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Development Weekly
Development Weekly is the only press review on development in Cambodia.
Click here to view The Mekong Times Today's Articles:
•Police crackdown on protestors:Phnom Penh authorities yesterday deployed riot police armed with batons, shields, and tear gas to crackdown on hundreds of people who had gathered for a trade union-led march against alleged Thai incursions near Preah Vihear temple.The crackdown came as Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers are to meet today in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin in a bid to find a lasting solution to the lingering border dispute, which brought the two neighbors close to an armed clash, AP reported yesterday.The new meeting follows two inconclusive rounds of talks.On July 28, the two nations’ foreign ministers agreed on a plan to withdraw their troops from the disputed area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple to reduce tensions.Both countries completed moving most of their troops from the nearby Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda Saturday, said Hang Soth, director-general of the Preah Vihear National Authority, a government agency managing the historic site, according to AP. “The tension has eased considerably. There is no more confrontation,” Hang Soth told AP Sunday, calling the troop withdrawals a “good process giving us hope” about the new talks.Information Minister Khieu Kanharith confirmed yesterday that there were only 20 soldiers – 10 Cambodian and 10 Thai – in the grounds of the pagoda.Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej and the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Anupong Paojinda, will visit Thai military officials stationed near Preah Vihear temple this morning, according to the Bangkok Post’s website. General Anupong is expected to oversee the Thai soldiers’ operations along the Thai-Cambodian border. Yesterday’s abortive protest in Phnom Penh, held at the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU) headquarters, was held in protest against the presence of Thai soldiers on what Cambodia claims is its sovereign territory.Phnom Penh authorities said the demonstrators did not receive official permission and, fearing anti-Thai riots similar to the 2003 troubles that saw the Thai embassy razed to the ground, officers moved in.Demonstrators and human rights groups called the authorities’ actions a violation of human rights. Some protestors were injured though no concrete figures were available.Many have cited today’s bilateral talks as another reason for the police crackdown. Phnom Penh Police Chief Touch Naroth said no demonstration could force Thai forces to withdraw. “This riot, or demonstration, could cause disorder and bigger problems because in the past, illegal demonstrators burned down the Thai embassy, making the government pay tens of millions of dollars back to Thailand … They should travel to encourage soldiers at Preah Vihear temple. It is better. They should not demonstrate in the city center.”But for some, the force had been applied in the wrong place.“The crackdown by Phnom Penh authorities is very bad,” said Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA). “We gathered at our head office. [They] tore down the banners at the head office. This reflects the police’s weaknesses. Cambodians are demonstrating to demand that Thai troops pull out of Cambodian territory, but authorities cracked down [on us] instead. Police should have cooperated with workers and teachers.” FTU President Chea Mony said if the authorities’ harsh response had been leveled at Thai troops, Thai soldiers will not encroach upon Cambodian territory. “I think the suppression showed the weakness of the authorities. For this dispute, we do not need to negotiate with Thailand because Thailand invaded Cambodia. We must file a complaint with the UN Security Council and UNESCO,” he said. Touch Yuthea•Khieu Kanharith: Ministerial meeting will end military confrontation:A second two-day meeting between the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers will be held today in Hua Hin, Thailand to continue to discuss unresolved issues raised in their first meeting and review the new situation regarding the disputed border areas where the two sides have recently agreed to reduce their military presence. Khieu Kanharith, minister of information and government spokesman, granted an interview yesterday with Neth Pheaktra, editor-in-chief of The Mekong Times, to talk about the meeting. What is on the agenda for the meeting between the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers? How optimistic is Cambodia about a solution? The meeting might identify detailed points of measures to prevent a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand along the border. It is true that we have the mechanism to solve the problem already, but we will still implement a solution. I would like to stress that the Preah Vihear temple issue was caused by Thai opposition groups, but not the Thai government. Cambodia hopes that the meeting this time will normalize the situation along the border like the situation before July 15. Meanwhile, we have been talking about planting border markers with Thailand. We have talked about planting 40 border markers in addition to a total of 73 border markers planted along the Cambodian-Thai border of more than 800 km. We will put aside any border area where the situation is tense, and if we can not solve it, we will take it up with the UN. Hence, we have to discuss any point which can be resolved. To return the situation to normal, like before July 15, both sides will have to talk about the reduction of their military presence, but we are still negotiating border issues. Is the government still continuing to call for calm? Yes. In Thailand, we see that when a demonstration breaks out that it is the trick of the opposition groups. Now, the opposition in Cambodia also follows the example of Thai opposition groups while the government is trying to solve the problem. The opposition can not help solve anything, but instead they criticize Cambodians and the Cambodian government. This does not produce any benefit.Some Cambodians urge talks at the UN rather than bilateral talks. What is your comment? They do not understand the international situation. If we take up the issue with the UN at this time, how will we solve it? The UN cannot offer solutions … just recommendations. Their recommendation is that Cambodia and Thailand have to try to hold bilateral talks. If the body just offers recommendations, why do we need the UN to lecture us? Why don’t we go and talk [ourselves]? Cambodia has many scholars and does not need others to lecture us …As a final resort, we can go to the UN, but we have to understand that the UN is not the one who solves the problem, but just gives recommendations through the UN Security Council where we will be asked to solve the problem bilaterally. Hence, some opposition groups do not understand the way to lead the country and should listen to us to some extent. After the ministerial meeting of Aug 18-19 ends, Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, head of the Cambodian delegation to the talks, will meet with the Thai King. Why?Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong will meet with the Thai King just to make a normal report. As we know, all Thai troops are under the order of the Thai King

