September 10, 2010
ABC Radio Australia
In Cambodia, where the damming of the Mekong River is being blamed for drought conditions in parts of the country, where irrigation water has dried up.
There's also pressure on fish stocks, with shortages leading to steadily rising prices. Warnings about the downstream impact of dams, particularly those built by China, have been growing and now there are calls for ASEAN a body frequently criticised for IN-action to take a stand. The issue was aired as part of two days of talks in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, organised by the Melbourne University-based Asialink which was also an opportunity to assess Cambodia's overall progress.
There's also pressure on fish stocks, with shortages leading to steadily rising prices. Warnings about the downstream impact of dams, particularly those built by China, have been growing and now there are calls for ASEAN a body frequently criticised for IN-action to take a stand. The issue was aired as part of two days of talks in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, organised by the Melbourne University-based Asialink which was also an opportunity to assess Cambodia's overall progress.
Presenter: Linda Mottram
Speakers: Professor Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister; Ambassador Pou Sothirak, Cambodian diplomat
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MOTTRAM: Though still deeply impoverished, Cambodia has without doubt been transformed from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge, through a difficult and volatile peace process and into a more hopeful future based on broadly democratic principles. Former Australian Foreign minister, Gareth Evans, was a key playing in the peace process.
EVANS: You do get a sense that things are coming together I mean the physical fabric of the place is impressive. I am back here now for the first time in eight or nine years and you can sense the difference, the number of high rise buildings, just the sense of prosperity that's out there and the growth rates reflect that in terms of the formal statistics.
MOTTRAM: Gareth Evans and Australia more broadly are held in genuine affection in Cambodia for their efforts in pulling the country from its dark past. And Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen reflected that at the formal, public opening of the Asialink Conversations.
HUN SEN: I would like to extend a particular heartfelt welcome back to Cambodia to the honorable Professor Gareth Evans.
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EVANS: You do get a sense that things are coming together I mean the physical fabric of the place is impressive. I am back here now for the first time in eight or nine years and you can sense the difference, the number of high rise buildings, just the sense of prosperity that's out there and the growth rates reflect that in terms of the formal statistics.
MOTTRAM: Gareth Evans and Australia more broadly are held in genuine affection in Cambodia for their efforts in pulling the country from its dark past. And Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen reflected that at the formal, public opening of the Asialink Conversations.
HUN SEN: I would like to extend a particular heartfelt welcome back to Cambodia to the honorable Professor Gareth Evans.
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