Daily Update from Local Newspapers November 6, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

         A Talk between CPP and CNRP Not Focus on Power Sharing

and National Assembly Session

A talk between technical working group of Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) yesterday was focused on some issues, particular on the upcoming election reform. Yet, a talk did not mention the power sharing and national assembly session of the opposition party, saying that both parties have reached some points, while some have not been reached yet. Mr. Yim Sovann, a spokesman for CNRP, said that the two sides had a talk concerning election affairs and mechanism toward future election reform. CNRP has issued three agendas and two important issues including political and technical issues. Besides, they agreed to meet again shortly.  (Rasmei Kampuchea, 6 November 2013)

 Cambodia Receives 1,5 Billion USD of Development

Assistance in 2012

Cambodia received approximately 1,5 billion USD of development assistance in 2012, which the Country Programme Aid (CPA) was 926 million USD worth and the total aid in 2012 was 2,7 billion USD, said Mr. Tek Vannara, Deputy Director of the NGO Forum, during a workshop on “Aid Information System and Aid Efficiency” on 5 November 2013. The forum showed the two important issues such as aid transparency and aid efficiency, which is called “official development assistance” (ODA). (Rasmei Kampuchea, 6 November 2013)

2.                 Diplomatic Issue

3.                 Economy/Development

4.                 Korea’s Interest in Cambodia

      

Daily Update from Local Newspapers November 5, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary Says Meet Opposition Party Doesn’t Mean to Support Opposition Party

During a meeting with H.E. Ouch Borith, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Scot Marciel, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in charge of East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the US Department of State, said that his visit in Cambodia and meeting with the opposition party doesn’t mean that he supports the opposition party. The United States will help to support Cambodia in a field of economy and policy, which are the main points for cooperation between the two countries. In addition, the policy of the United States is to support democracy, and it will continue to support Cambodia in all fields. More importantly, the US still show its stance to support a talk between CPP and CNRP so as to find solution, adding that the US will not intervene in the internal affairs of Cambodia. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 5 November 2013)

The Opposition Party Wants to Engage in the Royal Government or Make a Coup?

During a meeting with party council on 3 November 2013, Mr. Sam Rainsy mentioned that he will claim for the position of Phnom Penh Governor, and the Phnom Penh Governor from CNRP will respect the willingness of citizens. According to Mr. Tith Sothea, an advisor of the Royal Government, Mr. Sam Rainsy has unclear stance to show whether he wants to engage in the coalition royal government or wants to make a coup in order to overthrow a legitimate government, which causes the people think that it is a trick of CNRP. (Kampuchea Tmey, 5 November 2013)           

2.                 Diplomatic Issue

3.                 Economy/Development

4.                 Korea’s Interest in Cambodia

Mr. Keavy Arrested in Charge of fraud 1000 USD for Job Guarantee to

South Korea

According to a lawsuit from Mrs. Sorn Bora, aged 47, the authority has arrested Mr. Keavy, aged 24, born in Kompong Cham province, in charge of fraud 1000 USD for job migrant guarantee two persons to South Korea. According to a plaintiff, the defendant has guaranteed her daughter and niece who have been failed to work in South Korea to be passed by spending 1000 USD (500 USD per person). After gave him money, a plaintiff found out that he had been cheating on her. Therefore, she has brought defendant to the police office to assign in accordance with the law. (Kampuchea Tmey, 5 November 2013)

Daily Update from Local Newspapers November 1, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

CNRP Soften Behavior to Talk with CPP

The leader of opposition party has soften behavior to turn a talk with Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) again so as to find peaceful solutions concerning political deadlock and other issues related to the irregularities of the fifth mandate of the general election. During a joint press statement on 31 October concerning “Peaceful Resolution for Current Political Crisis in Cambodia”, Mr. Sam Rainsy, President of Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), said that a stance of CNRP is a peaceful non-violent, and we have to talk and negotiate in order to solve the problem. According to Mr. Kem Sokha, Vice-President of CNRP, a talk between CNRP and CPP is not an abandonment of advocacy. CNRP has set three agendas for a talk including 1. Request for investigating on the irregularities during the election. 2. Request for cancelling a composition of the National Election Committee before 3. To claim for election reform. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 1 November 2013)  

