The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 549
Top Official of the US Embassy and the Secretary-General of ASEAN Point to the Plan to Strengthen the Secretariat and to Achieve the Goal to Establish the ASEAN Community by 2015
“Phnom Penh: The U.S. Department of State and the US Agency for International Development [USAID] announced a development assistance program to help the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] to achieve its goal of establishing a peaceful, prosperous and stable community of nations, namely the ASEAN Community, by 2015.
“According to a press release of the US embassy in Cambodia on 25 February 2008, the announcement was made by Mr. Scot Marciel, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, East Asia and Pacific Bureau, and Mr. Olivier Carduner, the USAID’s Regional Mission Director, and the new Secretary-General of ASEAN Mr. Surin Pitsuwan today.
“The ‘ASEAN Development Vision to Advance National Cooperation and Economic Integration’ program, in short ADVANCE, will be operated for eight years to match ASEAN’s time frame for establishing the ASEAN Community. ADVANCE received $7 million in funding in 2007 and will continue to be funded on an annual basis.
“Mr. Scot Marciel, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, East Asia and Pacific Bureau, and Mr. Olivier Carduner, USAID’s Regional Mission Director, made the announcement today with Mr. Surin Pitsuwan, the new Secretary-General of ASEAN.
“Mr. Carduner said, ‘ADVANCE is the cornerstone of USAID’s regional assistance program to ASEAN. This program is designed to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat as an institution which provides assistance to select ASEAN sub-regions and member nations, and facilitates greater economic integration and good governance within the region.’
“Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Marciel underlined the Support of the U.S. government for ASEAN, saying, ‘The Joint Vision Statement of the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership, announced by President George W. Bush and ASEAN leaders in 2005, demonstrates the commitment of the US and our friends and allies in Southeast Asia to work together. We have a strong record of cooperation with ASEAN, and ADVANCE will deepen our engagement in the region.’
http://www.asean-us-partnership.org/us_assistance1.htm
“ADVANCE, which stands for ASEAN Development Vision to Advance National Cooperation and Economic Integration, is intended to realize the developmental goals established under the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership Plan of Action signed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in July 2006. The program will complement the ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) which was signed by Ambassador Ms. Susan Schwab, the US Trade Representative, the following year.
“Mr. Surin said, ‘We welcome ADVANCE, which reflects the strong commitment of the US to a vibrant dialogue between ASEAN and the US.’
“Recently, USAID has launched three regional programs under the ADVANCE program.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4525, 26.2.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Chuoy Khmer, Vol.2, #51, 26.2.2008
- 80% of Media Support Cambodian People’s Party
- Ken Sara [president of Student Movement for Democracy] Threatens to Hold Large Demonstration against Siam [Thailand] over the Case of the Preah Vihear Temple
- Civil Society Organizations Criticize Use of National Funds for Ruling Party’s Interest
- Hun Sen Government Classified for Human Rights Violations and Impunity [ironic]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1577, 26.2.2008
- Civil Society [Dr. Kek Galabru, president of the human rights organization Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights]: Demand for Ieng Sary to Also Be Sent to Visit Sites of Killing People
- Samdech Hun Sen Goes to Participate in Inauguration Ceremony of South Korean President [Lee Myung-Bak – Text of President Lee Myung-Bak’s inauguration speech]
- Royal Government of Cambodia Continues Cooperation with US Government on Child Adoption Procedures
- 25 Officials Appointed as Advisors to Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen at Tuol Krasaing [Prime Minister Hun Sen’s headquarters]
- Mobile Customs Officers and National Military Police Seized 23 Trucks Which Illegally Transported Fruit in Kompong Speu [24 February]
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #116, 26.2.2008
- Student Movement [for Democracy] Pushes Khmer Government to Carry Out the Verdict of The Hague Court [concerning the Preah Vihear Temple]
Meatophum, Vol.52, #678, 25-29.2.2008
- Prime Minister Supports Further Constructions of Khmer Scholars’ Statues
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4525, 26.2.2008
- US Government Launches a Comprehensive Development Assistance Program for ASEAN
- Samdech Krom Preah Agrees to Select a [joint] President if Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha [presidents of Sam Rainy Party and of Human Rights Party] Join to Create a New Party
- Former President of Japanese Senate [Tsuchiya Yoshihiko] Acknowledges Progress in Cambodia
- A Malaysian Man Gets Seven Years’ Imprisonment and a Fine of Riel 15 Million [approx. US$3,750] for Drug Trafficking [Phnom Penh]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #630, 26.2.2008
- To Vote for Cambodian People’s Party Is Like to Support Dishonest Businesspeople to Rob Citizens’ Land [Sralanh Khmer editorial]
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