Atrocities seen in Cambodia inspire man's new movie

By DONAVON CAMPBELL

Published: Monday, June 2, 2008

Guy Jacobson needed to clear his head.

An investment banker, attorney, writer and owner of his own film company, Priority Films, Jacobson was backpacking in Cambodia in early 2002 in an effort to stir, or perhaps settle, the creative juices.

It was while he was walking along a Cambodian street that he was accosted by a group of young girls.

What happened to him then was much more than a case of culture shock. The girls -- ranging in age from 5 to 7 years old -- were prostitutes.

The event shook Jacobson. He said he knew he had to do something.

The film, Holly, which Jacobson wrote and produced in response to his experience, opens Friday, June 6 at the Drexel Theater in Grandview.

Jacobson himself will be coming to the theater to take part in a question and answer session with the public for the evening showing on Saturday, June 7.

Holly is essentially a love story under extreme circumstances, Jacobson said.

"The movie itself is an impossible love story," said Jacobson. "Two characters from different places and times trying to save each other."

Holly, the title character played by Thuy Nguyen, is a 12-year-old Cambodian girl who has been sold into prostitution by her family.

Ron Livingston plays Patrick, an American card shark and dealer of stolen artifacts who has found a home in the amoral soup of the Cambodian street life.

The pair cross paths, changing Patrick's life. When Holly is sold to a child trafficker for the value of her virginity, Patrick is left with no other recourse than follow the trail in hope of finding her again.

The film was shot in the dangerous and sorted locations of the red light district of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The decision to film in the very brothels and areas in which these atrocities actually occur provided authenticity to the film, but, as Jacobson himself said, put the cast and crew in very real danger.

Just three days after arriving on location, they received a distressing call from Interpol, Jacobson said.

"They said, 'You guys are insane'," said Jacobson. "You are in the most dangerous place in the world for shooting this film. You're going to die. Get the hell out of there."

Jacobson said they had to hire some 40 bodyguards and equip them with automatic machine guns to protect the cast and crew during filming.

"We were at war to make this movie," said Jacobson. "It's probably the stupidest thing I've ever done."

Nevertheless the film was completed and flown out on a private plane for fear of its theft.

But why so much trouble to make a film?

It was the subject matter, said Jacobson.

"I wanted to find out what is really happening, what is really going on," he said.

"Because (child trafficking for prostitution) is not one specific age group or one specific country, people haven't been paying attention. I wanted to explore this in depth from the victim's point of view," Jacobson said.

Jacobson is coming to speak about the film both for the movie itself but also for a new campaign he founded called the Red Light Children Campaign.

With the help of corporate sponsor Lexis Nexis, Jacobson is doing his best to help fulfill his campaign's mission statement of exposing, fighting and ending the global sex trade.

"We have an opportunity during which we can engage the public and the press in conversation and bring the issue to light in the community," said Jacobson.

For more information on the campaign or Holly go to redlightchildren.org.

For more information, ticket prices and showtimes at Drexel Theater in Grandview go to drexel.net or call 614-486-6114.

"We were at war to make this movie."

--Guy Jacobson

Assignment report from Cambodia

Mary Lee Morgan two English classes a week. She has mostly young people but a few are older members and nonmembers of the church. It is free so many come. While she loves the students and really struggles to get them to have a desire to study outside of the classroom. Khmers do not like to read. (Contributed)

By DR. MICHAEL MORGAN • June 2, 2008

It has been several months since I have responded with an article for the Times Recorder. My wife and I have been in Cambodia for one year - we will be home for Christmas, but who is counting. The time has been flying by. We have so much to do and so little time left to accomplish it.

We have really grown to love the Cambodian people and their kind, humble ways. Our assignment has just been changed to work with the members of the church in Cambodia who are Vietnamese. It has proven to be a special challenge. The immigrant Vietnamese are very poor, even by Cambodian standards. We thought the Khmer people were so poverty stricken, but we are finding the Vietnamese are a level lower.

We are spending most our of our time visiting their homes and teaching them the gospel. They are so receptive and teachable. Those who live the gospel are able to have hope and work towards rising above the poverty they are subjected to. We are seeing the gospel really change lives and families.They give up bad habits that destroy families and lives - alcoholism, drugs and infidelity are real problems throughout this country.

I believe that Cambodia is like no other place in the world. The people have been through so much and still are struggling with corruption in their leadership. There will be an election this summer, but it appears the winners have already been selected. The people seem to not become involved in the electoral process.

The effect of the Khymer Rouge reign is wide ranging. Many of the people do not trust the government. Almost one third of the population was killed by the KR dictatorship in the 1970s. People who were educated, business men, teachers, showed opposition to the Khymer Rouge or even those who wore glasses, were killed. Records, schools, and libraries were eliminated. Almost everyone that we speak with has had a family member that was killed or eliminated during the Khymer Rouge reign. One member we work with had her husband and three children killed by the KR.

The ECCC (Extraordinary Chamber Court of Cambodia) is in the early phase of trying several leaders of the KR. Only time will tell what effect the trials will have on the public. The United Nations is operating the multi-country sponsored trials. The U.S.A. is a large financial supporter of the trials.

We have managed to escape the terrible earthquakes and cyclones that have devastated Myanmar and China, countries just north of us. I can only imagine what the shacks and homes must look like after such disasters. We are experiencing the beginning of the raining season ... it is almost like going from fall to winter back home. We have really had a difficult time keeping tract of the seasons. The weather is always between 75 to 90 degrees. The lowest temperature we have experienced this year was 66 degrees at night. That day, the Khmers were wearing their warmest coats and clothing.

Mike and Mary Lee Morgan are on an 18-month assignment in the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They have been assigned to do both proselyting and humanitarian services for the Cambodian people. Dr. Morgan retired from his dental practice in Zanesville, after 41 years of practice. He will periodically write about their adventures.

New flights open up Cambodia's property investment potential

Visitors to Angkor.

Cambodia is being tipped as a new property investment hotspot, as the government announces plans to welcome more direct flights into the country. Overseas Property Professional (OPP) explains how this, and further measures, could lead to a surge in development.

The Cambodian government is actively promoting the country's tourist and investment potential, hoping to experience the same development boom as neighbouring Thailand. Following a meeting with Qatar officials, Cambodia's foreign minister Hor Nam Hong said: "We are expanding the direct flight service with Qatar to attract tourists and investors to our country." Plans to relaunch the country's national airline have also been announced.

