YEAR: 3 NO:35 BULLETIN:NOVEMBER - DECEMBER,2010 CONTENT : PAGE 1

- Received Samdech Hun Sen Received by King-Father by King-Father and Queen- and Queen-Mother Mother. Page 1

- China, Pledge to Phnom Penh, 13, Chinese December 15, Premier Wen Further Enhance Ties. Page 1 2010 AKP — Jiabao an- Prime Minis- nounced to - National Assembly President ter Samdech consider Cam- Backs Home from Cuba. Akka Moha b o d i a a s Page 2 Sena Padei Te- China’s and cho Hun Sen the Chinese

was received in people’s best - ADB Supports Cambodian a royal audience friend and to Financial Sector Reform. by His Majesty enhance the Page 2 K i n g - F a t h e r ties of coopera- Norodom Siha- tion between nouk and Her the two coun- - Cambodia-Thailand Visa Ex- Majesty Queen- nd tries, from emption Agreement Comes Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen (2 Mother Norodom Left) pays a courtesy visit to retired King and Queen reliable part- into Force. Page 3 Monineath Siha- Monineath Sihanouk in Beijing . ners to highest nouk on Dec. 14 -level strategic - Cambodia Holds Meeting on in Beijing, on the sec- Samdech Techo Hun lot of benefits to the partners, Samdech ond day of the pre- Sen informed the for- country and the Cam- Techo Hun Sen Reintegration of Victims of mier’s five-day offi- mer monarchs of his bodian people. said… Human Trafficking. Page 3 cial visit to China. visit in China, which During the bilat- On the occasion, he said has brought a eral meeting on Dec. To be continued to page 6 - Film Expo 2012 To Be Held at Angkor Land. Page 4

- Japan-Mekong Forum Fo- China, Cambodia Pledge to Further Enhance Ties cuses on Infrastructure. Page 4 Phnom Penh, “The establishment December 16, of this strategic part- 2010 AKP — nership brings new - Cambodia Rejects Thai ASTV Chinese and opportunities for the Manger Online’s Assertion. C a m b o d i a n development of bilat- Page 5 leaders on eral ties,” Chinese W e d n e s d a y President Hu Jintao - 200,000 Tones of Rice To Be pledged to fur- was quoted as saying ther enhance by Chinese News Exported from Cambodia to bilateral ties, Agency Xinhua when China. Page 6 two days after meeting with Cambo- the two coun- dian Prime Minister - Siem Reap Travel Guide. tries agreed to Hun Sen Wednesday Page 7 establish a com- afternoon in the Great Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei prehensive stra- Hall of the People in Techo Hun Sen (Right) is warmly greeted by China’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during the Official Reception Ceremony. tegic partnership Beijing… of cooperation. To be continued to page 6 P A G E 2

National Assembly President Backs Home from Cuba

Samdech Saphon, chairwoman of and his high-level parlia- NA Commission for Public mentary delegation were Works, Posts, Industry, welcomed on the return at Commerce and Land Man- Phnom Penh International agement, at a press confer- Airport by NA first Vice- ence at the airport follow- President , and ing the delegation’s arrival. NA second Vice-President During an audience granted , and a number to National Assembly Presi- of the Members of the Na- dent Samdech Heng Samrin, tional Assembly. ANPP President Ricado Cuban ambassador to Alarcon De Quesada ex- Cambodia was also present pressed warm welcome to Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Pon- to welcome the delegation Cambodian high-level par- hea Chakrei Heng Samrin backs home this morning after concluding on the return. liamentary delegation. He a week-long official and friendship visit to the Republic of Cuba. The visit was made at also shared his condolences the invitation of Ricado with the victims and families Phnom Penh, December 15, Heng Samrin returned Alarcon De Quesada, Presi- of victims in the Nov. 22 2010 AKP — home Tuesday after a week dent of the National As- incident… National Assembly -long official friendship sembly of People's Power President Samdech Akka visit (Dec 5-13) to the Re- of Cuba (ANPP) and ended Moha Ponhea Chakrei public of Cuba. on Dec. 13, said H.E. Ngin To be continued to page 4

