Friday, October 31, 2008
Overall priorities for East Asia
Senator Obama
The United States has long played a pivotal role in preserving the peace in Asia and undergirding its economic development. That leadership should continue, but must adjust to changes taking place in Asia. Our alliances remain crucial elements for Asian confidence and security. But new ideas are in play, and the U.S. must be attentive to calls for change. The emergence of an economically vibrant, more diplomatically engaged China and India has energized interest in Asian economic and security arrangements that could augment bilateral alliances and build confidence among adversaries and friends alike. We need to demonstrate unequivocally to Asians that our presence in the region is enduring, that our economic, political, and security interests demand it, and that we will reengage with, and listen to, our Asian friends after years of giving the region short shrift.
Senator McCain
The resurgence of Asia is one of the epochal events of our time. It is a renaissance that is not only transforming the face of this vast region, but throwing open new opportunities for billions of people on both sides of the Pacific to build a safer, more prosperous and freer world. Seizing these opportunities, however, will require strong American leadership and an unequivocal American commitment to Asia, whose fate is increasingly inseparable from our own. Fortunately, the next American president will inherit a set of alliances and friendships in Asia that are already in good shape. The next president must expand on these achievements with an ambitious, focused agenda to further strengthen and deepen these relationships. Putting our alliances first, and bringing our friends into greater partnership in the management of both regional and global affairs, are key to meeting the collective challenges we face in a changing Asia and in a changing world. For the same reason, the U.S. must also participate more actively in Asian regional organizations.
U.S.-Japan alliance
Senator McCain
The U.S.-Japan alliance has been the indispensable anchor of peace, prosperity, and freedom in the Asia-Pacific for more than 60 years, and its importance will only grow. Deepening cooperation, consultation and coordination between Washington and Tokyo is the key to meeting the collective challenges that both our nations face. The United States and Japan must also work closely together with regard to China – not to contain or isolate Beijing, but to ensure its peaceful integration as a responsible stakeholder.
Senator Obama
The U.S.-Japan alliance has been one of the great successes of the postwar era. The U.S. and Japan have a shared interest in promoting security and prosperity in Asia and around the world – shared interests that rest on a bedrock of shared values: in democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and free markets. Japan plays a vital role in working with the U.S. in maintaining regional security and stability, promoting prosperity, and meeting the new security challenges of the 21st century…..The U.S.-Japan alliance must remain at the core of efforts to revitalize Japan’s role in ensuring stability and security in the region....The alliance demands, and is deserving of, close political cooperation and coordination at every level, reflecting the key role Japan plays as anchor of U.S. economic and security interests in the region and across the globe.
U.S.-China relations
Senator Obama
The U.S. and China face challenges that require fresh thinking and a change from the U.S. policy approach of the past eight years…U.S. and Chinese cooperation in the Six-Party Talks on the North Korea nuclear issue makes clear that we can work together constructively bilaterally and with others to reduce tensions on even extraordinarily sensitive issues.... America and the world can benefit from trade with China but only if China agrees to play by the rules and act as a positive force for balanced world growth. I want China’s economy to continue to grow, its domestic demand to expand, and its vitality to contribute to regional and global prosperity. .... I will take a vigorous pragmatic approach to addressing these issues, utilizing our domestic trade remedy laws as well as the WTO dispute settlement mechanism wherever appropriate.... I look to China to work with us to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons..... to halt the genocide in Darfur.....Greater progress in protecting the human rights of its people and moving toward democracy and the rule of law will better enable China to achieve its full potential as a nation, domestically and internationally.
Senator McCain
The U.S. shares common interests with China that can form the basis of a strong partnership on issues of global concern, including climate change, trade, and proliferation. But China’s rapid military modernization, mercantilist economic practices, lack of political freedom and close relations with regimes like Sudan and Burma undermine the international system on which its rise depends. The next president must build on the areas of overlapping interest to forge a more durable U.S.-China relationship. Doing so will require strong alliances with other Asian nations and a readiness to speak openly with Beijing when it fails to behave as a responsible stakeholder. Our shared challenge is to convince the Chinese leadership that their nation’s remarkable success rests ultimately on whether they can translate economic development into a more open and tolerant political process at home, and a more responsible foreign policy.
Cross-Strait Relations
Senator McCain
I have long supported the sales of defensive arms to strengthen deterrence in the Taiwan Strait and to help preserve the peace. American interests in Asia are well-served through faithful implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act … I will continue the longstanding and close ties between our peoples. We should seek cooperative and productive relations with China that proceed in a spirit of confidence, and we should promote the improvement of cross-Strait relations. We should understand that the possibility of productive ties between Taiwan and China are enhanced, not diminished, when Taipei speaks from a position of strength. I believe that America should continue to sell defensive weapons to Taiwan, in accordance with its security requirements, and stand by this remarkable free and democratic people.
Senator Obama
It is important for Beijing to demonstrate to the people of Taiwan that the practical and non-confrontational approach … toward the mainland can achieve positive results. I hope there will be progress including development of economic ties, expanding Taiwan’s international space and cross-Strait security. I support the “one China” policy of the U.S., adherence to the three U.S.-PRC joint communiqués concerning Taiwan, and observance of the Taiwan Relations Act. On that foundation, the U.S. should strengthen channels of communication with officials of the Taiwan government. We should continue to provide the arms necessary for Taiwan to deter possible aggression.
Korean Peninsula issues
Senator Obama
North Korea’s agreement to these verification measures is a modest step forward in dismantling its nuclear weapons program. President Bush’s decision to remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism is an appropriate response as long as there is clear understanding that if North Korea fails to follow through there will be immediate consequences. It is now essential that North Korea halt all efforts to reassemble its nuclear facilities, place them back under IAEA supervision, and cooperate fully with the international community to complete the disablement of the Yongbyon facilities and to implement a robust verification mechanism to confirm the accuracy of its nuclear declaration. If North Korea refuses to permit robust verification, we should lead all members of the Six-Party Talks in suspending energy assistance, re-imposing sanctions that have recently been waived, and considering new restrictions. Our objective remains the complete and verifiable elimination of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
The U.S.-ROK alliance has been a remarkably strong and successful one. Nonetheless, the U.S.-Korea relationship has been adrift in recent years. At the heart of it have been our respective approaches to North Korea. We need to work with South Korea on a common vision for the alliance to meet the challenges of the 21st century, not only those on the Korean Peninsula but in the region and beyond. The U.S.-Korea economic relationship has also benefited both nations and deepened our ties. I look forward to supporting ways to increase bilateral trade and investment ties through agreements paying proper attention to our key industries and agricultural sectors, such as autos, rice, and beef, and to protection of labor and environmental standards. Regrettably, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement does not meet this standard.
Senator McCain
The next president will need to use intensive diplomacy to move toward a fully denuclearized Korean Peninsula, but cannot make the mistake of assuming that talking is our only tool. … Rather, it is through close cooperation with our closest allies – our strong alliance with the Republic of Korea, close trilateral coordination with Japan, and full use of UN Security Council Resolution 1718 – that we can best hope to solve the North Korean challenge. I strongly support President Lee’s strategy of seeking full reciprocity in terms of denuclearization, human rights, and accounting for the hundreds of South Koreans abducted by Pyongyang. I would not support the easing of sanctions North Korea unless the U.S. is able to fully verify the nuclear declaration Pyongyang submitted on June 26. I am also concerned that recent negotiations appear not to have addressed the issue of North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens, a serious omission and directly relevant to any decision about North Korea’s support for terrorist activities.
The U.S. has negotiated an important free trade agreement with South Korea. This agreement will benefit Americans and Koreans alike by creating new jobs on both sides of the Pacific and setting a new standard in opening Asia’s rising economies to America, at a time when some are seeking to exclude us. Rejecting the FTA will not only leave Americans and Koreans alike worse off; it will also undermine America’s global economic leadership.
Regional economic cooperation and free trade agreements
Senator McCain
Free trade agreements, such as those we have entered into with Australia and Singapore and have negotiated with South Korea, are critical building blocks for an open and inclusive economic order in the Asia-Pacific region. They create billions of dollars’ of exports and set a higher standard for trade liberalization that helps all nations in the region. … I will continue making the case for free trade, regardless of political expediency.
Senator Obama
It is essential that Asian countries work with us to ensure balanced growth and openness of the global trading system. This means shifting away from their traditional dependence on export-led growth and weak currencies toward stronger consumption at home and greater absorption of imports. The United States should negotiate only “gold standard’’ agreements with our Asian trading partners that stimulate growth and jobs and contain binding labor and environmental standards and intellectual property protections. Existing mechanisms, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, are a useful platform for U.S. economic engagement with the Asian region, and that any new trade agreements negotiated with the U.S. must have binding labor and environmental standards, provide effective access for American exports, and be rigorously monitored and enforced.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
=========================================================================
Aso Cabinet E-mail Magazine No.4 (October 30, 2008)
=========================================================================
"Once in a century"
-- Message from the Prime Minister (Provisional Translation)
Once in a century
The world is currently in the midst of a so-called "once-in-a-century"
financial crisis.