Experts predict that the changes will stimulate growth in the property sector. Speaking to OPP, Liam Bailey of David Stanley Redfern commented,: "In Cambodia, property market growth has been largely limited to Phnom Penh...The recent massive increases in visitor numbers, which will be helped by the new airline, will spread property market growth to other areas, and new Cambodian property hotspots will be emerging soon."

The Cambodian government is investing heavily in the country's infrastructure to accommodate increasing visitor numbers, constructing motorways and a third international airport. In a further bid to attract more overseas investors, the Cambodian government is also reportedly considering changing its ownership laws by the end of the year. The changes would allow freehold ownership to non-nationals.

Much of the tourism interest of the country centres around the temples, which are particularly popular with visitors from Australia and New Zealand.

This story was brought to you by holiday lettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

Government Salaries Added to Campaigns

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh 02 June 2008

Khmer audio aired June 02 (740KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired June 02 (740KB) - Listen (MP3)

With increasing cost pressures hitting Cambodians as they move toward a general election, the monthly wages of government workers has become a political issue.

Competing parties have added it to their platforms, promising as much as $100 per month increases after the election, while the ruling Cambodian People's Party has made promises of its own.

Speaking at a road inauguration Monday, Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) acknowledged that government staff was getting small wages.

"I do not deny that government staff has a salary problem," Hun Sen said. "But we have to follow step by step to raise their wages, around 20 percent per year."

The average government worker earns $30 per month.

"We must construct the roads, bridges and schools," he said. "If not, we would be able to give further wages for government staff."

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Hun Sen's statement showed irresponsibility, as the wage raise was not in correspondence with inflation. If the salary cannot be raised up at least 100 percent, the living standards of government staff will fall, he said.

The Sam Rainsy Party, if elected, would boost the salary to 500,000 riel per month, about $125 per month, he said.

The Cambodian Independent Teachers Association has several times threatened to demonstrate over low wages, and the garment sector was forced to increase the wages of factory workers by $6, following strike threats.

Government staff must get at least 400,000 riel per month, about $100, said Rong Chhun, president of the teacher's association. The government has the means to make such a raise, he said, "if they want."

K'Cham Voters Wary of False Promises

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer Orignal report from Kampong Cham province 02 June 2008

Khmer audio aired May 31 (1.05MB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired May 31 (1.05MB) - Listen (MP3)

Rural voters in Kampong Cham province say they will not tolerate broken promises from campaigning officials, and they are waiting to hear from parties in the official election campaign period before making their decision.

The villagers, from O Raing Au district, told VOA Khmer they were tired of empty political promises that were never followed up on once ballots were cast.

"How can I believe?" asked Chab Noy, a farmer with nine children. "There are people who just talk, but no people who respect promises."

Nam Sophal, a motorcycle taxi driver in Ampil Tapok commune, said he was waiting to see what politicians will say in the campaign period, but he wasn't optimistic that words would lead to action.

"Any party is the same," he said. "Just promise to do this, to do that, and then never apply."

Grocer Hai Meng Kong said any politician breaking a promise was risking losing a supporter.

"If anyone makes an empty promise," he said, "I will not vote for them any more."

Civil Society Condemns Pre-Election Violence

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh 02 June 2008

Khmer audio aired June 02 (1.14MB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired June 02 (1.14MB) - Listen (MP3)

Members of Cambodia's human rights agencies said Monday they were worried about violence in the pre-campaign period, with some candidates already being intimidated, threatened, and, in a few cases, killed.

The violence was contributing to a "political crisis," according to the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, a coalition of 21 civic groups.

"Political killings, intimidations and harassments have been rising, in particular, in the remote areas," the coalition said.

At least five political activists were killed between January and May, the coalition said.

Fishing Communities Eying Parties

By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer Original report from Kampong Chhnang Province 01 June 2008

[Editor's note: In the weeks leading into national polls, VOA Khmer will explore a wide number of election issues. The "Election Issues 2008" series will air stories on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a related "Hello VOA" guest on Thursday. This is the second in a two-part series examining the fate of the Tonle Sap.]

Cambodia’s fishing villagers are looking for political parties to serve their lifelong fishing careers.

As the national election approaches, fishermen of Chhok Trou district, Kampong Chhnang province, said they were facing declining conditions, and are looking for change.

“For this general election, I will vote for any political party who provides me certain promises,” said Ky Try, a 31-year-old fisherman, his voice rising. “If [a candidate] wins the election and still ignores the fishing problem, I can vote to drop him from power anytime.”

According to local authorities, 90 percent of eligible villagers in Chhok Trou have registered to vote. During the election campaign, which will begin in the middle of June, political parties usually make many promises to attract votes.

But many fishermen in Chhnok Trou said they don’t care much about promises; they will keep looking for actions instead.

“I will vote for the party that can fulfill the demands of fishermen, and I will keep looking even after the election,” said 60-year-old Sath Kosal.

In response to villagers’ concerns, the representative of for biggest political party in Chhnok Trou, Long Sokhom of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, claimed to have prepared various strategies to combat illegal fishing in an effort to help the fishermen.

Human Rights Party representative Saing Sarath said he would seek to prevent Vietnamese fishermen from infringing on Tonle Sap fishing.

The ruling Cambodian People’s Party, which has been in power for more than three decades, claimed it would do its best to strengthen measures to help fishermen.

Funcinpec representative Chhem Seng Hak said his party had no policy on fishing.

Many Approve of Country’s Direction: Poll

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh 01 June 2008

About three quarters of Cambodians in a recent poll said they thought the country was headed in the right direction.

Of 2,000 people surveyed face to face by the International Republican Institute between Jan. 27 and Feb. 26, 77 percent said they thought the country was moving in the right direction; 20 percent said it was moving in the wrong direction.

Most cited the building of roads as the reason they thought the country was improving. Of those who thought it wasn’t, corruption was the most-cited reason.

Prime Minister Hun Sen applauded the survey at an annual financial meeting Wednesday.

“It means that our government and development partners have not walked backward in reform for development,” he said.

Opposition lawmaker Son Chhay doubted the veracity of the survey, saying that face-to-face interviews could lead people to answer fearfully.

