Delegation Make Thai Fail 3 Points in the 35th Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in Paris

AKP Phnom Penh, June 27, 2011 –Following is the full text of the message:
Unofficial translation MESSAGE TO THE NATION FROM CAMBODIAN DELEGATION TO THE 35th SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE, UNESCO, PARIS

Following the highest decision of Samdech Techo HUN SEN dated 2 June 2011,
His Excellency Academician Dr. SOK AN headed a delegation of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the 35th session of the World Heritage Committee, from 19-29 June 2011, achieving a historic success at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris. The Cambodia delegates to the session are the following:

1. Lok Chumteav. ANNIE Sok An, Vice President of Cambodia Red Cross,
2. H.E VAR Kimhong, Senior minister in charge of border affairs,
3. H.E LONG Visalo, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation,
4. H.E CHUCH Phoeurn, President of the National Authority of Preah Vihear,
5. H.E CHAN Tani, Secretary of State, Office of the Council of Ministers,
6. Lok Chumteav, TAN Theany, Secretary General, National Commission for
UNESCO,
7. H.E ROS Borath, President, the National Committee for World Heritage,
8. Professor. Azedine Beschaouch, Standing Secretary of the ICC- Angkor,
9. H.E Bretton Scaroni, Adviser to the Government,
10. Lok Chumteav. Helen Jarvis, Advisor to the Government
11. H.E Teruo Jinnai, Adviser to the Government,
12. H.E BUN Narith, Secretary General of the National Authority of APSARA,
13. H.E KEM Reath Viseth, Cabinet chief and adviser to H.E SOK An,
14. H.E SUOS Yara, Under Secretary of State, Office of the Council of Ministers,
15. H.E SUM Map, Under Secretary of State, Office of the Council of Ministers,
16. Lok Chumteav. CHAU Sun Kerya, Deputy-Secretary General, National Authority of
APSARA

Monk, publisher win awards

Monday, 27 June 2011
Meas Sokchea

Photo by: Will Baxter
The venerable Luon Savath.

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
Publisher Hang Chakra.

Phnom Penh Post

A monk who went into hiding in March over fears authorities would arrest him for attending land dispute protests will be awarded Human Right’s Watch’s Hellman/Hammett award next month, along with an anti-government newspaper publisher.

Venerable Loun Savath, who has come out of hiding and is now living in Slaeng pagoda in Siem Reap province, said yesterday that the award – which is granted to those who speak out in the face of intimidation – was for the people.

“Though I received the award I don’t regard it as mine, I regard it as people’s award that are thirsty and hungry for the truth,” he said.

In April, a declaration banished Venerable Loun Savath from all pagodas in the capital. It argued his actions had violated the rules of Buddhism and caused villagers to view the religion negatively.

Khmer Machas Srok newspaper publisher, Hang Chakra, will also receive the prize for his defiant critiques of the Cambodian People’s Party after spending more than nine months in prison for an article alleging government corruption in 2009.

Hang Chakra said yesterday he was “very excited” to receive the award for his vigilance after being pardoned by King Norodom Sihamoni in April 2010.

Phil Roberson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, yesterday slammed the government’s persecution of Loun Savath, saying his case was indicative of disturbing a human rights trend in Cambodia that the international community had failed to combat.

“There is a rapidly escalating level of intimidation and attacks against those like Venerable Loun Savath who challenge the nexus of official corruption, greed and rights abuses that underpin the plague of land grabbing that is happening all over Cambodia,” he said by email.

“Ensuring respect for rights like these is one of the basic tests for the UN and development donors to ensure fair and just governance and development in Cambodia.”

Cambodia targeted by Malaysian franchises

Monday, 27 June 2011

Kristin Lynch

Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh views products at the Young Entrepreneurs Convention. Photo by: KRISTIN LYNCH

Phnom Penh Post

CAMBODIA presents a relatively untapped market for Malaysian firms looking to expand abroad, according to SQV Consulting Group official Denming Ho.

Although the Kingdom’s market is relatively small compared to its neighbours, it has unmet demand for Malaysian products and offers potentially lucrative returns, he said.

“It’s easy for Malaysian companies to penetrate this market because it requires only a small investment of capital in comparison to other Asian markets,” he said.

“The Cambodian market offers lots of opportunities for Malaysian companies.”

Twenty-eight Malaysian companies, ranging from lingerie apparel firms to three-in-one coffee producers, attended the Young Entrepreneurs Convention in Phnom Penh on Saturday and Sunday.

Put on by SQV and MCdi Brand Interactive, the convention aimed to allow Malaysian firms a chance to showcase their products and search for potential franchisees and investors to expand to the Kingdom.

Domestic partners were crucial to plans for expansion in the Kingdom, according to representatives of some Malaysian firms.

“They [Cambodian investors] know what Cambodian consumers want, and the right price to sell our products at,” said Eddy Ch’ng, Director of XKL Worldwide, a health food producer.

“Otherwise, it would be hard to take advantage of the market.”

Cambodian entrepreneurs say they are eager to invest in bringing foreign franchises to the Kingdom, although finding worthwhile projects was the challenge.

The right opportunity was critical for O’stin Design Company Director Virakboth Yoeung. “I am an entrepreneur, I have my own printing and design firm, so I am here to look for good business opportunities and places of investment,” he said.

He said he was particularly interested in becoming the local distributor for Tamrah Sewing Machine company.

Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh highlighted the ease for firms to export from Cambodia as well as serving the domestic market. Cambodia’s status as a Least Developed Country meant it has quota and duty free access to most markets, he said in a speech.

Border villagers living in fear

Published: 27/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Villagers along the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district are afraid the fighting may resume following Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention, a military source said on Monday.

The source said they had packed clothes, food and other necessities in preparation to evacuate to a safe location at short notice if Thai and Cambodian troops clash again.

Although there has been no fighting for nearly two months, Thai soldiers are on watch for possible intrusions by Cambodian forces.

Khomphet Sirisuk, a villager of Nong Khanna Samakkhi in tambon Ta Miang of Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district, said the recent clashes had severely affected people's lives.

They could not work long in their rice fields or plantations because they had been advised by soldiers to stay in their homes until at least 8am and return before 4pm.

Food and retail outlets had lost business because the Ta Muen Thom temple was still closed to tourists. Street lights were turned off at night and villagers were left in silence but sleepless, he said.

Mr Khomphet said he wanted the government to quickly end the conflict with neighbouring Cambodia.

Army geared up on border [more Thai troops sent to border area]

27th June, 2011
Bangkok Post

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha praised Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti's decison to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention and said he has ordered soldiers along the Thai-Cambodian border to be prepared.

Gen Prayuth said on Monday the army is overseeing security, monitoring intelligence activities and observing movements along the border in order to protect the country's sovereignty.

More troops and health personnel had been sent to villages near the border area to inform residents about the situation and avet any panic.

"After withdrawing from the World Heritage Convention, we now have to wait for the decision of the International Court of Justice.

"Thai and Cambodian soldiers have been in contact on a regular basis since the last clashes along the border, but there's not a high degree of trust between them yet," the army chief said.

He said Mr Suwit made a good decision to withdraw Thailand's membership of the World Heritage Convention.

The decision to withdraw from the WHC was made by Mr Suwit, who led the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris on Saturday, June 25.

Cambodia reinforces troops at Surin border [in response to Thai reinforcements]: Army

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, June 27 - Cambodia has reinforced its troops at the border of Surin province following Thailand’s exit from the UN world heritage site body, but the Thai army is on high alert to protect sovereignty, Thailand’s army region 2 spokesman said on Monday.

Col Prawit Hookaew described the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border after Thailand withdrew from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention over the weekend as the agency’s secretariat decided to push ahead with consideration of Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple despite the unresolved border dispute.

The spokesman said that the withdrawal will benefit Thailand and any resolution made by the World Heritage Committee (WHC) will not be binding on the kingdom.

Regarding Cambodian troop movements along the border after Thailand's decision, Col Prawit said there is some redeployment and reinforcement of the neighbouring country's troops.

There is some arms training taking place, such as using grenade launcher and artillery on Cambodian side, said Col Prawit, while Thai troops remain on alert at the border and are strengthening their outposts.