ADB Supports Cambodian Financial Sector Reform

Phnom Penh, December 6, Key actions of the pro- “Finance sector devel- institutions throughout 2010 AKP — gram include steps to im- opment helps reduce pov- Cambodia. The Asian Development prove check clearance and erty by cutting transaction The loan of US$10 mil- Bank (ADB) Board of Di- settlement amongst com- costs for economic activi- lion from ADB's conces- rectors last week approved mercial banks and the gov- ties and expanding the sional Asian Development a loan and grant of US$15 ernment, regulations to reach of the formal finance Fund has a 24-year term, million to promote the de- guide inter-bank transac- sector to lower income including an 8-year grace velopment of Cambodian tions, the promotion of groups, including rural mi- period with an interest rate financial sector, said an deposit-taking by microfi- cro-enterprises,” said of 1 percent during the ADB news release. nance institutions in com- Samiuela Tukuafu, Princi- grace period and 1.5 per- The loan and grant will pliance with new prudential pal Financial Sector Spe- cent for the balance of the finance the final subpro- requirements, and im- cialist in ADB's Southeast term. The grant of US$5 gram of the Second Finan- proved prudential supervi- Asia Department. million also comes from cial Sector Cluster Pro- sion of banks and microfi- The immediate gains the Asian Development gram, which incorporates nance institutions. It also generated by the program, Fund. The National Bank reform actions designed to promotes greater transpar- which began in 2007, in- of Cambodia is the execut- improve public confidence ency in the insurance in- clude new and increased ing agency for the overall and financial intermedia- dustry, measures to combat loans of US$1.52 billion, program, with the Ministry tion, strengthen sector resil- money laundering, and a the creation of over 12,000 of Economy and Finance ience, promote good gov- new integrated accounting jobs, and the opening of and Ministry of Commerce ernance, and enhance sys- system at the National over 980 new branches of the implementing agencies. tem efficiency. Bank of Cambodia. banks and microfinance —AKP P A G E 3

Cambodia-Thailand Visa Exemption Agreement Comes into Force

Phnom Penh, Decem- Sa Kaew province, months of 2010, the ports under the presi- ber 17, 2010 AKP — Sanit Naksuksi. number of foreign dency of Cambodian The Agreement on On the occasion, tourists who came to Prime Minister Sam- visa exemption for both governors said Cambodia from Thai- dech Akka Moha Sena holders of normal pass- with this visa exemp- land through Poipet Padei Techo Hun Sen ports between Cambo- tion, the peoples of the border gate reached and his Thai counter- dia and Thailand has two countries can over 300,000, an in- part H.E. Abhisit Ve- come into force from travel to and stay for crease by 2.83 percent jjajiva upon their close Dec. 16, 2010. 14 days in the host as compared to the -door bilateral meeting A ceremony to cele- country without apply- same period of 2009. on the sidelines of the brate this event was ing for visas. On Nov. 17, the 4th ACMECS Summit. held in Poipet City, Governor Ung Cambodian and Thai Cambodia has Cambodia’s Banteay Oeun praised for the foreign ministers signed visa exemption Meanchey province in good relationship be- signed here the Agree- agreements with the the presence of Ung tween the peoples of ment between the two ASEAN member coun- Oeun, governor of Banteay Meanchey and neighboring countries tries, except Brunei Banteay Meanchey and Sa Kaew provinces. on visa exemption for and Myanmar. —AKP his Thai counterpart of In the first 11 holders of normal pass-