Khmer Rouge History Approved for Schools

By Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer Original report from Washington 02 June 2008

More than 30 years after Khmer Rouge communist guerrillas marched into Phnom Penh, evacuated the cities, and sewed the seeds for one of the worst genocides of the 21st Century, the Cambodian governments says it will allow the regime's history to be taught in schools.

The Ministry of Education has approved plans to incorporate lessons on the period of Democratic Kampuchea, authorizing the independent Documentation Center of Cambodia, which has extensively chronicled the brutality of the regime, to train 1,800 teachers.

"We will organize a guide book for high school teachers, and we will train them on how to present this sensitive era to students," center director Youk Chhang said. "First we will contact other countries that have the same story of atrocities committed by a communist regime on how they taught their young children in school about the genocide."

The center will seek input on how to teach genocide from institutions like the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Montreal Holocaust Memorial, he said.

Lao Mong Hay, a researcher at the Asian Human Rights Commission, said the plan to teach Khmer Rouge history was good, but it should be connected to lessons of other periods, for balance.

"The teaching methods would present ways that teachers can use to guide students away from attitudes that show racial or other prejudices, or revenge rather than reconciliation," he said.

Hing Sok San, an officer of the Students Movement for Democracy, said he supported the new lessons.

"Young Cambodians have to know about the very painful history that their parents and relatives suffered," he said.

The lessons will give students a chance to understand their own history, said elementary school teacher Chea Seng, who works in Kampong Cham province.

Lessons could start in late 2009, officials said.

Battambang Marchers Scattered, Waiting

By Win Thida, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh 02 June 2008

Khmer audio aired June 02 (996KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired June 02 (996KB) - Listen (MP3)

The 200 villagers from Battambang province who last week began a march on the capital have broken up and are now waiting for a resolution to a land dispute from the government.

Only a handful remains in the capital, to meet with officials, and most of the others have returned home, villagers said.

Investigators for the rights group Adhoc said Monday the villagers are prepared to renew their march if no resolution is found.

Last week, nearly 200 people marched from Battambang as far as Pursat province before a government invitation for talks halted them.

Voters in Hun Sen's Province Report Irregularities

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer Original report from Kandal Province 01 June 2008

Khmer audio aired May 31 (2.58KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired May 31 (2.58KB) - Listen (MP3)

Voters of at least one commune in Prime Minister Hun Sen’s electoral province, Kandal, say they face threats and intimidation and a sophisticated ruling party network ahead of elections.

If they don’t vote for the Cambodian People’s Party, they say, it will be difficult for them to live. The voters of Preak Ambel commune said CPP officials have structured a wide-sweeping network in groups of 10 to control vote-buying and other acts to influence voters.

Farmer Kim Srun, 70, said villagers have been told that they must vote for the CPP or “there would be difficulty to certify documents, such as marriage and ceremonies.”

He was appointed as a CPP group leader over the past two months, receiving a T-shirt and cap.

Of 25,000 people living in Prek Ambel, about 15,000 people are eligible to vote.

Hem Kit, a villager who had just moved into the area from Kampong Speu province, said it had been difficult for him to register.

The Committee for Free and Fair Elections has not reported any serious irregularities in the area.

CPP commune chief Pech Kroeun denied any intimidation of voters.

Takeo Area Cites Many Reasons for CPP Vote

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer Original report from Takeo Province 01 June 2008

Illiteracy, poverty, gifts, pressure—and achievement—were all reasons voters in one region of Takeo province, near the Vietnamese border, say they cast ballots for the ruling party.

The voters said they’ve recently gathered to receive gifts from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party in exchange for their votes and were expecting more in coming weeks.

Loey Lay, 55, who has never gone to school, said she had been given a sarong recently, and would fulfill her promise of voting CPP.

“I do not know how to consider, just vote for those who give me the gift,” she said, flanked by her four children and a cow in a field. “I don’t know; I’m illiterate.”

Chan Na, 29, said he had no education, and worried about basics like medication for his children in Chambok Tim village, where he works as a laborer. He was disappointed that his neighbors had received gifts but he hadn’t.

“For those who give me a gift, I’ll vote for, but if they don’t give to me, I’m not going to vote for anyone,” he said.

Many Cambodians face poverty like that found in this outlying area. At least 34 percent of the country is surviving on less than $0.45 per day.

Hun Heng, 57, said he’d received sarongs, a krama, fish sauce and a radio in the past, but he also voted for CPP achievements, including a road and canal in his area. “I will vote for the same party and not change to another fish,” he said.

About 3,000 people of 5,000 in Kiri Chong Koh commune are registered to vote, and the independent Committee for Free and Fair Elections said there have been no serious violations of the election law registered here.

Prak Sarun, of Comfrel’s Takeo office, said people here understand their political rights.

“People take gifts because they are poor and need it, and also to maintain their secrecy,” he said. They may claim allegiance to one party, but vote another.

Kiri Chong Koh chief Prum Chon said gifts were given to everyone, despite their party affiliation. Elections here going “smoothly,” he said.

However, Comfrel has reported minor irregularities in nearby communes and districts, such as the knocking down of party signs.

So Phear, 30, with three living children and two dead in Chhroy Sleng village, said his poverty means he’ll vote for anyone who can make his life better.

“Please help me,” he said. “If I vote for them, and I’m still poor, how can I have a feeling to vote?”

Battambang Villagers March on Capital

By Vong Dara, VOA Khmer Original report from Battambang Province 01 June 2008

Khmer audio aired May 28 (933KB) - Download (MP3)
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After resting half a day Saturday, Battambang villagers resumed their march to the capital, where they hope to have a land dispute resolved.

They moved another 20 kilometers Sunday, crossing into Pursat province, tired, but not as tired as the day before.

Sao Mony, a representative of the villagers of Bovel, said “generous people” on the road encouraged the marchers and helped by bringing food to the roadside.

Rights workers say a number of authorities have been seen working to ensure the safety of the villagers, around 200 of them, on their march.

The marchers say they have appealed to Battambang’s provincial governor, but have found only indifference, and so they are moving to Phnom Penh, where they hope officials can help them.

They’ve lost more than 100 hectares of land in sales in 1999 and 2005, the marchers say.