Col Prawit added Cambodia has reinforced its troops near the border. Thai soldiers are also on alert without sending more army personnel into the area as the existing number of troops is sufficient to protect Thailand’s national sovereignty.

There has been some troop rotation as some soldiers took turn to cast their ballots in advance voting but they have returned to their cases after exercising their constitutional right, according to the military spokesman.

"Military commanders are still able to talk with their Cambodian counterparts in case any problem arises. However, there is no room for complacency as we fear that history will repeat itself as with the previous clashes which took place despite the military of both sides being on good terms," Col Prawit said.

The Thai army chief and the commander of Army Region 2 have instructed troops stationed along the border to exercise the utmost restraint, but to retaliate appropriately in case Cambodian troops attack, or start the fighting, the army region 2 spokesman said.

Col Prawit urged local residents not to panic, assuring them that the army are on alert around the clock. (MCOT online news)

Thais withdraw from Paris meet

Monday, 27 June 2011
Vong Sokheng

Phnom Penh Post

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
A Cambodian soldier and a group of civilian visitors at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple during a lull in fighting with Thailand in February.

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The WHC decided to put the matter on the agenda. I have no choice, we have to withdraw

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Thailand has withdrawn from a meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee after the body said it would consider Cambodia’s management plan for the Preah Vihear temple, a Thai government minister said on Saturday night.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Sukwit Khunkitti, who headed the Thai delegation, said Thailand had been left with “no choice” but to withdraw after the committee ignored their pleas.

“The World Heritage Centre decided to put the matter on the agenda. I have no choice, we have to withdraw,” he said via Twitter.

“The decision is to prevent the other side from using this issue to claim our territory,” he added.

In an earlier tweet, Sukwit Khunkitti said it was useless to be in a society without rules – an apparent reference to the WHC – and threatened to withdraw if the committee did not accept Thailand’s proposal to delay Cambodia’s temple management plan, the Bangkok Post reported yesterday.

“I’ve issued an ultimatum_if they reject our proposal, we have to be apart,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An claimed in a statement from Paris that the WHC had “acknowledged” that the temple had been damaged by Thai soldiers during border clashes in February that left at least 10 dead on both sides as well as surface-level scars on the Hindu temple.

“The committee acknowledged as the temple was damaged from shelling by Thai soldiers and it is needed as immediately to dispatch technical team for the restoration and preservation of the temple,” he wrote from the 10-day summit in Paris. Sok An said 22 Cambodian delegates had lobbied representatives of the 19 WHC member states throughout the summit. “As result, the Thais completely failed in an attempt to postpone Cambodia’s management plan for Preah Vihear temple,” he wrote.

Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn and Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi could not be reached for comment.

Thai PM: Ambiguity in Cambodia’s draft resolution prompted Thailand to leave World Heritage Convention

Monday, 27 June 2011
By MCOT

BANGKOK– Thailand’s withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention and World Heritage Committee (WHC) is in accordance with his Cabinet’s resolution, because ambiguity in the Cambodian draft resolution is unacceptable, said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) on Sunday.

Before going to the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani for the Democrat Party’s election campaign, Mr Abhisit said that he spoke many times on Saturday regarding this issue with the head of Thai delegates to the WHC meeting in Paris, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

The draft resolution proposed by Cambodia has ambiguous words which are unacceptable, therefore Thailand decided to pull out of the WHC, he said.

The issue will be handled by the new government. In the meantime, UNESCO could discuss it with Thailand, but the restoration of the Preah Vihear temple, if it involves Thai territory, must need approval from Thailand, Mr Abhisit said.

The Thai prime minister stated that Thailand’s position is clear, that Cambodia must pull its troops from the ancient Hindu temple, as the action violates the World Heritage Convention.

Mr Abhisit also stated that UNESCO director-general had maintained to Thailand that they would not consider the management plan at this time.

However, the temple management consideration was still on the agenda with Cambodia's draft resolution, Mr Suwit said he submitted a letter of notification regarding Thailand's withdrawal to the United Nations‪ Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) director-general Irina Bokova and the head of the World Heritage Centre. Ms Bokova later expressed regret with Thailand’s decision to leave the World Heritage Convention and the World Heritage Committee.

He mentioned that many delegates and executive members of the WHC tried to convince the Thai delegation to change their minds, but several understood Thailand's reasoning, which has maintained a position that the consideration would not be raised until the border demarcation with Cambodia was completed.

The status of Thailand’s five World Heritage sites remains unchanged. However, if there are any changes in the future, it is not so worrying since the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning has planned to announce the national heritage area and systematic management plan for them, said Mr Suwit.

The Thai delegation is scheduled to arrive back home on Monday. (MCOT online news)

Top surviving Khmer Rouge leaders finally face justice before Cambodia war crimes tribunal

"Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea (L), former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary (2nd row from front, C, in glasses) and former social affairs minister Ieng Thirith (2nd row from front, R) sit at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh June 27, 2011. The United Nations-backed trial of the four most senior surviving members of Cambodia's murderous Khmer Rouge regime began on Monday, three decades after its "year zero" revolution marked one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century. REUTERS/Mark Peters/ECCC/Handout

The Canadian Press
By Sopheng Cheang,

The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - The top four surviving members of the brutal Khmer Rouge went on trial Monday before a tribunal aimed at finding justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died in Cambodia's "killing fields" of the 1970s.

With the aging leaders all in their late 70s or early 80s and with Khmer Rouge overlord Pol Pot long dead, the trial before the U.N.-backed panel represents the last, best chance for Cambodia to bring accountability to the Khmer Rouge leadership blamed for the deaths.

All four of the defendants say they are innocent.

"This is, at this time, the most important trial in the world," said Stephen Rapp, US envoy on war crimes issues. "It's a message to others who might commit similar crimes, that there will be consequences. That it may not happen tomorrow or the next day. But eventually, you'll be in the dock as well."

During their 1975-79 reign, the Khmer Rouge tried to implement a communist utopia, but ended up killing as many as one-quarter of their countrymen through executions, medical neglect, overwork and starvation.

On trial are Nuon Chea, 84, who was Pol Pot's No. 2 and the group's chief ideologist; Khieu Samphan, 79, the former head of state; Ieng Sary, 85, the former foreign minister, and his wife, Ieng Thirith, 79, who served as minister for social affairs.

Chief judge Nil Nonn opened the court session with procedural matters, including reading out the charges against the four, which include crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, religious persecution, homicide and torture.

Cambodian victims' advocates have decried how long it has taken to launch the trial, saying the proceedings are needed to shed light on a dark period and that time is running out for drawing meaningful testimony from the defendants on the stand.

Although all four defendants were present for the start of Monday's session, three of them were allowed to exercise the right to excuse themselves for reason of poor health, leaving only Khieu Samphan in the courtroom.

Theary Sang, a human rights advocate representing some victims who are allowed a role in the proceedings, said it was fair to excuse the defendants because of their infirmity, but said it would be a shame not to hear their statements.

"We cannot try ghosts," Theary Sang said. "As a victim, I desire truth and justice from the defendant which is best obtained when her or she is coherent and alert."

Still, observers said the trial can play a crucial role in Cambodia's coming to terms with its past.

"There is an enormous amount to learn as the prosecutors present their case," said David Scheffer, a former U.S. envoy for war crime issues who was instrumental in helping establish the tribunal.

"And defence counsel probably will challenge evidence with their own revealing information about the defendants," he said in an interview by email.

Testimony and presentation of evidence is expected to begin in August or September, 32 years after the Khmer Rouge were kicked out of power in 1979 with the help of a Vietnamese invasion.

For more than a decade afterward, they waged a bloody insurgency against the Phnom Penh government. Pol Pot escaped justice with his death in 1998, then a prisoner of his own comrades as his once-mighty guerrilla movement was collapsing.

Lawyers for the defendants came out fighting Monday, giving a hint of points they may raise later.

Lawyer Ang Udom reminded the court that Ieng Sary had been convicted and sentenced to death in absentia in 1979 by a Vietnamese-established court and that he received a royal pardon in 1996 when he led a mass defection to the government. However, the tribunal has already ruled he is still liable for charges.

