Sep 05, 2013
There comes a time in the life of every feminist critic and writer
when, according to the law of sod, she happens across a press release
bearing the immortal first line: ‘Vincent Broustet invites us into the
passionate world of young Khmer women.’ To review or not to review, she
wonders. Don’t be ridiculous. Martha, fetch me my gun.
My pen! I mean my pen! How Freudian, please excuse. Anyway, how kind
of Monsieur Broustet to invite us to his exhibition, let us proceed post
haste to see what we can see. The passionate world of young Khmer
women, otherwise known as Broustet’s solo show Queen For A Night, is
only on view in Siem Reap until October 31; what if you want to see it
twice?? We should hurry.
Queen For A Night focuses on Khmer women’s “transformation from
everyday selves into unabashed beauties for Cambodian weddings and other
significant occasions”. Unabashed! Saucy minxes that they are. That may
sound like an excuse for us all to ogle women in various stages of
undress and picturesque disarray, hair all of a tumble, ballgown
slipping cheekily off one ‘unabashed’ shoulder, but undoubtedly the
exhibition’s iconographic subtext contains some contrapuntal critique.
Assiduously, your feminist reviewer scans the aforementioned press
release for thoughtful comment on the egregious sins of the male gaze,
or a meaty gobbet of French philosophy at the very least. “The ritual of
preparing for special events takes hours of enthusiastic groundwork,
usually beginning with a visit to a favourite hair salon to have tresses
elaborately styled and curled.” Tonsorially accurate, no doubt, no
doubt, but few of us go to exhibitions to think about curling tongs, it
must be said.
Ever investigative, your roving reporter buttonholed Robina Hanley,
manager of McDermott Gallery in Siem Reap, to explain further. “You are
unable to tell the difference in the girl who works in a factory from
the girl who comes straight from the countryside. Neither girl is chic
in her everyday life, but when she has a chance to dress for a ceremony
or party, she is usually unrecognisable, sometimes full of confidence,
sometimes a little embarrassed. Vincent sees this every day in Cambodia
and when you examine his paintings you can see tenderness and respect in
every brushstroke.”
That brings us to the paintings themselves. Influenced by “Rembrandt,
Hugo Pratt and all the great artists in between,” Broustet positions
his work firmly in the Impressionist tradition, his paintings redolent
of Degas showing fleeting, flirting, fin de siecle ballet dancers.
Except with much manlier shoulders, it must be said. Suffused with slabs
of toothache-inducing satin, oddly proportioned women hover in a
perspectiveless world, largely bereft of distinctive facial features or
expression, but probably wishing they were somewhere else. So might you
be, dear viewer; so might you be.
In a week when Miley Ray Cyrus has been much on everyone’s minds and
even more in our Facebook feeds, whether we like it or not, it’s
perspicacious to ask whether the kerfuffle over cultural appropriation
and neo-orientalism that resulted from Mi-Cy’s twerkathon has a wider
relevance. Broustet, who has lived and worked outside of his native
France for much of his life, says that his “sketches and paintings do
not engage in exoticism, but instead are transcriptions of moods and
atmospheres, the pursuit of what is and remains common to every human,
every landscape, every shadow”.
That Broustet voluntarily exonerates himself from the charge of
exoticism before anyone has the chance to lay it at his door is
interesting. You might even say telling; I would not say that, of
course, but you might. Whether Broustet’s paintings themselves present a
postcolonial perspective of ‘the East’ – an East of sensuality, latent
sexuality and quantifiable stasis – is moot. As Broustet says, he
“doesn’t believe in exoticism; what is normal to one person can seem
exotic to another. Just because you haven’t experienced something
doesn’t make it exotic.”
However, his works inarguably follow in the aesthetic tradition of
painters who essentialised non-Western places and people in this tidy
way. If you were one of the bajillion VMA viewers who was mild to
moderately offended by Miley Ray Cyrus smacking a lady-bear’s ‘juicy
butt’ before the 9pm watershed and making Willow Smith cry, you may also
be offended by other postcolonial, patriarchal narratives. So, you
know, buyer beware.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
China's inland region key to growth
Publication Date : 05-09-2013
Li made the remarks in a pavilion tour during the 10th China-Asean Expo in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
The city serves as a key gateway connecting China and its neighbours to the southeast.
The east-to-west shift is the trend for economic development, said the premier, as China's opening up follows the path that extends from the coast to the inland regions.
While maintaining the quality of growth in coastal areas, Li said much attention should be paid to exploring the possibilities of development in inland areas.
