The biggest loser

Bangkok Post All eyes will now be on the Thai "spy" Sivarak Chutipong as he is back in his homeland. Politicians will surround him hoping to take credit for his freedom. Some people will look at him and see the perfect victim, the guy who was at the wrong place at the wrong time, the biggest loser in this power struggle with no rules of engagement.

If the flight data was public information (as it obviously was) why did its staff have to bother Sivarak in the first place?

I feel sympathy for Sivarak but I do not think he is the "biggest loser". There certainly are many bigger buffoons in this diplomatic brouhaha: Former premier Thaksin, who feels the need to serve as Cambodia's economic adviser just to irk the Abhisit government. PM Abhisit, who overplayed the part a little when he proposed that the Thai-Cambodian Memorandum of Understanding be torn up. PM Hun Sen, who's orchestrated the Thai domestic strife for his own benefit so ostensibly it makes some people wonder if he were a member of the Thai opposition party. And members of the opposition party, who've been scurrying around like hungry rats at the smell of cheese as they try to cash in as much as possible on the suffering of both Sivarak and his mother.

Sivarak has paid the price of fulfilling his duty as a "good citizen" by spending sleepless nights in a Cambodian jail. Now, shouldn't FM Kasit pay for the less than foolproof operation at his ministry, too?

If I have to choose only one person who stands to lose the most from this sorry saga, it would be Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can blame Hun Sen as much as it likes about the seemingly unnecessary conviction, and later pardon, of the Thai man. But it cannot escape its share of responsibility.

It can go on defending itself reasoning that the information it reportedly asked Sivarak to pass on to its staff - Thaksin's flight data - was in the public domain and therefore not classified. It can claim Phnom Penh was being childish and acting up. It can come up with any number of excuses. But it should also know that it does not have total deniability in this matter.

If the flight data was public information (as it obviously was) why did its staff have to bother Sivarak in the first place? It's true that the claim is according to Sivarak's testimony to the Phnom Penh court, but the ministry has neither confirmed nor denied the allegation. It has not come out to clearly state what actually happened: did it, or did it not ask Sivarak to supply the information? With the tension between the two countries making headlines every day, there is also this question: Shouldn't our Foreign Ministry know better than to put one of our citizens at risk?

So, PM Hun Sen is as much to blame as the Thai government in cooking up the spy charge; but as head of the organisation whose staff was implicated in the arrest and trial of a fellow Thai man without adequate reason or clear defence, FM Kasit should show his spirit.

Kasit Piromya and key leaders of PAD sues by Thai Airways for seizure related damage

Thai Airways is suing key leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy and their supporters, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, for 575 million baht for damage caused by their seizure of Bangkok's two airports last year.

Just over a year ago, inside Suvarnabhumi airport.

Bampen Sappasri, representing THAI, yesterday lodged a civil complaint with the Civil Court against 36 leaders and key supporters of the yellow shirt alliance for causing damage to the airline during their blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports between Nov 25 and Dec 4 of last year.

THAI said the blockades disrupted its passenger and cargo services and cost it a large amount of money.

THAI is demanding more than 575 million baht in damages plus 7.5% in annual interest.

The 36 defendants include Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphob Thongchai, Suriyasai Katasila, Somsak Kosaisuk, Democrat MP Somkiat Pongpaibul, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, and Mr Kasit. The court has accepted the case for hearing. A preliminary hearing has been set for Feb 22.

From killing fields to US candidate

Phnom Penh Post

Sam Meas, the first Cambodian-American to seek congressional office, talks about growing up in war-torn Cambodia, his move to the US and his outlook on the Kingdom’s political situation.

Meas recently took time out from working and campaigning to conduct an email interview with the Post.

Sam Meas, a 36-year-old investment analyst from Haverhill, Massachusetts, is a Republican candidate for the United States congress in Massachusetts’ 5th District. He is the first Cambodian-American to run for Congress, or any other state or federal office in US history. Sam Meas and a cousin crossed the border from Cambodia into Thailand’s Khao-I-Dang refugee camp in 1983. He came to the US to live with a foster family in 1986, and went on to graduate from Virginia Tech University in 1996. Sam

What were the most striking things about the United States for you when you arrived in 1986?

