Archive for March 17th, 2007
Saturday, 17.3.2007: Phnom Penh Will Be Short About 20 Megawatts Of Electricity During This Hot Season
The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 499
“Phnom Penh: When the hot season arrives, Phnom Penh and Takhmao [Kandal] are facing a lack of electricity, which is a heavy burden that has not yet been solved. It causes some areas in these two cities to have frequent power cut-offs, especially during the day, affecting the daily lives of the citizens.
“Mr. Chea Synhel, the director of the Electricity Network and Distribution Department of Electricité du Cambodge, said yesterday evening on the phone, that it is true that in the hot reason, there will be a lack of electricity in Phnom Penh, which will result in the power being cut off in each area some times every day, especially during the day.
“He added that the supply of electricity is running short by 20 megawatts at this time. Concerning the lack of electricity, Electricité du Cambodge has been gradually taking measures to solve this problem, and has been creating small generators to generate more power to some extent, by obtaining approximately 10 megawatts more, but there is still a lack of 10 megawatts.
“Normally, the demand for electricity is 160 megawatts, and there is still a lack of 10 to 20 megawatts which would be sufficient to meet the needs of customers to use every day. But as for the lack of electricity at this time, Electricité du Cambodge has two objectives for a solution to implement urgently. The first objective is to create small generators to help generate more electric power. The second is that the company is going to contact big customers – companies, enterprises, hotels, factories, and so on – asking them to help by using their private generators to avoid using state electricity..
“Mr. Chea Synhel added that the first objective can be achieved by creating small generators, but it is very difficult to achieve the second objective, because he did not know whether or not the owners of companies, enterprises, factories, and hotels would accept this request. If they accepted this request, there would, to a certain extent, be sufficient electricity, and it would also be not so serious as nowadays. The reason for the lack of electricity is that in Phnom Penh, there is a high level of development from one year to another; therefore, there is a lack of power every year, even though the electricity supply increases from one year to another. In 2006, the city of Phnom Penh had only 130 megawatts of power in the first six months, and the power increased to 150 or 160 megawatts in the second six months. But until 2007, Phnom Penh has a high level of development, because big companies are trying to use a lot of state electricity; therefore, the lack of electricity increases every year.
“Because of the lack of electricity, Electricité du Cambodge requested customers who use Cambodian public electricity to understand this problem, because this lack might extend also to mid 2008. But even so experts at Electricité du Cambodge are trying to seek solutions to the lack of electricity so that it will not disappoint the Cambodian citizens.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1293, 17.3.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Saturday, 17 March 2007
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1293, 16.3.2007
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Phnom Penh Will Be Short About 20 Megawatts Of Electricity During This Hot Season - Authorities Ban Khmer Krom Monks From Going To Chant For The Monk Who Was Killed [this month; despite the ban, the monk chanted from a nearby place out of the pagoda located in Kompong Speu]
- Civil Society Is Very Concerned About Impact On Health From Food Sold At Markets [vegetables and fruit were found containing chemical substances: Borax, Formalin, Sodium Hydrosulfite,and insecticides]
- Samdech Prime Minister Received Vietnamese Minister Of Defense [Mr. Phung Quang Thanh]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5993, 17-18.3.2007
- Election Campaign Has Started; Cambodian People’s Party Started At Local Levels Throughout The Country While Sam Rainsy Party Started From Phnom Penh [toward provinces]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3112, 17-18.3.2007
- The Ministry Of Economy And Finance Files Complaint Against Prince Chakrapong [for owing US$1.3 million to the government]; The Prince Threatens To Reveal The Truth Concerning The Coup And The Attempt To Create Autonomous Zones [in 1997 and 1993; the Prince said he has only two old planes for the government to take]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4238, 17.3.2007
- No Report Of Violence During The First Day Of Election Campaign [for the commune elections to be held on 1 April 2007]
- Court Decided To Charge Krom Preah [Prince Ranariddh] Over Adultery [this is an old issue but the court just mentioned it again]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, 355, 17.3.2007
- Sam Rainsy Party Launched Its First Campaign In Phnom Penh, Battambang, and Kompong Cham
Friday, 16.3.2007: Samdech Hun Sen States The Position Of The CPP: It Is Not Necessary To Request The Prime Minister Candidates To Debate Face To Face On Television
The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 499
“Prey Veng: The news about a request for a debate between candidates for the position of prime minister, which was broadcast on Radio Free Asia, prompted Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen to react by stating his explanation, because Samdech is also a candidate who will again stand as prime minister candidate for the fourth mandate in the upcoming 2008 elections.