NRP Activist House Burns in Svay Rieng

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh 01 June 2008

Khmer audio aired May 27 (924KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired May 27 (924KB) - Listen (MP3)

One home belonging to an activist of the Norodom Ranariddh Party burned in Svay Rieng Monday, even as Prime Minister Hun Sen called for non-violence in the election period.

NRP Svay Rieng candidate In Sokhom said the house of activist Kong Keat burned in Romeas Hek commune, after he refused a relative’s invitation to join the Cambodian People’s Party.

Commune policeman Sok Sokha said the house burned down due to an accident in the kitchen.

Speaking at a certificate ceremony in Phnom Penh Monday, Hun Sen called on political parties to respect election laws and reduce violence as the polls approach.

Hun Sen warned against confiscation of wealth from corrupt government officials

31 May 2008 By Phan Sophat
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Courtesy of Ki-Media

Prime minister Hun Sen issued a warning today, saying that the illegal confiscation of wealth from corrupt government officials could create unrest in the country.

In a speech given during his meeting with people, Hun Sen (pictured) talked about his government being unable to prevent corruption, but he said that the forced confiscation of wealth belonging to the corrupt government officials will create problems.

Hun Sen said: “The corrupt officials, they ensnared me by telling me: ‘I am corrupt and I have ($)100 million…’ Then we have to confiscate (the corruption money) from them, so we confiscate back and forth, how do we do it? Will they agree (to the confiscation)? Then war will erupt from these confiscations. These guys, we confiscate from them, after confiscating for a while, all the rich people will all become poor, then more than 3 million people were destroyed [KI-Media: allusion to the killing under the KR regime], don’t play with that.”

In reaction to Hun Sen’s speech, Kem Sokha, HRP president, declared that this shows the ruling CPP’s unwillingness to fight against corruption, because the fight against corruption can be undertaken peacefully with an anti-corruption law.

Kem Sokha said: “If the leaders have the will and they promote the rule of law, we can adopt a law first, then everybody will be under the law. Next we can resolve this issue peacefully according to the law, there will be no revenge. Thus, there will be no war because those who are wealthy, they want to earn their money legally.”

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy also reacted to Hun Sen’s speech by saying: “Laws that are still missing, such as the anti-corruption law, we must have the National Assembly adopt it first, then we can put into full practice. When we put this law into full practice, then the corruption level will decrease.”

Thun Saray, Adhoc human rights President, said that governance is a difficult task, but the government must have the true willingness to eliminate the wealth gap caused by all illegal actions.

Thun Saray said: “This is unlike under the KR regime. The KR confiscated wealth from everybody, this is wrong. However, regarding governance in a free market society, the government has the duty to prevent any illegal income, such as stealing state funds; gain from illegal trades – like women or drug traffickings; accepting briberies, etc… for these cases, the government must take action against them.”

Currently, Cambodia is one of the countries with the highest problem of corruption in the world. Poverty and social injustice are blamed on this major corruption issue.

Recently, several NGOs have delivered more than 1 million thumbprints on a petition to the government and the National Assembly demanding for the adoption of the anti-corruption law which has been stalled for the past 10 years.

Singapore Dragon Boat Association lays down new safety guidelines

By Chua Su Sien/Wong Siew Ying
Channel AsiaNews

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) said it has put in place new safety measures and this was done even before the Safety Inquiry Panel released its report on the Cambodian dragon boat tragedy on Friday.

Five Singaporeans drowned after their dragon boat capsized at the end of a race at Tonle Sap River last November.

And following the incident, SDBA introduced new rules which prevent the Singapore team from taking part in races that do not comply with international guidelines.

SDBA has also banned water-based training in the evenings.

Soon after the tragedy in Cambodia last November, SDBA set up a safety committee which was tasked to evaluate safety issues during competitions and training.

Chia Poh Yong, Vice President, SDBA, said: "We had the technical advisor in to formulate the selection criteria and we made sure that all our paddlers are able swimmers so we make them go through swimming test."

SDBA added that rowers are now more aware of water safety such as the use of life jackets. They are also forbidden to train after seven in the evening.

This means the teams must better manage their time and find alternatives to cater to members who have to work or study till late.

Tan Joe-sie, Member, Women National Dragon Boat Training Squad, said: "We have so far tried to work around it, be it more training sessions during the weekends, double training sessions during weekends; of course public holidays we'll definitely be down to train."

SDBA's safety committee also prohibits teams from participating in competitions that are not up to the standards laid down by the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).

The teams do not think they are losing out.

Damien Ho, Member, Men National Dragon Boat Training Squad, said: "Bigger scale events are usually IDBF approved. It will be good if we are able to go over to compete but there are enough races for us to compete here, so it's not necessary to go overseas to compete."

The rowers added that another issue to consider is whether there's sufficient funding to send them for such international competitions.

But for now, SDBA said the national teams are preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in Laos next year. - CNA/vm

U.N. must try Burmese leaders for genocide

Burma's ruling generals - including Than Shwe, Maung Aye and Thura Shwe Mann pictured here - have enacted their new constitution. [Reuters]

JOEL BRINKLEY

Almost 30 years ago, my editor dispatched me to Cambodia to cover the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime and the resulting refugee holocaust. The images of babies with swollen bellies and only a few days left to live, emaciated and lethargic adults dying from typhoid, cholera or worse have hung with me to this day.

Now, three decades later, the United Nations and the Cambodian government are staging a genocide tribunal for several surviving Khmer Rouge leaders. Nearly 2 million Cambodians died during the Khmer Rouge reign - most of them from disease and starvation.

One country away, in Burma, more than 1 million survivors of Cyclone Nargis have now gone without food, medicine, clean water or sanitation services for more than four weeks. Though Burma's military dictators won't allow anyone to see, babies' bellies are beginning to swell, and listless adults are slipping away, victims of cholera, dysentery or worse. Tens of thousands are likely to die - most of them from disease and starvation.

The fault for all of this lies squarely on Gen. Than Shwe's shoulders. It's past time that the United Nations started planning a genocide tribunal for Shwe, the Burmese leader, and his fellow thugs. The case is clear, the verdict already known.

