Continued from here ...

While we're talking on things of a helpful nature with political connections, the Australian government is giving $12 million to Cambodia for landmine clearing.

There are around SIX MILLION landmines still scattered around Cambodia, and they kill and maim on a daily basis. Putting them in was a fairly simple process that made a bunch of money for a lot of people in the landmine business. Taking them out is far harder and has no financial profit attached.

Sometimes the world runs backwards, doesn't it?

Australia is also about to participate for the first time in international talks aimed at phasing out the use of cluster bombs.

Now, THERE'S a good idea!

There may be more money in line for the country soon, since the Sultan of Brunei has popped over for an official visit. He doesn't just stop by for tea, you know, so there could well be something on offer for the Cambodians.

Lest anyone think His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam travels on a whim, here's a partial list of the folks waving him off at the airport at home: His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Azim, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

And you can bet none of them were there just to carry luggage!

I wonder if he'll be stopping by "Friends" for a sandwich and a smoothie ...

Without any comment but another heavy sigh, I'll mention that the Khmer Rouge trials have officially been delayed ... again ... because no agreement could be reached on the fees the Cambodian Bar Association wants to charge foreign defense counsel.

Here it is ... sigh ...

A couple of cool things to end up with, though ...

Coming in June, the third biennial festival to showcase the cultural heritage of the three Indochinese countries -- Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam -- will be heald at the Heritage Itinerary Festival in Quang Nam, Viet Nam.

Like everything fun in that part of the world, food will feature prominently, and I have no doubt it will be a wonderful event.

And speaking of events, The Sippy Cups will be playing tomorrow, April 7th, at the Kids Opening Day Dugout Concert before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the LA Dodgers in SF.

Paul Godwin, who heads up the family-friendly rock group ... puppets, juggling and all sorts go along with great music like Beatles, Bowie and The Who covers ... is dad to a Cambodian-born son, so I'm happy to give a plug here.

Wish I could be there. It sounds like a FABULOUS day.

Khmer New Year is coming up, and I'm happy to pass along info on celebrations planned for communities around all over the place, so send announcements along if you'd like some exposure in next Friday's blog.

Until then, that's it for another week. One quarter of 2007 is now behind us.

Yikes!

For information on adoption from Cambodia, click here, and on the suspension, here's something from 2002.