Although Japan's financial system is stable compared to those of
the United States and Europe, the Japanese economy, too, has been
significantly affected, with domestic stock prices fluctuating wildly.
During my visit to Beijing last week, I had the opportunity to engage
in exchanges of frank opinions on the financial crisis with leaders of
major Asian and European nations. I became keenly aware of the high
expectations that nations have placed on Japan.
About a decade ago, Japan overcame a financial crisis.
The leaders of the world's 20 major countries will hold an emergency
summit next month to discuss responses to the financial crisis. I am
convinced that Japan must utilize its experience of overcoming financial
crisis and demonstrate leadership, for the stabilization of the world
economy.
Today, the Government will decide on a new economic policy package
-- Measures to Support the People's Lives, which puts the people first.
Every day, pessimistic opinions about the future of the economy are
expressed in the news media. If the people's lives were in fact to become
bleak, it really would send the economy downward.
The policy I will implement will be bold, so that people in different
circumstances who might come to feel pain can perceive its effects,
and so that the future can be bright.
Our responses will be tailored to people in households struggling to make
ends meet, to those worrying about unstable employment, to the mothers and
fathers working hard to raise children, and to people finding it difficult
to buy their homes.
It is imperative that micro-, small and medium-sized companies, which
provide 70 percent of all employment, remain vigorous. We will take all
possible measures to support their year-end financing, to keep them safe
from the stormy seas of international finance.
Without bright regions, Japan as a whole cannot be bright. The Government
will allocate one trillion yen to the regions, using revenue sources
earmarked for roads that will be reallocated to the revenues used for
general purposes.
We must gather together all our wisdom to overcome the "once-in-a-century"
crisis. Now, the power of politics is being put to the test.
Aso Cabinet E-mail Magazine No.4 (October 30, 2008)
=========================================================================
"Once in a century"
-- Message from the Prime Minister (Provisional Translation)
Once in a century
The world is currently in the midst of a so-called "once-in-a-century"
financial crisis.
Although Japan's financial system is stable compared to those of
the United States and Europe, the Japanese economy, too, has been
significantly affected, with domestic stock prices fluctuating wildly.
During my visit to Beijing last week, I had the opportunity to engage
in exchanges of frank opinions on the financial crisis with leaders of
major Asian and European nations. I became keenly aware of the high
expectations that nations have placed on Japan.
About a decade ago, Japan overcame a financial crisis.
The leaders of the world's 20 major countries will hold an emergency
summit next month to discuss responses to the financial crisis. I am
convinced that Japan must utilize its experience of overcoming financial
crisis and demonstrate leadership, for the stabilization of the world
economy.
Today, the Government will decide on a new economic policy package
-- Measures to Support the People's Lives, which puts the people first.
Every day, pessimistic opinions about the future of the economy are
expressed in the news media. If the people's lives were in fact to become
bleak, it really would send the economy downward.
The policy I will implement will be bold, so that people in different
circumstances who might come to feel pain can perceive its effects,
and so that the future can be bright.
Our responses will be tailored to people in households struggling to make
ends meet, to those worrying about unstable employment, to the mothers and
fathers working hard to raise children, and to people finding it difficult
to buy their homes.
It is imperative that micro-, small and medium-sized companies, which
provide 70 percent of all employment, remain vigorous. We will take all
possible measures to support their year-end financing, to keep them safe
from the stormy seas of international finance.
Without bright regions, Japan as a whole cannot be bright. The Government
will allocate one trillion yen to the regions, using revenue sources
earmarked for roads that will be reallocated to the revenues used for
general purposes.
We must gather together all our wisdom to overcome the "once-in-a-century"
crisis. Now, the power of politics is being put to the test.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
PACIFIC DAILY NEWS
October 29, 2008
Break up the concentration of powers
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D.
Last week, I wrote about the rise of totalitarianism in Cambodia in the form of Hun Sen Inc. It has silenced opposition, crushed those perceived as threats, and made itself Cambodia's sole source of employment and sole center for resource distribution. It dictates who gets what, when, where and how.
A Western political philosophy brands any such concentration of powers in the hands of a closed group as tyranny -- rule by an oppressive government. In Cambodia, genocidal Pol Pot's successor, Premier Sen, leads the ruling party by firmly holding power in all institutions.
Either he -- the omnipotent chairman -- or his privileged trusted associates represent all powers, legislative, executive, and judicial, defying democratic political philosophy and practice.
Yet, Hun Sen, Inc. is given $600 million annually by an international community that hopes to assist the country's poor and desolate, many of whom rely on rat meat to survive. The world's nations chose recently to appease Hun Sen when he demanded removal of Yash Ghai as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Human Rights in Cambodia, a role created by the 1991 Paris Peace Accords signed by 19 countries and the U.N., because, in Ghai's words, he stood against Hun Sen's "systematic violations of political, economic, social rights" in Cambodia.
Disconnect, hypocrisy
The disconnect between what the community of nations preaches and its actions is a modern political hypocrisy and appeasement of a dictator at the expense of citizens' rights as contained in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
That declaration, to which Cambodia is a party, reaffirmed the basic civil and human rights deemed most fundamental by the civilized community of nations. Unfortunately, many countries' interests in having a foothold in strategically located and resource-rich (forest resources may have been depleted but the six potential oil fields remain something to envy) Cambodia are served better through accommodating Hun Sen Inc. As such, their interests in the rather elusive concepts of freedom and human rights do not carry weight.
This approach conveys a mirage of political and economic stability. But it's shortsighted. The trouble with dictators is that their desire for power is insatiable. They want more and they want to extend their power anywhere and everywhere.
As it is human nature to want to breathe the air of liberty and to live with dignity, a land governed by oppression cannot expect stability and peace in society. Those who hunger for their basic rights will, over time, foment revolt.
Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy and civil societies in Cambodia fear and oppose Hun Sen's concentration of power. They speak tirelessly of the need for a limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, though many repeat the terms without understanding them. At the risk of sounding like a classroom lecture, maybe what is written below will help.
Theoretically, a power concentration is broken up by dividing and giving specific power to separate government organs. These organs (national assembly, government, the court) function independently of one another: legislators make laws, they do not interpret laws; the prime minister executes laws and does not make them or interpret them; the court interprets what the law is and does not act as a lawmaker or a policeman carrying out the laws). In Cambodia, Sen is a lawmaker, a policeman and a judge.
Separating these functions avoids an abuse of power.
In Cambodia the omnipotent premier has been accused of widespread use of fear and intimidation to achieve his goals. Human rights and integrity in Cambodia are for parroting.
It's bleak for Cambodians who seek change and want instant gratification. They set themselves up for disappointment: Hun Sen Inc. does not care what others think about its rule; and Cambodians' long-held culture of blind reverence to established rulers (political winners walk on water) and contempt for those out of power (losers can be worse than dirt) does not help. Internationally, many foreign governments do not seem to care about the July national election fraud that gave Sen power to rule the country for another four years. It's business as usual.
Hope
Yet, there is hope and Cambodians need to learn to believe in hope.
They would do well to review who and what they are, learn to minimize limitation and maximize potential, and conclude if the only constant in life is change, and Lord Buddha says everything changes, then Hun Sen Inc.'s permanency will end. The Cambodian saying, "bent wood can make a wheel, straight wood can make a spoke, twisted and crooked wood can make fire," can be put into practice.
I wrote about water that boils at 212 degrees, and if the heat is increased to 213 then steam is produced to run a locomotive. That's one way hope is turned into reality -- through action.
As the Chinese say, one generation plants trees, the next generation gets the shade.
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.
October 29, 2008
Break up the concentration of powers
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D.
Last week, I wrote about the rise of totalitarianism in Cambodia in the form of Hun Sen Inc. It has silenced opposition, crushed those perceived as threats, and made itself Cambodia's sole source of employment and sole center for resource distribution. It dictates who gets what, when, where and how.
A Western political philosophy brands any such concentration of powers in the hands of a closed group as tyranny -- rule by an oppressive government. In Cambodia, genocidal Pol Pot's successor, Premier Sen, leads the ruling party by firmly holding power in all institutions.
Either he -- the omnipotent chairman -- or his privileged trusted associates represent all powers, legislative, executive, and judicial, defying democratic political philosophy and practice.
Yet, Hun Sen, Inc. is given $600 million annually by an international community that hopes to assist the country's poor and desolate, many of whom rely on rat meat to survive. The world's nations chose recently to appease Hun Sen when he demanded removal of Yash Ghai as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Human Rights in Cambodia, a role created by the 1991 Paris Peace Accords signed by 19 countries and the U.N., because, in Ghai's words, he stood against Hun Sen's "systematic violations of political, economic, social rights" in Cambodia.
