2000 Chronology Of Cambodia History

Jan. 5, 2000

UN legal counsel Han Corell meets with Ambassador Ouch Borith, Cambodia Permanent Representative to the UN, to hand over the UN's comments on the second draft law concerning the Khmer Rouge tribunal.

Jan. 6, 2000

RGC cabinet approves the draft law to try surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide, despite UN concerns over the limits placed on international jurists.

Jan. 7, 2000

PM Hun Sen rejects a UN invitation to hold talks in New York to discuss the draft law, but he offers to hold further negotiations in Phnom Penh.

Jan. 14, 2000

RGC cabinet amends the draft tribunal law to allow for the participation of one foreign judge in the investigation process.

US Congressman Dana Rohrbacher arrives in Phnom Penh and is greeted at the airport by opposition leader Sam Rainsy.  He meets with PM Hun Sen for talks on democracy and the proposed tribunal for leaders of the Khmer Rouge.

Jan. 18, 2000

UN receives the translation of the amended draft law for a Khmer Rouge tribunal.

Jan. 19, 2000

Cabinet Minister Sok An tells reporters that he submitted the draft tribunal law to National Assembly for debate.

Jan. 27, 2000

The first public forum for discussion of a Khmer Rouge tribunal is held in Battambang.

Jan. 29, 2000

Prince Ranariddh, National Assembly President, expresses his frustration with what he says is the UN's prolonged silence on a plan for Khmer Rouge tribunal.

Feb. 1, 2000

Cambodia and Thailand sign an agreement on air service between the two countries.

Feb. 4, 2000

Khieu Samphan says he is willing to come forward and speak out in a public forum.

Feb. 8, 2000

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he does not agree with the draft tribunal law approved by the Cambodian government.  He identifies four fundamental issues: guarantees that those indicted would be arrested; no amnesties or pardons; the appointment of independent, international prosecutors; and the appointment of a majority of foreign judges.

Feb. 12, 2000

On the sidelines of a UN trade conference in Bangkok, Kofi Annan says he is optimistic that a new UN mission to Cambodia will resolve differences with the government over establishing a tribunal to try surviving Khmer Rouge leaders.

March 6, 2000

PM Hun Sen criticizes UN saying that three former UN Secretaries General should be held accountable for the Khmer Rouge's occupation of Cambodia's UN seat during the late 1970s and 1980s.  Prince Ranariddh tells reporters that he understands the "reality" of the PM's position but he and King Sihanouk hope a compromise can be reached.

March 16, 2000

UN and Cambodian negotiators hold their first meeting in the latest round of negotiations to discuss outstanding differences on the format of a Khmer Rouge tribunal.

March 22, 2000

Cambodia and UN announces that they failed to reach agreement on how to convene a joint tribunal of Khmer Rouge leaders.

March 31, 2000

A public forum is held in Sihanoukville (Kom Pongsom) on whether former leaders should go on trial.  About 100 people, including ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers and genocide survivors, attend.

April 10, 2000

King Sihanouk declares that he is willing to face either a Cambodian-run or international genocide tribunal to explain his role during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.

April 11, 2000

FM Hor Namhong suggests that talks between PM Hun Sen and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Cuba on April 10 ahead of the G-77 summit may held to break the deadlock in efforts to set up a tribunal to try surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide.

April 19, 2000

Japan submits a resolution to the UN Human Rights Commission urging the Cambodian government to resolve its differences with the United Nations on the appointment of a special genocide court to try surviving Khmer Rouge leaders.

April 29, 2000

PM Hun Sen agrees to accept a proposal put forward by US Senator John Kerry, under which a panel of judges - three Cambodians and two foreign - would rule on disputes regarding indictments.  Four judges would need to be in agreement to block a case from proceeding.

US Senator John Kerry leaves Cambodia after s two-days visit, which focused mostly on the Khmer Rouge tribunal.

May 19, 2000

PM Hun Sen sends a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressing his support for the compromise formula brokered by Senator John Kerry in April for the establishment of a tribunal to try surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide.

