Starting off this week's Cambodian news, an update on a story from a few weeks back on government orders to halt development on a project that began with filling in Beong Kob Srov Lake by the Long Chhin Resort Company.

This particular land scam, like many others, has hurt a lot of people, but this time it's not the desperately poor losing out.

Seems a number of Cambodians invested heavily in the project, either by buying villas and apartments or through extending credit to the company for building materials, and it's estimated that losses are around US$ 20 million.

Seeing that the company has only about $4,000 in the bank, the government's promise to help with repayment is being welcomed.

The Chinese man who owns the company has 'disappeared'.

Vietnam continues to invest in Cambodia, with the military-owned mobile network operator Viettel completing negotiations to launch its business in the country, and a cement company is under construction.

Cambodia's recent history is in the news as President Bush links it to the present situation in Iraq.

Bush: "In Cambodia the Khmer Rouge began a murderous rule in which hundreds of thousands of Cambodians died by starvation and torture and execution."

Shuster: "But it's a fact that the murderous rule in Cambodia began well before the U.S. withdrew from Southeast Asia and many historians argue that the United States made the violence worse by going into Cambodia and Vietnam in the first place."

And speaking of the Khmer Rouge, the UN is now urging Cambodia to reconsider the transfer of a judge from the genocide tribunal, suggesting the move will be a disruption.

Gee ... really? I'm guessing that was the point.

As this story suggests, there may be some political motivation.

Duh.

There is an interesting story in the L.A. Times about one man's account of Pol Pot's chief executioner, Duch, the Cambodian history around him, and the hopes that surround the idea of the tribunals.

And yet Cambodia remains a society plagued by violence. A trial could help establish an understanding of the importance of due process of law to replace the current cycle of impunity and revenge. It is also important for people to see that leaders are not immune from prosecution. Many believe that this lack of accountability is one of the most enduring legacies of Khmer Rouge rule.

Software giant Cisco is answering its pledge to contribute money and resources to Cambodia as part of a UNESCO program called the "Next-Generation of Teachers Project" that is to teach teachers.

A Japanese actress is visiting Cambodia in her capacity of the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador, ostensibly to "understand better about the development issues in Cambodia".

Are we thinking that an actress getting a handle on the situation is going to make a difference?

Perhaps the $50,000 donation from the UN to fight dengue fever in the county will have a bit more impact?

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