"It is therefore an inevitable choice to bolster the development of the three emerging economic powerhouses: the old northeast industrial bases, the middle and western regions adjacent to the Yangtze River and the southern and middle-western hinterlands," Li said.
The premier voiced the hope that the northwest areas will also become new frontiers in the regional opening up.
He called for the creation of favourable conditions to promote synergy among the eastern, middle and western parts of the country, so that regions complement one another and build on their respective advantages.
Li said he placed high hopes on unlocking the potential of the middle and western areas, which should play an active role in the westward migration of industries, and pushing ahead the opening of domestic and international markets.
Accompanied by local government authorities and residents, Li on Tuesday began his first trip as premier to the 10th anniversary expo, which attracted more than 2,300 companies from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The expo has become an important platform to promote trade and relationships.
With Li at the wheel, a simulated transportation graphic portrayed a dense network of cruise routes connecting Guangxi's Qinzhou port and 10 ports around Asean.
Better connectivity between China and Asean can only be achieved through intensified infrastructure development, which removes the final barrier to technology transfer and person-to-person contact, said Huang Hao, sales director of Guangxi Sacred New Energy Co Ltd, who was present at the event.
In light of the "diamond decade" that China and Asean are marking, Li encouraged Guangxi to firmly grasp its opportunities by fully leveraging its proximity to the sea and some 600 million people. Li urged Guangxi to strive to become a strategic focal point of local development.
Talking to young performers wearing their national costumes, Li said China and Asean members are like a big family with a common culture and vision for development.
"Bilateral relations will have a splendid future, like a brocade you are embroidering," he said.
In a pavilion with the theme "International Economic Cooperation", Li was introduced by some Chinese enterprises to their investment and business performances in Asean.
To achieve a win-win outcome and mutual reciprocity, Li urged them to abide by local laws and regulations, respect local customs, fulfill their social responsibilities and bring benefits to local people.
The premier was shown the use of agricultural and information technology in Asean markets at several high-tech booths.
He stressed the importance of locating mutual demand as a driving force to spark technological innovation and broaden the fields of cooperation.
Li also welcomed foreign businessmen to ride China's economic boom to expand their business in China and make more Chinese friends.
Ty Channa, deputy director of the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, said that strengthened bilateral ties can aid Asean, notably Cambodia, weather a slow global economy.
Huang Jincheng, assistant chief editor of the Malaysian newspaper Oriental Daily, said Li's remarks show the Chinese government's sincerity and its attention to Asean.
He added that it is quite necessary for China and Asean to develop close ties and there is great potential for bilateral cooperation in commerce, trade and culture.
To deepen pragmatic economic cooperation, Li proposed "an upgraded version" of the China-Asean Free Trade Area, adding that the Chinese side will strive to expand bilateral trade to US$1 trillion by 2020 and increase bilateral investment by $150 billion during the next eight years.
US embassy warns its citizens to avoid mass protest in Cambodia
Xinhua | 2013-9-5
By Agencies
The US embassy on Wednesday urged its citizens to keep away from a mass demonstration staged by the Cambodian opposition on Sept. 7 against the controversial poll result.
"Although recent political gatherings in Cambodia after the July 28 election have been largely nonviolent, even demonstrations or events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence without warning," said a message posted on the website of the US Embassy in Cambodia.
"The US Embassy encourages you to avoid large crowds and immediately leave any area where crowds are gathering," the message said. "You should remain alert to local security developments by monitoring local news reports, be vigilant regarding your personal security and preparedness."
The warning came after Sam Rainsy, President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) announced last Thursday that the party would hold a mass nonviolent demonstration on Sept. 7 against the initial election result which delivered the ruling Cambodian People's Party a victory.
The opposition said about 20,000 protesters would rally at the capital's Freedom Park on that day.
The final result will be officially released on Sept. 8.
By Agencies
The US embassy on Wednesday urged its citizens to keep away from a mass demonstration staged by the Cambodian opposition on Sept. 7 against the controversial poll result.
"Although recent political gatherings in Cambodia after the July 28 election have been largely nonviolent, even demonstrations or events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence without warning," said a message posted on the website of the US Embassy in Cambodia.
"The US Embassy encourages you to avoid large crowds and immediately leave any area where crowds are gathering," the message said. "You should remain alert to local security developments by monitoring local news reports, be vigilant regarding your personal security and preparedness."
The warning came after Sam Rainsy, President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) announced last Thursday that the party would hold a mass nonviolent demonstration on Sept. 7 against the initial election result which delivered the ruling Cambodian People's Party a victory.
