The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 548
“During her visit to Cambodia, Queen Sofía of the Kingdom of Spain paid a visit to the National Institute of Education on the morning of 20 February 2008, visiting the workplace of the Open Schools Program, using communication and information technology, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the [Cambodian non-government organization] Open Institute, with support from the Spanish International Coopertion Agency for Development [Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo] for the Khmer Software Initiative KhmerOS.
“Mr. Kol Pheng, the Senior Minister and Minister of Education, who was present to welcome the Spanish Queen Sofía, explained that with the support from the Spanish International Coopertion Agency for Development and the Khmer Software Initiative KhmerOS, the Ministry of Education initiated the Open Schools Program, making free [Open Source] computer programs in the Khmer language available, for word processing, for Internet use including blogging, and many other computer programs. Currently, these programs are being introduced in all Teachers’ Training Colleges and in all high schools [that have computers] in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
“The Senior Minister also stated that the Ministry of Education considers that the wide utilization of technology is a crucial element for the development of Cambodia, and this becomes possible as this technology can now be used in the national language. Moreover, the Ministry also considers that this system of education provides a vehicle for disseminating technological knowledge to people across the whole country at high speed.
“At this occasion, Mr. Kol Pheng presented to the Queen also an example of original ancient Khmer text inscribed on palm leaves.
“During the tour, Queen Sofía expressed her interest and her appreciation for the good cooperation, which had let also to the creation of a computer laboratory for low cost computers for the sector of education, something which before did not existe in Cambodia. She also talked to students of communication and information technology. These communication and information technology projects are promoted by the Khmer Software Initiative KhmerOS for the Open Schools Program, supported by the Spanish Coopertion Agency for Development, by UNECO, and by InWEnt [Capacity Building International Germany].” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vo.16. #4521, 21.2.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Chakraval, Vol.16, #46, 22.2.2008
- Lawyer [Ang Tony Pa] Accused of Deceiving $150,000 [from a Chinese national in exchange for preparing papers to obtain Cambodian nationality – Phnom Penh]
Chuoy Khmer, Vol.2, #49, 22.2.2008
- Siamese [Thai] Boats Enter to Fish in Khmer Waters; They Are Not Suppressed by Any Authority [Koh Kong]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1574, 22.2.2008
- Samdech Dekchor [Hun Sen] Still Declares to Continue to Appoint Defectors [from other parties, despite request by opposition officials to stop such appointments as government advisors]
- Korean Christians Distributes Rice Gifts to 500 Poor Families in Sihanoukville
- Prohibition of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi [Burmese elected democracy leader – from standing as a candidate because she has been married to a foreigner] Destroys Hope in Elections in Myanmar
- International Community Observes Changes in Cuba after Castro
Khmer Amatak, Vol.9, #559, 22.2.2008
- Eight Human Rights Organizations [the Committee Restrict Laws Enforcement for Human Rights in Cambodia including CNRO, ADVD, HROTP, KERD, KSPC, COLT, VOCRID, and WHC – not well known organizations] Ask the King to Give Amnesty for Samdech Krom Preah So He Can Participates in Elections
- Hearings of [former] Khmer Rouge Leaders Are Planned to Be Held between April and July in Time for Cambodian People’s Party to Conduct Election Campaigns
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #115, 22.2.2008
- Transparency International: Corruption Exists Most in Courts and Police Institutions [in Cambodia]
- Son Chhay [Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian from Phnom Phnom]: Win-Win Policy Makes It Difficult for Me to Breathe
Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6278, 22.2.2008
- Japan Provides Aid of Nearly $3 Million for the Upcoming Elections
- France Seeks Tourist Cooperation in Cambodia
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3394, 22.2.2008
- Concern over Influence of Chinese Economy and Politics on Cambodia
Rasmei Angkor, Vol.15, #1282, 22.2.2008
- Statues of Patriarch Chuon Nath [put in Hun Sen Park] and Statue of Preah Phirum Phiasa Euv Inaugurated [better known as Krom Ngoy who is considered as the father of Khmer poetry – put in the park opposite Cambodiana Hotel]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vo.16. #4521, 21.2.2008
- Spanish Queen Sofía Pays a Visit to the National Institute of Education
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4522, 22.2.2008
- Prime Minister Declares to Provide Positions to All Members of Sam Rainsy Party Steering Committee Who Join Government
[Khmer Republic] Party of [Khmer Republic President] Lon Nol’s Son [Lon Rith] Appears [his party starts its activities]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3254, 22.2.2008
- 90% of Khmer Women, Who Got Married to Taiwan, Fall in Sex Exploitation
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #627, 22.2.2008
- Corruption in Cambodia Is Highest in Asia