“Concerning this issue, Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen replied that it is not necessary for a prime minister who is holding power to debate on television. He also will be the future prime minister, in case the Cambodian People’s Party [CPP] wins in the elections. Additionally, the CPP does not have multiple candidates. In 1998, the CPP Central Committee agreed to nominate Hun Sen as candidate. Again, in 2003, the CPP Central Committee still agreed to nominate Hun Sen as candidate. For the year 2008 elections, the CPP has already decided to nominate Hun Sen as candidate prior to the elections, through the Central Committee, since 2005.
“Samdech Hun Sen stated this when he participated in and presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of a section of National Road 8, which was held in Svay Antor, Prey Veng, in the morning of 15 March 2007. Samdech said that the CPP is not so inconsiderate that the CPP members fight with each other for the position of prime minister. Firstly, Hun Sen is a member of the CPP which has appropriate political guidelines, which have led the country for 28 years. Therefore, the prime minister is a person who does not do anything just according to his own subjective points of view, even if they are not far away from the political guidelines that the CPP decided by vote. Secondly, the Cambodian people clearly recognize Mr. Hun Sen as the prime minister candidate, the current prime minister, and as the future prime minister for the next mandate. What is and has been happening in Cambodia is part of Mr. Hun Sen, who has led the country in both national and international politics.
“Samdech Hun Sen asked, ‘What is the policy of the CPP?’ and he also said that he has led the country since 1985.
“He asked, ‘If another person were prime minister, would the situation of Cambodia be like it is today? This is the question to ask: The farmers farm the land from which the state does not levy taxes. If there were a change to a new person to come to power, would this person continue the same policy of not levying tax as the CPP? If other parties promise to do the same as the CPP, it will not be necessary to follow them – those parties should just vote for the CPP, because it is the same.’ Samdech Hun Sen stated that the CPP said, before the Paris Agreements [1991], that it will not levy land taxes for the next 10 to 15 years. Now, he still continues to say that it will not levy land taxes for the next 10 to 15 years, if the CPP wins the elections. If any party promises to do the same as the CPP, it is not necessary to vote for that party, because it makes the same promise as the CPP.
“Samdech said that he allocated to the people fishing lots covering 56% of the total or an area equal to more than half a million of hectares. If any party promises to do the same as Hun Sen, then vote for Hun Sen.
“As for the foreign politics, Samdech Hun Sen stated that the CPP has been developing its politics with its neighboring countries, using peaceful ways to seek solutions, and not to use force to solve border and other issues. He said that he brought Cambodia into ASEAN membership, to join the Asia-Europe Meeting, and to enter the World Trade Organization and many other organizations.
“He added that Cambodia supports the One-China Policy. Some other party leaders want to be prime minister – how could China trust them if they do not state their positions on the One-China Policy? He also spoke about a text he knows since 1982, saying ‘I can not hold your hands when you hold my hands, but then you come and step on my feet.’ Samdech Hun Sen said that the CPP is like a football team. Samdech Chea Sim is the coach, Samdech Heng Samrin is the goalkeeper, Hun Sen is the defender, and Sar Kheng and others are strikers. He said, ‘We have our own ways. I never declare myself as the prime ministerial candidate all on my own. Some people hold the views that, ‘If you are there, then I will not be there, and if I will be there, you cannot be there.’
“Samdech Hun Sen added that the CPP claims it can be with anyone, which is a major point to be taken into consideration. Those who do politics and do not have any position, please stop raising the issue about whether or not members of the royal family should stay out of politics.