The opposition said about 20,000 protesters would rally at the capital's Freedom Park on that day.
The final result will be officially released on Sept. 8.
Japanese Investor in Talks to Take Stake in TV3
The Cambodia Daily
Japan’s TriAsia Group is in talks to acquire a majority stake in local television station TV3 and plans to broadcast Japanese-language shows, the television channel’s owner confirmed Wednesday.
According to TV3’s owner, Khampun Keomony, revenues at the channel have been dropping, which prompted him to look for new investment.
“We perhaps keep 20 percent… and give them an 80 percent share,” Mr. Keomony said. “We can say our income dropped by 80 percent…. If we don’t beef up our capital, we will not move forward because there are so many [TV] stations in our country now,” he added.
The stake in TV3 would be TriAsia’s second investment in Cambodia. Its first was the establishment of the Kiriya coffee shop chain in Phnom Penh’s Boeng Keng Kang I commune last year.
Officials at TriAsia said Wednesday the deal was not yet complete and declined to comment further.
TriAsia CEO Yokoi Tomoyuki wrote on his personal blog on Friday that the firm had signed a deal to obtain 80 percent of TV3. However, the blog post was removed from the website after a reporter inquired about the investment.
“It was agreed to acquire from Khampun Keomony, the current owner of [TV3], 80 percent of the outstanding shares,” Mr. Tomoyuki wrote.
He also wrote that negotiations with Mr. Keomony started in May and that the venture would be the first Japanese-backed television station in Cambodia.
But Mr. Tomoyuki wrote little about his company’s plans for TV3, other than that the station would offer “excellent” Japanese content.
When the deal will go through is currently up in the air because the Phnom Penh Municipality owns part of the television channel and any agreement to sell a majority stake would need approval from City Hall, said its spokesman, Long Dimanche.
Mr. Keomony dismissed City Hall’s involvement and claimed the city had broken their contract with him when they forced him to move TV3’s headquarters from Russian Boulevard in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district to Street 593 in Russei Keo district.
“[The deal] is up to me,” he said.
Japan’s TriAsia Group is in talks to acquire a majority stake in local television station TV3 and plans to broadcast Japanese-language shows, the television channel’s owner confirmed Wednesday.
According to TV3’s owner, Khampun Keomony, revenues at the channel have been dropping, which prompted him to look for new investment.
“We perhaps keep 20 percent… and give them an 80 percent share,” Mr. Keomony said. “We can say our income dropped by 80 percent…. If we don’t beef up our capital, we will not move forward because there are so many [TV] stations in our country now,” he added.
The stake in TV3 would be TriAsia’s second investment in Cambodia. Its first was the establishment of the Kiriya coffee shop chain in Phnom Penh’s Boeng Keng Kang I commune last year.
Officials at TriAsia said Wednesday the deal was not yet complete and declined to comment further.
TriAsia CEO Yokoi Tomoyuki wrote on his personal blog on Friday that the firm had signed a deal to obtain 80 percent of TV3. However, the blog post was removed from the website after a reporter inquired about the investment.
“It was agreed to acquire from Khampun Keomony, the current owner of [TV3], 80 percent of the outstanding shares,” Mr. Tomoyuki wrote.
He also wrote that negotiations with Mr. Keomony started in May and that the venture would be the first Japanese-backed television station in Cambodia.
But Mr. Tomoyuki wrote little about his company’s plans for TV3, other than that the station would offer “excellent” Japanese content.
When the deal will go through is currently up in the air because the Phnom Penh Municipality owns part of the television channel and any agreement to sell a majority stake would need approval from City Hall, said its spokesman, Long Dimanche.
Mr. Keomony dismissed City Hall’s involvement and claimed the city had broken their contract with him when they forced him to move TV3’s headquarters from Russian Boulevard in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district to Street 593 in Russei Keo district.
“[The deal] is up to me,” he said.
Cambodia: Government Obstructs Khmer Rouge Court
Tribunal Staff Unpaid Since May; End Hun Sen Delaying Tactics
(New York, September 5, 2013) – The Cambodian government’s refusal to pay local staff at the Khmer Rouge tribunal is the latest attempt to undermine efforts to bring former Khmer Rouge leaders to justice, Human Rights Watch said today.
On September 2, 2013, more than half of the Cambodians working on the government payroll at the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), set up to try members of the Khmer Rouge, went on strike to protest the government’s failure to pay their salaries since May. The strike includes interpreters, translators, and various judicial and technical staff. The failure to pay staff threatens efforts to finish the first segment of the trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan. Closing statements in the case are scheduled for October and a verdict is expected in the first half of 2014.
