Defusing Tensions by Going to the Agreements Achieved
The Mirror, Vol. 15, No. 704
As I continued to receive further comments about the reporting and commenting about the conflicts at the border, both positive and negative – however hardly with specific, detailed responses pointing out where I was supposedly violating the expected balance.
What I am committed to do, is to make all possible efforts to provide clear and reliable information. And, as I have said repeatedly, I regret that clear information about some simple, basic facts is not easily available in the country. The result is that rational argument is often easily derailed and turned into emotional excitement.
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How to Cross Borders – to Become Better Neighbors
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 695
We had a reference this week in The Mirror about the dream some people in the country have about America. It is probably safe to say that at the other side, opposite to such a dream to visit, or even to emigrate to the USA, there are the images of historical conflicts between Khmer and Vietnamese people, which extend emotionally until today. All such images need to be tested in reality.
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Memorandum on Cambodian-Thai Border Issues
The Mirror, Vol. 15, No. 701
Border issues between Cambodia and Thailand have been heating up recently again – long standing unsolved issues related to sections of the border which have not been resolved. Without going at present into the reasons why tensions are increasing again, we would like to provide to our users the possibility to read the Cambodian-Thai Memorandum of Understanding on border issues signed on 14 June 2000.
The Thai Prime Minister is at present faced with demonstrations by several groups which all agree on one common goal: to move the government to cancel all border agreements with Cambodia. Some of them call for war. But the Thai Prime Minister has clearly rejected these patriotic claims: he upholds these agreements with Cambodia.
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Different Peoples Can Live Together, We Have to Learn to Do It Better
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 695
This week, we had several pieces of information related to various different types of relationships between people of different ethnic backgrounds or nationalities. Relationships on the basis of geography and history, or because of emigration. Sometimes a strange mixture of such different reasons – trying to escape from political oppression or dire economic need, and other reasons. There are people who voluntarily move to a different country trying to realize a dream. But again, the information which led to such decisions may have been insufficient – or even outright wrong.
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After the Visit of the UN Secretary General
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 688
Though the Cambodia visit of the UN Secretary General was short and The Mirror had carried already two reflections and reports – Reflections on Cambodia in the United Nations, Returning to Cambodia after Six Weeks – Sunday, 24.10.2010 and The UN Secretary-General in Cambodia – Wednesday, 27.10.2010 there was also information which had later been clarified – implying also some change in content – and it is obvious that the festive banner decorations, put up in Phnom Penh to welcome the UN Secretary General, did, at the end, not easily correspond to the course of events.
Cambodia and Europe Connections
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 686
On Monday, the Phnom Penh Post reported that the French airline “Air France eyes Cambodian skies.”
The report said also that the French ambassador was asking for support from the Cambodian government, and also, that Prime Minister Hun Sen “highly encourages the airliner’s intention to invest.” Also the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents is, of course, interested, this “would provide additional opportunities for French and European tourists to visit Cambodia.” At present visitors from Europe have to travel through Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. “We hope the planned direct flight would lure many tourists from France and Europe since it would reduce travel time and expense.”
Cambodia and Thailand Will Speed Up Creating a Special Economic Zone after Diplomatic Relations Have Been Restored
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 680
“Yesterday [29 August 2010], Cambodian and Thai officials promised to speed up establishing the Ou Neang Special Economic Zone in Banteay Meanchey soon, saying that the zone is a sign of warm relations between the two countries.
Vietnam Tightens Military Ties with the United States of America while It Has Border Tensions with China
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 677
“Vietnam shows new military relations with the United States of America this month amid more tensions with China, as both countries claim some territory in the South China sea as belonging to their respective countries.
Cambodian and Korean find love in Asia
I really like this Korean show called "Love in Asia". It is about foreigners who marry Koreans and their stories. There are more than 1 million foreigners in Korea, according to the "Love in Asia" website. One memorable episode was about a woman from Moldova (people in Korea all think she is from the Maldives) who married a Korean man and how she and her children live in Korea. Her older son found it difficult because his Korean classmates discriminated against him because he looks different.
The Third Bilateral Meeting between Cambodia and the United States of America
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 666
“Phnom Penh: According to an announcement of the US Embassy on 21 May 2010, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr. Scot Marciel, and a Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr. Ouch Borith, chaired the third annual discussion between Cambodia and the United States of America. Both delegations discussed many topics, such as US aid to Cambodia, food security, climate change, security cooperation, and general issues in the region.