The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 495, Thursday, 15.2.2007
“Kratie: Samdech Hun Sen praised China for respecting Cambodia’s sovereignty, suggesting that such an attitude should also be adopted by the western world.
“Samdech Prime Minister said on 14 February at the inauguration ceremony for the construction of National Road 76, 127 kilometers long, linking Snuol in Kratie to Sen Monorom in Mondolkiri, with a concession assistance from China: Cambodia just suggests that it should have the same rights with all partners as it has with China.
“Samdech Hun Sen’s statement was made in response to a 13 February news report, predicting that in 2009, the national revenue would double from petroleum, discovered under Cambodia’s sea territory. Samdech Hun Sen stated that he had read it said Hun Sen and the royal government probably do not listen to the advice of the western world.
“Samdech Hun Sen said that the World Bank and Harvard University had made statements about this measure, which means that the western world is still pointing out the road for Cambodia’ and admonishes Cambodia what to do.
“Samdech Prime Minister stated that China is a huge country with a population of approximately 1 billion 300 million, but the Chinese leaders respect the sovereignty of Cambodia.
“China granted Cambodia a $300 million concession loan for the construction of National Road 7, 195 kilometers long, from Kratie to the border of Laos, Road 67 from Battambang to Pailin, National Road 8, with a bridge crossing the Mekong River at the Tamok River, and a bridge crossing the Tonle Sap River near the Kdam River, as well as a bridge crossing the Bassac River in Takhmao.
“Samdech Hun Sen said that a $300 million concession loan has been granted to Cambodia, and the prime minister of China did not tell him that Cambodia had to build this road or that road. It depends on Cambodiaśs plans.
“Ms. Zhang Jin Feng, the Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, spoke about the friendly relations between the peoples and the governments of both countries, which were established in the distant past and continued up to the present and future. She also said that China is a good friend, a good partner, like a good brother or sister of Cambodia, and they are equal, trustful, and honest with Cambodia.
“Ms. Zhang Jin Feng said that China and Cambodia are good neighbor countries, and according to the joint proclamation by both governments in April 2006, it is precisely stated that China always respects the independence, sovereignty, and territoral integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and also the Cambodian people’s rights to independently choose their road of development in line with the actual situation of Cambodia. She said that the Chinese people and the government provide support as they can, and assist the people and Cambodia in enhancing its economy.
“In the project, National Road 76 will have been completed in March 2010 with budgeted expenditure of $51.9 million, including US$2,555,000 as counterpart budget of the royal government.
“Mr. Sun Chanthol, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, said that after the construction of Road 76 towards remote areas, it would reduce the [traveling] time and contribute to the poverty and hardship alleviation of the people residing in the mountain area in order to be able to transport their agricultural crops to the domestic and oversea markets and improve their knowledge and well-being.
“Samdech Hun Sen said: How can we have economic growth if we do not build the rural infrastructure. Samdech added that if Cambodia builds up the rural infrastructure, why will it not be recognized that this program is distributing the fruits of economic growth and equality between the urban and rural areas?
“Samdech Hun Sen said that he would like to suggest that we should look at the forest as a whole rather looking at a single tree. There is a large amount of resources flowing to the people, because of economic growth.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1270, 15.2.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tursday, 15 February 2007
Koh Santepheap, Vol. 40, #5967, 15.2.2007
- Will Son Soubert [Son Sann’s son] Join Kem Sokha to Create a New Party? [he welcomes Kem Sokha’s new party]
- On Valentine’s Day, Young People in Battambang Called on People to Buy Their Flowers so They Can Give Their Income to Help Orphans
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol. 14, #3089, 15.2.2007
- The Khmer-Yuon [Vietnamese] Technical Border Team Failed to Set Up Border Posts at Ou Ya Dav and Yalai [leaving ‘white areas’ in between. The Khmer team assumes that Vietnam violated Khmer land entering 109 meters]
Reach Seima, Vol. 14, #153, 15.2.2007
- Over 100,000 Teachers’ Recent Months’ Salaries Appear to Have Been Forgotten by the Government [as corruption occurs across Cambodia, some officials try to take the salaries of retired teachers]
- Some Lecturers of Build Bright University Said: School Owes Teachers over US$2 Million [they assume that the director has been involved in financially supporting a political party – as a result, he lacks money to pay salaries].
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol. 14, #2970, 15.2.2007
- Message from Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh, President of the Norodom Ranaridhh Party, on the Purpose of Creating the New Party [to enhance royalism and strengthen the sovereignty of Cambodia]
- Nhek Bun Chhay, Lu Laysreng, Keo Puth Rasmey Point Fingers at Each Other about the Scandal of Selling the Siem Reap Headquarters and Not Visiting the Local People. [Keo Puth Rasmey asked Nhek Bun Chhay to return the money from selling the headquarters to the party, in order to support its activities]
- After an Arrest Warrant Was Issued though She Is in Singapore, Heng Pov’s Wife Surprisingly Tries to Ask for Political Asylum
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #332, 15.2.2007
- The Former Khmer Rouge leaders [Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea] Use Nationalism as an Obstacles on the Way to Justice
- Hun Sen Criticized America [on US bombing Cambodia during the Vietnam War, and the military bases located in the Khmer-Vietnam border area over 30 years ago], but He Is Patient with Sam Rainsy
