Survivors Sell Books at Prison That Once Held Them

Say Mony,VOA Khmer
Friday, 27 January 2012

Khmer Rouge survivor Chum Mey, 81, right, talks to reporters as another survivor  Bou Meng, 70, left, listens at Choeung Ek stupa, former Khmer Rouge killing                         field in the outskirt of Phnom Penh, file photo.

Bou Meng and Chhum Mey spend less time at the trial of Khmer Rouge leaders these days, and more time at the torture center they both survived. The two men sit at the Tuol Sleng musuem, the former prison known the Khmer Rouge as S-21, selling the stories of their lives to tourists. The men say they are not happy to do so, but they have no choice if they want to earn a living.

Cambodian Youth Ill-Equipped for Asean Integration: Advocates

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Saturday, 14 January 2012 

Him Sothearoth, (far left) is a 4th year student of International Studies at Royal University of Phnom Penh with Cheang Sokha, executive director of Youth  Resource Development Program, on "Hello VOA" program on Monday.

Cambodian youth need better knowledge and skills to compete within the Asean marketplace, as the region becomes more closely integrated, youth advocates say. “It is difficult for individual young people, especially those in the countryside, to know what the job market demands, because their understanding of Asean is still limited,” Cheang Sokha, executive director of the Youth Resource Development Program, told “Hello VOA” Monday.

On Mekong Commission, a Stark Absence of Two Countries

Say Mony, VOA Khmer| Phnom Penh
Wednesday, 04 January 2012

Cambodia is a member of the Mekong River Commission, alongside Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.But there are two countries that also have great influence over the Mekong—Burma and China—who remain mere partners in official discussions over the use the river.The relationship between the commission, Burma and China has come into sharp relief in recent months, as plans for the development of hydroelectric dams

Regime’s History Should Not Just Come From Tribunal: Researcher

Say Mony,VOA Khmer
Friday,23 December 2011

Dy Khamboly, author of "A History of Democratic Kampuchea" and Huy Vannak,  a Public Affairs Officers at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, discuss the importance  of youth participation in the Khmer Rouge trial process.

The Khmer Rouge trial currently under way at the UN-backed court should not be the only source of information Cambodians have, especially the youth, a researcher said Monday. Dy Khamboly, who authored a book on the regime for the Documentation Center of Cambodia, told “Hello VOA” that Cambodian youth must understand the history of the regime to avoid confusion or misinformation; however, that history should come from multiple sources.

No Laos Dam for Now, But Mekong's Fate Unclear

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Tuesday, 20 December 2011

Although Laos has officially put off building a dam in Xayaburi province, researchers say the future of the Mekong is still unclear. Laos's decision to put off the dam was a positive step that recognized the river as common property, but more studies need to be done to find its best use for everyone. (Say Mony, Phnom Penh)

Laos Could Face Major Objections Over Dam: Official

Say Mony, VOA Khmer 
Thursday, 08 December 2011

A senior official for the Cambodian Mekong Committee says that Laos could face a complaint at the International Court if it chooses to go forward with a planned hydroelectric dam without the support of other Mekong countries. The Xayaburi dam project is not supported fully by other Southeast Asian countries, and if it goes forward unilaterally, the country will be in "noncompliance" with a 1995 Mekong River agreement, said Watt Botkosal, deputy secretary-general of the committee.

 Ministers from Mekong countries are scheduled to meet in Siem Reap later this week. (Say Mony in Phnom Penh, interviewing Watt Botkosal.)

With Trial Under Way, Tribunal Faces Questions of Legacy

Say Mony, VOA Khmer | New Jersey
Monday, 05 December 2011

Andrew Cayley,the international prosecutor for the tribunal, who was in the US, spoke to VOA Khmer while giving a talk at Rutgers University, in New Jersey. The international prosecutor at the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal says the court must work to ensure the practice of law if its legacy to Cambodia is to be assured. “We have to show a good example to young lawyers,” Andrew Cayley told VOA Khmer in an interview. Cayley spoke after a talk he gave to law students at Rutgers, in the US state of New Jersey, last month.

Opening Statements Conclude in Khmer Rouge Leaders Trial

Say Mony, VOA Khmer 
Tuesday, 29 November 2011

The Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia wrapped up its opening hearings last week. Prosecutors laid out their case against three individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity that were committed while serving in top leadership positions in the movement

Khieu Samphan a 'Liar,' says U.S. Genocide Professor

Say Mony, VOA Khmer 
Thursday, 24 November 2011

Jailed Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan told a UN-backed court on Wednesday he knew nothing about the mass atrocities that took place while he was the nominal head of the regime. For one genocide researcher attending the landmark trial in Phnom Penh, this sounds unlikely. Say Mony reports for VOA Khmer from the court.

Historic Trial Opens for Aging Khmer Rouge Leaders

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Tuesday, 22 November 2011

The UN-backed tribunal opened a landmark case against three Khmer Rouge leaders in Phnom Penh on Monday, with prosecution claiming the former communists were involved in a criminal policy that led to mass atrocities. The widely welcomed proceedings marked the first substantial hearing for the three leaders, Nuon Chea, 85, the chief ideologue of the regime; Khieu Samphan, 80, its nominal leader; and Ieng Sary, 86, its foreign minister, whose case took four years to investigate and bring to trial. VOA Khmer reports.