June 14, 2000

Cambodia and Thailand sign agreement on combat against illicit trafficking and cross-border smuggling of movable cultural property and to restitute it to the country of origin, agreement on cooperation for the return of stolen or embezzled vehicles, and MOU on the survey and demarcation of land boundary.

July 4, 2000

UN legal counsel Hans Corell arrives in Phnom Penh for a final round of talks with a team of Cambodian government representatives headed by cabinet minister Sok An.

July 6, 2000

Cambodia and UN finalize details of a draft accord for the tribunal, which would be a Cambodian court with the participation of international judges and prosecutors.

July 7, 2000

UN legal counsel Hans Corell presents a draft Memorandum of Understanding that would govern cooperation between the UN and Cambodia in the establishment and operation of a tribunal.  The MOU is to be signed by the UN and Cambodia after the National Assembly passes the tribunal law.

July 28, 2000

Cambodia and Thailand made an agreement to join forces in promoting a combine tourism attraction for the two countries called “Two Kingdoms, One Destination”.

Aug. 14, 2000

Cambodia and Canada sign a Memorandum Of Understanding concerning the two countries Health and Nutrition Initiative Project. The goal of the Project is to improve health and nutrition standards in selected areas in Cambodia over a five-year period. The project will provide, in its first year, a contribution of up to 4 million Canadian Dollars to be used to purchase food commodities in Canada, which in turn be monetized on the Cambodia domestic market. The monetization proceeds will be credited to a Health and Nutrition Counterpart Fund. The objectives of the Fund are to address key health and nutrition issues by: decreasing malnutrition and eliminating micro-nutrient deficiencies; helping control important and emerging pandemics with particular attention to tuberculosis; improving children's health; and improving women's health and reproductive health.

Aug 16-18, 2000

PM Hun Sen leads a delegation to Philippines for an official state visit. Two Agreements and three MOUs aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation are signed during the visit: Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, Agreement concerning the Promotion and Protection of Investments, MOU on Tourism Cooperation, MOU on Rural Health Development Cooperation, and MOU on Visa Exception for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports. [Speech]

Aug. 19-21, 2000

PM Hun Sen leads a delegation to Brunei for an official state visit. The Trade Agreement and the Agreement on Air Services between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di - Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam are signed.

Aug. 27-30,2000

Vietnam Deputy PM Nguyen Tan Dung, at an invitation of Dep. PM Sar Kheng, leads a delegation to visit Cambodia. Three agreements are signed between the Governments of both countries: the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Agreement on the Accounting, Exhumation and Repatriation of Remains of Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers Killed in Action during the Wartime in Cambodia, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Health Development Cooperation.

Sept. 24, 2000

PM Hun Sen indicates that former Khmer Rouge Foreign Minister Ieng Sary should not be brought to trial since he was granted amnesty by the King after he defected to the government in 1996.  Ieng Sary was sentenced to death in absentia in 1979.

Oct. 7, 2000

FM Hor Namhong receives Mrs. Heidemarie, German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, and her delegation at Foreign Ministry in Phnom Penh.  The delegation is in Cambodia for a 3-days visit.

Oct. 17, 2000

Prince Ranariddh tells reporters that King Sihanouk has expressed his wish to see the tribunal delayed because he is concerned about peace and stability in the country.  He also says that the draft bill on the tribunal is not likely to be adopted this year because the government is more concerned about the recent floods.

Oct. 18, 2000

PM Hun Sen announces on national radio his intention to push the tribunal law forward, "we need to have a court soon or the ghost of the Khmer Rouge will haunt us."

FM Hor Namhong writes letters to Republic of Korea FM Lee Joung Binn, host of the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), French FM Hubert Vedrine, EU Chairman, and his seven Asean counterparts seeking their support for Cambodia to participate in ASEM.

Nov. 2, 2000

Eleven nations, including Japan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, submit a resolution to the UN Human Rights Committee requesting the Cambodian government to set up a court to try the Khmer Rouge.

Nov. 8, 2000

FM Hor Namhong writes letters to Republic of Korea FM Lee Joung Binn, host of the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), French FM Hubert Vedrine, EU Chairman, and his seven Asean counterparts seeking their support for Cambodia to participate in ASEM.