Michel Pestman, representing Nuon Chea, said a full accounting of the historical context of the Khmer Rouge should include a probe of the massive wartime U.S. bombing of Cambodia and Vietnam's role.

In recent months, the tribunal has been mired in controversy over what critics charge is an effort by the co-investigating judges — from Cambodia and Germany — to scuttle further prosecutions. Critics have suggested the panel is folding to Cambodian government pressure to bring an end to the trials.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, presumably wary that political allies who once served with the Khmer Rouge — as he did — could face prosecution, has declared he simply won't allow further indictments. He has long sought to limit the scope of the tribunal.

The tribunal started operations in 2006. Its first defendant was Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, commandant of Tuol Sleng prison, where only a handful of prisoners survived. Up to 16,000 people were tortured under Duch's command and later taken away to be killed.

Duch, now 68, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity. His sentence was reduced to a 19-year term because of time previously served and other technicalities, bringing angry criticism from victims who called the punishment too lenient. Cambodia has no death penalty.

Tourism relations [between Cambodia and Thailand] marked by unease

Thai tourist arrivals in Cambodia fell 34% year-on-year in the first quarter, even as foreign visitor numbers overall increased by 14%.

Industry cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia is down but not out amid political tensions

Writer: Steve Finch
Published: 27/06/2011
Bangkok Post

PHNOM PENH : Organisers of the Thai Travel Mart Plus 2011 held in Bangkok earlier this month said Cambodian companies did not attend the regional event due to political tensions, a further sign this year's border clashes between the two countries have had a negative economic impact.

Gun Punthuhong, a spokesman for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), told the Bangkok Post by telephone from the opening of the three-day event on June 8 that the absence of Cambodian tour operators in Bangkok was due to the "obvious [bilateral] political chaos".

"There are no companies from Cambodia," he said. "Last year, they joined."

Vietnamese companies also did not attend the event, the biggest tourism trade show in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

"Vietnam wants to do it on its own," said Mr Gun.

Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, denied the decision not to attend was political. The TAT had failed to send details of the event to tour operators in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, he said.

"We are in the private sector. We are not involved in politics," said Ang Kim Eang. "So we still have good relations with our Thai counterparts. We do not discriminate."

So Visothy, the head of marketing and promotion in the Cambodian Tourism Ministry, declined to comment, saying he is not a decision-maker on political issues.

He deferred to Tourism Minister Thong Khon, who was unavailable.

Tourism, along with border trade, has been the main economic victim following deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in February and April. Thai Airways (THAI) reported a small drop in passenger numbers between Bangkok and Phnom Penh after fighting, and tour operators have bemoaned the psychological effect that tensions have had on tourists.

Cambodian Tourism Ministry data show nearly 14,000 fewer Thai travellers visited Cambodia in the first quarter than in the same period last year, a drop of 34% as foreign arrivals in the country soared 14% overall.

"The tense situation certainly negatively affects new bookings," said Luzi Matzig, chief executive of Bangkok-based Asian Trails, which operates offices across the region including in Cambodia. "Mainly affected are local markets such as fewer Thais visiting Cambodia and vice versa."

Although Thailand remains the main entry point for international visitors to Cambodia, Vietnam is catching up, as Hanoi plans to make the country a rival to main regional air hubs Bangkok and Singapore.

Last year, air arrivals in Siem Reap from Bangkok fell by 37%, but still 40% of all arrivals in that city _ home to Cambodia's biggest tourism draw, Angkor Wat _ originated from Thailand, according to Cambodian Tourism Ministry figures, with Vietnam accounting for 31% of the traffic.

Suvarnabhumi airport remains the main hub to Phnom Penh, with 10 flights daily on THAI, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia and, as of the end of March, Air France. Ho Chi Minh City is the next-busiest route to the Cambodian capital.

In April 2010, the Cambodian-Vietnamese border crossing west of Ho Chi Minh City at Moc Bai overtook Aranyaprathet for the first time as the main land crossing point into Cambodia, although that was almost certainly due to political chaos in Bangkok during the red-shirt protests. By the end of last year, Aranyaprathet was again the main entry point to Cambodia, although government officials in Phnom Penh have recently played down Thailand's role in the country's tourism industry.

Last month, So Mora, secretary of state for the Cambodian Tourism Ministry, reacted angrily after Indonesian media reports quoted Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya commenting on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Jakarta that Cambodia's tourism industry remained reliant on Thailand as a point of entry.

"We're not really dependent on Thailand for anything to survive. On the contrary, Thailand's tourism sector earns a lot of profit from tourism to Cambodia," So Mora was quoted as saying in The Phnom Penh Post.

Although bilateral tourism relations between Thailand and Cambodia have suffered as a result of recent tensions, Bangkok and Phnom Penh did finalise an agreement this year that will allow a set number of vehicles to cross the border each day, although it is yet to be implemented.

Tourists travelling overland between the two countries must change buses and walk across the border on foot as opposed to checkpoints between Cambodia and Vietnam where vehicles are permitted to cross following a bilateral agreement.

Despite the non-attendance of Cambodia and Vietnam at the Travel Mart Plus, 15 companies from Burma, Laos and China's Yunnan province attended GMS events in Bangkok, the TAT said in a statement.

The Asian Development Bank said annual tourist arrivals to the GMS nearly tripled between 1995 and 2009, from 10 million to 26 million.

Sugree Sithivanich, the TAT's executive director for advertising and public relations, told the Bangkok Post this was due to the rise in flight connections, relaxation of visa rules and increased cooperation between governments.

"All the growth that exists today is almost entirely a result of specific policy measures undertaken as a result of regional and subregional agreements," he said.

Khmer Rouge leaders go on trial in Cambodia

"Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea (2nd row from front, L) sits at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh June 27, 2011.

REUTERS/Mark Peters/ECCC/Handout

Mon Jun 27, 2011
By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - The four most senior surviving members of Cambodia's murderous Khmer Rouge regime went on trial for war crimes on Monday, three decades after its "year zero" revolution marked one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

The defendants, all now elderly and infirm, were among the inner circle of the late Pol Pot, the French-educated architect of the Khmer Rouge's ultra-Maoist "Killing Fields" revolution that killed an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians from 1975-1979.

Dressed in casual clothes, "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, former President Khieu Samphan, ex-Foreign Minister Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith, a former social affairs minister, showed no emotion as opening statements to the U.N.-backed tribunal were read before a packed auditorium in proceedings screened on national television.

Almost a quarter of Cambodia's population were wiped out under the Khmer Rouge through torture, execution, starvation and exhaustion.

The four are charged with committing crimes against humanity and genocide and accused of a litany of crimes under both international and Cambodian laws, including murder, enslavement, religious and political persecution, inhumane treatment and unlawful imprisonment.

All four defendants are expected to enter not guilty pleas. "Brother Number One" Pol Pot, died in 1998.

Except for Khieu Samphan, none have shown willingness to cooperate with the court and there are concerns that Cambodians will be denied the chance to hear first-hand accounts of the motivation and ideology that fuelled an unrelenting killing spree by one of the world's most enigmatic regimes.

The closest any of the former cadres have come to disclosure is seen in an award-winning documentary film yet to be released in Cambodia entitled "Enemies of the People", in which Nuon Chea, during six years of recorded interviews with a the journalist, admitted those seen as threats to the party line were "corrected" at the behest of the regime.

The filmmakers have said they would not hand over tapes if asked by the court, but judges say material from the film can be used by prosecutors once in the public domain.

Wearing dark sunglasses, a ski hat and sweatshirt, Nuon Chea, 84, complained he was in poor health and was too cold and left the courtroom moments after the proceedings began.

"I'm ready to come back when the court discusses my requests," he said.

CRUCIAL TEST

The case is a crucial test of whether the multi-million dollar Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), a hybrid international-led tribunal created in 2005, can deliver justice.

Ou Virak, President of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the start of the second case was a "cathartic moment" that he hoped would help bring some closure.

