Tuesday, 3 March 2009

The Phnom Penh Post News In Brief

In Brief: Vespa rally for women's rights day

Written by Mom Kunthear
Tuesday, 03 March 2009

More than 20 Vespa riders are expected to participate in the Vespa Rally Tour de Phnom Penh on International Women's Rights Day in the capital on Sunday. Tong Soprach, the tour organiser, said: "Everybody can participate since this is a public campaign. I want to tell men they must stop being involved in domestic violence and rape, and stop considering women as things for their pleasure," he said. The Vespa Rally Tour de Phnom Penh starts at 10am on Street 13 near Wat Phnom and will head along Sisowath Quay, Norodom Boulevard and then Monivong Boulevard, before finishing at the Independence Monument.


In Brief: Ministry calls to protect heritage

Written by Khouth Sophak Chakrya
Tuesday, 03 March 2009

The government has urged the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and all local authorities to work together to preserve the nation's cultural heritage as a way of boosting tourism. Thai Naraksatya, a secretary of state at the ministry, told the Post Monday that this policy would help to alleviate rural poverty. "Digging up ancient graveyards and temples damages our nation's cultural heritage and the world's heritage."


In Brief: Three foreigners on drug charges

Written by Chrann Chamroeun
Tuesday, 03 March 2009

Three foreign citizens and one Cambodian were questioned Monday at Phnom Penh Municipal Court in connection with what police said was a drug raid. None of them has been charged, and court prosecutor Sok Kolyan confirmed they would be questioned again today. The foreigners include one citizen from France, an Australian, and one from Vietnam. The four were arrested Saturday evening on suspicion of dealing drugs out of a rented house in Wat Phnom commune.


In Brief: US tourism request

Written by May Kunmakara
Tuesday, 03 March 2009

CAMBODIA has asked the United States for help in improving its tourism sector in the face of the global downturn, said Tourism Minister Thong Khon. The request was made last week during discussions with US Ambassador Carol Rodley in Phnom Penh. Thong Khon asked the US to provide an expert to improve the redrafting of the tourism law which is at the National Assembly awaiting a vote. Cambodia last year received 2.125 million visitors, 5.5 percent higher than 2007 but lower than the ministry had expected. Tourism receipts were US$1.6 billion, up 14 percent.


In Brief: New Mine program

Written by George McLeod
Tuesday, 03 March 2009

AUSTRALIAN mining company Southern Gold has begun a three-year gold and base metals drilling program at its three concessions in Cambodia. The US$4.5 million project is funded by the Japanese government through JOGMEC, a Japanese body tasked with securing stable supplies of natural resources. Two of the properties are in Kratie and one is near Snuol, northeast of Phnom Penh. The Japanese would receive a 51-percent stake in the company, according to a Southern Gold statement. The stock is trading at AU$0.072 on the Australian Stock Exchange.


In Brief: EU meet in Siem Reap

Written by Nguon Sovan
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
COMMERCE Minister Cham Prasidh said Cambodia would host an Asean-EU-US ministerial retreat in Siem Reap province from May 4 to May 6. The meeting is to encourage cooperation between the two regional bodies and the US. "We will invite representatives from the EU and the US to negotiate improved cooperation. And to set up a free trade agreement between Asean and the EU," he said at a press briefing Sunday after returning from the 14th Asean summit in Thailand.

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said that up to 40 delegates will join the meet, which will include the signing of a cooperation agreement between Asean and the EU.

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