The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 496
“Cambodia has more oil wells than expected. If it could also refine the oil and had no corruption, the standard of the people’s living would be far better than today. However, experts expressed their concerns that the government of Cambodia, which was among the most corrupt governments in the world, would be able to swallow up most of the huge assets of oil.
“According to news reports from Asia received in Phnom Penh, many large oil companies began to apply for licenses to prospect for the huge oil and gas resources in Cambodia, but experts expressed their concern whether Cambodia’s large natural resource would serve to develop Cambodia or not. Companies from China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Kuwait, Australia, and France applied for permission to research and tap the abundant power in this country. Chevron Corporation had drilled for oil in the Gulf of Thailand and discovered five oil wells in the last two years.
“According to research by the UN, the World Bank, Harvard University, and concerned institutions, Cambodia can produce approximately 2 million barrels of oil and roughly 2 million cubic feet of gas. In accordance with the oil and gas world market prices, the quantity of oil and gas could provide Cambodia nowadays with US$6 billion each year, extending over two decades.
“Cambodia is the poorest country in the world. 40% of the approximately 14 million of its population live under the poverty line; that is, they have Riel 2,000 per day. About 50% of children cannot finish their primary education, and about 30,000 children and babies die of diseases every year.
“Many experts are afraid that problems will occur as in other developing countries, where the revenue from oil and gas goes to a few persons without contributing to the improvement of the people’s living standard.
“The clearest example is Nigeria. When oil was discovered in the 1970s, this African country obtained approximately US$400 billion from oil products, but the revenue did not provide benefits to the people. 70% of the population still live with less than one dollar per day. Moreover, the country is still in debt of more tha $30 billion.
“Cambodia is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, having the ruling Cambodian People’s Party still use violence to maintain power. However, in recent years, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government has been willing to implement some reforms and to show more respect for human rights than before, in order to receive foreign aid, as the government has approximately 60% of its budget as aid. Nevertheless, the country will no longer need the aid from the western countries and may not respect human rights in the future.
“In fact, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government established the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority, which is under his control. The leading Sokimex Company in Cambodia would be expected to play an important role in the sector of energy. The company is governed by Sok Kong, Mr. Hun Sen’s friend.
“Cambodia’s biggest opposition party led by Mr. Sam Rainsy used to publicly condemn two companies [names not mentioned] which violated import tax legislation, and he demanded that they should retail oil in the country at a price equal to the international oil price market, which went down approximately 25% from mid-July to December last year.
“It will be possible to refine oil products in Cambodia by early 2009, and Cambodia hopes to have an agreement with Thailand on the overlapping areas that the two countries had claimed on the Gulf of Thailand. Talks between the two countries had taken place for many years, but did not lead to positive results.” Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #334, 21.2.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5972, 21 February 2007
- Number of People Who Got Poisoned Increases to 450 [warning sign was put at the pond in Malai, Banteay Meanchey, suspected that drinking water has been poisoned. Lab test results not yet available]
- Australian Senate President Paul Calvert Met Samdech Hun Sen [after visiting the King. Samdech Hun Sen said Cambodia and Australia maintain good cooperation to fight terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. He also said Cambodia receives a lot of assistance for improving the judicial system, and there are also other efforts to bring peace to Cambodia]
- Unemployment Makes Rural People to Move to Cities for Economic Reasons, but Competitive Markets Require Capacity [Mr. Ith Sam Heng, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation, said in a review meeting for 2006]
- Cambodia Has Drafted Laws on the Oil Sector Development Three Times Already [with assistance from experts and key officials. Sok An told Asia Pacific IMF Director Jeremy Carter]
- A Thief Acts Like a Nurse and Uses Anesthetics to Cheat Money [in Kampot]
Rasmei Angkor, Vol.14, #1149, 21 February 2007
- Phnom Penh City Was Quieter That Normal During Chinese-Vietnamese New Year [many people went to visit provinces]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4217, 21 February 2007
- Sihanoukville Residents May Face Water Shortage if there Is No Rain [before Khmer New Year, 13-15.4.2007]
- Railway Improvement Is Stuck in Bidding Phase [bidding is for 30 years plan. Uk Chan Roth, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, was not able to answer when the bidding would be finished]
- Iran Ambassador to Cambodia Wants Foreign Troops to Get Out of Iraq [he told National Assembly President Heng Samrin]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #2972, 21 February 2007
- Head of Government Should Also Brag About the $6.2 Billion That Cambodia Owes Foreign Countries [Hun Sen inaugurates road construction sites every day and says that they are the achievement of his government, but he never talks about the $6.2 billion debts which the Cambodian people will have to repay]
- The Warning [by Hun Sen] over Land Grabbing by the Powerful and the Rich Is Just Demagogy [Human Rights officials said it is just demagogy before the commune elections]
- During Chinese-Yuon [Vietnamese] New Year, Most Schools Are Closed as Both Students and Teachers Do Not Show Up
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #334, 21.2.2007
- Cambodia Will Have War Because of Oil Wells
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