The crimes "remain ingrained in Cambodia's collective psyche. I hope that this trial ... provides all victims with some sense of justice, however delayed that justice may be", Ou Virak said in a statement.

Sentences handed down by the tribunal can range from a minimum five years to a maximum of life in prison. There is no death penalty in Cambodia.

Sem Hoen, who lost four family members at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, queued for several hours for a seat in the courtroom. She said all he wanted was an explanation as to why so many people were killed indiscriminately.

"I want them to confess. People won't stay calm if they don't say what happened," she said. "Justice is very important."
But justice might continue to elude Cambodia. Cases have moved at a snail's pace in the ECCC its processes are extremely bureaucratic. The defendants are old and in poor health and some might die before a verdict is delivered by the ECCC, which estimates its spending will reach $150 million by year-end.

The court has so far handed down just one sentence, a 35-year jail term, commuted to 19 years, for Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, over the deaths of more than 14,000 people at the notorious S-21 prison. Duch has appealed against the ruling.

His sentence was seen by many Cambodians as too lenient and an unexplained decision this month by judges not to pursue a third case, believed to involve former military commanders, has prompted resignations by court staff and outrage from rights groups complaining of political interference by Cambodia's government and United Nations inaction.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, himself a former Khmer Rogue cadre, has shown his disdain for the court and last year told U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon that further indictments were "not allowed".

This week's opening proceedings are expected to be dominated by moves from Ieng Sary's lawyers to have charges against him dropped on the grounds that he was sentenced to death by a court created by Vietnamese invaders in 1979 and pardoned by Cambodia's then King Norodom Sihanouk 17 years later.

The pardon for Ieng Sary, a reclusive guerrilla leader, came as part of a peace deal between warring factions in Cambodia, but prosecutors are expected to argue the pardon was for the death sentence, not the charges he currently faces.

Som Hoeun, a 66-year old villager from southern Kompong Speu province, said it was worth the wait to see Pol Pot's top cadres brought to book.

"I lost three children, my father and husband. No matter what how long it has been, I'm always hopeful there will be justice," she said.

(Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Ex-Khmer Rouge Leaders Go on Trial in Cambodia

The defendants are Nuon Chea, described as the Khmer Rouge’s ideologue, Ieng Sary, the foreign minister, his wife, Ieng Thirith, who was minister of social affairs, and Khieu Samphan,the nominal head of state. (Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)

June 26, 2011
By SETH MYDANS
The New York Times

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The four surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge went on trial Monday, more than three decades after the collapse of a government that caused the death of as much as one-fourth of the population and left Cambodia a nation of traumatized survivors.

Now frail and fading from the memory of many Cambodians, the three men and one woman are charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, homicide and other offenses that occurred when the Khmer Rouge were in power from 1975 to 1979.

The case is the centerpiece of a United Nations-backed tribunal that has lasted five years and cost more than $100 million and is intended finally to lay the past to rest.

The defendants are Khieu Samphan, 79, the nominal head of state; Nuon Chea, 84, described as the Khmer Rouge’s ideologue; Ieng Sary, 85, the foreign minister; and his wife, Ieng Thirith, 79, who was minister of social affairs. All have declared their innocence.

“The beginning of Case 002 will be a cathartic moment for all Cambodians,” said Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, a private advocacy group, using the formal term for the case. “While the crimes of the Khmer Rouge were committed over a quarter of a century ago, they remain ingrained in Cambodia’s collective psyche.”

Though the top leaders are now in court, many thousands of Khmer Rouge continue to live among the people they abused and will never face justice. The trial is expected to last for years, and the age and ill health of the defendants is a concern to court officials.

Procedural hearings taking place now were to include managing the assignment of medical officers to assess the defendants’ mental and physical fitness to face trial. The physical condition of some of the defendants could influence the schedule set by the court in the months to come. Testimony in the case was expected to begin in August or September.

The top Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot, died in 1998 before he could be brought to trial. Other possible defendants, including Son Sen, Pol Pot’s right-hand man, and Ta Mok, a top military commander, have also died.

One Khmer Rouge figure has already been tried and convicted: Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, who ran the main prison and torture house of the Khmer Rouge. He was sentenced to a term of 35 years that was reduced to 19 years. An appeal is pending.

The tribunal is something of an experiment, attempting to graft international standards of justice onto Cambodia’s weak and politically malleable court system. A Cambodian prosecutor and Cambodian judges work together with foreign counterparts.

The process has been dogged by accusations of corruption and manipulation by the Cambodian government.

In the latest controversy, the international co-prosecutor, Andrew Cayley, is attempting to push ahead with cases against four more defendants, despite the assertion by Prime Minister Hun Sen that two cases were enough and the opposition of the Cambodian co-prosecutor, who echoed that view.

Nevertheless, Mr. Cayley commended the government for bringing top figures to trial.

“The Cambodian government itself brought about this process,” he said in a telephone interview. “The Cambodian government arrested these people and brought them into custody, and whatever the criticisms are, they have to be given credit for that.”

In an innovation, the tribunal is including victims as civil parties whose lawyers have the right to question witnesses and demand reparations. A recent court decision allowed the inclusion of 3,850 victims in the current case.

The trial is complex, said Clair Duffy, who has observed it for the Open Society Justice Initiative, a private legal and human rights group. In addition to the thousands of civil parties, it involves a 700-page indictment, hundreds of witnesses, thousands of pages of documentary evidence, scores of lawyers in the courtroom and three working languages — Khmer, English and French.

It is also likely to be drawn out as the lawyers for the four defendants pursue different strategies, including the possible exchanges of accusations among the defendants themselves.

Already in a pretrial court appearance, Mrs. Ieng Thirith has accused Mr. Nuon Chea of responsibility for the killings. In his trial, Duch also said he received orders from senior leaders, and it is possible that he could be a witness in the current trial.

After the Khmer Rouge was driven from power in January 1979 by a Vietnamese invasion, its leaders and fighters retreated into the jungles and carried out a decade-long guerrilla war.

As the insurgency collapsed, Mr. Nuon Chea and Mr. Khieu Samphan surrendered at the end of 1998 and were allowed to live quietly in a remote town that had been one of the last Khmer Rouge strongholds.

Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife lived in an expensive villa in downtown Phnom Penh until all four defendants were arrested in 2007 and brought to a specially built jail, which they share with Duch, on the grounds of the tribunal.

All four have been reported to have medical problems, and court officers say they are receiving the best care the country has to offer.

Khmer Rouge leaders go on trial in Cambodia

Combination photo shows four former Khmer Rouge leaders during their trial at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh June 27, 2011. The four most senior surviving members of Cambodia's murderous Khmer Rouge regime went on trial for war crimes on Monday, three decades after its "year zero" revolution marked one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century. From L-R: Former President Khieu Samphan, ex-Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, former Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith and "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea. REUTERS/Mark Peters/ECCC/Handout

A UN-backed tribunal in Cambodia is holding the trial of the four most senior surviving members of the Khmer Rouge regime

Reuters
Watch a video at guardian.co.uk,
Monday 27 June 2011

The four most senior surviving members of Pop Pot's Khmer Rouge regime appear before a UN-backed court Link to this video

The United Nations-backed trial of the four most senior surviving members of Cambodia's murderous Khmer Rouge regime has begun, three decades after its "year zero" revolution marked one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

The defendants, all elderly and infirm, were among the inner circle of the late Pol Pot, the French-educated architect of the Khmer Rouge's ultra-Maoist "Killing Fields" revolution.

An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians - a quarter of the population - were killed through torture, execution, starvation and exhaustion from 1975-1979.

The quartet, "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, former president Khieu Samphan, ex-foreign minister Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith, a former social affairs minister, are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, among other charges.

All are expected to enter not guilty pleas. "Brother Number One" Pol Pot, died in 1998.

Except for Khieu Samphan, none hahas shown willingness to cooperate with the court and there are concerns that Cambodians will be denied the chance to hear first-hand accounts of the motivation and ideology that fuelled an unrelenting killing spree by one of the world's most enigmatic regimes.

The closest any of the former cadres have come to disclosure is seen in an award-winning documentary film yet to be released in Cambodia entitled "Enemies of the People", in which Nuon Chea, during six years of recorded interviews with a journalist, admitted those seen as threats to the party line were "corrected" at the behest of the regime.