Disconnect, hypocrisy
The disconnect between what the community of nations preaches and its actions is a modern political hypocrisy and appeasement of a dictator at the expense of citizens' rights as contained in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
That declaration, to which Cambodia is a party, reaffirmed the basic civil and human rights deemed most fundamental by the civilized community of nations. Unfortunately, many countries' interests in having a foothold in strategically located and resource-rich (forest resources may have been depleted but the six potential oil fields remain something to envy) Cambodia are served better through accommodating Hun Sen Inc. As such, their interests in the rather elusive concepts of freedom and human rights do not carry weight.
This approach conveys a mirage of political and economic stability. But it's shortsighted. The trouble with dictators is that their desire for power is insatiable. They want more and they want to extend their power anywhere and everywhere.
As it is human nature to want to breathe the air of liberty and to live with dignity, a land governed by oppression cannot expect stability and peace in society. Those who hunger for their basic rights will, over time, foment revolt.
Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy and civil societies in Cambodia fear and oppose Hun Sen's concentration of power. They speak tirelessly of the need for a limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, though many repeat the terms without understanding them. At the risk of sounding like a classroom lecture, maybe what is written below will help.
Theoretically, a power concentration is broken up by dividing and giving specific power to separate government organs. These organs (national assembly, government, the court) function independently of one another: legislators make laws, they do not interpret laws; the prime minister executes laws and does not make them or interpret them; the court interprets what the law is and does not act as a lawmaker or a policeman carrying out the laws). In Cambodia, Sen is a lawmaker, a policeman and a judge.
Separating these functions avoids an abuse of power.
In Cambodia the omnipotent premier has been accused of widespread use of fear and intimidation to achieve his goals. Human rights and integrity in Cambodia are for parroting.
It's bleak for Cambodians who seek change and want instant gratification. They set themselves up for disappointment: Hun Sen Inc. does not care what others think about its rule; and Cambodians' long-held culture of blind reverence to established rulers (political winners walk on water) and contempt for those out of power (losers can be worse than dirt) does not help. Internationally, many foreign governments do not seem to care about the July national election fraud that gave Sen power to rule the country for another four years. It's business as usual.
Hope
Yet, there is hope and Cambodians need to learn to believe in hope.
They would do well to review who and what they are, learn to minimize limitation and maximize potential, and conclude if the only constant in life is change, and Lord Buddha says everything changes, then Hun Sen Inc.'s permanency will end. The Cambodian saying, "bent wood can make a wheel, straight wood can make a spoke, twisted and crooked wood can make fire," can be put into practice.
I wrote about water that boils at 212 degrees, and if the heat is increased to 213 then steam is produced to run a locomotive. That's one way hope is turned into reality -- through action.
As the Chinese say, one generation plants trees, the next generation gets the shade.
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
BBC NEWS
Thailand and Cambodia vow peace
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to resolve a border dispute peacefully "for the sake of our neighbourliness".
Bilateral talks on the issue were held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe summit (Asem) in Beijing.
The demarcation of land around Preah Vihear temple on the countries' border has never been clearly settled.
Tensions have recently been rekindled, and last week erupted into open combat. Three Cambodian and one Thai soldier died in exchanges of fire.
'Uncontrollable'
Foreign ministers from the two countries spoke to reporters after the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart, Somchai Wongsawat, held talks earlier on Friday.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE
1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site
2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water row
July 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage Site
July 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bid
July 2008: Both sides move troops to temple area
August 2008: Troops withdrawn after high-level talks
October 2008: Fighting erupts around temple area
"We are not just neighbours, we are very good friends indeed," Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat said.
"His Excellency Hun Sen said the incident that already happened is not the kind that both countries want. It happened instantly. That was uncontrollable at the time."
Mr Sompong added that the two sides had been advised to avoid confrontation.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said: "What happened between us we have to solve peacefully, amicably, for the sake of our neighbourliness."
The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.
The dispute centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.
'No quick resolution'
Meanwhile, senior military officials echoed the pledge to reduce tensions as they met in Siem Reap in northern Cambodia.
Both are sides are "committed to exercising their utmost restraint to avoid confrontation or armed clashes", said Cambodian regional army commander Maj Gen Chea Mon, according to AP news agency.
The two sides had agreed to joint border patrols to defuse tensions, but according to AFP news agency these have not materialised.
The BBC's Guy De Launey, in Beijing for the Asem summit, cautions that Thailand's domestic political situation could prove a distraction - and he says Cambodia has indicated it is not expecting a swift resolution.
The issue stirs intense nationalist passions on both sides, and an army recruitment drive in border areas has been over-subscribed, he adds.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7688451.stm
Published: 2008/10/24 10:15:33 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Thailand and Cambodia vow peace
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to resolve a border dispute peacefully "for the sake of our neighbourliness".
Bilateral talks on the issue were held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe summit (Asem) in Beijing.
The demarcation of land around Preah Vihear temple on the countries' border has never been clearly settled.
Tensions have recently been rekindled, and last week erupted into open combat. Three Cambodian and one Thai soldier died in exchanges of fire.
'Uncontrollable'
Foreign ministers from the two countries spoke to reporters after the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart, Somchai Wongsawat, held talks earlier on Friday.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE
1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site
2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water row
July 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage Site
July 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bid
July 2008: Both sides move troops to temple area
August 2008: Troops withdrawn after high-level talks
October 2008: Fighting erupts around temple area
"We are not just neighbours, we are very good friends indeed," Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat said.
"His Excellency Hun Sen said the incident that already happened is not the kind that both countries want. It happened instantly. That was uncontrollable at the time."
Mr Sompong added that the two sides had been advised to avoid confrontation.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said: "What happened between us we have to solve peacefully, amicably, for the sake of our neighbourliness."
The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.
The dispute centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.
'No quick resolution'
Meanwhile, senior military officials echoed the pledge to reduce tensions as they met in Siem Reap in northern Cambodia.
Both are sides are "committed to exercising their utmost restraint to avoid confrontation or armed clashes", said Cambodian regional army commander Maj Gen Chea Mon, according to AP news agency.
The two sides had agreed to joint border patrols to defuse tensions, but according to AFP news agency these have not materialised.
The BBC's Guy De Launey, in Beijing for the Asem summit, cautions that Thailand's domestic political situation could prove a distraction - and he says Cambodia has indicated it is not expecting a swift resolution.
The issue stirs intense nationalist passions on both sides, and an army recruitment drive in border areas has been over-subscribed, he adds.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7688451.stm
Published: 2008/10/24 10:15:33 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Sunday, October 19, 2008
We are seeking for Leaders
New World: New Leadership
Vannarith Chheang
EWC-APLP 2008-2009
Changes are with us all the time and on a rapid speed. We could not escape from the global changes and risks. Better or worse we have to welcome and embrace them. We realize the uncertainties of the global political economy and security as we are living in a very interdependent world. Local events really have global implications. East Asian economies were enjoying economic miracle in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s before the Asian Financial crisis in 1997. No one would have predicted crisis could take place in an emerging economic epicenter of the world. The implications of that were widespread political instability and human security downgrading. The crisis made us to be aware of the global uncertainties. SARS and bird flu became another aspect of unstable globalization in which everyone of us is vulnerable to the disease infection. People movement is growing very fast beyond the control of nation state institution. Natural disasters have big global impacts such as Tsunami in Asia, Katrina in the US, storm in Burma, and earthquake in China. Global climate change has attracted world attention much greater than before. Through mass media and education, we start to learn more what is happening around us. Now the world leaders are working together shoulders to shoulders to cope with climate change. It is the first time in human history that we have such global consensus on a particular common issue such as climate change.
Currently we are facing with global financial crisis which started from the collapse of financial sectors in the US. This morning, September 30, 2008, the prices of stock market all around the world dropped dramatically. Financial investors are living in fear and uncertainties as ever seen. These are the realities of global interdependence. The complexities of global networks require effective tools and methods to deal with the unpredictable events/crisis. We keep thinking of what to do. Should we be panic? Should we take step backward and get out from the current global system?
The key to all these pressing concerns is “leadership”. Leadership is not the answer but the lack of leadership is a disaster. The world is facing with the lack of leadership. There is a hunger for compelling and creative leadership. Leaders must keep their mind open to change all the time. They must face it. Leaders are not heroes but they are not afraid of realities. They even bring realities to others/followers.
Several leadership models have been proposed by either scholars or policy makers. The models include adaptive leadership, invitational/participatory leadership, and moral leadership. Integrated these concepts into one word, we can call “liquid leadership” which means adaptive, reflective, engaged, flexible, soft power (humility, respect), transparent and accountable, dynamic, and down to earth. The liquid here generally means water which is very adaptive to the physical environment and taste. Water is global. We need water to survive.
