UN Official : CPP Subverts Democracy

Thursday, September 28, 2006

CPP SUBVERTS DEMOCRACY : UN OFFICIAL

By James Welsh and Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY

Yash Ghai, UN special representative for human rights in Cambodia, on Tuesday said rights violations continue on a "systematic scale," and that the ruling CPP has subverted democratic principles to retain its hold on power.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ghai said the government has manipulated democratic processes, undermined legitimate political opposition, and used the state "for the accumulation of private wealth."

He also blasted the government for limiting the speech of parliamentarians, jailing critics and granting immunity from justice to its supporters."

One does not need expertise in human rights to recognize that many policies of the government have subverted the essential principles of democracy and due process and deprived people of their economic resources and means of livelihood, and denied them their dignity," Ghai told the UN council."I have come to believe that these policies are integral to the political and economic systems through which the government rules," he said, according to a copy of his speech."In short, I believe that the deliberate rejection of the concept of a state governed by rule of law has been central to the ruling party's hold on power," he added.

Om Yentieng, human rights adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen, said Ghai's comments were motivated by anger and loathing." He has no courage, he made the statement based on his anger," Om Yentieng said by telephone. Om Yentieng said Ghai's hatred of the government has blinded him from the true state of human rights in Cambodia."He hates the government," Om Yentieng said. He added that Ghai was unappreciative of the government's participation in the two-day human rights conference that ended Wednesday in Siem Reap town."Yash Ghai looks down on the people who joined the conference as well as himself," he added.

Hours before Ghai spoke on Tuesday, Hun Sen suggested that the UN office for human rights should relocate to Baghdad as it is no longer needed in Phnom Penh. But he added that the office can stay here if it wants as the government was at feast still able to collect rental fees from the UN.

Ghai said in Geneva that the CPP has dominated the state by controlling the National Election Committee and intimidating its critics and opponents.He also took issue with the government for its handling of peaceful public protests." Peaceful meetings and assemblies have been broken up by state authorities, using arms and other forms of violence," Ghai said. He accused the government of undermining the independence of the courts and failing to enact laws crucial to developing the legal system."Supporters of the government are almost never prosecuted," he said. "At the same time spurious charges are brought against opponents of the government or those who struggle for democracy and rights." He added that in politically driven cases, "judges convict on the most flimsy evidence or incorrect interpretations of the law."

Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana said that he was too busy to speak to a reporter.Ghai also weighed in on corruption in Cambodia, which he described as "endemic."He questioned why the government has not yet enacted legislation, which he said was under discussion since 1995, to combat it.

The long-awaited anti-corruption law has been meandering through government corridors for more than a decade.He also talked of the hopelessness of land grabbing victims and described what he said were illegal evictions."I remember well talking to people who had been dispossessed of their land, who were desperate when they heard that their case had been taken to court by those who had seized the land for it was easy to predict the verdict," Ghai said. "The sense of their own powerlessness deepens and becomes even more debilitating." Ghai ended with a call to donors and the international community to apply pressure on Cambodia to give higher priority to rights. It is not enough for donors to simply offer technical assistance and capacity building or even to push for human rights treaties and protocols, he said"They must energetically support poor and powerless communities and Cambodian non-governmental organizations defending and working for human rights," he said.

Kek Galabru, president of local rights group Licadho, said she agreed with Ghai's assessment and that the government could benefit from it if it was willing to listen."I hope our government will take the report and discuss [it] among the members of different institutions and find a way to make reforms," she said." Special representatives have no interest in inventing the story about Cambodia," she added. "Yash Ghai doesn't come to Cambodia because he needs the job."

SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said he agreed with Ghai's evaluation of Cambodia's political situation."[The CPP] has nearly full control over all the national institutions. It looks like the prime minister is running the country alone," Son Chhay said "It now becomes clear that the CPP controls everything."Ghai said he was aware of the Siem Reap rights conference, which was opened by Hun Sen, and said he hoped it would lead to "genuine dialogue" about human rights. He acknowledged that the government might be displeased with his statement and might consider it unfair. But he invited the government to inform the UN Human Rights Council of improvements it has made. He also acknowledged progress made in Cambodia since he first visited in 1992." However, 15 years after the adoption of the Paris Peace Accords, the provisions relating to human rights have yet to be fulfilled," he said. The government has traditionally enjoyed a rocky relationship with UN rights envoys assigned to Cambodia.

In April 2005, Om Yentieng took issue with former UN rights envoy to Cambodia Peter Leuprecht, who had said the government was becoming increasingly autocratic, with a growing concentration of power in the hands of Hun Sen. Om Yentieng accused Leuprecht at the time of being too "personal and arbitrary," saying his evaluation did not reflect reality.

Speaking in Phnom Penh in March, Ghai also said too much power was concentrated in the hands of one individual for human rights to flourish.His remarks enraged Hun Sen, who unleashed several verbal attacks on Ghai over the following days, calling him "rude," a 'long-term tourist" and demanding that the UN fire him.

Ambassador Julio Open Letter to PM John Howard

Ambassador Julio A. Jeldres
Official Biographer of His Majesty The King Father
Samdech Preah Upayuvareach Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia
Chairman of The Khmer Institute of Democracy

An Open Letter
to the Right Honourable John Howard, MP.
Prime Minister of Australia
26 September 2006

The Rt. Honourable John Howard, MP
Prime Minister of Australia
Parliament House
CANBERRA, ACT 2600

Dear Mr. Howard,

CAMBODIA: VISIT TO AUSTRALIA BY PRIME MINISTER HUN SEN

I was most interested in your interview on ABC Radio/Radio Australia (Pacific Beat) on 14 September 2006 in which you stated that Australia “remains concerned about the level of corruption and poor governance” in the Solomon Islands, adding that “I have no doubt that the people of the Solomon Islands want Australia to remain involved and committed and our goal is to help the people of the Solomon Islands. We are not trying to take sides politically, but we are determined that if Australia is to continue to pour the millions of our taxpayers dollars into that country, in return we have to see some improvement in economic growth, and some reduction in corruption and some improvement in governance”.

I would like to express my sincere congratulations for those noble words. I am sure the people of the Solomon Islands have welcomed your remarks and applauded their conviction.

It is most regrettable, however, that the same policy, so nobly enunciated by you on that ABC Radio interview does not apply to the people of Cambodia, who have suffered so much through no fault of their own.

Indeed, I was greatly disturbed to learn that you will be hosting the Cambodian Prime Minister on an official visit to Australia from 8 to 14 October 2006. I find it insulting, as an Australian citizen, that my government should invite to Australia, at the tax payer’s expense, one of the most undemocratic leaders of Southeast Asia, who presides over one of the most corrupt government in the world, where there is no rule of law, complete lack of transparency and good governance and where any criticism or peaceful opposition is met by threats, imprisonment and often death.

