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Paper admits triggering riot

Thursday 30 January 2003, 22:05PM


A newspaper story that triggered anti-Thailand rioting was based on a rumour spread by three unidentified men, the publication's editor said.

The Rasmei Angkor (Light of Angkor) published an account on January 18 that Thai actress Suwanan Kongying had accused Cambodia of stealing Angkor Wat, the country's cultural icon, from Thailand.

"Three people came to my office and told me they saw the Thai actress on cable television speaking badly about Cambodia," the editor, In Chan Watha, told The Associated Press. "Maybe they misunderstood what she said on television."

The actress denied making any such comment.

The editor said he published the story without independent confirmation "to protect Cambodia's sovereignty". He described the sources as Khmer nationalists.

Information Secretary of State Khieu Kanharith said the story was apparently fabricated and that authorities were investigating the source of the "rumour".

He accused Rasmei Angkor and another newspaper, Koh Santepheap, of "irresponsible journalism" and said he would urge journalists to organise an ethics committee and draft a code of conduct. Libel laws are notoriously weak in Cambodia.

"We always say we are the freest press in the world because everyone can fabricate news," Khieu Kanharith said.

The rumour spread on January 25 when the more widely read daily, Koh Santepheap (Island of Peace), published a story based on the Rasmei Angkor article and radio talk shows began taking calls from irate listeners.

Prime Minister Hun Sen lent credibility to the rumour on Monday by chastising the actress and urging people to give up foreign products, a reference to Thai consumer goods and television serials that are highly popular in Cambodia.

"Don't be mistaken. She isn't even worth as much as the grass that grows around Angkor temples," Hun Sen said.

Hun Sen's speech apparently provided the trigger for a protest on Wednesday that began peacefully but got out of hand as security forces did little to control the mob.

The rioters stormed the Thai Embassy, looted it and set parts of it on fire. Then they targeted Thai-owned businesses and companies. An enraged Thailand downgraded diplomatic ties and suspended all other relations on Thursday.

©2003 AP

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