Youth March for Peace

International youth conference stages event in Siem Reap

The Phnom Penh Post
September 25, 2008

MORE than 300 students from around the world who had gathered in Siem Reap for a six-day International Peace Conference marched peacefully through the streets of Siem Reab last Sunday, the International Day of Peace.


The students were given permission to march by officials last Friday, and, awhile there was a large contingent of police stationed along the route, the march was trouble-free, a colourful parade that attracted large crowds of onlookers at several vantage points.

The event was organized by Youth for Peace, and program assistant Sin Putheary told the Post, “The march in Siem Reap went very smoothly. We didn’t expect that more than 300 students would join us in this march, and when I walked with them throught the streets I felt so happy because I had a feeling at feeling at the moment that there is no more war in the world.”

One theme of the conference was that, while conventional wisdom has it that older men usually start wars while young men do the fighting, young people in some countries – of ten the uneducated and uninformed – can be active agents in the agitation to commence war, while in other countries it is the youth who are the champions of peace.

Before the Sunday march, students assembled at the Provincial Teacher Training College on Charles De Gaulle Boulevard. Youth for Peace Executive Director Long Khet told the gathering that an objective of the conference was to get youth from various countries recently war-torn, to share their ideas on how to find justice, peace and reconciliation.

Many of the participants at the conference were invited from counties that had recently experience war.

“We wanted the students to understand the root causes of the wars, and why the war happened. We want them to take advantage of their experiences of war by turning them into experience to help develop their country in the future,” Long Khet said.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport’s Chey Chap said, “It is an important conference that will help pave the way for youth to find peace and justice in their mind. The Cambodian government always tries its best to provide justice and find peace.”


Siem Reap Deputy Governor Mao Vuthy said, “Youth are seeking a way to turn a conflict culture into a peace culture. This conference is also seeking ways to develop the world in this 21st century.”

Project Yet to Bring Promised Prosperity

Vietnam News Service (18-09-2008)

HA NOI - The East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) - a 1,450km highwaylinking central Viet Nam with Laos, Thailand and Myanmar - whichopened two years ago has yet to boost trade equitably among countriesas anticipated.

Statistics released by Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, revealed that inthe first five months of the year, of the 30,000 containers passingthrough the port, there were only 1,000 belonging to Lao enterprises.

According to Thai transport companies, provinces in Thailand’s north-east region each year transport around five million tonnes of cassava,one million tonnes of rice, one million tonnes of ore and 500,000tonnes of rubber latex via Vietnamese ports. However, in reality,freight companies prefer to transport goods through Bangkok ratherthan through Da Nang, which is just 500km away - 200km nearer than theThai capital.

Thai companies claim it takes them two days to transport goods to DaNang and they incur numerous fees. They also say goods take too longto clear customs at four border gates: Mukdahan, Savanakhet, Densavanand Lao Bao.

The Lao Bao border gate in particular has suffered administrativeproblems, admitted Chairman of the central Quang Tri Province’sPeople’s Committee Le Huu Phuc.
Currently, the "one-door" administrative policy has been piloted atLao Bao and Densavan border gates - the first in the Greater Mekongsub-region to apply the policy, which is designed to shorten the timeit takes to clear customs.

However, enterprises using the two gates are still subject to numerouscharges, such as the customs fee, the botanical quarantine feecollected by the Botanical Quarantine Agency and the border-crossingfee collected by border guards.

Aside from the cost, the process is also time-consuming, freightcompanies say.
The provincial People’s Committee is drafting a plan to simplify feecollection procedures for imports and exports.

Customs clearance for imports and exports at Viet Nam’s Lao Bao bordergate are also considered more complex than that in Laos and Thailand.

Another problem encountered by freight companies is that right-handvehicles are not allowed to travel in Viet Nam, according to Lam QuangMinh, Director of Da Nang City’s Investment Promotion Centre.

Despite the fact that transport ministers from Viet Nam, Laos andThailand signed an agreement to permit right-hand-drive vehicles totravel in EWEC countries, Minh says Vietnamese cars and lorries arenot allowed to enter Thailand, while right-hand-drive vehicles areonly permitted to enter Viet Nam’s Lao Bao special commercial andeconomic zone.

Phuc suggested that the Government and the Ministry of Finance (MoF)improve fee-collecting procedures by selling goods-transport ticketsthat covers the total cost of using a border gate.
The MoF and the General Department of Customs should also simplifyprocedures for the temporary import and re-export of goods, Phuc said.

The Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministryof Planning and Investment should issue concrete guidance onimplementing the memorandum of understanding on economic co-operationamong EWEC countries signed by Viet Nam, Laos and Thailand on December26 last year, he added. - VNS

MRC Countries Debate Hydropower Management

By Vientiane Times



(Latest Update September 26, 2008)

More than 200 representatives from member countries of Mekong basin, domestic and international organisations along with the private sector are discussing how to sustain the development of hydropower dams in the Mekong region.