May I, respectfully give you some facts, some food for thought, about Mr. Hun Sen’s Cambodia, that may be your advisers and intelligence services failed to provide you before this outrageous invitation was issued to him to visit our country:

DRUGS: Cambodia, under Mr. Hun Sen’s rule has become a centre for criminal organizations involved in illicit drug production and trafficking, smuggling and exploitation of human beings, kidnappings, arms trafficking and extortion. Hundreds of kilograms of heroin pass through its territory every year destined for countries such as Australia. It is estimated that 10 to 20 kilos of heroin are trafficked through Cambodia every day.

Indeed, the 400 grams of heroin that Nguyen Tuong Van carried when he was arrested and then executed in Singapore, last year, came from Cambodia.

More than 100.000 methamphetamine tablets enter Cambodia each day. 25 % of that number is exported to Thailand and the reminder 75% to countries such as Australia, the US and Europe.

1,000 tons of marijuana are produced annually, mostly for export. Australia is one of the major destinations. According to a report by the Australian National Council on Drugs, to be made public in Sydney tomorrow, Cambodia is now the world's biggest source of cannabis.

Two of Mr. Hun Sen’s closest friends have been identified as involved in drug trafficking, one of them has been banned from ever visiting the United States. Mr. Hun Sen has taken no action against these people and they remain in his inner circle of friends.

Human Trafficking: Australia has made recently a generous contribution to the fight against human trafficking in the Mekong region. Yet in Cambodia, the Director of the National Police, a close associate of Mr. Hun Sen, has been denied a visa to enter the USA because the State Department felt there “were sufficient reports and allegations concerning his role in trafficking in persons to justify the visa denial”. Yet this same person has, I am reliably informed, a multi entry visa for Australia.

Corruption: Article 1 of Cambodia's constitution states that the country will be governed according to the principles of "liberal democracy and pluralism". But when Hun Sen’s government grants long leases or concessions to development companies to work on state-owned land, it pays little heed to the wishes of the people who make a living on that land.
Not very democratic, especially when the companies seem to be closely connected to senior members of the government or armed forces. If you speak to ordinary Cambodians about democracy, they will tell you two things. First, that the land is being stolen from the people, 85% of whom live in rural areas and 75% of whom are subsistence farmers. And second, that corruption is everywhere, from the top to the bottom of society.

U.N. human-rights expert Peter Leuprecht says his last visit to Cambodia in November 2005, left him more pessimistic than ever about the future of the country.

He said the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen seems to be increasingly autocratic and is concentrating power behind what he calls a shaky facade of democracy.

Mr. Leuprecht calls impunity a "gangrene" that undermines the fabric of Cambodian society. He says the necessary mechanisms for accountability are not in place.

"The judiciary is very weak," he said. "There is no separation of powers in Cambodia, and the rule of law, also in this respect, is elusive. Now, among many other things, impunity fosters corruption, which is endemic in Cambodia. It is everywhere, at all levels."

Let me, Mr. Prime Minister, give you, one more example, to illustrate my point even better. Cambodia’s health record is among the worst in Asia. Maternal mortality rates are the highest in the region, with 437 deaths per 100.000 live births. One in ten babies does not live and more than 60,000 babies die every year of malnutrition or diseases that can be prevented or cured.

Yet, between 5 and 10 per cent of the health budget disappears before it is paid out by the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Health. More money, including probably Australian aid, is then siphoned off as funds are channelled down from the national government to the provincial governors and to the directors of operational districts, and then to the directors or managers of local hospitals and clinics.

Mr. Hun Sen has made promises every single time a Donor’s Meeting has been held that he will root out these practices. Time and time again, the international community have believed him and granted him additional funds, which end up never reaching the poor people of Cambodia but rather the pockets of corrupt officials. And legislation promised to curb corruption has never been enacted.

Governance and rule of the law: Alexander Downer seems to enjoy telling me, every time I make representations on the situation in Cambodia, that the country “enjoys stability and has made significant progress since the end of the Khmer Rouge regime and subsequent civil unrest”. If that is the case, why is it that every one is so scare in Cambodia? From members of the Royal Family to public servants, judges, teachers and ordinary citizens, everybody is scare.

Everything depends on one individual, Hun Sen, and that is, I am afraid not really a precondition under which good governance, rule of law and human rights can flourish.

The fact is that today Cambodia is a Potemkin democracy, with the sham façade of elections and a constitutional monarchy but the dreary reality of an uninterrupted dictatorship since Mr. Hun Sen took charge of the country, with the absence of a real opposition, parliamentary debate and an independent judiciary.

The David Wilson case: Last but not least, Hun Sen is directly responsible for the death of our compatriot David Wilson of Melbourne. At the time, in 1994, I was still living in Phnom Penh and was asked to receive General Chea Dara, who was the officer of the Royal Cambodian Army in charge of negotiating with the rogue Khmer Rouge elements who had kidnapped Mr. Wilson and his two European companions. I did receive General Chea Dara and he asked me to convey a message to King Sihanouk and also to the Australian Embassy. The message was: “Please pay the ransom and do not attempt to shell the place where the hostages are being held”. I informed His Majesty and also Mr. Paul Griegson, then Deputy Chief of Mission in Phnom Penh. I also informed another Australian embassy officer, who was the ASIS attaché at the Embassy.

General Chea Dara explained to me that Hun Sen wanted to shell the Khmer Rouge encampment in order to get sympathy from the international community, to obtain arms and military equipment and to maintain the belief that the Khmer Rouge were still a problem in Cambodia, in order to win over his rivals and be seen as the person that solved the Khmer Rouge problem.

What happened next is well known, while first Prime Minister Prince Ranariddh was on a trip to Malaysia, Hun Sen ordered the shelling of the Khmer Rouge encampment where Mr. Wilson and his European companions were held, and the later were executed by their captors.

For all the above reasons, I believe Mr. Hun Sen should not be welcome to our country, to do so would send the wrong message. It would convey the idea that Australia supports Mr. Hun Sen and his undemocratic actions.

Asian history is littered with aspiring democracy movements that rose only to be crushed by authoritarian regimes while the West looked on silence. This attitude of the West, Australia included, has had a lasting impact on the region’s democratic development. It is time, Sir that you and the Foreign Minister cease approaching Cambodia with a guilty historical conscience and address the abysmal rights record of Mr. Hun Sen and his close associates.

I would respectfully urge, Mr. Prime Minister, to treat the people of Cambodia, who have suffered more than the people of the Solomon Islands, with the same respect you have shown for the people of the Solomon Islands and not to insult them by welcoming Mr. Hun Sen to Australia.

Yours sincerely,


(JULIO A. JELDRES)
1217 Riversdale Road, Box Hill South
Victoria 3128
Tel/Fax: 61-3-98887950

The Coup in Thailand

NEWS FROM CAMBODIA N° 0640-E

THE COUP IN THAILAND

Khmemara Jati
Montreal, Quebec
September 20, 2006

We diffuse below an article of the coup in Thailand. This coup d'État is approved by the King and 84 % by the Thais. The population offers flowers to the soldiers. This coup d'État is intended to put an end a corrupt regime which did not manage to solve properly the Moslem rebellion in the Southern of Thailand. The leader of the army who has just made this coup d'État, Sondhi Boonyaratkalin is a Moslem. He is against the hard way using by the discharged Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to overcome the Moslem rebellion. Thaksin risks now to be prosecuted for corruption.