The filmmakers have said they would not hand over tapes if asked by the court, but judges say material from the film can be used by prosecutors once in the public domain.

The case is a crucial test of whether the multi-million dollar Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), a hybrid international-led tribunal created in 2005, can deliver justice.

Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said the start of the second case was a "cathartic moment" that he hoped would help bring some closure.

The crimes "remain ingrained in Cambodia's collective psyche. I hope that this trial ... provides all victims with some sense of justice, however delayed that justice may be", Ou Virak said in a statement.

But justice might continue to elude Cambodia. Cases have moved at a snail's pace in the ECCC. The defendants are old and in poor health and some might die before a verdict is delivered by the ECCC, which estimates its spending will reach $150m by the end of the year.

The court has so far handed down just one sentence, a 35-year jail term, commuted to 19 years, for Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, for his role in the deaths of more than 14,000 people at the notorious S-21 torture centre in Phnom Penh. Duch has appealed against the ruling.

His sentence was seen by many Cambodians as too lenient, and a so far unexplained decision earlier this month by judges not to pursue a third case, believed to involve two senior Khmer Rouge military commanders, has prompted resignations by court staff and outrage from rights groups complaining of political interference by Cambodia's government and inaction by the United Nations.

The prime Mminister, Hun Sen, himself a former Khmer Rogue cadre, has made no secret of his disdain for the court and last year told the head of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, that further indictments were "not allowed".

This week's opening proceedings are expected to be dominated by moves from Ieng Sary's lawyers to have charges against him dropped on the grounds that he was sentenced to death by a court created by Vietnamese invaders in 1979 and pardoned by Cambodia's then king, Norodom Sihanouk 17 years later.

The pardon for Ieng Sary, a reclusive guerilla leader, came as part of a peace deal between warring factions in Cambodia, but prosecutors are expected to argue the pardon was for the death sentence, not the charges he currently faces.

Thai heritage sites could lose Unesco's funding and protection after Thailand withdrew from Unesco

Anonymous said...

According to paragraph 244 of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, International Assistance requests must be transmitted by a State Party National Commission for UNESCO or Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, or an appropriate governmental Department or Ministry. Individuals who do not represent one of these bodies are therefore not entitled to submit requests for International Assistance.

Thailand should study carefully articles 13.1, 13.2 and 19 to 26 of Unesco's International Assistance under the World Heritage Convention, which is an assistance granted to the State Parties to the World Heritage Convention, in order to help them protect the World Cultural or Natural Heritage located on their territories and inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Thailand have tourist sites that are listed by UNESCO and received the funding and protection from UNESCO. Now Thailand has quit UNESCO, it's possible that those listed tourist sites could be delisted from UNESCO's heritage list and they will not be eligible for funding and protection after Thailand had withdrawn its membership from Unesco. Thailand might have to return the title to Unesco and not promote those former sites as UNESCO-listed sites anymore, as only members of UNESCO are allowed to claim the title.

Two Cambodian ladies severely beaten by two Vietnamese men

By Khmerization
Source: Kampuchea Thmey

A Cambodian mother and daughter from Kampong Chhnang province have sustained serious injuries after being beaten with bats by two Vietnamese men due to a minor argument over the loss of a fishing net.

Witnesses said that Mrs. Lon Sarom, 49, and her daughter Chan Da, 22, were beaten with bats by two Vietnamese brothers Hang Giang Hieng and Hang Giang Thuong after a verbal argument over the loss of a fishing net on 23rd June.

The next day, the two ladies went to lodge a complaint with the local police, but before police can apprehend them, the two brothers had escaped. Police said they are confident the two perpetrators will be arrested. The two were believed to be Vietnamese migrants living in Cambodia.

Please read article in Khmer below:
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ស្ត្រី​២​នាក់​ម្ដាយ​និង​កូន​រង​របួស​ធ្ងន់​ដោយ​សា្ន​ដៃ​បុរស​ជន​ជាតិ​វៀត​ណាម​២​នាក់​ព្រួត​គ្នា​វាយ​និង​ដំប​ង​

25-6-iiកំពង់ឆ្នាំង ៖ ស្រ្តី​២​នាក់​ម្ដាយ​និង​កូន​បាន​រង​របួស​ធ្ងន់​ដោយ​សារ​បុរស​២​នាក់​បង​ ប្អូន​បាន​ព្រួត​គ្នា​វាយ​និង​ដំបង​ព្រោះ​តែ​ខឹង​និង​ការ​ជេរ​ក្នុង​រឿង​ បាត់​សំណាញ់​។អ្នក​ស្រុក​នៅ​ក្នុង​ភូមិ​បាន​អោយ​ដឹង​ថា​ស្រ្តី​រង​គ្រោះ​នោះ ​ឈ្មោះ ​លន់ រុំ​ អាយុ​៤៩​ឆ្នាំ​ជា​ម្ដាយ​និង​ឈ្មោះ ​ច័ន្ទ ដា​ អាយុ​២២​ឆ្នាំ​ជា​កូន​រស់​នៅ​ក្នុង​ភូមិ​កណ្ដាល ​សង្កាត់​ផ្សារ​ឆ្នាំង​ ក្រុង​កំពង់​ឆ្នាំង​ ។

ស្រ្តីរងគ្រោះបាននិយាយ​អោយដឹងថាករណី​ នេះបង្កនៅបឹង​ទួលអំពិលក្រោយ​ភូមិកណ្ដាលកាល​ពីវេលាម៉ោង១៤​ថ្ងៃទី២៣ខែមិថុនា​ ឆ្នាំ២០១១ដែលបង្ក​ឡើយដោយ​ឈ្មោះ ហាំង​ យ៉ាំងហៀង ​និងឈ្មោះ ​ហាំង យ៉ាំងធឿង​ ជនជាតិវៀតណាម​ជាបងប្អូន​បង្កើតនិង​គ្នាបានយក​ដំបងមក​ព្រួតវាយ​លើរាយ​ ការស្ត្រីរងគ្រោះ​ទាំង២នាក់​ម្ដាយ​និង​កូន​ដោយ​ព្រោះ​រឿង​ទំនាស់​បន្តិច​ បន្តួច​ហើយ​ប្រកែក​គ្នា​រហូត​ឈាន​ដល់​ប្រើ​អំពើ​ហិង្សា​ដែល​បណ្ដាល​អោយ​មាន​ របួស​យ៉ាង​ធ្ងន់​។ហើយ​នៅ​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃ​ទី​២៤​ខែ​មិថុនា​ស្ត្រី​រង​គ្រោះ​ទាំង​ ២​នាក់​បាន​ម​កប្ដឹង​សមត្ថកិច្ច​អោយ​ជួយ​រក​យុត្តិធម៌​ជូន​ពួក​គាត់​។ ករណី​ខាង​លើ​សមត្ថកិច្ច​កំពុង​ធ្វើ​ការ​ស្រាវ​ជ្រាវ​រក​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​ជន​ដៃ​ ដល់​ដើម្បី​កសាង​សំណុំ​រឿង​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ច្បាប់​ប៉ុន្តែ​បច្ចុប្បន្ន​ជន​សង្ស័យ ​បាន​រត់​គេច​ខ្លួន​ពី​ផ្ទះ​បាត់​មិន​យូរ​មិន​ឆាប់​គង់​តែ​ជាប់​អន្ទាក់​ សមត្ថកិច្ច​មិន​ខាន​ឡើយ​៕

ឬទ្ធីជ័យ

កែ​ចុងក្រោយ​នៅ ថ្ងៃសៅរ៍ ទី25 មិថុនា ឆ្នាំ2011 ម៉ោង11:00

Chea Sim supports Mr. Hun Sen to prime minister for life

Mr. Chea Sim (L) sharing a joke with Mr. Hun Sen during the 20th anniversary of the Vietnamese ouster of the Khmer Rouge regime on 7th January 1999.

By Khmerization

Source: CEN

The president of ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), Mr. Chea Sim, has vowed to support Mr. Hun Sen, the party vice-president, to be prime minister for life.

