Archive for September 8th, 2009
Hun Sen: Cambodia Stopped the Partnership in Land Titling with the World Bank First – Tuesday, 8.9.2009
The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 629
“The partnership in the Land Management and Administration Project [LMAP] between the World Bank and the Royal Government of Cambodia has been completely terminated by a declaration of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akkak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen, as stated on 7 September 2009. He claimed that it was done because the World Bank set many complicated conditions which would make it difficult to cooperate.
“During a public announcement of the results of the general census of the Cambodian population in 2008, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said, ‘I ended the partnership with the World Bank in land titling, and the World Bank can take back all the remaining resources, because their conditions are complicated, making it difficult to cooperate. Formerly, we did not do it like this, but now, we have to continue with our own national resources. Do not try to be bossy.’
Note:
The following two documents give details about developments before the termination of the Land Management and Administration Project:
16 July 2009: Development Partners Call for Halt to Evictions of Cambodia’s Urban Poor
29 August 2009: World Bank Holds Discussions on Reforms
“Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen added that Cambodia ended the contract fist, but not the World Bank. He confirmed, ‘We declared to end it first. Do not be tricky. Cambodia stopped it first. Do not act like a prestigious one by confirming to terminate the project first. Do not act as a big brother to control other partners.’
Note:
Actually, the World Bank release, “Statement from the World Bank on Termination by Royal Government of Cambodia of the Land Management and Administration Project” speaks clearly about which side declared the cooperation to be ended: “Following a decision by the Council of Ministers on Friday, 4 September 2009, to terminate World Bank financing of the Land Management and Administration Project (LMAP), World Bank Country Director for South-East Asia, Annette Dixon, made the following statement…”
Together with this announcement, there is also a document Related Content: Enhanced Review Report of LMAP (size 657kb, PDF format) at the same web site, offered for download.
“Regarding the Prime Minister’s statement about the ending of the partnership, officials of the Sam Rainsy Party expressed regret, saying that it leads to a loss of benefits for all Khmer citizens. Speaking via telephone on Monday evening, the spokesperson of the Sam Rainsy Party, Mr. Yim Sovann, said, ‘The conditions of the World Bank benefit Khmer citizens by protecting the land ownership of Khmer citizens. Therefore, I really regret the ending of the above contract.’
“Mr. Yim Sovann added that the World Bank brings money to help us and to benefit us, but we ourselves do not help ourselves, but care only about partisan benefits.
“However, the Sam Rainsy Party spokesperson suggested to the Royal Government to reconsider the ties with the World Bank, saying, in short, ‘Otherwise, citizens will condemn this decision.’
“Furthermore, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said, ‘They are still not modest, sometimes they demand this condition, sometimes they suspend that. Now there need to be no more suspensions, let it end due to too many conditions. Though there will be some quarrel to be addressed later, it still will be halted – but to provide aid is your obligation.’
“Regarding the discontinuation of the partnership in land titling, some economists in Cambodia could not offer detailed comments on Monday, when they were asked about the positive and the negative impact of this decision on the economy. Both the president of the Cambodian Economic Association, Mr. Chan Sophal, and a Cambodian independent economist, Mr. Kang Chandara, said, ‘I cannot comment on this case, but wait until I study this case in detail first.’
“On 6 September 2009, the World Bank, through Ms. Annette Dickson, the World Bank Country Director for South-East Asia, released a statement regarding the above case. She said in the statement, ‘Land security and a fair, transparent approach to resolving land disputes and resettlement are among the greatest challenges facing Cambodia today.’
“The statement also pointed out that the project had issued more than 1.1 million land titles, mostly to poor people in rural areas, and the World Bank provided finance for the land administration, and that the Land Management and Administration Project had achieved success in rural areas, but failed to achieve the agreed goals in urban areas where land disputes are on the rise.
“Nevertheless, the director of the World Bank said, ‘We are encouraged by the Government’s statement of its commitment to continuing reforms in the land sector and working towards an improved policy and legal framework for resettlement that reflects their commitment to international treaties.’
“She added in the statement, ‘We remain committed to working with Government and other development partners through the Technical Working Group on Land to support Cambodia’s efforts to secure land tenure, reduce poverty, and improve economic opportunity for all of its people.” Deum Ampil, Vol.3, #283, 8.9.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Deum Ampil, Vol.3, #283, 8.9.2009
- Hun Sen: Cambodia Stopped the Partnership in Land Registration with the World Bank First
- The Prime Minister Warns against the Intention to Indict More Khmer Rouge Leaders [saying that it could lead to civil war]
- America Hopes that an Agreement on the Cambodian debt to the USA Will Be Achieved Soon to Cancel the Cambodian debt [according to the spokesperson of the US Embassy in Cambodia]
- [Thai Prime Minister] Abhisit Recognizes 4.6 Square Kilometer around the Preah Temple as Cambodian Territory
Note:
The last headline completely contradicts the report of 7 September 2009 in the Bangkok Post, which it claims to quote:
“PM denies land lost in border row
“Thailand has not lost any territory in the disputed Thai-Cambodian border area near Preah Vihear temple, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says…
“Mr Abhisit told his weekly TV and radio programme yesterday Thailand and Cambodia used different maps with different border demarcations to argue their case.