Nov. 13, 2000

Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrives in Phnom Penh for a 2-days state visit, at the invitation of King Sihanouk. The Joint Statement by Cambodia and the PRC on the Framework of Their Bilateral Cooperation, Protocol on the Exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty on Extradition, the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation, the Agreement on the Provision of the General Goods for Royal Palace, the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, Exchange of Notes on Extending the Term of Loan, and the Memorandum of Understanding on agriculture Cooperation are signed. [Joint Statement]

Nov. 16, 2000

PM Hun Sen addresses to the Donors’ Meeting on Mine Action.  [Text of the Address]

FM Hor Namhong and Japan Charge d’Affaires Eiji Yamamoto exchange notes on a grant aid up to the amount of 159,000,000 Yen provided by the Government of Japan for the purpose of contributing to the execution of the project for human resource development scholarship. The grant aid will be used by Cambodia to provide academic opportunities for Cambodian students to study in Japanese higher educational institutions. This grant would enable 20 Cambodian students to study at Japanese universities from September 2001 in the fields of Economics (Financial and Monetary Management, International Economics, Business Management), Law, International Relations including International Law, and other important fields on human resources development. This grant aid is to add to the scholarship of the government of Japan such as the Monbusho scholarship through which the Government of Japan has been providing scholarship to more than 30 students every year.

Nov. 18, 2000

Dep. Chairman of the Russian State Duma, A. N. Tchilingarov, arrives in Phnom Penh for a 4-days official visit.

Nov. 21, 2000

FM Hor Namhong receives a delegation from Sweden led by Mr. Jan Bjerninger, Assistant Director General, Head of the regional department for Asia, Sida, who is visiting Cambodia from 20-24 November 2000 to review and discuss ongoing and future development between Sweden and Cambodia.  The FM also exchanges Letter of Understanding with Ms. Monika MIDEL, Country Director of the UN World Food Programme in Cambodia, concerning Emergency Food Assistance to Flood Victims in Cambodia. The assistance, with the total amount of US$ 9,098,444, would be provided through three phases: 1- Emergency Assistance (one month - 500,000 beneficiaries), 2- Stabilization (two months - 250,000 beneficiaries) and 3- Rehabilitation (three months - 115 beneficiaries). The project will be implemented during the period from 10 October 2000 to 31 March 2001.

Nov. 22, 2000

US Senator John Kerry ends a two-day visit to Cambodia during which he discussed the progress of the tribunal law with PM Hun Sen, Cabinet Minister Sok An and National Assembly President Prince Ranariddh.  The Senator announces that Cambodian leaders have agreed to expedite the tribunal.

Nov. 27, 2000

FM Hor Namhong meets, in Phnom Penh, with Peter Leuprecht, UN Secretary-General Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia, who paid the first official visit to Cambodia from 26 Nov. - 2 Dec. 2000.

Nov. 28, 2000

National Assembly legislative committee and the government task force conclude their discussions on the tribunal draft law.  Sok An says that the law is now ready to be debated by the Assembly.

PM Hun Sen, in an interview with Japanese television, reaffirms that trying Ieng Sary may create problems for Cambodia; however, he says that there would be no problem for Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea.

Dec. 4, 2000

Cambodia and World Food Program sign an agreement under which more than nine million dollar of food would be distributed to more than 800,000 flood victims for six months.  The agreement is signed by Cambodia’s foreign minister, Hor Namhong, and WFP director, Monika Midel.

Cambodian Red Cross Society president, Bun Rany Hun Sen, distributes aid to about 1500 flood victims in Thnout Chong Srorl Commun, Banteay Meas District, Kampot Province.

Dec. 5, 2000

FM Hor Namhong and French Ambassador Andre Jean Libourel sign agreements in which France continues its assistance in strengthening the Military Police and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces for another three years.

King Sihanouk and Queen Monyneath symbolically inaugurate restored buildings of two schools in Svay Rieng and Kompong Cham at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.  Representatives from the schools and the communities are invited to the ceremony.

National Assembly president, Prince Ranariddh, inaugurates a U.S. $400,000 building gift from China.

Dec. 7, 2000

FM Hor Namhong meets with Koichiro Matsuura, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), who visited Cambodia from 6-8 Dec. 2000.