Cambodia Holds Meeting on Reintegration of Victims of Human Trafficking

Phnom Penh, December 8, to better understand the turn; and to prioritize prac- COMMIT comprises six 2010 AKP — needs of victims of traffick- tical challenges and issues countries in the Mekong Cambodia opened a two ing for their effective rein- involved in effective volun- Sub-region: Cambodia, -day meeting on Tuesday to tegration into society. tary return and reintegra- China, Myanmar, Lao discuss on reintegration of Many government agen- tion. PDR, Thailand and Viet- victims of human traffick- cies, international and na- The forum will review nam. ing in the Greater Mekong tional non-governmental the application of minimum The National Practitio- Sub-region. organizations (NGOs) and standards and guidelines in ner Forums seek to provide Chinese News Agency community groups have integration and gather les- a platform for practitioners Xinhua quoted a statement worked on the issue of vic- sons learnt from different in the frontlines working released Tuesday at the tim reintegration in Cambo- stakeholders in their appli- directly with victims of meeting by World Vision dia for over a decade. cation in both formal and trafficking to reflect and Cambodia (WVC) and the Recognizing that now is informal policies and pro- share their experiences on United Nations Inter- an appropriate time to as- cedures. providing reintegration Agency Project on Human sess the effectiveness of The meeting will help to assistance. Trafficking (UNIAP), as reintegration assistance that fill the existing gaps in A regional report com- saying “The successful has been provided by to terms of victim identifica- bining the outcomes of the reintegration of victims of date, these organizations tion, protection, recovery national forums will be human trafficking into soci- have come together at this and reintegration assistance prepared for submission to ety is a critical issue in vic- week’s forum to review and under the current regional COMMIT Task Force tim protection work.” document reintegration plan of the Coordinated members in January 2011. The meeting held in services currently being Mekong Ministerial Initia- —AKP Phnom Penh is aimed at provided to victims of traf- tive against Trafficking creating national dialogue ficking upon voluntary re- (COMMIT). —————— P A G E 4

Film Expo 2012 To Be Held at Angkor Land

Phnom Penh, December 16, Mr. Blaise J. Noto, co- Mr. Blaise J. Noto said Kanharith welcomed and 2010 AKP — founder of Angkor Wat this is the third time for his was delighted with the Angkor Wat Interna- International Film Festival group to come to Cambo- Angkor Wat International tional Film Festival Center told Minister of Informa- dia, and at the same time he Film Festival Center for will organize a Film Expo tion H.E. Khieu Kanharith sought the minister’s sup- continuously organizing in Cambodia’s Angkor land during a meeting here on port to the 2012 Film Expo. film expo in Cambodia. — in 2012. Dec. 14. In reply, H.E. Khieu AKP Japan-Mekong Forum Focuses on Infrastructure

Phnom Penh, December 15, At the outset of the one- nologies. to train personnel, establish 2010 AKP — day meeting, Japanese Sumitaka Fujita, adviser systems to protect intellec- The expansion of coop- Deputy Foreign Minister to the Itochu Corp., said the tual property and build eration between Japan and Hisashi Tokunaga said, “In Mekong region has “a spe- more hard and soft infra- the five Mekong nations in recent years, with a view to cial potential for future structure to support busi- infrastructure development, helping close development development” due to its ness activities in the South- logistics and distribution in gaps and reinforce integra- position between the two east Asian region. Southeast Asia topped the tion within the ASEAN Asian emerging powers The public-private fo- agenda of a forum in Tokyo region, Japan has placed China and India and its rum was established in line on Dec. 14. particular importance on its position at the centre of the with the Mekong-Japan Almost 150 government cooperation with the Me- ASEAN countries. Action Plan 63, which was officials, businesspeople kong region”. Fujita noted that many adopted during the first- and experts from Japan, Tokunaga said Japan Japanese companies do ever summit involving the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, has “actively backed the business in the Mekong six countries in Tokyo in Thailand and at- improvement of hard and area, where the items they November last year. tended the forum, designed soft infrastructure” in the produce include exports The outcomes of the to promote public-private Mekong region, pointing to bound for U.S. and Euro- forum will be reported to cooperation as well as co- Japan's recent efforts to pean markets. Those firms the Japan-Mekong Foreign operation in such areas as boost exports of its infra- also target the five Mekong Ministers Meeting and the energy development, sup- structure systems by mak- nations with a combined Japan-Mekong Summit, port of small and medium- ing arrangements to meet population of more than scheduled to take place in sized enterprises and tour- the needs of recipient coun- 200 million, he added. 2011. —AKP ism, according to Vietnam tries through the integration Fujita called on Japan News Agency (VNA). of promising Japanese tech- and the Mekong countries * * * * *