Mr. Chea Sim has given his pledge, through a statement read by a party official during the 60th anniversary of the founding the the CPP on 25th June in Kampot province that the CPP has confidence in Mr. Hun Sen and will support him to be prime minister for life.

Mr. Chea Sim's statement was read by Mr. Nay Bena, member of the CPP's Permanent Committee, in front of 6,000 party faithful in Teuk Chhouk district in Kampot province to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of the CPP (28th June 1951-28th June 2011), which was then known as the Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Party.

In the past, the less powerful Mr. Chea Sim has pledged his supports for the more powerful Mr. Hun Sen to be prime minister for life on several occasions to dispel rumours that thew two are cutthroat rivals.

Please read article in Khmer below:
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គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​គាំទ្រ​សម្តេច​ហ៊ុន សែន ជា​នាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ជា​រៀងរហូត​
ដោយ : ចក្រី (ថ្ងៃទី 25 មិថុនា 2011,03:06:PM)
CEN
Dsc00818
ខេត្តកំពត​ប្រារឰ​ខួប​អនុស្សាវរីយ៍​លើក​ទី​៦០​ថ្ងៃកំណើត​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុ​ជាមាន​អ្នកចូលរួម​ជិត​៦.០០០​នាក់​

កំពត: ក្រោម​ពន្លឺព្រះអាទិត្យ​ដ៏​ភ្លឺ​ចិញ្ចែងចិញ្ចាច​តាំងពី​ព្រលឹម​ស្រាងៗ បន្ទាប់ពី​មាន​ភ្លៀង​ធ្លាក់​ជាប់ៗ​គ្នា​ប្រមាណ​ប្រហែល ពេញ​មួយ​សប្តាហ៍​កន្លងមក​នោះ នា​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃទី​២៥ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ​២០១១​នេះ ​នៅ​បរិវេណ​សួន​ស្បា​រ​ខេត្ត​ដែលជា​សមិទ្ធផល​ទើប​កកើតឡើង​ថ្មីៗ ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ មន្ត្រីរាជការ​...​មកពី​ក្រុង​កំពត និង​ស្រុក​ទឹកឈូ​ប្រមាណ​ជិត ៦.០០០ នាក់​បាន​ចូលរួម​អបអរសាទរ​ក្នុង​មិ​ទ្ទី​ញ ​ខួប​អនុស្សាវរីយ៍​លើក​ទី​៦០ ថ្ងៃ​បង្កើត​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​។ អ្វី​ជាការ​កត់សម្គាល់​ក្នុង​អង្គពិធី​នេះ តំ​ណា​ឱ្យ​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ដែលមាន​វត្តមាន​ទាំងមូល​បាន​សម្តែង​​ពី​ការគាំទ្រ​ បេក្ខភាព​របស់​សម្តេច​ហ៊ុន សែន ជា​នាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​សម្រាប់​អាណត្តិ​ជា​រៀងរហូត ។​
លោក នៃ ប៉េ​ណា សមាជិក​អចិន្ត្រៃយ៍​គណៈកម្មាធិការ​កណ្តាល​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា ​បាន​អាន​សុន្ទរកថា​របស់​សម្តេច អគ្គ​មហា​ធម្ម​ពោធិ៍​សាល​ជា ស៊ីម ប្រធាន​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​​ក្នុង​មិ​ទ្ទី​ញ​រំលឹក​ខួប​លើក​ទី​៦០ ថ្ងៃ​បង្កើត​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា (២៨ មិថុនា ១៩៥១-២៨ ​មិថុនា ២០១១) មាន​ខ្លឹមសារ​ថា ឈ្មោះ​ដំបូង​របស់​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា នាពេល​បង្កើតឡើង​​កាល ពីថ្ងៃ​ទី​២៨ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ​១៩៥១ មាន​ឈ្មោះថា “ បក្សប្រជាជន​បដិវត្តន៍​ខ្មែរ ” ដើម្បី​ដឹកនាំ​​ចលនា​តស៊ូ​ដណ្តើម​ឯករាជ្យ​ជាតិ​ពី​ពួក​អាណានិគមនិយម​បារាំង​ ។​

ចាប់ពី​ពេល​បដិសន្ធិ​មក​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​បាន​រក្សា​ ខ្ជាប់​ឥត​ ប្រែប្រួល​នូវ​គោលបំណង ​និង ឧ​ត្ត​ម​គតិ របស់ខ្លួន គឺ​ឈរ​នៅ​ខាង​ប្រជាជន រួមសុខ​រួមទុក្ខ​ជាមួយ​ប្រជាជន ពុះពារ​ធ្វើ​ពលីកម្ម​ឥត​រួញរា​ដើម្បី​ប្រទេសជាតិ ។ សុន្ទរកថា​របស់​សម្តេច​ប្រធាន​ក៏បាន​សម្តែង​នូវ​ការគោរព និង ​សេចក្តី​នឹករលឹក​ដ៏​ជ្រាលជ្រៅ​ចំពោះ​ជនរួមជាតិ​ទាំងអស់​នៅ​គ្រប់ទិសទី ដែល​កំពុង​បញ្ចោ​ញ​អស់​កម្លាំងកាយ កម្លាំងចិត្ត​ក្នុង​ការងារ និង​មុខរបរ​របស់ខ្លួន ហើយ​ចូលរួម​យ៉ាងសកម្ម​ក្នុងការ​អនុវត្តន៍​កម្ម​វិធី​នយោបាយ របស់​រាជ​រដ្ឋ​ភិ​បាល ព្រមទាំង​កងកម្លាំងប្រដាប់អាវុធ​គ្រប់​ប្រភេទ​ដែល​កំពុង​បំពេញ​កាតព្វកិច្ច​ ការពា​រ​មាតុភូមិ​ប្រកបដោយ​វីរភាព ខ្ពង់ខ្ពស់ ដើម្បី​ការពារ​ជីវភាព​រស់នៅ​ដ៏​សុខសាន្ត​របស់​ប្រជាជន​។ សុន្ទរកថា មាន​ខ្លឹមសារ​ទៀតថា ពី​សង្គ្រាម​និង​ការបែកបាក់ មក​សន្តិភាព និង​កា​រប​ង្រួ​បង្រួម​ជាតិ ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​គ្រប់ៗ​រូប​សុទ្ធតែ​បានទទួល​មនុញ្ញផល​ពី​ការផ្លាស់ប្តូរ​ នេះ​។

