John McCain asked delegates to 'fight for what is right for the country'
John McCain has accepted the Republican Party's candidacy for the White House in a speech to cheering supporters at the party's national convention.
He vowed to bring change to government, restore the people's trust in the party and to fight for a better nation.
Praising his running mate Sarah Palin, he said she was the right person to help him bring change to Washington.
Fifty students aligned with the People’s Alliance for Democracy protest at the Education Ministry against the comment by Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat that they should steer clear of politics. APICHART JINAKUL
Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat probably had good intentions when he urged students not to take part in political activities, particularly the anti-government and pro-government rallies of recent days.
Those rallies have turned somewhat dangerous with one dead and many injured during clashes between the two groups of protestors and the police.
Read More Click here
Funds are part of a yearlong program to alleviate poverty and provide greater access to educational and vocational television programming
HENG CHIVOAN
Original report from Phnom Penh
04 September 2008
The Norodom Ranariddh Party is pushing Prime Minister Hun Sen to pardon its exiled leader, offering to bring its two National Assembly seats in line with the ruling party in exchange, officials said Thursday. 
Prince Norodom Ranariddh
The Norodom Ranariddh Party won two seats in the election, and if it sides with the opposition, it will create a block of 31 National Assembly votes capable of drafting motions critical of the government.
Without the Norodom Ranariddh Party, the opposition Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties can only muster 29 votes, one vote short under the constitution of drafting critical legislation or forwarding motions to call government officials to answer policy questions before the Assembly.
John McCain asked delegates to 'fight for what is right for the country'
John McCain has accepted the Republican Party's candidacy for the White House in a speech to cheering supporters at the party's national convention.
He vowed to bring change to government, restore the people's trust in the party and to fight for a better nation.
Praising his running mate Sarah Palin, he said she was the right person to help him bring change to Washington.
The Arizona senator said he respected Democratic rival Barack Obama and would seek a bipartisan approach to politics.
Presenting himself once again as a maverick, he pledged to fight corruption, whether Democratic or Republican, and make sure that he worked for the good of the American people.
"Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming," Mr McCain told the crowds in St Paul, Minnesota.
 |  Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed John McCain |
In a criticism of his own party, he said he would "fight to restore the pride and principles" of the party, damaged after some Republicans gave in to "the temptations of corruption".
"We're going to recover the people's trust by standing up again for the values Americans admire," he said. "The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics."
Mr McCain then turned to attacking the Democrats over taxes and spending, saying they would seek to raise taxes whereas he would keep them low and cut them where possible.
Going into some policy specifics, he pledged create new jobs, improve education and to reduce a "dangerous dependence on foreign oil" by producing more energy at home, including by drilling new offshore oil wells.
Mr McCain promised to take a bipartisan approach to resolving the nation's problems, saying: "Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed.
| McCAIN'S MOST-USED WORDS  |
"That's how I will govern as president. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again.
"I have that record and the scars to prove it. Barack Obama does not."
After speaking of the five years he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and how that experience had inspired his love of his country, he called on his fellow Americans to fight with him to make it a better one.
"Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history."
The almost hour-long speech, which ended in the traditional shower of confetti and red, white and blue balloons, brought to a close the party's four-day event.
'Tested and true'
The BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul says Mr McCain's speech was measured and entirely lacking in the sarcasm and vitriol which have been levelled at Mr Obama over the past couple of nights.
He said he hated war and would use all America's tools - diplomatic, military and economic - to build what he called a stable and enduring peace, as well as shaking up Washington and including Democrats and independents in a McCain administration.
 Mrs McCain praised her husband as a great father and devoted American |
It was all a rather different tone to the Republican politics of the past eight years, and to many of the other speakers at this Republican convention, our correspondent says.
There was very little of President George W Bush in this speech, our correspondent adds, as Mr McCain tries to show that he is his own man and can signify a break with the Bush years.
Mr McCain's wife, Cindy, in her speech praised her husband's family values, strength of character, war service and leadership.
"If Americans want straight talk and the plain truth, they should take a good close look at John McCain... a man tested and true, who's never wavered in his devotion to our country," she said, after arriving on stage flanked by their seven children.
Her speech followed the convention's formal nomination of Mrs Palin - the Republican Party's first female vice-presidential candidate.
Mrs Palin becomes only the second woman, the first being Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, to run for the US vice-presidency.
'Integrity and courage'
Speaking ahead of Mr McCain's address, senior Republicans praised his courage and leadership.
 I have to say, from my vantage point next to the DC delegation, my overall impression was that the audience in the hall were disappointedBBC North America editor Justin Webb |
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, at one point hotly tipped to be Mr McCain's running mate choice, described the Arizona senator's life as "a testimony to service, duty, courage and common sense".