In Cambodia, prosecutors are digging through musty, incomplete records and relying on testimony from feeble, octogenarian witnesses. In Burma, all the evidence prosecutors would need is in the newspapers and on TV. Put together, it displays a callous disregard for human life so stunning that it would probably embarrass Kim Jung Il, Robert Mugabe - perhaps even Omar al-Bashir, the president of Sudan.

Here's the dossier: On May 20, Shwe promised Ban Ki-moon, the U.N. secretary-general, he would finally allow aid workers to deliver food and medicine to cyclone victims - three weeks after the storm.

The next day, Shwe ordered his troops to sweep through the Irrawaddy Delta and evict cyclone victims from the few buildings that remained standing so they could be used as polling places. Then soldiers pushed and prodded hungry and sick Burmese to vote in a sham referendum intended to extend Shwe's time in office - and sometimes filled in their ballots for them.

Last Sunday, soldiers ordered cyclone victims to dismantle makeshift shelters they had put up near main roads to escape the floodwaters. The soldiers said they were unsightly.

Meanwhile, the International Red Cross reported that rivers and ponds in the delta remained clotted with corpses. On Tuesday, UNICEF noted that Burmese children were drinking from these fetid ponds. They had no other source of water. Even before the storm, Save the Children said it had identified 30,000 malnourished children in the affected areas. Many of them, the group said a few days ago, "may already be dying for lack of food."

In Rangoon, meanwhile, when Ban proposed a donors conference for reconstruction aid, Shwe's government suddenly perked up and said Burma would be delighted to host it. Save our people, no; give us money - sure!

Representatives from more than 50 countries attended the conference last Sunday. Gen. Thein Sein, the Burmese prime minister, told them he would happily take their money. As for finally allowing aid workers in, he said, "we will consider allowing them in if they wish to engage in rehabilitation and reconstruction work."

The government's relief operations have come to an end, he insisted. Burma is shifting its focus to rebuilding and reconstruction. So much for Shwe's promise to Ban. So much for 100,000 sick and dying people. Last week, Burma admitted about 40 more aid workers - while throwing up onerous restrictions on their work.

For weeks, Shwe had refused even to take Ban's phone calls. Finally, Ban decided simply to show up. So the military set up a Potemkin refugee camp complete with crisp green tents and shiny new cookware. When Sein took Ban there a week later, reporters noticed that cooking oil jars remained sealed and store labels were still affixed to the frying pans.

The New York Times reported that soldiers had used dynamite to rid the streams of unsightly corpses in the areas Ban visited.

Now, a month after the storm, the United Nations estimates that fewer than half of the sick and starving cyclone victims have received even the first dollop of aid, while the generals insist that it's time to give up on the victims and start putting up new buildings.

If the world were a just place, then the first building project would be a prison to hold Shwe and his fellow thugs - after their genocide trial.

Joel Brinkley is a professor of journalism at Stanford University and a former foreign policy correspondent for the New York Times. E-mail him at brinkley@foreign-matters.com. Contact us at insight@sfchronicle.com.

Valuable effort

I was surprised by your recent negative editorial concerning the Educate Cambodia project at Milton Area School District.

I felt the students' efforts to raise money to build a school in Cambodia was a very positive lesson in reaching out to those less fortunate. Not only did the high school students heading the project benefit, but so did many of the district's students who participated.

My granddaughter's first-grade class became involved and showed such pride in their accomplishments in helping children halfway around the globe. What a valuable lifelong lesson for them in sharing and caring!

Once again, the Milton community has rallied in support, as well.

How exciting to think that a delegation of students and teachers representing the school district and community could actually attend the dedication ceremony of the Milton School in Cambodia. This is all so positive, not negative, as you imply.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." Congratulations to Milton students, teachers, and the entire community for "lighting a candle" in Cambodia. Perhaps it will inspire others to do the same.

Nancy Slease,

Milton

Hun Sen eyes extension of long-running rule in Cambodia with opposition divided

By Ker Munthit,
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Although 11 parties are geared to fight it out in Cambodia's upcoming national elections, the contest is all but certain to be a one-horse race.

No-one seems to have any doubt that Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured), Asia's longest-serving head of government, will retain his stranglehold over the country's politics. Least of all himself.

"I wish to state it very clearly this way: No one can defeat Hun Sen. Only Hun Sen alone can defeat Hun Sen," he said in a speech earlier this year.

Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party began almost three decades ago as a communist party that headed a single-party state.

But, as Cambodia changed into a multiparty democracy, so did the party evolve, and proved itself the master of the field.

Today Hun Sen - once a member of the ultra-leftist Khmer Rouge - is crowing that he'll bring the country boundless riches thanks to offshore oil discovered by an ultra-capitalist American oil company, Chevron.

In an hour-long speech at a recent development conference, he unequivocally told the audience he'll remain in power long enough to manage the expected windfall from the black gold, sometime in the next decade.

He spoke as if he had already won a new five-year term in office, though balloting won't be held until July 27.

More than eight million out of Cambodia's 14 million people are eligible to vote, according the elections committee.

An oil bonanza would further bolster Hun Sen's already unchallenged stature at the expense of the country's democratic freedoms, analysts say.

Once oil production starts, Hun Sen will find it easier to ignore the pressures to liberalize from foreign aid donors - on which the country is now still heavily reliant.

He will instead curb freedom of expression, assembly and the press, said Lao Mong Hay, a senior researcher at the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission.

Elections have become a "veneer of democracy," he said, adding that Hun Sen's expected victory would further empower "the present oligarchy composed of people in power and tycoons."

Through guile and threat, Hun Sen has run Cambodia since 1985, when he became prime minister of a Vietnamese-installed communist government.

A peasant's son, he has intimidated, out-smarted and co-opted his rivals, including those who have spent decades being versed in Western education and democracy.

For years, Cambodia was wracked by civil war between the government and the Khmer Rouge guerrillas, whose 1975-79 "killing fields" regime left some 1.7 million Cambodians dead.

A UN-sponsored peace process led to 1993 elections that Hun Sen's party lost - but he managed to muscle his way into the government anyway as co-prime minister.

Less than four years later, he ousted his coalition partner when their rivalry turned violent and his forces emerged victorious after a few days of bloody fighting in and around the capital.

His party easily won elections in 1998 over a divided opposition and hasn't lost a poll since. It now holds 73 of the 123 seats in the lower house of parliament.

Hun Sen has also presided over the fast growth of the economy, which remains small by international standards.