In Cambodia, similar coup d'État to end up the dictatorial, corrupt and bloodthirsty power of Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan would also be approved by more than 84 % of the Cambodians. But is it possible and workable ? The answer is no. Because the army and the police are firmly in the hands of the Vietnamese and of Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan. Major powers either, have no interest to take away this dictatorial regime. The dream cannot come true for Cambodians, unfortunately. Regrettably!

Only the struggle of all motives of all Cambodians can end up this bloodthirsty dictatorship.

Thai Army Chief Gets King's Endorsement
By DENIS D. GRAY
Associated Press Writer
September 20, 2006, 12:18 PM EDT
BANGKOK, Thailand -- The army commander who seized Thailand's government in a quick, bloodless coup pledged Wednesday to hold elections by October 2007, and received a ringing endorsement from the country's revered king. Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin also hinted that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may face prosecution.
Sondhi said he would act as prime minister for two weeks until a new leader is chosen by the Council of Administrative Reform, that an interim constitution would be drafted within that time, and that Thailand's foreign policy and international agreements would remain unchanged.
Australia called the coup a “great disappointment,” while Japan urged the quick restoration of democracy. The European Union condemned the military takeover, while Washington expressed concern about it. The United States, Britain and other nations also warned their citizens in Thailand to exercise caution.
Thailand's Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin smiles at reporters during a press conference in Bangkok Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006. The army general who ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra indicated Wednesday that the fallen leader could be prosecuted for wrongdoing and said a post-coup interim government would retain power for no more than one year. Transitional government to be formed in Thailand after two weeks, following coup, says Gen. Sondhi. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Sondhi as head of the council "in order to create peace in the country," according to an announcement on state-run television. "All people should remain peaceful and civil servants should listen to orders from Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin from now on," it said. Sondhi led a precision takeover overnight without firing a shot, sending soldiers and tanks to guard major intersections and surround government buildings while the popularly elected Thaksin, accused of corruption and undermining democratic institutions, was in New York attending the U.N. General Assembly. Asked at a news conference if there would be moves to confiscate Thaksin's vast assets, Sondhi said that "those who have committed wrongdoings have to be prosecuted according to the law." He did not elaborate. In launching Thailand's first coup in 15 years, Sondhi said on nationwide television that the overthrow was needed “in order to resolve the conflict and bring back normalcy and harmony among people.”
“I am the one who decided to stage the coup. No one supported me,” he said. Sondhi, 59, known to be close to the king, is a Muslim in a Buddhist-dominated nation. State-run television also said the new leaders had dismissed the state audit commissioners and given additional powers to the auditor general Jaruvan Maintaka to investigative government corruption. Analysts said the move is expected to make it easier for Jaruvan to investigate allegations of corruption involving Thaksin and his ministers and could eventually lead to the confiscation of his assets. The British Foreign Office said Thaksin was to arrive Wednesday in London on a private visit. A spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said a chartered Thai Airways jet was due to land there around noon EDT. The Thai Embassy in London said it had no immediate information on Thaksin's whereabouts. A British government spokesman said Thaksin had no meetings scheduled with Prime Minister Tony Blair or other officials. Bangkok, a city of more than 10 million, was calm Wednesday. Most stores were open and residents appeared unfazed, with traffic running as normal and the tanks becoming popular tourist attractions. About 500 people gathered outside army headquarters to lend moral support to the military, chanting “Thaksin get out!” But in the first sign of anti-coup sentiment, Thaksin supporters faced off with rival groups celebrating the coup at two separate gatherings in Bangkok. Soldiers intervened, narrowly averting clashes. The council put the country under martial law and declared a provisional authority loyal to the king, seizing television and radio stations and ordering government offices, banks, schools and the stock market to close for the day. The unexpected coup rattled Asian financial markets and pressured the Thai baht and other regional currencies, though its economic repercussions remained unclear.

Posted by Khemara Jati
Montreal, Quebec
September 20, 2006

Cet article est aussi disponible en français

The Struggle Against the Disease in Cambodia

News From Cambodia N° 0639-E

KANTHA BOPHA HOSPITALS AND THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE DISEASE IN CAMBODIA

Khemara Jati
Montreal, Quebec
September 13, 2006

We diffuse below an article of Cambodge Soir entitled « Against the japanese encephalitis, the free vaccine for the children ».

This article shows that a Swiss Beat Richner and his four Kantha Bopha hospitals take care of the Cambodian children such a care of Swiss level with the dedication and the competence of the staff 100 % Cambodian among whom doctors also is Cambodian 100 %. Cambodians call these Kantha Bopha hospitals “Monty Pet Thane Sour” « the Paradise Hospitals ».

We also diffuse below Beat Richner's short biography. Richner likes Cambodia as well as the Cambodian people. He built four Kantha Bopha hospitals with the Cambodian architects, the Cambodian companies, the engineers and the technicians are all Cambodian. The whole staff including doctors and biologists are Cambodian. Richner wants that Kantha Bopha hospitals lavish care of Swiss level with drugs of Swiss quality. The hygiene and the neatness of the hospitals are also Swiss.

In the interview reproduced below, Richner said: « do you think that the pain of a Cambodian mother who loses her child is lower than that of a Swiss, English or French woman? » He says to the Cambodian staff: « if you Cambodians, you do not love the Cambodian children as your own children, who would love them? It is thus necessary to take care of them as if they are your own children. »

We wish that our fellow countrywomen / countrymen where ever they are meditate and never forget these words of this great humankind who likes our country and our people.

The nursing staff of these Kantha Bopha hospitals follows these educations of national solidarity and hygiene in the current life. On the other hand Cambodians and especially Cambodians who come to have care for their children, in their turn, discover that there is in Cambodia another kind of relation, solidarity, unity and brotherly completely contrasts with those of balance of power, imposed by Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan.

So indirectly Richner favors the development of solidarity, unity and brotherly relations between Cambodians, a very important step indeed towards the national solidarity and towards the consciousness development belonging to the same nation.

The drug's problem in Cambodia is also another stumbling block to be surmounted. In Cambodia it is the vietnamese Sokimex company which has the monopoly to import of all kinds of drugs. Sokimex does not buy directly these drugs from the pharmaceutical laboratories. Saigon imports these drugs for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia which in the passage gathers in a big part of profits. By importing these drugs in Cambodia Sokimex retains its part of profit. Which makes the drug's cost in Cambodia 50 % more expensive than in Vietnam. More the pharmaceutical laboratories in Cambodia are operated by Vietnamese.

A Cambodian believed to be able to by-pass this monopoly by providing drugs in Bangkok. He resold them with profit to the Cambodian pharmacies. Quickly he became rich and lived easily with his family in a big comfortable house. But quickly “one” made him understands that he had to stop his business or leave Cambodia. He has chosen to leave. Now he lives in the United States with his family.

