Archive for January 11th, 2008

Thursday, 10.1.2008: Khmer Rouge Tribunal Officials Plan to Meet People and Officials in Pailin in Order to Help Them Overcome Their Trauma

Posted on 11 January 2008. Filed under: Week 542 |

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542

“Phnom Penh: Co-investigating judges of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia [ECCC] will talk with citizens and former Khmer Rouge leadership officials in Pailin, in order to alleviate their trauma which was caused by the regime of Democratic Kampuchea [that is the Khmer Rouge], and to explain to them the process of the tribunal.

“Mr. Reach Sambath, the ECCC spokesperson, told Kampuchea Thmey on the afternoon of 9 January that the ECCC will hold a meeting with citizens and former Khmer Rouge officials in Pailin next week.

“He continued that the program will be held on 15 January 2008 with the participation of the co-investigating judges of the tribunal Mr. You Bunleng and Mr. Marcel Lemonde.

“Mr. Reach Sambath went on the say that the purpose of the talk is to provide information to the authorities and the people in general who are former Khmer Rouge forces as well as citizens in Pailin, so that they can clarify their feelings and understand the purpose of the tribunal. ‘We hold a talk there in order to eliminate misunderstandings relating to different cases at the Khmer Rouge tribunal. The tribunal has power to try only the top leaders having had most responsibility for the regime of Democratic Kampuchea. Thus, folks who are former low-level Khmer Rouge officials and all citizens do not have to be worried about or afraid of anything.” They must have good feelings and must not worry. The selection of Pailin to hold such a big talk is the first case for the tribunal.

“Mr. Reach Sambath also stated that the big talk in Pailin is to be held for two days – the first day is to meet with representatives of the authorities and former Khmer Rouge officials, and the second day is to meet with citizens. The program has the purpose to motivate the former Khmer Rouge officials and all citizens to cooperate with the tribunal, because all this work is for all humanity, not only for former Khmer Rouge members or former Khmer Rouge officials in Pailin; the tribunal process cannot be successful unless it is supported by the people in Pailin.

“A source from Pailin said, concerning the holding of a big talk for two days, it is supported by the authorities in Pailin, but it is not known how many former Khmer Rouge officials or citizens will participate.

“It should be stated that recently, the tribunal process has been interesting, because five former Khmer Rouge leaders were arrested and brought to be detained in the detention center of the tribunal. Those former officials are Khang Khek Ieu known as Duch, Nuon Chea, Khiev Samphan, Ieng Sary, and Ieng Sary’s wife Ieng Thirith.

“On 7 January [a National Holiday, remembering 7 January 1979, being liberated from the Khmer Rouge regime], the Cambodian People’s Party announced its support for the tribunal for the trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders, and it also declared to go against all activities trying to prevent or disturb the process of the tribunal, because the tribunal has been awaited for so long by the citizens who are victims of the regime of Democratic Kampuchea.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1541, 10.1.2008

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 10 January 2008

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1541, 10.1.2008

Khmer Rouge Tribunal Officials Plan to Meet People and Officials in Pailin in Order to Help Them Overcome Their Trauma
In Future, Cambodia May Have Electricity to Sell to its Neighbors
King’s Supporters in Nepal Demonstrate against Abolishment of Monarchy
Wife of Thaksin [Shinawatra, former Thai Prime Minister] Arrested at Bangkok Airport [on arrival, on accusation of corruption – she was released on bail of $168,000; she has to appear in cout on 23 January; she is not allowed to leave Thailand]

Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #89, 10.1.2008

Security Guards of 7NG Company Beat a Dey Krahom Female Villager Until She Is Unconscious, and They Seriously Wounded a Moto Taxi Driver [Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh]
The Ministry of Agriculture Announced that 34 Groups at the Solidarity Rubber Plantation, Which Are Notorious for Harming Workers, Will Be Abolished [Ratanakiri]

Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3360, 10.1.2008

Not Independent National Election Committee Is Big Concern for National Election on 27 July 2008

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4485, 10.1.2008

GG World Company [no further identification given] Rushes to Cut Trees and Transport Wood out from Concession Land in Stung Treng
2008 Election Is to Put Fresh Blood [young generation] into Cambodian Politics [analysis]
Trial of Murderers Who Killed Colonel Tim Vannarin [formerly at the cabinet of military headquarters, and also director of Tau Meas film production]: a Man Is Sentenced to 17 Years’ Imprisonment and a Woman Is Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment [Kompong Chhnang]
Cambodia May Have Food Surplus of More Than 2 Million Tonnes of Paddy Rice in 2007-2008
Vice Chairperson of Sam Rainsy Party in Srae Chaeng Commune Is Accused of Raping a Married Woman [he escapes – Chum Kiri, Kampot]
A Young Man Raped a Young Woman in a Rice Field, She Wore Trousers Showing Her Navel [he is arrested – Kandieng, Pursat]
China Strengthens One-Child Policy

Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #596, 10.1.2008