Having run the country for three decades, his party has built a firm grass-roots apparatus and can draw on financial wealth unmatched by its opponents.

Supporters include some of the country's wealthiest tycoons, who regularly dole out cash to finance rural projects such as schools and roads, often named after Hun Sen.

The party has just three credible rivals, one named after and led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy.

The two other main parties are lead by Kem Sokha, a former human rights activist, and Prince Norodom Ranariddh, whose former party booted him out for alleged incompetence - in part because of some political shenanigans orchestrated by Hun Sen's side.

But because the three parties lack a united strategy and instead pursue their own separate agendas for votes, they're unlikely to loosen the grip of Hun Sen's party, said Kuol Panha, director of Comfrel, an independent Cambodian election monitoring group.

Lam Dong talks trade, tourism with Cambodia

Vice Chairman of the Central Highlands Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Sy Son has made a five-day tour to Cambodia to promote economic, trade and tourism cooperation between his province and Cambodian localities.

During the visit from May 26-30, Vice Chairman Son held separate working sessions with Vice Governor of Phnom Penh municipality Map Sarin and Governor of Siem Reap province Sou Phirin on May 26 and 29.

The two sides spoke of their own socio-economic and tourism strengths and discussed future cooperation in the fields.

Both sides signed a memorandum of understanding that agreed to support favourable conditions for their businesses to increase the exchange of market information between one another.

Under the MoU, the two sides have agreed to facilitate the opening of branches and business offices in their provinces to organise fairs and exhibitions that promote economic, investment and tourism cooperation.

They also agreed to exchange cultural researcher and sports delegations as well as boost bilateral cooperation in personnel training in tourism and flower and bonsai cultivation.

Both the Lam Dong and Cambodian officials voiced their common support to their governments’ proposal to open a Da Lat-Siem Reap direct air route and Da Lat-Phnom Penh and Da Lat-Siem Reap tours.

On May 27, Vice Chairman Son held a working session with Cambodian Minister of Tourism Thong Khon where they agreed to promote tourism cooperation between the Cambodian Tourism Ministry and provinces and Lam Dong provincial tourism sector.

Both host and guest committed to supporting the two countries’ tourism businesses to open representative offices to promote tourism or open tours connecting Da Lat and Cambodian localities.

While in Cambodia , the Lam Dong provincial delegation also met with 40 Cambodian businesses at the headquarters of the Cambodian Chamber of Trade and Industry and conducted market surveys in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province.

(Source: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia push for mapping of land borderline

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam and its neighbour, Cambodia , have vowed to complete the mapping of their shared land borderline within this year as set forth by the joint committee for land border demarcation.

The pledge was made at the sixth meeting of the two countries’ joint technical sub-committee for land border demarcation that took place in Phnom Penh from May 26 to 31.

Nguyen Hong Thao, Vice Chairman of Vietnam’s National Border Committee and standing member of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee for Border Demarcation headed the Vietnamese delegation to the meeting.

The Cambodian officials were led by Huon Savang, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the national taskforce on border issues of the Ministers’ Council Office.

Vietnamese and Cambodian officials agreed on some important principles for the mapping of the shared borderline to serve the demarcation and planting of border marks at their border gates.

The officials agreed that the planting of border marks will be soon carried out at the Le Thanh-O Giadao border gates in Vietnam ’s Gia Lai province and Cambodia ’s Rattanakiri, and at the Tinh Bien-Phmon Don border gates shared by An Giang province and Ta Keo province.

They were unanimous that the joint teams for border demarcation and marker planting will continue doing their work at the borderline shared by Kien Giang and Kampot, An Giang and Kandal, Long An and Svay Rieng, and Tay Ninh and Kompong Cham and Svey Rieng provinces.

At the end of the meeting, Vietnamese and Cambodian officials signed a working minutes on the achieved outcomes.

While in Cambodia for the meeting, the Vietnamese officials were received by Senior Minister Var Kim Hong, president of Cambodia ’s national border committee and co-chair of the Cambodia-Vietnam Joint Committee for Border Demarcation.

(Source: VNA)

A Brief Biography Of Khieu Samphan

Khieu Samphan as a guerrilla fighters in the 1970s.

1st May 2008
By Leng Maly
Translated by Khmerization

According to records taken from the Khmer Rouge Tribunal and according to documents from the Documentation Center of Cambodia, Khieu Samphan’s revolutionary name was Comrade Hem and his nickname were Ta Chhun or Ta Hong (Grandfather Chhun or Grandfather Hong).

Khieu Samphan was born to a Sino-Khmer family on the 27th of July 1931, in the Year of the Goat, in Rumchek commune of Rumduol district in Svay Rieng province, in the eastern part of Cambodia. Khieu Samphan’s father was Mr. Khieu Long and his mother’s name was Por Kong. Khieu Samphan has one brother named Mr. Khieu Seng Kim. Khieu Samphan was married to Mrs. So Socheat and they have 4 children.

Khieu Samphan has completed his studies in France, graduating with a doctorate degree in economics from the University of Paris in 1949. Upon his return to Cambodia, he taught at a private college called Chamroeun Vichea and established his own newspaper called “L’Observateur”, which mirrored the views and opinions of intellectuals, teachers and the majority of public servants who supported Prince Sihanouk’s policy of neutrality.

From 1962-1963, Mr. Khieu Samphan was appointed as Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce in the Sangkum Reastr Niyum government of Prince Sihanouk and was known as a clean politician.

In 1960, Mr. Khieu Samphan made an appeal for the liberation of Kampuchea Krom from Vietnam. In 1962, Mr. Khieu Samphan was elected to the parliament in a seat in Kandal province. And in 1966 he was again re-elected to the parliament.

After the Samlaut Uprising in 1967, Mr. Khieu Samphan was suspected to be behind that uprising and he was threatened with arrest and a court marshal. And on the 24th of April, Mr. Khieu Samphan, a long with Hou Youn and Hu Nim, was forced to flee Phnom Penh to seek refuge in a Khmer Rouge base in the jungle of Takeo province and then Kampong Speu.

In July 1971, Mr. Khieu Samphan was selected to chair a two-week long conference which was held at Pol Pot’s headquarter in the north of the country to debate whether to allow Prince Sihanouk to join the Resistance Movement or not. During the resistance period, as well as during the period of the Democratic Kampuchea regime, Mr. Khieu Samphan played a role as a liaison officer between Prince Sihanouk and Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge.