ប៉ុន្តែ​រាល់​ការផ្លាស់ប្តូ​រទាំង នោះ​ពិតជា​មិនអាច​កើតមាន​បានទេ​បើ​ខ្វះ​ការដឹកនាំ​មួយ​ដ៏​ត្រឹមត្រូវ គឺ​ការដឹកនាំ​របស់​គណបក្ស​ដែល​ត្រូវតែមាន​ភាពរឹងមាំ​ទាំង​ខាង​នយោបាយ សតិអារម្មណ៍ និង​ការចាត់តាំង ។ អាស្រ័យហេតុនេះ​តាំងពី​ដំណាក់កាល​សង្គ្រោះ​ជាតិ និង​ថ្ងៃ​ដំបូង​នៃ​ជ័យជម្នះ​លើ​របប​ប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍​មក ថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំ​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​បាន​ប្រមូលផ្តុំ ខិតខំ​កសាង និង​ពង្រឹង​គណបក្ស​លើ​គ្រប់ផ្នែក​ឥត​ឈប់ ឈរ​ឆ្លងតាម​សកម្មភាព​ជាក់ស្តែងនៃ​ការកសាង​និង​ការពារ​មាតុភូមិ​។ បច្ចុប្បន្ន​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុ​ជាមាន​សមាជិក​រាប់លាន​នាក់ មាន​រចនាសម្ព័ន្ធ​គ្រប់​ថ្នាក់ គ្រប់ផ្នែក គ្រប់​មូលដ្ឋាន និង​មាន​ធនធានមនុស្ស​គ្រប់គ្រាន់​ដើម្បី​បម្រើ​ប្រទេសជាតិ​។ ពិសេស​គណបក្សប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​បាន​យកចិត្តទុកដាក់​ខ្ពស់​ក្នុង​​ ការបណ្តុះបណ្តាល និង​ប្រគល់​ភារកិច្ច​ដល់​សមាជិក​គ​ណ​បក្ស​វ័យក្មេង​ដែលជា​ជំនាន់​បន្ត វេន​​ដើម្បី​រក្សា​និរន្តរភាព​នៃ​ការដឹកនាំ​គណបក្ស​។​
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​មាន​ ចំណាប់អារម្មណ៍​ក្នុង​ពិធី​នេះ តំណាង​មួយរូប​បាន​រៀបរាប់ថា ដោយសារ​គណបក្ស​​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​ធ្លាប់បាន​សង្គ្រោះ​ប្រជាជន​ឆ្លង​ផុតពី​របប ​ប៉ុល ពត ដ៏​មហាលំបាក​វេទនា​នោះ ទើប​​ប្រជាជន​ចាត់ទុក​គណបក្ស​នេះ​ជា​អ្នកផ្តល់​កំណើត​ទី​ពីរ​ដល់​ខ្លួន​ តាំងពី​ដំណាក់កាល​រស់រាន​មាន​​ជីវិត រហូតដល់​ដំណាក់កាល​អភិវឌ្ឍន៍​ប្រទេសជាតិ​។ ថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំ​របស់​គណ​បក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​​គ្រប់​ជាន់ថ្នាក់ តែងតែ​ចុះ​ដល់​មូលដ្ឋាន​ស្វែងយល់​សុខទុក្ខ និង​ដោះស្រាយ​រាល់​សំណូមពរ​របស់​​ប្រជាជន ពិសេស​ពេល​ជួប​គ្រោះមហន្តរាយ​ផ្សេងៗ​។ ចំណាប់អារម្មណ៍​បន្តទៀតថា ក្នុងនាម​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ទាំងអស់​សូម​គាំទ្រ​បេក្ខភាព​សម្តេច​អគ្គមហាសេនាបតី​ តេ​ជោ ហ៊ុន សែន ជានា​យក​
​រដ​មន្ត្រី​សម្រាប់​អាណត្តិ​ក្រោយៗ​ទៀត និង​មាន​ជំនឿ​យ៉ាង​មុតមាំ​ថា គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​នឹង​​ទទួលបាន​ជោគជ័យ​ដ៏​ធំធេង នូវ​បេសកកម្ម​ជា​ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ​ក្នុងការ​បោះឆ្នោត​ជ្រើសរើស​សមាជិក​ ព្រឹទ្ធសភា​នីតិកាល​ទី​៣ និងការបោះឆ្នោត​ជ្រើសរើស​ក្រុមប្រឹក្សា ឃុំ​.​សង្កាត់​អាណត្តិ​ទី​៣ នា​​ឆ្នាំ​២០១២ ខាងមុខនេះ ៕

Amnesty, Double Jeopardy on Agenda for Tribunal Hearing

This combo shows file photos of the four top surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime: (clockwise): Nuon Chea, the group's ideologist; former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary; former head of state and public face of the regime, Khieu Samphan, and Ieng Sary's wife Ieng Thirith, ex-minister for social affairs (file photo).

Sunday, 26 June 2011
By Sok Khemara,
VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

In the days leading into the trial of four Khmer Rouge leaders, legal analysts say there are few if any past hindrances to the prosecution that would prevent full proceedings.

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The trial for Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith officially begins Monday, when the four senior regime leaders will appear before the Trial Chamber of the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal in a preliminary hearing.

The hearing will tackle some of the tougher questions for moving the proceedings forward for the accused, who are charged with a raft of atrocity crimes, including genocide, in what is expected to be a long, complicated trial, known as Case 002.

In the time since all four were arrested in 2007, defense lawyers have argued that amnesties promised by the government in the late 1990s, which helped dissolve the last of the Khmer Rouge after decades of civil war, would be relevant.

Likewise, they have argued that a trial of Khmer Rogue leaders staged by the Vietnamese occupation in 1979 means that Ieng Sary will be charged twice for the same crime, which is barred under a legal concept called double jeopardy.

Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister for the Khmer Rouge, led a breakaway of 20,000 troops in exchange for a government amnesty in 1996. Nuon Chea, the regime’s ideologue; Khieu Samphan, its nominal head; and Ieng Thirith, the social affairs minister and wife of Ieng Sary, followed him.

All four lived freely among ordinary Cambodians for more than a decade before they were arrested and put in the custody of the tribunal.

However, legal analysts said in recent interviews neither the amnesty, the Vietnamese trial nor other obstructions are likely to impede the prosecution.

“None of the Case 002 defendants should be able to use the 1996 amnesty as a successful defense,” John Ciorciari, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, told VOA Khmer in an e-mail.

Nor will Ieng Sary be shielded from double jeopardy after the Vietnamese trials, which found him guilty in absentia for war crimes but were widely considered illegitimate, Ciorciari said.

“Firstly, Ieng Sary is being charged for some crimes that were not a part of the 1979 proceedings,” he wrote. “Second, where a trial was highly defective—like the sham trial of 1979—most leading legal systems allow offenses to be tried again. Third, a major aim of the double jeopardy principle is to prevent defendants from being punished twice for the same offense.”

“The text of the amnesty agreement quite specifically granted Ieng Sary immunity from prosecution under a 1994 law outlawing the Khmer Rouge organization,” he continued. “It says nothing about barring prosecution for the grave international crimes that will be addressed in Case 002.”

Still, the rights of defendants must also be protected, legal analysts told VOA Khmer.

“It is why the good work of the defense sections at the tribunal is so critical,” said Jeffrey Brand, dean of the University of San Francisco’s law school. “We need to candidly confront the reasons that we reject a particular prior proceeding or political deal if an accused is going to be tried.”

Clair Duffy, a tribunal monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative, said the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber has already ruled out the questions of double jeopardy and the amnesty.

“While the Pre-Trial Chamber’s position isn’t determinative of the issue, the reasoning considers all of the arguments which are likely to be raised by Ieng Sary again in the initial hearing,” she said. “One thing that can be said is that courts around the world exercising international criminal jurisdiction are always likely to read down any amnesty provisions because of the nature of the crimes under their jurisdiction.”

Meanwhile, national and international lawyers have said they are skeptical about the interpretation of the laws governing the tribunal, which was established under Cambodian courts and law. This could allow arguments by the defendants regarding the amnesty or double jeopardy, they said.

Sok Sam Oeun, head of the Cambodian Defenders project, said a good court model that follows the proper interpretation of the laws will be more important to Cambodia than the prosecution of the accused.

“We want the court to legally adjudicate, to provide a good example for Cambodia,” he said. “Essentially, how is the court going to interpret [the law], on a legal and rational basis, or not? If they reasonably interpret, then we can accept it.”

Tribunal spokesman Huy Vannak said the court will have ample jurisdiction over Ieng Sary’s case and will not be hindered by the double jeopardy question. However, he said these questions will be discussed in the initial hearing that starts Monday.

“The court has enough competency and enough of a role in Ieng Sary’s case over genocidal crimes, and other crimes…to try him under its jurisdiction,” he said.

The tribunal has also taken criticism for a lack of independence, following the refusal of senior government officials to testify before judges, as well the public opposition to further indictments by Prime Minister Hun Sen and others.

That criticism has been particularly sharp in recent weeks, following the hasty conclusion of a third case, yet to be tried, by investigating judges.

However, the University of Michigan’s Ciorciari said it is “unlikely” members of the government have exerted pressure to prevent Case 002 from going forward.

“The Cambodian judges at the Pre-Trial Chamber did not appear to be under pressure to support the double jeopardy or amnesty defenses,” he said.

On the other hand, Peter Maguire, a law professor and author of a book on the Cambodian genocide, said he doubts the tribunal will end in acquittal of the accused.

“It is unlikely to me that the Cambodian government would waste this much time and money,” he said, “only to set these high-profile defendants free.”

UNESCO regrets Thai decision to denounce World Heritage Convention

Source: UN News Centre

26 June 2011 – The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today voiced deep regret after Thailand announced it would denounce the global convention aimed at preserving humankind's most outstanding shared cultural and natural heritage.