"In this time, we don't need a president who can just read a poll or momentarily thrill a crowd. We don't need rhetoric or empty promises," he said.
"We need a president who has the integrity and courage to make the tough choices so America will be stronger and safer."
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham hailed Mr McCain's determination to back the Bush administration's "surge" strategy in Iraq despite the political risks.
McCain is an experienced person and his speech impressed me
He introduced a video presenting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a "maverick" moose-hunter from Alaska who was joining "the original maverick" Mr McCain to bring change to Washington politics.
In a well-received speech on Wednesday, Mrs Palin praised Mr McCain and attacked Mr Obama as having talked of change, but done nothing of substance.
Fifty students aligned with the People’s Alliance for Democracy protest at the Education Ministry against the comment by Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat that they should steer clear of politics. APICHART JINAKUL
Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat probably had good intentions when he urged students not to take part in political activities, particularly the anti-government and pro-government rallies of recent days.
Those rallies have turned somewhat dangerous with one dead and many injured during clashes between the two groups of protestors and the police.
But students also have good reason to be interested in politics. Their futures depend on a strong, stable political system and they will some day have to take an active part in seeing that happen.
Many students realise this and that is why a group of about 50 students from Makkhawan Demonstration School of Ratchadamnoen university showed up at the ministry yesterday, demanding that the minister quit.
They placed a wreath outside the ministry on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue with the message ‘‘In memory of the education minister, who has died in the hearts of young people.’’
The Makkhawan Demonstration School is actually the name of a group of students who regularly join the People’s Alliance for Democracy protest. They come from various schools and universites around the city.
Group head Sangtham Chunchadathan, a PhD student at Rangsit University, demanded Mr Somchai apologise and resign.
Krittin Dingkaew, a second-year student at Thammasat University’s faculty of law, said Mr Somchai’s ‘‘narrow-minded, unethical and immature’’ comments proved he was unfit to oversee the education ministry.
Natthapol Kanasap, a first-year student at Chulalongkorn University’s medical school, said: ‘‘We cannot stay idle with the government’s frequent use of force against protesters.
‘‘We are eligible to vote and have the right to participate in politics.’’
Increasing numbers of high school and university students are ignoring Mr Somchai's advice and are turning up at the PAD rally following the government’s use of force against protesters last Friday and the imposition of the state of emergency on Tuesday.
Kanokporn Promputthachat, Pachara Chamnanprai and Chaiwat On-kaew, high school students at Wat Makut Kasatayaram School, joined the rally in school uniform yesterday.
Ms Kanokporn said they served as security volunteers for the protesters, searching people for weapons between 7pm and 9pm.
Mr Pachara said: ‘‘We come to the rally to get first-hand experience on political demonstrations. Unlike the minister, our parents support us.’’
Funds are part of a yearlong program to alleviate poverty and provide greater access to educational and vocational television programming
HENG CHIVOAN
Original report from Phnom Penh
04 September 2008
The Norodom Ranariddh Party is pushing Prime Minister Hun Sen to pardon its exiled leader, offering to bring its two National Assembly seats in line with the ruling party in exchange, officials said Thursday.Prince Norodom Ranariddh
The Norodom Ranariddh Party won two seats in the election, and if it sides with the opposition, it will create a block of 31 National Assembly votes capable of drafting motions critical of the government.
Without the Norodom Ranariddh Party, the opposition Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties can only muster 29 votes, one vote short under the constitution of drafting critical legislation or forwarding motions to call government officials to answer policy questions before the Assembly.
Prince Norodom Ranariddh faces an 18-month prison sentence and a fine of $150,000 if he returns to
The Norodom Ranariddh Party has requested a pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni, but royal officials say the king has sought agreement for a pardon from Hun Sen.
NRP spokesman Suth Dina said Thursday the party's two seats have political value for the ruling Cambodian People's Party to help it avoid problems from the opposition.
"If Prince Ranariddh joins in the opposition alliance, it will make trouble for the CPP, because we have more than 30 elements to criticize the government," he said. "We believe that the CPP, especially Prime Minister Hun Sen, will not let the prince stay with the opposition and will pardon the prince, for returning home."
Suth Dina did not say Thursday whether the Norodom Ranariddh Party was ready to join the opposition coalition. The party broke with the opposition by accepting the legitimacy of the election shortly after the polls.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Thursday the prince cannot be pardoned.
"The court sentenced him already," he said. "But the king and the prime minister can ask the court to suspend the prince's guilty sentence, and then the prince can go back home."
From BBC news
US Vice-President Dick Cheney condemns Russia
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has condemned what he called Russia's "illegitimate" attempt to change Georgia's borders last month.