In 1971, Khieu Samphan became a reserve member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and in 1976 he became a full member of the Central Committee. In 1974, Mr. Khieu Samphan supported mass evacuation out of Phnom Penh. On the 9th of October 1975, Mr. Khieu Samphan had participated in a meeting of the Permanent Committee to assign the committee members to specific jobs. And the meeting appointed him to be in charge of the Front and in charge of commerce and was tasked with price setting.

On the 8th of March 1976, Mr. Kheu Samphan had participated in a meeting of the Base Taskforce to discuss about a general election to be held on the 20th March 1976 and to discuss about the situations in districts 103 and 106 of the Northern Region. On the 30th of March 1976, the Communist Party’s Central Committee appointed Mr. Khieu Samphan as President of the Presidium of the Democratic Kampuchea regime.

In the middle of 1976, Mr. Khieu Samphan was appointed a member of the Permanent Committee of the Communist Party of Cambodia which was in charge of decision-making on all important government policies.

According to Mr. Ieng Sary’s speech in 1977, Mr. Khieu Samphan was appointed chairman of Office 870, which was the headquarter of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, to replace Comrade Doeun. But Mr. Khieu Samphan, in an open letter written a few years ago, rejected the claim saying it was not true, adding that he was just an ordinary member of Office 870.

After the collapse of the Democratic Kampuchea regime, from 1979-1992, Mr. Khieu Samphan was still an important representative of Democratic Kampuchea faction in the anti-Vietnamese Tripartite Coalition Government which was formed in 1982.

After the collapse of the Khmer Rouge resistance movement in 1998, Mr Khieu Samphan defected to the government. He was arrested by the Khmer Rouge Tribunal on the 19th of November 2007, charged with two offences, ie: crimes against humanity and a gross violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, which is a criminal offence punishable under articles 5,6, 29 and punishable under the new article 39 of laws enacted for the creation of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal that adopted on the 27th of October 2004.

Mr Khieu Samphan had elected Mr. Say Bory and Mr. Jacques Veges as his defence lawyers in the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

On 23rd April 2008, Mr. Khieu Samphan lodged an appeal against his detention. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal will hear his appeal in a public court session whether to grant him bail or continue to detain him until the court begins to conduct a full session on his case. //

Sok Pisey Has Not Returned Home After Discharged From The Hospital

Everyday.com.kh

Translated by Khmerization

One month after discharging from the hospital, Sok Pisey (pictured) has not returned home, despite her conditions having improved markedly.

Sources said that Sok Pisey has left the hospital quietly even though she has not been completely recovered from her injuries in a car accident a few months ago. The sources said that after leaving the hospital, Sok Pisey did not return home to Takhmao but stayed at a tailor’s shop called Seam Teav Tailors which is located at Toul Kork.

Some sources said that the reason Sok Pisey stayed at this tailor’s shop, and not at her Takhmao’s house, was because the tailor used to design a fashion for her to wear to performances and concerts on the television. The sources added that her stay there is temporary.

According to her artistic friends, the reason she was not staying at her house at Takhmao was because her father did not want her to know that her mother, her two grandmothers and her niece died in that car accident which she was the driver. The sources added that after the 100-day anniversary of their deaths, she would be allowed to return home to Takhmao. One other reason is that her father wanted to avoid the worsening of her conditions with the shock of their deaths as her blood streams have not returned to full capacity after she lost a lot of blood during the accident. Her father intended to inform her about their deaths only after she had fully recovered.

The same sources added that her father will take her home to Takhmao soon as her conditions had improved markedly.

According to the reports in the Angkor Thom magazine, Sok Pisey’s health had improved impressively because now she is able to walk and her facial features had returned to their original conditions. Now her facial look had returned to its original beauty, thanks to a Phnom Penh cosmetic and beauty shop that helped to take care of her facial injuries. The sources added that, in a month’s time she will be able to perform publicly again. //

No single factor responsible for dragon boat tragedy

The dragon boat competing in Cambodia last November.

SINGAPORE : The dragon boat tragedy in Cambodia last November that left five Singaporeans dead, was due to, among others, the following reasons — unfamiliarity with race conditions, low safety awareness and lack of preparations.

These were the findings of a safety inquiry panel which was formed to look into the incident. The panel revealed its findings on Friday.

The tragedy took place at the Tonle Sap River. The Singapore Dragon Boat Team was one of 19 teams taking part in the annual Cambodian Water Festival.

Their boat capsized as they were rowing back to the docking point, after it was hit by a current. Twenty—two team members were thrown into the waters but only 17 surfaced. The bodies of the other five were recovered a few days later.

The Safety Inquiry Panel said the Singapore team was unfamiliar with the race conditions. The river current was at its strongest as it was at the end of the rainy season, and it was flowing in the reverse direction.

The Singaporeans were also not used to the equipment provided by the Cambodians. For example, the safety panel of inquiry found that the Singapore Dragon Boat team was not familiar with the traditional boat used in the race.

The one they were used to and accepted internationally has a flat bottom, while the traditional boat had a round bottom and no proper rudder — which is used to steer the boat — hence making it unstable in water. This caused the two coxswain to steer the boat using their paddles.

The rowers also reported that the freeboard of the boat, which is the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, was lower and this caused the boat to take in water during the practice session and the race.

Another finding was that the Singapore team did not have established safety procedures, such as safety briefings and drills for contingencies in the water.

They also did not as a habit do a risk assessment prior to the race and most rowers were not aware of a capsize drill. In fact, most had never experienced a capsized boat before the tragedy.

Preparation for the race was also unsystematic. The team arrived just a day earlier and had only one training session. There was a lack of information about the event, the condition of the river and the race site.

Most of the team members, including team officials, were not prepared for the strong currents or the boat.

The panel also concluded that the Cambodian organisers had not followed International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Guidelines.

For example, the life jackets given out to the rowers were bulky and not designed for competitive racing. So the rowers decided to junk them as they were told that it was "optional".

The paddles issued were also of non—standard size — some were longer than others. Overall, the rowers found the paddles heavier than usual.