“Samdech Hun Sen stated that the policy of the CPP and of Hun Sen towards the monarchy and towards the throne has been shown clearly many times. Firstly, in 1993, the monarchy was revived. There were a total of four parities which participated. If the CPP would not have participated, the constitution could not have been adopted until today, because it needed two thirds of the vote, while no party had more than 50 percent. He also said, ‘Everyone has to understand this clearly, don’t try to take political advantages.’ He added, ‘I took the initiative. If there would not have been the efforts of the CPP, of Samdech Heng Samrin, of Hun Sen, there would be no monarchy today. Don’t be confused. Furthermore, the former King Norodom Sihanouk swore in 1955 to abdicate, which was actually enough to prevent that a new monarchy would be formed, and that a monarchy would take power over the country.
“Secondly, during the crisis of the throne in 2004, if the CPP did not want the monarchy to be revived, if it did not adopt the laws, and if it did not care about the laws to be created during this week, there would be no king any more. He said, ‘Don’t be confused about this, some of those who are not persons involved in adopting the law, please don’t speak any more on this subject. In the same royal family, we see that an elder brother supports one party, and their younger brothers support another party – they do not get along well with each other; what is the point of speaking of their unity?.’” Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5992, 16.3.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Friday, 16 March 2007
Areyathor, Vol.13, #1222, 16-17.3.2007
- [Phnom Penh Lawmaker from Sam Rainsy Party] Son Chhay Invites Hun Sen To Answer About Land Grabbing
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5992, 16.3.2007
- Samdech Hun Sen States The Positions Of The Cambodian People’s Party; Wanting Prime Minister Candidates To Debate Face To Face On Television Is Not Necessary
Khmer Mekong, Vol.5, #248, 15-16.3.2007
- Three Private Companies In Stung Treng Are Deforesting, But Authorities Are Completely Quiet [one of the three companies is from China]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4237, 16.3.2007
- Police In Banteay Meanchey Arrested Drug Dealer In A Casino
- Fires In A Row In Boeng Salang Area; Bad Luck For Sangkat Chief [since a Sangkat chief from the Sam Rainsy Party was elected, many incidents similar to this happened]
- Prime Minister: Chakrapong’s Properties Might Be Confiscated; There Will Be No Pardon For Krom Preah [Prince Ranariddh]
- Being Charged Riel 1 Million [approx US$260] To Join Police Force Has Been Known [119 people were recruited to work in police force without salary in Kompong Thom]
- Livelihood Of Phnom Penh Residents Is Changing While Economy Is Growing [better security and infrastructure]
- 2007 Report Of The World Bank On Development and Future Generation [about 70% of the population is under the age of 30; the Minister of Education said that the educational system is still weak]
- Workers At United Garment Factory Intensify Their Demonstration [requesting for regular salary payments, and asking that 75 workers and 3 workers’ representatives be allowed to resume work]
Reach Seima, Vol.2, #162, 16.3.2007
- [Prison and Chains] Threatening Royal Family Members Out Of Political Battlefield
- Sam Rainsy Party Announces Its Position On The One China Policy [Secretary-General Mu Sochua said the party knows clearly that Taiwan belongs to China. To handle problems of Cambodians working in Taiwan, a committee should be established, either within the government or through NGOs]
- Chakrapong Hurriedly Fled To Thailand, Having No Money To Pay Off The Debts Owed To The Government
- Khmer Youth Association Director Said Only One of Ten Youth Has Employment
Snadai Khmeng Wat, Vol.6, #125, 16.3.2007
- Somphann Narith Construction Company Builds Another Dirt Road As A Donation Of Samdech Hun Sen [Kompong Cham]
- Eng Sok Gek Still Pumps Out Sand [for sale] Along Siem Reap River, Which It Is Against The Order Of Samdech Hun Sen
Thursday, 15.3.2007: The Government Investigates, And Claims Payment For A Debt Of Nearly $1.3 Million From Samdech Chakrapong
The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 499
“Phnom Penh: The Royal Government of Cambodia decided to investigate to claim a debt of nearly US$1.3 million from Samdech Chakrapong, the acting president of the Norodom Ranariddh Party. This investigation was made soon after Samdech Chakrapong severely criticized the current government.
“Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the Minister of Information and the spokesperson of the government, said on 14 March 2007, that in the past there was a request to the government for debt reductions, but Samdech Chakrapong did not understand about it, and he also fired criticism at the government. Therefore, the Minister said, that now there are lawyers who re-examine the legal procedures to claim a debt of nearly US$1.3 million that Samdech Chakrapong owes the government. In the past, Samdech Chakrapong sought a compromise with Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen, and Samdech Hun Sen was also willing to make an unofficial out-of-court compromise with him. But now the lawyers are re-examining the legal procedures to claim this debt.