Mr Cheney added that Russia's actions during the recent conflict with Georgia had cast doubt on its reliability as an international partner.
He also said the US was fully committed to Georgia's efforts to join Nato.
Mr Cheney was in Tbilisi a day after the US announced a $1bn (£564m) aid package to help rebuild Georgia.
| US Vice-President Dick Cheney condemns Russia US Vice-President Dick Cheney has condemned what he called Russia's "illegitimate" attempt to change Georgia's borders last month. Mr Cheney added that Russia's actions during the recent conflict with Georgia had cast doubt on its reliability as an international partner. He also said the US was fully committed to Georgia's efforts to join Nato. Mr Cheney was in Tbilisi a day after the US announced a $1bn (£564m) aid package to help rebuild Georgia.
The conflict between Georgia and Russia erupted on 7 August after Georgia tried to retake the breakaway region of South Ossetia by force. Russian forces launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia. Russia has since recognised the independence of both regions, and earlier this week dismissed Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili as a "political corpse" whose leadership it did not recognise. Energy route Mr Cheney was speaking at a news briefing in Tbilisi, standing beside President Saakashvili. "After your nation won its freedom in the Rose Revolution, America came to the aid of this courageous young democracy," Mr Cheney said. "We are doing so again as you work to overcome an invasion of your sovereign territory and an illegitimate unilateral attempt to change your country's borders by force that has been universally condemned by the free world.
Georgia has been a significant troop contributor to US operations in Iraq, and it is a key link in the only energy export route from Central Asia westwards that does not pass through Russian territory. However, the aid package announced on Wednesday is limited to helping re-settle refugees and rebuild Georgia's infrastructure, and the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says it remains unclear how far the US and its Nato allies are prepared to go in re-arming its military. On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also announced that Georgia was to receive a $750m (£422m) loan. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has accused the US of helping Tbilisi build its war machine, and criticised its decision to send humanitarian aid to Georgia aboard military ships. Faced with a chorus of international calls for Russia's isolation as a result of the war, Mr Medvedev said Moscow did not fear being expelled from the G8 group of rich nations nor did it fear Nato cutting ties with his country. Early this week, EU leaders agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops had withdrawn from Georgia, but they did not threaten sanctions. Mr Cheney, who was in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, will end his tour of the region in Ukraine later on Thursday. | ||||
| | | | ||||
| Some say the Preah Vihear dispute goes beyond an 11th-century temple and into far deeper waters: the disputed oil-rich, offshore block claimed by both Cambodia and Thailand | |
| THE implications of the current border standoff with Thailand reach far beyond the 4.6-square-kilometre patch of land around Preah Vihear. | |
 VANDY RATTANA Monks walk in front of Preah Vihear temple, which may not be at the heart of the current border dispute. Thailand and Cambodia both assert claims over some 27,000 square kilometres of disputed maritime territory in the Gulf of Thailand that is believed to contain significant amounts of oil and gas reserves. The expanse of water known as the Overlapping Claims Area, or OCA, has been the source of a contentious, decades-old dispute with Thailand but has gained a new imperative amidst the current border crisis. Cambodia makes one line, thailand makes another, and it makes an overlapping area. Typically, a marine border extends out about 22km from a country's coastline. Besides marine resources, the maritime border determines exclusive economic zones where natural resources can be claimed, including those under the seabed. Talks over the Overlapping Claims Area had resumed in April after years of stalemate but remained in their early stages. The dispute goes back to the 1970s, but six years ago Cambodia and Thailand negotiated a joint development agreement that was hoped to resolve the problem. Now, things do not look so good. "Because of politics, we've had no chance to talk with Thailand. Cambodia makes one line, Thailand makes another, and it makes an overlapping area," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told the Post on August 27. The original model negotiated by Thailand and Cambodia called for a 50-50 split of resources, but Phnom Penh has more recently pressured for a 60-40 sharing ratio - a move Thailand has resisted. Oil experts say that Cambodia is likely to resist simply splitting the area down the middle because the better prospects would lie in the Thai half. More than temples Since the border dispute erupted, suspicions have intensified that by asserting control over Preah Vihear, Cambodia is angling to improve its claims over the disputed offshore block. Some in Thailand claim that recognising Preah Vihear as belonging to Cambodia would legitimise the 1908 map and give way to Cambodia asserting more control over the contested waters and its riches. "What is foreseeable is that the disputed territorial areas on land can be a model for the overlapping sea boundaries, because they are based on the same French mapping principle," the Bangkok Post quoted retired Vice Admiral Pratheep Chuen-arom as saying on July 29. According to Pratheep, the border drawn by France in the 1960s extended into the sea, "cutting through parts of Thailand's