Khmer Role Of Cambodia
History Cutrure People Education

Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA - In the S21 Prison Museum a large photo of Nuon Chea stands in an old Khmer Rouge torture and interrogation room. He is one of four Khmer Rouge leaders due to be tried together next year for crimes against humanity in the deaths of 1.7 million people from 1975 to 1979

Cambodia puts Khmer Rouge on trial. First defendant is "Comrade Duch"
Proceedings begin on February 17 against the commander of the S-21 prison. More than 17,000 Cambodians died there between 1975 and 1979. The main witness is one of the seven survivors of the massacre: in his paintings, he has depicted the atrocities he witnessed. It is the first trial against figures of the regime, but the outcome is unclear.
Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies) - On February 17 in Cambodia, the first trial against a member of the Khmer Rouge will begin. On trial is Kaing Guek Eay, better known as "Comrade Duch," one of the five leaders of the old regime now in prison and awaiting judgment. One of the main witnesses will be Vann Nath, one of the seven survivors of the S-21 prison (the infamous Security Prison 21, renamed Tuol Sleng), where more than 17,000 people died between 1975 and 1979. Only three of the seven survivors are still alive.

Summary
Cambodian consulate in Paris, 2008. Four women meet and confront their stories and aspirations.
Sophea, 20 years-old. French-Cambodian Second generation. Her obsession: find her roots and follow her mother’s path.
Sovandara, 28 years-old. Newcomer. She gave up her life to marry a French man she met in Cambodia.
Mom, 36 years-old. Survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. Now divorced, she is determined to adopt a child in her country of origin.
Metha, 52 years-old. First generation. She Left before the fall of Phnom Penh. She has to go back to her native country to see her dying mother.
This encounter will reveal their struggles, hopes, dreams and also amusing integration experiences.

Second issue I think is also a critical challenge is the question of sustainability of civil society organizations in Cambodia. Clearly, the question of sustainability regarding the funding situation because we have to understand that in the past 10 years funding has been driven from outside. And I think we should expect that there will be a decline in the coming years. And if this is to be the increasing trend, and of course we would see that the funding situation will affect not only the effectiveness of the civil-society organizations, but more importantly the future sustainability of the movement and the development of civil-society organizations in Cambodia.
Third, I would also put as a challenge, is that based on our more than 20 workshops that we organized, that there is still increasingly a misunderstanding of what the role is of civil society, by both the civil society actors themselves and the government officials. For example, on the civil society organizations, they think that civil society, or NGOs, not so much in nongovernment organizations, but AGO, anti-government organizations -that’s another thing. Also some would continue to think that civil society organizations, by working that you basically are forming a shadow government, or acting as an opposition party. I think this is a little bit, very difficult in a Cambodian political situation. So I would say this is really a challenge we have to ensure that more and more people understand the role of civil society.

Eccentric, unpredictable but dearly loved by his people, 81-year-old Norodom Sihanouk has given up Cambodia's throne. On Friday he is due to see his son crowned in his place.

The emotional story of Kerry Hamill is captured in documentary Brother Number One, playing in the New Zealand International Film Festival, and screening on August 7 and 8.
The film follows Rob Hamill’s journey to discover the truth about the death of his older brother in 1978.
Kerry disappeared after his yacht strayed into Cambodian waters and was later found to have been tortured and murdered in a Phnom Penh prison.

Khmer Rouge No. 2 lead divination in expectation best wishes role in Cambodia's 'killing fields'
Nuon Chea, farcical assistant leader coming from startling Khmer Rouge  regime reproach look up to 1.7 clump expiration in Cambodia's 'killing  fields' concede expressive legal profession modernistic such a one he  air gone to pieces its announcement not quite define striking country.

Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, Khmer:  or Preăh Réachéa Nachâk Kâmpŭchéa, derived from the Indian language of Sanskrit Kambujadesa , is a country in Southeast Asia that borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong River (Khmer: Tonle Thom or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap (; "the fresh water lake").
The kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Norodom Sihamoni as king who has reigned since 2004. Phnom Penh is the kingdom's capital and largest city, and is the center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Siem Reap, a city located near the famous ruins of Angkor Wat is the gateway to the Angkor region, and is Cambodia's main destination for tourism. Battambang, the largest city in western Cambodia, is known for its rice production, and Sihanoukville, a coastal city, is the primary sea port and beach resort.
Cambodia has an area of 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi) and a population of over 14 million ethnic Khmer. A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer", though they strictly refer to ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists, but the country also have a minority number of Muslim Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes.
Agriculture has long been the most important sector to the Cambodian economy, with around 59% of the population relying on agriculture for their livelihood (with rice being the principal crop). Other important sectors include garments, construction and tourism - foreign visitors to Angkor Wat numbered more than 4 million in 2007.In 2005, oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, and once commercial extraction begins in 2011, the oil revenues could profoundly affect Cambodia's economy.
The kingdom of Cambodia (Local Formal Name: Preah Reacheanachak Kampuchea) is situated in the Mekong sub-region, bordered by Thailand to the west and north, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east and south-east of the Gulf of Thailand to the south-west.

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It is great pleasure for me to warmly welcome you to the website of the Royal  Embassy of Cambodia to the United States of America. I am certain that this  website will provide you with many features of our Embassy as well as the rich  information about the Kingdom of Cambodia - Land of Angkor. The Embassy is  committed to presenting the latest and most important news concerning Cambodia.  Our new easy application allows visitor to apply for an entry visa into the  Kingdom in a clear form. I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you  my best wishes of good health, prosperity and happiness

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Destination: Angkor Thom (South Gate, Bayon, Baphuon) - Angkor Wat - sunrise in Angkor Wat - Banteay Kdei - Ta Prohm - Preah Khan - Neak Pean - Ta Som - Eastern Mebon - Pre Rup - Tonle Sap Lake with boat trip - Artisans d'Angkor
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
This tour covers the absolute "must see" highlights of Angkor on the "small" and "grand" circuit, including a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. If you don't have more time, this is certainly the best choise. Sunrise in Angkor Wat. Balloon ride (optional). Transportation by REMORK gives this tour more atmosphere (and keeps the prices down).

Destination: Angkor Thom (Bayon, Baphuon) - Angkor Wat - sunrise - Banteay Kdei - Ta Prohm - Preah Khan - Neak Pean - Ta Som - Eastern Mebon - Pre Rup - Banteay Srei - Kobal Spean (River of Thousand Lingams) - Tonle Sap Lake with boat trip
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
This is our basic tour including the most important temples in Angkor and the Tonle Sap Lake. In addition to "Angkor Highlights", you also visit the famous Banteay Srei temple and the River of Thousand Lingams.

Bangkok to Siem Reap overland is not a good option as the road has been voted worst in the world for 10 years running. The best deal is a discount airfare or cheap flight to Angkor Wat see above then you can use ground transportation to get to Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville Cambodia either by bus or taxi.  You can get cheap flights to Sihanoukville on PMT a good option if you want to save time and the cost is only slightly more and you save a days travel.

These few weeks the most disturbing and untolerable news that has stirred up my life day and night is concerning the Angkor Wat light decoration aiming at attracting more tourists to the country during the global economic crisis initiated by Apsara Authority.

Can this equipped light attaract more tourists to Angkor Wat and Cambodia as a whole while a leader of a country is incompetent to lead a country with transparency,  security, stability, human right respects, and yet committing corruption and dependent on alm and submitting to neigboring countries?

Apsara Authority claimed that it is done according to international standard, consulting UNESCO and other related institutes.

As reaction against the light decoration, manny ordinary Cambodians, scholars, congressmen, and as well as NGOs’ representatives have voiced their concern over the affect of the equipped lights.

As a result Hun Sen government doesn’t only listen to Cambodian people who, if the our constitution is truly respected, are the master of the country, yet it has tried to silent all the critics.

Personally, the light decoration is untolerable and I think those who allows this project to be carried out is considered as a traitor and are untolerable.

Those people must think about the long term and should have done their best to preserve this most wonderful work of our greatest ancestors who have built this marvelous heritage for the world, for us and has become the soul, the spirit, and the pride of our people and nation.