A Thai Government minister said yesterday in Paris, where the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is currently meeting, that his country did not support the convention, the latest step in a row involving the Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage List site that was damaged during border clashes earlier this year between Thailand and Cambodia.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova (pictured) said in a press statement issued today that “the World Heritage Convention of 1972 is not only the foremost international instrument for the preservation and protection of the world's cultural and natural properties which have outstanding universal value, but also widely recognized as an important and indispensable tool to develop and encourage international cooperation and dialogue.”

Ms. Bokova said she hoped that Thailand would “carefully consider its future course of action” regarding the convention and “continue to be an active participant” in the discussion of world heritage issues.


In its press statement UNESCO noted that, contrary to some media reports, the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple or request that reports be submitted on its state of conservation.

Instead the committee reaffirmed the need to ensure the protection and conservation of the temple site from any damage and further encouraged Thailand and Cambodia to use the convention as a tool to support conservation, sustainable development and dialogue.

UNESCO said the committee made the decision unanimously after Thailand staged a walkout, despite “intense negotiations” with both Thailand and Cambodia over the past five days on the sidelines of the committee meeting.

Earlier this year the former UNESCO director-general Koïchiro Matsuura was dispatched as a special envoy to try to resolve the dispute between the South-East Asian neighbours, and the agency also facilitated consultations between the two countries last month in Paris.

Meanwhile, the committee yesterday inscribed five new sites to the World Heritage List, taking the total of new additions during the current session – which ends on 29 June – to 13.

The committee added the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, the Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe in Sudan, Jordan's Wadi Rum Protected Area, the Longobards in Italy and the Fagus Factory in Alfeld, Germany.

Preah Vihear Temple to remain time bomb

June 27, 2011
By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK,
SAMASCHA HUNSARA

THE NATION

Thailand will withdraw from Heritage Convention, but experts query move

Thailand's defiant decision to pull out of the World Heritage Convention late on Saturday in protest over Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear Temple could be another ticking bomb for the new government.

"The next step to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee will be the responsibility of the next government," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told a press conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

He had called Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to meet for 10 minutes at the airport's VIP room before the press conference.

"From now Unesco can consult with Thailand over the next process and Thailand will insist that any activity to recover the disputed areas must be approved by Thailand. We do always ask Cambodia to withdraw troops from the Preah Vihear Temple as it would violate the convention and the intention of the committee," he said.

Noppadon Patama, a legal adviser to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and former foreign minister, derided the decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention, saying it would cause trouble for the country.

"There is another way to protect our sovereign rights that is better than resignation from the convention," he said in a comment called "What has Suwit done in Paris?" on his Facebook page.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, head of the Thai delegation negotiating with the World Heritage Committee in Paris, announced at 11.55pm on Saturday that his delegation had informed the World Heritage Committee that Thailand had withdrawn its membership to the convention. He said the Thai delegation had to make the move after the committee ignored Thailand's concern that consideration of the management plan would complicate the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

"So, I think that we should not take a risk. If we take a risk, the vote of the committee may affect us and affect our sovereignty. I talked to the delegation and we agreed to withdraw as a member of the World Heritage Convention," Suwit said.

However, academics have called into doubt the legality of the caretaker government's decision, saying the Constitution does not allow a caretaker government to make any legally binding decision until the next government is appointed.

"It is still a question whether the caretaker government has the authority to make any legally binding decision after the House dissolution," said Panas Tassaneeyanont, a legal expert and former senator.

"The withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention will not take effect as the caretaker government does not have the authority to legally bind the next government," he said. "The new government will later cancel the previous government's decision."

According to Article 35 of the World Heritage Convention, such a move must be notified by a signatory in writing, sent to the director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

The withdrawal would take effect 12 months after receipt of such a notice. It would not affect the financial obligations of the state until the date on which the withdrawal takes effect.

Abhisit insisted that Suwit's decision had followed the Cabinet resolution.

Akkharaphong Khamkhun, a lecturer at Thammasat University's Pridi Banomyong International College, said Suwit's announcement was hollow because it was done by the caretaker government.

Adul Wichiencharoen, a former member of the National World Heritage Committee, said he supported Suwit's response, as Thailand was in danger of losing territory if the committee accepted the Cambodian plan.

Panthep Pourpongpan, spokesman for the People's Alliance for Democracy, which has been camping out at Government House to protest against the listing of Preah Vihear Temple, said the announcement was a victory for the country.

Khmer Rouge trial fraught with drama in Cambodia

Standing trial beginning Monday are the four highest-ranking surviving Khmer Rouge leaders: Nuon Chea, left, 84, the revolution's chief ideologue; Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, 85; his wife, Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith, 79; and head of state Khieu Samphan, 79. They face multiple charges that include war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. (AFP / Getty Images / June 25, 2011)

Four former Khmer Rouge leaders accused of genocide go on trial in Cambodia on Monday before a U.N.-backed tribunal amid charges of political meddling in the investigation of other cases.

June 26, 2011
By Brendan Brady,
Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Phnom Penh, Cambodia— As a U.N.-backed Cambodian tribunal opens Monday to try former Khmer Rouge leaders accused of genocide, critics accuse the Cambodian government of meddling and the United Nations of failing to uphold the court's independence.

Standing trial are the four highest-ranking surviving Khmer Rouge leaders: head of state Khieu Samphan, 79; Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, 85; his wife, Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith, 79; and the revolution's chief ideologue, Nuon Chea, 84. They face multiple charges that include war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Last July in the first trial of Khmer leaders, former prison commandant Comrade Duch was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The current case, considered one of the most complex and historically significant war crimes trials since Nuremberg, is expected to last longer and be trickier than the first case. The complexities arise in part because fixing responsibility for the crimes is more tenuous given that the defendants ruled through proxies.

International co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley, a Briton, also faces a roster of hard-hitting defense lawyers, including Jacques Verges, a Frenchman dubbed "terror's advocate" for his success in defending charged war criminals.

The controversy surrounding the proceedings focuses on whether charges also should be levied against more former regime members than the initial five. An estimated 1.7 million people died of starvation, overwork, medical neglect and execution during the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge's brutal 1975-79 reign.

Trying more alleged mass murderers is controversial in Cambodia because many prominent figures today have links to the former regime. Those in favoring of widening the investigation — currently two more cases are under consideration involving five suspects — have met multiple roadblocks.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, himself a former mid-ranking cadre, has said he would rather have the tribunal fail than see more than two trials. He told U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in October that additional cases were "not allowed".

Five international members of the court's investigating branch recently quit to protest what they feel were intentionally scuttled probes into additional suspects.

One of them, author and Khmer Rouge expert Stephen Heder, criticized investigating judges in his resignation letter for shutting down a proposed third case "effectively without investigating it."

Heder described the court's investigations office as a "toxic atmosphere of mutual mistrust" and "professionally dysfunctional."

In the proposed third case, judges conducted only pro forma interviews of witnesses and visits to alleged crimes sites without informing suspects that they might face a trial, said legal advocacy group Open Society Justice Initiative in a report.

"Everything leads to the conclusion that the Case 3 investigation has been a charade," said Clair Duffy, a court monitor with Justice Initiative.

Additional trials could target second-tier Khmer Rouge leaders allegedly responsible for implementing some of the regime's most deadly policies. This could embarrass the prime minister, given that some in his inner political circle held Khmer Rouge posts of that rank, analysts said. Hun Sen has a different explanation: with former cadres distributed across the country, intense judicial scrutiny could spark uprisings and destabilize the country.

U.N. participation in the tribunal was supposed to shelter the court from political meddling and act as a legal model for Cambodia's shaky judiciary, which is marred by poor training, manipulation and corruption.

The U.N. has made repeated statements affirming the importance of judicial independence, although Duffy charged that this amounts to little more than empty words if the international body doesn't defend that principle.

Ban's office said charges of political interference amount to "media speculation."

"My greatest concern is that we maintain the trust of the people," Cayley said.

Brady is a special correspondent. Times staff writer Mark Magnier in Beijing contributed to this report.