Cambodia stands firm on temple talks set for June in France

CHIANG MAI, May 28 — The Cambodian government has rejected a plan proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganisation (UNESCO) to delay the consideration of management plan for Preah Vihear temple until Thailand andCambodia finish border demacation, said Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti on Saturday.

Speaking to journalists after returning from a special meeting organised by UNESCO held earlier this week in Paris, which ended in deadlock, Mr Suwit, who headed the Thai delegation at the meeting, said the Cambodian delegates led by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An (pictured) was against the idea of postponement of management plan for Preah Vihear, which was earlier listed as World Herritage.

Cambodia insists to table temple’s management plan at WHC meeting: Thai minister

BANGKOK, May 28 (Xinhua) — The Cambodian government insisted to put management plan of Preah Vihear Temple on the meeting table of the 35th World Heritage Committee, Thailand’s acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti said on Saturday.

The caretaker minister said that Phnom Penh rejected a plan proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization (UNESCO) to delay the consideration of management plan for the ancient temple until Thailand and Cambodiafinish border demarcation.

Suwit told reporters while he was visiting Chiangmai Zoo that the two-day meeting at the UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris ended in deadlock as the Cambodian delegates led by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An (pictured) were against the idea of postponement of the management plan for Preah Vihear, which was listed as World Heritage Site in 2008.

He said a fresh talks on the issue between Thailand and Cambodia may be re-organized again just before the 35th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) scheduled to be held on June 19-29.

‘It’s humbling’ [put the money where her mouth is: in Cambodia]

Jane Meads is leading a 150-strong Kiwi team to rescue Cambodian families from rubbish dumps. Photo / Kellie Blizard

Jane Meads wants to rescue Cambodian families fromrubbish dumps.

Rebecca Blithe
28th May 2011 
The Aucklander, New Zealand

When Jane Meads saw a film on poverty in Cambodia, she did more than pay lip service,
she made plans, as Rebecca Blithe tells.

A child picks his way through a filthy rubbish dump. Amid plumes of toxic black smoke he scours the wasteland for old shoes.

“It made me feel sick in my stomach,” says Jane Mead of her experience watching the documentary, which chronicled Cambodian families living on a shut-down rubbish dump in Phnom Penh.

Student’s mother manages Cambodian orphanage with friend

Written by Amy Hanson
Ke Alakai
Friday, 27 May 2011

To learn more about the two founders’ story click HERE. 
To see a video of the interview click HERE. 

Sophaneth Yorn and mother help to teach, feed and raise children in Cambodia. Photos courtesy of Cambodian and International Children Friend Organization

Sophaneth Yorn and mother help to teach, feed and raise children in Cambodia. Photos courtesy of Cambodian and International Children Friend Organization
Five years ago, Sophaneth Yorn’s mother and a friend began an orphanage in Cambodia for children who either do not have parents, or whose parents are too impoverished to pay for their children to eat or go to school. Botevy and Vanneth first met playing basketball against one another when they were young. Eventually their families were fled from the war between North and South Vietnam to the rural countryside because much of the fighting was in Cambodia. The endured many hardships under the mercy of the men from the Khmer Rouge leadership included Pol Pot. Many people were killed during this time and the two women experienced harsh treatment and were nearly starved to death. The two eventually were separated until a chance encounter at a church meeting.

Rights Envoy Facing Myriad Issues in Upcoming Visit

Kong Sothanarith, 
VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh 
Friday, 27 May 2011

Prof. Surya Subedi (L) met Mr. Hun Senduring his previous visit to Cambodia on 19th January, 2009.

The UN special envoy for human rights is expected to arrive in Cambodia Monday for a five-day visit, where he is expected to look into a controversial law to regulate NGOs and a bevy of other competing issues.

Related Links

• UN Rights Envoy Meets With Union Leaders
• Supreme Court Again Delays Decision on Unionist Murder
• Hun Sen Angered by UN Envoy’s Remarks

Suriya Subedi, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia, is also expected to look into the issues of land grabbing, forest conservation and freedom of expression, among others.

Thai team claims Unesco backs its proposal to delay management plan

By THE NATION
Published on May 28, 2011

Though Thailand and Cambodia yesterday failed to reach common ground on the management of the much-contested Preah Vihear Temple, the Thai team claimed that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) was supporting its proposal to delay the plan.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti (pictured) had given him the “good news”.

Suwit was in Paris yesterday to meet Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova to negotiate a delay in the World Heritage Committee’s consideration of the Preah Vihear management plan at its upcoming 35th session on June 19-29.

UNESCO convenes meeting with Cambodia and Thailand over Preah Vihear dispute

27 May 2011 
BY: BNO News

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization (UNESCO) on Friday convened a meeting with Cambodia and Thailand delegations over the Preah Vihear dispute.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova (pictured) facilitated three days of bilateralmeetings between to discuss conservation issues concerning the World Heritage site of Preah Vihear temple.

The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere of cooperation and dialogue. Bokova convened the discussions in order to reach an agreement on enhancing the temple’s state of conservation following recent threats to the property and the border disputes near the site.