“Prime Minister Hun Sen has spent years obstructing the trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders, but donors to the court have played along and continued to subsidize a seriously compromised court,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Donors should finally call his bluff and withhold future contributions until the Cambodian government pays its agreed share of the costs of holding the Khmer Rouge accountable.”
Under the agreement with the United Nations establishing the ECCC, the UN pays the salaries of UN-appointed staff, while the Cambodian government pays the salaries of government-appointed staff. The government has regularly demanded contributions from donors to pay the salaries of government-appointed staff. The resulting withholding of salaries by the government has periodically hobbled the court’s work.
International donors, led by Japan, have been the sole bankrollers of the UN side of the ECCC. Some have also previously provided financial assistance to pay some of the government’s agreed share, though donors have said they would no longer do so.
The ECCC was set up in 2006 following an agreement with the United Nations according to which it operates within the Cambodian judiciary but with UN assistance. The tribunal has the mandate to try “senior leaders” and others “most responsible” for Khmer Rouge crimes from 1975-1979. However, stalling tactics and obstruction by Hun Sen and the Cambodian government mean that thus far it has only convicted one person: Kaing Gech Eav, alias Duch, the chief of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison and torture center. Duch confessed to his crimes in case 001 and was ultimately sentenced to life in prison.
Two of the four “senior leaders” charged by the ECCC have either died or been declared too ill to stand trial. The two “senior leaders” still on trial, Nuon Chea, 87, and Khieu Samphan, 82, are charged with genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in case 002. Concern that they might also die before a verdict led to a Trial Chamber decision to have a first trial segment trying them only in connection with the Khmer Rouge relocation in 1975 of urban Cambodians and others to rural areas previously under Khmer Rouge control. A trial for other crimes for which they are indicted, including genocide, may never happen.
Attempts by UN prosecutors and judges to investigate five additional Khmer Rouge suspects – divided into cases 003 and 004 – have been publicly and repeatedly opposed by Hun Sen. One died, and the health of several others is precarious. A UN-nominated investigating judge is currently investigating cases 003 and 004, attempting to ascertain whether some or all of the four suspects should be indicted for trial. But without government cooperation, trials will be impossible.
While Hun Sen has blocked the tribunal from holding speedy trials and limited the number of accused, many Cambodian staff have worked hard to bring the alleged perpetrators of some of the world’s worst international crimes to justice. However, many staffers are bitter at what they have described to Human Rights Watch as government interference and corruption at the court, which has contributed to the readiness of many to stop work in the face of government nonpayment of their salaries. One told Human Rights Watch: “Why should we work for free if the government doesn’t really care about who committed most of the crimes or our standard of living?”
“Prime Minister Hun Sen has never been committed to prosecuting more than a few Khmer Rouge leaders, apparently to protect members of his party and government who were also in the Khmer Rouge,” Adams said. “The government has demonstrated it has plenty of cash to pay a bloated army and buy elections, making its refusal to put money into the Khmer Rouge tribunal a symbol of its utter contempt for justice in Cambodia. Donors and the UN should insist that the Cambodian government stop pretending to be too poor to provide accountability to the millions of victims of the Khmer Rouge.”
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Thai Central aims to invest up to $468 mln in Southeast Asia
BANGKOK, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Central Pattana Pcl,
Thailand's largest department store operator, plans to invest up
to 15 billion baht ($468 million) to open 2-3 new stores in
Southeast Asia in the next five years.
Central aims to spend about 4-5 billion baht per a store and
planned to open its first foreign department store in Malaysia
in 2016, said Wallaya Chirathivat, the company's senior
executive vice president for business development."We see growth opportunities to invest in Southeast Asia as it will become a single market," he said in a statement.
Central Pattana, part of unlisted retail conglomerate Central Group, is majority owned by Thailand's Chirathivat family, the country's second-richest group, according to Forbes Magazine.
($1 = 32.0700 Thai baht)
Cambodians block border bridge
Sept 3, 2013
Bangkok Post
Cambodian vendors have blockaded the
Thai-Cambodian Friendship bridge near the Aranyaprathet border
checkpoint in a protest against a crackdown on pirated goods by Thai
authorities.
The vendors accused Thai officials of prohibiting them from selling second-hand clothes at the Rong Kruea border market in Thailand. Thai authorities denied the allegation during talks with the vendors.
The officials admitted confiscating some goods, but said this applied only to pirated goods, including bags and shoes, which were being smuggled across the border hidden in other products.
The vendors dispersed after the talks.
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