Thursday, December 08, 2005

Cambodian PM warns land seizures could spark 'revolution'

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says land seizures involving government officials, business people and the military are destabilising the country.

He says there will be no tolerating cases of land grabbing.Land seizures in Cambodia have left thousands of poor families destitute and sparked recent unrest.

Hun Sen has warned a revolution could erupt among rural Cambodians if the practice does not cease.

"...it is time to stop before the people lose their patience," he said. "I warn you, a revolution will take place".

At least six villagers were killed in March when they fought their eviction by security forces following a court order handing the land to a village chief in northwest Banteay Meanchey province.

In August, a court dropped charges against more than 120 police, soldiers and others accused of involvement in the eviction.

The Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975-79 destroyed land registries as part of its drive for an agrarian utopia.

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1526365.htm

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