Thursday, 31.7.2008: US Ambassador Expressed Disappointment about Release of Russian Millionaire

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 571

“A statement from the US Embassy in Cambodia reported the reaction of Ambassador Mussomeli regarding the release of a Russian millionaire, who was accused of raping many Cambodian little girls. He mentioned that for several years, Cambodia has shown a strong commitment to fight human trafficking. Samdech Prime Minister, many ministers, like the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, of Justice, and of Women’s Affairs, as well as other public officials have testified to the world, how the Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to protect children and other citizens who are easily affected. Also, the world has congratulated Cambodia for this work. ‘We are very disappointed about the release of the Russian millionaire – who has raped children – after the Sihanoukville Court had imposed only a minor punishment on this person. The release of the criminal and the punishment imposed on this person do not fit the crimes committed.’

“Serious punishment is the most effective method to send a message to persons who rape children, that such crimes will never be forgiven. In this case, the court actions strongly affect the nation and the Cambodian children, by sending a wrong signal to those who plan to abuse children sexually. It threatens and destroys the strong efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia to suppress rape and human trafficking in Cambodia.

“Regarding this reaction of the Ambassador, it was not possible to contact the court officials for comments
in the evening of 30 July 2008.” Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6411, 31.7.2008

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 31 July 2008

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1707, 31.7.2008

• German Minister [Ministry of Economy and Technology, Michael Glos] Congratulates the Cambodian People’s Party for its Victory
• The Birth Spacing Is an Important Measure That Helps Save Lives of Mothers and Infants

Khmer Sthapana, Vol.1, #61, 31.7.2008

• Court Rejected Request by [Funcinpec’s new president] Keo Puth Rasmey to Withdraw Lawsuit [of Funcinpec against Prince Norodom Ranariddh – 30 July 2008]

Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6411, 31.7.2008

• US Ambassador Expressed Disappointment about Release of Russian Millionaire
• Supreme Court Upholds the Verdict of the Appeals Court That Convicted Prince Ranariddh to 18 Months Imprisonment
• The Gathering of Protesters by the Sam Rainsy Party in Public Was Prevented, It Had to Be inside of the [Sam Rainsy Party] Headquarters [30 July 2008]
• Mr. Radovan Karadžić [former Serb Bosnian leader, accused of genocidal crimes] Sent to the International Criminal Court in The Hague in the Netherlands [30 July 2008]
• Cholera Killed 172 People in Indonesia [according to AFP]
• South Korea Imports US Beef for the First Time After a Five-Year Suspension

Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3526, 31.7.2008

• The Khmer Rouge Tribunal Waits for More Funds while the Health of the Accused Deteriorates Alarmingly

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4655, 31.7.2008

• The Cambodian People’s Party Will Form a Coalition Government with Funcinpec, Led by [Funcinpec Secretary-General] Nhek Bun Chhay; the Government Removed Funcinpec President Mr. Keo Puth Rasmey from the Position of Deputy Prime Minister [because, on 29 July 2008, he suggested to the Supreme Court to withdraw the lawsuit against Prince Ranariddh], and Prince Sisowath Sereyrath Was Removed from the Position of Government Advisor [because he joined a declaration with three other parties, questioning the fairness of the elections on 28 July]
• The Number of Deaths by Traffic Accidents in Phnom Penh in July Amounts to 30% of the Total Number Countrywide
• Kuwait Prime Minister [Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Arabic: صباح الأحمد الجابر الصباح Sabāh al-Ahmad al-Jābir as-Sabāh) Will Visit Cambodia Three Days [he will arrive in Cambodia on 3 August 2008]

Click here to have a look at the last Mirror editorial – where we provided detailed information about the 2003 election results, to compare them with the election results of 2008, as they become available.

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