Dec. 8, 2000

PM Hun Sen warns Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) not to harbor terrorists, and that they would be prosecuted for obstructing justice.  The Premier is referring to statements issued by NGOs expressing concern for those detained in connection with the attack on the Ministry of Defense and a military base outside the city on Nov.23.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) approve a loan of U.S. $18.6 million for upgrading power supplies in eight provincial capitals, Sisophon, Banlung, Stung Treng, Kompong Speu, Takeo, Kampot, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng, to benefit 21,000 households.

Dec. 11, 2000

National Assembly vote in favor to provide guarantee to a Chinese company for the loan it is seeking from a package offered by Beijing to Phnom Penh for the Kirirom Hydro-electric project.

Deputy PM, Sar Kheng, orderes the campaign to disarm civilians and tighten the issue of weapons to the armed forces to be stepped up.  The order came after a security review conducted by the Ministry of Interior following the terrorist attack on Nov.23.

FM Hor Namhong leads a Cambodia delegation to attend the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting to be held in the Lao People's Democratic Republic on 11-12 December 2000.

Dec. 12, 2000

PM Hun Sen expresses his concern over the silting of the Mekong, which recently caused massive flooding in the region, described as the worst in decades.  He says the river is narrowing and has become shallow which caused water to overflow its bank during the wet season.

Dec. 14, 2000

FM Hor Namhong receives Ludger Volmer, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, who visits Cambodia from 13-14 December 2000.

Dec. 19, 2000

Ieng Sary tells reporters that he has been contributing to national rebuilding and reconciliation since his defection in 1996.  He also claims that he was only in charge of foreign affairs during the Khmer Rouge regime and was not responsible for the genocide.

Dec. 29, 2000

National Assembly receives the tribunal draft bill from the government Task Force.

2001 Chronology Of Cambodia History

01/15/01

The Senate unanimously passes the law on the establishment of special tribunal to try former Khmer Rouge leaders for crime committed during 1975 to 1979.

01/31/01

The Senate approves and adopts the draft commune law (in Khmer).

05/11/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s cabinet issues a press release denied The Cambodia Daily article HUN SEN Says Singapore Prime Minister's Advice Wrong,  “The Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Cambodia categorically rejects and considers the above interpretation as an intention to underestimate the fruitful negotiation that was held during the visit of His Excellency Prime Minister of Singapore to Cambodia. When being asked by a woman journalist: "Will Cambodia develop only its tourism?" at Pochentong International Airport, the Prime Minister gave a simple response: "If we only develop tourism, would we have anything to eat?" The Cabinet of the Prime Minister would like to stress that in Cambodia, tourism is one of the many priorities in which the Cambodian Royal Government is now developing.”

06/30/01

A Sam Rainsy Party commune council candidate, Uch Horn, in Kampong Speu is murdered, in which Human Rights Action Committee says politically motivated.

07/04/01

An extortion group calling itself “Maria” bomb two hotels, Hong Kong and Hotel Favour, in Phnom Penh, killing three people.

07/11/01

The National Assembly passes the revision of legislation for the establishment of a genocide tribunal of surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for the atrocities committed during their reign from 1975-1979.  The revision is needed to satisfy the Constitutional Council’s objection to the death penalty which forbidden by the Kingdom constitution.

07/16/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen sacks So Mara, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, following a controversy over an agreement negotiated with Thai authorities in which partial management of Preah Vihear Temples is ceded to Thailand.  39 National Assembly members sent letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen demanding the removal of the director.

07/19/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen calls for strong borders control in an effort to stop drug smuggling and armed rebels crossing.  The Premier made the call following talks with Vietnam Minister of Public Security, Le Minh Huong, in Phnom Penh.

07/17/01

The War Crimes Research Office at American University and the Coalition for International Justice release a report naming seven of former Khmer Rouge leaders as candidates for prosecution of crimes against humanity committed during the Khmer Rouge’s reign of horror from 1975 to 1979.  The Seven are: (1) Nuon Chea, (2) Ieng Sary, (3) Khieu Samphan, (4) Ta Mok, (5) Ke Pauk, (6) Sou Meth and (7) Meas Muth.

