“A senior official of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) said that 35 people suffered from mines and unexploded ordinances [UXOs] in January 2007.
“CMAC Director-General Mr. Khem Sophon said that 7 of the 35 dead victims were CMAC staff. 23 of the 35 victims were the victims of mine explosions while the other 12 were the victims of UXOs.
“The rate of mortality for January 2007 has decreased by 10 persons compared to January 2006.
“Mr. Khem Sophon said also that since January 2007, CMAC has cleared more than 16,000 square meters and destroyed more than 3,600 mines and more than 10,000 UXOs. The CMAC sets goal is to destroy 2,644 mines on 6,000 square meters. In addition to that, CMAC plans to destroy 117,900 UXOs on the former battlefield of 1,446,000 square meters. 114,457 people of 168 village throughout the country will receive both direct and indirect benefit from land clearing.
“CMAC also hopes to assist development activities in 251 places and on former mined fields. Cleared land will be used to build 26 residential sites, 102 farms, as well as 61 rehabilitation centers, schools, and pagodas
“Mr. Khem Sophon said also that CMAC has increased the number of its volunteers working in demining and cleaning UXOs. Demining volunteers will work in 18 of the 26 districts during 2007. At the same time, UXO volunteers will work in 16 of the 22 districts.
“He said volunteers play very important roles in educating people about the danger of mines and UXOs. They are also key informants about the existence and whereabout of mines.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1287, 10.3.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Saturday, 10 March 2007
Chakraval, Vol.15, #2658, 10.3.2007
- If There Is No Resolution Outside the Court System, Samdech Krom Preah Will Not Return To The Country [according to sources close to Prince Ranariddh]
- 10th Anniversary of Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction Will Be Held in Phnom Penh [from 12 to 14 March]
- One-Star General Mr. Mok Chan Sokhon Provided 10 Tons of Rice to Prek Pra Villagers
- Four Foreigners Were Sentenced to 11 and 12 Years in Prison Over the Charge of Selling Cambodian Girls to Be Prostitutes in Malaysia
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1287, 10.3.2007
- The Construction of the Samdech Hun Sen Phnom Penh Thmey High School Was Completed and Will Be Inaugurated Soon [the newspaper displayed one full page of color pictures and description about school buildings, including cafeteria, teachers’ residence…]
- A Young Man Was Arrested Over the Killing and Throwing A Young Women Into A Lake After He Could Not Rape Her [he slashed her five times on the neck and wrist because she strongly resisted; she died on the way when being carried to a hospital]
- 35 People Suffered From Mines And Unexploded Ordnance in Early 2007
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5987, 10.-11.3.2007
- Two Cambodian Women Receive Awards [for courageous women] from the US State Department; Director of the Cambodia Women’s Crisis Center Received the First One [from Condoleezza Rice for the 2007 Women’s Day for Ms. Oung Chanthol, and Ms. Ith Mathura, legal adviser, Community Legal Education Center, the awards are]
- [Phnom Penh City] Plans to Build Art Markets Near the National Museum [along Street 178 where there are many private sellers of paintings and sculptures since long time ago]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.40, #4232, 10.3.2007
- Samdech Krom Preah [Norodom Ranariddh] Cancels His Plan to Testify in Court [as his supporters told him that the court would never give him justice]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #2987, 10.3.2007
- Apsara Authority Fired one Workers Who Created a Labor Union [members of Cambodia Construction Workers Trade Union Federation, based in Siem Reap, expressed disappointment as their leader was temporarily dismissed]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3,#349, 10.3.2007
- Officials of the Phnom Penh Municipality Agreed to Respond to [member of parliament] Son Chhay’s Question Regarding the Sale of Boeng Kak Area [after he and a number of residents staged a sit-in and waited to meet the city governor to clarify details about the sale of the area; Deputy Governor Mr. Pa Socheatvong met the lawmaker instead
- Officials of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal Asked the Open Society Justice Initiative [OSJI] to Make Corrections In Their Statement Concerning Corruption Allegations Among Cambodia Judges And Prosecutors [the OSJI said it is alleged that Cambodia officials deduct 30% of their salary and it pay to the government as kickback in exchange for their jobs appointments, which is denied]
- One Murder Occurs After Another Because of the Culture of Impunity [popular singer Pov Panhapich and union leader Hy Vuthy were murdered last month, but no suspects has been arrested]