“However, he said an agreement reached between the two countries in 2000, which said border conflict should be solved through negotiation, should apply in the meantime…
“While the border has yet to be agreed neither side should enter the disputed area or use it in ways which affects the other’s rights, he said.
“‘The 2000 agreement says we need negotiations and, in the meantime, activities in the disputed area that could affect each country’s rights are not allowed.”
“The disputed land is a 4.6-square-kilometre border area near Preah Vihear temple.
“Each country uses different ways to demarcate the border line, but Mr Abhisit said this had not compromised Thailand’s position…”
Koh Santepheap, Vol.42, #6749, 8.9.2009
- Suppressing Robbers Attacking Foreigners for a Whole Night, Five Persons Were Arrested – All Five Are Moto-Taxi Drivers [Phnom Penh]
- 63-Year-Old Man Raped 8-Year-Old Girl while Luring Her to Change Her Clothes [Takeo]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.17, #4983, 8.9.2009
- Rain Flood Inundates National Road 4 and Kampot Town, and Electricity in Kampot Is Cut Off
- Thirty Five More Workers of the Golden Mile Garment Factory Fainted [because of the terrible environment in the factory which lacks oxygen in the air – Phnom Penh]
- The Minister of Information Led a Delegation of 200 Officials to Organize the Pchum Ben Commemoration and to Study the Living Conditions in Khmer Kampuchea Krom [in Southern Vietnam]
Sereypheap Thmey, Vol.17, #1789, 8.9.2009
- [Nine] Khmer Kampuchea Krom Associations Encourage France to Deliver Documents about the Cutting off of Kampuchea Krom Land Making it Part of Yuon [Vietnam – they ask for this in order to intervene with the government of Vietnam to halt human rights violations and restrictions on the freedom in all sectors against Khmer Kampuchea Krom people who are original inhabitants of part of former French Cochin China. The new borderline of 1949 within French Indochina was based on the Brévié Line, named after the governor-general of French Indochina, Jules Brévié]
Have a look at the last editorial – you can access it directly from the main page of the Mirror.
And please recommend us also to your colleagues and friends.
Reactions to the Sentences on Three Young People to Serve One Year in Prison on the Accusation of Being ‘Gambling Agents’ – Monday, 7.9.2009
The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 629
“Phnom Penh: On 1 September 2009, the Phnom Penh Court heard and sentenced three persons, who were hired to write football betting receipts and lottery papers, and to take care of game machines for children, to serve one year in prison each – the sentencing was accompanied with noisy crying from their relatives.
“A judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Ms. Sem Sakola, convicted Mr. Sok Vy – 28, Ms. Phat Linda – 23, and Ms. Suon Sreymuoy – 22, to serve one year in prison, starting from the day they were arrested on 29 August 2009, and ordered them to pay Riel 7 million [approx. US$1,700] each in fines under the accusation of being ‘gambling agents.’
“Journalists from Rasmei Kampuchea went to the workplace of the above mentioned persons at House 50E0, at the corner of Streets 109 and 140, Monorom, Prampi Makara district, in Phnom Penh, around the Dumex market on Saturday. Witnesses, who are neighbors, said that the House 50E0 runs football betting, lottery, and game machines for children since long ago. There are around two to three houses running similar businesses there, like game machines for children.
“Witnesses added that Sok Vy came from a province to live in Phnom Penh, renting a house, and he had worked for that house for many years, responsibly controlling the game machines for children, collecting money, and repairing the machines. Ms. Phat Linda was responsible for writing lottery receipts, where previously many companies were allowed to run this business, but now, it is not clear whether it is illegal or legal. Ms. Suon Sreymuoy was responsible for writing football betting receipts, a business that the Royal government had regularly suppressed, and there had been an order to officially close down the CamboSix football betting company. Ms. Sreymuoy lives with her mother at an upper floor of a house next to her workplace, under difficult living conditions. The three persons work there, earning about US$80 to US$100 per month, to support the needs of their everyday living themselves; they had kept on working and did not know that they were committing such a serious offense.
“Thus, their sentences led to strong sympathy, and to sadness among their relatives and friends.
“A lawyer expressed his view that the above decision is in response to an order from higher levels. The Royal government had recently announced to crack down on and to close all kinds of gambling.
“The three persons had worked for a gambling site, which is against the law. He added that therefore, all citizens should find jobs that are legal, in order to avoid being affected by such offenses, adding that gambling offenses are controlled in different ways. Prosecution depends on the analysis of each judge. He went on to say, ‘Previously, I had seen similar cases, but judges had decided to suspend convictions, or to impose the payment of fines only, but they did not send persons to jail like in this case, and convictions by some judges did not insist on follow-up strategies with those who had committed serious offenses.