Regarding the gasoline, the vietnamese company Sokimex also has full monopoly of its importation. It is the same circuit as the drugs. Vietnam builds a very big refinery in the central Vietnam. Then Sokimex will continue to practice the same route. This time Vietnam will make a doubled profit. So Cambodia depends and will always depend on Vietnam regarding drugs and energy in hydrocarbons and gradually in electricity as we have just seen the projects of barrage's construction on Sesan.

Richner, as a Swiss himself, buys drugs directly from the pharmaceutical laboratories. He buys at most generic drugs in particular from Indian laboratories. Those drugs are of the same quality as those used in the western countries. Until now men in power in Cambodia dare to say nothing about it. On the other hand, there is more and more satisfaction of numerous Cambodians who qualify Kantha Bopha hospitals of “Monty Pet Thane Sour” (Hospitals of the Paradise).

In these hospitals there is neither corruption nor favor for the children of the high personalities. One tells that one day a general wanted to make his child pass before the others by pointing his revolver to Richner. Richner did not give up. The general did not dare to fire. This experience is known and makes Richner reputation. Moreover Richner is obliged to appoint deputy director, a French to be respected when he is away.

The very rich « World Health Organization lauded for the distribution of antibiotics, much cheaper than the vaccine and thus more accessible for Cambodia. But their efficiency would have turned out disappointing. »

Conclusion

1 /. It is curious and surprised that in spite of the colossal helps from UNO and from the great powers since now about fifteen years, the regime in Phnom Penh still cannot manage even to organize a health service to meet the needs of the poor population of Cambodia! It needed only a simple Swiss cellist, with his modest means and possibilities to demonstrate that it is possible to take care the Cambodian children of the poor families, who represent 80% of the population, the care of Swiss quality. When the great powers will hang the relay to generalize it and to organize hospitals of this kind for all Cambodians of any age ?

2/. The experience indisputably successful of Kantha Bopha hospitals shows that Cambodians are capable of doing everything and doing well in spite of obstructions and threats of Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan. It suffices to have personalities like Beat Richner to steer them in the right direction.

3/. The prices of drugs and gasoline would be much lower, even lower than in Vietnam, if there is no monopoly of the vietnamese company Sokimex and if there is a free-market economy between the oil companies. It's the same regarding the electrical energy. Now everybody knows that the energy is the base of any economic development.

4/. In Kantha Bopha hospitals the Cambodian language is using the most to be understandable by the poorest families who little well-read. This fact shows that it is possible to use the national language at the Faculty of Medicine, with a foreign language to be able to perform it abroad. On the other hand, by making it Richner contributes to the development of using the written national language then fighting at the same time against the illiteracy. It is what takes place in all the developed countries, in the exception maybe of some cases particular like Singapore where the English language is to become the only official language with as the second language the Chinese, the Malay and the Tamoul. In the exception also of India where there is a very strong minority (1 % of the population, it makes even 10 million persons) in it very high society who use English in their families. But in India there are very valid universities in local language in particular in Hindi. In India the future does not belong to English, but to Hindi. This complexity makes that India possesses even more than 40 % of illiterates. So India still remains some more brakes hindering its development. In sum there is no comparison possible between our tiny country and the giant Indian. Anyway to form 25 engineers of low level a year in foreign language is really sufficient to develop our country? Why using vietnamese companies and vietnamese engineers to study the projects of construction of barrages on Sesan river instead of trying to use a Cambodian company with Cambodian engineers and Cambodian technicians by using, if need, the helps of the foreign specialists? In that particular case as well as in other domains, when the current regime will have the will to give to Cambodian enterprises and to Cambodian engineers the possibilities of mastering new technological knowledge in the way of Kantha Bopha hospital's staff?

So, by the solidarity and brotherly care lavished on all the poor children of Cambodia without exception and by using the Cambodian language as priority in Kantha Bopha hospitals, Doctor Beat Richner makes an immense contribution to develop the solidarity, the brotherhood and the consciousness of belonging to the same nation among Cambodians. It is this ascent in power of this national solidarity and this consciousness to belong to the same nation that engenders conflicts more and more pointed within the CPP high dignitaries. Heng Pov Affair is only the visible part of the iceberg of the conflicts of interests within the CPP. The conflicts within the CPP cannot be burried just by organizing its funeral in the silence.

Now, as we have foreseen, the Cambodian's struggles against the vietnamese domination crosses our borders. Our brothers of Kampuchea Krom stand up in their turn against the racial and cultural discrimination practised by the vietnamese power against our brothers of the Kampuchea Krom. Samleng Yuveakchon of September 5th, 2006, in its article entitled « Khmer Kraom In Southern Vietnam Boosted by Success of Protest Against Injustices ». Our brothers obtained the liberation of Chau Thoeun, imprisoned for having protested against a vietnamese neighbour who allowed his beefs to come eating his young rice shoots. The vietnamese authorities do not want either that our brothers watch the DVD from Cambodia. So as expected, the Cambodian culture is reviving the national consciousness of our brothers in Kampuchea Krom. Soon they will be, in their turn, the distribution of books in Cambodian. Nothing can prevent any more the ascent in power of the solidarity between Cambodians of Thailand and Kampuchea Krom through the current Cambodia. The future belongs to the peoples who determine to fight for the national liberation.

5 /. Khemara Jati and friends express their profound gratitude to Doctor and cellist Beat Richner for the realization of “ Monty Pet Thane Sour ” (Hospitals of the Paradise) which are Kantha Bopha hospitals.

Is Richner inspired by hospitals of Jayavarman VII? Does not one of his hospitals names of our illustrious king ?

Note : Cet article est aussi disponible en français sur demande.

Annexes :