Business Press
Business Press is the only weekly press review on economy in Cambodia.
Business Press Headlines
•Cambodia waits for next Thai gov't to discuss oil reserves•Takeo's rice fields damaged by locusts•GE opens branch•Infinity insurance opens doors•New World Bank head to visit Cambodia•Local investment company plans SEZ in Poipet•PM demands for halt to filling in of Kob Srov lake•Apsara authority orders Korean golf course halted•Cambodia striding towards sustainable energy development

DFDL MEKONG - CAMBODIA

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Foreign Direct Investment

General Foreign Direct Investment

Project	Client	Description of project and involvement by MLG/DFDL Mekong and lawyers working with DFDL Mekong
*Acquisition of Hotel Cambodiana*	Royal Group of Companies	Advise client, negotiate, draft and act on completion of multi-million dollar acquisition of entity.
*Purchase of Camintel*	AZ Communications
*Purchase of Camshin*	Telecom Malaysia
*Joint Venture for Integrated Community*	Ciputra	Advised client and negotiated joint venture as local counsel in relation to the development of a multi-million dollar integrated community to be developed in Phnom Penh.
*Joint Venture for Hotel Development in Siem Reap*	Royal Group of Companies	Advised client and negotiated with respect to all project agreements for the development of a luxury hotel in Siem Reap.
*Joint Venture to establish international-standard bank*	Royal Group	Advise client in relation to the US$18 million joint venture with ANZ Banking Group to form ANZ Royal Bank (Cambodia) PLC, Cambodia's only international-standard bank.
*Banking Advice*	ANZ Royal Bank	Adviser to ANZ Royal Bank on all legal matters. Bank commenced trading in August 2005, with branches nationwide within 2 years. First externally–linked multi-bank ATMs in Cambodia and first internet banking service provider.
*Cement joint venture investment in Cambodia*	Siam City Cement (controlled by Holcim). Value up to $40 million	Cement grinding and manufacturing facility in Sihanoukville Province, Cambodia.
*Cement joint venture investment in Cambodia*	Siam Cement's Project value: US$100 million	Investment in limestone mining venture and cement manufacturing facility in Kampot Province, Cambodia.