-Thai troops accused of crossing Cambodia border
-Former Cambodian, Chinese nationals granted citizenship -Cambodian Phone Network Gets Funding for Rural Coverage *Thai troops accused of crossing Cambodia border* PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (CNN) -- Nearly 100 Thai soldiers crossed into Cambodian territory Wednesday near a disputed border temple that was the site of clashes last year, Cambodian officials said. The Thai army denied the claim. Thai soldiers crossed into the area of the 11th century Preah Vihear temple about 1:40 p.m., said Phay Siphan, secretary of the Cambodian Council of Ministers. The two sides did not fight and Cambodia has asked Thailand to pull back. Thai Army Col. Sansern Kaewkumnerd said the troop movement was part of a normal rotation and that Thai soldiers had not gone anywhere they were not permitted to be. For months last year, the two countries saber-rattled over the ancient temple. The nations differ on whether some territory around the temple forms part of Thailand <http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/Thailand> or Cambodia. Both countries posted troops in the area after the United Nations in July approved Cambodia's application to have the temple listed as a World Heritage Site -- a place the United Nations says has outstanding universal value. The temple sits atop a cliff on Cambodian soil but has its most accessible entrance on the Thai side. The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia<http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/Cambodia>in 1962. Thailand claims, however, that the 4.6 sq. km (1.8 square mile) area around it was never fully demarcated. Thailand says the dispute arose from the fact that the Cambodian government used a map drawn during the French occupation of Cambodia -- a map that places the temple and surrounding area in Cambodian territory. The United Nations' decision re-ignited tensions, with some in Thailand fearing it will make it difficult for their country to lay claim to disputed land around the temple. Last year's flare-up began July 15, when Cambodian guards briefly detained three Thais who crossed into the area. Once they were let go, the three refused to leave the territory. Cambodia claimed Thailand sent troops to retrieve the trio and gradually built up their numbers. Thailand denied that, saying its troops are deployed in Thai territory. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/25/thailand.cambodia.border.tension/ * * *Former Cambodian, Chinese nationals granted citizenship* (25-03-2009) HCM CITY — HCM City’s Justice Department handed over a decision to grant Vietnamese citizenship to 32 foreigners residing in the city at a ceremony held yesterday. Among the country’s newest citizens, 21 previously had Cambodian nationality, nine had no nationality and two were Chinese citizens, according to Nguyen Nguyet Hue, deputy director of the municipal Justice Department. The decision, coded 96/QD-CTN, was signed by President Nguyen Minh Triet on January 14. Huynh Minh Tuan, who used to carry Cambodian citizenship, currently lives in the Thu Duc District. He said that he was moved and felt honoured by becoming a Vietnamese citizen. Tuan and the 31 other recipients of Vietnamese citizenship pledged to exercise all rights and obligations of Vietnamese citizens in accordance with the law. They will receive other documents needed for their new citizenship from the relevant municipal agencies. — VNS http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=04SOC250309 *Cambodian Phone Network Gets Funding for Rural Coverage* IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has organized a US $100 million investment in Cambodian mobile network operator, CamGSM to help strengthen the telecommunications sector and expand access to affordable mobile services in rural areas. IFC is providing up to $40 million from its own account and has mobilized an additional $60 million from ABN AMRO, Cordiant Capital, DnB NOR, and Nordea. CamGSM plans to expand and improve existing network coverage and services, particularly in rural areas where the majority of Cambodians live and poverty rates are highest. “IFC is providing long-term financing, which is not readily accessible in frontier markets like Cambodia,” said Jeffrey Noble, CamGSM’s interim CEO. “This is a wonderful vote of confidence in Cambodia at a time when the impact of the global recession has started to affect the economy. IFC’s reputation has also brought in other international banks, which should attract more such important financing to the country.” IFC’s investment is also designed to support the government’s goal of stimulating competition in the telecommunications sector. As part of the initiative, CamGSM aims to add an additional 2 million subscribers by 2010, and to help businesses grow by providing them with better mobile internet coverage. “Expanding availability of affordable cell phones will be of great benefit to poorer people,” said Sin Foong Wong, IFC Country Manager for Cambodia. “This will allow distant family members to stay in touch, village health workers to get expert advice in emergencies, and farmers to keep up with market prices.” He also noted that cell-phone banking is another benefit that will allow people to pay bills and transfer money safely. CamGSM, which is branded in the market as Mobitel, is owned jointly by Millicom International (61.5%) and Royal Group (38.5%). Since Millicom launched in the 1990s, IFC has made nine investments in the company’s operations in Asia and Central and South America. According to data from the Mobile World <http://www.themobileworld.com/>analysts, the country ended last September with an estimated 3.5 million mobile phone users - representing a population penetration level of just 24%. CamGSM is by far the largest of the six networks in the country with around 2.1 million customers. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ The articles and commentaries on this forum reflect only the personal opinion(s) of the poster(s) and not that of any organization or group with which the moderator(s) is (are) affiliated. A forwarded message or event may be posted for informational/educational purposes. Unless specifically stated, no endorsement of the posted opinions/events should be implied. 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