Bernard Tan, Chairman, Safety Inquiry Panel, said: "I think the greater tragedy is if we allow a tragedy like that to happen again, and that’s why we put forward recommendations to ensure that this event will not reoccur."

And a key suggestion is that the Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) and its affiliates only take part in races that comply with international guidelines.

In instances where the guidelines are not met, then the association and the team manager must assess if the team should still compete. They must also assess what measures must be adopted to mitigate the risk of participation.

The panel also wants the association to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of key team members — including the team manager, coach, coxswain and captain. This will help to ensure that someone is responsible in making a risk assessment, before a race.

The SDBA and its affiliates should also check the compliance of its teams to the IDBF Water Safety Policy and the Safety Standing Procedures for dragon boat clubs. This includes ensuring that all dragon boat rowers are strong swimmers.

The panel also recommended that the SDBA put in place a proper system in preparation for races. For example, for teams sports, members must be exposed to high—level competitions on a consistent basis.

The panel hopes that the recommendations will be accepted and implemented within six months.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) has said it will work closely with the Singapore Dragon Boat Association to ensure that the panel’s recommendations are implemented quickly for the safety of everyone involved in dragon boating.

It added that it hopes this report will at least help the families affected by the incident to close a chapter on the tragic episode that has touched so many people in Singapore.

The SSC said the panel spent a significant amount of time reviewing the statements and relevant information collected from witnesses, participants and other parties in order to present a thorough and comprehensive report.

SSC believes that the panel has done a thorough job in assessing the factors that led to the accident and has made sound recommendations to prevent a similar accident from happening in future.

Meanwhile, responding to the safety inquiry report, the SDBA said it agrees with most of the recommendations made by the panel.

On the issue of life jackets, SDBA said the decision not to put them on had been jointly made by the team. And before the incident, there was indeed no formalised risk assessment.

After the incident, the association sent a total of 13 officials, coaches and race officials to attend the first Risk Management Course conducted by the SSC from March 17—20.

Going forward, the team manager will be given a greater say in making decisions. But SDBA stressed that it will not be holding anyone responsible, because it was a series of factors had led to the tragedy.

Lam Pin Min, Senior Vice President, Singapore Dragon Boat Association, said: "If you look at the entire report and the sequence of events that has led to this accident, a lot of times there were no rules being broken at any point in time. A lot of the decisions that have been made that contributed to the accident were based on judgement calls.

"And on hindsight, some of the decisions that were made then were sub—optimal, as in a combination led to the misfortune happening. So looking at the entire report, we felt that it is not appropriate to pinpoint any particular persons for this accident happening." — CNA/ms

Civil suit possible to delve into dragon boat tragedy

Distraught relatives of the drowned men arrived in Phnom Penh immediately after the accident and the dragonboat docked on the bank of the Mekong.

By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 31 May 2008 2146 hrs

	•

SINGAPORE: The Safety Inquiry Panel that was set up to look into the dragon boat tragedy in Cambodia last November released its findings on Friday.

Five Singaporeans drowned in the Tonle Sap River when their dragon boat capsized at the end of a race at the Water Festival.

No one was blamed for the incident, but the panel found that the dragon boat team did not have an established procedure of risk assessments.

Although appeals against its findings are generally not allowed, family members can file a civil suit for more compensation. With that, they can have another shot at finding out who – if any – is responsible for the tragedy.

A lawyer in private practice said a civil suit will allow lawyers more time to find witnesses and evidence.

Lawyer Leonard Loo said: "It is not surprising that sometimes inquiry squad findings may be incomplete, in the sense, they may not have taken into consideration all the evidence and all the witnesses that may not be present in the place where the inquiry squad made their findings.

"For example, in this case, some of the witnesses could have been in Cambodia and some of the evidence could have been in Cambodia



- CNA/so

CPP vows to rule alone

Written by Nguon Sovan

Friday, 30 May 2008 Courtesy of Phnom Penh Post at http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Prime Minister Hun has vowed that his ruling Cambodian People’s Party would govern alone if victorious in July’s general elections, ending a coalition government deal that has been in place since the early 1990s and quashing hopes that minor parties could have some share of power. “In the past there was a stalemate ... so I had to facilitate this party or that party and enter into a coalition government. Now the winner gets 100 percent [of government],” he said. “If there is an A, there will be no B. If there is a B, there will be no A. There is me or him,” Hun Sen added on May 26, referring to a year-long deadlock following elections in 2003 during which the CPP and the royalist Funcinpec struggled to hammer out a coalition deal. Hun Sen also warned that leadership positions in the National Assembly – often the only source of leverage for non-ruling party players – would not be divided between the parties, as had been following past elections. “There is no need to come and beg for the posts of commission chairman or vice-chairman,” Hun Sen said, taking aim at senior opposition party politicians who he blamed for using their leadership roles to simply criticize the government. There is the danger of a setback to the democratic process. – Koul Panha, Comfrel “You are opposition members, but you have another rank as chairmen or vice chairmen of commissions so you must perform your obligations,” he said. Hun Sen’s vigorous rhetoric comes ahead of July 27 polls that observers say will likely establish his total political dominance following a wave of defections from the ruling party’s biggest antagonist, the Sam Rainsy Party, and the disintegration of former coalition partner Funcinpec, which has been fractured by infighting following the ouster of its leader, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, two years ago. In the aftermath of the 2003 standoff, a constitutional amendment was approved requiring only a simple majority in parliament to form a government, rather than the two-thirds needed in previous polls, a move that has all but assured the CPP of ruling on its own after the July election. Analysts, while acknowledging that any party with a majority vote had the right to govern on its own, warned that a single-party government could result in too much power for any one political group. “We’re concerned over losing the balance of power because we worry that the CPP will control every level of administration, from the top government posts to the village,” said Koul Panha, executive director of the election monitor Comfrel. “There is the danger of a setback to the democratic process,” he added. Sok Touch, a professor of political science at Khemarak University, agreed, saying that any system of checks and balances in government would largely disappear with decisive single party victory. “After a party wins, what will it do? If there is only one party, there will be no control over the implementation of policy,” he told the Post on May 28, adding, though, that a single-party government might be forced towards greater accountability. “If the CPP wins total power, it will not be able to put the blame for mistakes on any other party. The CPP will be responsible for both right and wrong – doubling its responsibility,” he said.