As we are living in a melting pot type of social, cultural, political, and economic phenomenon, water is the instance that could accommodate all the ingredients. Water is a source of reflections not only for oneself but for the others. As leaders we should regularly look into the water and see ourselves (who we are). Water is used to predict the future (in some believes- we call magic water) which means leaders must be equipped with the ability to predict the future to see alternative futures. No one could break or cut the water. It means that leaders must be patient and strong but soft. Water is used to pray or give good lucks to others. During the New Year time in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, people spray water to their friends and relatives and strangers to wish them good luck and happiness. As a leader, we need to bring common goods or luck to the others.
The world is calling for liquid leadership. Leadership skill has to be changed to cope with new environment. We are living in diversity, uncertainties, and risks. We have to adapt ourselves to the new environment. We need to learn how to combine all intellectual forces to find more effective/better solutions for the common problem. Every individual has a potential to make a better world. Leadership does not necessary need authority but it requires participation and action.
Vannarith Chheang
EWC-APLP 2008-2009
Changes are with us all the time and on a rapid speed. We could not escape from the global changes and risks. Better or worse we have to welcome and embrace them. We realize the uncertainties of the global political economy and security as we are living in a very interdependent world. Local events really have global implications. East Asian economies were enjoying economic miracle in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s before the Asian Financial crisis in 1997. No one would have predicted crisis could take place in an emerging economic epicenter of the world. The implications of that were widespread political instability and human security downgrading. The crisis made us to be aware of the global uncertainties. SARS and bird flu became another aspect of unstable globalization in which everyone of us is vulnerable to the disease infection. People movement is growing very fast beyond the control of nation state institution. Natural disasters have big global impacts such as Tsunami in Asia, Katrina in the US, storm in Burma, and earthquake in China. Global climate change has attracted world attention much greater than before. Through mass media and education, we start to learn more what is happening around us. Now the world leaders are working together shoulders to shoulders to cope with climate change. It is the first time in human history that we have such global consensus on a particular common issue such as climate change.
Currently we are facing with global financial crisis which started from the collapse of financial sectors in the US. This morning, September 30, 2008, the prices of stock market all around the world dropped dramatically. Financial investors are living in fear and uncertainties as ever seen. These are the realities of global interdependence. The complexities of global networks require effective tools and methods to deal with the unpredictable events/crisis. We keep thinking of what to do. Should we be panic? Should we take step backward and get out from the current global system?
The key to all these pressing concerns is “leadership”. Leadership is not the answer but the lack of leadership is a disaster. The world is facing with the lack of leadership. There is a hunger for compelling and creative leadership. Leaders must keep their mind open to change all the time. They must face it. Leaders are not heroes but they are not afraid of realities. They even bring realities to others/followers.
Several leadership models have been proposed by either scholars or policy makers. The models include adaptive leadership, invitational/participatory leadership, and moral leadership. Integrated these concepts into one word, we can call “liquid leadership” which means adaptive, reflective, engaged, flexible, soft power (humility, respect), transparent and accountable, dynamic, and down to earth. The liquid here generally means water which is very adaptive to the physical environment and taste. Water is global. We need water to survive.
As we are living in a melting pot type of social, cultural, political, and economic phenomenon, water is the instance that could accommodate all the ingredients. Water is a source of reflections not only for oneself but for the others. As leaders we should regularly look into the water and see ourselves (who we are). Water is used to predict the future (in some believes- we call magic water) which means leaders must be equipped with the ability to predict the future to see alternative futures. No one could break or cut the water. It means that leaders must be patient and strong but soft. Water is used to pray or give good lucks to others. During the New Year time in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, people spray water to their friends and relatives and strangers to wish them good luck and happiness. As a leader, we need to bring common goods or luck to the others.
The world is calling for liquid leadership. Leadership skill has to be changed to cope with new environment. We are living in diversity, uncertainties, and risks. We have to adapt ourselves to the new environment. We need to learn how to combine all intellectual forces to find more effective/better solutions for the common problem. Every individual has a potential to make a better world. Leadership does not necessary need authority but it requires participation and action.
Environmental Security
The Asia Pacific region’s contribution to global economic growth has been steadily rising over the past decade. Many argue that the twentieth first century is the century of the Asia Pacific in which rising China and India will play important role. As a result, the region shoulders a greater share of regional and global environment-related burdens. Many serious environmental issues are taking place in the region: land has been eroded; fisheries depleted; forest and coastal ecosystems degraded; air and water polluted; and natural forests are in decline given some 60 percent of the region’s mangrove forests have been converted to aquaculture.
Water is becoming the main factor in social and international conflict, poverty, and infectious diseases caused by unclean water. Mismanagement of underground water and transboundary rivers contribute to the running short of water supply. Industries are absorbing large part of fresh water. According to research, industrial water use will quadruple in India by 2050. This phenomenon will be the same in China and other emerging economies. For instance, Siem Reap city is well known for tourists from around the world due to it harbors Angkor Wat temple. Tourism industry is booming in this city. Hotels are mushrooming and migration is increasing dramatically. The main problem here is water! Most of the hotels use underground water without proper regulation and management. If such trend continues, it will destabilize the underground water layer which could collapse the temples with proximity to city area. Tourism without sustainable management is a disaster for environmental, historical, and human heritage.
Asia harbors seven out of ten of the world’s most polluted cities. Urban pollution is a big concern now and will be a big headache for many governments. Water and electricity supply is sacrificed from rural to the urban areas. This enlarges more disparity between the rural and urban areas. The flood of rural people into the city puts much more pressure on management. Air pollution makes people unhealthy and stressful. Social conflict dominates city planning. Urban politics surpass nation state. Unsustainable urban management can lead to national and international disaster.
The rise of temperature has great impact on the livelihood of millions of people in the region. Climate change is putting human security into danger. Crop yields are expected to decline by up to 70% for typical crops in northern India if the temperatures raise by 2-3 Degree Celsius, placing 30 to 200 million people at risk of hunger. The already dry areas of southern China and the Indian subcontinent will lose 30% of their water availability if temperatures rise by 2 Degree Celsius, while parts of South Asia could receive 10% more water and experience regular floods. Temperature increases of 3-4 Degree Celsius would cause sea levels to rise and storms in coastal areas and islands. Many Asian coastal cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Karachi and Tokyo and many island economies will risk inundation at massive economic and social cost.
Water is becoming the main factor in social and international conflict, poverty, and infectious diseases caused by unclean water. Mismanagement of underground water and transboundary rivers contribute to the running short of water supply. Industries are absorbing large part of fresh water. According to research, industrial water use will quadruple in India by 2050. This phenomenon will be the same in China and other emerging economies. For instance, Siem Reap city is well known for tourists from around the world due to it harbors Angkor Wat temple. Tourism industry is booming in this city. Hotels are mushrooming and migration is increasing dramatically. The main problem here is water! Most of the hotels use underground water without proper regulation and management. If such trend continues, it will destabilize the underground water layer which could collapse the temples with proximity to city area. Tourism without sustainable management is a disaster for environmental, historical, and human heritage.
Asia harbors seven out of ten of the world’s most polluted cities. Urban pollution is a big concern now and will be a big headache for many governments. Water and electricity supply is sacrificed from rural to the urban areas. This enlarges more disparity between the rural and urban areas. The flood of rural people into the city puts much more pressure on management. Air pollution makes people unhealthy and stressful. Social conflict dominates city planning. Urban politics surpass nation state. Unsustainable urban management can lead to national and international disaster.
The rise of temperature has great impact on the livelihood of millions of people in the region. Climate change is putting human security into danger. Crop yields are expected to decline by up to 70% for typical crops in northern India if the temperatures raise by 2-3 Degree Celsius, placing 30 to 200 million people at risk of hunger. The already dry areas of southern China and the Indian subcontinent will lose 30% of their water availability if temperatures rise by 2 Degree Celsius, while parts of South Asia could receive 10% more water and experience regular floods. Temperature increases of 3-4 Degree Celsius would cause sea levels to rise and storms in coastal areas and islands. Many Asian coastal cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Karachi and Tokyo and many island economies will risk inundation at massive economic and social cost.
2008 US election and Asia Pacific
Upcoming presidential election in November 2008 will be a critical moment for the US and the world. All eyes put on this election regardless of nationalities. This is a great opportunity for me to experience the atmosphere of this historical event. My APLP generation, G 8, is so uniquely special. It starts in August and 2008 which means lucky number in Chinese tradition. G8/08/2008, I believe, will create prominent leaders (at least one of them) in the future.