From page 2 the Parties and peoples of and financial blockade. reconstruction and develop- the two countries, though National Assembly ment. National Assembly being located far apart from President Samdech Heng He invited ANPP Presi- each other. Samrin said he was con- dent Ricado Alarcon De President Backs… For his part, National vinced that the 6th Congress Quesada to visit Cambodia, ANPP President Ricado Assembly President Sam- of the Communist Party of and the invitation was ac- Alarcon De Quesada noted dech Heng Samrin appreci- Cuba in April 2011 would cepted. that the visit by Cambodian ated the hospitality given to help evade the conse- During his stay in Cuba, high-level parliamentary Cambodian high-level par- quences resulting from the National Assembly Presi- delegation took place at the liamentary delegation and economic blockade, and dent Samdech Heng Samrin time when the Republic of th informed his counterpart of speed up the development met with a number of Cu- Cuba celebrated the 50 the situation in Cambodia. of Cuba. ban leaders and visited the Anniversary of Cambodia- He welcomed the great He thanked Cuba for High Scientific Center, the Cuba Diplomatic Relation- achievements made by the having assisted and sup- University of Informatic ships, which, according to Party, government and peo- ported Cambodia during Sciences, the National Cul- him, have seen a remark- ple of Cuba, headed by the difficult time in the past ture Centre of Cuba and able progress in the solidar- President Fidel Castro in and its continued assistance other historical centres. — ity and friendship between the face of the economic at present to the national AKP P A G E 5

Cambodia Rejects Thai ASTV Manger Online’s Assertion

Phnom Penh, Decem- In fact, it is publicly the ASTV Manager inscribe the Temple of ber 8, 2010 AKP — well known that the Online’s assertion that Preah Vihear on 7 July The Royal Govern- Temple of Preah Vi- “His Excellency Dr. 2008, in Quebec City ment of Cambodia has hear belongs to Cam- Sok An Deputy Prime Canada on the World in a clarification re- bodia and currently we Minister, Minister in Heritage List under jected the ASTV Man- are waiting for the charge of the Office Criterion (I) that is ager Online’s assertion Cambodian-Thai Joint of the Council of Preah Vihear is an against Cambodian Boundary Commission Ministers has come outstanding master- leaders, calling it a (JBC) to work on the out and claimed vic- piece of Khmer archi- false accusation. demarcation of land tory over Thailand tecture with an out- The full clarifica- boundary on the sites. sovereignty because standing universal tion dated Dec. 7 reads This is not the first Cambodia can force value. And finally, he as follows: time that Sondhi Lim- Thailand to cut down also briefed the delega- “The Office of the thongkul spoke ill Thai military troops at tions about the tireless Spokesperson of the about Cambodia and the Keo Sikkha Kiri efforts of the Royal Press and Quick Reac- the Cambodian lead- Svara pagoda, and in Government of Cam- tion Unit (PRU) of the ers, either with slan- so doing this means bodia to protect, pre- Office of the Council derous attacks, or fab- that Thailand has rec- serve and develop the of Ministers (OCM) of rication of false news ognized that the pa- Preah Vihear area. the Royal Government in order to mislead the goda and the areas in The Spokesperson of Cambodia (RGC) national and interna- the vicinity of the of the PRU is under categorically rejected tional public, or base- Temple of Preah Vi- the obligation to bring the assertion by ASTV less accusations. On hear belong to Cambo- to the attention of the Manager Online on 3 many occasions, the dia”. national and interna- December 2010 at Spokesperson of the As a matter of fact, tional public that Sam- 22:23 PM saying that: PRU had protested during the visit of dech Akka Moha “At this moment against Sondhi Lim- ICAPP leaders at the Sena Padei Techo the Government of thongkul who had time Temple of Preah Vihear Hun Sen, Prime Min- Mr. Hun Sen is push- and again conducted a on 5 December, 2010, ister of the Kingdom of ing down with all its hatred campaign H.E. Dr. Sok An did not Cambodia has once might a grand against the people of touch even one word again proven to be a scheme in order to Cambodia and the about the military issue. peace maker, this snatch away the Tem- Cambodian leaders, On the contrary, he did time, to bring peace in ple of Preah Vihear igniting and inflaming tell the foreign guests, the border areas be- and the areas in its the enmity between firstly about the history tween Cambodia and vicinity to make its Cambodians and of the construction of Thailand. Samdech own”. Thais. He has proven this Temple of Preah Hun Sen was proud to This is purely a that he is becoming a Vihear; secondly about announce on 6 Decem- false accusation and raving lunatic whose the decision of the Inter- ber 2010 during a fabrication by ASTV mission is to destroy national Court of Jus- graduation ceremony Manager Online which good and friendly rela- tice’s three-point Judg- at the National Insti- has been known to be tions between the peo- ment on 15 June 1962. tute of Education that the mouthpiece of the ple of Thailand and the Thirdly, H.E. Dr. Sok ‘the situation has eased P AD core -leader people of Cambodia. An also informed the and returned to what it Sondhi Limthongkul, In the same vein, foreign delegates about was like before July a communication ty- the Spokesperson of the correct decision of 15, 2008.’” —AKP coon who owns ASTV the Press and Quick World Heritage Com- station. Reaction Unit rejected mittee to unanimously * * * * * P A G E 6

