Friday, 20 February 2009

The Phnom Penh Post News In Brief

In Brief: Sam Rainsy meets with US diplomat

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Meas Sokhea
Friday, 20 February 2009

Sam Rainsy said he brought up the anti-corruption law as well as the Kingdom's response to the global economic crisis in a Thursday meeting with United States Ambassador Carol Rodley. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Sam Rainsy Party president said it was only right for the US government to seek input from both the ruling and opposition parties on these and other issues.

In Brief: Hun Sen extends hand to opposition

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Meas Sokhea
Friday, 20 February 2009

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday he would entertain applications for civil servant positions from members of all political parties so long as the positions were not political. He said positions in the government would continue to be filled by political appointment and would only be open to members of CPP and Funcinpec. However, "for positions that are only for public function, I do not discriminate", he said during a speech concluding a two-day reform conference.

In Brief: ILO decries ruling in union killing

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Robbie Corey-Boulet
Friday, 20 February 2009

The International Labour Organisation said it was "disappointed" to hear of Wednesday's unanimous decision by the Court of Appeal not to overturn the conviction of Thach Saveth, who was found guilty of the 2004 slaying of union leader Ros Sovannareth. "The ILO has repeatedly called for Thatch Saveth to be released from prison and for the murder of Ros Sovannareth to be investigated in accordance with international standards of due process, so that the true perpetrators can be brought to justice," read a statement issued Thursday.

In Brief: Gaming makes $20m

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by HOR HAB AND CHUN SOPHAL
Friday, 20 February 2009

CHEA Peng Chheang, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy, said Thursday that government revenues from the gaming sector topped US$20 million in 2008, a 20 percent spike from the previous year. He added that the government aims to increase gambling revenues this year by a further 12.5 percent by improving revenue collection, though he did not provide details. Cambodia has about 30 casinos - employing more than 15,000 people - mostly along Cambodia's borders with Thailand and Vietnam. Chea Peng Chheang added that the global financial crisis poses a challenge to increasing revenues due to its effect on the tourism sector.

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