Cambodge Soir,
Phnom Penh, le 7 septembre 2006
Against japanese encephalitis, the free vaccine for the children
Unofficial translation from french by Khemara Jati
From 5 pm, parents and children begin to queue up in front of the Kantha Bopha I hospital. They will have to wait till the earlier morning to obtain a ticket for their number of passage. If they come from so far and wait for so long in front of and in the surrounding wall of the paediatric building, it is because here and nowhere else the children of young age can benefit from a free protective inoculation against the japanese encephalitis.
This viral disease, the first visible symptoms are a strong fever along with shudders and migraines, then quickly entails grave neurological confusions. Its unpredictable evolution can be fatal. A single solution to prevent this disease : the inoculation. In private clinics even at the public hospitals, its cost remains very high for the majority of the families which until then had to do without it. But from mouth to mouth and in the radio, the poorest people heard about free inoculations at Kantha Bopha, then do not hesitate to make the route up to the capital.
Sok Kumtha, 30-year-old teacher, came from Kampot to make prevention inoculate her daughter. Sat on a bench in the noisy and full yard of the hospital, she waits patiently her turn without losing smile. She holds the total confidence to the establishment. « This hospital has a good reputation, it lavishes free and quality care. The doctors and the nurses do their work so well ». Anyway, never she would have been able to pay the inoculation expenses in a private clinic. « Normally the vaccine costs 15 dollars. My family is very too poor... » She clarifies. The young mother keep holding her yellow index card, where marked her number of passage and all the necessary information for her 4-year-old daughter's inoculation. To face the considerable family influx from all the provinces of the kingdom, the responsibles for the prevention's department had to look for various systems.
Denis Laurent, biologist and deputy director of Kantha Bopha I and IV, is anxious to underline the logistic difficulty that the staff of the hospital had to face. « When we launched this free inoculation four months ago, people streamed of everywhere. There were riots and we had to appeal to the police to help us to prevent them », he tells. Since then these difficult debuts was gradually organized a strict and effective organization. The inoculation takes place at two times, with a delay of week between two injections, clarifies the Dr. Denis Laurent. When their number is called, families go to the first room where the doctors proceed a check-up of their child. Their names are registered on the long lists of the patients and a personal index card is filled. According to an arrowed route, they move from rooms to rooms, reaching at the end of journey the box where the children have the first injection. On the card delivered to them is registered the date when they have to return back for the second sting. So orchestrated, the inoculations take place in order, each one respecting the procedure to be followed. « Families wait patiently, they know that we make the maximum. And with their number they are sure to pass », raises the Dr. Laurent. The logistics adjusted, the staff supervised by Dr. Lam Eng Hour can proceed up to 800 inoculations a day, that is approximately 100 inoculations per hour. More than a simple vaccination drive : educational pictures decorate the walls of the hospital. « It also needs to form people. Their faiths and their practices make that sometimes they arrive too late at the "hospital", notes the doctor.
Supported in 80 % by private donations collected by the director, Dr. Beat Richner, the foundation respects its policy : « the same access of the care for all », without distinction nor discrimination. 90 % of the inoculated children come from poor circles. « It has no corruption there, insists Dr. Laurent, to be ' the son of ' does not matter ». 1,2 million dollars constitute the annual budget for the japanese encephalitis's inoculation. A high cost because the vaccine being very expensive. The hospital began by providing itself from Japan, but for last 8 months, stocks come from Thailand. Without any side effect according to Dr. Laurent, the vaccine remains the only means of effective fight against this disease. The World Health Organization lauded the distribution of antibiotics, much cheaper than the vaccine and thus more accessible for Cambodia. But their efficiency would have turned out disappointing.
In the beginning was the inoculating only the children from 1 to 3 years old, today the hospital welcomes children up to the age of 5 years and soon hopes to widen the inoculations to the 7-year-old children. With the free inoculation at Kantha Bopha, relieved by Siem Reap circle, Dr. Denis Laurent hopes that « in 5 years all the young Cambodians of the kingdom will be inoculated ». Julie Dao Duy and Nhim Sophal

Who is Beat Richner ? We diffuse a biography of this doctor cellist as follow:

Beat Richner, doctor-cellist, for Cambodian children
Article written by Cioran
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Unofficial translation from french by Khemara Jati
« Do you think that the pain of a Cambodian mother who loses her child is lower than that of a Swiss, English or French woman? » For Beat Richner, the answer is indisputably not. It is for this evidence that this Swiss paediatrician fights for thirteen years, in order to offer to the Cambodian children the best care.
In 1974, then recently awarded medical diploma, Beat Richner is sent to Cambodia for mission to practice the paediatric at Kantha Bopha hospital - the name of the girl died from king Norodom Sihanouk. When the Khmer Rouge arrived in April 1975, he has to return back to Switzerland. He works then at the children hospital in Zurich, before opening his cabinet in 1980. At the end of 1991, he decides to return again to Cambodia, and he has to confront with the tragic situation of health reigning over the country. The Cambodian government, as well as the King, ask him then to reconstruct and to organize the former Kantha Bopha hospital. On November 2nd 1992, the first Kantha Bopha hospital is operational, with all its best in term of infrastructures. In a period when the electricity in Phnom Penh is whimsical, the hospital gave the means to be autonomous in electricity supply, thanks to powerful generator sets. For medical treatments, the Swiss paediatrician also wants it is more effective as well. He then opposes to the World Health Organization (WHO) policy which practicing, he says, « a poor medical for poor people in poor countries ». This position was not worth to him the best regards of this almighty organization, which accusing him in return of « making a type of Rolls-Royce medical in a Third World country » and of having « creating needs in this country which it never exist before ». For the paediatrician, the Chloramphenicol antibiotic affair was over. This drug, abandoned since the 1970s in Western for its dangerous side effects, is recommended by WHO in the Third World countries, because of its moderate cost. On December 10th, 1999, at the day of Human Rights, doctor Richner then lodged complains to the International Court of The Hague against WHO and Unicef for passive genocide, crimes against humanity and violation against the children rights.
A perseverance of unwearying
Alone against all, he nevertheless benefited from king Norodom Sihanouk and Prime Minister Hun Sen support. Then the second Kantha Bopha hospital was able to be born in the surrounding of royal Palace in October, 1996. And in 1998, Hun Sen offers a land to Beat Richner at Siem Reap, in the North of the country, near the famous Angkor temples. The third named hospital Jayavarman VII is opened in March, 1999. At the inauguration day, Prime Minister announces that he gives another land, adjoining the Jayavarman VII hospital, for the construction of a maternity which could welcome HIV-positive women *. On October 9th 2001, the maternity is inaugurated, preceding the conference centre, opened in November 2002, also in Siem Reap. It is moreover inside this centre that Beat Richner skips all the weekends in the Beatocello's skin, the cello's entertainer. The Swiss paediatrician is well known in his country for his talents of humorist and cellist, now he uses for the benefit of collecting donations today. In front of a public essentially the tourists, Beatocello plays Bach and sings his own compositions by which he makes the spectators sensitive for the necessities of his hospitals, and invites people to donate, or to give blood. Beatocello also begins tours in Switzerland several times a year, to collect funds for his foundation.
Beatocello, the artist who plays for the children
In Kantha Bopha hospitals, any care are free for all the children, and the staff is decently paid, to avoid every risk of corruption. Doctors and nurses of the public hospitals are often forced to work several places to be able to feed their family and also improve their salary of twenty dollars a month paying by the Ministry of Health. Doctor Richner fought from the beginning this established fact by paying to his employees up to thirty times the salary of the public service. So, the staff dedicates oneself completely to the hospital, without trying to resell drugs. And especially no one treats the patients against money, as it occurs too often in the other hospitals over the country. Today, the indefatigable doctor Richner is elected as member « Switzerland of the year » in 2003, started the restoration and the increase the first Kantha Bopha hospital in Phnom Penh. As for the hospital Jayavarman VII, at Siem Reap, he will be also very endowed with 300 beds more soon.
A HIV-positive woman who benefits from a treatment three months before term of held pregnancy reduced considerably the risks of transmitting the virus of AIDS to her child.
Kantha Bopha hospitals in figures
Every year they are:
· 70 000 hospitalisations
· 100 000 vaccinations
· 700 000 consultations
· 16 000 operations
· 5 000 Childbirthes
· 1500 Cambodian employees
· 15 million dollars of annual cost among which 50 % for drug’s purchase, 30 % for salaries, 15 % for medical material and maintenance and 5 % for administration.

To make donations please refer to : UBS Union Bank of Switzerland, 8032 Zurich Seefeld - SUISSE, account n° 838570.01Q Fondation Beat Richner : C/O Intercontrol AG, Seefeldstr. 17 8008 Zurich, Suisse Website : http://www.beat-richner.ch

This article is from Google at the rubrique « Beat Richner ».