From page 1 that to help boost Cambo- government’s achieve- ing his satisfaction with dia’s economy, Chinese ments under the wise lead- the royal government’s Samdech Hun Sen Premier Wen Jiabao an- ership of Samdech Techo policy in continuing to Received by King- nounced a preferential Hun Sen. The former king adhere to the One China loan for buyers to the also appreciated his untir- policy and with the two Father… Cambodian government, ing efforts in establishing leaders’ commitment to Both sides were com- as well as a financial assis- relations with other coun- mutually support in all mitted to do their best to tance for the construction tries in the world and in forums. further strengthen their of a laboratory to test the seeking all ways to find King-Father Norodom cooperation in bilateral, quality of rice and other economic and financial Sihanouk also reiterated multilateral, regional and agricultural products to be resource for the country’s his support until the end of global frameworks, he exported to China. reconstruction. his life to Samdech Akka stressed. For his part, King- China has been his and Moha Sena Padei Techo The Cambodian prime Father Norodom Sihanouk Cambodia’s best friend, Hun Sen as Prime Minis- minister went on to say highly valued all the royal King-Father said, express- ter of Cambodia. —AKP

From page 1 Kep to list with the club in tional Coordinating Com- the World’s Most Beauti- February 2011 in the Phil- mittee (ICC) and Cambo- ful Beaches Club next China and Cambo- ippines. The result of the dian experiences have year through the evalua- membership of Cambodia been used as a model in tion of the club which will dia Pledge … in this club shall be an- Iraq and Afghanistan. be held in Africa. After having studied nounced in the 7th annual The Cambodian deputy It should be noted that and evaluated on the meeting of the Club of the prime minister hoped that if Cambodia is admitted to beach of Cambodia, Mr. world’s most beautiful Cambodia’s experiences the club, the certificate for Jerome Bignon expressed beaches which will be would be helpful for the the world’s most beautiful his full support for Cam- held in May 2011 in Af- Club of the world’s most beaches shall be issued to bodia’s application for rica. beautiful beaches through Cambodia which would membership in the club In reply, H.E. Sok An, the vision of Royal Gov- help to attract more tour- and he will submit the also Minister in charge of ernment of Cambodia on ists to the areas, which document of the Cambo- the Office of the Council the preservation of the have a potential to develop dia's 440 km coastal areas of Ministers, raised the world heritages. He also the nation's economy.— stretching in four prov- success of Cambodia on hoped that Cambodia’s AKP inces of Koh Kong, Preah the preservation of world beach will be officially Sihanouk, Kampot and heritages through Interna- recognized as a member of —————