A Funcinpec commune council candidate, Meas Soy, in Kampong Chhnang is shot dead by two unidentified person.

07/20/01

Three of seven former Khmer Rouge leaders, who was named in the War Crimes Research Office at American University and the Coalition for International Justice report as prime suspects for prosecution of crime against humanity, deny any responsibility for the killing of an estimate 1.7 millions Cambodian during the Khmer Rouge’s reign from 1975 to 1979.

Cambodia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) issues a joint communiqué in Phnom Penh expressing the willing to further develop friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.  The communiqué issues following the conclusion of official visit by the president of North Korea National Assembly, Kim Yong Nam, who arrived Cambodia on July 17.

07/21/01

Voter register have begun for February 3, 2002 communal election.  More than 1600 communes will elect its leaders, some 6 million Cambodians are expected to be eligible to vote.

07/23/01

The Senate unanimously passed, with the vote of 51-0, the revision of legislation for the establishment of a genocide tribunal of surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for the atrocities committed during their reign from 1975-1979.  The revision is needed to satisfy the Constitutional Council’s objection to the death penalty which forbidden by the Kingdom constitution.

08/07/01

The Constitutional Council approves a revived genocide tribunal bill, which was passed the National Assembly on July 11 and by the Senate on 07/23/01.  The bill will forward to King Sihanouk for his signature before it becomes law.

08/08/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen calls for an urgent session of National Assembly to mandate a reshuffle of his cabinet.  The cabinet posts of justice, agriculture, forestry and fishery, and rural development will be reshuffled.

08/10/01

King Norodom Sihanouk signs the genocide tribunal bill into law.  The bill was passed by the National Assembly on July 11, the Senate on July 23, and approved by the Constitutional Council on August 7.  The United Nations welcomes the approval of the law.

Chen Chi-il, a Taiwanese Bamboo Union gang leader, is freed from prison on time served after he was convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal court on charge of illegally possessing weapons.

08/14/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen says the United Nations must accept Cambodian law on the genocide tribunal law, “The Memorandum Of Understanding must comply with Cambodian law. It must not make Cambodian law comply with the MOU.”  Cambodia and the UN are set to negotiate on details of how the world body involve in the tribunal.

08/15/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen appeals for calm among former Khmer Rouge commanders, saying only the top leadership of the Khmer Rouge will be prosecuted by the genocide tribunal for crimes against humanity.

08/16/01

Hanoi welcomes Cambodia’s passing of the genocide tribunal law to try former Khmer Rouge leaders but hesitate to say whether it would cooperate with the tribunal by providing access to state archives, which would shed light on key defendants.

08/17/01

Khieu Samphan makes a public apology to Cambodians who lost family members and relatives during the Khmer Rouge’s reign of horror, “I apologize to our compatriots who had lost their love ones in the regime,” He also rejects all allegations of his involvement in the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge.

Minister of Information send letter to Co-Ministers of Interior requesting the confiscation of all copies of book “Light of Justice” wrote by opposition leader Sam Rainsy.  MoI charges the book is wrote to attack and accuse the RGC without proof and thus intentionally creating suspicion and defamation of the government.

08/19/01

The one billion dollar vaccination drive funded by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates reach Cambodia.  Baby Chan Rasmey of Siem Reap is the first child in Asia to be immunized.

08/20/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen dismisses denials by former Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan as laughable.  The premier says he finds it hard to understand how Khieu Samphan knew nothing of the atrocities when he was the head of state.

Nearly 80 percent of electorate registered for the commune election scheduled to be held on Feb. 3, 2002.  Around 90 percent of eligible voters registered for 1998 national elections.

08/21/01

The National Assembly approves the cabinet reshuffle requested by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Ly Thuch (FUNCINPEC) replaces Chhim Seak Leat as Minister of Rula Development; Neang Situng replaces Ouk Vithun as Minister of Justice; and Chan Sarun becomes Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the post that vacated by the death of Chea Song in April.

08/22/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen says the opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, would be arrested for inciting farmers to demonstrate in Phnom Pehn on pretext of seeking food.  Hun Sen says the real flood victims would be busy at home and take care their family; they won’t have time to come to Phnom Penh.  Around 600 farmers have stayed in the park in front of the National Assembly for a week.