2.                 Diplomatic Issue

3.                 Economy/Development

4.                 Korea’s Interest in Cambodia

Korean Company Seeks Investment Opportunity for Organic Palm Sugar Production Site in Kompong Speu Province

A Korean company is seeking investment opportunity to construct the organic palm sugar production site in Kompong Speu province, said Mr. Sam Saroeurn, Chairman of Palm Sugar Promotion Association in Kompong Speu province. The company is contacting association, but an association has not yet provided the answer as it needs some time to ask for principle from the Ministry. The company wants to construct the organic palm sugar production site at destination zone of association by buying palm juice from association, yet it produces and exports to Korea by itself, he added. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 1 November 2013)

Daily Update from Local Newspapers September 28-30, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

          CNRP Sets 23 October as the Next Demonstration

The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) has set 23 October as the next demonstration at Freedom Park so as to bring a petition to the United Nations and the signatories of the Paris Peace Agreement on 23 October 1991 through the United Nation’s high commissioner to Cambodia, according to a press release of CNRP dated 28 September 2013. Mr. Long Dimache, a spokesman for Phnom Penh Capital Hall, said that the Phnom Penh Capital Hall has not yet received an official request letter from CNRP, adding that a previous demonstration of CNRP has violated to an agreement between the Party’s representative and the Phnom Penh Capital Hall as it didn’t respect the rule. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 29-30 September 2013)

Cheam Yeap: UN is Not Stupid to Follow a Claim of CNRP

The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) was ready for the next demonstration to be held on 23 October 2013 at Freedom Park, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM in order to bring a petition to the United Nations and the signatories of the Paris Peace Agreement on 23 October 1991 through the United Nation’s high commissioner to Cambodia. Mr. Cheam Yeap, a high-level officer of the National Assembly, said that making a demonstration is a rights of CNRP, yet it has to respect the law. Either demonstration or mass demonstration is not a resolution as the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) had already won 68 seats, while CNRP received only 55 seats. Besides, it is a rights of CNRP to bring a petition to the United Nations, yet it is not stupid to follow a claim of CNRP. (Kampuchea Tmey, 29-30 September 2013)

2. Korea’s Interest in Cambodia

       Korean Business Delegates Meet Cambodian Investment

Committee Officer

The Cambodian investment committee officer said that South Korean business delegates arrived Cambodia lately so as to talk with Cambodian government officers to understand about investment opportunity in Cambodia. This program was organized by ASEAN-Korea Centre and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), which lead by Mr. Jun Han Kim, President of General Department of ASEAN-Korea Centre. Mr. Chea Vuthy, Deputy Secretary General of Cambodian Investment Board (CIB), informed Korean business delegates of potential sectors for investment in Cambodia including agriculture, agro-industry, and light industry sector. In addition, the Royal Government of Cambodia has followed an open economy policy in all fields for foreign investment. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 29-30 September 2013)

Daily Update from Local Newspapers October 31, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

The Royal Government Decides to Dissolve the 4 Council of Reforms

The Royal Government has decided to dissolve at least four council reforms by transferring those reforms to be under related Ministries. The four council reforms including 1. Administration reform, which was chaired by H.E. Sok An in previous time, was set under responsible of the Ministry of Public Function. 2. Law reform and justice system, which was used to co-chair by H.E. Sok An and Mr. Dith Monthy before, was set under responsible of the Ministry of Justice. 3. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces reform was set under responsible of the Ministry of National Defense. 4. Land policy was set under responsible of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 31 October 2013)

  

2.                 Economy/Development

Cambodia-US Bilateral Trade Up 3 Percent in the First Eight Months of This Year

In the first eight months of this year, the bilateral trade between Cambodia and the United States up 3 percent, according to a statistic of the United States Department of Commerce. From January to August 2013, the trade between the two countries was 1,985 million USD worth, up 3 percent in comparing to the same period last year which was only 1,924 million USD. Cambodia’s export to the United States was approximately 1,824 million USD, up 3,2 percent in comparing to the same period last year which was only 1,765 million USD. Cambodia’s import from the United States was 160,9 million USD, up 1 percent, while it was only 159,1 million USD worth last year. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 31 October 2013)