Based on the debates and discussions among experts and analysts here in the United States and especially after listening live to presidential and vice-presidential debates, I argue that there is nothing much change in terms of American foreign policy towards Asia Pacific region between the two political parties. Domestic issues such as financial crisis, tax, health care, education, and energy dominate presidential debates while other international issues such as war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iranian nuclear ambition, and rising Russia rank number two. The next president will face with huge challenge and criticism from the public in their one early time of the administration. Financial crisis is going on and domestic issues are getting worse. No one has resolution for this at least for the short term.
Although Asia policy was not brought in at the debate platform, it is widely discussed among American politicians and experts. Their narratives demonstrated US’s strong interest in Asia Pacific region but accepted the relative decline of US influence in the region because of the rise of East Asian countries especially China. There are some differences between Barack Obama and John McCain in terms of approaching the region. The old school thinker McCain is strongly influenced by Cold War international politics such as concepts of balance of power and containment. On the other hand, a young reformer Obama believes more in partnership and diplomacy.
East Asian countries largely still consider US as the main actor/driver in the region. At every forums and talks, East Asian leaders express their interests in strengthening relationship with the US. Vietnam and Cambodia have moved closer to US to balance with China and mainly for national interests. The positive attitude of the East Asian countries towards the US means that they believe in US’s international role. But given domestic issues and misguided foreign policy in the Bush administration reduced US attention in Asia Pacific. The new administration hopefully will return back to Asia Pacific region which stronger interactions and relationship. US should play more active role in APEC, East Asia Submit, Asian Regional Forum, and bilateral partnership with individual East Asian country. US should view the rise of China as positive in terms of partnership and strategic balancer not competitor as for now Southeast Asian countries seek to invite more US influence in the region to balance with China. US should take this opportunity to come back to Southeast Asia. It doesn’t mean that East Asia will be divided but rather it would be more integrated with the partnership with both China and US. US-China partnership is very important for Asia Pacific Security and Prosperity.
Based on the debates and discussions among experts and analysts here in the United States and especially after listening live to presidential and vice-presidential debates, I argue that there is nothing much change in terms of American foreign policy towards Asia Pacific region between the two political parties. Domestic issues such as financial crisis, tax, health care, education, and energy dominate presidential debates while other international issues such as war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iranian nuclear ambition, and rising Russia rank number two. The next president will face with huge challenge and criticism from the public in their one early time of the administration. Financial crisis is going on and domestic issues are getting worse. No one has resolution for this at least for the short term.
Although Asia policy was not brought in at the debate platform, it is widely discussed among American politicians and experts. Their narratives demonstrated US’s strong interest in Asia Pacific region but accepted the relative decline of US influence in the region because of the rise of East Asian countries especially China. There are some differences between Barack Obama and John McCain in terms of approaching the region. The old school thinker McCain is strongly influenced by Cold War international politics such as concepts of balance of power and containment. On the other hand, a young reformer Obama believes more in partnership and diplomacy.
East Asian countries largely still consider US as the main actor/driver in the region. At every forums and talks, East Asian leaders express their interests in strengthening relationship with the US. Vietnam and Cambodia have moved closer to US to balance with China and mainly for national interests. The positive attitude of the East Asian countries towards the US means that they believe in US’s international role. But given domestic issues and misguided foreign policy in the Bush administration reduced US attention in Asia Pacific. The new administration hopefully will return back to Asia Pacific region which stronger interactions and relationship. US should play more active role in APEC, East Asia Submit, Asian Regional Forum, and bilateral partnership with individual East Asian country. US should view the rise of China as positive in terms of partnership and strategic balancer not competitor as for now Southeast Asian countries seek to invite more US influence in the region to balance with China. US should take this opportunity to come back to Southeast Asia. It doesn’t mean that East Asia will be divided but rather it would be more integrated with the partnership with both China and US. US-China partnership is very important for Asia Pacific Security and Prosperity.
Life as a Journey Driven by Dream
My Last Lecture
Life is uncertain and nonpermanent. What I wish to say for now is for uncertain life tomorrow. As a person who has gone through a great deal of difficulties, challenges and opportunities, I would like to share with you part of my personal story which I think is part of my job to do as a person who see sun light before you. My life and success are mostly driven by my dream and vision with actions and dedication.
Today I want to share my dream with you and help you to create and realize your dreams. Now let’s start with Dream Creation. Before doing that we need to distinguish day dream and real dream. A real dream goes along with actions and commitments. All of you should have big dreams! Just aim high! When you throw a stone into the air, according to physics, you need to measure 45 degree in order to maximize the distance. But to aim your dream you should measure 90 degree. Although you could not possible reach it you could reach some points close to it!
You should view the world around you as half empty full and dreams are the tool helping you to do that. Being optimistic about the future is part of your happiness. When I was young I liked looking at the sky and had a dream that I could fly like a bird. I could see and touch clouds. I did not know at that time that the world was round. I thought it was flat. Up there in the sky I thought there was a ceiling or heaven. Every elders in my village wish to do good things in order to reach there (sky=heaven). As a child I believed the same. How could I go to heaven/sky? Every afternoon, I slept outdoor and imagined that I was up the sky flying with birds happily. I tried to configure the clouds into several types of animals as many as possible so that I could live with animals and nature. Dream to fly is quite common among children.
As primary school children, when I encountered the word student and intellectual, I was so happy and wanted to be called student or intellectual one day. Looking at what was happening in my village which is rampaged by civil war and landmines, no one could imagine that we would become student. Although I had little hope of becoming a student, I kept my dream and tried to study hard. I never skip class unless the school was closed or teachers could not come. I really wanted to learn. I did my best to organize learning group/club with my friends to study at home. I realized a dream to become student in 1997 when I first time entered the gate of the University. There were only six of us from the same primary school who could become students.
I had a dream to get scholarship to study abroad despite the fact that I did not any things beyond Cambodia. My knowledge of the world was simply that other countries were more developed, peaceful and better than Cambodia. Going to study abroad was our big dream! I had less hope but a dream. I realized that dream in the end of 1997 after I got exams to get scholarship to study in Vietnam. There were 50 Cambodian students got scholarship at the time.
Another dream was in my last year in Vietnam. I told my friends that I had a dream to go to study in Japan. To get scholarship to study in Japan was extremely competitive. It required a great deal of knowledge especially English language skill. I did my best to learn English in Vietnam and a little bit Japanese. After three years of preparation, I could use English to some extent especially speaking and listening skills. After four years of hard work, I was top of my class (only international students in my class, most of them come from Laos). After graduating from the university in Vietnam, I returned back to Cambodia to find a job. I was lucky to work with Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia for more than one year before I got scholarship to study Master degree in Japan. My dream came true again. I really wanted to have lectures in English. It was my first time in Japan to really learn English in the class. To have lectures conducted in English was also my dream.
I told my mother, relatives, and friends that I had a dream to get Doctoral Degree from abroad. No one believed in me because having Doctoral Degree from abroad was extremely hard for Cambodian. I had low hope but a dream. I kept dreaming of that. Fortunately, I could extend my scholarship to Phd degree at one of the famous international universities in Japan. My dream came true.
Another dream was to study in the United States. Getting visa to visit the US was really hard. Poor student like me would not have chance to do it. Only few rich and smart people could go to study in the United States. Once again I could realize my dream.
I have a dream that I could work at the international research institute or international organizations for a period of time before coming back to work in Cambodia. I have a dream to become an advisor to the Cambodian government. I have a dream to become foreign minister of Cambodia. These are my real dream. I have prepared my action plan for that.
So dreams are important. You can have your dreams for free. You don’t need to pay anything for them just invest your time and efforts. Dream could be realized with your own patience, dedication, commitment and support from others. Don’t forget the others (including your family, mentors, friends, and anyone who could assist you someway somehow). To realize my dreams from now I need to build a network of knowledge and trust. Trust is the most challenging one. How to get trust from others if you don’t trust yourself? Trust and believe in yourself first. This takes along time and efforts. Self-reflection is important for self-realization. Know yourself first before trust yourself.
Finally, don’t think that life is easy. Life is struggle. Life is a journey. Life is a process. Life is for a reason: maybe you want live for God, maybe you want to live for others, or may be you live to change for a better world. Happiness and Sadness go together like Yin and Yang. I tend to perceive struggling as a gift for me. Without struggling life is just incomplete.
My last words to you are: have many big dreams, take actions to realize those dreams but don’t be disappointed when you could not realize them; it is normal. Your life is limited; you could not survive forever; but remember that before you go you should do something good for this planet.
Life is uncertain and nonpermanent. What I wish to say for now is for uncertain life tomorrow. As a person who has gone through a great deal of difficulties, challenges and opportunities, I would like to share with you part of my personal story which I think is part of my job to do as a person who see sun light before you. My life and success are mostly driven by my dream and vision with actions and dedication.