U.S. Ambassador Kent Wiedemann, at an anti-corruption conference, criticizes the RGC over its slow response against corruption in the country.  He adds that with sufficient political will, steps could be taken immediately, and the RGC’s request for technical assistance and more time to draft corruption laws is “a bad excuse”.

08/23/01

Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri arrives in Phnom Penh, from Siem Reap where she spent a few hours visiting Angkor, for a two-days official visit.  She is received at Pochentong Airport by King Norodom Sihanouk.

About 350, 000 people are evacuated from flooded areas in the eastern part of the country.  Government appeals for food and medicines to cope with the evacuation.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy put complaint with National Assembly President Prince Ranarriddh concerning the Prime Minister Hun Sen’s threat of arresting him for inciting demonstration and the confiscation of his book “Light of Justice”.

Prince Ranariddh, answer to reporters at Pochintong Airport, says his father not only had no connection with the Khmer Rouge but its victim.  He also adds that the King will be ready to be a witness if the court call.

08/28/01

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng urges UN High Commissioner for Refugees to speed up its efforts to repatriate some 300 Montagnard refugees from Vietnam who are sheltering in Cambodia.  Montagnards have been fleeing to Cambodia following Vietnamese government crackdown on demonstrations over land rights.

08/29/01

The RGC slams foreign ambassadors in Cambodia through a diplomatic note send to all diplomatic missions in the country over their criticism of the RGC’s moves to fight corruption.  The note refer to an unnamed ambassador, “The said ambassador has also used inflammatory words inciting a revolt against the Royal Government of Cambodia.”

08/30/01

Authorities in the capital Phnom Penh struggle to cope with an influx of people who are homeless by recent flooding.  More than 135,000 people are homeless after two weeks of heavy rains.

09/12/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen sends letter of condolence to U.S. President George Bush, “Excellency, The whole people of Cambodia and I are deeply shocked to learn about the immense tragedy caused by very criminal terrorist attacks against the United States, which resulted in a tremendous loss of lives and injuries. May I convey on behalf of the Royal Government and the People of Cambodia, my most heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of those victims and the U.S. Government on this mournful occasion. I am fully convinced that the whole world must take every joint efforts and action to combat the terrorism in our world today.  Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

11/07/01

Prime Minister Hun Sen thanks U.S. President George Bush for removing Cambodia from the list of major illegal drug producing or transit countries, “... This is a great pride for Cambodia and it is a justification from the US President because Cambodia is not a producer or consumer of drugs... Through our activities, in our efforts to combat and eliminate drugs, I think it is a justification both for the people and the Royal Government of Cambodia... Though some people try hard to tie the Royal Government of Cambodia with the drug issue, the Mafia issue... finally, the President of a powerful country has removed Cambodia from the list... It is clearly the pride for the people of Cambodia, a justification from the powerful country... and I am proud and thank President George W. Bush for giving this justice to the Cambodian people..."

11/09/01

Two CFF suspects, Chu Trie and Puth Siem, are released after Municipal Court ruled that they had been unlawfully arrested and found that there was no evidence against them.

11/26/01

A huge fire levels a Chomkar Mon district squatter neighborhood, leaving thousands of people homeless.

Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong arrives Phnom Penh for a three-days state visit.  He is received at Pochintong Airport by King Norodom Sihanouk, government officials.  Thousands of student line the street for the visiting Vietnamese President's motorcade route.

11/30/01

National Assembly approves, with vote 81 of 91, supporting the suspension of opposition Sam Rainsy Party member Son Chhay for 15 assembly sessions and fine of half of his salary for two months.  The move come after Son Chhay criticized NA President Prince Ranariddh for not sitting in the president’s chair while Assembly is in session.

12/04/01

The Senate’s secretary-general Um Sarith says the institution will no longer help its members to get travel visas for spouses, children and relatives that have been done through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The decision comes amid an investigation into a visa scam in which high government officials are alleged to use their positions for procuring visas for thousands of dollars.

The new $56 million bridge funded by Japanese government is inaugurated in Kompong Cham by Prime Minister Hun Sen.