Kud Island, while Thailand drew a different line close to Cambodia's Kong Island." More than 90 degrees lies between the two lines, forming a vast expanse of disputed waters. According to Phay Siphan, the borders drawn by Thailand are a "unilateral map" without international legitimacy. He said Cambodia's maritime border with Thailand is formed by a line of sight between the summit of Chom Yeam, the international checkpoint at pillar 73, and the summit of Koh Kud. He said, however, that this demarcation is more than a century old, stemming from the 1908 map and not the 1962 international court ruling that also legitimised Cambodia's sovereignty over Preah Vihear. Whose land is it? The 1962 court decision did not draw a new map or "take Preah Vihear temple and give it to Cambodia; it confirmed the borders and proved that Preah Vihear lies within Cambodian territory, and it ordered Thailand to get out of that land," Phay Siphan said. "Thailand always treats that area [along the French-drawn border] as a war zone to protect their own interests." Either way, the border standoff has intensified the race to map out the border between the two. Hong Sean, a soldier standing guard at the Chom Yeam international checkpoint at pillar 73, said a team of Cambodian and Thai military officials had been in the area two weeks ago and were "still working to reach an agreement on the location of the pillars 71 and 72." Var Kimhong, head of the National Border Committee, dismissed claims that Thailand could lose maritime territory if it recognises Cambodia's ownership of land at Preah Vihear. But he added that Cambodia stands by the French-drawn map, saying "existing documents establish the border demarcation". |
Mayor Ray Nagin warned residents that trailer homes may 'become projectiles'
New Orleans residents have been fleeing in their thousands after the mayor ordered the evacuation ahead of the storm's expected landfall on Monday.
Roads out of the Louisiana port have been crammed with traffic.
Mr Nagin said that the first storm winds could hit New Orleans as early as daybreak on Monday and the hurricane could reach Category Four strength.
America's homeland security chief, Michael Chertoff, said the main evacuation was going well but he warned that some people seemed determined to ride out the storm.
|  Predicted route of Hurricane Gustav (31 August 2008) |
That strikes me as exceptionally foolish," he said and appealed for the "maximum level of co-operation from the individual public".
The evacuation comes almost exactly three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.
In 2005, three-quarters of the city was flooded after a storm surge breached its protective levees. More than 1,800 people died in coastal areas.
Gustav weakened to a Category Three storm (with winds of up to 125mph; 201km/h) after hitting Cuba overnight, but was expected to regain strength in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall again.
A hurricane watch is in place from Texas along to the Alabama-Florida border.
'Big, ugly storm'
Outlining the phased, mandatory evacuation of the city, Mayor Nagin warned any potential looters that they would go straight to prison.
| FLASHBACK TO KATRINA  Katrina struck US Gulf Coast in August 2005 as a category three storm, killing more than 1,800 people New Orleans was 80% flooded after storm surge breached protective levees US Government was blamed for slow, botched response that exacerbated disaster Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced |
Though he did not repeat his earlier forecast that Gustav would be "the storm of the century", he described it as "big and ugly".
News that it had speeded up on its route in from the Gulf of Mexico was some good news, he added.
Earlier, he warned that in the West Bank area of New Orleans, the highest levees were just eight to 10 feet, and were at risk from storm surges that could be as high as 24 feet.
The floodwalls of the Harvey Canal - a waterway designed to protect residents from surges in Lake Pontchartrain - were not yet completed, the mayor said, warning that water would "punch through holes" and flood nearby areas.
On the main roads out of New Orleans, traffic now flows in the same direction along both carriageways, carrying a stream of family vehicles to the relative safety of the north, the BBC's Kevin Connolly reports.
Many of the city's major hotels are shutting down and tourists have been advised to leave before the airport closes too, our correspondent says.
At the city's main transit terminal, reports said a line snaked for more than a mile as residents waited to board buses bound for shelters in north Louisiana and beyond.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, in New Orleans to observe the evacuation, said about 700 people an hour could be flown out of the city.
Convention dilemma
Republican Party presidential hopeful John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin were traveling to Mississippi on Sunday to observe storm preparations.
It is like a dream that is repeating itself after three years, only this time it is more intense
The Republican National Convention is due to open on Monday in Minnesota and officials are considering what to do about the gathering.
Mr McCain hinted there might be changes to the tone of the event, rather than a cancellation.
The White House has confirmed that neither President George W Bush nor Vice-President Dick Cheney will attend the convention because of the hurricane.
Mr Bush is due to visit Texas to oversee hurricane emergency efforts there.
Gustav claimed the lives of more than 80 people in the Caribbean, causing widespread damage in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica over the past week.
At least 300,000 people were evacuated in Cuba as the storm brought extensive flooding and some severe damage, but no reports of deaths.
