2009 AWA Prizes
Alternatives Watch
2009 AWA PRIZES
As 2009 draws to a close, it is time to dish out AWA 2009 Prizes for
well deserved recipients.
The “Erotic Entertainment Prize” goes to Cambodian parliamentarians
who enjoy strip poker among themselves so much that predictable losers
are better off remaining naked. Three parliamentarians were stripped
off their immunity during the year, and one of them lost his twice.
Nobody really minds the loss; the losers can have a rest from doing
nothing worthwhile much; the winners experience a sense of
accomplishing something out of their boring career as a rubber stamp.
While Cambodian politicians enjoy the erotic poker, Vietnam secures
the “Dominion Prize” with the latest stampede of investments into the
Cambodian economy. In recent years, Vietnam’s investment in Cambodian
vital sectors reached US$1.5 billion. In 2009 alone, Vietnam poured
over US$400 million into Cambodia. And the future looks very rosy for
a complete economic domination. Cambodian national airline Cambodia
Angkor Air, which began flying this year under Vietnam’s management,
has already made profits – two years earlier than planned. Vietnam
expects iron ore concessions in Cambodia and Laos to help increase its
pre-tax profit of 57 percent next year. Further Vietnamese investments
worth US$6 billion are in the pipeline. With other advantages it has
secured in the last thirty years, Vietnam can now practically run
Cambodia as one of its provinces.
Hence, Vietnam easily wins “Passing-the-Buck Prize” for redirecting to
Cambodia Chinese born Uighur refugees who first arrived in Vietnam. It
wisely realises nobody can win politically when human right and China
are in play. And it has Cambodia to take the rap.
“No-Chance-in-Hell Prize” goes to the twenty Uighur refugees, who were
deported from Cambodia. Their human rights were drowned by China’s bid
of US$1.2 billion in loans and grants to Cambodia for their return.
They might have a better chance if they were convicted criminals for
corruption, or convicted spies. They are likely to face the Chinese
firing squad that has already executed nine of their compatriots.
Meanwhile, prime minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy
jointly grab the “Serving Self-Interest Prize” for intensely taking
advantages of a weakened Cambodia after Vietnam’s successful
implementation of a divide-and-rule strategy. The former has
accumulated power and wealth, and ever since pays tributes to patron
Vietnam; the latter keeps his political career alive by exploiting the
divide that splits the Cambodian people.
The “Slippery Slope Prize” goes to the SRP. It continues to lose
members whom it says are not patriotic; nobody knows how these
unpatriotic became members of the patriotic SRP in the first instance.
The president continues his favourite fleeing into exile so that – his
supporters say – he can fight another day, leaving his patriotic
followers to face consequences of his must-be-seen-to-do-something
impromptu actions. The SRP remains not so democratic according to
local radio chief Mom Sonando, who declares if he has to choose a
democratic party to join, he will pick the HRP, not the SRP. Either
way, both acronyms begin with Hun Sen’s initials.
Happy New Year
Ung Bun Ang
Quotable Quote:
“America can no longer afford to get the Nobel Prizes while our
competitors get the profits.”
Bill Clinton (1946– ), U.S. president.
Putting People First: How We Can All Change America (co-written with
Al Gore).
Correction:
The title of the editorial issued on 30xi09 should read, “Economic
Thrust Westwards”. The editor regrets the error.