“A lecturer on criminology at the Royal University of Law and Economics, Mr. Run Punnarith, said that the government is concentrating on closing gambling places. ‘Thus, anyone who takes part in the offense is against the order.’ He added that because of the downturn of education and of morals, some people do things against the law. He continued to say, ‘As educators, we have to try to educate the citizens to be afraid of the law and to respect it.’
“The lecturer Punnarith added that the aims of the above convictions is to make it clear: first, the three persons abused the law whether they agree or not; second, a one-year imprisonment is a warning for all young people to be careful in choosing their jobs, not to choose jobs related to gambling. The implementation of the rule of law should also be observed in choosing a job. He said, ‘However, we, as educators, regret to see the future of these three persons ruined. The above verdict ruins their future, because their names will be listed in the criminal records.
“A lecturer of history and culture at the Royal University of Law and Economics, Mr. In Omsameng, said that the three persons above had decided to work in their job because they did not know that it is an offense. However, they have a chance to seek justice by appealing to the Appeals Court and the Supreme Court.
“However, Phnom Penh municipal judges do not make fair hearings and prosecutions compared to other cases like the above one. On 13 July 2009 a judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Ms. Chang Sinat, sentenced 38 men and women, arrested from a gambling site owned by a Taiwanese man to serve 18 months in prison, but their sentences were all suspended for five years, and each of them was ordered to pay Riel 5 million [approx. US$1,250] in fines, accused as ‘gabling agents’ like in the above case.
“Regarding this case, the lecturer Run Punnarith said that any conviction is made according to the discretions of each judge. Thus, the three convicts have the right to appeal to the Appeals Court and to the Supreme Court to find justice. He added that the above case is a model case for our citizens, so that they are careful in seeking jobs.”Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.17, #4992, 6-7.9.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 7 September 2009
Deum Ampil, Vol.3, #282, 6-7.9.2009
- Russey Keo District Authorities Summoned Gold Vendors and Currency Exchangers to Give Safety Protection Advice [because there had been several robberies – Phnom Penh]
- More Than US$200 Million Were Invested in the Field of Mobile Phone Operations in Cambodia [in the first six months of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, when there were only US$38 million; now there are nine mobile phone companies in Cambodia]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.8, #2042, 6-7.9.2009
- If There Is the Intention to Indict More Former Khmer Rouge Leaders, the Reasons Should Be Shown first to Samdech Hun Sen [said the director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, Mr. Chhang Youk – Prime Minister Hun Sen had previously expressed his objection, saying that more indictments could lead to social unrest]
- A Sam Rainsy Party Activist in Stoung District Was Shot Dead by a Anonymous Person [Kompong Thom]
- Banteay Chhma Temple and the Surrounding Area Were Assessed by UNESCO for Inclusion into the World Heritage List [Banteay Meanchey]
- The Head of the Prek Leap Police Post Was Removed [after there were robberies of gold sellers in his area] and the Heads of the [76] Police Posts [in Phnom Penh] Were Warned [by the head of the Phnom Penh police, Mr. Touch Naroth]
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.3, #485, 6-8.9.2009
- The Asian Human Rights Organization Called on the Cambodian Government to Implement International Human Rights Standards and the Paris Peace Agreements [on 4 September 2009, after the prime minister had criticized NGOs for working for money]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.42, #6748, 7.9.2009
- Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Thai Journalists Met to Strengthen the Links between Journalists; the Press Is an Important Fundament of Democracy [said the Minister of Information, Mr. Khieu Kanharith]
- Strong Waves Took the Lives of Two Girls, One Survived, and Two Boys Are Missing [Sihanoukville]
- An Old Woman Was Raped and Killed by [an anonymous] Murderer – and a Boy Slept and Hugged His Grandmother’s Body [before he found out – Poipet]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.17, #4992, 6-7.9.2009
- Reactions to the Sentences on Three Young People to Serve One Year in Prison on the Accusation of Being ‘Gambling Agents’
- The Judge Nhean Sovann Is Sued [by a man who was accused of assault and of vandalism] at the Ministry of Justice, and at the Supreme Council of the Magistracy Regarding the Detention of a Person; [this] Judge Ordered a Detainee’s Side to Change a Lawyer and to Deposit US$2,000 in Exchange for a Release [Kompong Cham]
- A Survey [conducted by a group of mathematicians] Shows that Teachers and Students Support the Use of Calculators in Class
Sereypheap Thmey, Vol.17, #1788, 7.9.2009
- A Researcher [Professor Paul Collier from the University the Oxford] Said that Cambodia Is Among the [58] Poorest Countries, Due to an Improper Management of Natural Resources
- The Sam Rainsy Party Calls for Hunting down the Murderer That Shot and Killed an Activist [in Kompong Thom]
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