“Samdech Chakrapong could not be reached for comment because his phone was switched off. Mr. Muth Chantha, the spokesperson of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, said that, speaking of the law of bankruptcy, if a company officially declares its bankruptcy, the state will cancel the company’s debt. He added that the information leaked at this time that the lawyers were ordered to investigate this debt. This issue seems to be synchronized with the political situation of the last few days. Therefore, this issue is related to politics.
“Samdech Chakrapong owes the state a debt of nearly US$1.3 million from the time when he operated Royal Phnom Penh Airways.
“The government declared it would claim the debt from Prince Chakrapong after the Prince held a press conference to severely attack the government. In an interview of 12 March, the Prince alleged that the government interfered in the affairs of the court, and the conviction of Samdech Krom Preah [Norodom Ranariddh] was politically motivated. The Prince suggested the government should turn its attention to a number of other urgent matters, such as the adoption of an anti-corruption laws and the trial process of Khmer Rouge leaders.
“The government declared to claim the debt from Prince Chakrapong, after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Samdech Krom Preah in absentia to 18 months in jail, and ordered him to pay US$150,000 in compensation, and to return the Funcinpec headquarters to Funcinpec. Samdech Krom Preah considered this conviction as aiming to prevent him from returning to the country to join in the upcoming elections.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4236, 15.3.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 15 March 2007
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1291, 15.3.2007
- Ms. Lisa Filipetto, Australian Ambassador To Cambodia, Terminates Her Mandate And Took Her Leave Of Samdech Hun Sen
- [About 3,000 workers conducted] A Strike To Remove A Translator From A Factory Because He Is Good At Cursing Workers When They Don’t Work Overtime [in the Makenet Footwear Factory, Phnom Penh]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5991, 15.3.2007
- Two Civil Society Organizations [COMFREL and ADHOC] Express Concerns Over Violence During The Upcoming Election Campaign, While The Authorities Prepare Themselves To Ensure Security
- Khmer People Entering The Thai Markets Are Required To Take Stricter Security Checks [at the Poipet border-crossing]
- The Phnom Penh Municipality Declares That It Will Protest Against Those Who Incite Others Over The Boeng Kak Area Plans [appealing to the citizens to cooperate with the authorities in developing this area]
- The Deputy Prime Minister Sok An Held A Discussion With World Bank Experts [and spoke about three questions: 1-Transparency and Good governance which Cambodia has implemented. 2-Fighting against corruption. 3-Judicious system reform. Sok An said draft on terrorism and money laundering has been sent to the National Assembly; the government is trying to reform the administration and the judicial system]
- The Birth Rates In The Urban Area Is Low [2.8 births per women], While The Birth Rate In The Rural Area Is High [3.5 births per women]
- Mr. Takahashi Fumiaki, the Japanese Ambassador To Cambodia, Terminates His Mandate, And Took His Leave Of Mr. Suy Sem [the Minister of Industry, Mining and Energy]
Moneaksekar, Vol.14, #3110, 15.3.2007
- Khmer Rouge Witnesses Are Worrying About Their Safety And Security For Fear That Somebody Will Be Vindictive With Them
- Do Not Use Branch Offices of the Cambodian Red Cross To Conduct A Campaign For The Cambodian People’s Party [some Red Cross officials give donations of the Red Cross but take the opportunity to promote the CPP]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4236, 15.3.2007
- The Government Investigates, And Claims Payment For A Debt Of Nearly $1.3 Million From Samdech Chakrapong
- Boeng Kak Residents Will Not Be Relocated To Outskirts [the Phnom Penh Municipality announced to the citizens that it would not relocate them]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #353, 15.3.2007
- A Private Malaysian Airplane Carried the Deputy Prime Minister Sok An’s [five] Fighting Cocks From Malaysia To Phnom Penh
- The State And Private Media Are Too Biased Towards The Ruling Party [COMFREL – the Committee for Free and Fair Elections – officials monitored all events that occurred so far before and during the process of the commune council elections]
The Mirror 