Our flight arrived in New York City at night from Europe. The view of the city from the plane was the most incredible sight I have ever laid my eyes on. Bright lights were lighting up the city grids from the ground. I thought it was heaven on earth.

The second striking feature was the highway system. A group of us took the taxi from the airport to the hotel. We were driven through underpasses, overpasses and underground tunnels. I was just mesmerised by the wonder of it all. The tall buildings and modernity of everything in America were just incredible. I had never seen any of these things before in my life.

Last but not least, I was pleasantly surprised by the kind and welcoming people in America. True to their reputation, Americans are kind, compassionate and caring people.

What are your memories of life in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge?

I was very young when the Khmer Rouge took Kandal province; It has since been relayed to me that I was just 2 years old at the time. My father was arrested and never to be seen again, meaning that he, like so many other thousands of teachers and intellectuals, was executed....

My older brothers and sisters were drafted to be part of the Khmer Rouge’s new Army of Labour and sent to work far away. I never saw much of them after they left.... While my mother was putting in 12-hour days for Angka in the field, my brother and I spent our time between our mud hut and the day care centre at the communal kitchen. One of our jobs, besides fending for ourselves, was collecting cow manure....

I did witness individual murders and mass killing. My family was spared, I was told, solely because the local Khmer Rouge village chief attested that our family was part of the “liberated people” or “old people”.

What are your thoughts on the current state of politics in Cambodia?

Cambodia, like many other countries that are recovering from years of protracted civil war, is lacking much and needs rebuilding on so many fronts – the economy, education, healthcare, social justice, respect for the rule of law, respect for private property, human rights, independence of the judicial system and transparency and accountability at all levels of government – all at the same time.

Has some progress been made?

The answer is yes. Can more be done and at a faster pace? Absolutely.

Would the economy of Cambodia greatly benefit from an independent judicial system and greater respect for private property?

I believe so.

On September 10, the US congress heard testimony from Cambodian witnesses who detailed a litany of human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by the Cambodian government, with Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian Mu Sochua claiming that Cambodian democracy is experiencing “an alarming free fall”. Do you find these testimonies credible?

This is all the more reason why there is an urgent need for an independent and transparent judicial system in Cambodia – so that any allegations, as well as lawsuits and countersuits, can be brought forward in the Cambodian courts. Only in an independent Cambodian court can the truth be found by a Khmer judge and the Khmer people. As a US congressman, I will fight to right these injustices.

This is a good day at work

News.com.au MP caught napping during NATO speech

Was representing Australia as an observer.

Last year was seen sleeping in Parliamen.

THE deadly war in Afghanistan was all a bit of a yawn for Victorian MP Fran Bailey as she enjoyed one last free trip on the taxpayer.

The serial snoozer was caught napping on the last day of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh, where the defence alliance promised "substantially more forces" would be sent into Afghanistan.

This photo clearly shows the Member for McEwen sound asleep while representing Australia as a NATO observer.

It's not the first time Ms Bailey, 63, has fallen asleep on the job, the Herald Sun reports.

Last year in Parliament, Labor MP Anthony Albanese asked: "I wonder if someone can get the Member for McEwen a pillow." It was too much for Labor MP Daryl Melham, who interjected: "She is constantly asleep!"

Ms Bailey, who is retiring at the next election, is in Europe as part of an Australian parliamentary delegation to the NATO Assembly.

She was selected for the "last lap" jaunt by chief Opposition whip Alexander Somlyay.

Ms Bailey's spokesman said she could not be contacted yesterday because it was the middle of the night in Scotland and she would probably be asleep.

It is her second trip to Europe this year, after a mid-year study tour to Germany to investigate firefighting techniques that could be applied to her bushfire-ravaged seat east of Melbourne.