The discussion in Vientiane is hosted by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat for regional multi-stakeholder consultation on its hydropower programme. The meeting is taking place from September 25 to 27.

"Hydroelectricity has long been recognised as one of the cleanest, most sustainable and, in the long run, least expensive methods of generating power," said MRC Joint Committee member for the Lao PDR, Mr Chanthavong Saignasith.

He acknowledged there could be negative impacts associated with hydropower and said it was important the Lower Mekong countries were able to study the benefits and costs associated with dam construction before making decisions.

The MRC provided decision-makers in the four Lower Mekong countries with a sound knowledge platform, enabling them to assess the gains and impacts of each hydropower proposal in a basin-wide context, he said.

This included scientific input from many different fields and sources across the Mekong region and beyond, from village-level fisheries research to international navigation experience. The MRC sources and provides such data, and also assesses plans for various power-generating scenarios through integrated modelling tools.

"The MRC hydropower programme is being designed to assist this decision-making process, and to help set up mechanisms that can make sure countries' concerns are addressed as approved projects are implemented, " said Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat Jeremy Bird.
He said the creation of a framework for regional and cross-sector cooperation on hydropower gives great impetus to sustainable development in the Lower Mekong Basin .

"The MRC believes that developing cooperation and dialogue between countries, at multiple levels of society, can help ensure the growth of the hydropower industry is managed in a way that conserves environmental resources and the livelihoods of the people that depend on them," he said.

Acting MRC Communi-cations Officer Aiden Glendinning stressed the importance of consultation in the decision-making process.

"It is very important to understand that if a country wants to build a dam on the Mekong , it needs to write a letter to the MRC which we can pass on to other members for discussion and agreement," he said.

Mr Glendinning said at a press conference yesterday the MRC's role was to arrange meetings for the four members of the lower Mekong countries - Cambodia , Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam - to discuss the development of hydropower dams. China and Myanmar are dialogue partners of the MRC.

He said regarding the contribution to flow, 16 percent of water came from China, two percent from Myanmar , 18 percent from Cambodia , 35 percent from Laos , 18 percent from Thailand and 11 percent from Vietnam . The volume of water in the Mekong is about 475 cubic kilometres a year, which equals 6,500 cubic metres per person per year.

"Dams will block fish migration and create an unnatural situation for fish, but dams can also provide protection from flooding, store water during the rainy season for use in dry season agricultural activities, and produce electricity, " Mr Glendinning said.

"Meanwhile, you have to share the benefits. That means not only benefits for people near the reservoir, but you have to plan for the sustainability of hydropower and consider ways to help people who live downstream to benefit as well."

Presentations were made by participants from all stakeholder sectors, including national electricity enterprises from the MRC member states, environmental advocacy groups, developers, and national Mekong committees.

Hydropower industry experts from China and outside Asia also attended the consultative meeting. Various different perspectives emerged, and these will help inform the MRC hydropower programme and encourage wider consultation, thus contributing to development outcomes.

The 4th International Conference on Gross National Happiness

The Centre for Bhutan Studies (CBS) is pleased to announce the 4th International Conference on Gross National Happiness, from November 24 to 26, 2008.

The conference will focus on themes related to GNH such as psychology, environment, community relations, education, health, living standard, governance, culture, time use and economy, and their indicators. Interested individuals, including government officials, academics, and NGO representatives, may attend the conference. Those who wish to present papers should submit abstracts and the paper by the end of October 2008.

The participants will have to make their own travel arrangement till Paro airport. CBS will be responsible for local transport from/to airport, and food and accommodation for four days, that is, 23, 24, 25, and 26 of November. Gratis visa will be granted to participants. International participants will have to pay a fee of US $ 300, and discounted fee of Nu. 5,000 for the SAARC nationals.

Inquiries about the conference may be directed to Dorji Penjore at 975-2-335872 or dorpen71@gmail. com. for more information please visit: http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/main/highlight_detail.php?id=41

[LaoFAB] Border trade: China-Laos-Thailand

Quote: "The Chinese government has rented from Laos more than 90,000
rai of land in Ban Ton Phueng in Huaysay, the capital of Bokeo
province, for 99 years. China plans to send about 100,000 people to
settle in the area" Really?


*PORT OF NO RETURN*

Chiang Saen project snags as Chinese investment streaks ahead in Laos,
write Subin Khuenkaew and Naowarat Suksamran in Chiang Rai

Bangkok Post, 13 Sep 2008

View of Chiang Saen port and the Golden Triangle, which is being
developed into a transportation and trade hub in the Mekong sub-
region. A casino and hotel under construction on the Lao side of the
Mekong river, scheduled for completion next year. The properties are
being built on land rented by Chinese investors.