Today I want to share my dream with you and help you to create and realize your dreams. Now let’s start with Dream Creation. Before doing that we need to distinguish day dream and real dream. A real dream goes along with actions and commitments. All of you should have big dreams! Just aim high! When you throw a stone into the air, according to physics, you need to measure 45 degree in order to maximize the distance. But to aim your dream you should measure 90 degree. Although you could not possible reach it you could reach some points close to it!
You should view the world around you as half empty full and dreams are the tool helping you to do that. Being optimistic about the future is part of your happiness. When I was young I liked looking at the sky and had a dream that I could fly like a bird. I could see and touch clouds. I did not know at that time that the world was round. I thought it was flat. Up there in the sky I thought there was a ceiling or heaven. Every elders in my village wish to do good things in order to reach there (sky=heaven). As a child I believed the same. How could I go to heaven/sky? Every afternoon, I slept outdoor and imagined that I was up the sky flying with birds happily. I tried to configure the clouds into several types of animals as many as possible so that I could live with animals and nature. Dream to fly is quite common among children.
As primary school children, when I encountered the word student and intellectual, I was so happy and wanted to be called student or intellectual one day. Looking at what was happening in my village which is rampaged by civil war and landmines, no one could imagine that we would become student. Although I had little hope of becoming a student, I kept my dream and tried to study hard. I never skip class unless the school was closed or teachers could not come. I really wanted to learn. I did my best to organize learning group/club with my friends to study at home. I realized a dream to become student in 1997 when I first time entered the gate of the University. There were only six of us from the same primary school who could become students.
I had a dream to get scholarship to study abroad despite the fact that I did not any things beyond Cambodia. My knowledge of the world was simply that other countries were more developed, peaceful and better than Cambodia. Going to study abroad was our big dream! I had less hope but a dream. I realized that dream in the end of 1997 after I got exams to get scholarship to study in Vietnam. There were 50 Cambodian students got scholarship at the time.
Another dream was in my last year in Vietnam. I told my friends that I had a dream to go to study in Japan. To get scholarship to study in Japan was extremely competitive. It required a great deal of knowledge especially English language skill. I did my best to learn English in Vietnam and a little bit Japanese. After three years of preparation, I could use English to some extent especially speaking and listening skills. After four years of hard work, I was top of my class (only international students in my class, most of them come from Laos). After graduating from the university in Vietnam, I returned back to Cambodia to find a job. I was lucky to work with Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia for more than one year before I got scholarship to study Master degree in Japan. My dream came true again. I really wanted to have lectures in English. It was my first time in Japan to really learn English in the class. To have lectures conducted in English was also my dream.
I told my mother, relatives, and friends that I had a dream to get Doctoral Degree from abroad. No one believed in me because having Doctoral Degree from abroad was extremely hard for Cambodian. I had low hope but a dream. I kept dreaming of that. Fortunately, I could extend my scholarship to Phd degree at one of the famous international universities in Japan. My dream came true.
Another dream was to study in the United States. Getting visa to visit the US was really hard. Poor student like me would not have chance to do it. Only few rich and smart people could go to study in the United States. Once again I could realize my dream.
I have a dream that I could work at the international research institute or international organizations for a period of time before coming back to work in Cambodia. I have a dream to become an advisor to the Cambodian government. I have a dream to become foreign minister of Cambodia. These are my real dream. I have prepared my action plan for that.
So dreams are important. You can have your dreams for free. You don’t need to pay anything for them just invest your time and efforts. Dream could be realized with your own patience, dedication, commitment and support from others. Don’t forget the others (including your family, mentors, friends, and anyone who could assist you someway somehow). To realize my dreams from now I need to build a network of knowledge and trust. Trust is the most challenging one. How to get trust from others if you don’t trust yourself? Trust and believe in yourself first. This takes along time and efforts. Self-reflection is important for self-realization. Know yourself first before trust yourself.
Finally, don’t think that life is easy. Life is struggle. Life is a journey. Life is a process. Life is for a reason: maybe you want live for God, maybe you want to live for others, or may be you live to change for a better world. Happiness and Sadness go together like Yin and Yang. I tend to perceive struggling as a gift for me. Without struggling life is just incomplete.
My last words to you are: have many big dreams, take actions to realize those dreams but don’t be disappointed when you could not realize them; it is normal. Your life is limited; you could not survive forever; but remember that before you go you should do something good for this planet.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Cambodia-Thailand Border War
BBC NEWS
Gunfire on Thai-Cambodia border
Thai and Cambodian troops have exchanged gunfire along a disputed section of their border.
The exchange, near the ancient Preah Vihear temple complex, prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia.
Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart.
Both countries claim they own the area around the temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site.
Officials from both countries have said the other side fired first.
There were reported to be exchanges of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
A Cambodian defence ministry official said at least 10 Thai soldiers had been captured.
A Thai army spokesman said one Cambodian soldier was killed and four Thais wounded.
A Cambodian army official told the Associated Press news agency that the fighting had now stopped and commanders from both sides were trying to negotiate a ceasefire.
After the fighting broke out, Thailand alerted air force jets and readied transport planes to evacuate Thai nationals from Cambodia.
'Death zone'
The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.
Around 2,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple.
The tension turned violent in October when one Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire.
The two sides have already held several rounds of talks on the issue, but have failed to reach a settlement.
They agreed in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area.
On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw.
Thailand denied that its troops had entered Cambodian territory.
Temple tensions
The stand-off between the two countries centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE
1962: International court awards temple to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains undesignated
1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site
July 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage Site
The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas.
An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.
The decision by the UN in June to list Preah Vihear as a Unesco World Heritage Site reignited lingering nationalist tensions over the issue.
Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power.
In 2003, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was torched by rioters angry over the alleged comments of a Thai actress who said that the Angkor Wat temple complex should be returned to Thailand.
Are you in the vicinity of the Thai-Cambodian border? Have you heard or witnessed hostilities between troops? Send us your comments and experiences.
Name
Your E-mail address
Town & Country
Phone number (optional):
Comments
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7668657.stm
Published: 2008/10/15 10:12:14 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Gunfire on Thai-Cambodia border
Thai and Cambodian troops have exchanged gunfire along a disputed section of their border.
The exchange, near the ancient Preah Vihear temple complex, prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia.
Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart.
Both countries claim they own the area around the temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site.
Officials from both countries have said the other side fired first.
There were reported to be exchanges of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
A Cambodian defence ministry official said at least 10 Thai soldiers had been captured.
A Thai army spokesman said one Cambodian soldier was killed and four Thais wounded.
A Cambodian army official told the Associated Press news agency that the fighting had now stopped and commanders from both sides were trying to negotiate a ceasefire.
After the fighting broke out, Thailand alerted air force jets and readied transport planes to evacuate Thai nationals from Cambodia.
'Death zone'
The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.
Around 2,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple.
The tension turned violent in October when one Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire.
The two sides have already held several rounds of talks on the issue, but have failed to reach a settlement.
They agreed in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area.
On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw.
Thailand denied that its troops had entered Cambodian territory.
Temple tensions
The stand-off between the two countries centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE
1962: International court awards temple to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains undesignated
1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site
July 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage Site
The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas.
An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.
The decision by the UN in June to list Preah Vihear as a Unesco World Heritage Site reignited lingering nationalist tensions over the issue.
Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power.
In 2003, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was torched by rioters angry over the alleged comments of a Thai actress who said that the Angkor Wat temple complex should be returned to Thailand.
Are you in the vicinity of the Thai-Cambodian border? Have you heard or witnessed hostilities between troops? Send us your comments and experiences.
Name
Your E-mail address
Town & Country
Phone number (optional):
Comments
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7668657.stm
Published: 2008/10/15 10:12:14 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Monday, October 13, 2008
cambodia set times for thai
Cambodian PM asks Thai troops to withdraw from border area in 24 hours
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen here Monday asked Thailand to evacuate its 81 troops from the Veal Intry area near the Preah Vihear Temple on Cambodian soil within 24 hours, and warned war otherwise.
"The Veal Intry area is the dead or alive point for us," he told reporters at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation after meeting with visiting Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat.
"The situation at the Veal Intry area is too hot. They have to remove tonight or tomorrow. If they don't remove from the Veal Intry area, war will be waged," he said.
"They entered there (Monday morning) and are deploying and camping their tents about 30 meters from our soldiers. They said they stay here only one day," he said.
"Cambodia still keep our maximum restraints and won't mind if they go back to their own stronghold," he said.
"We want to solve the matter with a peaceful deal. We are trying to shorten the conflict," he said.
The international court is the best way for both sides to solve the border conflict and it can also avoid blame from the people of the two nations, he said.
In addition, Cambodia can't hand over concession land to Thailand, and Thailand either, he said.
The Veal Intry area is on the Phnom Trap hill side, approximately 2,000 meters from the west side of the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda, which is situated on the only way leading to the Preah Vihear Temple.
Earlier Monday, Sompong Amornviwat and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong decided to resume both sides' border talks between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24 in Siem Reap province.