The Official Vietnamization Of Our Northeastern Provinces

News From Cambodia N° 0638-E

THE OFFICIAL VIETNAMIZATION OF OUR NORTHEASTERN PROVINCES

Khemara Jati
Montreal, Quebec
September 8th, 2006

We publish below an article of Cambodge Soir of September 7th, 2006, entitled « Five projects of barrage on Sesan » (Cinq projets de barrages sur le Sesan).

This project is led by vietnamese engineers. Then this project will be materialized by vietnamese companies. Then the electricity will be transferred and sold to vietnamese Electric Centrer which would resell back their electricity to Cambodians, with a "cheap" price !

So the Ministry of Commerce, seems to be Cambodian, in the person of its Secretary of State Ith Prang endorsed a study made by vietnamese engineers. Why hydroelectric stations will be built in Vietnam and not in Cambodia ? So it will be Vietnam a boss of our electricity. According to Ith Prang, Vietnam would sell us the electricity without making the slightest profit ?

So this project is completely vietnamese and financed by the Cambodians on Cambodian territory :

1/. Led by vietnamese engineers and paid by the Cambodians;

2/. These barrages will be built by vietnamese companies with the vietnamese staff, and financed by Cambodians.

3/. The hydroelectric station will be implanted in Vietnam built and managed by Vietnamese and financed by the Cambodians? So Vietnam will be a boss of the Cambodian electricity production. While geographically this electricity belongs to us, Cambodians.

4/. It is necessary to be very naive to believe that Vietnam will sell us the electricity produced in Vietnam less expensive than to Vietnam. Presently Cambodians on our Eastern borders, pay the vietnamese electricity the double of the price in Vietnam.

5/. This project will begin only in 20012 or 20013, that is when Japan will have completed the highway construction which connecting our provinces of the Northeast with the vietnamese port of Da Nang.

6/. Why put the study of this project into the hands of the vietnamese companies and not to companies a little more independent from vietnamese interests? Are there people independent from vietnamese interests in Cambodia ?

Conclusion : It is curious to notice that Cambodian politicians sensible to defend the national interests of Cambodia, seem to ignore these problems of the vietnamisation of Cambodia in term of economic and territorial matter. Our members of parliament, on the other hand like giving lessons of democracy to the others, while they vote the laws to self censure and to look on internal affairs of the family.

We also publish below opinions of our fellow countrymen on these incomprehensible votes by politicians sensible to defend “Democracy” and “Liberties” by word and by opinion and individual.

Note : Cet article est aussi disponible en français sur demande.

Annexes :

Cambodge Soir,
Phnom Penh, le 7 septembre 2006
Five projects of barrages on Sesan
Unofficial translation from French by Khemara Jati
Five hydroelectric barrages could be built from 2012 on the Cambodian side of the river Sesan, in the province of Stung Treng, according to the results of a preliminary study made by vietnamese experts ordered by the Department of Commerce. According to Ith Prang, Secretary of State of this ministry, this study led for one year allowed to identify five sites convenient to the installation of hydroelectric infrastructures, for a total production capacity estimated at 818 megawatts. « It does not mean that all these barrages will be built », clarifies the State Secretary, who asserts that only "some priority projects" will be held first, at the conclusion of a detailed study. This one will begin in the days which follow, according to Ith Prang, and should analyze at the same moment the economic stakes and the environmental impact of such infrastructures. The biggest project concerns the construction of a barrage of a power of 420 MW, for a 611 million dollar cost. Four others would have capacities of 180 MW, 90 MW and, for both more modest, 64 MW, in respective costs of 387,164, and 114 million dollars. « Once the detailed study ended, the vietnamese could participate also in the construction of barrages, asserts the State Secretary. If everything is well, the first constructions could begin in 2012 or 2013. » The energy produced by these barrages would then be forwarded and sold to Vietnamese power plants which would resell in turn « electricity in the Cambodian provinces, with cheap price » adds Ith Prang. Ky Soklim

Cambodia Daily,
Phnom Penh, September 7th, 2006
OPINION- Letter to the Editor
Social Morality Misguided and a sad Indicator
I can't help feeling hurt that Cambodian lawmakers were so preoccupied with social mo­rality that they rushed and passed a Law relating to people's private lives rather than dealing with many of the other more serious issues. Immediately after three months in recess, the National Assembly should have prior­itized far more imp­ortant legisla­tion, such as the anticorruption law, the freedom of information law and others, which constituents and the international donor community are anxiously waiting to see. Worse to have a law to regulate individual morality is a shameful indication that Cambodia is not civi­lized and that its social morality is too low to be restored by any other means than the law. One parliamentarian defended the law saying it would help reduce corruption, as government officials are acquiring money dishonestly to lavish it on their mistresses. While I am glad this was acknowledged, I wonder why the parliamentarian didn’t address corruption directly. Singapore and Heng Pov are both very successful in addressing corruption, but presumably neither has an adultery law. Their success must at least partly be due to strong systems of accountability and trans­parency. Are we now going to make another law to criminalize children who disobey their parents by skipping classes, gambling or spending nights out with their peers? Having a law to regulate our morality and private lives is like using rods to guide a chilk!. Sok Barisoth, Phnom Penh

Again, SRP Succeeds at Disappointing
OPINION- Letter to the Editor
It seems more obvious than ever that Cambodians ought to look beyond the Sam Rainsy Party for their savior, (“SRP Admits 10 Approved Controversial Law,” Tuesday, page 13). The vote for the law - which curbs lawmakers’ right to free speech - by 10 of 24 SRP parliamentarians is a blunder with significant implications. It is incomprehensible that oppo­sition lawmakers voted for a bill that effectively legitimizes the illegal arrest last year of one of their MPs, who also happened inconceivably, to support the bill. It seems retirement security was in their minds when they voted. It is disappointing to see such a young, energetic party already contemplat­ing a comfortable lifestyle after poli­tics. One SRP parliamentarian argued that the devastating Article 5 of the bill could be amended later. He is absolutely right, unless the opposition would want to keep it if they were in power. This is another sad episode rein­forcing a negative perception of the SRP. Bun Buno, Australia

The Cambodia Daily
September 6th, 2006
OPINION- Letter to the Editor
Let's Help Ourselves Help The Burmese
It's a good sign that Cambodia is playing a role in the efforts to restore democracy in Bur­ma (“Caucus for Reform in Bur­ma Holds 1st Meeting,” Monday, page 16). The meeting shows that Cambodia, as a democracy, cares about the suffering of the Burmese people and other na­tions under authoritarian rule. But Cambodia needs to prove itself as a genuine democracy before preaching to others. We welcome many improvements in terms of free speech and free press in Cambodia since 1993. But many other thing need to be addressed. While the print media is relatively free, the broadcast media is still largely controlled or influenced by the government. Cambodian journalists still face many difficulties regarding access to information. In order to do their work freely and effectively, the freedom of information law must be adopted as soon as possible. Peaceful demonstrations have been banned and violently sub­dued by the government. The government needs to lift this ban. Cambodia can be a role model of a successful emerging democ­racy if it can improve on these issues. Otherwise, it will be like a toad trying to sell medicines to cure ringworm. Moeun Chhean Nariddh, Phnom Penh.