A shuttle boat service can take passengers, including Thai gamblers,
to and from Burma. Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district is crowded with
tourists, but local business operators say more is needed to promote
business in the area.

Boontham Thipprasong, vice-president of the Chiang Rai Chamber of
Commerce and president of the Mae Sai Chamber of Trade. Workers
unload goods from a Chinese cargo vessel at Chiang Saen port. — Photos
by TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

Thailand has yet to make its northern port of Chiang Saen on the
Mekong river ready for the rapid development enjoyed by other areas
around the Golden Triangle.
Cebu Pacific Air Click Here!

While Chinese businessmen have invested in more than 30 business,
housing and entertainment projects on the Lao side opposite Chiang
Rai's Chiang Saen district, the atmosphere in Thailand is described by
local entrepreneurs as quiet.

"We want the government to pay more attention to the second Chiang
Saen port project and speed up work," said Pagaimas Viera, owner of
Mekong Delta Travel Agency.

Local firms and a conservation group share the same worry that the
remote district may miss an opportunity to become a major tourist
destination in the Mekong sub-region and a transport hub linking
southern China with Thailand, Laos and Burma.

The existing Chiang Saen port is considered too small to support
growing economic activities around the Golden Triangle, an area where
the Thai, Lao and Burmese borders meet.

The port is made up of floats, which are inadequate for ships with
goods to load and unload.

According to port officials, goods vessels made 2,500 trips to the
port last year, carrying fruit, vegetables, palm oil and vehicles.

The government has approved construction of the second Chiang Saen
port.

However, according to Tawit Tiyakwang, secretary to the Wiang tambon
administration organisation, other large development projects near the
port are finding it hard to acquire land, which cannot be traded due
to its Sor Por Kor 4-01 title status, which restricts its use to only
agricultural purposes.

The Chinese government has rented from Laos more than 90,000 rai of
land in Ban Ton Phueng in Huaysay, the capital of Bokeo province, for
99 years.

China plans to send about 100,000 people to settle in the area, which
will house new communities, parks, hotels, shopping centres, casinos
and golf courses.

All the projects are expected to be finished in the next year. So far
more than 30% of the work is done and construction proceeds at a rapid
rate.

"Development in Chiang Saen is slower than on the other side of the
river," said Chiang Saen conservation group's Nikorn Laowanit.

Officials in charge of planning should take care of provincial
historic sites, and promote them as tourist spots.

Some business properties in Chiang Saen such as the Golden Triangle
shopping centre and its river transport station were built only to be
abandoned for nearly 10 years. Electricity has been cut and roads
inside the centre are now covered with grass, Mr Nikorn said.

Local businessmen want the second Chiang Saen port built as soon as
possible.

This would complete Chiang Rai's transport systems, including an
international airport.

The port will make the province a water transport centre, said Chiang
Saen port manager Paiboon Podi.

"Then other big development projects would follow," he said.

But the government needs to think of the social impact as well. Chiang
Saen district police chief Pol Col Tirachai Tianchai, for example, is
worried about a possible increase in crime.

URGENT: Call for ASEAN Volunteers in Myanmar Deadline: 25 September 2008

Dear Colleagues,

I am currently deployed to the coordinating office for the ASEAN
Humanitarian Task Force in Yangon,Myanmar for the initial 3 months as
part of a longer arrangement towards establishing an ASEAN-ADPC
partnership.

Following the devastating Cyclone Nargis, the Tripartite Core Group
(TCG) was established as a working mechanism for coordinating,
facilitating and monitoring the flow of international assistance into
Myanmar.

The TCG is urgently looking for ASEAN volunteers to implement
Community Based Early Recovery (CBER) projects in selected villages in
the affected areas of the Delta. One such project is currently being
implemented in Seik Gyi village. Participation in these project will
involve the volunteers staying at the village for a period of at least
three months and helping the village community to implement the
projects.

Volunteers will be given a sufficient amount of allowance to cover
their living expense in Myanmar. This opportunity is extended to
individuals with ASEAN nationalities only preferably with relevant
experience in (but not limited to) the following: disaster management,
humanitarian action, community development and development studies .

If you are interested, please send your updated CV on or before 25
September 2008 GMT 5:00pm to

Dr. Anish Kumar Roy, Special Representative of the ASEAN Secretary
General: aroy.aseanhtf@ gmail.com

copy to:

Ms. Adelina Kamal, Head of Office, Coordinating Office for the ASEAN
Humanitarian: akamal.aseanhtf@ gmail.com

Mr. Philipp Danao, Technical Specialist for Strategic Support for the
ASEAN Humanitarian: phildanao.aseanhtf@ gmail.com

Don Sahong Photography Exhibition

16-27 September 2008 at Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center
(#64, St. 200, Phnom Penh, Cambodia)