200,000 Tones of Rice To Be Exported from Cambodia to China

Phnom Penh, December 8, H.E. Sun Kunthor, general survey on the potential in tralia, France, Germany, 2010 AKP — director of Rural Develop- agriculture field in Cam- Spanish, Italy and Singa- COFCO FEED Co., ment Bank and H.E. Sok bodia such as rice crops, pore, according to Phour Ltd. of China has decided Siphana, an advisor to the cassavas and sugar canes Pu, president of Baitang to export 200,000 tonnes Cambodian Royal Gov- to create a possibility of Company and president of of rice in the first step ernment, along with a making an investment in Battambang Rice Miller’s from Cambodia to China’s delegation of the Industrial Cambodia and buying Association. market. and Commercial Bank of agricultural produce from Besides importing rice The company made a China, paid a recent visit Cambodia to China, she from Cambodia, China is decision to buy the Cam- to the rice processing plant said. also the main rice importer bodian rice after Ms. Yang of Baitang (Green) Com- Up to November this from Thailand and Viet- Hong, vice chairman of pany in Battambang prov- year, 28,000 tonnes of rice nam. —AKP COFCO FEED Co., Ltd. ince. have been exported by of China, accompanied by Her visit is to conduct a Baitang Company to Aus- ————— P A G E 7

Siem Reap Travel Guide

can easily enter the town body of the temple has from the Siem Reap- carvings of goddesses. Angkor International Air- There are other places of port. Tourists will get Sightseeing in Siem Reap flights heading for this like Bayon Temple in Siem town from Singapore, Reap, Terrace of the Leper Phnom Penh, Bangkok, King, Terrace of the Ele- Kuala Lumpur, etc. If it is phant, Beng Melea in Siem sea-travel that you prefer Reap and Aki Ra's Land- Siem Reap is where you mous Angkor Wat. Siem then you can take a boat mine Museum in Siem can visit the land of Angkor Reap Travel Guide also has from the Phnom Penh. Reap. Wat, is one of the famous a list of other things to do Travelers Travelling in You can participate in tourist spots in the world. in this town. Siem Reap can enjoy a tour the local Festivals and Apart from its temples the The Siem Reap Weather of the city by hiring a cab. Events in Siem Reap. These natural beauty of Cambodia is dominated by monsoons. This way they will be able festivals include Chaul is also quite well known. There are two types of to cover the whole city. Chnam (Khemer New Siem Reap is the capital monsoons here-the north- They must visit the temples Year) in Siem Reap, Ang- of the Siem Reap Province eastern and the south- here. The most famous kor Photo Festival in Siem of Cambodia. This small western. The first one is among them is the Angkor Reap and Angkor Half town can be your holiday cool and dry and there is Wat. This temple was built Marathon in Siem Reap. destination this year. It has little rain during this period. in the 12 century by King There are some restau- many temples and a calm The period begins in No- Jayavarman VII. This tem- rants that provide fine deli- and quiet environment. Any vember and lasts till April. ple was erected to honor cacies. The list of the Popu- Siem Reap Travel Guide The south western monsoon God Vishnu. This temple lar Restaurants in Siem would recommend a few is responsible for the hu- stretches through a vast Reap include names like days stay here. This stay is midity and high rain. It area so you have to board a Dead Fish Tower in Siem important so you can get a lasts from May to October. cab to take a complete view Reap, FCC (Foreign Corre- feel of the place. There are Travelers who are think- of it. spondent's Club) in Siem many noticeable places that ing about How to go to You can visit some other Reap, Blue Pumpkin in Siem Reap Travel Guide Siem Reap can reach this temples like Banteay Srei. Siem Reap. recommends. You can visit city by availing one of the It is small temple. It is very Source: www.cambodia- temples like the world fa- international flights. You aesthetically built. The tourism.org/

Published in December 2010 by:

Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Switzerland

Address: 3, Chemin Taverney, P.O. Box 213 Tel.: (+41)22 788 77 73 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Fax: (+41)22 788 77 74 Geneva, Switzerland. Email: [email protected]

Website: http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Cambodia/