Heng Pov - The Man Persued By Phnom Penh - L'Express

News From Cambodia N° 0637-E

THE MAN PURSUED BY PHNOM PENH

L’Express
September 5, 2006
by Sylvaine Pasquier,
Unofficial translation from original article in french by Khemara Jati

For having broken the oath of secrecy on the political murders in Cambodia and the corruption of the regime, Heng Pov, former Prime Minister Hun Sen adviser, is the man most pursued by the regime today.

Arrested in Singapore at night from August 31st to September 1st, after his visa expired, Heng Pov was forced to leave immediately the territory. And it in spite of the international rules of protection from which he should benefit as applicant of asylum waiting of status with the United Nations Height Commissioner for Refugees. The police also arrested a foreign citizen in regular situation, with only motive of his relations with Heng Pov. He was interrogated and put under bolts without water nor food during two days before being expelled.

First euphoric, the officials of Phnom Penh quickly became disenchanted. There is no any extradition treaty between Cambodia and Singapore. Besides, the authorities of the town-State seem especially avid to get rid of this affair. On behalf of medical treatment, Hok Lundy, leader of the national police force of the kingdom, went last month to Singapore, where he maintains contacts. Without any result.

Heng Pov is at the moment in a third country, where his security remains precarious. Contrary to a Cambodian paper's allegations, he denies having tempted or authorized the slightest deal with the government, to drop off the charges which he is the object for exchange of his silence. Proof that certain panic administration at the top, L'Express learnt, on September 3rd, from credible source in Phnom Penh, that one of the grenades throwers against a peaceful demonstration of the opposition, on March 30th 1997, had been led by the authorities towards an unknown destination. In 2003, this officer of Hun Sen bodyguard had admitted his act to Heng Pov that he carried it out on order. It is about Phan Sary, today general. Would the regime try to remove the performers, who could testify of its crimes? Getting injured during this attempt, Ron Abney, American citizen, addressed to FBI in mid-August, asking it to reopen the investigations in the light of Heng Pov’s allegations.

Published by Khemara Jati
Montreal, Quebec
September 5th, 2006

Heng Pov Case - III

NEWS FROM CAMBODIA N° 0636-E

HENG POV’S CASE (III)
THE FUNERAL IN THE SILENCE ?

Khemara Jati
Montreal, Quebec
September 04, 2006

The Heng Pov's allegations are very important. The secret services of great powers know perfectly that the big parts of that are exact. However these revelations are only a part of the reality of the facts. Heng Pov cannot reveal for example the Hanoi direct interventions of during the coup d'état of July, 1997. Heng Pov can reveal it only indirectly as the undeniable fact that Hun Sen was in Vietnam during this coup d'état. Then he says that he does not want to be judged either in Cambodia nor in Vietnam. But these revelations have the merit to make the world know why and how the « Culture of Impunity » was able to continue until nowadays. Until when? Major powers will have more and more difficult to hide their support and assistances to the bloodthirsty, criminal and corrupted Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan.

Heng Pov does not dare to reveal for example the fact that Ho Sok became the man to be shooting down by the Vietnamese, because he has had very good relations with a certain number of the CPP army officers. Ho Sok knew about movements of the CPP army units. Unfortunately the politicians of Funcinpec do not know how to keep in secret and make in public the confidential information given by Ho Sok. Ho Sok did not foresee either the whole Popular Army of Vietnam (PAV) unit intervention during the coup d'état of July, 1997. This intervention came to surprise the whole Funcinpec's generals. Fortunately the bitter and sharp defeat of the PAV best units of shock of O Smach front saved the honor of the Cambodian weapons. This direct intervention of the PAV is confirmed in private by Cambodian personalities of the civil servant who were present in Cambodia in that time and also by foreign personalities who ask to remain anonymous. It would be surprised that the intelligence services of major powers can ignore these facts.

The Heng Pov's allegations are so clear that make Ron Abney changed decision. We diffuse below the reasons of this motive of Ron Abney's position relating to his complaint with FBI about the massacre of March 30th, 1997 in which he was injured. Ron Abney at the same occasion informs us that he dropped his complaint in order to allow Rainsy and Kem Sokha to work normally in Cambodia. By doing so Ron Abney is only confirming our opinion concerning the major power’s arrangements with Hun Sen allowing Rainsy to return to Cambodia. But with Heng Pov's revelations, Ron Abney calls to reopen the file. It is what torments and enrages Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan. We reproduce below the reaction of its spokesman:

«Unlike Ron Abney, who considers Heng Pov as a “eyewitness” of the first importance, the Minister of the information and the spokesman of the government Khieu Kanharith considered that nothing justified the reopening of the investigation.

« He (Ron Abney) thinks that Heng Pœuv's statements constitute a new element, while they are only charges without proof. He forces on a door which is already opened. He wants to teach the crocodile to swim: at the FBI, all are professionals », he declared before denying the explanation according to which the complaint withdrawal was politically motivated. « The justice is the justice. It is not as in the United States where any sentences can be negotiated. In Cambodia, there is not the case. We are not politicizing the justice », he explained before concluding that Ron Abney was a « damn pest »[1].

In the same statement, Khieu Kanharith offended and attacked openly the justice of the United States after qualifying Ron Abney as « damn pest ». No any reaction from the American authorities. Still the FBI does not make public its inquiry results on the massacre of March 30th, 1997, after more than 9 years later, as mentioned Chea Vannath, former President of Center for Social Development[2]. This Chea Vannath's opinion is shared by all Cambodians. For what reasons does the USA government stubbornly refuse to make public this essential document in order to understand a part of what took place in Cambodia since 1991? That in spite of Heng Pov's revelations? Again by reintroducing a complaint with FBI, did Ron Abney also become a « damn pest » for the United States government?

In these conditions, Rainsy is obliged to call his activists to stay away from Heng Pov troubles[3]. But Rainsy qualified Heng Pov Affair as « squaring of account between criminals ». Why do not use this « squaring of account between criminals » to settle our account against Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan who undersells our lands and our continental shelf with our reserves in hydrocarbons, for the benefit of Vietnam and also of Thailand? The Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan did not always use and instigate the conflicts between Cambodians, at their need, by the massacres, the murders and the corruption, in order to sit solidly their dictatorship over Cambodians ?

During the recent adoption by parliament of the law forcing parliamentarians to make autocensorship, the SRP members of parliament participated in this vote. Is it not the beginning of the work to divide within the SRP as Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan has already made within Funcinpec with the result that we all known? There is also an adoption of a law against the adultery. With the current judicial system totally controlled by the clan in the power, will not this law be mainly used against those who are considered unwanted by the clan ? As so well noticed the civil servant ? While the law on the corruption always remains in wait ? By so doing what the SRP parliamentarians are doing ? Is it the beginning of self-destruction as it was already the case of Funcinpec? Is it understood the call to order recently launched by Rainsy ?