In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.
The tension later turned into a military confrontation, in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks. In mid-August, most troops evacuated and just a few dozen soldiers stationed near the temple.
However, bilateral talks to discuss withdrawing troops from around the temple were postponed late August amid political turmoil in Thailand.
In October at the border area, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during an exchange of gunfire, and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Thailand decided to resume their border talks between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24 in Siem Reap province, after both foreign ministers met briefly here Monday morning.
Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat arrived in Phnom Penh earlier Monday and held a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in order to restart negotiations to resolve the months-long military spat at the border area.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat (L) shakes hands with Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong before meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Sompong Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>
The two sides will hold meeting in the Cambodian province to discuss redeployment of the remaining troops at the border area, said a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In addition, the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) of the two countries will conduct meeting between Nov. 3 and Nov. 7 in Cambodia, in order to speed up the survey and demarcation work in accordance with bilaterally recognized documents and MoU, it said.
Both foreign ministers will meet again between Nov. 19 and Nov.20 in Thailand, in order to push for final settlement of the overall border problems, it said.
This time frame aims to avoid further hostility at the border area and settle the border issues between the two countries peacefully and amicably as soon as possible, it said.
Meanwhile, Hor Namhong told reporters at a press conference held after the two-hour ministerial meeting that both countries should agree to refer the issue to international institutions, if the scheduled talks fail to resolve the problems definitely, peacefully and amicably.
According to the press release, Sompong Amornviwat will later meet Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to the media after meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>
In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.
The tension immediately turned into a military confrontation, in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks. In mid-August, most troops evacuated and just a few dozen soldiers stationed near the temple.
However, bilateral talks to discuss withdrawing troops from around the temple were postponed late August amid political turmoil in Thailand.
In October at the border area, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during an exchange of gunfire, and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen here Monday asked Thailand to evacuate its 81 troops from the Veal Intry area near the Preah Vihear Temple on Cambodian soil within 24 hours, and warned war otherwise.
"The Veal Intry area is the dead or alive point for us," he told reporters at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation after meeting with visiting Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat.
"The situation at the Veal Intry area is too hot. They have to remove tonight or tomorrow. If they don't remove from the Veal Intry area, war will be waged," he said.
"They entered there (Monday morning) and are deploying and camping their tents about 30 meters from our soldiers. They said they stay here only one day," he said.
"Cambodia still keep our maximum restraints and won't mind if they go back to their own stronghold," he said.
"We want to solve the matter with a peaceful deal. We are trying to shorten the conflict," he said.
The international court is the best way for both sides to solve the border conflict and it can also avoid blame from the people of the two nations, he said.
In addition, Cambodia can't hand over concession land to Thailand, and Thailand either, he said.
The Veal Intry area is on the Phnom Trap hill side, approximately 2,000 meters from the west side of the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda, which is situated on the only way leading to the Preah Vihear Temple.
Earlier Monday, Sompong Amornviwat and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong decided to resume both sides' border talks between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24 in Siem Reap province.
In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.
The tension later turned into a military confrontation, in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks. In mid-August, most troops evacuated and just a few dozen soldiers stationed near the temple.
However, bilateral talks to discuss withdrawing troops from around the temple were postponed late August amid political turmoil in Thailand.
In October at the border area, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during an exchange of gunfire, and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Thailand decided to resume their border talks between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24 in Siem Reap province, after both foreign ministers met briefly here Monday morning.
Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat arrived in Phnom Penh earlier Monday and held a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in order to restart negotiations to resolve the months-long military spat at the border area.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat (L) shakes hands with Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong before meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Sompong Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>
The two sides will hold meeting in the Cambodian province to discuss redeployment of the remaining troops at the border area, said a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In addition, the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) of the two countries will conduct meeting between Nov. 3 and Nov. 7 in Cambodia, in order to speed up the survey and demarcation work in accordance with bilaterally recognized documents and MoU, it said.
Both foreign ministers will meet again between Nov. 19 and Nov.20 in Thailand, in order to push for final settlement of the overall border problems, it said.
This time frame aims to avoid further hostility at the border area and settle the border issues between the two countries peacefully and amicably as soon as possible, it said.
Meanwhile, Hor Namhong told reporters at a press conference held after the two-hour ministerial meeting that both countries should agree to refer the issue to international institutions, if the scheduled talks fail to resolve the problems definitely, peacefully and amicably.
According to the press release, Sompong Amornviwat will later meet Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to the media after meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>
In July, tensions ran high after the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was awarded world heritage status by UNESCO, angering nationalists in Thailand who still claim ownership of the site.
The tension immediately turned into a military confrontation, in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks. In mid-August, most troops evacuated and just a few dozen soldiers stationed near the temple.
However, bilateral talks to discuss withdrawing troops from around the temple were postponed late August amid political turmoil in Thailand.
In October at the border area, at least one Cambodian soldier and two Thai troops were wounded during an exchange of gunfire, and two other Thai soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on a landmine.
Cambodia Thailand leading to large scale war
Cambodia warns Thailand again in border spat
Reuters
Monday, October 13, 2008
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to the media after meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
CREDIT:
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to the media after meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia accused Thailand on Monday of trying to send troops across their disputed border, warning that such a provocation could eventually lead to "large scale conflict."
Deputy Defense Minister General Neang Phat said more Cambodian troops were heading to the area after up to 500 Thai soldiers had tried to cross the border near an ancient Hindu temple claimed by both countries.
"We are building up our troops at the border in response to Thailand, but I cannot reveal the number," he told reporters.
After talks in Phnom Penh with his Thai counterpart, Sompong Amornvivat, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said further provocations could trigger another shooting incident. Three soldiers were wounded in a brief clash on October 3.
"This could lead to a large-scale conflict," he told reporters.
Sompong, who was due to meet Prime Minister Hun Sen later on Monday, did not speak to reporters and Thai officials in Bangkok denied any attempted incursion.
"Invasion? What invasion when the land is claimed by both sides?" army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told Reuters.
The standoff began in July and centers on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple that sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries.
The argument started when protest groups seeking to overthrow the Thai government criticized Bangkok's backing of Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear as a U.N. World Heritage site.
Both sides have claimed Preah Vihear for decades. The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that has rankled many in Thailand ever since.
(Reporting by Ek Madra; Writing by Darren Schuettler; Editing by Ed Cropley and David Fox)
© Reuters 2008
Reuters
Monday, October 13, 2008
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to the media after meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
CREDIT:
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong speaks to the media after meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh October 13, 2008. Amornvivat is in Cambodia for a one-day official visit and to discuss the border dispute issue. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia accused Thailand on Monday of trying to send troops across their disputed border, warning that such a provocation could eventually lead to "large scale conflict."
Deputy Defense Minister General Neang Phat said more Cambodian troops were heading to the area after up to 500 Thai soldiers had tried to cross the border near an ancient Hindu temple claimed by both countries.
"We are building up our troops at the border in response to Thailand, but I cannot reveal the number," he told reporters.
After talks in Phnom Penh with his Thai counterpart, Sompong Amornvivat, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said further provocations could trigger another shooting incident. Three soldiers were wounded in a brief clash on October 3.
"This could lead to a large-scale conflict," he told reporters.
Sompong, who was due to meet Prime Minister Hun Sen later on Monday, did not speak to reporters and Thai officials in Bangkok denied any attempted incursion.
"Invasion? What invasion when the land is claimed by both sides?" army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told Reuters.
The standoff began in July and centers on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple that sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries.
The argument started when protest groups seeking to overthrow the Thai government criticized Bangkok's backing of Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear as a U.N. World Heritage site.
Both sides have claimed Preah Vihear for decades. The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that has rankled many in Thailand ever since.
(Reporting by Ek Madra; Writing by Darren Schuettler; Editing by Ed Cropley and David Fox)
© Reuters 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Food Security
Vannarith Chheang, EWC-APLP 2008-2009
The word “food security” was first became commonly used in the world food conference held in Rome in 1974. Food security means maintaining accessible food inventory. But it does not reflect the food solution of people troubled by chronic food shortage. FAO decided in 1980s modify the concept of food security: availability, accessibility, and stability in order to have food situation. Latter on the concept of food security was included in the concept of human security in the 1994 Human Development Report by the UNDP. However, not much attention has been given to food security until recently.
Food security has come to the fore in 2007 together with the dramatic increase in fuel prices and inflation in many parts of the world. In Cambodia alone, inflation has increased 20 percent in the last few years and in Vietnam inflation has become the main concern (about 30 percent). Food prices have increased two times in Cambodia and in many parts of the world. Demonstrations regarding food price height took place in many countries from Asia to Africa.
In order to deal with food insecurity we need to determine what are the myths and realities and what are the most effective solutions.