After Ho Sok's murder, Singapore does not dare to oblige Heng Pov to return in Cambodia. Presently Heng Pov is in Malaysia. There are now negotiations between Malaysia and Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan to find solution which would oblige Heng Pov to keep silent. Because, as we mentioned from our first article diffused on August 6th, 2006, all the major powers have interest to keep Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan in power. Let us notice that any international media did not speak about this Heng Pov Affair, in the only one exception of L'Express. Is it a hazard ? These media which are under the full control of the very powerful financial groups of the planet ?

Khemara Jati has a rare chance to be in Canada, an unique country where the freedom of expression is the most liberal. We express our profound gratitude to Canadian authorities for this freedom which we enjoy the most.

Then what is the most consistent solution for the major powers interests ? To return Heng Pov to Phnom Penh ? Heng Pov tortured or / and killed in the gaols of Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan would make too much noises. Heng Pov judged at the corrupted court in Phnom Penh ? There will be certainly a presence of national and international media. Heng Pov can reveal other crimes even worst. This time, it is more difficult to suffocate the crimes committed by Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan.

The only solution is to send Heng Pov somewhere else with the obligation to keep quiet. It is the funeral of the affair in the silence hoping that the forgetness will eventually wash hands stained of blood of the Hok Lundy-Hun Sen clan.

We diffuse below both articles of Cambodge Soir of August 29th, 2006 on the change of Ron Abney's idea and on Rainsy's position on this Heng Pov's Affair.

In a next article we shall try to place this « Heng Pov's Case » in the context of the struggle more and more united of the Cambodian people against the ignorance, the disease and the misery for the national Independence in our territorial and maritime integrity, against the economic and financial monopolies of the vietnamese company Sokimex and the vietnamese bank Canadia, for the economic development for all fellow countrywomen/countrymen, for the liberation of our dear homeland of the vietnamese domination, for democracy and freedom.

Note : Cet article est disponible en français sur demande.

Annexes :

Cambodge Soir
29 août 2006
Unofficial translated from French by Khemara Jati
Sam Rainsy calls his activists to the reserve
Sam Rainsy, now on a tour in the US where he meets his sympathizers of across the Atlantic, called the activists of SRP of Florida and Canada to take distances from Heng Pœuv's affair which he qualified as « internal conflict inside the CPP ». He asks his overseas troops to pay their attention on the management of the country [governing] by the Prime Minister and not allow to be obsessed by the former municipal police commissioner's statement.
« All this history is only a squaring of accounts between criminals. We do not have to get involved in it », declared Sam Rainsy whose comments were aired by Radio Free Asia. Arriving to the US around August 17th to attend the SRP congress of across the Atlantic, he called American radios in Khmer to be interested in all evolutions of the Cambodian political life beyond the only Heng Poeuv's affair. « The SRP is only following the progress of this file like the others because it is about an internal problem within the CPP: we do not have to put the nose inside [it]. »
Sam Rainsy calls nevertheless the friendly countries and the United Nations which want to help Cambodia to verify the information moved by Heng Pœuv to understand the way which are managing the affairs in the kingdom, the extent of the maffioso power, and the crimes related to it. « When we speak about these crimes, they blame some of the others. It is a squaring of accounts between criminals », he beat.
This call to the reserve was not however passed on to the SRP activists of the kingdom, precises the General Secretary of interim of the party Meng Rita. « Since the beginning we refuse to interfere in this history. We already know that Heng Pœuv is a criminal among many others in this country », he explained.
According to Kéo Vanthan, vice-leader of Interpol in Cambodia, Heng Pœuv would indeed be always in Singapore because his visa expired last week. According to his lawyer, the former municipal police commissioner always tries to obtain the asylum in a third country. The progovernmental press wondered at least on Sunday about the moment when the fugitive would be arrested and repatriated in Cambodia. Just like other newspapers of the same political tendency, Rasmey Kampuchea considers that the country which will welcome Heng Pœuv « will make collusive of crimes, will encourage the criminal and will put obstacle to the action of justice ».

Cambodge Soir
29 août 2006
Ron Abney : « I drop my lawsuit to help Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy »

Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Ron Abney, a former employee of the US organization International Republican Institute (IRI) who was wounded during the grenade attack on March 30, 1997 in Phnom Penh, is trying for almost 10 years to shed some light on this event which was never clarified in Cambodia (the FBI investigation was never made public in its integral form). Notably, Ron Abney filed a complaint in the US against an unknown person under the framework of the Alien Tort Law, a law which allows US citizens attacked overseas to bring their case to US court. Nevertheless, last December, Ron Abney decided against all expectations, to drop the lawsuit. A new turn of even took place in mid-August when Ron Abney wrote to the FBI this time, to request for the reopening of the investigation taking into consideration the recent declarations made by Heng Pov implicating the prime minister and the chief of the national police (read Cambodge Soir, August 24 edition).Asked by email on these seemingly contradictions, Ron Abney explained the circumstances leading to his decision to drop his lawsuit a few month earlier. "That lawsuit was a real concern for Hun Sen. It meant that the FBI investigation must be made available to the US court system, and thus making it available to everyone. Hun Sen did not want this to happen. I decided to withdraw my lawsuit when I was conscious to the fact that human rights defenders [jailed last year for criticizing the border treaty with Vietnam], such as Kem Sokha, and Sam Rainsy [who was in exile in France for one year and who returned back home in February] could have been more concerned if I did not drop the lawsuit. I thought that Sam Ranisy should return back home to pursue his political activities and that it would have release some pressure which weighted on him. It was me who took the decision," Ron Abney detailed. Finally, he explained that the lawsuit was only a mean to reopen the case, and that he is pursuing it through other official means.Unlike Ron Abney who considered Heng Pov as a first class "eyewitness," Khieu Kanharith, the government spokesman, believes that nothing justify the reopening of the investigation."He (Ron Abney) thinks that the declarations made by Heng Pov bring in something new, whereas they are only accusations without any proof. He forces on a door that is already opened. He wants to teach crocodiles to swim: the FBI personnel are professionals," Khieu Kanharith declared before denying that the lawsuit drop (by Ron Abney) was politically motivated. "Justice is justice. It is not like in the US where one can bargain for lighter sentences. In Cambodia, we don't have that. We are not politicizing the justice," Khieu Kanharith explained before concluding that Ron Abney was a "pest" ("emmerdeur" in French has a stronger connotation than "pest").The IRI representative in Cambodia believes that Ron Abney's steps are his "personal" initiative, so does the US embassy spokesman (in Cambodia) to whom this affair has "nothing to do with politics." Son Chhay, the SRP MP declined to comment on Ron Abney's declarations, and Sam Rainsy who is currently in the US, cannot be contacted yesterday. Soren Seelow
[1] Cambodge Soir of 29 August 2006 : Ron Abney : J'ai retiré ma plainte pour aider Kem Sokha et Sam Rainsy
[2] The Cambodia Daily of 10 August 2006.
[3] Cambodge Soir of 29 August 2006 : Sam Rainsy appelle ses militants à la réserve.