Myths: 1. Food security means national food supply, import and export of food. 2. Food is everywhere as long as we have money to buy it. 3. Investment in agriculture is long-term investment so let focus our investment in other short term which has high and quick returns. 4. Developing countries will produce food for developed world so the second should not be concerned about that. 5. Green revolution would be the answer.
Realities:
1. When we talk about food security, so far we think of national food supply, import and export of food. But it just refers to global and national food security only. How about family or individual food production? To ensure the food security for people currently facing chronic food shortage and people with a high probability of suffering famine in specific regions where food shortages are common, a worldwide or national approach will be inadequate. Talking about food security means talking about every individual who could get access to food.
2. Food could be produced and found everywhere? Green revolution made people feel that way. Chemical fertilizers, irrigation, high yield seeds, expansion of cropland, and agricultural mechanical equipment produce large scale of food. It is true but cropland can no longer be expanded! We could not expand our land! Production rate of agricultural land declines due to the use of fertilizers and other chemical products. Environmental degradation and desertification have huge adverse impacts on crop production. Unstable rain fall and seasonal change. Over-harvesting of marine resources (fish…). If production system and consumer lifestyle continue today, it is more than likely that the absolute volume of food supply will not be able to satisfy the demand.
3. Not everyone has money to buy food especially in such high inflation period. Transportation is another constraint for the poor to reach food they need. Children especially girls, handicapped people, and minority groups are the most vulnerable to food shortage and crisis. We need to take measures to assist these groups of people.
4. Investment in agriculture should be emphasized much more by the government and financial institutions. Unless we really invest in this sector we could not provide enough food for the fast growing population. International stable food supply chains mechanism should be established.
5. Yes developing countries provide food to the developed world. But if the current Doha round of the World Trade Organization does not move, then demand and supply of food in the international market would not be stable.
The word “food security” was first became commonly used in the world food conference held in Rome in 1974. Food security means maintaining accessible food inventory. But it does not reflect the food solution of people troubled by chronic food shortage. FAO decided in 1980s modify the concept of food security: availability, accessibility, and stability in order to have food situation. Latter on the concept of food security was included in the concept of human security in the 1994 Human Development Report by the UNDP. However, not much attention has been given to food security until recently.
Food security has come to the fore in 2007 together with the dramatic increase in fuel prices and inflation in many parts of the world. In Cambodia alone, inflation has increased 20 percent in the last few years and in Vietnam inflation has become the main concern (about 30 percent). Food prices have increased two times in Cambodia and in many parts of the world. Demonstrations regarding food price height took place in many countries from Asia to Africa.
In order to deal with food insecurity we need to determine what are the myths and realities and what are the most effective solutions.
Myths: 1. Food security means national food supply, import and export of food. 2. Food is everywhere as long as we have money to buy it. 3. Investment in agriculture is long-term investment so let focus our investment in other short term which has high and quick returns. 4. Developing countries will produce food for developed world so the second should not be concerned about that. 5. Green revolution would be the answer.
Realities:
1. When we talk about food security, so far we think of national food supply, import and export of food. But it just refers to global and national food security only. How about family or individual food production? To ensure the food security for people currently facing chronic food shortage and people with a high probability of suffering famine in specific regions where food shortages are common, a worldwide or national approach will be inadequate. Talking about food security means talking about every individual who could get access to food.
2. Food could be produced and found everywhere? Green revolution made people feel that way. Chemical fertilizers, irrigation, high yield seeds, expansion of cropland, and agricultural mechanical equipment produce large scale of food. It is true but cropland can no longer be expanded! We could not expand our land! Production rate of agricultural land declines due to the use of fertilizers and other chemical products. Environmental degradation and desertification have huge adverse impacts on crop production. Unstable rain fall and seasonal change. Over-harvesting of marine resources (fish…). If production system and consumer lifestyle continue today, it is more than likely that the absolute volume of food supply will not be able to satisfy the demand.
3. Not everyone has money to buy food especially in such high inflation period. Transportation is another constraint for the poor to reach food they need. Children especially girls, handicapped people, and minority groups are the most vulnerable to food shortage and crisis. We need to take measures to assist these groups of people.
4. Investment in agriculture should be emphasized much more by the government and financial institutions. Unless we really invest in this sector we could not provide enough food for the fast growing population. International stable food supply chains mechanism should be established.
5. Yes developing countries provide food to the developed world. But if the current Doha round of the World Trade Organization does not move, then demand and supply of food in the international market would not be stable.
Financial security in Asia Pacific
Vannarith Chheang, EWC-APLP 2008-2009
When I am writing this short paper, many people are panic by the current financial crisis in the
Asia Pacific has experienced two big financial crisis, Asian financial crisis in 1997-8 and US and global financial crisis in 2008. Learning from the Asian financial crisis, the
Since long time the West believes in laissez fair/free trade and market economy with less state intervention. Liberation of economic system and let the market determines equilibrium by itself. Productive and perfect equilibrium exist the market mechanism so it is no need to intervene by outside forces. Are these believes true? Not quite. Now we see the tendency towards a stronger role played by the sate to deal with market troubles. Developmental states model from the East Asian region could be reinvigorated and learned by other parts of the world. The globalization now reaches the point where strong institution is necessary. In addition, regional and global institution must prove more effective and collectively response to the crisis. Governance is the core concern here.
Besides the role of the state, in order to have financial security in the future, we need to balance between tangible and intangible economy. Tangible economy comprises real products and process of manufacturing and supply chains of goods. Intangible economy is financial services which could not be seen but powerful. If we let the intangible economy goes much faster than real economy for instance the case of the
environment and human health
Environment and human health :
landscape, land cover, land use and vector-borne diseases
Sophie O. Vanwambeke
Over the past decades, numerous infectious diseases have emerged and re-emerged, a number of which are vector-borne diseases. The increasing incidence of these diseases has been attributed to a complex constellation of factors, but socio-economic and environmental are among the most important. The emergence of vector-borne diseases has been documented through wide areas of the globe: tropical regions continue to suffer from old scourges such as malaria, but also face increasing threats from the mosquito-borne dengue. Temperate areas are also dealing with this issue, e.g. Europe, where tick-borne diseases persist and have increased as a public health problem. The main focus of the research is the quantitative investigation of links between the environment and human health. The approach emphasizes the integration of landscape in vector-borne diseases transmission, as a vector habitat, and as the place of human activities. Examples will include mosquito-borne diseases in Thailand and tick-borne diseases in continental Europe.
Sophie O. Vanwambeke
Assistant professor
Department of Geography
University of Louvain (UCL), Belgium
Visiting researcher in Asia-Pacific Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH
First fire exchange between Cambodia and Thailand
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) -- Soldiers from both Cambodia and Thailand were wounded Friday in a brief clash along their volatile border, officials from the two countries said.
A Cambodian soldier is shown at the Preah Vihear temple in late July.
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said a Cambodian soldier was slightly wounded when Thai troops fired a grenade from their territory. He said Cambodian troops returned fire, with the "military incident" lasting less than a minute.
Thai officials initially denied knowledge of the incident, but a Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman later said Cambodian troops had encroached on Thai territory and had been the first to fire, wounding two Thai troops.
Tensions along the normally peaceful border between Cambodia and Thailand flared on July 15 after UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency, approved Cambodia's application to have a disputed 11th century temple named a World Heritage Site. Friday's clash took place about two miles (three kilometers) west of the temple, Preah Vihear.
A spokesman for Cambodia's Cabinet, Phay Siphan, said the incident began after Cambodian troops intercepted a trespassing Thai patrol. He said the Thai troops retreated in response to a warning from the Cambodians, but then fired the grenade.
Cambodian troops returned fire with AK-47 assault rifles, with the exchange of fire lasting three to five minutes, he said.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said Friday evening that the Thai troops had been patrolling in their own territory when they encountered the Cambodian soldiers.
"The Cambodian troops shot at the Thai troops first, wounding two soldiers. One Cambodian soldier was also wounded after the Thais responded," he said.
Lt. Gen. Wiboonsak Ngeepan, the regional army commander for northeastern Thailand, said it was unclear if the Cambodians intruded intentionally or had strayed into Thailand because "the area is dense forest."
Both countries have long claimed Preah Vihear, but the World Court awarded it to Cambodia in 1962.
After UNESCO approved the temple's listing as a World Heritage Site, Thailand sent troops to occupy the nearby Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, also claimed by Cambodia.
Cambodia responded with its own troop deployment. The two sides came close to a shootout on July 17 when Cambodian monks sought to celebrate Buddhist lent in the pagoda.
Troops on both sides raised their weapons, but no shots were fired, and the Cambodians eventually backed down.
Since then there has been a limited troop withdrawal from the area, and talks have been held several times on resolving the conflicting claims, but without much progress.
Before Friday's clash was reported, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh told reporters that he and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would travel to Cambodia on Oct. 13 to discuss the border issue with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
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